Energy saving environmental chamber temperature control system

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of an environmental chamber by controlling the flow of refrigerant, the number of compressors and fans as necessary to produce and preserve precise temperature conditions within the chamber which uses less energy than available systems.

1 . A temperature-controlled chamber, comprising: 
 a) a structure defining a work, process or storage area having two sidewalls, a front wall, a ceiling, a floor, one or more doors and a rear wall;    b) wherein one or more air handlers may be installed in or adjacent to the structure;    c) wherein one or more air handlers will provide air circulation and temperature control to the chamber;    d) wherein the chamber may incorporate plenums, ducts, diffusers or other devices to define proper airflow within the chamber;    e) wherein a temperature-adjustment unit is located within the air handler;    f) wherein one or more fans are located in the temperature-adjustment unit;    g) wherein the fan draws air from the chamber and forces the conditioned air into the chamber.    h) wherein the air return can be located at ceiling level, floor level or through a plenum wall or walls;    i) wherein the air supply can be located at ceiling level, floor level or through a plenum wall or walls.    
   
   
       2 . A condensing unit, comprising: 
 a) One or more separate condensing units;    b) Each condensing unit containing two or more compressors;    c) Each condensing unit containing a heat exchanger for each compressor and a method of removing heat from the heat exchanger;    d) Each condensing unit having a method of controlling the fans or rate of heat exchange;    e) Each condensing unit having a method of controlling the average cooling capacity.    
   
   
       3 . A Control System, comprising: 
 a) A method of uniformly maintaining the interior of the chamber at a preselected temperature;    b) A temperature sensor located within the chamber as necessary to properly sense chamber temperature and heat exchanger operation;    c) An adjustable controller which reads temperature conditions within the chamber and sends signals out to the temperature control unit and the amount of cooling supplied to the chamber;    d) A controller which can sense that there has been an event that has introduced heat into the chamber and activate an additional compressor to increase system capacity and closely maintain the preselected temperature within the chamber;    e) A controller, which can sense that heat rather than cooling, is required and can turn on a heater within the temperature adjustment unit.    
   
   
       4 . A method of limiting power consumption comprising: 
 a) A controller or controllers that can turn off fans that are not essential to maintaining the specified temperature conditions within the chamber;    b) A controller that can seperately adjust the flow of refrigerant or heat to one or more compressors and heat exchangers    c) A controller that can utilize any available compressor or fan to maintain temperature in the chamber should any compressor be inoperable.