US20130055744A1 - Auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system for cooling and controlling humidity in an enclosure - Google Patents
Auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system for cooling and controlling humidity in an enclosure Download PDFInfo
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- US20130055744A1 US20130055744A1 US13/199,744 US201113199744A US2013055744A1 US 20130055744 A1 US20130055744 A1 US 20130055744A1 US 201113199744 A US201113199744 A US 201113199744A US 2013055744 A1 US2013055744 A1 US 2013055744A1
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- dew point
- enclosure
- temperature
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- ambient air
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- 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
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/70—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
- F24F11/72—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the supply of treated air, e.g. its pressure
- F24F11/74—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the supply of treated air, e.g. its pressure for controlling air flow rate or air velocity
- F24F11/76—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the supply of treated air, e.g. its pressure for controlling air flow rate or air velocity by means responsive to temperature, e.g. bimetal springs
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/70—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
- F24F11/80—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air
- F24F11/83—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers
- F24F11/84—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers using valves
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/70—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
- F24F11/80—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air
- F24F11/86—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling compressors within refrigeration or heat pump circuits
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/70—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
- F24F11/80—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air
- F24F11/87—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling absorption or discharge of heat in outdoor units
- F24F11/871—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling absorption or discharge of heat in outdoor units by controlling outdoor fans
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/88—Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits
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- 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
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- 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
- F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
- F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
- F25D17/042—Air treating means within refrigerated spaces
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/22—Means for preventing condensation or evacuating condensate
- F24F2013/221—Means for preventing condensation or evacuating condensate to avoid the formation of condensate, e.g. dew
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
- F24F2110/10—Temperature
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
- F24F2110/20—Humidity
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- 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
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2600/00—Control issues
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- 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
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
- F25B2700/02—Humidity
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- 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
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- 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
- F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2317/04—Treating air flowing to refrigeration compartments
- F25D2317/041—Treating air flowing to refrigeration compartments by purification
- F25D2317/0413—Treating air flowing to refrigeration compartments by purification by humidification
- F25D2317/04131—Control means therefor
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- 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
- F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
- F25D2700/12—Sensors measuring the inside temperature
Definitions
- This invention relates to an auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system for cooling and controlling humidity of air in an enclosure.
- each of these outside air systems is controlled by two thermostats, one sensing the outside temperature and one sensing the temperature inside the enclosure.
- the thermostat controlling the operation of the conventional refrigeration system is set at a higher operating range than the thermostat sensing the enclosure temperature for the outside air system.
- the conventional refrigeration system does not operate as long as the outside air system can adequately cool the enclosure.
- the outside air thermostat is set at a predetermined cut-in temperature such that the outside air system will only be used when the outside air is cold enough to always be at least as efficient as the conventional refrigeration system.
- a differential thermostat senses the temperature of both the air inside the enclosure and the outside or ambient air, compares them, and actuates at least one fan or blower to circulate cool outside air so as to cool the inside of the enclosure.
- the outside air fan, or fans circulate cool outside air until the temperature inside the enclosure falls to a pre-selected cut-out setting for the outside air system or until the enclosure temperature is cooler than a pre-selected number of degrees warmer than the outside air temperature, at which time the outside air fan, or fans turn off. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,834.
- humidity there remains yet another issue: humidity. Too little can affect the quality of the contents, especially food products, for example. Too much humidity can also be a problem for such goods as well as other types of goods and may increase the cooling load, resulting in lower efficiency and can damage equipment.
- the invention results from the realization that an improved auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system for cooling and controlling humidity in an enclosure which prevents too much or too little humidity and improves efficiency can be achieved using a controller responsive to an inside the enclosure sensor unit and an ambient air sensor unit and their indicated dew points for enabling an auxiliary refrigeration unit to provide cool ambient air to the enclosure when the temperature inside the enclosure is above a first predetermined temperature, the ambient temperature is less than the enclosure temperature by a predetermined differential temperature and the dew point of the ambient air is matched to the dew point range of the air in the enclosure.
- This invention features an auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system for cooling and controlling humidity in an enclosure including a conventional refrigeration unit for providing cool refrigerated air to the enclosure, an auxiliary refrigeration unit for providing cool ambient air to the enclosure, a first sensor unit for sensing air temperature and humidity inside the enclosure, a second sensor unit for sensing ambient air temperature and humidity; and a controller responsive to the sensor units and their indicated dew points of the enclosure air and the ambient air for enabling the auxiliary refrigeration unit to provide cool ambient air to the enclosure when temperature inside the enclosure is above a first predetermined temperature, the ambient temperature is less than the enclosure temperature by a predetermined differential temperature and the dew point of the ambient air is matched to the dew point range of the air in the enclosure.
- the controller may be responsive to the sensor units for enabling the conventional refrigeration unit when the enclosure temperature is at a second predetermined temperature higher than the first predetermined temperature.
- the dew point range may include a minimum humidity dew point and the auxiliary refrigeration unit may not be enabled if the dew point of the enclosure air is at or below that minimum dew point and if the dew point of the ambient air is below the dew point of the enclosure air.
- the dew point range may include a maximum humidity dew point and the auxiliary refrigeration unit may not be enabled if the dew point of the enclosure air is at or above that maximum dew point and if the dew point of the ambient air is above the dew point of the enclosure air.
- the sensor unit may include a temperature sensor and a dew point sensor.
- the dew point range may include a minimum humidity dew point and the auxiliary refrigeration unit may not be enabled if the dew point of the ambient air is below that minimum dew point.
- the dew point range may include a maximum humidity dew point and the auxiliary refrigeration unit may not be enabled if the dew point of the ambient air is above that maximum dew point.
- FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of an embodiment of the auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system of this invention
- FIG. 2 is a more detailed partial, cross sectional view with portions removed of an enclosure served by one embodiment of the auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system of this invention
- FIG. 3 is a schematic electrical diagram of the system of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a logic block diagram illustrating humidity control using ambient air dew point control for minimum humidity criteria
- FIG. 5 is a logic block diagram illustrating humidity control using ambient air dew point control for maximum humidity criteria.
- FIG. 6 is a logic block diagram illustrating an alternative approach for humidity control combining maximum and minimum humidity logic.
- FIG. 1 There is shown in FIG. 1 one embodiment of an auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system 10 according to this invention for cooling and controlling humidity in an enclosure 12 .
- the auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system 10 includes a conventional refrigerator unit 14 and an auxiliary ambient air refrigerator unit 16 .
- Controller 22 is responsive to both inside and ambient sensor units 18 and 20 to control the operation of conventional refrigerator unit 14 and auxiliary ambient air refrigerator unit 16 .
- Controller 22 responds to the sensor units and the indicated dew points of the enclosure and the ambient air and enables the auxiliary refrigerator unit to provide cool ambient air to the enclosure when the temperature inside the enclosure is above a first predetermined temperature, the ambient temperature is less than the temperature inside the enclosure by a predetermined differential temperature and the dew point of the ambient air is matched to the dew point range of the air in the enclosure. Controller 22 also responds to the sensor units 18 and 20 to enable the conventional refrigeration unit when the temperature is above a second predetermined temperature that is higher than the first predetermined temperature.
