Hot gas flow management system and method for a chiller

Abstract

Disclosed herein are coolers having an airflow management system. The cooler can include a cabinet having a door with a transparent portion. A refrigeration unit can be coupled to the cabinet. The refrigeration unit has an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet. A cross-sectional area of the airflow outlet can be less than a cross-sectional area of the airflow inlet. The refrigeration unit can be fluidly coupled to an airflow management system in fluid communication with the airflow outlet. The airflow management system includes an exhaust port and a turbulence reduction port.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The described embodiments relate to a hot air flow management system and method for a cooler. More specifically, the described embodiments relate to an air flow management system having an exhaust port and a turbulence reduction port and related methods. SUMMARY

[0002] In some embodiments described herein, a cooler includes a cabinet, a refrigeration unit, and an air flow management system. The cabinet has a door with a transparent portion. The transparent portion can be formed of glass, plastic, or other transparent material. The refrigeration unit is coupled to the cabinet and includes an air flow inlet and an air flow outlet. A cross-sectional area of the air flow inlet is greater than a cross-sectional area of the air flow outlet. The air flow management system is in fluid communication with the air flow outlet. The air flow management system includes an exhaust port and a turbulence reduction port. The exhaust port and the turbulence reduction port are orthogonal.

[0003] The air flow management system is configured to redirect a flow of an air mass exiting the refrigeration unit through the air flow outlet. In some embodiments, the air flow management system redirects the flow of the air mass to span a height of the transparent portion.

[0004] The transparent portion can comprise a majority of a side of the cooler. The height of the transparent portion can be greater than 95% of a height of the cabinet. The height of the transparent portion can also be greater than 85% of a height of the cooler. The height of the transparent portion of the cooler can be between 6 ft to 6.5 ft. The reduced height of the refrigeration unit can be occupied by the cabinet to form supplemental storage space. The supplemental storage space can be formed above the outlet of the refrigeration unit.

[0005] The refrigeration unit can include a condenser having a coil. The coil can be located in a narrower portion of the refrigeration unit. The narrow portion of the refrigeration unit can be a portion of the refrigeration unit having a smaller cross-section. The coil can form an air mass channel that directs an air mass flowing through the refrigeration unit to the air flow outlet. According to some embodiments, the air mass channel is orthogonal to the door of the cooler. The width of the refrigeration unit can also be constant despite the cross-sectional areas of the outlet and the inlet being the same. Thus, the change in cross-sectional area from the inlet to the outlet is caused by a change in height of the refrigeration unit.

[0006] The cabinet height of the cooler is greater than 6 ft. The air flow management system can reduce the formation of condensation on the transparent portion of the cabinet when the temperature of the interior of the cabinet is below 5 °C and the cooler is located in a high temperature high humidity environment. The high temperature high humidity environment can be described as an environment where the temperature is in excess of 41 °C and the relative humidity is in excess of 75%.

[0007] An air flow management system for a cooler can include a housing. The housing can be formed from a discharge panel and a side panel. The discharge panel and the side panel can be formed orthogonal to one another. An exhaust port can be formed in the discharge panel and a turbulence reduction port can be formed in the side panel. The air flow management system for a cooler can also include an arcuate panel located inside the housing.

[0008] The housing can be curved 90°. In this way, an air mass that meets the arcuate panel can be redirected 90° relative to a direction in which the air mass meets the arcuate panel. The exhaust port can be biased to direct the air mass closer to a surface of a transparent portion of the cooler. For example, the exhaust port can be biased toward a plane that is orthogonal to the discharge panel, where the plane intersects a radius of the arcuate panel.

[0009] The arcuate panel can be joined with the side panel. For example, the arcuate panel can be fitted into a recess of the side panel such that the side panel supports the arcuate panel. The exhaust port can be formed from two or more rows of exhaust ports. For example, the exhaust port on the surface panel can include two rows of ten columns of exhaust ports.

[0010] According to some embodiments, a cooler can include a cabinet, a refrigeration unit, and an air flow management system. The cabinet can have a primary space and a secondary space. The secondary space can be an extension of the primary space. The refrigeration unit can have a first portion and a second portion. A height of the second portion of the refrigeration unit can be less than a height of the first portion of the refrigeration unit. The air flow management system can be fluidly coupled to the second portion. The cabinet can be disposed on the refrigeration unit such that the secondary space is disposed above the second portion. The cabinet and the refrigeration unit can form a rectangular profile. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] The present disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements in the drawings and wherein:

[0012] Figure 1 A cooler having an air flow management system is shown in accordance with an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a cooler having an air flow management system is shown in accordance with an embodiment taken along line 2-2' in Figure 1

[0014] Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of a refrigeration system having an air flow management system is shown in accordance with an embodiment taken along line 2-2' in Figure 1

[0015] Figure 4 An air flow management system is shown in accordance with an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 ​​A cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5' in the airflow management system according to an embodiment is shown. Figure 4

[0017] Figure 6A Figure 6B A flow vector of an air mass up the front surface of the cooler according to an embodiment is shown.

