U.S. patent number 3,650,122 [Application Number 05/003,168] was granted by the patent office on 1972-03-21 for modular refrigeration unit.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Computed Living Space, Inc.. Invention is credited to Aharon Lieberman.
United States Patent |
3,650,122 |
Lieberman |
March 21, 1972 |
MODULAR REFRIGERATION UNIT
Abstract
A modular refrigeration unit containing a complete refrigeration
system is removably mounted in an insulated holding chamber. The
holding chamber and refrigeration unit are formed of polyurethane
in a stressed skinned construction and a closed air flow cycle is
provided between the interior of the holding chamber and the
evaporator of the refrigeration system to continuously maintain a
relatively low temperature within the chamber.
Inventors: |
Lieberman; Aharon (Ozone Park,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Computed Living Space, Inc.
(Ozone Park, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
21704512 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/003,168 |
Filed: |
January 15, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/298; 62/275;
62/440; 62/77; 62/279 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
77/08 (20130101); F25D 19/00 (20130101); F25D
2400/16 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
77/08 (20060101); F25D 19/00 (20060101); F25d
019/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;62/77,298,295,292,275,279,440,279 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wye; William J.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A modular refrigeration unit comprising, an enclosed thermally
insulated holding box having a selectively openable door member
forming a portion of the box for providing access to the interior
thereof and a self-contained mechanical refrigeration unit readily
removably mounted within the interior of said holding box, said
refrigeration unit including an enclosed thermally insulated
container and means within said container for cooling and
circulating ambient air present in said holding box.
2. A modular refrigeration unit as defined in claim 1 wherein the
walls and door of said enclosed holding box are formed of
polyurethane and have hardened surfaces and foamed inner cores.
3. A modular refrigeration unit as defined in claim 2 wherein said
box is injection molded.
4. A modular refrigeration unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said
cooling and circulating means comprises, means entirely within the
confines of said container defining a refrigerant flow path
including a condenser, compressor, evaporator and expansion nozzle,
for cooling the interior of said holding box.
5. A modular refrigeration unit as defined in claim 4 wherein said
container is generally rectangular and is formed of a pair of
elongated generally L-shaped members.
6. A modular refrigeration unit as defined in claim 5 wherein said
evaporator is mounted in the upper portion of one of said L-spaced
members, said condenser is mounted in the base of said container
and said compressor is mounted above said condenser and beneath
said evaporator whereby relatively short refrigerant flow path
sections are provided between the elements of said cooling and
circulating means.
7. A device as defined in claim 6 wherein said cooling and
circulating means includes a first fan for drawing air from within
said holding box over said evaporator for cooling said air and for
returning said cooled air to said box.
8. A device as defined in claim 7 wherein said cooling and
circulating means further includes a second fan, thermally isolated
from said first fan, and adapted to draw ambient air from outside
said box through said condenser and over said compressor to cool
said condenser and compressor.
9. A modular refrigeration unit adapted to be removably mounted
within a thermally insulated holding box comprising, an enclosed
container formed by a stressed skin construction defining an
enclosed chamber, and means entirely contained within said chamber
for refrigerating said holding box, said refrigeration means
including compressor, condenser, expansion nozzle, evaporator, and
conduit means constructed and arranged to define a flow path for
refrigerant in said refrigeration means whereby the interior of
said holding box is cooled.
10. A refrigeration unit as defined in claim 9 including means
resiliently mounting said compressor in said container to absorb
the attendant vibrations thereof.
11. A refrigeration unit as defined in claim 10 wherein said
condenser is mounted in the base of said container below said
compressor and said system further includes means for drawing
ambient air into said container to cool said condenser and said
compresser and for discharging the warmed air from said
container.
12. A refrigeration unit as defined in claim 11 wherein said
container includes means, thermally isolated from said drawing and
discharge means, for continuously drawing air within said holding
box over said evaporator and returning said air to said box in a
closed air circulation cycle.
13. A refrigeration unit as defined in claim 12 wherein said
compressor includes a thermally conductive outer shell and a
watertight channel means mounted on the periphery of said shell,
said evaporator including a heater element adapted to periodically
defrost ice forming on said evaporator, and means for conducting
the resulting liquid from said evaporator to said channel whereby
said liquid cools said compressor, is vaporized, and discharged
from said container with said warmed air.
Description
This invention relates to refrigerators and in particular to a
modular refrigeration unit removably mounted in an insulated
holding chamber.
In refrigerator systems presently available, the mechanical
components of the system are arranged in various locations with
respect to the holding chamber or refrigerator box. Conventionally,
the refrigerator is an insulated metal box having its condenser
coils exposed at the rear, the evaporator coils located adjacent
the interior walls and the compressor and other equipment mounted
in the base. Such arrangements render repairs and service difficult
and often necessitates removal of the entire heavy metal
refrigerator from the home, in the event that factory service is
required.
