U.S. patent application number 11/646972 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-03 for distributed refrigeration system for modular kitchens.
This patent application is currently assigned to WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Nihat O. Cur, Steven John Kuehl, John Joseph Vonderhaar.
Application Number | 20080156007 11/646972 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39233090 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080156007 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cur; Nihat O. ; et
al. |
July 3, 2008 |
Distributed refrigeration system for modular kitchens
Abstract
A refrigeration appliance system for a residential kitchen
having multiple separate refrigerating modules and a single,
continuously operating variable capacity central cooling unit with
a variable speed compressor for chilling a cooling medium. A
cooling medium circuit supplies cooling medium to the plurality of
refrigerating modules from the central cooling unit. Flow control
devices control flow of cooling medium to the refrigerating
modules. A control circuit controls the central cooling unit and
the temperature in the refrigerating modules. The refrigerating
modules can be refrigerator, freezer or refrigerator freezer
modules. The cooling medium can be air, cooling liquid or
refrigerant. A below freezing freezer module having an insulated
freezer cabinet, a freezer compressor, a freezer condenser and a
freezer evaporator can be combined with the refrigeration appliance
system for providing 0.degree. F. freezer storage without requiring
the central cooling unit to provide 0.degree. F. cooling
medium.
Inventors: |
Cur; Nihat O.; (St. Joseph,
MI) ; Vonderhaar; John Joseph; (St. Joseph, MI)
; Kuehl; Steven John; (Stevensville, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WHIRLPOOL PATENTS COMPANY - MD 0750
500 RENAISSANCE DRIVE - SUITE 102
ST. JOSEPH
MI
49085
US
|
Assignee: |
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
BENTON HARBOR
MI
|
Family ID: |
39233090 |
Appl. No.: |
11/646972 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/175 ;
62/441 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 16/00 20130101;
F25D 17/062 20130101; F25D 11/02 20130101; F25D 2700/123 20130101;
F25B 5/02 20130101; F25D 29/00 20130101; F25D 17/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/175 ;
62/441 |
International
Class: |
F25D 11/02 20060101
F25D011/02; F25B 7/00 20060101 F25B007/00 |
Claims
1. A refrigeration appliance system constructed and arranged for
use in a residential kitchen and other rooms in a dwelling
comprising: a plurality of separate refrigerating modules each
having: an insulated cabinet having an opening for access to the
interior of the cabinet; at least one insulated door for covering
and uncovering an opening in the insulated cabinet; an apparatus
for receiving a cooling medium to cool the interior of the
refrigerating module; at least one temperature sensor for sensing
the temperature in the module; and at least one temperature
selector for selecting an operating temperature for the insulated
refrigerating module; a single, continuously operating variable
capacity central cooling unit for chilling a cooling medium
comprising a variable speed compressor, a condenser, a variable
speed condenser fan and a controller; a cooling medium circuit
connecting the central cooling unit and the plurality of
refrigerating modules to supply cooling medium from the central
cooling unit to the plurality of refrigerating modules, and to
return cooling medium to the central cooling unit from the
refrigerating modules; a plurality of cooling medium flow control
devices connected in the cooling medium circuit for controlling
flow of cooling medium to each of the refrigerating modules; a
control circuit connecting the temperature sensors, the temperature
selectors and the cooling medium flow control devices for the
plurality of refrigerating modules with the controller, said
controller including: a first portion to adjust the capacity of the
central cooling unit in response to the aggregate cooling load of
the plurality of refrigerating modules in order to supply
sufficient cooling medium to cool the plurality of refrigerating
modules to the respective selected operating temperatures, and a
second portion to adjust the volume of cooling medium directed to
respective ones of the refrigerating modules to maintain the
selected operating temperature in the respective refrigerating
modules; and at least one below freezing freezer module comprising:
an insulated freezer cabinet defining a freezer compartment having
an opening for access to the freezer compartment and an insulated
freezer door for selectively closing the opening; a freezer cooling
unit comprising a freezer compressor and a freezer condenser; a
freezer evaporator for cooling the freezer compartment; a freezer
expansion device connected in a refrigerant circuit with the
freezer cooling unit and freezer evaporator; a freezer temperature
sensor for sensing the temperature in the freezer compartment; a
freezer temperature selector for selecting an operating temperature
for the freezer compartment; and a freezer control circuit
connecting the freezer temperature sensor, the freezer temperature
selector, the freezer cooling unit to control operation of the
freezer cooling unit to maintain the selected freezer compartment
temperature.
2. The refrigeration appliance system of claim 1, wherein the
freezer module includes a freezer evaporator fan connected in the
freezer control circuit and arranged to circulate air chilled by
the freezer evaporator in the freezer compartment.
3. The refrigeration appliance system of claim 2, wherein the
freezer cooling unit includes a freezer condenser fan connected in
the freezer control circuit.
4. The refrigeration appliance system of claim 3, wherein the
freezer evaporator fan and the freezer condenser fan are variable
speed fans.
5. The refrigeration appliance system of claim 4, wherein the
freezer compressor is a variable speed compressor and the freezer
expansion device is an expansion device with feedback based on load
for adjusting flow of refrigerant to the freezer evaporator, and
wherein the freezer control circuit is arranged to control the
variable speed compressor, variable speed freezer condenser fan,
variable speed evaporator fan and freezer expansion device to
maintain the selected operating temperature in the freezer
compartment.
6. The refrigeration appliance system of claim 1, wherein the
cooling medium is air; the cooling medium circuit comprises
insulated ducts connecting the central cooling unit and the
plurality of refrigerating modules for supplying chilled air to the
plurality of refrigerating modules and returning air from the
refrigerating modules to the central cooling unit; the apparatus
for receiving a cooling medium comprises air inlets from the
insulated ducts leading to the respective refrigerating modules and
air outlets leading from the respective refrigerating modules to
the insulated ducts; and the cooling medium flow control devices
comprise a baffle for each refrigerating module for controlling the
flow of chilled air flowing into the refrigerating module through
the air inlet; the central cooling unit further comprises an
evaporator and an expansion device with feedback based on the
refrigerating system load connected in a refrigerant circuit with
the variable speed compressor and condenser and arranged to chill
the cooling medium air to a temperature below the lowest selected
refrigerating module operating temperature and at least one
evaporator fan to circulate the chilled cooling medium air through
the insulated ducts to respective refrigerating modules; and the
second portion of the controller is arranged to operate the baffles
of the respective refrigerating modules to control the flow of
chilled air flowing into the respective refrigerating modules to
maintain the respective selected operating temperatures.
7. The refrigeration appliance system of claim 6, wherein the
refrigerating modules are above freezing refrigerator modules
arranged for storing foods at above freezing temperatures.
