MODULAR VARIABLE CAPACITY COOLING SYSTEM FOR KITCHENS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to refrigeration appliances for use in residential kitchens and other rooms attached to a home. Refrigeration appliances are known for use in residential kitchens and other rooms in a housing unit. Modular cooling devices are known such as refrigerator, freezer, ice maker and wine cooler modules for use in residential homes. The invention relates to a system of refrigeration appliances constructed and arranged for use in a residential kitchen and other rooms in a house, a plurality of separate refrigeration modules each having an insulated cabinet, an apparatus for receiving a cooling medium for cooling the inside of the cooling module, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the module, and a temperature selector for selecting an operating temperature for the isolated cooling module. The refrigeration appliance system also includes a variable capacity central cooling unit that operates continuously, simple to freeze a
cooling means comprising a variable speed compressor, a condenser, a variable speed condenser fan and a controller, a cooling medium circuit that connects the central cooling unit and the plurality of cooling modules to supply the cooling medium. cooling from the central cooling unit to the plurality of cooling modules, and for returning the cooling medium to the central cooling unit from the cooling modules; and a plurality of cooling medium flow control devices connected in the cooling medium circuit to control the flow of cooling medium in each of the cooling modules. The cooling apparatus system may have a control circuit for connecting the temperature sensors, the temperature selectors and the cooling medium flow control devices for the plurality of cooling modules with the controller. The controller may include a first portion for adjusting the capacity of the central cooling unit in response to the aggregate cooling load of the plurality of cooling modules in order to supply sufficient cooling means to cool the plurality of cooling modules to the cooling units. selected operating temperatures, and a second portion for
adjust the volume of the cooling medium directed to the respective ones of the cooling modules to maintain the selected operating temperature in the respective cooling modules. The cooling medium can be air and the cooling medium circuit can be insulated conduits connecting the central cooling unit and the plurality of cooling modules to supply frozen air to the plurality of cooling modules and return the air of the modules cooling to the central cooling unit. The apparatus for receiving a cooling medium can be air inlets from the insulated conduits leading to the respective cooling modules and air outlets leading from the respective cooling modules to the insulated conduits, and the flow control devices of the respective cooling conduits. Cooling means can be a baffle for each cooling module to control the flow of frozen air flowing to the cooling module through the air inlet. The central cooling unit can be an evaporator and an expansion device with feedback based on the load of the cooling system connected in a refrigerant circuit with the variable speed compressor and the condenser and arranged to freeze the air
of the cooling medium at a temperature below the operating temperature of the lowest selected cooling module, and can have at least one cooling fan to circulate the frozen air from the cooling medium through the insulated conduits to the modules respective cooling. The second portion of the controller can be arranged to operate the deflectors of the respective cooling modules to control the flow of frozen air flowing to the respective cooling modules to maintain the respective selected operating temperatures. In another aspect of the invention, the cooling medium may be a liquid freezer and the cooling medium circuit may include insulated conduits leading from the central cooling unit to each of the cooling modules to supply the liquid freeze at each one of the cooling modules and to return the liquid freeze to the central cooling unit. The apparatus for receiving the cooling medium for the respective cooling modules can be a heat exchanger in communication with the interior of the insulated cabinet and cooling medium flow control device can be a valve for controlling the flow of liquid freezing in the heat exchanger .
The central cooling unit can be a frozen liquid evaporator and an expansion device with feedback based on the load of the cooling system connected in a refrigerant circuit with the variable speed compressor and the condenser arranged to freeze the liquid freezer to a temperature below the lowest operating temperature of the selected cooling module, and may have a pump arranged to circulate the liquid freeze towards the respective cooling modules. The second portion of the controller may be arranged to operate the valves to control the flow of the frozen liquid freezer through the heat exchangers of the respective cooling module to maintain the respective selected operating temperature. In another aspect of the invention, the cooling means may be a refrigerant and the cooling medium circuit may include insulated conduits leading from the central cooling unit to each of the cooling modules to supply the refrigerant to each of the cooling units. the cooling modules and to return the refrigerant to the central cooling unit, and the apparatus for receiving the cooling medium can be an evaporator of the cooling module in communication with the interior of the insulated cabinet and an evaporator fan
of cooling module arranged to circulate the frozen air by the refrigeration module evaporator in the insulated cabinet. The cooling media flow control devices may be expansion devices with load-based feedback to adjust the refrigerant flow in the refrigeration module evaporators of the respective cooling modules. A second portion of the controller can be arranged to control the expansion valves for the respective cooling modules to maintain the respective selected operating temperatures. At least one of the cooling modules may be a refrigerator freezer module having a top freezer refrigerator compartment, a freezer bottom freezer compartment, a door for the refrigerator compartment, a door for the freezer compartment and an evaporator compartment. The evaporator of the cooling module and the evaporator fan of the cooling module can be placed in the evaporator compartment and can be arranged to supply frozen air to the freezer compartment. The refrigerator freezer module can have a compartment divider that includes a passage
arranged for the flow of the frozen air to the refrigerator compartment from a source of frozen air, a return passage for air flow from the refrigerator compartment to the evaporator compartment, and an adjustable refrigerator compartment cushion to control the flow of frozen air in the refrigerator compartment. At least one temperature sensor may be arranged to detect the temperature of the refrigerator compartment and at least one temperature sensor may select the operating temperature for the refrigerator compartment. The second portion of the controller can maintain the selected operating temperature of the refrigerator compartment, and adjust the coolant compartment damper to control the temperature of the freezer compartment. At least one of the cooling modules can be a higher freezing refrigerator module. At least one of the cooling modules can be a lower freezing freezer module. At least one of the cooling modules is an upper freezing refrigerator module and one of the cooling modules is a lower freezing freezer module. The cooling modules can be operated
