US20090084125A1 - Refrigerated merchandiser system - Google Patents
Refrigerated merchandiser system Download PDFInfo
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- US20090084125A1 US20090084125A1 US12/238,048 US23804808A US2009084125A1 US 20090084125 A1 US20090084125 A1 US 20090084125A1 US 23804808 A US23804808 A US 23804808A US 2009084125 A1 US2009084125 A1 US 2009084125A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- heat exchanger
- air
- circuit
- chiller
- fluid
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
- A47F3/04—Show cases or show cabinets air-conditioned, refrigerated
- A47F3/0439—Cases or cabinets of the open type
- A47F3/0443—Cases or cabinets of the open type with forced air circulation
- A47F3/0447—Cases or cabinets of the open type with forced air circulation with air curtains
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
- F25D17/02—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating liquids, e.g. brine
Definitions
- the function of food and beverage merchandisers is to keep product cool and to present product to customers in an appealing way.
- a heat exchanger coil with incoming cold fluid is used to maintain air temperature requirement at the case.
- a fan system coupled with the coil will generate airflow through the coil so that the air will drop to a desired temperature, which then continues to circulate through the ductwork of the case.
- the air will discharge through a discharge grille to form an air curtain.
- the air curtain will chill merchandise that is displayed on shelves or racks.
- the air then flows through a return grille into a ductwork and into the fan system, completing the air circulation cycle.
- the air exiting the coil approaches the coil fluid temperature. This is particularly true in winter, when some supermarkets allow their store inside condition to be lowered to reduce the heating cost. As a result, the loading on the coil can be reduced significantly that the coil is well oversized. In such instances, the relative humidity of the air exiting the coil approaches 100%. This air exiting the coil will be distributed throughout the display case and will chill the merchandise on display effectively.
- a refrigerated merchandiser system includes an insulated cabinet defining a product display area and a compartment, a heat exchanger within the compartment that circulates chilled secondary fluid from a chiller, and an air circulating fan for circulating air from the product display area through the compartment.
- the heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchanger tubes through which the secondary fluid is routed. The tubes are connected to form at least one circuit having a plurality of passes that circulate secondary fluid in a counterflow direction toward the upstream end of the heat exchanger in order to cool the air.
- the heat exchanger also includes at least one circuit having passes that include a counterflow section for cooling the air passing through the heat exchanger, followed by a pass adjacent a downstream end of the heat exchanger for heating air exiting the heat exchanger.
- the system utilizes heat content in the return air to modify secondary fluid temperature in the coil circuitry to control the relative humidity of the air exiting the evaporator. This improves the case interior air moisture absorption capability, and thus prevents localized condensation onto the merchandise surfaces when additional moisture is being introduced into the display case interior by outside air migrating into the display case as a result of misuse or overloading of merchandise beyond the display case capacity.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerated merchandiser system in which secondary coolant from a chiller system is used to cool air within display cases.
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a refrigerated display case.
- FIGS. 3A and 3B are a perspective view and a top view, respectively, showing a portion of the heat exchanger within the display case.
- FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the flow of secondary fluid through circuits of the heat exchanger.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram of refrigerated merchandiser system 10 , which includes chiller system 12 located within a machine room area of a store, and display cases 14 located in the area of a store accessible to customers (the store floor).
- Chiller system 12 includes compressor 20 , condenser 22 , expansion valve 24 , heat exchanger 26 , and pump 28 , which are connected in a closed refrigerant circuit via refrigerant lines 30 , 32 , 34 , and 36 .
- Heat exchanger 26 , pump 28 , and display cases 14 are connected in a closed secondary coolant circuit by heat exchanger output line 38 , secondary coolant supply line 40 , and secondary coolant return line 42 .
- Each display case 14 includes control valve 50 and heat exchanger 52 , which are connected in the secondary coolant circuit.
- the outlet or high pressure side of compressor 20 is connected via refrigerant line 30 to the inlet of condenser 22 .
