EP2091390A1

EP2091390A1 - Refrigeration storage apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP2091390A1
Application number: EP06776969A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bernhard Möller; Dimitri Keller
Original assignee: Carrier Corp
Current assignee: Carrier Corp
Priority date: 2006-08-18
Filing date: 2006-08-18
Publication date: 2009-08-26
Also published as: TW200821520A; AR062381A1; WO2008019705A1

Abstract

A refrigeration storage apparatus (1 ) comprises a storage container (2) having a bottom portion (21 ) and side portions (22, 23) defining a storage space (24) for storing and cooling of goods (25), and an air providing means (4, 5, 6) for providing air to the storage container (2) for cooling purposes and for causing the air to flow through the storage container. The air providing means comprises a first conduit (4) for conducting the air to flow over the stored goods in a first stream (41 ) substantially parallel to the bottom portion (21 ) of the storage container, and a second conduit (5) for conducting the air to flow in a second stream (51 ) substantially parallel to the bottom portion (21 ) of the storage container beneath the stored goods. The second conduit (5) has canalizing means (26) for causing the air of the second stream (51 ) to flow between the stored goods (25) towards the first stream (41 ) in order to achieve equal and sufficient cooling properties with low power loss.

Description

Refrigeration Storage Apparatus

The present invention is directed to a refrigeration storage apparatus comprising a storage container having a bottom portion and side portions defining a storage space for storing and cooling of goods and an air providing means for providing air to the storage container for cooling purposes and for causing the air to flow through the storage container.

Refrigeration storage devices or apparatuses are known in the art in various types such as refrigeration cabinet systems used in food trade for presentation and cooling of the goods in the sales area of, e. g., a supermarket. The type of storage apparatus or cabinet system often depends on the type of goods to be cooled, and often additionally depends on the type of presentation of the goods. Many such refrigeration apparatuses or units are available on the market for a variety of purposes and in a variety of configurations.

One type of food storage and display cabinet, generally referred to as refrigera- tion storage apparatus, is shown with reference to Figure 4. According to Figure 4 there is shown a refrigeration storage apparatus 10 comprising a storage container 2 having a bottom portion 27 and side portions 22, 23 defining a storage space for storing and cooling of goods 25. The storage container 2 according to Figure 4 is of the type in which the goods 25 are presented and displayed to a user or customer in a horizontal manner. Accordingly, a user or customer may have access to the stored and cooled goods 25 via the open top portion of the storage container 2 as shown.

Furthermore, the refrigeration storage apparatus 10 of Figure 4 comprises an air conduit 8 for conducting air to flow in a stream 83 beneath the bottom portion

27 of the storage container 2. For example, the stream of air 83 is provided by a fan which is placed in the conduit 8, which fan is however not shown in Figure 4.

Moreover, the stream of air 83 may be caused to flow through an evaporator as a part of the cooling cycle of the refrigeration storage apparatus, which evaporator is also not shown in Figure 4. For example, the evaporator and the fan may be located beneath the bottom portion 27 of the storage container 2. The storage container 2 is placed within a case or housing 3 which defines the outer boundaries of the refrigeration storage apparatus 10 including feet 31 for positioning of the apparatus 10.

The conduit 8 is provided with an outlet 84 for providing a stream of air 81 which is caused to flow over the stored goods 25 substantially parallel to the bottom portion 27 of the storage container 2. The stream of air 81 is for cooling of the goods 25 in that heat provided by the goods 25 is taken away with the stream of air 81 to an inlet 85 of the conduit 8 receiving a stream of air 82 which is heated relative to the stream of air 81 leaving the outlet 84 of the conduit 8.

A disadvantage of the food storage and display cabinet 10 according to Figure 4 is that the shown arrangement fails to provide optimum cooling conditions, par- ticularly within section 9 as shown in Figure 4. As can be seen, section 9 is remote from the outlet 84 of the conduit 8 in downstream direction of the stream of air 81 where the air is already heated up relative to the stream of air 81 right after the outlet 84. On its way from the outlet 84 of the conduit 8 to the inlet 85 of the conduit 8 the stream of air is heated by the goods 25 which are overflown by the stream of air 81. As a consequence, the cooling capacity of the stream of air 81 reduces on its way from outlet 84 to the inlet 85 of the conduit 8. In order that the problematic section or zone 9 is provided with sufficiently cooled air, the temperature of the stream of air 81 has to be reduced so that the stream of air 82 which enters the inlet 85 has sufficient cooling temperature for cooling the goods 25 in section 9 with adequate low temperature. Consequently, the goods 25 next to the outlet 84 of the conduit 8 are provided with cooled air, the temperature of which must be excessively reduced in order to provide the needed temperature within zone 9. This, however, may have the disadvantage of excessive power consumption for providing adequate reduced temperatures of the cooling air. Moreover, excessively reduced temperatures may cause problems with respect to snow which is formed when the temperature difference in the storage space of the storage container 2 is too high. Moreover, the pressure within the evaporator may be reduced only to a certain amount which is not below atmosphere pressure for various technical reasons. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigeration storage apparatus which is capable of providing optimum cooling conditions in certain types of food storage and display containers or cabinets.

