The present invention relates to a refrigeration device. The present invention relates more particularly to a refrigeration device having multiple cooling elements. The present invention relates to a refrigeration device having multiple cooling elements that are controlled using a single measurement of refrigerant temperature and pressure.
It is generally known to provide refrigeration devices (e.g. temperature controlled cases, refrigerated storage units, merchandisers, coolers, etc.) having a refrigeration system for circulating a refrigerant or coolant through one or more cooling elements (e.g. evaporators, heat exchangers, cooling coils, etc.) within the case to maintain items (such as food products and the like) within a certain desirable temperature range. Such refrigeration devices often include multiple cooling elements, which are typically controlled individually by a temperature and pressure measurement of the refrigerant associated with each cooling element. The present invention provides a control system for a refrigeration device that controls multiple cooling elements within a single refrigeration device using a single measurement of the temperature and of the pressure of the refrigerant circulated through the cooling elements.
According to one embodiment, a refrigeration device includes a control device and multiple cooling elements. A supply header delivers refrigerant to the cooling elements and a return header returns refrigerant from the cooling elements. A single pressure sensor provides a signal representative of a pressure of the refrigerant in the return header to the control device, and a single temperature sensor provides a signal representative of a temperature of the refrigerant in the return header to the control device. The control device provides an output signal to control each of the cooling elements, in response to the signals from the single temperature sensor and the single pressure sensor.
According to another embodiment, a refrigeration device includes an enclosure defining a space for storage of temperature-controlled objects and cooling elements operable to provide cooling to the space. The device also includes a refrigeration system including a return header to return refrigerant from the cooling elements to a compressor, and a condenser to condense the refrigerant, and a supply header to deliver the refrigerant to the cooling elements. A single pressure sensor provides a signal representative of a pressure of the refrigerant in the return header, and a single temperature sensor provides a signal representative of a temperature of the refrigerant in the return header. A control device receives the signal representative of temperature and the signal representative of pressure and provides an output signal to control a superheat valve for each of the cooling elements. A signal splitting device splits the output signal into separate branch signals for each superheat valve. Boosting of the branch signals, if necessary, may also be provided by the signal splitting device, or by a separate device. The branch signals may all be substantially identical (e.g. for cooling elements that are substantially the same size or capacity) or the signals may be different (e.g. for cooling elements that are not the same size capacity or demand, etc.).
According to another embodiment, a method of controlling a refrigeration device having cooling elements includes providing a supply header to deliver refrigerant to the cooling elements, providing a return header to return refrigerant from the cooling elements, providing a single pressure sensor to generate a signal representative of a pressure of the refrigerant in the return header, providing a single temperature sensor to generate a signal representative of a temperature of the refrigerant in the return header, providing a control device to receive the signals representative of pressure and temperature and to provide an output signal to control each of the cooling elements; and splitting the output signal into substantially identical branch signals for controlling a superheat valve associated with each cooling element.
Referring to the FIGURES, a refrigeration system for use with one or more cooling elements (e.g. coils, finned-coils, heat exchangers, flow-through pans, etc.) in a refrigeration device such as a temperature controlled case is shown according to one embodiment. The temperature controlled case is shown to have a refrigeration loop having a compressor, condenser, expansion device and suitable sensors for circulating a fluid (such as a refrigerant or coolant) through the cooling element to maintain the temperature of products, such as food products within a storage area of the refrigeration device, at a relatively constant storage temperature. The control system is shown to include a control module that interfaces with appropriate components of the refrigeration device. The control module is shown for use with a single refrigeration device, but may be used with multiple refrigeration devices. The control module receives one signal representative of a temperature of the refrigerant at the outlet and one signal representative of a pressure of the refrigerant at the outlet and provides an output signal to control (or regulate) the position (i.e. the amount open or closed) of a valve (such as a superheat control valve) located at the inlet of each cooling element in the refrigeration device. Although the system is shown and described by way of example for use with a single refrigeration device in the form of an open-front display case having three cooling elements, the system may be used with any type or number of refrigeration devices having more than one cooling element. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the invention as disclosed in reference to the embodiments illustrated and described herein.
Referring to
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According to one embodiment, the refrigerant flows through a refrigerant supply line 28 (e.g. “liquid line” etc.) to the superheat valve 26 at a first flow rate and is expanded by the superheat valves 26 to form a liquid-vapor mixture at a “saturation temperature” within the cooling elements 40 during a cooling mode of operation to maintain the temperature of the food products 16 at a desired storage or display temperature, consistent with store or industry food safety codes or guidelines.
According to one exemplary embodiment for a medium-temperature system, the saturation temperature of the refrigerant is typically within a range of approximately 17-32 degrees F., and more particularly within a range of 22-29 degrees F. and is intended to maintain at least a portion of each cooling element 40 at a temperature corresponding approximately to the refrigerant's saturation temperature during the cooling mode. According to another exemplary embodiment for a low-temperature system, the saturation temperature of the refrigerant is typically within a range of approximately minus (−)22 to minus (−)5 degrees F., and is intended to maintain at least a portion of each cooling element 40 at a temperature corresponding approximately to the refrigerant's saturation temperature during the cooling mode. However, the temperature ranges are described by way of example and any temperature range suitable for use in a refrigeration device for a desired application may be used. As the saturated liquid-vapor mixture of refrigerant progresses through the cooling element(s) 40 and absorbs heat from the air circulated from the airspace 14, the vapor percentage of the liquid-vapor mixture increases, and usually becomes vaporized. When the refrigerant is vaporized within a portion of the cooling elements 40 (e.g. usually at or near an outlet portion of the cooling element, such as the last one or several tube passes of a coil), the refrigerant temperature increases above the refrigerant's saturation temperature as the refrigerant continues to circulate through the cooling elements 40. The amount of temperature increase above the saturation temperature is referred to herein as the “superheat temperature.”
During the cooling mode of operation, the superheat valve 26 is configured to modulate a flow rate of the refrigerant corresponding to the duty or demand experienced by the case 10. The flow rate may be increased during high demand and the flow rate may be decreased during low demand. For example, according to one embodiment where the saturation temperature of refrigerant entering the cooling elements 40 from the superheat valve 26 is controlled at approximately 22 degrees F., the flow rate of refrigerant may be modulated to permit a superheat temperature at the exit of the cooling elements 40 to be maintained within a range of approximately 3-8 degrees F. Similarly, for embodiments having other saturation temperatures, the superheat valve is modulated accordingly.
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According to one embodiment with a case having a refrigeration system 20 configured for a saturation temperature of approximately 22 degrees F., the control module 50 is configured to modulate each of the superheat valves 26 during a cooling mode of operation to maintain a superheat temperature or refrigerant near the outlet of the cooling elements 40 within the range of approximately 3-8 degrees F.
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It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the control system for a refrigeration device as shown schematically in the FIGURES is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in location of temperature and/or pressure sensors, values of parameters, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited.
It should also be noted that the control module may include a processor such as a microprocessor, programmable logic controller or the like for receiving and monitoring input signals, sending output signals, permitting change or adjustment of set points, providing appropriate indications (e.g. alarms, status, temperature, fluid flow rates, mode of operation (such as cooling or defrost), etc.) and to interface with local or remote monitoring equipment or stations. The control module may also be configured to initiate and terminate a defrost mode of operation in any suitable manner. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present inventions.
The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating configuration and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present inventions as expressed in the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/004,479, having a filing date of Nov. 28, 2007, titled “Refrigeration Device Control System,” the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
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