- the outlet of condenser 22 is connected through refrigerant line 32 to expansion valve 24 .
- the outlet of expansion valve 24 is connected through refrigerant line 34 to heat exchanger 26 .
- Suction line 36 returns the refrigerant that flows through heat exchanger 26 to the inlet of compressor 20 .
- the refrigerant circulated through the closed refrigerant loop can be any commercially used refrigerant, such as R-22.
- the refrigerant flowing through heat exchanger 26 is used to chill secondary coolant that has been returned to heat exchanger 26 from display cases 14 through return line 42 .
- the chilled secondary coolant from heat exchanger 26 is supplied through heat exchanger output line 38 to the inlet of pump 28 , and is pumped under pressure through secondary coolant supply line 40 to flow control valves 50 of display cases 14 .
- Flow control valves 50 are typically thermostatically controlled to maintain a desired temperature within display cases 14 . Additional manual or sensor controlled flow valves may also be provided on either the supply or the return side of heat exchanger 52 .
- Secondary coolant may be, for example, propylene glycol, a brine, or any other fluid having suitable for heat transfer in heat exchangers 26 and 52 .
- FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of display case 14 , which is an open front insulated cabinet that defines front opening 62 and product display area 64 .
- Shelves 66 are mounted in display area 64 to support products that require refrigeration.
- Lower inner wall 68 , rear inner wall 70 , and top inner wall 72 are spaced from the outer wall of cabinet 60 to define an air circulation compartment made up of air return duct 74 , rear air duct 76 , and air discharge duct 78 .
- Discharge grille 80 is located at the outlet end of discharge duct 78
- return grille 82 is located at the inlet end of return duct 74 .
- Located within return duct 74 are air circulation fan system 84 , and heat exchanger 52 .
- Fan system 84 takes air that has been received through return grille 82 and forces the air through heat exchanger 52 into rear duct 76 .
- Rear wall 70 has holes through which some of the air in rear duct 76 diffuses into product display area 74 . The remainder of the air moves upward through rear duct 76 to discharge duct 78 .
- the chilled air is discharged through discharge grille 80 generally downward across opening 62 of cabinet 60 . This forms an air curtain that separates the interior volume of display area 64 from the ambient air external to display case 14 .
- merchandise on display within display case 14 can be chilled to and maintained at a desired temperature that is lower than ambient temperature with the store, even though the front of case 14 is open.
- the present invention addresses a problem that can occur with refrigerated display cases when outside air migrates into the interior of the display case. This can occur, for example, as a result of merchandise protruding into the air curtain, so that the air curtain is disrupted, thereby creating a path for ambient air into the case interior.
- the ambient air typically has a dew point that is significantly higher than the temperature maintained within the display case.
- the air that is being circulated within the display case may have little capacity to absorb moisture because the air exiting the heat exchanger may be close to saturation. The result could be localized condensation on surfaces within the display case, such as the packaging of the merchandise being displayed.
- the invention uses heat content which has been transferred from the air flowing through heat exchanger 52 to reheat air exiting heat exchanger 52 , which controls the relative humidity of the air exiting heat exchanger 52 and entering rear duct 76 .
- the air being circulated through rear duct 76 and into product display area 64 has greater capability to absorb moisture, and thus has more capacity to remove moisture on surfaces within the display area 64 .
- FIGS. 3A and 3B are partial views showing one embodiment of heat exchanger 52 positioned within cabinet 60 .
- Heat exchanger 52 is a coil type heat exchanger having an array of parallel heat exchanger tubes 90 that are connected to form a number of flow circuits through which secondary fluid flows.
- the flow circuits of heat exchanger 52 include circuits that provide counterflow of secondary fluid in a direction opposite the direction of airflow, as well as circuits that provide counterflow followed by flow through a tube near the downstream or exit end of heat exchanger 52 to reheat cooled air as it enters rear duct 76 .
