Patent ID: 6955059
Filing Date: 2005-10-18
Classification: F25B

Abstract:
1. A vapor compression system, comprising: a main vapor compression circuit comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator serially connected by main refrigerant lines, said compressor having a main discharge port, a suction port and an economizer/bypass port, an economizer circuit connected between said condenser and said economizer/bypass port of said compressor and comprising an auxiliary expansion device and a heat exchanger serially connected by economizer refrigerant lines, said economizer refrigerant lines and said main refrigerant lines being exposed to each other for heat exchange in said heat exchanger; and a bypass circuit comprising a bypass line extending from said economizer/bypass port to said suction port, and a bypass valve positioned along said bypass line, said bypass valve being positionable between a closed position wherein said economizer circuit is active and said bypass circuit as inactive, and an open position wherein said economizer circuit is active and said bypass circuit is active; and a control unit operatively associated with at least one of said bypass valve and said auxiliary expansion device for controlling same, said control unit being adapted to selectively operate said system in a first mode of operation wherein said bypass valve is closed, said bypass circuit is inactive and said economizer circuit is active, and a second mode of operation wherein said bypass valve is open, said bypass circuit is active and said economizer circuit is active.