COUNTERTOP RAPID COOLER FOR RAPIDLY COOLING FOOD, DRINK, AND OTHER ITEMS

Abstract

A countertop rapid cooler is disclosed for rapidly cooling food, drink, and other items using at least convection cooling. the cooler includes: a thermally insulated enclosure with a door and sized to fit on a countertop; a fan; and a convective heat exchanger for cooling air blown by the fan toward an item within the enclosure. The convective heat exchanger is capable of receiving coolant from a neighboring refrigeration unit (such as a refrigerator), and returning the coolant to the neighboring unit after use. In some embodiments, expanded coolant can be delivered from the neighboring unit's expansion valve. In other embodiments, unexpanded coolant can be delivered from the neighboring unit, to be expanded by a separate expansion valve located within the countertop rapid cooler. By not including its own compressor or condenser, the countertop rapid cooler is lighter, and uses less space, than currently available rapid cooling devices.

Description

FIELD

This invention relates to cooling devices, and more particularly to rapid cooling devices.

BACKGROUND

Modern day cooling devices, such as refrigerators and ice chests are used widely by consumers and in industry. Every home, for example, has a refrigerator, generally including a freezer compartment. A refrigerator or other cooling device may provide refrigeration in a camper, on a boat, or associated with other recreational uses. Among industrial users, many small businesses depend on reliable cooling to maintain the viability of the business. Food caterers, ice cream trucks, coffee shops, and other food establishments could not remain in business without the ability to chill food and/or beverages and keep them cold. Other industrial users include, for example, medical, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.

Frequently, there is a specific need, among both domestic and industrial users of refrigeration, for rapid cooling or chilling of an item. As one example, rapid cooling is desirable for some foods, particularly food preparations containing mayonnaise. As another example, consumers often have a desire to rapidly cool bottled or canned beverages. Similarly, caterers may wish to quickly meet a customer's need for a chilled food and/or beverage item. Among medical uses, tissue samples, for example, may need to be rapidly cooled to forestall deterioration of the samples. Pharmaceutical companies and chemical supply companies sometimes have similar needs for rapid cooling of items.

Some currently available rapid chilling devices require storage in a refrigerator or use of refrigerator space, with the drawback of consuming room within the refrigerator's cooling chamber. Some other rapid chilling devices require immersing the item to be chilled in water and/or ice, which is unsuitable for items that cannot become wet. Although there are stand-alone rapid convection-based chilling devices on the market today, most currently available commercial rapid chilling devices are large, bulky and heavy.

The bulkiness, size, and heft of current commercial stand-alone rapid convection chilling devices are typically due to inclusion of a compressor and condenser with the rapid chilling device. Even in currently available rapid chilling devices that do not include an internal compressor and condenser, a compressor and condenser is typically installed along with installation of the rapid cooling device, for example, with a walk-in type refrigerator or other large capacity cooler.

Because of this need for a condenser and compressor, current rapid cooling devices typically need to be of large capacity to justify their cost. Current rapid cooling devices are often not economical (on a “per chilled item” basis) unless large. Often, this is undesirable for many potential users of such rapid cooling devices who wish to have such devices readily available in smaller spaces. Furthermore, the requirement for large size puts such rapid cooling devices financially out of reach of most home and recreational users, as well as taxing the budgets of small businesses.

SUMMARY

A countertop rapid cooling device for rapidly cooling an item using at least convection cooling is claimed. The cooling device includes a fan to blow chilled air toward an item to rapidly cool the item. The cooling device is lighter and uses less space than current rapid cooling devices with comparable capacity, such as rapid cooling refrigerators, since the cooling device in embodiments of the invention does not contain a mechanical compressor and condenser. Instead, the cooling device includes a coolant input to deliver coolant to the cooling device.

In this way, a rapid cooling device is provided that can be more economical for home, recreational, small business, and even industrial users. While a compressor is heavy, bulky, and noisy, the countertop rapid cooler is able to accomplish rapid cooling without requiring a compressor incorporated into its own structure. Instead, the countertop rapid cooler is able to borrow coolant from a neighboring refrigeration unit which itself contains a compressor. Because of the lack of a need to incorporate a compressor, the countertop rapid cooler can operate as a small, lightweight, compact, relatively noiseless and low-power device, as compared with a typical refrigerator.

The coolant is received from an external store of coolant, such as a neighboring refrigerator or freezer. In some embodiments, the received coolant can be drawn from an expansion valve of the neighboring refrigerator or freezer. In some of these embodiments, the coolant flow from the expansion valve may be controlled by a coolant flow module or other feedback arrangement that can adjust, such as an electromechanical flow valve for example. In some embodiments, the flow valve can be an electrically controlled T-valve. If coolant is drawn from an expansion valve of a neighboring unit, the hose carrying the coolant from the neighboring unit to the countertop rapid cooler can be insulated, so as to not allow heat transfer between the coolant and the ambient air.

In other embodiments, the coolant can be drawn from a neighboring unit at a point before the expansion valve of the neighboring unit. Thus, the coolant would still be in an unexpanded state as it was transferred from the neighboring unit to the countertop rapid cooler. The unexpanded coolant can then travel through a pressure hose to the countertop rapid cooler, where it is then expanded via an expansion valve. The expansion valve would be located before the convective heat exchanger, and optimally within the thermal enclosure.

