SINGLE MODULE REFRIGERATION SYSTEM INCLUDING A CONDENSER

Abstract

A single module refrigeration system located inside a room space for controlling the temperature of the air filling the room space. The system includes a housing for receiving an evaporator unit, a compressor unit, a condenser unit and a pressure reducer unit therein. The evaporator unit allows the air to flow there through to provide latent heat to a refrigerant circulating within the system. The compressor unit is downstream of the evaporator unit to compress the refrigerant. The condenser unit, downstream of the compressor unit, removes latent heat from the refrigerant. The pressure reducer unit, upstream of the evaporator unit, ensures a gaseous state of the refrigerant entering the evaporator unit. The housing includes inlet and outlet connectors to allow a cooling fluid to flow into the condenser unit to receive latent heat from the refrigerant flowing through the condenser unit.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a single module refrigeration system including a condenser. More specifically, the single module refrigeration system allowing the latent heat to be removed from, or provided to, a refrigerant within the same room space or area the system is located into to cool down, or warm up, that room space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, in typical refrigeration systems, as the ones used in grocery stores (including cold chambers, refrigerated displays, etc.) and the like, the compressor unit and the condenser unit are typically located far (at least outside) from the room that is refrigerated via the evaporator unit because either of the heat that generated by the compressor unit or the heat that is removed from the refrigerant in the condenser unit. Because of the distance between the evaporator unit and the compressor unit and/or the condenser unit (and also the return path via the optional reservoir and the pressure reducer unit just before the evaporator unit), the refrigerant path is usually long, thus requiring a significant amount of refrigerant in the system, such that the pressure drop of the refrigerant into the circuit is large thus requiring relatively high pressure ratio at the compressor unit.

The quantity of refrigerant makes it extremely expensive when the refrigerant needs to be replaced after a leak in the system, further considering that such a leak is damaging to the environment.

The relatively high pressure ratio needed at the compressor unit requires a significant amount of power, further considering that the power efficiency of the compressor unit drops when the pressure ratio moves away from its preferred ratio range.

The long path of the refrigerant piping further increases the installation and maintenance cost of the whole system.

When considering conventional refrigerated displays used in grocery stores, such as the remote-connection type displays, both the compressor unit and condenser unit are located remote from the display, as in a mechanical room and the rooftop of the building, respectively. This represent long distances or paths of the pipes for the refrigerant flow in.

Accordingly, there is a need for a single module refrigeration system including a condenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a general object of the present disclosure to provide a single module refrigeration system including a condenser that obviates the above-noted drawbacks and problems.

An advantage of the present invention is that the single module refrigeration system, including the condenser, allows for the latent heat of a refrigerant used to cool down (or warm up) a predetermined room space, such as cold (or heated) rooms or refrigerated displays/counters/cabinets typically found in commercial and/or industrial locations (essentially all rooms or spaces for which the inside temperature and/or humidity levels need to be controlled), to be removed from (or provided to) the refrigerant located within that same predetermined room space. The latent heat is removed from the refrigerant via a condenser also located within that same predetermined room space, as the condenser is within the single module refrigeration system (itself within the predetermined room space).

Other advantages of the present invention is that, especially in comparison with a conventional refrigeration system, the single module refrigeration system allows the following points.

• • Reduction of the expenses related to the building during the construction of the grocery store, or other commercial or industrial building, since the installation of the “mechanical room” of a conventional refrigeration system is no longer required (or at least significantly reduced in size/equipment), along with all the cost associated with the compliances to pressure vessels of the different local building codes.
  • Reduction of the expenses related to the installation (system remains localized rather than spread all over the building, further reducing the required complexity of the control subsystem) and also the maintenance (both material and labor costs) of the refrigeration system. A conventional CO₂ refrigerant (R-744) based system usually requires a very expensive technology to install.
  • Reduction of the overall amount of refrigerant required in the refrigeration system. For example, each single module refrigeration system of the present invention would contain around three pounds (3 lbs-1.5 kg) of refrigerant, as opposed to a conventional grocery store system that easily requires around two thousand pounds (2000 lbs-910 kg) of refrigerant in average.
  • Reduction of the CO₂ emissions into the environment (Earth atmosphere) during leakage occurrences, when a CO₂ refrigerant (R-744) is used, especially considering the typical amounts of refrigerant used (see hereinabove figures). It is further undeniable that a grocery store (or supermarket) experiences a significant number of leaks during its existence.
  • Reduction of (electrical) power consumption of the refrigeration system.
  • Better preservation of perishable products.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the single module refrigeration system can be used in conjunction (in parallel) with one or more additional modules, depending on the required cooling requirement of each installation, along with the cooling efficiency/capacity of each module.

