Refrigerated display case having a central return air duct

Abstract

A refrigerated display case includes a base. A first wall extends from the base and has a first supply air duct defined therein. A second wall extends from the base and has a second supply air duct defined therein. The first wall and the second wall define a product area therebetween. A return air duct is disposed in the product area between the first supply air duct and the second supply air duct. An evaporator coil is disposed in an equipment space defined between the product area and the base. The equipment space is fluidly coupled to the first supply air duct, the second supply air duct, and the return air duct. A first circulation fan is disposed in the equipment space proximate the first supply air duct. A second circulation fan disposed in the equipment space proximate the second supply air duct.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigerated display case, comprising:
 a base;   a first wall extending from the base and having a first supply air duct defined therein;   a second wall extending from the base and having a second supply air duct defined therein, the first wall and the second wall defining a product area therebetween;   a return air duct disposed in the product area between the first supply air duct and the second supply air duct;   an evaporator coil disposed in an equipment space defined between the product area and the base, the equipment space being fluidly coupled to the first supply air duct, the second supply air duct, and the return air duct;   a first circulation fan disposed in the equipment space proximate the first supply air duct; and   a second circulation fan disposed in the equipment space proximate the second supply air duct.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first wall is a front wall of the refrigerated display case; and   the second wall is a rear wall of the refrigerated display case.   
     
     
         3 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 2 , comprising a glass pane disposed in the front wall. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 3 , wherein the glass pane is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 1 , wherein the product area comprises a floor. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 5 , wherein the equipment space is defined between the base and the floor. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a first diffuser disposed at an exit of the first supply air duct; and   a second diffuser disposed at an exit of the second supply air duct.   
     
     
         8 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first diffuser comprises a honeycomb structure; and   the second diffuser comprises a honeycomb structure.   
     
     
         9 . A cooling system, comprising:
 a first supply air duct;   a second supply air duct;   a first circulation fan disposed in the first supply air duct;   a second circulation fan disposed in the second supply air duct;   a return air duct positioned between the first supply air duct and the second supply air duct; and   an evaporator coil thermally exposed to the first supply air duct, the second supply air duct, and the return air duct.   
     
     
         10 . The cooling system of  claim 9 , wherein the cooling system is incorporated in a refrigerated display case. 
     
     
         11 . The cooling system of  claim 10 , wherein discharge of air from the first supply air duct and the second supply air duct creates a thermal barrier to ambient air infiltrating the refrigerated display case. 
     
     
         12 . The cooling system of  claim 10 , wherein positioning of the return air duct between the first supply air duct and the second supply air duct prevents spillage of air over a wall of the refrigerated display case. 
     
     
         13 . The cooling system of  claim 9 , wherein the first circulation fan and the second circulation fan are positioned on opposite sides of the evaporator coil. 
     
     
         14 . The cooling system of  claim 9 , comprising:
 a first diffuser disposed at an exit of the first supply air duct; and   a second diffuser disposed at an exit of the second supply air duct.   
     
     
         15 . The cooling system of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first diffuser comprises a honeycomb structure; and   the second diffuser comprises a honeycomb structure.   
     
     
         16 . A method of constructing a refrigerated display case, the method comprising:
 forming a first supply air duct in a first wall of the refrigerated display case;   forming a second supply air duct in a second wall of the refrigerated display case, a product area being defined between the first wall and the second wall;   forming a return air duct between the first supply air duct and the second supply air duct;   positioning a first circulation fan proximate the first supply air duct;   positioning a second circulation fan proximate the second supply air duct; and   positioning an evaporator coil to be thermally exposed to the first supply air duct, the second supply air duct, and the return air duct.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising positioning the evaporator coil between the first circulation fan and the second circulation fan. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising disposing the first circulation fan, the second circulation fan, and the evaporator coil in an equipment space. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the equipment space is fluidly coupled to the first supply air duct, the second supply air duct, and the return air duct. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  comprising:
 positioning a first diffuser in an exit of the first supply air duct; and 
 positioning a second diffuser in an exit of the second supply air duct.