Abstract: There is provided a pipe connection arrangement for a heat exchanger and a method of connecting a pipe to a heat exchanger utilising a pipe connection arrangement. The pipe connection arrangement includes: a metallic block fitting; a flange for coupling to the block fitting; and a seal. The block fitting includes a bore extending therethrough for receiving a pipe for connection to a heat exchanger and the flange includes a bore extending therethrough for receiving the pipe. The block fitting includes a surface that faces the flange when the flange is coupled to the block fitting. The seal is configured for location between and for abutting both the surface of the block fitting and an annular collar of a pipe when it is connected by the pipe connection arrangement. The pipe extends through the bore of the flange and the flange is coupled to the block fitting.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for cooling the refrigerant, an evaporator for heating the refrigerant, and a lubrication system for providing a lubricant mist to a movable component of the compressor. The lubrication system includes an ejector arranged in fluid communication with the compressor and the evaporator, wherein the lubricant mist is carried by the refrigerant to the movable component.

Abstract: A vapor compression system (20; 120; 220; 320) has: first (22A; 122A; 222A) and second (22B; 122B; 222B) compressors; first (40) and second (46) heat exchangers; and one or more expansion devices (52; 52A, 52B). Means (32A, 32B; 32A, 32B, 126A, 126B; 32A, 32B, 232A, 232B) are provided for switching the system between operation in first and second modes using the respective first and second compressors. In the first mode: the first compressor compresses refrigerant; the compressed refrigerant is cooled in the first heat exchanger; the cooled refrigerant is expanded in at least one of the one or more expansion devices; and the expanded refrigerant absorbs heat in the second heat exchanger. In the second mode: the second compressor compresses refrigerant; the compressed refrigerant is cooled in the second heat exchanger; the cooled refrigerant is expanded in at least one of the one or more expansion devices; and the expanded refrigerant absorbs heat in the first heat exchanger.

Abstract: This refrigerant vessel component (2, 4, 7) for a refrigeration circuit (100), comprises a shell (10) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) delimiting an internal volume (V), in which circulates a refrigerant fluid (R), whereas the refrigerant vessel component (2) comprises an inner shell (20) located radially inside the shell (10) and extending on at least a portion of the circumference of the shell (10), and whereas the inner shell (20) is at least partly formed of perforated material.

Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus (1) includes a main refrigerant circuit (2) including a positive displacement compressor (4), a condenser (6), an expansion valve (8), and an evaporator (10), through which a refrigerant circulates successively in a closed loop circulation, a lubrication refrigerant line (18) connected to the main refrigerant circuit (2) between the condenser (6) and the expansion valve (8) or to the condenser (6), in which circulates a portion of the refrigerant of the main refrigerant circuit (2) and connected to the compressor (4) for lubrication of said compressor (4) with the refrigerant, at least one lubrication refrigerant storing cavity (70) connected to the lubrication refrigerant line (18), the lubrication refrigerant storing cavity (70) being configured to store liquid refrigerant for lubrication of the compressor (4) said at least one lubrication refrigerant storing cavity (70) being provided within the compressor (4).

Abstract: This refrigeration apparatus (1) comprises a main refrigerant circuit (2) including a positive displacement compressor (4), a condenser (6), an expansion valve (8), an evaporator (10), through which a refrigerant circulates successively in a closed loop circulation, and a lubrication refrigerant line (18) in fluid connection with the main refrigerant circuit (2) and connected to the compressor (4) for lubrication of said compressor (4) with the refrigerant. The refrigeration apparatus (1) comprises a refrigerant container (20) connected between the condenser (6) and the expansion valve (8), said refrigerant container (20) being configured to retain a quantity of refrigerant, the lubrication refrigerant line (18) being connected to said refrigerant container (20). The refrigeration apparatus (1) further comprises heating means (28) for heating the refrigerant contained in the refrigerant container (20).

Abstract: There is provided a pipe connection arrangement for a heat exchanger and a method of connecting a pipe to a heat exchanger utilising a pipe connection arrangement. The pipe connection arrangement includes: a metallic block fitting; a flange for coupling to the block fitting; and a seal. The block fitting includes a bore extending therethrough for receiving a pipe for connection to a heat exchanger and the flange includes a bore extending therethrough for receiving the pipe. The block fitting includes a surface that faces the flange when the flange is coupled to the block fitting. The seal is configured for location between and for abutting both the surface of the block fitting and an annular collar of a pipe when it is connected by the pipe connection arrangement. The pipe extends through the bore of the flange and the flange is coupled to the block fitting.

Abstract: This refrigerant vessel component (2, 4, 7) for a refrigeration circuit (100), comprises a shell (10) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) delimiting an internal volume (V), in which circulates a refrigerant fluid (R), whereas the refrigerant vessel component (2) comprises an inner shell (20) located radially inside the shell (10) and extending on at least a portion of the circumference of the shell (10), and whereas the inner shell (20) is at least partly formed of perforated material.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for cooling the refrigerant, an evaporator for heating the refrigerant, and a lubrication system for providing a lubricant mist to a movable component of the compressor. The lubrication system includes an ejector arranged in fluid communication with the compressor and the evaporator, wherein the lubricant mist is carried by the refrigerant to the movable component.