- the dew point range may include a minimum humidity dew point for the enclosure, in which case the auxiliary refrigeration unit will not be enabled if the dew point of the air inside the enclosure is below that minimum dew point and the dew point of the ambient air is not higher than the dew point of the air inside the enclosure.
- the dew point range may include a maximum humidity dew point and the auxiliary refrigeration unit in that case will not be enabled if the dew point of the air inside the enclosure is above that maximum dew point and the dew point of the ambient air is not lower than the dew point of the air inside the enclosure.
- Sensor units 18 and 20 may include a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor from which controller 22 calculates the dew point. Or the temperature humidity sensors 18 and 20 may actually include a dew point meter to directly provide the dew point to controller 22 .
- Dew point is the temperature to which a given parcel of humid air must be cooled at a constant barometric pressure for water vapor to condense into water.
- the dew point is actually a saturation temperature.
- Dew point is closely associated with relative humidity. A high relative humidity indicates that the dew point is closer to the current air temperature. Relative humidity of 100% indicates that the dew point is equal to the current temperature and the air is maximally saturated with water. When the dew point remains constant and temperature increases relative humidity will decrease.
- Dew point meters are used to measure dew point over a wide range of temperatures. One version of such meters can consist of a polished metal mirror which is cooled as air is passed over it. The temperature is monitored and the temperature at which the dew forms is by definition the dew point.
- controller 22 receives a dew point reading directly from sensor units 18 and 22 it is unnecessary to calculate the dew point. But if controller 22 receives temperature and relative humidity it may calculate the dew point according to a well known approximation which calculates the dew point T d given the relative humidity RH and the actual temperature T of the air. That approximation is as follows:
- T d b ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ( T , RH ) a - ⁇ ⁇ ( T , RH )
- ⁇ ⁇ ( T , R ⁇ ⁇ H ) a ⁇ ⁇ T b + T + ln ⁇ ( R ⁇ ⁇ H / 100 )
- T d T - 100 - R ⁇ ⁇ H 5
- RH 100 ⁇ 5( T ⁇ T d ).
- Controller 22 may be a hard wired apparatus as shown in one specific embodiment in FIGS. 2 and 3 or it may be a properly configured microprocessor such as a Freeaire® Cooler ControllerTM model 2100.
- Controller 22 monitors and compares the temperature and the relative humidity or dew point of both the enclosure (inside) and the ambient (outside) air at all times.
- the outside or ambient air system operates based on temperature until either the MAX or MIN humidity is reached. After that ambient air is only brought into the space if the relative humidity of the outside air is such that it would improve or match the relative humidity in the enclosure once it warms to the temperature inside the enclosure 12 .
- Controller 22 thus either calculates the dew point or is delivered a sensed dew point.
- controller 22 would not bring in the ambient air if the ambient air dew point is lower that the enclosure air dew point. If the air inside enclosure 12 is already too humid, controller 22 would not bring in outside air if its dew point is higher than the dew point of the enclosure air. Generally, if there is a range of acceptable humidity with a minimum humidity for a given enclosure temperature and the enclosure air is already too dry then no ambient air with a dew point temperature lower than that of the enclosure air can be used even if it is at 100% relative humidity.
- controller 22 may activate a humidifier 24 to add moisture to the space or the humidifier could be provided with its own controls so the two systems are completely separate. With the humidifier 24 the outside air could be used even if it contained low humidity.
- the present invention is not limited to the specific conditions herein described; there are many different situations in which the present invention would work well, including the case in which the enclosure is separated from the ambient or outside atmosphere by another room and the case in which the mechanical “room” is in the outside atmosphere. What is herein described is a typical situation in which a refrigerated enclosure such as a walk-in cooler or storage room is located in a building such as a grocery store or restaurant and is in a climate where the outside air temperature is cold enough to be used for refrigeration for a significant portion of the year.
- FIG. 2 there is also shown a conventional refrigeration system including an evaporator 105 , with three identical evaporator fans 106 and evaporator coils (not shown), a refrigerant liquid line 108 , a liquid line solenoid valve 109 , an expansion valve 110 , and a refrigerant suction line 111 inside the enclosure 101 , and a compressor 112 , a condenser 113 , a condenser fan 114 , and a low pressure control 115 inside the mechanical room 104 .
- the conventional refrigeration system also includes the addition of a circulating fan 116 which is attached to the inside wall 103 by bracket 117 .
- the auxiliary outside or ambient air refrigeration system includes an intake damper housing 118 that has a pair of insulated dampers 120 , a gasket 121 , and a damper closure spring (not shown), mounted on the inside surface of the outside wall 102 , in line with a first airflow passage 123 through the outside wall 102 .
- the outside air fan housing 125 also houses a filter 126 , which is removable by sliding the filter 126 along the filter track 127 .
- an enclosure air fan 128 that has a finger guard (not shown) mounted on its face.
- an outside wallcap 131 that surrounds the enclosure fan 128 , that is mounted to the end of an exhaust damper housing 132 extending through the wall 102 to its inside face to which it is mounted and which ends with a pair of insulated outward-opening dampers 133 , a gasket 134 , and a damper closure spring 135 .
- the controller 136 is mounted on the inside surface of the outside wall 102 and is connected to a source of power through four electrical conductors, 137 , 138 , 139 , and 140 .
- the controller 136 is also connected electrically to the outside air fan 124 by an electrical conductor 141 , to the enclosure air fan 128 by the electrical conductor 142 , to the liquid line solenoid valve 109 by the electrical conductor 143 , to the evaporator fans 106 by the electrical conductor 144 , and to the circulating fan 116 by electrical conductor 145 .
- the controller 136 is electronically connected to an inside temperature and dew point sensor unit 146 mounted on the inside surface of the wall 102 near the controller 136 , by a low voltage conductor 147 , and to an outside ambient temperature and dew point sensor unit 148 , mounted on the outside surface of the outside wall 102 , by a low voltage conductor 149 which passes through a hole 150 in the outside wall 102 .
- FIG. 3 there is shown a schematic wiring diagram of the auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system in combination with the conventional refrigeration system.
- Components of the conventional refrigeration system include the compressor 112 and the condenser fan 114 both of which are in series with the low pressure control 115 .
- the controller 136 is powered by electricity through electrical conductor 137 and is controlled by an on/off switch 151 .
- a “power on” light 152 is in series with the switch 151 .
- Also in series with the switch 151 is a circuit connecting a differential thermostat 153 , an inside thermostat 154 for the ambient air refrigeration system, and the coil 157 of an ambient air refrigeration system relay 156 .
- the circuit made by the electrical conductors 138 and 141 and the outside air fan 124 and the circuit made by the electrical conductors 138 and 142 and the enclosure air fan 128 are both controlled by the normally open contacts 158 of the relay 156 .
