US20130316635A1 - Module, Device and Method for Providing a Fluid Curtain - Google Patents

Module, Device and Method for Providing a Fluid Curtain Download PDF

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Publication number
US20130316635A1
US20130316635A1 US13/903,780 US201313903780A US2013316635A1 US 20130316635 A1 US20130316635 A1 US 20130316635A1 US 201313903780 A US201313903780 A US 201313903780A US 2013316635 A1 US2013316635 A1 US 2013316635A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
honeycomb structure
fluid
flow
module
center line
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/903,780
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English (en)
Inventor
Tomi Sipilä
Kimmo Heinavaara
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Norpe Oy
Original Assignee
Norpe Oy
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Publication date
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Assigned to NORPE OY reassignment NORPE OY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HEINAVAARA, KIMMO, SIPILA, TOMI
Publication of US20130316635A1 publication Critical patent/US20130316635A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F9/00—Use of air currents for screening, e.g. air curtains

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a module, method and arrangement for providing a fluid curtain, such as an air curtain, between different environments, such as between two spaces with different temperatures and/or concentrations.
  • a fluid curtain such as an air curtain
  • Devices with fluid curtains separating two different environments having common opening interface but different conditions, such as temperature or concentration, are previously known for example in technical fields of refrigeration apparatuses but also a clean work area.
  • the separation barrier is needed to minimize the mixing of different conditions with each other, such as temperature, different types of particles like microbes, concentration or the like.
  • entrained ambient air into the cold air curtain in the refrigeration apparatuses is the largest thermal load of a multi-deck type or “vertical” refrigerated display case and according to some estimates 75% of the refrigeration load comes from the air curtain entrainment.
  • different types of air curtains are also used in laminar air flow work stations, such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,438 A.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 7,162,882 B2 discloses a multi-band air curtain forming a separation barrier at an interface between a first environment having a fluid at a first condition and a second environment having a fluid at a second condition.
  • a first stream ( 55 ) of a fluid is directed along a first path generally parallel to the interface between the first environment and the second environment.
  • a second stream ( 65 ) of fluid is directed along a second path generally outwardly at an angle of divergence with the first path.
  • a third stream ( 85 ) of a fluid is directed along a third path between the first path and the second path.
  • a refrigerated merchandiser ( 10 ) having a display case having an interior defining a product display region ( 30 ) having an open front and first ( 34 ), second ( 70 ) and third ( 68 ) air outlets for directing air streams across the open front of the refrigerated merchandiser.
  • An object of the invention is to alleviate and eliminate the problems relating to the known prior art.
  • Especially the object of the invention is to provide a method and module for providing a fluid curtain between different environments such as environments with different temperatures, contents and/or concentrations, like bacterial content, so that the entrainment of the ambient fluid into the fluid curtain is minimized.
  • the invention relates to a module according to claim 1 .
  • the invention relates to an arrangement of claim 7 , and method of claim 8 .
  • a fluid curtain such as an air curtain, between different environments is provided via a honeycomb structure comprising plurality of parallel conduits.
  • the conduits are configured to laminarize the flow for the fluid curtain, and to guide the flow and suppressing instabilities in the flow downstream of it.
  • the suppressing of instabilities is performed at least in perpendicular direction to walls of said conduits.
  • the Reynolds number of flow when flowing out from the honeycomb structure is advantageously below 6000, more advantageously below 5000 and most advantageously around 1000.
  • these ranges or values are only examples and that the invention is not limited only to those.
  • the velocity profile of the flow before the honeycomb structure or during the honeycomb structure is changed so that the velocity profile of the flow after the honeycomb structure is a (advantageously smooth) skewed parabolic velocity profile with a peak shifted from the centre line of the symmetrical parabolic velocity profile.
  • the peak is shifted towards the first environment, such as towards inside of the refrigerated display case.
  • the relative velocity and change of relative velocity in the transition layer with the second environment fluid is small, which keeps the transition layer with the second environment fluid as laminar as possible thereby minimizing entrainment of the ambient fluid into the fluid curtain.
  • the thermal or particle load of the systems and thereby the refrigeration or cleaning costs of the display case can be remarkable reduced.
  • entrainment is used in this document for example to the purpose of to transfer air or other fluid (or even particles) into an organized fluid current (such as an air curtain) from the surrounding atmosphere.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art device for providing air curtains
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary module for providing fluid curtain according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary arrangement (a refrigerated display case) for providing fluid curtain according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art device for providing air curtains described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,162,882 B2.
  • FIG. 1 is already handled in connection with the background of the invention chapter above.
  • the module and inventive concept of the present invention can also be implemented with similar devices as described in FIG. 1 , where the air curtain providing means can be replaced for example by the module of the invention described in FIG.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary module 100 for providing a fluid curtain, and especially an air curtain 101 between different environments (Environment I, Environment II) according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where the module comprises a flow channel 102 .
  • the module 100 comprises an inlet 103 for introducing an air flow through the flow channel of the module and an outlet 104 for outputting said air curtain.
  • the module 100 comprises a honeycomb structure 105 before the outlet in order to laminarize the flow for the air curtain.
  • the honeycomb structure comprises plurality of parallel conduits 106 for guiding the flow and suppressing instabilities in the flow downstream of it and at least in perpendicular direction to walls of said conduits 106 .
