Compact compressors and refrigeration systems

Abstract

Compact compressors and refrigeration systems that can be used to cool computers, servers, and other electronic equipment. Each compact compressor or refrigeration system includes a compact, substantially enclosed hermitic housing having a simple geometry profile, such as a rectilinear profile, which enables the compact compressor or refrigeration system to be easily inserted within a slot, for example, of an electronic component such as a computer server. In one embodiment, a compact compressor is provided, which includes a motor-compressor unit within the housing, including a stator, a rotor disposed interiorly of the stator, and a compressor mechanism disposed interiorly of the rotor to provide a compact profile. In another embodiment, the housing includes the foregoing compact motor-compressor unit, and further includes a condenser formed within one of the walls of the housing and an evaporator formed within another wall of the housing such that the housing defines a completely contained, compact refrigeration system. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the housing may include only one of the condenser and evaporator, with the other of the condenser and evaporator configured as a modular component which is attached to the housing.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 527,798, entitled COMPACT REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS AND HEAT EXCHANGERS, filed on Dec. 8, 2003, assigned to the assignee of the present patent application, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to compact, modular cooling systems, and in particular, to compact compressors and refrigeration systems for electronic equipment cooling. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Conventional refrigeration systems are typically semi-permanent or permanent systems. For example, in a typical refrigerator, it is not necessary to be able to independently move the refrigeration components with respect to the rest of the refrigerator and the components of such refrigeration systems are permanently installed in ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The present invention provides compact compressors and refrigeration systems that can be used to cool computers, servers, and other electronic equipment. Each compact compressor or refrigeration system includes a compact, substantially enclosed hermitic housing having a simple geometry profile, such as a rectilinear profile, which enables the compact compressor or refrigeration system to be easily inserted within a slot, for example, of an electronic component such as a computer server. In one embodiment, a compact compressor is provided, which includes a motor-compressor unit within the housing, including a stator, a rotor disposed interiorly of the stator, and a compressor mechanism disposed interiorly of the rotor to provide a compact profile. In another embodiment, the housing includes the foregoing compact motor-compressor unit, and further includes a condenser formed within one of the walls of the housing and an evaporator formed within another wall of the housing such that the housing defines a completely contained, compact refrigeration system. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the housing may include only one of the condenser and evaporator, with the other of the condenser and evaporator configured as a modular component which is attached to the housing.

[0011] In another form thereof, the present invention provides a compact refrigeration system, including a substantially enclosed housing having a simple geometry profile including at least first and second sides; a motor-compressor unit disposed within the housing, including a stator; a rotor disposed substantially interiorly of the stator; and a compressor mechanism driven by the rotor, the compressor mechanism having an inlet and an outlet; a condenser formed at least partially within the first side of the housing, the condenser in fluid communication with the compressor mechanism outlet; an evaporator formed at least partially within the second side of the housing, the evaporator in fluid communication with the compressor mechanism inlet; and an expansion device in fluid communication with the condenser and with the evaporator.

[0012] In a further form thereof, the present invention provides a compact refrigeration system, including a substantially enclosed housing having a simple geometry profile, including an inlet and an outlet and at least a first side; a motor-compressor unit disposed within the housing, including a stator; a rotor disposed substantially interiorly of the stator; and a compressor mechanism driven by the rotor; and a first heat exchanger formed substantially within the first side of the housing, the first heat exchanger in fluid communication with the compressor mechanism.

[0016] In a further form thereof, the present invention provides a compact refrigeration system, including a first housing component having a simple geometry profile including an exterior wall, and a groove formed within the exterior wall; a second housing component into which the first housing component is received, the second housing component having a wall in abutment with the exterior wall of the first housing component and enclosing the groove to define a heat exchanger passage; and a compressor mechanism disposed within the first housing component and in fluid communication with the heat exchanger passage.

Problems solved by technology

Also, as electronic equipment has become increasingly smaller, the heat dissipation requirements of such equipment is exceeding the capacity of cooling systems which employ only forced air to convectively cool the equipment.

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