Methods and systems for controlling integrated air conditioning systems

Abstract

An integrated air conditioning system having a first air conditioning unit having a first evaporator with a first input and a first output; a second air conditioning unit having a second evaporator with a second input and a second output; a first conduit fluidly connecting the first input with the second output; a second conduit fluidly connecting the second input with the first output. The first and second conduits and the first and second evaporators form a working fluid circuit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         10 . An integrated air conditioning system, comprising:
 a first air conditioning unit having a first evaporator with a first inlet and a first outlet, a first pump, and a first refrigeration circuit, said first air conditioning unit having a first cooling mode and first free-cooling mode;   a second air conditioning unit having a second evaporator with a second inlet and a second outlet, a second pump, and a second refrigeration circuit, said second air conditioning unit having a second cooling mode and a second free-cooling mode;   a first conduit fluidly connecting said first input with said second output; and   a second conduit fluidly connecting said second input with said first output, wherein said first and second conduits and first and second evaporators form a working fluid circuit through which a working fluid flows without flowing through a heat exchanger conduit.   
     
     
         11 . The integrated air conditioning system of  claim 10 , wherein said working fluid is chilled water or glycol. 
     
     
         12 . The integrated air conditioning system of  claim 10 , wherein said working fluid circuit keeps said working fluid flowing through said first and second air conditioning units during a temporary stoppage of either said first or second air conditioning units so as to minimize an increase in temperature of said working fluid during said temporary stoppage. 
     
     
         13 . The integrated air conditioning system of  claim 10 , further comprising a controller in electrical communication with said first and second air conditioning units. 
     
     
         14 . A method for controlling an integrated air conditioning system having a first air conditioning unit and a second air conditioning unit, wherein the first air conditioning unit and the second air conditioning unit are in heat exchange communication with a working fluid, comprising:
 switching the first air conditioning unit from a cooling mode to a free-cooling mode; and   operating the second air conditioning unit for a predetermined period of time after switching the first air conditioning unit into the free-cooling mode.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said operating the second air conditioning unit comprises turning on the second air conditioning unit. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said operating the second air conditioning unit comprises maintaining the operation of the second air conditioning unit if the second air conditioning unit was previously in operation.