8. The refrigeration appliance system of claim 1, wherein the
cooling medium is a liquid coolant; the cooling medium circuit
includes insulated conduits leading from the central cooling unit
to each of the refrigerating modules for supplying liquid coolant
to each of the refrigerating modules and for returning liquid
coolant to the central cooling unit; the apparatus for receiving
cooling medium for the respective refrigerating modules comprises a
heat exchanger in communication with the interior of the insulated
cabinet; and the cooling medium flow control devices comprise a
valve for controlling the flow of liquid coolant to the heat
exchanger; the central cooling unit further comprises a chilled
liquid evaporator and an expansion device with feedback based on
the refrigerating system load connected in a refrigerant circuit
with the variable speed compressor and condenser and arranged to
chill the liquid coolant to a temperature below the lowest selected
refrigerating module operating temperature, and a pump arranged to
circulate the liquid coolant to the respective refrigerating
modules; and the second portion of the controller is arranged to
operate the valves to control the flow of chilled liquid coolant
through the respective refrigerating module heat exchangers to
maintain the respective selected operating temperatures.
9. The refrigeration appliance system of claim 8, wherein the
refrigerating modules are above freezing refrigerator modules
arranged for storing foods at above freezing temperatures.
10. The refrigeration appliance system of claim 8, wherein the
valves are on-off valves to control flow of liquid coolant to the
respective refrigerating modules, and the pump is a variable speed
pump and the first portion of the controller adjusts the flow rate
of liquid coolant in the cooling medium circuit by controlling the
speed of the variable speed pump.
11. The refrigeration appliance system of claim 8, wherein each of
the refrigerating modules further includes a variable speed heat
exchanger fan arranged for circulating air over the heat exchanger
in the insulated cabinet.
12. The refrigeration appliance system of claim 1, wherein the
cooling medium is a refrigerant; the cooling medium circuit
includes insulated conduits leading from the central cooling unit
to each of the refrigerating modules for supplying refrigerant to
each of the refrigerating modules and for returning refrigerant to
the central cooling unit; the apparatus for receiving cooling
medium comprises a refrigerating module evaporator in communication
with the interior of the insulated cabinet and a refrigerating
module evaporator fan arranged to circulate air chilled by the
refrigerating module evaporator in the insulated cabinet; the
cooling medium flow control devices comprise expansion devices with
feedback based on load for adjusting flow of refrigerant to the
refrigerating module evaporators of the respective refrigerating
modules; and the second portion of the controller is arranged to
control the expansion valves for the respective refrigerating
modules to maintain the respective selected operating
temperatures.
13. The refrigeration appliance system of claim 12, wherein the
refrigerating modules are above freezing refrigerator modules
arranged for storing foods at above freezing temperatures.
14. The refrigeration appliance of claim 12, wherein the
refrigerating modules include at least one above freezing
refrigerator module and at least one below freezing freezer module.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to patent application docket
number US20030363 filed concurrently herewith.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] (1) Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to refrigeration appliances for use in
residential kitchens and other adjoining rooms in a dwelling.
[0004] (2) Description of Related Art
[0005] Refrigeration appliances for use in residential kitchens and
other rooms in a dwelling unit are known. Modular refrigeration
devices such as refrigerator, freezer, ice maker and wine cooler
modules for use in residential dwellings are known.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention relates to a refrigeration appliance system
for use in a residential kitchen and other rooms in a dwelling
having a plurality of separate refrigerating modules each having an
insulated cabinet, an apparatus for receiving a cooling medium to
cool the interior of the refrigerating module, a temperature sensor
for sensing the temperature in the module and a temperature
selector for selecting an operating temperature for the insulated
refrigerating module.
[0007] The refrigeration appliance system includes a single,
continuously operating variable capacity central cooling unit for
chilling a cooling medium comprising a variable speed compressor, a
condenser, a variable speed condenser fan and a controller, a
cooling medium circuit connecting the central cooling unit and the
plurality of refrigerating modules to supply cooling medium from
the central cooling unit to the plurality of refrigerating modules,
and to return cooling medium to the central cooling unit from the
refrigerating modules and a plurality of cooling medium flow
control devices connected in the cooling medium circuit for
controlling flow of cooling medium to each of the refrigerating
modules.
[0008] The refrigeration appliance system can have a control
circuit connecting the temperature sensors, the temperature
selectors and the cooling medium flow control devices for the
plurality of refrigerating modules with the controller. The
controller can have a first portion to adjust the capacity of the
central cooling unit in response to the aggregate cooling load of
the plurality of refrigerating modules in order to supply
sufficient cooling medium to cool the plurality of refrigerating
modules to the respective selected operating temperatures, and a
second portion to adjust the volume of cooling medium directed to
respective ones of the refrigerating modules to maintain the
selected operating temperature in the respective refrigerating
modules.
[0009] The refrigeration appliance system can also have at least
one below freezing freezer module having an insulated freezer
cabinet, a freezer cooling unit comprising a freezer compressor and
a freezer condenser, a freezer evaporator for cooling the freezer
compartment, a freezer expansion device connected in a refrigerant
circuit with the freezer cooling unit and freezer evaporator, a
freezer temperature sensor for sensing the temperature in the
freezer compartment and a freezer temperature selector for
selecting an operating temperature for the freezer compartment.
[0010] The refrigeration appliance system can have a freezer
control circuit connecting the freezer temperature sensor, the
freezer temperature selector, the freezer cooling unit to control
operation of the freezer cooling unit to maintain the selected
freezer compartment temperature.
[0011] The refrigeration appliance system cooling medium can be air
and the cooling medium circuit can be insulated ducts connecting
the central cooling unit and the plurality of refrigerating modules
for supplying chilled air to the plurality of refrigerating modules
and returning air from the refrigerating modules to the central
cooling unit. The apparatus for receiving a cooling medium can be
air inlets from the insulated ducts leading to the respective
refrigerating modules and air outlets leading from the respective
refrigerating modules to the insulated ducts. The cooling medium
flow control devices can be a baffle for each refrigerating module
for controlling the flow of chilled air flowing into the
refrigerating module through the air inlet.
[0012] The central cooling unit can include an evaporator and an
expansion device with feedback based on the refrigerating system
load connected in a refrigerant circuit with the variable speed
compressor and condenser and arranged to chill the cooling medium
air to a temperature below the lowest selected refrigerating module
operating temperature and at least one evaporator fan to circulate
the chilled cooling medium air through the insulated ducts to
respective refrigerating modules. The second portion of the
controller can be arranged to operate the baffles of the respective
refrigerating modules to control the flow of chilled air flowing
into the respective refrigerating modules to maintain the
respective selected operating temperatures.
[0013] In another aspect of the invention the cooling medium can be
a liquid coolant and the cooling medium circuit can include
insulated conduits leading from the central cooling unit to each of
the refrigerating modules for supplying liquid coolant to each of
the refrigerating modules and for returning liquid coolant to the
central cooling unit. The apparatus for receiving cooling medium
for the respective refrigerating modules can be a heat exchanger in
communication with the interior of the insulated cabinet, and the
cooling medium flow control devices comprise a valve for
controlling the flow of liquid coolant to the heat exchanger.
