Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6519970
-
Patent Number
6,519,970
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, November 13, 200122 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, February 18, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Esquivel; Denise L.
- Jones; Melvin
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 062 302
- 062 448
- 062 452
- 062 454
- 062 455
- 062 428
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A refrigeration unit assembly includes: a compressor, and a condenser oriented in a wrap-around relationship with said compressor.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This invention relates generally to refrigerators, and more particularly, to highside refrigeration component assemblies.
Refrigerators typically include a refrigeration unit including a condenser, a compressor, and an attached evaporator. The compressor and condenser, sometimes referred to as high-side components, are typically located in a machinery compartment formed into a refrigerator cabinet at the bottom and back of the cabinet, sometimes referred to as a doghouse. Especially in larger capacity models, e.g., 16 ft
3
or greater, a fan induces a forced draft through the machinery compartment to remove heat from exterior surfaces of the compressor and condenser. See, for example, U.S. Pat No. 4,490,991.
Conventionally, the high-side components are positioned in series within the machinery compartment and occupy space that would more preferably be used as refrigeration compartment storage space. While efforts have been made to reduce the size of machinery compartments with compact combinations of condensers and compressors, restricted access to the machinery compartments and to the high-side components renders periodic service and maintenance of the refrigeration system a daunting task.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In one aspect, a refrigeration unit assembly comprising a slide-out base, a compressor mounted to said base, and a condenser mounted to said base and oriented in a wrap-around relationship with said compressor, and a first side wall depending from said base is provided. The first side wall and the condenser define an enclosure about the compressor.
In another aspect, a high-side refrigeration component assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a slide-out base, a compressor coupled to said base, and a condenser coupled to said base and extending about said compressor so as to encompass said compressor between opposite ends of said condenser. A first side wall depends from said base adjacent one end of said compressor, and said first side wall and said compressor define an enclosure about said compressor.
In an additional aspect, a high-side refrigeration unit assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a base, a compressor mounted to said base, a condenser mounted to said base and extending around a first side of said compressor, a fan mounted on a second side of said compressor, and at least one side wall depending from said base and extending from one end of said condenser toward said fan, said condenser and said side wall enclosing said compressor.
In a further aspect, a high-side refrigeration unit for a refrigerator is provided. The unit comprises a base comprising a floor, a first side wall, and a second side wall. A condenser is mounted to said floor and comprises a first end and a second end, said first end adjacent said first side wall, said second end adjacent said second side wall. A fan is coupled to said base and located between said first and said second side walls in a spaced relationship to said condenser, said first and second side walls, said condenser and said fan, thereby forming an enclosure. A compressor mounted in said enclosure.
In still another aspect, a high-side refrigeration component assembly for a machinery compartment of a refrigerator is provided. The assembly comprises a slide-out base, at least one side wall extending from said base, and a fan element coupled to said base adjacent a first portion of said side wall. A condenser is coupled to said base adjacent a second portion of said side wall, and said side wall, said condenser and said fan element together form a three sided enclosure therebetween. A compressor is coupled to said base and situated within said enclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of an exemplary refrigerator.
FIG. 2
is a rear elevational schematic view of the refrigerator shown in
FIG. 1
including an exemplary high-side refrigeration assembly.
FIG. 3
is a top plan view the high-side refrigeration assembly shown in FIG.
2
.
FIG. 4
is a perspective view of the high-side refrigeration assembly shown in FIG.
3
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1
illustrates an exemplary refrigeration appliance
100
in which the present invention may be practiced. In the embodiment described and illustrated herein, appliance
100
is a side-by-side refrigerator. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of the present invention are equally applicable to other types of refrigerators, freezers, and refrigeration appliances. Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention in any aspect.
