Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator may include a compressor to compress a refrigerant, a condenser to condense the refrigerant having passed through compressor, a capillary tube to lower a temperature and a pressure of the refrigerant having passed though the condenser, an evaporator to evaporate the refrigerant having passed through the capillary tube, and a heat exchanger coupled to a refrigerant pipe connected to the compressor to cool the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe. With components so arranged, operational efficiency of the refrigerator may be enhanced, and energy may be saved.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigerator, comprising:
 a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant;   a configured to receive refrigerant compressed by the compressor and to condense the received refrigerant;   a capillary tube configured to receive refrigerant condensed by the condenser and to lower a temperature and a pressure of the received refrigerant;   an evaporator configured to receive refrigerant from the capillary tube and to evaporate the received refrigerant; and   a heat exchanger coupled to a refrigerant pipe connected to the compressor and configured to cool refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first refrigerant pipe connecting the compressor to the condenser; and   a second refrigerant pipe connecting the evaporator to the compressor,   wherein the first and second refrigerant pipes are each coupled to the heat exchanger such that refrigerant flowing through the first and second refrigerant pipes perform heat exchange with each other.   
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein refrigerant at a relatively high temperature in a gaseous state flows in the first refrigerant pipe, and refrigerant at a relatively low temperature in a gaseous state flows in the second refrigerant pipe. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein the heat exchanger is received in a machine room of the refrigerator having the compressor installed therein, so as to contact air in the machine room. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises:
 an outer portion connected to the first refrigerant pipe; and   an inner portion connected to the second refrigerant pipe, wherein the outer portion surrounds the inner portion.   
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator of  claim 5 , wherein the outer portion and the inner portion of the heat exchanger are concentrically arranged. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator of  claim 5 , wherein a refrigerant flow direction through the outer portion of the heat exchanger is opposite a refrigerant flow direction through the inner portion of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator of  claim 7 , wherein the second refrigerant pipe is oriented perpendicular to the outer portion. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein, in the heat exchanger, heat exchange occurs between refrigerant flowing from the compressor to the condenser, and refrigerant flowing from the evaporator to the compressor. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , further comprising a water supply valve configured to supply water to the heat exchanger, wherein refrigerant received in the first refrigerant pipe coupled to the condenser to perform heat exchange with the water supplied by the water supply valve to cool the refrigerant in the second refrigerant pipe. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , wherein the water supply valve is connected to an external water source and is configured to supply water from the external water source to the refrigerator, or to interrupt the supply of water to the refrigerator. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , further comprising a dispenser and an ice maker each operably coupled in the refrigerator, wherein water that has passed through the heat exchanger is supplied to at least one of the dispenser or the ice maker, and
 wherein, when the water is supplied to the at least one of the dispenser or the ice maker, a flow path of the water supply valve is opened, and the water flows through the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         13 . The refrigerator of  claim 12 , further comprising a flow path control valve to guide the water that has passed through the heat exchanger to the dispenser or the ice maker. 
     
     
         14 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises:
 an outer portion forming a refrigerant flow path allowing refrigerant to flow therethrough; and   an inner-portion forming a water flow path allowing water to flow therethrough,   wherein the outer portion surrounds the inner portion.   
     
     
         15 . The refrigerator of  claim 14 , wherein the outer portion and the inner portion of the heat exchanger are concentrically arranged. 
     
     
         16 . The refrigerator of  claim 14 , wherein refrigerant guided to the outer portion of the heat exchanger is introduced into and discharged from the outer portion in a first direction, and water guided to the inner portion of the heat exchanger is introduced into and discharged from the inner portion in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
         17 . The refrigerator of  claim 14 , wherein the heat exchanger is installed so as to be exposed in a machine room of the refrigerator having the compressor installed therein so as to exchange heat with air received in the machine room. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigerator of  claim 14 , wherein the heat exchanger is installed in a space formed in a body of the refrigerator that is sealed by a foamed insulation member. 
     
     
         19 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the compressor comprises:
 a first compression device that performs primary compression of refrigerant received from the evaporator; and   a second compression that performs secondary compression of refrigerant compressed by the first compression device and that guides the refrigerant having undergone primary and secondary compression to the condenser.   
     
     
         20 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant;   a condenser configured to condense refrigerant received from the compressor;   a capillary tube configured to lower a temperature and a pressure of refrigerant received from the condenser;   an evaporator configured to evaporate refrigerant received from the capillary tube;   a first refrigerant pipe that connects the compressor to the condenser;   a second refrigerant pipe that connects the evaporator to the compressor;   a third refrigerant pipe that connects the condenser to the capillary tube;   a first heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant pipe and refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant pipe;   a second heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between refrigerant flowing through one of the first refrigerant pipe or the third refrigerant pipe and water to cool the refrigerant in the one of first refrigerant pipe or the third refrigerant pipe; and   a water supply valve that supplies water to the second heat exchanger.   
     
     
         21 . The refrigerator of  claim 20 , wherein the first refrigerant pipe and the second refrigerant pipe contact each other in the first heat exchanger, and wherein the one of the first refrigerant pipe or the third refrigerant pipe contacts the water supplied by the water supply valve in the second heat exchanger. 
     
     
         22 . The refrigerator of  claim 20 , wherein the first heat exchanger comprises:
 an outer portion connected to the first refrigerant pipe; and   an inner portion connected to the second refrigerant pipe and surrounded by the outer portion.   
     
     
         23 . The refrigerator of  claim 20 , wherein the second heat exchanger comprises:
 an outer portion allowing the refrigerant to pass therethrough; and   an inner portion surrounded by the outer portion and allowing water to pass therethrough.