Method of regulating a refrigeration device by storing thermal energy during non-peak hours for use during peak hours in order to shift refrigeration device operation to non-peak hours

摘要

The present invention is a method of regulating a refrigeration device by storing thermal energy during non-peak hours for use during peak hours in order to shift refrigeration device operation to non-peak hours. In a first iteration, a real-time temperature of the refrigeration device is cooled to a target temperature over a first time duration. The refrigeration device compressor and fan are disabled over a second time duration and the real-time temperature is allowed to slowly rise, never exceeding an established maximum temperature. The real-time temperature is periodically monitored over the first time duration and the second time duration and adjustments are made for a subsequent iteration if the target temperature is reached before the end of the first time duration, if the target temperature is not reached during the first time duration, and if the maximum temperature is reached during the second time duration.

主权项

1. A method of regulating a refrigeration device by storing thermal energy during non-peak hours for use during peak hours in order to shift refrigeration device operation to non-peak hours, the method comprises the steps of:
(A) providing the refrigeration device, wherein the refrigeration device comprises a compressor and a fan and wherein the refrigeration device operates at peak hours and non-peak hours during a 24 hour cycle; (B) providing an internal clock, a first time duration, a second time duration, a normal-operation temperature, a target temperature, and a maximum temperature; (C) cooling a real-time temperature of the refrigeration device from the normal-operation temperature to the target temperature over the first time duration during non-peak hours in a manner that ensures the real-time temperature stays below the maximum temperature during the second time duration; (D) periodically monitoring the real-time temperature of the refrigeration device over the first time duration; (E) disabling the compressor and the fan over the second time duration during peak hours; (F) periodically monitoring the real-time temperature of the refrigeration device over the second time duration; (G) returning the real-time temperature of the refrigeration device to the normal-operation temperature after the second time duration.