This object is solved by a refrigeration storage apparatus according to the features of claim 1.

According to the present invention, the refrigeration storage apparatus comprises a storage container having a bottom portion and side portions defining a storage space for storing and cooling of goods, and an air providing means for providing air to the storage container for cooling purposes and for causing the air to flow through this storage container. The air providing means comprises a first conduit for conducting the air to flow over the stored goods in a first stream substantially parallel to the bottom portion of the storage container, and a second conduit for conducting the air to flow in a second stream substantially parallel to the bottom portion of the storage container beneath the stored goods. The second conduit has canalizing means for causing the air of the second stream to flow between the stored goods towards the first stream. Accordingly, the invention provides for the benefit that optimum cooling conditions for all stored goods may be achieved, particularly in storage containers which are adapted for presenting the stored goods in a horizontal manner to the user or customer, such as open food bins or open food storage containers. These food bins or storage containers are open to the warm ambient conditions normally via the top surface of the container. Particularly, with the present invention there may be provided sufficient and supplemental cooling of the goods which are stored downstream with respect to a stream of air leaving an outlet of a cooling air conduit.

One part of the cooling air is conducted in a second stream beneath the stored goods, which second stream of air is not exposed to the heated ambient environment. The canalizing means of the second conduit causes the air of the second stream to flow between the stored goods towards the first stream which horizontally overflows the stored goods, wherein the flow of air between the stored goods is adapted to provide sufficient and supplemental cooling to the stored goods remote from the outlet of the cooling air conduit. Thus, even re- mote parts of the storage container may be flooded sufficiently with cool air. The rising and heated air between the stored goods is transported by the first horizontal stream of air to the opposed and remote side of the storage container forming the return flow of air provided to the evaporator.

According to an embodiment of the present invention the second conduit has a first section and a second section for conducting the second stream of air substantially along the bottom portion of the storage container, wherein the second section is arranged downstream from the first section. The canalizing means is adapted in that the flow of air between the stored goods towards the first stream is larger in the second section than in the first section. Thus, referring to Figure 4 as discussed above, the section or zone 9 may be sufficiently cooled by air of the second stream rising from the bottom portion of the storage container between the stored goods towards the horizontal stream of air thereby cooling the goods stored in that area.

More particularly, the second conduit may be arranged in that the canalizing means is provided only in the second section located downstream with respect to the second stream of air.

According to another embodiment of the present invention the canalizing means is adapted for causing the air of the second stream to flow between the stored goods towards the first stream for merging of the air of the second stream with the first stream to form a combined third stream. This third stream may be adap- ted to form the return flow of air provided to the evaporator of the refrigeration system. Preferably, the third stream is conducted within a third conduit which is adapted to be coupled to an evaporator.

Particularly, the first and second conduits may be coupled to a common conduit for providing the air to the first and second conduits. According to an embodiment, the common conduit comprises a first terminal for coupling to the first conduit and a second terminal for coupling to the second conduit, wherein an air break is placed into the first conduit after the first terminal. Thus, the air is caused to flow also in the second conduit for providing the stream of air between the stored goods. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the storage container comprises a double bottom structure, the double bottom structure comprising the second conduit forming a flow channel in-between the double bot- torn structure. The canalizing means may be formed by discrete openings in the second conduit, wherein the flow of air of the second conduit is directed through the openings towards the first stream. Preferably, the discrete openings are provided in the top surface of the double bottom structure.

Preferably, the openings are formed downstream in the second conduit in a section of the top surface of the bottom portion remote from an inlet into the second conduit.

Further advantageous features and embodiments of the invention are evident from the dependent claims.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a refrigeration storage apparatus according to the invention,

Figures 2 and 3 show schematical views of other types of refrigeration stor- age apparatuses which may be applied in combination with principles of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows a refrigeration storage apparatus of the prior art as discussed in the introductory part of the description.

In Figure 1 there is shown an embodiment of a refrigeration storage apparatus according to the present invention. The refrigeration storage apparatus of the shown embodiment is formed as a cabinet system used typically in food trade for presentation of goods in a sales area of, e. g., a supermarket. However, as will be apparent from the following description, the principles of the present in- vention may also be applied to other types of refrigeration storage devices or apparatuses such as open food bins, wall cabinets and/or cooling racks, for example used for the purpose of storing milk and diary goods, meat and/or deep frozen food goods.

