Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
"DISTRIBUTED REFRIGERATION SYSTEM FOR KITCHENS"
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to patent application docket number
US20030363 filed
concurrently herewith.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to refrigeration appliances for use in
residential kitchens
and other adjoining rooms in a dwelling.
(2) Description of Related Art
[0003] Refrigeration appliances for use in residential kitchens and other
rooms in a
dwelling unit are known. Modular refrigeration devices such as refrigerator,
freezer, ice
maker and wine cooler modules for use in residential dwellings are known.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention relates to a refrigeration appliance system for use in a
residential
kitchen and other rooms in a dwelling having a plurality of separate
refrigerating
modules each having an insulated cabinet, an apparatus for receiving a cooling
medium
to cool the interior of the refrigerating module, a temperature sensor for
sensing the
temperature in the module and a temperature selector for selecting an
operating
temperature for the insulated refrigerating module.
[0005] The refrigeration appliance system includes a single, continuously
operating
variable capacity central cooling unit for chilling a cooling medium
comprising a
variable speed compressor, a condenser, a variable speed condenser fan and a
controller,
a cooling medium circuit connecting the central cooling unit and the plurality
of
refrigerating modules to supply cooling medium from the central cooling unit
to the
plurality of refrigerating modules, and to return cooling medium to the
central cooling
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unit from the refrigerating modules and a plurality of cooling medium flow
control
devices connected in the cooling medium circuit for controlling flow of
cooling medium
to each of the refrigerating modules.
[0006] The refrigeration appliance system can have a control circuit
connecting the
temperature sensors, the temperature selectors and the cooling medium flow
control
devices for the plurality of refrigerating modules with the controller. The
controller can
have a first portion to adjust the capacity of the central cooling unit in
response to the
aggregate cooling load of the plurality of refrigerating modules in order to
supply
sufficient cooling medium to cool the plurality of refrigerating modules to
the respective
selected operating temperatures, and a second portion to adjust the volume of
cooling
medium directed to respective ones of the refrigerating modules to maintain
the selected
operating temperature in the respective refrigerating modules.
[0007] The refrigeration appliance system can also have at least one below
freezing
freezer module having an insulated freezer cabinet, a freezer cooling unit
comprising a
freezer compressor and a freezer condenser, a freezer evaporator for cooling
the freezer
compartment, a freezer expansion device connected in a refrigerant circuit
with the
freezer cooling unit and freezer evaporator, a freezer temperature sensor for
sensing the
temperature in the freezer compartment and a freezer temperature selector for
selecting
an operating temperature for the freezer compartment.
[0008] The refrigeration appliance system can have a freezer control circuit
connecting
the freezer temperature sensor, the freezer temperature selector, the freezer
cooling unit
to control operation of the freezer cooling unit to maintain the selected
freezer
compartment temperature.
[0009] The refrigeration appliance system cooling medium can be air and the
cooling
medium circuit can be insulated ducts connecting the central cooling unit and
the
plurality of refrigerating modules for supplying chilled air to the plurality
of refrigerating
modules and returning air from the refrigerating modules to the central
cooling unit. The
apparatus for receiving a cooling medium can be air inlets from the insulated
ducts
leading to the respective refrigerating modules and air outlets leading from
the respective
refrigerating modules to the insulated ducts. The cooling medium flow control
devices
can be a baffle for each refrigerating module for controlling the flow of
chilled air
flowing into the refrigerating module through the air inlet.
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[00101 The central cooling unit can include an evaporator and an expansion
device with
feedback based on the refrigerating system load connected in a refrigerant
circuit with
the variable speed compressor and condenser and arranged to chill the cooling
medium
air to a temperature below the lowest selected refrigerating module operating
temperature
and at least one evaporator fan to circulate the chilled cooling medium air
through the
insulated ducts to respective refrigerating modules. The second portion of the
controller
can be arranged to operate the baffles of the respective refrigerating modules
to control
the flow of chilled air flowing into the respective refrigerating modules to
maintain the
respective selected operating temperatures.
[0011] In another aspect of the invention the cooling medium can be a liquid
coolant and
the cooling medium circuit can include insulated conduits leading from the
central
cooling unit to each of the refrigerating modules for supplying liquid coolant
to each of
the refrigerating modules and for returning liquid coolant to the central
cooling unit. The
apparatus for receiving cooling medium for the respective refrigerating
modules can be a
heat exchanger in communication with the interior of the insulated cabinet,
and the
cooling medium flow control devices comprise a valve for controlling the flow
of liquid
coolant to the heat exchanger.
[0012] The central cooling unit can be a chilled liquid evaporator and an
expansion
device with feedback based on the refrigerating system load connected in a
refrigerant
circuit with the variable speed compressor and condenser and arranged to chill
the liquid
coolant to a temperature below the lowest selected refrigerating module
operating
temperature, and a pump arranged to circulate the liquid coolant to the
respective
refrigerating modules. The second portion of the controller can be arranged to
operate the
valves to control the flow of chilled liquid coolant through the respective
refrigerating
module heat exchangers to maintain the respective selected operating
temperatures.
[0013] In another aspect of the invention the cooling medium can be a
refrigerant and the
cooling medium circuit can include insulated conduits leading from the central
cooling
unit to each of the refrigerating modules for supplying refrigerant to each of
the
refrigerating modules and for returning refrigerant to the central cooling
unit. The
apparatus for receiving cooling medium can be a refrigerating module
evaporator in
communication with the interior of the insulated cabinet and a refrigerating
module
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evaporator fan can be arranged to circulate air chilled by the refrigerating
module
evaporator in the insulated cabinet.
[0014] The cooling medium flow control devices can be expansion devices with
feedback based on load for adjusting flow of refrigerant to the refrigerating
module
evaporators of the respective refrigerating modules, and the second portion of
the
controller can be arranged to control the expansion valves for the respective
refrigerating
modules to maintain the respective selected operating temperatures.
[0015] The refrigerating modules can be above freezing refrigerator modules
arranged
for storing foods at above freezing temperatures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Fig. I is a schematic drawing illustrating a modular refrigeration
appliance
system according to the invention.
100171 Fig. 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating another embodiment of a
modular
refrigeration appliance system according to the invention.
