Distributed microsystems-based control method and apparatus for commercial refrigeration

• US 20080072611A1
• Filed: 04/10/2007
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Ahmed, Osman, Rozsnaki, Joseph James, Porter, Michael Ramey
• Granted Patent: US 9,261,299 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/175
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2400/15 Microelectro-mechanical devices
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2400/22 Refrigeration systems for supermarkets
• 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 5/02 arranged in parallel

Abstract

An arrangement for use in a refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, at least one evaporator unit, and at least one expansion valve. The arrangement includes first and second microsystems and first and second controllers. The first microsystem includes a first MEMs sensor configured to measure at least a first operational parameter of a first of the plurality of refrigeration devices. The first controller is operable to generate a first actuator control signal based on a first control signal, and is configured to generate the first control signal based directly or indirectly on the first operational parameter measurement. The second microsystem includes a second MEMs sensor configured to measure at least a second operational parameter of a second of the plurality of refrigeration devices. The second controller is operable to generate a second actuator control signal based on a second control signal, and is configured to generate the second control signal based directly or indirectly on the second operational parameter measurement.

Claims

1. An arrangement for use in a refrigeration system, the refrigeration system comprising a plurality of refrigeration devices including a compressor, a condenser, at least one evaporator unit, and at least one expansion valve, the arrangement comprising:

a first microsystem including a first MEMs sensor configured to measure at least a first operational parameter of a first of the plurality of refrigeration devices;

a first controller configured to generate a first actuator control signal based at least in part directly or indirectly on the first operational parameter measurement;

a second microsystem including a second MEMs sensor configured to measure at least a second operational parameter of a second of the plurality of refrigeration devices; and

a second controller configured to generate a second actuator control signal based at least in part directly or indirectly on the second operational parameter measurement.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first actuator control signal directly affects the operation of the first refrigeration device and the second actuator control signal directly affects the operation of the second refrigeration device.

3. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first refrigeration device is a first evaporator unit, and the second refrigeration device is a second evaporator unit.

4. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first microsystem includes the first controller, and wherein the first microsystem is operable to transmit the first actuator control signal wirelessly to another device.

5. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first microsystem includes a wireless transmission device configured to transmit information representative of the first operational parameter measurement to the first controller.

6. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first refrigeration device comprises a first evaporator and wherein the arrangement further includes a liquid line solenoid valve operably connected to provide refrigerant to the first evaporator, and wherein the liquid line solenoid valve includes a first actuator configured to alter an operation of the liquid line solenoid valve based on the first actuator control signal.

7. The arrangement of claim 6, wherein the second refrigeration device comprises a second evaporator and wherein the arrangement further includes a second liquid line solenoid valve operably connected to provide refrigerant to the second evaporator, and wherein the second liquid line solenoid valve includes a second actuator configured to alter an operation of the second liquid line solenoid valve based on the second actuator control signal.

9. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a third controller configured to generate a third actuator control signal based at least in part directly or indirectly on the first operational parameter measurement and the second operational parameter measurement.

10. The arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the third actuator control signal directly affects the operation of a third refrigeration device.

11. An arrangement, comprising:

a first microsystem including a first MEMs temperature sensor configured to measure a first evaporator temperature;

a first valve controller operably coupled to receive first information from the first microsystem, and configured to control a first valve based on the first information, the first valve operably connected to provide refrigerant to the first evaporator;

a second microsystem including a second MEMs temperature sensor configured to measure a second evaporator temperature;

a second valve controller operably coupled to receive second information from the second microsystem, and configured to control a second valve based on the second information, the second valve operably connected to provide refrigerant to the second evaporator;

a first evaporator pressure regulation device coupled to refrigerant outputs of the first and second evaporators.

12. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein the first information includes the first evaporator temperature measurement and wherein the first valve controller is operable to generate a first control signal based on the first information and a first set point.

13. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein the first information comprises a valve control value, and wherein the first microsystem is operable to generate the valve control value based on the first evaporator temperature measurement and a first set point.

14. The arrangement of claim 11, further comprising a third controller operably connected to control the first evaporator pressure regulation device.

15. The arrangement of claim 14, wherein the third controller is configured to generate a control signal based on at least in part on the first evaporator temperature and the second evaporator temperature.

16. The arrangement of claim 15, wherein the first microsystem includes a wireless transmitter configured to transmit the first information to the first controller and to the third controller.

17. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein the first microsystem includes a wireless transmitter configured to transmit the first information to the first controller.