According to Figure 1 , there is shown a refrigeration storage apparatus 1 comprising a storage container 2 for storing and cooling of goods 25 which are presented to the user or customer in a horizontal manner for access via the top of the storage container 2 as shown. The storage container 2 is included within a housing or case 3 for positioning the refrigeration storage apparatus or unit 1 on, e. g., a floor of a supermarket. For this purpose, the case 3 is provided with a corresponding number of feet 31. The storage container 2 has a bottom portion 21 for carrying the goods 25 and side portions 22, 23 on the right and left hand sides of the container 2. The bottom portion 21 and side portions 22, 23 define a storage space 24 for storing and cooling of the goods 25.

Further, the storage container 2 is provided with a conduit system and cooling devices as part of the refrigeration system, commonly referred to as air providing means. This air providing means is for providing air to the storage container 2 and for cooling purposes, wherein the cooling air is caused to flow through the storage container. To this end, the air providing means comprises generally three types of conduits. A first conduit 4 is for conducting the air to flow over the stored goods 25 in a first stream 41 substantially parallel to the bottom portion 21 of the storage container 2. A second conduit 5 is located beneath the stored goods 25 and is for conducting the air to flow in a second stream 51 substantially parallel to the bottom portion 21 of the storage container beneath the stored goods. A third stream 61 is conducted within a third conduit 6 which is a common conduit for providing the air to the first and second conduits 4, 5. The common conduit 6 comprises a terminal 45 for coupling to the first conduit 4 and another terminal 55 for coupling to the second conduit 5. An air break 7 is placed into the first conduit 4 after the terminal 45 for causing the air of the stream 61 to divide in two streams flowing in both conduits 4 and 5. By means of the air break 7 the amount of air may be selected which flows, on the one hand, into the conduit 4 and, on the other hand, into the conduit 5 beneath the stored goods 25. As further shown with respect to Figure 1 , the storage container 2 comprises a double bottom structure which comprises the second conduit 5 forming a flow channel. The flow channel of the conduit 5 is formed between a bottom wall 21 a and a top wall 21 b of the double bottom structure.

Furthermore, the second conduit 5 has canalizing means 26 which are adapted for causing the air of the stream 51 to flow in a stream 52 between the stored goods 25 towards the stream 41 which flows over the stored goods horizontally. Thus, the air of stream 51 is caused to change flow direction to form a stream of air 52 as shown in Figure 1 in substantially vertical direction to flow between the stored goods 25. The stream of air 52 is heated by the goods 25 and rises towards the horizontal stream of air 41 which leaves the conduit 4 via an outlet 43 of the conduit 4. The stream of air 52 is caused to flow between the stored goods towards the first stream 41 for merging with the stream 41 to form a combined third stream 61 which enters into the common conduit 6. In effect, the heated and rising stream of air 52 is transported by the conventional horizontal stream of air 41 to the remote and opposing side of the storage container 2 to enter the return path for the cooling air. According to the invention, increased cooling capacity may be provided to the remote portion of the storage container (cf. zone 9 as discussed and shown with respect to Figure 4), so that an essentially equal temperature distribution may be provided over the whole area of the storage container 2 which saves power consumption and prevents the effect of snow due to the reduction of the temperature difference within the storage con- tainer.

In the embodiment as shown in Figure 1 the canalizing means is formed by discrete openings 26 which are arranged in the second conduit 5 in the top wall 21 b of the double bottom structure 21. The flow of air 51 in the conduit 5 is directed through the openings 26 into the vertical direction towards the stream of air 41.

In order to increase the effect of an almost equally distributed temperature within the storage container 2, the conduit 5 has different sections A and B which are constructed differently with respect to the canalizing means. Both sections A and B of the conduit 5 are arranged for conducting the stream of air 51 substan- tially along the bottom portion 21 of the storage container. The second section B is arranged downstream from the first section A as shown, wherein the section B is remote from the inlet 55 of the conduit 5. Generally, the canalizing means 26, particularly the openings 26 are adapted in that the flow of air 52 between the stored goods 25 is larger in the second section B than in the first section A. The goods 25 within the first section A are sufficiently cooled by the stream of air 41 and by an evaporator (not shown) which is placed within the common conduit 6. In the area of section B, where the horizontal stream of air 41 is heated the stored goods 25 are increasingly cooled by the streams of air 51 and 52, respect- ively. More particularly, according to an embodiment the openings 26 may be arranged only in the second section B remote from the inlet 55 of the conduit 5.

