Means Verging Gas Streams Within Storage Space Patents (Class 62/413)
  • Patent number: 9303911
    Abstract: A stand alone ice making appliance or an ice maker within an appliance is provided including a fluid supply inlet, a fluid reservoir that is configured to receive a fluid from the fluid supply inlet, a cooling plate that is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, a refrigeration device in thermal contact with the cooling plate that is configured to freeze a predetermined amount of fluid to form a section of ice, a cutter grid configured adjacent the cooling plate to divide the section of ice, wherein at least a portion of the ice produces an excess fluid, an ice storage area in communication with the cutter grid where the storage area has at least one vertical wall, and a fluid diverter configured adjacent the cutter grid that is configured to direct the excess fluid toward the at least one vertical wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Daniel Boyd, Trevor Hawkins, Steven L. Proctor, Chad J. Rotter, Michael A. Bowen, Umakant Suresh Katu
  • Publication number: 20150121915
    Abstract: A transportation cargo refrigeration system includes a refrigeration unit to provide a flow of supply air for a refrigerated cargo container. A refrigeration system outlet allows the flow of supply air into the cargo container. A mixing chamber is located between the refrigeration unit and the refrigeration system outlet for mixing of the flow of supply air thereby reducing supply air temperature fluctuation at the refrigeration system outlet. A method of operating a refrigeration system for a refrigerated cargo container includes flowing supply air through a refrigeration unit thereby reducing a temperature of the supply air. The supply air is directed into a mixing chamber and mixed in the mixing chamber until a selected supply air temperature is achieved. The supply air is directed through a refrigeration system outlet and into an interior of a cargo container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth Cresswell, Yu H. Chen
  • Patent number: 8910491
    Abstract: A Modular Chiller System integrated into a single Standalone Rack Assembly having vertically positioned air intakes, heat exchanger, and an air deflector is disclosed. The orientation of the components in the Standalone Rack Assembly allows for maximum heat exchange from a rack of hot food items positioned coextensively to the Chiller System. Hot air from the food rack is received through the air intakes into the heat exchanger where chilled air is recirculated outward through said frame assembly. The Chiller System is portable and can be retrofitted to existing walk-in cooler configurations, or be embodied in standalone and portable refrigeration enclosures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Flavian Iovanel
  • Publication number: 20120227424
    Abstract: An air supply system for a refrigerator cabinet, which reduces temperature differences through-out the cabinet generates air currents in the cabinet by a panel that extends across the inside of the cabinet. The panel is set an angle that directs air downwardly and terminates with an upwardly-inclined air-diverting surface or baffle. The panel and baffle define a converging/diverging air intake for the air supply system, the input of which is located at the front of the refrigerated cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: PRINCE CASTLE LLC
    Inventors: Isaac D. Beaver, Jacob J. Larsen
  • Patent number: 8220287
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a commodity includes a plurality of boxes arranged in two rows with a space formed therebetween. A cover is provided for sealing the two rows of boxes at least along the top surface. A plenum is formed between the two rows of boxes with the plurality of boxes being positioned side-by-side. At least one air handler is positioned to pull air through and/or around the plurality of boxes and through ventilation holes in the boxes and/or through spacers positioned between adjacent boxes and along a length of the space formed between the two rows. The air may be discharged upwardly, horizontally or downwardly therefrom. An even flow of air is achieved between adjacent boxes, through ventilation holes in the boxes and/or through spacers positioned between adjacent boxes and along the two rows of pallets for evenly treating a commodity positioned on the pallets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: Family Partnership, LLP
    Inventors: Gerald P. Tippmann, Vincent P. Tippmann, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120036879
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration appliance (2) that includes a fresh food compartment (8) and a freezer compartment (4). An opening (16) is provided between the freezer compartment and the fresh food compartment to allow air to flow from the fresh food compartment to the freezer compartment and an air tower (10) located within the fresh food compartment is adapted to deliver air from the freezer compartment to the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Marcelo Candeo, Cory Dale Simpson
  • Patent number: 7762100
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes a fan that blows cool air generated by an evaporator to a freezing chamber or a refrigerating chamber; a scroll guide that discharges cool air discharged from the fan in two directions; a guide pipeline formed at the scroll guide in two directions, that guides cool air discharged from the scroll guide; and a cool air duct connected to the guide pipeline, that supplies cool air to the freezing chamber or the refrigerating chamber. An optimum scroll guide that can be applicable even when a plurality of cool air ducts are implemented is provided, thereby reducing a flow loss of cool air discharged from the fan and decreasing power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jun-Ho Bae, Soo-Kwan Lee, Chang-Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 7654106