  • the module 100 comprises a mechanical structure 105 , 107 before the outlet 104 , which is configured to change the velocity profile of the flow 101 before 107 the honeycomb structure or during 105 the honeycomb structure so that the velocity profile of the flow after the honeycomb structure 105 or outlet 104 is a smooth skewed parabolic velocity profile with a peak 108 shifted from the centre line 109 of the symmetrical parabolic velocity profile or the centre line 109 of the honeycomb structure 105 .
  • the mechanical structure before the outlet is a deflector 107 , such as an S-shaped (described in FIG. 2 ) or convex-shaped deflector, where the convex is configured to protrude towards the honeycomb structure (not shown in Figures).
  • the deflector 107 is advantageously configured to guide the air flow 110 from the inlet 103 to the honeycomb structure 105 so that greater dynamic pressure and thereby the greater fluid velocity is introduced to the distance from the centre line 109 of the honeycomb structure, and most advantageously so that the greater dynamic pressure and thereby greater fluid velocity is introduced to the point before the centre line 109 of the honeycomb structure in the direction of the inlet flow 103 .
  • the form of the deflector 107 in the downstream direction 110 of the inlet flow is convergent, advantageously continuously convergent, and most advantageously continuously but non-linearly convergent towards the honeycomb structure 105 . Due to the rounded shapes and smooth surface of the deflector 107 it does not significantly generate turbulence in flow upstream of the honeycomb structure 105 , In addition the honeycomb structure 105 itself is a very effective device to suppress the fluid curtain instabilities immediately downstream of it.
  • first curve 107 a of the S-shaped deflector 107 or the peak or apex of the convex-shaped deflector is configured to protrude towards the honeycomb structure 105 is located in the downstream direction of the inlet flow 110 before the centre line 109 of the honeycomb structure 105 .
  • second curve 107 b of the S-shaped deflector 107 is configured to protrude into the opposite direction than the first curve, and is located in the downstream direction of the inlet flow 110 after the centre line 109 of the honeycomb structure 105 .
  • the greater dynamic pressure and thereby the greater fluid velocity can be introduced to the point before the centre line 109 of the honeycomb structure in the direction of the inlet flow 103 , and thereby the smooth skewed parabolic velocity profile with a peak 108 shifted from the centre line 109 of the symmetrical parabolic velocity profile or the centre line 109 of the honeycomb structure 105 can be achieved, as is described in FIG. 2 .
  • the mechanical structure before the outlet 104 is the honeycomb structure 105 with plurality of parallel conduits 106 , wherein the cross sectional area of the conduits of the honeycomb structure 105 located in the downstream direction of the inlet flow 110 before the centre line 109 of the honeycomb structure 105 is greater than the diameters of the conduits after the centre line 109 of the honeycomb structure.
  • the smooth skewed parabolic velocity profile with a peak 108 shifted from the centre line 109 of the symmetrical parabolic velocity profile or the centre line 109 of the honeycomb structure 105 can be achieved, as is described in FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary arrangement 200 , such as a refrigerated display case, for providing fluid curtain according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention.
  • the device may comprise a display space 201 , an access opening 202 in the front of said display space, and a flow curtain providing means 100 for establishing the flow curtain 101 across the access opening 202 .
  • the inventive concept namely the module 100 or the means and features 101 - 110 of the module described e.g. in FIG. 2 can be utilized also in other devices separating at least two different environments with the fluid curtain, such as laminar air flow work stations.
  • the refrigerated display case 200 described in FIG. 3 comprises only one means for producing the fluid curtain, such as only one channel 102 , and therefore only one fluid curtain 101 .
  • the device 200 comprises a fluid suction means or portion 203 located adjacent the lower edge of the access opening 202 , an air duct 204 communicating with said fluid suction means or portion 203 having a fluid discharge outlet 205 near the upper edge of the access opening 202 .
  • the deflector 107 and the honeycomb structure 105 , 106 described e.g. in connection with FIG. 2 can be implemented in connection with the fluid discharge opening 205 to provide the fluid curtain 101 .
  • the deflector 107 and the honeycomb structure 105 , 106 described e.g. in connection with FIG. 2 can also be implemented into the device described in FIG. 1 or 3 as a module described e.g. in connection with FIG. 2 .
  • the device 200 advantageously comprises circulating means 206 for circulating fluid through said fluid duct 204 , 205 and again through the deflector 107 and the honeycomb structure 105 , 106 , as well as through the refrigeration means 207 for example for refrigerating the fluid for the fluid curtain 101 .
  • the device 200 described in FIG. 3 is a recirculated type refrigerated display case, since it comprises the fluid suction means or portion 203 for collecting the chilled fluid of the fluid curtain 101 and recirculating it again.
  • the inventive concept and embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented in connection with non-recirculated type devices, such as is described in FIG. 1 , where the refrigerated display case comprises also one or more fans 72 or the like to draw ambient air from the environment exterior of the refrigerator 10 through the fluid duct 74 to the second air discharge outlet 70 .
  • the flow curtain 101 is created by forcing chilled flow in the duct 205 at the top of the display case 200 into the deflector 107 , such as S-shaped deflector.
  • the deflector 107 turns the chilled fluid flow 110 downward through the honeycomb structure 105 and thereby produces a smooth skewed parabolic velocity profile with peak shifted towards the inside of the display case 200 having low temperature (Environment I) compared to the ambient temperature (Environment II).
  • the invention has been explained above with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, and several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated. It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the inventive idea and scope of the inventive thought and the following patent claims.
  • the different environments separated by the fluid curtain comprise different conditions, such as temperatures, bacterial contents, humidity, concentration or the like.
  • the air curtain is described as an example of the fluid curtain, the same inventive concept can also be applied with other fluids for providing other type fluid curtain, such as gas, like nitrogen, gas mixture or vapour or stream.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Freezers Or Refrigerated Showcases (AREA)
  • Air-Flow Control Members (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
  • Duct Arrangements (AREA)
US13/903,780 2012-05-28 2013-05-28 Module, Device and Method for Providing a Fluid Curtain Abandoned US20130316635A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI20125567 2012-05-28
FI20125567A FI125239B (en) 2012-05-28 2012-05-28 Module, arrangement and method for producing a fluid curtain

