MODULAR HOUSEHOLD REFRIGERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A modular household refrigeration system and method includes a refrigerated source of a primary coolant. The refrigerated source includes a tank for holding the primary coolant and a vapor compression refrigeration cycle system having a secondary coolant in thermal contact with the primary coolant for cooling thereof. At least one refrigerator module is remotely positioned relative to the refrigerated source and the tank. The at least one refrigerator module is fluidly connected to the refrigerated source and the tank by an inlet coolant line for delivery of the primary coolant and an exit coolant line for return of the primary coolant. The primary coolant is delivered to the at least one refrigerator module for cooling thereof to a predetermined temperature.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to household refrigeration systems, and more particularly relates to a modular household refrigeration system and method. In one embodiment, first and second refrigerator modules are remotely positioned relative to a tank holding a primary coolant at a desired temperature. The first and second refrigerator modules are fluidly connected to the tank by an inlet coolant line and an exit coolant line. The inlet coolant line delivers the primary coolant to the modules for cooling thereof, and the exit coolant line returns the primary coolant from the modules after cooling thereof to the tank. The modular household refrigeration system and method will be described with particular reference to this embodiment, but it is to be appreciated that it is also amenable to other like applications.

Heretofore, if a consumer required a large refrigerator capacity for household refrigeration purposes, the consumer would have to maintain more than one large refrigerator. Maintenance of more than one large refrigerator in a household can be cumbersome due to the typical refrigerator's size and dimensions. These tend to restrict placement of the refrigerators so as to prevent the consumer from locating the refrigerators at spaced-apart, convenient locations within a kitchen area, for example.

Of course, the majority of conventional large refrigerators for household use offer only two temperature zones. This limits the variety of food that can be stored at optimum storage temperatures. For example, all food in a typical refrigerator is stored either in a single refrigerated compartment maintained at a desired temperature (e.g., 5-10° C.) or a single freezer compartment maintained at another desired temperature (e.g., −18° C.). The enhancement of the refrigeration capacity can only be obtained through buying a complete new refrigerator. Thus, while consumers can partially address this problem by using multiple complete refrigerators, such a solution is cumbersome and typically not ideal for the consumer's household.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a refrigeration system is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the refrigeration system has two or more refrigerated units which can be used to store a variety of food in a domestic environment. The refrigerated units can be cooled and maintained independently to desired temperatures using a common liquid coolant line. The liquid coolant can be maintained at a required temperature using a centrally located refrigerator system.

According to another aspect, a modular refrigerator system is provided for household refrigeration. More particularly, in accordance with this embodiment, the modular refrigerator system includes a tank for holding a primary coolant at a desired temperature and one or more refrigerator modules remotely positioned relative to the tank. A first refrigerator module is fluidly connected to the tank by an inlet coolant line and an exit coolant line. The inlet coolant line delivers the primary coolant from the tank to the first refrigerator module for cooling thereof and the exit coolant line returns the primary coolant from the first refrigerator module after cooling thereof to the tank. A second refrigerator module may also be remotely positioned relative to the tank. The second refrigerator module would be similarly fluidly connected to the tank by the inlet coolant line and the exit coolant line. The inlet coolant line delivers the primary coolant from the tank to the second refrigerator module for cooling thereof and the exit coolant line returns the primary coolant from the second refrigerator module after cooling thereof to the tank. Additional refrigerator modules could be similarly included in the system.

According to yet another aspect. a modular household refrigeration system is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the modular household refrigeration system includes a refrigerated source of a primary coolant. The refrigerated source includes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle system having a secondary coolant in thermal contact with the primary coolant of the refrigerated source for cooling of the primary coolant. At least one refrigerator module is remotely positioned relative to the refrigerated source. The at least one refrigerator module is fluidly connected to the refrigerator source by an inlet coolant line for delivering the primary coolant from the refrigerated source to the at least one refrigerator module and an exit coolant line for returning the primary coolant from the at least one refrigerator module to the refrigerated source. The primary coolant is delivered to the at least one refrigerator module for cooling the at least one refrigerated module to a predetermined temperature.

