Abstract: A method of controlling a refrigerated merchandiser. The method includes refrigerating a product display area of the merchandiser using a refrigerant, detecting a presence of an air-refrigerant mixture in the refrigerated merchandiser, activating a fan in response to detecting the presence of an air-refrigerant mixture, and at least partially evacuating an interior of the merchandiser in response to fan activation.

Abstract: A method of controlling a refrigerated merchandiser including a plurality of display case modules each having a separate refrigeration circuit with a compressor and an evaporator. The method includes selectively starting and stopping a first compressor of a first refrigeration circuit having a first evaporator associated with a first display case module to regulate a temperature in a product display area of the first display case module, and selectively starting and stopping a second compressor of a second refrigeration circuit having a second evaporator associated with a second display case module to regulate a temperature in a product display area of the second display case module. The method also includes controlling the first refrigeration module and the second refrigeration module based on a heat load of the merchandiser and a predetermined number of start/stop cycles of each of the first compressor and the second compressor within a given time period.

Abstract: A refrigeration system including a primary circuit that has a compressor circulating a first heat exchange fluid and a heat exchanger located downstream of the compressor. The refrigeration system also includes a secondary circuit circulating a second heat exchange fluid that has micro-encapsulated phase change material in heat exchange relationship with the primary circuit via the heat exchanger. A refrigerated display case defines a product display area and has an airflow in heat exchange relationship with the primary circuit or the secondary circuit.

Abstract: A combined heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (“HVACR”) system including an HVAC sub-system and a refrigeration sub-system. The HVAC sub-system is in communication with an open space of an indoor environment and includes a first condenser, a first evaporator, and a first compressor at least partially defining a first refrigerant circuit circulating a first refrigerant for selectively conditioning an airflow within the HVAC subsystem that conditions the open space. The refrigeration sub-system is in communication with an enclosed space within the indoor environment and includes a second con-denser, a second evaporator, and a second compressor and at least partially defining a second refrigerant circuit circulating a second refrigerant for selectively conditioning the enclosed space. Heat from the second refrigerant is selectively transferred to the airflow within the second condenser to reheat the airflow prior to the airflow being discharged into the open space.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a primary compressor that receives refrigerant from an evaporator and delivers refrigerant to a condenser, a subcooling compressor that delivers refrigerant to the condenser, and a subcooler that receives refrigerant from the condenser. A first refrigerant flow path and a second refrigerant flow path pass through the subcooler. The first refrigerant flow path delivers a portion of the refrigerant to the evaporator, and the second refrigerant flow path delivers a remainder of the refrigerant to the subcooling compressor. The refrigeration system includes a controller operable to control operation of the subcooling compressor such that the refrigeration system operates at a point of highest efficiency.

Abstract: A refrigeration system including a refrigeration circuit and a controller. The refrigeration circuit includes a plurality of variable capacity compressors arranged in parallel to compress a refrigerant. A second variable capacity compressor is started after a first variable capacity compressor. An evaporator defines a load while evaporating the refrigerant to refrigerate a space within a predetermined temperature range. The controller is programmed to control the operation of the plurality of variable capacity compressors to match the capacity of the plurality of variable capacity compressors to the load by increasing the capacity of the last compressor in the queue of running compressors when the capacity of the plurality of variable capacity compressors is lower than the load and by decreasing the capacity of the first compressor in the queue when the capacity of the plurality of variable capacity compressors is higher than the load.

Abstract: A control valve to regulate flow of refrigerant through a refrigeration system that includes a plurality of refrigerated display cases. Each of the plurality of display cases includes a dedicated evaporator that cools return air by at least partially evaporating a refrigerant. A compressor assembly compresses evaporated refrigerant received from the plurality of evaporators. The system further includes a condenser located remotely from the plurality of display cases that rejects heat from the refrigerant to an environment. A gas main is in fluid communication with an inlet of the condenser and directs refrigerant from the compressor assembly to the condenser. A liquid main is in fluid communication with an outlet of the condenser and directs refrigerant from the condenser to the plurality of evaporators. The valve is fluidly coupled between the gas main and the liquid main, and regulates flow of refrigerant from the gas main to the liquid main.

Abstract: A refrigeration merchandiser including at least one surface at least partially defining an environmental space adapted to accommodate a commodity. The merchandiser includes a linear compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The linear compressor, which can be a free-piston linear compressor having dual-opposing pistons, the condenser, the expansion valve and the evaporator are all in fluid communication. The evaporator is in thermal communication with the environmental space to influence the temperature of the environmental space. A merchandiser also includes a frame supporting the at least one surface, the linear compressor, the condenser, the expansion device, and the evaporator.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a two-stage linear compressor having a first piston disposed in a first cylinder and a second piston disposed in a second cylinder. The linear compressor is operable in an economizer cycle wherein the first piston operates as a first stage of the economizer cycle and the second piston operates as a second stage of the economizer cycle. A controller is coupled to the linear compressor to control a volume flow ratio of the linear compressor. The controller stores a plurality of coefficients of performance for a range of particular operating conditions of the linear compressor and each coefficient of performance corresponds to a desired volume flow ratio and a desired secondary evaporating temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides a refrigeration system including a plurality of refrigerated display cases. Each display case has a dedicated evaporator assembly that cools return air by evaporating a refrigerant, and a first stage compressor assembly that is in fluid communication with the respective evaporator assembly to compress the refrigerant to a first pressure corresponding to a first temperature of the refrigerant prior to discharge of the compressed refrigerant. The refrigeration system also includes a second stage compressor assembly that is in fluid communication with the first stage compressor assemblies to compress the refrigerant to a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure, and that corresponds to a second temperature of the refrigerant. The refrigeration system further includes a heat exchanger that is in fluid communication with the second stage compressor assembly to receive the refrigerant from the second stage compressor assembly to reject heat from the refrigerant.

