Transporter air chiller

• US 4,437,320 A
• Filed: 05/11/1982
• Issued: 03/20/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Claes E. Eklund
• Original Assignee: Claes E. Eklund
• Inventors: Eklund, Claes E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Makay, Albert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bennett, Henry
• Application Number:
  US06/377,079
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 62/236, 62/239, 62/243, 62/244, 62/240, 165/41, 165/42, 237/12.1
• US Class Current: 62/236
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 16/00 Devices using a combination of a cooling mode associated with refrigerating machinery with a cooling mode not associated with refrigerating machinery

Abstract

A vapor cycle refrigeration air chiller having two separate refrigeration systems in a single unitized frame. The first system producing a continuous cooling effect when supplied with alternating current power from an external source. The second refrigeration system operates to cool eutectic plates during alternating current operation. Air distribution is modified by a damper integral with a transporter containing the chiller and airborne food tray carts. Cooled air enters the carts from the chiller for pulldown and storage during alternating current operation. For transportation the chiller utilizes a self-contained battery operated, direct current fan with the damper spring loaded open, allowing the air to circulate over the eutectic plates and then around the food tray carts maintaining product temperature.

Claims

1. A transporter air chiller for cooling foodstuffs in airborne storage and serving carts comprising:

(a) a unitized vapor cycle refrigeration apparatus having a pair of refrigeration systems within a single frame and a common air flow arrangement for providing product cooling by removing heat through a refrigerant cooling agent;

(b) an alternating circuit electrical power circuit integral with said first refrigeration system for activating cooling and providing air flow by electromotive means;

(c) an alternating current and a direct current electrical power system integral with said second refrigeration system for cooling, storing and providing air flow of said common arrangement;

(d) an air damper within said air flow arrangement rotatably attached on one side to said frame for isolating air flow from said first and second refrigeration systems allowing cooling effect from either circuit not in concert; and

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(e) an insulated compartment in said chiller for housing the high pressure side of said refrigeration systems providing thermal isolation from the balance of said apparatus due to inherent low heat transfer characteristics while allowing ambient air to circulate through said refrigeration systems.

2. A transporter air chiller for cooling foodstuffs in airborne storage and serving carts comprising:

(a) a unitized vapor cycle refrigeration apparatus having a pair of refrigeration systems within a single frame and a common air flow arrangement for providing product cooling by removing heat through a refrigerant cooling agent;

(b) an alternating circuit electrical power circuit integral with said first refrigeration system for activating cooling and providing air flow by electromotive means;

(c) an alternating current and a direct current electrical power system integral with said second refrigeration system for cooling, storing and providing air flow of said common arrangement;

(d) an air damper within said air flow arrangement rotatably attached on one side to said frame for isolating air flow from said first and second refrigeration systems allowing cooling effect from either circuit not in concert;

(e) a plurality of rechargeable storage batteries located within said direct current electrical power circuit,

(f) a battery charger electrically connected to said batteries and fixed electrical alternating current source for deep charging said batteries by rectifying said current providing energy for storage; and

,

(g) a low voltage drop-out relay in said power circuit in parallel with said batteries disengaging said circuit when the voltage is reduced beyond a usable level.

3. A transporter air chiller for cooling foodstuffs in airborne storage and serving carts comprising:

(a) a unitized vapor cycle refrigeration apparatus having a pair of refrigeration systems within a single frame and a common air flow arrangement for providing product cooling by removing heat through a refrigerant cooling agent;

(b) an alternating circuit electrical power circuit power circuit integral with said first refrigeration system for activating cooling and providing air flow by electromotive means;

(c) an alternating current and a direct current electrical power system integral with said second refrigeration system for cooling, storing and providing air flow of said common arrangement;

(d) an air damper within said air flow arrangment rotatably attached on one side to said frame for isolating air flow from said first and second refrigeration systems allowing cooling effect from either circuit not in concert; and

,

(e) a spring attached to said damper on the first end and said frame on the second end to divert said air flow from said alternate current refrigeration air flow system and said direct current refrigeration air flow system.

4. A transporter air chiller for cooling foodstuffs in airborne storage and serving carts comprising:

(a) a unitized vapor cycle refrigeration apparatus having a pair of refrigeration systems within a single frame and a common air flow arrangement for providing product cooling by removing heat through a refrigerant cooling agent;

(b) an alternating circuit electrical power circuit integral with said first refrigeration system for activating cooling and providing air flow by electromotive means;

(c) an alternating current and a direct current electrical power system integral with said second refrigeration system for cooling, storing and providing air flow of said common arrangement;

(d) an air damper within said air flow arrangement rotatably attached on one side to said frame for isolating air flow from said first and second refrigeration systems allowing cooling effect from either circuit not in concert; and

,

(e) a plurality of eutectic plates in the low pressure side of said direct current refrigeration system providing a storage effect when changed state from a liquid to a solid by cooling of said refrigeration system and absorbing heat when said air flow arrangement passes over the surface thereof.

5. A transporter air chiller for cooling foodstuffs in airborne storage and serving carts comprising:

(a) a unitized vapor cycle refrigeration apparatus having a pair of refrigeration systems within a single frame and a common air flow arrangement for providing product cooling by removing heat through a refrigerant cooling agent;

(b) an alternating circuit electrical power circuit integral with said first refrigeration system for activating cooling and providing air flow by electromotive means;

(c) an alternating current and a direct current electrical power system integral with said second refrigeration system for cooling, storing and providing air flow of said common arrangement;

(d) an air damper within said air flow arrangement rotatably attached on one side to said frame for isolating air flow from said first and second refrigeration systems allowing cooling effect from either circuit not in concert; and

,

(e) a direct expansion evaporator coil in said alternating current refrigeration system providing the cooling effect when air from said air flow arrangement passes over the surface thereof.

6. An arrangement for cooling and conveying a plurality of airborne food tray carts having air circulation inlet and outlet ports using a portable transporter having means to contain cooling apparatii and air circulation passageways comprising:

(a) a unitized vapor cycle refrigeration apparatus contained within said transporter having at least two separate refrigeration systems within a single frame, and a common air flow arrangement; and

,

(b) a bypass damper with actuating means integral with said transporter and in direct communication with said air flow arrangement of said unitized vapor cycle refrigeration apparatus for directing air flow through said food tray cart inlet ports when operating on said alternating current electrical power or when operating on said direct current electrical power bypassing some portion of air from said carts to said air circulation passageways surrounding said carts for maintaining the cooling effect thereof.

7. The bypass damper actuating means of claim 6 further comprising:

an electro-mechanical solenoid in bias with a tension spring energized by said alternating current electrical power circuit of said first refrigerating system.