In addition, the conventional refrigerator is of a standard size
and occupies a large area of the kitchen. This area is completely
devoted to refrigeration since the capacity of the unit cannot be
varied and generally the result is that the refrigerator is too
large for certain families and too small for others.
It is an object of this invention to provide compact mechanical
systems adapted to refrigerate insulated holding chambers. Another
object of the invention is to provide compact removable and
replaceable refrigeration units. A still further object of the
invention is to provide lightweight insulated cabinetry adapted to
serve as refrigerator units when provided with a self-contained
mechanical refrigeration system. Still another object of the
invention is to refrigerate performed insulated holding
chambers.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention there are provided kitchen cabinets formed of stressed
skin injection molded construction. These cabinets have hardened
plastic surfaces which provide structural integrity and an integral
foamed core which provides thermal insulation for the interior of
the cabinet. The exposed appearance surfaces of this cabinetry are
adapted to be finished in any desired color and in any type of
simulated wood grain or other contoured surface.
A mechanical package containing all of the mechanical parts of a
refrigeration system is also provided, which is adapted to fit in
one corner of a cabinet. The package is similarly formed of
stressed skin construction and is adapted to provide a closed air
flow cycle in the interior of its associated cabinet to make that
cabinet a refrigerator or a holding chamber for the mechanical
package and for food. The mechanical package, or refrigeration
module is adapted to be removed from the cabinet if desired and
thus, when repairs are necessary, the package can be removed and a
standby inserted. The necessity of home repairs is thereby
eliminated and factory service of the mechanical components of the
refrigeration system is facilitated since by this construction only
the mechanical package or module need then be returned to the
factory.
The lightweight construction of the cabinetry allows faster and
easier field assembly, lower shipping costs and faster service and
maintenance of the refrigeration units. In addition, the portion of
the kitchen devoted to refrigeration can be determined by the
consumer since as many, or as few, cabinets as desired may be
provided with a refrigeration module.
The construction of the preferred embodiment as well as further
objects and advantages thereof will become further apparent from
the following specification when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawing wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a kitchen including a
cabinet containing the modular refrigeration unit of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the opened cabinet of FIG.
1, partly broken away, and with parts removed;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the rear portion of the cabinet
illustrated in FIG. 2, with its top removed;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the modular refrigeration unit taken
on line 4--4 of FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is a view taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 4.
Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, there is
illustrated a portion of a kitchen wall 10 including a series of
cabinets 12 and 14. Each of the cabinets 14 is adapted to contain
the modular refrigeration unit 16 of the present invention, and one
of these cabinets is shown with its door 18 opened and a typical
module 16 inserted therein.
Cabinets 12 and 14, and their respective doors 18, are formed of
injection molded polyurethane in a stressed skin construction by a
known process. As seen in FIG. 2, this construction provides thin
hardened outer surfaces 20 and an integral foamed core 22. The hard
plastic surfaces 20 provide both structural stability and a durable
finish to the cabinets. In addition, the molding process permits
surfaces 20 to be formed with any desired color or type of finish,
such as wood or other grained surfaces, as seen in FIG. 1, in order
to give the cabinets the appearance of fine furniture.
Foamed core 22 provides thermal insulation for the cabinets and
thus facilitates the use of any individual cabinet 14 as a
refrigerator by the insertion of a refrigeration module 16. As more
fully described hereinafter, module 16 contains all of the
mechanical components required for a refrigeration system and thus
will cool any cabinet in which it is placed. As seen in FIG. 1, and
in phantom lines in FIG. 2, module 16 is positioned in one of the
rear corners of the chosen cabinet and occupies only a small amount
of the available space therein.
Each cabinet 14 which is adapted to receive a modular refrigeration
unit 16 is provided with a conventional magnetized flexible sealing
strip 24 around the interior edges of its pivotally mounted door 18
and this sealing strip cooperates with the front face portions 26
of the cabinet to form an airtight seal to prevent cool air from
escaping from cabinet 14. Ferrous particles embedded in the cabinet
portions 26 cooperate with magnetized strip 24 to keep door 18
closed.
Cabinets 14 are each provided with an opening 28 in their top and
bottom walls 30 and 32, respectively. These openings provide access
for electric power lines into box 14 for connection to module 16.
In addition, openings 28 provide communication with the atmosphere
through appropriate conduits (not shown) to supply air for cooling
certain of the components within module 16.