selectively at different operating temperatures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating a modular refrigeration apparatus system according to the invention. Figure 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating another embodiment of a modular refrigeration apparatus system according to the invention. Figure 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating another embodiment of a modular refrigeration apparatus system according to the invention. Figure A is a schematic drawing illustrating another embodiment of a modular refrigeration apparatus system according to the invention. Figure 5 is a schematic drawing illustrating a cooling apparatus module that can be used in combination with a modular refrigeration apparatus system according to the invention. In a modular kitchen with multiple cooling modules, the cooling system to cool the modules is a challenging problem. The simplest procedure may be to have individual complete cooling systems for each module. In the early stages of modular training for residential kitchens, this could be the procedure taken, especially when the options
of the modular cooling product are less and considerable savings are not available. However, when modularity becomes more prevalent and kitchen designs begin to incorporate modular refrigeration products with appropriate infrastructure, it will become desirable to have a simple central cooling system based on cost, manufacturing, and energy efficiency perspectives. Consumers will mainly be interested in the energy efficiency, cost, flexibility and expandability offered by a modular cooling apparatus system with less concern about central cooling technology to support the modular system. According to the invention, a modular refrigeration apparatus system can be provided for a residential kitchen and adjoining rooms in a home that can include a central cooling unit for some or all of the cooling modules that a consumer may wish to include in their home. Kitchen, either at the time of construction, or to expand or change cooling modules over time when you need or want a change. A modular kitchen could allow the consumer to select multiple cooling modules that fit their lifestyle in the best way with the ultimate in flexibility in their kitchens and fully customized kitchens with modular appliances not only for
refrigeration but also for food preparation and kitchen cleaning. In accordance with the invention, a simple, variable capacity central cooling unit can be provided which is capable of correlating the cooling requirement with the aggregate heat load of the cooling modules. The central cooling unit can be arranged to operate continuously by controlling the volume of the cooling medium directed to each cooling module so that each module will be cooled to a temperature selected by the user and will be maintained at precisely the desired temperature. The cooling medium can be cold air, refrigerant or a liquid freezing agent such as ethylene glycol and aqueous solution. The central cooling unit can be a vapor compression system, but it is not limited to that. If a central cooling unit is a vapor compression cooling system, the central cooling unit may have a variable capacity compressor capable of handling the cooling load from multiple products of the cooling module. The refrigeration module products may include upper freezer refrigerator modules, lower freezer freezer modules, refrigerator freezer modules having upper freezing and lower freezing compartments in various configurations which may include, but
they are not limited to, integrated, stackable, under the counter or drawer configurations. Also, refrigeration module products could include specific purpose modules such as ice maker units, wine cooler and Bar refrigerator. In addition, conventional refrigeration products that have a complete refrigeration system can be combined with a refrigeration system. Modular refrigeration apparatus according to the invention. For example, one or more lower freezer freezer units may be combined with a modular refrigeration system apparatus arranged for a plurality of higher freezer fresh food refrigerator modules. As will be described in more detail in the following, a hybrid process can be an energy efficient process for providing cooling for products since the central cooling unit can operate under more favorable cooling cycle conditions since a means of cooling may not be required. very cold cooling, that is, below -17.77 ° C (0 ° F). Returning to Figure 1, in one embodiment of the invention, illustrated schematically, the cooling modules 20 and 22 may be connected in a cooling apparatus system which may include a central cooling unit 10. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, two cooling modules 20, 22 of
According to the invention, more than one or more than two cooling modules can be provided in the cooling apparatus system as desired although two or three cooling modules are included in the described embodiments, it should be understood that it includes the possibility of one or more than two or three cooling modules within the scope of the invention. In addition, the refrigeration apparatus system may be arranged to allow the expansion of the refrigeration apparatus system subsequent to the initial installation by adding additional refrigeration modules since a user's needs change over time requiring new or additional refrigeration modules. In practice, the cooling modules 20, 22 can be installed in a residential kitchen and / or the adjoining or adjacent rooms such as a large room, bar, recreation room and the like. The central cooling unit 10 can be installed in a nearby location such as in a basement, utility room, garage, or if desired, in the kitchen in the vicinity of some or all of the cooling apparatus modules that depend on the housing style and if a basement or underground space is available or is desired for installation of the central cooling unit 10. Cooling modules 20,22 can be placed anywhere or be integrated modules and can be general purpose freezer refrigerator modules, or they can be
Special purpose modules such as an ice maker or a wine cooler. The cooling modules 20, 22 may take the form of a conventional refrigerator or freezer cabinet having an articulated door, or may take the form of a refrigerator drawer appliance as described in the co-pending non-provisional application. SN 11 / 102,231 filed on April 8, 2005 incorporated herein by reference. The cooling module 20 may have an insulated enclosure 24 and an insulated gate 25 that can be articulated to the insulated enclosure 24 to selectively open and close an opening 28 in the insulated enclosure 24. The cooling module 22 can have an insulating cabinet 26 and an insulated door 27 that can be articulated to the insulated cabinet 26 to selectively open and close an opening 29 in the insulated cabinet 26. Those skilled in the art will understand that the insulated doors 25 and 27 can be provided with a suitable handle, not shown, to facilitate opening and closing of the insulated doors 25 and 27. Cooling modules 20 and 22 each may have a heat exchanger 30 placed in the cabinets 24 and 26 insulated respectively. Similarly, the cooling modules 20 and 22 may have a variable speed heat exchanger fan 32 positioned to circulate air (illustrated by the arrows
38 of air flow) on the respective heat exchangers 30 and through the respective cooling modules 20,22. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a single speed fan can be used in place of a variable speed fan 32. The cooling modules 20,22 can also have a temperature sensor 34 arranged to detect the temperature inside the cooling modules 20,22. The temperature sensor 34 may be a thermistor or other known electronic or mechanical temperature sensing mechanism or device. The temperature selectors 36 can be provided for each of the cooling modules 20,22 to allow the user to select the operating temperature for the respective cooling modules 20,22. While the temperature selectors 36 are illustrated schematically separated from the cooling modules 20,22, those skilled in the art will understand that the temperature selectors 36 can be located in each of the cooling modules 20, 22 as are known in the art. technique, or could be located centrally if desired. Temperature selectors 36 may comprise a well-known mechanical or electronic selector mechanism to enable a user to select an operating temperature for the respective cooling modules 20,22.