Still a further advantage of the present invention is that the single module refrigeration system can be easily interchangeable with another module, in case of maintenance or repair of the module, which could then be performed at a repair facility rather than on-site for conventional refrigeration systems with all drawbacks associated with such on-site maintenance such as temporary shutdown time of at least a significant section of the refrigeration system if not the entire system.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the single module refrigeration system can only require three (3) connections (typically quick connectors or the like) upon installation, a power connection (electrical power typically), and inlet and outlet connections of a cooling liquid refrigerant (such as water glycol or the like) to flow through the condenser inside the module to decrease the temperature of the module refrigerant, via the condenser (or heat exchanger). Another connection for the control of the module could be implemented depending on the specific needs.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a single module refrigeration system located into a room space for controlling a temperature of an air filling the room space, the system comprising:

• • an evaporator unit for allowing the air to flow there through to provide latent heat to a refrigerant circulating within the single module refrigeration system;
  • a compressor unit downstream of the evaporator unit for compressing the refrigerant;
  • a condenser unit downstream of the compressor unit to remove latent heat from the refrigerant;
  • a pressure reducer unit upstream of the evaporator unit for ensuring a gaseous state of the refrigerant entering the evaporator unit; and
  • a housing for receiving the evaporator unit, the compressor unit, the condenser unit and the pressure reducer unit therein;
  • wherein the housing includes inlet and outlet connectors for allowing a cooling fluid to flow into the condenser unit to receive latent heat from the refrigerant flowing through the condenser unit.

In one embodiment, the system further comprising a fan unit located within the housing to flow the air through the evaporator unit.

In one embodiment, the system further comprising a control unit to control operation of the single module refrigeration system depending on the temperature of the air into the room space.

Conveniently, the control unit controlling operation of the single module refrigeration system depending on the temperature of the air of the room space just downstream of the evaporator unit.

In one embodiment, the inlet and outlet connectors are quick-release type connectors.

In one embodiment, the control unit is located within the housing.

In one embodiment, the housing is generally closed or is a frame.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided herein, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will be described by way of examples only with reference to the accompanying Figures, with similar references referring to similar components, in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic top front perspective view of a single module refrigeration system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, showing the module located in a multi-door refrigerated display as typically found in grocery stores;

FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic side view taken of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the air inside the display circulating therein and being cooled when circulating through the module; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged simplified schematic top rear perspective view of the single module refrigeration system of FIG. 1, showing the module with the different components located therein and the quick connections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1-3, there is shown an embodiment of a single module refrigeration system 10, or module, in accordance with the present invention. The single module refrigeration system 10 is located inside a room space 100 for controlling the temperature of an air filling the room space 100. As illustrated more specifically in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a 3-door refrigerated (or freezer) display 110 with one (1) module 10 per room space 100 located behind each door 112 (usually glass door), with the module 10 shown typically at the bottom of the room space 100, although a person skilled in the art would readily understand that any location within the room space 100 could be considered without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, one skilled in the art would readily understand that the refrigerated display does not necessarily have doors, and could be an opened display as the ones often used with dairy products, meat and fish products or the like, or even an open top freezer display, and the room area is simply the area that needs to remain cooled where the product is displayed.

Referring more specifically to FIG. 3, the module 10 includes an evaporator unit 12 for allowing the air of the room space 100 to flow (as illustrated with arrows A in FIGS. 2 and 3) there through to provide latent heat to a refrigerant (not shown) circulating within the single module 10, a compressor unit 14 downstream of the evaporator unit 12 for compressing the refrigerant (flowing between the different units via dotted lines with arrows of FIG. 3), a condenser unit 16 downstream of the compressor unit 14 to remove latent heat from the refrigerant, a pressure reducer unit 18 upstream of the evaporator unit 12 for ensuring a gaseous state of the refrigerant entering the evaporator unit 12, and a housing 20 for receiving the evaporator unit 12, the compressor unit 14, the condenser unit 16 and the pressure reducer unit 18 therein. The housing 20 typically includes inlet 22 and outlet 24 connectors (via respective conduit lines shown in bold dotted long dash lines in FIG. 3) for allowing a cooling fluid, typically liquid such as water glycol or the like, to flow into the condenser unit 16 to receive latent heat from the refrigerant flowing through the condenser unit 16, and then out from the condenser unit 16.