    Abstract: A no-frost refrigerator having an opening in a separating wall for the through passage of air between a storage chamber and an evaporation chamber. A control element is arranged in the opening and can be displaced or shifted between positions in which the control element covers the opening to different extents. The control element can be rotated about an axis substantially perpendicular to an axis or plane of the air passage opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Kordon, Renate Pradel
  • Patent number: 7377124
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator with a freezing chamber and a cooling chamber, in which an evaporating unit is provided in a means for partitioning between the freezing chamber and the cooling chamber. The refrigerator comprises of freezing and cooling chambers, each of the freezing and cooling chambers being provided with at least one received space; an evaporator; and a means for transmitting and controlling a cooling air heat-exchanged with the evaporator toward at least one place in the freezing and cooling chambers, wherein a means for partitioning the freezing and cooling chambers from each other has a predetermined space therein, the predetermined space is provided with the evaporator and at least one means for transmitting and controlling the cooling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Moo Youl Kim, Sang Ho Seo, Dong Hoon Lee, Young Hoon Yun
  • Patent number: 7351136
    Abstract: An air return bulkhead may be removably mounted to the front wall of a cargo container such that the air return bulkhead is releasable and securable without the use of handheld tools. Accordingly, in various embodiments the bulkhead may be quickly and easily uninstalled and reinstalled so as to permit system maintenance, such removal of debris from a filter screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: FG Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Nelson, Stephen F. Bennett
  • Patent number: 6732543
    Abstract: An air tunnel diverter for a refrigeration unit includes a plurality of leg members secured to a hub. The hub is generally formed to include a fitting through which cooler air is passed to the leg members and routed into the desired locations within the refrigeration unit. The leg members are placed on the fitting by sliding one end of the leg members onto a leg portion of the fitting. The fitting is then secured to the leg members by an overmolding process in which a soft flexible plastic is cast or otherwise applied around the connection. Installation is further simplified by providing the leg members with a flexible portion. The air tunnel diverter is preferably secured in the refrigeration unit by foam insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Jenkins, Jr., Richard F. Seman, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6701736
    Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser including a display case and a cooling module. The display case includes a plurality of walls defining a cavity and a receptacle. A plurality of vertically spaced shelves are disposed in the cavity extending between the side walls. A display zone is defined above the top surface of each shelf for the display of merchandise. A back panel disposed in the cavity adjacent to base back wall defines a duct in a fluid communication with a plurality of elongated openings formed in the back panel. A turbulence generating element is disposed in each display zone adjacent to the elongated opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Gamon Plus, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Johnson
  • Patent number: 6675604
    Abstract: A cooling air passage apparatus of a refrigerator includes: a left cooling air duct installed having a plurality of cooling air discharge holes in the vertical direction at the left side of the opened marginal portion of an inner case forming a storage chamber, and discharging cooling air from the left side of the storage chamber toward a refrigerator door; a right cooling air duct installed having a plurality of cooling air discharge holes in the vertical direction at the right side of the opened marginal portion of the inner case, and discharging cooling air from the right side of the storage chamber toward the refrigerator door; a ventilating unit for ventilating cooling air generated from a freezing system to the storage chamber; and a diverging unit for diverging and guiding cooling air ventilated by the ventilating unit to the left cooling air duct and the right cooling air duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Hee Lee, Young Seok Choi, Byung Gyu Kang
  • Patent number: 6619053
    Abstract: A method for adjusting and maintaining a desired room climate with regards to temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration at a given charge of heat, humidity, and carbon dioxide. A proportionate amount of outer air is cooled to a saturation temperature and then dehumidified. The saturation temperature results from the intersecting point of the saturation curve of humid air, and a straight line which extends through the point of state of the air being in the state of the desired climate of the room air, and the point of state of the available outer air in an h,x diagram, i.e., provided with a rise of the quotient of the heat charge in relation to the humidity charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Integral Energietechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Paul
  • Patent number: 6550268
    Abstract: A cooling air passage apparatus of a refrigerator includes: a left cooling air duct installed having a plurality of cooling air discharge holes in the vertical direction at the left side of the opened marginal portion of an inner case forming a storage chamber, and discharging cooling air from the left side of the storage chamber toward a refrigerator door; a right cooling air duct installed having a plurality of cooling air discharge holes in the vertical direction at the right side of the opened marginal portion of the inner case, and discharging cooling air from the right side of the storage chamber toward the refrigerator door; a ventilating unit for ventilating cooling air generated from a freezing system to the storage chamber; and a diverging unit for diverging and guiding cooling air ventilated by the ventilating unit to the left cooling air duct and the right cooling air duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Hee Lee, Young Seok Choi, Byung Gyu Kang
