阅读说明：本技术 冷却系统 (Cooling system ) 是由 查世彤 于 2019-05-31 设计创作，主要内容包括：冷却系统。一种装置包括闪蒸箱、第一负载、第二负载、第一压缩机、第二压缩机和膨胀阀。闪蒸箱存储致冷剂。第一负载使用来自闪蒸箱的致冷剂来冷却靠近第一负载的空间。第二负载使用来自闪蒸箱的致冷剂来冷却靠近第二负载的空间。第一压缩机压缩来自第二负载的致冷剂。第二压缩机压缩来自第一负载的致冷剂和来自第一压缩机的致冷剂的混合物。膨胀阀控制致冷剂从闪蒸箱到第一负载的流动,使得当混合物的温度超过阈值时,致冷剂向第一负载的流动被增加。(A cooling system. An apparatus includes a flash tank, a first load, a second load, a first compressor, a second compressor, and an expansion valve. The flash tank stores a refrigerant. The first load uses refrigerant from the flash tank to cool a space proximate the first load. The second load uses refrigerant from the flash tank to cool a space proximate the second load. The first compressor compresses refrigerant from the second load. The second compressor compresses a mixture of refrigerant from the first load and refrigerant from the first compressor. The expansion valve controls the flow of refrigerant from the flash tank to the first load such that when the temperature of the mixture exceeds a threshold, the flow of refrigerant to the first load is increased.)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

A flash tank configured to store a refrigerant;

A first load configured to cool a space near the first load using refrigerant from the flash tank;

A second load configured to cool a space near the second load using refrigerant from the flash tank;

A first compressor configured to compress refrigerant from a second load,

A second compressor configured to compress a mixture of refrigerant from the first load and refrigerant from the first compressor; and

An expansion valve configured to control a flow of refrigerant from the flash tank to the first load such that when a temperature of the mixture exceeds a threshold value, the flow of refrigerant to the first load is increased.

2. the apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a desuperheater configured to remove heat from the refrigerant from the first compressor.

3. the apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an accumulator configured to convert the mixture from a liquid to a gas before the mixture enters the second compressor.

4. the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second compressor is further configured to compress the flash gas from the flash tank.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expansion valve is further configured to control the flow of refrigerant from the flash tank to the first load such that when the temperature of the mixture is below the threshold, the flow of refrigerant to the first load is reduced.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the threshold is 15 degrees fahrenheit above the saturation temperature of the cryogen.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the refrigerant from the first load is 1.8 degrees fahrenheit above or 1.8 degrees fahrenheit below the saturation temperature of the refrigerant when the temperature of the mixture exceeds the threshold.

8. A method, comprising:

Storing a refrigerant by a flash tank;

cooling a space proximate the first load with refrigerant from the flash tank through the first load;

Cooling a space proximate the second load using refrigerant from the flash tank through the second load;

Compressing refrigerant from the second load by the first compressor;

Compressing a mixture of refrigerant from the first load and refrigerant from the first compressor by a second compressor, and

The flow of refrigerant from the flash tank to the first load is controlled by an expansion valve such that when the temperature of the mixture exceeds a threshold value, the flow of refrigerant to the first load is increased.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising removing heat from the refrigerant from the first compressor through a desuperheater.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: converting the mixture from a liquid to a gas by an accumulator before the mixture enters a second compressor.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising compressing the flashed gas from the flash tank via a second compressor.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising controlling the flow of refrigerant from the flash tank to the first load by an expansion valve such that when the temperature of the mixture is below the threshold, the flow of refrigerant to the first load is reduced.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the threshold is 15 degrees fahrenheit above the saturation temperature of the cryogen.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the temperature of the refrigerant from the first load is 1.8 degrees fahrenheit above or 1.8 degrees fahrenheit below the saturation temperature of the refrigerant when the temperature of the mixture exceeds the threshold.

