System and method for cooling air conditioning system electronics

Abstract

A system, method and apparatus for cooling the electronic components that regulate power and commutation of a refrigerant compressor motor in an air conditioning system. The electronic components are juxtaposed upon a heat sink provided with a refrigerant passageway. The heat sink is fluidly disposed in the refrigeration line between the evaporator assembly and compressor such that refrigerant returning from the evaporator assembly to the compressor of the air conditioning system travels directly to the heat sink and through the refrigerant passageway before reaching the compressor.

1 . A system for cooling the power and commutation electronics used to control the motor of a compressor in an air conditioning refrigeration system, the system comprising:
 a refrigeration system including a compressor and an evaporator assembly connected by a refrigerant line;   a motor control unit electrically connected to the compressor motor, the motor control unit containing electronic components that control the compressor motor;   the electronic components being mounted in heat transfer relation to a heat sink;   the heat sink including a refrigerant passageway for the passage of refrigerant there through and being fluidly disposed in the refrigeration line between the evaporator assembly and compressor such that refrigerant returning from the evaporator assembly to the compressor of the air conditioning system travels directly to the heat sink and through the refrigerant passageway before reaching the compressor.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the refrigerant returning from the refrigerant passageway travels directly to the compressor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the compressor motor is a brushless motor and the electronic components regulate the output and commutation of the compressor motor. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the refrigerant passageway is a tunnel integrally formed in the heat sink. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the refrigerant passageway is a discrete component attached to the heat sink. 
     
     
         6 . A method of cooling the electronic components of a compressor motor in an air conditioning refrigeration system, the system having a compressor and an evaporator assembly, the method comprising:
 mounting the electronic components in heat transfer relation with a heat sink having a refrigerant passageway; and   directing the vapor refrigerant leaving the evaporator assembly into the refrigerant passageway of the heat sink before returning the vapor refrigerant to the compressor.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the refrigerant returning from the refrigerant passageway travels directly to the compressor. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the refrigerant passageway is a tunnel integrally formed in the heat sink. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the refrigerant passageway is a discrete component attached to the heat sink. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the compressor motor is a brushless motor. 
     
     
         11 . A compressor drive module for an air conditioning refrigeration system, the refrigeration system including a compressor and an evaporator assembly connected by a refrigerant line, the compressor drive module comprising:
 a motor control unit and a motor, the motor adapted to drive the compressor;   the motor control unit being electrically connected to the motor, said motor control unit containing electronic components that control the motor;   the electronic components being mounted in heat transfer relation to a heat sink;   the heat sink including a refrigerant passageway for the passage of refrigerant there through and being fluidly disposed in the refrigeration line between the evaporator assembly and compressor such that refrigerant returning from the evaporator assembly to the compressor of the air conditioning system travels directly to the heat sink and through the refrigerant passageway before reaching the compressor.   
     
     
         12 . The compressor drive module of  claim 11  wherein the refrigerant returning from the refrigerant passageway travels directly to the compressor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the refrigerant passageway is a tunnel integrally formed in the heat sink. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the refrigerant passageway is a discrete component attached to the heat sink. 
     
     
         15 . The compressor drive module of  claim 11  wherein the motor is a brushless motor and the electronic components regulate the output and commutation of the compressor motor.