Thermal energy storage and cooling system with multiple cooling loops utilizing a common evaporator coil

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and device for a refrigerant-based a thermal energy storage and cooling system with multiple condensing units utilizing a common evaporator coil. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based ice storage system with increased reliability, lower cost components, and reduced power consumption and ease of installation.

1 . A refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system comprising:
 a first refrigerant loop containing a refrigerant comprising:
 a first condensing unit comprising a first compressor and a first condenser; 
 a first expansion device connected downstream of said first condensing unit; and, 
 a thermal energy storage unit comprising a primary heat exchanger connected between said first expansion device and said first condensing unit that acts as a first evaporator and is located within a tank filled with a fluid, said primary heat exchanger that facilitates heat transfer from said first refrigerant from said first condenser to cool said fluid within said tank; 
   a second refrigerant loop containing additional said refrigerant comprising a load heat exchanger connected to said thermal energy storage unit that transfers cooling from said thermal energy storage unit to said load heat exchanger to a heat load;   a third refrigerant loop containing additional said refrigerant comprising:
 a second condensing unit comprising a second compressor and a second condenser; and, 
 a second expansion device connected downstream of said second condensing unit, and said load heat exchanger connected between said second expansion device and said second condensing unit that transfers cooling capacity of said second condensing unit to said load heat exchanger to a heat load. 
   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a refrigerant management vessel in fluid communication with, and located between said condensing unit and said primary heat exchanger comprising:   an inlet connection that receives refrigerant from said condensing unit and said primary heat exchanger;   a first outlet connection that supplies refrigerant to said primary heat exchanger; and,   a second outlet connection that supplies refrigerant to said condensing unit.   
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first expansion device and said second expansion device are chosen from the group consisting of a thermal expansion valve, an electronic expansion valve and a mixed-phase regulator. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said fluid is a eutectic material. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said fluid is water. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said load heat exchanger is at least one mini-split evaporator. 
   
   
       7 . A refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system comprising:
 a first refrigerant loop containing a first refrigerant comprising:
 a first condensing unit comprising a first compressor and a first condenser; 
 a first expansion device connected downstream of said first condensing unit; and, 
 a thermal energy storage unit comprising a primary heat exchanger connected between said first expansion device and said first condensing unit that acts as a first evaporator and is located within a tank filled with a fluid, said primary heat exchanger that facilitates heat transfer from said first refrigerant from said first condenser to cool said fluid within said tank; 
   a primary side of an isolating heat exchanger that draws cooling from said thermal energy storage unit and transfers cooling to a secondary side of said isolating heat exchanger;   a second refrigerant loop containing a second refrigerant comprising:
 a second condensing unit comprising a second compressor and a second condenser; 
 a second expansion device connected downstream of said second condensing unit; and, 
 a load heat exchanger connected between said second expansion device and said second condensing unit that transfers cooling capacity of said second refrigerant to said heat load in a first time period, said load heat exchanger that is connected to said secondary side of said isolating heat exchanger and that transfers cooling from said secondary side of said isolating heat exchanger to said heat load in a second time period. 
   
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising:
 a refrigerant management vessel in fluid communication with, and located between said condensing unit and said primary heat exchanger comprising:   an inlet connection that receives refrigerant from said condensing unit and said primary heat exchanger;   a first outlet connection that supplies refrigerant to said primary heat exchanger; and,   a second outlet connection that supplies refrigerant to said condensing unit.   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said first expansion device and said second expansion device are chosen from the group consisting of a thermal expansion valve, an electronic expansion valve and a mixed-phase regulator. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said fluid is a eutectic material. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said fluid is water. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said load heat exchanger is at least one mini-split evaporator. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said first refrigerant is a different material from said second refrigerant. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said first time period is concurrent with said second time period. 
   