According to still yet another aspect, a method of distributing refrigeration in a household is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, a refrigerated source of a primary coolant is provided. A first refrigerator module is remotely positioned relative to the refrigerated source. The first refrigerator module is fluidly coupled to the refrigerated source for delivery and return of the primary coolant. A second refrigerator module is remotely positioned relative to the refrigerated source. The second refrigerator module is fluidly coupled to the refrigerated source for delivery and return of the primary coolant. The primary coolant is cooled with a secondary coolant of a closed circuit vapor compression refrigeration cycle system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a modular household refrigeration system wherein two refrigerator modules are remotely positioned relative to a temperature controlled tank and a refrigeration system, but fluidly connected to the tank for delivery and return of a primary coolant.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed schematic view of a modular household refrigeration system having refrigerator modules remotely positioned relative to a temperature controlled tank in a refrigeration system, but fluidly connected to the tank for the delivery and return of a primary coolant.

FIG. 3 is schematic view of an alternate modular household refrigeration system having refrigerator modules remotely positioned relative to a pair of temperature controlled tanks and a refrigeration system for controlling temperatures of a primary coolant held in the tanks.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a modular household refrigeration system shown deployed in a household kitchen area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating one or more exemplary embodiments, FIG. 1 shows a modular refrigerator system for household refrigeration generally designated by reference numeral 10. As will be described in more detail below, the system 10 allows for two or more refrigerated modules or units to be used to store a variety of food in a domestic environment (e.g. a household kitchen area). The refrigerated modules or units can be cooled and maintained independently relative to one another at desired temperatures using a common liquid coolant line. The coolant carried by the liquid coolant line can be maintained at a required temperature using a centrally located refrigerator system, which itself can be positioned remotely relative to the units or modules.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the system 10 includes a tank 12 that holds a primary coolant 14 (i.e., a liquid coolant) at a desired temperature. The illustrated system 10 further includes a first refrigerator module 16 and a second refrigerator module 18. Though the illustrated system 10 includes only two modules, it is to be appreciated that the system 10 can employ any number of modules, as desired. The modules 16,18 which can also be referred to as units, can be compact in size allowing placement of the modules 16,18 at any desired location. For example, the modules 16,18 can be positioned at places of consumer convenience in a domestic kitchen, such as under a kitchen counter. As will be described in more detail below, the modules 16,18 can be maintained independently at different preferred temperatures, such as would be required by different types of foods and/or beverages. The system 10 provides for enhanced refrigerated storage capacity in a domestic environment by allowing any number of modules to be used, including the addition of further modules at some later time.

The first refrigerator module 16 can be remotely positioned relative to the tank 12. The first refrigerator module 16 is fluidly connected to the tank 12 by an inlet coolant line 20 and an exit coolant line 22. In particular, the inlet coolant line 20 delivers primary coolant 14 from the tank 12 to the first refrigerator module 16 for cooling thereof and the exit coolant line 22 returns the primary coolant 14 from the first refrigerator module 16 after cooling thereof to the tank 12. Likewise, the second refrigerator module 18 can be remotely positioned relative to the tank 12 and can be fluidly connected to the tank by the inlet coolant line 20 and the exit coolant line 22. The inlet coolant line 20 delivers the primary coolant 14 from the tank 12 to the second refrigerator module 18 for cooling thereof and the exit coolant line 22 returns the primary coolant 14 from the second refrigerator module 18 after cooling thereof to the tank 12. The coolant lines 20,22 are configured such that any number of additional modules, similar to modules 16 and 18, can be fluidly connected thereto. As illustrated, branch lines 24,26 can be used for fluidly coupling the modules 16,18 to the inlet coolant line 20, respectively. Likewise, branch lines 28,30 can be used to respectively fluidly couple the modules 16,18 to the exit coolant line 22. Alternatively, the modules 16,18 can be fluidly connected to the coolant lines 20,22 without the branch lines 28,30.