The refrigeration apparatus system illustrated schematically in Figure 1 also includes a central cooling unit 10. The central cooling unit 10 may include a variable speed compressor 12, a condenser 14, and an expansion device 18 connected in the cooling circuit with a frozen liquid evaporator 40. A variable speed condenser fan 16 may be provided to circulate air over the condenser 14. The frozen liquid evaporator 40 may be an armature and tube evaporator also known as a secondary circuit evaporator. The expansion device 18 can be a feedback expansion device arranged to control the flow of refrigerant through the expansion device 18 in the heat load in the cooling apparatus system. The central cooling unit 10 can be connected to the cooling modules 20,22 with insulated conduits 42 forming a cooling medium circuit for bringing the liquid freeze from the freezer liquid evaporator 40 to the heat exchangers 30 and from the heat exchangers 30 to the evaporator of frozen liquid. The liquid freezer, not shown, contained in the evaporator 40 of frozen liquid, the insulated conduits 42 and the heat exchangers 30 can be circulated by a pump 44 which can be a pump
variable speed. In addition, each refrigeration module may have a valve 46 for containing the flow of liquid freeze in the heat exchanger 30. Valves 46 may be on / off valves to allow or prevent the flow of liquid freeze through the heat exchanger 30 for a module. refrigeration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that if a single speed heat exchanger fan 32 is used in a cooling module 20,22, an adjustable valve 46 can be used to control the amount of the liquid freeze flowing into a heat exchanger 30, although it can being of sufficient energy to use a variable speed heat exchanger fan 32, a variable speed pump 44 and an on / off valve 46 for controlling the temperature in the respective cooling modules 20,22. The central cooling unit 10 may also have a microprocessor-based controller 50 having a first portion 52 that can be arranged to control the operation of the central cooling unit 10 and a second portion 54 arranged to control the volume of liquid freezing directed at the respective cooling modules 20,22. A control circuit 56 can be provided to connect the temperature sensors 34, the temperature selectors 36, the variable speed compressor 12, the
variable speed condenser, expansion device 18, pump 44, valves 46 and heat exchanger fans 32 with controller 50. Thus, a refrigeration apparatus system according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 1 as a distributed cooling system that can have a variable capacity steam compression condensing unit and secondary circuit that uses a frozen liquid evaporator network. An example of a liquid freeze that can be used is DYNALENE HC thermal transfer fluid, a water-based organic salt that is non-toxic, non-flammable with low viscosity, although those skilled in the art will understand that other liquid freezing solutions come out as Ethylene glycol and aqueous solution can be used as desired. According to the invention, the central cooling unit 10 may be operating continuously so that the liquid frozen at a temperature suitable to achieve the lowest selected temperature in the cooling apparatus system is continuously circulated in insulated conduits 42 forming a cooling medium circuit from the frozen liquid evaporator 40 to the cooling modules 20,22. The controller 50 may be arranged to adjust the capacity of the central cooling unit 10 in response to the cooling load
added to the plurality of cooling modules 20,22. As seen in the above, while two cooling modules 20,22 are illustrated in Figure 1, according to the invention, one or more of the cooling modules can be connected in the cooling apparatus system. The aggregate cooling load can be determined by the first controller portion 50 as a function of the temperature sensed by the temperature sensors 34, operating temperatures selected by the temperature selectors 36, and the feedback of the expansion device 18. The controller 50 may also be arranged to control the operating temperature in each of the cooling modules 20,22. The second portion 54 of controller 50 may be arranged to control valves 46 and fans 32 of the heat exchanger to maintain the selected operating temperatures in the respective cooling modules based on the settings of temperature selectors 36 and temperature sensors 34. Thus, according to the invention, a central cooling unit of variable capacity operating continuously simple can be provided for a plurality of cooling modules 20,22 that can be set to operate at different operating temperatures. The variable capacity central cooling unit 10 can be arranged to freeze a medium of
cooling. A cooling medium circuit, insulated conduits 42 can be provided which connect the central cooling unit 10 to supply a cooling medium from the central cooling unit 10 to the plurality of cooling modules 20,22. A plurality of cooling medium flow control devices, valves 46 can be connected in the cooling medium circuit, insulated conduits 42, to control the flow of cooling medium in each of the cooling modules 20,22. A controller 50 and control circuit 56 may be provided to adjust the capacity of the variable capacity central cooling unit 10 to be able to supply sufficient cooling medium to cool the plurality of cooling modules 20,22 at the selected operating temperatures. respective, and the controller 50 and the control circuit 56 can be arranged to adjust the volume of the cooling medium directed to the respective cooling modules 20,22 when controlling the flow control devices of cooling medium, valves 46, to maintain the selected operating temperature in the respective cooling modules 20,22. The controller 50 can control the speed of the variable speed pump 44 to vary the volume of the liquid that is cooled in the cooling medium circuit, insulated conduits 42 and the controller 50.