100181 Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating another embodiment of a
modular
refrigeration appliance system according to the invention.
[0019] Fig. 4 is a schematic drawing illustrating another embodiment of a
modular
refrigeration appliance system according to the invention.
[0020] Fig. 5 is a schematic drawing illustrating a refrigeration appliance
module that
can be used in combination with a modular refrigeration appliance system
according to
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] In a modular kitchen with multiple refrigeration modules the
refrigeration system
to cool the modules is a challenging problem. The simplest approach would be
to have
individual complete refrigeration systems for each module. In early phases of
modularity
for residential kitchens this might be the approach taken, especially when
modular
refrigeration product choices are few and economies of scale are not
available. However,
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as modularity becomes more mainstream and kitchen designs begin to incorporate
modular refi-igeration products with appropriate infrastructure it will become
desirable to
have a single central cooling system from cost, manufacturing and energy
efficiency
perspectives. Consumers will be primarily interested in energy efficiency,
cost,
flexibility and expandability offered by a modular refrigeration appliance
system with
less concern about the central cooling technology to support the modular
system.
(0022] According to the invention, a modular refrigeration appliance system
can be
provided for a residential kitchen and adjoining rooms in a dwelling that can
include a
central cooling unit for some or all the refrigerating modules that a consumer
may desire
to include in their kitchen, either at the time of construction, or to expand
or change
refrigerating modules over time as needs or desires change. A modular kitchen
could
allow consumers to select multiple refrigeration modules fitting their
lifestyles the best
with ultimate flexibility in their kitchens and totally customizable kitchens
with modular
appliances not only for refrigeration but also for food preparation and
kitchen clean-up.
According to the invention a single, variable capacity central cooling unit
can be
provided that is capable of matching the cooling need to the aggregate heat
load of the
refrigerating modules. The central cooling unit can be arranged to run
continuously by
controlling the volume of cooling medium directed to each refrigerating module
so that
each module will be cooled to a user selected temperature and maintained at
the desired
temperature accurately. The cooling medium can be cold air, refrigerant or a
liquid
coolant such as an ethylene glycol and water solution. The central cooling
unit can be a
vapor compression system, but is not limited to that. If a central cooling
unit is a vapor
compression cooling system the central cooling unit can have a variable
capacity
compressor capable of handling the cooling load from multiple refrigerating
module
products. Refrigerating module products can include above freezing
refrigerator
modules, below freezing freezer modules, refrigerator freezer modules having
above
freezing and below freezing compartments in various configurations that can
include, but
are not limited to, built in, stackable, under counter or drawer
configurations. Also,
refrigerating module products could include specific purpose modules such as
ice maker,
wine cooler and bar refrigerator units. In addition, conventional
refrigeration products
having a complete refrigeration system can be combined with a modular
refrigeration
appliance system according to the invention. For example, one or more below
freezing
freezer units can be combined with a modular refrigeration system appliance
arranged for
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a plurality of fresh food above freezing refrigerator modules. As will be
described in
more detail below, a hybrid approach can be an energy efficient approach to
providing
cooling for modular products since the central cooling unit can run under more
favorable
cooling cycle conditions since a very cold, i.e. below 0 F, cooling medium
would not be
required.
[0023] Turning to Fig. 1, in one embodiment of the invention, illustrated in
schematic
form, refrigerating modules 20 and 22 can be connected in a refrigeration
appliance
system that can include a central cooling unit 10. In the embodiment
illustrated in Fig. 1
two refrigerating modules 20, 22 are illustrated. According to the invention
more than
two refrigerating modules can be provided in the refrigeration appliance
system as
desired and although two or three refrigerating modules are included in the
disclosed
embodiments, they should be understood to include the possibility of one or
more than
two or three refrigerating modules within the scope of the invention. In
addition, the
refrigeration appliance system can be arranged to permit expansion of the
refrigeration
appliance system subsequent to initial installation by adding additional
refrigerating
modules as a user's needs change over time requiring new or additional
refrigerating
modules. In practice refrigerating modules 20, 22 can be installed in a
residential kitchen
and/or in adjoining or nearby rooms such as a great room, bar, recreation room
and the
like. Central cooling unit 10 can be installed in a nearby location such as a
basement,
utility room, garage, or, if desired, in the kitchen in the proximity of some
or all of the
refrigeration appliance modules depending on the style of dwelling and whether
a
basement or crawl space is available or desired for installation of the
central cooling unit
10. Refrigerating modules 20, 22 can be free standing or built in modules and
can be
general purpose refrigerator or freezer modules, or can be special purpose
modules such
as an ice maker or a wine cooler. Refrigerating modules 20, 22 can take of the
form of a
conventional refrigerator or freezer cabinet having a hinged door, or can take
the form of
a refrigerator drawer appliance such as disclosed in co-pending non-
provisional
application S.N. 11/102,321 filed April 8, 2005 fully incorporated herein by
reference.
[0024) Refrigerating module 20 can have an insulated cabinet 24 and an
insulated door
25 that can be hinged to insulated cabinet 24 to selectively open and close an
opening 28
in insulated cabinet 24. Refrigerating module 22 can have an insulating
cabinet 26 and
an insulated door 27 that can be hinged to insulated cabinet 26 to selectively
open and
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close an opening 29 in insulated cabinet 26. Those skilled in the art will
understand that
insulated doors 25 and 27 can be provided with a suitable handle, not shown,
to facilitate
opening and closing insulated doors 25 and 27. Refrigerating modules 20 and 22
can
each have a heat exchanger 30 positioned in the insulated cabinets 24 and 26
respectively. Similarly, refrigerating modules 20 and 22 can have a variable
speed heat
exchanger fan 32 positioned to circulate air (illustrated by air flow arrows
38) over the
respective heat exchangers 30 and through the respective refrigerating modules
20, 22.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a single speed fan can be used
instead of a
variable speed fan 32. Refrigerating modules 20, 22 can also have a
temperature sensor
34 arranged to sense the temperature of the interior of refrigerating modules
20, 22.
