Todd R Vandeleest

US Patent:

6564560, May 20, 2003

Filed:

Jul 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/903168

Inventors:

Arthur L. Butterworth - La Crosse WI
Todd R. Vandeleest - West Salem WI
David H. Eber - La Crosse WI

Assignee:

American Standard International Inc. - New York NY

International Classification:

F25B 3100

US Classification:

62 84, 622592, 62505, 62DIG 2

Abstract:

A refrigeration chiller employs a centrifugal compressor the impellers of which are mounted on a shaft which is itself mounted for rotation using rolling element bearings lubricated only by the refrigerant which constitutes the working fluid of the chiller system. Apparatus is taught for providing liquid refrigerant to (1. ) the bearings immediately upon chiller start-up, during chiller operation and during a coastdown period subsequent to shutdown of the chiller and (2. ) the drive motor of the chillers compressor for motor cooling purposes. By use of a variable speed-driven motor to drive the compressor, optimized part load chiller performance is achieved in a chiller which does not require or employ an oil-based lubrication system.

US Patent:

62793403, Aug 28, 2001

Filed:

May 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/578622

Inventors:

Arthur L. Butterworth - La Crosse WI
Todd R. Vandeleest - West Salem WI
David H. Eber - La Crosse WI
James C. Tischer - La Crescent MN

Assignee:

American Standard International Inc. - New York NY

International Classification:

F25B 4302
F25B 3100

US Classification:

62468

Abstract:

A refrigeration chiller employs a centrifugal compressor the impellers of which are mounted on a shaft which is itself mounted for rotation using rolling element bearings lubricated only by the refrigerant which constitutes the working fluid of the chiller system. Apparatus is taught for providing liquid refrigerant to (1. ) the bearings immediately upon chiller start-up, during chiller operation and during a coastdown period subsequent to shutdown of the chiller and (2. ) the drive motor of the chiller's compressor for motor cooling purposes. By use of a variable speed-driven motor to drive the compressor, optimized part load chiller performance is achieved in a chiller which does not require or employ an oil-based lubrication system.

US Patent:

61760927, Jan 23, 2001

Filed:

Oct 9, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/169343

Inventors:

Arthur L. Butterworth - La Crosse WI
Todd R. Vandeleest - West Salem WI
David H. Eber - La Crosse WI
James C. Tischer - La Crescent MN

Assignee:

American Standard Inc. - Piscataway NJ

International Classification:

F25B 4302
F25B 3100

US Classification:

62 84

Abstract:

A refrigeration chiller employs a centrifugal compressor the impellers of which are mounted on a shaft which is itself mounted for rotation using rolling element bearings lubricated only by the refrigerant which constitutes the working fluid of the chiller system. Apparatus is taught for providing liquid refrigerant to (1. ) the bearings immediately upon chiller start-up, during chiller operation and during a coastdown period subsequent to shutdown of the chiller and (2. ) the drive motor of the chiller's compressor for motor cooling purposes. By use of a variable speed-driven motor to drive the compressor, optimized part load chiller performance is achieved in a chiller which does not require or employ an oil-based lubrication system.