Abstract: A heat exchanger arrangement (2) comprises at least one heat exchanger (4) including at least one substantially horizontally oriented manifold (6a, 6b) forming an upper side of the at least one heat exchanger (4), the at least one manifold (6a, 6b) having lateral end portions (8); and a support structure (10) including a main portion comprising, at least partially, a metallic material, and manifold support portions (14) associated to respective lateral end portions (8) of the at least one manifold (6a, 6b). The manifold support portions (14) are made at least partially from a non-metallic material and configured to receive the lateral end portions (8) of the at least one manifold (6a, 6b) for preventing the at least one manifold (6a, 6b) from contacting any metallic portions of the support structure (10).

Abstract: A vapor compression system (20; 120; 220; 320) has: first (22A; 122A; 222A) and second (22B; 122B; 222B) compressors; first (40) and second (46) heat exchangers; and one or more expansion devices (52; 52A, 52B). Means (32A, 32B; 32A, 32B, 126A, 126B; 32A, 32B, 232A, 232B) are provided for switching the system between operation in first and second modes using the respective first and second compressors. In the first mode: the first compressor compresses refrigerant; the compressed refrigerant is cooled in the first heat exchanger; the cooled refrigerant is expanded in at least one of the one or more expansion devices; and the expanded refrigerant absorbs heat in the second heat exchanger. In the second mode: the second compressor compresses refrigerant; the compressed refrigerant is cooled in the second heat exchanger; the cooled refrigerant is expanded in at least one of the one or more expansion devices; and the expanded refrigerant absorbs heat in the first heat exchanger.

Abstract: This refrigeration apparatus (1) comprises a main refrigerant circuit (2) including a positive displacement compressor (4), a condenser (6), an expansion valve (8), an evaporator (10), through which a refrigerant circulates successively in a closed loop circulation, and a lubrication refrigerant line (18) in fluid connection with the main refrigerant circuit (2) and connected to the compressor (4) for lubrication of said compressor (4) with the refrigerant. The refrigeration apparatus (1) comprises a refrigerant container (20) connected between the condenser (6) and the expansion valve (8), said refrigerant container (20) being configured to retain a quantity of refrigerant, the lubrication refrigerant line (18) being connected to said refrigerant container (20). The refrigeration apparatus (1) further comprises heating means (28) for heating the refrigerant contained in the refrigerant container (20).

Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus (1) includes a main refrigerant circuit (2) including a positive displacement compressor (4), a condenser (6), an expansion valve (8), and an evaporator (10), through which a refrigerant circulates successively in a closed loop circulation, a lubrication refrigerant line (18) connected to the main refrigerant circuit (2) between the condenser (6) and the expansion valve (8) or to the condenser (6), in which circulates a portion of the refrigerant of the main refrigerant circuit (2) and connected to the compressor (4) for lubrication of said compressor (4) with the refrigerant, at least one lubrication refrigerant storing cavity (70) connected to the lubrication refrigerant line (18), the lubrication refrigerant storing cavity (70) being configured to store liquid refrigerant for lubrication of the compressor (4) said at least one lubrication refrigerant storing cavity (70) being provided within the compressor (4).

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a compressor, indoor heat exchanger, outdoor heat exchanger, and expansion valve. A main flow control device fluidly couples a discharge line to the outdoor heat exchanger when the heat pump system is in a cooling mode, and fluidly couples the discharge line to the indoor heat exchanger when the heat pump system is in a heating mode. An intermediate heat exchanger is configured to receive working fluid from the outdoor heat exchanger in a cooling mode and from the indoor heat exchanger in a heating mode. The intermediate heat exchanger is configured to superheat or sub-cool a working fluid therein. A secondary flow control device is configured to control a directional flow of working fluid between the indoor heat exchanger, the outdoor heat exchanger and the intermediate heat exchanger. A controller is operably coupled to the main and secondary flow control devices.

Abstract: A heat exchanger arrangement (2) comprises at least one heat exchanger (4) including at least one substantially horizontally oriented manifold (6a, 6b) forming an upper side of the at least one heat exchanger (4), the at least one manifold (6a, 6b) having lateral end portions (8); and a support structure (10) including a main portion comprising, at least partially, a metallic material, and manifold support portions (14) associated to respective lateral end portions (8) of the at least one manifold (6a, 6b). The manifold support portions (14) are made at least partially from a non-metallic material and configured to receive the lateral end portions (8) of the at least one manifold (6a, 6b) for preventing the at least one manifold (6a, 6b) from contacting any metallic portions of the support structure (10).

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a compressor, indoor heat exchanger, outdoor heat exchanger, and expansion valve. A main flow control device fluidly couples a discharge line to the outdoor heat exchanger when the heat pump system is in a cooling mode, and fluidly couples the discharge line to the indoor heat exchanger when the heat pump system is in a heating mode. An intermediate heat exchanger is configured to receive working fluid from the outdoor heat exchanger in a cooling mode and from the indoor heat exchanger in a heating mode. The intermediate heat exchanger is configured to superheat or sub-cool a working fluid therein. A secondary flow control device is configured to control a directional flow of working fluid between the indoor heat exchanger, the outdoor heat exchanger and the intermediate heat exchanger. A controller is operably coupled to the main and secondary flow control devices.