CA2736397A1 - Temperature controlled compressor for electrical energy savings in enclosed room cooling - Google Patents
Temperature controlled compressor for electrical energy savings in enclosed room cooling Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2736397A1 CA2736397A1 CA2736397A CA2736397A CA2736397A1 CA 2736397 A1 CA2736397 A1 CA 2736397A1 CA 2736397 A CA2736397 A CA 2736397A CA 2736397 A CA2736397 A CA 2736397A CA 2736397 A1 CA2736397 A1 CA 2736397A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cooler
- case
- electrical energy
- temperature
- compressor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D1/00—Devices using naturally cold air or cold water
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D16/00—Devices using a combination of a cooling mode associated with refrigerating machinery with a cooling mode not associated with refrigerating machinery
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
- Y02A40/90—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in food processing or handling, e.g. food conservation
- Y02A40/963—Off-grid food refrigeration
Abstract
An electrical energy use saving system for the sales of purchasable amounts of beer, soda, bottled water, meat, vegetables, fruit, dairy, eggs or seafood products kept in a walk-in cooler, reach-in cooler or display case whose temperature is to be maintained includes a compressor, a thermostat, a suction fan and a thermometer in a network by which the cooler or case is cooled by outdoors ambient air when outside temperatures are cold and where the cooler or case is cooled by the compressor when outside temperatures are warm.
Description
TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED COMPRESSOR FOR
ELECTRICAL ENERGY SAVINGS IN ENCLOSED ROOM COOLING
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the commercial cooling and refrigeration systems found in such food and beverage stores as supermarkets, convenience stores and liquor stores. In general, the invention concerns itself with the equipment used in these stores as walk-in coolers, reach-in coolers, freezers and refrigerators -- whether used for refrigerating 6 or 12 packs of beer, canned soda or bottle water, or for meat, vegetables, fruit, dairy, eggs or seafood products, for example.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Food and beverage retail stores such as supermarkets, convenience stores and liquor stores are equipped with several types of refrigerators and coolers in order to keep their products cold and fresh.
As is known and understood, electrical compressors are used to keep these refrigerator/coolers at regulated temperatures --typically 40'F. As such, whether the remainder of the store or market is being heated in the winter, or air-conditioned in the summer, a continuous amount of electrical energy is required to maintain these regulated refrigerator/cooler temperatures all year round. As will be understood, the costs for this electrical cooling ranges from hundreds to thousands of dollars each month depending upon the size of the facility where the temperature is being so controlled.
Moreover, such food stores as supermarkets and convenience stores currently employ complicated systems consuming huge amounts of electricity to operate the various coolers, freezers and refrigerators employed there. Typically, such systems include a rooftop unit containing numbers of compressors which pressurize the freon enclosed piping to reduce the temperatures in the refrigerator units to that which is desired. Besides this inordinate use of electricity (not only in the United States but globally, as well, extensive amounts of freon are employed, which studies indicate is harmful to the ozone layer. Such systems, furthermore, are extremely expensive, both as to their purchase and as to their required maintenance.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved way for the controlled cooling of all these type enclosures to reduce electrical energy usage as a component of reducing overall energy consumption throughout the world.
It is an object of the present invention, also, to provide this improved way of controlled cooling to reduce the electrical energy cost of the store provider -- whether it just be that of the convenience store facility, or that of a grocery store or supermarket operation.
It is another object of the invention to provide this improved way of controlled cooling which can be adapted both to existing in-place operations as well as to future operations yet to be constructed.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved way of cooling the refrigerators in these commercial settings using a minimum amount of electricity, while at the same time, operating in an environmentally safe manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
As a reading of the following description will indicate, this invention is concerned with one of the most critical issues in modern day times -- that of energy conservation and saving the environment. While it is almost equally as important to consider the financial savings to a retailer that may follow, and to the consumer of perishable goods, to appreciate the advantages that follow, certain definitions might be helpful:
a. Food Store -- a supermarket, liquor store, convenience store or perishable goods warehouse;
b. Rooftop Unit -- machine equipment on a food store roof consisting of one or a number of compressors which pressurize freon in producing the cold temperatures required, and which push them through the coolers to reach the desired temperatures;
c. Walk-in Cooler -- a room of various size built from aluminum or galvanized steel, and having inner and outer skin walls between which insulation is packed as used in the storage of perishable goods;
d. Reach-in Cooler -- similar to the walk-in cooler, but with glass doors so that a consumer can open and reach in to grasp food or beverages on its shelves;
e. Display Case -- employed in the food stores to display vegetables, fruit, meat and seafood items, keeping them cool and fresh; and f. Thermostat -- a mechanical or electronic device to measure temperature and connect or disconnect an electrical circuit.