Refrigerator
100
includes a fresh food storage compartment
102
and a freezer storage compartment
104
. Freezer compartment
104
and fresh food compartment
102
are arranged side-by-side within an outer case
106
and defined by inner liners
108
and
110
therein. A space between case
106
and liners
108
and
110
, and between liners
108
and
110
, is filled with foamed-in-place insulation. Outer case
106
normally is formed by folding a sheet of a suitable material, such as pre-painted steel, into an inverted U-shape to form top and side walls of case
106
. A bottom wall of case
106
normally is formed separately and attached to the case side walls and to a bottom frame that provides support for refrigerator
100
. Inner liners
108
and
110
are molded from a suitable plastic material to form freezer compartment
104
and fresh food compartment
102
, respectively. Alternatively, liners
108
,
110
may be formed by bending and welding a sheet of a suitable metal, such as steel. The illustrative embodiment includes two separate liners
108
,
110
as it is a relatively large capacity unit and separate liners add strength and are easier to maintain within manufacturing tolerances. In smaller refrigerators, a single liner is formed and a mullion spans between opposite sides of the liner to divide it into a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment.
A breaker strip
112
extends between a case front flange and outer front edges of liners
108
,
110
. Breaker strip
112
is formed from a suitable resilient material, such as an extruded acrylo-butadiene-styrene based material (commonly referred to as ABS).
The insulation in the space between liners
108
,
110
is covered by another strip of suitable resilient material, which also commonly is referred to as a mullion
114
. Mullion
114
also preferably is formed of an extruded ABS material. Breaker strip
112
and mullion
114
form a front face, and extend completely around inner peripheral edges of case
106
and vertically between liners
108
,
110
. Mullion
114
, insulation between compartments, and a spaced wall of liners separating compartments, sometimes are collectively referred to herein as a center mullion wall
116
.
Shelves
118
and slide-out storage drawers
120
, sometimes referred to as storage pans, normally are provided in fresh food compartment
102
to support items being stored therein.
Refrigerator
100
is controlled by a microprocessor (not shown) according to user preference via manipulation of a control interface
124
mounted in an upper region of fresh food storage compartment
102
and coupled to the microprocessor. A shelf
126
and wire baskets
128
are also provided in freezer compartment
104
. In addition, an ice maker
130
may be provided in freezer compartment
104
.
In accordance with known refrigerators, refrigerator
100
includes a machinery compartment (not shown in
FIG. 1
) that at least partially contains components for executing a known vapor compression cycle for cooling air. The components include a compressor (not shown in FIG.
1
), a condenser (not shown in FIG.
1
), an expansion device (not shown), and an evaporator (not shown in
FIG. 1
) connected in series and charged with a refrigerant. The evaporator is a type of heat exchanger which transfers heat from air passing over the evaporator to a refrigerant flowing through the evaporator, thereby causing the refrigerant to vaporize. The cooled air is used to refrigerate one or more refrigerator or freezer compartments via fans (not shown in FIG.
1
). Collectively, the vapor compression cycle components in a refrigeration circuit, associated fans, and associated compartments are sometimes referred to as a sealed system operable to force cold air through refrigeration compartments
102
,
104
.
A freezer door
132
and a fresh food door
134
close access openings to fresh food and freezer compartments
102
,
104
, respectively. Each door
132
,
134
is mounted by a top hinge
136
and a bottom hinge (not shown) to rotate about its outer vertical edge between an open position, as shown in
FIG. 1
, and a closed position (not shown) closing the associated storage compartment. Freezer door
132
includes a plurality of storage shelves
138
and a sealing gasket
140
, and fresh food door
134
also includes a plurality of storage shelves
142
and a sealing gasket
144
.
FIG. 2
is a rear elevational schematic view of refrigerator
100
(shown in
FIG. 1
) including an exemplary high-side refrigeration component assembly or unit
160
. High-side unit
160
includes a base
162
, a compressor
164
, a condenser
166
and a fan element
168
that, unlike conventional systems, and as explained in detail below, facilitates efficient heat transfer in a reduced space within a machinery compartment
170
without unduly restricting access to the components for maintenance and service.
High-side refrigeration unit
160
includes motorized compressor
164
that accepts refrigerant from a condenser system discharge tube (not shown in
FIG. 2
) and discharges compressed refrigerant into a condenser system inlet tube
172
. Compressor
164
draws refrigerant from an evaporator
174
and discharges compressed refrigerant to condenser
166
. From the condenser inlet tube inlet tube
172
, refrigerant flows thorough a condenser coil (not shown) to a hot gas loop
176
and to a condenser system discharge tube (not shown). A filter dryer (not shown) is connected to the condenser system discharge tube, and a discharge line carries refrigerant passed through the filter dryer to a suction line connected to evaporator
174
according to known methods in the art. Fan element
168
is driven by a fan motor
178
to force air across outer surfaces of motor compressor unit
164
and condenser
166
to enhance heat transfer from compressor
164
and condenser
166
, respectively, to ambient air.