[0014] The central cooling unit can be a chilled liquid evaporator
and an expansion device with feedback based on the refrigerating
system load connected in a refrigerant circuit with the variable
speed compressor and condenser and arranged to chill the liquid
coolant to a temperature below the lowest selected refrigerating
module operating temperature, and a pump arranged to circulate the
liquid coolant to the respective refrigerating modules. The second
portion of the controller can be arranged to operate the valves to
control the flow of chilled liquid coolant through the respective
refrigerating module heat exchangers to maintain the respective
selected operating temperatures.
[0015] In another aspect of the invention the cooling medium can be
a refrigerant and the cooling medium circuit can include insulated
conduits leading from the central cooling unit to each of the
refrigerating modules for supplying refrigerant to each of the
refrigerating modules and for returning refrigerant to the central
cooling unit. The apparatus for receiving cooling medium can be a
refrigerating module evaporator in communication with the interior
of the insulated cabinet and a refrigerating module evaporator fan
can be arranged to circulate air chilled by the refrigerating
module evaporator in the insulated cabinet.
[0016] The cooling medium flow control devices can be expansion
devices with feedback based on load for adjusting flow of
refrigerant to the refrigerating module evaporators of the
respective refrigerating modules, and the second portion of the
controller can be arranged to control the expansion valves for the
respective refrigerating modules to maintain the respective
selected operating temperatures.
[0017] The refrigerating modules can be above freezing refrigerator
modules arranged for storing foods at above freezing
temperatures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating a modular
refrigeration appliance system according to the invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating another
embodiment of a modular refrigeration appliance system according to
the invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating another
embodiment of a modular refrigeration appliance system according to
the invention.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing illustrating another
embodiment of a modular refrigeration appliance system according to
the invention.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing illustrating a refrigeration
appliance module that can be used in combination with a modular
refrigeration appliance system according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] In a modular kitchen with multiple refrigeration modules the
refrigeration system to cool the modules is a challenging problem.
The simplest approach would be to have individual complete
refrigeration systems for each module. In early phases of
modularity for residential kitchens this might be the approach
taken, especially when modular refrigeration product choices are
few and economies of scale are not available. However, as
modularity becomes more mainstream and kitchen designs begin to
incorporate modular refrigeration products with appropriate
infrastructure it will become desirable to have a single central
cooling system from cost, manufacturing and energy efficiency
perspectives. Consumers will be primarily interested in energy
efficiency, cost, flexibility and expandability offered by a
modular refrigeration appliance system with less concern about the
central cooling technology to support the modular system.
[0024] According to the invention, a modular refrigeration
appliance system can be provided for a residential kitchen and
adjoining rooms in a dwelling that can include a central cooling
unit for some or all the refrigerating modules that a consumer may
desire to include in their kitchen, either at the time of
construction, or to expand or change refrigerating modules over
time as needs or desires change. A modular kitchen could allow
consumers to select multiple refrigeration modules fitting their
lifestyles the best with ultimate flexibility in their kitchens and
totally customizable kitchens with modular appliances not only for
refrigeration but also for food preparation and kitchen clean-up.
According to the invention a single, variable capacity central
cooling unit can be provided that is capable of matching the
cooling need to the aggregate heat load of the refrigerating
modules. The central cooling unit can be arranged to run
continuously by controlling the volume of cooling medium directed
to each refrigerating module so that each module will be cooled to
a user selected temperature and maintained at the desired
temperature accurately. The cooling medium can be cold air,
refrigerant or a liquid coolant such as an ethylene glycol and
water solution. The central cooling unit can be a vapor compression
system, but is not limited to that. If a central cooling unit is a
vapor compression cooling system the central cooling unit can have
a variable capacity compressor capable of handling the cooling load
from multiple refrigerating module products. Refrigerating module
products can include above freezing refrigerator modules, below
freezing freezer modules, refrigerator freezer modules having above
freezing and below freezing compartments in various configurations
that can include, but are not limited to, built in, stackable,
under counter or drawer configurations. Also, refrigerating module
products could include specific purpose modules such as ice maker,
wine cooler and bar refrigerator units. In addition, conventional
refrigeration products having a complete refrigeration system can
be combined with a modular refrigeration appliance system according
to the invention. For example, one or more below freezing freezer
units can be combined with a modular refrigeration system appliance
arranged for a plurality of fresh food above freezing refrigerator
modules. As will be described in more detail below, a hybrid
approach can be an energy efficient approach to providing cooling
for modular products since the central cooling unit can run under
more favorable cooling cycle conditions since a very cold, i.e.
below 0.degree. F., cooling medium would not be required.
[0025] Turning to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the invention,
illustrated in schematic form, refrigerating modules 20 and 22 can
be connected in a refrigeration appliance system that can include a
central cooling unit 10. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1
two refrigerating modules 20, 22 are illustrated. According to the
invention more than two refrigerating modules can be provided in
the refrigeration appliance system as desired and although two or
three refrigerating modules are included in the disclosed
embodiments, they should be understood to include the possibility
of one or more than two or three refrigerating modules within the
scope of the invention. In addition, the refrigeration appliance
system can be arranged to permit expansion of the refrigeration
appliance system subsequent to initial installation by adding
additional refrigerating modules as a user's needs change over time
requiring new or additional refrigerating modules. In practice
refrigerating modules 20, 22 can be installed in a residential
kitchen and/or in adjoining or nearby rooms such as a great room,
bar, recreation room and the like. Central cooling unit 10 can be
installed in a nearby location such as a basement, utility room,
garage, or, if desired, in the kitchen in the proximity of some or
all of the refrigeration appliance modules depending on the style
of dwelling and whether a basement or crawl space is available or
desired for installation of the central cooling unit 10.
Refrigerating modules 20, 22 can be free standing or built in
modules and can be general purpose refrigerator or freezer modules,
or can be special purpose modules such as an ice maker or a wine
cooler. Refrigerating modules 20, 22 can take of the form of a
conventional refrigerator or freezer cabinet having a hinged door,
or can take the form of a refrigerator drawer appliance such as
disclosed in co-pending non-provisional application Ser. No.
11/102,321 filed Apr. 8, 2005 fully incorporated herein by
reference.
[0026] Refrigerating module 20 can have an insulated cabinet 24 and
an insulated door 25 that can be hinged to insulated cabinet 24 to
selectively open and close an opening 28 in insulated cabinet 24.
Refrigerating module 22 can have an insulating cabinet 26 and an
insulated door 27 that can be hinged to insulated cabinet 26 to
selectively open and close an opening 29 in insulated cabinet 26.