15. A system, comprising:

A high-side heat exchanger configured to remove heat from the refrigerant;

A flash tank configured to store refrigerant from the high-side heat exchanger;

A first load configured to cool a space near the first load using refrigerant from the flash tank;

a second load configured to cool a space near the second load using refrigerant from the flash tank;

A first compressor configured to compress refrigerant from a second load;

A second compressor configured to compress a mixture of refrigerant from the first load and refrigerant from the first compressor and to guide the compressed mixture to the high-side heat exchanger; and

An expansion valve configured to control a flow of refrigerant from the flash tank to the first load such that when a temperature of the mixture exceeds a threshold value, the flow of refrigerant to the first load is increased.

16. the system of claim 15, further comprising a desuperheater configured to remove heat from the refrigerant from the first compressor.

17. the system of claim 15, further comprising an accumulator configured to convert the mixture from a liquid to a gas before the mixture enters the second compressor.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the second compressor is further configured to compress the flash gas from the flash tank.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the expansion valve is further configured to control the flow of refrigerant from the flash tank to the first load such that when the temperature of the mixture is below the threshold, the flow of refrigerant to the first load is reduced.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the threshold is 15 degrees fahrenheit above the saturation temperature of the cryogen.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the temperature of the refrigerant from the first load is 1.8 degrees fahrenheit above or 1.8 degrees fahrenheit below the saturation temperature of the refrigerant when the temperature of the mixture exceeds the threshold.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to cooling systems, such as refrigeration systems.

Background

Cooling systems are used to cool spaces such as residential homes, commercial buildings, and/or refrigeration units. These systems circulate a refrigerant (also referred to as charge) that is used to cool the space.

Disclosure of Invention

a typical commercial refrigeration system includes a medium temperature portion (e.g., a product shelf) and a low temperature portion (e.g., a freezer compartment). The low temperature compressor compresses refrigerant from the low temperature part. The intermediate temperature compressor compresses a mixture of refrigerant from the intermediate temperature portion and compressed refrigerant from the low temperature compressor. Thus, the temperature of the refrigerant from the low temperature portion and the temperature of the refrigerant from the medium temperature portion affect the temperature of the mixture received at the medium temperature compressor.

Problems in prior systems arise when the low temperature portion is being used in greater quantities or more frequently than the medium temperature portion. In these cases, there is not enough refrigerant from the intermediate temperature section to mix with the hot refrigerant from the cryogenic compressor. Consequently, the temperature of the mixture rises, which impairs the performance of the medium-temperature compressor.

The present disclosure contemplates an unconventional cooling system that increases the flow of refrigerant to the medium-temperature portion when the temperature of the mixture at the medium-temperature compressor exceeds a threshold value. By increasing the flow of refrigerant to the intermediate temperature portion, the refrigerant leaving the intermediate temperature portion is cooled. The refrigerant then cools the mixture entering the medium temperature compressor. Thus, the performance of the medium temperature compressor is improved. Certain embodiments of the system will be described below.

according to an embodiment, an apparatus includes a flash tank (flash tank), a first load, a second load, a first compressor, a second compressor, and an expansion valve. The flash tank stores a refrigerant. The first load uses refrigerant from the flash tank to cool a space proximate the first load. The second load uses refrigerant from the flash tank to cool a space proximate the second load. The first compressor compresses refrigerant from the second load. The second compressor compresses a mixture of refrigerant from the first load and refrigerant from the first compressor. The expansion valve controls the flow of refrigerant from the flash tank to the first load such that when the temperature of the mixture exceeds a threshold, the flow of refrigerant to the first load is increased.

according to another embodiment, a method includes storing a refrigerant by a flash tank. The method also includes cooling, by the first load, a space proximate to the first load using refrigerant from the flash tank, and cooling, by the second load, a space proximate to the second load using refrigerant from the flash tank. The method also includes compressing refrigerant from the second load with the first compressor and compressing a mixture of refrigerant from the first load and refrigerant from the first compressor with the second compressor. The method also includes controlling a flow of refrigerant from the flash tank to the first load via the expansion valve such that the flow of refrigerant to the first load is increased when the temperature of the mixture exceeds a threshold.