The system 10 can further include a refrigeration system 32 operatively connected to the tank 12 for providing temperature control for primary the coolant 14 in the tank. A refrigeration system 32 cools the primary coolant 14 to the desired temperature for cooling of the modules 16,18. More particularly, as will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art, the modules 16,18 can respectively define refrigerated storage compartments 34,36 that are cooled by the primary coolant 14 being passed through or by the modules 16,18. The primary coolant 14 removes heat from the compartments 34,36 and is returned to the tank 12 by the exit coolant line 22 at a higher temperature (i.e., a temperature higher than the desired temperature) than the primary coolant 14 that is delivered to the modules 16,18 by the inlet coolant line 20. In the illustrated system 10, the tank 12 of primary coolant 14 and the refrigeration system 32 together form a refrigerated source of the primary coolant 14. The primary coolant tank, the coolant pipes, the heat exchanger for refrigerant to coolant heat exchange, and the coolant pump may be suitably insulated to minimize the heat losses.

With reference to FIG. 2, a modular refrigeration system 50 is shown according to an alternate embodiment for household refrigeration. The system 50 includes a refrigerated source 52 of a primary coolant 54 and at least one refrigerator module remotely positioned relative to the refrigerated source 52. More particularly, as illustrated, the refrigerated source 52 includes a tank 56 that holds the primary coolant 54 at a desired temperature. The refrigerated source 52 also includes a refrigeration system 58, such as the illustrated vapor compression refrigeration cycle system (though the refrigeration system 58 could be any refrigeration system capable of cooling the primary coolant 54), having a secondary coolant in thermal contact with the primary coolant 54 for cooling of the primary coolant. In the illustrated embodiment, the system 50 includes a first refrigerator module 60, a second refrigerator module 62, and a third refrigerator module 64. The modules 60,62,64 can be remotely positioned relative to the tank 56. Moreover, the modules 60,62,64 can be fluidly connected to the refrigerated source 52, and specifically the tank 56, by an inlet coolant line 66 for delivering the primary coolant 54 to the modules and an exit coolant line 68 for returning the primary coolant 54 from the modules to the refrigerated source 52, and specifically the tank 56. The primary coolant 54 is delivered to the modules 60,62,64 for cooling the modules to respective predetermined temperatures.

The refrigeration system 58, which is illustrated as a closed circuit vapor compression refrigeration cycle system, can include a compressor 72 for circulating the secondary coolant within a secondary coolant closed fluid circuit 74, an evaporator 76 for transferring heat from the primary coolant 54 to the secondary coolant to cool the primary coolant to the desired temperature, a condenser 78 for condensing the secondary coolant after cooling the primary coolant 54 in the evaporator 76, and an expansion device 80, such as an expansion valve or a capillary device, for expanding a volume of the secondary coolant after condensing thereof in the condenser 80. Through the system 58, the primary coolant 54 held in the tank 56 can be in thermal contact with the secondary coolant of the refrigeration system 58.

More particularly, in the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2, the primary coolant 54 is passed through the evaporator 76 by fluid lines 82,84 and in thermal contact with the secondary coolant within the evaporator for heat transfer from the primary coolant 54 to the secondary coolant. A pump 86 can be used for forcibly moving the primary coolant 54 of the tank 56 through the evaporator 76 via the line 82 and return to the tank 56 via the line 84. In particular, the primary coolant 54 can be circulated through the evaporator 76 (e.g., by the pump 86) and/or the secondary coolant can be circulated through the evaporator 76 (e.g., the compressor) based on a measured temperature (e.g., by sensor 116) of the primary coolant 54 in the tank for cooling thereof to the desired temperature. The closed fluid circuit 74 of the refrigeration system 58 can be a hermetically sealed circuit and the secondary coolant can be any conventional refrigerant, such as R134A or the like. In contrast to the hermetically sealed circuit 74, the primary coolant 54 flows through a non-hermetically sealed closed circuit formed of the tank 56, the inlet and exit coolant lines 66,68 and the modules 60,62,64, as well as the cycling lines 82,84. The primary coolant 54 can be any good heat transfer liquid, such as propylene glycol, for example.

The modules 60,62,64 can be sized so as to be compact and positionable in any location of consumer convenience, such as under a kitchen counter, for example. The modules 60,62,64 can each include a refrigerated portion or space, respectively 88,90,92 in the illustrated embodiment, defined therein for storing food or other refrigerated items. The modules 60,62,64 can further include respective branch lines 94,96,98 for specifically fluidly coupling each module to the inlet coolant line 66, and can likewise include further branch lines 100,102,104 for respectively fluidly coupling each of the modules to the exit coolant line 68, though such branch lines are not required (i.e., the modules 60,62,64 can be fluidly connected to the inlet and exit lines 66,68 in some other manner). A pump 106 can be employed for forcibly moving the primary coolant 54 from the tank 56 to the modules 60,62,64 and for returning the primary coolant 54 from the modules back to the tank 56 via the exit coolant line 68.