they can control the speed of the fans 32 of the variable speed thermosexchanger to further control the operating temperature in the respective cooling modules 20,22. Returning to Figure 2, in another embodiment of the invention, illustrated schematically, the cooling modules 70 and 72 can be connected in a cooling apparatus system which can include a central cooling unit 60. Similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, two cooling modules 70, 72 are illustrated. According to the invention, one or more of the cooling modules can be provided in the cooling apparatus system as desired. The refrigeration modules 70,72 can be placed anywhere or they can be integrated modules and can be a general purpose refrigerator, or they can be special purpose modules. The cooling module 70 can have an insulated cabinet 74 and an insulated door 75 that can be articulated to the insulated cabinet 74 to selectively open and close the opening 78 in the insulated cabinet 74. The cooling module 72 can have an insulating cabinet 76 and an insulated door 77 that can be articulated to the insulated cabinet 76 to selectively open and close the opening 79 in the insulated cabinet 76. Those skilled in the art will understand that insulated doors 75 and 77 can be provided with a handle
suitable, not shown, to facilitate the opening and closing of the 75 and 77 insulated doors. The cooling modules 70.72 can have a temperature sensor 84 arranged to detect the temperature inside the cooling modules 70.72. The temperature sensor 84 may be a thermistor or other well-known electronic or mechanical temperature sensing device or device. The temperature selectors 86 can be provided for each of the cooling modules 70.72 to allow the user to select the operating temperature for the respective cooling modules 70.72. While the temperature selectors 86 are illustrated schematically separated from the cooling modules 70.72, a temperature selector 86 may be located in each of the cooling modules 70, 72 as is well known in the art, or may be located centrally if is desired The temperature selectors 86 may comprise a well-known mechanical or electronic selector mechanism to enable a user to select an operating temperature for the respective cooling modules 70.72. The refrigeration apparatus system illustrated schematically in Figure 2 also includes a central cooling unit 60. The central cooling unit 60 may include a variable speed compressor 62,
a condenser 64, and an expansion device 68 connected to the cooling circuit with an evaporator 90. A variable speed condenser fan 66 can be provided to circulate air over the condenser 64. The evaporator 90 can be a tube and fin evaporator for cooling air that can be used as a cooling medium in the embodiment of Figure 2. The expansion device 68 can be a feedback expansion device arranged to control the flow through the expansion device 68 based on the heat load in the cooling apparatus system that includes the cooling modules 70.72. The central cooling unit 60 can be connected to the cooling modules 70.72 with insulated conduits 92 forming a cooling medium circuit for transporting frozen air from the evaporator 90 to the cooling modules 70.72 The frozen air can be circulated through the cooling modules. an evaporator fan 94 that can be a variable speed fan. Air inlets 93 can lead from the insulated conduits 92 to the respective cooling modules 70.72 and the air outlets 95 can lead from the respective cooling modules 70.72 to the air conduits 92. The air inlets 93 and the air outlet 95 form the apparatus for receiving the cooling medium, frozen air, in the cooling modules 70.72. The 93 air tickets and the
air outlets 95 can be positioned with respect to the 74,76 insulated cabinets to provide a desired frozen airflow pattern in the respective cooling modules 70,72. The air flow arrows 80 schematically illustrate the air flow in the 74,76 insulated cabinets, furthermore, each cooling module 70,72 can have a baffle 96 for controlling the controlled air flow through the air inlets 93 in the respective cooling modes 70.72. Baffles 96 can be on / off or variables to control the flow of frozen air through a cooling module. Baffles 96 may be adjustable between the open and closed portions to allow or block the flow of frozen air to the respective cooling modules 70.72 and the variable speed evaporator fan 94 may vary the flow of the frozen air towards the modules 70. , 72 respective cooling. The deflectors 96 may also be movably variable between the open and closed positions to allow, block and vary the flow of frozen air towards the respective cooling modules 70.72. The central cooling unit 60 can have a microprocessor-based controller 100 having a first portion 102 that can be arranged to control the operation of the central cooling unit 60 and a second portion 104 for
control the volume of the frozen air directed to the respective cooling modules 70.72 similar to the controller 50 in the embodiment of Figure 1. A control circuit 106 may be provided to connect the temperature sensors 84, the temperature selector 86, compressor 62 variable speed, the variable speed condenser fan 66, the expansion device 68, the evaporator fan 94, and the deflectors 96 for the controller 100. In this way, a cooling apparatus system according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 2 as a distributed cooling system having a variable capacity steam compression condensing unit and a frozen forced air cooling distribution network. According to the invention, the central cooling unit 60 can be operating continuously so that the frozen air is circulated continuously in insulated conduits 92 forming a cooling network circuit from the evaporator 90 to the cooling modules 70,72 and again to the evaporator 90. The controller 100 may be arranged to adjust the capacity of the central cooling unit 60 in response to the aggregate cooling load of the plurality of cooling modules 70.72. As noted in the above, while two refrigeration modules 70.72 are illustrated in Figure 2,
In accordance with the invention, one or more of the cooling modules can be connected in the cooling apparatus system. The aggregate cooling load can be determined by the first portion 102 of the controller 100 as a function of the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 84, operating temperatures selected by the temperature selectors 86, and the feedback of the expansion device 68. The controller 100 may also be arranged to control the operating temperature in each of the cooling modules 70.72. The second portion 104 of the controller 100 may be arranged to control the baffles 96 and the evaporator fan 94 to maintain the selected operating temperatures based on the settings of the temperature selectors 86 and the temperature sensors 84. Thus, according to the invention, a central cooling unit of variable capacity operating continuously simple can be provided for a plurality of refrigerant modules 70.72 which can be set to operate at different operating temperatures. The variable capacity central cooling unit 60 can be arranged to freeze a cooling medium. A circuit of cooling medium, insulated conduits 92 can be provided by connecting the central cooling unit 60 to supply the medium of
cooling from the central cooling unit 60 to the plurality of cooling modules 70.72. A plurality of cooling medium flow control devices, baffles 96, can be provided to control the flow of the cooling medium, frozen air, each of the cooling modules 70.72, through the air inlets 93 and 95 air outlets. A controller 100 and control circuit 106 may be provided to adjust the capacity of the variable capacity central cooling unit 60 to be able to supply sufficient cooling means to cool the plurality of cooling modules 70.72 at the respective selected operating temperatures. , and the controller 100 and the control circuit 106 can be arranged to adjust the volume of the cooling medium directed to the respective ones of the cooling modules 70,72 when controlling the flow control devices of cooling medium, the fan 94 of evaporator and deflectors 96, to maintain the selected operating temperature in the respective cooling modules 70.72. The controller 100 can control the speed of the variable speed fan 94 to vary the volume of the cooling medium, frozen air, in the cooling medium circuit, the insulated conduits 92 to further control the operating temperature in the modules 70,72 respective cooling.
