Refrigeration apparatus and method

Refrigeration apparatus employing a refrigerant and comprising:

• an evaporator;
• a condenser;
• an expansion device communicating between said evaporator and said condenser;
• a compressor having an inlet and an outlet for compressing said refrigerant;
• a fluid pump for pumping a fluid, said fluid comprising water with an antifreeze additive;
• a first heat exchanger having (a) a complementary passage, and (b) a main passage communicating between said evaporator and the inlet of said compressor, said main passage including a tank;
• a second heat exchanger having (a) an auxiliary passage, and (b) a principal passage communicating between said condenser and the outlet of said compressor;
• said complementary passage of said first heat exchanger communicating between said fluid pump and the auxiliary passage of said second heat exchanger, said complementary passage including a serpentine pipe located within said tank;
• said auxiliary passage of said second heat exchanger communicating between said fluid pump and said complementary passage of said first heat exchanger, said complementary passage being located downstream of said auxiliary passage, said auxiliary passage comprising an inner pipe, said principal passage of said second heat exchanger including an outer pipe mounted coaxially around said inner pipe, said fluid pump causing a fluid flow in said outer pipe that is counter to flow within said inner pipe;
• a controller for operating said fluid pump, said controller including a first sensor and a second sensor, said first sensor and said second sensor being operable to control said fluid pump, said first sensor measuring outside ambient temperature, said controller being arranged to operate said fluid pump when said outside ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold, said first sensor measuring refrigerant pressure at said outlet of said compressor, said controller being arranged to operate said fluid pump when said refrigerant pressure at said outlet of said compressor exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold.

A refrigeration method employing an evaporator, a condenser, and an expansion valve communicating between said evaporator and said condenser, the method including the steps of:

• compressing a refrigerant drawn from said evaporator;
• circulating a fluid to exchange heat between pre-compressed and post-compressed refrigerant;
• sending post-compressed refrigerant to said condenser;
• and
• returning refrigerant from said condenser through said expansion valve to said evaporator.