As will become clear from the following description, the present invention specifically covers an electrical energy use saving system for cooling by automatically controlling the operation of the electrically operated compressor(s) serving to maintain the temperature in the walk-in or reach-in cooler or display case within a predetermined range -- for example, one centered substantially about 40'F. According to the invention, a suction device (such as a fan, valve or air pump) is coupled with the outdoors outside environment by an input end of a duct and to the inside of the cooler or case by an output end of the duct. A thermometer is provided for measuring the ambient air a temperature in the outdoors outside environment, and a thermostat is coupled with the thermometer to activate the compressor(s) only when the outdoors ambient air temperature rises above the controlled cooler or case temperature range to be maintained.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the walk-in or reach-in cooler and display case thus become cooled by the outdoors air when the outside temperatures are cold, while the cooler and case are cooled by the compressor only when the outside temperature is warm. The end result will be appreciated to be a savings in the use of electrical energy for the cooling -- which could be quite substantial when the cooler and case are part of a food store complex in the northern portions of the United States and in Canada where, for at least 6 months of the year, the outdoors temperature dips below 40'F.
As will be understood, the cost involved in operating the ducted fan is several times less than that involved with operating the compressor -- such that in those colder months, a significant savings in electrical energy consumption follows. Obviously, this translates into a cost savings for the store operator.
As will also become clear from the following description, where local ordinances may require -- or just for purposes of general health -- the suction device can be arranged to operate in conjunction with either a filtering or dehumidifying system (or both) in further regulating the colder air being inputted to the walk-in or reach-in cooler and the display case from the outdoors environment. For existing store constructions, furthermore, the suction device configuration could be arranged to extend through the walls of the cooler -- while in new constructions to be built, the suction fan could be incorporated as part of a mounting on a rooftop of a walk-in cooler room, just as the electrically operated compressors are typically already mounted on the food stores roof.
And, as will be appreciated, the same type of controlled cooling will be seen to be employable for produce coolers (where the preferred temperature range is commonly centered about 55'F), and for freezers (where the temperature is desired to be kept below 32'F). In these uses, the suction device would bring in the ambient air where the outside temperature falls below 55'F on the one hand, and 32'F on the other hand. With the use of additional thermostats set in this and like manners, the roof top compressor(s) could be controlled to provide the refrigerant only when it is needed, and to where it is needed, depending upon the outside temperature. The energy consumption savings will be seen to be apparent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
These and other features of the present invention will be more clearly understood from a consideration of the following description, taken in connection with FIGURES 1 and 2 of the Drawings which schematically illustrate the electrical energy use savings system of the invention for a walk-in cooler, and for a walk-in cooler, reach-in cooler, and display case combination, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference numeral 10 in FIGURE 1 represents an enclosed walk-in cooler room of a food store 15 housing purchasable amounts of beer, soda, bottled water, fruit or vegetable produce for off-site consumption. Constructed with inner metal or aluminum skin walls 12, outer skin walls 14 of like fabrication, and with a foam insulate 16 in between, the cooler 10 is enclosed within the store 15 having a rooftop 18 upon which an electrically operated compressor 20 conventionally is mounted.
Such compressor is selected of a size and capacity to maintain the temperature in the cooler within a predetermined range --which for the usage at hand may be centered substantially about 40'F. A door 22 allows entry into and exit from the cooler. In most present day usage, the compressor operates continuously on electrical energy drawn from above ground or below ground power lines.
In accordance with the invention, a suction device 24 is provided within a duct 26 having an input end 28 at an outdoors outside environment location of the walk-in cooler and an output end 30 at an inside location. For an existing construction of the cooler, the duct 26 may be cut through the inner and outer skin walls 12, 14, while in new constructions, the duct 26 may be mounted on the rooftop 18 in a manner similar to that by which the compressor 20 is mounted.