- FIGS. 3A and 3B also show a portion of secondary coolant supply line 40 , flow control valve 50 , inlet header 92 , outlet header 94 , manual shutoff valve 96 , flow control valve 98 , and a portion of secondary coolant return line 42 .
- Air enters heat exchanger 52 at inlet or upstream end 100 and exits into rear duct 76 at exit or downstream end 102 .
- FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the connection of tubes 90 to form flow circuits 110 , 112 , 114 , 116 , 118 , 120 , 122 , and 124 .
- a total of fifty parallel tubes T 1 -T 50 are shown.
- Tubes T 45 -T 50 are not used in any of circuits 110 - 124 , but in other embodiments having different circuit configurations, those tubes may be used as well to provide greater cooling capacity.
- connections between tubes of a circuit at the side closest to the viewer are shown in solid lines, while connections between tubes made at the opposite side of heat exchanger 52 are shown in dotted lines.
- An X within the circle representing a tube signifies where secondary fluid from inlet header 92 enters a circuit.
- a dot in the center of a circle representing a tube indicates where secondary fluid flows out of the circuit to outlet header 94 .
- Circuit 110 is formed by tubes T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , and T 4 .
- Secondary fluid from inlet header 92 enters tube T 1 , flows the length of T 1 , and crosses over to tube T 2 .
- the secondary fluid flows through tube T 2 , crosses over to tube T 3 and flows the length of tube T 3 . It then crosses over at the opposite side of heat exchanger 52 and flows down tube T 4 , where it exits to outlet header 94 .
- the general direction of flow of secondary fluid through circuit 110 is in a counterflow direction, opposite to the direction of air flow. In other words, in FIG. 4 , the counterflow direction of secondary fluid is from left-to-right, while air flow is from right-to-left.
- Circuit 112 includes tubes T 5 -T 8 . Secondary fluid enters tube T 5 and exits at tube T 8 . The direction of flow of secondary fluid through circuit 112 is in the counterflow direction.
- Circuit 114 includes tubes T 9 -T 12 . Flow of secondary fluid through circuit 114 is in the counterflow direction, with secondary fluid entering at tube T 9 and exiting at tube T 12 .
- Circuit 116 includes tubes T 13 -T 22 .
- a first portion of circuit 116 formed by tubes T 13 -T 21 provides counterflow, with secondary fluid entering at tube T 13 and moving generally in a counterflow direction until it reaches tubes T 20 and T 21 at the upstream or entrance end of heat exchanger 52 .
- a connection is then provided from tube T 21 to tube T 22 , which is positioned near the upper exit or downstream end of heat exchanger 52 .
- secondary fluid that has been heated as a result of counterflow movement from tube T 13 to tube T 21 is delivered to tube T 22 , where the air passing through heat exchanger 52 is the coolest.
- the higher fluid temperature of secondary fluid flowing through tube T 22 is used to reheat the air exiting heat exchanger 52 .
- tube T 22 raises the air dry bulb and lowers the air relative humidity. This dryer air has increased capacity to remove moisture that may have deposited within display area 64 .
- Circuit 118 is formed by tubes T 23 -T 26 . Secondary fluid enters tube T 23 and exits at T 26 . The flow of secondary fluid is in the counterflow direction.
- Circuit 120 includes tubes T 27 -T 30 . Flow of secondary fluid is in the counterflow direction. Secondary fluid enters at tube T 27 and exits at tube T 30 .
- Circuit 122 includes tubes T 31 -T 40 .
- Secondary fluid flows in a counterflow direction from an entrance at tube T 31 to tube T 38 .
- a secondary fluid then makes an additional pass at the upstream end of heat exchanger 52 through tube T 39 , and then is routed to a final pass at tube T 40 .
- Tube T 40 is located near the upper downstream end or exit end of heat exchanger 52 .
