The present disclosure generally relates to household refrigeration systems, and more particularly relates to a modular household refrigeration system and method. In one embodiment, first and second refrigerator modules are remotely positioned relative to a tank holding a primary coolant at a desired temperature. The first and second refrigerator modules are fluidly connected to the tank by an inlet coolant line and an exit coolant line. The inlet coolant line delivers the primary coolant to the modules for cooling thereof, and the exit coolant line returns the primary coolant from the modules after cooling thereof to the tank. The modular household refrigeration system and method will be described with particular reference to this embodiment, but it is to be appreciated that it is also amenable to other like applications.
Heretofore, if a consumer required a large refrigerator capacity for household refrigeration purposes, the consumer would have to maintain more than one large refrigerator. Maintenance of more than one large refrigerator in a household can be cumbersome due to the typical refrigerator's size and dimensions. These tend to restrict placement of the refrigerators so as to prevent the consumer from locating the refrigerators at spaced-apart, convenient locations within a kitchen area, for example.
Of course, the majority of conventional large refrigerators for household use offer only two temperature zones. This limits the variety of food that can be stored at optimum storage temperatures. For example, all food in a typical refrigerator is stored either in a single refrigerated compartment maintained at a desired temperature (e.g., 5-10° C.) or a single freezer compartment maintained at another desired temperature (e.g., −18° C.). The enhancement of the refrigeration capacity can only be obtained through buying a complete new refrigerator. Thus, while consumers can partially address this problem by using multiple complete refrigerators, such a solution is cumbersome and typically not ideal for the consumer's household.
According to one aspect, a refrigeration system is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the refrigeration system has two or more refrigerated units which can be used to store a variety of food in a domestic environment. The refrigerated units can be cooled and maintained independently to desired temperatures using a common liquid coolant line. The liquid coolant can be maintained at a required temperature using a centrally located refrigerator system.
According to another aspect, a modular refrigerator system is provided for household refrigeration. More particularly, in accordance with this embodiment, the modular refrigerator system includes a tank for holding a primary coolant at a desired temperature and one or more refrigerator modules remotely positioned relative to the tank. A first refrigerator module is fluidly connected to the tank by an inlet coolant line and an exit coolant line. The inlet coolant line delivers the primary coolant from the tank to the first refrigerator module for cooling thereof and the exit coolant line returns the primary coolant from the first refrigerator module after cooling thereof to the tank. A second refrigerator module may also be remotely positioned relative to the tank. The second refrigerator module would be similarly fluidly connected to the tank by the inlet coolant line and the exit coolant line. The inlet coolant line delivers the primary coolant from the tank to the second refrigerator module for cooling thereof and the exit coolant line returns the primary coolant from the second refrigerator module after cooling thereof to the tank. Additional refrigerator modules could be similarly included in the system.
According to yet another aspect. a modular household refrigeration system is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the modular household refrigeration system includes a refrigerated source of a primary coolant. The refrigerated source includes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle system having a secondary coolant in thermal contact with the primary coolant of the refrigerated source for cooling of the primary coolant. At least one refrigerator module is remotely positioned relative to the refrigerated source. The at least one refrigerator module is fluidly connected to the refrigerator source by an inlet coolant line for delivering the primary coolant from the refrigerated source to the at least one refrigerator module and an exit coolant line for returning the primary coolant from the at least one refrigerator module to the refrigerated source. The primary coolant is delivered to the at least one refrigerator module for cooling the at least one refrigerated module to a predetermined temperature.
According to still yet another aspect, a method of distributing refrigeration in a household is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, a refrigerated source of a primary coolant is provided. A first refrigerator module is remotely positioned relative to the refrigerated source. The first refrigerator module is fluidly coupled to the refrigerated source for delivery and return of the primary coolant. A second refrigerator module is remotely positioned relative to the refrigerated source. The second refrigerator module is fluidly coupled to the refrigerated source for delivery and return of the primary coolant. The primary coolant is cooled with a secondary coolant of a closed circuit vapor compression refrigeration cycle system.
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating one or more exemplary embodiments,
In the illustrated embodiment of
The first refrigerator module 16 can be remotely positioned relative to the tank 12. The first refrigerator module 16 is fluidly connected to the tank 12 by an inlet coolant line 20 and an exit coolant line 22. In particular, the inlet coolant line 20 delivers primary coolant 14 from the tank 12 to the first refrigerator module 16 for cooling thereof and the exit coolant line 22 returns the primary coolant 14 from the first refrigerator module 16 after cooling thereof to the tank 12. Likewise, the second refrigerator module 18 can be remotely positioned relative to the tank 12 and can be fluidly connected to the tank by the inlet coolant line 20 and the exit coolant line 22. The inlet coolant line 20 delivers the primary coolant 14 from the tank 12 to the second refrigerator module 18 for cooling thereof and the exit coolant line 22 returns the primary coolant 14 from the second refrigerator module 18 after cooling thereof to the tank 12. The coolant lines 20,22 are configured such that any number of additional modules, similar to modules 16 and 18, can be fluidly connected thereto. As illustrated, branch lines 24,26 can be used for fluidly coupling the modules 16,18 to the inlet coolant line 20, respectively. Likewise, branch lines 28,30 can be used to respectively fluidly couple the modules 16,18 to the exit coolant line 22. Alternatively, the modules 16,18 can be fluidly connected to the coolant lines 20,22 without the branch lines 28,30.