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20130316635A1 true US20130316635A1 (en) 2013-11-28

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US13/903,780 Abandoned US20130316635A1 (en) 2012-05-28 2013-05-28 Module, Device and Method for Providing a Fluid Curtain

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US20130316635A1 (de)
EP (1) EP2668875B8 (de)
DK (1) DK2668875T3 (de)
FI (1) FI125239B (de)
LT (1) LT2668875T (de)
PL (1) PL2668875T3 (de)
RU (1) RU2013125360A (de)
TR (1) TR201809561T4 (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016086273A1 (en) * 2014-12-04 2016-06-09 Resmed Limited Wearable device for delivering air
US20170258247A1 (en) * 2013-04-08 2017-09-14 Heatcraft Refrigeration Products Llc Deflector for Display Cases
WO2017210067A1 (en) * 2016-05-31 2017-12-07 Pepsico, Inc. Product merchandising systems and methods
US20200196776A1 (en) * 2018-12-21 2020-06-25 Heatcraft Refrigeration Products, Llc Refrigerated display case having a central return air duct
JP2020148431A (ja) * 2019-03-15 2020-09-17 ダイキン工業株式会社 吹出口アダプター及び吹出口アダプターを備えた空気調和機

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104180584A (zh) * 2014-08-25 2014-12-03 山东小鸭零售设备有限公司 一种冷柜阻尼阶梯式风幕结构

