Oil-free liquid chiller

• US 6,176,092 B1
• Filed: 10/09/1998
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trane International Inc. (Trane Technologies plc)
• Original Assignee: American Standard Inc. (Trane Technologies plc)
• Inventors: Tischer, James C., Vandeleest, Todd R., Butterworth, Arthur L., Eber, David H.
• Primary Examiner(s): WAYNER, WILLIAM E
• Application Number:
  US09/169,343
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 625/05, 624/68, 624/69, 62/84, 62D/IG.2, 621/93
• US Class Current: 62/84
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/06 the pump being electrically driven F04D25/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/023 especially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/059 Roller bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/063 specially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/5806 Cooling the drive system
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2300/20 Oxide or non-oxide ceramics
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2300/2283 of silicon
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2300/501 Elasticity
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2300/5021 Expansivity
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2300/522 Density
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2360/44 Centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2380/26 Dynamo-electric machines or combinations therewith, e.g. electro-motors and generators
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/6659 Details of supply of the liquid to the bearing, e.g. passages or nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/6692 Liquids other than oil, e.g. water, refrigerants, liquid metal
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 31/002 Lubrication
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 31/006 Cooling of compressor or motor
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 31/008 by injecting a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/025 Motor control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/083 radially supporting the rotary shaft at both ends of the rotor H02K7/086, H02K7/09 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 9/20 wherein the cooling medium vaporises within the machine casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 62/02 : Refrigerant pumps

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.

Claims

1. A centrifugal liquid chiller comprising:

a condenser, said condenser condensing refrigerant gas to the liquid state when said chiller is in operation;

a metering device, said metering device receiving refrigerant from said condenser and reducing the pressure thereof;

an evaporator, said evaporator receiving refrigerant from said metering device and causing liquid refrigerant to evaporate when said chiller is in operation;

a compressor, said compressor receiving refrigerant from said evaporator and delivering refrigerant in the gaseous state to said condenser when said chiller is in operation, said compressor having a shaft, at least one impeller being mounted on said shaft, said shaft being rotatably supported by at least one bearing, said at least one bearing being a rolling element bearing, the rolling elements of said bearing being fabricated from a ceramic material, said at least one bearing being lubricated by refrigerant and in the absence of oil, refrigerant delivered to said at least one bearing for lubrication purposes being at least primarily in the liquid state and a portion of the refrigerant used in the lubrication of said at least one bearing being permitted to vaporize at the location of said at least one bearing as a result of the bearing lubrication process; and

a reservoir from which liquid refrigerant is supplied to said at least one bearing for bearing lubrication purposes and which is discrete from said evaporator and said condenser, said reservoir containing refrigerant in the liquid state both during chiller operation and for a period of time subsequent to shutdown of said chiller, the amount of such liquid refrigerant in said reservoir being sufficient to ensure the delivery of adequate liquid refrigerant, for lubrication purposes, to said at least one bearing both while said chiller is in operation and while said shaft on which said at least one impeller is mounted coasts to a stop after said chiller is shut_down.

2. The chiller according to claim 1 wherein said reservoir replenished with liquid refrigerant sourced out of said condenser when said chiller is in operation, said reservoir being isolated from said condenser and the pressure drop that occurs therein when said chiller shuts down.

3. The chiller according to claim 1 further comprising a pump, said pump capable of pumping saturated liquid refrigerant to said reservoir without causing a significant portion of said refrigerant to flash to gas in the pumping process.

4. The chiller according to claim 1 wherein subsequent to shutdown of said chiller and prior to its next startup, said reservoir is provided liquid refrigerant supplied from said evaporator while said chiller is shutdown so that said reservoir contains liquid refrigerant to provide for the lubrication of said at least one bearing when said shaft next starts rotating.

5. The chiller according to claim 1 further comprising a motor, the rotor of said motor being mounted on said shaft of said compressor, wherein said condenser supplies liquid refrigerant to said reservoir for bearing lubrication purposes and to said motor for purposes of cooling said motor when said compressor is in operation.

6. The chiller according to claim 5 further comprising a variable speed drive for said motor and wherein said condenser supplies liquid refrigerant to said variable speed drive in order to cool said drive when said compressor is in operation.