- the function of tube T 40 is similar to the function of tube T 22 in exchanging heat with cold air that is about to exit heat exchanger 52 .
- the heating supplied by tube T 40 (as well as tube T 22 ) helps to raise air dry bulb and lower air relative humidity as the air enters rear duct 76 .
- Circuit 124 includes tubes T 41 -T 44 . Secondary fluid enters circuit 124 at tube T 41 and exits at tube T 44 . The flow of secondary fluid is in the counterflow direction with respect to air flow through heat exchanger 52 .
- circuits 110 , 112 , 114 , 118 , 120 , and 124 have secondary fluid flowing in a rear to front counterflow direction with respect to air flow.
- the other two circuits 116 and 122 feature a larger number of passes and a counterflow of secondary fluid to the front or upstream end of heat exchanger 52 .
- the secondary fluid is then routed from the second to last pass to a final pass located near the rear or downstream end of heat exchanger 52 .
- the final passes for circuits 116 and 122 are at tubes T 22 and T 40 , respectively.
- the higher fluid temperature passing through tubes T 22 and T 44 reheats the cold air that is about to exit heat exchanger 52 and enter rear duct 76 .
- This reheating of the air raises the air dry bulb and lowers air relative humidity, so that the air has a greater capacity to remove moisture that has been deposited inside product display area 64 .
- circuits 116 and 122 are shown in FIG. 4 as providing the reheating feature, other embodiments may use only one circuit, or more than two circuits to provide reheating.
- the number of circuits that provide counterflow of secondary fluid with routing the fluid for reheating air may also vary in number.
- the number of tubes in each circuit, and the total number of tubes and circuits will also vary depending on the display case and the operating conditions under which it will be used.
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
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- Freezers Or Refrigerated Showcases (AREA)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/995,921, filed Sep. 28, 2007.
- The function of food and beverage merchandisers is to keep product cool and to present product to customers in an appealing way. To cool product, a heat exchanger coil with incoming cold fluid is used to maintain air temperature requirement at the case. A fan system coupled with the coil will generate airflow through the coil so that the air will drop to a desired temperature, which then continues to circulate through the ductwork of the case. In open cases, the air will discharge through a discharge grille to form an air curtain. The air curtain will chill merchandise that is displayed on shelves or racks. The air then flows through a return grille into a ductwork and into the fan system, completing the air circulation cycle.
- In some applications where a high efficiency heat exchanger is used, the air exiting the coil approaches the coil fluid temperature. This is particularly true in winter, when some supermarkets allow their store inside condition to be lowered to reduce the heating cost. As a result, the loading on the coil can be reduced significantly that the coil is well oversized. In such instances, the relative humidity of the air exiting the coil approaches 100%. This air exiting the coil will be distributed throughout the display case and will chill the merchandise on display effectively.
- However, in supermarkets, there are many occasions that case set up and merchandise on display are not as specified in case application guidelines. Merchandise protruding into the air curtain, overloading of boxes in well area can cause disruption and deflection of the air curtain. All such instances result in warm store ambient air migrating into the merchandise display area. This outside air dew point is normally significantly higher than the temperature maintained inside the display case. The outside air after migration into the case interior will drop in temperature to below its dew point when mixed with the cold air inside the display case. Due to the air inside the case just coming off the coil is already close to saturation, there is little capacity in the case air to absorb the moisture separated out of the outside air when its temperature drops below the dew point, and localized condensation can occur on the neighboring interior surface (shelf and merchandise) of the case. Some of the merchandise is packaged in paper cartons. The paper cartons may absorb the moisture condensed onto their surfaces and become soggy over time. This can cause the packages to lose structural integrity and break down when being handled by shoppers.
