U.S. patent application number 14/153457 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-17 for refrigeration system with indoor condenser and remote fan.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hussmann Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Hussmann Corporation. Invention is credited to Jony M. Zangari.
Application Number | 20140196486 14/153457 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51164117 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140196486 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zangari; Jony M. |
July 17, 2014 |
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM WITH INDOOR CONDENSER AND REMOTE FAN
Abstract
A refrigeration system for a refrigerated merchandiser includes
a refrigerated merchandiser disposed within an indoor environment,
the refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product
display area. The refrigeration system also includes a condenser
coupled to the refrigerated merchandiser and disposed within the
indoor environment, an evaporator coupled to the condenser and
disposed within the indoor environment, a compressor coupled to the
evaporator and disposed within the indoor environment, and a
condenser fan assembly coupled to the condenser. The condenser fan
assembly is disposed remote from the condenser in an ambient
environment.
Inventors: |
Zangari; Jony M.; (Hoschton,
GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hussmann Corporation |
Bridgeton |
MO |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Hussmann Corporation
Bridgeton
MO
|
Family ID: |
51164117 |
Appl. No.: |
14/153457 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61752310 |
Jan 14, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/89 ;
62/255 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 13/00 20130101;
F25B 2400/22 20130101; F25B 39/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/89 ;
62/255 |
International
Class: |
A47F 3/04 20060101
A47F003/04 |
Claims
1. A refrigeration system for a refrigerated merchandiser, the
refrigeration system comprising: a refrigerated merchandiser
positioned in an indoor environment, the refrigerated merchandiser
including a case defining a product display area; a condenser
coupled to the refrigerated merchandiser within the indoor
environment; an evaporator coupled to the condenser and positioned
within the indoor environment; a compressor coupled to the
evaporator and positioned within the indoor environment; and a
condenser fan assembly coupled to the condenser, the condenser fan
assembly disposed remote from the condenser in an ambient
environment.
2. The refrigeration system of claim 1, wherein the refrigeration
system includes a ductwork that provides airflow communication
between the condenser and the ambient environment.
3. The refrigeration system of claim 2, wherein the condenser
includes a condenser housing and a condenser coil, and wherein the
ductwork is coupled at one end to the condenser housing adjacent
the condenser coil.
4. The refrigeration system of claim 3, wherein the ductwork is
coupled at an opposite end to the condenser fan assembly.
5. The refrigeration system of claim 2, wherein the ductwork has a
primarily tubular construction.
6. The refrigeration system of claim 2, wherein the ductwork
extends generally vertically between a top of the refrigerated
merchandiser and a roof of a building.
7. The refrigeration system of claim 2, wherein the condenser fan
assembly includes a fan that generates an airflow within the
ductwork.
8. The refrigeration system of claim 2, wherein the condenser fan
assembly includes a fan disposed adjacent an end of the
ductwork.
9. The refrigeration system of claim 1, wherein the condenser fan
assembly is disposed on a roof of a building.
10. The refrigeration system of claim 1, further comprising a
controller that is coupled to the condenser fan assembly that
directs the condenser fan assembly to move air both in and out of
the indoor environment.
11. The refrigeration system of claim 1, wherein the condenser is a
single condenser, and wherein the refrigeration system is a
parallel refrigeration system that includes a plurality of
merchandisers disposed within the indoor environment, each of the
merchandisers coupled to the single condenser.
12. The refrigeration system of claim 11, wherein the parallel
refrigeration system includes a plurality of compressors and
evaporators, and wherein the compressors and the single condenser
are connected in series with the evaporators in each merchandiser
so that a refrigerated airflow is provided to the product display
area in each refrigerated merchandiser.
13. A method of operating a refrigeration system comprising:
cooling an airflow with an evaporator in an indoor environment;
directing the cooled airflow into a product display area of a
refrigerated merchandiser positioned within the indoor environment;
and directing a warmed airflow from a condenser in the indoor
environment to an ambient environment with a condenser fan assembly
disposed in the ambient environment, the condenser coupled to both
the evaporator and the condenser fan assembly.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of directing warmed
air includes first detecting a temperature inside the indoor
environment with a sensor disposed in the indoor environment, and
based on the detected temperature, directing the warmed air to the
ambient environment.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of directing warmed
air includes first detecting a temperature in the ambient
environment with a sensor disposed in the ambient environment, and
based on the detected temperature, directing the warmed air to the
ambient environment.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of directing warmed
air includes first determining that the refrigerated merchandiser
is in a cooling mode, and based on the determination that the
refrigerated merchandiser is in a cooling mode, directing the
warmed air to the ambient environment.
