Active cooling of a compressor in an appliance

Abstract

A system for cooling a compressor for an appliance includes a water source, a compressor having an outer shell, the compressor being configured to compress a refrigerant during a cooling cycle of the appliance, and a fluid heat transfer device. The fluid heat transfer device is configured to receive water from the water source and apply the water to the outer shell for rejecting heat from the compressor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for cooling a compressor for an appliance, comprising:
 a water source;   a compressor having an outer shell, the compressor being configured to compress a refrigerant during a cooling cycle of the appliance; and   a fluid heat transfer device configured to receive water from the water source and apply the water to the outer shell for rejecting heat from the compressor.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the water source comprises at least one of condensation from the exterior of a case of the appliance, defrost drain water from the appliance and make-up water for the appliance. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid heat transfer device comprises a tube, one end of the tube receiving a flow of water from the water source and the other end of the tube releasing a flow of water on to the outer shell of the compressor. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the other end of the tube comprises a drop or spray applicator. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve coupled between the water source and the fluid heat transfer device, the water valve being configured to enable a flow of water from the water source to the heat transfer device when the compressor is running and to prevent the flow of water when the compressor is not running. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell of the compressor further comprises an external surface having a pattern formed in the external surface, the pattern being configured to distribute the water about the external surface to enhance the heat exchange between the outer shell and the water. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the pattern comprises grooves formed in the external surface of the outer shell. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid heat transfer device comprises a water misting device configured to receive a flow of water from the water source and apply the received water to the outer shell of the compressor in a form of a mist. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a humidity sensor positioned in a area of the compressor and configured to detect an ambient humidity level in the area of the compressor, the humidity sensor being further configured to enable the fluid heat transfer device to apply water to the outer shell of the compressor when the detected ambient humidity level is less than a pre-determined humidity level. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 detecting an operation of a compressor in a refrigerant-based cooling appliance; and   applying water to an external surface of the compressor at a rate configured to enhance an evaporation of the water and enable the compressor to reject heat.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the rate at which water is applied to the external surface of the compressor is less than or equal to an evaporation rate of the water. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the evaporation rate of the water is determined as a function of an ambient temperature and ambient humidity level detected around the appliance. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising applying the water to a pattern formed in the external surface of the compressor. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising applying an airflow path over and around the compressor while the compressor is operating. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising receiving the water applied to the external surface of the compressor from at least one of condensation from the exterior of a case of the appliance, defrost drain water from the appliance and make-up water for the appliance. 
     
     
         16 . A cooling system for a household appliance, comprising:
 an evaporator;   a compressor coupled to the evaporator,   a condenser located after the compressor and before the evaporator; and   a fluid heat transfer device configured to apply water to an external surface of the compressor to cause the compressor to reject heat when the compressor is operating.   
     
     
         17 . The cooling system of  claim 16 , wherein the fluid heat transfer device comprises a water applicator and a connection to a water source, the fluid heat transfer device being configured to apply the water in a form of drops or a spray to an external surface of the compressor. 
     
     
         18 . The cooling system of  claim 17 , wherein the water is in the form of a liquid or vapor. 
     
     
         19 . The cooling system of  claim 18 , wherein the fluid dispensing device receives the water from a defrost water supply and a make-up water supply. 
     
     
         20 . The cooling system of  claim 17 , wherein the external surfaces of the compressor comprise a pattern, the pattern being in the form of a set of grooves in the external surface, the pattern being configured to enhance heat exchange and evaporation of the water.