Abstract:
A system includes a high side heat exchanger, a flash tank, a compressor, and eight metal beams. Each of the metal beams extend in a linearly vertical direction. The eight metal beams define ten planar boundaries. The first, second, third, and fourth planar boundaries define a first space. The first, fifth, sixth, and seventh planar boundaries define a second space. The fifth, eighth, ninth, and tenth planar boundaries define a third space. The high side heat exchanger is contained entirely within the third space. The flash tank is contained entirely within the first space. The compressor is contained entirely within the second space.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates generally to a rack, specifically a modular rack for a climate control system. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Climate control systems are often arranged on metal racks. For example, a metal rack can be configured to accommodate a high side heat exchanger, a flash tank, a compressor, etc. The racks can be manufactured in various sizes to accommodate any number of components of the climate control systems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    According to one embodiment, a system includes a high side heat exchanger, a flash tank, a load, a compressor, and eight metal beams. Each of the metal beams extend in a linearly vertical direction. The first and second metal beams define a first planar boundary. The second and third metal beams define a second planar boundary. The third and fourth metal beams define a third planar boundary. The fourth and first metal beams define a fourth planar boundary. The fifth and sixth metal beams define a fifth planar boundary. The first and fifth metal beams define a sixth planar boundary. The sixth and second metal beams define a seventh planar boundary. The sixth and seventh metal beams define an eighth planar boundary. The seventh and eighth metal beams define a ninth planar boundary. The eighth and fifth metal beams define a tenth planar boundary. The first, second, third, and fourth planar boundaries define a first space. The first, fifth, sixth, and seventh planar boundaries define a second space. The fifth, eighth, ninth, and tenth planar boundaries define a third space. The high side heat exchanger is configured to remove heat from a refrigerant and is contained entirely within the third space. The flash tank is configured to store the refrigerant from the high side heat exchanger and is contained entirely within the first space. The load is configured to use the refrigerant from the flash tank to remove heat from a space proximate the load. The compressor is configured to compress the refrigerant from the load and to send the refrigerant to the high side heat exchanger. The compressor is contained entirely within the second space. 
         [0004]    According to another embodiment, a method includes storing, by a flash tank, a refrigerant. The flash tank is contained entirely within a first space. The method also includes compressing, by a compressor, the refrigerant. The compressor is contained entirely within a second space. The method further includes removing, by the high side heat exchanger, heat from the refrigerant. The high side heat exchanger is contained entirely within a third space. A first metal beam and a second metal beam define a first planar boundary. The second metal beam and a third metal beam define a second planar boundary. The third metal beam and a fourth metal beam define a third planar boundary. The fourth metal beam and the first metal beam define a fourth planar boundary. A fifth metal beam and a sixth metal beam define a fifth planar boundary. The first metal beam and the fifth metal beam define a sixth planar boundary. The sixth metal beam and the second metal beam define a seventh planar boundary. The sixth metal beam and a seventh metal beam define an eighth planar boundary. The seventh metal beam and an eighth metal beam defining a ninth planar boundary. The eighth metal beam and the fifth metal beam define a tenth planar boundary. The first, second, third, and fourth planar boundaries define the first space. The first, fifth, sixth, and seventh planar boundaries define the second space. The fifth, eighth, ninth, and tenth planar boundaries define the third space. Each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth metal beams extending in a linearly vertical direction. 
         [0005]    According to yet another embodiment, a system includes an arrangement of eight metal beams. Each of the metal beams extends in a linearly vertical direction. The first and second metal beams define a first planar boundary. The second and third metal beams define a second planar boundary. The third and fourth metal beams define a third planar boundary. The fourth and first metal beams defining a fourth planar boundary. The fifth and sixth metal beams define a fifth planar boundary. The first and fifth metal beams define a sixth planar boundary. The sixth and second metal beams define a seventh planar boundary. The sixth and seventh metal beams define an eighth planar boundary. The seventh and eighth metal beams define a ninth planar boundary. The eighth and fifth metal beams define a tenth planar boundary. The first, second, third, and fourth planar boundaries define a first space. The first, second, third, and fourth metal beams are arranged such that a flash tank configured to store a refrigerant is contained entirely within the first space. The first, fifth, sixth, and seventh planar boundaries define a second space. The first, second, fifth, and sixth metal beams are arranged such that a compressor configured to compress the refrigerant is contained entirely within the second space. The fifth, eighth, ninth, and tenth planar boundaries define a third space. The fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth metal beams are arranged such that a high side heat exchanger configured to remove heat from the refrigerant is contained entirely within the third space. 