   
       15 . A refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system comprising:
 a first refrigerant loop containing a refrigerant comprising:
 a first condensing unit comprising a first compressor and a first condenser; 
 a first expansion device connected downstream of said first condensing unit; and, 
 a thermal energy storage unit comprising a primary heat exchanger connected between said first expansion device and said first condensing unit that acts as a first evaporator and is located within a tank filled with a fluid, said primary heat exchanger that facilitates heat transfer from said first refrigerant from said first condenser to cool said fluid within said tank; 
   a primary side of a sub-cooling heat exchanger that draws cooling from said thermal energy storage unit and transfers cooling to a secondary side of said sub-cooling heat exchanger;   a second refrigerant loop containing additional said refrigerant comprising:
 a second condensing unit comprising a second compressor and a second condenser; 
 said second condensing unit that supplies said refrigerant to said secondary side of said sub-cooling heat exchanger where cooling is transferred from said secondary side of said sub-cooling heat exchanger to said additional said refrigerant thereby creating sub-cooled refrigerant; 
 a second expansion device connected downstream of said secondary side of said sub-cooling heat exchanger; and, 
 a load heat exchanger connected between said second expansion device and said second condensing unit that transfers cooling capacity of said sub-cooled refrigerant to said heat load in a first time period, said load heat exchanger that is connected to said thermal energy storage unit and that transfers cooling from said thermal energy storage unit to said heat load in a second time period. 
   
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said first expansion device and said second expansion device are chosen from the group consisting of a thermal expansion valve, an electronic expansion valve and a mixed-phase regulator. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said fluid is a eutectic material. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said fluid is water. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said load heat exchanger is at least one mini-split evaporator. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said first time period is concurrent with said second time period. 
   
   
       21 . A refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system comprising:
 a first refrigerant loop containing a first refrigerant comprising:
 a first condensing unit comprising a first compressor and a first condenser; 
 a first expansion device connected downstream of said first condensing unit; and, 
 a thermal energy storage unit comprising a primary heat exchanger connected between said first expansion device and said first condensing unit that acts as a first evaporator and is located within a tank filled with a fluid, said primary heat exchanger that facilitates heat transfer from said first refrigerant from said first condenser to cool said fluid within said tank; 
   a primary side of an isolating heat exchanger that draws cooling from said thermal energy storage unit and transfers cooling to a secondary side of said isolating heat exchanger;   a second refrigerant loop containing a second refrigerant comprising:
 a second condensing unit comprising a second compressor and a second condenser; 
 a second expansion device connected downstream of said second condensing unit; 
 a primary side of a sub-cooling heat exchanger connected between said second expansion device and said second condenser; 
 a secondary side of said sub-cooling heat exchanger that draws cooling from said secondary side of said isolating heat exchanger to sub-cool said second refrigerant in said primary side of said sub-cooling heat exchanger; and, 
 a load heat exchanger that draws cooling from said primary side of said sub-cooling heat exchanger or said secondary side of said isolating heat exchanger and transfers cooling to a load. 
   
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said first expansion device and said second expansion device are chosen from the group consisting of a thermal expansion valve, an electronic expansion valve and a mixed-phase regulator. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said fluid is a eutectic material. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said fluid is water. 
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said load heat exchanger is at least one mini-split evaporator. 
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said first refrigerant is a different material from said second refrigerant. 
   
   
       27 . A refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system comprising:
 a first refrigerant loop containing a first refrigerant comprising:
 a first condensing unit comprising a first compressor and a first condenser; 
 a first expansion device connected downstream of said first condensing unit; and, 
 a thermal energy storage unit comprising a primary heat exchanger connected between said first expansion device and said first condensing unit that acts as a first evaporator and is located within a tank filled with a fluid, said primary heat exchanger that facilitates heat transfer from said first refrigerant from said first condenser to cool said fluid within said tank; 
   a second refrigerant loop containing a second refrigerant comprising:
 a second condensing unit comprising a second compressor and a second condenser; 
 a second expansion device connected downstream of said second condensing unit; 
 a primary side of a first isolating heat exchanger that draws cooling from said thermal energy storage unit and transfers cooling to a secondary side of said first isolating heat exchanger; 
 a primary side of second a isolating heat exchanger connected between said second expansion device and said second condenser that transfers cooling to a secondary side of said second isolating heat exchanger; and, 
   a load heat exchanger receives cooling from a secondary side of said first isolating heat exchanger, or said secondary side of said second isolating heat exchanger, or a combination of said secondary side of said first isolating heat exchanger and said secondary side of said second isolating heat exchanger.   
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27  wherein said first expansion device and said second expansion device are chosen from the group consisting of a thermal expansion valve, an electronic expansion valve and a mixed-phase regulator. 
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 27  wherein said fluid is a eutectic material. 
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 27  wherein said fluid is water. 
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 27  wherein said load heat exchanger is at least one mini-split evaporator. 
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 27  wherein said first refrigerant is a different material from said second refrigerant. 
   