As seen in FIG. 3, module 16 is formed by a pair of elongated
generally L-shaped members 34 and 36 which form a rectangular
container for the refrigeration system components. Members 34 and
36 are each formed of polyurethane by an injection molding process
similar to that used to form cabinets 12 and 14; and they thus have
a stressed skin construction with hardened outer surfaces 38 and an
integral foamed inner core 40. Legs 42 and 44 of member 36 are
somewhat longer than the corresponding legs 46 and 48 of member 34
so that their free ends extend beyond the perimeter of module 16
when members 34 and 36 are joined together. This construction is to
insure proper positioning of module 16 within cabinet 14, as will
be more fully explained hereinafter. Any conventional fastening
means or method can be utilized to join the free ends of legs 46
and 48 to legs 42 and 44 respectively, however, one such method,
i.e., sonic welding of the members, has been found satisfactory and
is particularly useful in production line assemblies.
Cabinet 14 is formed with grooves 50 located in its rear wall 15
and a similar groove 50 located in its side wall 17. These grooves
are adapted to receive the free ends of the legs 42 and 44 of
member 36 when the latter is inserted in cabinet 14 in order to
locate and retain module 16 in the rear corner of the cabinet.
While the arrangement described above would be sufficient to retain
module 16 in this position, it may be supplemented by any type of
conventional fastening or locking mechanisms. When module 16 is
inserted in cabinet 14 member 36 is positioned as seen in FIG. 3,
with its sides towards the interior of cabinet 14. Accordingly, in
order to provide substantial insulation between the mechanical
components contained within the interior of module 16 and the
interior of cabinet 14, legs 42 and 44 of member 36 are formed
somewhat thicker than the corresponding legs 46 and 48 of member
34.
Module 16 is also provided with top and bottom members 52 and 54,
respectively, to completely seal the module. These members are
joined to side members 34 and 36 by the same method used to join
the latter, e.g., sonic welding. Alternatively they may be
integrally formed with either of the side members during the
injection molding process.
Members 52 and 54 each include an opening 56 which align with
openings 28 in cabinet 14 when module 16 is inserted therein. These
openings permit entrance of ambient air into the module as will be
more fully explained hereinafter and also facilitates connection of
electrical power lines to the motor driven components of the
refrigeration systems.
As previously noted, module 16 contains all of the components of a
conventional refrigeration system, including a condenser 58,
compressor 60, evaporator 62 and an expansion nozzle or capillary
tube (not shown). The arrangement of these components is clearly
illustrated in the sectional view of module 16, in FIG. 5. As seen
therein condenser 58 is positioned in the base of module 16 on
bottom member 54 substantially overlying opening 56 therein. In the
preferred embodiment, condenser 58 is formed as a wide-spaced
finned heat exchange unit, although, it is foreseen that a
condenser without fins would also be satisfactory. The use of
wide-spaced fins minimized dust collection on the condenser and
thus avoids losses in heat transfer capacity of the unit.
Condenser 58 is connected to compressor 60 by a conduit 64 which
forms part of the flow path for the refrigerant used in the system.
Compressor 60 is resiliently mounted within module 16 immediately
above condenser 58 on support plate 66. Module walls 42 and 48
include grooves 68 in which the generally U-shaped tracks 70 are
resiliently mounted by a plurality of coil springs 72. The ends of
plate 66 are adapted to slide in and out of tracks 70 and, in this
manner, vibrations of the compressor are absorbed by springs 72 and
isolated from module 16 in order to prevent damage thereto.
A fan 74 is mounted in module 16 on a support plate 76 immediately
above compressor 60. Plate 76 is slidably mounted within grooves 78
formed in module walls 48 and 42 so that it can be readily inserted
or removed. Fan 74 is positioned within a foraminous chamber 80 on
plate 76 and draws ambient air into module 16 through lower opening
28 in cabinet 14 and opening 56 in base member 54 to create an air
flow through chamber 80 between the lower and upper portions of the
module. This air flow serves to cool condenser 58 by convection and
in addition passes through openings (not shown) in plate 66 to cool
compressor 60 and thereby increase its operating range. The
resulting warmed air is then discharged through opening 56 in top
plate 52 and top opening 28 in cabinet 14 and returned to the
atmosphere. It is noted that discharge opening 56 may alternatively
be located in rear wall 15 of cabinet 14 to decrease the head of
air against which fan 74 must act. For certain applications, fan 74
may be eliminated since air will tend to flow upwardly within
module 16 by convection, as the air adjacent condenser 58 is heated
at the beginning of the operating cycle.
Grooves 78 in walls 42 and 48 may be lined with rubber pads (not
shown) to absorb vibrations of the fan and limit transmission of
these vibrations to the walls of module 16. In addition, it is
noted that for each groove formed in walls 42 and 48 corresponding
grooves are formed in walls 44 and 46 for receiving the two other
sides of the various components, in particular, compressor support
plate 64 and plate 76.
