Systems and methods using thermal energy storage

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for bimodal refrigeration, which uses a combination of mechanical refrigeration and phase change material (PCM) cells to provide cooling for one or more units of storage, such as freezers, coolers, storage or display cases, open cases (without doors), closed cases (with doors), rack systems (with compressors located remotely), self-contained refrigeration systems (with embedded compressors), in an optimal and efficient manner. In some embodiments, the systems and methods employ intelligent controls which may monitor and receive input for system conditions, time of day, and other conditions, and turn on/off the mechanical refrigeration as appropriate to provide for efficient and cost-effective use of energy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bimodal refrigeration system comprising:
 a plurality of cooling units, wherein each cooling unit comprises a housing defining an interior operable to store one or more goods and a plurality of phase change material (PCM) cells disposed throughout the housing interior;   a refrigeration system common to the plurality of cooling units and operable to generate a chilled medium for cooling the cooling units;   a circulation system for circulating the chilled medium between the plurality of cooling units and the refrigeration system;   one or more sensors operable to sense conditions at each of the plurality of cooling units; and   a control system operable to receive input from the one or more sensors, and based on such input, control the refrigeration system and the circulation system to generate and direct the chilled medium to the plurality of cooling units to provide cooling and charge the PCM cells, wherein the PCM cells operable to provide cooling for the respective cooling unit when chilled medium is not being provided.   
     
     
         2 . The bimodal refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein for at least one cooling unit, a human user can retrieve the stored one or more goods from the respective interior by reaching in. 
     
     
         3 . The bimodal refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein the chilled medium comprises air. 
     
     
         4 . The bimodal refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein the chilled medium comprises a liquid refrigerant. 
     
     
         5 . The bimodal refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein the chilled medium comprises chilled air. 
     
     
         6 . The bimodal refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein the control system is operable to receive information regarding rates for power and to control the refrigeration system in accordance with the power rate information to reduce costs of operation. 
     
     
         7 . The bimodal refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein the control system comprises one or more processors located in the same facility where the cooling units and refrigeration system are located. 
     
     
         8 . The bimodal refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein the control system comprises one or more processors located in a facility remote from where the facility where the cooling units and refrigeration system are located.