Method and apparatus for cooling
First Claim
1. A method of improving efficiency of a cooling unit associated with a data center at a partial cooling load, comprising:
- detecting a degree of opening of an electronic expansion hot gas bypass valve configured to divert a portion of coolant from a compressor to a heat exchanger of the cooling unit based on the partial cooling load of the data center, the electronic expansion hot gas bypass valve being a step valve having a plurality of steps each correlating to a degree of opening; and
adjusting a discharge pressure set point based on the detected degree of opening of the electronic expansion hot gas bypass valve to prevent cycling of the compressor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods of controlling a cooling unit and embodiments of a cooling unit are disclosed. A method of improving efficiency of the cooling unit includes detecting a degree of opening of a hot gas bypass valve configured to divert a portion of coolant from a compressor to a heat exchanger of the cooling unit, and adjusting a condenser discharge pressure based on the detected degree of opening. Aspects may increase cooling efficiency at partial cooling requirements. Fluctuations in refrigerant pressure at low cooling capacities and condenser medium inlet temperature may be avoided. Minimum condenser water inlet temperature for a water-cooled cooling unit may also be reduced.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of improving efficiency of a cooling unit associated with a data center at a partial cooling load, comprising:
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detecting a degree of opening of an electronic expansion hot gas bypass valve configured to divert a portion of coolant from a compressor to a heat exchanger of the cooling unit based on the partial cooling load of the data center, the electronic expansion hot gas bypass valve being a step valve having a plurality of steps each correlating to a degree of opening; and adjusting a discharge pressure set point based on the detected degree of opening of the electronic expansion hot gas bypass valve to prevent cycling of the compressor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A data center cooling unit, comprising:
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a compressor to provide coolant under pressure; a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor; an evaporator in fluid communication with the condenser and the compressor; an electronic expansion hot gas bypass valve in fluid communication with the compressor and the evaporator and configured to divert a portion of coolant from the compressor to the evaporator in response to a decrease in a data center cooling demand, the electronic expansion hot gas bypass valve being a step valve having a plurality of steps each correlating to a degree of opening; and a controller configured to detect the degree of opening of the electronic expansion hot gas bypass valve and to adjust a discharge pressure set point in response to the detected degree of opening to prevent cycling of the compressor. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification