Apparatus and System for Refrigerant Compressor with Liquid-Suction Heat Exchanger

Abstract

There is provided a refrigeration apparatus ( 100 ). The refrigeration apparatus ( 100 ) includes a liquid suction heat exchanger (LSHX) ( 110 ) and a compressor ( 120 ). The LSHX ( 110 ) and the compressor ( 120 ) are formed as an integral module ( 150 ). Disclosed combinations include tandem compressors ( 151, 152 ) and multiple integral module configurations ( 185, 186 ).

1 . A refrigeration apparatus ( 100 ), comprising:
 a liquid suction heat exchanger (LSHX) ( 110 ); and   a compressor ( 120 ), wherein   said LSHX ( 110 ) and said compressor ( 120 ) comprise an integral module ( 150 ).   
     
     
         2 . The refrigeration apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said integral module ( 150 ) has a vapor refrigerant interface ( 115 ). 
     
     
         3 . The refrigeration apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said integral module ( 150 ) has a liquid refrigerant interface ( 130 ,  131 ). 
     
     
         4 . The refrigeration apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 2 , wherein said vapor refrigerant interface ( 115 ,  135 ) has a plurality of connections ( 115 ,  135 ). 
     
     
         5 . The refrigeration apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 3 , wherein said liquid refrigerant interface ( 130 ,  131 ) has multiple connections ( 130 ,  131 ). 
     
     
         6 . The refrigeration apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , further comprising a suction port connection ( 125 ) interposed between said LSHX ( 110 ) and said compressor ( 120 ). 
     
     
         7 . The refrigeration apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 6 , wherein said suction port connection ( 125 ) is defined at least in part by a single unitary pipe ( 127 ), said unitary pipe ( 127 ) connected to both said LSHX ( 110 ) and said compressor ( 120 ). 
     
     
         8 . The refrigeration apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 7 , wherein said single unitary pipe ( 117 ) contains said suction port connection ( 125 ) at a time of manufacture of said integral module ( 150 ). 
     
     
         9 . The refrigeration apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said LSHX ( 110 ) is secured to said compressor ( 120 ). 
     
     
         10 . The refrigeration apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said LSHX ( 110 ) is permanently connected to a surface selected from the group consisting of a side of said compressor ( 120 ), a bottom of said compressor ( 120 ), and a top of said compressor ( 120 ). 
     
     
         11 . A refrigeration system ( 200 ), comprising:
 a condenser ( 215 );   an evaporator ( 205 );   an expansion device ( 210 ); and   an integral module ( 150 ), comprising:
 a liquid suction heat exchanger (LSHX) ( 110 ); and 
 a compressor ( 120 ) secured to said LSHX ( 110 ), 
   wherein said integral module ( 150 ) is connected to said condenser ( 215 ), said evaporator ( 205 ) and said expansion device ( 210 ).   
     
     
         12 . The refrigeration system ( 200 ) of  claim 11 , wherein said integral module ( 150 ) has a vapor refrigerant interface ( 115 ,  135 ). 
     
     
         13 . The refrigeration system ( 200 ) of  claim 11 , wherein said integral module ( 150 ) has a liquid refrigerant interface ( 130 ,  131 ). 
     
     
         14 . The refrigeration system ( 200 ) of  claim 11 , wherein said compressor ( 120 ) is secured to said LSHX ( 110 ) by a unitary pipe ( 127 ) that is secured to both an outlet of said LSHX ( 110 ) and an inlet of said compressor ( 120 ). 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerant system ( 200 ) of  claim 11 , wherein said LSHX ( 110 ) of said integral module ( 150 ) is bolted to said compressor ( 120 ) of said integral module ( 150 ). 
     
     
         16 . The refrigeration system ( 200 ) of  claim 11 , wherein said integral module ( 150 ) further comprises a base ( 111 ) connected to a bottom of said compressor ( 120 ), and wherein said LSHX ( 110 ) is connected to said bottom of said compressor ( 120 ) and at least partially housed by said base ( 111 ). 
     
     
         17 . The refrigeration system ( 200 ) of  claim 11 , wherein said integral module ( 150 ,  177 ) further comprises a plurality of compressors ( 151 ,  152 ) connected in tandem. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigeration system ( 200 ) of  claim 11 , wherein said integral module ( 187 ) is positioned on a base ( 194 ), and wherein said integral module ( 187 ) comprises a plurality of sub-modules ( 185 ,  186 ). 
     
     
         19 . The refrigeration system ( 200 ) of  claim 18 , wherein each of said plurality of sub-modules ( 185 ,  186 ) comprises a compressor ( 191 ,  193 ) and a LSHX ( 181 ,  183 ). 
     
     
         20 . A refrigerant system ( 100 ,  200 ) as herein before described with reference to any one of  FIGS. 1 through 6  of the accompanying drawings.