  • Patent number: 6434968
    Abstract: A cooling air arrangement for an aircraft air conditioning unit includes an air inlet, a heat exchanger, an outlet plenum, first and second air outlet channels branching from the plenum, and a fan arranged in the first outlet channel. During flight of the aircraft, external ram air driven into the air inlet flows primarily through the second outlet channel. During ground operation, the fan primarily sucks cooling air through the first outlet channel, which merges back into the second outlet channel at an air mixing junction that functions as an injector nozzle and a non-return flap valve. The first outlet channel is provided in a spiral housing of the fan, or in a smooth curved duct. The air inlet and outlet of the cooling air arrangement, and the air outlet of the air cycle machine, are oriented in the same direction, e.g. the flight forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Albert Buchholz, Juergen Kelnhofer
  • Patent number: 6164085
    Abstract: Containers for transportation of bulk cargo susceptible to spoilage, that have a controlled temperature profile. The refrigerated containers include opposed insulated side walls each of which include internal channels for carrying return air from the floor of the container upward into a plenum. Each plenum is closed at one end, and in fluid communication with a refrigeration unit at the other end to supply return air to the refrigeration unit. Refrigerated air is blown from the refrigeration unit into a central air distribution duct that extends longitudinally along the roof of the container. The central duct is supplied with a multiplicity of spaced apart apertures, and is preferably tapered from a widest point in the vicinity of the refrigeration unit. Thus, substantially equal refrigerated airflow can be obtained throughout the refrigerated container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Cornerstone Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard E. Clarke, Norman W. Fisher
  • Patent number: 6009720
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator having a cabinet for forming a cooling compartment, and a duct for forming a passage of cool air. The duct is provided in an inner wall of the cooling compartment and has at least one cool air discharge port opened into the cooling compartment. The refrigerator has a pair of horizontal-dispersing blades disposed near the cool air discharge port in the duct, a rotational shaft connected with the horizontal-dispersing blades and extended along a vertical axis, and a motor for driving the rotational shaft. The cool air is uniformly dispersed in the cooling compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon Dong Ji, Jae In Kim
  • Patent number: 5979174
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment defined by inner walls and an outer case respectively, an insulation barrier separating the compartments, and doors for providing access to the compartments. A passageway is formed in the barrier for providing refrigerated air to the fresh food compartment. A connecting duct diverges from the passageway and extends forwardly towards the front portion of the fresh food compartment. A door duct communicating with the connecting duct when the door is closed is coupled to the door. As a result, the fresh food compartment and door-adjacent portions of the fresh food compartment are promptly and uniformly cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seok Ro Kim, San Ho Park, Kyung Seok Yoon, Gyoo Jong Bae, Sung Ho Shin
  • Patent number: 5947812
    Abstract: An air return baffle for refrigeration trailers is characterized by a unitary panel molded from synthetic plastic material and containing integral baffles for improving air movement to the refrigeration unit of the trailer. The panel is adapted for mounting in sealed relation adjacent the front wall of the trailer and at least partially covers the refrigeration unit. The lower portion of the panel contains a plurality of openings for drawing air into the cavity defined behind the panel. Air is directed by the baffles toward the refrigeration unit, and the air movement eliminates hot and cold spots within the trailer. Vents in the panel are operable should the openings become clogged and a strap is provided to removably connect the panel with the trailer wall. Wings on the upper wall of the panel direct air from the cavity to openings in the side portions of the refrigeration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventors: Steven A. Henning, Richard J. Gothier
  • Patent number: 5943870
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an apparatus for controlling cooling intensity with one fan is disclosed. The refrigerator has ducts for supplying a freezing compartment and a fresh food compartment with cool air from a cooler, and one fan for blowing the cool air into the ducts. The ducts are selectively closed by a plate which pivots by a motor. Since the fresh food compartment is frequently used more than the freezing compartment, the plate is controlled to keep the fresh food compartment in a normal open state so as to supply the fresh food compartment with much more cool air. Thus, the distribution of the cool air in the freezing compartment and the fresh food compartment is effectively carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Keon Lee
  • Patent number: 5839288
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning air is disclosed which includes a housing and a first fan for drawing return air from an enclosure and returning at least some of the return air to the enclosure at a first location. The housing includes a make up air opening which allows make up air from the atmosphere to enter the housing for mixture within the housing with the return air for discharge by the first fan to the enclosure. The housing also includes air drying apparatus and a second fan for selectively drawing some of the make up air and the return air from the housing through the air drying apparatus and supplying the thus dried air to the enclosure at a position remote from the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Munters Corporation