One general aspect of the invention is a cooling device for rapid cooling of items, wherein the cooling device includes: a thermally insulated enclosure, the enclosure having a thermally insulated door, the enclosure being sized so as to fit on a countertop, and being sized so as to enclose at least one item to be rapidly cooled; a fan located within the thermally insulated enclosure; a convective heat exchanger, the convective heat exchanger being capable of receiving coolant from a neighboring refrigeration unit and being capable of cooling air to be blown by the fan toward the item to be cooled; a coolant input, the coolant input being capable of delivering the coolant to the convective heat exchanger from the neighboring refrigeration unit; and a coolant output, the coolant output being capable of returning the coolant to the neighboring refrigeration unit from the convective heat exchanger.

In some embodiments, an inside space of the thermally insulated enclosure is of a volume that falls within a range of volumes of inside spaces of typical microwave ovens. In some embodiments the coolant input is adapted to receive expanded coolant from an expansion valve of the neighboring refrigeration unit. In some of these embodiments, the cooling device further includes at least one flow valve coupled to the coolant input and configured to enable and disable flow of coolant from the expansion valve of the neighboring refrigeration unit. In some embodiments, the coolant input is adapted to receive compressed coolant from a neighboring refrigeration unit, and wherein the coolant input includes an expansion valve for expanding the coolant, the expansion valve being located within the thermally insulated enclosure, and prior to the convective heat exchanger. In some embodiments, the convective heat exchanger is a tube-and-fin system.

In some embodiments, the cooling device further includes: a sensor capable of sensing a temperature of the item to be cooled; and a coolant flow module capable of adjusting coolant delivery to the cooling device based on the temperature sensed by the sensor. In some embodiments, the cooling device further includes: a control input capable of receiving a value corresponding to at least one of a desired temperature, and a desired cooling time, for the item to be cooled; and a coolant flow module capable of adjusting coolant delivery to the cooling device based on the at least one of the desired temperature, and the desired cooling time, of the item to be cooled.

In some embodiments, the cooling device further includes: a sensor capable of sensing a temperature of the item to be cooled; and a fan control module capable of adjusting air flow from the fan to the item to be cooled based on the temperature of the item sensed by the sensor. In some embodiments, the cooling device further includes: a control input capable of receiving a value corresponding to at least one of a desired temperature, and a desired cooling time, for the item to be cooled; and a fan control module capable of adjusting air flow from the fan to the item to be cooled based on the at least one of the desired temperature, and the desired cooling time, of the item to be cooled.

In some embodiments: the neighboring refrigeration unit includes a compressor and a coolant line; and the coolant input is coupled to the expansion valve via a coolant line tap downstream of the expansion valve, the cooling device further including a signal line configured to transmit control signals to the neighboring refrigeration unit, the control signals for controlling compressor activation. In some embodiments: the neighboring refrigeration unit includes a compressor, a coolant line, and an electrically controlled T-valve on the coolant line downstream of the expansion valve; and the coolant input is coupled to the neighboring refrigeration unit's expansion valve via the electrically controlled T-valve; the cooling device further including: a signal line configured to transmit control signals to the neighboring refrigeration unit, the control signals for controlling compressor activation, and the electrically controlled T-valve.

In some embodiments, the cooling device further includes: a conduction plate coupled to the coolant input and to the coolant output, the conduction plate being a conductive heat exchanger connected in parallel with the convective heat exchanger, the conduction plate being capable of facilitating rapid cooling of the item to be cooled by cooling the item via conduction cooling. In some embodiments, the cooling device further includes: a cradle within the enclosure, the cradle being capable of receiving the item to be cooled, the cradle also being capable of executing rocking motion about at least one axis, so as to enhance conductive cooling of a liquid within the item to be cooled. In some embodiments, the cooling device further includes: a power source capable of powering the rocking motion of the cradle.

In some embodiments, the item to be cooled is a vessel having liquid contents, the cooling device further comprising: a turntable within the enclosure, the turntable being capable of receiving the vessel, the turntable also being capable of angular motion about a vertical axis, so as to engender relative motion between the liquid contents and an inner surface of the vessel.

Another general aspect of the invention is a cooling device for rapidly cooling an item is claimed, wherein the device includes: a thermally insulated enclosure, the enclosure having a thermally insulated door, the enclosure being sized so as to fit on a countertop, and being sized so as to enclose at least one item to be rapidly cooled; a fan located within the thermally insulated enclosure; a convective heat exchanger, the convective heat exchanger being capable of receiving coolant from a neighboring refrigeration unit and being capable of cooling air to be blown by the fan toward the item to be cooled; a coolant input, the coolant input being capable of delivering the coolant to the convective heat exchanger from the neighboring refrigeration unit; a coolant output, the coolant output being capable of returning the coolant to the neighboring refrigeration unit from the convective heat exchanger; a sensor capable of sensing a temperature of the item to be cooled; a control input capable of receiving a value corresponding to at least one of a desired temperature, and a desired cooling time, for the item to be cooled; a fan control module capable of adjusting air flow from the fan to the item to be cooled based on the at least one of the desired temperature, and the desired cooling time, of the item to be cooled; a coolant flow module capable of adjusting coolant delivery to the cooling device based on the at least one of the desired temperature, and the desired cooling time, of the item to be cooled; a controller capable of executing instructions so as control at least one of the sensor, the control input, the fan control module, and the coolant flow module; and a memory in communication with the controller, the memory being capable of storing instructions to be executed by the controller.