Temperature sensor 34 can be a thermister or other well known electronic or
mechanical
temperature sensing mechanism or device. Temperature selectors 36 can be
provided for
each of the refrigerating modules 20, 22 to allow the user to select the
operating
temperature for the respective refrigerating modules 20, 22. While temperature
selectors
36 are illustrated schematically spaced from refrigerating modules 20, 22,
those skilled in
the art will understand that temperature selectors 36 can be located in each
of the
refrigerating modules 20, 22 as is well known in the art, or could be
centrally located if
desired. Temperature selectors 36 can comprise a well known mechanical or
electronic
selector mechanism to allow a user to select an operating temperature for the
respective
refrigerating modules 20, 22.
[0025] The refrigeration appliance system illustrated in schematic form in
Fig. 1 also
includes a central cooling unit 10. Central cooling unit 10 can include a
variable speed
compressor 12, a condenser 14, and an expansion device 18 connected in a
refrigerating
circuit with a chilled liquid evaporator 40. A variable speed condenser fan 16
can be
provided to circulate air over condenser 14. Chilled liquid evaporator 40 can
be a shell
and tube evaporator also known as a secondary loop evaporator. Expansion
device 18
can be an expansion device with feedback arranged to control refrigerant flow
through
expansion device 18 based on the heat load in the refrigeration appliance
system.
Central cooling unit 10 can be connected to the refrigerating modules 20, 22
with
insulated conduits 42 forming a cooling medium circuit for conveying liquid
coolant
from chilled liquid evaporator 40 to heat exchangers 30 and from heat
exchangers 30 to
chilled liquid evaporator 40. Liquid coolant, not shown, contained in chilled
liquid
evaporator 40, insulated conduits 42 and heat exchangers 30 can be circulated
by a pump
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44 that can be a variable speed pump. Further, each refrigerating module can
have a
valve 46 to control flow of liquid coolant into the heat exchanger 30. Valves
46 can be
on-off valves to allow or prevent flow of liquid coolant through the heat
exchanger 30
for a refrigerating module. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that if a
single speed
heat exchanger fan 32 is used in a refrigerating module 20, 22 an adjustable
valve 46 can
be used to control the amount of liquid coolant flowing into a heat exchanger
30,
although it can be more energy efficient to use a variable speed heat
exchanger fan 32, a
variable speed pump 44 and an on-off valve 46 to control the temperature in
the
respective refrigerating modules 20, 22. Central cooling unit 10 can also have
a
microprocessor based controller 50 having a first portion 52 that can be
arranged to
control the operation of central cooling unit 10 and a second portion 54
arranged to
control the volume of liquid coolant directed to the respective refrigerating
modules 20,
22. A control circuit 56 can be provided to connect the temperature sensors
34, the
temperature selectors 36, the variable speed compressor 12, the variable speed
condenser
fan 16, the expansion device 18, pump 44, valves 46 and heat exchanger fans 32
with
controller 50. Thus, a refrigeration appliance system according to the
invention is
illustrated in Fig. 1 as a distributed refrigeration system that can have a
variable capacity
vapor compression condensing unit and secondary loop utilizing a chilled
liquid
evaporator network. One example of a liquid coolant that can be used is
DYNALENE
HC heat transfer fluid, a water-based organic salt that is non-toxic, non-
flammable with
low viscosity, although those skilled in the art will understand that other
liquid coolant
solutions such as an ethylene glycol and water solution can be used as
desired.
[0026] According to the invention, central cooling unit 10 can be continuously
operating
so that chilled liquid at an adequate temperature to achieve the lowest
selected
temperature in the refrigeration appliance system is continuously circulated
in insulated
conduits 42 forming a cooling medium circuit from chilled liquid evaporator 40
to
refrigerating modules 20, 22. Controller 50 can be arranged to adjust the
capacity of the
central cooling unit 10 in response to the aggregate cooling load of the
plurality of
refrigerating modules 20, 22. As noted above, while two refrigerating modules
20, 22
are illustrated in Fig. 1, according to the invention one or more than two
refrigerating
modules can be connected in the refrigerating appliance system. The aggregate
cooling
load can be determined by the first portion 52 of controller 50 as a function
of
temperatures sensed by temperature sensors 34, operating temperatures selected
by
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temperature selectors 36, and feedback from expansion device 18. Controller 50
can also
be arranged to control the operating temperature in each of the refrigerating
modules 20,
22. Second portion 54 of controller 50 can be arranged to control valves 46
and heat
exchanger fans 32 to maintain the selected operating temperatures in the
respective
refrigerating modules based on the settings of temperature selectors 36 and
temperature
sensors 34. Thus, according to the invention, a single continuously operating
variable
capacity central cooling unit 10 can be provided for a plurality of
refrigerating modules
20, 22 that can be set to operate at different operating temperatures. The
variable
capacity central cooling unit 10 can be arranged for chilling a cooling
medium. A
cooling medium circuit, insulated conduits 42, can be provided connecting the
central
cooling unit 10 to supply a cooling medium from the central cooling unit 10 to
the
plurality of refrigerating modules 20, 22. A plurality of cooling medium flow
control
devices, valves 46, can be connected in the cooling medium circuit, insulated
conduits
42, for controlling flow of cooling medium to each of the refrigerating
modules 20, 22. A
controller 50 and control circuit 56 can be provided to adjust the capacity of
the variable
capacity central cooling unit 10 in order to supply sufficient cooling medium
to cool the
plurality of refrigerating modules 20,22 to the respective selected operating
temperatures,
and the controller 50 and control circuit 56 can be arranged to adjust the
volume of
cooling medium directed to respective ones of the refrigerating modules 20, 22
by
controlling the cooling medium flow control devices, valves 46, to maintain
the selected
operating temperature in the respective refrigerating modules 20, 22.
Controller 50 can
control the speed of variable speed pump 44 to vary the volume of liquid
cooling in the
cooling medium circuit, insulated conduits 42, and controller 50 can control
the speed of
variable speed heat exchanger fans 32 to further control the operating
temperature in the
respective refrigerating modules 20, 22.
[0027] Turning to Fig. 2, in another embodiment of the invention, illustrated
in
schematic form, refrigerating modules 70 and 72 can be connected in a
refrigeration
appliance system that can include a central cooling unit 60. Similar to the
embodiment
illustrated in Fig. 1, two refrigerating modules 70, 72 are illustrated.
