U.S. patent application number 10/992602 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-11 for modular refrigeration unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hussmann Corporation. Invention is credited to Roche, John, Rohrer, Clay.
Application Number | 20050172654 10/992602 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34830419 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050172654 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rohrer, Clay ; et
al. |
August 11, 2005 |
Modular refrigeration unit
Abstract
A modular refrigeration unit for use in an accessible
compartment of a cooler, a cooler comprising a modular
refrigeration unit, and a method for a modular refrigeration unit.
The modular refrigeration unit can include a gas cooler assembly
mounted to a support and positioned on one side of a dividing wall,
and an evaporator assembly mounted to the dividing wall and
positioned on the opposite side of the dividing wall from the gas
cooler assembly. The modular refrigeration unit can include
CO.sub.2 refrigerant adapted to be circulated between the
evaporator assembly and the gas cooler assembly.
Inventors: |
Rohrer, Clay; (Belle,
MO) ; Roche, John; (Ballwin, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH, LLP
100 E WISCONSIN AVENUE
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202
US
|
Assignee: |
Hussmann Corporation
Bridgeton
MO
|
Family ID: |
34830419 |
Appl. No.: |
10/992602 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60523636 |
Nov 20, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/246 ;
62/448 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2317/0651 20130101;
F25B 9/008 20130101; F25D 19/02 20130101; F25D 23/003 20130101;
F25D 17/062 20130101; F25B 2309/061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/246 ;
062/448 |
International
Class: |
A47F 003/04; F25D
019/02 |
Claims
1. A modular refrigeration unit for use in an accessible
compartment of a cooler, the accessible compartment including a
first portion in communication with a display cabinet of the cooler
and a second portion in communication with the environment, the
modular refrigeration unit comprising: a support removably
positioned within the accessible compartment; a dividing wall
mounted to the support and positioned between the first and second
portions, the dividing wall adapted to sealingly engage a portion
of the accessible compartment to insulate the first and second
portions from one another; a gas cooler assembly mounted to the
support and positioned on one side of the dividing wall, the gas
cooler assembly positioned within the second portion of the
accessible compartment; an evaporator assembly mounted to the
dividing wall and positioned on the opposite side of the dividing
wall from the gas cooler assembly, the evaporator assembly
positioned within the first portion of the accessible compartment;
and CO.sub.2 refrigerant adapted to be circulated between the
evaporator assembly and the gas cooler assembly.
2. The modular refrigeration unit of claim 1, wherein the support
is a wire-frame support.
3. The modular refrigeration unit of claim 1, wherein the gas
cooler assembly includes a compressor mounted to the support, a gas
cooler mounted to the support, a motorized fan mounted to the gas
cooler, and a collecting tray mounted to the support, the gas
cooler in communication with the environment.
4. The modular refrigeration unit of claim 1, wherein the
evaporator assembly includes an evaporator coil mounted to the
dividing wall, and a fan mounted to the evaporator coil, the
evaporator coil in communication with the display cabinet.
5. The modular refrigeration unit of claim 1, wherein the CO.sub.2
refrigerant is circulated in a transcritical CO.sub.2 refrigeration
cycle.
6. A cooler having a refrigerated display cabinet, the cooler
comprising: a display cabinet; an accessible compartment including
a first portion in communication with the display cabinet and a
second portion in communication with the environment; and a modular
refrigeration unit removably positioned within the accessible
compartment, the modular refrigeration unit including an evaporator
assembly adapted for use with a CO.sub.2 refrigerant, the
evaporator assembly positioned within the first portion such that
the evaporator is in communication with the display cabinet, and a
gas cooler assembly adapted for use with a CO.sub.2 refrigerant,
the gas cooler assembly positioned within the second portion such
that the gas cooler is in communication with the environment when
the modular refrigeration unit is positioned within the accessible
compartment.
7. The cooler of claim 6, wherein the modular refrigeration unit
includes: a support coupled to the evaporator assembly and the gas
cooler assembly, and a dividing wall mounted to the support to
separate the evaporator assembly and the gas cooler assembly.
