System for cooler electrical enclosure

Abstract

In embodiments of the present disclosure, a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACamp; r) system includes a variable speed drive (VSD) housing. The VSD housing includes a main drive line variable speed drive (VSD) configured to supply power to the motor, and an oil pump variable speed drive (VSD) configured to supply power to the pump. The pump is configured to supply a flow to the HVACamp; one or more moving parts of the R system are supplied with oil. Additionally or in lieu of the oil pump VSD, the VSD housing includes a magnetic bearing controller and / or a magnetic bearing controller power source. The magnetic bearing controller is configured to be used for controlling the HVACamp; and a magnetic bearing of the R system.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an invention patent application with an application date of October 10, 2018, an international application number of PCT / US2018 / 055251, a national application number of 201880062302.8, and an invention name of “System for electrical housing of a cooler”. Background Art

[0002] The present application relates generally to heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems and, more particularly, to an electrical enclosure for components of a chiller system.

[0003] A chiller system or vapor compression system utilizes a working fluid, commonly referred to as a refrigerant, that changes phase between vapor, liquid, and combinations thereof in response to being subjected to different temperatures and pressures associated with the operation of the vapor compression system. In some chiller systems, multiple housings may be provided for multiple corresponding components (e.g., power sources, control systems, variable speed drives, etc.). In such chiller systems, multiple housings may use separate cooling systems and complex wiring / connectors to properly function within the chiller system. In practice, the chiller system may have an increased footprint to accommodate multiple housings. Summary of the invention

[0004] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a refrigerant circuit and a compressor disposed along the refrigerant circuit. The compressor is configured to circulate a refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit. The HVAC&R system also includes a control panel and a variable speed drive (VSD) housing communicatively coupled to the control panel. The VSD housing includes: a main drive line variable speed drive (VSD) configured to receive input from the control panel and to power a motor of the compressor; and an oil pump variable speed drive (VSD) configured to power an oil pump. The oil pump is configured to supply lubricant to the compressor.

[0005] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a refrigerant circuit and a compressor disposed along the refrigerant circuit. The compressor is configured to circulate a refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit. The HVAC&R system also includes a control panel and a variable speed drive (VSD) housing communicatively coupled to the control panel. The VSD housing includes: a main drive line variable speed drive (VSD) configured to receive input from the control panel and to power a motor of the compressor; and a magnetic bearing controller configured to control a magnetic bearing of the compressor.

[0006] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a variable speed drive (VSD) housing. The VSD housing includes a main drive line variable speed drive (VSD) configured to power a motor and an oil pump variable speed drive (VSD) configured to power a pump. The pump is configured to supply oil to one or more moving parts of the HVAC&R system. The VSD housing also includes a magnetic bearing controller configured to control a magnetic bearing of the HVAC&R system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a building that may utilize a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system in a commercial setting according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0008] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an HVAC&R system according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0009] Figure 3 According to one aspect of the present disclosure Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of an HVAC&R system;

[0010] Figure 4 According to the embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 2 A block diagram of the variable speed drive (VSD) enclosure of the main drive circuit of the HVAC&R system;

[0011] Figure 5 According to the embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 2 A block diagram of a variable speed drive (VSD) enclosure for the main drive circuit of an HVAC&R system; and

[0012] Figure 6 According to the embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 2 Block diagram of the variable speed drive (VSD) enclosure for the main drive circuit of an HVAC&R system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system that can reduce the production and performance costs of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems. In some HVAC&R systems, a cooler shell or housing may include multiple electrical housings for multiple subsystems or components of the HVAC&R system. In particular, the HVAC&R system may include an electrical housing for a cooler control panel, an electrical housing for a main drive line variable speed drive (VSD) panel, an electrical housing for an oil pump VSD, an electrical housing for a magnetic bearing controller (MBC) and / or an MBC power panel, and other housings. In some cases, individual electrical housings for subsystems may require separate cooling systems. In addition, a considerable number of electrical housings for different subsystems may be mounted to the cooler shell, thereby requiring a cooler shell with a larger footprint for installation purposes. Excessive electricity may also be consumed to operate the individual cooling systems and power supplies of the subsystems. Therefore, embodiments currently disclosed may use a single electrical housing to accommodate several subsystems such as electrical panels with a unified cooling system. In fact, the presently disclosed embodiments can reduce the footprint of a subsystem electrical enclosure, reduce the power used to cool the electrical enclosure, and reduce the production and operating costs of the HVAC&R system.