Furthermore, the air providing means as discussed above may incorporate a fan for the cooling air and an evaporator as part of the refrigeration system. Both components may be placed within the common conduit 6, which is however not shown in Figure 1 for the purposes of clarity. For example, both components or one of the components may be located beneath the bottom portion 21 of the storage container 2. Especially when the evaporator is located beneath the stored goods 25, the stored goods which are placed on the bottom of the stor- age container may be additionally cooled by the evaporator directly.

Figures 2 and 3 show schematical views of other exemplary types of refrigeration storage apparatuses which may be applied in combination with the present invention. Particularly, both embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 3 incorporate evaporators 1 1 and a fan 12 located beneath the bottom portion of the storage container 2. According to the embodiment of Figure 2, the storage container comprises two sub-containers which are provided with respective air streams 101 and 102, respectively, which are supplied by a common air stream 121 between the sub-containers. An air distributor, particularly an air diverting de- flector 13 diverts the stream of air 121 into the streams 101 and 102. The fan 12 sucks the air through each of the evaporators 1 1. According to the embodiment of Figure 3 the fan 12 pushes the stream of air 103 through the evaporator 1 1.

The principles of the present invention, as discussed above, may be principally applied to any suitable type of refrigeration storage device or unit for providing "matrix-cooling" to the stored goods which are presented to the user or customer in a horizontal manner in order to achieve sufficient cooling properties with low power loss. It will be apparent to the skilled person that various modifications may be applied without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A refrigeration storage apparatus ( 1 ), comprising :

- a storage container (2) having a bottom portion (21 ) and side portions (22, 23) defining a storage space (24) for storing and cooling of goods (25),

- an air providing means (4, 5, 6) for providing air to the storage container (2) for cooling purposes and for causing the air to flow through the storage con- tainer,

- the air providing means comprising a first conduit (4) for conducting the air to flow over the stored goods in a first stream (41 ) substantially parallel to the bottom portion (21 ) of the storage container, and a second conduit (5) for conducting the air to flow in a second stream (51 ) substantially parallel to the bottom portion (21 ) of the storage container beneath the stored goods,

- the second conduit (5) having canalizing means (26) for causing the air of the second stream (51 ) to flow between the stored goods (25) towards the first stream (41 ).

2. The refrigeration storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second conduit (5) having a first section (A) and a second section (B) for conducting the second stream (51 ) of air substantially along the bottom portion (21 ) of the storage container, the second section being arranged downstream from the first section, wherein the canalizing means (26) is adapted in that the flow of air (52) between the stored goods (25) towards the first stream (41 ) is larger in the second section (B) than in the first section (A).

3. The refrigeration storage apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second conduit (5) having a first section (A) and a second section (B) for conducting the second stream of air (51 ) substantially along the bottom portion (21 ) of the storage container, the second section being arranged downstream from the first section, wherein the canalizing means (26) is arranged only in the second section (B).

4. The refrigeration storage apparatus of one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the canalizing means (26) is adapted for causing the air of the second stream (51 ) to flow between the stored goods (25) towards the first stream (41 ) for merging of the air of the second stream with the first stream to form a combined third stream (61 ).

5. The refrigeration storage apparatus of claim 4, wherein the third stream (61 ) is conducted within a third conduit (6) which is adapted to be coupled to an evaporator (1 1 ).

6. The refrigeration storage apparatus of one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first and second conduits (4, 5) are coupled to a common conduit (6) for providing the air to the first and second conduits.

7. The refrigeration storage apparatus of claim 6, wherein the common conduit (6) comprising a first terminal (45) for coupling to the first conduit (4) and a second terminal (55) for coupling to the second conduit (5), wherein an air brake (7) is placed into the first conduit after the first terminal.

8. The refrigeration storage apparatus of one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the storage container (2) comprising a double bottom structure (21a, 21 b), the double bottom structure comprising the second conduit (5) forming a flow channel in-between the double bottom structure.

9. The refrigeration storage apparatus of one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the canalizing means is formed by discrete openings (26) in the second conduit (5), the flow of air (51 ) of the second conduit directed through the openings towards the first stream (41 ).

10. The refrigeration storage apparatus of claim 9, wherein the openings (26) are formed downstream in the second conduit (5) in a section (B) of the top surface (21 b) of the bottom portion remote from an inlet (55) into the second conduit.

11. The refrigeration storage apparatus of one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the air providing means (6) comprises an evaporator (11).

12. The refrigeration storage apparatus of claim 11, wherein the evaporator (11) is located beneath the bottom portion (21) of the storage container.