To carry out the teachings of the invention, a thermometer means 40 temperature measuring device is provided to couple with the suction fan 24 as through electrical line 42 and to a thermostat means or thermostat 44 as by electrical line 46. Such thermostat, in turn, is coupled by the electrical line 48 to the compressor in regulating the operation of the compressor in accordance with the outdoors ambient air temperature. In particular, the thermostat 44 is set so that the compressor 20 is not activated until the outdoors ambient temperature is in excess of the desired temperature in the walk-in cooler, some 4D'F. At the same time, the suction device 24 is controlled to operate only when the outdoors ambient temperature is below that 40'F or so temperature.
As will be understood, the end result of the operation is that the walk-in room 10 is then cooled by the outdoors outside air when the temperatures in the ambient environment are measured to be below the 40'F or so temperature, while the walk-in room 10 is cooled by the compressor 20 substantially only when the outdoors ambient temperature is measured to be in excess of the 40'F or so temperature. The end result will be appreciated to be a savings in the electrical energy usage in those circumstances where the energy needed to operate the suction fan is less than that needed to operate the compressor (which almost always is the actual circumstance). Such savings in electrical energy usage will be appreciated as being directly translatable into a savings of electrical utility cost for the convenience store, grocery and supermarket operator of the walk-B
in room where the refrigerated products are housed, with the significant savings in cost expenditures which result.
Reference numerals 50 and 52 respectively illustrate added options for the electrical energy use saving system in the nature of a filter system and a dehumidifier system where possibly required by local ordinance, or just where further issues of health are of concern. As illustrated, these options could be included to work with the ductwork operable with the suction fan inputting the outdoors outside ambient air as the coolant. As will be understandable, these options can be utilized singly, or in combination.
In operation, then, if the temperature inside the walk-in cooler 10 exceeds that which is desired (for example, 40'F) the electric circuit closes under the action of the thermostat 44.
With this in place, the suction fan 24 is actuated to bring in the outside air where the thermometer measures the outside temperature to be below 40'F. When the ducted-in outside air is sufficient to cool the walk-in room to that temperature, the suction fan is turned off. Where the outside temperature, however, is higher than that temperature desired to be maintained in the walk-in cooler 10, the suction fan 24 is bypassed, and the compressor 20 is rendered operative. The refrigerant then drawn into the cooler 10, as by means of a further duct 60, continues to cool the room until the desired temperature is reestablished, at which time the compressor shuts down. An exhaust duct for the cooler 10 is shown at 68.
The schematic diagram of FIGURE 2 represents a similar type operation utilizing outside air as a coolant for a walk-in cooler 80, a reach-in cooler 82 and a display case 84. Each component would be provided with its own thermometer and thermostat connectable with the rooftop compressor 20 to utilize the outside air in providing the cooling through the ducts 86, 88, 90 under control of the suction device 92 as the case may be when the ambient air is to engage in the cooling, while the ductworks 95, 97, 99 provide the refrigerant directly from the compressor when the outside temperatures are higher than that desired in the cooler or display units. Depending on need, one or more such compressor units might be employable, each maintained on the roof of the food store, as at 100, with an outside thermostat 102 controlling the suction fan 92 as well as via an electric line 104.
While there has been described what are considered to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the teachings herein. Thus, whereas the present invention has been described in the context of keeping purchasable amounts of beer, soda, bottled water, fruit or vegetable produce in an enclosed environment maintained at temperatures centered substantially about 40'F, 55'F, or 32'F, the thermostat control for the compressor(s) 20 could be set to operate at other temperatures in an identical manner -- depending upon the temperature that is sought to be maintained in cooling the purchasable products that are to housed within. For an increased energy use savings, for example, the control could be such as to activate the compressor only when outdoors, outside ambient temperatures exceed even higher levels, for example. Essentially then, the commercial cooling system of the invention operates such that if the temperature inside the walk-in cooler, the reach-in cooler, the display case, or the food store is higher than that which is pre-set, the electrical circuit triggers the suction device to draw the air from outside, pushing it through the piping or ductwork until the cooler reaches that temperature. In other words, the rooftop compressors will only work if the outside temperature is higher than that desired. In those geographical areas of the world where the temperature is below 40 F, or 55'F, or 32'F, for example, the cooling will then be accomplished by the outside air -- day or night -- and the savings in the electrical energy otherwise needed would be substantial.