The modules 60,62,64 can each include an evaporator 108 (i.e., a heat exchanger) for removing heat from the refrigerated portion (i.e., 88, 90 or 92) of the modules. Accordingly, the evaporators 108 serve to cool the air within the modules 60,62,64. Specifically, the primary coolant 54 passing through the evaporators 108 warms as heat is removed from the modules. The warmed primary coolant 54 is returned to the tank 56 via the exit coolant line 68, wherein the refrigeration system 58 can again cool the primary coolant 54 to the desired temperature. The primary coolant 54 can remain in liquid form, even after cooling of the modules 60,62,64. In addition, the inlet coolant line 66 and the exit coolant line 68, both carrying the primary coolant 54 in liquid form, can be configured to have any number of additional modules readily plugged thereinto.

If desirable, the evaporators 108 can be adjustable for regulating the amount of heat removed from the refrigerated portions of the modules 60,62,64 to control a temperature in said portions. In addition, or in the alternative, the pump 106 can selectively circulate the primary coolant 54 through the modules 60,62,64 for cooling thereof. A module valve 110 can be fluidly disposed in association with each of the modules 60,62,64 between the inlet coolant line 66 and the exit coolant line 68 for regulating an amount of the primary coolant 54 passed through the modules to control temperatures thereof. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the module valves 110 are fluidly disposed respectively on the branch lines 94,96,98 for regulating the amount of the primary coolant 54 delivered by the inlet coolant line 66 to each of the modules 60,62,64. Specifically, a degree of opening of each of the module valves 108 can occur based on a measured temperature within the module 60,62,64 with which the particular module valve 110 is associated. For example, the module valve 110 on branch line 94 can be opened to a greater degree if greater cooling of the refrigerated portion 88 of module 60 is desired.

For controlling the system 50, a controller 112 can be employed. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the controller 112 is shown as a centralized controller, but it is to be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the controller 112 can be either fully or partially distributed within the system 50, such as among the modules 60,62,64 and/or any other components of the system 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the centralized controller 112 can be housed or contained within a main or central housing or unit 114, that also houses the tank 56, the refrigeration system 58, and the apparatus for thermally linking the primary coolant 54 of the tank 56 with the secondary coolant of circuit 74 of refrigeration system 58 (e.g., pump 86 and evaporator 76 in the illustrated embodiment).

The controller 112 can be programmed to selectively cycle the primary coolant 54 through the evaporator 76 and or cycle the secondary coolant of the closed circuit 74 through the evaporator 76. For example, the controller 112 can receive a measured temperature from temperature sensor 116 disposed in or in association with the tank 56 for measuring a temperature of the primary coolant 54 in the tank 56. Based on the measured temperature as indicated by the sensor 116, the controller 112 can operate the pump 86 for forcing the primary coolant 54 through the evaporator 76 and or operate the compressor 72 to force the secondary coolant of the circuit 74 through the evaporator 76 until the primary coolant 54 is cooled to the desired temperature.

In addition, the controller 112 can be operatively connected to the module valves 110 for operation thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, each module includes a module temperature sensor 118 that measures a temperature within the refrigerated portion (e.g., portion 88, 90 and/or 92) of the modules and based on the temperature measured by the sensors 118, the controller 112 can open or close the module valves 110 to selectively regulate the amount of primary coolant 54 passed through the module and thereby control the temperature of the refrigerated portion of the modules. The opening or closing of the module valves 110 can, of course, occur in degrees or in part. For example, a module valve 110 could be opened from a 50% open position to a 75% open position. Thus, opening and closing of the module valves 110 need not occur in the absolute, partial opening or closing can occur as desired.

The modules 60,62,64 can be any one of, for example, a cold plate, a refrigerated wine rack compartment, a fresh food refrigerated compartment, a freezer compartment, an ice machine, a cold water dispenser, a cold sink, or any other type of refrigerated module. In one embodiment, the module 60 is one of the aforementioned modules, the module 62 is another of the aforementioned modules, and module 64 is still another of the aforementioned modules. The modules 60,62,64 can be positioned remotely relative to the central unit 114 and, if desired, can be positioned remotely relative to one another. In addition, the modules can be appropriately sized so as to be received under a kitchen counter, for example. For example, module 60 can be a small refrigerated compartment that is disposed under a kitchen counter.

