U.S. patent application number 17/497693 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-09 for display refrigerators and freezers.
The applicant listed for this patent is Aerofoil Energy Limited. Invention is credited to Paul MCANDREW, Ian TURNER.
Application Number | 20220175154 17/497693 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220175154 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MCANDREW; Paul ; et
al. |
June 9, 2022 |
DISPLAY REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS
Abstract
A display refrigerator or freezer comprises a refrigerated
storage space. Air in the refrigerated storage space is separated
from air exterior to the display refrigerator or freezer by an air
curtain established by one or more fans which blow air towards one
or more air outlets via a cooling heat exchanger and which recover
air in the air curtain via one or more air inlets for recirculation
to the one or more air outlets. The refrigerated storage space has
a base shelf. One or more air inlet ducts are arranged between the
one or more air inlets and the one or more fans such that the air
recovered via the one or more air inlets is directed by the one or
more air inlet ducts towards the one or more fans. The one or more
air inlet ducts, in combination with at least a portion of the base
shelf, define at least a portion of a cavity beneath the base
shelf, the cavity being sealed from the air recovered via the one
or more air inlet.
Inventors: |
MCANDREW; Paul; (Cheshire,
GB) ; TURNER; Ian; (Oxfordshire, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Aerofoil Energy Limited |
Cheshire |
|
GB |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/497693 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/GB2020/050909 |
Apr 7, 2020 |
|
|
|
17497693 |
|
|
|
|
International
Class: |
A47F 3/04 20060101
A47F003/04; F24F 7/04 20060101 F24F007/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 9, 2019 |
GB |
1905036.8 |
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising: a housing defining a refrigerated
storage space; an air outlet configured to produce an air curtain
that separates air in the refrigerated storage space from air
exterior to the housing; a cooling heat exchanger and which
recovers air in the air curtain via an air inlet such that air can
be recirculated to the air outlet; a shelf disposed within the
refrigerated storage space; and a duct fluidically coupling the air
inlet and the air outlet, at least a portion of the duct and, at
least a portion of the shelf defining at least a portion of a
cavity beneath the shelf that is sealed from air recovered via the
air inlet.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the air outlet is from one or
more air outlets, the air inlet is from one or more air inlets, and
the duct is from a one or more ducts, the apparatus further
comprising: one or more fans, each fan from the one or more fans
configured to blow air towards an air outlet from the one or more
air outlets, the apparatus includes an equal number of ducts from
the plurality of ducts and fans from the plurality of fans, each
duct from the one or more ducts fluidically couples an air inlet
from the one or more air inlets to one fan from the one or more
fans.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cavity is evacuated.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the duct is an air inlet duct,
the apparatus further comprising: a fan configured to blow air
towards the air outlet; and an outlet duct disposed between the fan
and the cooling heat exchanger such that air blown by the fan is
directed towards the cooling heat exchanger.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the cavity is defined at least
in part by a portion of the outlet duct.
6. The display refrigerator or freezer of claim 1, wherein the
cavity is defined at least in part by insulation material.
7.-8. (canceled)
9. An apparatus, comprising: a housing defining a refrigerated
storage space; a cooling heat exchanger; a fan configured to blow
air towards an air outlet via the cooling heat exchanger to form an
air curtain that separates the refrigerated storage space from air
exterior to the housing, the cooling heat exchanger configured to
recover air in the air curtain via an air inlet for recirculation
to the air outlet; and a duct arranged between the fan and the
cooling heat exchanger such that air blown by the fan is directed
towards the cooling heat exchanger.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: the duct is from one or more
ducts and the fan is from one or more fans; the apparatus includes
the same number of ducts and fans; and each duct from the one or
more ducts is arranged to direct air to one fan from the one or
more fans.
