GB2154309A - Refrigerated vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerated vehicle has a plurality of different compartment 32,36 thermally insulated from one another, refrigeration means 30 and a heat conducting path 40,44 leading from each compartment to the refrigeration means, with means in each such path for limiting the heat conducted along the path. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Refrigerated vehicle FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a refrigerated vehicle for carrying goods which have been loaded into containers of regular shape. The term "vehicle" as used in this specification includes a trailer unit which will be articulated to a tractor unit before it can be driven.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Wheeled containers, often known as roller pallets, are frequently used for containing perishable goods for transport. An example of such goods is frozen chickens. It is however desirable to be able to transport simultaneously goods which require storage at a different temperature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a refrigerated vehicle having a plurality of different compartments thermally insulated from one another, refrigeration means and a heat conducting path leading from each compartment to the refrigeration means, with means in each such path for limiting the heat conducted along the path.

The heat conducting paths can be air ducts which allow cooled air to pass from the refrigeration means to the compartments and warm air to pass back to the refrigeration means to be cooled.

The vehicle may be adapted to transport containers of fixed dimensions. Such containers can be stored on the vehicle in two or more tiers. The upper tier may form one compartment. The lower tier may be divided by a movable insulated bulkhead into two separate compartments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a refrigerated trailer in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is an end view of the trailer of Fig.

1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODI MENT The trailer shown in Fig. 1 has a front end 10 where it will be connected to a tractor unit by way of a conventional articulated joint, and a rear end 1 2 through which the trailer will be loaded. At the rear end 12, a tail lift 14 is provided.

The trailer carries two layers of containers 1 6 on two load platforms 1 8 and 20. The height between the platforms is such as to just accommodate these containers. If the containers were smaller in height, it would be possible to have three or more platforms.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, there are three parailel rows of containers 16, which containers are of the type often known as roller pallets.

Roller pallets of the kind shown are often used for transporting refrigerated items. The trailer shown has a refrigeration unit 30, and the trailer walls are insulated. The interior volume of the trailer can thus be cooled to keep the trailer contents refrigerated.

The trailer interior is divided into three different compartments. One compartment 32 is located above the upper load carrying platform 20, which platform is itself insulated.

The second compartment 34 is formed adjacent the refrigeration unit itself and the third compartment 36 is formed between the rear end 1 2 and an insulating bulkhead 38.

A duct 40 leads from the refrigeration unit 30 to the compartment 32 and a duct 44 leads through the upper load carrying platform 20 to the compartment 36.

The bulkhead 38 is not a permanent fixture and can be inserted in any desired position between containers, or can be omitted.

With this compartmented configuration, different temperature regions can be maintained inside the trailer. For example, the compartment 34 can be kept below freezing temperature and can contain deep frozen products.

The compartment 36 can be cooled, and the upper compartment 32 could be left at ambient temperature. Suitable valves will be provided in the ducts 40 and 44 to make this possible.

Normally the power source for operating the refrigeration unit 30 will be derived from a tractor unit which pulls the trailer. Alternatively however a generator could be mounted on the trailer, so that the trailer would be selfsufficient in cooling.

1. A refrigerated vehicle having a plurality of different compartments thermally insulated from one another, refrigeration means and a heat conducting path leading from each compartment to the refrigeration means, with means in each such path for limiting the heat conducted along the path.

2. A refrigerated vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat conducting paths are air ducts by which cooled air passes from the refrigeration means to the compartments and warm air passes back to the refrigeration means to be cooled.

3. A refrigerated vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle is adapted to transport containers of fixed dimensions, in two or more tiers, the upper tier forming one compartment and the lower tier is divided by a movable insulated bulkhead into two separate compartments.

4. A refrigerated vehicle constructed ar

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Refrigerated vehicle FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a refrigerated vehicle for carrying goods which have been loaded into containers of regular shape. The term "vehicle" as used in this specification includes a trailer unit which will be articulated to a tractor unit before it can be driven. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Wheeled containers, often known as roller pallets, are frequently used for containing perishable goods for transport. An example of such goods is frozen chickens. It is however desirable to be able to transport simultaneously goods which require storage at a different temperature. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a refrigerated vehicle having a plurality of different compartments thermally insulated from one another, refrigeration means and a heat conducting path leading from each compartment to the refrigeration means, with means in each such path for limiting the heat conducted along the path. The heat conducting paths can be air ducts which allow cooled air to pass from the refrigeration means to the compartments and warm air to pass back to the refrigeration means to be cooled. The vehicle may be adapted to transport containers of fixed dimensions. Such containers can be stored on the vehicle in two or more tiers. The upper tier may form one compartment. The lower tier may be divided by a movable insulated bulkhead into two separate compartments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a refrigerated trailer in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is an end view of the trailer of Fig. 1. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODI MENT The trailer shown in Fig. 1 has a front end 10 where it will be connected to a tractor unit by way of a conventional articulated joint, and a rear end 1 2 through which the trailer will be loaded. At the rear end 12, a tail lift 14 is provided. The trailer carries two layers of containers 1 6 on two load platforms 1 8 and 20. The height between the platforms is such as to just accommodate these containers. If the containers were smaller in height, it would be possible to have three or more platforms. As can be seen from Fig. 2, there are three parailel rows of containers 16, which containers are of the type often known as roller pallets. Roller pallets of the kind shown are often used for transporting refrigerated items. The trailer shown has a refrigeration unit 30, and the trailer walls are insulated. The interior volume of the trailer can thus be cooled to keep the trailer contents refrigerated. The trailer interior is divided into three different compartments. One compartment 32 is located above the upper load carrying platform 20, which platform is itself insulated. The second compartment 34 is formed adjacent the refrigeration unit itself and the third compartment 36 is formed between the rear end 1 2 and an insulating bulkhead 38. A duct 40 leads from the refrigeration unit 30 to the compartment 32 and a duct 44 leads through the upper load carrying platform 20 to the compartment 36. The bulkhead 38 is not a permanent fixture and can be inserted in any desired position between containers, or can be omitted. With this compartmented configuration, different temperature regions can be maintained inside the trailer. For example, the compartment 34 can be kept below freezing temperature and can contain deep frozen products. The compartment 36 can be cooled, and the upper compartment 32 could be left at ambient temperature. Suitable valves will be provided in the ducts 40 and 44 to make this possible. Normally the power source for operating the refrigeration unit 30 will be derived from a tractor unit which pulls the trailer. Alternatively however a generator could be mounted on the trailer, so that the trailer would be selfsufficient in cooling. CLAIMS

1. A refrigerated vehicle having a plurality of different compartments thermally insulated from one another, refrigeration means and a heat conducting path leading from each compartment to the refrigeration means, with means in each such path for limiting the heat conducted along the path.

2. A refrigerated vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat conducting paths are air ducts by which cooled air passes from the refrigeration means to the compartments and warm air passes back to the refrigeration means to be cooled.

3. A refrigerated vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle is adapted to transport containers of fixed dimensions, in two or more tiers, the upper tier forming one compartment and the lower tier is divided by a movable insulated bulkhead into two separate compartments.

4. A refrigerated vehicle constructed ar rangement and adapted to operate substantially as herein described, with reference to and as described in the accompanying drawings.