Using the system 50, a method of distributing refrigeration in a household will now be described. In particular, refrigerated source 52 of primary coolant 54 can be provided. At least a first module, such as module 60, can be remotely positioned relative to the refrigerated source 52. The first module 60 can be fluidly coupled to the refrigerated source 52 for delivery and return of the primary coolant 54. At least a second refrigerator module, such as module 62, can also be remotely positioned relative to the refrigerated source 52. The second refrigerator 62 module can also be fluidly coupled to the refrigerated source 52 for delivery and return of the primary coolant 54. The primary coolant 54 can be cooled with a secondary coolant of a closed circuit vapor compression refrigeration cycle system 58. If desired, remotely positioning of the modules can include installing at least one of the modules 60,62 or 64 under a kitchen counter.

According to the system 50 of FIG. 2, multiple units or modules, such as modules 60,62,64, can be maintained at different temperatures and thus able to store a wider variety of food at optimum storage temperatures. The various types of modules able to be employed in the system 50 allows many different types of modules to be used and placed at locations which are considered more convenient in a domestic or household refrigeration setup, such as spaced apart from one another within a kitchen area. The ability to add further modules to the system allows for future upgrades to the system 50, without necessitating the purchase of a complete new refrigerator. Such addition of new modules to a conventional sealed system using a vapor compression refrigeration cycle would be much more complicated than is possible through the dual coolant system 50.

With reference now to FIG. 3, a modular refrigerator system 130 is shown according to an alternate embodiment for household refrigeration. The modular refrigerator system 130 of FIG. 3 is generally the same as the system 50 of FIG. 2 except as indicated herein. One difference between the systems 130 and 50 is that the system 130 employs dual tanks 132,134 for holding the primary coolant 136. In particular, first tank 132 holds the primary coolant 136 at a first predetermined temperature, and second tank 134 holds the primary coolant 136 at a second predetermined temperature. The tanks 132,134 can be housed within a main or central unit 138 along with a refrigeration system 140, such as the illustrated closed circuit vapor compression refrigeration cycle system.

Another distinction between the system 130 and the system 50 is that the system 130 uses the refrigeration system 140 to cycle the secondary coolant through the tanks 132,134 for cooling of the primary coolant 136 (as opposed to directing the primary coolant 136 through a separate or spaced apart evaporator). If desired, evaporators 142,144 can be respectively disposed within one or both of the tanks 132,134 for cooling of the primary coolant 136 held therein. As illustrated, the closed circuit 146 of the refrigeration system 140 passes the secondary coolant first through the second tank 134 and subsequently through the first tank 132. As a result of this arrangement, the primary coolant 136 held in the second tank 134 can be cooled to a greater degree than is the primary coolant 136 of the first tank 132. That is, more heat can be removed from the primary coolant 136 of the second tank 134 by the evaporator 142 than occurs by the evaporator 144 of the first tank 132. Of course, however, this need not be required; for example, the degree of cooling of tanks 132,134 could be controlled or determined by the sizing and/or style of the evaporators 142,144, if employed. In any case, like the refrigeration system 58 of FIG. 2, the refrigeration system 140 can include a compressor 148, a condenser 150, and an expansion device 152.