- Another component in series with the switch 151 , and in parallel to the outside air refrigeration system control circuit, is the inside thermostat 155 for the conventional refrigeration system.
- the inside temperature and dew point sensor unit 146 supplies the temperature information about the air temperature inside the enclosure to the inside thermostat 155 for the conventional refrigeration system as well as for the differential thermostat 153 and the inside thermostat 154 for the outside air refrigeration system as well as dew point information.
- the outside or ambient temperature and dew point sensor unit 148 supplies temperature information to the differential thermostat 153 as well as dew point information.
- the coil 160 of the conventional refrigeration system relay 159 and the coil 163 of the time-delay relay 162 are in series with the thermostat 155 and switch 151 , but are in parallel with each other.
- the circuit made by electrical conductors 139 and 143 and the liquid line solenoid valve 109 is controlled by the normally open contacts 161 of the relay 159 .
- the circuit made by electrical conductors 140 and 144 and the evaporator fans 106 is controlled by the normally open contacts 164 of the time-delay relay 162 .
- the circuit made by the electrical conductors 140 and 145 and the circulating fan 116 is controlled by the normally closed contacts 165 of the time-delay relay 162 .
- the components of the conventional refrigeration system are arranged so as to extract heat from the enclosure 101 and transfer it to the mechanical room 104 .
- the On/off switch 151 must be in the “on” (closed) position.
- the inside thermostat 155 in the controller 136 replaces the thermostat which would normally control the operation of the conventional refrigeration system.
- the inside temperature and dew point sensor unit 146 senses that the temperature of the air is at or above the predetermined cut-in temperature setting for the conventional refrigeration system (typically 38 degrees F.)
- the inside thermostat 155 closes, energizing the coil 160 of the relay 159 which closes the normally open contacts 161 making an electrical circuit through the electrical conductor 139 and 143 which energizes the liquid line solenoid valve 109 .
- the process continues until the enclosure 101 is sufficiently cooled that the inside temperature and dew point sensor unit 146 senses that the air temperature has dropped to the predetermined temperature representing the cut-out temperature setting for the conventional refrigeration system (typically 36 degrees F.)
- This causes the inside thermostat 155 to open, which de-energizes the coil 160 of the conventional refrigeration system relay 159 , which causes the normally open contacts 161 to open, which de-energizes the liquid line solenoid valve 109 , causing it to close.
- the compressor 112 continues to operate the evaporated refrigerant is pumped out of the refrigerant suction line 111 , which causes the pressure in it to drop until it reaches a predetermined pressure representing the cutout pressure setting for the compressor. This causes the low-pressure control 115 to de-energize the compressor 112 and condenser fan 114 .
- the inside sensor 46 senses the temperature inside the enclosure 101 has risen to the predetermined cut-in temperature setting for the conventional refrigeration system (typically 38 degrees F.), causing the inside thermostat 155 to close, the coil 163 of the time-delay relay 162 is energized. This causes the normally open contacts 164 to close, thereby energizing the evaporator fans 106 , and the normally closed contacts 165 to open, thereby de-energizing the circulating fan 116 . When the enclosure temperature drops to the predetermined cut-out temperature setting of the conventional refrigeration system (typically 36 degrees F.), the inside thermostat 155 opens, the coil 163 of the time-delay relay 162 is de-energized.
- the normally open contacts 164 open, de-energizing the evaporator fans 106 , and the normally closed contacts 165 close, energizing the circulating fan 116 .
- the predetermined delay in the operation of the contacts 164 and 165 of the time-delay relay 162 is user-adjustable to allow for shortening the period of time the evaporator fans 106 operate and extending the period of time the circulating fans 116 operate in order to reduce energy use, and for extending the period of time the evaporator fans 106 operate in order to allow more heat transfer to the evaporator coils.
- the ambient air refrigeration cycle begins, FIGS. 2 and 3 , when the outside sensor unit 48 senses that the temperature of the outside atmospheric air is cooler than a pre-selected number of degrees cooler than the temperature of the air inside the enclosure 101 , sensed by the inside temperature and dew point sensor unit 146 , which represents the cut-in temperature differential for the outside air refrigeration system (typically 6 degrees F.). This causes the differential thermostat 153 to close.
- the inside temperature and dew point sensor unit 146 also senses that the temperature inside the enclosure 101 is at or above the cut-in temperature setting for the outside air refrigeration system (typically 36 degrees F.), this causes the inside thermostat 154 for the outside air refrigeration system to also close.
- both the thermostats 153 and 154 and the switch 151 are in series, when they are all in a closed position they cause the coil 157 of the outside refrigeration system relay 156 to be energized. This, in turn, causes the normally open contacts 158 to close, which energizes the outside air fan 124 (through electrical conductors 138 and 141 ) and the enclosure air fan 128 (through electrical conductors 138 and 142 ).
- the outside air fan 124 When the outside air fan 124 is energized it draws outside atmospheric air through the filter 126 into the outside air fan housing 125 . The air is then forced through the first airflow passage 123 and the inside wall-cap base 119 where the force exerted by the incoming air overcomes the force exerted by the damper closure spring 122 and opens the damper 120 allowing the outside air to pass through the intake damper housing 118 and enter the enclosure 101 .
- the enclosure air fan 128 When the enclosure air fan 128 is energized, it draws air from the enclosure 101 , through the finger guard 129 and forces the air into the second airflow passage 130 and through the exhaust damper housing 132 where the force exerted by the air overcomes the force exerted by the damper closure spring 135 and opens the damper 133 allowing the enclosure air to flow through the outside wallcap 131 into the outside atmosphere.
- the simultaneous operation of the two fans 124 and 125 results in a gradual lowering of the air temperature within the enclosure.
- the inside temperature and dew point sensor unit 146 senses that the air temperature within the enclosure has reached the predetermined cut-out temperature setting for the outside air refrigeration system (typically 34 degrees F.)
- the inside thermostat 154 opens, which de-energizes the coil 157 of the relay 156 , which opens the normally open contacts 158 , which, in turn, de-energizes the fans 124 and 128 , stopping the flow of outside air into and out of the enclosure 101 .
- the operation of the two fans 124 and 128 is also stopped when the outside temperature and dew point sensor unit 148 senses that the outside temperature has risen (or the inside temperature has dropped) so as to make the outside temperature warmer than a predetermined number of degrees cooler than the inside temperature, as sensed by the inside temperature and dew point sensor unit 146 , which represents the cut-out temperature differential setting for the outside air refrigeration system (typically 4 degrees F.), which causes the differential thermostat 153 to open, de-energizing the coil 157 of the relay 156 , causing the contacts 158 to open and thereby de-energizing the fans 124 and 128 .
- the cut-out temperature differential setting for the outside air refrigeration system typically 4 degrees F.
- the cut-out temperature differential setting for the outside air refrigeration system is selected so as to cause the operation of the fans 124 and 128 when the amount of cooling provided by those fans is greater than the amount of cooling provided by the conventional refrigeration system while consuming an equal amount of electrical energy.