[0018] Figure 7A Figure 7B A heat map of the front surface of the cooler according to an embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to the representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that can fall within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the claims. Accordingly, references to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "exemplary embodiment", etc. mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Furthermore, the appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Additionally, the described features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0020] Other embodiments are discussed below with reference to the drawings. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the application. As used herein, ranges include endpoints and "from" and "to" and "and" and other related language include the endpoints. As used herein, "about" or "approximately" can be considered to be within 10% of the indicated value (including the endpoints).

[0021] ​​​Merchants use coolers to keep products at a low temperature. Some coolers include a transparent portion in the front of the cooler. The transparent portion can be made of glass or other transparent material. The transparent portion of the door allows a consumer to view the products in the cooler before making a selection. Clear visibility of the products in the cooler is important to the manufacturer, the merchant, and the customer. Clear visibility allows the products to be seen from a distance without opening the door of the cooler. This allows the manufacturer to not only sell the product, but also to convey a higher brand recognition, or to promote a product or promotion that is soon to be released or time limited, even when the cooler is closed. The consumer needs to clearly see the products in the cooler so that the customer can see the available products and make a purchase. Finally, the merchant requires clear visibility so that the consumer limits the amount of time the cooler door is open, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the cooler.

[0022] In some environments, moisture that forms on the transparent portion obscures the products in the cooler from the consumer. The moisture on the transparent portion limits brand recognition, makes it more difficult for the consumer to recognize the products in the cooler, and can require the consumer to open the cooler to clearly view the products, thereby unnecessarily wasting energy.

[0023] Coolers operating in high humidity high temperature environments are particularly susceptible to condensation forming on the glass. Condensation forms when the surface temperature is below the dew point temperature of the water vapor in the air. The dew point temperature increases as the relative humidity increases. In high temperature high humidity environments, such as, for example, temperatures above 38°C and relative humidity above 65%, the dew point temperature can be only 1 to 5 degrees Celsius below the ambient temperature. For example, when the temperature is 40°C and the relative humidity is 75%, the dew point temperature is 35°C. When the temperature is 40°C and the relative humidity is 90%, the dew point temperature is 38°C. And when the temperature is 38°C and the relative humidity is 75%, the dew point temperature is 33°C. Thus, at the above temperatures and relative humidity, condensation will form on the transparent portion of the cooler when the outer portion of the transparent portion is 35°C, 38°C, and 33°C, respectively.

[0024] The interior of the cooler is kept cool to keep the products at a temperature desired by the consumer. The interior temperature of a beverage cooler can be about 1°C to 7°C. The cool interior lowers the temperature of the transparent portion of the cooler. If the outer portion of the transparent portion is cooled below the dew point temperature, condensation will form on the exterior of the cooler. Ensuring that the temperature of the transparent portion is kept above the dew point of the water vapor reduces the formation of condensation.

[0025] Embodiments of coolers having an air flow management system configured to reduce the formation of condensation on the transparent portion of the cooler are described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0026] In some embodiments, for example as Figure 1As shown, the cooler 100 includes a cabinet 102. The cabinet 102 can store and display products. For example, the cabinet 102 can store beverages or other consumable products. The cabinet 102 can have a door 106 to access the products within the cabinet 102. The door 106 includes a transparent portion 108. The transparent portion 108 can be formed of glass or can be formed of other transparent materials such as, for example, plexiglass, glass composite, or other suitable materials. According to some embodiments, the cooler 100 also includes a refrigeration unit 200. The refrigeration unit 200 can be configured to cool an interior space of the cabinet 102. For example, as shown, the refrigeration unit 200 can be located below the cabinet 102 and can support the cabinet 102. The refrigeration unit 200 can include an airflow management system 300. The airflow management system 300 can be coupled to a front of the refrigeration unit 200. The airflow management system 300 can be configured to redirect airflow entering the airflow management system 300. The airflow management system 300 is fluidly coupled to the refrigeration unit 200 and is located on the same side of the cooler 100 as the door 106 having the transparent portion 108. Figure 1 As shown, the refrigeration unit 200 can be located below the cabinet 102 and can support the cabinet 102. The refrigeration unit 200 can include an airflow management system 300. The airflow management system 300 can be coupled to a front of the refrigeration unit 200. The airflow management system 300 can be configured to redirect airflow entering the airflow management system 300. The airflow management system 300 is fluidly coupled to the refrigeration unit 200 and is located on the same side of the cooler 100 as the door 106 having the transparent portion 108.