Abstract: A refrigeration system including a refrigeration circuit and a controller. The refrigeration circuit includes a plurality of variable capacity compressors arranged in parallel to compress a refrigerant. A second variable capacity compressor is started after a first variable capacity compressor. An evaporator defines a load while evaporating the refrigerant to refrigerate a space within a predetermined temperature range. The controller is programmed to control the operation of the plurality of variable capacity compressors to match the capacity of the plurality of variable capacity compressors to the load by increasing the capacity of the last compressor in the queue of running compressors when the capacity of the plurality of variable capacity compressors is lower than the load and by decreasing the capacity of the first compressor in the queue when the capacity of the plurality of variable capacity compressors is higher than the load.

Abstract: A commercial refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a valve, and an evaporator coil, all of which are in fluid communication. The refrigeration system further including a fixture adapted to be cooled by the evaporator coil, a system controller operable to control operation of the refrigeration system, and a subsystem controller in communication with the system controller. The subsystem controller being operable to monitor at least one parameter of a subsystem having at least one of the compressor, condenser, valve, and fixture, and being further operable to execute a command from the system controller to affect the operation of the subsystem.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a dual-piston linear compressor including a first piston disposed in a first cylinder and a second piston opposed to the first piston and disposed in a second cylinder. The first piston divides the first cylinder into a first suction chamber and a first discharge chamber and the second piston divides the second cylinder into a second suction chamber and a second discharge chamber. The refrigeration system also includes a first gas flow path through the linear compressor, a second gas flow path through the linear compressor, and a controller operable to switch the linear compressor between an economizer cycle and a single stage cycle wherein in the economizer cycle flow of gas is along the first gas flow path and in the single stage cycle flow of gas is along the second gas flow path.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for use with a building. The refrigeration system can include a plurality of refrigerated display cases, a condenser, a liquid main and a gas main. Each refrigerated display case can include an evaporator assembly and a compressor assembly fluidly coupled to one another. The condenser can be remotely located from the refrigerated display cases to reject heat from refrigerant in the system. The liquid main can fluidly couple an outlet of the condenser with the evaporator assembly of each refrigerated display case, and the gas main can fluidly couple the compressor assembly of each refrigerated display case with an inlet of the condenser. At least a portion of each of the liquid main and the gas main can be positioned adjacent each refrigerated display case to allow the refrigerated display cases to be positioned at a variety of locations within a shopping area of the building.

Abstract: A control valve to regulate flow of refrigerant through a refrigeration system that includes a plurality of refrigerated display cases. Each of the plurality of display cases includes a dedicated evaporator that cools return air by at least partially evaporating a refrigerant. A compressor assembly compresses evaporated refrigerant received from the plurality of evaporators. The system further includes a condenser located remotely from the plurality of display cases that rejects heat from the refrigerant to an environment. A gas main is in fluid communication with an inlet of the condenser and directs refrigerant from the compressor assembly to the condenser. A liquid main is in fluid communication with an outlet of the condenser and directs refrigerant from the condenser to the plurality of evaporators. The valve is fluidly coupled between the gas main and the liquid main, and regulates flow of refrigerant from the gas main to the liquid main.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a primary compressor that receives refrigerant from an evaporator and delivers refrigerant to a condenser, a subcooling compressor that delivers refrigerant to the condenser, and a subcooler that receives refrigerant from the condenser. A first refrigerant flow path and a second refrigerant flow path pass through the subcooler. The first refrigerant flow path delivers a portion of the refrigerant to the evaporator, and the second refrigerant flow path delivers a remainder of the refrigerant to the subcooling compressor. The refrigeration system includes a controller operable to control operation of the subcooling compressor such that the refrigeration system operates at a point of highest efficiency.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a two-stage linear compressor having a first piston disposed in a first cylinder and a second piston disposed in a second cylinder. The linear compressor is operable in an economizer cycle wherein the first piston operates as a first stage of the economizer cycle and the second piston operates as a second stage of the economizer cycle. A controller is coupled to the linear compressor to control a volume flow ratio of the linear compressor. The controller stores a plurality of coefficients of performance for a range of particular operating conditions of the linear compressor and each coefficient of performance corresponds to a desired volume flow ratio and a desired secondary evaporating temperature.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a dual-piston linear compressor including a first piston disposed in a first cylinder and a second piston opposed to the first piston and disposed in a second cylinder. The first piston divides the first cylinder into a first suction chamber and a first discharge chamber and the second piston divides the second cylinder into a second suction chamber and a second discharge chamber. The refrigeration system also includes a first gas flow path through the linear compressor, a second gas flow path through the linear compressor, and a controller operable to switch the linear compressor between an economizer cycle and a single stage cycle wherein in the economizer cycle flow of gas is along the first gas flow path and in the single stage cycle flow of gas is along the second gas flow path.

Abstract: 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 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.

Abstract: A refrigeration merchandiser including at least one surface at least partially defining an environmental space adapted to accommodate a commodity. The merchandiser includes a linear compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The linear compressor, which can be a free-piston linear compressor having dual-opposing pistons, the condenser, the expansion valve and the evaporator are all in fluid communication. The evaporator is in thermal communication with the environmental space to influence the temperature of the environmental space. A merchandiser also includes a frame supporting the at least one surface, the linear compressor, the condenser, the expansion device, and the evaporator.