Ice rink chilling unit, ice rink with chilling unit, and a method of chilling an ice rink

Abstract

An ice rink chilling unit includes a heat extraction subassembly, a refrigeration subassembly, a stand-alone enclosure, and a single-phase AC electrical connector. The extraction subassembly includes quick-connect couplings removably connecting with rink piping to form a secondary closed loop. The refrigeration subassembly defines a primary closed loop engaging the extraction subassembly in heat exchanging relation. The enclosure encapsulates the refrigeration and extraction subassemblies. The quick-connect couplings extend outside of the enclosure. The extraction and refrigeration subassemblies are pre-wired and pre-plumbed inside of the enclosure. The electrical connector is accessible from outside the enclosure and connects the extraction and refrigeration subassemblies to the electrical source in single-phase AC relation. Coolant fluid circulates through the secondary closed loop, and refrigerant fluid circulates through the primary closed loop. The extraction subassembly extracts heat from the rink piping, and transfers heat to the primary closed loop.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a refrigeration system for creating and maintaining an ice rink surface and, in particular, to a complete standalone module refrigeration system for installation and use by residential consumers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] To meet demand and allow for year-round use and use in unsuitable climates, refrigeration systems for creating and maintaining (“chilling”) ice rink surfaces have been developed. The development of these refrigeration systems has involved improvements in ice rink construction, as well as improvements in heat exchange fluid flow systems. An initial form of the refrigeration system, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,485,057 to Etter et al., circulates chilled liquid refrigerant through heat exchange pipes located directly in the area being refrigerated. [0003] The prior art also includes portable systems for creating and maintaining ice surfaces. However, such prior art systems have been inherently com...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of ma

Problems solved by technology

However, such prior art systems have been inherently complex such as that in U.S. Pat. No.

Although such systems locate the refrigeration unit and the chiller tank alongside one another, they are bulky and also require the services of a skilled professional for installation, necessarily involving inordinate time and cost.

This requirement creates a problem in that these systems are therefore not suitable for use in areas where three phase electrical power is not available, such as in private residences, where typically only single phase power supplies are available.

Accordingly, end consumers desiring to install quality, commercial grade ice rink systems in their backyards have, therefore, first had to expend significant time and cost to convert their homes' single phase electrical power supply to a three phase electrical power supply.

This conversion can create problems with existing electrical equipment and wiring in the home, as well as significantly increasing the time and costs associated with installing the ice rink by requiring the components of such prior art large scale commercial systems brought to their homes.

Another problem with prior art commercial grade systems is that, because the various components of the refrigeration system have been located outside of the heat-exchange / refrigeration module (possibly even with the heat exchange unit located in its own separate housing), home consumers have heretofore been required to retain, at their own cost, highly skilled professional specialists familiar with the relevant technology, such as electricians, plumbers or steamfitters, to install and connect the various components of these systems to one another, so as to ensure safe installation, operation and maintenance.

Typically, end consumers have been further burdened by legal requirements of their respective jurisdictions to have safety inspections performed by the relevant government body before such prior art systems could be put into regular use.

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