11. A method of modifying a display refrigerator or freezer,
wherein the display refrigerator or freezer includes a refrigerated
storage space, air in the refrigerated storage space being
separated from air exterior to the display refrigerator or freezer
by an air curtain established by one or more fans which blow air
towards one or more air outlets via a cooling heat exchanger, the
cooling heat exchanger configured to recover air in the air curtain
via one or more air inlets for recirculation to the one or more air
outlets, the refrigerated storage space having a base shelf, the
method comprising: arranging one or more air inlet ducts between
the one or more air inlets and the one or more fans such that the
air recovered via the one or more air inlets is directed by the one
or more air inlet ducts towards the one or more fans such that the
one or more air inlet ducts, in combination with at least a portion
of the base shelf, define at least a portion of a cavity beneath
the base shelf, the cavity being sealed from the air recovered via
the one or more air inlets.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising arranging the same
number of air inlet ducts between the air inlets and the fans as
the number of fans such that each air inlet duct from the one or
more air inlet ducts is configured to direct air to one fan from
the one or more fans.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising evacuating the
cavity.
14. The method of claim 11, further comprising arranging one or
more outlet ducts between the one or more fans and the cooling heat
exchanger such that air blown by the one or more fans is directed
towards the cooling heat exchanger.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising arranging the one or
more outlet ducts such that the cavity is defined at least in part
by a portion of the one or more outlet ducts.
16.-19. (canceled)
Description
[0001] The invention relates to display refrigerators and freezers
which can either have doors comprising transparent windows or have
an open front (i.e. do not include a door). The invention also
relates to methods of and kits for modifying such display
refrigerators and freezers.
[0002] Display refrigerators and freezers are commonly used in
retail environments, such as supermarkets, to store and display
products, such as meat and dairy products, which must be kept at
lower than ambient temperatures. The open/transparent front of such
refrigerators and freezers makes it easy for customers to view the
products being displayed.
[0003] Display refrigerators and freezers have an air curtain,
which is established by blowing cold air across the front of the
refrigerator or freezer. The air curtain issues from an air outlet
at the top of the refrigerator or freezer towards an air inlet at
the bottom of the refrigerator or freezer. The air inlet recovers
air from the air curtain and recirculates it to the air outlet via
a cooling heat exchanger and fan.
[0004] One problem with this type of refrigerator or freezer is
that some of the warm air (i.e. air that is warmer than the
refrigerated interior) drawn into the air inlet by the fan tends to
dwell under the base shelf of the refrigerator or freezer instead
of passing through to the heat exchanger. This causes warming of
the underside of the base shelf. Heat subsequently conducts through
the base shelf creating "hot-spots" which can warm food products on
the shelf. To combat this problem, refrigerator/freezer
manufacturers typically increase the cooling effect provided to the
entire refrigerator or freezer, which increases energy
consumption.
[0005] A further inefficiency associated with this type of
refrigerator or freezer is that the air passing into the fan is
usually turbulent and uneven. This results in air passing through
only some of the heat exchanger, which reduces the efficiency of
the refrigerator or freezer, again increasing energy
consumption.
[0006] Display refrigerators sometimes include insulation on the
underside of the base shelf. However, this insulation is usually
provided at the rear of the refrigerator, above the cooling heat
exchanger (evaporator), and does not prevent warm air from
transferring heat into the refrigerator at the front of the base
shelf.
[0007] Rather, this insulation is typically provided to prevent
freezing of products at the rear of the base shelf, which can occur
due to the coldness of the cooling heat exchanger (evaporator)
underneath the rear of the base shelf.
[0008] Accordingly, there is a need in the art to increase the
energy efficiency of refrigerators and freezers of this type.
[0009] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a display refrigerator or freezer comprising a
refrigerated storage space, air in the refrigerated storage space
being separated from air exterior to the display refrigerator or
freezer by an air curtain established by one or more fans which
blow air towards one or more air outlets via a cooling heat
exchanger and which recover air in the air curtain via one or more
air inlets for recirculation to the one or more air outlets, the
refrigerated storage space having a base shelf; one or more air
inlet ducts arranged between the one or more air inlets and the one
or more fans such that the air recovered via the one or more air
inlets is directed by the one or more air inlet ducts towards the
one or more fans; wherein the one or more air inlet ducts, in
combination with at least a portion of the base shelf, define at
least a portion of a cavity beneath the base shelf, the cavity
being sealed from the air recovered via the one or more air
inlets.
