U.S. patent application number 13/798549 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-14 for control system for a refrigerated merchandiser.
This patent application is currently assigned to HUSSMANN CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is HUSSMANN CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Tobey D. Fowler, Ramakrishna Krishnaswamy, Derek Lea, Doron Shapiro, Norman E. Street, Jony M. Zangari.
Application Number | 20140223931 13/798549 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51296462 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140223931 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shapiro; Doron ; et
al. |
August 14, 2014 |
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER
Abstract
A method of controlling a refrigerated merchandiser. The method
includes refrigerating a product display area of the merchandiser
using a refrigerant, detecting a presence of an air-refrigerant
mixture in the refrigerated merchandiser, activating a fan in
response to detecting the presence of an air-refrigerant mixture,
and at least partially evacuating an interior of the merchandiser
in response to fan activation.
Inventors: |
Shapiro; Doron; (St. Louis,
MO) ; Street; Norman E.; (O'Fallon, MO) ;
Krishnaswamy; Ramakrishna; (St. Charles, MO) ;
Zangari; Jony M.; (Hoschton, GA) ; Lea; Derek;
(Paisley, GB) ; Fowler; Tobey D.; (Maryland
Heights, MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HUSSMANN CORPORATION |
Bridgeton |
MO |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
HUSSMANN CORPORATION
Bridgeton
MO
|
Family ID: |
51296462 |
Appl. No.: |
13/798549 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61763798 |
Feb 12, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/89 ;
62/126 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 2400/12 20130101;
F25B 2400/22 20130101; F25B 2500/22 20130101; F25B 49/005
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/89 ;
62/126 |
International
Class: |
F25B 49/00 20060101
F25B049/00 |
Claims
1. A method of controlling a refrigerated merchandiser, the method
comprising: refrigerating a product display area of the
merchandiser using a refrigerant; detecting a presence of an
air-refrigerant mixture in the refrigerated merchandiser;
activating a fan in response to detecting the presence of an
air-refrigerant mixture; and at least partially evacuating an
interior of the merchandiser in response to fan activation.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising de-energizing
electrical components of the merchandiser in response to detecting
the presence of an air-refrigerant mixture.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising activating the fan and
de-energizing the electrical components in response to the detected
air-refrigerant mixture reaching a predetermined threshold.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating an alarm in
response to detecting the air-refrigerant mixture.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the refrigerant is a hydrocarbon
refrigerant, and wherein the predetermined threshold is
approximately 25% of a lower flammability limit of the hydrocarbon
refrigerant.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least partially evacuating the
interior includes blowing air into the interior from outside the
merchandiser.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a presence
of an ignition source prior to activating the fan.
8. A method of controlling a refrigerated merchandiser, the method
comprising: refrigerating a product display area of the
merchandiser using a refrigerant; detecting a presence of an
air-refrigerant mixture in the refrigerated merchandiser;
initiating an action in response to the detected air-refrigerant
mixture reaching a predetermined threshold relative to a lower
flammability limit of the refrigerant. at least one of activating a
fan and de-energizing one or more electrical components of the
merchandiser in response to the detected air-refrigerant mixture
reaching a predetermined threshold relative to a lower flammability
limit of the refrigerant
9. The method of claim 8, wherein initiating an action includes at
least one of activating a fan, de-energizing one or more electrical
components of the merchandiser, and activating an alarm.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising de-energizing the one
or more components; activating the fan after the one or more
components are de-energized; and at least partially evacuating an
interior of the merchandiser of the detected air-refrigerant
mixture in response to fan activation.
11. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining a
presence of an ignition source prior to initiating the action.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising activating a fan to
clear an interior of the merchandiser of the detected
air-refrigerant mixture regardless of whether an ignition source is
detected.
13. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining whether a
predetermined time has elapsed after detecting the presence of the
air-refrigerant mixture reaching the predetermined threshold before
initiating the action.
14. A refrigerated merchandiser comprising: a case defining a
product display area; a refrigeration system including an
evaporator coupled to the case and through which a hydrocarbon
refrigerant is circulated to condition the product display area; a
sensor coupled to the case and configured to detect an
air-refrigerant mixture within the merchandiser and to generate a
signal indicative of the detected air-refrigerant mixture; and a
controller programmed to initiate an action in response to the
signal indicative of the air-refrigerant mixture reaching a
predetermined threshold relative to a lower flammability limit of
the refrigerant.
15. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 14, wherein the
controller is in communication with at least one of 1) a fan to
clear an interior of the merchandiser of the detected
air-refrigerant mixture, 2) one or more electrical components of
the merchandiser to selectively de-energize the components, and 3)
an alarm indicator to signal the presence of an air-refrigerant
mixture in the merchandiser.
16. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 15, wherein the
controller is programmed to activate the fan after the one or more
electrical components are de-energized.
17. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 14, wherein the
controller is programmed to initiate the action after a
predetermined time has elapsed.
18. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 14, wherein the
predetermined threshold is approximately 25% of the lower
flammability limit.
19. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 14, wherein the
controller is further programmed to determine the presence of an
ignition source prior to initiation of the action.
20. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 19, wherein the
controller is programmed to activate a fan to clear an interior of
the merchandiser of the detected air-refrigerant mixture regardless
of whether the presence of an ignition source is detected.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to refrigerated merchandisers,
and more particularly to a control system for refrigerated
merchandisers that utilize hydrocarbon refrigerants.
[0002] Refrigerated merchandisers are used by grocers to store and
display food items in a product display area that must be kept
within a predetermined temperature range. These merchandisers
generally include a case that is conditioned by a refrigeration
system that has a compressor, a condenser, and at least one
evaporator connected in series with each other. Typically, existing
merchandisers use refrigerants such as R404a, R134a, or carbon
dioxide.
[0003] Some refrigeration systems utilize hydrocarbon-based
refrigerant (e.g., propane) that has a higher tendency to be
flammable relative to conventional refrigerants. There are ways to
reduce the risk of the ignition of a hydrocarbon-based refrigerant
such as using intrinsically safe electrical components, and quality
control to minimize any potential for leaks. However, a flammable
mixture of refrigerant and air may exist inside the merchandiser
and an ignition source such as a static electrical discharge may
occur, causing the air and refrigerant mixture to ignite. When
there is no path for the energy released by the ignition to escape,
which is especially common in sealed cases, the excessive internal
pressure may cause the case to explode.
SUMMARY
[0004] The invention provides a refrigerated merchandiser including
a case defining a product display area and including a
refrigeration circuit that circulates a hydrocarbon refrigerant
operable to condition the product display area via heat exchange
with air passing through an evaporator of the refrigeration
circuit. A refrigerant leakage sensor is coupled to the case and is
operable to determine the presence of gaseous refrigerant in the
air, and a control unit is in communication with the sensor and
responsive to a signal from the sensor indicative of gaseous
refrigerant above a predetermined threshold to manage the risk of
refrigerant ignition. A fan or blower is coupled to the
merchandiser, for example, on the exterior of the case, to clear a
flammable mixture of refrigerant gas and air from the case.
[0005] In one construction, the invention provides a method of
controlling a refrigerated merchandiser. The method includes
refrigerating a product display area of the merchandiser using a
refrigerant, detecting a presence of an air-refrigerant mixture in
the refrigerated merchandiser, activating a fan in response to
detecting the presence of an air-refrigerant mixture, and at least
partially evacuating an interior of the merchandiser in response to
fan activation.
[0006] In another construction, the invention provides method of
controlling a refrigerated merchandiser. The method includes
refrigerating a product display area of the merchandiser using a
refrigerant, detecting a presence of an air-refrigerant mixture in
the refrigerated merchandiser, and initiating an action in response
to the detected air-refrigerant mixture reaching a predetermined
threshold relative to a lower flammability limit of the
refrigerant.
[0007] In another construction, the invention provides refrigerated
merchandiser including a case that defines a product display area
and a refrigeration system that has an evaporator coupled to the
case and through which a hydrocarbon refrigerant is circulated to
condition the product display area. The merchandiser also includes
a sensor that is coupled to the case and configured to detect an
air-refrigerant mixture within the merchandiser and to generate a
signal indicative of the detected air-refrigerant mixture. A
controller is programmed to initiate an action in response to the
signal indicative of the air-refrigerant mixture reaching a
predetermined threshold relative to a lower flammability limit of
the refrigerant.