   
       33 . A method of providing cooling with a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system comprising the steps of:
 compressing and condensing a refrigerant with a first air conditioner unit to create a first high-pressure refrigerant;   expanding said first high-pressure refrigerant to provide cooling to a primary heat exchanger that is constrained within a tank containing a fluid capable of a phase change between liquid and solid; and,   freezing a portion of said fluid and forming ice within said tank during a first time period;   cooling said refrigerant in said primary heat exchanger with said ice and transferring said refrigerant to a load heat exchanger to provide load cooling;   returning said refrigerant to said primary heat exchanger; and,   re-cooling said refrigerant during a second time period;   compressing and condensing said refrigerant with a second air conditioner unit to create a second high-pressure refrigerant; and,   expanding said second high-pressure refrigerant in said load heat exchanger to provide load cooling during a third time period.   
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33  further comprising the step of:
 managing volumes and phase of said refrigerant with a refrigerant management vessel, said refrigerant management vessel in fluid communication with said first air conditioner unit and said primary heat exchanger.   
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 33  wherein said steps of said second time period are performed concurrent with said steps of said third time period. 
   
   
       36 . A method of providing cooling with a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system comprising the steps of:
 compressing and condensing a first refrigerant to create a first high-pressure refrigerant;   providing cooling to a primary heat exchanger by expanding said first high-pressure refrigerant in said primary heat exchanger that is constrained within a tank containing a fluid capable of a phase change between liquid and solid; and,   freezing a portion of said fluid to form ice within said tank during a first time period;   transferring cooling from said fluid and said ice to a primary side of an isolating heat exchanger;   transferring cooling from said primary side of said isolating heat exchanger to a second refrigerant on a secondary side of said isolating heat exchanger; and,   transferring cooling from cooled said second refrigerant to a load heat exchanger to provide load cooling during a second time period;   compressing and condensing said second refrigerant to create a second high-pressure refrigerant; and,   expanding said second high-pressure refrigerant in said load heat exchanger to provide load cooling during a third time period.   
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36  further comprising the step of:
 managing volumes and phase of said first refrigerant with a refrigerant management vessel, said refrigerant management vessel in fluid communication with said first air conditioner unit and said primary heat exchanger.   
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 36  further comprising the step of:
 managing volumes and phase of said second refrigerant with a refrigerant receiver, said refrigerant receiver in fluid communication with said second air conditioner unit and said isolating heat exchanger.   
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 36  wherein said steps of said second time period are performed concurrent with said steps of said third time period. 
   
   
       40 . A method of providing cooling with a thermal energy storage and cooling system comprising the steps of:
 compressing and condensing a refrigerant with a first air conditioner unit to create a first high-pressure refrigerant;   providing cooling to a primary heat exchanger by expanding said first high-pressure refrigerant in said primary heat exchanger that is constrained within a tank containing a fluid capable of a phase change between liquid and solid; and,   freezing a portion of said fluid to form ice within said tank during a first time period;   transferring cooling from said fluid and said ice to a load heat exchanger to provide load cooling in a second time period;   compressing and condensing said refrigerant with a second air conditioner unit to create a second high-pressure refrigerant;   transferring cooling from said fluid and said ice to a primary side of a sub-cooling heat exchanger;   transferring said second high-pressure refrigerant from said second air conditioner unit to a secondary side of said sub-cooling heat exchanger;   sub-cooling said second high-pressure refrigerant by transferring cooling from said primary side of said sub-cooling heat exchanger to said secondary side of said sub-cooling heat exchanger;   transferring sub-cooled said second high-pressure refrigerant from said secondary side of said isolating heat exchanger to a load heat exchanger;   expanding said sub-cooled said second high-pressure refrigerant in said load heat exchanger to provide load cooling; and,   returning said refrigerant to said second air conditioner unit during a third time period.   
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40  further comprising the step of:
 managing volumes and phase of said first refrigerant with a refrigerant management vessel, said refrigerant management vessel in fluid communication with said first air conditioner unit and said primary heat exchanger.   
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 40  further comprising the step of:
 managing volumes and phase of said second refrigerant with a refrigerant receiver, said refrigerant receiver in fluid communication with said second air conditioner unit and said sub-cooling heat exchanger.   
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 40  wherein said steps of said second time period are performed concurrent with said steps of said third time period. 
   
