System and method to control sensible and latent heat in a storage unit

• US 7,874,499 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2006
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Store-N-Stuff, LLC
• Original Assignee: Store-N-Stuff, LLC
• Inventors: Lochtefeld, Joseph R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jules; Frantz F
• Assistant Examiner(s): RUBY, TRAVIS C
• Application Number:
  US11/603,452
• Publication Number:
  US 20080116289A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,525 Days
• Field of Search: 236/44.C, 623/246, 623/241, 621/60, 621/75, 621761-1766, 621/80, 621/85, 622/03, 624/98
• US Class Current: 236/44.00C
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/84 using valves
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/00 Control inputs relating to air properties
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/12 of the outside air
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/20 Humidity
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/22 of the outside air
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 3/06 characterised by the arrangements for the supply of heat-exchange fluid for the subsequent treatment of primary air in the room units
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 13/00 Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle defrosting cycles F25B47/02

Abstract

A climate control system for a storage unit. The system includes a reverse cycle chiller; a fluid supply line in fluid communication with an outlet of the fluid side heat exchanger; a fluid return line in fluid communication with an inlet of the fluid side heat exchanger and the fluid supply line; at least one hydronic coil in optional fluid communication with the fluid supply line and the fluid return line, the at least one hydronic coil located in a room to be controlled; a controller in communication with the reverse cycle chiller and the at least one hydronic coil; an ambient temperature sensor in communication with the controller; an ambient humidity sensor in communication with the controller; a room temperature sensor in communication with the controller, the room temperature sensor positioned in the room; and a room humidity sensor in communication with the controller, the room humidity sensor positioned in the room. A method of controlling the climate in a storage unit is also described.

Claims

1. A climate control system for a storage unit comprising:

a reverse cycle chiller comprising;

a variable capacity compressor;

a reversing valve in fluid communication with the variable capacity compressor;

an air side heat exchanger in fluid communication with the reversing valve; and

a fluid side heat exchanger in fluid communication with the reversing valve and the air side heat exchanger;

a fluid supply line in fluid communication with an outlet of the fluid side heat exchanger;

a fluid return line in fluid communication with an inlet of the fluid side heat exchanger;

a bypass valve in fluid communication with the fluid supply line and the fluid return line, the reverse cycle chiller, the fluid supply line, the fluid return line, and the bypass valve forming a first fluid flow path;

at least one hydronic coil in optional fluid communication with the fluid supply line and the fluid return line, the at least one hydronic coil located in a room to be controlled, a removable connection between the at least one hydronic coil and the fluid supply line connectable to allow fluid communication and disconnectable to prevent fluid communication, and a removable connection between the at least one hydronic coil and the fluid return line connectable to allow fluid communication and disconnectable to prevent fluid communication so that the climate in the room can be controlled when required and not controlled when not required;

a controller in communication with the reverse cycle chiller;

an ambient temperature sensor in communication with the controller;

an ambient humidity sensor in communication with the controller, the controller responsive to the ambient temperature sensor and the ambient humidity sensor, wherein the controller controls a temperature of a fluid in the fluid supply line;

a room temperature sensor positioned in the room;

a room humidity sensor positioned in the room; and

a valve positioned in the connection between the at least one hydronic coil and the fluid supply line, the valve responsive to the room temperature sensor and the room humidity sensor, wherein the valve opens and closes to control fluid flow to the at least one hydronic coil, wherein the reverse cycle chiller, the fluid supply line, the fluid return line, the bypass valve, and the at least one hydronic coil forming a second fluid flow path;

wherein fluid flows through the first fluid flow path when no hydronic coil is connected, and

wherein fluid flows through the first and second fluid flow paths when the at least one hydronic coil is connected.

2. The climate control system of claim 1 wherein the variable capacity compressor is selected from a time proportioned scroll compressor;

a tandem compressor with two or more single speed compressors having a single suction and discharge manifold;

a tandem compressor with a single-speed compressor and a variable-capacity compressor;

a variable speed scroll type compressor;

a variable speed piston type compressor;

an infinitely adjustable capacity screw type compressor with a sliding valve;

or combinations thereof.

3. The climate control system of claim 1 wherein the controller is a programmable logic controller.

4. The climate control system of claim 1 wherein the at least one hydronic coil is selected from radiant hydronic coils and hydronic fan coils.

5. The climate control system of claim 1 wherein at least one room temperature sensor is a thermostat.

6. The climate control system of claim 1 wherein at least one room humidity sensor is a humidistat.

7. The climate control system of claim 1 wherein the connection between the at least one hydronic coil and the fluid supply line or between the at least one hydronic coil and the fluid return line comprises a quick connect coupling.