[0008] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary multi-circuit
refrigeration system including a plurality of refrigerated
merchandisers.
[0010] FIG. 2 is perspective view of one refrigerated merchandiser
of FIG. 1 embodying the invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the refrigerated merchandiser
of FIG. 2 including a refrigeration system.
[0012] FIG. 4 is another schematic view of the refrigerated
merchandiser of FIG. 2 the refrigeration system and a blower.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the
refrigerated merchandiser including the blower coupled to an
exterior of the merchandiser.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the refrigerated merchandiser
illustrating a control system of the merchandiser.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary control
process of the control system.
[0016] FIG. 8 is flow chart illustrating another exemplary control
process of the control system.
[0017] 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
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary multi-circuit refrigeration
system 10 that can be used in a commercial setting (e.g., a retail
store, supermarket, or an industrial setting) or other settings
that have temperature-controlled environments. The multi-circuit
refrigeration system 10 includes a primary circuit 15 that
circulates a first refrigerant, a plurality of secondary circuits
20 that circulates a second refrigerant (e.g., a hydrocarbon
refrigerant such as propane), and a pump circuit 25 that circulates
a third refrigerant in heat exchange relationship with the
refrigerants in the primary circuit 15 and the secondary circuits
20. Part or all of the primary circuit 15 can be located remote
from the secondary refrigeration circuits 20.
[0019] The primary circuit 15 includes a primary compressor
assembly 30 (e.g., one or more compressors), a primary condenser
35, and a chiller 40 through which the first refrigerant (e.g.,
R134a) is circulated to withdraw heat from the third refrigerant.
The primary circuit 15 also can include other components (e.g., a
receiver or accumulator, an expansion valve, etc.).
[0020] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, each secondary circuit 20
includes one or more merchandisers 45 that have an evaporator
assembly 50 in fluid communication with a compressor 55 (e.g., one
compressor , or several compressors in an assembly) and a condenser
60 that provides heat exchange between the secondary circuit 20 and
the pump circuit 25. The evaporator 50 is in heat exchange
relationship with a product display area 65 of the merchandiser 45,
and is fluidly coupled to the compressor 55 via a suction line 70
to deliver evaporated second refrigerant from the evaporator 50 to
the compressor 55. The evaporator 50 is also fluidly coupled with
the condenser 60 via an inlet line 75 to receive cooled (e.g.,
condensed) second refrigerant from the condenser 60. A discharge
line 80 fluidly connects the compressor 55 to the condenser 60 to
direct the compressed second refrigerant to the condenser 60, where
heat from the second refrigerant can be transferred to the third
refrigerant in the pump circuit 25. As will be appreciated, the
secondary circuit 20 can include other components (e.g., receiver
or accumulator, an expansion valve, etc.).
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the pump circuit 25 includes a pump 85
that circulates the third refrigerant (e.g., water) between the
water chiller 40 of the primary circuit 15 and the condensers 60 of
the secondary circuit 20. As illustrated, the refrigeration system
10 also includes an outdoor heat exchanger 90 that is in
communication with the pump circuit 25. In some constructions, the
heat exchanger 90 can be located on a rooftop of the commercial
setting to discharge energy from the third refrigerant in the pump
circuit 25 to the surrounding environment. The heat exchanger 90 is
in fluid communication with the pump circuit 25 via an inlet line
93 and an outlet line 95. A valve (not shown) can be coupled to the
inlet line 93 and/or the outlet line 95 to control flow of
refrigerant between the pump circuit 25 and the heat exchanger 90
based at least in part on the temperature of the surrounding
environment. When the heat exchanger 90 is used to cool the third
refrigerant, the primary circuit 15 can be shutdown, or the primary
circuit 15 and the heat exchanger 90 can operate simultaneously to
cool the third refrigerant.
[0022] The merchandiser 45 can be a low or medium temperature
merchandiser. FIG. 2 shows that the merchandiser 45 is a horizontal
merchandiser including a case 100, although the merchandiser 45 can
take other forms (e.g., a vertical merchandiser with an open or
door-enclosed customer access). The case 100 has a base 105 and
sidewalls 110, a front wall 115, and a rear wall 120 cooperatively
defining the product display area 65 that supports food product.