The embodiment of Figure 2 is preferably used for upper freezer refrigerator modules to avoid the need to circulate frozen air in the cooling medium circuit to achieve temperatures approaching -17.77 ° C (0 ° F) for modules of freezer, although freezer modules can be included in the modality of Figure 2 if desired. Returning to Figure 3, in another embodiment of the invention, illustrated schematically, the cooling modules 120, 122 and 124 can be connected in a cooling apparatus system which can include a central cooling unit 110. According to the invention, a cooling module or more than three cooling modules can be provided in the cooling apparatus system as desired. The cooling modules 120, 122 and 124 can be placed anywhere or integrated modules and can be a general purpose refrigerator, freezer or can be special purpose modules. The cooling module 120 may have an insulated cabinet 126 and an insulated door 127 that can be articulated to the insulated cabinet 126 to selectively open and close an opening 135 in the insulated cabinet 126. The cooling module 122 can have an insulated cabinet 128 and an insulated door 129 that can be articulated to the insulated cabinet 128 to selectively open and close a
opening 137 in the cabinet 128 insulated. The cooling module 124 may have an insulated cabinet 140 and an insulated door 141 for selectively opening and closing an opening 139 in an insulated cabinet 140. Those skilled in the art will understand that the isolated doors 127, 129 and 141 can be provided with a suitable handle, not shown, to facilitate opening and closing of the isolated doors 127, 129 and 141. The cooling modules 120, 122 and 124 may include a cooling module evaporator 130 and a variable speed evaporator cooling fan 132 arranged to circulate the frozen air in the respective cooling modules. The air flow arrows 148 schematically illustrate the flow of frozen air in the respective cooling modules. The cooling modules 120, 122 and 124 may have a temperature sensor 134 arranged to sense the temperature of the interior of the cooling modules 120, 122 and 124. The temperature sensor 134 may be a thermistor or other well-known mechanical or electronic temperature sensing device or device. The temperature selectors 136 may be provided for each of the cooling modules 120, 122 and 124 to enable the user to select the operating temperature for the respective cooling modules 120, 122 and 124. While the selectors 136 of
The temperature is illustrated schematically separated from the cooling modules 120, 122 and 124, a temperature selector 136 can be located in each of the cooling modules 120, 122 and 124 as is well known in the art, or they can be located centrally if you want Temperature selectors 136 may comprise a well-known mechanical or electronic selector mechanism to enable a user to select an operating temperature for the respective cooling modules 120, 122 and 124. The refrigeration apparatus system illustrated schematically in Figure 3 also includes a central cooling unit 110. The central cooling unit 110 may include a variable speed compressor 112, a condenser 114, and a variable speed condenser fan 116. The central cooling unit 110 may also include a manifold 117 and an accumulator 118. The central cooling unit 110 may be connected to the cooling modules 120, 122 and 124 with insulated supply conduits 142 and insulated return conduit 144 forming a cooling medium circuit for transporting the refrigerant from the central cooling unit 110 through the collector 117 to the cooling modules 120, 122 and 124 and returning the refrigerant of the cooling modules 120, 122 and 124 to the accumulator 118 through of return pipes 144 isolated for distribution to the
112 variable speed compressor. The evaporators 130 of the cooling module form the apparatus for receiving the cooling medium, refrigerant in the cooling modules 120, 122 and 124. In addition, each cooling module 120, 122 and 124 may have an expansion device 138 for controlling the flow of refrigerant in the respective cooling module evaporators 130. The expansion devices 138 may be a feedback expansion device arranged to control the flow of refrigerant through the expansion device 138. The central cooling unit 110 may also have a microprocessor-based controller 150 having a first portion 152 that can be arranged to control the operation of the central cooling unit 110 and a second portion 154 to control the volume of the refrigerant directed to the modules 120, 122 and 124 of respective cooling similar to controller 50 in the embodiment of Figure 1. A control circuit 56 can be provided to connect temperature sensors 134, temperature selectors 136, variable speed compressor 112, fan 116 of variable speed condenser, the expansion device 138 and the evaporator fans 132 for the controller 150. Thus, a refrigeration apparatus system according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 3 as a system of
distributed cooling that has a variable capacity steam compression condensing unit and an evaporator network. Depending on the selected cooling modules, the evaporators can be all upper freezing cooling modules, all lower freezing, or a lower freezer and lower freezing mixture. According to the invention, the central cooling unit 110 may be operating continuously so that the refrigerant is continuously circulated in insulated supply conduits 142 and the isolated return conduit 144 forming a cooling medium circuit from the condenser 114 to through the manifold 117 to the cooling modules 120, 122 and 124 and back to the compressor 112 through the accumulator 118. The controller 150 can be arranged to adjust the capacity of the central cooling unit 110 in response to the aggregate cooling load of the plurality of cooling modules 120, 122 and 124. As seen in the above, while the three cooling modules 120, 122 and 124 are illustrated in Figure 3, according to the invention, one or more of the three cooling modules can be connected in the cooling apparatus system. The aggregate cooling load can be determined by the first portion 152 of controller 150 as a function of the
temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 134, the operating temperatures selected with the temperature selectors 136, and the feedback of the expansion devices 138. The controller 150 may also be arranged to control the operating temperature in each of the cooling modules 120, 122 and 124. The second controller portion 154 may be arranged to control the expansion devices 138 and the fans 132 of the cooling module evaporator to maintain the operating temperatures selected based on the settings of the temperature selectors 136 and temperature sensors 134. The controller 150 can be arranged to maintain approximately the same evaporator pressure in the cooling module evaporators 130 and control the temperature in the respective cooling modules by varying the flow of refrigerant to the cooling module evaporators 130 and controlling the speed of the cooling module. the fans 132 of the respective cooling module evaporator. Thus, in accordance with the invention, a central unit of variable capacity cooling that operates continuously, simply can be provided for a plurality of cooling modules 120, 122 and 124 that can be set to operate at different operating temperatures. The variable capacity central cooling unit 110 can be arranged