According to the
invention more than two refrigerating modules can be provided in the
refrigeration
appliance system as desired. Refrigerating modules 70, 72 can be free standing
or built
in modules and can be general purpose refrigerator, or can be special purpose
modules.
Refrigerating module 70 can have an insulated cabinet 74 and an insulated door
75 that
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can be hinged to insulated cabinet 74 to selectively open and close opening 78
in
insulated cabinet 74. Refrigerating module 72 can have an insulating cabinet
76 and an
insulated door 77 that can be hinged to insulated cabinet 76 to selectively
open and close
opening 79 in insulated cabinet 76. Those skilled in the art will understand
that insulated
doors 75 and 77 can be provided with a suitable handle, not shown, to
facilitate opening
and closing insulated doors 75 and 77. Refrigerating modules 70, 72 can have a
temperature sensor 84 arranged to sense the temperature of the interior of
refrigerating
modules 70, 72. Temperature sensor 84 can be a thermister or other well known
electronic or mechanical temperature sensing mechanism or device. Temperature
selectors 86 can be provided for each of the refrigerating modules 70, 72 to
allow the
user to select the operating temperature for the respective refrigerating
modules 70, 72.
While temperature selectors 86 are illustrated schematically spaced from
refrigerating
modules 70, 72, a temperature selector 86 can be located in each of the
refrigerating
modules 70, 72 as is well known in the art, or can be centrally located if
desired.
Temperature selectors 86 can comprise a well known mechanical or electronic
selector
mechanism to allow a user to select an operating temperature for the
respective
refrigerating modules 70, 72.
[0028) The refrigeration appliance system illustrated in schematic form in
Fig. 2 also
includes a central cooling unit 60: Central cooling unit 60 can include a
variable speed
compressor 62, a condenser 64 and an expansion device 68 connected in a
refrigerating
circuit with an evaporator 90. A variable speed condenser fan 66 can be
provided to
circulate air over condenser 64. Evaporator 90 can be a tube and fin
evaporator for
cooling air that can be used as the cooling medium in the embodiment of Fig.
2.
Expansion device 68 can be an expansion device with feedback arranged to
control flow
through the expansion device 68 based on the heat load in the refrigeration
appliance
system including the refrigerating modules 70, 72. Central cooling unit 60 can
be
connected to the refrigerating modules 70, 72 with insulated ducts 92 forming
a cooling
medium circuit for conveying chilled air from evaporator 90 to refrigerating
modules 70,
72. Chilled air can be circulated by an evaporator fan 94 that can be a
variable speed fan.
Air inlets 93 can lead from the insulated ducts 92 to the respective
refrigerating modules
70, 72, and air outlets 95 can lead from the respective refrigerating modules
70, 72 to the
air ducts 92. Air inlets 93 and air outlets 95 form the apparatus for
receiving the cooling
medium, chilled air, in the refrigerating modules 70, 72. Air inlets 93 and
air outlets 95
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can be positioned with respect to insulated cabinets 74, 76 to provide a
desired chilled air
flow pattern in the respective refrigerating modules 70, 72. Air flow arrows
80
schematically illustrate the air flow in the insulated cabinets 74, 76.
Further, each
refrigerating module 70, 72 can have a baffle 96 to control flow of chilled
air through air
inlets 93 into the respective refrigerating modules 70, 72. Baffles 96 can be
on-off or
variable to control flow of chilled air through a refrigerating module.
Baffles 96 can be
adjustable between open and closed positions to permit or block flow of
chilled air into
the respective refrigerating modules 70, 72 and variable speed evaporator fan
94 can vary
the flow of chilled air into the respective refrigerating modules 70, 72.
Baffles 96 can
also be variably movable between open and closed positions to permit, block
and vary
the flow of chilled air into the respective refrigerating modules 70, 72.
Central cooling
unit 60 can have a microprocessor based controller 100 having a first portion
102 that
can be arranged to control the operation of central cooling unit 60 and a
second portion
104 to control the volume of chilled air directed to the respective
refrigerating modules
70, 72 similar to controller 50 in the embodiment of Fig. 1. A control circuit
106 can be
provided to connect the temperature sensors 84, the temperature selectors 86,
the
variable speed compressor 62, the variable speed condenser fan 66, the
expansion device
68, evaporator fan 94, and baffles 96 to controller 100. Thus, a refrigeration
appliance
system according to the invention is illustrated in Fig. 2 as a distributed
refrigeration
system having a variable capacity vapor compression condensing unit and a
chilled
forced air cooling delivery network.
[00291 According to the invention, central cooling unit 60 can be continuously
operating so that chilled air is continuously circulated in insulated ducts 92
forming a
cooling medium circuit from evaporator 90 to refrigerating modules 70, 72 and
back to
evaporator 90. Controller 100 can be arranged to adjust the capacity of the
central
cooling unit 60 in response to the aggregate cooling load of the plurality of
refrigerating
modules 70, 72. As noted above, while two refrigerating modules 70, 72 are
illustrated
in Fig. 2, according to the invention one or more than two refi-igera.ting
modules can be
connected in the refrigerating appliance system. The aggregate cooling load
can be
determined by the first portion 102 of controller 100 as a function of
temperatures sensed
by temperature sensors 84, operating temperatures selected with temperature
selectors
86, and feedback from expansion device 68. Controller 100 can also be arranged
to
control the operating temperature in each of the refrigerating modules 70, 72.