Another general aspect of the invention is a system for rapidly cooling an item, wherein the system includes: a refrigeration unit; a thermally insulated enclosure connected to the refrigeration unit, the enclosure having a thermally insulated door, the enclosure being sized so as to fit on a countertop, and being sized so as to enclose at least one item to be rapidly cooled; a fan located within the thermally insulated enclosure; a convective heat exchanger, the convective heat exchanger being capable of receiving coolant from a neighboring refrigeration unit and being capable of cooling air to be blown by the fan toward the item to be cooled; a coolant input, the coolant input being capable of delivering expanded coolant from an expansion valve of the neighboring refrigeration unit to the convective heat exchanger from the neighboring refrigeration unit; at least one flow valve coupled to the coolant input and configured to enable and disable flow of coolant from the expansion valve of the neighboring refrigeration unit; and a coolant output, the coolant output being capable of returning the coolant to the neighboring refrigeration unit from the convective heat exchanger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a countertop cooler installed next to a conventional refrigerator;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing a front panel that includes a display;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the door open, showing features of the interior of the enclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cutaway view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing inner details of the cooler, its convective heat exchanger, control lines, and coolant lines;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the convective heat exchanger of the embodiment of FIG. 4 illustrating air flow through the convective heat exchanger;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the cooler that includes a conduction plate;

FIG. 5A is a cutaway view of the conduction plate of the embodiment of FIG. 5, that shows a coil of tubing within the conduction plate;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the cooler which includes a cradle;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a preferred embodiment of the countertop rapid cooler that includes a turntable;

FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of the countertop rapid cooler and refrigerator of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing how the control and coolant lines of the countertop rapid cooler are connected to the refrigerator;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the countertop rapid cooler, showing the electrical connections between the different components of the countertop rapid cooler;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the countertop rapid cooler, showing steps in the operation of the countertop rapid cooler to rapidly chill an item to a desired temperature value entered via the front panel; and

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the countertop rapid cooler, showing steps in the operation of the countertop rapid cooler to rapidly chill an item for a desired chill time value entered via the front panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a countertop cooler 100 installed next to a conventional refrigerator 102. In this disclosure and the accompanying claims, the countertop rapid cooler is also referred to as a cooling device, and is configured for rapidly cooling an item. As shown in FIG. 1, the countertop rapid cooler 100 is coupled with the refrigerator 102 via coolant delivery and return lines 104 and 106, respectively, and by a control signal cable 108. In this disclosure and the accompanying claims, the control signal cable 108 is also referred to as a signal line.

Each of the refrigerator 102 and countertop rapid cooler 100 has its own power connection 110 and 112, respectively, to a wall outlet. Although the countertop rapid cooler 100 is shown having a see-through door 114 with a window 116, in some preferred embodiments the countertop rapid cooler can have a door without a window. The refrigerator also has a door 103 that is configured to provide access to a cooling chamber within the refrigerator for placement and retrieval of items placed in the cooling chamber. In some preferred embodiments the refrigerator 102 and the cooling device 100 can constitute a system for rapidly cooling an item.

Coolant is received from an external store of coolant, such as a neighboring refrigerator or freezer. In some embodiments, the received coolant can be drawn from an expansion valve of the neighboring refrigerator or freezer. In some of these embodiments, the coolant flow from the expansion valve may be controlled by a coolant flow module or other feedback arrangement that can adjust, such as an electromechanical flow valve for example. In some embodiments, the flow valve can be an electrically controlled T-valve. If coolant is drawn from an expansion valve of a neighboring unit, the hose carrying the coolant from the neighboring unit to the countertop rapid cooler can be insulated, so as to not allow heat transfer between the coolant and the ambient air.

In other embodiments, the coolant can be drawn from a neighboring unit at a point before the expansion valve of the neighboring unit. Thus, the coolant would still be in an unexpanded state as it was transferred from the neighboring unit to the countertop rapid cooler. The unexpanded coolant can then travel through a pressure hose to the countertop rapid cooler, where it is then expanded via an expansion valve. The expansion valve would be located before the convective heat exchanger, and optimally within the thermal enclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. The countertop rapid cooler 100 has a front panel 202 that includes control input 203 and a display 204. The control input 203 includes a numeric input keypad 206 and a set of additional input keys for chill level 208, chill time 210, temperature 212, start 214, stop 216, and reset 218. The countertop rapid cooler 100 may also include a kitchen timer, whose functionality may be activated by a timer key 220, and a clock whose time value may be set by a clock key 222.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the countertop rapid cooler 100 with the door 114 open. An enclosure 304 having an insulated door and insulated walls is adapted to receive an item 306 to be cooled. The enclosure 304 is configured to receive coolant from an expansion valve of a neighboring refrigeration unit. A shelf 302 is positioned in the enclosure 304 to provide for better circulation of air around the item 306. The item 306 may be, for example, a beverage container, that can be placed upright on the shelf 302. The beverage container 306 may alternatively be placed on its side on the shelf 302, since the rails spanning the shelf can prevent rolling of the container off the shelf.

