LIQUID-COOLED HEAT EXCHANGER IN A VAPOR COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A refrigerant vapor compression system comprising:
- a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, the compressor having a suction port and a discharge port;
an air-cooled heat exchanger operatively coupled to the discharge port;
a fan disposed proximate to the air-cooled condenser heat exchanger unit;
a liquid-cooled heat exchanger operatively coupled to the air-cooled heat exchanger, the liquid-cooled heat exchanger comprising an enclosure defining an interior volume, the enclosure having a liquid coolant inlet port and a liquid coolant discharge port fluidly coupled to the interior volume, and a continuous refrigerant tube sealingly disposed within the enclosure, the refrigerant tube fluidly isolated from and in heat exchange relationship with the interior volume;
a liquid coolant inlet conduit operatively coupled to the liquid coolant inlet port of the liquid-cooled heat exchanger;
a coolant pump operatively coupled to the liquid coolant inlet conduit for pumping a liquid coolant;
a liquid coolant discharge conduit operatively coupled to the liquid coolant discharge port of the liquid-cooled heat exchanger;
an evaporator heat exchanger unit operatively coupled to the liquid-cooled heat exchanger and the suction port;
an evaporator fan disposed proximate to the evaporator heat exchanger unit; and
a controller operatively associated with the coolant pump for controlling the flow of liquid coolant into the liquid-cooled heat exchanger.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a compressor having a suction port and a discharge port, an air-cooled heat exchanger operatively coupled to the discharge port, a liquid-cooled heat exchanger operatively coupled to the air-cooled heat exchanger, a coolant pump operatively coupled to a liquid coolant inlet conduit of the liquid-cooled heat exchanger, an evaporator heat exchanger unit operatively coupled to the liquid-cooled heat exchanger and the suction port, a coolant pump operatively coupled to the liquid coolant inlet conduit for pumping a liquid coolant, and a controller operatively associated with the liquid coolant inlet conduit for controlling the flow of liquid coolant into the liquid-cooled heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the liquid-cooled heat exchanger comprises a low-profile enclosure defining an interior volume. The enclosure has a liquid coolant inlet port and a liquid coolant discharge port fluidly coupled to the interior volume, and a continuous refrigerant tube sealingly disposed within the enclosure. The refrigerant tube is fluidly isolated from and in heat exchange relationship with the interior volume in which the liquid coolant flows.
27 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A refrigerant vapor compression system comprising:
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a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, the compressor having a suction port and a discharge port; an air-cooled heat exchanger operatively coupled to the discharge port; a fan disposed proximate to the air-cooled condenser heat exchanger unit; a liquid-cooled heat exchanger operatively coupled to the air-cooled heat exchanger, the liquid-cooled heat exchanger comprising an enclosure defining an interior volume, the enclosure having a liquid coolant inlet port and a liquid coolant discharge port fluidly coupled to the interior volume, and a continuous refrigerant tube sealingly disposed within the enclosure, the refrigerant tube fluidly isolated from and in heat exchange relationship with the interior volume; a liquid coolant inlet conduit operatively coupled to the liquid coolant inlet port of the liquid-cooled heat exchanger; a coolant pump operatively coupled to the liquid coolant inlet conduit for pumping a liquid coolant; a liquid coolant discharge conduit operatively coupled to the liquid coolant discharge port of the liquid-cooled heat exchanger; an evaporator heat exchanger unit operatively coupled to the liquid-cooled heat exchanger and the suction port; an evaporator fan disposed proximate to the evaporator heat exchanger unit; and a controller operatively associated with the coolant pump for controlling the flow of liquid coolant into the liquid-cooled heat exchanger. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A liquid-cooled heat exchanger for use in a refrigerant vapor compression system, the liquid-cooled heat exchanger comprising:
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an enclosure comprising a first interior surface defining a first interior volume, the enclosure further comprising a plurality of openings being fluidly coupled to the first interior volume, the plurality of openings comprising a first refrigerant tube opening, a second refrigerant tube opening, a first coolant port adapted to flow a liquid coolant into the enclosure, and a second coolant port adapted to flow the coolant out of the enclosure; a first fitting sealingly engaged to the first coolant port, the fitting adapted to couple with a coolant inlet conduit; a second fitting sealingly engaged to the second coolant port, the fitting adapted to couple with a coolant discharge conduit; and a continuous refrigerant tube having a first end, a second end, and a first length disposed therebetween, the first end passing through and in sealing engagement with the first refrigerant tube opening, the second end passing through and in sealing engagement with the second refrigerant tube opening, the first length disposed in serpentine fashion within the first interior volume. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for liquid-cooling a vapor refrigerant in a refrigerant vapor compression system, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an air-cooled heat exchanger; providing a liquid-cooled heat exchanger coupled to the air-cooled heat exchanger, the liquid-cooled heat exchanger comprising an enclosure having a first interior volume; providing in serpentine fashion a continuous refrigerant tube extending through the first volume of the liquid-cooled heat exchanger; flowing a refrigerant through the air-cooled heat exchanger and, if the refrigerant is not sufficiently cooled, simultaneously flowing the refrigerant through the continuous refrigerant tube in the liquid-cooled heat exchanger and flowing a liquid coolant through the first interior volume of the liquid-cooled heat exchanger. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification