Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02852442 2014-05-28
Attorney Docket No. 047177-9555
MERCHANDISER WITH AIRFLOW DIVIDER
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to a merchandiser including a fan
apparatus that
discharges an airflow into two separate airflow paths to generate a primary
air curtain and a
secondary air curtain.
[0002] Generally, air is directed through one or more air passageways in a
merchandiser to
provide cooling to the product display area of the merchandiser. Often, a
primary air curtain is
provided to cool the product display area, and one or more secondary air
curtains can be
provided to buffer the primary air curtain and the product display area from
ambient air
surrounding the merchandiser. Conventional merchandisers typically utilize one
fan assembly to
generate a first airflow through the merchandiser (e.g., for the primary air
curtain) and another,
separate fan assembly to generate a second airflow through the merchandiser
(e.g., for the
secondary air curtain).
SUMMARY
[0003] The invention provides, among other things, a refrigerated
merchandiser including a
fan assembly that has an airflow divider to direct air discharged from a
single fan into separate
passageways to generate primary and secondary air curtains.
[0004] In one embodiment, a refrigerated merchandiser includes a case
defining a product
display area and having a base, a lower flue, a first air passageway, and a
second air passageway.
The first air passageway and second air passageway are in fluid communication
with the lower
flue and with the product display area. The refrigerated merchandiser also
includes an
evaporator positioned in the first air passageway and a fan assembly
positioned in the base in
fluid communication with the lower flue to generate an airflow. A fan plenum
into which the fan
assembly is disposed includes an airflow divider to direct a first portion of
the airflow to the first
air passageway and to direct a second portion of the airflow to the second air
passageway. The
proportion of air between the first portion and the second portion is a
function of the position and
geometry of the airflow divider.
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[0005] In one embodiment, a refrigerated merchandiser includes a case
defining a product
display area, a first air passageway, and a second air passageway, in which
the first air
passageway and second air passageway are in fluid communication with the
product display
area. A fan has a plurality of fan blades and is operable to generate an
airflow. An airflow
divider is positioned adjacent the plurality of fan blades to direct a first
portion of the airflow to
the first air passageway and to direct a second portion of the airflow to the
second air
passageway. The proportion of air between the first portion and the second
portion is a function
of the position and geometry of the airflow divider.
[0006] In one embodiment of a fan plenum for a refrigerated merchandiser,
in which the
refrigerated merchandiser includes a case defining a product display area and
a lower flue, a first
air passageway, and a second air passageway, and in which the first air
passageway and second
air passageway are in fluid communication with the lower flue and with the
product display area,
the fan plenum includes a top wall including a fan aperture for receiving a
fan having a plurality
of fan blades. The fan plenum further includes a side wall and a plenum base.
An airflow
divider partitions the fan plenum into a first duct and a second duct. The
first duct is fluidly
couplable with the first air passageway and the second duct is fluidly
couplable with the second
air passageway.
[0007] In one embodiment, a refrigerated merchandiser includes a case
defining a product
display area and having a base, a lower flue, a first air passageway, and a
second air passageway.
The first air passageway and second air passageway are in fluid communication
with the lower
flue and with the product display area. An evaporator is positioned in the
first air passageway
and a fan assembly is positioned in the base in fluid communication with the
lower flue to
generate an airflow. A fan plenum into which the fan assembly is disposed
includes a wall
having a first portion with a first face, a second portion with a second face,
an intermediate
portion connecting the first portion to the second portion and having an
intermediate face, and an
airflow divider to direct a first portion of the airflow to the first air
passageway and to direct a
second portion of the airflow to the second air passageway. The airflow
divider includes a first
wall member extending to the first face and a second wall member extending to
the intermediate
face. The proportion of air between the first portion and the second portion
is a function of the
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position and geometry of the airflow divider.
[0008] In one embodiment, a refrigerated merchandiser includes a case
defining a product
display area and having a base, a lower flue, a first air passageway, and a
second air passageway.
The first air passageway and second air passageway are in fluid communication
with the lower
flue and with the product display area. An evaporator is positioned in the
first air passageway
and a fan assembly is positioned in the base in fluid communication with the
lower flue to
generate an airflow. A fan plenum with a fan aperture, the aperture having a
center, into which
the fan assembly is disposed has an outlet defining a first plane. A second
plane is defined
perpendicular to the first plane and passing through the center of the fan
aperture. The fan
plenum further includes an airflow divider with a first wall member and a
second wall member
positioned to direct a first portion of the airflow through the outlet to the
first air passageway and
to direct a second portion of the airflow through the outlet to the second air
passageway. The
space between the first wall member and the second wall member defines an
area, the greater
portion of which is to one side of the second plane.
[0009] In one embodiment, a fan plenum for a refrigerated merchandiser, in
which the
refrigerated merchandiser includes a case defining a product display area and
having a lower
flue, a first air passageway, and a second air passageway, with the first air
passageway and
second air passageway in fluid communication with the lower flue and with the
product display
area, includes a top wall having a fan aperture for receiving a fan with a
plurality of fan blades.
The fan aperture has a center. The fan plenum has an outlet defining a first
plane. A second
plane is defined perpendicular to the first plane and passing through the
center of the fan
aperture. An airflow divider with a first wall member and a second wall member
is positioned to
direct a first portion of the airflow through the outlet to the first air
passageway and to direct a
second portion of the airflow through the outlet to the second air passageway.
The space
between the first wall member and the second wall member defines an area, the
greater portion
of which is to one side of the second plane.
[0010] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration
of the detailed
description and accompanying drawings.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
10011] Fig. 1 is a section view of a merchandiser including a product
display area, a first air
passageway, a second air passageway, and a fan apparatus embodying the
invention.
[0012] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the fan apparatus including a fan
assembly and a
plenum of Fig. I.
[0013] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the fan apparatus of Fig.
2.
[0014] Fig. 4 is a front view of the fan apparatus of Fig. 2.
[0015] Fig. 5 is a section view of the fan apparatus of Fig. 4 taken along
line 5-5.
[0016] Fig. 6 is a section view of a portion of the fan apparatus of Fig. 5
taken along line 6-6.
[0017] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the plenum of Fig. 2.
[0018] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the fan assembly and
the plenum of Fig. 2.
[0019] Fig. 9 is a section view of the merchandiser of Fig. 1 including
another fan apparatus
embodying the invention.
[0020] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the fan apparatus including a fan
assembly and a
plenum of Fig. 9.
[0021] Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the fan apparatus of Fig.
10.
[0022] Fig. 12 is a front view of the fan apparatus of Fig. 10.
[0023] Fig. 13 is a section view of the fan apparatus of Fig. 12 taken
along line 13-13.
[0024] Fig. 14 is a section view of a portion of the fan apparatus of Fig.
12 taken along line
14-14.
[0025] Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of the plenum of Fig. 10.
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[0026] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a portion of the fan assembly and
the plenum of Fig.
10.
[0027] Fig. 17 is a perspective view of another fan apparatus including a
fan assembly and a
plenum of Fig. 1.
[0028] Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the fan apparatus of Fig.
17.
[0029] Fig. 19 is a front view of the fan apparatus of Fig. 17.
[0030] Fig. 20 is a section view of the fan apparatus of Fig. 19 taken
along line 20-20.
[0031] Fig. 21 is a section view of a portion of the fan apparatus of Fig.
20 taken along line
21-21.
[0032] Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a portion of the plenum of Fig. 17.
[0033] Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a portion of the fan assembly and
the plenum of Fig.
17.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it
is to be
understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details
of construction and the
arrangement of components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the following
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
or of being
carried out in various ways. As used herein and in the appended claims, the
terms "upper",
"lower", "top", "bottom", "front", "back", and other directional terms are not
intended to require
any particular orientation, but are instead used for purposes of description
only.
[0035] Fig. 1 shows a refrigerated merchandiser 10 that supports product
for access by
consumers. The merchandiser 10 includes a case 100 that has a base 104, a rear
wall 108, and a
canopy or case top 112. The area partially enclosed by the base 104, the rear
wall 108, and the
canopy 112 defines a product display area 116. As illustrated, the product
display area 116 is
accessible by customers through an opening 120 adjacent the front of the case
100. Shelves 124
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are coupled to the rear wall 108 and extend forward toward the opening 120
adjacent the front of
the merchandiser to support food product that is accessible by a consumer
through the opening
120. Although the merchandiser illustrated and described with regard to Figs.
1-8 is an open-
front vertically-oriented merchandiser, the merchandiser can be any type of
merchandiser that
supports product (e.g., a horizontal merchandiser, an enclosed merchandiser
with doors, etc.) All
such merchandisers are considered herein.
[0036] The base 104 defines a lower portion 130 of the product display area
116 and can
support a portion of the food product in the case 100. The base 104 further
defines a lower flue
134 and includes an inlet 138 located adjacent the opening 120. As
illustrated, the lower flue
134 is in fluid communication with the inlet 138 and conducts an airflow 144
substantially
horizontally through the base 104 from the inlet 138. The inlet 138 is
positioned to receive
surrounding air in a substantially vertical direction to direct it into the
lower flue 134.
[0037] With continued reference to Fig. 1, the case 100 includes a primary
rear flue 148 and
a secondary rear flue 150 extending upward from the base 104 and in fluid
communication with
the lower flue 134. The primary rear flue 148 is defined by the rear wall 108
and an intermediate
wall 151 spaced apart from the rear wall 108 and directs a first airflow 152
generally vertically
through the case 100. The secondary rear flue 150 is defined by the
intermediate wall 151 and
an exterior wall 153 of the case 100 and directs a secondary airflow 154
generally vertically
through the case 100. In some constructions, the rear wall 108 can include
apertures (not shown)
that fluidly couple the primary rear flue 148 with the product display area
116 to permit at least
some of the primary airflow 152 to enter the product display area 116.
[0038] The canopy 112 defines a primary upper flue 158 and a secondary
upper flue 160.
The primary upper flue 158 is in fluid communication with the primary rear
flue 148, and the
secondary upper flue 160 is in fluid communication with the secondary rear
flue 150. The
primary upper flue 158 directs the primary airflow 152 substantially
horizontally through the
canopy 112 toward a primary outlet 162. The secondary upper flue 160 directs
the secondary
airflow 154 substantially horizontally through the canopy 112 toward a
secondary outlet 166.
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[0039] The lower flue 134, the primary rear flue 148, and the primary upper
flue 158 are
fluidly coupled to each other to define a primary air passageway that directs
a portion of the
airflow 144 (i.e., the primary airflow 152) from the inlet 138 to the primary
outlet 162. The
lower flue 134, the secondary rear flue 150, and the secondary upper flue 160
are fluidly coupled
to each other to define a secondary air passageway that directs the remaining
portion of the
airflow 144 (i.e., the secondary airflow 154) from the inlet 138 to the
secondary outlet 166.
[0040] Fig. 1 shows that the merchandiser 10 also includes a heat exchanger
or evaporator
168 that is positioned in the primary air passageway, and a fan apparatus 169
that is positioned in
the base 104 and in fluid communication with the lower flue 134. As will be
understood and
appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the heat exchanger 168
transfers heat from the
primary airflow 152 to refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger 168. As
oriented, the
primary airflow 152 passes substantially vertically through the heat exchanger
168. The
secondary airflow 154 within the secondary rear flue 150 is defined as non-
refrigerated -bypass"
airflow and is not in heat exchange relationship with refrigerant flowing
through the heat
exchanger 168.
[0041] The primary airflow 152 that is discharged from the primary outlet
162 forms a
primary air curtain 174 that is directed generally downward across the opening
120 to cool the
food product within a desired or standard temperature range (e.g., 32 to 41
degrees Fahrenheit).
Generally, the inlet 138 receives at least some air from the primary air
curtain 174. The
secondary airflow 154 that is discharged from the secondary outlet 164 forms a
secondary air
curtain 176 (e.g., refrigerated or non-refrigerated) that is directed
generally downward across the
opening 120 to buffer the primary air curtain 174 to minimize infiltration of
ambient air into the
product display area 116.
[0042] With reference to Figs. 1-5, the fan apparatus 169 includes a fan
assembly 170 and a
plenum 172 that generates and divides the airflow 144 into the primary airflow
152 and the
secondary airflow 154. As illustrated, the fan assembly 170 and the plenum 172
form a modular
assembly. In some constructions, the fan assembly 170 and the plenum 172 can
extend the
length of the merchandiser 10.
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[0043] Figs. 2-5 show the fan assembly 170 and the plenum 172. The fan
assembly 170 has
a fan 200 (e.g., an axial flow or similarly constructed fan) with an inlet
204, an outlet 208, and a
hub 212 that is powered by a motor (not shown). The hub 212 supports a
plurality of fan blades
216, and a shroud 220 encircles and is fixed to the fan blades 216. As
illustrated, the shroud 220
rotates with the blades 216 during operation of the fan 200. Support arms 224
form a basket that
surrounds the shroud 220. Each support arm 224 adjoins a flange 230 that
couples the fan
assembly 170 to the plenum 172.
[0044] With reference to Figs. 2, 4, and 5, the plenum 172 includes a top
wall 240, a
surrounding multi-sectioned side wall 244, a primary duct base 248, a
secondary duct base 252,
and a divider 260 that cooperate to partition the plenum into a primary duct
264 and a secondary
duct 266 (see Fig. 2). The plenum 172 can be formed from any suitable material
(e.g., sheet
metal such as galvanized steel, aluminum, or stainless steel, plastic, etc.).
[0045] With reference to Fig. 3, the top wall 240 includes a fan aperture
272 with a
centerline M and a perimeter 276 to which the fan assembly 170 is secured
(e.g., using
conventional mounting hardware) via the flange 230. A rim 280 extends upward
from and
across an edge of the top wall 240 and includes an inward projecting edge 284.
The top wall 240
spans the entirety of the area partially enclosed by the side wall 244. As
illustrated, the top wall
240 includes tabs 288 at each edge 292 that secure the top wall 240 to the top
edge 296 of the
side wall 244.
[0046] The primary duct base 248 is disposed below and spaced from the top
wall 240 to
accommodate the fan assembly 170. The primary duct base 248 spans an area from
the front rim
280 of the top wall 240 rearward to an edge 300 that is substantially
coincident with the
centerline M of the fan aperture 272. The primary duct base 248 is positioned
substantially
parallel to the top wall 240 and includes tabs 304 that removably secure the
primary duct base
248 to the side wall 244 at an adjustable intermediate height H1 above a
bottom edge 312 of the
side wall 244.
[0047] The secondary duct base 252, which is located below the primary duct
base 248,
spans the entirety of the area partially enclosed by the side wall 244. The
secondary duct base
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252 is coupled to a plurality of bottom tabs 316 extending from the bottom
edge 312 of the side
wall 244.
[0048] With continued reference to Fig. 3, the divider 260 includes a first
base member 320
and a second base member 324 that support a first wall member 326 and a second
wall member
330, respectively. The first and second base members 320, 324 are coupled to
the edge 300 of
the primary duct base 248 and are positioned substantially flush with the
primary duct base 248
when assembled onto the primary duct base 248. The first and second wall
members 326. 330
each have tabs 334 that secure the divider 260 to the side wall 244. The first
and second wall
members 326, 330 operably separate the primary duct 264 from the secondary
duct 266 and are,
in profile, shaped to conform to the components of the fan assembly 170, as
will be further
described in detailed below. Referring to Fig. 5, the divider wall members
326. 330 are angled
apart from each other at an angle a. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle
a is approximately
90 . In other constructions, the angle a can range from approximately 45 to
approximately 180 .
[0049] Fig. 6 shows the structural relationship between the fan assembly
170 and the first
divider wall 326. As illustrated, the divider wall 326 includes a first
vertical edge 340 that is
interconnected with a second vertical edge 348 via an angled edge 352, and a
bottom edge 356
extending substantially horizontal from the second vertical edge 348. The fan
assembly 170 is
positioned so that a clearance Cl exists between the shroud 220 and the angled
edge 352, and a
clearance C2 exists between the tip of the fan blade 216 and the angled edge
352. To further
facilitate fluid separation between the primary duct 264 and the secondary
duct 266, the bottom
edge 356 is positioned so that a clearance C3 exists between a bottom portion
360 of the hub 212
and the bottom edge 356. As illustrated, the clearance Cl is approximately 2
millimeters, the
clearance C2 is approximately 2 millimeters, and the clearance C3 is
approximately 9
millimeters, although other distances for the clearances Cl, C2, C3 are also
considered herein.
For example, the clearance Cl can be between about 1 millimeter and about 18
millimeters, the
clearance C2 can be between about 1 millimeter and about 13 millimeters, and
the clearance C3
can be between about 3 millimeters and 25 millimeters.
[0050] Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the primary duct 264 generally defines a
volume between
the top wall 240 (not illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 for clarity), the primary
duct base 248, the side
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wall 244, and the first and second divider walls 326, 330 that is in fluid
communication with the
fan outlet 208. The secondary duct 266 generally defines a volume between the
primary duct
base 248, the secondary duct base 252, the side wall 244, and the first and
second divider walls
326, 330 that also is in fluid communication with the fan outlet 208.
[0051] In some constructions, two separate fan assemblies 170 can be used
within a single
plenum 172. In these constructions, the discharged airflow of each fan 200 is
separated by a
respective divider 260 into the primary and secondary ducts 264, 266. Also,
while the divider
260 is illustrated as being integrated into the plenum 172, the divider 260
can instead be
integrated into the fan assembly 170. In yet another construction, the fan
assembly 170 and
plenum 172 can be positioned at the rear of the case 100 or at the top of the
case 100 (with
modifications made as necessary to the flues 148, 150, 158, 160 and the heat
exchanger 190).
[0052] Figs. 9-16 show another fan apparatus 469 for use with the
merchandiser 10. Except
as described below, the fan apparatus 469 is the same as the fan apparatus 169
and like elements
are given the same reference numerals.
[0053] With reference to Fig. 9, the fan apparatus 469 is positioned in the
base 104 and is in
fluid communication with the lower flue 134. As shown in Figs. 10-13, the fan
apparatus 469
includes a fan assembly 470 and a plenum 472 that generates and divides the
airflow 144 into the
primary airflow 152 and the secondary airflow 154. As illustrated, the fan
assembly 470 and the
plenum 472 form a modular assembly. In some constructions, the fan assembly
470 and the
plenum 472 can extend the length of the merchandiser 10.
[0054] The fan assembly 470 has a fan 500 (e.g., a centrifugal fan) with an
inlet 504, an
outlet 508, and a hub 512 that is powered by a motor (not shown). The hub 512
supports a
plurality of fan blades 516. Support arms 524 form a basket that surrounds the
fan blades 516.
Each support arm 524 adjoins a flange 530 that couples the fan assembly 470 to
the plenum 472.
[0055] With reference to Fig. 10, 12, and 13, the plenum 472 includes a top
wall 540, a
surrounding multi-sectioned side wall 544, a divider 548, and a base 552 that
cooperate to
partition the plenum into a primary duct 564 and a secondary duct 566 (see
Fig. 10). The top
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wall is identical to the top wall 240 described with regard to Fig. 3.
Likewise, the sidewall 544 is
the same as the sidewall 244, and the base 552 is the same as the base 252.
[0056] The divider 548 is disposed below and spaced from the top wall 540.
The divider 548
spans the entirety of the area partially enclosed by the side wall 544 and
includes an opening
570, the perimeter 574 of which uniformly surrounds the support arms 524
adjacent the outlet
508 of the fan 500. The divider 548 is positioned substantially parallel to
the top wall 540 and is
removably secured at its lateral edges 578, 582 and back edge 586 to the side
wall 544 at an
intermediate height H2 above the bottom edge 512 of the side wall 544. As
described in detail
below, this intermediate height H2 can be changed to adjust the quantity of
air directed into each
of the primary and secondary rear flues 148, 150.
[0057] Fig. 14 shows the structural relationship between the fan assembly
470 and the
divider 548. As illustrated, the divider 548, and more specifically the
opening perimeter 574, is
positioned so that a clearance C4 exists between the support arms 524 and the
perimeter 574. As
illustrated, the clearance C4 is approximately 3 millimeters, although other
distances for the
clearance C4 are also considered herein (e.g 1 millimeter, 5 millimeters, 20
millimeters, etc.).
[0058] Referring to Figs. 15 and 16, the primary duct 564 generally defines
a volume
between the top wall 540 (not illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 for clarity), the
divider 548, and the side
wall 544 that is in fluid communication with the fan cutlet 508. The secondary
duct 566
generally defines a volume between the divider 548, the base 552, and the side
wall 544 that also
is in fluid communication with the fan outlet 508.
[0059] In some constructions, two separate fan assemblies 470 can be used
within a single
plenum 472. In these constructions, the discharged airflow of each fan 500 is
separated by a
divider 548 into the primary and secondary ducts 564, 566. Also, while the
divider 548 is
illustrated as being integrated into the plenum 472, the divider 548 can
instead be integrated into
the fan assembly 470. In yet another construction, the fan assembly 470 and
plenum 472 can be
positioned at the rear of the case 100 or at the top of the case 100 (with
modifications made as
necessary to the flues 148, 150, 158, 160 and the heat exchanger 190).
[0060] Figs. 17-23 show another fan apparatus 769 for use with the
merchandiser 10.
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[0061] With reference to Fig. 1, the fan apparatus 769 is positioned in the
base 104 and is in
fluid communication with the lower flue 134. With reference to Figs. 17-20,
the fan apparatus
769 includes a fan assembly 770 and a plenum 772 that generates and divides
the airflow 144
into the primary airflow 152 and the secondary airflow 154. As illustrated,
the fan assembly 770
and the plenum 772 form a modular assembly. In some constructions, the fan
assembly 770 and
the plenum 772 can extend the length of the merchandiser 10.
[0062] Figs. 17-20 show the fan assembly 770 and the plenum 772. The fan
assembly 770
has a fan 800 (e.g., an axial flow or similarly constructed fan) with an inlet
804, an outlet 808,
and a hub 812 that is powered by a motor 814. The hub 812 supports a plurality
of fan blades
816. Support arms 824 form a basket that surrounds the motor 814. The support
arms 824
adjoin a partial shroud 828 affixed to or formed as part of a flange 830 that
couples the fan
assembly 770 to the plenum 772.
[0063] The plenum 772 includes a top wall 840, a surrounding multi-
sectioned side wall 844,
a primary duct base 848, and a divider 860 (Fig. 18) that cooperate to
partition the plenum into a
primary duct 864 and a secondary duct 866. The secondary duct 866 is further
defined by a
portion of the lower flue 134 (not shown) upon assembly into the merchandiser
10. The plenum
772 can be formed from any suitable material (e.g., sheet metal such as
galvanized steel,
aluminum, or stainless steel, plastic, etc.).
[0064] With reference to Fig. 18, the multi-sectioned side wall 844 with
includes first and
second portions 845, 846, and an intermediate portion 847 between the portions
845, 846. The
first portion 845 includes an end 862 and defines a generally planar first
face 850 (see Fig. 19),
the second portion 846 includes an end 863 and defines a generally planar
second face 852, and
the intermediate portion 847 defines a generally planar intermediate face 854.
A midline 858 can
be defined bisecting the intermediate face 854 into two equal parts. Although
not illustrated as
such, the first and second portions 845, 846 can vary with respect to the
intermediate portion 847
in terms of size and angular orientation.
[0065] The top wall 840 includes a fan aperture 872 with a centerline 874
and a perimeter
876 to which the fan assembly 770 is secured (e.g., using conventional
mounting hardware) via
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the flange 830. A rim 880 extends upward from and across an edge of the top
wall 840. The top
wall 840 spans the entirety of the area partially enclosed by the portions
845, 846, 847 and
includes tabs 888 at each edge 892 that secure the top wall 840 to the top
edge 896 of the first
and second portions 845, 846. In other embodiments, the fan aperture 872, and
thus the fan 800,
is not generally centrally located in the top wall 840 but can be located
farther from or closer to
any of the side wall portions 845, 846, 847.
[0066] The primary duct base 848 is disposed below and spaced from the top
wall 840 to
accommodate the fan assembly 770. The primary duct base 848 spans an area from
the front rim
880 of the top wall 840 rearward to an edge 900 that is approximate the
centerline 874 of the fan
aperture 872. The primary duct base 848 is positioned substantially parallel
to the top wall 840
and includes tabs 904 that removably secure the primary duct base 848 to the
side wall 844 at an
adjustable intermediate height HI above a bottom edge 912 of the side wall
844.
[0067] With continued reference to Fig. 18, the divider 860 includes a
first base member 920
and a second base member 924 that support a first wall member 926 and a second
wall member
930, respectively. The first and second base members 920, 924 are coupled to
the tab 904 near
the edge 900 of the primary duct base 848 and are positioned substantially
flush with the primary
duct base 848 when assembled onto the primary duct base 848. The first and
second base
members 920, 924 each have tabs 934 that secure the divider 860 to the side
wall 844. The first
and second wall members 926, 930 operably separate the primary duct 864 from
the secondary
duct 866 and are, in profile, shaped to conform to the components of the fan
assembly 770, as
will be further described below. Referring to Fig. 20, the divider wall
members 926, 930 are
angled apart from each other at an angle (3. In the illustrated embodiment,
the angle 13 is
approximately 60 . In other constructions, the angle I3 can range from
approximately 30 to
approximately 90 .
[0068] Figs. 19 and 20 illustrate the first wall member 926 extending to
the intermediate face
854 of the intermediate portion 847 while the second wall member 930 extends
to the second
face 852 of the second portion 846. In other embodiments, the first base
member 920 and first
wall member 926 can be shaped or otherwise configured such that the first wall
member 926
extends to the first face 850 of the first portion 845 while the second base
member 924 and
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second wall member 930 is shaped or otherwise configured such that the second
wall member
930 extends to the intermediate face 854 of the intermediate portion 847. The
first and second
wall members 926, 930 can extend such that they contact the respective faces
850, 852, 854 or
alternatively, can extend to a position adjacent to those faces with a minimal
clearance. Though
illustrated extending to the midline 858, the wall member 926 (or in another
embodiment the
wall member 930) extending to the intermediate face 854 can alternatively
extend to either side
of the midline 858 at or adjacent to the intermediate face.
[0100] The space between the first wall member 926 and the second wall
member 930 due to
the angular separation between the members 926, 930 defines an area 936 when
viewed from the
perspective of Fig. 20. As illustrated, the entirety of the area 936 exists to
a first side of a plane
P1 defined through the center of the fan aperture 872 and that is
perpendicular to a plane P2
coincident with the ends 862, 863 of the wall 844 defining the outlet of the
plenum 772. The
plane PI may or may not be aligned with the midline 858 depending on the
positioning of the fan
aperture 872. In an alternative embodiment in which the wall member 926
extends to either side
of the midline 858, or to the opposing second side of the plane PI, at or
adjacent to the
intermediate face 854, merely a greater portion of the area 936 exists to the
first side of the plane
PI than to the opposing second side of the plane P1.
[0069] Fig. 21 shows the structural relationship between the fan assembly
770 and the first
divider wall 926. As illustrated, the divider wall 926 includes a first
vertical edge 940 that
smoothly and continuously transitions to a second edge 948. The fan assembly
770 is positioned
so that the clearance between the fan blades 816 and the edges 940, 948 is at
an operational
minimum, as an example, no greater than about 1/8" to 1/4".
[0070] Referring to Figs. 22 and 23, the primary duct 864 generally defines
a volume
between the top wall 840 (not illustrated in Figs. 22 and 23 for clarity), the
primary duct base
848, the side wall 844, and the first and second divider walls 926, 930 that
is in fluid
communication with the fan outlet 808. The secondary duct 866 generally
defines a volume
between the primary duct base 848, a portion of the lower flue 134 (not
shown), the side wall
844, and the first and second divider walls 926, 330 that also is in fluid
communication with the
fan outlet 808.
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[0071] While the divider 860 is illustrated as being integrated into the
plenum 872, the
divider 860 can instead be integrated into the fan assembly 870. In yet
another construction, the
fan assembly 870 and plenum 872 can be positioned at the rear of the case 100
or at the top of
the case 100 (with modifications made as necessary to the flues 148, 150, 158,
160 and the heat
exchanger 190).
[0072] With regard to the fan apparatus 169, in operation, the rotating fan
200 draws the
airflow 144 through the lower flue 134 to the fan inlet 204. The plenum 172
and the divider 260
cooperate to split the airflow 144 into the primary airflow 152 and the
secondary airflow 154 at
the outlet 208. The primary airflow 152 flows through the primary duct 264,
the heat exchanger
190, the primary rear flue 148, the primary upper flue 158, and the outlet 162
to form the cooled
or refrigerated primary air curtain 174.
[0073] The secondary airflow 154 flows through the secondary duct 264, the
secondary rear
flue 150, the secondary upper flue 160, and the outlet 166, bypassing the heat
exchanger 190, to
form the secondary air curtain 176. As described, the secondary air curtain
176 buffers the
primary air curtain 174 to limit infiltration of ambient air into the product
display area 116. At
least some air from either or both the primary air curtain 174 and the
secondary air curtain 176 is
drawn into the lower flue 134 through the inlet 138, which in turn forms the
airflow 144.
[0074] The fan apparatus 169 can be adjusted or modified based on desired
characteristics
for the primary airflow 152 and the secondary airflow 154 (e.g., how much air
defines each
airflow). For example, the distances associated with one or more of the
clearances Cl, C2, C3
can be adjusted to control the interaction between the primary and secondary
airflows 152. 154.
If a greater level of interaction is desired (i.e., more mixing of the
airflows 152. 154 prior to
entry into the ducts 264, 266), the distance of any or all of the clearances
Cl, C2, C3 can be
enlarged. Conversely, if a lower level of interaction is desired, (i.e., more
independence between
the airflows 152, 154), the distance of any or all of the clearances Cl, C2,
C3 can be reduced.
[0075] Generally, smaller distances for the clearances Cl, C2, C3 result in
greater
independence between the airflows 152, 154 by limiting airflow crossover from
one duct to the
other. As a result, different static pressures can be maintained in each duct
264, 266. Therefore,
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a relatively constant air volume can be maintained in one of the primary and
secondary ducts
264, 266 regardless of changes to static pressure in the other of the primary
and secondary ducts
264, 266. As illustrated, the airflows 152, 154 are substantially independent
such that the
primary airflow 152 is relatively unaffected by changing air pressures or air
volumes of the
secondary airflow 154. Likewise, the secondary airflow 154 is relatively
unaffected by changing
air pressures or air volumes of the primary airflow 152.
[0076] The quantity of air discharged as the primary airflow 152 and the
secondary airflow
154 is proportional to the angle a. As the angle a increases, more air flows
to the secondary duct
266 and less air flows to the primary duct 264, increasing the quantity of air
defining the
secondary airflow 154 (and thus the quantity of air defining the secondary air
curtain 176), and
decreasing the quantity of air defining the primary airflow 152 (and thus the
quantity of air
defining the primary air curtain 174). As the angle a decreases, less air
flows to the secondary
duct 266 and more air flows to the primary duct 264, increasing the quantity
of air defining the
primary airflow 152 and the primary air curtain 174 and decreasing the
quantity of air defining
the secondary airflow 154 and the secondary air curtain 176.
[0077] The configuration of the plenum 172 with the divider 260 allows a
single fan
assembly 170 to create two distinct air curtains 174, 176 for maintaining the
product display area
116 at desired predetermined conditions. Using one fan rather than two fans
reduces component
and electrical power costs and simplifies assembly and maintenance of the
merchandiser 10.
[0078] Except as described below, the fan apparatus 469 including the fan
assembly 470 and
the plenum 472 described with regard to Figs. 9-16 operates the same as the
fan apparatus 169
described with regard to Figs. 1-8.
[0079] In particular, the fan apparatus 469 can be adjusted or modified
based on desired
characteristics for the primary airflow 152 and the secondary airflow 154
(e.g., how much air
defines each airflow). For example, the distance associated with the clearance
C4 can be
adjusted to control the interaction between the primary and secondary airflows
152, 154. If a
greater level of interaction is desired (i.e., more mixing of the airflows
152, 154 prior to entry
into the ducts 564, 566), the dimension of the clearance C4 can be enlarged.
Conversely, if a
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lower level of interaction is desired, (i.e., more independence between the
airflows 152, 154), the
dimension of the clearance C4 can be reduced.
[0080] Generally, a smaller dimension for the clearance C4 results in
greater independence
between the airflows 152, 154 by limiting airflow crossover from one duct to
the other. As a
result, different static pressures can be maintained in each duct 564, 566.
Therefore, a relatively
constant air volume can be maintained in one of the primary and secondary
ducts 564, 566
regardless of changes to static pressure in the other of the primary and
secondary ducts 564, 566.
As illustrated, the airflows 152, 154 are substantially independent such that
the primary airflow
152 is relatively unaffected by changing air pressures or air volumes of the
airflow 154.
Likewise, the secondary airflow 154 is relatively unaffected by changing air
pressures or air
volumes of the primary airflow 152.
[0081] The quantity of air discharged as the primary airflow 152 and the
secondary airflow
154 is proportional to the vertical position of the divider 548 within the
plenum 472 (i.e., the
height H2). As the dimension of the height H2 increases, more air flows to the
enlarged
secondary duct 566 and less air flows to the reduced primary duct 564, which
in turn affects the
amount of air defining the primary and secondary air curtains 174, 176.
Specifically, the
enlarged secondary duct 566 increases the quantity of air defining the
secondary air curtain 176
and the reduced primary duct 564 decreases the quantity of air defining the
primary air curtain
174. Conversely, as the height H2 decreases, less air flows to the reduced
secondary duct 566
and more air flows to the enlarged primary duct 564, increasing the quantity
of air defining the
primary air curtain 174 and decreasing the quantity of air defining the
secondary air curtain 176.
[0082] The fan apparatus 769 including the fan assembly 770 and the plenum
772 described
with regard to Figs. 17-23 operates similarly to the fan apparatus 169
described with regard to
Figs. 1-8.
[0083] In operation, the rotating fan 800 draws the airflow 144 through the
lower flue 134 to
the fan inlet 804. The plenum 772 and the divider 860 cooperate to split the
airflow 144 into the
primary airflow 152 and the secondary airflow 154 at the outlet 808. The
primary airflow 152
flows through the primary duct 864, the heat exchanger 190, the primary rear
flue 148, the
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primary upper flue 158, and the outlet 162 to form the cooled or refrigerated
primary air curtain
174.
[0084] The secondary airflow 154 flows through the secondary duct 864, the
secondary rear
flue 150, the secondary upper flue 160, and the outlet 166, bypassing the heat
exchanger 190, to
form the secondary air curtain 176, as previously described.
[0085] The fan apparatus 769 can be adjusted or modified based on desired
characteristics
for the primary airflow 152 and the secondary airflow 154 (e.g., how much air
defines each
airflow). For example, the clearance between the fan blades 816 and the edges
940, 948 can be
adjusted to control the interaction between the primary and secondary airflows
152. 154. If a
greater level of interaction is desired (i.e., more mixing of the airflows
152, 154 prior to entry
into the ducts 864, 866), this clearance can be enlarged. Conversely, if a
lower level of
interaction is desired, (i.e., more independence between the airflows 152,
154), the clearance can
be reduced.
[0086] Generally, a smaller clearance results in greater independence
between the airflows
152, 154 by limiting airflow crossover from one duct to the other. As a
result, different static
pressures can be maintained in each duct 864, 866. Therefore, a relatively
constant air volume
can be maintained in one of the primary and secondary ducts 864, 866
regardless of changes to
static pressure in the other of the primary and secondary ducts 864, 866. As
illustrated, the
airflows 152, 154 are substantially independent such that the primary airflow
152 is relatively
unaffected by changing air pressures or air volumes of the secondary airflow
154. Likewise, the
secondary airflow 154 is relatively unaffected by changing air pressures or
air volumes of the
primary airflow 152.
[0087] The quantity of air discharged as the primary airflow 152 and the
secondary airflow
154 is proportional to the angle (3. As the angle 13 increases, more air flows
to the secondary duct
866 and less air flows to the primary duct 864, increasing the quantity of air
defining the
secondary airflow 154 (and thus the quantity of air defining the secondary air
curtain 176), and
decreasing the quantity of air defining the primary airflow 152 (and thus the
quantity of air
defining the primary air curtain 174). As the angle j3 decreases, less air
flows to the secondary
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duct 866 and more air flows to the primary duct 864, increasing the quantity
of air defining the
primary airflow 152 and the primary air curtain 174 and decreasing the
quantity of air defining
the secondary airflow 154 and the secondary air curtain 176.
[0088] It has been determined that, due to the rotation of the fan 800, the
velocity of the
primary airflow 152 is not uniform across the heat exchanger 190 when the
divider 860 is
symmetric with respect to the fan 800 and the side wall 844 (i.e., if the wall
members 926, 930 as
assembled have an identical spatial relationship to the midline 858 of the
intermediate face 854).
In other words, the specific orientation of the first and second wall members
926, 930 with
respect to the side wall 844 affects the velocity distribution of the primary
airflow 152. As a
result of modifying the orientation between the first and second wall members
926, 930 and the
first and second portions 845, 846, the flow characteristics of the primary
airflow 152 can be
manipulated to produce a more uniform primary airflow velocity across the face
of the heat
exchanger 190 depending on the desired operational speed and rotational
direction of the fan
800. A more uniform primary airflow velocity improves the overall heat
transfer of the heat
exchanger 190 and consistency of temperature and coverage of the primary air
curtain 174.
[0089] For example, with a counterclockwise rotation of the fan 800,
orientation of the
divider 860 as illustrated in Figs. 17-23 such that the first wall 926 extends
to the intermediate
face 854 of the intermediate portion 847 while the second wall 930 extends to
the second face
854 of the second portion 846 "shifts" the area 936 to one side of the plane
Pl, which tends to
even out the primary airflow 152 across the face of the heat exchanger 190.
Likewise,
orientation of the divider 860 such that the first wall 926 extends to the
first face 850 of the first
portion 845 while the second wall 930 extends to the intermediate face 854
(not shown) shifts the
area 936 to the other side of the plane Pl, which will tend to even out the
primary airflow 152 for
clockwise operation of the fan 800. The precise positioning of the divider 860
can be configured
to account for the specific parameters of the fan 800 to offset the effects of
fan rotation, as well
as for varying the flow to the primary and secondary ducts 864, 866, as
previously described.
[0090] Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in
the following claims.
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