Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator ( 2 ) comprising a refrigeration system ( 4 ) a compartment ( 6 ) cooled by the refrigeration system ( 4 ) is provided. The refrigeration system ( 4 ) comprises a compressor ( 10 ), a condenser ( 12 ), a first expansion arrangement ( 14 ), an accumulator ( 16 ) for gaseous and liquid refrigerant, a second expansion arrangement ( 18 ), and an evaporator ( 20 ). The refrigeration system ( 4 ) comprises a first conduit path ( 22 ) and a second conduit path ( 24 ), the first and second conduit paths ( 22, 24 ) extending in parallel from the accumulator ( 16 ) towards the compressor ( 10 ). The compressor ( 10 ) is the only compressor of the refrigeration system ( 4 ) and the compressor ( 10 ) is a single stage compressor. A flow control device ( 26 ) is arranged in the conduit system ( 8 ) for alternately directing refrigerant through the first conduit path ( 22 ) and the second conduit path ( 24 ).

1 . A refrigerator ( 2 ) comprising a refrigeration system ( 4 ) being at least intermittently flowed through by a refrigerant and a compartment ( 6 ) cooled by the refrigeration system ( 4 ), wherein the refrigeration system ( 4 ) comprises a conduit system ( 8 ) and system components interconnected by the conduit system ( 8 ), wherein the system components comprise a compressor ( 10 ), a condenser ( 12 ), a first expansion arrangement ( 14 ), an accumulator ( 16 ) for gaseous and liquid refrigerant, a second expansion arrangement ( 18 ), and an evaporator ( 20 ), and wherein the refrigeration system ( 4 ) comprises a first conduit path ( 22 ) and a second conduit path ( 24 ), the first and second conduit paths ( 22 ,  24 ) extending in parallel from the accumulator ( 16 ) towards the compressor ( 10 ), wherein the second conduit path ( 24 ) extends, seen in the flow direction of the refrigerant, from the accumulator ( 16 ) via the second expansion arrangement ( 18 ) to the evaporator ( 20 ), characterized in that the compressor ( 10 ) is the only compressor of the refrigeration system ( 4 ) and the compressor ( 10 ) is a single stage compressor, and wherein a flow control device ( 26 ) is arranged in the conduit system ( 8 ) for alternately directing refrigerant through the first conduit path ( 22 ) and the second conduit path ( 24 ). 
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator ( 2 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the conduit system ( 8 ) extends, in the flow direction of the refrigerant, from the compressor ( 10 ) to the condenser ( 12 ), from the condenser ( 12 ) to the first expansion arrangement ( 14 ), and from the first expansion arrangement ( 14 ) to the accumulator ( 16 ). 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator ( 2 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow control device ( 26 ) is arranged upstream of the compressor ( 10 ) and downstream of the accumulator ( 16 ), and wherein the first conduit path ( 22 ) and the second conduit path ( 24 ) meet upstream of the compressor ( 10 ) and downstream of the accumulator ( 16 ) and the evaporator ( 20 ). 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator ( 2 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow control device ( 26 ) comprises a 3-way valve ( 28 ) interconnecting the first conduit path ( 22 ), the second conduit path ( 24 ), and the compressor ( 10 ). 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator ( 2 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow control device ( 26 ) comprises a first valve ( 42 ) arranged in the first conduit path ( 22 ) and a second valve ( 44 ) arranged in the second conduit path ( 24 ). 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator ( 2 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein the second valve is a check valve ( 44 ). 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator ( 2 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the refrigeration system ( 4 ) comprises a first heat exchanger ( 30 ), the first heat exchanger ( 30 ) comprising a first passage ( 32 ) and a second passage ( 34 ), the first passage ( 32 ) comprising portions of the first conduit path ( 22 ) downstream of the accumulator ( 16 ) and the second passage ( 34 ) being arranged downstream of the condenser ( 12 ) and upstream of the first expansion arrangement ( 14 ), or the second passage ( 34 ) forms part of the first expansion arrangement ( 14 ). 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator ( 2 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the refrigeration system ( 4 ) comprises a second heat exchanger ( 36 ), the second heat exchanger ( 36 ) comprising a third passage ( 38 ) and a fourth passage ( 40 ), the third passage ( 38 ) comprising portions of the second conduit path ( 24 ) downstream of the accumulator ( 16 ) and upstream of the second expansion arrangement ( 18 ), or the third conduit path forming part of the second expansion arrangement  18 , and wherein the fourth passage ( 40 ) comprises portions of the second conduit path ( 24 ) downstream of the evaporator ( 20 ). 
     
     
         9 . The refrigerator ( 2 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the refrigeration system ( 4 ) comprises a second heat exchanger ( 36 ), the second heat exchanger ( 36 ) comprising a third passage ( 38 ) and a fourth passage ( 40 ), the third passage ( 38 ) being arranged downstream of the condenser ( 12 ) and upstream of the first expansion arrangement ( 14 ), or the third passage ( 38 ) forming part of the first expansion arrangement ( 14 ), and wherein the fourth passage ( 40 ) comprises portions of the second conduit path ( 24 ) downstream of the evaporator ( 20 ).