17. A method of moving air with a refrigeration system, the method
comprising: cooling air with an evaporator in an indoor environment
and directing the cooled air into a product display area of a
refrigerated merchandiser in the indoor environment; directing
outside air from an ambient environment into the indoor environment
with a condenser fan assembly disposed in the ambient environment,
the condenser fan assembly coupled to a condenser disposed in the
indoor environment; and warming the outside air with the
condenser.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of directing outside
air includes first detecting a temperature in the indoor
environment with a sensor disposed in the indoor environment, and
based on the detected temperature, directing the outside air into
the indoor environment.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of directing outside
air includes first detecting a temperature in the ambient
environment with a sensor disposed in the ambient environment, and
based on the detected temperature, directing the outside air into
the indoor environment.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of directing outside
air includes first determining that the refrigerated merchandiser
is in a heating mode, and based on the determination that the
refrigerated merchandiser is in a heating mode, directing the
outside air into the indoor environment.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/752,310, filed Jan. 14, 2013, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to a refrigeration system for
refrigerated merchandisers, and more particularly to a parallel
refrigeration system setup.
[0003] Small convenience stores typically use self-contained
refrigerated cases to refrigerate product for consumers. These
cases are refrigerated by one or more refrigeration systems located
inside the store. These refrigeration systems typically include one
or more condensers, as well as a plurality of condenser fans. Due
to their construction and design, the condensers and condenser fans
reject significant amounts of heat directly into the store. This
rejected heat increases the store ambient temperature and increases
energy consumption and demand for the store's air conditioning
system. Additionally, due to the quantity of condenser fans
typically employed to reject refrigerant heat, these refrigeration
systems often generate significant noise within the store.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one construction, the invention provides a refrigeration
system refrigeration system for a refrigerated merchandiser
including a refrigerated merchandiser disposed within an indoor
environment, the refrigerated merchandiser including a case
defining a product display area. The refrigeration system also
includes a condenser coupled to the refrigerated merchandiser and
disposed within the indoor environment, an evaporator coupled to
the condenser and disposed within the indoor environment, a
compressor coupled to the evaporator and disposed within the indoor
environment, and a condenser fan assembly coupled to the condenser.
The condenser fan assembly is disposed remotely from the condenser
in an ambient environment.
[0005] In another construction, the invention provides a method of
moving air with a refrigeration system including cooling air with
an evaporator inside an indoor environment and directing the cooled
air into a product display area of a refrigerated merchandiser
inside the indoor environment. The method also includes directing
warmed air from a condenser in the indoor environment to an ambient
environment with a condenser fan assembly disposed in the ambient
environment, the condenser coupled to both the evaporator and the
condenser fan assembly.
[0006] In another construction, the invention provides a method of
moving air with a refrigeration system including cooling air with
an evaporator inside an indoor environment and directing the cooled
air into a product display area of a refrigerated merchandiser
inside the indoor environment. The method also includes directing
outside air from an ambient environment into the indoor environment
with a condenser fan assembly disposed in the ambient environment,
the condenser fan assembly coupled to a condenser disposed in the
indoor environment. The method also includes warming the outside
air with the condenser.