Typically, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 3, the inlet 22 and outlet 24 connectors are quick-release type connectors to allow for a safe and quick installation or removal of the module 10 from the room space 100. For installation and removal of the module 10 from its location in the room space 100, preferably into a corresponding receptacle or rack, the module 10 is typically slidably mounted along rails or the like (not shown). Once installed, the module 10 is typically removably secured and locked in place for proper operation.

Typically, the module 10 further includes a fan unit 26 located within the housing 20 to force the flow the air through the evaporator unit 12. This fan unit 26 (shown in long stippled lines in FIG. 3) could be omitted from the module 10 if there is sufficient air flow within the room space 100 and through the module 10, via a larger fan (not shown) or the like within the room space 100. In the specific embodiment 10 illustrated in the figures, and more specifically in FIG. 2 with arrows illustrating the air flow, the air from the room space 100 is circulated into the module 10 from the front towards the rear, at the bottom of the room space 100, where it is cooled down before circulating in the rear channel 114 of the display (typically behind a rear wall 116) up to a top channel 118 to be directed towards the front to re-enter the main room space 100 and finally flow down through the different shelves 120 carrying the refrigerated food products (not shown) and towards the front bottom, back inside the module 10.

Typically, the module 10 further includes a control unit 28 to control operation thereof depending on the temperature of the air into the room space 100, preferably just downstream of the evaporator unit 12. The control unit 28 can be located within the housing 20, and optionally, the control unit 28 is at least partially (sensor(s) and the like—not shown) located within the housing 20 with the control being performed remotely, via an overall facility controller.

Typically, the inlet 22 and outlet 24 connectors are quick-release type connectors to allow for a safe and quick installation or removal of the module 10 from the room space 100.

Since some units inside the module 10 typically require electrical power to operate, a power supply unit 30 typically electrically connect to these units (as the compressor unit 14, the fan unit 26 and the like), as illustrated by bold double-dotted long dash lines in FIG. 3. The electrical power typically comes from an electrical connector 32 that is also preferably a quick-connect type interface. Obviously, when electronic connections are needed for controls and the like, these electronic connections could also be within that same connector 32, or via an independent connector (not shown).

Although the housing 20 is preferably closed off with only air intake 34 and air exhaust 36 openings (typically on opposite sides with the evaporator unit 12 and the fan unit 26, when present), the housing could also be simply made out of a frame (not illustrated) with all the components (shown in short and long stippled lines in FIG. 3) inside the module 10 secured to the frame. Handles (not shown) could also be added on the housing 20 for proper handling of the module 10.

Although the embodiment 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown as being located inside a section of a refrigerated/freezer display representing the room space 100, one skilled in the art would readily understand that any other room space could be considered without departing from the scope of the present invention, such as a cold room or the like (refrigerated/freezer walk-in units), floor or countertop model refrigerated/freezer displays, of a grocery store and the like, or any space room of a commercial or industrial building.

Although not illustrated, one skilled in the art would readily understand that the piping (not shown) with the cooling fluid flowing therein are well known in the art and allow to remotely reject or dump the heat, ultimately removed from the air of the room space 100 to keep it cooled, via a liquid-cooled condenser or the like (heat reclaim unit, air conditioning unit, etc.).

Although the present disclosure has been described with a certain degree of particularity and by way of an illustrative embodiment and examples thereof, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the features of the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of the disclosure as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A single module refrigeration system located into a room space for controlling a temperature of an air filling the room space, the system comprising: an evaporator unit for allowing the air to flow there through to provide latent heat to a refrigerant circulating within the single module refrigeration system;a compressor unit downstream of the evaporator unit for compressing the refrigerant;a condenser unit downstream of the compressor unit to remove latent heat from the refrigerant;a pressure reducer unit upstream of the evaporator unit for ensuring a gaseous state of the refrigerant entering the evaporator unit; anda housing for receiving the evaporator unit, the compressor unit, the condenser unit and the pressure reducer unit therein;wherein the housing includes inlet and outlet connectors for allowing a cooling fluid to flow into the condenser unit to receive latent heat from the refrigerant flowing through the condenser unit.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fan unit located within the housing to flow the air through the evaporator unit.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a control unit to control operation of the single module refrigeration system depending on the temperature of the air into the room space.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the control unit controlling operation of the single module refrigeration system depending on the temperature of the air of the room space just downstream of the evaporator unit.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the inlet and outlet connectors are quick-release type connectors.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the control unit is located within the housing.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing is generally closed or is a frame.