[0014] Now turning to the attached figure, Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an environment for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system 10 in a building 12 for a typical commercial environment. The HVAC&R system 10 may include a vapor compression system 14 that supplies a chilled liquid that can be used to cool the building 12. The HVAC&R system 10 may also include a boiler 16 for supplying a warm liquid to heat the building 12, and an air distribution system that circulates air through the building 12. The air distribution system may also include an air return duct 18, an air supply duct 20, and / or an air handler 22. In some embodiments, the air handler 22 may include a heat exchanger connected to the boiler 16 and the vapor compression system 14 by a conduit 24. The heat exchanger in the air handler 22 may receive heated liquid from the boiler 16 or cooled liquid from the vapor compression system 14, depending on the operating mode of the HVAC&R system 10. The HVAC&R system 10 is shown with separate air handlers on each floor of the building 12, but in other embodiments, the HVAC&R system 10 may include air handlers 22 and / or other components that may be shared between two or more floors.

[0015] Figure 2 and Figure 3is an embodiment of a vapor compression system 14 that may be used in the HVAC&R system 10. The vapor compression system 14 may circulate a refrigerant through a circuit that begins with a compressor 32. The circuit may also include a condenser 34, expansion valve(s) or expansion device(s) 36, and a liquid chiller or evaporator 38. The vapor compression system 14 may further include a control panel 40 (e.g., a controller) having an analog-to-digital (A / D) converter 42, a microprocessor 44, a non-volatile memory 46, and / or an interface board 48.

[0016] Some examples of fluids that can be used as refrigerants in the vapor compression system 14 are hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-based refrigerants (e.g., R-410A, R-407, R-134a, hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs)), "natural" refrigerants (e.g., ammonia (NH3), R-717, carbon dioxide (CO2), R-744 or hydrocarbon refrigerants, water vapor), or any other suitable refrigerant. In some embodiments, the vapor compression system 14 can be configured to effectively use a refrigerant having a normal boiling point of about 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit or less) at one atmosphere (also referred to as a low-pressure refrigerant, relative to a medium-pressure refrigerant such as R-134a). As used herein, "normal boiling point" can refer to a boiling point temperature measured at one atmosphere.

[0017] In some embodiments, the vapor compression system 14 may use one or more of the following: a variable speed drive (VSD) 52, a motor 50, a compressor 32, a condenser 34, an expansion valve or expansion device 36, and / or an evaporator 38. The motor 50 may drive the compressor 32 and may be powered by a main drive line variable speed drive (VSD) 52. The main drive line VSD 52 receives AC power having a specific fixed line voltage and a fixed line frequency from an alternating current (AC) power source and provides power having a variable voltage and frequency to the motor 50. In some embodiments, the main drive line VSD 52 may be housed in a VSD housing 53 (e.g., an electrical housing). As discussed below, the VSD housing 53 may house a variety of different components. In some embodiments, the motor 50 may be powered directly by an AC power source or a direct current (DC) power source. The motor 50 may include any type of motor that may be powered by a VSD or directly by an AC or DC power source, such as a switched reluctance motor, an induction motor, an electronically commutated permanent magnet motor, or another suitable motor.