according to yet another embodiment, a system includes a high side heat exchanger (high heat exchanger), a flash tank, a first load, a second load, a first compressor, a second compressor, and an expansion valve. The high side heat exchanger removes heat from the refrigerant. The flash tank stores refrigerant from the high side heat exchanger. The first load uses refrigerant from the flash tank to cool a space proximate the first load. The second load uses refrigerant from the flash tank to cool a space proximate the second load. The first compressor compresses refrigerant from the second load. The second compressor compresses a mixture of refrigerant from the first load and refrigerant from the first compressor and directs the compressed mixture to the high side heat exchanger. The expansion valve controls the flow of refrigerant from the flash tank to the first load such that when the temperature of the mixture exceeds a threshold, the flow of refrigerant to the first load is increased.

Certain embodiments provide one or more technical advantages. For example, embodiments reduce the temperature of the refrigerant at the suction of the medium temperature compressor when medium temperature loads are not being used as heavily or frequently as low temperature loads. As another example, embodiments improve the performance of a compressor by cooling a refrigerant mixture at a suction of the compressor. Certain embodiments may include none, some, or all of the above technical advantages. One or more other technical advantages may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, descriptions, and claims included herein.

Drawings

for a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example cooling system;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example cooling system; and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for operating the cooling system of FIG. 2.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present disclosure and its advantages are best understood by referring to figures 1 through 3 of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

Cooling systems are used to cool spaces such as residential homes, commercial buildings, and/or refrigeration units. These systems circulate a refrigerant (also referred to as a charge) that is used to cool the space. A typical commercial refrigeration system includes a medium temperature portion (e.g., a product shelf) and a low temperature portion (e.g., a freezer compartment). The low temperature compressor compresses refrigerant from the low temperature part. The intermediate temperature compressor compresses a mixture of refrigerant from the intermediate temperature portion and compressed refrigerant from the low temperature compressor. Thus, the temperature of the refrigerant from the low temperature portion and the temperature of the refrigerant from the medium temperature portion affect the temperature of the mixture received at the medium temperature compressor.

Problems in prior systems arise when the low temperature portion is being used in greater quantities or more frequently than the medium temperature portion. In these cases, there is not enough refrigerant from the intermediate temperature section to mix with the hot refrigerant from the cryogenic compressor. Consequently, the temperature of the mixture rises, which impairs the performance of the medium-temperature compressor.

For example, FIG. 1 illustrates an example cooling system 100. As shown in fig. 1, the system 100 includes a high side heat exchanger 105, a flash tank 110, a medium temperature load 115, a low temperature load 120, a low temperature compressor 125, and a medium temperature compressor 130. Typically, these components circulate a refrigerant to cool the space near the medium temperature load 115 and the low temperature load 120.

The high side heat exchanger 105 removes heat from the refrigerant. As heat is removed from the cryogen, the cryogen is cooled. The present disclosure contemplates the high side heat exchanger 105 being operated as a condenser and/or a gas cooler. When operating as a condenser, the high-side heat exchanger 105 cools the refrigerant so that the state of the refrigerant changes from gas to liquid. When operating as a gas cooler, the high-side heat exchanger 105 cools the gaseous and/or supercritical refrigerant, and the refrigerant remains a gas and/or supercritical fluid. In some configurations, the high side heat exchanger 105 is positioned such that the heat removed from the refrigerant may be rejected to the air. For example, the high side heat exchanger 105 may be positioned on a roof so that the heat removed from the refrigerant may be rejected to the air. As another example, the high side heat exchanger 105 may be positioned outside of a building and/or on a side of a building.

the flash tank 110 stores the refrigerant received from the high side heat exchanger 105. The present disclosure contemplates flash tank 110 storing any state, such as, for example, liquid and/or gaseous refrigerant. The refrigerant leaving flash tank 110 is fed to low temperature load 120 and medium temperature load 115. In some embodiments, flash gas (flash gas) and/or gaseous refrigerant is released from flash tank 110. By releasing the flash gas, the pressure within flash tank 110 may be reduced.