Second
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portion 104 of controller 100 can be arranged to control baffles 96 and
evaporator fan 94
to maintain the selected operating temperatures based on the settings of
temperature
selectors 86 and temperature sensors 84. Thus, according to the invention, a
single
continuously operating variable capacity central cooling unit 60 can be
provided for a
plurality of refrigerating modules 70, 72 that can be set to operate at
different operating
temperatures. The variable capacity central cooling unit 60 can be arranged
for chilling a
cooling medium. A cooling medium circuit, insulated ducts 92, can be provided
connecting the central cooling unit 60 to supply the cooling medium from the
central
cooling unit 60 to the plurality of refrigerating modules 70, 72. A plurality
of cooling
medium flow control devices, baffles 96, can be provided for controlling flow
of cooling
medium, chilled air, to each of the refrigerating modules 70, 72, through air
inlets 93 and
air outlets 95. A controller 100 and control circuit 106 can be provided to
adjust the
capacity of the variable capacity central cooling unit 60 in order to supply
sufficient
cooling medium to cool the plurality of refrigerating modules 70, 72 to the
respective
selected operating temperatures, and the controller 100 and control circuit
106 can be
arranged to adjust the volume of cooling medium directed to respective ones of
the
refrigerating modules 70, 72 by controlling the cooling medium flow control
devices,
evaporator fan 94 and baffles 96, to maintain the selected operating
temperature in the
respective refrigerating modules 70, 72. Controller 100 can control the speed
of variable
speed fan 94 to vary the volume of cooling medium, chilled air, in the cooling
medium
circuit, insulated ducts 92, to further control the operating temperature in
the respective
refrigerating modules 70, 72. The embodiment of Fig. 2 is preferably used for
above
freezing refrigerator modules to avoid the need to circulate chilled air in
the cooling
medium circuit to achieve temperatures approximating 0 F for freezer modules,
although
freezer modules can be included in the Fig. 2 embodiment if desired.
[0030] Turning to Fig. 3, in another embodiment of the invention, illustrated
in
schematic form, refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124 can be connected in a
refrigeration appliance system that can include a central cooling unit 110.
According to
the invention one or two refrigerating modules or more than three
refrigerating modules
can be provided in the refrigeration appliance system as desired.
Refrigerating modules
120, 122 and 124 can be free standing or built in modules and can be general
purpose
refrigerator or freezer modules or can be special purpose modules.
Refrigerating module
120 can have an insulated cabinet 126 and an insulated door 127 that can be
hinged to
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insulated cabinet 126 to selectively open and close an opening 135 in
insulated cabinet
126. Refrigerating module 122 can have an insulated cabinet 128 and an
insulated door
129 that can be hinged to insulated cabinet 128 to selectively open and close
an opening
137 in insulated cabinet 128. Refrigerating module 124 can have an insulated
cabinet
140 and an insulated door 141 to selectively open and close an opening 139 in
insulated
cabinet 140. Those skilled in the art will understand that insulated doors
127, 129 and
141 can be provided with a suitable handle, not shown, to facilitate opening
and closing
insulated doors 127, 129 and 141. Refrigerating modules 120, 122, and 124 can
include
a refrigerating module evaporator 130 and a refrigerating module variable
speed
evaporator fan 132 arranged to circulate chilled air in the respective
refrigerating
modules. Air flow arrows 148 schematically illustrate the chilled air flow in
the
respective refrigerating modules. Refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124 can
have a
temperature sensor 134 arranged to sense the temperature of the interior of
refrigerating
modules 120, 122 and 124. Temperature sensor 134 can be a thermister or other
well
known electronic or mechanical temperature sensing mechanism or device.
Temperature
selectors 136 can be provided for each of the refrigerating modules 120, 122
and 124 to
allow the user to select the operating temperature for the respective
refrigerating modules
120, 122 and 124. While temperature selectors 136 are illustrated
schematically spaced
from refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124 a temperature selector 136 can be
located
in each of the refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124 as is well known in the
art, or can
be centrally located if desired. Temperature selectors 136 can comprise a well
known
mechanical or electronic selector mechanism to allow a user to select an
operating
temperature for the respective refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124.
100311 The refrigeration appliance system illustrated in schematic form in
Fig. 3 also
includes a central cooling unit 110. Central cooling unit 110 can include a
variable
speed compressor 112, a condenser 114 and a variable speed condenser fan 116.
Central
cooling unit 110 can also include a manifold 117 and an accumulator 118.
Central
cooling unit 110 can be connected to the refrigerating modules 120, 122 and
124 with
insulated supply conduits 142 and insulated return conduits 144 forming a
cooling
medium circuit for conveying refrigerant from central cooling unit 110 through
manifold
117 to refrigerating modules 120, 122, and 124 and returning refrigerant from
refrigerating modules 120, 122, and 124 to accumulator 118 through insulated
return
conduits 144 for delivery to variable speed compressor 112. Refrigerating
module
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evaporators 130 form the apparatus for receiving the cooling medium,
refrigerant, in the
refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124. Further, each refrigerating module
120, 122 and
124 can have an expansion device 138 to control flow of refrigerant into the
respective
refrigerating module evaporators 130. Expansion devices 138 can be an
expansion
device with feedback arranged to control refrigerant flow through expansion
device 138
based on the heat load in the respective refrigerating module 120, 122, and
124 and the
operating temperature selected by the respective temperature selector 136.
Central
cooling unit 110 can also have a microprocessor based controller 150 having a
first
portion 152 that can be arranged to control the operation of central cooling
unit 110 and
a second portion 154 to control the volume of refrigerant directed to the
respective
refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124 similar to controller 50 in the
embodiment of
Fig. 1. A control circuit 156 can be provided to connect the temperature
sensors 134, the
temperature selectors 136, the variable speed compressor 112, the variable
speed
condenser fan 116, expansion devices 138 and evaporator fans 132 to controller
150.
Thus, a refrigeration appliance system according to the invention is
illustrated in Fig. 3
as a distributed refrigeration system having a variable capacity vapor
compression
condensing unit and an evaporator network. Depending on the refrigerating
modules
selected, the evaporators can all be above freezing, all below freezing, or a
mixture of
above freezer and below freezing refrigerating modules.
100321 According to the invention, central cooling unit 110 can be
continuously
operating so that refrigerant is continuously circulated in insulated supply
conduits 142
and insulated return conduits 144 forming a cooling medium circuit from
condenser 114
through manifold 117 to refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124 and back to
compressor
112 through accumulator 118. Controller 150 can be arranged to adjust the
capacity of
the central cooling unit 110 in response to the aggregate cooling load of the
plurality of
refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124. As noted above, while three
refrigerating
modules 120, 122 and 124 are illustrated in Fig. 3, according to the invention
one or
more than three refrigerating modules can be connected in the refrigerating
appliance
system. The aggregate cooling load can be determined by the first portion 152
of
controller 150 as a function of temperatures sensed by temperature sensors
134,
operating temperatures selected with temperature selectors 136 and feedback
from
expansion devices 138. Controller 150 can also be arranged to control the
operating
temperature in each of the refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124. Second
portion 154
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of controller 150 can be arranged to control expansion devices 138 and
refrigerating
module evaporator fans 132 to maintain the selected operating temperatures
based on the
settings of temperature selectors 136 and temperature sensors 134. Controller
150 can be
arranged to maintain approximately the same evaporator pressure in the
refrigerating
module evaporators 130 and control the temperature in the respective
refrigerating
modules by varying the flow of refrigerant into the refrigerating module
evaporators 130
and controlling the speed of the respective refrigerating module evaporator
fans 132.
