Multi-Part Heat Exchanger

Abstract

A refrigeration system includes a compressor for driving a refrigerant along a flow path in at least a first mode of system operation; a first heat exchanger along the flow path downstream of the compressor in the first mode; a second heat exchanger along the flow path upstream of the compressor in the first mode; and a pressure regulator or expansion device in the flow path downstream of the first heat exchanger and upstream of the second heat exchanger in the first mode, wherein the first heat exchanger comprises a plurality of heat exchanger components arranged along a flow path of heat exchange fluid for the first heat exchanger. The heat exchanger components can be positioned in smaller available areas within the unit and thereby use space more efficiently.

1 . A refrigeration system comprising:
 a compressor for driving a refrigerant along a flow path in at least a first mode of system operation;   a first heat exchanger along the flow path downstream of the compressor in the first mode;   a second heat exchanger along the flow path upstream of the compressor in the first mode; and   an expansion device in the flow path downstream of the first heat exchanger and upstream of the second heat exchanger in the first mode,   wherein the first heat exchanger comprises a plurality of heat exchanger components arranged along a flow path of heat exchange fluid for the first heat exchanger.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the flow path of the heat exchange fluid is counter to the flow of refrigerant in the heat exchange components. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the second heat exchanger also comprises a plurality of heat exchange components. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first heat exchanger is mounted within a housing having separate and discrete available spaces, and wherein the heat exchanger components are positioned in the spaces. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a refrigerator housing defining a cassette receiving area, and wherein the heat exchanger components are mounted within a cassette adapted to be inserted into the receiving area. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger components include at least a first component and a second component, and wherein the first component has a different shape than the second component. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first heat exchanger is mounted within a housing defining a flow path for heat exchanger medium to flow past the first heat exchanger, and wherein the flow path has a cross sectional flow area and a decreased flow area zone along the path, and wherein at least one of the components is positioned at the decreased flow area zone. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant comprises, in major mass part, CO 2 ; and the first and second heat exchangers are refrigerant-air heat exchangers. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system contains a refrigerant and the refrigerant is a transcritical vapor compression. 
   
   
       10 . A beverage cooling device comprising the system of  claim 1 .