8. The cooler of claim 7, wherein the evaporator assembly includes
an evaporator coil mounted to the dividing wall and a fan mounted
to the evaporator coil.
9. The cooler of claim 7, wherein the gas cooler assembly includes
a compressor mounted to the support, a gas cooler mounted to the
support, a fan mounted to the gas cooler, and a collecting tray
mounted to the support.
10. The cooler of claim 6, further comprising an additional modular
refrigeration unit adapted to replace the modular refrigeration
unit for at least one of repair and disposal of the modular
refrigeration unit.
11. A method for replacing a modular refrigeration unit of a
cooler, the method comprising: providing a first modular
refrigeration unit removably positioned in an accessible
compartment of the cooler, the first modular refrigeration unit
having a first gas cooler assembly and a first evaporator assembly
adapted for use with a CO.sub.2 refrigerant; providing a second
modular refrigeration unit adapted to be removably positioned in an
accessible compartment of the cooler, the second modular
refrigeration unit having a second gas cooler assembly and a second
evaporator assembly adapted for use with a CO.sub.2 refrigerant;
removing the first modular refrigeration unit from the accessible
compartment; inserting the second modular refrigeration unit into
the accessible compartment; and operating the second modular
refrigeration unit to circulate the CO.sub.2 refrigerant through
the second gas cooler assembly and the second evaporator assembly
in a transcritical CO.sub.2 refrigeration cycle.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: disconnecting the
first modular refrigeration unit from at least one of a power
source and a temperature sensor using quick disconnects; and
connecting the second modular refrigeration unit from at least one
of a power source and a temperature sensor using quick
disconnects.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising: determining that
the first modular refrigeration unit requires at least one of
repair and replacement; requesting the second modular refrigeration
unit from a replacement location; receiving the second modular
refrigeration unit in packaging; and shipping the first modular
refrigeration unit to at least one of a repair location and a
replacement location.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein shipping the first modular
refrigeration unit includes shipping the first modular
refrigeration unit in the packaging of the second modular
refrigeration unit.
15. The method of claim 11, further comprising repairing the first
modular refrigeration unit for reuse.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a merchandising display cooler of
the type used in convenience stores, snack bars and restaurants for
storing and cooling drinks, particularly carbonated beverages
provided in cans and bottles. More particularly, this invention
relates to the refrigeration unit used for cooling the merchandiser
and to the resultant air-flow distribution in the merchandiser.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Typically, merchandising coolers have a vertical display
area which is visible to the consumer through glass doors which may
be hinged or which may slide for easy access to the display shelves
positioned within the refrigerated compartment. The refrigerated
compartment is cooled by a refrigeration unit typically consisting
of an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion
device (typically a capillary tube) arranged in a closed circuit
refrigeration system and charged with a suitable refrigerant (e.g.,
R134a).
[0003] Merchandising coolers typically utilize a reverse-Rankine
thermodynamic cycle refrigeration system, in which refrigerant
vapor is compressed by the compressor to an elevated pressure and
discharged into the condenser. While passing through the condenser,
heat is rejected from the refrigerant, and the high-pressure
refrigerant changes phase from a vapor to a liquid. The
high-pressure liquid refrigerant is then throttled through the
expansion device to a lower pressure, resulting in a phase change
to a two-phase refrigerant (i.e., a liquid-vapor mixture). The
low-pressure, two-phase refrigerant flows then passes through the
evaporator where it absorbs heat and boils to a vapor. A fan
typically draws air through the evaporator, where it is cooled as a
result of the absorption of heat into the two-phase refrigerant.
The cooled air is then routed to the interior of the refrigerated
compartment. From the evaporator, the low pressure vapor is drawn
into the compressor to repeat the reverse-Rankine thermodynamic
cycle.
[0004] Conventionally, condenser and evaporator assemblies are
positioned separately and remotely from each other within the walls
of the cooler. Typically, the condenser assembly is located in the
base of the cabinet and the evaporator assembly is located in the
top of the cabinet. This was previously done to simplify the design
of the insulated cabinet and minimize ducting of the refrigerated
air.
