Airflow diffuser for in-transit refrigeration

Abstract

A diffuser apparatus for a space of a refrigeration container includes a housing having an internal chamber extending to a nozzle portion comprising a height less than a height of the internal chamber and a width greater than a width of the internal chamber, a fan disposed for operation in the internal chamber, and a heat exchanger disposed for operation in the internal chamber between the fan and the nozzle portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A diffuser apparatus for a space of a refrigeration container, comprising:
 a housing having an internal chamber extending to a nozzle portion comprising a height less than a height of the internal chamber and a width greater than a width of the internal chamber,   a fan disposed for operation in the internal chamber, and   a heat exchanger disposed for operation in the internal chamber between the fan and the nozzle portion.   
     
     
         2 . The diffuser apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises an inlet at the internal chamber in fluid communication with the space of the refrigeration container, and an outlet at the nozzle portion in fluid communication with the space. 
     
     
         3 . The diffuser apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a cryogen inlet in communication with the heat exchanger, and a cryogen outlet in communication with the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         4 . The diffuser apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the cryogen inlet receives a cryogenic substance selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         5 . The diffuser apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one bracket disposed to mechanically fasten the housing to an interior of the refrigeration container. 
     
     
         6 . The diffuser apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one bracket is removably mountable to the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The diffuser apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a motor for the fan mounted to the housing external to the internal chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The diffuser apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the fan and upstream of the nozzle portion.