The system 10 can further include a refrigeration system 32 operatively connected to the tank 12 for providing temperature control for primary the coolant 14 in the tank. A refrigeration system 32 cools the primary coolant 14 to the desired temperature for cooling of the modules 16,18. More particularly, as will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art, the modules 16,18 can respectively define refrigerated storage compartments 34,36 that are cooled by the primary coolant 14 being passed through or by the modules 16,18. The primary coolant 14 removes heat from the compartments 34,36 and is returned to the tank 12 by the exit coolant line 22 at a higher temperature (i.e., a temperature higher than the desired temperature) than the primary coolant 14 that is delivered to the modules 16,18 by the inlet coolant line 20. In the illustrated system 10, the tank 12 of primary coolant 14 and the refrigeration system 32 together form a refrigerated source of the primary coolant 14. The primary coolant tank, the coolant pipes, the heat exchanger for refrigerant to coolant heat exchange, and the coolant pump may be suitably insulated to minimize the heat losses.
With reference to
The refrigeration system 58, which is illustrated as a closed circuit vapor compression refrigeration cycle system, can include a compressor 72 for circulating the secondary coolant within a secondary coolant closed fluid circuit 74, an evaporator 76 for transferring heat from the primary coolant 54 to the secondary coolant to cool the primary coolant to the desired temperature, a condenser 78 for condensing the secondary coolant after cooling the primary coolant 54 in the evaporator 76, and an expansion device 80, such as an expansion valve or a capillary device, for expanding a volume of the secondary coolant after condensing thereof in the condenser 80. Through the system 58, the primary coolant 54 held in the tank 56 can be in thermal contact with the secondary coolant of the refrigeration system 58.
More particularly, in the arrangement illustrated in
The modules 60,62,64 can be sized so as to be compact and positionable in any location of consumer convenience, such as under a kitchen counter, for example. The modules 60,62,64 can each include a refrigerated portion or space, respectively 88,90,92 in the illustrated embodiment, defined therein for storing food or other refrigerated items. The modules 60,62,64 can further include respective branch lines 94,96,98 for specifically fluidly coupling each module to the inlet coolant line 66, and can likewise include further branch lines 100,102,104 for respectively fluidly coupling each of the modules to the exit coolant line 68, though such branch lines are not required (i.e., the modules 60,62,64 can be fluidly connected to the inlet and exit lines 66,68 in some other manner). A pump 106 can be employed for forcibly moving the primary coolant 54 from the tank 56 to the modules 60,62,64 and for returning the primary coolant 54 from the modules back to the tank 56 via the exit coolant line 68.
The modules 60,62,64 can each include an evaporator 108 (i.e., a heat exchanger) for removing heat from the refrigerated portion (i.e., 88, 90 or 92) of the modules. Accordingly, the evaporators 108 serve to cool the air within the modules 60,62,64. Specifically, the primary coolant 54 passing through the evaporators 108 warms as heat is removed from the modules. The warmed primary coolant 54 is returned to the tank 56 via the exit coolant line 68, wherein the refrigeration system 58 can again cool the primary coolant 54 to the desired temperature. The primary coolant 54 can remain in liquid form, even after cooling of the modules 60,62,64. In addition, the inlet coolant line 66 and the exit coolant line 68, both carrying the primary coolant 54 in liquid form, can be configured to have any number of additional modules readily plugged thereinto.
If desirable, the evaporators 108 can be adjustable for regulating the amount of heat removed from the refrigerated portions of the modules 60,62,64 to control a temperature in said portions. In addition, or in the alternative, the pump 106 can selectively circulate the primary coolant 54 through the modules 60,62,64 for cooling thereof. A module valve 110 can be fluidly disposed in association with each of the modules 60,62,64 between the inlet coolant line 66 and the exit coolant line 68 for regulating an amount of the primary coolant 54 passed through the modules to control temperatures thereof. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the module valves 110 are fluidly disposed respectively on the branch lines 94,96,98 for regulating the amount of the primary coolant 54 delivered by the inlet coolant line 66 to each of the modules 60,62,64. Specifically, a degree of opening of each of the module valves 108 can occur based on a measured temperature within the module 60,62,64 with which the particular module valve 110 is associated. For example, the module valve 110 on branch line 94 can be opened to a greater degree if greater cooling of the refrigerated portion 88 of module 60 is desired.