[0005] This "split system" has inherent disadvantages which are
apparent during assembly and servicing of the cooler cabinet. It
will be appreciated that the condenser and evaporator assemblies
cannot be tested until fully installed in the cabinet and that, if
any problems are discovered, the cabinet must be at least partially
disassembled to gain access to the assemblies, repair the
assemblies, and retest the assemblies. Similarly, when a cooler
which has been in use is found to be defective, the cooler must be
put out of service in order to carry out the appropriate
repairs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Some embodiments of the present invention provide a modular
refrigeration unit for use in an accessible compartment of a
cooler, the accessible compartment including a first portion in
communication with a display cabinet of the cooler and a second
portion in communication with the environment. The modular
refrigeration unit can include a support removably positioned
within the accessible compartment, and a dividing wall mounted to
the support and positioned between the first and second portions.
The dividing wall can be adapted to sealingly engage a portion of
the accessible compartment to insulate the first and second
portions from one another. The modular refrigeration unit can
further include a gas cooler assembly mounted to the support and
positioned on one side of the dividing wall, and an evaporator
assembly mounted to the dividing wall and positioned on the
opposite side of the dividing wall from the gas cooler assembly.
The gas cooler assembly can be positioned within the second portion
of the accessible compartment, and the evaporator assembly can be
positioned within the first portion of the accessible compartment.
The modular refrigeration unit can further include CO.sub.2
refrigerant adapted to be circulated between the evaporator
assembly and the gas cooler assembly.
[0007] In some embodiments of the present invention, a cooler
having a refrigerated display cabinet is provided. The cooler can
include a display cabinet, and an accessible compartment including
a first portion in communication with the display cabinet and a
second portion in communication with the environment. The cooler
can further include a modular refrigeration unit removably
positioned within the accessible compartment. The modular
refrigeration unit can include an evaporator assembly adapted for
use with a CO.sub.2 refrigerant, and a gas cooler assembly adapted
for use with a CO.sub.2 refrigerant. The evaporator assembly can be
positioned within the first portion such that the evaporator is in
communication with the display cabinet. The gas cooler assembly can
be positioned within the second portion such that the gas cooler is
in communication with the environment when the modular
refrigeration unit is positioned within the accessible
compartment.
[0008] Some embodiments of the present invention provide a method
for replacing a modular refrigeration unit of a cooler. The method
can include providing a first modular refrigeration unit removably
positioned in an accessible compartment of the cooler, and
providing a second modular refrigeration unit adapted to be
removably positioned in an accessible compartment of the cooler.
The first modular refrigeration unit can include a first gas cooler
assembly and a first evaporator assembly adapted for use with a
CO.sub.2 refrigerant, and the second modular refrigeration unit can
include a second gas cooler assembly and a second evaporator
assembly adapted for use with a CO.sub.2 refrigerant. The method
can further include removing the first modular refrigeration unit
from the accessible compartment, and inserting the second modular
refrigeration unit into the accessible compartment. The method can
further include operating the second modular refrigeration unit to
circulate the CO.sub.2 refrigerant through the second gas cooler
assembly and the second evaporator assembly in a transcritical
CO.sub.2 refrigeration cycle.
[0009] In order to overcome the previously-stated problems, the
present invention provides a modular refrigeration unit that
utilizes carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) as a refrigerant. The modular
refrigeration unit includes a gas cooler assembly having a gas
cooler, and an evaporator assembly having an evaporator mounted on
a common frame that is easily removable from the cooler for more
efficient repair or replacement.
[0010] The CO.sub.2 refrigeration cycle operates in a similar
fashion to the reverse-Rankine refrigeration cycle, except the
vapor CO.sub.2 refrigerant is compressed to a pressure above the
thermodynamic critical point of the CO.sub.2 refrigerant.