Those skilled in the art will understand that insulated doors 25
and 27 can be provided with a suitable handle, not shown, to
facilitate opening and closing insulated doors 25 and 27.
Refrigerating modules 20 and 22 can each have a heat exchanger 30
positioned in the insulated cabinets 24 and 26 respectively.
Similarly, refrigerating modules 20 and 22 can have a variable
speed heat exchanger fan 32 positioned to circulate air
(illustrated by air flow arrows 38) over the respective heat
exchangers 30 and through the respective refrigerating modules 20,
22. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a single speed
fan can be used instead of a variable speed fan 32. Refrigerating
modules 20, 22 can also have a temperature sensor 34 arranged to
sense the temperature of the interior of refrigerating modules 20,
22. Temperature sensor 34 can be a thermistor or other well known
electronic or mechanical temperature sensing mechanism or device.
Temperature selectors 36 can be provided for each of the
refrigerating modules 20, 22 to allow the user to select the
operating temperature for the respective refrigerating modules 20,
22. While temperature selectors 36 are illustrated schematically
spaced from refrigerating modules 20, 22, those skilled in the art
will understand that temperature selectors 36 can be located in
each of the refrigerating modules 20, 22 as is well known in the
art, or could be centrally located if desired. Temperature
selectors 36 can comprise a well known mechanical or electronic
selector mechanism to allow a user to select an operating
temperature for the respective refrigerating modules 20, 22.
[0027] The refrigeration appliance system illustrated in schematic
form in FIG. 1 also includes a central cooling unit 10. Central
cooling unit 10 can include a variable speed compressor 12, a
condenser 14, and an expansion device 18 connected in a
refrigerating circuit with a chilled liquid evaporator 40. A
variable speed condenser fan 16 can be provided to circulate air
over condenser 14. Chilled liquid evaporator 40 can be a shell and
tube evaporator also known as a secondary loop evaporator.
Expansion device 18 can be an expansion device with feedback
arranged to control refrigerant flow through expansion device 18
based on the heat load in the refrigeration appliance system.
Central cooling unit 10 can be connected to the refrigerating
modules 20, 22 with insulated conduits 42 forming a cooling medium
circuit for conveying liquid coolant from chilled liquid evaporator
40 to heat exchangers 30 and from heat exchangers 30 to chilled
liquid evaporator 40. Liquid coolant, not shown, contained in
chilled liquid evaporator 40, insulated conduits 42 and heat
exchangers 30 can be circulated by a pump 44 that can be a variable
speed pump. Further, each refrigerating module can have a valve 46
to control flow of liquid coolant into the heat exchanger 30.
Valves 46 can be on-off valves to allow or prevent flow of liquid
coolant through the heat exchanger 30 for a refrigerating module.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that if a single speed
heat exchanger fan 32 is used in a refrigerating module 20, 22 an
adjustable valve 46 can be used to control the amount of liquid
coolant flowing into a heat exchanger 30, although it can be more
energy efficient to use a variable speed heat exchanger fan 32, a
variable speed pump 44 and an on-off valve 46 to control the
temperature in the respective refrigerating modules 20, 22. Central
cooling unit 10 can also have a microprocessor based controller 50
having a first portion 52 that can be arranged to control the
operation of central cooling unit 10 and a second portion 54
arranged to control the volume of liquid coolant directed to the
respective refrigerating modules 20, 22. A control circuit 56 can
be provided to connect the temperature sensors 34, the temperature
selectors 36, the variable speed compressor 12, the variable speed
condenser fan 16, the expansion device 18, pump 44, valves 46 and
heat exchanger fans 32 with controller 50. Thus, a refrigeration
appliance system according to the invention is illustrated in FIG.
1 as a distributed refrigeration system that can have a variable
capacity vapor compression condensing unit and secondary loop
utilizing a chilled liquid evaporator network. One example of a
liquid coolant that can be used is DYNALENE HC heat transfer fluid,
a water-based organic salt that is non-toxic, non-flammable with
low viscosity, although those skilled in the art will understand
that other liquid coolant solutions such as an ethylene glycol and
water solution can be used as desired.
[0028] According to the invention, central cooling unit 10 can be
continuously operating so that chilled liquid at an adequate
temperature to achieve the lowest selected temperature in the
refrigeration appliance system is continuously circulated in
insulated conduits 42 forming a cooling medium circuit from chilled
liquid evaporator 40 to refrigerating modules 20, 22. Controller 50
can be arranged to adjust the capacity of the central cooling unit
10 in response to the aggregate cooling load of the plurality of
refrigerating modules 20, 22. As noted above, while two
refrigerating modules 20, 22 are illustrated in FIG. 1, according
to the invention one or more than two refrigerating modules can be
connected in the refrigerating appliance system. The aggregate
cooling load can be determined by the first portion 52 of
controller 50 as a function of temperatures sensed by temperature
sensors 34, operating temperatures selected by temperature
selectors 36, and feedback from expansion device 18. Controller 50
can also be arranged to control the operating temperature in each
of the refrigerating modules 20, 22. Second portion 54 of
controller 50 can be arranged to control valves 46 and heat
exchanger fans 32 to maintain the selected operating temperatures
in the respective refrigerating modules based on the settings of
temperature selectors 36 and temperature sensors 34. Thus,
according to the invention, a single continuously operating
variable capacity central cooling unit 10 can be provided for a
plurality of refrigerating modules 20, 22 that can be set to
operate at different operating temperatures. The variable capacity
central cooling unit 10 can be arranged for chilling a cooling
medium. A cooling medium circuit, insulated conduits 42, can be
provided connecting the central cooling unit 10 to supply a cooling
medium from the central cooling unit 10 to the plurality of
refrigerating modules 20, 22. A plurality of cooling medium flow
control devices, valves 46, can be connected in the cooling medium
circuit, insulated conduits 42, for controlling flow of cooling
medium to each of the refrigerating modules 20, 22. A controller 50
and control circuit 56 can be provided to adjust the capacity of
the variable capacity central cooling unit 10 in order to supply
sufficient cooling medium to cool the plurality of refrigerating
modules 20,22 to the respective selected operating temperatures,
and the controller 50 and control circuit 56 can be arranged to
adjust the volume of cooling medium directed to respective ones of
the refrigerating modules 20, 22 by controlling the cooling medium
flow control devices, valves 46, to maintain the selected operating
temperature in the respective refrigerating modules 20, 22.
Controller 50 can control the speed of variable speed pump 44 to
vary the volume of liquid cooling in the cooling medium circuit,
insulated conduits 42, and controller 50 can control the speed of
variable speed heat exchanger fans 32 to further control the
operating temperature in the respective refrigerating modules 20,
22.
[0029] Turning to FIG. 2, in another embodiment of the invention,
illustrated in schematic form, refrigerating modules 70 and 72 can
be connected in a refrigeration appliance system that can include a
central cooling unit 60. Similar to the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 1, two refrigerating modules 70, 72 are illustrated. According
to the invention more than two refrigerating modules can be
provided in the refrigeration appliance system as desired.