Thus, according to the invention, a single, continuously operating variable
capacity
central cooling unit 110 can be provided for a plurality of refrigerating
modules 120, 122
and 124 that can be set to operate at different operating temperatures. The
variable
capacity central cooling unit 110 can be arranged for chilling a cooling
medium, a
refrigerant. A cooling medium circuit, insulated supply conduits and insulated
return
conduits 142, 144, can be provided connecting the central cooling unit 110 to
supply the
cooling medium from the central cooling unit 110 to the plurality of
refrigerating
modules 120, 122 and 124. A plurality of cooling medium flow control devices,
expansion devices 138, can be provided for controlling flow of cooling medium,
refrigerant, to each of the refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124. A
controller 150 and
control circuit 156 can be provided to adjust the capacity of the variable
capacity central
cooling unit 110 in order to supply sufficient cooling medium to cool the
plurality of
refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124 to the respective selected operating
temperatures,
and the controller 150 and control circuit 156 can be arranged to adjust the
volume of
cooling medium, refrigerant, directed to respective ones of the refrigerating
modules 120,
122 and 124 by controlling the cooling medium flow control devices, expansion
devices
138 and refrigerating module evaporator fans 132, to maintain the selected
operating
temperature in the respective refrigerating modules 120, 122 and 124.
Controller 150
can control the speed of variable speed compressor 112, variable speed
condenser fan
116 and expansion devices 13 8 to control the vapor pressure of the cooling
medium,
refrigerant, in the cooling medium circuit, insulated supply and return
conduits 142, 144,
to further control the operating temperature in the respective refrigerating
modules 120,
122 and 124.
[0033) Turning to Fig. 4, in another embodiment of the invention, illustrated
in
schematic form, refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160 can be connected in a
refrigeration appliance system that can include a central cooling unit 110.
According to
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the invention one or two refrigerating modules or more than three
refrigerating modules
can be provided in the refrigeration appliance system as desired. As described
in the
embodiment disclosed in Fig. 3, refrigerating modules 120 and 124 can be free
standing
or built in modules and can be general purpose refrigerator, freezer or can be
special
purpose modules. Refrigerating module 160 can be a refrigerator freezer having
a
refrigerator compartment 168 and a freezer compartment 166. Refrigerator
compartment
168 can have an insulated refrigerator compartment door 174 hinged to
insulated cabinet
162 and freezer compartment 166 can have an insulated freezer compartment door
172
hinged to insulated cabinet 162. Those skilled in the art will understand that
insulated
doors 127, 141 , 172 and 174 can be provided with a suitable handle, not
shown, to
facilitate opening and closing insulated doors 127, 141, 172 and 174.
Refrigerating
modules 120, 124 and 160 can include a refrigerating module evaporator 130 and
a
variable speed refrigerating module evaporator fan 132 arranged to circulate
chilled air in
the respective refrigerating modules, see air flow arrows 148. Refrigerating
modules 120
and 124 can have a temperature sensor 134 arranged to sense the temperature of
the
interior of refrigerating modules 120, 124. Refrigerator freezer module 160
can have a
temperature sensor 134 for refrigerator compartment 168 and a temperature
sensor 134
for freezer compartment 166. Temperature sensors 134 can be a thermister or
other well
known electronic or mechanical temperature sensing mechanism or device.
Temperature
selectors 136 can be provided for each of the refrigerating modules 120 and
124 to allow
the user to select the operating temperature for the respective refrigerating
modules 120
and 124. Refrigerator freezer 160 can have two temperature selectors 136, one
for the
refrigerator compartment 168 and one for the freezer compartment 166. While
temperature selectors 136 are illustrated schematically spaced from
refrigerating modules
120, 124 and 160 a temperature selector(s) 136 can be located in each of the
refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160 as is well known in the art, or
alternately can be
centrally located if desired. Temperature selectors 136 can comprise a well
known
mechanical or electronic selector mechanism to allow a user to select an
operating
temperature for the respective refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160.
[0034] The refrigeration appliance system illustrated in schematic form in
Fig. 4, similar
to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, can include a central cooling unit
110. Central
cooling unit 110 can include a variable speed compressor 112, a condenser 114
and a
variable speed condenser fan 116. Central cooling unit 110 can also include a
manifold
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117 and an accumulator 118. Central cooling unit 110 can be connected to the
refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160 with insulated supply conduits 142 and
insulated
return conduits 144 forming a cooling medium circuit for conveying refrigerant
from
central cooling unit 110 through manifold 117 to refrigerating modules 120,
124 and 160
and returning refrigerant from refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160 to
accumulator
118 through insulated return conduits 144 for delivery to variable speed
compressor 112.
Refrigerating module evaporators 130 form the apparatus for receiving the
cooling
medium, refrigerant, in the refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160. Further,
each
refrigerating module 120, 124 and 160 can have an expansion device 138 to
control flow
of refrigerant into the respective refrigerating module evaporators 130.
Expansion
devices 138 can be an expansion device with feedback arranged to control
refrigerant
flow through expansion device 138 based on the heat load in the respective
refrigerating
modules 120, 124 and 160 and the operating temperature(s) selected with the
temperature selectors 136. Central cooling unit 110 can also have a
microprocessor
based controller 150 having a first portion 152 that can be arranged to
control the
operation of central cooling unit 110 and a second portion 154 to control the
volume of
refrigerant directed to the respective refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160
similar to
microprocessor based controller 50 in the embodiment of Fig. 1. A control
circuit 156
can be provided to connect the temperature sensors 134, the temperature
selectors 136,
the variable speed compressor 112, the variable speed condenser fan 116,
expansion
devices 138 and evaporator fans 132 to controller 150. Thus, a refrigeration
appliance
system according to the invention is illustrated in Fig. 4 as a distributed
refrigeration
system having a variable capacity vapor compression condensing unit and an
evaporator
network. Depending on the refrigerating modules selected, the evaporators can
all be
above freezing, all below freezing, or a mixture of above freezer and below
freezing
refrigerating modules and/or in addition to refrigerator freezer module 160.