[0010] The display refrigerator or freezer can be a display
refrigerator or freezer comprising an interior space and a door,
wherein the door comprises a transparent window and separates the
interior space from air external to the display refrigerator or
freezer. For example, the display refrigerator or freezer can be a
full glass door freezer. Alternatively, the display refrigerator or
freezer can be a display refrigerator which is open at the front
(i.e. does not have a door). The cooling heat exchanger may be
situated at the base of the display refrigerator or freezer or at
the rear of the display refrigerator or freezer.
[0011] The provision of the air inlet ducts of the first aspect of
the invention achieves at least two technical effects. Firstly, the
air inlet ducts seal a cavity underneath the base shelf, ensuring
that the warm air recovered via the one or more air inlets cannot
dwell against the underside of the base shelf, which reduces heat
transfer from the warm air to the base shelf and then to the food
products. This allows refrigerator/freezer manufacturers to reduce
the cooling effect provided to the entire refrigerator or freezer,
and thus reduce energy consumption. Further, the air inlet ducts
provide a direct and even channel for air to pass through to the
fans. This reduces turbulence and makes the airflow through the
fans more even, making the refrigerator or freezer more
efficient.
[0012] In some embodiments, the display refrigerator or freezer
includes the same number of air inlet ducts and fans and each air
inlet duct is arranged to direct air towards a respective fan only
(for example, the display refrigerator or freezer may include a
single air inlet duct and a single fan, and the single air inlet
duct directs air towards the single fan). This may result in a
particularly even airflow through the fans.
[0013] In some embodiments, the cavity is evacuated (i.e. contains
a vacuum). In other embodiments, the cavity contains air. It has
been found that both a vacuum and air are more effective at
insulating the base shelf from the warm air entering through the
air inlet than insulation material such as fibreglass or mineral
wool or polyurethane foam. In some embodiments, insulation material
such as fibreglass or mineral wool or polyurethane foam may be
provided under a portion of the base shelf (in the cavity and/or
outside the cavity).
[0014] In some embodiments, the display refrigerator or freezer
further comprises one or more outlet ducts arranged between the one
or more fans and the cooling heat exchanger such that air blown by
the one or more fans is directed towards the cooling heat
exchanger. In some embodiments, the cavity is defined at least in
part by a portion of the one or more outlet ducts. The addition of
an outlet duct provides the function of a) providing a more even
distribution of air over the cooling heat exchanger (e.g.
evaporator), increasing efficiency; and optionally b) forming, in
part, the cavity which insulates the front of the base shelf from
warm air entering from the air inlet.
[0015] In some embodiments, the cavity is defined (for example
defined in its entirety) by a) a combination of the base shelf and
the one or more air inlet ducts; b) a combination of the base
shelf, one or more air inlet ducts and one or more outlet ducts; c)
a combination of the base shelf, one or more air inlet ducts and
insulation material; d) a combination of the base shelf, one or
more air inlet ducts, one or more outlet ducts and insulation
material; or e) a combination of the base shelf, one or more air
inlet ducts and one or both of the side walls of the fridge.
[0016] In some embodiments, a sealant (for example a silicone
sealant) is provided to seal the cavity. This has the advantage
that the insulation effect provided by the cavity is maximised
because warm air cannot enter the cavity at all. It should be
understood that even without a sealant, only minimal amounts of
warm air can enter the cavity, which would still be effective in
preventing warming of the underside of the base shelf.