Moreover, if the rooftop unit would then work only half the time or less, its life expectancy will double, and the maintenance required cut in half. Freon usage decreases, benefiting the environment and the ozone layer. The air going through the suction device possibly being filtered, and/or dehumidified, if need be, the end result in operating the cooler -- wherever it may be and whatever form it may take, would necessitate only a minimum amount of energy, resulting in an overall significant savings in the energy which is used. Simply stated, the invention then allows utilization of cold air in the northern portion of the globe to cool food and beverages in food stores by drawing the cold air from outside, and pushing it through piping or duct into the various types of refrigerator/coolers, without the need to run the compressors to cool these units. For at least these reasons, resort should be had to the claims appended hereto for a true understanding of the scope of the invention.
ELECTRICAL ENERGY SAVINGS IN ENCLOSED ROOM COOLING
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the commercial cooling and refrigeration systems found in such food and beverage stores as supermarkets, convenience stores and liquor stores. In general, the invention concerns itself with the equipment used in these stores as walk-in coolers, reach-in coolers, freezers and refrigerators -- whether used for refrigerating 6 or 12 packs of beer, canned soda or bottle water, or for meat, vegetables, fruit, dairy, eggs or seafood products, for example.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Food and beverage retail stores such as supermarkets, convenience stores and liquor stores are equipped with several types of refrigerators and coolers in order to keep their products cold and fresh.
As is known and understood, electrical compressors are used to keep these refrigerator/coolers at regulated temperatures --typically 40'F. As such, whether the remainder of the store or market is being heated in the winter, or air-conditioned in the summer, a continuous amount of electrical energy is required to maintain these regulated refrigerator/cooler temperatures all year round. As will be understood, the costs for this electrical cooling ranges from hundreds to thousands of dollars each month depending upon the size of the facility where the temperature is being so controlled.
Moreover, such food stores as supermarkets and convenience stores currently employ complicated systems consuming huge amounts of electricity to operate the various coolers, freezers and refrigerators employed there. Typically, such systems include a rooftop unit containing numbers of compressors which pressurize the freon enclosed piping to reduce the temperatures in the refrigerator units to that which is desired. Besides this inordinate use of electricity (not only in the United States but globally, as well, extensive amounts of freon are employed, which studies indicate is harmful to the ozone layer. Such systems, furthermore, are extremely expensive, both as to their purchase and as to their required maintenance.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved way for the controlled cooling of all these type enclosures to reduce electrical energy usage as a component of reducing overall energy consumption throughout the world.
It is an object of the present invention, also, to provide this improved way of controlled cooling to reduce the electrical energy cost of the store provider -- whether it just be that of the convenience store facility, or that of a grocery store or supermarket operation.
It is another object of the invention to provide this improved way of controlled cooling which can be adapted both to existing in-place operations as well as to future operations yet to be constructed.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved way of cooling the refrigerators in these commercial settings using a minimum amount of electricity, while at the same time, operating in an environmentally safe manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
As a reading of the following description will indicate, this invention is concerned with one of the most critical issues in modern day times -- that of energy conservation and saving the environment. While it is almost equally as important to consider the financial savings to a retailer that may follow, and to the consumer of perishable goods, to appreciate the advantages that follow, certain definitions might be helpful:
a. Food Store -- a supermarket, liquor store, convenience store or perishable goods warehouse;
b. Rooftop Unit -- machine equipment on a food store roof consisting of one or a number of compressors which pressurize freon in producing the cold temperatures required, and which push them through the coolers to reach the desired temperatures;
c. Walk-in Cooler -- a room of various size built from aluminum or galvanized steel, and having inner and outer skin walls between which insulation is packed as used in the storage of perishable goods;
d. Reach-in Cooler -- similar to the walk-in cooler, but with glass doors so that a consumer can open and reach in to grasp food or beverages on its shelves;
e. Display Case -- employed in the food stores to display vegetables, fruit, meat and seafood items, keeping them cool and fresh; and f. Thermostat -- a mechanical or electronic device to measure temperature and connect or disconnect an electrical circuit.