   
       44 . A method of providing cooling with a thermal energy storage and cooling system comprising the steps of:
 compressing and condensing a first refrigerant with a first air conditioner unit to create a first high-pressure refrigerant;   providing cooling to a primary heat exchanger by expanding said first high-pressure refrigerant in said primary heat exchanger that is constrained within a tank containing a fluid capable of a phase change between liquid and solid; and,   freezing a portion of said fluid to form ice within said tank during a first time period;   transferring cooling from said fluid and said ice to a primary side of a first isolating heat exchanger;   transferring cooling from said primary side of said first isolating heat exchanger to a secondary side of said first isolating heat exchanger; and,   transferring cooling from said secondary side of said first isolating heat exchanger to a load heat exchanger to provide load cooling in a second time period;   compressing and condensing a second refrigerant with a second air conditioner unit to create a second high-pressure refrigerant;   transferring cooling from said second high-pressure refrigerant to a primary side of a second isolating heat exchanger;   transferring cooling from said primary side of said second isolating heat exchanger to a secondary side of said second isolating heat exchanger; and,   transferring cooling from said secondary side of said second isolating heat exchanger to said load heat exchanger to provide load cooling in a third time period.   
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 44  further comprising the step of:
 managing volumes and phase of said first refrigerant with a refrigerant management vessel, said refrigerant management vessel in fluid communication with said first air conditioner unit and said primary heat exchanger.   
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 44  further comprising the step of:
 managing volumes and phase of said second refrigerant with a refrigerant receiver, said refrigerant receiver in fluid communication with said second air conditioner unit and said second isolating heat exchanger.   
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 44  wherein said steps of said second time period are performed concurrent with said steps of said third time period. 
   
   
       48 . A method of providing cooling with a thermal energy storage and cooling system comprising the steps of:
 compressing and condensing a first refrigerant with a first air conditioner unit to create a first high-pressure refrigerant;   providing cooling to a first primary heat exchanger by expanding said first high-pressure refrigerant in said first primary heat exchanger that is constrained within a first tank containing a first fluid capable of a phase change between liquid and solid; and,   freezing a portion of said first fluid to form first ice within said tank during a first time period;   transferring cooling from said first fluid and said first ice to a primary side of a first isolating heat exchanger;   transferring cooling from said primary side of said first isolating heat exchanger to a secondary side of said first isolating heat exchanger; and,   transferring cooling from said secondary side of said first isolating heat exchanger to a load heat exchanger to provide load cooling in a second time period;   compressing and condensing a second refrigerant with a second air conditioner unit to create a second high-pressure refrigerant;   providing cooling to a second primary heat exchanger by expanding said second high-pressure refrigerant in said second primary heat exchanger that is constrained within a second tank containing a second fluid capable of a phase change between liquid and solid; and,   freezing a portion of said second fluid to form second ice within said second tank during a third time period;   transferring cooling from said second fluid and said second ice to a primary side of a second isolating heat exchanger;   transferring cooling from said primary side of said second isolating heat exchanger to a secondary side of said second isolating heat exchanger; and,   transferring cooling from said secondary side of said second isolating heat exchanger to said load heat exchanger to provide load cooling in a fourth time period.   
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 48  further comprising the step of:
 managing volumes and phase of said first refrigerant with a first refrigerant management vessel, said first refrigerant management vessel in fluid communication with said first air conditioner unit and said first primary heat exchanger.   
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 48  further comprising the step of:
 managing volumes and phase of said second refrigerant with a second refrigerant management vessel, said second refrigerant management vessel in fluid communication with said second air conditioner unit and said second primary heat exchanger.   
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 48  wherein said steps of said first time period are performed concurrent with said steps of said fourth time period. 
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 48  wherein said steps of said second time period are performed concurrent with said steps of said third time period. 
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 48  wherein said steps of said second time period are performed concurrent with said steps of said fourth time period. 
   
   
       54 . A means for providing cooling with a thermal energy storage and cooling system comprising:
 a first air conditioner means for compressing and condensing a first refrigerant to create a first high-pressure refrigerant;   a means for providing cooling to a primary heat exchanger by expanding said first high-pressure refrigerant in said primary heat exchanger that is constrained within a tank containing a fluid capable of a phase change between liquid and solid; and,   a means for freezing a portion of said fluid to form ice within said tank during a first time period;   a means for transferring cooling from said first high-pressure refrigerant to a load heat exchanger to provide load cooling during a second time period;   a means for transferring cooling from said fluid and said ice to a load heat exchanger to provide load cooling during a third time period;   a second air conditioner means for compressing and condensing additional said refrigerant to create a second high-pressure refrigerant;   a means for transferring cooling from said second high-pressure refrigerant to said load heat exchanger to provide load cooling during a fourth time period.