[0017] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there
is provided a kit for retrofitting one or more air inlet ducts to a
display refrigerator or freezer, wherein the display refrigerator
or freezer comprises a refrigerated storage space, air in the
refrigerated storage space being separated from air exterior to the
display refrigerator or freezer by an air curtain established by
one or more fans which blow air towards one or more air outlets via
a cooling heat exchanger and which recover air in the air curtain
via one or more air inlets for recirculation to the one or more air
outlets, the refrigerated storage space having a base shelf; the
kit comprising one or more air inlet ducts for directing air
recovered by the one or more air inlets towards the one or more
fans; wherein the one or more air inlet ducts are shaped to
terminate at the one or more air inlets at a first end, such that
on installation, in combination with at least a portion of the base
shelf of the refrigerator, the one or more air inlet ducts form at
least a portion of a cavity beneath the base shelf, the cavity
being sealed from air recovered via the one or more air inlets.
[0018] In some embodiments, the one or more air inlet ducts are
shaped to terminate at the one or more fans at a second end. This
may improve air flow to the fans.
[0019] In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is
provided a display refrigerator or freezer comprising: a
refrigerated storage space, air in the refrigerated storage space
being separated from air exterior to the display refrigerator or
freezer by an air curtain established by one or more fans which
blow air towards one or more air outlets via a cooling heat
exchanger and which recover air in the air curtain via one or more
air inlets for recirculation to the one or more air outlets; one or
more outlet ducts arranged between the one or more fans and the
cooling heat exchanger such that air blown by the one or more fans
is directed towards the cooling heat exchanger.
[0020] The outlet duct provides a more even distribution of air
over the cooling heat exchanger (e.g. evaporator).
[0021] In some embodiments, the display refrigerator or freezer
includes the same number of outlet ducts and fans, wherein each
outlet duct is arranged to direct air from a respective fan only
(for example, the display refrigerator or freezer may include a
single outlet duct and a single fan, and the single outlet duct
directs air from the single fan). This may result in a particularly
even airflow from the fan or fans.
[0022] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, there
is provided a method of modifying a display refrigerator or
freezer, wherein the display refrigerator or freezer comprises a
refrigerated storage space, air in the refrigerated storage space
being separated from air exterior to the display refrigerator or
freezer by an air curtain established by one or more fans which
blow air towards one or more air outlets via a cooling heat
exchanger and which recover air in the air curtain via one or more
air inlets for recirculation to the one or more air outlets, the
refrigerated storage space having a base shelf; the method
comprising: arranging one or more air inlet ducts between the one
or more air inlets and the one or more fans such that the air
recovered via the one or more air inlets is directed by the one or
more air inlet ducts towards the one or more fans such that the one
or more air inlet ducts, in combination with at least a portion of
the base shelf, define at least a portion of a cavity beneath the
base shelf, the cavity being sealed from the air recovered via the
one or more air inlets.
[0023] In some embodiments, the method comprises arranging the same
number of air inlet ducts between the air inlet or inlets and the
fans as the number of fans, such that each air inlet duct is
arranged to direct air onto a respective fan only. (For example,
the method may comprise arranging only one air inlet duct between
the air inlet(s) and the fan, if the display refrigerator or
freezer comprises only a single fan). This may result in a
particularly even airflow through the fans.
[0024] In some embodiments, the method further comprises evacuating
the cavity. In other embodiments, the method comprises allowing the
cavity to be filled with air. It has been found that both a vacuum
and air are more effective at insulating the base shelf from the
warm air entering through the air inlet(s) than insulation
material.
[0025] In some embodiments, the method further comprises arranging
one or more outlet ducts between the one or more fans and the
cooling heat exchanger such that air blown by the one or more fans
is directed towards the cooling heat exchanger. The one or more
outlet ducts may be arranged such that the cavity is defined at
least in part by a portion of one or more outlet ducts. The
addition of one or more outlet ducts provides the function of a)
providing a more even distribution of air over the cooling heat
exchanger (e.g. evaporator), increasing efficiency and optionally
b) forming, in part, the cavity which insulates the front of the
base shelf from warm air entering from the air inlet.