- the “breakeven point” at which the outside air refrigeration system is equally as energy efficient as the conventional refrigeration system is typically reached when the outside air temperature is about 4 degrees F. cooler than the temperature inside the enclosure. Therefore, a differential of about 4 degrees is the smallest differential that should be used in order to minimize the use of energy.
- the cut-in temperature differential is selected so as to maximize the operation of the outside air refrigeration system without causing unacceptable short-cycling of the fans 124 and 128 .
- a larger hysteresis leads to unnecessary loss of operation of the outside air system and a smaller hysteresis can result in the fans 124 and 128 cycling on and off too frequently.
- the inside thermostat 155 for the conventional refrigeration system has a higher operating temperature range than the inside thermostat 154 for the outside air refrigeration system.
- the cut-in temperature setting is 38 degrees F. and the cut-out setting is 36 degrees F.
- the cut-in temperature setting is 36 degrees F. and the cut-out setting is 34 degrees F.
- auxiliary ambient air refrigeration unit operates only when the temperature inside the enclosure is above a first predetermined temperature, the ambient temperature is less than the enclosure temperature by a predetermined differential temperature and the dew point of the ambient air is matched to the dew point range of the air in the enclosure.
- Controller 136 operates to control humidity in the enclosure when supplying ambient (outside) air as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 .
- This humidity control is in addition to and simultaneous with the temperature control just described.
- the ambient air fans will operate only when both the humidity control and the temperature control allow it.
- FIG. 4 is the logic diagram for providing ambient air whose humidity is matched to that of the range of the humidity in the enclosure when there is a minimum humidity control.
- FIG. 5 does the same when there is a maximum humidity control. In FIGS.
- RH Relative Humidity
- IHMIN Inside Humidity Minimum setting (default: 0%)
- IHMAX Inside Humidity Maximum setting (default: 100%)
- IDP Inside Dew Point temperature
- ODP Outside Dew Point temperature.
- RH Relative Humidity
- IHMIN Inside Humidity Minimum setting (default: 0%)
- IHMAX Inside Humidity Maximum setting (default: 100%)
- IDP Inside Dew Point temperature
- ODP Outside Dew Point temperature.
- FIG. 4 the cycle begins with the outside air fans off, 200 .
- the inside humidity or dew point is read, 202 , and a determination is made as to whether it is moist enough inside (IH>IHMIN+1% RH), 204 .
- the outside fans are allowed to turn on, 206 ; if it is not the inside and outside humidity or dew points are read and the IDP and ODP are calculated, 208 . Then it is determined whether it is moist enough outside (ODP>IDP+1° F.), 210 . If it is not, then the outside fans are left off, 212 , and the cycle returns to read the inside humidity or dew point at 202 ; if it is moist enough outside, in condition 210 , then the outside air fans are allowed to turn on, 214 . With the fans on the inside humidity or dew point is determined, 216 ; if it is moist enough inside (IH>IHMIN), 218 , the outside fans are left on, 220 .
- IDP and ODP are calculated, 222 , and then inquiry is made again as to whether is it moist enough outside (ODP>IDP), 224 . If it is not, the outside air fans are turned off, 226 ; if it is, the outside fans are left on, 228 .
- the maximum humidity control with outside air cycle begins in FIG. 5 with the outside air fans off, 240 .
- the inside humidity or dew point sensor is read, 242 ; if it is dry enough inside (IH ⁇ IHMAX ⁇ 1% RH), 244 , the outside air fans are allowed to turn on, 246 . If it is not, the inside and outside humidity or dew points are read and the IDP and ODP are calculated, 248 . If it is dry enough outside (ODP ⁇ IDP ⁇ 1° F.), 250 , the outside air fans are allowed to turn on, 252 ; if it is not, the outside air fans are left off, 254 .
- FIG. 6 An alternative approach for humidity control combining both maximum and minimum humidity logic is shown in FIG. 6 .
- the dry-bulb temperature logic calls for outside air, 300 .
- Inquiry is then made as to whether the outside air fans are on, 302 . If the response is yes the next decision point is: is inside humidity ⁇ minimum humidity set point, 304 . If the response is yes, inquiry is made as to whether the outside dew point is ⁇ inside dew point, 306 . If the response here is no or the response in step 304 is no then inquiry is made as to whether the inside humidity is >maximum humidity set point, 308 . If the response is yes, inquiry is made as to whether the outside dew point>the inside dew point, 310 .
- step 308 If the response is no or if the response was no to step 308 the outside fans are turned on 312 . If in step 302 it is noted that the outside fans are not on, then inquiry is made as to whether the inside humidity is ⁇ (minimum humidity set point+ ⁇ H), where ⁇ H is the hysteresis effect step 314 . If the response is yes, inquiry is made as to whether the outside dew point is ⁇ the inside dew point+ ⁇ DP where ⁇ DP is again a factor of hysteresis, 316 . If the response here is no, or the response to step 314 was no inquiry is made as to whether the inside humidity is >(maximum humidity set point ⁇ H), 318 .
- step 318 inquiry is made as to whether the outside dew point>(inside dew point ⁇ DP), 320 . If the response is no, or the response to step 318 was no, the outside air fans are turned on, 322 . If the response in either step 306 or 316 is yes or the response step 310 or 320 is yes, the outside air fans are turned off, 324 .
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Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to an auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system for cooling and controlling humidity of air in an enclosure.
- There have been a number of auxiliary ambient (outside) air refrigeration systems proposed. Some of these systems, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,175,401 and 4,023,947, employ a control system having a “changeover” thermostat that senses the outside temperature and de-energizes the conventional refrigeration system and energizes an outside air refrigeration system whenever the outside temperature falls below a predetermined temperature. Another control strategy for outside air systems is to have no electrical interconnection between the conventional refrigeration system and the outside air system. This type of “independent” system is found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,250,716, 4,178,770, 4,147,038, 4,619,114, 4,244,193, and 4,358,934. The operation of each of these outside air systems is controlled by two thermostats, one sensing the outside temperature and one sensing the temperature inside the enclosure. The thermostat controlling the operation of the conventional refrigeration system is set at a higher operating range than the thermostat sensing the enclosure temperature for the outside air system. The conventional refrigeration system does not operate as long as the outside air system can adequately cool the enclosure. The outside air thermostat is set at a predetermined cut-in temperature such that the outside air system will only be used when the outside air is cold enough to always be at least as efficient as the conventional refrigeration system. A differential thermostat senses the temperature of both the air inside the enclosure and the outside or ambient air, compares them, and actuates at least one fan or blower to circulate cool outside air so as to cool the inside of the enclosure. As long as the outside or ambient temperature is at least a pre-selected number of degrees cooler than the temperature inside the enclosure and this inside temperature is above a pre-selected cut-in temperature for the outside air refrigeration system, the outside air fan, or fans, circulate cool outside air until the temperature inside the enclosure falls to a pre-selected cut-out setting for the outside air system or until the enclosure temperature is cooler than a pre-selected number of degrees warmer than the outside air temperature, at which time the outside air fan, or fans turn off. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,834. However, there remains yet another issue: humidity. Too little can affect the quality of the contents, especially food products, for example. Too much humidity can also be a problem for such goods as well as other types of goods and may increase the cooling load, resulting in lower efficiency and can damage equipment.
