Integral service refrigerant pump

A lubrication assembly of a chiller, the lubrication assembly comprising:

• a three-way valve having first, second and third legs;
• a first line upstream from the second leg;
• a second line diverting off from the third leg;
• a third line leading from the second line to the first leg;
• a first pathway by which refrigerant is pumped through the chiller via the three-way valve and along the first and third legs;
• a second pathway by which refrigerant is pre-stored in the chiller in a storage location prior to further use via the three-way valve and along the first line, the second and third legs and the second and third lines;
• a third pathway by which refrigerant is removed from the chiller via the three-way valve and along the first leg and the first line, the second and third legs and the second line;
• and
• a fourth pathway by which refrigerant is charged into the chiller along the first line.

A method of operating a chiller system comprising a chiller, a lubrication assembly comprising a three-way valve and first-third pathways, each of which is communicative with the three-way valve, and the lubrication assembly further comprising a fourth pathway and a controller in communication with the three-way valve, the method comprising:

• configuring the first pathway for pumping refrigerant through the chiller;
• configuring the second pathway for pre-storing refrigerant in the chiller in a storage location prior to further use;
• configuring the third pathway for removing refrigerant from the chiller;
• configuring the fourth pathway for charging refrigerant into the chiller;
• and
• operating the controller to control the three-way valve to selectively engage one of the first-fourth pathways.