GB2353347A

GB2353347A - Cold cabinets

Info

Publication number: GB2353347A
Application number: GB9915618A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Quarterman
Original assignee: NOISE SOLUTIONS Ltd
Current assignee: NOISE SOLUTIONS Ltd
Priority date: 1999-07-02
Filing date: 1999-07-02
Publication date: 2001-02-21
Also published as: GB9915618D0

Abstract

A method of establishing and maintaining a more homogenous temperature gradient in front of a cold cabinet (1-3) comprising the steps of drawing cooler air at floor level under the cabinet, channeling the air behind the cabinet and subsequently directing the air upwards (12) where it mixes with warmer air at ceiling level (9). Air is circulated by tangential fans (10) mounted flush with the top surfaces of the cabinets (1-3). Each fan is supported on a blanking plate carrying a safety mesh.

Description

1 2353347 Improvements in and relating to cold cabinets The present

invention relates to chilled and fresh produce cabinets, particularly although not exclusively for installation in food retail stores.

It is well known that between the aisles of chilled and fresh produce cabinets within a retail store there can exist a temperature gradient that results in a shopper feeling uncomfortable. The problem is confined principally to stores where open cabinets are used, where there a layer of cold air is established between the aisles. Consequently, there have been a number of attempts to increase the temperature between the aisles. One such approach is that of providing under floor ventilation which is expensive to install and also restricts the ability subsequently to alter the position of the cabinets. Another approach is to place fan heaters beneath the cabinets themselves arranged to direct heated air into the aisle. Both of these approaches increase overall energy consumption within a store.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved thermal environment within the vicinity of a cold or chiller cabinet. It is a further object of the invention to provide apparatus for maintaining an improved thermal environment within the vicinity of a cold or chiller cabinet that is energy efficient. It is a still further object of the invention to minimise the noise levels within a store.

Thus, according to a f irst aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of establishing and maintaining a more homogenous temperature gradient in front of a cold cabinet comprising the steps of drawing cooler air at floor level under 2 the cabinet, channeling the air behind the cabinet and subsequently directing the air upwards where it mixes with warmer air at ceiling level.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that as the air is mixed with warmer air at ceiling level, there is a consequent destratification of the air at cabinet level.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus including a fan suitable for carrying out the above described method.

In order to aid in understanding the invention an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a prior art installation of cold cabinets;

Figure 2 is a similar view of an installation according to the invention; Figure 3 is detail diagrammatic side view of the installation of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a further detail side view of the installation of Figure 2; and Figure 5 is a detail plan view of the installation shown in Figure 3.

Referring to the prior art installation of Figure 1, there is shown a typical arrangement of three rows of cold cabinets 1,2,3 within a food store 4. A central aisle 5 passes between the cabinets 1,2,3 and the temperature distribution within the aisle 5 is such that a layer 6 of cold air lies above floor level 7 whilst a layer of much warmer air 8 lies beneath a

3 suspended ceiling 9. The depth of the cold layer 6 is such that a customer passing through the aisle 5 might feel uncomfortable.

With reference to Figure 2, there is shown an identical arrangement of cold cabinets 1,2,3 within a food store 4. In this Figure, the arrows represent the path of air movement within the region of the aisle 5. It is clear from the movement of air that there is no opportunity for an adverse temperature gradient to form within the aisle 5. Air is circulated by a set of fans 10 which draw air from floor level 7 through a perforated kickplate 11 at the bottom of each cabinet 1,2,3 and up through a channel 12 behind each cabinet 1,2,3 where it passes through the fans 10 and is exhausted towards the suspended ceiling 9.

Referring now to the remaining Figures, these show a number of alternative means of mounting fans 10 on a cabinet 1,2,3 depending on the particular configuration of an aisle 5. Thus, Figure 3 illustrates a fan 9 whose exhaust is flush with a top surface 11 of a pair of back to back cabinets 2,3. Figure 4 illustrates a fan whose exhaust is similarly flush with the top surface 11 of a cabinet 1 positioned close to a wall 16 or other dividing structure. In each case, the fan 10 is supported on a blanking plate 14, which further carries a safety mesh 15 (shown partially cutaway in Figure S). Alternative mounting arrangements (not shown) may be employed to suit a particular installation.

The fan 10 itself is a tangential type as can be seen more clearly in Figure 5 and provides a an "S" shaped f low path which is advantageous in reducing noise. To provide well proportioned air flow over the full length of an aisle, as many fans 10 as are required to meet the air flow /duty requirements of the 4 installation are used. The fans 10 are wired in parallel so that they run simultaneously at the same operating duty. In order to control fan speed to suit a particular installation, a speed controller may be provided on each fan motor or alternatively a single transformer controller may be used to control a set of fans.

It has been found that the above described embodiments produce no adverse increase in noise levels within a store. Furthermore, by integrating the power supply to the fans 10 with that of their associated cold cabinets they can be operated under the control of the store's building energy management system. It has been found particularly convenient to connect the fan power supply to the existing lighting controls provided on chiller or cold cabinets.

Claims

CLAIMSv

1. A method of establishing and maintaining a more homogenous temperature gradient in front of a cold cabinet comprising the steps of drawing cooler air at floor level under the cabinet, channeling the air behind the cabinet and subsequently directing the air upwards where it mixes with warmer air at ceiling level.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein as the air is mixed with warmer air at ceiling level, there is a consequent destratification of the air at cabinet level.

3. Apparatus for use in the method as claimed in Claim I or 2, comprising at least a f an.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the at least a fan is positioned behind the cold cabinet, the exhaust of the fan being flush with a top surface of the cold cabinet.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the at least a fan is positioned between two back to back cold cabinets, the exhaust of the fan being flush with a top surface of the cold cabinets.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the fan is a tangential type and provides an "SO shaped flow path to reduce noise.

7. A method of establishing and maintaining a more homogenous temperature gradient in f ront of a cold cabinet as claimed in Claims 1 and 2, and as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. Apparatus for use in a method of establishing and maintaining a more homogenous temperature gradient in front of a cold cabinet as claimed in Claims 3 to 6, and as described herein with reference to the accompanying ings.

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