Heat exchanger and airflow therethrough

Abstract

A heat exchanger defining a path of multi-directional airflow therethrough. A coil assembly within a housing of the heat exchanger divides the interior of the housing into first and second airflow plenums. The path of airflow includes a first portion in a first direction defining a cross flow distributed over a portion of the coil assembly in the first airflow plenum. A second portion defines a flow extending from the first airflow plenum in a second direction through the coil assembly. A third portion in the first direction defines a second cross flow distributed over a portion of the coil assembly in the second airflow plenum. In one embodiment, the coil assembly is oriented in an angular manner within the housing of the heat exchanger.

1  A method for controlling airflow in a container, comprising:
 receiving airflow from a region of the container which contains produce into a first airflow region of a heat exchanger, the first airflow region being defined by a coil assembly angularly aligned within a housing;   distributing the airflow in the first airflow region across a first portion of the coil assembly in a first direction;   passing the airflow through the coil assembly in a second direction;   distributing the airflow in a second airflow region across a second portion of the coil assembly in the first direction, the second airflow region being defined by the coil assembly; and   drawing the airflow through an air mover configured to direct the airflow from the second airflow region in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, thereby returning the airflow to the region of the container which contains the produce.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the coil assembly includes a plurality of coil segments arranged parallel and forming a plane; and   the air mover is arranged adjacent to the coil assembly and an axis of rotation of the air mover forms an acute angle with the plane.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a marine container. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the container is adapted to control a ripening of the produce. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is adapted to be installed on a top interior side of the container. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 drawing the airflow upwards in the container prior to receiving the airflow into the first airflow region of the heat exchanger; and   directing the airflow downwards in the container after drawing the airflow through the air mover.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising heating the airflow with the coil assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising cooling the airflow with the coil assembly.