This invention provides a
refrigeration system which includes in a
closed loop connection a compressor for compressing a
refrigerant into a condenser for condensing the compressed
refrigerant into a liquid
refrigerant, a control valve to controlling the
discharge of the liquid refrigerant from the condenser into a reservoir, a sensor for measuring the temperature of the liquid refrigerant near the control valve, a fan for circulating air thorough the condenser, a sensor for measuring the ambient temperature of the air flow through the condenser, and an
electronic control system to control various functions of the
refrigeration system, including the flow of the liquid refrigerant through the condenser as function of the
temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the temperature of the liquid refrigerant. During operation, a minimal flooding of the condenser is always maintained; i.e., a certain amount of liquid refrigerant is always trapped to thereby subcool the liquid refrigerant before discharging it into the reservoir at all ambient temperatures. The liquid refrigerant flow is decreased when the
temperature difference is greater than a predetermined value and is increased when the
temperature difference is less than the predetermined value. Further improvements in efficiencies are obtained by controlling air flow through the condenser and compressing refrigerant vapors from the reservoir into the condenser.