Compact refrigeration system for providing multiple levels of cooling

• US 20060090494A1
• Filed: 10/31/2005
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
• Original Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
• Inventors: Coffey, Donald L., Moore, Michael J., Manole, Dan M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,478,541 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/259.2
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/111 of condenser fans
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 5/02 arranged in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 5/04 arranged in series
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/20 Cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/206 comprising thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20936 Liquid coolant with phase change
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Abstract

A refrigeration system for use in cooling electronic equipment includes a closed vapor compression circuit having operably disposed therein a compressor, a condenser, a first expansion device, a second expansion device, and a two-part evaporator. A first part of the evaporator receives working fluid from the first expansion device at a first pressure, and a second part of the evaporator receives working fluid from the second expansion device at a second pressure that is different than the first pressure.

Claims

1. A refrigeration system for use in cooling electronic equipment, said system comprising a closed vapor compression circuit having operably disposed therein a compressor, a condenser, a first expansion device, a second expansion device, and a two-part evaporator, wherein a first part of said evaporator receives working fluid from said first expansion device at a first pressure, and a second part of said evaporator receives working fluid from said second expansion device at a second pressure that is different than the first pressure.

2. The refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein said second expansion device receives working fluid from said first expansion device, and the second pressure is less than the first pressure.

3. The refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein a working fluid temperature in said first part of said evaporator is higher than a working fluid temperature in said second part of said evaporator during operation.

4. The refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein said first part of said evaporator at least partially envelops said second part of said evaporator.

5. The refrigeration system of claim 4 wherein said first part of said evaporator comprises a means for thermally insulating said second part of said evaporator.

6. The refrigeration system of claim 1 further comprising a third expansion device configured to receive working fluid from said first part of said evaporator.

7. The refrigeration system of claim 6 wherein said third expansion device is configured to provide working fluid to said compressor at a pressure that is substantially equal to a pressure at which said second part of said evaporator provides working fluid to said compressor.

8. A compact refrigeration system comprising a closed vapor compression circuit having operably disposed therein a compressor, a condenser, at least one expansion device and a two-part evaporator, a first part of said evaporator at least partially enveloping a second part of said evaporator, said circuit being configured such that a working fluid temperature in said first part of said evaporator is higher than a working fluid temperature in said second part of said evaporator during operation.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said at least one expansion device comprises a first expansion device and a second expansion device, said circuit being configured such that said first part of said evaporator receives working fluid from said first expansion device, and said second part of said evaporator receives working fluid from said second expansion device.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said circuit is configured such that said first part of said evaporator receives working fluid from said first expansion device at a first pressure, and said second part of said evaporator receives working fluid from said second expansion device at a second pressure that is different than the first pressure.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said second expansion device receives working fluid from said first expansion device, and the second pressure is less than the first pressure.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein said first part of said evaporator comprises a means for thermally insulating said second part of said evaporator.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein said first part of said evaporator abuts said second part of said evaporator.

14. A method of operating a refrigeration system comprising:

providing a closed vapor compression circuit having operably disposed therein a compressor, a condenser, a first expansion device, a second expansion device, and a two-part evaporator;

receiving working fluid in a first part of said evaporator from said first expansion device at a first pressure; and

receiving working fluid in a second part of said evaporator from said second expansion device at a second pressure that is different from said first pressure.

15. The method of claim 14 comprising a further step of receiving working fluid in said second expansion device from said first expansion device, the second pressure being less than the first pressure.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein a working fluid temperature in said first part of said evaporator is higher than a working fluid temperature in said second part of said evaporator during operation.

17. The method of claim 14 comprising a further step of using said first part of said evaporator to at least partially envelop said second part of said evaporator.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said using step includes using said first part of said evaporator to thermally insulate said second part of said evaporator.

19. The method of claim 14 comprising a further step of receiving working fluid in a third expansion device from said first part of said evaporator.

20. The method of claim 19 comprising a further step of using said third expansion device to provide working fluid to said compressor at a pressure that is substantially equal to a pressure at which said second part of said evaporator provides working fluid to said compressor.

21. The method of claim 19, comprising a further step of using said second expansion device and said third expansion device to separate the working fluid into liquid working fluid and vapor working fluid.