The case 100 also defines an interior area 125 (illustrated in FIG.
3 below the product display area 65) that supports at least a
portion of the secondary circuit 20. As illustrated, lids or doors
130 are disposed over the product display area 65 to substantially
enclose the product display area 65 and to selectively provide
access (e.g., by sliding) to product supported in the product
display area 65.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 3, the second refrigerant in the
evaporator 50 absorbs heat from an airflow 135 passing over or
through the evaporator 50, which decreases the temperature of the
airflow 135. The refrigerated airflow 135 exiting the evaporator 50
is directed toward the product display area 65 to maintain product
in the product display area 65 at desired conditions. The condenser
60 discharges heat from the second refrigerant to the third
refrigerant in the pump circuit 25. Air passing through or over the
condenser 60 can be directed from the condenser 60 to the
environment surrounding the merchandiser 45 using exhaust fans 137
that direct the air through an exhaust 140 coupled to the case 100.
The compressor 55 and the condenser 60 can be disposed in the
refrigerated merchandiser 45 within an interior area 125 of the
case 100, or located remote from the case 100.
[0024] Hydrocarbon refrigerant are generally more flammable than
conventional refrigerants. The flammability risk can be mitigated
by reducing the refrigerant charge (i.e. the amount of second
refrigerant) in the secondary circuits 20, using intrinsically save
electrical components, and/or quality control to minimize any
potential for refrigerant leakage. When hydrocarbon refrigerant
leaks from the circuit 20, the leaked refrigerant mixes with air in
the case 45 and can become flammable. As such, it is generally
desirable to do at least one of the following: 1) Detect when a
mixture of air and refrigerant is present in the merchandiser 45;
2) determine whether the air-refrigerant mixture has reached or
exceeded a predetermined threshold (e.g., a percentage of a lower
flammability limit at which the mixture becomes highly flammable);
3) determine the presence of an ignition source (e.g., static
electricity, electrical power provided to components in the
merchandiser 45, etc.) in or surrounding or adjacent the
merchandiser 45; and 4) clear the air-refrigerant mixture from the
merchandiser 45.
[0025] To this end, and with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the
merchandiser 45 includes a blower 145 that is coupled to the case
100 (e.g., on one of the side walls 110, the front wall 115, and
the rear wall 120) to selectively direct air through the case 100.
As illustrated, the blower 145 is coupled to an exterior of the
case 100 to avoid frosting the blower 145 in view of the
substantially colder temperature in the case 100, although in some
circumstances the blower 145 can be coupled to an interior the case
100 or suitable other locations. The illustrated blower 145
operates at a relatively high speed (e.g., 20,000 to 30,000 RPMs)
to introduce a large volume of ambient air into the case 100 over a
relatively short period of time. Depending on how the blower 145 is
connected to the merchandiser 45, the blower 145 can be energized
to draw ambient air into the case 100, or the blower can push
ambient air into the case 100.
[0026] With reference to FIG. 5, the blower 145 mounted to the case
by a mounting bracket 147 and is in fluid communication with the
interior of the merchandiser 45 via an inlet pipe 150. As will be
appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the blower 145 is
connected to a power source (e.g., one or more batteries, a powered
connection via the merchandiser 45, or another source of power). As
shown in FIG. 5, a check valve 155 is coupled to the inlet pipe 150
downstream of the blower 145 (in the direction of airflow through
the blower 145) to provide unidirectional ambient airflow into the
case 100 when the blower 145 is activated. That is, the check valve
155 inhibits flow of refrigerated air into the blower 145.
[0027] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the merchandiser 45
includes one or more sensors 160 (e.g., gas detector) that are
mounted in the interior area 125 of the case 100 to detect the
presence, if any, of leaked refrigerant within the merchandiser 45.
That is, the sensor 160 detects the presence of any second
refrigerant that is mixed with air inside the merchandiser 45. The
sensor 160 can be coupled to the case 100 in any suitable location
(e.g., on a wall of the case 100, within the interior area 125,
adjacent one or more of the refrigeration components in the
merchandiser 45, adjacent or in the product display area 65,
etc.).
[0028] The sensor 160 is operable to generate a signal indicative
of the presence of second refrigerant in the merchandiser 45 and to
communicate the signal to a control unit 165 that is in
communication (e.g., wired, wireless, etc.) with the sensor 160.
