Compact refrigeration apparatus

Abstract

A compact refrigeration apparatus for cooling sealed electronics enclosures having a sealed electronics enclosure, a single closed liquid/vapor refrigerant circuit, a compact single speed refrigerant pumping device, fluid connection lines, a compact first heat exchanger comprised of one or more, a compact refrigerant flow control device, a compact second heat exchanger of a design that prohibits entrapment of liquids and particulates comprised of one or more fans, and a compact refrigerant apparatus electronic control circuit. An AC power supply and power supply converter operably coupled to and providing AC power either directly to the refrigeration apparatus AC motor component or operably coupled first to a DC rectifier component that then provides DC power to the refrigeration apparatus DC motor component, first heat exchanger fan motors, second heat exchanger fan motors and apparatus control circuit. A preferred embodiment includes one or more sensing devices measuring temperature at specific locations within the sealed enclosure and an electronic control circuit in communication with the sensing devices that controls the initiation, termination and duration of operation of the refrigerant pumping device.

1 . A refrigeration apparatus for cooling sealed electronics enclosures comprising:
 A sealed electronics enclosure; a compact refrigeration apparatus having a single closed liquid/vapor refrigerant circuit; a compact single speed refrigerant pumping device; a compact first heat exchanger comprised of one or more fans and fan motors; a compact refrigerant flow control device; a compact second heat exchanger of a design that prohibits entrapment of liquids and particulates comprised of one or more fans and fan motors; and a compact refrigerant apparatus electronic control circuit;   A compact AC power supply and power supply converter operably coupled to the refrigeration apparatus whereby electrical power is supplied to the refrigeration apparatus motor component, first heat exchanger fan motors, second heat exchanger fan motors and apparatus control circuit that is operably coupled to said closed loop refrigerant liquid/vapor circuit.   
   
   
       2 . A refrigeration apparatus for cooling sealed electronics enclosures as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sealed electronics enclosure is fabricated of rigid materials comprised of metal, plastic, or other suitable material, and may be internally insulated comprising a means of isolating said sealed enclosure internal environment and external ambient environment. 
   
   
       3 . A refrigeration apparatus for cooling sealed electronics enclosures as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said refrigerant pumping device comprises a compressor and motor and said refrigerant flow control device comprises a vapor expansion device. 
   
   
       4 . A refrigeration apparatus for cooling sealed electronics enclosures as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said refrigerant pumping device has a constant rate of refrigerant vapor displacement and said refrigeration system further comprises an AC power supply and a converter operably coupled to said AC power supply that transforms said AC power supply or rectifies said AC power supply to DC power. 
   
   
       5 . A refrigeration apparatus for cooling sealed electronics enclosures as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said refrigerant pumping device is driven by a compact electric motor by means of said AC power supply or said converter providing DC power. 
   
   
       6 . A refrigeration apparatus for cooling sealed electronics enclosures as claimed in  claim 5  further comprising one or more sensing devices for measuring temperature at specific locations within said sealed enclosure. 
   
   
       7 . A refrigeration apparatus for cooling sealed electronics enclosures as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said compact refrigerant apparatus electronic control circuit comprises a data processing device in communication with said sensing devices and operably coupled to said refrigerant pumping device wherein said processing device controls the initiation, termination and duration of operation of said refrigerant pumping device as a function of sensing device data. 
   
   
       8 . A refrigeration apparatus for cooling sealed electronics enclosures as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said sensing devices and said compact refrigerant apparatus electronic control circuit are disposed inside of said sealed enclosure and powered by said AC power supply and said converter. 
   
   
       9 . A refrigeration apparatus for cooling sealed electronics enclosures as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said refrigerant pumping device and said refrigerant pumping device motor are disposed inside or outside of said sealed enclosure and said AC power supply and said converter are disposed inside of said sealed enclosure. 
   