         [0006]    Certain embodiments may provide one or more technical advantages. For example, an embodiment allows for certain stages of a climate control system to be removed and/or replaced without affecting the configuration of the other stages of the climate control system. As another example, an embodiment allows for components to be added to a climate control system without needing a new metal rack to be manufactured. 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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example climate control system; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a top-down view of the example climate control system of  FIG. 1  arranged in a modular rack; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a frontal view of the example climate control system of  FIG. 1  arranged in a modular rack; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2C  illustrates an isometric view of the example climate control system of  FIG. 1  arranged in a modular rack; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating the example climate control system of  FIG. 1  arranged in a modular rack. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Embodiments of the present disclosure and its advantages are best understood by referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3  of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. 
         [0014]    Climate control systems are often arranged on metal racks. For example, a metal rack can be configured to accommodate a high side heat exchanger, a flash tank, a compressor and other various components of a climate control system. The rack can be manufactured in various sizes to accommodate any number of components of the climate control system. The components of the climate control system can then be mounted onto the metal rack. The metal rack can then be placed in a closet or room where the climate control system is stored. 
         [0015]    The metal rack is typically manufactured to accommodate the particular needs of a climate control system. For example, if a climate control system utilizes only two compressors, then the metal rack can be manufactured with enough space for two compressors. As another example, if a climate control system utilizes six compressors, then the metal rack can be manufactured with enough space to accommodate six compressors. As yet another example, if a climate control system utilizes two flash tanks, then the rack can be manufactured to accommodate two flash tanks. Therefore, the metal racks can be manufactured to suit the needs of any climate control system. 
         [0016]    This type of manufacture of metal racks presents a challenge when the climate control system needs to be modified. In such instances, the manufactured rack may no longer be suitable for the modified climate control system. As a result, a new rack may need to be manufactured to accommodate the modified climate control system. For example, if compressors need to be added to an existing climate control system, the metal rack for that climate control system may not be large enough to accommodate the additional compressors. As a result, a new, larger rack may need to be manufactured to accommodate the modified climate control system. As another example, if a flash tank or a high side heat exchanger of the climate control system needed to be replaced, the rack may not be able to accommodate the new flash tank or the new high side heat exchanger, especially if the new flash tank or high side heat exchanger was made by a different manufacturer than the original flash tank or high side heat exchanger. In this instance, the metal rack will need to be remanufactured to accommodate the modified climate control system. 
         [0017]    This disclosure contemplates a modular climate control system arranged in a modular metal rack that allows for portions of the climate control system to be modified without having to remanufacture the entire metal rack. The metal rack sections off different portions of the climate control system. Each section of the metal rack can be expanded and/or modified without affecting the configuration of the other sections of the metal rack. In this manner, the metal rack can be modified to accommodate any modifications to the climate control system without having to remanufacture the entire rack. 
         [0018]    In particular embodiments, by using the modular climate control system certain stages of the climate control system can be removed and/or replaced without affecting the configuration of the other stages of the climate control system. In some embodiments, the modular climate control system allows for components to be added to the climate control system without needing a new metal rack to be manufactured. The modular climate control system will be discussed in more detail using  FIGS. 1 through 3 .  FIG. 1  describes the components of the climate control system.  FIGS. 2A through 2C  describe the configuration of the metal rack and the climate control system.  FIG. 3  describes the operation of the modular climate control system. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example climate control system  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , system  100  includes a high side heat exchanger  105 , a flash tank  110 , a load  115 , and a compressor  120 . The components of system  100  cycle a refrigerant through system  100  to cool a space. 