- It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved, auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system for cooling and controlling humidity in an enclosure.
- It is a further object of this invention to provide such an improved auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system which prevents the refrigerated air from being too dry or too humid while preserving and improving the efficiency of the cooling burden.
- The invention results from the realization that an improved auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system for cooling and controlling humidity in an enclosure which prevents too much or too little humidity and improves efficiency can be achieved using a controller responsive to an inside the enclosure sensor unit and an ambient air sensor unit and their indicated dew points for enabling an auxiliary refrigeration unit to provide cool ambient air to the enclosure when the temperature inside the enclosure is above a first predetermined temperature, the ambient temperature is less than the enclosure temperature by a predetermined differential temperature and the dew point of the ambient air is matched to the dew point range of the air in the enclosure.
- The subject invention, however, in other embodiments, need not achieve all these objectives and the claims hereof should not be limited to structures or methods capable of achieving these objectives.
- This invention features an auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system for cooling and controlling humidity in an enclosure including a conventional refrigeration unit for providing cool refrigerated air to the enclosure, an auxiliary refrigeration unit for providing cool ambient air to the enclosure, a first sensor unit for sensing air temperature and humidity inside the enclosure, a second sensor unit for sensing ambient air temperature and humidity; and a controller responsive to the sensor units and their indicated dew points of the enclosure air and the ambient air for enabling the auxiliary refrigeration unit to provide cool ambient air to the enclosure when temperature inside the enclosure is above a first predetermined temperature, the ambient temperature is less than the enclosure temperature by a predetermined differential temperature and the dew point of the ambient air is matched to the dew point range of the air in the enclosure.
- In a preferred embodiment the controller may be responsive to the sensor units for enabling the conventional refrigeration unit when the enclosure temperature is at a second predetermined temperature higher than the first predetermined temperature. The dew point range may include a minimum humidity dew point and the auxiliary refrigeration unit may not be enabled if the dew point of the enclosure air is at or below that minimum dew point and if the dew point of the ambient air is below the dew point of the enclosure air. The dew point range may include a maximum humidity dew point and the auxiliary refrigeration unit may not be enabled if the dew point of the enclosure air is at or above that maximum dew point and if the dew point of the ambient air is above the dew point of the enclosure air. There may be further included a humidifier and the controller may be responsive to a humidity below the minimum humidity dew point to enable the humidifier. The sensor unit may include a temperature sensor and a dew point sensor. The dew point range may include a minimum humidity dew point and the auxiliary refrigeration unit may not be enabled if the dew point of the ambient air is below that minimum dew point. The dew point range may include a maximum humidity dew point and the auxiliary refrigeration unit may not be enabled if the dew point of the ambient air is above that maximum dew point.
- Other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of an embodiment of the auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system of this invention; -
FIG. 2 is a more detailed partial, cross sectional view with portions removed of an enclosure served by one embodiment of the auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system of this invention; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic electrical diagram of the system ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a logic block diagram illustrating humidity control using ambient air dew point control for minimum humidity criteria; -
FIG. 5 is a logic block diagram illustrating humidity control using ambient air dew point control for maximum humidity criteria; and -
FIG. 6 is a logic block diagram illustrating an alternative approach for humidity control combining maximum and minimum humidity logic. - Aside from the preferred embodiment or embodiments disclosed below, this invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Thus, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. If only one embodiment is described herein, the claims hereof are not to be limited to that embodiment. Moreover, the claims hereof are not to be read restrictively unless there is clear and convincing evidence manifesting a certain exclusion, restriction, or disclaimer.
- There is shown in
FIG. 1 one embodiment of an auxiliary ambientair refrigeration system 10 according to this invention for cooling and controlling humidity in anenclosure 12. The auxiliary ambientair refrigeration system 10 includes aconventional refrigerator unit 14 and an auxiliary ambientair refrigerator unit 16. There is an inside temperature/humidity (dew point)sensor unit 18 insideenclosure 12 and an outside or ambient air temperature/humidity (dew point)sensor unit 20 outside ofenclosure 12.Controller 22 is responsive to both inside andambient sensor units conventional refrigerator unit 14 and auxiliary ambientair refrigerator unit 16. There may also be ahumidifier 24 that may be controlled bycontroller 22 to keep the humidity withinenclosure 12 within a desired range.Controller 22 responds to the sensor units and the indicated dew points of the enclosure and the ambient air and enables the auxiliary refrigerator unit to provide cool ambient air to the enclosure when the temperature inside the enclosure is above a first predetermined temperature, the ambient temperature is less than the temperature inside the enclosure by a predetermined differential temperature and the dew point of the ambient air is matched to the dew point range of the air in the enclosure.Controller 22 also responds to thesensor units Sensor units controller 22 calculates the dew point. Or thetemperature humidity sensors - One source defines a dew point as the temperature to which a given parcel of humid air must be cooled at a constant barometric pressure for water vapor to condense into water. The dew point is actually a saturation temperature. Dew point is closely associated with relative humidity. A high relative humidity indicates that the dew point is closer to the current air temperature. Relative humidity of 100% indicates that the dew point is equal to the current temperature and the air is maximally saturated with water. When the dew point remains constant and temperature increases relative humidity will decrease. Dew point meters are used to measure dew point over a wide range of temperatures. One version of such meters can consist of a polished metal mirror which is cooled as air is passed over it. The temperature is monitored and the temperature at which the dew forms is by definition the dew point. In fact, these devices are often used to calibrate other types of humidity sensors. If
controller 22 receives a dew point reading directly fromsensor units controller 22 receives temperature and relative humidity it may calculate the dew point according to a well known approximation which calculates the dew point Td given the relative humidity RH and the actual temperature T of the air. That approximation is as follows: -
- where
-
- where the temperatures are in degrees Celsius and “In” refers to the natural logarithm.
The constants are: -
a=17.271 -
b=237.7° C. - There is also a very simple approximation that allows conversion between the dew point, the dry-bulb temperature and the relative humidity. This approach will be accurate to within about ±1° C. as long as the relative humidity is above 50%.
- The equation is:
-
- or
-
RH=100−5(T−T d). - This can be expressed as a simple rule of thumb: For every 1° C. difference in the dew point and dry bulb temperatures, the relative humidity decreases by 5%, starting with RH=100% when the dew point equals the dry bulb temperature and where in this case RH is in percent, and T and Td are in degrees Celsius.
-
Controller 22 may be a hard wired apparatus as shown in one specific embodiment inFIGS. 2 and 3 or it may be a properly configured microprocessor such as a Freeaire® Cooler Controller™ model 2100. - In one mode of operation there may be set a maximum allowable relative humidity within an enclosure 12 (MAX humidity) and a minimum allowable relative humidity (MIN humidity).