7. The chiller according to claim 1 wherein refrigerant used for motor cooling, bearing lubrication and motor drive cooling is returned to said condenser.

8. The chiller according to claim 1 further comprising a refrigerant sump said sump being in flow communication with said reservoir and said evaporator, said sump being provided liquid refrigerant from said evaporator when said chiller is shutdown and being the location from which liquid refrigerant is initially provided for bearing lubrication purposes when said chiller starts up.

9. A centrifugal liquid chiller comprising:

a condenser, said condenser condensing refrigerant gas to the liquid state when said chiller is in operation;

a metering device, said metering device receiving refrigerant from said condenser and reducing the pressure thereof;

an evaporator, said evaporator receiving refrigerant from said metering device and causing liquid refrigerant to evaporate when said chiller is in operation;

a compressor, said compressor being driven by a motor, said compressor receiving refrigerant from said evaporator and delivering refrigerant in the gaseous state to said condenser when said chiller is in operation, said compressor having a shaft, at least one impeller being mounted on said shaft, said shaft being rotatably supported by at least one bearing, said at least one bearing being a rolling element bearing, the rolling elements of said bearing being fabricated from a ceramic material, said at least one bearing being lubricated by refrigerant and in the absence of oil, refrigerant delivered to said at least one bearing for lubrication purposes being at least primarily in the liquid state and a portion of the refrigerant used in the lubrication of said at least one bearing being permitted to vaporize at the location of said at least one bearing as a result of the bearing lubrication process;

a source location for liquid refrigerant, discrete from said evaporator and condenser, from which liquid refrigerant is supplied to said at least one bearing for bearing lubrication purposes; and

means for delivering liquid refrigerant [is delivered] from said condenser to said source location for bearing lubrication purposes and to said motor for motor cooling purposes while said chiller is in operation, and from a location other than said condenser when said chiller starts up and until such time as liquid refrigerant comes to be available for such purposes from said condenser.

10. A centrifugal liquid chiller comprising:

a condenser, said condenser condensing refrigerant gas to the liquid state when said chiller is in operation;

a metering device, said metering device receiving refrigerant from said condenser and reducing the pressure thereof;

an evaporator, said evaporator receiving refrigerant from said metering device and causing liquid refrigerant to evaporate when said chiller is in operation;

a compressor, said compressor being driven by a motor, said compressor receiving refrigerant from said evaporator and delivering refrigerant in the gaseous state to said condenser when said chiller is in operation, said compressor having a shaft, at least one impeller being mounted on said shaft, said shaft being rotatably supported by at least one bearing, said at least one bearing being a rolling element bearing, the rolling elements of said bearing being fabricated from a ceramic material, said at least one bearing being lubricated by refrigerant and in the absence of oil, refrigerant delivered to said at least one bearing for lubrication purposes being at least primarily in the liquid state and a portion of the refrigerant used in the lubrication of said at least one bearing being permitted to vaporize at the location of said at least one bearing as a result of the bearing lubrication process;

a source location for liquid refrigerant, discrete from said evaporator and condenser, from which liquid refrigerant is supplied to said at least one bearing for bearing lubrication purposes; and

means for delivering liquid refrigerant to both said source location for bearing lubrication purposes and to said motor for motor cooling purposes while said chiller is in operation, refrigerant used for bearing lubrication and motor cooling purposes being returned to said condenser after such uses.

11. A centrifugal liquid chiller comprising:

a condenser, said condenser condensing refrigerant gas to the liquid state when said chiller is in operation;

a metering device, said metering device receiving refrigerant from said condenser and reducing the pressure thereof;

an evaporator, said evaporator receiving refrigerant from said metering device and causing liquid refrigerant to evaporate when said chiller is in operation;

