Refrigeration system and pump therefor

摘要

A refrigeration system is disclosed in which negative energy storage is provided to significantly reduce electrical energy consumption during peak air conditioning hours. A transfer pump is provided in the system for pumping condensed and mixed phase refrigerant from the negative energy storage to an evaporator coil where it absorbs heat energy from an air conditioned space. The transfer pump is a positive displacement pump employing a rotor and vanes rotating in a pumping chamber. Dual inlets and discharges from the pumping chamber are located to balance forces on the rotor. The inlets enter the pumping chamber radially. A hermetic enclosure seals the pump and an electric drive motor to eliminate dynamic seals within the pump and thereby greatly reduce leakage of refrigeration from the system. A refrigeration overfeed system using a hermetically sealed pump according to the invention is also disclosed.