IP Library Granted Patent US 10,345,038
Granted Patent B2
US 10,345,038 · App. 15/961,323 · Granted Jul 9, 2019

Dynamic coefficient of performance calculation for refrigeration systems

Inventors: Michael A. Saunders (Sidney, OH); Rajan Rajendran (Centerville, OH); John Wallace (Acworth, GA)
Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions, Inc.
F25D29/006F25B1/10F25B5/02F25B49/005F25B49/02G01L3/26G01M99/008F25B2400/075F25B2400/13F25B2400/22F25B2400/23F25B2500/19F25B2600/0251F25B2600/111F25B2700/1931F25B2700/1933F25B2700/2106F25B2700/2117F25B2700/21163F25D2700/00
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,345,038
App. No.
15/961,323
Granted
Jul 9, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for performing dynamic coefficient of performance calculations for refrigeration systems are provided. A controller calculates a weighted Carnot efficiency of a refrigeration case based on outdoor temperature data, refrigeration case temperature data, a case load of a refrigeration case, and a case defrost status of the refrigeration case. The controller calculates a weighted coefficient of performance based on based on a refrigerant type, the case load of the refrigeration case, the case defrost status of the refrigeration case, and at least one of the of the refrigeration case temperature data and pressure data. The controller calculates a system performance index (SPI) for the refrigeration case based on the weighted Carnot efficiency of the refrigeration case and weighted actual Carnot efficiency. The controller generates, in response to the SPI being below a threshold, an output indicating that the refrigeration case is operating below a threshold efficiency.

Claims (43)

1. A refrigeration system comprising:

a refrigeration case that includes an evaporator;

a compressor rack associated with the refrigeration case; and

a controller that is configured to, using a processor, execute instructions that are stored in a non-transitory memory, wherein the instructions include:

receiving outdoor temperature data and refrigeration case temperature data from a plurality of temperature sensors;

receiving pressure data of the compressor rack from a pressure sensor;

calculating a weighted Carnot efficiency of the refrigeration case based on (i) the outdoor temperature data, (ii) the refrigeration case temperature data, (iii) a case load of the refrigeration case, and (iv) a case defrost status of the refrigeration case;

calculating a weighted coefficient of performance based on based on (i) a refrigerant type, (ii) the case load of the refrigeration case, (iii) the case defrost status of the refrigeration case, and at least one of the of (iv) the refrigeration case temperature data and (v) the pressure data;

calculating a system performance index (SPI) for the refrigeration case based on the weighted Carnot efficiency of the refrigeration case and weighted actual Carnot efficiency; and

generating, in response to the SPI being below a threshold, an output indicating that the refrigeration case is operating below a threshold efficiency.

2. The refrigeration system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions include calculating at least one enthalpy for the refrigeration case based on a refrigerant type and at least one of the of the refrigeration case temperature data and the pressure data.

3. The refrigeration system of claim 2 , wherein the at least one enthalpy includes a suction gas enthalpy, a liquid refrigerant enthalpy, and a discharge gas enthalpy.

4. The refrigeration system of claim 3 , wherein the suction gas enthalpy is based on the refrigerant type, a suction pressure of the refrigeration case, and a suction gas temperature of the compressor rack.

5. The refrigeration system of claim 3 , wherein the liquid refrigerant enthalpy is based on the refrigerant type and a liquid temperature of refrigerant exiting a condenser of the refrigeration system.

6. The refrigeration system of claim 3 , wherein the discharge gas enthalpy is based on the refrigerant type, a discharge pressure, and a discharge temperature.

7. The refrigeration system of claim 2 , wherein the instructions include calculating an actual Carnot efficiency based on the temperature data.

8. The refrigeration system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions include calculating a Carnot efficiency based on the outdoor temperature data and the refrigeration case temperature data.

9. The refrigeration system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions include calculating an adjusted case load of the evaporator based on the case defrost status of the evaporator and the case load of the evaporator.

10. The refrigeration system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions include calculating the weighted Carnot efficiency of the refrigeration case based on a Carnot efficiency of the refrigeration case and an adjusted case load of the evaporator.

11. The refrigeration system of claim 1 , wherein instructions include calculating the weighted coefficient of performance based on an actual Carnot efficiency and an adjusted case load of the evaporator.