[0026] In some embodiments, the method comprises arranging the one
or more air inlet ducts and optionally the one or more outlet ducts
and/or insulation material such that the cavity is defined (for
example defined in its entirety) by a) a combination of the base
shelf and the one or more air inlet ducts; b) a combination of the
base shelf, one or more air inlet ducts and one or more outlet
ducts; c) a combination of the base shelf, one or more air inlet
ducts and insulation material; d) a combination of the base shelf,
one or more air inlet ducts, one or more outlet ducts and
insulation material; or e) a combination of the base shelf, one or
more air inlet ducts and one or both of the side walls of the
fridge.
[0027] In some embodiments, the method comprises providing a
sealant (for example a silicone sealant) to seal the cavity. This
has the advantage that the insulation effect provided by the cavity
is maximised because warm air cannot enter the cavity at all. It
should be understood that even without a sealant, only minimal
amounts of warm air can enter the cavity, which would still be
effective in preventing warming of the underside of the base
shelf.
[0028] In accordance with a fifth aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of modifying a display refrigerator or freezer,
wherein the display refrigerator or freezer comprises a
refrigerated storage space, air in the refrigerated storage space
being separated from air exterior to the display refrigerator or
freezer by an air curtain established by one or more fans which
blow air towards one or more air outlets via a cooling heat
exchanger and which recover air in the air curtain via one or more
air inlets for recirculation to the one or more air outlets, the
method comprising arranging one or more outlet ducts between the
one or more fans and the cooling heat exchanger such that air blown
by the one or more fans is directed towards the cooling heat
exchanger.
[0029] In some embodiments, the method comprises arranging the same
number of outlet ducts between the fans and the cooling heat
exchanger as the number of fans, such that each outlet duct is
arranged to direct air from a respective fan only. For example,
where the display refrigerator or freezer includes only a single
fan, a single outlet duct may be arranged between the said fan and
the cooling heat exchanger. This may result in a particularly even
airflow from the fans.
[0030] In accordance with a sixth aspect of the invention, there is
provided a kit for retrofitting one or more outlet ducts to a
display refrigerator or freezer, wherein the display refrigerator
or freezer comprises a refrigerated storage space, air in the
refrigerated storage space being separated from air exterior to the
display refrigerator or freezer by an air curtain established by
one or more fans which blow air towards one or more air outlets via
a cooling heat exchanger and which recover air in the air curtain
via one or more air inlets for recirculation to the one or more air
outlets; the kit comprising one or more outlet ducts for directing
air from the one or more fans towards the cooling heat exchanger
such that air blown by the one or more fans is directed towards the
cooling heat exchanger; wherein the one or more outlet ducts are
shaped to terminate at the cooling heat exchanger at a first
end.
[0031] In some embodiments, the one or more outlet ducts are shaped
to terminate at the one or more fans at a second end. This may
improve air flow from the one or more fans to the cooling heat
exchanger.
[0032] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there
is also provided a display refrigerator or freezer which includes
features of both the first aspect of the invention and the third
aspect of the invention (i.e. which includes both air inlet ducts
and outlet ducts). The features indicated as optional in respect of
either or both the first and third aspects of the invention are
also optional in this further aspect of the invention.
[0033] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a side cross-section of the bottom portion of a
display refrigerator according to the first aspect of the
invention.
[0035] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a display refrigerator
according to the first aspect of the invention from underneath the
base shelf of the refrigerator.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the bottom portion of a
display refrigerator according to the first aspect of the invention
from above the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.
[0037] FIG. 4 shows a side cross-section of the bottom portion of a
display refrigerator according to the third aspect of the
invention.
[0038] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a display refrigerator
according to the third aspect of the invention from underneath the
base shelf of the refrigerator.
[0039] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the bottom portion of a
display refrigerator according to the third aspect of the invention
from above the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.