High pressure refrigerant condensed in condenser
166
flows to evaporator
174
through a capillary tube (not shown) which restricts the flow of liquid refrigerant to evaporator
174
and maintains a pressure differential between condenser
166
and evaporator
174
. An expansion device (not shown) connects the small passage of the capillary tube to the larger passage of evaporator
174
.
Compressor
164
adds work to the refrigerant, which heats the refrigerant before flowing into condenser
166
. High pressure and high temperature gaseous refrigerant leaves compressor
164
through a discharge port and flows to condenser
166
, where high pressure gaseous refrigerant is cooled to a saturation temperature, eventually condensing the refrigerant into a liquid state. Evaporator
174
is a type of heat exchanger which transfers heat from air passing over evaporator
174
to a refrigerant flowing through the evaporator, thereby causing the refrigerant to vaporize. The cooled air is used to refrigerate one or more refrigerator or freezer compartments, such as compartments
102
,
104
(shown in
FIG. 1
) via fans (not shown). It is believed that the above-described vapor compression cycle and the associated components are well known in the art so as to fully appreciated and implemented by those in the art without further explanation.
Condenser
166
includes one or more tubes or pipes of a selected length sufficient to transfer heat to surrounding air in combination with hot gas loop
176
. To conserve space, the tubing is arranged in a compact arrangement, such as known spiral configurations and coil configurations in different embodiments, and is fabricated according to known methods. In an exemplary embodiment, and as further described below, condenser
166
is oriented in a wrap-around relationship to compressor
164
such that when fan element
168
is activated, the fan blades draw air through condenser
166
and around compressor
164
nearly simultaneously without the use of conventional baffles and directional air flow features to produce air flow across the desired components. Also, the arrangement of compressor
164
and condenser
166
occupies a reduced space in machinery compartment
170
.
In an illustrative embodiment, hot gas loop
176
is integral to a refrigerator cabinet
180
and extends in a rectangular configuration substantially coincident with a front face of refrigerator cabinet
180
in use. It is contemplated that hot gas loop
176
, in alternative embodiments, could be located elsewhere either integral to or external to refrigerator cabinet
180
without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, gas loop
176
may extend coincident with a rear cabinet wall, a side cabinet wall, beneath of floor of refrigerator
100
, or other desirable locations apparent to those in the art.
Additionally, it is anticipated that condenser
166
may be employed with an auxiliary condenser system in lieu of hot gas loop
176
without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, a condenser coil assembly extending beneath a floor of refrigerator
100
may be employed with condenser
166
to further increase heat transfer of the refrigeration system.
The high-side refrigeration components, or more specifically, compressor
164
and condenser
166
are mounted to a slide out-base
162
to facilitate service and maintenance of unit
160
, and flexible connections are made to hot gas loop
176
and evaporator
174
so that base
162
maybe pulled out from refrigerator cabinet
180
for free access to high-side components without dismantling connections to the remainder of the refrigeration system.
FIG. 3
is a top plan view of high-side refrigeration assembly
160
including base
162
, and compressor
164
and condenser
166
mounted to base
162
. Condenser
166
is constructed according to known coil condenser techniques and includes two distinct portions
200
,
202
operatively coupled together and oriented at an angle to one another so as to form an apex
204
between portions
200
,
202
that is substantially aligned with a center of compressor
164
. Compressor
166
includes opposite ends
206
,
208
extending from respective condenser portions
200
,
202
opposite apex
204
, and each condenser end
206
,
208
is located relative to compressor
164
so as to form an enclosure at one end of compressor
164
that contains, confines, or encompasses compressor
164
between compressor ends
206
,
208
. In other words, condenser
166
is oriented in a wrap-around relationship to compressor
164
to reduce an occupied machinery compartment space and improve air flow around the high-side refrigeration components for increased heat transfer efficiency while providing adequate access to condenser
166
and compressor
164
for service and maintenance.
While in an illustrative embodiment condenser
166
includes first and second portions
200
,
202
, it is appreciated that a curved or arcuately extending condenser may be employed to achieve the same effects as the above described condenser
166
. Likewise, a condenser having greater than two portions arranged to enclose or encompass one side of compressor
164
may be employed in a further embodiment.
Fan element
168
and fan motor
178
are also coupled to base
164
and are situated on an opposite side of compressor
164
as condenser
166
. Thus, when fan motor
178
is energized, air flow is generated by fan element
168
that is substantially perpendicular to condenser portions
200
,
202
and around an outer surface
210
of compressor
164
, as indicated by the arrows in FIG.
3
. In an exemplary embodiment, air flow is further assisted by first and second side walls
212
,
214
extending upwardly from base
162
. Condenser ends
206
,
208
are each located adjacent respective first portions
216
,
218
extending from respective first ends
217
,
219
of each side wall
212
,
214
. Fan element
168
extends substantially an entire length between respective second portions
220
,
222
extending from second ends
224
,
226
of each side wall
212
,
214
. Thus, condenser,
166
, side walls
212
,
214
and fan element
168
form an enclosure
230
about all sides of compressor
164
, such that when fan element
168
is activated by motor
178
, air is drawn into enclosure
230
through condenser
166
and around compressor
164
.
In an exemplary embodiment, side walls
212
,
214
extend substantially parallel to one another, although it is appreciated that in alternative embodiments side walls
212
,
214
need not be parallel to achieve at least some of the advantages of the instant invention. Moreover, it is recognized that fan element
168
need not extend a full distance between base side walls
212
,
214
to obtain the benefits of the instant invention. Still further, it is recognized that one of side walls
212
,
214
may be omitted from base
162
and effectively replaced by a machinery compartment wall. In other words, condenser
166
, fan element
168
and one of side walls
212
,
214
may form a three sided enclosure
230
about compressor
164
with a machinery compartment wall completing the enclosure. For purposes of description, the illustrative condenser
166
is considered to be one side of the enclosure, even though in the illustrated embodiment it includes two portions
200
,
202
.
In still a further embodiment, side walls
212
,
214
may be replaced by additional condenser portions (not shown) extending from condenser portions
200
,
202
that enclose the lateral sides of compressor where side walls
212
,
214
extend in the illustrated embodiment. For example, in one such alternative embodiment, additional condenser portions (not shown) could be arranged in a horseshoe configuration about compressor
164
together with condenser portions
200
,
202
, with compressor
164
centered within the horseshoe such that fan element
168
completes an enclosure about compressor
164
at the ends of the horseshoe.
A condenser inlet tube
232
extends from compressor
164
to condenser
166
and a flexible connector
234
extends between condenser
166
and hot gap loop
176
. Hot gas loop
176
is coupled to low-side components, such as evaporator
174
, and another flexible connector
236
connects evaporator
174
to compressor
164
thereby completing the closed series flow relationship between refrigeration components. Flexible connectors
234
,
236
facilitate slide-out removal of base
162
from refrigerator cabinet
180
(shown in
FIG. 2
) while high-side refrigeration unit
160
is connected to the refrigeration system. Base
162
is coupled to a refrigerator frame (not shown) with known fasteners
238
,
240
in use.
FIG. 4
is a perspective view of high-side refrigeration unit assembly
160
including condenser
166
enclosing compressor
164
at one end thereof, fan element
168
mounted at an opposite end of compressor
162
, and base side walls
212
,
214
extending between condenser
166
and fan element
168
. Compressor
164
is situated within enclosure
230
, and when fan motor
178
is energized, air flows through condenser
166
, into enclosure
230
, around compressor
164
, and is discharged to the ambient environment. Wrap-around condenser
166
facilitates efficient heat transfer from both the condenser surfaces and outer surfaces of compressor
164
in use.
In an illustrative embodiment, high-side assembly is substantially symmetrical about a center longitudinal axis
250
. In other words, fan motor
178
, fan element
168
, compressor
164
and condenser
166
are each substantially aligned along axis
250
, and base side walls
212
,
214
are each extended substantially parallel to and equidistant from longitudinal axis
250
. It is contemplated, however, that asymmetrical arrangements of high-side components may be employed in alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the instant invention.
Base
162
includes rails
252
,
254
for sliding engagement with a refrigerator frame. As such high-side component assembly
160
is modular and may be readily installed and removed from a refrigerator, such as refrigerator
100
(shown in FIG.
1
). While in the illustrated embodiment, rails
252
,
254
extend substantially parallel to longitudinal axis
250
, it is contemplated that in alternative embodiments rails
252
,
254
may extend perpendicular to longitudinal axis
250
, or even at an oblique angle with respect to axis
250
, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Once removed from refrigerator machinery compartment
170
(shown in
FIG. 2
) components may be readily accessed for service, maintenance, and repair. In a further embodiment, base side walls
212
,
214
are removable to provide further access to condenser
166
, compressor
162
and fan element
168
.
An efficient high-side refrigeration component assembly is therefore provided that increases serviceability of the refrigeration system while decreasing an occupied space of the components.
While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.
Claims
- 1. A refrigeration unit assembly comprising a slide-out base;a compressor mounted to said base; a condenser mounted to said base and oriented in a wrap-around relationship with said compressor; and a first side wall depending from said base, said first side wall and said condenser defining an enclosure about said compressor.
- 2. A refrigeration unit assembly in accordance with claim 1, said condenser forming an enclosure about said compressor, said assembly further comprising a fan element for circulating air through said enclosure.
- 3. A refrigeration unit assembly in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a second side wall further defining said enclosure.
- 4. A high-side refrigeration component assembly comprising:a slide-out base; a compressor coupled to said base; and a condenser coupled to said base and extending about said compressor so as to encompass said compressor between opposite ends of said condenser; and a first side wall depending from said base adjacent one end of said compressor, said first side wall and said compressor defining an enclosure about said compressor.
- 5. A refrigeration unit assembly in accordance with claim 4 further comprising a fan element for circulating air through said enclosure.
- 6. A refrigeration unit assembly in accordance with claim 5 further comprising a second side wall further defining said enclosure.
- 7. A high-side refrigeration unit assembly comprising:a base; a compressor mounted to said base; a condenser mounted to said base and extending around a first side of said compressor; a fan mounted on a second side of said compressor; and at least one side wall depending from said base and extending from one end of said condenser toward said fan, said condenser and said side wall enclosing said compressor.
- 8. A high-side refrigeration unit assembly in accordance with claim 7 further comprising a second side wall extending from a second end of said condenser toward said fan.
- 9. A high-side refrigeration unit assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein said base comprises at least one rail.
- 10. A high-side refrigeration unit for a refrigerator, said unit comprising;a base comprising a floor, a first side wall, and a second side wall; a condenser mounted to said floor and comprising a first end and a second end, said first end adjacent said first side wall, said second end adjacent said second side wall; a fan coupled to said base and located between said first and said second side walls in a spaced relationship to said condenser, said first and second side walls, said condenser and said fan thereby forming an enclosure; and a compressor mounted in said enclosure.
- 11. A refrigeration unit in accordance with claim 10, said base comprising at least one rail.
- 12. A refrigeration unit in accordance with claim 10 wherein said first side wall is substantially parallel to said second side wall.
- 13. A refrigeration unit in accordance with claim 10 wherein said condenser comprises a first portion and a second portion, said first and second portions forming an apex about said compressor.
- 14. A refrigeration unit in accordance with claim 10, said compressor substantially centered within said enclosure.
- 15. A high-side refrigeration component assembly for a machinery compartment of a refrigerator, said assembly comprising:a slide-out base; at least one side wall extending from said base; a fan element coupled to said base adjacent a first portion of said side wall; a condenser coupled to said base adjacent a second portion of said side wall, said side wall, said condenser and said fan element together forming a three sided enclosure therebetween; and a compressor coupled to said base and situated within said enclosure.
- 16. A component assembly in accordance with claim 15 wherein said condenser extends in a wrap-around relationship to said compressor.
- 17. A component assembly in accordance with claim 16 further comprising a second side wall extending between opposite ends of said three sided enclosure.
US Referenced Citations (14)