8. The climate control system of claim 7 wherein the connection between the at least one hydronic coil and the fluid supply line further comprises a flood safe shutoff valve between the quick connect coupling and the valve.

9. The climate control system of claim 7 wherein the connection between the at least one hydronic coil and the fluid return line further comprises a check valve between the at least one hydronic coil and the quick connect coupling.

10. The climate control system of claim 7 wherein the connection between the at least one hydronic coil and the fluid supply line further comprises a flood safe shutoff valve between the quick connect coupling and the valve and wherein the connection between the at least one hydronic coil and the fluid return line further comprises a check valve between the at least one hydronic coil and the quick connect coupling.

11. The climate control system of claim 1 further comprising a controller display in communication with the controller.

12. The climate control system of claim 1 further comprising a heater in communication with the fluid supply line and the controller.

13. A method of controlling the climate in a storage unit comprising:

providing a climate control system comprising;

a reverse cycle chiller comprising;

a variable capacity compressor;

a reversing valve in fluid communication with the variable capacity compressor;

an air side heat exchanger in fluid communication with the reversing valve; and

a fluid side heat exchanger in fluid communication with the reversing valve and the air side heat exchanger;

a fluid supply line in fluid communication with an outlet of the fluid side heat exchanger;

a fluid return line in fluid communication with an inlet of the fluid side heat exchanger;

a bypass valve in fluid communication with the fluid supply line and the fluid return line, the reverse cycle chiller, the fluid supply line, the fluid return line, and the bypass valve forming a first fluid flow path;

at least one hydronic coil in optional fluid communication with the fluid supply line and the fluid return line, the at least one hydronic coil located in a room to be controlled, a removable connection between the at least one hydronic coil and the fluid supply line connectable to allow fluid communication and disconnectable to prevent fluid communication, and a removable connection between the at least one hydronic coil and the fluid return line connectable to allow fluid communication and disconnectable to prevent fluid communication;

a controller in communication with the reverse cycle chiller;

an ambient temperature sensor in communication with the controller;

an ambient humidity sensor in communication with the controller, the controller responsive to the ambient temperature sensor and the ambient humidity sensor;

a room temperature sensor positioned in the room;

a room humidity sensor positioned in the room; and

a valve positioned in the connection between the at least one hydronic coil and the fluid supply line, the valve responsive to the room temperature sensor and the room humidity sensor, the reverse cycle chiller, the fluid supply line, the fluid return line, the bypass valve, and the at least one hydronic coil forming a second fluid flow path;

measuring an ambient temperature and an ambient humidity;

determining a reverse cycle chiller mode from a psychrometric chart having at least two zones and a fluid outlet temperature for the fluid side heat exchanger from the measured ambient temperature and ambient humidity;

controlling the reverse cycle chiller to provide the mode and the fluid outlet temperature for the fluid side heat exchanger;

circulating a fluid having the fluid outlet temperature through the first fluid flow path;

adjusting a capacity of the variable speed compressor to control an amount of fluid in the fluid flow path based on a system load;

connecting the at least one hydronic coil to the fluid supply line and the fluid return line with the connections when climate control of the room is required;

selecting a desired temperature range and a desired humidity range for the room;

measuring a room temperature with the room temperature sensor and a room humidity with the room humidity sensor;

determining a temperature change for the room and a humidity change for the room from the measured room temperature and room humidity and the desired temperature range and humidity range;

opening the valve and circulating fluid to the at least one hydronic coil in response to the determined temperature change and humidity change and closing the valve when the temperature change and humidity change have been achieved;

disconnecting the at least one hydronic coil to the fluid supply line and the fluid return line with the connections when climate control of the room is not required;

adjusting the amount of fluid through the bypass valve when the at least one hydronic coil is connected or disconnected based on the system load.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the connection of the at least one hydronic coil to the fluid supply line or to the fluid return line is a quick connect coupling.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the controller is a programmable logic controller.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the reverse cycle chiller further comprises a controller display, and further comprising displaying data on the controller display.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the reverse cycle chiller further comprises a heater in communication with the fluid supply line and the controller, and further comprising controlling the heater to provide the fluid outlet temperature for the fluid side heat exchanger.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising connecting at least one hydronic coil to the fluid supply line and the fluid return line while the reverse cycle chiller is in operation.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising disconnecting at least one hydronic coil while the reverse cycle chiller is in operation.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein the connection between the at least one hydronic coil and the fluid supply line further comprises a flood safe shutoff valve between the quick connect coupling and the valve and wherein the connection between the at least one hydronic coil and the fluid return line further comprises a check valve between the at least one hydronic coil and the quick connect coupling.