Consequently, when heat is rejected in the gas cooler (previously
called the condenser), the vapor CO.sub.2 refrigerant is cooled but
does not change phase to a liquid. The cooled, high-pressure vapor
CO.sub.2 refrigerant is then throttled through an expansion device
where, similar to the reverse-Rankine refrigeration cycle, the
low-pressure vapor CO.sub.2 refrigerant changes phase to a
liquid-vapor mixture and boils to a vapor in the evaporator. While
a transcritical CO.sub.2 refrigeration cycle is somewhat less
efficient than a traditional R134a reverse-Rankine refrigeration
cycle, CO.sub.2 is a desirable refrigerant because it is more
environmentally friendly than R134a due to its lower global warming
potential.
[0011] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is
provided a modular refrigeration unit for use in an accessible
compartment of a cooler. The modular refrigeration unit includes a
wire-frame support, a dividing wall mounted to the wire-frame
support, a gas cooler assembly mounted to the wire-frame support on
one side of the dividing wall, and an evaporator assembly mounted
to the opposite side of the dividing wall. The wire-frame support
includes a forward portion that provides a convenient gripping
location such that the modular refrigeration unit can be easily
installed into and removed from the accessible compartment by an
operator lifting and manipulating the modular refrigeration unit by
the gripping location.
[0012] The dividing wall is adapted to sealingly engage a portion
of the accessible compartment to define an insulated compartment
for containing the evaporator assembly separate from the gas cooler
assembly, which remains within a portion of the accessible
compartment that is in fluid communication with the atmosphere. The
gas cooler assembly includes a compressor, motorized fan, gas
cooler, and collecting tray. The gas cooler assembly generally
operates to receive the refrigerant from the evaporator assembly,
cool the refrigerant, and return the refrigerant to the evaporator
assembly. The evaporator assembly includes an evaporator coil
associated with a fan that draws warmer return air from the
refrigerated cabinet through the evaporator coil so that the
emerging cooled air is forced into the cabinet for
distribution.
[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a back
wall of the cabinet is spaced from an inner back panel which
extends along the height of the interior of the cabinet. The space
between the inner back panel and the back wall defines a vertically
extending air passage for cooled air flow. The air passage
discharges cooled air into the cabinet at selected locations
defined by openings formed in the inner back panel. The cooled air
is discharged into the cabinet from the air passage and is directed
toward the front of the cabinet, and then redirected down and
around the forward portion of a lower plate of the cabinet. Once
the return air bypasses the lower plate, it is redirected to a
return air passage that is located in the interior floor.
[0014] Other features of the invention will become apparent to
those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed
description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a side view of a merchandising display cooler
utilizing a modular refrigeration unit of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a top view of the merchandising display cooler of
FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the modular refrigeration
unit utilized in the merchandising display cooler of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the modular
refrigeration unit of FIG. 3.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a right side perspective view of the modular
refrigeration unit of FIG. 3.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a left side perspective view of the modular
refrigeration unit of FIG. 3.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the modular
refrigeration unit of FIG. 3.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the modular
refrigeration unit of FIG. 3 being aligned with an accessible
compartment of the cooler of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the modular
refrigeration unit of FIG. 3 being inserted into the accessible
compartment of the cooler of FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the modular
refrigeration unit of FIG. 3 being completely installed into the
accessible compartment of the cooler of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the cooler of FIG. 1
with the installed modular refrigeration unit.
[0026] Before any features of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangements
of the components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various
ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology
used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be
regarded as limiting. The use of "including" and "comprising" and
variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed
thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The
use of letters to identify elements of a method or process is
simply for identification and is not meant to indicate that the
elements should be performed in a particular order.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a merchandising display cooler
10 made in accordance with the invention comprises a cabinet 14
having a top wall 18, back wall 22, right side wall 26, left side
wall 30, and bottom wall 34. An insulated interior floor 38 is
vertically spaced from the bottom wall 34 so as define an
accessible compartment 42 accommodating a refrigeration unit 46
(see FIGS. 3-7). A transparent door 50 is hinged to one of the side
walls 26, 30 and covers the front opening of the cabinet 14. A
peripheral seal 54 is mounted to the door 50 to keep the interior
of the cabinet 14 airtight.