Controller 22 monitors and compares the temperature and the relative humidity or dew point of both the enclosure (inside) and the ambient (outside) air at all times. The outside or ambient air system operates based on temperature until either the MAX or MIN humidity is reached. After that ambient air is only brought into the space if the relative humidity of the outside air is such that it would improve or match the relative humidity in the enclosure once it warms to the temperature inside theenclosure 12.Controller 22 thus either calculates the dew point or is delivered a sensed dew point. If the inside space is already too dry, thecontroller 22 would not bring in the ambient air if the ambient air dew point is lower that the enclosure air dew point. If the air insideenclosure 12 is already too humid,controller 22 would not bring in outside air if its dew point is higher than the dew point of the enclosure air. Generally, if there is a range of acceptable humidity with a minimum humidity for a given enclosure temperature and the enclosure air is already too dry then no ambient air with a dew point temperature lower than that of the enclosure air can be used even if it is at 100% relative humidity. Contrastingly, if there is a maximum acceptable humidity for a given enclosure temperature and the enclosure air is already too humid then all ambient air with a dew point temperature lower than the enclosure air can be used if it is cold enough and even if it is at 100% relative humidity. To protect the minimum humidity range when the ambient air dew point is lower than the minimum humidity,controller 22 may activate ahumidifier 24 to add moisture to the space or the humidifier could be provided with its own controls so the two systems are completely separate. With thehumidifier 24 the outside air could be used even if it contained low humidity. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , there is shown an insulatedrefrigerated enclosure 101 with anoutside wall 102 which separates theenclosure 101 from the outside atmosphere, and aninside wall 103 that separates theenclosure 101 from amechanical room 104. The present invention is not limited to the specific conditions herein described; there are many different situations in which the present invention would work well, including the case in which the enclosure is separated from the ambient or outside atmosphere by another room and the case in which the mechanical “room” is in the outside atmosphere. What is herein described is a typical situation in which a refrigerated enclosure such as a walk-in cooler or storage room is located in a building such as a grocery store or restaurant and is in a climate where the outside air temperature is cold enough to be used for refrigeration for a significant portion of the year. - In
FIG. 2 there is also shown a conventional refrigeration system including anevaporator 105, with three identicalevaporator fans 106 and evaporator coils (not shown), arefrigerant liquid line 108, a liquidline solenoid valve 109, anexpansion valve 110, and arefrigerant suction line 111 inside theenclosure 101, and acompressor 112, acondenser 113, acondenser fan 114, and alow pressure control 115 inside themechanical room 104. The conventional refrigeration system also includes the addition of a circulatingfan 116 which is attached to theinside wall 103 bybracket 117. - The auxiliary outside or ambient air refrigeration system includes an
intake damper housing 118 that has a pair ofinsulated dampers 120, agasket 121, and a damper closure spring (not shown), mounted on the inside surface of theoutside wall 102, in line with afirst airflow passage 123 through theoutside wall 102. On the outside surface of theoutside wall 102, in line with theairflow passage 123, is mounted theoutside air fan 124, which is contained in an outsideair fan housing 125. The outsideair fan housing 125 also houses afilter 126, which is removable by sliding thefilter 126 along the filter track 127. Elsewhere on the outside surface of theoutside wall 102, in line with asecond airflow passage 130, is anenclosure air fan 128, that has a finger guard (not shown) mounted on its face. In line with thesecond airflow passage 130, on the outside surface of theoutside wall 102 is anoutside wallcap 131 that surrounds theenclosure fan 128, that is mounted to the end of anexhaust damper housing 132 extending through thewall 102 to its inside face to which it is mounted and which ends with a pair of insulated outward-openingdampers 133, agasket 134, and adamper closure spring 135. - The
controller 136 is mounted on the inside surface of theoutside wall 102 and is connected to a source of power through four electrical conductors, 137, 138, 139, and 140. Thecontroller 136 is also connected electrically to theoutside air fan 124 by anelectrical conductor 141, to theenclosure air fan 128 by theelectrical conductor 142, to the liquidline solenoid valve 109 by theelectrical conductor 143, to theevaporator fans 106 by theelectrical conductor 144, and to the circulatingfan 116 byelectrical conductor 145. Also, thecontroller 136 is electronically connected to an inside temperature and dewpoint sensor unit 146 mounted on the inside surface of thewall 102 near thecontroller 136, by alow voltage conductor 147, and to an outside ambient temperature and dewpoint sensor unit 148, mounted on the outside surface of theoutside wall 102, by alow voltage conductor 149 which passes through ahole 150 in theoutside wall 102. - In
FIG. 3 , there is shown a schematic wiring diagram of the auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system in combination with the conventional refrigeration system. Components of the conventional refrigeration system include thecompressor 112 and thecondenser fan 114 both of which are in series with thelow pressure control 115. Thecontroller 136 is powered by electricity throughelectrical conductor 137 and is controlled by an on/offswitch 151. A “power on” light 152 is in series with theswitch 151. Also in series with theswitch 151 is a circuit connecting adifferential thermostat 153, aninside thermostat 154 for the ambient air refrigeration system, and thecoil 157 of an ambient airrefrigeration system relay 156. The circuit made by theelectrical conductors outside air fan 124 and the circuit made by theelectrical conductors enclosure air fan 128 are both controlled by the normallyopen contacts 158 of therelay 156. Another component in series with theswitch 151, and in parallel to the outside air refrigeration system control circuit, is theinside thermostat 155 for the conventional refrigeration system. The inside temperature and dewpoint sensor unit 146 supplies the temperature information about the air temperature inside the enclosure to theinside thermostat 155 for the conventional refrigeration system as well as for thedifferential thermostat 153 and theinside thermostat 154 for the outside air refrigeration system as well as dew point information. The outside or ambient temperature and dewpoint sensor unit 148 supplies temperature information to thedifferential thermostat 153 as well as dew point information. Thecoil 160 of the conventionalrefrigeration system relay 159 and thecoil 163 of the time-delay relay 162 are in series with thethermostat 155 and switch 151, but are in parallel with each other. The circuit made byelectrical conductors line solenoid valve 109 is controlled by the normallyopen contacts 161 of therelay 159. The circuit made byelectrical conductors evaporator fans 106 is controlled by the normallyopen contacts 164 of the time-delay relay 162. The circuit made by theelectrical conductors fan 116 is controlled by the normally closedcontacts 165 of the time-delay relay 162. - The components of the conventional refrigeration system are arranged so as to extract heat from the
