Multi-stage compression refrigerating device

Abstract

Refrigerant exiting a condenser (1) is diverted into first and second parts, with the first part passed to a first intercooler (6) via a first decompression means (3) while the second part is passed to an evaporator (8) via a second decompression means (7). The refrigerant passed to the second decompression means (7) undergoes heat exchange with the intercooler (6). The refrigerant discharged from the evaporator (8) is fed to a first stage low-pressure compression means (32). In the multi-stage compression apparatus, the refrigerant discharged-from the low-pressure compression means (32) is mixed or merged with the refrigerant exiting the intercooler (6) at a merging point (106), and then fed to a second stage high-pressure compression means (34). The displacement volume of the low-pressure compression means (32) is larger than that of the high-pressure compression means(34). Provided between the first intercooler (6) and the merging point (106) is a one-way valve (9) for permitting the flow only in the direction from the first intercooler (6) to the merging point (106). The inventive multi-stage compression refrigeration apparatus may perform refrigeration with suppressed temperature of refrigerant gas discharged from the high pressure compression means (34). The apparatus can attain its stable normal operating condition in a short time. Thus, the inventive refrigeration apparatus has an improved refrigeration efficiency.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.