[0028] In the accessible compartment 42, the bottom wall 34,
interior floor 38, and side walls 26, 30 each include a respective
raised portion 58 that extends inwardly from the walls 26, 30, 34,
38. An insulated dividing wall 62 includes a peripheral seal 66 (as
shown in FIG. 3) that sealingly engages the raised portions 58
within the accessible compartment 42.
[0029] The refrigeration unit 46 is comprised of an evaporator
assembly 70 and a gas cooler assembly 74. The dividing wall 62 is
mounted to a wire-frame support 78 (as shown in FIG. 3). The
evaporator assembly 70 is mounted to one side of the dividing wall
62 to extend rearwardly toward the back wall 22 inside an insulated
compartment 82. The gas cooler assembly 74 is mounted on the
wire-frame support 78 on the opposite side of the dividing wall 62
such that the gas cooler assembly 74 extends forwardly of the
dividing wall 62 toward the front of the accessible compartment 42.
The gas cooler assembly 74 is thus accommodated beneath the forward
portion of the interior floor 38. A cosmetically-pleasing,
removable grill 86 is disposed beneath the door 50 and conceals the
accessible compartment 42 and the modular refrigeration unit 46
from view.
[0030] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 7, the evaporator assembly 70
comprises an evaporator coil 90 mounted to the dividing wall 62 and
an expansion device (e.g., a capillary tube, not shown). Two
motorized fans 94 are mounted to the evaporator coil 90 to move air
through the evaporator coil 90. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9,
the gas cooler assembly 74 comprises a compressor 98, a motorized
fan 102, and a gas cooler 106. The compressor 98 is mounted to the
wire-frame support 78 through vibration damping mounts 110. The gas
cooler 106 is mounted to the wire-frame support 78 through a
support tray 114, and the fan 102 is mounted to the gas cooler 106
(as shown in FIGS. 4, 8 and 9).
[0031] CO.sub.2 refrigerant is circulated in a closed circuit
between the evaporator assembly 70 and the gas cooler assembly 74
in a transcritical CO.sub.2 refrigeration cycle. The transcritical
CO.sub.2 refrigeration cycle operates in a similar fashion to the
reverse-Rankine refrigeration cycle, except the vapor CO.sub.2
refrigerant is compressed to a pressure above the thermodynamic
critical point of the CO.sub.2 refrigerant. Consequently, when heat
is rejected from the CO.sub.2 refrigerant in the gas cooler 106,
the vapor CO.sub.2 refrigerant is cooled to a cooled vapor rather
than changing phases to a liquid. The cooled, high-pressure vapor
CO.sub.2 refrigerant is then throttled through the expansion device
where, similar to the reverse-Rankine refrigeration cycle, the
low-pressure vapor CO.sub.2 refrigerant changes phase to a
liquid-vapor mixture. The liquid-vapor mixture then boils to a
vapor in the evaporator coil 90 due to heat exchange with the
airflow passing through the evaporator coil 90, before being drawn
back into the suction port of the compressor 98 for
re-circulation.
[0032] As used herein, the terms "evaporator assembly 70" and
"evaporator coil 90" do not imply the use of any particular
refrigerant (i.e., a two-phase refrigerant or a single-phase
refrigerant). Rather, the terms should be generally construed to
describe a heat exchanger assembly/coil functioning to transfer
heat from an airflow passing through/over the heat exchanger
assembly/coil to a refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger
assembly/coil.
[0033] To obtain desirable refrigeration characteristics from the
CO.sub.2 refrigerant, the transcritical CO.sub.2 refrigeration
cycle requires higher operating pressures compared to a
reverse-Rankine refrigeration cycle using R134a, for example. In
some applications, the pressure experienced in the gas cooler 106
in a transcritical CO.sub.2 refrigeration cycle can exceed the
pressure experienced in a condenser in a reverse-Rankine
refrigeration cycle using R134a by as much as eightfold. Also, the
corresponding pressure experienced in the evaporator coil 90 in a
transcritical CO.sub.2 refrigeration cycle can exceed the pressure
experienced in an evaporator coil in a reverse-Rankine
refrigeration cycle using R134a by as much as fifteenfold. As a
result, the gas cooler 106 and evaporator coil 90 employ a
heavy-duty construction to withstand the increased pressure of the
transcritical CO.sub.2 refrigeration cycle. Such heavy-duty
construction may comprise an increased thickness of the walls of
the tubing in the evaporator coil 90 and gas cooler 106. In
addition, the thickness of the walls of the conduit utilized in the
refrigeration unit 46 to fluidly connect the refrigeration
components may also be increased to accommodate the increased
pressure of the transcritical CO.sub.2 refrigeration cycle.