As will become clear from the following description, the present invention specifically covers an electrical energy use saving system for cooling by automatically controlling the operation of the electrically operated compressor(s) serving to maintain the temperature in the walk-in or reach-in cooler or display case within a predetermined range -- for example, one centered substantially about 40'F. According to the invention, a suction device (such as a fan, valve or air pump) is coupled with the outdoors outside environment by an input end of a duct and to the inside of the cooler or case by an output end of the duct. A thermometer is provided for measuring the ambient air a temperature in the outdoors outside environment, and a thermostat is coupled with the thermometer to activate the compressor(s) only when the outdoors ambient air temperature rises above the controlled cooler or case temperature range to be maintained.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the walk-in or reach-in cooler and display case thus become cooled by the outdoors air when the outside temperatures are cold, while the cooler and case are cooled by the compressor only when the outside temperature is warm. The end result will be appreciated to be a savings in the use of electrical energy for the cooling -- which could be quite substantial when the cooler and case are part of a food store complex in the northern portions of the United States and in Canada where, for at least 6 months of the year, the outdoors temperature dips below 40'F.
As will be understood, the cost involved in operating the ducted fan is several times less than that involved with operating the compressor -- such that in those colder months, a significant savings in electrical energy consumption follows. Obviously, this translates into a cost savings for the store operator.
As will also become clear from the following description, where local ordinances may require -- or just for purposes of general health -- the suction device can be arranged to operate in conjunction with either a filtering or dehumidifying system (or both) in further regulating the colder air being inputted to the walk-in or reach-in cooler and the display case from the outdoors environment. For existing store constructions, furthermore, the suction device configuration could be arranged to extend through the walls of the cooler -- while in new constructions to be built, the suction fan could be incorporated as part of a mounting on a rooftop of a walk-in cooler room, just as the electrically operated compressors are typically already mounted on the food stores roof.
And, as will be appreciated, the same type of controlled cooling will be seen to be employable for produce coolers (where the preferred temperature range is commonly centered about 55'F), and for freezers (where the temperature is desired to be kept below 32'F). In these uses, the suction device would bring in the ambient air where the outside temperature falls below 55'F on the one hand, and 32'F on the other hand. With the use of additional thermostats set in this and like manners, the roof top compressor(s) could be controlled to provide the refrigerant only when it is needed, and to where it is needed, depending upon the outside temperature. The energy consumption savings will be seen to be apparent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
These and other features of the present invention will be more clearly understood from a consideration of the following description, taken in connection with FIGURES 1 and 2 of the Drawings which schematically illustrate the electrical energy use savings system of the invention for a walk-in cooler, and for a walk-in cooler, reach-in cooler, and display case combination, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference numeral 10 in FIGURE 1 represents an enclosed walk-in cooler room of a food store 15 housing purchasable amounts of beer, soda, bottled water, fruit or vegetable produce for off-site consumption. Constructed with inner metal or aluminum skin walls 12, outer skin walls 14 of like fabrication, and with a foam insulate 16 in between, the cooler 10 is enclosed within the store 15 having a rooftop 18 upon which an electrically operated compressor 20 conventionally is mounted.
Such compressor is selected of a size and capacity to maintain the temperature in the cooler within a predetermined range --which for the usage at hand may be centered substantially about 40'F. A door 22 allows entry into and exit from the cooler. In most present day usage, the compressor operates continuously on electrical energy drawn from above ground or below ground power lines.
In accordance with the invention, a suction device 24 is provided within a duct 26 having an input end 28 at an outdoors outside environment location of the walk-in cooler and an output end 30 at an inside location. For an existing construction of the cooler, the duct 26 may be cut through the inner and outer skin walls 12, 14, while in new constructions, the duct 26 may be mounted on the rooftop 18 in a manner similar to that by which the compressor 20 is mounted.
To carry out the teachings of the invention, a thermometer means 40 temperature measuring device is provided to couple with the suction fan 24 as through electrical line 42 and to a thermostat means or thermostat 44 as by electrical line 46. Such thermostat, in turn, is coupled by the electrical line 48 to the compressor in regulating the operation of the compressor in accordance with the outdoors ambient air temperature. In particular, the thermostat 44 is set so that the compressor 20 is not activated until the outdoors ambient temperature is in excess of the desired temperature in the walk-in cooler, some 4D'F. At the same time, the suction device 24 is controlled to operate only when the outdoors ambient temperature is below that 40'F or so temperature.