Refrigerating modules 70, 72 can be free standing or built in
modules and can be general purpose refrigerator, or can be special
purpose modules. Refrigerating module 70 can have an insulated
cabinet 74 and an insulated door 75 that can be hinged to insulated
cabinet 74 to selectively open and close opening 78 in insulated
cabinet 74. Refrigerating module 72 can have an insulating cabinet
76 and an insulated door 77 that can be hinged to insulated cabinet
76 to selectively open and close opening 79 in insulated cabinet
76. Those skilled in the art will understand that insulated doors
75 and 77 can be provided with a suitable handle, not shown, to
facilitate opening and closing insulated doors 75 and 77.
Refrigerating modules 70, 72 can have a temperature sensor 84
arranged to sense the temperature of the interior of refrigerating
modules 70, 72. Temperature sensor 84 can be a thermistor or other
well known electronic or mechanical temperature sensing mechanism
or device. Temperature selectors 86 can be provided for each of the
refrigerating modules 70, 72 to allow the user to select the
operating temperature for the respective refrigerating modules 70,
72. While temperature selectors 86 are illustrated schematically
spaced from refrigerating modules 70, 72, a temperature selector 86
can be located in each of the refrigerating modules 70, 72 as is
well known in the art, or can be centrally located if desired.
Temperature selectors 86 can comprise a well known mechanical or
electronic selector mechanism to allow a user to select an
operating temperature for the respective refrigerating modules 70,
72.
[0030] The refrigeration appliance system illustrated in schematic
form in FIG. 2 also includes a central cooling unit 60. Central
cooling unit 60 can include a variable speed compressor 62, a
condenser 64 and an expansion device 68 connected in a
refrigerating circuit with an evaporator 90. A variable speed
condenser fan 66 can be provided to circulate air over condenser
64. Evaporator 90 can be a tube and fin evaporator for cooling air
that can be used as the cooling medium in the embodiment of FIG. 2.
Expansion device 68 can be an expansion device with feedback
arranged to control flow through the expansion device 68 based on
the heat load in the refrigeration appliance system including the
refrigerating modules 70, 72. Central cooling unit 60 can be
connected to the refrigerating modules 70, 72 with insulated ducts
92 forming a cooling medium circuit for conveying chilled air from
evaporator 90 to refrigerating modules 70, 72. Chilled air can be
circulated by an evaporator fan 94 that can be a variable speed
fan. Air inlets 93 can lead from the insulated ducts 92 to the
respective refrigerating modules 70, 72, and air outlets 95 can
lead from the respective refrigerating modules 70, 72 to the air
ducts 92. Air inlets 93 and air outlets 95 form the apparatus for
receiving the cooling medium, chilled air, in the refrigerating
modules 70, 72. Air inlets 93 and air outlets 95 can be positioned
with respect to insulated cabinets 74, 76 to provide a desired
chilled air flow pattern in the respective refrigerating modules
70, 72. Air flow arrows 80 schematically illustrate the air flow in
the insulated cabinets 74, 76. Further, each refrigerating module
70, 72 can have a baffle 96 to control flow of chilled air through
air inlets 93 into the respective refrigerating modules 70, 72.
Baffles 96 can be on-off or variable to control flow of chilled air
through a refrigerating module. Baffles 96 can be adjustable
between open and closed positions to permit or block flow of
chilled air into the respective refrigerating modules 70, 72 and
variable speed evaporator fan 94 can vary the flow of chilled air
into the respective refrigerating modules 70, 72. Baffles 96 can
also be variably movable between open and closed positions to
permit, block and vary the flow of chilled air into the respective
refrigerating modules 70, 72. Central cooling unit 60 can have a
microprocessor based controller 100 having a first portion 102 that
can be arranged to control the operation of central cooling unit 60
and a second portion 104 to control the volume of chilled air
directed to the respective refrigerating modules 70, 72 similar to
controller 50 in the embodiment of FIG. 1. A control circuit 106
can be provided to connect the temperature sensors 84, the
temperature selectors 86, the variable speed compressor 62, the
variable speed condenser fan 66, the expansion device 68,
evaporator fan 94, and baffles 96 to controller 100. Thus, a
refrigeration appliance system according to the invention is
illustrated in FIG. 2 as a distributed refrigeration system having
a variable capacity vapor compression condensing unit and a chilled
forced air cooling delivery network.
[0031] According to the invention, central cooling unit 60 can be
continuously operating so that chilled air is continuously
circulated in insulated ducts 92 forming a cooling medium circuit
from evaporator 90 to refrigerating modules 70, 72 and back to
evaporator 90. Controller 100 can be arranged to adjust the
capacity of the central cooling unit 60 in response to the
aggregate cooling load of the plurality of refrigerating modules
70, 72. As noted above, while two refrigerating modules 70, 72 are
illustrated in FIG. 2, according to the invention one or more than
two refrigerating modules can be connected in the refrigerating
appliance system. The aggregate cooling load can be determined by
the first portion 102 of controller 100 as a function of
temperatures sensed by temperature sensors 84, operating
temperatures selected with temperature selectors 86, and feedback
from expansion device 68. Controller 100 can also be arranged to
control the operating temperature in each of the refrigerating
modules 70, 72. Second portion 104 of controller 100 can be
arranged to control baffles 96 and evaporator fan 94 to maintain
the selected operating temperatures based on the settings of
temperature selectors 86 and temperature sensors 84. Thus,
according to the invention, a single continuously operating
variable capacity central cooling unit 60 can be provided for a
plurality of refrigerating modules 70, 72 that can be set to
operate at different operating temperatures. The variable capacity
central cooling unit 60 can be arranged for chilling a cooling
medium. A cooling medium circuit, insulated ducts 92, can be
provided connecting the central cooling unit 60 to supply the
cooling medium from the central cooling unit 60 to the plurality of
refrigerating modules 70, 72. A plurality of cooling medium flow
control devices, baffles 96, can be provided for controlling flow
of cooling medium, chilled air, to each of the refrigerating
modules 70, 72, through air inlets 93 and air outlets 95. A
controller 100 and control circuit 106 can be provided to adjust
the capacity of the variable capacity central cooling unit 60 in
order to supply sufficient cooling medium to cool the plurality of
refrigerating modules 70, 72 to the respective selected operating
temperatures, and the controller 100 and control circuit 106 can be
arranged to adjust the volume of cooling medium directed to
respective ones of the refrigerating modules 70, 72 by controlling
the cooling medium flow control devices, evaporator fan 94 and
baffles 96, to maintain the selected operating temperature in the
respective refrigerating modules 70, 72. Controller 100 can control
the speed of variable speed fan 94 to vary the volume of cooling
medium, chilled air, in the cooling medium circuit, insulated ducts
92, to further control the operating temperature in the respective
refrigerating modules 70, 72. The embodiment of FIG. 2 is
preferably used for above freezing refrigerator modules to avoid
the need to circulate chilled air in the cooling medium circuit to
achieve temperatures approximating 0.degree. F. for freezer
modules, although freezer modules can be included in the FIG. 2
embodiment if desired.