enclosure 101 and transfer it to themechanical room 104. The On/offswitch 151 must be in the “on” (closed) position. Theinside thermostat 155 in thecontroller 136 replaces the thermostat which would normally control the operation of the conventional refrigeration system. When the inside temperature and dewpoint sensor unit 146 senses that the temperature of the air is at or above the predetermined cut-in temperature setting for the conventional refrigeration system (typically 38 degrees F.), theinside thermostat 155 closes, energizing thecoil 160 of therelay 159 which closes the normallyopen contacts 161 making an electrical circuit through theelectrical conductor line solenoid valve 109. This allows liquid refrigerant to move through therefrigerant liquid line 108 and theexpansion valve 110 to enter the evaporator coils and evaporate. The evaporation of the refrigerant inside the evaporator coils extracts heat from the enclosure air flowing past the evaporator coils as a result of the operation of theevaporator fans 106. - The process continues until the
enclosure 101 is sufficiently cooled that the inside temperature and dewpoint sensor unit 146 senses that the air temperature has dropped to the predetermined temperature representing the cut-out temperature setting for the conventional refrigeration system (typically 36 degrees F.) This, in turn, causes theinside thermostat 155 to open, which de-energizes thecoil 160 of the conventionalrefrigeration system relay 159, which causes the normallyopen contacts 161 to open, which de-energizes the liquidline solenoid valve 109, causing it to close. As thecompressor 112 continues to operate the evaporated refrigerant is pumped out of therefrigerant suction line 111, which causes the pressure in it to drop until it reaches a predetermined pressure representing the cutout pressure setting for the compressor. This causes the low-pressure control 115 to de-energize thecompressor 112 andcondenser fan 114. - When the inside sensor 46 senses the temperature inside the
enclosure 101 has risen to the predetermined cut-in temperature setting for the conventional refrigeration system (typically 38 degrees F.), causing theinside thermostat 155 to close, thecoil 163 of the time-delay relay 162 is energized. This causes the normallyopen contacts 164 to close, thereby energizing theevaporator fans 106, and the normally closedcontacts 165 to open, thereby de-energizing the circulatingfan 116. When the enclosure temperature drops to the predetermined cut-out temperature setting of the conventional refrigeration system (typically 36 degrees F.), theinside thermostat 155 opens, thecoil 163 of the time-delay relay 162 is de-energized. After a predetermined delay, the normallyopen contacts 164 open, de-energizing theevaporator fans 106, and the normally closedcontacts 165 close, energizing the circulatingfan 116. The predetermined delay in the operation of thecontacts delay relay 162 is user-adjustable to allow for shortening the period of time theevaporator fans 106 operate and extending the period of time the circulatingfans 116 operate in order to reduce energy use, and for extending the period of time theevaporator fans 106 operate in order to allow more heat transfer to the evaporator coils. - The ambient air refrigeration cycle begins,
FIGS. 2 and 3 , when the outside sensor unit 48 senses that the temperature of the outside atmospheric air is cooler than a pre-selected number of degrees cooler than the temperature of the air inside theenclosure 101, sensed by the inside temperature and dewpoint sensor unit 146, which represents the cut-in temperature differential for the outside air refrigeration system (typically 6 degrees F.). This causes thedifferential thermostat 153 to close. When the inside temperature and dewpoint sensor unit 146 also senses that the temperature inside theenclosure 101 is at or above the cut-in temperature setting for the outside air refrigeration system (typically 36 degrees F.), this causes theinside thermostat 154 for the outside air refrigeration system to also close. Since both thethermostats switch 151 are in series, when they are all in a closed position they cause thecoil 157 of the outsiderefrigeration system relay 156 to be energized. This, in turn, causes the normallyopen contacts 158 to close, which energizes the outside air fan 124 (throughelectrical conductors 138 and 141) and the enclosure air fan 128 (throughelectrical conductors 138 and 142). - When the
outside air fan 124 is energized it draws outside atmospheric air through thefilter 126 into the outsideair fan housing 125. The air is then forced through thefirst airflow passage 123 and the inside wall-cap base 119 where the force exerted by the incoming air overcomes the force exerted by the damper closure spring 122 and opens thedamper 120 allowing the outside air to pass through theintake damper housing 118 and enter theenclosure 101. When theenclosure air fan 128 is energized, it draws air from theenclosure 101, through the finger guard 129 and forces the air into thesecond airflow passage 130 and through theexhaust damper housing 132 where the force exerted by the air overcomes the force exerted by thedamper closure spring 135 and opens thedamper 133 allowing the enclosure air to flow through theoutside wallcap 131 into the outside atmosphere. - The simultaneous operation of the two
fans point sensor unit 146 senses that the air temperature within the enclosure has reached the predetermined cut-out temperature setting for the outside air refrigeration system (typically 34 degrees F.), theinside thermostat 154 opens, which de-energizes thecoil 157 of therelay 156, which opens the normallyopen contacts 158, which, in turn, de-energizes thefans enclosure 101. The operation of the twofans point sensor unit 148 senses that the outside temperature has risen (or the inside temperature has dropped) so as to make the outside temperature warmer than a predetermined number of degrees cooler than the inside temperature, as sensed by the inside temperature and dewpoint sensor unit 146, which represents the cut-out temperature differential setting for the outside air refrigeration system (typically 4 degrees F.), which causes thedifferential thermostat 153 to open, de-energizing thecoil 157 of therelay 156, causing thecontacts 158 to open and thereby de-energizing thefans - The cut-out temperature differential setting for the outside air refrigeration system is selected so as to cause the operation of the
fans - The cut-in temperature differential is selected so as to maximize the operation of the outside air refrigeration system without causing unacceptable short-cycling of the
fans fans - Because when the outside air refrigeration system operates it is more efficient than the conventional refrigeration system, to minimize energy use it is necessary to operate the conventional system only when the outside air system cannot maintain a cool enough temperature inside the enclosure. This is accomplished by having the
inside thermostat 155 for the conventional refrigeration system have a higher operating temperature range than theinside thermostat 154 for the outside air refrigeration system. Typically, forinside thermostat 155 for the conventional system, the cut-in temperature setting is 38 degrees F. and the cut-out setting is 36 degrees F., and for theinside thermostat 154 for the outside air system, the cut-in temperature setting is 36 degrees F. and the cut-out setting is 34 degrees F. As long as the outside air system can keep the temperature inside the enclosure from rising to 38 degrees F. the conventional system will not operate. - In
FIG. 2 and temperature and dewpoint sensor units controller 136 to see that the auxiliary ambient air refrigeration unit operates only when the temperature inside the enclosure is above a first predetermined temperature, the ambient temperature is less than the enclosure temperature by a predetermined differential temperature and the dew point of the ambient air is matched to the dew point range of the air in the enclosure. For more details see U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,834 incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. -