[00351 Refrigerating module 160 can be a two temperature refrigerator freezer
module
that can be arranged to have an above freezing refrigerator compartment 168
and a below
freezing freezer compartment 166 as noted above. An insulated compartment
separator
164 can be provided to divide insulated cabinet 162 into a refrigerator
compartment 168
and a freezer compartment 166. Freezer compartment 166 can have an evaporator
compartment that can be formed by an evaporator compartment wall 170 that can
be
arranged to separate the refrigerating module evaporator 130 from the freezer
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compartment 166. Evaporator compartment wall 170 is illustrated schematically
as a
dashed line below refrigerating module evaporator 130 to indicate that air
flows (air flow
arrows 148) into freezer compartment 166 from the refrigerating module
evaporator 130,
and similarly, air returns to the evaporator compartment under the influence
of
refrigerating module evaporator fan 132. Insulated compartment separator 164
can have
chilled air passages 176 positioned on compartment separator 164 that can
allow chilled
air (air flow arrows 158) from the freezer compartment 166 or evaporator
compartment
to flow into refrigerator compartment 168 as is well known in the art.
Compartment
separator 164 can have a refrigerator compartment damper 178 to control the
flow of air
from the refrigerator compartment 168 back to freezer compartment 166 and
refrigerating module evaporator 130 drawn by refrigerating module evaporator
fan 132.
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 4, refrigerator
comparhnent damper
178 is shown in the return air path from refrigerator compartment 168. Those
skilled in
the art will understand that chilled air passages 176 could be arranged in the
return air
path from refrigerator compartment 168 and refrigerant compartment damper 178
arranged in the flow of chilled air into refrigerator comparhnent 168 if
desired.
Refrigerator compartment damper 178 can be an automatic damper operated by
controller 150 as illustrated in Fig. 4, or, if desired, refrigerator
compartment damper 178
can be a manually adjustable damper manually adjusted by the user and
temperature
sensor 134 and temperature selector 136 eliminated from freezer compartrnent
166.
[0036) Similar to the embodiment of Fig. 3, according to the invention,
central cooling
unit 110 can be continuously operating so that refrigerant is continuously
circulated in
insulated supply conduits 142 and return conduits 144 forming a cooling medium
circuit
from condenser 114 through manifold 117 to refrigerating modules 120, 124 and
160 and
back to compressor 112 through accumulator 118. Controller 150 can be arranged
to
adjust the capacity of the central cooling unit 110 in response to the
aggregate cooling
load of the plurality of refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160. As noted
above, while
three refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160 are illustrated in Fig. 4,
according to the
invention one or two or more than three refrigerating modules can be connected
in the
refrigerating appliance system. The aggregate cooling load can be determined
by the first
portion 152 of controller 150 as a function of temperatures sensed by
temperature
sensors 134, operating temperatures selected with temperature selectors 136,
and
feedback from expansion devices 138. Controller 150 can also be arranged to
control the
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operating temperature in each of the refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160.
Second
portion 154 of controller 150 can be arranged to control expansion devices 138
and
refrigerating module evaporator fans 132 to maintain the selected operating
temperatures
based on the settings of temperature selectors 136 and temperature sensors
134. In
addition, second portion 154 of controller 150 can be arranged to control
refrigerator
compartment damper 178 to control the amount of chilled air flowing from
freezer
compartment 166 and refrigerating module evaporator 132 through compartment
separator 164 into refrigerator compartment 168 in conjunction with
refrigerating module
evaporator fan 132 to maintain the user selected temperature in refrigerator
compartment
168 as well as in freezer compartment 166. Controller 150 can be arranged to
maintain
approximately the same evaporator pressure in the refrigerating module
evaporators 130
and control the temperature in the respective refrigerating modules 120, 124
and 160 by
varying the flow of refrigerant into the refrigerating module evaporators 130
and
controlling the speed of the respective refrigerating module evaporator fans
132. Thus,
according to the invention, a single, continuously operating variable capacity
central
cooling unit 110 can be provided for a plurality of refrigerating modules 120,
124 and
160 that can be set to operate at different operating temperatures, and
refrigerating
module 160 can be set to have a refrigerator compartment and a freezer
compartment.
The variable capacity central cooling unit 110 can be arranged for chilling a
cooling
medium, a refrigerant. A cooling medium circuit, insulated supply conduits and
insulated
return conduits 142, 144, can be provided connecting the central cooling unit
110 to
supply the cooling medium from the central cooling unit 110 to the plurality
of
refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160. A plurality of cooling medium flow
control
devices, expansion devices 138, can be provided for controlling flow of
cooling medium,
refrigerant, to each of the refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160. A
controller 150 and
control circuit 156 can be provided to adjust the capacity of the variable
capacity central
cooling unit 110 in order to supply sufficient cooling medium to cool the
plurality of
refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160 to the respective selected operating
temperatures,
and the controller 150 and control circuit 156 can be arranged adjust the
volume of
cooling medium, refrigerant, directed to respective ones of the refrigerating
modules 120,
124 and 160 by controlling the cooling medium flow control devices, expansion
devices
138 and refrigerating module evaporator fans 132, to maintain the selected
operating
temperature in the respective refrigerating modules 120, 124 and 160.
Controller 150
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can control the speed of variable speed compressor 112, variable speed
condenser fan
116 and expansion devices 138 to control the vapor pressure of the cooling
medium,
refrigerant, in the cooling medium circuit, insulated supply and return
conduits 142, 144,
to further control the operating temperature in the respective refrigerating
modules 120,
124 and 160.
(0037) Turning to Fig. 5, a freezer module 180 is illustrated that can be used
in
combination with a refrigeration appliance system according to the invention.