         [0020]    High side heat exchanger  105  removes heat from the refrigerant. When heat is removed from the refrigerant, the refrigerant is cooled. This disclosure contemplates high side heat exchanger  105  being operated as a condenser and/or a gas cooler. When operating as a condenser, high side heat exchanger  105  cools the refrigerant such that the state of the refrigerant changes from a gas to a liquid. When operating as a gas cooler, high side heat exchanger  105  cools the refrigerant but the refrigerant remains a gas. In certain configurations, high side heat exchanger  105  is positioned such that heat removed from the refrigerant may be discharged into the air. For example, high side heat exchanger  105  may be positioned on a rooftop so that heat removed from the refrigerant may be discharged into the air. As another example, high side heat exchanger  105  may be positioned external to a building and/or on the side of a building. 
         [0021]    Flash tank  110  stores refrigerant received from high side heat exchanger  105 . This disclosure contemplates flash tank  110  storing refrigerant in any state such as, for example, a liquid state and/or a gaseous state. Refrigerant leaving flash tank  110  is fed to load  115 . This disclosure contemplates system  100  including any number of flash tanks  110 . Flash tank  110  is referred to as a receiving vessel in certain embodiments. 
         [0022]    Load  115  receives the refrigerant from flash tank  110 . Load  115  cycles the refrigerant to cool a space proximate load  115 . For example, load  115  may use the refrigerant to cool air proximate load  115 . Then load  115  may circulate the cooled air using a fan to cool a larger space. 
         [0023]    Compressor  120  compresses refrigerant received from load  115 . This disclosure contemplates system  100  including any number of compressors  120 . Compressor  120  may be configured to increase the pressure of the refrigerant. As a result, the heat in the refrigerant may become concentrated and the refrigerant may become a high pressure gas. Compressor  120  may send the compressed refrigerant to high side heat exchanger  105 . 
         [0024]    This disclosure contemplates climate control system  100  including any number of components. For example, climate control system  100  may include one or more high side heat exchangers  105 , flash tanks  110 , loads  115 , and/or compressors  120 . Climate control system  100  may also include piping that controls the flow of the refrigerant through system  100 . Climate control system  100  may further include other components typically found in a climate control system such as, for example, a filter drier, an oil separator, and an accumulator. This disclosure contemplates climate control system  100  including any appropriate component. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 2A through 2C  illustrate climate control system  100  arranged in a modular metal rack. By arranging climate control system  100  in a modular metal rack, components of climate control system  100  may be modified and/or replaced without having to remanufacture the entire metal rack. Furthermore, the modular metal rack may be expanded without having to remanufacture the entire metal rack. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a top-down view of the example climate control system  100  of  FIG. 1  arranged in a modular rack  200 . As illustrated, rack  200  includes eight metal beams  205 ,  210 ,  215 ,  220 ,  225 ,  230 ,  235  and  240 . Metal beams  205 ,  210 ,  215 ,  220 ,  225 ,  230 ,  235  and  240  establish sections of rack  200  in which components of climate control system  100  may be placed. Certain components of system  100  may not be located on rack  200 . For example, load  115  may be positioned within a portion of a structure that needs to be cooled (e.g. a refrigeration unit or a room). In particular embodiments, by using rack  200 , components of climate control system  100  may be modified and/or replaced without modifying the entire rack  200 . 