[0018] The compressor 32 compresses the refrigerant vapor and delivers the vapor to the condenser 34 through a discharge passage. In some embodiments, the compressor 32 may be a centrifugal compressor. Additionally, in some embodiments, the discharge passage may include a diffuser, such as a variable geometry diffuser 33. The variable geometry diffuser 33 may change its shape to adjust the fluid flow rate through the compressor 32. The refrigerant vapor delivered to the condenser 34 by the compressor 32 may transfer heat to a cooling fluid (e.g., water or air) in the condenser 34. Due to the heat transfer with the cooling fluid, the refrigerant vapor may condense into a refrigerant liquid in the condenser 34. The refrigerant liquid from the condenser 34 may flow through the expansion device 36 to the evaporator 38. In Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the condenser 34 is water cooled and includes a tube bundle 54 connected to a cooling tower 56 that supplies cooling fluid to the condenser.

[0019] The refrigerant liquid delivered to the evaporator 38 may absorb heat from another cooling fluid, which may or may not be the same cooling fluid used in the condenser 34. The refrigerant liquid in the evaporator 38 may undergo a phase change from a refrigerant liquid to a refrigerant vapor. Figure 3 As shown in the illustrated embodiment of , the evaporator 38 may include a tube bundle 58 having a supply line 60S and a return line 60R connected to a cooling load 62. The cooling fluid (e.g., water, ethylene glycol, calcium chloride brine, sodium chloride brine, or any other suitable fluid) of the evaporator 38 enters the evaporator 38 via the return line 60R and leaves the evaporator 38 via the supply line 60S. The evaporator 38 may reduce the temperature of the cooling fluid in the tube bundle 58 via heat transfer with the refrigerant. The tube bundle 58 in the evaporator 38 may include multiple tubes and / or multiple tube bundles. In any case, the refrigerant vapor leaves the evaporator 38 and returns to the compressor 32 through the suction line to complete the cycle.

[0020] As discussed in detail below, the VSD housing 53 may include a variety of different electrical components or panels configured to perform the various different functions of the vapor compression system 14. For example, the VSD housing 53 may include a cooling system that may regulate the temperature within the VSD housing 53. In practice, the power supplies, controllers, etc. within the VSD housing 53 may require a suitable temperature to operate effectively and perform their intended functions.

[0021] Remember this, Figure 4is a schematic diagram of a VSD housing 53 that includes various components of the vapor compression system 14. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the VSD housing 53 includes a main drive line VSD 52, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 70, a power supply 71, a battery 72, an oil pump VSD 74, and a variable geometry diffuser (VGD) system 76, which may include a VGD controller and / or a VGD power supply. In practice, the VGD power supply may be configured to supply power to the VGD 33 ( Figure 3 ) and / or VGD controller, which in some embodiments may also be disposed within the VSD housing 53. In some embodiments, each of the main drive line VSD 52, UPS 70, battery 72, power source 71, oil pump VSD 74, and VGD system 76 may be associated or coupled to a different electrical panel or circuit board. In the current embodiment, within the VSD housing 53, the oil pump VSD 74 may be associated with a first electrical panel, the UPS 70 and the VGD system 76 may be associated with a second electrical panel, and the main drive line VSD 52 may be associated with a third electrical panel. In such embodiments, the battery 72 may be coupled to the first electrical panel, the second electrical panel, the third electrical panel, or any combination thereof, and the power source 71 may be coupled to the first electrical panel, the second electrical panel, the third electrical panel, or any combination thereof.

[0022] The oil pump VSD 74 may receive (AC) power having a specific fixed line voltage and a fixed line frequency from an alternating current (AC) power source, and may provide power having a variable voltage and frequency to an oil pump 78. In turn, the oil pump 78 may provide a lubricant, such as oil, to bearings and / or other moving parts of the compressor 32. Furthermore, the oil pump 78 may be any suitable pump, such as a dual gear pump, a rotor pump, or a front cover oil pump.

