US 12,345,456 B2
Refrigeration system with emergency cooling using dedicated compressor
Douglas Cole, Columbus, GA (US); and Steve Pfister, Dunwoody, GA (US)
Assigned to Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC, Stone Mountain, GA (US)
Filed by HEATCRAFT REFRIGERATION PRODUCTS LLC, Stone Mountain, GA (US)
Filed on Mar. 26, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/617,262.
Application 18/617,262 is a continuation of application No. 17/884,243, filed on Aug. 9, 2022, granted, now 11,982,480.
Prior Publication US 2024/0263856 A1, Aug. 8, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F25B 49/02 (2006.01); F25B 31/00 (2006.01); F25B 41/20 (2021.01)
CPC F25B 49/022 (2013.01) [F25B 31/00 (2013.01); F25B 41/20 (2021.01); F25B 2400/0401 (2013.01); F25B 2400/077 (2013.01); F25B 2500/07 (2013.01); F25B 2500/08 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A refrigeration system, comprising:
a high-pressure side, the high-pressure side comprising a gas cooler configured, while the refrigeration system is powered by a main power supply and is operating to provide refrigeration, to cool refrigerant on the high-pressure side;
a low-pressure side comprising one or more evaporators, wherein each of the one or more evaporators is configured, while the refrigeration system is powered by the main power supply and is operating to provide refrigeration, to cool a corresponding space;
an auxiliary compressor coupled to a backup power supply, wherein an input of the auxiliary compressor is coupled to fluid conduit of the low-pressure side and an output of the auxiliary compressor is coupled to fluid conduit of the high-pressure side; and
a controller communicatively coupled to the auxiliary compressor, wherein the controller is configured to:
determine that the main power supply is unavailable; and
after determining that the main power supply is unavailable, cause the auxiliary compressor to turn on to move refrigerant from the low-pressure side to the high-pressure side;
an expansion valve disposed between a flash tank of the low-pressure side and a first evaporator of the one or more evaporators, wherein:
the expansion valve is at least partially open while the refrigeration system is powered by the main power supply and is operating to provide refrigeration, such that refrigerant is allowed to flow from the flash tank to the first evaporator; and
the expansion valve is closed when the main power supply is unavailable, such that refrigerant flow from the flash tank to the first evaporator is prevented.
 
9. A controller of a refrigeration system, comprising:
an input/output interface communicatively coupled to an auxiliary compressor coupled to a backup power supply, wherein an input of the auxiliary compressor is coupled to fluid conduit of a low-pressure side of the refrigeration system and an output of the auxiliary compressor is coupled to fluid conduit of a high-pressure side of the refrigeration system; and
a processor communicatively coupled to the input/output interface, wherein the processor is configured to:
determine that a main power supply is unavailable for operating the refrigeration system in a normal refrigeration mode; and
after determining that the main power supply is unavailable, cause the auxiliary compressor to turn on to move refrigerant from the low-pressure side to the high-pressure side;
wherein:
the input/output interface is further communicatively coupled to an expansion valve disposed between a flash tank of the low-pressure side and a first evaporator of the refrigeration system; and
the processor is further configured to cause:
the expansion valve to be at least partially open while the refrigeration system is powered by the main power supply and is operating to provide refrigeration, such that refrigerant is allowed to flow from the flash tank to the first evaporator; and
the expansion valve to be closed when the main power supply is unavailable, such that refrigerant flow from the flash tank to the first evaporator is prevented.