- A refrigerated merchandiser system includes an insulated cabinet defining a product display area and a compartment, a heat exchanger within the compartment that circulates chilled secondary fluid from a chiller, and an air circulating fan for circulating air from the product display area through the compartment. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchanger tubes through which the secondary fluid is routed. The tubes are connected to form at least one circuit having a plurality of passes that circulate secondary fluid in a counterflow direction toward the upstream end of the heat exchanger in order to cool the air. The heat exchanger also includes at least one circuit having passes that include a counterflow section for cooling the air passing through the heat exchanger, followed by a pass adjacent a downstream end of the heat exchanger for heating air exiting the heat exchanger.
- The system utilizes heat content in the return air to modify secondary fluid temperature in the coil circuitry to control the relative humidity of the air exiting the evaporator. This improves the case interior air moisture absorption capability, and thus prevents localized condensation onto the merchandise surfaces when additional moisture is being introduced into the display case interior by outside air migrating into the display case as a result of misuse or overloading of merchandise beyond the display case capacity.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerated merchandiser system in which secondary coolant from a chiller system is used to cool air within display cases. -
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a refrigerated display case. -
FIGS. 3A and 3B are a perspective view and a top view, respectively, showing a portion of the heat exchanger within the display case. -
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the flow of secondary fluid through circuits of the heat exchanger. -
FIG. 1 is a diagram of refrigeratedmerchandiser system 10, which includeschiller system 12 located within a machine room area of a store, anddisplay cases 14 located in the area of a store accessible to customers (the store floor).Chiller system 12 includescompressor 20,condenser 22,expansion valve 24,heat exchanger 26, andpump 28, which are connected in a closed refrigerant circuit viarefrigerant lines Heat exchanger 26,pump 28, anddisplay cases 14 are connected in a closed secondary coolant circuit by heatexchanger output line 38, secondarycoolant supply line 40, and secondarycoolant return line 42. Eachdisplay case 14 includescontrol valve 50 andheat exchanger 52, which are connected in the secondary coolant circuit. - The outlet or high pressure side of
compressor 20 is connected viarefrigerant line 30 to the inlet ofcondenser 22. The outlet ofcondenser 22 is connected throughrefrigerant line 32 toexpansion valve 24. The outlet ofexpansion valve 24 is connected throughrefrigerant line 34 toheat exchanger 26.Suction line 36 returns the refrigerant that flows throughheat exchanger 26 to the inlet ofcompressor 20. The refrigerant circulated through the closed refrigerant loop can be any commercially used refrigerant, such as R-22. - The refrigerant flowing through
heat exchanger 26 is used to chill secondary coolant that has been returned toheat exchanger 26 fromdisplay cases 14 throughreturn line 42. The chilled secondary coolant fromheat exchanger 26 is supplied through heatexchanger output line 38 to the inlet ofpump 28, and is pumped under pressure through secondarycoolant supply line 40 toflow control valves 50 ofdisplay cases 14.Flow control valves 50 are typically thermostatically controlled to maintain a desired temperature withindisplay cases 14. additional manual or sensor controlled flow valves may also be provided on either the supply or the return side ofheat exchanger 52. Whenflow control valve 50 is open, secondary coolant flows throughflow control valve 50 and through the coils ofheat exchanger 52, and then to returnline 42 and back tochiller system 12. Secondary coolant may be, for example, propylene glycol, a brine, or any other fluid having suitable for heat transfer inheat exchangers -
FIG. 2 shows a sectional view ofdisplay case 14, which is an open front insulated cabinet that definesfront opening 62 andproduct display area 64. Shelves 66 are mounted indisplay area 64 to support products that require refrigeration. Lowerinner wall 68, rearinner wall 70, and topinner wall 72 are spaced from the outer wall ofcabinet 60 to define an air circulation compartment made up ofair return duct 74,rear air duct 76, andair discharge duct 78.Discharge grille 80 is located at the outlet end ofdischarge duct 78, andreturn grille 82 is located at the inlet end ofreturn duct 74. Located withinreturn duct 74 are aircirculation fan system 84, andheat exchanger 52. -
Fan system 84 takes air that has been received throughreturn grille 82 and forces the air throughheat exchanger 52 intorear duct 76.Rear wall 70 has holes through which some of the air inrear duct 76 diffuses intoproduct display area 74. The remainder of the air moves upward throughrear duct 76 todischarge duct 78. The chilled air is discharged throughdischarge grille 80 generally downward across opening 62 ofcabinet 60. This forms an air curtain that separates the interior volume ofdisplay area 64 from the ambient air external to displaycase 14. As a result, merchandise on display withindisplay case 14 can be chilled to and maintained at a desired temperature that is lower than ambient temperature with the store, even though the front ofcase 14 is open. - The present invention addresses a problem that can occur with refrigerated display cases when outside air migrates into the interior of the display case. This can occur, for example, as a result of merchandise protruding into the air curtain, so that the air curtain is disrupted, thereby creating a path for ambient air into the case interior. The ambient air typically has a dew point that is significantly higher than the temperature maintained within the display case. The air that is being circulated within the display case may have little capacity to absorb moisture because the air exiting the heat exchanger may be close to saturation. The result could be localized condensation on surfaces within the display case, such as the packaging of the merchandise being displayed.