[0023] The VGD system 76 (and more specifically, the VGD controller of the VGD system 76) can monitor the position of the variable geometry diffuser of the compressor 32 via one or more sensors, and can actuate the diffuser between a fully open position and a fully closed position in response to the operating conditions of the compressor 32. For example, in some embodiments, the compressor 32 can operate by passing a fluid through one or more compression mechanisms such as a piston, a rotor, a volute, blades, an impeller, etc., depending on the type of compressor 32. The compression mechanism performs work on the fluid to increase the pressure of the fluid. However, the operation of the compression mechanism may produce an adverse pressure gradient in the fluid flow. In fact, regardless of the type of compression system of the compressor 32, the VGD system 76 can actuate the VGD 33 to stabilize the fluid flow of the compressor 32.

[0024] Battery 72 may be any suitable battery capable of powering oil pump VSD 74, main drive line VSD 52, VGD system 76, control panel 40, or any combination thereof. In practice, battery 72 may be a main battery type, an auxiliary battery type, or any other suitable battery type.

[0025] In some embodiments, the power source 71 can use any suitable power source, such as a power grid, a battery, a solar panel, a generator, a gas engine, a vapor compression system 14, or any combination thereof. In particular, the power source 71 can supply power to the main drive line VSD 52, the oil pump VSD 74, the VGD system 76, or any combination thereof. Additionally, or in an alternative, the power source 71 can provide power to or charge the battery 72 and / or the UPS 70.

[0026] UPS 70 is an electrical device that can provide backup power to the load when the main power supply of the load is interrupted. In particular, when the main power supply is interrupted, UPS 70 can basically immediately provide power to the load. In some embodiments, UPS 70 can use or supply power stored in batteries, supercapacitors, flywheels or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, if the power supply 73 and / or battery 72 interrupts the supply of power to the oil pump VSD 74 and / or the VGD system 76, UPS 70 can supply power to the oil pump VSD 74 and / or the VGD system 76.

[0027] Additionally, in some embodiments, the VSD housing 53 (and more specifically, the components within the VSD housing 53) may be communicatively coupled to the control panel 40. For example, in some embodiments, the control panel 40 may provide instructions to the main drive line VSD 52, the VGD system 76, and / or the oil pump VSD 74 via the interface board 48 and / or the microprocessor 44 to operate in an intended manner. Indeed, in some embodiments, the instructions provided from the control panel 40 may be based on operator input (e.g., via the interface board 48) and / or may be based on data collected from one or more sensors of the vapor compression system 14.

[0028] As described above, components of the VSD housing 53 (e.g., the main drive line VSD 52, the UPS 70, the battery 72, the power supply 70, the oil pump VSD 74, and / or the VGD system 76) may release heat or thermal energy within the VSD housing 53. Therefore, the VSD housing 53 may include a cooling system 80 for regulating the internal temperature of the VSD housing 53. The cooling system 80 may include a heat exchanger 82, which may be an air-water heat exchanger and use a liquid cooling system. For example, in some embodiments, the heat exchanger 82 may receive water from the condenser 34. In particular, the heat exchanger 82 may receive water from the outlet of the condenser 34 and / or from an intermediate stage within the condenser 34. Additionally, or in the alternative, the heat exchanger 82 may receive water from the evaporator 38. In particular, the heat exchanger 82 may receive water from the outlet of the evaporator 38 and / or from an intermediate stage within the evaporator 38.

[0029] Water received from the condenser 34 and / or evaporator 38 may be directed through the tubing (e.g., pipes, coils, etc.) of the heat exchanger 82. Additionally, the cooling system 80 may also include one or more fans 84 that may push or pull air (e.g., internal air, ambient air, surrounding air, etc.) through the tubing. In some embodiments, the one or more fans 84 may pull air from an air source external to the VSD housing 53, such as through a vent. Additionally, or in the alternative, the one or more fans 84 may circulate and recycle or recondition air within the VSD housing 53. Additionally, in some embodiments, the battery 72 and / or power source 71 may be used to power the one or more fans 84.