[0034] In the closed circuit travel of the CO.sub.2 refrigerant,
CO.sub.2 refrigerant exits the evaporator coil 90 as a low pressure
vapor and is drawn into the suction port of the compressor 98. The
compressor 98 pressurizes and discharges the vapor CO.sub.2
refrigerant into the gas cooler 106 via a serpentine path of
conduit. In the gas cooler 106, the high-pressure CO.sub.2 vapor is
cooled to a lower temperature as a result of the forced airflow
generated by the fan 102. The cooled, high-pressure CO.sub.2 vapor
is then throttled to a low-pressure, two-phase (i.e., liquid-vapor)
mixture by an expansion device. The low-pressure, two-phase
CO.sub.2 refrigerant then boils to a vapor as it is passed through
the evaporator coil 90 as a result of the forced airflow generated
by the fans 94. In other words, the low-pressure CO.sub.2
refrigerant passing through the evaporator coil 90 absorbs the heat
from the airflow as it is passed through the evaporator coil,
thereby cooling the airflow.
[0035] Referring again to FIG. 1, the interior floor 38 is spaced
from the back wall 22 and an inner back panel 118 extends along the
height of the interior of the cabinet 14 from the interior floor 38
toward the top wall 18. The space between the inner back panel 118
and the back wall 22 defines an air passage 122. The evaporator
assembly 70 is disposed inside the cabinet 14 so that cooled air
emerging from the evaporator coil 90 will enter the air passage
122. The inner back panel 118 includes openings 126 (as also shown
in FIG. 11) that discharge the cooled air from the air passage 122
into the refrigerated compartment.
[0036] A return air passage 130 is defined in the interior floor 38
and is in communication with the insulated compartment 82 of the
evaporator assembly 70. The return air passage 130 receives warmed
air from the refrigerated compartment and draws the warmed air
through the evaporator coils 90 to cool the air and discharge it
once again into the air passage 122.
[0037] In use, cooled air emerging from the evaporator coil 90 is
forced into the air passage 122 and is discharged through the
openings 126 into the refrigerated compartment of the cabinet 14.
There is sufficient pressure in the emerging cooled air for at
least some of this air to reach the front of the cabinet 14
adjacent the door 50. The return air flows towards the interior
floor 38 along the door 50. The air flows rearwardly along the
interior floor 38 and below an interior plate 134 where it enters
the return air passage 130 and is drawn by the evaporator fan 94
into the insulated compartment 82 containing the evaporator
assembly 70.
[0038] Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, a circulatory air flow is created
with cooled air rising along the back wall 22, discharged forwardly
into the refrigerated compartment, and returned on the interior
floor 38 where it is returned to the evaporator assembly 70 to
repeat the cycle. The openings 126 deliver cooled air directly to
the bottom rear zone of the refrigerated compartment and afford
better temperature control in that area.
[0039] It will be appreciated that the evaporator assembly 70 is
enclosed by the insulated compartment 82 defined by the insulated
interior floor 38, the bottom wall 34, the insulated dividing wall
62, the insulated back wall 22 and the side walls 26, 30. By virtue
of its function, the evaporator coil 90 is very cold, and moisture
carried by return air drawn through the return air passage 130 may
be condensed upon passing through the evaporator coil 90.