[0032] Turning to FIG. 3, in another embodiment of the invention,
illustrated in schematic form, refrigerating modules 120, 122 and
124 can be connected in a refrigeration appliance system that can
include a central cooling unit 10. According to the invention one
or two refrigerating modules or more than three refrigerating
modules can be provided in the refrigeration appliance system as
desired. Refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124 can be free
standing or built in modules and can be general purpose
refrigerator or freezer modules or can be special purpose modules.
Refrigerating module 120 can have an insulated cabinet 126 and an
insulated door 127 that can be hinged to insulated cabinet 126 to
selectively open and close an opening 135 in insulated cabinet 126.
Refrigerating module 122 can have an insulated cabinet 128 and an
insulated door 129 that can be hinged to insulated cabinet 128 to
selectively open and close an opening 137 in insulated cabinet 128.
Refrigerating module 124 can have an insulated cabinet 140 and an
insulated door 141 to selectively open and close an opening 139 in
insulated cabinet 140. Those skilled in the art will understand
that insulated doors 127, 129 and 141 can be provided with a
suitable handle, not shown, to facilitate opening and closing
insulated doors 127, 129 and 141. Refrigerating modules 120, 122,
and 124 can include a refrigerating module evaporator 130 and a
refrigerating module variable speed evaporator fan 132 arranged to
circulate chilled air in the respective refrigerating modules. Air
flow arrows 148 schematically illustrate the chilled air flow in
the respective refrigerating modules. Refrigerating modules 120,
122 and 124 can have a temperature sensor 134 arranged to sense the
temperature of the interior of refrigerating modules 120, 122 and
124. Temperature sensor 134 can be a thermistor or other well known
electronic or mechanical temperature sensing mechanism or device.
Temperature selectors 136 can be provided for each of the
refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124 to allow the user to select
the operating temperature for the respective refrigerating modules
120, 122 and 124. While temperature selectors 136 are illustrated
schematically spaced from refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124 a
temperature selector 136 can be located in each of the
refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124 as is well known in the art,
or can be centrally located if desired. Temperature selectors 136
can comprise a well known mechanical or electronic selector
mechanism to allow a user to select an operating temperature for
the respective refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124.
[0033] The refrigeration appliance system illustrated in schematic
form in FIG. 3 also includes a central cooling unit 110. Central
cooling unit 110 can include a variable speed compressor 112, a
condenser 114 and a variable speed condenser fan 116. Central
cooling unit 110 can also include a manifold 117 and an accumulator
118. Central cooling unit 110 can be connected to the refrigerating
modules 120, 122 and 124 with insulated supply conduits 142 and
insulated return conduits 144 forming a cooling medium circuit for
conveying refrigerant from central cooling unit 110 through
manifold 117 to refrigerating modules 120, 122, and 124 and
returning refrigerant from refrigerating modules 120, 122, and 124
to accumulator 118 through insulated return conduits 144 for
delivery to variable speed compressor 112. Refrigerating module
evaporators 130 form the apparatus for receiving the cooling
medium, refrigerant, in the refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124.
Further, each refrigerating module 120, 122 and 124 can have an
expansion device 138 to control flow of refrigerant into the
respective refrigerating module evaporators 130. Expansion devices
138 can be an expansion device with feedback arranged to control
refrigerant flow through expansion device 138 based on the heat
load in the respective refrigerating module 120, 122, and 124 and
the operating temperature selected by the respective temperature
selector 136. Central cooling unit 110 can also have a
microprocessor based controller 150 having a first portion 152 that
can be arranged to control the operation of central cooling unit
110 and a second portion 154 to control the volume of refrigerant
directed to the respective refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124
similar to controller 50 in the embodiment of FIG. 1. A control
circuit 156 can be provided to connect the temperature sensors 134,
the temperature selectors 136, the variable speed compressor 112,
the variable speed condenser fan 116, expansion devices 138 and
evaporator fans 132 to controller 150. Thus, a refrigeration
appliance system according to the invention is illustrated in FIG.
3 as a distributed refrigeration system having a variable capacity
vapor compression condensing unit and an evaporator network.
Depending on the refrigerating modules selected, the evaporators
can all be above freezing, all below freezing, or a mixture of
above freezer and below freezing refrigerating modules.
[0034] According to the invention, central cooling unit 110 can be
continuously operating so that refrigerant is continuously
circulated in insulated supply conduits 142 and insulated return
conduits 144 forming a cooling medium circuit from condenser 114
through manifold 117 to refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124 and
back to compressor 112 through accumulator 118. Controller 150 can
be arranged to adjust the capacity of the central cooling unit 110
in response to the aggregate cooling load of the plurality of
refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124. As noted above, while three
refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124 are illustrated in FIG. 3,
according to the invention one or more than three refrigerating
modules can be connected in the refrigerating appliance system. The
aggregate cooling load can be determined by the first portion 152
of controller 150 as a function of temperatures sensed by
temperature sensors 134, operating temperatures selected with
temperature selectors 136 and feedback from expansion devices 138.
Controller 150 can also be arranged to control the operating
temperature in each of the refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124.
Second portion 154 of controller 150 can be arranged to control
expansion devices 138 and refrigerating module evaporator fans 132
to maintain the selected operating temperatures based on the
settings of temperature selectors 136 and temperature sensors 134.
Controller 150 can be arranged to maintain approximately the same
evaporator pressure in the refrigerating module evaporators 130 and
control the temperature in the respective refrigerating modules by
varying the flow of refrigerant into the refrigerating module
evaporators 130 and controlling the speed of the respective
refrigerating module evaporator fans 132. Thus, according to the
invention, a single, continuously operating variable capacity
central cooling unit 110 can be provided for a plurality of
refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124 that can be set to operate
at different operating temperatures. The variable capacity central
cooling unit 110 can be arranged for chilling a cooling medium, a
refrigerant. A cooling medium circuit, insulated supply conduits
and insulated return conduits 142, 144, can be provided connecting
the central cooling unit 110 to supply the cooling medium from the
central cooling unit 110 to the plurality of refrigerating modules
120, 122 and 124. A plurality of cooling medium flow control
devices, expansion devices 138, can be provided for controlling
flow of cooling medium, refrigerant, to each of the refrigerating
modules 120, 122 and 124. A controller 150 and control circuit 156
can be provided to adjust the capacity of the variable capacity
central cooling unit 110 in order to supply sufficient cooling
medium to cool the plurality of refrigerating modules 120, 122 and
124 to the respective selected operating temperatures, and the
controller 150 and control circuit 156 can be arranged to adjust
the volume of cooling medium, refrigerant, directed to respective
ones of the refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124 by controlling
the cooling medium flow control devices, expansion devices 138 and
refrigerating module evaporator fans 132, to maintain the selected
operating temperature in the respective refrigerating modules 120,
122 and 124. Controller 150 can control the speed of variable speed
compressor 112, variable speed condenser fan 116 and expansion
devices 138 to control the vapor pressure of the cooling medium,
refrigerant, in the cooling medium circuit, insulated supply and
return conduits 142, 144, to further control the operating
temperature in the respective refrigerating modules 120, 122 and
124.