a compressor, said compressor receiving refrigerant from said evaporator and delivering refrigerant in the gaseous state to said condenser when said chiller is in operation, said compressor having a shaft, at least one impeller being mounted on said shaft, said shaft being rotatably supported by at least one bearing, said at least one bearing being a rolling element bearing, the rolling elements of said bearing being fabricated from a ceramic material, said at least one bearing being lubricated by refrigerant and in the absence of oil, refrigerant delivered to said at least one bearing for lubrication purposes being at least primarily in the liquid state and a portion of the refrigerant used in the lubrication of said at least one bearing being permitted to vaporize at the location of said at least one bearing as a result of the bearing lubrication process; and

a reservoir, said reservoir being continuously replenished with liquid refrigerant when said chiller is operating and replenishment being discontinued when said chiller shuts down, said reservoir containing sufficient liquid refrigerant, when said chiller shuts down, to provide for the lubrication of said at least one bearing as said shaft coasts to a stop.

12. The chiller according to claim 11 wherein said reservoir is initially replenished with liquid refrigerant sourced from said evaporator during each chiller start-up, the initial replenishment liquid refrigerant being sourced from said evaporator and stored in a location other than said evaporator after each chiller shutdown.

13. The chiller according to claim 12 wherein said reservoir is isolated from the pressure drop which occurs in said condenser when said chiller shuts down so that sufficient pressure is maintained in said reservoir, subsequent to chiller shutdown, to drive liquid refrigerant contained therein to said at least one bearing while said shaft coasts to a stop.

14. The chiller according to claim 13 wherein said location in which refrigerant sourced from said evaporator is stored subsequent to shutdown of said chiller is a sump, said sump being isolated from said evaporator prior to the next start-up of said chiller.

15. The chiller according to claim 14 further comprising a compressor drive motor, a housing and a conduit, said motor being disposed in said housing and said conduit communicating liquid refrigerant sourced from said condenser to the interior of said housing and into contact with said motor when said chiller is in operation so as to cool said motor.

16. The chiller according to claim 15 wherein refrigerant used to cool said motor and refrigerant used to lubricate said at least one bearing is returned to said condenser subsequent to said uses.

17. The chiller according to claim 11 further comprising means for isolating said reservoir from the pressure drop that occurs in said condenser when said chiller shuts down so that sufficient pressure is maintained in said reservoir to drive liquid refrigerant from said reservoir to said at least one bearing while said shaft on which said at least one impeller is mounted coasts to a stop.

18. A centrifugal liquid chiller comprising;

a condenser, said condenser condensing refrigerant gas to the liquid state when said chiller is in operation;

a metering device, said metering device receiving refrigerant from said condenser and reducing the pressure thereof;

an evaporator, said evaporator receiving refrigerant from said metering device and causing liquid refrigerant to evaporate when said chiller is in operation;

a compressor, said compressor receiving refrigerant from said evaporator and delivering refrigerant in the gaseous state to said condenser when said chiller is in operation, said compressor having a shaft, at least one impeller being mounted on said shaft, said shaft being rotatably supported by at least one bearing, said at least one bearing being a rolling element bearing, the rolling elements of said bearing being fabricated from a ceramic material, said at least one bearing being lubricated by refrigerant and in the absence of oil, refrigerant delivered to said at least one bearing for lubrication purposes being at least primarily in the liquid state and a portion of the refrigerant used in the lubrication of said at least one bearing being permitted to vaporize at the location of said at least one bearing as a result of the bearing lubrication process;

a source location for liquid refrigerant, discrete from said evaporator and condenser, from which liquid refrigerant is supplied to said at least one bearing;

a motor for driving said compressor;

a drive for said motor; and

a pump, said pump pumping liquid refrigerant from one of said condenser and said evaporator to said source location for bearing lubrication purposes and to said motor and to said drive, for purposes of cooling said motor and said drive, while said chiller is in operation.

19. The chiller according to claim 18 wherein refrigerant used to lubricate said at least one bearing and to cool said motor and said drive is returned to said condenser.