A temperature sensor 308, for example, an infrared sensor, or IR thermometer, can be disposed in the ceiling of the enclosure 304, and can detect a temperature of the item 306 to be chilled. IR thermometers are widely known, even for sensing temperatures of beer cans in freezers. For some items, the temperature can be sensed by a temperature probe (not shown) that can be put in contact with the exterior of the item to be cooled, or inserted into the item to be cooled.

A light 310 at the upper rear of the enclosure 304 can be activated by a door switch (902, see FIG. 9), and can provide interior illumination of the enclosure 304 when the door 114 is open.

At the upper right of the enclosure 304 is an inlet port 312 for chilled air, designed to direct the chilled air toward the item 306 to be chilled. The inlet port 312 is shaped for high speed air flow into the enclosure 304 so as to provide a substantial “wind-chill” effect. Two outlet ports 314a and 314b at the bottom right of the enclosure 304 allow return flow of air to a fan and convective heat exchanger (see FIG. 4) for re-cooling of the air and further circulation of air into the enclosure via the inlet port 312.

FIG. 4 is a cutaway view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing inner details of the cooler 100, its convective heat exchanger 402, fan 404, the coolant lines 104 and 106, and the control signal cable 108. For greater visibility of the airflow within the countertop rapid cooler 100, the door and front panel are not shown in this view. As shown, the convective heat exchanger 402 can be in a compartment separate from the space in which the item to be cooled is placed. In some of these embodiments, such a separate compartment can be created by a non-insulated wall that still allows for passive cooling of the item to be cooled, by the convective heat exchanger 402. In other embodiments, the convective heat exchanger 402 can be in the same space as that into which the item to be cooled is placed.

The coolant delivery line 104 is also referred to in this disclosure and in the accompanying claims as a coolant input, and is adapted to deliver chilled coolant to the convective heat exchanger from a neighboring refrigeration unit. The coolant return line 106 is also referred to in this disclosure and in the accompanying claims as a coolant output, and is adapted to return coolant from the convective heat exchanger to the neighboring refrigeration unit. The convective heat exchanger 402 is discussed below in connection with FIG. 4A.

The fan 404 is configured to blow air through the convective heat exchanger toward the item 306 (see FIG. 3) to rapidly cool the item. The fan 404 can be, for example, a computer fan, for example, an ARCTIC F12 PWM cooling fan from Arctic Cooling, which can deliver an air flow of 57 ft³/min (CFM). It is understood that the fan 404 can be any suitable type of fan, such as an axial fan, a centrifugal fan, or a cross flow fan.

The control signal cable 108 is shown as a single line, but it is to be understood that the control signal cable can be a multiconductor cable, and can carry multiple signals between the countertop rapid cooler 100 (see FIG. 1) and the refrigerator 102. FIG. 4 also shows a power supply 406 that provides power for the front panel 202 (see FIG. 2), the fan 404, and the interior light 310 (see FIG. 3).

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the convective heat exchanger 402 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 illustrating air flow from the fan 404 and through the convective heat exchanger. The convective heat exchanger 402 is adapted to receive coolant and configured to cool air to be blown toward the item 306 (see FIG. 3). As shown, the convective heat exchanger 402 includes tubing arranged in a helix 407 and a set of vanes or fins, for example, fins 408a, 408b, and 408c that are parallel to the direction 410 of air flow through the convective heat exchanger. Coolant diverted from the refrigerator 102 (see FIG. 1) flows through the helix 407 and draws heat from the fins 408a-408c. The fins 408a-408c promote exchange of heat between the convective heat exchanger 402 and air flowing through the convective heat exchanger. In certain preferred embodiments, the convective heat exchanger 402 can include 4, 5, 6, or more fins.

The fan 404, absent its case 412 (see FIG. 4), is shown to provide context for the lines 414a-414f illustrating the flow of air into and out of the convective heat exchanger 402. It is understood that another type of convective heat exchanger can be used, for example a plate fin heat exchanger, in which the fins generally are aligned parallel to one another, and tubing that carries coolant loops back and forth through the parallel array of fins.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the countertop rapid cooler 100 that includes a conductive heat exchanger 502, which in the embodiment shown is in the form of a conduction plate 502. The conduction plate 502 can act as a conductive heat exchanger 502 connected in parallel with the convective heat exchanger 402. The conduction plate 502 is coupled to the coolant input 104 (see FIG. 1) and the coolant output 106. The conduction plate 502 is thus supplied 506 with chilled coolant, for example through taps on the coolant lines 104 and 106 connected to the convective heat exchanger 402 (see FIG. 4). An item 306 (see FIG. 3) can be placed on the conduction plate 502. The conduction plate 502 is configured to augment or speed rapid cooling of the item 306 by cooling the item by conduction cooling, at the same time the item is also being cooled by convection cooling.