The system 100 includes a low temperature portion and a medium temperature portion. The low temperature section is typically operated at a lower temperature than the medium temperature section. In some refrigeration systems, the low temperature portion may be a freezer system and the medium temperature system may be a conventional refrigeration system. In a grocery store setting, the low temperature portion may include a freezer compartment for holding frozen food items and the medium temperature portion may include a refrigerated shelf for holding products. As shown in fig. 1, the system 100 includes a medium temperature load 115 and a low temperature load 120. The medium temperature part includes a medium temperature load 115, and the low temperature part includes a low temperature load 120. Each of these loads is used to cool a particular space. For example, the medium temperature load 115 may be a product shelf in a grocery store, and the low temperature load 120 may be a freezer. Typically, the low temperature load 120 keeps the space cooled to a freezing temperature (e.g., below 32 degrees fahrenheit) and the medium temperature load 115 keeps the space cooled to a temperature above freezing (e.g., above 32 degrees fahrenheit).

refrigerant flows from the flash tank 110 to both the low and medium temperature portions of the refrigeration system. For example, the refrigerant may flow to the low temperature load 120 and the medium temperature load 115. When the refrigerant reaches the low temperature load 120 or the medium temperature load 115, the refrigerant removes heat from the air surrounding the low temperature load 120 or the medium temperature load 115. Thus, the air is cooled. The cooled air may then be circulated, such as by a fan, for example, to cool a space, such as, for example, a freezer compartment and/or a refrigerated shelf. As the refrigerant passes through the low temperature load 120 and the medium temperature load 115, the refrigerant may change from a liquid state to a gaseous state as it absorbs heat.

refrigerant flows from low temperature load 120 and medium temperature load 115 to compressors 125 and 130. The present disclosure contemplates that system 100 includes any number of cryogenic compressors 125 and intermediate temperature compressors 130. The low temperature compressor 125 and the intermediate temperature compressor 130 may be configured to increase the pressure of the refrigerant. Therefore, heat in the refrigerant may become concentrated, and the refrigerant may become a high-pressure gas. The low temperature compressor 125 compresses refrigerant from the low temperature load 120 and sends the compressed refrigerant to the medium temperature compressor 130. The intermediate temperature compressor 130 compresses refrigerant from the low temperature compressor 125 and/or the intermediate temperature load 115. Refrigerant from the low temperature compressor 125 is mixed with and cooled by refrigerant from the medium temperature load 115 before entering the medium temperature compressor 130. Then, the medium temperature compressor 130 may send the compressed refrigerant to the high side heat exchanger 105.

a problem arises in the system 100 when the low temperature load 120 is being used more heavily or more frequently than the medium temperature load 115. In these cases, there is not enough refrigerant from the intermediate temperature load 115 to mix with the hot refrigerant from the low temperature compressor 125. Thus, the temperature of the mixture received at the medium temperature compressor 130 may be too hot, which compromises the performance of the medium temperature compressor 130.

The present disclosure contemplates an unconventional cooling system that increases the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load 115 when the temperature of the mixture at the medium temperature compressor 130 exceeds a threshold value. By increasing the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load 115, the refrigerant leaving the medium temperature load 115 becomes cooler, particularly if the medium temperature load 115 is not being used in large quantities or frequently. The refrigerant then cools the mixture entering the medium temperature compressor 130. Therefore, the performance of the medium temperature compressor 130 is improved. The cooling system will be described in more detail using fig. 2 to 3.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example cooling system 200. As shown in fig. 2, system 200 includes high side heat exchanger 105, flash tank 110, medium temperature load 115, low temperature load 120, low temperature compressor 125, medium temperature compressor 130, expansion valve 205, expansion valve 210, bypass valve 215, desuperheater 220, accumulator 225, oil separator 230, sensor 235, and controller 240. Generally, the system 200 allows the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load 115 to be controlled in order to cool the refrigerant received at the medium temperature compressor 130. Thus, in certain embodiments, the performance of the medium temperature compressor 130 is improved.