20. A centrifugal chiller comprising:

a condenser, said condenser condensing refrigerant gas to the liquid state when said chiller is in operation;

a metering device, said metering device receiving refrigerant from said condenser and reducing the pressure thereof;

an evaporator, said evaporator receiving refrigerant from said metering device and causing liquid refrigerant to evaporate when said chiller is in operation;

a compressor, said compressor receiving refrigerant from said evaporator and delivering refrigerant in the gaseous state to said condenser when said chiller is in operation, said compressor having a shaft and a motor, at least one impeller and the rotor of said motor being mounted on said shaft, said shaft being rotatably supported by at least one bearing of other than the magnetic, hydrostatic or hydrodynamic type, said at least one bearing having rolling elements, the rolling elements of said bearings being fabricated from a ceramic material and having a lower density, a higher modulus of elasticity and being less sensitive to thermal expansion than rolling elements fabricated from steel, the rolling elements of said bearing being lubricated exclusively by refrigerant;

a reservoir, said reservoir being the location from which refrigerant is supplied to said at least one bearing for lubrication thereof and being isolated from said condenser when said chiller shuts down, isolation of said reservoir at chiller shutdown causing sufficient pressure to be retained in said reservoir to drive liquid refrigerant from said reservoir to said at least one bearing as said shaft coasts to a stop; and

a pump, said pump pumping liquid refrigerant from said condenser to said reservoir subsequent to start-up of said chiller.

21. The chiller according to claim 20 further comprising a sump, said sump being in selective flow communication with said evaporator and being replenished with liquid refrigerant therefrom during periods when said chiller is shutdown, said sump being isolated from said evaporator when said chiller next starts up, said pump pumping liquid refrigerant from said sump to said reservoir when said chiller initially starts up and from said condenser to said reservoir when said chiller is in operation.

22. The chiller according to claim 21 wherein said pump pumps liquid refrigerant to said motor, for purposes of cooling said motor, when said chiller is in operation.

23. The chiller according to claim 22 wherein refrigerant used to lubricate said at least one bearing and refrigerant used to cool said motor is returned to said condenser subsequent to having lubricated said at least one bearing and having cooled said motor.

24. The centrifugal chiller according to claim 23 wherein said motor is an induction motor and further comprising a variable speed drive, said variable speed drive driving said motor over a predetermined range of speeds, the highest of such speeds being substantially higher than 3600 RPM.

25. The chiller according to claim 20 wherein refrigerant used for purposes of lubricating said at least one bearing is returned to said condenser subsequent to such use.

26. The chiller according to claim 20 wherein said pump pumps liquid refrigerant both to said reservoir and to said motor, refrigerant pumped to said reservoir being used for bearing lubrication purposes and refrigerant pumped to said motor being used for motor cooling purposes when said chiller is in operation.

27. The centrifugal chiller according to claim 20 wherein at least 80% of the liquid refrigerant delivered to said at least one bearing for bearing lubrication purposes remains in the liquid state subsequent to such use.

28. The chiller according to claim 20 wherein said condenser is in flow communication with said reservoir and wherein said means for replenishing said reservoir with liquid refrigerant constitutes condenser pressure.

29. The chiller according to claim 20 wherein said pump pumps liquid refrigerant from said condenser to said compressor drive motor for purposes of cooling said motor.

30. The chiller according to claim 29 further comprising a drive for said motor, said pump pumping liquid refrigerant from said condenser to said drive for purposes of cooling heat generating components in said drive.

31. The chiller according to claim 30 wherein refrigerant used to lubricate said at least one bearing, cool said compressor drive motor and cool said motor drive is returned to said condenser.

32. A method of operating a centrifugal refrigeration chiller having a condenser and an evaporator comprising the steps of:

mounting an impeller on a shaft;

mounting said shaft for rotation in a bearing, said bearing being a rolling element bearing, the rolling elements of said bearing being fabricated from a ceramic material;

providing a source location for liquid refrigerant which is discrete from said condenser and said evaporator, said source location containing liquid refrigerant for purposes of lubricating said bearing both when said chiller is operating and for a period of time subsequent to shutdown of said chiller during which said shaft coasts to a stop in said bearing;

delivering liquid refrigerant, in the absence of oil, from said source location to said bearing both while said chiller is in operation and as said shaft coasts to a stop subsequent to chiller shutdown; and

permitting a portion of the liquid refrigerant delivered to said bearing for bearing lubrication purposes in said delivering step to vaporize at the location of said bearing as a result of the lubrication thereof by said refrigerant.