[0040] FIG. 1 shows a side cross-section of the bottom portion of a
display refrigerator 100. The display refrigerator 100 has a
refrigerated storage space 102 that is maintained at a lower than
ambient temperature. Within the refrigerated storage space 102,
there is a base shelf 116. Various embodiments may have one, two,
three, four, five or any number of additional shelves (not shown)
disposed above the base shelf, which may be flat, may be at an
angle or may be mixture of angled and flat shelves. A typical angle
for the angled storage shelves is 20.degree., however shelves at
other angles may be used, as long as the product being refrigerated
does not slide off the shelves. The display refrigerator 100
establishes an air curtain 106 by fans 108 within the display
refrigerator 100 which blow cold air towards an air outlet (not
shown), out of the air outlet to form the air curtain 106, the air
from which is recovered by the fans 108 through an air inlet 114.
Air inlet ducts 118 arranged between the air inlet 114 and the fans
108 direct the warm air recovered through the air inlet 114 towards
the fans 108. The air inlet ducts 118 in combination with a portion
of the base shelf 116 defines a cavity 120. Air in the cavity 120
is sealed from the warm air recovered by the air inlet 114. This
means that the relatively warm air recovered by the air inlet 114
is separated from the base shelf 116, thus avoiding warming of the
underside of the base shelf 116. This has the effect that the
refrigerator can operate at a lower power to maintain a required
temperature in the storage space 102, decreasing energy
consumption. Further, the presence of the air inlet 114 causes a
reduction in the turbulence of the air passing into the fans 108
which increases the efficiency of the display refrigerator 100,
again decreasing energy consumption required to maintain the
required temperature in the storage space 102. Air directed by the
air inlet ducts 118 to the fans 108 is recirculated by the fans 108
to the air outlet via a cooling heat exchanger 112 within the
display refrigerator 100. The cooling heat exchanger 112 maintains
the recirculated air (and hence the air blown through the air
outlet to form the air curtain 106) at a desired temperature. The
desired temperature is chosen to be lower than ambient and acts to
prevent cold air in the refrigerated storage space 102 from mixing
with warm air exterior to the refrigerator 104.
[0041] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the same display
refrigerator 100 shown in FIG. 1 from underneath the bottom of the
display refrigerator 100. FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the
bottom portion of the same display refrigerator 100 shown in FIGS.
1 and 2 from above the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. These
views show the shape of the air inlet ducts 118 in more detail.
[0042] FIG. 4 shows a side cross-section of the bottom portion of a
display refrigerator 100. The display refrigerator 100 has a
refrigerated storage space 102 that is maintained at a lower than
ambient temperature. Within the refrigerated storage space 102,
there is a base shelf 116. Various embodiments may have one, two,
three, four, five or any number of additional shelves (not shown)
disposed above the base shelf, which may be flat, may be at an
angle or may be mixture of angled and flat shelves. A typical angle
for the angled storage shelves is 20.degree., however shelves at
other angles may be used, as long as the product being refrigerated
does not slide of the shelves. The display refrigerator 100
establishes an air curtain 106 by fans 108 within the display
refrigerator 100 which blow cold air towards an air outlet (not
shown), out of the air outlet to form the air curtain 106, the air
from which is recovered by the fans 108 through an air inlet 114.
Fans 108 within the display refrigerator 100 recirculate the warm
air recovered through the air inlet 114 to the air outlet via a
cooling heat exchanger 112. Outlet ducts 122 arranged between the
fans 108 and the cooling heat exchanger 112 ensure that air blown
by the fans 108 is directed towards the cooling heat exchanger 112.
This ensures that air passes more evenly through the cooling heat
exchanger 112 which increases the efficiency of the display
refrigerator 100, decreasing energy consumption.
[0043] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the same display
refrigerator 100 shown in FIG. 4 from underneath the bottom of the
display refrigerator 100. FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the
bottom portion of the same display refrigerator 100 shown in FIGS.
4 and 5 from above the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. These
views show the shape of the outlet ducts 122 in more detail.
[0044] It should be understood that although the air inlet ducts
and outlet ducts are shown in separate exemplary figures above, the
invention also includes further embodiments where the display
refrigerator or freezer includes both air inlet ducts and outlet
ducts.
* * * * *