[0007] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a building
interior, including a refrigeration system embodying the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of a portion of the
building interior and the refrigeration system.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the
refrigeration system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0011] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of a portion of the
refrigeration system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0012] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] FIGS. 1-4 show a refrigeration system 10 that is positioned
substantially within a building 14 (e.g., a convenience store, a
grocery store, a warehouse, or other indoor environment). The
building 14 includes a roof 18, a floor 22, and a plurality of
merchandisers 26 that are positioned along the floor 22. Each
merchandiser 26 includes a case 30 defining a product display area
32 for supporting and displaying food products to be visible and
accessible through an opening or openings in the front of the case
30. At least some of the merchandisers 26 include one or more
evaporators (not shown) that are in communication with the
refrigeration system 10 so that the product display areas 32 of
these merchandisers 26 can be conditioned by the refrigeration
system 10. Also, some merchandisers 26 include doors 34 that
enclose the product display areas 32 of the cases 30 to reduce the
amount of cold air released into the surrounding environment. The
doors 34 typically include one or more glass panels that allow a
consumer to view the food products stored inside the case 30. In
some constructions, the merchandisers 26 can be provided without
doors.
[0014] The illustrated refrigeration system 10 is a parallel
refrigeration system that conditions several merchandisers 26,
although several refrigeration systems 10 can be provided in the
building 14 to condition one or more merchandisers 26. As will be
appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the refrigeration
system 10 includes one or more compressors 36 (illustrated
schematically in FIG. 4) and a condenser 38 that has a condenser
housing 40 and a condenser coil 42. The compressors 36 and the
condenser 38 are connected in series with the evaporator(s) in each
merchandiser 26, and a refrigerant is circulated through the
refrigeration circuit defined by these components so that a
refrigerated airflow can be provided by the evaporator(s) to the
respective product display areas 32.
[0015] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the refrigeration system 10 is
a modular refrigeration system that is positioned on top of one
merchandiser 26 and that is pre-charged with a predetermined
quantity of refrigerant and that is fluidly connected to each case
30 by quick connect fittings 44 (e.g., tubing and quick connect
couplings). In the illustrated construction, the merchandisers 26
are pre-packaged with the evaporators and include a refrigerant
charge (i.e., a holding charge) to provide a relatively quick
installation of the merchandiser 26 and the refrigeration system
10. One or more noise deadening enclosures 45 (illustrated
schematically in FIG. 4) are provided around the compressor 36 to
reduce noise emanating from the compressor 36. While the
illustrated refrigeration system 10 is a parallel refrigeration
system, the refrigeration system 10 can be at least partially
dedicated to one merchandiser 10.
[0016] The evaporators connected in the refrigeration system 10
receive saturated refrigerant that has passed through one or more
expansion valves disposed between the condenser 38 and the
evaporator. The saturated refrigerant is evaporated as it passes
through the evaporators as a result of absorbing heat from air
passing over the evaporators via heat exchange. The absorption of
heat by the refrigerant allows the temperature of the air to
decrease as the air passes over the evaporators. The heated or
gaseous refrigerant then exits the evaporators and is directed to
the compressors 36 where the refrigerant is compressed and
delivered to the condenser 38 for cooling via heat exchange with
air passing over the coil 42 prior to restarting the cycle.
[0017] Air exiting the condenser 38 is heated via heat exchange
with the refrigerant in the coil 42. With continued referenced to
FIGS. 1-4, the refrigeration system 10 includes a ductwork 46 that
provides air communication between the condenser 38 and an ambient,
outdoor environment 48 disposed outside of the indoor environment
of the building 14. At one end 50, the ductwork 46 is coupled to
the condenser housing 40 of the refrigeration system 10 adjacent
the condenser coil 42. At the other end 54, the ductwork 46 is
coupled to the roof 18 and is in communication with the outdoor
environment 48. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ductwork 46
has a primarily tubular construction between the refrigerated
merchandiser 26 and roof 18, and the ductwork 46 extends generally
vertically between the top of the refrigerated merchandiser 26 and
the roof 18.
[0018] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigeration system 10
also includes a condenser fan assembly 58 disposed on the roof 18
and that has one or more fans 60 to generate an airflow within the
ductwork 46. The fan 60 is located adjacent the end of the ductwork
46 on the roof 18, though the fan or fans 60 can also be located
within the ductwork 46. The fan 60 includes a motor (e.g., a
variable frequency drive motor), although other types of motors can
be used.
[0019] The condenser fan assembly 58 is located outside the
building 14 to reduce the noise within the building 14. The
condenser fan assembly 58 can be located anywhere outside the
building and remote from the condenser 38 (e.g., coupled to the
roof 18 on the interior side of the building 14).