The high side heat exchanger 105, flash tank 110, intermediate temperature load 115, low temperature load 120, low temperature compressor 125, and intermediate temperature compressor 130 operate similarly to their operation in the system 100. For example, the high side heat exchanger 105 removes heat from the refrigerant. The flash tank 110 stores refrigerant. The medium temperature load 115 and the low temperature load 120 use a refrigerant to cool a space near the medium temperature load 115 and the low temperature load 120. The low temperature compressor 125 compresses refrigerant from the low temperature load 120. The medium temperature compressor 130 compresses refrigerant from the medium temperature load 115 and the low temperature compressor 125.

In certain embodiments, to improve the performance of the medium temperature compressor 130, the controller 240 controls the expansion valve 205 in response to the temperature of the refrigerant received at the medium temperature compressor 130. For example, if the temperature is above a threshold, the controller 240 may control the expansion valve 205 to allow more refrigerant to flow to the medium temperature load 115. Thus, the refrigerant leaving the medium temperature load 115 is cooler and, therefore, provides more cooling to the mixture received at the medium temperature compressor 130. As the medium temperature compressor 130 receives a cooler mixture, the performance of the medium temperature compressor 130 improves.

Expansion valves 205 and 210 control the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load 115 and the low temperature load 120, respectively. For example, when the expansion valve 205 is opened, the refrigerant flows toward the medium temperature load 115. When the expansion valve 205 is closed, the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load 115 is stopped. When the expansion valve 210 is opened, the refrigerant flows toward the low-temperature load 120. When the expansion valve 210 is closed, the flow of refrigerant to the low temperature load 120 stops. In some embodiments, the expansion valves 205 and 210 may be opened to different degrees in order to regulate the amount of refrigerant flowing to the medium temperature load 115 and the low temperature load 120. For example, the expansion valves 205 and 210 may be opened more to increase the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load 115 and the low temperature load 120. As another example, the expansion valves 205 and 210 may be opened less to reduce the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load 115 and the low temperature load 120.

Expansion valves 205 and 210 are used to cool the refrigerant entering the loads 115 and 120. The expansion valves 205 and 210 may receive refrigerant from any component of the system 100, such as, for example, the high side heat exchanger 105 and/or the flash tank 110. The expansion valves 205 and 210 reduce the pressure and thus the temperature of the refrigerant. The expansion valves 205 and 210 reduce the pressure from the refrigerant flowing into the expansion valves 205 and 210. Then, as the pressure is reduced, the temperature of the refrigerant may decrease. Thus, the refrigerant entering the expansion valves 205 and 210 may be cooler as it exits the expansion valves 205 and 210. Refrigerant exiting the expansion valve 205 is fed to the load 115. Refrigerant exiting the expansion valve 210 is fed to the load 120.

A bypass valve 215 controls the flow of flash gas from flash tank 110 to medium temperature compressor 130. When bypass valve 215 is opened, flash gas may exit flash tank 110 and flow to medium temperature compressor 130. In this manner, the pressure within flash tank 110 is reduced and the mixture received at medium temperature compressor 130 may be cooled by the flash gas. The present disclosure contemplates that the bypass valve 215 be opened more or less to regulate the flow of flash gas out of the flash tank 110. For example, the bypass valve 215 may be opened more to increase the flow of the flash gas, and the bypass valve 215 may be opened less to decrease the flow of the flash gas.

Desuperheater 220 removes heat from the refrigerant exiting cryogenic compressor 125. The desuperheater 220 removes heat from the refrigerant compressed by the low temperature compressor 125 before the refrigerant reaches the medium temperature compressor 130. By removing heat from the refrigerant, the desuperheater 220 allows the medium temperature compressor 130 to operate more efficiently and effectively. Some embodiments may not include desuperheater 220. In these embodiments, the refrigerant exiting the low temperature compressor 125 flows directly to an accumulator (accumulator)225 and/or the intermediate temperature compressor 130.