[0027] The cooler 100 has a cooler height 104. In some embodiments, the cooler height 104 can be between 2 ft (feet) to 10 ft. In some embodiments, the cooler height 104 is between 4 ft to 8 ft. Additionally in some embodiments, the cooler height is between 6 ft to 7 ft. The door 106 has a door height 107 and the transparent portion 108 has a transparent portion height 110. According to some embodiments, the transparent portion height 110 is greater than 85% of the cooler height 104. In some embodiments, the transparent portion height 110 is greater than 95% of the cooler height 104. The transparent portion height 110 can be greater than 95% of the door height 107.

[0028] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the cooler 100 taken along line 2-2’ is shown according to some embodiments. Figure 2 The cabinet 102 is shown on the refrigeration unit 200. The refrigeration unit 200 has a condenser fan 216 located at an airflow inlet 208. An airflow outlet 210 opposite the airflow inlet 208 fluidly interfaces with the airflow management system 300. Figure 2 The transparent portion 108 is shown above the airflow management system 300. In one embodiment, the airflow management system 300 is configured such that the air mass 400 exits the airflow management system 300 and flows along a substantially laminar flow trajectory 404. The air mass 400 maintains a substantially laminar flow across the transparent portion height 110 of the cooler 100. Laminar flow is a uniform flow and lacks lateral mixing. In laminar flow, there is no or only minimal cross flow perpendicular to the direction of flow. There are also no or few eddies or vortices in the flow.

[0029] The cabinet 102 can have different spaces formed by the geometry of the cabinet 102. For example, Figure 2 A primary space 115 and an auxiliary space 116 of the cabinet 102 are shown. Figure 2 The auxiliary space 116 formed adjacent to the primary space 115 is shown. According to some embodiments, the auxiliary space 116 can not be adjacent to the primary space 115. As referenced below, Figure 3 As explained in greater detail, the refrigeration unit 200 has a second portion that has a height that is less than the height of the first portion. The negative space created by the reduced height of the refrigeration unit 200 forms the space for the auxiliary space 116 of the cabinet 102. The auxiliary space 116 increases the available space of the cabinet 102, allowing the merchant to offer more products to the customer. This increases the customer’s selection and increases the time between restocking of the cooler 100. Utilizing the space previously occupied by the front portion 206 allows the cooler 100 to maintain a rectangular shape, allowing the cooler to easily integrate into current merchant locations.

[0030] Figure 3 is Figure 2 A detailed view of the refrigeration unit 200 is shown. As Figure 3 shown, the refrigeration unit 200 has a rear portion 202, a front portion 206, and a middle portion 204. The refrigeration unit 200 can include an airflow inlet 208 and an airflow outlet 210. The rear portion 202, the middle portion 204, and the front portion 206 are fluidly connected such that fluid can flow from the airflow inlet 208 formed on a side of the rear portion 202, through the rear portion 202, the middle portion 204, the front portion 206, and out of the airflow outlet 210 formed on a side of the front portion 206. The rear portion 202 has a rear portion height 212 that defines a surface area of the airflow inlet 208. The front portion 206 has a front portion height 214 that defines a surface area of the airflow outlet 210. As Figure 3 shown, in one embodiment, the rear portion height 212 is greater than the front portion height 214, and the surface area of the airflow inlet 208 is greater than the surface area of the airflow outlet 210.

[0031] In some embodiments, the refrigeration unit 200 can include several portions. The portions can be fluidly coupled and can have different cross-sectional areas. For example, as Figure 3 shown, the refrigeration unit 200 includes three portions. Figure 3 The rear portion 202, the middle portion 204, and the front portion 206 are shown. The rear portion 202, the middle portion 204, and the front portion 206 house components for cooling the cabinet 102. It will be understood that the refrigeration components (not shown) can include a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator, an evaporative value, or other suitable refrigeration components. Figure 3A condenser fan 216 is shown disposed proximate the air flow inlet 208 of the refrigeration unit 200. The condenser fan 216 can be inside the rear portion 202, outside the rear portion 202. For example, the condenser fan 216 can be coupled to the refrigeration unit, but remain outside the rear portion 202.