to freeze a cooling medium, a coolant. A circuit of cooling medium, insulated supply conduits and isolated return conduits 142 and 144 can be provided by connecting the central cooling unit 110 to supply the cooling medium from the central cooling unit 110 to the plurality of modules 120, 122 and 124 cooling. A plurality of cooling medium flow control devices, expansion device 138, may be provided to control the flow of the cooling medium, the refrigerant, in each of the cooling modules 120, 122 and 124. A controller 150 and control circuit 156 may be provided to adjust the capacity of the variable capacity central cooling unit 110 to be able to supply sufficient cooling means to cool the plurality of cooling modules 120, 122 and 124 at operating temperatures. selected, and the controller 150 and the control circuit 156 can be arranged to adjust the volume of cooling medium, coolant, directed to the respective cooling modules 120, 122 and 124 when controlling the media flow control devices of cooling, the expansion device 138 and the evaporator fans 132 of the cooling module, to maintain the operating temperature selected in the modules 120, 122
and 124 respective cooling. The controller 150 can control the speed of the variable-speed compressor 112, fan 116 of the variable-speed condenser and expansion device 138 to control the vapor pressure of the cooling medium, refrigerant, in the circuit of the cooling medium, the ducts 142 , 144 of isolated return supply to further control the operating temperature in the respective cooling modules 120, 122 and 124. Returning to Figure 4, in another embodiment of the invention, illustrated schematically, the cooling modules 120, 124 and 160 can be connected in a cooling apparatus system which can include a central cooling unit 110. According to the invention, a cooling module or more than three cooling modules can be provided in the cooling apparatus system as desired. As described in the embodiment described in Figure 3, the cooling modules 120 and 124 can be placed anywhere or be integrated modules and can be a general purpose refrigerator, freezer or can be special purpose modules. The cooling module 160 may be a refrigerator freezer having a refrigerator compartment 168 and a freezer compartment 166. The refrigerator compartment 168 may have a door 174
of insulated refrigerator compartment hinged to the insulated cabinet 162 and freezer compartment 116 may have an insulated freezer compartment door 172 hinged to insulated cabinet 162. Those skilled in the art will understand that the isolated doors 127, 141, 172 and 174 can be provided with a suitable handle, not shown, to facilitate the opening and closing of the isolated doors 127, 141, 172 and 174. The cooling modules 120, 124 and 160 may include a cooling module evaporator 130 and a variable speed cooling module evaporator fan 132 arranged to circulate the frozen air in the respective cooling modules, see flow arrows 148 of air. The cooling modules 120, 124 may have a temperature sensor 134 arranged to sense the temperature of the interior of the cooling modules 120, 124. The refrigerator freezer module 160 may have a temperature sensor 134 for the refrigerator compartment 168 and a temperature sensor 134 for the freezer compartment 166. The temperature sensors 134 may be a thermistor or other well-known mechanical or electronic temperature sensing mechanism or device. The temperature selectors 136 can be provided for each of the cooling modules 120 and 124 to allow the user
selecting the operating temperature for the respective cooling modules 120 and 124. The refrigerator freezer 160 can have two temperature selectors 136, one for the refrigerator compartment 168 and one for the freezer compartment 166. While the temperature selectors 136 are illustrated schematically separated from the cooling modules 120, 124 and 160, a temperature selector 136 can be located in each of the cooling modules 120, 124 and 160 as is well known in the art, or they can be located alternately and centrally if desired. The temperature selectors 136 may comprise a well-known mechanical or electronic selector mechanism to enable a user to select an operating temperature for the respective cooling modules 120, 124 and 160. The refrigeration apparatus system illustrated schematically in Figure 4, similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, may include a central cooling unit 110. The central cooling unit 110 may include a variable speed compressor 112, a capacitor 114 and a variable speed condenser fan 116. The central cooling unit 110 may also include a manifold 117 and an accumulator 118. The central cooling unit 110 may be connected to the cooling modules 120, 124 and 160 with the onducts 142
isolated supply and return ducts 144 forming a cooling medium circuit for transporting the refrigerant from the central cooling unit 110 through the collector 117 to the cooling modules 120, 124 and 160 and returning the refrigerant from the cooling modules 120, 124 and 160 to the accumulator 118 through the isolated return ducts 144 for distribution to the variable speed compressor 112. The evaporators 130 of the cooling module form the apparatus for receiving the cooling medium, the refrigerant, in the cooling modules 120, 124 and 160. In addition, each cooling module 120, 124 and 160 may have an expansion device 138 for controlling the flow of refrigerant to the respective cooling module evaporators 130. The expansion devices 138 may be a feedback expansion device arranged to control the flow of refrigerant through the expansion device 138. The central cooling unit 110 may also have a microprocessor-based controller 150 having a first portion 152 that can be arranged to control the operation of the central cooling unit 110 and a second portion 154 to control the volume of the refrigerant directed to the modules 120, 124 and 160 respective cooling similar to controller 50 based on microprocessor in the mode of
