Outdoor refrigeration system with auxiliary heating feature

Abstract

Disclosed and described is an outdoor refrigeration system for a walk-in unit or conditioned space using an auxiliary heating feature to maintain a consistent temperature range. In an example, the outdoor refrigeration system includes a conditioned space unit, where the conditioned space unit is positioned at least partially in an ambient environment, a heating circuit coupled to a controller, where the heating circuit includes at least one heating element, and a refrigeration circuit coupled to the controller. In an example, the outdoor refrigeration system is configured to maintain a set temperature range in the conditioned space unit when an ambient temperature of the ambient environment is below a freezing point of water at a fixed altitude or a barometric pressure range.

1 . A refrigeration system comprising:
 a conditioned space unit, wherein the conditioned space unit is positioned at least partially in an ambient environment;   a heating circuit communicably coupled to a controller, wherein the heating circuit comprises at least one heating element; and   a refrigeration circuit communicably coupled to the controller,   wherein the refrigeration system is configured to maintain a set temperature range in the conditioned space unit when an ambient temperature of the ambient environment is below a freezing point of water at a fixed altitude or a barometric pressure range.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the refrigeration circuit comprises:
 a compressor operably coupled to the refrigeration circuit;   a condenser comprising a condenser input and a condenser output; and   an evaporator comprising an evaporator input and an evaporator output, wherein the evaporator input is communicably coupled to the condenser output and the evaporator output is communicably coupled to the condenser input.   
     
     
         3 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the conditioned space unit is entirely located in the ambient environment. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the conditioned space unit is physically attached to a structure, and a remainder of the conditioned space unit is located in the ambient environment. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one heating element is adjacent to a fan, wherein the fan is configured to direct a flow of air into the conditioned space unit. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigeration system of  claim 2 , wherein the fan and the at least one heating element are adjacent to the evaporator. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature measuring device. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigeration system of  claim 7 , wherein the temperature measuring device comprises a temperature probe. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigeration system of  claim 7 , wherein the temperature measuring device is configured to measure the temperature of the conditioned space unit. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigeration system of  claim 9 , wherein the temperature measuring device is operably coupled to the controller. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to activate the at least one heating element based on determining that a temperature of the conditioned space unit is below a minimum value of the set temperature range. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigeration system of  claim 10 , wherein the controller is configured to activate the refrigeration circuit based on determining that a temperature of a conditioned space is above a maximum value of the set temperature range. 
     
     
         13 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises an ignition-proof material. 
     
     
         14 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating circuit comprises at least one ignition-proof component. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one heating element comprises a resistance heater. 
     
     
         16 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a circulating fan. 
     
     
         17 . The refrigeration system of  claim 16 , wherein the circulating fan is communicably coupled to the heating circuit and the refrigeration circuit. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigeration system of  claim 16 , wherein the circulating fan is configured to direct heated air away from the at least one heating element and into the conditioned space unit. 
     
     
         19 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more components of the refrigeration system are installed in an outdoor environment. 
     
     
         20 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more components are exposed to an ambient environment. 
     
     
         21 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one heating element is positioned within the conditioned space unit. 
     
     
         22 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the ambient temperature is at or below a freezing point of water. 
     
     
         23 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant comprises an A3 refrigerant. 
     
     
         24 . The refrigeration system of  claim 23 , wherein the refrigeration circuit further comprises a maximum charge of 5.3 ounces of the A3 refrigerant per compressor. 
     
     
         25 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant comprises propane. 
     
     
         26 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is coupled to a source of power.