[0030] In addition, the water received by the heat exchanger 82 from the condenser 34 and / or the evaporator 38 can be cooled water (e.g., water at a suitably low temperature). In this way, the air pushed or pulled through the tubes by one or more fans 84 can exchange heat with the water flowing through the tubes to increase the temperature of the water and reduce the temperature of the air. In particular, the heat exchanger 82 can remove heat and / or moisture from the air pushed or pulled through the tubes to produce conditioned air. That is, the cooling system 80 can condition the air so that the air supplied from the cooling system 80 to the components within the VSD housing 53 (e.g., the main drive line VSD 52, the UPS 70, the battery 72, the power supply 70, the oil pump VSD 74, and the VGD system 76) can be at a suitably low temperature, as discussed in further detail below.

[0031] Once the water has traveled through the tubes of the heat exchanger 82 and has exchanged heat with the air that was pulled or pushed across the tubes, the water may be directed to a suitable location within the circuit of the vapor compression system 14. For example, after exchanging heat with the air, the water may undergo a phase change (e.g., from liquid to vapor), an increase in temperature, and / or an increase and / or decrease in pressure. Thus, upon exiting the heat exchanger 80, the water may be directed to a section of the circuit of the vapor compression system 14 that contains water that substantially matches the pressure and temperature of the water exiting the heat exchanger 82.

[0032] In some embodiments, the cooling system 80 may also include a control device 86, one type of which may be a thermostat, which may be used to specify the temperature of the conditioned air output from the cooling system 80. Specifically, the control device 86 may be used to control the flow of air through the heat exchanger 82 by controlling the speed of one or more fans 84. In some embodiments, other devices may be included in the cooling system 80, such as pressure and / or temperature sensors or switches that sense the temperature and pressure of supply air, return air, etc. In addition, the control device 16 may include a computer system that is integrated or separate from other control or monitoring systems, and even systems remote from the building 12. In some embodiments, the control device 86 may receive input regarding a set point temperature, such as input from an operator. The control device 86 may also receive data indicating a temperature within the VSD housing 53, such as data from a temperature sensor. The control device 86 may analyze the data indicating a temperature within the VSD housing 53 and compare the temperature within the VSD housing to the set point temperature. Based on the comparison, the control device 86 may then increase or decrease the speed of one or more fans 84 to modify the internal temperature of the VSD housing 53 to substantially match the set point temperature. Additionally, in some embodiments, cooling system 80 may use a radiator to help regulate the temperature of VSD housing 53 .

[0033] In some embodiments, cooling system 80 may regulate the temperature of VSD housing 53 so that the internal temperature of VSD housing 53 remains below 50 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, cooling system 80 may regulate the temperature of VSD housing 53 to ensure that the temperature remains below 40 degrees Celsius.

[0034] Furthermore, in the current embodiment, the VSD housing 53 may be communicatively coupled to the control panel 40 via one or more wires 90 or other suitable medium to transmit signals and / or data. In practice, one or more components of the VSD housing 53 (e.g., the main drive line VSD 52, the UPS 70, the battery 72, the power supply 71, the oil pump VSD 74, and / or the VGD system 76) may receive a variety of different inputs from the control panel 40. More specifically, an operator may provide a variety of different commands through the interface board 48 to control one or more components within the VSD housing 53.

[0035] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a VSD housing 53 including various components of a vapor compression system 14 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the VSD housing 53 includes a main drive line VSD 52, an uninterruptible power supply 70, a power supply 71, a battery 72, and a variable geometry diffuser (VGD) system 76. In addition, the VSD housing 53 may include a magnetic bearing control (MBC) system 92, which may include a magnetic bearing controller and / or a magnetic bearing controller power supply. In practice, the magnetic bearing controller power supply may be configured to power a magnetic bearing controller, which in some embodiments may also be disposed within the VSD housing 53.

[0036] For example, in some embodiments, the compressor 32 may use magnetic bearings to support one or more moving parts. In particular, in some embodiments, the compressor 32 may use permanent magnets to carry the static load of one or more moving parts, and use active magnets when the one or more moving parts deviate from the optimal position. Therefore, the MBC system 92 (more specifically, the MBC controller) can monitor the position of one or more moving parts (e.g., shafts) of the compressor 32 relative to the magnetic bearings of the compressor 32, and send one or more signals for controlling the active magnets so that the load is substantially maintained in the optimal position.

[0037] In some embodiments, MBC system 92 may receive power from battery 72, UPS 70, power supply 71, or any combination thereof. For example, in some embodiments, battery 72 and / or power supply 71 may provide power to MBC system 92 in unison, and UPS 70 may provide power to MBC system 92 as a backup source of power. In addition, cooling system 80 may function as described above to regulate the internal temperature of VSD enclosure 53, and to some extent the temperature of components within VSD enclosure 53, which includes MBC system 92.

[0038] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the VSD enclosure 53 may be communicatively coupled to the control panel 40 via one or more wires 90 or other suitable medium to transmit signals and / or data. In practice, one or more components of the VSD enclosure 53 (e.g., the main drive line VSD 52, the UPS 70, the battery 72, the power supply 70, the MBC system 92, and / or the VGD system 76) may receive a variety of different inputs from the control panel 40. More specifically, an operator may provide a variety of different commands through the interface board 48 to control one or more components within the VSD enclosure 53.

[0039] Additionally, in some embodiments, the MBC system 92, UPS 70, and VGD system 76 may be associated with a first electrical panel, and the main drive line VSD 52 may be associated with a second electrical panel within the VSD enclosure 53. In such embodiments, the battery 72 may be coupled to the first electrical panel, the second electrical panel, or both, and the power source 71 may be coupled to the first electrical panel, the second electrical panel, or both.

[0040] Figure 6 is a block diagram of a VSD housing 53 including various components of a vapor compression system 14 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the VSD housing 53 includes a main drive line VSD 52, a UPS 70, a power supply 71, a battery 72, and a VGD system 76. In addition, the VSD housing 53 may include an oil pump VSD 74 and an MBC system 92. Thus, the VSD housing 53 may be adapted for use with a vapor compression system 14 that uses magnetic bearings and / or mechanical roller bearings.

[0041] The oil pump VSD 74 may be as described above with respect to Figure 4 The MBC system 92 can function as described above. Figure 5 For example, in some embodiments, the oil pump VSD 74 can power the oil pump 78 at an appropriate voltage and frequency, which can in turn supply oil or lubricant to the moving parts within the compressor 32. In addition, the MBC system 92 can send one or more signals for controlling the active magnetic bearings of the compressor 32.

[0042] In some embodiments, the MBC system 92 and / or the oil pump VSD 74 may receive power from the battery 72, the UPS 70, the power source 71, or any combination thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the battery 72 and / or the power source 71 may provide power to the MBC system 92 and / or the oil pump VSD 74 in unison, and the UPS 70 may provide power to the MBC system 92 and / or the oil pump VSD 74 as a backup power source. In addition, the cooling system 80 may function as described above to regulate the internal temperature of the VSD housing 53, which includes the MBC system 92 and the oil pump VSD 74, and to some extent the temperature of the components within the VSD housing 53.

[0043] Furthermore, in the current embodiment, the VSD housing 53 may be communicatively coupled to the control panel 40 via one or more wires 90 or other suitable medium to transmit signals and / or data. In practice, one or more components of the VSD housing 53 (e.g., the main drive line VSD 52, the UPS 70, the battery 72, the power supply 70, the MBC system 92, the oil pump VSD 74, and / or the VGD system 76) may receive a variety of different inputs from the control panel 40. More specifically, an operator may provide a variety of different commands through the interface board 48 to control one or more components within the VSD housing 53.