Figure 1. A control circuit 156 may be provided to connect the temperature sensors 134, the temperature selectors 136, the variable speed compressor 112, the variable speed condenser fan 116, the expansion devices 138 and the fans 132. of evaporator for controller 150. Thus, a refrigeration apparatus system according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 4 as a distributed refrigeration system having a variable capacity steam compression condensing unit and a network of evaporator. Depending on the selected refrigeration modules, the evaporators may be all upper freezing refrigeration modules, all lower freezing, or a mixture of upper freezer and lower freezer in addition to the refrigerator freezer module 160. The cooling module 160 can be a two-temperature refrigerator freezer module that can be arranged to have an upper freezer refrigerator compartment 168 and a lower freezer freezer compartment 166 as noted above. An evaporator 164 of the insulated compartment can be provided for dividing the insulated cabinet 162 into a refrigerator compartment 168 and a freezer compartment 166. The freezer compartment 166 may have an evaporator compartment that can be formed by a
evaporator compartment wall 170 which can be arranged to separate the evaporator 130 from the cooling module of the freezer compartment 166. The freezer compartment wall 170 is illustrated schematically as a shaded line under the evaporator 130 of the cooling module to indicate that the air flows (air flow arrow 148) into the freezer compartment 166 from the cooling module evaporator 130 , and similarly, the air is returned to the evaporator compartment under the influence of the cooling module evaporator fan 132. The insulated compartment separator 164 may have passages 166 of frozen air placed in the compartment separator 164 that can allow the frozen air (arrow 158 of air flow) from the freezer compartment 166 or evaporator compartment to flow into the compartment 168 of refrigerator as is well known in the art. The compartment separator 164 may have a refrigerator compartment damper 168 for controlling the air flow of the refrigerator compartment 168 back to the freezer compartment 166 and the refrigeration module evaporator 130 extracted by the fan 132 of the refrigeration module evaporator . In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 4, the refrigerator compartment cushion 178 is shown
in the return air path of the refrigerator compartment 168. Those skilled in the art will understand that the frozen air passages 176 could be arranged in the return air path from the refrigerator compartment 168 and the refrigerant compartment damper 178 disposed in the flow of frozen air in the refrigerator compartment 168. if desired The refrigerator compartment damper 178 can be an automatic damper operated by the controller 150 as illustrated in Figure 4, or if desired, the refrigerator compartment damper 178 can be a manually adjustable damper that can be manually adjusted by the user and the temperature sensor 134 and the temperature selector 136 removed from the freezer compartment 166. Similar to the embodiment of Figure 3, according to the invention, the central cooling unit 110 may be operating continuously so that the refrigerant is circulated continuously in the isolated supply conduits 142 and the return conduits 144 forming a circuit of cooling medium of condenser 114 through manifold 117 to cooling modules 120, 124 and 160 and back to compressor 112 through accumulator 118. Controller 150 can be arranged to adjust the capacity of central cooling unit 110
in response to the added cooling load of the plurality of cooling modules 120, 124 and 124. As seen in the above, while three cooling modules 120, 124 and 160 are illustrated in Figure 4, according to the invention, one or more than three cooling modules can be connected in the cooling apparatus system. The aggregate cooling load can be determined by the first portion 152 of controller 150 as a function of the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 134, operating temperatures selected with the temperature selectors 136, and the feedback of the expansion devices 138. The controller 150 may also be arranged to control the operating temperature in each of the cooling modules 120, 124 and 160. The second controller portion 154 may be arranged to control the expansion devices 138 and the cooling module evaporator fans 132 to maintain the operating temperatures selected based on the settings of the temperature selectors 136 and temperature sensors 134. In addition, the second portion 154 of the controller 150 can be arranged to control the refrigerator temperature damper 138 to control the amount of frozen air flowing from the freezer compartment 166 and the cooling module evaporator 132 through the separator 164
compartment in the refrigerator compartment 168 together with the cooling module evaporator fan 132 to maintain the temperature selected by the user in the refrigerator compartment 168 as well as the freezer compartment 166. The controller 150 may be arranged to maintain approximately the same evaporator pressure in the refrigeration module evaporators 130 and control the temperature in the respective cooling modules 120, 124 and 160 by varying the refrigerant flow in the refrigeration module evaporators 130 and controlling the speed of the fans 132 of the respective cooling module evaporator. Thus, according to the invention, a central unit of variable capacity cooling that operates continuously, simply can be provided for a plurality of cooling modules 120, 124 and 160 that can be set to operate at different operating temperatures, and the cooling module 160 can be set to have a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment. The variable capacity central cooling unit 110 may be arranged to freeze a cooling medium, a refrigerant. A circuit of cooling medium, insulated supply conduits and isolated return conduits 142, 144 can be provided by connecting the cooling unit 110
central to supply the cooling medium from the central cooling unit 110 to the plurality of cooling modules 120, 124 and 160. A plurality of cooling medium flow control devices, expansion device 138, may be provided to control the flow of the cooling medium, refrigerant, in each of the cooling modules 120, 124 and 160. A controller 150 and control circuit 156 may be provided to adjust the capacity of the variable capacity central cooling unit 110 to be able to supply sufficient cooling means to cool the plurality of cooling modules 120, 124 and 160 at operating temperatures. selected, and the controller 150 and the control circuit 156 can be arranged to adjust the volume of cooling medium, coolant, directed to the respective cooling modules 120, 124 and 160 when controlling the media flow control devices of cooling, the expansion device 138 and fans 132 of the evaporator of the cooling module, to maintain the selected operating temperature in the respective cooling modules 120, 124 and 160. The controller 150 can control the speed of the variable-speed compressor 112, fan 116 of the variable-speed condenser and expansion device 138 to control the vapor pressure of the medium.