[0020] In operation, the condenser fan assembly 58 can be operated
continuously or for a predetermined time period to move air within
the ductwork 46 to either direct air from the condenser 38 to the
ambient, outdoor environment 48, or from the outdoor environment 48
to the condenser 38. As air moves over the condenser coil 42, the
air is warmed by heat exchange with refrigerant flowing through the
condenser coil 42. When the interior space of the building 14 is
being cooled (e.g., by a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
or "HVAC" system), the airflow warmed by refrigerant in the
condenser coil 42 is directed toward the roof 18 through the
ductwork 46 by the condenser fan assembly 58. The ductwork 46
provides a pathway for the unidirectional airflow generated by the
fan assembly 58 that directs the warmed air out of the building 18
into the ambient outdoor environment 48.
[0021] When it is desired to heat the interior space of the
building 14, the ductwork 46 and the fan assembly 58 can be used to
direct ambient air from outside the building 14 toward the
condenser coil 42. In particular, the direction of rotation of the
condenser fan assembly 58 can be reversed so that ambient air from
outdoor environment 48 is drawn into the ductwork 46 and directed
toward the condenser coil 42. The ambient airflow is directed over
the condenser coil 42, where the airflow is heated by heat exchange
with the refrigerant flowing through the condenser coil 42. The
warmed air is then directed into the interior space of the building
14 to offset at least some of the heating capacity provided by the
HVAC system, especially when the outdoor environment 48 is
relatively cold (e.g., during colder temperature seasons). That is,
reversing the airflow within the ductwork 46 can reduce the need to
operate the HVAC system to heat the interior space when the outside
temperatures are low.
[0022] Referring back to FIG. 1, a controller 66 is in
communication with the refrigeration system 10 to control, among
other things, the refrigeration system 10 and the condenser fan
assembly 58. The controller 66 is also in communication with a
temperature sensor 70, or several sensors 70, located inside the
building 14. The illustrated controller 66 is also in communication
with an ambient temperature sensor 74 located outside the building
14. In some constructions, the controller 66 can be in
communication with the HVAC system.
[0023] The controller 66 can utilize information from the sensors
70, 74 to determine whether the refrigeration system 10 exhausts
air warmed by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the coil 42 to
the outside environment 48, or whether air is directed from the
outside environment 48 into the building 14 to be warmed by heat
exchange with the refrigerant in the coil 42 and exhausted into the
building 14. For example, the controller 66 can monitor the air
temperature inside the building 14 by receiving a signal from the
temperature sensor 70 indicative of the interior building
temperature. Based on the signal from the temperature sensor 70,
the controller 66 determines whether the interior building
temperature is above a first predetermined temperature (e.g., any
temperature between about 60.degree. Fahrenheit and 80.degree.
Fahrenheit). When the interior building temperature is above the
predetermined temperature, the controller can control the fan
assembly 58 to direct air from the condenser 38 toward and into the
outdoor environment 48 to avoid undesirably heating the interior
space of the building 14. When the interior building temperature is
below the predetermined temperature, the controller can control the
fan assembly 58 to direct air from the outdoor environment 48
toward and through the condenser 38 to assist with cooling the
interior space of the building 14.
[0024] In some constructions, the controller 66 can utilize other
information (e.g., a thermostat temperature, a state of the HVAC
system, etc.) to determine the desired direction of airflow within
the ductwork 46. For example, the controller 66 can control the fan
assembly 58 to direct air from the condenser 38 toward and into the
outdoor environment 48 when the HVAC system is in a cooling mode to
avoid adding heat to the interior space. The controller 66 can
control the fan assembly 58 to direct air from the outdoor
environment 48 toward the condenser 38 when the HVAC system is in a
heating mode so supplement heating provided by the HVAC system. In
other constructions, the controller 66 can utilize the temperature
sensed by the outdoor temperature sensor 74 to direct air out of
the building 14 when the outdoor temperature is above a threshold
temperature or temperature range, and to direct air into the
building 14 when the outdoor temperature is below the threshold
temperature or temperature range.
[0025] Various features and advantages of the invention are set
forth in the following claims.
* * * * *