[0044] In the current embodiment, the main drive line VSD 52 may be associated with a first electrical panel, the oil pump VSD 74 may be associated with a second electrical panel, and the MBC system 92, the UPS 70, the VGD system 76 may be associated with a third electrical panel within the VSD housing 53. In such embodiments, the battery 72 may be coupled to the first electrical panel, the second electrical panel, the third electrical panel, or any combination thereof, and the power source 73 may be coupled to the first electrical panel, the second electrical panel, the third electrical panel, or any combination thereof.

[0045] Thus, the present disclosure relates to a system that provides a chiller system that includes a variable speed drive (VSD) housing (e.g., an electrical housing) having various components and / or panels. For example, the VSD housing may include an oil pump VSD, a magnetic bearing controller and / or a magnetic bearing controller power supply, a variable geometry diffuser controller and / or a variable geometry diffuser power supply, a battery, a power supply, an uninterruptible power supply, or any combination thereof. In practice, these components may be contained on various electrical panels within the VSD housing. In addition, the VSD housing may use an integral cooling system such as an air-to-water heat exchanger to regulate the temperature within the VSD housing. In practice, the various components within the VSD housing may be cooled by the integral cooling system, thereby saving cooling costs relative to a system that uses multiple cooling systems for multiple components. In addition, since the components are solidified within the VSD housing, the floor space used by the components may also be reduced. Further, the components within the VSD housing may use a common power supply, thereby saving production and / or power costs.

[0046] Although only certain features and embodiments have been shown and described, many modifications and changes (e.g., changes in the size, dimensions, structure, shape and proportion of various elements, the value of parameters (e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.), mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) may occur to those skilled in the art without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be changed or reordered according to alternative embodiments. Therefore, it should be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as falling within the true spirit of the invention. In addition, in order to provide a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of the actual implementation (i.e., those features that are not related to the best mode currently contemplated for carrying out the invention or those features that are not related to the implementation of the protected invention) may not be described. It should be understood that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any engineering or design scheme), a large number of implementation-specific decisions must be made. Such development work may be complex and time-consuming, but it is still a routine design, production and manufacturing work for ordinary technicians who benefit from this disclosure without excessive experimentation.

Claims

1. A heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system, include: Refrigerant circuit; a compressor disposed along the refrigerant circuit and configured to circulate a refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit; control Panel; A variable speed drive (VSD) housing housing a plurality of components, wherein the compressor is external to the VSD housing, and wherein the plurality of components include: a main drive line variable speed drive (VSD) configured to receive input from the control panel and to supply power to a motor of the compressor; an oil pump variable speed drive (VSD) configured to supply power to an oil pump, wherein the oil pump is configured to supply lubricant to the compressor; and an uninterruptible power supply configured to supply power to the main drive line variable speed drive (VSD), the oil pump variable speed drive (VSD), or both; and A cooling system includes a heat exchanger configured to condition an interior of the VSD housing to cool the main drive line variable speed drive (VSD), the oil pump variable speed drive (VSD), and the uninterruptible power supply.

2. The HVAC&R system of claim 1, in, The VSD housing houses a variable geometry diffuser controller and / or a variable geometry diffuser power supply that are communicatively coupled to a variable geometry diffuser of the compressor.

3. The HVAC&R system of claim 1, in, The VSD housing houses a battery and a power source, wherein the battery and the power source are each configured to power one or more of the plurality of components disposed within the VSD housing.

4. The HVAC&R system of claim 1, in, The heat exchanger is configured to receive a cooling fluid flow from a refrigerant circuit component of the refrigerant circuit.

5. The HVAC&R system of claim 4, wherein the cooling fluid comprises water, and the cooling system is configured to increase the temperature of the water through the heat exchanger and direct the water from the heat exchanger to an evaporator, the evaporator being fluidly coupled to the refrigerant circuit.

6. The HVAC&R system of claim 1, wherein the control panel is disposed outside of the VSD housing, and the main drive line variable speed drive (VSD) and the oil pump variable speed drive (VSD) are communicatively coupled to the control panel.