- The invention uses heat content which has been transferred from the air flowing through
heat exchanger 52 to reheat air exitingheat exchanger 52, which controls the relative humidity of the air exitingheat exchanger 52 and enteringrear duct 76. As a result, the air being circulated throughrear duct 76 and intoproduct display area 64 has greater capability to absorb moisture, and thus has more capacity to remove moisture on surfaces within thedisplay area 64. -
FIGS. 3A and 3B are partial views showing one embodiment ofheat exchanger 52 positioned withincabinet 60.Heat exchanger 52 is a coil type heat exchanger having an array of parallelheat exchanger tubes 90 that are connected to form a number of flow circuits through which secondary fluid flows. As described in more detail in conjunction withFIG. 4 , the flow circuits ofheat exchanger 52 include circuits that provide counterflow of secondary fluid in a direction opposite the direction of airflow, as well as circuits that provide counterflow followed by flow through a tube near the downstream or exit end ofheat exchanger 52 to reheat cooled air as it entersrear duct 76. -
FIGS. 3A and 3B also show a portion of secondarycoolant supply line 40,flow control valve 50,inlet header 92,outlet header 94,manual shutoff valve 96,flow control valve 98, and a portion of secondarycoolant return line 42. Air entersheat exchanger 52 at inlet orupstream end 100 and exits intorear duct 76 at exit ordownstream end 102. -
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the connection oftubes 90 to formflow circuits FIG. 4 , a total of fifty parallel tubes T1-T50 are shown. Tubes T45-T50 are not used in any of circuits 110-124, but in other embodiments having different circuit configurations, those tubes may be used as well to provide greater cooling capacity. - In the diagram shown in
FIG. 4 , connections between tubes of a circuit at the side closest to the viewer are shown in solid lines, while connections between tubes made at the opposite side ofheat exchanger 52 are shown in dotted lines. An X within the circle representing a tube signifies where secondary fluid frominlet header 92 enters a circuit. A dot in the center of a circle representing a tube indicates where secondary fluid flows out of the circuit tooutlet header 94. -
Circuit 110 is formed by tubes T1, T2, T3, and T4. Secondary fluid frominlet header 92 enters tube T1, flows the length of T1, and crosses over to tube T2. The secondary fluid flows through tube T2, crosses over to tube T3 and flows the length of tube T3. It then crosses over at the opposite side ofheat exchanger 52 and flows down tube T4, where it exits tooutlet header 94. The general direction of flow of secondary fluid throughcircuit 110 is in a counterflow direction, opposite to the direction of air flow. In other words, inFIG. 4 , the counterflow direction of secondary fluid is from left-to-right, while air flow is from right-to-left. -
Circuit 112 includes tubes T5-T8. Secondary fluid enters tube T5 and exits at tube T8. The direction of flow of secondary fluid throughcircuit 112 is in the counterflow direction. -
Circuit 114 includes tubes T9-T12. Flow of secondary fluid throughcircuit 114 is in the counterflow direction, with secondary fluid entering at tube T9 and exiting at tube T12. -