   
       10 . A refrigeration apparatus for cooling sealed electronics enclosures as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said compact first heat exchanger includes one or more fans operably coupled to one or more single speed fan motors; said compact first heat exchanger, said fans and said fan motors are disposed inside of said sealed enclosure and powered by said AC power supply and said converter. 
   
   
       11 . A refrigeration apparatus for cooling sealed electronics enclosures as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said compact second heat exchanger includes one or more fans operably coupled to one or more single speed fan motors; said compact second heat exchanger, said fans and said fan motors are disposed outside of said sealed enclosure and powered by said AC power supply and said converter. 
   
   
       12 . A refrigeration apparatus for cooling sealed electronics enclosures as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said compact refrigerant flow control device comprises an vapor expansion device that is disposed outside of said sealed enclosure and powered by said AC power supply and said converter. 
   
   
       13 . A refrigeration apparatus for cooling sealed electronics enclosures as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said single closed liquid/vapor refrigerant circuit is operably coupled to said refrigerant pumping device; said compact refrigerant flow control device; said compact first heat exchanger and said compact second heat exchanger. 
   
   
       14 . A refrigeration apparatus for cooling sealed electronics enclosures as claimed in  claim 13  further comprising a refrigerant compound which is circulated to components operably coupled to said single closed liquid/vapor refrigerant circuit that are disposed inside of said sealed enclosure, and outside of said sealed enclosure. 
   
   
       15 . A method of cooling sealed electronics enclosures using said refrigeration apparatus comprising the steps of:
 temperature measurement at one or more locations in said sealed enclosure; using temperature to initiate and terminate operation of said refrigeration apparatus, and using said refrigeration apparatus to remove heat from said sealed enclosure.   
   
   
       16 . A method of cooling sealed electronics enclosures using said refrigeration apparatus for cooling sealed electronics enclosures as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said temperature measurements are performed by means of said sensing devices. 
   
   
       17 . A method of cooling sealed electronics enclosures using said refrigeration apparatus as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said temperature measurements are transferred to said electronic control circuit by means of an operable coupling. 
   
   
       18 . A method of cooling sealed electronics enclosures using said refrigeration apparatus as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said temperature measurements are evaluated by said electronic control circuit which selectively initiates and terminates said refrigeration apparatus operation by means of said temperature measure comparison algorithms. 
   
   
       19 . A method of cooling sealed electronics enclosures using said refrigeration apparatus as claimed in  claim 18  further comprising the step of: providing a single closed liquid/vapor refrigerant circuit; a compact single speed refrigerant pumping device; a compact first heat exchanger comprised of one or more fans and fan motors; a compact refrigerant flow control device; a compact second heat exchanger of a design that prohibits entrapment of liquids and particulates comprised of one or more fans and fan motors; and a compact refrigerant apparatus electronic control circuit; providing compact AC power supply and power supply converter operably coupled to the refrigeration apparatus whereby electrical power is supplied to the refrigeration apparatus motor component, first heat exchanger fan motors, second heat exchanger fan motors and apparatus control circuit that is operably coupled to said closed loop refrigerant liquid/vapor circuit. 
   
   
       20 . A method of cooling sealed electronics enclosures using said refrigeration apparatus as claimed in  claim 19  further comprising the steps of:
 removing thermal energy from refrigerant working fluid circulating through said single closed liquid/vapor refrigerant circuit by means of said compact second heat exchanger; performing work on said refrigerant working fluid exiting said compact second heat exchanger by means of said refrigerant pumping device; transferring thermal energy generated inside said sealed enclosure to the working fluid circulating through said single closed liquid/vapor refrigerant circuit by means of said compact first heat exchanger, generating airflow between said compact second heat exchanger and ambient by means of said one or more fans and fan motors to cause the rapid transport of thermal energy from said refrigerant working fluid to ambient; generating airflow between said compact first heat exchanger and thermal energy generated inside of said sealed enclosure by means of said one or more fans and fan motors to transport thermal energy from sealed enclosure to working fluid.