Patent ID: 6923011
Filing Date: 2005-08-02
Classification: F25B

Abstract:
1. A vapor compression system having a working fluid and comprising: a first compression mechanism, said first compression mechanism compressing the working fluid from a first low pressure to a second intermediate pressure; a second compression mechanism, said second compression mechanism in fluid communication with said first compression mechanism and compressing the working fluid from the second intermediate pressure to a third discharge pressure; a fluid circuit circulating the working fluid from said second compression mechanism to said first compression mechanism and including, in serial order, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device and a second heat exchanger wherein said first heat exchanger is positioned in a high pressure side of said circuit between said second compression mechanism and said expansion device and said second heat exchanger is positioned in a low pressure side of said circuit between said expansion device and said first compression mechanism; and an intermediate pressure vessel in fluid communication with said system between said first and second compression mechanisms wherein intermediate pressure working fluid is communicated to and from said vessel and said vessel contains a variable quantity of liquid phase working fluid, wherein a single fluid conduit communicates both inflows and outflows of the working fluid between said vessel and said system at a location between said first and second compression mechanisms.