33. The method according to claim 32 comprising the further steps of defining a reservoir in said chiller, said reservoir being said source location for liquid refrigerant;

and, replenishing said reservoir with liquid refrigerant sourced from said condenser when said chiller is in operation.

34. The method according to claim 33 comprising the further step of isolating said reservoir from the occurrence of a pressure drop upstream thereof so as to maintain a residual pressure in said reservoir capable of driving liquid refrigerant contained therein to said bearing when such pressure drop occurs.

35. The method according to claim 34 comprising the further step of pumping liquid refrigerant to said reservoir from said condenser while said chiller is in operation.

36. The method according to claim 35 comprising the further steps of defining a sump for liquid refrigerant in said chiller;

providing said sump with liquid refrigerant from said evaporator while said chiller is shut down;

isolating said sump from said evaporator prior to the next startup of said chiller; and

, initially delivering liquid refrigerant from said sump to said reservoir as said chiller next starts up.

37. The method according to claim 36 comprising the further step of pumping liquid refrigerant to said reservoir from said sump as said chiller starts up.

38. The method according to claim 37 wherein the pumping of liquid refrigerant to said reservoir is accomplished by means of a pump and comprising the further step of lubricating the bearings of said pump with liquid refrigerant in the absence of oil.

39. The method according to claim 32 comprising the further step of permitting said shaft to rotate in said bearing for a period of time when said chiller initially starts up, without the delivery of liquid refrigerant to the bearing for bearing lubrication purposes.

40. The method according to claim 33 comprising the further step of returning liquid refrigerant, delivered from said source location to said bearing in said delivering step, from said bearing to said condenser.

41. The method according to claim 33 wherein said delivering step includes the step of flowing liquid refrigerant from said reservoir to said bearing at a rate sufficiently high to ensure that at least 80% of the liquid refrigerant delivered to said bearing for purposes of lubricating said bearing remains in the liquid state subsequent to having lubricated said bearing.

42. The method according to claim 32 comprising the further step of mounting the rotor of a variable speed motor on said shaft.

43. The method according to claim 42 comprising the further step of delivering liquid refrigerant to said motor for purposes of cooling said motor when said chiller is in operation.

44. The method according to claim 43 comprising the further step of defining a reservoir in said chiller, said reservoir being the source of liquid refrigerant used to lubricate said bearing;

and, replenishing said reservoir with liquid refrigerant while said chiller is in operation.

45. The method according to claim 44 comprising the further step of delivering liquid refrigerant to the drive by which said motor is driven for purposes of cooling heat generating components therein.

46. The method according to claim 45 comprising the further step of returning refrigerant used to cool said motor and said drive to said condenser.

47. The method according to claim 44 comprising the further steps of defining a sump in said chiller;

providing said sump with liquid refrigerant from said evaporator when said chiller is shutdown; and

, isolating said sump from said evaporator prior to start-up of said chiller.

48. The method according to claim 47 comprising the further step of pumping liquid refrigerant from said sump to both said reservoir and said motor as said chiller starts up and from said condenser to both said reservoir and said motor while said chiller is in operation.

49. The method according to claim 48 comprising the further steps of isolating said reservoir from both said condenser and said sump when said chiller shuts down so that a residual pressure is trapped in said reservoir;

and, driving liquid refrigerant contained in said reservoir to said bearing as said shaft coasts to a stop using said residual pressure.

50. A method for lubricating a rolling element bearing in and for cooling the drive motor of a centrifugal refrigeration chiller having a condenser and an evaporator where the rolling elements of the bearing are fabricated from a ceramic material comprising the steps of:

mounting at least one impeller and the rotor of the drive motor on a shaft;

supporting the shaft for rotation in the rolling element bearing;

delivering liquid refrigerant, in the absence of oil, to the rolling element bearing for purposes of lubricating the bearing;

permitting a portion of the liquid refrigerant delivered to said bearing in said delivering step to vaporize at the location of said bearing; and

delivering liquid refrigerant to the drive motor for purposes of cooling the motor when the chiller is in operation.