For controlling the system 50, a controller 112 can be employed. In the embodiment illustrated in
The controller 112 can be programmed to selectively cycle the primary coolant 54 through the evaporator 76 and or cycle the secondary coolant of the closed circuit 74 through the evaporator 76. For example, the controller 112 can receive a measured temperature from temperature sensor 116 disposed in or in association with the tank 56 for measuring a temperature of the primary coolant 54 in the tank 56. Based on the measured temperature as indicated by the sensor 116, the controller 112 can operate the pump 86 for forcing the primary coolant 54 through the evaporator 76 and or operate the compressor 72 to force the secondary coolant of the circuit 74 through the evaporator 76 until the primary coolant 54 is cooled to the desired temperature.
In addition, the controller 112 can be operatively connected to the module valves 110 for operation thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, each module includes a module temperature sensor 118 that measures a temperature within the refrigerated portion (e.g., portion 88, 90 and/or 92) of the modules and based on the temperature measured by the sensors 118, the controller 112 can open or close the module valves 110 to selectively regulate the amount of primary coolant 54 passed through the module and thereby control the temperature of the refrigerated portion of the modules. The opening or closing of the module valves 110 can, of course, occur in degrees or in part. For example, a module valve 110 could be opened from a 50% open position to a 75% open position. Thus, opening and closing of the module valves 110 need not occur in the absolute, partial opening or closing can occur as desired.
The modules 60,62,64 can be any one of, for example, a cold plate, a refrigerated wine rack compartment, a fresh food refrigerated compartment, a freezer compartment, an ice machine, a cold water dispenser, a cold sink, or any other type of refrigerated module. In one embodiment, the module 60 is one of the aforementioned modules, the module 62 is another of the aforementioned modules, and module 64 is still another of the aforementioned modules. The modules 60,62,64 can be positioned remotely relative to the central unit 114 and, if desired, can be positioned remotely relative to one another. In addition, the modules can be appropriately sized so as to be received under a kitchen counter, for example. For example, module 60 can be a small refrigerated compartment that is disposed under a kitchen counter.
Using the system 50, a method of distributing refrigeration in a household will now be described. In particular, refrigerated source 52 of primary coolant 54 can be provided. At least a first module, such as module 60, can be remotely positioned relative to the refrigerated source 52. The first module 60 can be fluidly coupled to the refrigerated source 52 for delivery and return of the primary coolant 54. At least a second refrigerator module, such as module 62, can also be remotely positioned relative to the refrigerated source 52. The second refrigerator 62 module can also be fluidly coupled to the refrigerated source 52 for delivery and return of the primary coolant 54. The primary coolant 54 can be cooled with a secondary coolant of a closed circuit vapor compression refrigeration cycle system 58. If desired, remotely positioning of the modules can include installing at least one of the modules 60,62 or 64 under a kitchen counter.
According to the system 50 of
With reference now to
Another distinction between the system 130 and the system 50 is that the system 130 uses the refrigeration system 140 to cycle the secondary coolant through the tanks 132,134 for cooling of the primary coolant 136 (as opposed to directing the primary coolant 136 through a separate or spaced apart evaporator). If desired, evaporators 142,144 can be respectively disposed within one or both of the tanks 132,134 for cooling of the primary coolant 136 held therein. As illustrated, the closed circuit 146 of the refrigeration system 140 passes the secondary coolant first through the second tank 134 and subsequently through the first tank 132. As a result of this arrangement, the primary coolant 136 held in the second tank 134 can be cooled to a greater degree than is the primary coolant 136 of the first tank 132. That is, more heat can be removed from the primary coolant 136 of the second tank 134 by the evaporator 142 than occurs by the evaporator 144 of the first tank 132. Of course, however, this need not be required; for example, the degree of cooling of tanks 132,134 could be controlled or determined by the sizing and/or style of the evaporators 142,144, if employed. In any case, like the refrigeration system 58 of
The modular refrigeration system 130 can also include refrigerator modules 154,156,158 which can be the same or similar to the modules 60,62,64 of
With reference now to
For example, the system 170 can include a refrigerated wine rack compartment module 178 located under kitchen counter 180. The system 170 can also include a fresh produce module 182 and a fast/soft freeze module 184, both also shown as being located under the kitchen counter 180. The system 170 can additionally include a cool produce compartment module 186 and a deep freeze module 188 disposed in island 190 in the illustrated kitchen. A cold salad bar or plate module 192 is also shown disposed on top of the island 190. In addition, an ice machine/ice maker module 194 is shown under kitchen counter 196, and cold water module 198 is illustrated adjacent the module 194. The schematically illustrated fluid lines 200, collectively forming an inlet coolant line, deliver a liquid coolant from the tank 174 to the various modules for cooling thereof. Though not shown, a return coolant line or lines would also fluidly connect the modules back to the tank 174 for returning the primary coolant to the tank 174 after cooling of the modules.
The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.