The accumulator 225 converts the liquid refrigerant to a gas. The accumulator 225 receives refrigerant from the medium temperature load 115, the low temperature compressor 125, and/or the desuperheater 220. Further, the accumulator 225 may receive refrigerant in the form of flash gas from the flash tank 110. The accumulator 225 may convert any liquid portion of the received refrigerant to a gas prior to directing the received refrigerant to the medium temperature compressor 130. In this manner, the accumulator 225 protects the medium temperature compressor 130 from liquid entering (also referred to as "flooding") the medium temperature compressor 130. When liquid enters the medium temperature compressor 130, the liquid can overflow and damage the compressor. The accumulator 225 protects the medium temperature compressor 130 and other components of the system 200 from flooding by converting liquid refrigerant to gas. Certain embodiments do not include accumulator 225. In those embodiments, refrigerant from the intermediate temperature load 115, the low temperature compressor 125, the desuperheater 220, and/or the flash tank 110 flows directly to the intermediate temperature compressor 130.

The oil separator 230 receives refrigerant from the intermediate temperature compressor 130. The oil separator 230 separates oil that may have been mixed with refrigerant. The oil may have been mixed with the refrigerant in the low temperature compressor 125 and/or the intermediate temperature compressor 130. By separating the oil from the refrigerant, the oil separator 230 protects other components of the system 200 from being clogged and/or damaged by the oil. The oil separator 230 may collect the separated oil. The oil may then be removed from the oil separator 230 and added back to the low temperature compressor 125 and/or the intermediate temperature compressor 130. Certain embodiments do not include an oil separator 230. In these embodiments, the refrigerant from the medium temperature compressor 130 flows directly to the high side heat exchanger 105.

The sensor 235 detects the temperature of the refrigerant mixture received at the medium temperature compressor 130. The sensor 235 then reports the detected temperature to the controller 240. Based on the sensed temperature, the controller 240 regulates the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load 115. The present disclosure contemplates sensor 235 being any suitable sensor. For example, the sensor 235 may be a temperature sensor that detects temperature. Additionally, the sensor 235 may also include a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the refrigerant mixture received at the medium temperature compressor 130.

the controller 240 includes a processor 245 and a memory 250. The present disclosure contemplates that processor 245 and memory 250 are configured to perform and have the functions of controller 240 described herein. Generally, the controller 240 controls the expansion valve 205 to regulate the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load 115.

processor 245 is any electronic circuitry communicatively coupled to memory 250 and controlling the operation of controller 240, including but not limited to a microprocessor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a special instruction set processor (ASIP), and/or a state machine. Processor 245 may be 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit, 64-bit, or any other suitable architecture. Processor 245 may include an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) to perform arithmetic and logical operations, processor registers to supply operands to the ALU and to store results of the ALU operations, and a control unit to fetch instructions from memory and execute the ALU, registers, and other components by directing their coordinated operation. Processor 245 may include other hardware and software that operate to control and process information. Processor 245 executes software stored on memory 250 to perform any of the functions described herein. Processor 245 controls the operation and management of controller 240 by processing information received from the various components of system 200. Processor 245 may be a programmable logic device, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, any suitable processing device, or any suitable combination of the preceding. Processor 245 is not limited to a single processing device and may encompass multiple processing devices.

Memory 250 may store data, operating software, or other information for processor 245, either permanently or temporarily. Memory 250 may include any one or combination of volatile or non-volatile local or remote devices suitable for storing information. For example, memory 250 may include Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, or any other suitable information storage device or combination of devices. The software represents any suitable set of instructions, logic, or code embodied in a computer-readable storage medium. For example, the software may be implemented in memory 250, a disk, a CD, or a flash drive. In particular embodiments, the software may include an application executable by processor 245 to perform one or more functions of controller 240 described herein.

The controller 240 receives the sensed temperature from the sensor 235. The sensed temperature may be the temperature of the refrigerant mixture received at the medium temperature compressor 130. If the temperature of the mixture is too high, the performance of the medium temperature compressor 130 may be negatively affected. To improve the performance of the medium temperature compressor 130, the controller 240 may adjust the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load 115 to cool the mixture received at the medium temperature compressor 130.