Citations (6)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5675983A (en) * 1996-09-11 1997-10-14 Kysor Industrial Corporation Synergistic refrigerated display case
US6059885A (en) * 1996-12-19 2000-05-09 Toshiba Ceramics Co., Ltd. Vapor deposition apparatus and method for forming thin film
US20070012059A1 (en) * 2005-07-12 2007-01-18 Hussmann Corporation Ambient air curtain with floor air inlet
US20070251253A1 (en) * 2004-09-30 2007-11-01 Carrier Corporation Curtain Air Admission Assembly
US20100058789A1 (en) * 2008-09-11 2010-03-11 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

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JPS6014989B2 (ja) * 1978-04-12 1985-04-17 三菱電機株式会社 冷蔵オ−プンシヨ−ケ−ス
JPS5920615Y2 (ja) * 1978-07-14 1984-06-15 三菱電機株式会社 冷蔵オ−プンシヨ−ケ−ス
JPS6146384U (ja) * 1984-08-30 1986-03-27 日本建鐵株式会社 冷蔵オ−プンシヨ−ケ−ス
US4927438A (en) 1987-12-01 1990-05-22 Varian Associates, Inc. Horizontal laminar air flow work station
JP2000102458A (ja) * 1998-09-29 2000-04-11 Fuji Electric Co Ltd 冷気循環式オープンショーケース
US6619052B1 (en) * 2002-02-26 2003-09-16 Tyler Refrigeration Corporation Variable air curtain velocity control
US7162882B2 (en) 2003-01-07 2007-01-16 Carrier Corporation Multi-band air curtain separation barrier

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5675983A (en) * 1996-09-11 1997-10-14 Kysor Industrial Corporation Synergistic refrigerated display case
US6059885A (en) * 1996-12-19 2000-05-09 Toshiba Ceramics Co., Ltd. Vapor deposition apparatus and method for forming thin film
US20070251253A1 (en) * 2004-09-30 2007-11-01 Carrier Corporation Curtain Air Admission Assembly
US20070012059A1 (en) * 2005-07-12 2007-01-18 Hussmann Corporation Ambient air curtain with floor air inlet
US20100058789A1 (en) * 2008-09-11 2010-03-11 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

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170258247A1 (en) * 2013-04-08 2017-09-14 Heatcraft Refrigeration Products Llc Deflector for Display Cases
US10383459B2 (en) * 2013-04-08 2019-08-20 Kysor Warren Epta Us Corporation Deflector for display cases
WO2016086273A1 (en) * 2014-12-04 2016-06-09 Resmed Limited Wearable device for delivering air
CN106999740A (zh) * 2014-12-04 2017-08-01 瑞思迈有限公司 用于输送空气的可穿戴设备
US20170361133A1 (en) * 2014-12-04 2017-12-21 Resmed Limited Wearable device for delivering air
US10953248B2 (en) 2014-12-04 2021-03-23 ResMed Pty Ltd Wearable device for delivering air
US11679287B2 (en) 2014-12-04 2023-06-20 ResMed Pty Ltd Wearable device for delivering air
WO2017210067A1 (en) * 2016-05-31 2017-12-07 Pepsico, Inc. Product merchandising systems and methods
US10016071B2 (en) 2016-05-31 2018-07-10 Pepsico, Inc. Product merchandising systems and methods
US20200196776A1 (en) * 2018-12-21 2020-06-25 Heatcraft Refrigeration Products, Llc Refrigerated display case having a central return air duct
JP2020148431A (ja) * 2019-03-15 2020-09-17 ダイキン工業株式会社 吹出口アダプター及び吹出口アダプターを備えた空気調和機

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2668875A1 (de) 2013-12-04
RU2013125360A (ru) 2014-12-10
PL2668875T3 (pl) 2018-09-28
DK2668875T3 (en) 2018-07-23
FI20125567A (fi) 2013-11-29
LT2668875T (lt) 2018-07-25
TR201809561T4 (tr) 2018-07-23
EP2668875B8 (de) 2018-06-06
FI125239B (en) 2015-07-31
EP2668875B1 (de) 2018-04-18

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Owner name: NORPE OY, FINLAND

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SIPILA, TOMI;HEINAVAARA, KIMMO;REEL/FRAME:030693/0935

Effective date: 20130614

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION