Integrated heat exchanger for use in a refrigeration system

Abstract

A refrigeration system includes a multiple stage compressor 10 having at least two stages 12,14 for sequentially compressing the refrigerant together with a gas cooler 21 connected to the compressor 10 for receiving compressed refrigerant from the last stage 14 of the compressor to cool the same. An evaporator 18 is connected to the gas cooler 21 via an expansion device to receive cool refrigerant therefrom and cool the fluid stream passing through the evaporator 18. A return passage connects the evaporator 18 to the first stage 12 of the compressor and an intercooler 26 is connected between the first stage 12 and the last stage 14 of the compressor to cool refrigerant compressed by the first stage 12 and direct the refrigerant cooled thereby to the last stage 14 for further compression. The intercooler 26 and the gas cooler 21 are integrated into a single unit 22 and receive a single cooling heat exchange fluid and the gas cooler 21 has a larger heat transfer surface area than the intercooler 26.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to refrigeration systems and to an integrated heat exchanger for use in such systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Most refrigeration systems (which term, as used herein, is intended to include air conditioning systems) operate on the vapor compression cycle. In such a cycle, a refrigerant is compressed and then the compressed refrigerant cooled before being expanded in an evaporator to cool a heat exchange fluid. The heat exchange fluid may be used to cool various objects, such as the contents of a refrigerator or the occupants of a space. Until relatively recently, common refrigerants were chloro-fluoro carbons (CFC's) or hydro-chloro-fluoro carbons (HCFC's) because of their non combustibility and relatively easy cycling through the system. However, many such systems have been prone to refrigerant leakage, particularly those in vehicular applications. The escaping refrigerant, depending upon the type, is believed to damage...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] It is the principal object of the invention to provide a new and improved refrigeration system of the multistage compressor type. It is also an obje

Problems solved by technology

However, many such systems have been prone to refrigerant leakage, particularly those in vehicular applications.

Large components limit the ability of the designer of the vehicle to achieve aerodynamic slipperiness which, of course, affects fuel economy as well as the ability to achieve a pleasing appearance.

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