TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEMS

Abstract

A temperature control system including an electrical relay system, a thermistor, a normally open/normally closed digital thermostat, a parallel-circuit, and a series-circuit, with each of the parallel-circuit and the series-circuit electrically coupled to a refrigeration system. The parallel-circuit is electrically coupled to a relay and a cooling system and the relay-coil is in electrical communication and controlled via the thermostat. Also, the thermostat is in electrical communication with the thermistor. The temperature control system is configured to operate both the parallel-circuit and the series-circuit simultaneously while the temperature is above a first-set-point, and temperature control system, via the relay assembly, and cuts current flow to the parallel-circuit when the temperature is at or below the second-set-point, configured to reduce a wattage supplied and therefore a speed of fan motors of the evaporative refrigeration system to conserve power usage.

Claims

1. A temperature control system, the system comprising: an electrical relay assembly, said electrical relay assembly including a relay-coil and a relay including at least two poles, said relay controllable via said relay-coil; a thermistor located in proximity to cooling fins of a refrigeration system; a normally open/normally closed digital thermostat; a parallel-circuit electrically coupled to said relay and said evaporative cooling system; a series-circuit electrically coupled to said evaporative cooling system; wherein said system is electrically coupled to an alternating current power supply; wherein said relay-coil is in electrical communication and controlled via said thermostat; wherein said thermostat is in electrical communication with said thermistor; wherein said relay operates in a normally closed position when said thermistor reads a temperature above a first-set-point; wherein said relay operates in an open position when said thermistor reads a temperature at or below a second-set-point; wherein said temperature control system is configured to operate both said parallel-circuit and said series-circuit while said temperature is above said first-set-point; and wherein said temperature control system, via said relay assembly, cuts current flow to said parallel-circuit when said temperature is at or below said second-set-point configured to reduce a wattage supplied and therefore a speed of fan motors of said refrigeration system.

2. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said thermistor is -inch in nominal size.

3. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said thermistor is located on the exit-side of said cooling fins of said refrigeration system.

4. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said thermistor is located vertically in the center of said cooling fins and substantially 1-inch horizontally from a bottom of said cooling fins of said refrigeration system.

5. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said refrigeration system includes three fan motors.

6. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said refrigeration system includes more than three fan motors.

7. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said thermistor and said thermostat control operation of a condenser and therefore turn off said condenser when said temperature is at or below said second-set-point.

8. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said thermistor and said thermostat control operation of a condenser and therefore turn on said condenser when said temperature is above said first-set-point.

9. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said thermistor is located on the intake-side of said cooling fins of said refrigeration system.

10. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said temperature difference between said first-set-point and said second-set-point is less than 10-degrees Fahrenheit.

11. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said temperature difference between said first-set-point and said second-set-point is greater than 10-degrees Fahrenheit.

12. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said first set point is 34-degree Fahrenheit.

13. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said second set-point is 23-degrees Fahrenheit.

14. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said alternating current power supply includes 120 volts.

15. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said alternating current power supply includes 240 volts.

16. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said alternating current power supply includes 480 volts.

17. A temperature control system, the system comprising: an electrical relay assembly, said electrical relay system including a relay-coil and a relay including at least two poles, said relay controllable via said relay-coil; a thermistor located in proximity to cooling fins of a refrigeration system, said thermistor being -inch in nominal size, said thermistor located on the exit side of said cooling fins of said evaporative refrigeration system; a normally open/normally closed digital thermostat; a parallel-circuit electrically coupled to said relay and said evaporative cooling system; a series-circuit electrically coupled to said evaporative cooling system; wherein said system is electrically coupled to an alternating current power supply; wherein said relay-coil is in electrical communication and controlled via said thermostat; wherein said thermostat is in electrical communication with said thermistor; wherein said relay operates in a normally closed position when said thermistor reads a temperature above a first-set-point; wherein said relay operates in an open position when said thermistor reads a temperature at or below a second-set-point; wherein said temperature control system is configured to operate both said parallel-circuit and said series-circuit while said temperature is above said first-set-point; wherein said temperature control system, via said relay assembly, cuts current flow to said parallel-circuit when said temperature is at or below said second-set-point configured to reduce a wattage supplied and therefore a speed of fan motors of said evaporative refrigeration system; wherein said thermistor is located on the exit-side of said cooling fins of said refrigeration system; wherein said thermistor is located vertically in the center of said cooling fins and substantially 1-inch horizontally from a bottom of said cooling fins of said refrigeration system; wherein said refrigeration system includes three fan motors; wherein said thermistor and said thermostat control operation of a condenser and therefore turn off said condenser when said temperature is at or below said second-set-point; wherein said thermistor and said thermostat control operation of a condenser and therefore turn on said condenser when said temperature is above said first-set-point; wherein said temperature difference between said first-set-point and said second-set-point is less than 10-degrees Fahrenheit; and wherein said alternating current power supply includes 120 volts.

18. The temperature control system of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein said temperature control system is arranged as a kit.

19. A method of using a temperature control system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a refrigeration system; providing a temperature control system; and placing a thermistor of said temperature control system in proximity to cooling fins of said refrigeration system.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: providing electrical power supply in both a series arrangement and a parallel arrangement to fan motors of said refrigeration system when said thermistor reads a first temperature; and commencing providing electrical power to the parallel arrangement to said fan motors of said refrigeration system when said thermistor reads a second temperature.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a temperature control system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the temperature control system during an in-use condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 2 is an electrical diagram of the temperature control system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 3 is an electrical diagram of the temperature control system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 4 is an electrical diagram of the temperature control system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using the temperature control system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a refrigeration air controllers and directors and more particularly to a temperature control system and method as used to improve the power consumption efficiency of a refrigeration unit by providing both a parallel and series circuit to fan motors of a refrigeration unit.