12. The refrigeration system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions include:

generating a regression model based on a plurality of SPIs; and

generating, in response to the regression model being below an error threshold at a first instance of time, an output indicating that the refrigeration case is operating below a threshold efficiency.

13. A method for calculating an efficiency of a refrigeration case of a refrigeration system, wherein the refrigeration case includes an evaporator, and the refrigeration system includes a compressor rack associated with the refrigeration case, the method comprising:

receiving, using a processor, outdoor temperature data and refrigeration case temperature data from a plurality of temperature sensors;

receiving, using the processor, pressure data of the compressor rack from a pressure sensor;

calculating, using the processor and based on instructions stored in a non-transitory memory, a weighted Carnot efficiency of the refrigeration case based on (i) the outdoor temperature data, (ii) the refrigeration case temperature data, (iii) a case load of the refrigeration case, and (iv) a case defrost status of the refrigeration case;

calculating, using the processor and based on instructions stored in the non-transitory memory, a weighted coefficient of performance based on based on (i) a refrigerant type, (ii) the case load of the refrigeration case, (iii) the case defrost status of the refrigeration case, and at least one of the of (iv) the refrigeration case temperature data and (v) the pressure data;

calculating using the processor and based on instructions stored in the non-transitory memory, a system performance index (SPI) for the refrigeration case based on the weighted Carnot efficiency of the refrigeration case and weighted actual Carnot efficiency; and

generating, using the processor and in response to the SPI being below a threshold, an indication that the refrigeration case is operating below a threshold efficiency.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising calculating at least one enthalpy for the refrigeration case based on a refrigerant type and at least one of the of the refrigeration case temperature data and the pressure data.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein calculating the at least one enthalpy includes calculating a suction gas enthalpy, a liquid refrigerant enthalpy, and a discharge gas enthalpy.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the suction gas enthalpy is based on the refrigerant type, a suction pressure of the refrigeration case, and a suction gas temperature of the compressor rack.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the liquid refrigerant enthalpy is based on the refrigerant type and a liquid temperature of refrigerant exiting a condenser.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the discharge gas enthalpy is based on the refrigerant type, a discharge pressure, and a discharge temperature.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising calculating an actual Carnot efficiency based on the temperature data.

20. The method of claim 13 further comprising calculating a Carnot efficiency based on the outdoor temperature data and the refrigeration case temperature data.

21. The method of claim 13 further comprising calculating an adjusted case load of the evaporator based on the case defrost status of the evaporator and the case load of the evaporator.

22. The method of claim 13 further comprising calculating the weighted Carnot efficiency of the refrigeration case based on a Carnot efficiency of the refrigeration case and an adjusted case load of the evaporator.

23. The method of claim 13 further comprising calculating the weighted coefficient of performance based on an actual Carnot efficiency and an adjusted case load of the evaporator.

24. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

generating a regression model based on a plurality of SPIs; and

generating, in response to the regression model being below an error threshold at a first instance of time, an output indicating that the refrigeration case is operating below a threshold efficiency.

Assignments (10)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 9, 2024
From: COPELAND COLD CHAIN LP
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 068256/0350 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2023
From: COPELAND COLD CHAIN LP
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064280/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2023
From: COPELAND COLD CHAIN LP
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064280/0446 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2023
From: COPELAND COLD CHAIN LP
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064286/0098 →
ENTITY CONVERSION Recorded Jun 22, 2023
From: EMERSON DIGITAL COLD CHAIN, INC.
To: COPELAND COLD CHAIN LP
Reel/Frame 064065/0247 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 21, 2021
From: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES RETAIL SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: EMERSON DIGITAL COLD CHAIN, INC.
Reel/Frame 057552/0683 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 26, 2018
From: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES RETAIL SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 045643/0907 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2018
From: SAUNDERS, MICHAEL A.; RAJENDRAN, RAJAN
To: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 045625/0179 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2018
From: WALLACE, JOHN
To: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES RETAIL SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 045625/0368 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2018
From: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES RETAIL SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 045625/0526 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62489856 · Apr 25, 2017
Related Publication 20180306491A1 · Oct 25, 2018
Cited By (1)
US 12,523,404