As will be understood, the end result of the operation is that the walk-in room 10 is then cooled by the outdoors outside air when the temperatures in the ambient environment are measured to be below the 40'F or so temperature, while the walk-in room 10 is cooled by the compressor 20 substantially only when the outdoors ambient temperature is measured to be in excess of the 40'F or so temperature. The end result will be appreciated to be a savings in the electrical energy usage in those circumstances where the energy needed to operate the suction fan is less than that needed to operate the compressor (which almost always is the actual circumstance). Such savings in electrical energy usage will be appreciated as being directly translatable into a savings of electrical utility cost for the convenience store, grocery and supermarket operator of the walk-B
in room where the refrigerated products are housed, with the significant savings in cost expenditures which result.
Reference numerals 50 and 52 respectively illustrate added options for the electrical energy use saving system in the nature of a filter system and a dehumidifier system where possibly required by local ordinance, or just where further issues of health are of concern. As illustrated, these options could be included to work with the ductwork operable with the suction fan inputting the outdoors outside ambient air as the coolant. As will be understandable, these options can be utilized singly, or in combination.
In operation, then, if the temperature inside the walk-in cooler 10 exceeds that which is desired (for example, 40'F) the electric circuit closes under the action of the thermostat 44.
With this in place, the suction fan 24 is actuated to bring in the outside air where the thermometer measures the outside temperature to be below 40'F. When the ducted-in outside air is sufficient to cool the walk-in room to that temperature, the suction fan is turned off. Where the outside temperature, however, is higher than that temperature desired to be maintained in the walk-in cooler 10, the suction fan 24 is bypassed, and the compressor 20 is rendered operative. The refrigerant then drawn into the cooler 10, as by means of a further duct 60, continues to cool the room until the desired temperature is reestablished, at which time the compressor shuts down. An exhaust duct for the cooler 10 is shown at 68.
The schematic diagram of FIGURE 2 represents a similar type operation utilizing outside air as a coolant for a walk-in cooler 80, a reach-in cooler 82 and a display case 84. Each component would be provided with its own thermometer and thermostat connectable with the rooftop compressor 20 to utilize the outside air in providing the cooling through the ducts 86, 88, 90 under control of the suction device 92 as the case may be when the ambient air is to engage in the cooling, while the ductworks 95, 97, 99 provide the refrigerant directly from the compressor when the outside temperatures are higher than that desired in the cooler or display units. Depending on need, one or more such compressor units might be employable, each maintained on the roof of the food store, as at 100, with an outside thermostat 102 controlling the suction fan 92 as well as via an electric line 104.
While there has been described what are considered to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the teachings herein. Thus, whereas the present invention has been described in the context of keeping purchasable amounts of beer, soda, bottled water, fruit or vegetable produce in an enclosed environment maintained at temperatures centered substantially about 40'F, 55'F, or 32'F, the thermostat control for the compressor(s) 20 could be set to operate at other temperatures in an identical manner -- depending upon the temperature that is sought to be maintained in cooling the purchasable products that are to housed within. For an increased energy use savings, for example, the control could be such as to activate the compressor only when outdoors, outside ambient temperatures exceed even higher levels, for example. Essentially then, the commercial cooling system of the invention operates such that if the temperature inside the walk-in cooler, the reach-in cooler, the display case, or the food store is higher than that which is pre-set, the electrical circuit triggers the suction device to draw the air from outside, pushing it through the piping or ductwork until the cooler reaches that temperature. In other words, the rooftop compressors will only work if the outside temperature is higher than that desired. In those geographical areas of the world where the temperature is below 40 F, or 55'F, or 32'F, for example, the cooling will then be accomplished by the outside air -- day or night -- and the savings in the electrical energy otherwise needed would be substantial.
Moreover, if the rooftop unit would then work only half the time or less, its life expectancy will double, and the maintenance required cut in half. Freon usage decreases, benefiting the environment and the ozone layer. The air going through the suction device possibly being filtered, and/or dehumidified, if need be, the end result in operating the cooler -- wherever it may be and whatever form it may take, would necessitate only a minimum amount of energy, resulting in an overall significant savings in the energy which is used. Simply stated, the invention then allows utilization of cold air in the northern portion of the globe to cool food and beverages in food stores by drawing the cold air from outside, and pushing it through piping or duct into the various types of refrigerator/coolers, without the need to run the compressors to cool these units. For at least these reasons, resort should be had to the claims appended hereto for a true understanding of the scope of the invention.