    Inventor: Danny L Dotson
  • Patent number: 5816060
    Abstract: An air flow control arrangement for a side-by-side refrigerator which results in temperature variations, both spatial and temporal, of approximately about .+-.1.degree. F. in the fresh food compartment, is described. Such air flow control also is believed to even further reduce the internal "sweat" in the fresh food compartment. In one embodiment, and with respect to a side-by-side refrigerator, the middle duct in the center mullion wall is closed off, and a duct is added in the center mullion wall, or could be installed as a separate duct outside the mullion, connecting a supply port in the top, back, left hand corner in fresh food compartment to a position in the evaporator chamber. The added duct also seals off direct airflow between the evaporator chamber and the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Arthur Brownell, Robert Leonard Fulks, Joanna Marie Diederich, Rollie Richard Herzog, John August Sedovic
  • Patent number: 5704224
    Abstract: An improved cooling air circulating structure for a refrigerator which is capable of enabling a smooth flowing of a cooled air by providing a vertically arranged duct unit in a refrigerating compartment thereof and integrally forming a cooled air returning path with the duct unit, which includes a shroud disposed between the evaporator chamber and the grill panel for distributing cooling air generated in the evaporating chamber into the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment, respectively, and a duct unit disposed in the refrigerating compartment, comprising an upper freshening section duct portion disposed at an upper rear portion of the refrigerating compartment for providing cooling air into a freshening section of the refrigerating compartment and for returning an air circulated in the upper freshening section portion to the evaporator chamber through an air flow path, and a lower refrigerating section duct portion of which an upper end is integrally connected with a bottom portion of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jeong Myung Choi
  • Patent number: 5495726
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanism capable of cooling a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator homogeneously without a separate complicated system or a separate operation of any system. The mechanism has a guide plate by which a part of air passes through a vertical channel and the other part of the air is supplied into the compartment. The air having passed through the vertical channel passes through a side wall channel, and then is exhausted into the compartment through front ports of a front port section disposed at a side wall of the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeoungowan Lee
  • Patent number: 4742692
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method of air-conditioning which forms, in a space to be air-conditioned, a plurality of circulating flows of air respectively blown through air outlets of an air-conditioning system disposed at predetermined positions within this space and which successively repeats two steps: a first step of changing the effective range of at least one of the circulating flows; and a second step of returning that circulating flow or flows as effected in the first step to the effective range thereof which obtained before the first step, and an air-conditioning system for carrying out this method, which forms, in a space to be air-conditioned, a plurality of circulating flows of air respectively blown through air outlets of an air-conditioning system disposed at predetermined positions within the space and which comprises: a means for changing the effective range of at least one of the circulating flows and returning that circulating flow or flows as changed to the effective range thereof whic
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yoneda, Tadashi Gotoh, Masanori Yamakawa, Masakazu Matsumoto, Hisashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 4520424
    Abstract: A support rail structure which provides cooling air for removing heat from instruments. The support rail structures provide uniform cooling along each support rail regardless of instrument orientation within the instrument panel assembly. A system which includes the combination of instrument panel support rail and cooling manifold discharges a continuous flow of forced convection air along the base of the support rail. Valves are shown which provide flow-through cooling for cathode ray tube instruments. The instrument panel support rail structures enable a method of supplying conditioned air when concentration of instrument panels dictate that the air conditioning system be integrated within the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Paul E. Carpenter, Charles B. Fisher, Douglas E. Peash
  • Patent number: 4474020
    Abstract: A cooling chamber for drawing down freshly picked and field warmed unitized (for example in cartons stacked on pallets) vegetables, such as cauliflower, is disclosed. Freshly picked cauliflower is placed in rectangular cartons in side-by-side stacks of four extending approximately fourteen cartons high. A group of individual pallets (typically 10 to 12) so loaded are typically placed in the field on a transport chassis and brought to the vicinity of the cooling chamber where they are simultaneously unloaded by a multi-pallet forklift truck. The chamber receives multi-pallet load through an open door and is inserted into the chamber. This chamber has a rear seal which conforms to the periphery of the load and defines in the interstitial volume between the chamber backwall and load a warm air return plenum to forced draft refrigeration apparatus. The load when placed within the chamber has a door closed to form an air-tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Bud Antle, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl D. Freeman