Circuit 116 includes tubes T13-T22. A first portion ofcircuit 116 formed by tubes T13-T21 provides counterflow, with secondary fluid entering at tube T13 and moving generally in a counterflow direction until it reaches tubes T20 and T21 at the upstream or entrance end ofheat exchanger 52. A connection is then provided from tube T21 to tube T22, which is positioned near the upper exit or downstream end ofheat exchanger 52. As a result, secondary fluid that has been heated as a result of counterflow movement from tube T13 to tube T21 is delivered to tube T22, where the air passing throughheat exchanger 52 is the coolest. The higher fluid temperature of secondary fluid flowing through tube T22 is used to reheat the air exitingheat exchanger 52. By exchanging heat with the cooler air, tube T22 raises the air dry bulb and lowers the air relative humidity. This dryer air has increased capacity to remove moisture that may have deposited withindisplay area 64. -
Circuit 118 is formed by tubes T23-T26. Secondary fluid enters tube T23 and exits at T26. The flow of secondary fluid is in the counterflow direction. -
Circuit 120 includes tubes T27-T30. Flow of secondary fluid is in the counterflow direction. Secondary fluid enters at tube T27 and exits at tube T30. -
Circuit 122 includes tubes T31-T40. Secondary fluid flows in a counterflow direction from an entrance at tube T31 to tube T38. A secondary fluid then makes an additional pass at the upstream end ofheat exchanger 52 through tube T39, and then is routed to a final pass at tube T40. Tube T40 is located near the upper downstream end or exit end ofheat exchanger 52. The function of tube T40 is similar to the function of tube T22 in exchanging heat with cold air that is about to exitheat exchanger 52. The heating supplied by tube T40 (as well as tube T22) helps to raise air dry bulb and lower air relative humidity as the air entersrear duct 76. -
Circuit 124 includes tubes T41-T44. Secondary fluid enterscircuit 124 at tube T41 and exits at tube T44. The flow of secondary fluid is in the counterflow direction with respect to air flow throughheat exchanger 52. - In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 4 , most of the circuits (i.e.,circuits circuits heat exchanger 52. The secondary fluid is then routed from the second to last pass to a final pass located near the rear or downstream end ofheat exchanger 52. The final passes forcircuits heat exchanger 52 and enterrear duct 76. This reheating of the air raises the air dry bulb and lowers air relative humidity, so that the air has a greater capacity to remove moisture that has been deposited insideproduct display area 64. - Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although two
circuits FIG. 4 as providing the reheating feature, other embodiments may use only one circuit, or more than two circuits to provide reheating. Similarly, the number of circuits that provide counterflow of secondary fluid with routing the fluid for reheating air may also vary in number. The number of tubes in each circuit, and the total number of tubes and circuits will also vary depending on the display case and the operating conditions under which it will be used. - adjacent to a downstream end of the heat exchanger to heat air exiting the heat exchanger.