         [0027]    Metal beams  205 ,  210 ,  215  and  220  may be arranged to define planar boundaries  245 ,  250 ,  255  and  260 . Each of planar boundaries  245 ,  250 ,  255  and  260  have edges defined by metal beams  205 ,  210 ,  215  and  220 . Planar boundaries  245 ,  250 ,  255  and  260  define a space  292 . Metal beams  205 ,  210 ,  225  and  230  define planar boundaries  245 ,  265 ,  270  and  275 . Each of planar boundaries  245 ,  265 ,  270  and  275  have edges defined by metal beams  205 ,  210 ,  225  and  230 . Planar boundaries  245 ,  265 ,  270  and  275  define a space  294 . Metal beams  225 ,  230 ,  235  and  240  define planar boundaries  265 ,  280 ,  285  and  290 . Planar boundaries  265 ,  280 ,  285  and  290  have edges defined by metal beams  225 ,  230 ,  235  and  240 . Planar boundaries  265 ,  280 ,  285  and  290  define a space  296 . Each of metal beams  205 ,  210 ,  215 ,  220 ,  225 ,  230 ,  235 , and  240  are arranged in a linearly vertical direction. 
         [0028]    Spaces  292 ,  294  and  296  may be used to segment different components of climate control system  100 . For example, space  292  may contain high side heat exchanger  105 , space  294  may contain compressor  120 , and space  296  may contain flash tank  110 . In this example, high side heat exchanger  105  is contained entirely within space  292 , compressor  120  is contained entirely within space  294 , and flash tank  110  is contained entirely within space  296 . The various components of system  200  may be coupled together with piping that crosses the planar boundaries. 
         [0029]    Rack  200  includes other metal beams not illustrated in  FIG. 2A . For example, rack  200  includes metal beams that couple metal beam  205  to metal beam  210 , metal beams that couple metal beam  210  to metal beam  215 , metal beams that couple metal beam  215  to metal beam  220 , metal beams that couple metal beam  205  to metal beam  225 , metal beams that couple metal beam  210  to metal beam  230 , metal beams that couple metal beam  225  to metal beam  230 , metal beams that couple metal beam  230  to metal beam  235 , metal beams that couple metal beam  235  to metal beam  240 , and metal beams that couple metal beam  225  to metal beam  240 . 
         [0030]    By arranging climate control system  100  in rack  200 , components of system  100  may be modified and/or replaced without having to remanufacture rack  200 . For example, an additional flash tank may be added to system  100  by expanding space  296 . In the same way, compressors  120  and high side heat exchangers  105  may be added and/or replaced in system  100  without having to remanufacture the entire rack  200 . 
         [0031]    In particular embodiments, climate control system  100  may include additional components such as a filter drier, an oil separator, and an accumulator. The filter drier may be arranged in space  296  such that the filter drier is accessible and removable through planar boundary  290 . The oil separator may be coupled to one or more compressors  120 , and the accumulator may be coupled to one or more compressors  120 . The oil separator may be contained entirely within space  294 . The accumulator may be contained entirely within space  296 . 
         [0032]    Climate control system  100  may include more than one flash tank  110 . The second flash tank  110  may also store refrigerant from high side heat exchanger  105 . Space  296  may be expanded to accommodate second flash tank  110  such that second flash tank  110  and flash tank  110  are contained entirely within space  296 . 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, compressors  120  may be added to climate control system  100 . The additional compressors may be chained together with the original compressor  120 . In this manner, the additional compressors  120  may further compress the refrigerant from the original compressor  120 . The additional compressors  120  may send the compressed refrigerant to high side heat exchanger  105 . Space  294  may be expanded to accommodate the additional compressors such that the additional compressors are all contained entirely within space  294 . Each of these compressors and the original compressor  120  may be arranged such that they are each accessible and removable through planar boundary  270 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a frontal view of the example climate control system  100  of  FIG. 1  arranged in a modular rack  200 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2B , flash tank  110  is contained entirely within space  296 , compressors  120  are contained entirely within space  294 , and high side heat exchanger  105  is contained entirely within space  292 . Metal beams  240 ,  255 ,  205  and  220  establish some of the boundaries that define spaces  292 ,  294  and  296 . 
         [0035]    This disclosure contemplates high side heat exchanger  105  coupling, through piping, to a heat removal unit. The heat removal unit may further remove heat from the refrigerant in system  100 . The heat removal unit may be located on the exterior of a building or on the ceiling of the building. The heat removal unit may discharge any removed heat into the air outside the building. The heat removal unit may then send the refrigerant to flash tank  110 . 