With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the control unit 165 is disposed
inside the merchandiser 45 (e.g., within the interior area 125),
although the control unit 165 can be located remote from the
merchandiser 45. In response to the signal from the sensor 160, the
control unit 165 is programmed to control the secondary circuit 20
and electrically-powered or electronic components 170 of the
merchandiser 45 to mitigate the risk of igniting the
air-refrigerant mixture. For example, the electronic components 170
can include the compressor assembly 55, pumps (not shown), light
assemblies (not shown) within the merchandiser 45, or other
components of the merchandiser 45 that could provide a potential
ignition source for the leaked refrigerant. As described in detail
below, the control unit 165 controls the exhaust fans 137 and/or
the blower 145 separately from the electronic components 170 so
that the exhaust fans 137 or the blower 145, or both, can operate
when the electronic components 170 are shutdown or disabled to
clear the flammable air-refrigerant mixture from the merchandiser
45.
[0029] With reference to FIG. 6, the control unit 165 is in
communication with one or more spark-free alarm indicators 175
(e.g., lights, sound devices, etc.) to indicate one or more of the
presence of refrigerant in the merchandiser 45, a malfunctioning
sensor 160, and other parameters of the merchandiser 45. For
example, the alarm indicators 175 can be coupled to the case 100
within the product display area 65 to convey an alarm condition to
people located adjacent the merchandiser 45. Some or all of the
alarm indicators 175 can also or alternatively be located remote
from the merchandiser 45 (e.g., in a control room).
[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary control process that is
programmed into the control unit 165 to control the merchandiser 45
and to indicate, as necessary, abnormal conditions associated with
the merchandiser via the alarm indicators 175. The control unit 165
determines whether the merchandiser 45 is powered on at step 200.
For example, the control unit 165 determines whether the secondary
circuit 20 is circulating refrigerant and whether other components
of the merchandiser 45 are operational and powered. If "No," the
control process again determines whether the merchandiser is
powered on after a predetermined time has elapsed. If the control
unit 165 determines the merchandiser 45 is on at step 200 (i.e.
"Yes"), the control unit 165 determines at step 205 whether the
sensor 160 is configured or present in the merchandiser 45. If "No"
at step 205, the control unit 165 controls the merchandiser 45
based on normal operating conditions. In some constructions, the
control process then returns to step 200 and repeats.
[0031] If the sensor 160 is detected and installed for operation
(i.e. "Yes" at step 205), the control process proceeds to step 215
to detect whether the sensor 160 has been configured for operation
and that the sensor 160 is communicating with the control unit 165.
If "No" at step 215, the control process determines whether a first
predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed at step 220. If
the first predetermined time has not elapsed (i.e. "No at step
220), the process returns to step 215 to again determine whether
the sensor 160 has been configured.
[0032] If the control unit 165 determines that the first
predetermined time has elapsed and the sensor 160 is not configured
properly, the control process proceeds to step 225 to de-energize
the electrical/electronic components 170 of the merchandiser 45. In
some constructions, the control unit 165 also can concurrently or
consecutively energize the fans 137 and/or the blower 145 at step
245 and activate the alarm indicators 175 at step 250 before
returning to step 200 and repeating the control process. Generally,
the control unit 165 initiates an alarm when an abnormal condition
associated with the merchandiser 45 (e.g., detection of refrigerant
in the air within the merchandiser 45, a malfunctioning component
such as the blower 145 or the sensor 160, etc.) is detected, and
the control unit 165 then operates the merchandiser 45 in a
failsafe mode.
[0033] In other constructions, the control process can proceed
directly from step 225 to step 200 without energizing the fans 137
or the blower 145 and without activating the alarm indicators 175.
The electrical components 170 are de-energized or powered down to
minimize the risk of igniting a flammable air-refrigerant mixture
that may exist in the merchandiser 45. The merchandiser 45 can be
manually or automatically restarted at step 200 after the
electrical components 170 have been de-energized, and in some cases
after air in the case 100 has been cleared by the fans 137 or the
blower 145.
