Hybrid compressor

A vapor compression system comprising:

• at least one heat exchanger;
• an inverter;
• an electric motor comprising a shaft;
• a first compressor configured to deliver a first temperature load;
• a coupling unit configured and arranged to mechanically couple the first compressor to the shaft;
• and
• a second compressor arranged to be selectively engaged by the shaft and configured to deliver a second temperature load which is greater than the first temperature load;
• wherein the electric motor, the first compressor and the second compressor are arranged coaxially to one another;
• wherein orientation of the first temperature load and orientation of the second temperature load are in a same direction;
• and
• wherein the coupling unit is further configured to couple and decouple the first compressor based upon system flow-through requirements.

A method of affecting a temperature change at a location, the method comprising the steps of:

• arranging a first compressor and a second compressor to be selectively engaged by an electric motor shaft so as to generate a first temperature load and a second temperature load oriented in a same direction;
• arranging a coupling unit on the electric motor shaft so as to selectively couple the first compressor to the electric motor shaft;
• selectively engaging the first compressor and the second compressor with the electric motor shaft based upon the temperature change such that at a first temperature change which can be satisfied by the first temperature load both the first compressor and the second compressor are driven by the shaft and at second temperature change which cannot be satisfied by the first temperature load only the second compressor is driven by the electric motor shaft;
• wherein the second temperature load is greater than the first temperature load;
• and
• wherein orientation of the first temperature load and orientation of the second temperature load are in a same direction.