         [0036]    In particular embodiments, climate control system  100  includes a heat reclaim unit. The heat reclaim unit may be coupled to metal beams  220  and  215 . The heat reclaim unit provides ventilated air that improves the efficiency of climate control system  100 . For example, the heat reclaim unit may maintain the humidity and/or temperature of a space using ventilated air without having to operate climate control system  100 . 
         [0037]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2B , each of the components of climate control system  100  is accessible and/or removable through the front of rack  200 . For example, flash tank  110 , compressors  120  and high side heat exchanger  105  are each accessible and/or removable from the front of rack  200 . Additional components of system  100  may also be accessible and/or removable from the front of rack  200 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 2C  illustrates an isometric view of the example climate control system  100  of  FIG. 1  arranged in a modular rack  200 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2C , each of metal beams  205 ,  210 ,  220 ,  225 ,  230 ,  235  and  240  define boundaries for spaces  292 ,  294  and  296 . High side heat exchanger  105  is contained entirely within space  292 , each compressor  120  is contained entirely within space  294 , and flash tank  110  is contained entirely within space  296 . Rack  200  may include additional metal beams that couple together metal beams  205 ,  210 ,  220 ,  225 ,  230 ,  235  and  240 . By coupling together metal beams  205 ,  210 ,  220 ,  225 ,  230 ,  235  and  240 , the structure of metal rack  200  is stabilized. The lengths of these additional metal beams may be adjusted and/or modified to accommodate additional or different components of climate control system  100 . For example, the metal beams coupling metal beams  225  and  240  and the metal beams coupling metal beams  230  and  235  may be lengthened to increase the size of space  296 . When the size of space  296  is increased, an additional flash tank  110  may be added to climate control system  100 . In this manner, components may be added to climate control system  100  without needing to modify other portions of system  100 . Using the previous example, adding the extra flash tank  110  did not affect how compressors  120  and/or high side heat exchanger  105  were arranged in rack  200  nor did those portions of rack  200  need to be modified to accommodate the additional flash tank  110 . 
         [0039]    This disclosure contemplates the metal beams of rack  200  being coupled together using any appropriate coupling means, such as for example, huck bolts, pieces with bolt patterns, and/or other common and universal parts. To expand a section of rack  200 , certain metal beams can be uncoupled and replaced with longer metal beams. For example, the metal beams coupling metal beams  230  and  235  and the metal beams coupling metal beams  225  and  240  can be uncoupled and replaced with longer beams to expand space  296 . In this manner, rack  200  need not be remanufactured to expand space  296 . Furthermore, none of the metal beams corresponding to spaces  292  and  294  are affected by the change to space  296 . 
         [0040]    In certain embodiments, arranging certain components of system  100  in particular sections of rack  200  improves accessibility to these components. For example, arranging each compressor  120  in space  294  and orientating each compressor  120  to face the same direction allows each compressor  120  to be accessible through a front surface of rack  200 . This also allows each compressor  120  to be serviced and/or replaced through the same surface of rack  200 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a method  300  of operating the example climate control system  100  of  FIG. 1  arranged in a modular rack. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , flash tank  110 , compressor  120  and high side heat exchanger  105  may perform method  300 . Flash tank  110  is contained entirely within space  296 . Compressor  120  is contained entirely within space  294  and high side heat exchanger  105  is contained entirely within space  292 . 
         [0042]    Flash tank  110  may begin by storing a refrigerant in step  305 . Then in step  310 , compressor  120  may compress the refrigerant. Method  300  may conclude by high side heat exchanger  105  removing heat from the refrigerant in step  315 . 
         [0043]    Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method  300  depicted in  FIG. 3 . Method  300  may include more, fewer, or other steps. For example, steps may be performed in parallel or in any suitable order. While discussed as various components of climate control system  100  performing the steps, any suitable component or combination of components of system  100  may perform one or more steps of the method. 
         [0044]    Although 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.