Compressor assembly having electronics cooling system and method

Abstract

A refrigeration system having a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, an accumulator, and electronics for controlling the compressor. The accumulator collects gaseous and liquid refrigerant passing from the evaporator to the compressor. The electronics are mounted to the accumulator to transfer heat from the electronics to the refrigerant located within the accumulator to cool the electronics.

1 . A system comprising:
 a compressor;   an accumulator in communication with said compressor and having refrigerant located therein; and   compressor electronics mounted to said accumulator and cooled by said refrigerant located therein.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said electronics are mounted to a bottom surface of said accumulator. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said electronics are mounted to circumferentially surround said accumulator. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said electronics are housed by an annular housing that circumferentially surrounds said accumulator. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said accumulator is an annular-shaped housing defining a cylinder, and said electronics are mounted in said cylinder. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said electronics are mounted within said accumulator. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said accumulator includes a base and a cylindrical housing having a flattened surface attached to said base, said electronics being mounted to said flattened surface. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said compressor electronics includes an inverter. 
   
   
       9 . A system comprising:
 a compressor;   a high pressure zone heat exchanger and a low pressure zone heat exchanger in communication with said compressor;   an accumulator disposed between said low pressure zone heat exchanger and said compressor that receives low temperature refrigerant from said low pressure zone heat exchanger; and   compressor electronics mounted to said accumulator and cooled by said low temperature refrigerant located therein.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said electronics are mounted to a bottom surface of said accumulator. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said electronics are mounted to circumferentially surround said accumulator. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said electronics are housed by an annular housing that circumferentially surrounds said accumulator. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said accumulator is an annular-shaped housing defining a cylinder, and said electronics are mounted in said cylinder. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said electronics are mounted within said accumulator. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said accumulator includes a base and a cylindrical housing having a flattened surface attached to said base, said electronics being mounted to said flattened surface. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein heat generated by said electronics is transferred to said low temperature refrigerant in said accumulator. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said compressor electronics includes an inverter. 
   
   
       18 . A refrigeration system comprising:
 a compressor for compressing a refrigerant;   a first heat exchanger in communication with said compressor for condensing said refrigerant;   a second heat exchanger in communication with said compressor for expanding said refrigerant;   an accumulator disposed between said second heat exchanger and said compressor; and   compressor electronics mounted to said accumulator and cooled by said refrigerant that is expanded by said second heat exchanger.   
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said electronics are mounted to a bottom surface of said accumulator. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said electronics are mounted to circumferentially surround said accumulator. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein said electronics are housed by an annular housing that circumferentially surrounds said accumulator. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said accumulator is an annular-shaped housing defining a cylinder, and said electronics are mounted in said cylinder. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said electronics are mounted within said accumulator. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said accumulator includes a base and a cylindrical housing having a flattened surface attached to said base, said electronics being mounted to said flattened surface. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said compressor electronics includes an inverter.