[0034] Returning to step 215, if the sensor 160 has been properly
configured, the control process proceeds to step 230 to wait (e.g.,
30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, 5 minutes, etc.) until the
sensor 160 is ready for use. When the sensor 160 is ready for use,
the control process proceeds to step 235 to monitor data detected
by the sensor 160. In some constructions, the control process can
be provided without steps 215 and/or 230. That is, the control
process can detect the presence of the sensor 160 at step 205 and,
if the sensor 160 is detected, proceed directly to step 235.
[0035] At step 235, the control process determines whether data
detected by the sensor 160 is valid. Generally, sensor data is
valid when the data is consistent or uniform relative to baseline
data associated with the sensor 160 and/or the conditions in the
merchandiser 45. Stated another way, the sensor data is deemed
invalid, for example, when a fault condition associated with the
sensor 160 is detected by the control unit 165 (e.g., on the basis
of data received or not received from the sensor 160, the state of
the sensor 160, a disconnected or severed wire connected to or in
the sensor 160, etc.) after a period of time (e.g., 30 seconds, 60
seconds, etc.) has elapsed. Because the sensor 160, in some
constructions, can have complex circuitry and may include several
components, determining whether sensed data is valid (i.e.
indicative of the conditions in the merchandiser 45) can be useful
when controlling the merchandiser 45 based on the sensed data.
[0036] If the control unit 165 determines that the sensor data is
invalid (i.e. "Yes" at step 235), the control unit 165 de-energizes
the merchandiser 45 at step 225, energizes the fans 137 and/or the
blower 145 at step 245, and activates the alarm indicators 175, as
necessary, as described above. If the control unit 165 determines
that the sensor data is valid (i.e. "No" at step 235, the control
process proceeds to step 240 to determine whether the sensor 160
has detected a refrigerant-gas mixture that reaches or exceeds a
predetermined value or threshold over a third predetermined time.
That is, the control process determines at step 240 whether any
refrigerant has leaked from the secondary circuit 20, and whether
the amount of leaked refrigerant creates a potential hazard.
[0037] In particular, the control unit 165 determines whether the
amount of refrigerant mixed with the air reaches a lower
flammability limit ("LFL") based on the type of refrigerant being
used in the secondary circuit 20. The LFL defines the lowest
percentage threshold at which a gaseous refrigerant mixed with air
becomes flammable. As described herein, the LFL is expressed as the
threshold percentage of refrigerant that, when mixed with air,
becomes flammable. For example, when propane is used as the second
refrigerant, the LFL of a propane air-refrigerant mixture is
approximately 2% by volume of refrigerant in the air. In other
words, when the air-refrigerant mixture is comprised of
approximately 2% propane by volume, the mixture is defined as a
flammable mixture.
[0038] The illustrated sensor 160 monitors the air within the
merchandiser 45 (i.e. the sensor 160 is initiated to determine
whether refrigerant is present in the air) every 3 seconds,
although the sensor 160 can monitor the air continuously or at
intervals shorter or longer than 3 seconds. With continued
reference to FIG. 7, the illustrated control process determines
whether the sensor 160 has detected a air-refrigerant mixture
comprised of a quantity or volume of refrigerant that reaches a
first predetermined percentage of the LFL (e.g., 25% of the LFL)
for a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds, which equates to ten
consecutive sensing cycles of the illustrated sensor 160), or a
second predetermined percentage of the LFL (e.g., 50% of the LFL)
for a predetermined time (6 seconds, which equates to two
consecutive cycles of the sensor 160). Generally, the control
process more quickly de-energizes the merchandiser 45 when the
volume of refrigerant reaches a higher predetermined percentage of
the LFL to avoid a scenario in which the volume of refrigerant
reaches or exceeds 100% of the LFL and, as a result, the
air-refrigerant mixture becomes flammable.
[0039] In other constructions, the control unit 165 can control the
merchandiser 45 based on a detected volume of refrigerant that
reaches other predetermined percentages of the LFL (e.g., 10% of
the LFL, 25% of the LFL, 33% of the LFL, 50% of the LFL, 60% of the
LFL, 75%, 90%, etc.) for an associated period of time that is based
on the likelihood the air-refrigerant mixture may become flammable.
Generally, the amount of time that the merchandiser 45 is
operational after detecting a volume of refrigerant in the air
within the merchandiser 45 depends on the volume of refrigerant
detected.