Controller 136 operates to control humidity in the enclosure when supplying ambient (outside) air as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 . This humidity control is in addition to and simultaneous with the temperature control just described. The ambient air fans will operate only when both the humidity control and the temperature control allow it.FIG. 4 is the logic diagram for providing ambient air whose humidity is matched to that of the range of the humidity in the enclosure when there is a minimum humidity control.FIG. 5 does the same when there is a maximum humidity control. InFIGS. 4 and 5 the following acronyms are used: RH=Relative Humidity, IH−Inside (relative) Humidity, IHMIN=Inside Humidity Minimum setting (default: 0%), IHMAX=Inside Humidity Maximum setting (default: 100%), IDP=Inside Dew Point temperature, and ODP=Outside Dew Point temperature. InFIG. 4 the cycle begins with the outside air fans off, 200. The inside humidity or dew point is read, 202, and a determination is made as to whether it is moist enough inside (IH>IHMIN+1% RH), 204. If it is, the outside fans are allowed to turn on, 206; if it is not the inside and outside humidity or dew points are read and the IDP and ODP are calculated, 208. Then it is determined whether it is moist enough outside (ODP>IDP+1° F.), 210. If it is not, then the outside fans are left off, 212, and the cycle returns to read the inside humidity or dew point at 202; if it is moist enough outside, incondition 210, then the outside air fans are allowed to turn on, 214. With the fans on the inside humidity or dew point is determined, 216; if it is moist enough inside (IH>IHMIN), 218, the outside fans are left on, 220. If it is not moist enough inside the IDP and ODP are calculated, 222, and then inquiry is made again as to whether is it moist enough outside (ODP>IDP), 224. If it is not, the outside air fans are turned off, 226; if it is, the outside fans are left on, 228. - The maximum humidity control with outside air cycle begins in
FIG. 5 with the outside air fans off, 240. The inside humidity or dew point sensor is read, 242; if it is dry enough inside (IH<IHMAX−1% RH), 244, the outside air fans are allowed to turn on, 246. If it is not, the inside and outside humidity or dew points are read and the IDP and ODP are calculated, 248. If it is dry enough outside (ODP<IDP−1° F.), 250, the outside air fans are allowed to turn on, 252; if it is not, the outside air fans are left off, 254. When the outside air fans are on the inside humidity or dew point is read, 256; if it is dry enough inside (IH<IHMAX), 258, the outside air fans are left on, 260. If it is not, the IDP and ODP are calculated again, 262, then the inquiry is made again, if is it dry enough outside (ODP<IDP), 264. If it is not, the outside air fans are turned off, 266; if it is dry enough outside the outside air fans are left on, 268. - An alternative approach for humidity control combining both maximum and minimum humidity logic is shown in
FIG. 6 . Initially the dry-bulb temperature logic calls for outside air, 300. Inquiry is then made as to whether the outside air fans are on, 302. If the response is yes the next decision point is: is inside humidity<minimum humidity set point, 304. If the response is yes, inquiry is made as to whether the outside dew point is <inside dew point, 306. If the response here is no or the response instep 304 is no then inquiry is made as to whether the inside humidity is >maximum humidity set point, 308. If the response is yes, inquiry is made as to whether the outside dew point>the inside dew point, 310. If the response is no or if the response was no to step 308 the outside fans are turned on 312. If instep 302 it is noted that the outside fans are not on, then inquiry is made as to whether the inside humidity is <(minimum humidity set point+ΔH), where ΔH is thehysteresis effect step 314. If the response is yes, inquiry is made as to whether the outside dew point is <the inside dew point+ΔDP where ΔDP is again a factor of hysteresis, 316. If the response here is no, or the response to step 314 was no inquiry is made as to whether the inside humidity is >(maximum humidity set point−ΔH), 318. If the answer is yes, inquiry is made as to whether the outside dew point>(inside dew point−ΔDP), 320. If the response is no, or the response to step 318 was no, the outside air fans are turned on, 322. If the response in either step 306 or 316 is yes or theresponse step - Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention. The words “including”, “comprising”, “having”, and “with” as used herein are to be interpreted broadly and comprehensively and are not limited to any physical interconnection. Moreover, any embodiments disclosed in the subject application are not to be taken as the only possible embodiments.
- In addition, any amendment presented during the prosecution of the patent application for this patent is not a disclaimer of any claim element presented in the application as filed: those skilled in the art cannot reasonably be expected to draft a claim that would literally encompass all possible equivalents, many equivalents will be unforeseeable at the time of the amendment and are beyond a fair interpretation of what is to be surrendered (if anything), the rationale underlying the amendment may bear no more than a tangential relation to many equivalents, and/or there are many other reasons the applicant can not be expected to describe certain insubstantial substitutes for any claim element amended.
- Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and are within the following claims.
- What is claimed is:
Claims (8)
Priority Applications (2)
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US13/199,744 US20130055744A1 (en) | 2011-09-07 | 2011-09-07 | Auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system for cooling and controlling humidity in an enclosure |
US14/548,423 US20150068235A1 (en) | 2011-09-07 | 2014-11-20 | Auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system for cooling and controlling humidity in an enclosure |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US13/199,744 US20130055744A1 (en) | 2011-09-07 | 2011-09-07 | Auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system for cooling and controlling humidity in an enclosure |
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US14/548,423 Continuation US20150068235A1 (en) | 2011-09-07 | 2014-11-20 | Auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system for cooling and controlling humidity in an enclosure |
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US20130055744A1 true US20130055744A1 (en) | 2013-03-07 |
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US13/199,744 Abandoned US20130055744A1 (en) | 2011-09-07 | 2011-09-07 | Auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system for cooling and controlling humidity in an enclosure |
US14/548,423 Abandoned US20150068235A1 (en) | 2011-09-07 | 2014-11-20 | Auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system for cooling and controlling humidity in an enclosure |
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US14/548,423 Abandoned US20150068235A1 (en) | 2011-09-07 | 2014-11-20 | Auxiliary ambient air refrigeration system for cooling and controlling humidity in an enclosure |
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US20150128628A1 (en) * | 2012-07-24 | 2015-05-14 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | Air-conditioning apparatus |
US20160033189A1 (en) * | 2014-07-30 | 2016-02-04 | General Electric Company | System and method for establishing a relative humidity with a chilled chamber of a refrigerator appliance |
US20160098026A1 (en) * | 2014-10-02 | 2016-04-07 | Mohamed Farouk SALEM | Temperature control system and methods of performing the same |
US20160195287A1 (en) * | 2013-09-03 | 2016-07-07 | Henny Penny Corporation | Holding Cabinets With Closed-Loop Environmental Control Systems, Methods For Controlling Environmental Conditions In Holding Cabinets, And Computer-Readable Media Storing Instructions For Implementing Such Methods |
US9541299B2 (en) | 2012-12-14 | 2017-01-10 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Setting-independent climate regulator control |
US20170198934A1 (en) * | 2016-01-08 | 2017-07-13 | General Electric Company | Air Conditioner Units with Improved Make-Up Air System |
US20170350611A1 (en) * | 2014-12-24 | 2017-12-07 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | Arrangement and method for air management of a room |
US9989300B1 (en) | 2013-10-28 | 2018-06-05 | Supercooler Technologies, Inc. | Modular refrigeration device |
US10302354B2 (en) | 2013-10-28 | 2019-05-28 | Supercooler Technologies, Inc. | Precision supercooling refrigeration device |
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