Multi-Circuit Refrigerant System Using Distinct Refrigerants

Abstract

A multi-circuit refrigerant system includes a plurality of circuits that are provided with distinct refrigerants. A control selectively matches a sensed environmental space conditioning challenge to selectively engage the plurality of circuits.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This application relates to multi-circuit refrigerant systems, wherein distinct refrigerants are used in the multiple circuits to provide the ability to tailor operation to environmental conditions and load requirements.

[0002] Refrigerant systems are utilized in many applications to condition an environment. In particular, air conditioners and heat pumps are employed to cool and / or heat air entering the environment. The cooling or heating load of the environment may vary with ambient conditions, occupancy level, other changes in sensible and latent load demands, and as the temperature and / or humidity set points are adjusted by an occupant of the environment.

[0003] Multi-circuit refrigerant systems are also applied in the industry, wherein several independent circuits operate under a single control to provide various levels of sensible and latent capacity in response to the external load demands and wherein each circuit can independently function in one...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0017]FIG. 1 shows a refrigerant system that may be utilized as an air conditioning system, and which includes a plurality of circuits 50 arranged in a parallel fashion. Each circuit 50 includes a compressor 12 delivering refrigerant to a condenser 20, to an expansion device 22, and to an evaporator 24. For cooling applications, the condenser 20 in an air conditioning system is positioned outside of the environment to be conditioned while the evaporator 24 is positioned as an inside heat exchanger.

[0018]The two circuits 50 are provided with distinct refrigerants. In one embodiment, a control 100 is operable to sense ambient temperature. One circuit 50 is charged with a refrigerant that is best utilized at higher ambient temperatures, and the other circuit is provided with a refrigerant that is best utilized at lower ambient temperatures. The control 100 controls both circuits 50. Based upon a sensed ambient temperature, the control 100 selects which circuit 50 to be utilized initial...

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This application relates to multi-circuit refrigerant systems, wherein distinct refrigerants are used in the multiple circuits to provide the ability to tailor operation to environmental conditions and load requirements.

[0002] Refrigerant systems are utilized in many applications to condition an environment. In particular, air conditioners and heat pumps are employed to cool and / or heat air entering the environment. The cooling or heating load of the environment may vary with ambient conditions, occupancy level, other changes in sensible and latent load demands, and as the temperature and / or humidity set points are adjusted by an occupant of the environment.

[0003] Multi-circuit refrigerant systems are also applied in the industry, wherein several independent circuits operate under a single control to provide various levels of sensible and latent capacity in response to the external load demands and wherein each circuit can independently function in one...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0017]FIG. 1 shows a refrigerant system that may be utilized as an air conditioning system, and which includes a plurality of circuits 50 arranged in a parallel fashion. Each circuit 50 includes a compressor 12 delivering refrigerant to a condenser 20, to an expansion device 22, and to an evaporator 24. For cooling applications, the condenser 20 in an air conditioning system is positioned outside of the environment to be conditioned while the evaporator 24 is positioned as an inside heat exchanger.

[0018]The two circuits 50 are provided with distinct refrigerants. In one embodiment, a control 100 is operable to sense ambient temperature. One circuit 50 is charged with a refrigerant that is best utilized at higher ambient temperatures, and the other circuit is provided with a refrigerant that is best utilized at lower ambient temperatures. The control 100 controls both circuits 50. Based upon a sensed ambient temperature, the control 100 selects which circuit 50 to be utilized initial...

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