[0040] When the control unit 165 determines at step 240 that 1) no
refrigerant is detected by the sensor 160, 2) the volume of
refrigerant detected by the sensor 160 has not exceeded the first
predetermined percentage of the LFL, or 3) the volume of
refrigerant detected by the sensor 160 has not exceeded the first
or second predetermined percentages of the LFL for the associated
predetermined time, the control unit 165 proceeds to step 210 to
control the merchandiser 45 based on normal operating conditions.
Stated another way, the control unit 165 determines at step 240
that the merchandiser 45 can be operated normally because there is
a minimal or no risk of flammability.
[0041] If the control unit 165 determines at step 240 that a volume
of refrigerant has been detected within the air in the merchandiser
45 (i.e. the air-refrigerant mixture has been detected) and that
the refrigerant volume is at or has exceeded either the first
predetermined percentage of the LFL or the second predetermined
percent of the LFL for the associated predetermined time, the
control unit proceeds to step 225 to de-energize the merchandiser
45. The fans 137 and/or the blower 145 are energized to clear the
air in the merchandiser 45. In particular, the exhaust fans 137
dryer out of the case 100, whereas the illustrated blower 145
pushes air into the case 100 to quickly clear the air-refrigerant
mixture from the merchandiser 45. The control unit 165 also
initiates an alarm via the alarm indicators 175 at step 252 alert
people adjacent the merchandiser 45, and in some cases, people
remote from the merchandiser 45, that an alarm condition exists in
the merchandiser 45. The control process then proceeds to step 200
and repeats.
[0042] FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary control process for the
system that, except as described below, is the same as the control
process described with regard to FIG. 7. With reference to FIG. 8,
if the control unit 165 determines at step 240 that the refrigerant
volume is at or has exceeded either the first predetermined
percentage of the LFL or the second predetermined percent of the
LFL for the associated predetermined time, as described above, the
control process proceeds to step 255 to determine whether an
ignition source is present in or adjacent the merchandiser 45. If
no ignition source is detected (i.e. "No" at step 255), the control
process proceeds to step 260 to energize the fans 137 or the blower
145 to assist with reducing or clearing the air-refrigerant mixture
that is present in the case 100. The control process then proceeds
to step 210 to operate the merchandiser 45 normally before
returning to step 200. If the control unit 165 detects an ignition
source (i.e. "Yes" at step 255), the control process proceeds to
step 225 to de-energize the system as described above.
[0043] In some constructions, the control unit 165 can activate one
or both of the fans 137 and the blower 145 periodically, even when
a flammable mixture is not detected in the merchandiser 45, to
remove debris that may accumulate in the blower 145 or to limit
icing of the blower 145 due to cold air that may enter the blower
145 during inactivity. Also, other controls can be incorporated
into the control unit 165 to operate the merchandiser 45 and to
maintain the product display area 65 within normal operating
conditions.
[0044] Several secondary circuits 20 can be coupled together and
cooled through the pump circuit 25 where the third refrigerant is
cooled through the primary circuit 20 or external heat exchanger
90. The closed secondary circuit 20 within each merchandiser 45
reduces the charge of hydrocarbon refrigerant in the merchandiser
45 without sacrificing cooling capacity for the product display
area 65. The risk of ignition in the merchandiser 45 is mitigated
by minimizing the charge of the hydrocarbon refrigerant that is
present in the secondary circuit 20. Also, in the unlikely event
that a air-refrigerant mixture ignites in one merchandiser 45, the
closed secondary circuit 20 assists with limiting any damage that
may occur by isolating the ignition to that merchandiser 45. As
described with regard to FIGS. 7 and 8, the control unit 165 is
programmed to control the merchandiser 45 based in part on the
volume of refrigerant, if any, that is detected within the case 100
by shutting down at least some electrical components of the
merchandiser 45. The control unit 165 is further programmed to
initiate one or more fans 137 or the blower 145 to expel the
air-refrigerant mixture out of the merchandiser 45 and to initiate
an alarm via the alarm indicators 175 so that people adjacent the
merchandiser 45, and possibly others, are aware that an ignition
risk may exist.
[0045] Various features and advantages of the invention are set
forth in the following claims.
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