[0024] Generally, the temperature control system offers a unique opportunity for the application of a relay to provide both a series and parallel circuit in conjunction with a dual input power supply. The series circuit may include electrical input at lower power consumption to three or more fan motors when the relay is in a deactivated mode, and the parallel circuit may provide full power delivered when the relay in a closed mode to the fan motors.

[0025] In general, the temperature control system includes circuitry to provide a full-power mode to the fans in parallel, such that the fans and cooling system components operate at full-power while the components of the cooling system operate. Additional circuitry includes a low-power mode such that the fans operate at a lower power condition such that the power draw of the entire system is reduced therefore reducing cost via a series circuit.

[0026] Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of temperature control system 100. FIG. 1 shows during an in-use condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, temperature control system 100 may be beneficial for use by a user to reduce power consumption of a cooling system 5 by allowing cooling fans of the refrigeration 5 system to operate at a low speed and lower power consumption. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, temperature control system 100 may include electrical relay assembly 110, thermistor 120, normally open/normally closed digital thermostat 130, parallel-circuit 140, and series-circuit 150. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other electrical and mechanical arrangements such as, for example, circuitry and electrical components, etc., may be sufficient.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2-4, parallel-circuit 140 may be electrically coupled to relay 114 (relay including at least two poles) and cooling system 5. Similarly, series-circuit 150 may be electrically coupled to cooling system 5. Temperature control system 100 may be electrically coupled to alternating current power supply 15, and relay-coil 112 may be in electrical communication and controlled via thermostat 130. Thermostat 130 may be in electrical communication with thermistor 120.

[0028] Electrical relay assembly 110 may include relay-coil 112 and relay 114, where relay 114 may be controllable via relay-coil 112. Relay 114 may operate in normally closed position 160 (FIG. 2) when thermistor 120 reads a temperature above a first-set-point. Also, relay 114 may operate in open position 164 (FIG. 3) when thermistor 120 reads a temperature at or below a second-set-point. Depending upon preferences and specific conditions or locations, set point may include temperatures registered in Fahrenheit, Celsius, and/or Kelvin.

[0029] As such, temperature control system 100 may be configured to operate both parallel-circuit 140 and series-circuit 150 while the temperature is above the first-set-point (as shown in FIG. 2). Also, temperature control system 100, via relay assembly 110, may cut current flow to parallel-circuit 140 (FIG. 3) when the temperature read by thermistor 120 is at or below the second-set-point, configured to reduce a wattage supplied (and therefore a speed of fan motors) of evaporative refrigeration system 5, reducing power consumption.

[0030] Thermistor 120 and thermostat 130 (in communication and conjunction) may control operation of a condenser of cooling system 5, and therefore turn off the condenser when the temperature is at or below the second-set-point. Similarly, thermistor 120 and thermostat 130 (similarly in communication and conjunction) may control operation of the condenser and therefore turn on the condenser when the temperature is above the first-set-point.

[0031] The temperature difference between the first-set-point and the second-set-point may be less than 10-degrees Fahrenheit, in embodiments. Also, the temperature difference between the first-set-point and the second-set-point may greater than 10-degrees Fahrenheit, in embodiments. The first set point may be 34-degree Fahrenheit and second set-point may be 23-degrees Fahrenheit, in some embodiments. Other embodiments may include different set point differentials as well as other temperatures. Temperature differentials and/or first-set point and second-set point may be read via thermistor 120 in alternate temperature scales that may be translated into alternate units of measure of temperature, in embodiments.

[0032] Thermistor 120 may be located in proximity to the cooling fins of evaporative refrigeration system 5. Thermistor 120 may be -inch in nominal size, in embodiments. Other embodiments may include thermistor 120 in other sizes, depending upon specific applications. Thermistor 120 may be located on the exit-side of cooling fins of evaporative refrigeration system 5, as well as being is located vertically in the center of the cooling fins and substantially 1-inch horizontally from a bottom of the cooling fins of evaporative refrigeration system 5. Thermistor 120 may also be located on the intake-side of the cooling fins, in some embodiments. Evaporative refrigeration system 100 may include three fan motors; evaporative refrigeration system 100 may include more than three fan motors. Also, alternating current power supply 15 may include different voltages, in embodiments. For example, alternating current power supply 15 may include 120 volts, 240 colts, or 480 volts, dependent upon specific applications. Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of refrigeration and electrical construction as described herein, methods of use and assembly of electrical components will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art.

[0033] According to one embodiment, temperature control system 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, temperature control system 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the temperature control system 100 such that the temperature control system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using 500 a temperature control system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular method of using 500 a temperature control system 100 may include one or more components or features of temperature control system 100 as described above. As illustrated, method of using 500 a temperature control system 100 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing a refrigeration system 5; step two 502, providing temperature control system 100; step three 503, placing thermistor 120 of temperature control system 100 in proximity to cooling fins of refrigeration system 5; step four 504, providing electrical power supply 15 in both a series arrangement and a parallel arrangement to fan motors 25 of refrigeration system 5 when thermistor 120 reads a first temperature; and step five 505, commencing providing electrical power to the parallel arrangement to fan motors 25 of refrigeration system 5 when thermistor 120 reads a second temperature.

[0035] It should be noted that step four 504, and step five 505 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of step of should not be interpreted as step for, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for use [NOTE: e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.], are taught herein.

[0036] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.