cooling, refrigerant, in the cooling medium circuit, insulated supply and return ducts 142, 144 for additionally controlling the operating temperature in the respective cooling modules 120, 124 and 160. Returning to Figure 5, a freezer module 180 is illustrated as being usable in combination with a refrigeration apparatus system according to the invention. The freezer module 180 may be a conventional freezer capable of operating without the connection to the refrigeration apparatus system according to the invention. Particularly, when a freezer module arranged for storage temperatures of -17.77 ° C (0 ° F) is desired for use in combination with the modes illustrated in Figure 1 (which employs the liquid freezer as the cooling medium), Figure 2 (which uses the frozen air as the cooling medium), or Figure 3 (particularly when the upper freezer refrigerator modules will be connected in the cooling apparatus system) it may be advantageous to incorporate a freezer module 180 as shown in FIG. illustrated in Figure 5. However, a freezer module 180 may be combined with any of the embodiments according to the invention. The freezer module 180 may have an isolated freezer cabinet 182 that defines
an opening 184 for access to the freezer compartment and may have an insulated freezer door 185 hinged to the insulated freezer cabinet 182 to selectively open and close the freezer compartment. The freezer door 185 may have a handle, not shown, to facilitate opening and closing of the freezer door 185 for access to the freezer module 180. The freezer module 180 may include a freezing cooling unit 189 in a machinery compartment 186 outside the refrigerated position of the freezer cabinet 182 which may include a freezer compressor 190, a freezer condenser 192 and a cooling fan 1904. freezer condenser. The freezer module 180 can include a freezer evaporator 196 that can be placed in the insulated freezer cabinet 182 and can have a freezer evaporator fan 198 and a freezer expansion device 204. The freezer module 180 may have a freezer temperature sensor 200 which may be similar to the temperature sensors described in the foregoing. The freezer module 180 may also have a freezer temperature selector 202 to allow the user to select the operating temperature for the freezer module. The freezer module 180 may have a controller 208 and a control unit 206 that connects the sensor 200 of
freezer temperature, freezer temperature selector 202, freezer compressor 190, freezer condenser fan 194 and freezer evaporator fan 198 for controller 208. Controller 208 may operate freezer module 180 in a manner similar to conventional freezer products as is well known in the art. Those skilled in the art will understand that the freezer compressor 190, freezer condenser fan 194 and freezer evaporator fan 198 may be provided with variable speed motors as desired for optimum operation. The freezer expansion device 204 may be a feedback expansion device as used in the embodiments of Figures 1-4 or may be a capillary tube expansion device, again as is well known in the art. The freezer compressor 190 may be a variable speed compressor if desired as is well known in the art. Alternatively, those skilled in the art will understand that the freezer condenser 192 and a freezer evaporator 196 can be static heat exchangers and that if a static heat exchanger is used to receive the freezer condenser fan 194 and / or Freezer could be removed. For example, the freezer module 180 could be a freezer
of box having the freezer evaporator 196 placed in contact with the inner liner 210 defining the freezer compartment in the insulation between the inner liner 210 and the cabinet 182 as is well known in the art. Similarly, the freezer condenser 192 could be placed in contact with the cabinet 182 placed in insulation between the inner liner 210 and the cabinet 182 as is well known in the art. While the invention has been specifically described in conjunction with certain specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this is by way of illustration and not limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be interpreted as broadly as will be allowed by the prior art.
Parts List Central Cooling Unit 56 Control Circuit 57 Speed Compressor 58 Variable 59 Condenser 60 Central Cooling Unit 61 62 Condenser Fan Variable Variable Speed Compressor 63 Expansion Device 64 Condenser 65 Cooling Module 66 Condenser Fan variable speed 67 Cooling module 68 Expansion device 69 Insulated cabinet 70 Cooling module
Insulated door 71 Insulated cabinet 72 Refrigeration module
Insulated door 73 Opening 74 Insulated cabinet Opening 75 Insulated door Heat exchanger 76 Isolated cabinet 77 Insulated door 78 ventilator Opening thermoexchanger adjustable speed 79 Opening Temperature sensor 80 Airflow arrows 82 Temperature sensor 83 84 Temperature sensor
Air flow arrows 85 86 Temperature selector
Liquid evaporator 87 frozen 88 Isolated ducts 89 90 Evaporator Variable speed valve 91 92 Isolated ducts
Connection valve- 93 Air inlet disconnection 94 Variable speed evaporator fan 95 Air outlet 96 Deflector Controller 97 98 Controller portion 99 10 Controller 0 2nd portion of the controller 10 1 10 The portion of the 2 controller
Continuation of Parts List
103 149 104 2nd portion of the controller 150 Controller 105 151 106 152 Controller portion 107 153 108 154 2nd portion of the controller 109 155 110 Cooling unit 156 central 111 157 112 Speed compressor 158 Air variable flow arrows 113 159 114 Condenser 160 Refrigerator Freezer Module 115 161 116 Condenser Ventilation 162 Variable Speed Insulated Cabinet 117 Manifold 163 118 Accumulator 164 Compartment Separator 119 165 120 Refrigeration Module 166 Freezer Compartment 121 167 122 Refrigeration Module 168 Refrigerator Compartment 123 169 124 Cooling module 170 Evaporator compartment wall 125 171 126 Insulated cabinet 172 Freezer compartment door 127 Insulated door 173 128 Insulated cabinet 174 Refrigerator compartment door
129 Insulated door 175 130 Module evaporator 176 Frozen air cooling passage 131 177 132 Evaporator fan 178 Cooling module damper variable speed refrigerator compartment 133 179 134 Temperature sensor 180 Freezer module
135 Opening 181 136 Temperature selector 182 Insulated freezer cabinet 137 Opening 183 138 Expansion device 184 Opening 139 Opening 185 Insulated freezer door 140 Insulated cabinet 186 Machine compartment 141 Insulated door 187 142 Supply ducts 188 Air-flow flow arrows 143 189 Freezer Cooling Unit 144 Return Ducts 190 Insulated Freezer Compressor 145 191 146 192 Freezer Condenser 147 193 148 Air Flow Arrows 194 Freezer Condenser Fan 195 196 Freezer Evaporator 197 198 Freezer Evaporator Fan 199
200 Freezer temperature sensor 201 202 Freezer temperature selector 203 204 Freezer expansion device 205 206 Freezer control circuit 207 208 Freezer controller
209 210 Interior lining