Evaporator 62 is also formed as a wide-finned heat exchanger in the
conventional manner and it is mounted in a recess 82 formed in
module wall 42. Cooled fluid from condenser 58 flows through
conduit 84 to an expansion nozzle or capillary tube (not shown)
formed therein and thence to evaporator 62 in the conventional
manner. Accordingly, extremely cool refrigerant is supplied to
evaporator 62 for cooling the interior of cabinet 14 and this
refrigerant is returned to compressor 60 through conduit 86 to
complete the refrigerant flow path.
A closed air flow cycle is provided within cabinet 14 by fan 88
which draws air present in cabinet 14 through an opening 100 in the
upper portion of leg 42 of L-shaped member 36 over relatively cold
evaporator 62 and thence returns the cooled air back through
opening 100 to the interior of the cabinet. Fan 88 is mounted
within a cavity 90 formed in support plate 92 which plate is formed
of thermal insulating material such as foamed polyurethane and is
slidably mounted in the vertically offset grooves 94 which are
formed in top plate 52 and support plate 76 of fan 74. In this
manner, a cool zone 96 is defined adjacent evaporator 62 which is
thermally isolated from the warm air discharge zone 98 defined
above fan 74 and loss of cooling capacity of the system is
avoided.
Leg member 44 of L-shaped member 36 is formed with an opening 101
therein to provide discharge of cool air from both exposed sides of
module 16. Opening 101 communicates with cool zone 96 through duct
102 which is formed as part of leg 44 and accordingly, air flowing
in duct 102 is also thermally insulated from discharge zone 98. The
upper corner of plate 92 adjacent duct 102 is notched to avoid
obstruction of the duct and to permit free air flow from zone 96
through duct 102 to opening 101.
In operation, fan 88 draws air within cabinet 14 through opening
100 over evaporator 62 into zone 96 and returns the cooled air back
and the rest flowing into duct 102 and through opening 101, through
the evaporator coils and through opening 100, as indicated by the
arrows in FIG. 4 and 5. It is noted that both openings in module
16, i.e., openings 100 and 101 may be covered by a foraminous
screening material or cloth 104 to prevent inadvertent insertion of
food or other objects into the module.
During operation of the device water vapor from within cabinet 14
will be drawn by fan 88 into zone 96 and onto evaporator 62 where
this moisture will condense and freeze. To avoid ice buildup on the
evaporator coils and resultant loss of heat transfer capacity, a
heater unit 106 is provided at the base of the evaporator.
Conventional automatic controls are provided to periodically
operate the heater and heat the evaporator fins to melt ice
formations thereon. The resulting liquid is conveyed by conduit 108
to the top of the compressor casing 60.
Compressor 60 is provided with an annular channel 110 formed on its
casing for collecting moisture deposited thereon from conduit 108
and, as the liquid flows from the top of the compressor casing to
channel 110, it serves to provide additional cooling for compressor
60. In addition, the heat generated by compressor 60 during
operation will vaporize the moisture and this vapor is thence
automatically removed from module 16 under the influence of fan
74.
While polyurethane has been described above as the material used in
the construction of the preferred embodiment of this invention, it
is foreseen that other plastic materials may be used, and
particularly, materials chosen from the eythelene or styrene
groups.
The refrigeration module construction described above provides a
compact unit which is readily and rapidly assembled on factory
production lines. The provision of preformed grooves in the
injection molded module members facilitates assembly since each
refrigeration component is merely slid in place by one of the
L-shaped members and the appropriate conduits connected. When each
component is in place the second L-shaped member is merely
positioned over the components and the joints sonically welded to
form a completely sealed package.
The self-contained mechanical package of the present invention is
readily removed and replaced in case of a mechanical failure
without the necessity of replacing the entire cabinet or
refrigerator holding chamber as in the prior art systems. This
arrangement therefor permits factory service in lieu of the
generally more expensive and less efficient home repairs. In
addition, the package is readily serviceable since each component
is compact and located in one position within the holding box.
The capacity of an individual module is readily varied since each
component can be readily removed and replaced by another of
different size, due to the use of the slidable mounting
construction of each component within the module. As seen in FIG.
4, module 16, while compact, contains sufficient space therein to
accommodate larger components and thus is adapted to make the
cabinet 14 a freezer chamber rather than a refrigerator.
Cabinet 14 also may be provided with a conventional automatic ice
maker 112 along wall 17 in front of module 16 and opening 101. The
cool air discharged from zone 96 and opening 101 in module 16 has,
in the preferred embodiment, a temperature of approximately
0.degree. F., and as it is discharged immediately over the ice
maker it will freeze the liquid contained therein.
The above description of the invention is intended to be
illustrative only, and various changes and modifications in the
embodiment described may occur to those skilled in the art. These
changes may be made without departing from the scope of the
invention, and thus it should be apparent that the invention is not
limited to the specific embodiments described or illustrated in the
drawings.
* * * * *