Refrigeration system and method with compressor mounted accumulator

Abstract

A mechanical refrigeration system and method of operating the same with a combined hermetic compressor and suction accumulator unit. The compressor includes an electric motor and gas pump driven thereby enclosed within a hermetically sealed first casing having a top wall disposed thereabove in the normal operational orientation of said motor and pump. The accumulator comprises a second casing superimposed on the first casing, of inverted cup shape with the lower edge thereof joined to the first casing such that said first casing top wall closes the lower end of said second casing. Refrigerant fluid from the system suction return line enters the second casing via inlet means oriented to induce a whirling flow of refrigerant fluid in the accumulator casing generally concentric with the upright axis thereof, and a gas liquid-separating standpipe means is disposed within said second casing having a gas outlet extending through said first casing top wall and communicating with an inlet to said gas pump. In the refrigeration system and method, the aforementioned suction accumulator is combined with the hermetic compressor so as to cause heat exchange between the usual compressor components disposed within the first casing and the gaseous and/or liquid phases of refrigerant disposed within the accumulator during flow thereof from the evaporator to the compressor during both the running and shutdown phases of the refrigeration cycle to thereby augment compressor cooling, improve the efficiency of the system and absorb or muffle compressor running noises.