The modular refrigeration system 130 can also include refrigerator modules 154,156,158 which can be the same or similar to the modules 60,62,64 of FIG. 2, except as noted herein. As shown, the modules 154,156,158 can be remotely positioned relative to the main unit 138 and the tanks 132,134. Also, the modules 154,156,158 can be fluidly connected to the tanks 132,134 for cooling thereof. More particularly, a first inlet portion 160 can fluidly connect the first tank 132 to the modules 156 and 158, for example, for delivery of the primary coolant 136 held in a tank 132 at the first predetermined temperature. A second inlet portion 162 can fluidly connect the second tank 134 to the modules 154 and 156, for example, for delivery of the primary coolant 136 held in the second tank 134 at the second predetermined temperature. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the module 154 is fluidly connected only to the tank 134, the module 158 is only fluidly connected to the tank 132, and a module 156 is fluidly connected to both the first and second tanks 132,134. Of course, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, any number of modules can be employed in the system 130 and any number of modules can be connected to only the tank 132, to only the tank 134 and/or to both tanks 132,134. Exemplary modules in which it might be desirable to connect two multiple tanks for varying cooling of the module could include a wine rack storage unit having at least two cooled compartments, or a fresh food refrigeration unit, such as one having at least two cooled compartments. In any case, separate pumps 164,166 can be used to move the primary coolant 136 from corresponding tanks 132,134 to the modules 60,62,64 and module valves 168 can be associated with each fluid communication between a particular module and one or both of the tanks 132,134.

With reference now to FIG. 4, a modular refrigerator system 170 is shown distributed within a domestic or household kitchen. The system 170 could be the same or similar to one of the systems 10,50,130 described hereinabove. As shown, the system 170 includes a main or central unit 172, which can be like or the same as the main unit 114 in FIG. 2. For example, the unit 172 can include a tank 174 for holding a primary coolant in liquid form and a refrigeration system using a secondary coolant for cooling the primary coolant of the tank. As shown, system 170 includes a plurality of modules distributed throughout the illustrated household kitchen and all modules are schematically illustrated as being fluidly connected to the tank 174 through a main controller or bypass unit 176.

For example, the system 170 can include a refrigerated wine rack compartment module 178 located under kitchen counter 180. The system 170 can also include a fresh produce module 182 and a fast/soft freeze module 184, both also shown as being located under the kitchen counter 180. The system 170 can additionally include a cool produce compartment module 186 and a deep freeze module 188 disposed in island 190 in the illustrated kitchen. A cold salad bar or plate module 192 is also shown disposed on top of the island 190. In addition, an ice machine/ice maker module 194 is shown under kitchen counter 196, and cold water module 198 is illustrated adjacent the module 194. The schematically illustrated fluid lines 200, collectively forming an inlet coolant line, deliver a liquid coolant from the tank 174 to the various modules for cooling thereof. Though not shown, a return coolant line or lines would also fluidly connect the modules back to the tank 174 for returning the primary coolant to the tank 174 after cooling of the modules.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.

Claims

1. A modular refrigerator system for household refrigeration, comprising:

a tank for holding a primary coolant at a desired temperature;

a first refrigerator module remotely positioned relative to said tank, said first refrigerator module fluidly connected to said tank by an inlet coolant line and an exit coolant line, said inlet coolant line delivering said primary coolant from said tank to said first refrigerator module for cooling thereof and said exit coolant line returning said primary coolant from said first refrigerator module to said tank; and

a second refrigerator module remotely positioned relative to said tank, said second refrigerator module fluidly connected to said tank by said inlet coolant line and said exit coolant line, said inlet coolant line delivering said primary coolant from said tank to said second refrigerator module for cooling thereof and said exit coolant line returning said primary coolant from said second refrigerator module to said tank.

2. The modular refrigerator system of claim 1 further including a refrigeration system operatively connected to said tank for providing temperature control for said primary coolant in said tank, said refrigeration system cooling said primary coolant to said desired temperature.

3. The modular refrigerator system of claim 2 wherein said refrigeration system is a closed circuit vapor compression refrigeration cycle system having a secondary coolant in thermal communication with said primary coolant in said tank for cooling thereof.

4. The modular refrigerator system of claim 3 wherein said closed circuit vapor compression refrigeration cycle system includes including a compressor for circulating said secondary coolant within a secondary coolant closed fluid circuit, an evaporator for transferring heat from said primary coolant to said secondary coolant to cool said primary coolant to said desired temperature, a condenser for condensing said secondary coolant after transferring heat from said primary coolant in said evaporator, and an expansion device for expanding a volume of said secondary coolant after condensing of said secondary coolant in said condenser.

5. The modular refrigerator system of claim 4 wherein said secondary coolant closed fluid circuit is a hermetically sealed circuit, said primary coolant flowing through a non-hermetically sealed closed circuit formed of said tank, said inlet and exit coolant lines and said first and said second modules.