In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 308 (see FIG. 3) is on a side wall of the enclosure 304, and the inlet port 312 is in the center of the ceiling of the enclosure. As shown, the inlet port 312 can be designed to impart vortical motion 504 to the incoming airflow. This may better direct the flow of chilled air toward the item 306 to be chilled.

FIG. 5A is a cutaway view of the conduction plate 502 of the embodiment of FIG. 5, showing a coil of tubing 508 within the conduction plate. Coolant flows 510 in the coil of tubing 508 to draw away heat that the conduction plate 502 absorbs from an item 306 (see FIG. 3) placed on the conduction plate for chilling. It is understood that the conduction plate 502 and the coil of tubing 508 may be made of copper, aluminum, steel, or any suitable material. In this way, as mentioned above, the conduction plate 502 augments the chilling due to convection by the chilled air forced into the enclosure 304 via the inlet port 312.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the countertop rapid cooler 100 which includes a cradle 602 within the enclosure 304 (see FIG. 3). The cradle 602 is configured to execute rocking motion about at least one axis. In an exemplary embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, the cradle is configured to execute rocking motion about two axes, referred to herein as an x-axis 604 and a y-axis 606. In a preferred embodiment, the x-axis 604 and the y-axis 606 are orthogonal, but non-orthogonal axes could be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The rocking motion of an item 306 placed in the cradle 602 can increase cooling of liquid within the item to be chilled by enhancing conductive cooling of the liquid within the container 306. Power for the cradle 602 can be provided via a power connection to a plug or jack 610 in a wall of the enclosure 304. In some preferred embodiments, the cradle 602 includes a power source, such as, for example, a coil spring to be wound or a replaceable battery, that is configured to provide motive power for the rocking motion. Some preferred embodiments can include a raised edge or strap on the cradle 602 to help stabilize the item 306 placed in the cradle.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the conduction plate 502 (see FIG. 5) and the cradle 602 are included together, that is, while the cradle receives the item 306 for rocking motion, the cradle in addition incorporates a conduction plate to further increase the cooling rate of the item.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a preferred embodiment of the countertop rapid cooler 100 (see FIG. 1) that includes a turntable 702. The turntable 702 is useful when the item 306 (see FIG. 3) to be cooled is a vessel that has liquid contents. The turntable 702 is configured to undergo angular motion 704 so as to engender relative motion between the vessel 306, and the walls of the vessel, thus promoting cooling by transfer of heat from the liquid to the walls of the vessel. The turntable 702 undergoes angular motion 704 due to its coupling to a motor 706 within the floor of the enclosure 304. Although the turntable 702 is shown as circular, the turntable need not be circular but could instead be oval, square, or rectangular, since the turntable is configured to have only a limited range of back and forth angular motion. In some embodiments, the turntable can spin in a constant direction, such as clockwise or counterclockwise. In other embodiments, the turntable can oscillate, reversing its direction periodically. In such embodiments where the turntable oscillates, as an example, the motor 706 can be a DC motor coupled to a controller (904, see FIG. 9) of the countertop rapid cooler 100 so that the direction of current flow to the motor is reversed regularly, thus reversing the direction of rotation of the motor. It is understood that other ways to accomplish reciprocating motion 704 of the turntable 702 are within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of the countertop rapid cooler 100 and refrigerator 102 of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing how the coolant lines 104 and 106 and the control signal cable 108 of the countertop rapid cooler are connected to the refrigerator. As shown, the refrigerator 102 includes two flow valves 802, 804, which in this embodiment are T-valves. The T-valves 802 and 804 operate under the control of the countertop rapid cooler through the control circuitry 806 of the refrigerator. One T-valve 802 downstream of the refrigerator's expansion valve 808 is coupled with the coolant delivery line 104 and can divert 810 the flow 812 of chilled coolant from the refrigerator 102 to the countertop rapid cooler 100. At the same time, a second T-valve 804 coupled to the coolant return line 106 can enable return 814 of coolant from the countertop rapid cooler 100 to the refrigerator coolant circuit, for compression and dissipation of heat to the ambient environment. In preferred embodiments, the T-valves 802 and 804 are electrically controlled. The control signal cable 108 includes a refrigerator thermostat override signal line that is coupled with the control circuitry 806 and maintains operation of the refrigerator's compressor 816 while the countertop rapid cooler 100 is diverting coolant from the refrigerator 102. The control signal cable 108 also transmits signals to the refrigerator control circuitry 806 to control operation of the T-valves 802 and 804. In this way, the control signal cable 108 provides control signals for controlling compressor activation and for controlling the electrically controlled T-valves.

In certain preferred embodiments, the refrigerator 102 may include a coolant line tap (not shown) instead of the T-valve 802. The coolant line tap may be similar to taps used, for example, with propane lines, or similar to cold water line taps that can be used to provide a water line connection for a domestic refrigerator icemaker. In these embodiments, the coolant line tap couples the coolant input 104 to the expansion valve 808.