7. The HVAC&R system of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is disposed within the interior of the VSD housing.

8. The HVAC&R system of claim 1, in, The cooling system includes one or more fans configured to force air across one or more tubes of the heat exchanger to produce a conditioned air flow to regulate the temperature of the interior of the VSD housing.

9. The HVAC&R system of claim 8, in, The uninterruptible power supply is configured to provide power to the one or more fans.

10. The HVAC&R system of claim 8, comprising a control device disposed within the interior of the VSD housing and configured to receive feedback from a sensor indicative of a temperature of the interior, wherein the control device is configured to adjust the speed of the one or more fans to adjust the temperature of the interior based on the feedback.

11. The HVAC&R system of claim 10, in, The control is configured to receive an additional input indicative of a set point temperature of the interior of the VSD enclosure, wherein the control is configured to adjust the speed of the one or more fans based on the feedback to adjust the temperature of the interior to approximately the set point temperature.

12. The HVAC&R system of claim 1, in, The cooling system includes an air-to-water heat exchanger, and the air-to-water heat exchanger is configured to receive water from a condenser of the HVAC&R system.

13. A heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system, include: Refrigerant circuit; a compressor disposed along the refrigerant circuit and configured to circulate a refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit; control Panel; A variable speed drive (VSD) housing housing a plurality of components, wherein the compressor is external to the VSD housing, and wherein the plurality of components include: a main drive line variable speed drive (VSD) configured to receive input from the control panel and to supply power to a motor of the compressor; a magnetic bearing controller configured to control a magnetic bearing of the compressor, and an uninterruptible power supply configured to supply power to the main drive line variable speed drive (VSD), the magnetic bearing controller, or both; and A cooling system includes a heat exchanger configured to condition an interior of the VSD housing to cool the main drive line variable speed drive (VSD), the magnetic bearing controller, and the uninterruptible power supply.

14. The HVAC&R system of claim 13, in, The heat exchanger is disposed in the interior of the VSD housing and external to the main driveline variable speed drive (VSD).

15. The HVAC&R system of claim 13, in, The VSD housing houses a variable geometry diffuser controller and / or a variable geometry diffuser power supply that are communicatively coupled to a variable geometry diffuser of the compressor.

16. The HVAC&R system of claim 13, in, The VSD housing houses a power source and a battery, wherein the battery and the power source are each configured to power one or more of the plurality of components located within the VSD housing.

17. The HVAC&R system of claim 16, in, The heat exchanger is configured to receive a flow of water from a refrigerant circuit component of the refrigerant circuit.

18. The HVAC&R system of claim 17, in, The cooling system is configured to increase the temperature of the water flow through the heat exchanger and direct the water flow from the heat exchanger to an evaporator.

19. A heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system, include: a variable geometry diffuser (VGD) configured to adjust a fluid flow rate through the compressor; An electrical enclosure, wherein the electrical enclosure houses a plurality of components, and the plurality of components comprises: a main drive line variable speed drive (VSD) configured to power a motor of the compressor; and a variable geometry diffuser (VGD) controller configured to control a position of the variable geometry diffuser (VGD); a control panel disposed externally of the electrical enclosure, wherein the control panel is communicatively coupled to the main driveline variable speed drive (VSD) and the variable geometry diffuser (VGD) controller; and A cooling system includes a heat exchanger configured to condition an interior of the electrical enclosure to cool the main driveline variable speed drive (VSD) and the variable geometry diffuser (VGD) controller.

20. The HVAC&R system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of components include: an oil pump variable speed drive (VSD), the oil pump variable speed drive (VGD) configured to power an oil pump, wherein the oil pump is configured to supply lubricant to the compressor; as well as A power source is configured to power at least one of the main driveline variable speed drive (VSD), the oil pump variable speed drive (VSD), and the variable geometry diffuser (VGD) controller.

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