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Strategic modular refrigeration system with linear compressorsRelated Patent Categories: Refrigeration, Display TypeStrategic modular refrigeration system with linear compressors description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060201175, Strategic modular refrigeration system with linear compressors. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] The present invention relates to commercial refrigeration systems, and in particular, commercial refrigeration systems having at least one linear compressor. [0002] Commercial refrigeration systems have traditionally been accomplished via centralized parallel compressor systems with long liquid and suction branches piped to and from the evaporators in the refrigerated display cases. As an alternative, centralized parallel rack refrigeration systems have been developed for cooling a plurality of fixtures in multiple cooling zones within a shopping area. Another alternative is a self-contained, refrigeration display merchandiser including multiple horizontal scroll compressors. [0003] A disadvantage to all these systems is the use of scroll compressors within the commercial refrigeration systems. Scroll compressors generate too much acoustic noise for the shopping area of a store and do not allow for variable capacity control of the refrigeration system. Because of the lack of variable capacity control, the compressor may perform unnecessary cycling, which may be detrimental to the stored commodity (e.g., sensitive food products) refrigerated by the merchandisers or refrigerated display cases. Further, scroll compressors use oil for operation, which results in inefficient performance due to oil film on evaporator and condenser surfaces, requires the use of expensive oil management components, and increases the installation cost of the refrigeration system. [0004] It would be beneficial to have another alternative to the above systems and units utilizing scroll compressors. SUMMARY [0005] In one embodiment, the invention provides a modular commercial refrigeration unit constructed and arranged for placement in strategic proximity to a plurality of associated product cooling zones within a shopping area. The modular refrigeration unit includes a refrigeration rack proximate to a shopping area and configured to accommodate maximum refrigeration loads of the associated product cooling zones. The refrigeration rack has an optimum footprint. The refrigeration rack is constructed to support components of a closed refrigeration circuit including associated high side and low side refrigerant delivery and suction means extending from the rack and being operatively connected to a plurality of evaporators for cooling the associated product cooling zones. The modular refrigeration unit also includes a linear compressor and a cooling source remote from the refrigeration unit that provides a cooling relationship with a condenser for providing optimum condensing and efficiency of the evaporators in cooling the associated product cooling zones. [0006] In another embodiment, the invention provides a modular refrigeration system including at least two refrigerated fixtures having first closely adjacent locations in a shopping area, at least one evaporator coil for cooling the refrigerated fixtures to maintain products therein within a predetermined temperature range, a linear compressor having a second location in close proximity to the refrigerated fixtures, and a condenser connected together with the linear compressor and the evaporator coils to form a closed loop refrigeration circuit. The modular refrigeration system also includes a heat exchange device located remote from the shopping area for transferring heat to an exterior atmosphere, and a closed heat transfer loop extending between the closed loop refrigeration circuit and the remote environment and interconnecting the heat exchange device and the condenser in continuous communication to transfer heat from the condenser to the heat exchange device. [0007] In still another embodiment, the invention provides a commercial refrigeration network including a first modular refrigeration system unit in close strategic proximity to a first refrigerated product zone. The first modular refrigeration system unit includes a first refrigeration rack having first closed refrigeration circuit components including a linear compressor, high side receiver means and associated high side and low side refrigerant delivery, and suction means operatively connected to a first evaporator for cooling the first refrigerated zone. The first modular refrigeration system unit also includes a first condenser connected between the linear compressor and receiver means of the first closed refrigeration circuit. The commercial refrigeration network also includes at least one other modular refrigeration system unit in close strategic proximity to an associated other refrigerated product zone. The at least one other modular refrigeration system includes an other refrigeration rack having other closed refrigeration circuit components including a linear compressor, high side receiver means and associated high side and low side refrigerant delivery, and suction means operatively connected to an other evaporator for cooling the other refrigerated zone. The other modular refrigeration system unit also includes an other condenser connected between the linear compressor and receiver means of the other closed refrigeration circuit. Further, the commercial refrigeration network also includes a cooling source remote from the refrigeration unit that provides a cooling relationship with the first and other condensers for the respective first and other refrigeration system units. [0008] In a further embodiment, the invention provides a commercial refrigeration network including a first refrigeration merchandiser, at least one other refrigeration merchandiser, and a cooling source. The first refrigeration merchandiser includes at least one first surface at least partially defining a first environmental space adapted to accommodate a commodity, first closed refrigeration circuit components, and a first frame. The first closed refrigeration circuit components include a free-piston linear compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator in fluid communication wherein the evaporator is in thermal communication with the environmental space to influence the temperature of the environmental space. The first frame supports the at least one first surface, the linear compressor and the evaporator. The at least one other refrigeration merchandiser includes at least one other surface at least partially defining an other environmental space adapted to accommodate a commodity, other closed refrigeration circuit components, and an other frame. The other closed refrigeration circuit components include a free-piston linear compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator in fluid communication wherein the evaporator is in thermal communication with the environmental space to influence the temperature of the environmental space. The other frame supports the at least one other surface, the linear compressor and the evaporator. The cooling source remote from the refrigeration unit provides a cooling relationship with the first and other condensers for the respective first and other refrigeration system units. [0009] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description, claims and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a modular commercial refrigeration network embodying the invention. [0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic flow diagram of a modular refrigeration system unit and coolant circulating system. [0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic flow diagram of a refrigeration system unit and coolant circulating system located remotely from the respective refrigeration loads. [0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic flow diagram of a modular refrigeration system unit with an air cooled condenser. [0014] FIG. 5 is a representative supermarket floor plan illustrating the strategic placement of dedicated modular refrigeration system units relative to the respective refrigeration loads and positioned remotely of the respective refrigeration loads. [0015] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a dual opposing, free-piston linear compressor used in a refrigeration unit, which shows the compressor at an intake stroke. [0016] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a dual opposing, free-piston linear compressor used in a refrigeration unit, which shows the compressor at neutral. [0017] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a dual opposing, free-piston linear compressor used in a refrigeration unit, which shows the compressor at a compression stroke. [0018] FIG. 9 is an enlarged supermarket floor plan illustrating a department with a dedicated modular refrigeration unit having multiple linear compressors. [0019] FIG. 9A is a top plan view of the refrigeration unit of FIG. 9 illustrating a heat exchanger network with a cooling liquid source. [0020] FIG. 10 is an enlarged supermarket floor plan illustrating a department with merchandisers and a dedicated refrigeration unit having multiple linear compressors located remotely from the merchandisers. [0021] FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing an open front refrigerated merchandiser lineup and associated vertical modular refrigeration unit. Continue reading about Strategic modular refrigeration system with linear compressors... Full patent description for Strategic modular refrigeration system with linear compressors Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Strategic modular refrigeration system with linear compressors patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Strategic modular refrigeration system with linear compressors or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Rotating vane blend door Next Patent Application: Refrigerated merchandiser Industry Class: Refrigeration ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Strategic modular refrigeration system with linear compressors patent info. 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