[0035] Turning to FIG. 4, in another embodiment of the invention,
illustrated in schematic form, refrigerating modules 120, 124 and
160 can be connected in a refrigeration appliance system that can
include a central cooling unit 110. According to the invention one
or two refrigerating modules or more than three refrigerating
modules can be provided in the refrigeration appliance system as
desired. As described in the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 3,
refrigerating modules 120 and 124 can be free standing or built in
modules and can be general purpose refrigerator, freezer or can be
special purpose modules. Refrigerating module 160 can be a
refrigerator freezer having a refrigerator compartment 168 and a
freezer compartment 166. Refrigerator compartment 168 can have an
insulated refrigerator compartment door 174 hinged to insulated
cabinet 162 and freezer compartment 166 can have an insulated
freezer compartment door 172 hinged to insulated cabinet 162. Those
skilled in the art will understand that insulated doors 127, 141,
172 and 174 can be provided with a suitable handle, not shown, to
facilitate opening and closing insulated doors 127, 141, 172 and
174. Refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160 can include a
refrigerating module evaporator 130 and a variable speed
refrigerating module evaporator fan 132 arranged to circulate
chilled air in the respective refrigerating modules, see air flow
arrows 148. Refrigerating modules 120 and 124 can have a
temperature sensor 134 arranged to sense the temperature of the
interior of refrigerating modules 120, 124. Refrigerator freezer
module 160 can have a temperature sensor 134 for refrigerator
compartment 168 and a temperature sensor 134 for freezer
compartment 166. Temperature sensors 134 can be a thermistor or
other well known electronic or mechanical temperature sensing
mechanism or device. Temperature selectors 136 can be provided for
each of the refrigerating modules 120 and 124 to allow the user to
select the operating temperature for the respective refrigerating
modules 120 and 124. Refrigerator freezer 160 can have two
temperature selectors 136, one for the refrigerator compartment 168
and one for the freezer compartment 166. While temperature
selectors 136 are illustrated schematically spaced from
refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160 a temperature selector(s)
136 can be located in each of the refrigerating modules 120, 124
and 160 as is well known in the art, or alternately can be
centrally located if desired. Temperature selectors 136 can
comprise a well known mechanical or electronic selector mechanism
to allow a user to select an operating temperature for the
respective refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160.
[0036] The refrigeration appliance system illustrated in schematic
form in FIG. 4, similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3,
can include a central cooling unit 110. Central cooling unit 110
can include a variable speed compressor 112, a condenser 114 and a
variable speed condenser fan 116. Central cooling unit 110 can also
include a manifold 117 and an accumulator 118. Central cooling unit
110 can be connected to the refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160
with insulated supply conduits 142 and insulated return conduits
144 forming a cooling medium circuit for conveying refrigerant from
central cooling unit 110 through manifold 117 to refrigerating
modules 120, 124 and 160 and returning refrigerant from
refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160 to accumulator 118 through
insulated return conduits 144 for delivery to variable speed
compressor 112. Refrigerating module evaporators 130 form the
apparatus for receiving the cooling medium, refrigerant, in the
refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160. Further, each refrigerating
module 120, 124 and 160 can have an expansion device 138 to control
flow of refrigerant into the respective refrigerating module
evaporators 130. Expansion devices 138 can be an expansion device
with feedback arranged to control refrigerant flow through
expansion device 138 based on the heat load in the respective
refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160 and the operating
temperature(s) selected with the temperature selectors 136. Central
cooling unit 110 can also have a microprocessor based controller
150 having a first portion 152 that can be arranged to control the
operation of central cooling unit 110 and a second portion 154 to
control the volume of refrigerant directed to the respective
refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160 similar to microprocessor
based controller 50 in the embodiment of FIG. 1. A control circuit
156 can be provided to connect the temperature sensors 134, the
temperature selectors 136, the variable speed compressor 112, the
variable speed condenser fan 116, expansion devices 138 and
evaporator fans 132 to controller 150. Thus, a refrigeration
appliance system according to the invention is illustrated in FIG.
4 as a distributed refrigeration system having a variable capacity
vapor compression condensing unit and an evaporator network.
Depending on the refrigerating modules selected, the evaporators
can all be above freezing, all below freezing, or a mixture of
above freezer and below freezing refrigerating modules and/or in
addition to refrigerator freezer module 160.
[0037] Refrigerating module 160 can be a two temperature
refrigerator freezer module that can be arranged to have an above
freezing refrigerator compartment 168 and a below freezing freezer
compartment 166 as noted above. An insulated compartment separator
164 can be provided to divide insulated cabinet 162 into a
refrigerator compartment 168 and a freezer compartment 166. Freezer
compartment 166 can have an evaporator compartment that can be
formed by an evaporator compartment wall 170 that can be arranged
to separate the refrigerating module evaporator 130 from the
freezer compartment 166. Evaporator compartment wall 170 is
illustrated schematically as a dashed line below refrigerating
module evaporator 130 to indicate that air flows (air flow arrows
148) into freezer compartment 166 from the refrigerating module
evaporator 130, and similarly, air returns to the evaporator
compartment under the influence of refrigerating module evaporator
fan 132. Insulated compartment separator 164 can have chilled air
passages 176 positioned on compartment separator 164 that can allow
chilled air (air flow arrows 158) from the freezer compartment 166
or evaporator compartment to flow into refrigerator compartment 168
as is well known in the art. Compartment separator 164 can have a
refrigerator compartment damper 178 to control the flow of air from
the refrigerator compartment 168 back to freezer compartment 166
and refrigerating module evaporator 130 drawn by refrigerating
module evaporator fan 132. In the embodiment of the invention
illustrated in FIG. 4, refrigerator compartment damper 178 is shown
in the return air path from refrigerator compartment 168. Those
skilled in the art will understand that chilled air passages 176
could be arranged in the return air path from refrigerator
compartment 168 and refrigerant compartment damper 178 arranged in
the flow of chilled air into refrigerator compartment 168 if
desired. Refrigerator compartment damper 178 can be an automatic
damper operated by controller 150 as illustrated in FIG. 4, or, if
desired, refrigerator compartment damper 178 can be a manually
adjustable damper manually adjusted by the user and temperature
sensor 134 and temperature selector 136 eliminated from freezer
compartment 166.