6. The modular refrigerator system of claim 4 wherein said primary coolant is circulated through said evaporator by a pump and said secondary coolant is circulated through said evaporator by said compressor based on a measured temperature of said primary coolant in said tank for cooling of said primary coolant to said desired temperature.

7. The modular refrigerator system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and said second modules include an evaporator for removing heat from a refrigerated portion of said at least one of said first and second modules and transferring said heat to said primary coolant.

8. The modular refrigerator system of claim 7 wherein said evaporator is adjustable for regulating an amount of said heat removed from said refrigerated portion to control a temperature in said refrigerated portion.

9. The modular refrigerator system of claim 1 wherein a pump selectively circulates said primary coolant through said first and second modules for cooling thereof.

10. The modular refrigerator system of claim 9 wherein a module valve is fluid disposed in association with each of said first and said second modules between said inlet coolant line and said exit coolant line for regulating an amount of said primary coolant passed through each of said first and second modules to control temperatures of said first and said second modules.

11. The modular refrigerator system of claim 10 wherein a degree of opening of said module valve occurs based on a measured temperature of the module with which said module valve is associated.

12. The modular refrigerator system of claim 1 wherein said first refrigerator module is one of, and said second refrigerator module is another of, a cold plate, a refrigerated wine rack compartment, a fresh food refrigerated compartment, a freezer compartment, an ice machine, a cold water dispenser, and a cold sink.

13. The modular refrigerator system of claim 12 wherein said first refrigerator module is remotely positioned relative to said second refrigerator module.

14. The modular refrigerator system of claim 12 wherein at least one of said first and said second refrigerator modules is located under a kitchen counter.

15. The modular refrigerator system of claim 1 wherein said primary coolant remains in liquid form after cooling of said first and second refrigerator modules, each of said inlet coolant line and said exit coolant line, both carrying said primary coolant in liquid form, configured to have a third refrigerator module readily plugged thereinto.

16. The modular refrigerator system of claim 15 wherein said inlet and exit coolant lines are configured to have a third refrigerator module readily plugged thereinto.

17. A modular household refrigeration system, comprising

a refrigerated source of a primary coolant;

at least one refrigerator module remotely positioned relative to said refrigerated source, said at least one refrigerator module fluidly connected to said refrigerated source by an inlet coolant line for delivering said primary coolant from said refrigerated source to said at least one refrigerator module and an exit coolant line for returning said primary coolant from said at least one refrigerator module to said refrigerated source, said primary coolant delivered to said at least one refrigerator module for cooling said at least one refrigerated module to a predetermined temperature.

18. The modular household refrigeration system of claim 17 wherein said refrigerated source includes a tank for holding said primary coolant, and a vapor compression refrigeration cycle system having a secondary coolant in thermal contact with said primary coolant held in said tank, said vapor compression refrigeration system including a compressor for circulating said secondary coolant within a secondary coolant closed fluid circuit, an evaporator for transferring heat from said primary coolant to said secondary coolant to cool said primary coolant, a condenser for condensing said secondary coolant after cooling of said primary coolant in said evaporator, and an expansion device for expanding said secondary coolant after being condensed in said condenser.

19. The modular household refrigeration system of claim 17 wherein said refrigerated source includes a first tank holding said primary coolant at a first predetermined temperature and a second tank holding said primary coolant at a second predetermined temperature, said inlet coolant line including a first inlet portion fluidly connecting said first tank to at least one of said at least one refrigerator module for delivery of said primary coolant from said first tank at said first predetermined temperature and a second inlet portion fluidly connecting said second tank to at least one of said at least one refrigerator module for delivery of said primary coolant from said second tank at said second predetermined temperature.

20. A method of distributing refrigeration in a household, comprising:

providing a refrigerated source of a primary coolant;

remotely positioning a first refrigerator module relative to said refrigerated source;

fluidly coupling said first refrigerator module to said refrigerated source for delivery and return of said primary coolant;

remotely positioning a second refrigerator module relative to said refrigerated source;

fluidly coupling said second refrigerator module to said refrigerated source for delivery and return of said primary coolant; and

cooling said primary coolant with a secondary coolant of a closed circuit vapor compression refrigeration cycle system.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said remotely positioning said first refrigerated module includes installing said first refrigerated module under a kitchen counter.