Baffle and Method for Enhancing a Defrost Cycle

Abstract

In a cooling system, a member is positioned between an evaporator and the spaced to be cooled by the cooling system. The member diverts air that flows back from the cooled space to the evaporator away from the bottom region of the evaporator.

1 . A cooling system, the system comprising: 
 an evaporator having a bottom region, a top region, and a face region;    a fan in operational connection with the evaporator;    an air duct extending from the face region to a cooled space; and    a baffle positioned between the face region and the cooled space.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the baffle diverts air flowing from the cooled spaced to the face region away from the bottom region of the evaporator.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the baffle is positioned proximate the bottom region and extends outward from the evaporator into the air duct.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the baffle includes a leg portion extending substantially perpendicular to the evaporator and a toe angled away from the leg portion toward the cooled space.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the baffle is positioned proximate the bottom region and extends outward from the evaporator into the air duct.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the baffle includes a leg portion extending substantially perpendicular to the evaporator and a toe angled away from the leg portion toward the cooled space.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the baffle is positioned proximate the bottom region and extends outward from the evaporator into the air duct.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for aiding in the defrosting of a cooling system evaporator having a duct extending from a face region of the evaporator to a cooled space, the apparatus comprising: 
 means for diverting air flow from the cooled space to the evaporator away a bottom region of the evaporator.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the diverting means is positioned proximate the bottom region and extends outward from the evaporator into the duct.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the diverting means includes a leg portion extending into the duct from the evaporator and a toe portion extending away from the leg portion toward the cooled space.  
   
   
       11 . A method of aiding the defrosting of a cooling system of the type having a duct in connection between an evaporator and a cooled space, the method comprising the steps of: 
 ceasing the flow of air from the evaporator to the cooled space; and    diverting the air that flows from cooled space toward the evaporator away from a bottom region of the evaporator.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the air flow from the cooled space is diverted by a baffle.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the baffle is positioned proximate the bottom region. and extends outward from the evaporator into the air duct.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the baffle includes a leg portion extending substantially perpendicular to the evaporator and a toe angled away from the leg portion toward the cooled space.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the baffle includes a leg portion extending substantially perpendicular to the evaporator and a toe angled away from the leg portion toward the cooled space.