Modular refrigeration system

A cooling unit for continuous operation and wide thermal load range, said cooling unit comprising:

• a variable speed d.c. motor;
• a compressor driven by said motor;
• a condenser for receiving compressed refrigerant from said compressor;
• a thermal expansion device for receiving refrigerant from said condenser;
• accumulator means for preventing liquid phase refrigerant from entering said compressor;
• a hot gas bypass valve and bypass conduit for redirecting refrigerant flow to avoid its passage through said condenser and through said thermal expansion device;
• refrigerant conduit means for providing a refrigerant flow path through said accumulator means, said compressor, said condenser and said thermal expansion device, respectively;
• and
• attachment conduit means for releasably connecting said accumulator means to an evaporator and for releasably connecting said thermal expansion device and said hot gas bypass valve to said evaporator for refrigerant flow therebetween.