51. The method according to claim 50 comprising the further steps of defining a reservoir discrete from the condenser and evaporator of the chiller, liquid refrigerant first being delivered to the reservoir prior to being delivered to the bearing for bearing lubrication purposes;

and replenishing the reservoir with liquid refrigerant while the chiller is in operation.

52. The method according to claim 51 comprising the further step of returning liquid refrigerant used to lubricate the bearing and liquid refrigerant used to cool the motor to the chiller condenser subsequent to such uses.

53. The method according to claim 51 comprising the further step of isolating the reservoir from a drop in pressure of predetermined magnitude occurring upstream thereof so as to retain pressure in the reservoir subsequent to the occurrence of such pressure drop;

and, driving liquid refrigerant from the reservoir to the bearing, using said retained pressure, for a predetermined period of time subsequent to such a drop in pressure.

54. The method according to claim 51 wherein said replenishing step comprises the step of pumping liquid refrigerant, using a pump, to the reservoir and further comprising the step of lubricating a bearing of the pump with liquid refrigerant.

55. The method according to claim 51 wherein said replenishing step includes the steps of pumping liquid refrigerant from the chiller condenser to the reservoir when the chiller is in normal operation and pumping liquid refrigerant from a location other than the chiller condenser and other than the chiller evaporator to the reservoir when the chiller initially starts up after a period of being shutdown.

56. The method according to claim 51 wherein both the liquid refrigerant delivered to the bearing and the liquid refrigerant delivered to the motor in said steps of delivering liquid refrigerant to the bearing and delivering liquid refrigerant to the motor is delivered to the bearing and to the motor from the reservoir.

57. The method according to claim 51 wherein the step of delivering liquid refrigerant to the motor includes the steps of delivering liquid refrigerant to the motor at a first flow rate when the chiller first starts up;

and, delivering liquid refrigerant to the motor at a second flow rate, greater than the first flow rate, when the chiller is in normal operation and is operating at a capacity greater than a predetermined capacity.

58. The method according to claim 51 comprising the further steps of storing liquid refrigerant, while the chiller is shutdown, in a location discrete from the evaporator and said condenser and wherein liquid refrigerant initially delivered to the bearing and initially delivered to the motor when the chiller starts up is sourced from the discrete location.

59. The method according to claim 51 herein said replenishing step includes the step of employing condenser pressure to drive liquid refrigerant from the condenser to the reservoir.

60. The method according to claim 51 wherein said step of delivering liquid refrigerant to the bearing includes us the step of delaying the delivery of liquid refrigerant to the bearing until such time as liquid refrigerant is available in the condenser to be delivered from the condenser to the reservoir.

61. The method according to claim 51 comprising the further steps of discontinuing the replenishment of the reservoir with liquid refrigerant when the chiller shuts down;

and, continuing the delivery of liquid refrigerant to the bearing from the reservoir after said chiller shuts down for so long as the shaft rotates in the bearing.

62. The method according to claim 51 comprising the further step of varying the rotational speed of the drive motor in accordance with the load on the chiller.

63. The method according to claim 51 comprising the further step of delivering liquid refrigerant to the drive by which the rotational speed of the drive motor is varied so as to cool heat generating components therein.

64. The method according to claim 51 comprising the further step of permitting the shaft to rotate in the bearing for a period of time when the chiller initially starts up without the delivery of liquid refrigerant to the bearing for bearing lubrication purposes.

65. A liquid chiller comprising:

a condenser, said condenser condensing liquid refrigerant to the liquid state when said chiller is in operation;

a metering device, said metering device receiving refrigerant from said condenser;

an evaporator, said evaporator receiving refrigerant from said metering device;

a compressor, said compressor receiving refrigerant gas from said evaporator and delivering refrigerant gas to said condenser when said chiller is in operation, said compressor having a shaft, said shaft being rotatably supported by at least one bearing; and

pump apparatus, said pump apparatus being connected to draw refrigerant from both said condenser and said evaporator and pumping liquid refrigerant from at least one of said condenser and said evaporator for the purpose of lubricating said at least one compressor bearing.

66. The liquid chiller according to claim 65 wherein the liquid refrigerant output of said pump apparatus is, at any given time, sourced from the one of said condenser and said evaporator where the liquid refrigerant, if available, is available at a higher pressure.

