Patent ID: 8627680
Filing Date: 2014-01-14
Classification: F04D

Abstract:
1. A compressor assembly for compressing a refrigerant in a chiller system comprising: a. a centrifugal compressor having a 250-ton capacity or larger, said centrifugal compressor having a compressor housing with a compressor inlet for receiving the refrigerant and a compressor outlet for delivering the refrigerant; b. a shaft; c. an impeller in fluid communication with said compressor inlet and said compressor outlet, said impeller mounted to said shaft and being operable to compress refrigerant; d. a direct drive, high energy density motor for directly driving the shaft at a range of sustained operating speeds less than about 20,000 revolutions per minute; and e. a variable speed drive configured to vary operation of the motor within the range of sustained operating speeds.