Variable Capacity Condensing Unit

Abstract

The present application provides a variable capacity condensing unit for use with a refrigeration system. The variable capacity condensing unit may include a gas cooler or a condenser, one or more fans, and a number of fractional compressors.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A variable capacity condensing unit for use with a refrigeration system, comprising:
 a gas cooler or a condenser;   one or more fans; and   a plurality of fractional compressors.   
     
     
         2 . The variable capacity condensing unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fractional compressors comprises a parallel configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The variable capacity condensing unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fractional compressors comprises a series configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The variable capacity condensing unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fractional compressors comprises a combined parallel configuration and series configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The variable capacity condensing unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fractional compressors comprises about one (1) horsepower or less. 
     
     
         6 . The variable capacity condensing unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fractional compressors comprises a variable frequency. 
     
     
         7 . The variable capacity condensing unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fractional compressors comprises a set of operational compressors and a set of backup compressors. 
     
     
         8 . The variable capacity condensing unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a compressor rack and wherein the plurality of fractional compressors is positioned in the compressor rack. 
     
     
         9 . The variable capacity condensing unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fractional compressors comprises an on/off compressor valve. 
     
     
         10 . The variable capacity condensing unit of  claim 1 , wherein the gas cooler comprises a condenser or a gas cooler coil. 
     
     
         11 . The variable capacity condensing unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a carbon dioxide refrigerant or a hydro-fluorocarbon refrigerant. 
     
     
         12 . The variable capacity condensing unit of  claim 1 , wherein the variable capacity condensing unit is in communication with an expansion valve. 
     
     
         13 . The variable capacity condensing unit of  claim 1 , wherein the variable capacity condensing unit is in communication with one or more evaporators. 
     
     
         14 . The variable capacity condensing unit of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more evaporators comprise an evaporator coil and an evaporator fan. 
     
     
         15 . A method of operating a condensing unit in a refrigeration system, comprising:
 positioning a plurality of fractional compressors in a parallel configuration;   flowing a refrigerant through a number of the plurality of fractional compressors; and   varying the number of the plurality of fractional compressors with the flow of refrigerant based upon one or more operational parameters.   
     
     
         16 . A refrigeration system, comprising:
 an evaporator; and   a variable capacity condensing unit;   wherein the variable capacity condensing unit comprises a plurality of fractional compressors.   
     
     
         17 . The refrigeration system of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of fractional compressors comprises a parallel configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigeration system of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of fractional compressors comprises a series configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The refrigeration system of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of fractional compressors comprises a combined parallel configuration and series configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The refrigeration of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of fractional compressors comprises about one (1) horsepower or less.