Freezer
module 180 can be a conventional freezer capable of operating without
connection to the
refrigeration appliance system according to the invention. Particularly when a
freezer
module arranged for 0 F storage temperatures is desired for use in combination
with the
embodiments illustrated in Fig. 1(employing liquid coolant as the cooling
medium), Fig.
2 (employing chilled air as the cooling medium), or Fig. 3 (particularly when
above
freezing refrigerator modules will be connected in the refrigeration appliance
system) it
can be advantageous to incorporate a freezer module 180 as illustrated in Fig.
5.
However, a freezer module 180 can be combined with any of the embodiments
according
to the invention. Freezer module 180 can have a insulated freezer cabinet 182
defining
an opening 184 for access to the freezer compartment and can have an insulated
freezer
door 185 hinged to the insulated freezer cabinet 182 to selectively open and
close the
freezer compartment. Freezer door 185 can have a handle, not shown, to
facilitate
opening and closing freezer door 185 for access to freezer module 180. Freezer
module
180 can include a freezer cooling unit 189 in a machinery compartment 186
outside the
refrigerated portion of the freezer cabinet 182 that can include a freezer
compressor 190,
a freezer condenser 192 and a freezer condenser fan 194. Freezer module 180
can
include a freezer evaporator 196 that can be positioned in insulated freezer
cabinet 182
and can have a freezer evaporator fan 198 and a freezer expansion device 204.
Freezer
module 180 can have a freezer temperature sensor 200 that can be similar to
the
temperature sensors described above. Freezer module 180 can also have a
freezer
temperature selector 202 to allow user to select the operating temperature for
the freezer
module. Freezer module 180 can have a controller 208 and a control circuit 206
connecting the freezer temperature sensor 200, freezer temperature selector
202, freezer
compressor 190, freezer condenser fan 194 and freezer evaporator fan 198 to
controller
208. Controller 208 can operate freezer module 180 in a manner similar to
conventional
freezer products as is well known in the art. Those skilled in the art will
understand that
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freezer compressor 190, freezer condenser fan 194 and freezer evaporator fan
198 can be
provided with variable speed motors as desired for optimum operation. Freezer
expansion device 204 can be an expansion device with feedback as used in the
embodiments of Figs. 1-4 or can be a capillary tube expansion device, again as
well
known in the art. Freezer compressor 190 can be a variable speed compressor if
desired
as is well known in the art. Alternately, those skilled in the art will
understand that
freezer condenser 192 and/or freezer evaporator 196 can be static heat
exchangers and
that if a static heat exchanger is used the respective freezer condenser fan
194 and/or
freezer evaporator fan 198 could be eliminated. For example freezer module 180
could
be a chest freezer having freezer evaporator 196 positioned in contact with
the inner liner
210 defining the freezer compartment in the insulation between the inner liner
210 and
cabinet 182 as is well known in the art. Similarly, freezer condenser 192
could be
positioned in contact with cabinet 182 positioned in the insulation between
inner liner
21() and cabinet 182 as is well known in the art.
[0038] While the invention has been specifically described in connection with
certain
specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of
illustration and
not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as
broadly as
the prior art will permit.
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Parts List
Central cooling unit 56 Control circuit
11 57
12 Variable speed compressor 58
13 59
14 Condenser 60 Central cooling unit
61
16 Variable speed condenser fan 62 Variable speed compressor
17 63
18 Expansion device 64 Condenser
19 65
Refri eratin module 66 Variable speed condenser fan
21 67
22 Refri eratin module 68 Expansion device
23 69
24 Insulated cabinet 70 Refri eratin module
Insulated door 71
26 Insulated cabinet 72 Refri eratin module
27 Insulated door 73
28 Opening 74 Insulated cabinet
29 O ening 75 Insulated door
Heat exchanger 76 Insulated cabinet
31 77 Insulated door
32 Adjustable speed heat exchanger fan 78 O enin
33 79 O enin
34 Temperature sensor 80 Air flow arrows
82
36 Temperature selector 83
37 84 Temperature sensor
38 Air flow arrows 85
39 86 Temperature selector
Chilled liquid evaporator 87
41 88
42 Insulated conduits 89
43 90 Evaporator
44 Variable speed pump 91
92 Insulated ducts
46 On-off valve 93 Air inlet
47 94 Variable speed evaporator fan
48 95 Air outlet
49 96 Baffle
Controller 97
51 98
52 1"' portion of the controller 99
53 100 Controller
54 2n portion of the controller 101
102 1s' portion of the controller
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Parts List Continued
103 149
104 2" portion of the controller 150 Controller
105 151
106 152 1 S' portion of the controller
107 153
108 154 2 portion of the controller
109 155
110 Central coolin unit 156
111 157
112 Variable speed compressor 158 Air flow arrows
113 159
114 Condenser 160 Refrigerator freezer module
115 161
116 Variable speed condenser fan 162 Insulated ca.binet
117 Manifold 163
118 Accumulator 164 Compartment separator
119 165
120 Refri eratin module 166 Freezer compartment
121 167
122 Refiigerating module 168 Refrigerator com artment
123 169
124 Refri eratin module 170 Evaporator compartment wall
125 171
126 Insulated cabinet 172 Freezer compartment door
127 Insulated door 173
128 Insulated cabinet 174 Refrigerator com artment door
129 Insulated door 175
130 Refrigerating module evaporator 176 Chilled air passage
131 177
132 Variable speed refrigerating module 178 Refrigerator compartment damper
evaporator fan
133 179
134 Tem erature sensor 180 Freezer module
135 O enin 181
136 Temperature selector 182 Insulated freezer cabinet
137 Opening 183
138 Expansion device 184 O enin
139 Opening 185 Insulated freezer door
140 Insulated cabinet 186 Machinery com artment
141 Insulated door 187
142 Insulated supply conduits 188 Air flow arrows
143 189 Freezer cooling unit
144 Insulated return conduits 190 Freezer compressor
145 191
146 192 Freezer condenser
147 193
148 Air flow arrows 194 Freezer condenser fan
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Parts List Continued
195
196 Freezer evaporator
197
198 Freezer evaporator fan
199
200 Freezer temperature sensor
201
202 Freezer tem erature selector
203
204 Freezer expansion device
205
206 Freezer control circuit
207
208 Freezer controller
209
210 Inner liner
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