The controller 240 compares the received temperature with a threshold value. Based on this comparison, the controller 240 regulates the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load 115. For example, if the temperature exceeds a threshold, the controller 240 may open the expansion valve 205 more to increase the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load 115. Thus, the refrigerant leaving the medium temperature load 115 cools and thus cools the mixture received at the medium temperature compressor 130. When the temperature of the mixture received at the medium temperature compressor 130 cools such that it falls below a threshold value, the controller 240 may adjust the expansion valve 205 to reduce the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load 115. In certain embodiments, the threshold is adjusted based on the particular operating parameters of the medium temperature compressor 130. For example, the threshold may be set relative to a saturation temperature of the refrigerant received at the medium temperature compressor 130 (e.g., 15 degrees Fahrenheit above the saturation temperature of the refrigerant). When the sensed temperature of the refrigerant exceeds a threshold, the controller 240 increases the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load 115. The present disclosure contemplates the threshold being set at any suitable temperature.

The controller 240 regulates the expansion valve 205 to control the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load 115. For example, the controller 240 may open the expansion valve 205 more when the detected temperature of the refrigerant mixture received at the medium temperature compressor 130 exceeds a threshold. By opening the expansion valve 205 more, the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load 115 is increased. By increasing the flow of refrigerant to the intermediate temperature load 115, the temperature of the refrigerant leaving the intermediate temperature load 115 cools. In certain embodiments, the temperature of the cryogen exiting the medium temperature load 115 may be reduced to near the saturation temperature of the cryogen (e.g., the temperature of the cryogen may be reduced to 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit above the saturation temperature of the cryogen). In certain embodiments, when the temperature of the refrigerant leaving the medium temperature load 115 is cooled, the refrigerant cools the resultant mixture received at the medium temperature compressor 130, thereby improving the performance of the medium temperature compressor 130. When the temperature of the mixture received at the medium temperature compressor 130 drops sufficiently relative to (e.g., below) the threshold value, the controller 240 may adjust the expansion valve 205 to reduce the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load 115. In this manner, the controller 240 adjusts the expansion valve 205 to cool the refrigerant mixture received at the medium temperature compressor 130. Thus, the performance of the medium temperature compressor 130 is improved in certain embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method 300 for operating the cooling system 200 of FIG. 2. In certain embodiments, various components of the system 200 perform the steps of the method 300. By performing method 300, the performance of the medium temperature compressor in system 200 is improved.

In step 305, the high side heat exchanger begins by removing heat from the refrigerant. In step 310, the flash tank stores the refrigerant. In step 315, the medium temperature load cools the first space using a refrigerant. In step 320, the cryogenic load cools the second space using a cryogen. Then, in step 325, the low temperature compressor compresses the refrigerant used to cool the second space.

In step 330, the medium temperature compressor compresses a mixture of refrigerant used to cool the first space and refrigerant compressed to cool the second space. The refrigerant that is compressed to cool the second space may come from a cryogenic compressor that compresses the refrigerant in step 325. In step 335, the sensor detects the temperature of the mixture.

In step 340, control compares the detected temperature to a threshold. If the temperature exceeds the threshold, the controller increases the flow of refrigerant to the load that cools the first space using the refrigerant at step 350. For example, the controller may increase the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load. In this way, the refrigerant leaving the medium temperature load is cooled, thereby cooling the mixture received at the medium temperature compressor. If the temperature does not exceed the threshold in step 340, the controller may reduce the flow of refrigerant to the load using the refrigerant to cool the first space in step 345. For example, the controller may reduce the flow of refrigerant to the medium temperature load.

modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 300 depicted in fig. 3. The method 300 may include more, fewer, or other steps. For example, the steps may be performed in parallel or in any suitable order. Although discussed as the system 200 (or components thereof) performing steps, any suitable component of the system 200 may perform one or more steps of the method.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems and devices described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The components of the system and apparatus may be integrated or separated. Additionally, the operations of the systems and apparatus may be performed by more, fewer, or other components. Further, the operations of the systems and devices may be performed using any suitable logic comprising software, hardware, and/or other logic. As used in this document, "each" refers to each member of a collection or each member of a subset of a collection.

While the present disclosure includes several embodiments, a myriad of changes, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.