67. The liquid chiller according to claim 66 wherein said at least one compressor bearing is a rolling element bearing and wherein the rolling elements of said at least one compressor bearing are fabricated from a ceramic material.

68. The liquid chiller according to claim 67 wherein said pump apparatus includes a first pumping mechanism and a second pumping mechanism, said first pumping mechanism being configured to pump liquid refrigerant from said condenser and said second pumping mechanism being configured to pump liquid refrigerant from said evaporator.

69. The liquid chiller according to claim 68 wherein said first pumping mechanism and said second pumping mechanism are commonly driven by a single motor.

70. The liquid chiller according to claim 68 further comprising a check valve arrangement for preventing the flow of the output of said first pumping mechanism to said second pumping mechanism and for preventing the flow of the output of said second pumping mechanism to said first pumping mechanism.

71. The liquid chiller according to claim 68 further comprising a path into which the output of said first pumping mechanism flows;

a path into which the output of said second pumping mechanism flows, the path into which the output of said first pumping mechanism flows and the path into which the output of said second pumping mechanism flows converging into a single flow path; and

means for preventing the flow of the output of the one of said first and said second pumping mechanisms which is at lower pressure into said single flow path.

72. The liquid chiller according to claim 65 wherein said pump apparatus includes a shaft, said shaft being mounted for rotation in at least one bearing, said at least one pump bearing being lubricated by the liquid refrigerant pumped by said pump apparatus.

73. The liquid chiller according to claim 65 further comprising a reservoir and wherein the output of said pump apparatus is delivered to said reservoir, said reservoir supplying liquid refrigerant to lubricate said at least one compressor bearing.

74. The liquid chiller according to claim 73 further comprising apparatus for isolating said reservoir from the output of said pump apparatus when the output pressure of said pump apparatus drops below a predetermined pressure whereby sufficient pressure is maintained in said reservoir, subsequent to said drop in pump output pressure, to ensure the delivery of liquid refrigerant from said reservoir to said at least one compressor bearing for a predetermined period of time.

75. The liquid chiller according to claim 65 further comprising a motor, said motor driving said compressor, said pump mechanism additionally pumping liquid refrigerant to said motor so as to cool said motor.

76. The liquid chiller according to claim 75 further comprising a motor drive, said motor drive driving said motor at variable speeds, said pump mechanism additionally pumping liquid refrigerant to said drive so as to cool heat generating components therein.

77. The liquid chiller according to claim 67 wherein liquid refrigerant delivered to said at least one compressor bearing is returned therefrom to said condenser.

78. An oil-free bearing lubrication and motor cooling system in a centrifugal chiller comprising:

a condenser, said condenser condensing refrigerant gas to the liquid state when said chiller is in operation;

a metering device, said metering device receiving refrigerant from said condenser and reducing the pressure thereof;

an evaporator, said evaporator receiving refrigerant from said metering device and causing liquid refrigerant to vaporize when said chiller is in operation;

a motor housing;

a motor, said motor being cooled by refrigerant;

a compressor, said compressor having a shaft, at least one impeller and the rotor of said motor being mounted on said shaft, said shaft being rotatably supported by at least one bearing, said at least one bearing being a rolling element bearing, at least one component of said rolling element bearing being fabricated from a ceramic material, said bearing being lubricated by refrigerant in the absence of oil;

a reservoir for liquid refrigerant;

means for delivering liquid refrigerant both to said at least one bearing for lubrication thereof in the absence of oil and to said motor for motor cooling purposes, said at least one bearing being lubricated by liquid refrigerant which is first delivered to said reservoir and is then directed to said at least one bearing; and

means for metering liquid refrigerant to said motor at a first flow rate during the start-up of said chiller and at a second and higher flow rate when the shaft of said chiller has achieved operational speeds and the load on said chiller exceeds a predetermined load.

79. The system according to claim 78 wherein the flow rate of liquid refrigerant to said motor is reduced when the load on said chiller falls below said predetermined load.

