Patent ID: 6584784
Filing Date: 2003-07-01
Classification: F04B,F04D,F25B,Y10S

Abstract:
A compressor-pump unit for use in a vapor-compression refrigeration system, the compressor-pump unit comprising:a driving device including a rotatable shaft; a compressor, coupled with a first portion of the shaft, for compressing gaseous refrigerant within the vapor-compression refrigeration system; a liquid pump, coupled with a second portion of the shaft, for receiving liquid refrigerant having a first pressure and for discharging the received liquid refrigerant at a second pressure, the second pressure being higher than the first pressure by a predetermined amount such that the discharged liquid refrigerant is subcooled; and a sealable housing having a first refrigerant inlet and a first refrigerant outlet connected to the compressor and a second refrigerant inlet and a second refrigerant outlet connected to the pump, the housing further having a pump cooling, refrigerant pathway for directing the gaseous refrigerant between the first refrigerant outlet and the compressor such that the gaseous refrigerant flows over and contacts a pump casing of the pump; wherein the first and second portions of the shaft, the compressor, and the pump are supported within the sealable housing; whereby the gaseous refrigerant absorbs heat from the liquid refrigerant, through the pump casing, prior to the liquid refrigerant being discharged from the pump.