Claims (21)
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US12/238,048 US20090084125A1 (en) | 2007-09-28 | 2008-09-25 | Refrigerated merchandiser system |
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US99592107P | 2007-09-28 | 2007-09-28 | |
US12/238,048 US20090084125A1 (en) | 2007-09-28 | 2008-09-25 | Refrigerated merchandiser system |
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Cited By (9)
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US20080209921A1 (en) * | 2007-03-02 | 2008-09-04 | Dover Systems, Inc. | Refrigeration system |
US20080282719A1 (en) * | 2005-12-07 | 2008-11-20 | Fung Kwok K | Airflow Stabilizer for Lower Front of a Rear Loaded Refrigerated Display Case |
US20090205351A1 (en) * | 2006-10-26 | 2009-08-20 | Kwok Kwong Fung | Secondary airflow distribution for a display case |
US20090215381A1 (en) * | 2005-04-25 | 2009-08-27 | Delaware Capital Formation ,Inc. | Air curtain system for a refrigerated case |
US20100058789A1 (en) * | 2008-09-11 | 2010-03-11 | Hill Phoenix, Inc | Air distribution system for temperature-controlled case |
US20100212343A1 (en) * | 2006-06-20 | 2010-08-26 | Hill Phoenix, Inc. | Refrigerated case with low frost operation |
US20100313588A1 (en) * | 2009-06-10 | 2010-12-16 | Hill Phoenix, Inc | Air distribution system for temperature-controlled case |
US20120000229A1 (en) * | 2010-07-02 | 2012-01-05 | Hussmann Corporation | Modular island merchandiser |
US11085455B1 (en) * | 2014-08-11 | 2021-08-10 | Delta T, Llc | System for regulating airflow associated with product for sale |
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Cited By (16)
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US8647183B2 (en) | 2005-04-25 | 2014-02-11 | Hill Phoenix, Inc. | Air curtain system for a refrigerated case |
US20090215381A1 (en) * | 2005-04-25 | 2009-08-27 | Delaware Capital Formation ,Inc. | Air curtain system for a refrigerated case |
US20080282719A1 (en) * | 2005-12-07 | 2008-11-20 | Fung Kwok K | Airflow Stabilizer for Lower Front of a Rear Loaded Refrigerated Display Case |
US20100212343A1 (en) * | 2006-06-20 | 2010-08-26 | Hill Phoenix, Inc. | Refrigerated case with low frost operation |
US20090205351A1 (en) * | 2006-10-26 | 2009-08-20 | Kwok Kwong Fung | Secondary airflow distribution for a display case |
US20080209921A1 (en) * | 2007-03-02 | 2008-09-04 | Dover Systems, Inc. | Refrigeration system |
US8973385B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2015-03-10 | Hill Phoenix, Inc. | Refrigeration system |
US20100058789A1 (en) * | 2008-09-11 | 2010-03-11 | Hill Phoenix, Inc | Air distribution system for temperature-controlled case |
US9526354B2 (en) | 2008-09-11 | 2016-12-27 | Hill Phoenix, Inc. | Air distribution system for temperature-controlled case |
US8863541B2 (en) | 2009-06-10 | 2014-10-21 | Hill Phoenix, Inc. | Air distribution system for temperature-controlled case |
US20100313588A1 (en) * | 2009-06-10 | 2010-12-16 | Hill Phoenix, Inc | Air distribution system for temperature-controlled case |
US8561419B2 (en) * | 2010-07-02 | 2013-10-22 | Hussmann Corporation | Modular island merchandiser |
US20140021834A1 (en) * | 2010-07-02 | 2014-01-23 | Hussmann Corporation | Modular island merchandiser |
US20120000229A1 (en) * | 2010-07-02 | 2012-01-05 | Hussmann Corporation | Modular island merchandiser |
US10323873B2 (en) * | 2010-07-02 | 2019-06-18 | Hussmann Corporation | Modular island merchandiser |
US11085455B1 (en) * | 2014-08-11 | 2021-08-10 | Delta T, Llc | System for regulating airflow associated with product for sale |
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Owner name: CARRIER CORPORATION, CONNECTICUT Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FUNG, KWOK KWONG;REEL/FRAME:021939/0753 Effective date: 20081208 |
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Owner name: HILL PHOENIX, INC., GEORGIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CARRIER COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION, INC.;CARRIER CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:022659/0634 Effective date: 20090507 Owner name: HILL PHOENIX, INC.,GEORGIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CARRIER COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION, INC.;CARRIER CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:022659/0634 Effective date: 20090507 |
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