Configuration for a heat exchanger in a temperature controlled case

Abstract

A heat exchanger for a temperature controlled case is disclosed herein. A temperature controlled case includes a housing that defines a temperature controlled space. The housing includes a duct that receives circulated air. A heat exchanger is coupled to the housing and disposed within the duct. The heat exchanger includes an intake face at a non-perpendicular angle relative to an air flow direction in the duct immediately upstream of the heat exchanger.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A temperature controlled case, comprising:
 a housing that defines a temperature controlled space, the housing including a duct that receives circulated air; and   a heat exchanger coupled to the housing and disposed within the duct, the heat exchanger including an intake face at a non-perpendicular angle relative to an air flow direction in the duct immediately upstream of the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         2 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature controlled case is a vertically oriented case, and wherein the duct is a horizontal duct positioned vertically below the temperature controlled space. 
     
     
         3 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature controlled case is vertically oriented, and wherein the duct is a vertical duct positioned behind the temperature controlled space. 
     
     
         4 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger further includes a secondary intake face adjacent the primary intake face, a primary outlet face positioned on an opposite side of the heat exchanger relative to the primary intake face, and a secondary outlet face positioned adjacent the primary outlet face. 
     
     
         5 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 4 , wherein the primary intake face and the secondary intake face are configured to receive circulated air that is cooled by the heat exchanger before being discharged via the primary and secondary outlet faces. 
     
     
         6 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 5 , further comprising a first blocking mechanism coupled to the heat exchanger and configured to block or substantially block the secondary intake face such that air is only received by the heat exchanger via the primary intake face. 
     
     
         7 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 6 , further comprising a second blocking mechanism coupled to the heat exchanger and configured to block or substantially block the secondary outlet face such that air circulated through the heat exchanger is only discharged via the primary outlet face. 
     
     
         8 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 4 , wherein the primary intake face is angled away from a plane perpendicular to the air flow direction in the duct immediately upstream of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         9 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is a part of one of a direct expansion cooling system or a secondary coolant cooling system for the temperature controlled case. 
     
     
         10 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of brackets that couple the heat exchanger to the housing within the duct, wherein each bracket in the pair of brackets has a vertical height that changes over the longitudinal length of each bracket, such that the pair of brackets support the heat exchanger at the non-perpendicular angle. 
     
     
         11 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 1 , further comprising an air mover disposed at least one of upstream or downstream of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         12 . A heat exchanger for a cooling system for a temperature controlled case, the heat exchanger comprising:
 a cooling coil; and   a plurality of heat exchange fins coupled to the cooling coil;   wherein the coupled cooling coil and plurality of heat exchanges fins form a rectangular body having a primary intake face for receiving air that exchanges heat with the cooling coil, wherein the primary intake face is disposed at a non-perpendicular angle relative to a plane that is perpendicular to a direction of air flow immediately upstream of the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger of  claim 12 , further comprising a pair of brackets coupled to the heat exchanger, wherein each bracket in the pair of brackets has a vertical height that changes over a longitudinal length of each bracket such that the pair of brackets enable the primary intake face to be at the non-perpendicular angle. 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger of  claim 13 , further comprising a secondary intake face adjacent the primary intake face, a primary outlet face positioned on an opposite side of the heat exchanger relative to the primary intake face, and a secondary outlet face positioned adjacent the primary outlet face. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger of  claim 14 , wherein the primary intake face and the secondary intake face are configured to receive circulated air that is cooled by the heat exchanger before being discharged via the primary and secondary outlet faces. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger of  claim 14 , further comprising a first blocking mechanism coupled to the heat exchanger and configured to block the secondary intake face such that air is substantially only received by the heat exchanger via the primary intake face. 
     
     
         17 . The heat exchanger of  claim 16 , further comprising a second blocking mechanism coupled to the heat exchanger and configured to block the secondary outlet face such that air circulated through the heat exchanger is substantially only discharged via the primary outlet face. 
     
     
         18 . The heat exchanger of  claim 12 , wherein the primary intake face is angled away from the plane that is perpendicular to the air flow direction immediately upstream of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         19 . A temperature controlled case, comprising:
 a housing that defines a temperature controlled space, the housing including a duct that receives circulated air; and   a heat exchanger coupled to the housing and disposed within the duct, the heat exchanger including an intake face having a cross-sectional dimension greater than a cross-sectional dimension of the duct.   
     
     
         20 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 19 , wherein the intake face is at an angle between approximately zero degrees and eighty-nine degrees relative to a plane that is perpendicular to an air flow direction immediately upstream of the heat exchanger.