80. A liquid chiller comprising:

a compressor;

a motor for driving said compressor;

a condenser, said condenser receiving compressed refrigerant gas from said compressor;

a metering device, said metering device receiving refrigerant from said condenser;

an evaporator, said evaporator receiving refrigerant from said metering device; and

a pump, said pump being connected to draw refrigerant from both said condenser and said evaporator and to deliver liquid refrigerant from at least one of said condenser and said evaporator to said motor for purposes of cooling said motor.

81. The liquid chiller according to claim 80 wherein the liquid refrigerant delivered to said motor by said pump is sourced from the one of said condenser and said evaporator where liquid refrigerant, if available, is available at a higher pressure.

82. The liquid chiller according to claim 80 wherein liquid refrigerant delivered to said motor by said pump is returned therefrom to said condenser.

83. The liquid chiller according to claim 80 wherein said compressor includes a shaft, said shaft being rotatably supported by at least one bearing, said at least one bearing being a rolling element bearing the rolling elements of which are fabricated from a ceramic material and wherein the output of said pump, in addition to being directed to said motor for motor cooling purposes, is directed to said at least one bearing for bearing lubrication purposes.

84. The liquid chiller according to claim 80 further comprising a drive for driving said motor at variable speeds, said pump additionally delivering liquid refrigerant to said drive so as to cool heat generating components therein.

85. A method of lubricating a bearing in a refrigeration chiller comprising the steps of:

connecting pump apparatus to pump liquid refrigerant from both the condenser and the evaporator of said chiller;

controlling the output of said pump apparatus so that the liquid refrigerant pumped thereby is from the one of said condenser and said evaporator where liquid refrigerant is available and is at higher pressure; and

delivering at least a portion of liquid refrigerant output of said pump apparatus to said bearing so as to lubricate said bearing.

86. The method according to claim 85 comprising the further step of returning liquid refrigerant delivered to said bearing to said condenser.

87. The method according to claim 86 wherein said delivering step includes the step of directing liquid refrigerant into a reservoir prior to its delivery to said bearing.

88. The step according to claim 87 comprising the further step of isolating said reservoir from said pump apparatus upon the occurrence of a predetermined drop in pressure upstream of said reservoir so as to maintain sufficient pressure in said reservoir to cause the delivery of liquid refrigerant from said reservoir to said at least one bearing for a predetermined period of time subsequent to said drop in pressure.

89. The method according to claim 85 comprising the further step of lubricating the bearings of said pump apparatus with liquid refrigerant pumped thereby.

90. The method according to claim 85 wherein said refrigeration chiller has a motor and wherein said method comprises the further step of additionally delivering liquid refrigerant pumped by said pump apparatus to said motor so as to cool said motor.

91. The method according to claim 90 wherein said motor is a variable speed motor which is driven by a drive and comprising the further step of additionally delivering liquid refrigerant pumped by said pump to said drive so as to cool heat generating components therein.

92. The method according to claim 91 comprising the further step of returning refrigerant used to lubricate said bearing, cool said motor and cool said drive to said condenser.

93. A method of cooling a motor in a refrigeration chiller comprising the steps of:

connecting pump apparatus to pump liquid refrigerant from both the condenser and the evaporator of said chiller;

controlling the output of said pump apparatus so that the liquid refrigerant pumped thereby is from the one of said condenser and said evaporator where liquid refrigerant is available and is at higher pressure; and

delivering at least a portion of liquid refrigerant output of said pump apparatus to said motor so as to cool said motor.

94. The method according to claim 93 comprising the further step of returning liquid refrigerant delivered to said motor for motor cooling purposes to said condenser.

95. The method according to claim 93 comprising the further step of lubricating the bearings of said pump apparatus with liquid refrigerant pumped thereby.

96. The method according to claim 93 wherein said refrigeration chiller has a bearing and further comprising the step of delivering at least a portion of the liquid refrigerant output of said pump to said chiller bearing so as to lubricate said bearing.

97. The method according to claim 93 comprising the steps of driving said motor at variable speeds and delivering at least a portion of the liquid refrigerant output of said pump to the drive by which said motor is driven at variable speeds so as to cool heat generating components of said drive.