Refrigeration system

Abstract

A distributed refrigeration system has a temperature controlled case configured to store and display objects in a facility, a first coolant adapted to cool the objects and circulate through a first cooling system configured to operate with the case, and a second cooling system communicating with the first cooling system to receive a second coolant for removing heat from the first coolant. A method of providing a distributed refrigeration system for delivery to a facility includes providing a temperature-controlled case to store and display objects within a facility, assembling a self-contained first cooling system with the case to circulate a first coolant to cool the objects, and providing a second cooling system communicating with the first cooling system, the second cooling system having a supply connection and a return connection to circulate a second coolant to remove heat from the first coolant.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A distributed refrigeration system, comprising: 
 a temperature controlled case configured to store and display objects in a facility;    a first coolant adapted to cool the objects and circulate through a first cooling system configured to operate with the temperature controlled case; and    a second cooling system in thermal communication with the first cooling system, the second cooling system adapted to receive a second coolant for removing heat from the first coolant.    
     
     
         2 . The distributed refrigeration of  claim 1 , wherein the facility is one of a supermarket, grocery store, convenience store, cafeteria, hotel or restaurant.  
     
     
         3 . The distributed refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the first coolant is a vapor expansion refrigerant and the second coolant is one of water and a solution of water and propylene glycol.  
     
     
         4 . The distributed refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the first cooling system is a vapor expansion refrigeration system configured to operate exclusively with the temperature controlled case.  
     
     
         5 . The distributed refrigeration system of  claim 4 , wherein the first cooling system is a closed loop system coupled to the temperature controlled case in a stand-alone configuration.  
     
     
         6 . The distributed refrigeration system of  claim 5 , wherein the first cooling system is pre-assembled with the temperature controlled case for delivery to the facility.  
     
     
         7 . The distributed refrigeration system of  claim 6 , wherein the first cooling system is pre-charged and pre-tested for delivery to the facility.  
     
     
         8 . The distributed refrigeration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a central electrical unit coupled to the temperature controlled case and adapted to receive a single electrical supply connection at the facility.  
     
     
         9 . The distributed refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary cooling system further comprises a supply connection and a return connection adapted to couple the secondary cooling system to a secondary coolant supply source at the facility.  
     
     
         10 . The distributed refrigeration system of  claim 9 , wherein the supply connection and the return connection are flexible hoses.  
     
     
         11 . The distributed refrigeration system of  claim 3 , wherein the first cooling system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and a cooling interface.  
     
     
         12 . The distributed refrigeration system of  claim 11 , wherein the refrigerant has a condensing temperature in the condenser generally within the range of fifty degrees F. to sixty degrees F.  
     
     
         13 . The distributed refrigeration system of  claim 12 , wherein the second coolant has a supply temperature at the condenser generally within the range of twenty degrees F. to fifty degrees F.  
     
     
         14 . A method of providing a distributed refrigeration system for delivery to a facility, comprising: 
 providing a temperature controlled case adapted to store and display objects within a facility;    assembling a self-contained first cooling system with the temperature controlled case, the first cooling system adapted to circulate a first coolant to cool the objects; and    providing a second cooling system in thermal communication with the first cooling system, the second cooling system having a supply connection and a return connection adapted to circulate a second coolant to remove heat from the first coolant.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the facility is one of a supermarket, grocery store, convenience store, cafeteria, hotel or restaurant.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising providing a control system to regulate operation of the temperature controlled case in an operating mode and a defrost mode.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising pre-testing the first coolant system.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first coolant is a refrigerant and pre-charging the first cooling system with the refrigerant.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising providing a central electrical unit that is pre-wired to the temperature controlled case and to the first coolant system and adapted to receive an electrical supply connection at the facility.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second coolant is a propylene glycol solution provided by a second coolant supply at the facility.  
     
     
         21 . A stand-alone temperature controlled case for a supermarket, comprising: 
 an enclosure for storing and displaying objects;    a self-contained first cooling system having a first coolant, the first cooling system coupled to the enclosure and adapted for exclusive use with the enclosure; and    a second cooling system coupled in thermal communication to the first cooling system and adapted to receive a second coolant from a second coolant supply source for removing heat from the first coolant.    
     
     
         22 . The stand-alone temperature controlled case of  claim 21 , further comprising a central electrical unit coupled to the enclosure and adapted to receive a single electrical connection at the supermarket.  
     
     
         23 . The stand-alone temperature controlled case of  claim 21 , wherein the first cooling system includes a compressor and a condenser.  
     
     
         24 . The stand-alone temperature controlled case of  claim 23 , wherein the compressor is a semi-hermetic compressor and the condenser is a shell-and-coil type condenser.  
     
     
         25 . The stand-alone temperature controlled case of  claim 21 , wherein the first cooling system is pre-assembled and pre-tested in a factory.  
     
     
         26 . The stand-alone temperature controlled case of  claim 23 , wherein the first coolant is a vapor-expansion refrigerant having a condensing temperature in the condenser generally in the range of fifty degrees F. to sixty degrees F.  
     
     
         27 . The stand-alone temperature controlled case of  claim 21 , wherein the second coolant is a propylene glycol solution having a supply temperature at the condenser generally within the range of twenty degrees F. to forty-five degrees F.