REFRIGERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME

• US 20070186569A1
• Filed: 04/25/2007
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hussmann Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hussmann Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Sunderland, Ted, Street, Norman
• Granted Patent: US 7,617,691 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/132
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2400/075 with parallel compressors
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2400/22 Refrigeration systems for supermarkets
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 25/005 using primary and secondary systems
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2500/06 Damage
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/07 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/111 of condenser fans
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/03 Oil level
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/1931 Discharge pressures
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/1933 Suction pressures
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/21151 at the suction side of the compressor
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/21152 at the discharge side of the compressor
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/21157 at the coil or rotor
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 41/22 between evaporator and compressor
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/02 for compression type machines, plants or systems
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/022 Compressor control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 5/02 arranged in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 6/04 arranged in series
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0235 based on a comparison with predetermined threshold or range, e.g. "classical methods", carried out during normal operation; threshold adaptation or choice; when or how to compare with the threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0286 Modifications to the monitored process, e.g. stopping operation or adapting control
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1932 : to control the temperature of a plurality of spaces
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/24 : the sensing element having a resistance varying with temperature, e.g. a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 : Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Abstract

A refrigeration system including a compressor, condenser, valve, and refrigeration branch, all of which is in fluid communication. The refrigeration branch includes an evaporator coil. The refrigeration system further includes a case adapted to be cooled by the evaporator coil, and a system controller operable to control one or more aspects of the refrigeration system, and a subsystem controller in communication with the system controller. The subsystem controller is operable to control a subsystem having one of the compressor, condenser, valve, refrigeration branch, and case. The method of operating the refrigeration system includes at the subsystem controller, monitoring a parameter of the subsystem, comparing the monitored parameter with a parameter limit, generating an alarm when the parameter is not within the parameter limit, and communicating the alarm to the system controller.

Claims

1. A method of operating a refrigeration system comprising

a compressor, a condenser, and a refrigeration branch including an evaporator coil, all of which being in fluid communication,

a system controller operable to control one or more aspects of the refrigeration system, and

a first compressor control module in communication with the system controller, the first compressor control module being operable to control the compressor, the method comprising the acts of:

configuring the refrigeration system;

replacing the first compressor control module with a second compressor control module;

reconfiguring the refrigeration system, including

communicating first configuration information from the second compressor control module to the system controller, and

communicating second configuration information from the system controller to the second compressor control module; and

wherein at least one of the first communication information and the second communication information comprises at least one of operating-parameter information and safety-parameter information.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the reconfiguring act occurs automatically after replacing the first compressor control module with a second compressor control module.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the replacing the first compressor control module and the communicating first communication information occur at an installed location of the refrigeration system.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising identifying the replacement of the first compressor control module.

5. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein the system controller identifies the replacement of the first compressor control module.

6. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the reconfiguring act occurs automatically after the system controller identifies the replacement of the first compressor control module.

7. A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the first compressor control module fails between the configuring and replacing acts.

8. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the reconfiguring the refrigeration system further includes updating the system controller with the first configuration information.

9. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the reconfiguring the refrigeration system further includes updating the second compressor control module with the second configuration information.

10. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the configuring the refrigeration system comprises configuring the first compressor control module, including communicating third configuration information from the system controller to the first compressor control module, wherein the method further comprises maintaining at least a portion of the third configuration information at the system controller, and wherein the second configuration information includes at least a portion of the maintained configuration information.

11. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the configuring the refrigeration system comprises configuring the first compressor control module, including communicating third configuration information from the first compressor control module to the system controller, wherein the method further comprises maintaining at least a portion of the third configuration information at the system controller, and wherein the second configuration information includes at least a portion of the maintained configuration information.