Claims (8)
1. An electrical energy use savings system for product cooling comprising:
a walk-in cooler, a reach-in cooler or a display case housing purchasable amounts of beer, soda, bottled water, fruit or vegetable produce for off-site consumption;
an electrically operated compressor coupled to maintain the temperature in the cooler or case within a predetermined range;
thermometer means for measuring ambient air temperature outdoors in an environment outside the cooler or case;
a suction fan ducted at an input end to the outside outdoors environment and at an output end to the inside of the cooler or case;
and thermostat means coupled with said thermometer means for activating the compressor when both the temperature within the cooler or case and the ambient air outdoor temperature rise above the controlled range to be maintained and for activating the suction fan when both the temperature within the cooler or case rises above the controlled range to be maintained and the ambient air outdoor temperature falls below the controlled range to be maintained;
whereby the cooler or case is cooled by outdoors air when outdoor temperatures are cold and whereby the cooler or case is cooled by the compressor when outdoor temperatures are warm.
a walk-in cooler, a reach-in cooler or a display case housing purchasable amounts of beer, soda, bottled water, fruit or vegetable produce for off-site consumption;
an electrically operated compressor coupled to maintain the temperature in the cooler or case within a predetermined range;
thermometer means for measuring ambient air temperature outdoors in an environment outside the cooler or case;
a suction fan ducted at an input end to the outside outdoors environment and at an output end to the inside of the cooler or case;
and thermostat means coupled with said thermometer means for activating the compressor when both the temperature within the cooler or case and the ambient air outdoor temperature rise above the controlled range to be maintained and for activating the suction fan when both the temperature within the cooler or case rises above the controlled range to be maintained and the ambient air outdoor temperature falls below the controlled range to be maintained;
whereby the cooler or case is cooled by outdoors air when outdoor temperatures are cold and whereby the cooler or case is cooled by the compressor when outdoor temperatures are warm.
2. The electrical energy use saving system of Claim 1, also including means for filtering the outdoors ambient air ducted into the cooler or case when the suction fan is activated.
3. The electrical energy use saving system of Claim 1, also including means for dehumidifying the outdoors ambient air ducted into the cooler or case when the suction fan is activated.
4. The electrical energy use saving system of Claim 1, also including means for filtering and dehumidifying the outdoors ambient air ducted into the cooler or case when the suction fan is activated.
5. The electrical energy use savings system of Claim 1 wherein said compressor, thermometer means, suction fan and thermostat means maintain the temperature within a walk-in cooler at substantially 40.cndot.F.
6. The electrical energy use savings system of Claim 1 wherein said compressor, thermometer means, suction fan and thermostat means maintain the temperature within a reach-in cooler and display case at substantially 55.cndot.F.
7. The electrical energy use saving system of Claim 1 wherein the electrically operated compressor is mounted on the rooftop of a food store in which the walk-in cooler, reach-in cooler or display case is located.
8. The electrical energy use saving system of Claim 7 wherein the suction fan is also mounted on the rooftop of the food store.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2736397A CA2736397A1 (en) | 2011-04-04 | 2011-04-04 | Temperature controlled compressor for electrical energy savings in enclosed room cooling |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2736397A CA2736397A1 (en) | 2011-04-04 | 2011-04-04 | Temperature controlled compressor for electrical energy savings in enclosed room cooling |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2736397A1 true CA2736397A1 (en) | 2012-10-04 |
Family
ID=46964765
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2736397A Abandoned CA2736397A1 (en) | 2011-04-04 | 2011-04-04 | Temperature controlled compressor for electrical energy savings in enclosed room cooling |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2736397A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2014091485A1 (en) * | 2012-12-10 | 2014-06-19 | Linum Systems Ltd. | Heat pump energy supply optimization method and system |
-
2011
- 2011-04-04 CA CA2736397A patent/CA2736397A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2014091485A1 (en) * | 2012-12-10 | 2014-06-19 | Linum Systems Ltd. | Heat pump energy supply optimization method and system |
| CN105051468A (en) * | 2012-12-10 | 2015-11-11 | 莱内姆系统有限公司 | Heat pump energy supply optimization method and system |
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