The refrigerator 102 in addition includes a condenser 816, and at least one cooling tube 818. The cooling tube 818, with other coolant lines in the refrigerator 102, form a coolant circuit through which coolant circulates from the compressor 814, to the condenser 816, the expansion valve 808, and the cooling tube to a cooling chamber (not shown) within the refrigerator and accessible through a door 103 (see FIG. 1), then back to the compressor. In various preferred embodiments the refrigerator 102 in addition includes one or more cooling lines as part of the coolant circuit, for example, a coolant line from the expansion valve 808 to the T-valve 802. In the coolant circuit, the cooling tube 818 follows the expansion valve 808 and is configured to receive heat from within the cooling chamber. The compressor 814 is coupled to the cooling tube 818 and is configured to compress coolant received from the cooling tube. The condenser 816 is configured to enable flow of heat from the compressed coolant into a space exterior to the refrigerator 102. As is well known, the expansion valve 808 is coupled to the condenser 816 and to at least one cooling tube 818, and is configured to constrict flow of coolant into the cooling tube and reduce coolant pressure and temperature.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram 900 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the countertop rapid cooler 100, showing the electrical connections between the different components of the countertop rapid cooler. Aside from the enclosure interior lamp 310 (see FIG. 3), which is under the control of a door switch 902, the components are under the control of a controller 904. In the embodiment shown, except for the T-valves 802 and 804 (see FIG. 8) and the refrigerator thermostat override 906 of the refrigerator control circuitry 806, all located in the refrigerator 102, the components coupled to the controller 904 are within the countertop rapid cooler 100. The cradle 602 (see FIG. 6) and turntable 702 (see FIG. 7) are shown in dashed outline since they belong to particular preferred embodiments, and are shown in the block diagram 900 to illustrate their connections to the controller 904.

FIG. 9 also shows a timer module 908 and a clock module 910 connected to the controller 904. The timer module 908 can accept an input time value received through use of the timer key 220 (see FIG. 2) and the numeric keypad 206, and can provide kitchen timer functionality, and/or can provide timer functionality for the duration of cooling provided by the countertop rapid cooler 100 (see FIG. 1). The clock module 910 can implement time-of-day clock functionality. The time value setting of the clock module 910 can be input through use of the clock key 222 and the numeric keypad 206.

Also shown in FIG. 9 are a memory 912, a coolant flow module 914, and a fan control module 916, each coupled to the controller 904. The memory is configured to store instructions for executions by the controller 904. The coolant flow module is also coupled to the coolant input 104, and is configured to adjust coolant delivery to the cooling device. The coolant flow module 914 can adjust coolant delivery through a flow valve that is coupled to the coolant input 104 and is configured to enable and disable flow of coolant from the expansion valve 806 (see FIG. 8) of the neighboring refrigeration unit 102. In some preferred embodiments the flow valve can be, for example, a T-valve 802 and in some embodiments can be controlled electrically. The coolant flow module 914 can adjust coolant delivery based on a desired temperature for the item 306 (see FIG. 3).

The fan control module 916 is coupled to the fan 404 (see FIG. 4) in some embodiments, and is configured to adjust air flow from the fan to the item 306 (see FIG. 3) based on at least one of a desired temperature and a desired cooling time of the item. In certain preferred embodiments, the coolant flow module 914 can also be configured to adjust air flow from the fan 404 to the item based on the desired temperature. Thus in some preferred embodiments the coolant flow module 914 can carry out one or more functions of the fan control module 916.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart 1000 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the countertop rapid cooler 100, showing steps in the operation of the countertop rapid cooler to rapidly chill an item 306 (see FIG. 3) to a desired temperature. In a step 1002, the countertop rapid cooler 100 receives input of a desired temperature value entered via the front panel 202 (see FIG. 2), for example, by a user first pressing the temperature input key 212, and then entering a numeric value via the keypad 206. The numeric value may denote Fahrenheit or Celsius degrees, according to a user or manufacturer preference. For example, in certain preferred embodiments, the user may toggle between entering the temperature in Fahrenheit and entering the temperature in Celsius by simultaneously pressing the temperature input key 212 and the start key 214. The numeric value for the input temperature may be shown on the display 204.

In a step 1004, the countertop rapid cooler 100 senses a temperature of the item 306 (see FIG. 3) to be cooled, via the temperature sensor 308. If the temperature of the item 306 is at or below freezing 1006, the process ends 1008. In some preferred embodiments an audible signal or alarm may be emitted by the countertop rapid cooler 100 when the process ends 1008. Otherwise, if the temperature of the item 306 is within a particular tolerance 1010 of the desired temperature, for example, 1° Fahrenheit or 1° Celsius, and if the item has been removed 1012, the process ends 1014. However, if the temperature of the item 306 is within a particular tolerance 1010 of the desired temperature and the item has not been removed 1012, the countertop rapid cooler 100 (see FIG. 1) again senses 1004 a temperature of the item 306. In some preferred embodiments the countertop rapid cooler may sound an audible signal to alert a user to the attainment of the desired temperature.

On the other hand, if the temperature of the item 306 (see FIG. 3) is not within a particular tolerance 1010 of the desired temperature, the countertop rapid cooler adjusts coolant delivery 1016 based on the sensed temperature of the item 306.

