Refrigeration Device

Abstract

A refrigeration device has a cabinet having a pair of refrigerated interior spaces and an upper compartment which houses removable compressor and evaporator modules. An air supply plenum is positioned between the refrigerated spaces to evenly provide cold air. The evaporator module has a removable, thermally insulative cover to facilitate servicing.

1 . A refrigeration device comprising:
 a) a cabinet having a first and a second refrigerated interior space;   b) the cabinet including a compartment;   c) an air supply plenum positioned between the first and the second refrigerated spaces;   d) the compartment including a compressor module and an evaporator module, with a refrigerant fluid circulating between the compressor module and the evaporator module;   e) the air supply plenum being adapted to provide air from the evaporator module to the first and the second refrigerated spaces;   f) the evaporator module including an evaporator and at least one fan for circulating air from the evaporator through the plenum;   g) the evaporator module being removable from the refrigeration device;   h) the evaporator module including a removable cover;   i) the compressor module being removable from the refrigeration device;   j) at least one return air plenum for collecting air from the first and the second refrigerated spaces.   
     
     
         2 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 1  wherein the compartment is positioned above the first and second refrigerated interior spaces. 
     
     
         3 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 1  wherein the compartment is positioned below the first and the second refrigerated spaces. 
     
     
         4 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 1  wherein the removable cover is formed from a thermally insulative material. 
     
     
         5 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 1  wherein the refrigerant is circulated between the compressor module and the evaporator module through self-sealing dry-break couplings. 
     
     
         6 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 1  wherein the evaporator module includes a shroud over the evaporator to prevent air returning from the first and second refrigerated spaces from bypassing the evaporator. 
     
     
         7 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 1  wherein the evaporator module includes return air supply ducts to provide balanced air from at least one return air plenum to the evaporator. 
     
     
         8 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 7  wherein the interior surfaces of the return air supply ducts and the removable cover are contoured to facilitate low air-side pressure drop. 
     
     
         9 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 1 , wherein the evaporator module includes an upstanding partial enclosure for mating and sealing engagement with the removable cover. 
     
     
         10 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 9 , wherein the compartment includes a mounting surface for the compressor module and the evaporator module, the upstanding partial enclosure of the evaporator module contacting the mounting surface and defining a contact area, the mounting surface being partially perforated in the vicinity of the contact area to enhance the thermal isolation of the evaporator module. 
     
     
         11 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 1 , further including at least one switch indicating when the cover is not securely fastened. 
     
     
         12 . A double door refrigeration device comprising:
 a) a cabinet having a first and a second refrigerated interior space;   b) the cabinet including a compartment for enclosing a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator;   c) an air supply plenum positioned between the first and the second refrigerated spaces;   e) the air supply plenum being adapted to provide air from the evaporator to the first and the second refrigerated spaces;   f) at least one return air plenum for collecting air from the first and the second refrigerated spaces and returning the air to the evaporator.   
     
     
         13 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 12  wherein the compartment is positioned above the first and second refrigerated interior spaces. 
     
     
         14 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 11  wherein the compartment has an interior, the evaporator being positioned in a thermally insulative housing within the compartment. 
     
     
         15 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 14  wherein the housing includes a removable cover. 
     
     
         16 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 15  wherein the housing includes a shroud over the evaporator to prevent air returning from the first and second refrigerated spaces from bypassing the evaporator. 
     
     
         17 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 14  wherein the housing includes return air supply ducts to provide balanced air from at least one return air plenum to the evaporator. 
     
     
         18 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 17  wherein the interior surfaces of the return air supply ducts and the removable cover are contoured to facilitate low air-side pressure drop. 
     
     
         19 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 14 , wherein the housing includes an upstanding partial enclosure for mating and sealing engagement with the removable cover. 
     
     
         20 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 19 , wherein the compartment includes a mounting surface for the compressor and the housing, the upstanding partial enclosure of the housing contacting the mounting surface and defining a contact area, the mounting surface being partially perforated in the vicinity of the contact area to enhance the thermal isolation of the evaporator. 
     
     
         21 . A self-contained evaporator module for use with a refrigeration device, the evaporator module including:
 a) an evaporator module housing having an interior and an evaporator;   b) at least one evaporator fan for drawing or pushing air through the evaporator to cool the air flowing through the evaporator;   wherein the evaporator module housing preferably includes:   an evaporator module base and an evaporator module cover, the evaporator module base and evaporator module cover fitting together tightly to provide a seal against air flow between the interior of the evaporator module and the exterior, the evaporator module cover being formed from a thermally insulating material, the interior of the evaporator module being divided into a warm air chamber and a cold air chamber, the warm air chamber and the cold air chamber being separated by at least one interior wall formed in the housing and by the evaporator.