Effectively, the evaporator coil 90 operates to dehumidify the air
in the refrigerated compartment of the merchandising cooler 10.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 7, an evaporator pan 138 is
mounted to the wire-frame support 78 and is positioned beneath the
evaporator coil 90. The pan 138 is shaped to collect any condensed
moisture dripping from the evaporator coil 90. A drain hole is
formed into the evaporator pan 138 and is connected to a drain
conduit 142 (as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9). The drain conduit 142
extends through the dividing wall 62 to discharge the collected
moisture into a removable collection tray 146 (as shown in FIGS. 3,
4, and 8-10).
[0041] Condensed moisture accumulated in the collection tray 146
can be used to define a pre-cooling stage to assist in cooling
heated refrigerant emerging from the compressor 98 and passing
through a serpentine coil 150 (as shown in FIG. 4) prior to entry
into the gas cooler 106. Conversely, the heated refrigerant flowing
through the gas cooler 106 assists in evaporating any condensed
moisture accumulated in the collection tray 146. Other liquids and
condensed water vapor from the refrigerated compartment of the
cabinet 14 can also be drained into the collection tray 146.
Evaporation of the liquids accumulated in the collection tray 146
is further assisted by a forced airflow generated by the fan 102.
The airflow enters the accessible compartment 42 through the grill
86 at a location adjacent the right side wall 26, then passes
through the gas cooler 106 before exiting the accessible
compartment 42 through the grill 86 at a location adjacent the left
side wall 30.
[0042] It will be understood that several variations may be made to
the above-described embodiment of the invention. In particular, it
will be understood that the nature of the refrigeration assembly as
defined by the evaporator assembly 70 and the gas cooler assembly
74 may vary considerably. The relative proportions of the air
passage 122 and the return air passage 130 may vary, as well as the
location of the cold air outlets and return air outlets provided in
the inner back panel 118 in accordance with the particular
application for which the cabinet 14 is being used. Other
variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art, the
structure defined for cold air passages and warm air passages being
inherently flexible to create a cooling environment adapted for any
selected application.
[0043] The modular refrigeration unit 46 can be easily removed from
the accessible compartment 42 by removing the grill 86 and sliding
the unit 46 from the accessible compartment 42 (as shown in FIGS.
8-11). The wire-frame support 78 includes a forward gripping
portion 154 (as shown in FIGS. 3-10) that provides the operator
with a convenient gripping surface for moving the unit 46 into or
out of the accessible compartment 42. The forward gripping portion
154 is a substantially vertical member that is positioned forwardly
of the gas cooler assembly 74. The gripping portion 154 could also
be oriented differently and could also be recessed within the gas
cooler assembly 74, however it is preferable for the forward
gripping portion 154 to be accessible from the front of the unit
46. Simple quick disconnect connections can be made to connect the
unit 46 to a power source and a temperature sensor in the
refrigerated compartment. The quick disconnect connections can be
easily disconnected prior to removal and easily connected after
installation.
[0044] During operation of coolers in the field, it is not uncommon
for a refrigeration unit to need replacement or repair. Typically,
a serviceperson is called, and the serviceperson is required to
travel to the location of the cooler to examine the refrigeration
unit. If major repairs are necessary, the serviceperson may not be
able to repair the unit on location which could lead to the cooler
being inoperable for an extended period of time. The present
invention allows easy replacement of a damaged unit with an
operable unit without the assistance of a serviceperson allowing
store operators to self-service their own coolers. When a store
operator determines that the unit needs repair or replacement, the
store operator can request a replacement unit from an authorized
replacement location. A replacement unit will be sent to the store
operator via overnight courier or the like, and when received by
the store-operator, the store operator can independently exchange
the replacement unit for the old unit. The replaced unit can then
be shipped back to a designated location by the store operator in
the same packaging that the replacement unit was shipped. The
returned unit can then be refurbished and repaired for reuse. This
type of replacement program could be offered to store operators as
part of an insurance program offered with the sale of the
cooler.
[0045] The foregoing description of the present invention has been
presented for purposes of illustration and description.
Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention
to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and
modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and the skill
or knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the
present invention. The embodiments described herein are further
intended to explain best modes known for practicing the invention
and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in
such, or other, embodiments and with various modifications required
by the particular applications or uses of the present
invention.
[0046] Various aspects of the present invention are set forth in
the following claims.
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