[0038] Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3, according to the
invention, central cooling unit 110 can be continuously operating
so that refrigerant is continuously circulated in insulated supply
conduits 142 and return conduits 144 forming a cooling medium
circuit from condenser 114 through manifold 117 to refrigerating
modules 120, 124 and 160 and back to compressor 112 through
accumulator 118. Controller 150 can be arranged to adjust the
capacity of the central cooling unit 110 in response to the
aggregate cooling load of the plurality of refrigerating modules
120, 124 and 160. As noted above, while three refrigerating modules
120, 124 and 160 are illustrated in FIG. 4, according to the
invention one or two or more than three refrigerating modules can
be connected in the refrigerating appliance system. The aggregate
cooling load can be determined by the first portion 152 of
controller 150 as a function of temperatures sensed by temperature
sensors 134, operating temperatures selected with temperature
selectors 136, and feedback from expansion devices 138. Controller
150 can also be arranged to control the operating temperature in
each of the refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160. Second portion
154 of controller 150 can be arranged to control expansion devices
138 and refrigerating module evaporator fans 132 to maintain the
selected operating temperatures based on the settings of
temperature selectors 136 and temperature sensors 134. In addition,
second portion 154 of controller 150 can be arranged to control
refrigerator compartment damper 178 to control the amount of
chilled air flowing from freezer compartment 166 and refrigerating
module evaporator 132 through compartment separator 164 into
refrigerator compartment 168 in conjunction with refrigerating
module evaporator fan 132 to maintain the user selected temperature
in refrigerator compartment 168 as well as in freezer compartment
166. Controller 150 can be arranged to maintain approximately the
same evaporator pressure in the refrigerating module evaporators
130 and control the temperature in the respective refrigerating
modules 120, 124 and 160 by varying the flow of refrigerant into
the refrigerating module evaporators 130 and controlling the speed
of the respective refrigerating module evaporator fans 132. Thus,
according to the invention, a single, continuously operating
variable capacity central cooling unit 110 can be provided for a
plurality of refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160 that can be set
to operate at different operating temperatures, and refrigerating
module 160 can be set to have a refrigerator compartment and a
freezer compartment. The variable capacity central cooling unit 10
can be arranged for chilling a cooling medium, a refrigerant. A
cooling medium circuit, insulated supply conduits and insulated
return conduits 142, 144, can be provided connecting the central
cooling unit 110 to supply the cooling medium from the central
cooling unit 10 to the plurality of refrigerating modules 120, 124
and 160. A plurality of cooling medium flow control devices,
expansion devices 138, can be provided for controlling flow of
cooling medium, refrigerant, to each of the refrigerating modules
120, 124 and 160. A controller 150 and control circuit 156 can be
provided to adjust the capacity of the variable capacity central
cooling unit 110 in order to supply sufficient cooling medium to
cool the plurality of refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160 to the
respective selected operating temperatures, and the controller 150
and control circuit 156 can be arranged adjust the volume of
cooling medium, refrigerant, directed to respective ones of the
refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160 by controlling the cooling
medium flow control devices, expansion devices 138 and
refrigerating module evaporator fans 132, to maintain the selected
operating temperature in the respective refrigerating modules 120,
124 and 160. Controller 150 can control the speed of variable speed
compressor 112, variable speed condenser fan 116 and expansion
devices 138 to control the vapor pressure of the cooling medium,
refrigerant, in the cooling medium circuit, insulated supply and
return conduits 142, 144, to further control the operating
temperature in the respective refrigerating modules 120, 124 and
160.
[0039] Turning to FIG. 5, a freezer module 180 is illustrated that
can be used in combination with a refrigeration appliance system
according to the invention. Freezer module 180 can be a
conventional freezer capable of operating without connection to the
refrigeration appliance system according to the invention.
Particularly when a freezer module arranged for 0.degree. F.
storage temperatures is desired for use in combination with the
embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 (employing liquid coolant as the
cooling medium), FIG. 2 (employing chilled air as the cooling
medium), or FIG. 3 (particularly when above freezing refrigerator
modules will be connected in the refrigeration appliance system) it
can be advantageous to incorporate a freezer module 180 as
illustrated in FIG. 5. However, a freezer module 180 can be
combined with any of the embodiments according to the invention.
Freezer module 180 can have a insulated freezer cabinet 182
defining an opening 184 for access to the freezer compartment and
can have an insulated freezer door 185 hinged to the insulated
freezer cabinet 182 to selectively open and close the freezer
compartment. Freezer door 185 can have a handle, not shown, to
facilitate opening and closing freezer door 185 for access to
freezer module 180. Freezer module 180 can include a freezer
cooling unit 189 in a machinery compartment 186 outside the
refrigerated portion of the freezer cabinet 182 that can include a
freezer compressor 190, a freezer condenser 192 and a freezer
condenser fan 194. Freezer module 180 can include a freezer
evaporator 196 that can be positioned in insulated freezer cabinet
182 and can have a freezer evaporator fan 198 and a freezer
expansion device 204. Freezer module 180 can have a freezer
temperature sensor 200 that can be similar to the temperature
sensors described above. Freezer module 180 can also have a freezer
temperature selector 202 to allow user to select the operating
temperature for the freezer module. Freezer module 180 can have a
controller 208 and a control circuit 206 connecting the freezer
temperature sensor 200, freezer temperature selector 202, freezer
compressor 190, freezer condenser fan 194 and freezer evaporator
fan 198 to controller 208. Controller 208 can operate freezer
module 180 in a manner similar to conventional freezer products as
is well known in the art. Those skilled in the art will understand
that freezer compressor 190, freezer condenser fan 194 and freezer
evaporator fan 198 can be provided with variable speed motors as
desired for optimum operation. Freezer expansion device 204 can be
an expansion device with feedback as used in the embodiments of
FIGS. 1-4 or can be a capillary tube expansion device, again as
well known in the art. Freezer compressor 190 can be a variable
speed compressor if desired as is well known in the art.
Alternately, those skilled in the art will understand that freezer
condenser 192 and/or freezer evaporator 196 can be static heat
exchangers and that if a static heat exchanger is used the
respective freezer condenser fan 194 and/or freezer evaporator fan
198 could be eliminated. For example freezer module 180 could be a
chest freezer having freezer evaporator 196 positioned in contact
with the inner liner 210 defining the freezer compartment in the
insulation between the inner liner 210 and cabinet 182 as is well
known in the art. Similarly, freezer condenser 192 could be
positioned in contact with cabinet 182 positioned in the insulation
between inner liner 210 and cabinet 182 as is well known in the
art.
[0040] While the invention has been specifically described in
connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be
understood that this is by way of illustration and not of
limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be
construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.
* * * * *