For example, the delivery of coolant may be slowed according to a particular process or schedule of coolant delivery, as the sensed temperature of the item approaches the desired temperature. In various embodiments, for example, the coolant may be delivered according to a delivery rate that varies logarithmically with the difference between the sensed temperature and the desired temperature. In various other embodiments, the coolant delivery may continue at the same rate, for example, until the item has attained the desired temperature within a particular tolerance. The adjusting of coolant delivery 894 may be under the control of, or according to instructions of, the coolant flow module 914 (see FIG. 9). It is understood that various processes or schedules for relating coolant delivery to a sensed temperature may be included as known in the art. Moreover, air flow to the item 306 (see FIG. 3) from the fan 404 (see FIG. 4) can be adjusted through the coolant flow module 914 or through a separate fan control module 916.

Returning to FIG. 10, the countertop rapid cooler 100 in addition adjusts air flow 1018 based on the sensed temperature of the item 306, and again senses 1004 a temperature of the item. In this manner, the countertop rapid cooler 100 regularly senses a temperature associated with the item to be chilled, and maintains coolant delivery and air flow, through the coolant flow module 914 and the fan control module 916 (see FIG. 9), until the sensed temperature is within a particular tolerance of the desired temperature. In addition the test 1006 for whether the sensed temperature is at or below freezing provides a safety factor against bursting of containers within the countertop rapid cooler 100.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart 1100 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the countertop rapid cooler 100, showing steps in the operation of the countertop rapid cooler to rapidly chill an item 306 (see FIG. 3) for a desired chill time value entered via the front panel. In a step 1102, the countertop rapid cooler 100 receives input of a desired chill time value entered via the front panel 202 (see FIG. 2), for example, by a user first pressing the chill time key 210 and then entering a numeric value via the numeric keypad 206. The numeric value typically denotes seconds or minutes and seconds, and may be shown on the display 204.

In a step 1104, the countertop rapid cooler 100 (see FIG. 1) checks the current duration of the chill time received in the step 1102. If the chill time has expired 1106, the process ends 1108. In some preferred embodiments an audible signal may be given by the countertop rapid cooler 100 when the process ends 1108. However, if the chill time has not expired, the countertop rapid cooler 100 senses a temperature of the item to be cooled 1110. If the temperature of the item is at or below freezing 1112, the process ends 1114. In certain preferred embodiments the countertop rapid cooler may provide an audible signal or alarm to alert the user when the process ends 1114. The test 1112 for whether the sensed temperature is at or below freezing provides a safety factor against bursting of containers within the countertop rapid cooler 100.

On the other hand, if the temperature of the item 306 (see FIG. 3) is not at or below freezing 1112, the countertop rapid cooler 100 maintains 1116 coolant delivery and air flow to the item, and again checks 1104 the duration of the chill time. In this manner, the countertop rapid cooler maintains coolant delivery and air flow until the chill time expires, while providing safety against freezing.

As discussed above, the invention is a cooling device for rapidly cooling an item, using convection cooling. The convection cooling is provided via a fan included in the cooling device, the fan configured to blow chilled air toward an item to rapidly cool the item. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the cooling device does not contain a mechanical compressor and condenser. Instead, the cooling device includes a coolant input to deliver chilled coolant to the cooling device. The coolant input receives chilled coolant from a neighboring refrigeration unit, for example, a refrigerator or a freezer. Thus, the cooling device can use less space than current rapid cooling devices with comparable capacity, such as rapid cooling refrigerators. Due to its reduced size, the cooling device may be less costly to manufacture, and may consume less energy to provide the same amount of rapid cooling capacity as currently available rapid cooling devices. In this way, a rapid cooling device is provided that can be more economical for home, recreational, small business, and even industrial users.

Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention except as indicated in the following claims.

Claims

1. A cooling device for rapid cooling of items, the cooling device comprising:

a thermally insulated enclosure, the enclosure having a thermally insulated door, the enclosure being sized so as to fit on a countertop, and being sized so as to enclose at least one item to be rapidly cooled;

a fan located within the thermally insulated enclosure;

a convective heat exchanger, the convective heat exchanger being capable of receiving coolant from a neighboring refrigeration unit and being capable of cooling air to be blown by the fan toward the item to be cooled;

a coolant input, the coolant input being capable of delivering the coolant to the convective heat exchanger from the neighboring refrigeration unit; and

a coolant output, the coolant output being capable of returning the coolant to the neighboring refrigeration unit from the convective heat exchanger.

2. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein an inside space of the thermally insulated enclosure is of a volume that falls within a range of volumes of inside spaces of typical microwave ovens.

3. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the coolant input is adapted to receive expanded coolant from an expansion valve of the neighboring refrigeration unit.

4. The cooling device of claim 3, further comprising:

at least one flow valve coupled to the coolant input and configured to enable and disable flow of coolant from the expansion valve of the neighboring refrigeration unit.

5. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the coolant input is adapted to receive compressed coolant from a neighboring refrigeration unit, and wherein the coolant input includes an expansion valve for expanding the coolant, the expansion valve being located:

within the thermally insulated enclosure; and

prior to the convective heat exchanger.

6. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the convective heat exchanger is a tube-and-fin system.

7. The cooling device of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor capable of sensing a temperature of the item to be cooled; and

a coolant flow module capable of adjusting coolant delivery to the cooling device based on the temperature sensed by the sensor.

8. The cooling device of claim 1, further comprising:

a control input capable of receiving a value corresponding to at least one of: a desired temperature; and a desired cooling time for the item to be cooled; and

a coolant flow module capable of adjusting coolant delivery to the cooling device based on the at least one of: the desired temperature; and the desired cooling time of the item to be cooled.

9. The cooling device of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor capable of sensing a temperature of the item to be cooled; and

a fan control module capable of adjusting air flow from the fan to the item to be cooled based on the temperature of the item sensed by the sensor.

10. The cooling device of claim 1, further comprising:

a control input capable of receiving a value corresponding to at least one of: a desired temperature; and a desired cooling time for the item to be cooled; and

a fan control module capable of adjusting air flow from the fan to the item to be cooled based on the at least one of: the desired temperature; and the desired cooling time of the item to be cooled.

11. The cooling device of claim 3, wherein:

the neighboring refrigeration unit includes a compressor and a coolant line; and

the coolant input is coupled to the expansion valve via a coolant line tap downstream of the expansion valve, the cooling device further including:

a signal line configured to transmit control signals to the neighboring refrigeration unit, the control signals for controlling compressor activation.

12. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein: the cooling device further comprising:

the neighboring refrigeration unit includes a compressor, a coolant line, and an electrically controlled T-valve on the coolant line downstream of the expansion valve; and

the coolant input is coupled to the neighboring refrigeration unit's expansion valve via the electrically controlled T-valve;

a signal line configured to transmit control signals to the neighboring refrigeration unit, the control signals for controlling: compressor activation; and the electrically controlled T-valve.

13. The cooling device of claim 1, further comprising:

a conduction plate coupled to the coolant input and to the coolant output, the conduction plate being a conductive heat exchanger connected in parallel with the convective heat exchanger, the conduction plate being capable of facilitating rapid cooling of the item to be cooled by cooling the item via conduction cooling.

14. The cooling device of claim 1, further comprising:

a cradle within the enclosure,

the cradle being capable of receiving the item to be cooled,

the cradle also being capable of executing rocking motion about at least one axis, so as to enhance conductive cooling of a liquid within the item to be cooled.

15. The cooling device of claim 14, further comprising a power source capable of powering the rocking motion of the cradle.

16. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the item to be cooled is a vessel having liquid contents, the cooling device further comprising:

a turntable within the enclosure,

the turntable being capable of receiving the vessel,

the turntable also being capable of angular motion about a vertical axis, so as to cause relative motion between the liquid contents and an inner surface of the vessel.

17. A cooling device for rapidly cooling an item, the device comprising:

a thermally insulated enclosure, the enclosure having a thermally insulated door, the enclosure being sized so as to fit on a countertop, and being sized so as to enclose at least one item to be rapidly cooled;

a fan located within the thermally insulated enclosure;

a convective heat exchanger, the convective heat exchanger being capable of receiving coolant from a neighboring refrigeration unit and being capable of cooling air to be blown by the fan toward the item to be cooled;

a coolant input, the coolant input being capable of delivering the coolant to the convective heat exchanger from the neighboring refrigeration unit;

a coolant output, the coolant output being capable of returning the coolant to the neighboring refrigeration unit from the convective heat exchanger;

a sensor capable of sensing a temperature of the item to be cooled;

a control input capable of receiving a value corresponding to at least one of: a desired temperature; and a desired cooling time for the item to be cooled;

a fan control module capable of adjusting air flow from the fan to the item to be cooled based on the at least one of: the desired temperature; and the desired cooling time of the item to be cooled;

a coolant flow module capable of adjusting coolant delivery to the cooling device based on the at least one of: the desired temperature; and the desired cooling time of the item to be cooled;

a controller capable of executing instructions so as control at least one of: the sensor; the control input; the fan control module; and the coolant flow module; and

a memory in communication with the controller, the memory being capable of storing instructions to be executed by the controller.

18. A system for rapidly cooling an item, the system comprising:

a refrigeration unit;

a thermally insulated enclosure connected to the refrigeration unit, the enclosure having a thermally insulated door, the enclosure being sized so as to fit on a countertop, and being sized so as to enclose at least one item to be rapidly cooled;

a fan located within the thermally insulated enclosure;

a convective heat exchanger, the convective heat exchanger being capable of receiving coolant from a neighboring refrigeration unit and being capable of cooling air to be blown by the fan toward the item to be cooled;

a coolant input, the coolant input being capable of delivering expanded coolant from an expansion valve of the neighboring refrigeration unit to the convective heat exchanger from the neighboring refrigeration unit;

at least one flow valve coupled to the coolant input and configured to enable and disable flow of coolant from the expansion valve of the neighboring refrigeration unit; and

a coolant output, the coolant output being capable of returning the coolant to the neighboring refrigeration unit from the convective heat exchanger.