[0032] The condenser fan 216 brings the air mass 400 into the refrigeration unit 200. The air mass 400 passes through the rear portion 202. The air mass 400 continues through the middle portion 204. The middle portion 204 reduces the volume through which the air mass 400 passes. As the volume of the air mass 400 is reduced, the speed of the air mass 400 increases. Thus, when the air mass 400 enters the front portion 206, the speed of the air mass 400 is greater than when the air mass 400 exits the rear portion 202. This corresponding increase in the speed of the air mass 400 allows the air mass 400 to reach a greater height as it flows up the transparent portion 108. That is, the increased speed allows the air mass 400 to exit the air flow outlet 210 and flow into the air flow management system 300 with sufficient speed to create a laminar flow up the height 110 of the transparent portion.

[0033] As described above, the condenser fan 216 draws the air mass 400 from the environment into the refrigeration unit 200. As the air mass 400 travels through the refrigeration unit 200, the air mass 400 passes over the condenser coil 213. The condenser coil 213 is arranged to form an air flow channel 211. The air flow channel 211 smooths the flow of the air mass 400, thereby reducing the turbulent flow of the air and increasing the laminar properties of the flow. The air flow channel 211 also directs the flow of the air mass 400 such that the direction of the flow becomes substantially horizontal. As the air mass 400 passes through the air flow channel 211 and over the condenser coil 213, the air mass 400 absorbs heat expelled from the condenser coil 213.

[0034] The air mass 400 now moves at an increased speed and is heated by the condenser coil 213 through the air flow outlet 210.

[0035] Figure 4 A perspective view of the air flow management system 300 is shown, in accordance with an embodiment. The air flow management system 300 has a discharge panel 302 and a side panel 304. The discharge panel 302 and the side panel 304 are orthogonal. The door 106 having the transparent portion 108 is disposed between the discharge panel 302 and the side panel 304. Figure 4The environment is shown for reference. When the door 106 is closed on the cabinet 102, the bottom surface of the door 106 is in the door closed position 108. The exhaust panel 302 has exhaust ports 306. The exhaust ports 306 direct the air mass 400 up the front of the cabinet 102, causing the air flow to go up along the surface of the door 106 and across the transparent portion 108. Turbulence reduction ports 307 are formed in the side panels 304. The turbulence reduction ports 307 allow portions of the air mass 400 that do not have a substantially forward direction (i.e., a direction parallel to the air flow channel 211) to exit the air flow management system 300.

[0036] Figure 4 Turbulent air 402 is shown exiting through the turbulence reduction ports 307. A portion of the air mass 400 exiting from the exhaust panel 302 through the exhaust ports 306 forms a laminar flow across the outer surface of the transparent portion 108. The exhaust ports 306 can have various shapes or have multiple configurations. For example, the exhaust ports 306 can have two rows, three rows, four rows, or more rows and several columns. The exhaust ports 306 can be oval, triangular, circular, square, or other shapes as shown. The exhaust ports 306 can have the same shape and size, or can have different shapes and sizes.

[0037] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the air flow management system 300 taken along line 5-5' is shown. The air flow management system 300 includes an arcuate panel 312. The arcuate panel 312 redirects the air mass 400 exiting the refrigeration unit 200. The arcuate panel 312 changes the direction of flow of the air mass 400 from a substantially horizontal trajectory that the air mass 400 has when exiting the air flow outlet 210 to a substantially vertical trajectory. The arcuate panel 312 has a radius 314. In some embodiments, depending on the geometry of the arcuate panel 312, the arcuate panel 312 can have more than one radius 314. In some embodiments, the arcuate panel 312 can transition 90°. In some embodiments, the arcuate panel can transition greater than or less than 90°. Additionally, in some embodiments, the arcuate panel can have a segmented transition.

[0038] The transition of the air mass 400 from horizontal flow to vertical flow introduces turbulence into the air mass 400. In contrast to the substantially smooth, laminar flow of the air mass 400 when it exits the refrigeration unit 200 via the air flow channel 211, the turbulent portion of the air mass 400 is characterized by local chaotic variations in pressure and flow velocity. The turbulent portion of the air mass 400 interferes with the laminar portion of the flow and reduces the velocity of the flow. Reducing the velocity of the air mass 400 reduces the ability of the air mass 400 to maintain laminar flow across the transparent portion height 110. Laminar flow across the surface increases the rate of heat transfer, so the more laminar flow and the less turbulent flow, the greater the heat transfer of the transparent portion.

[0039] The turbulence reduction ports 307 reduce the turbulence of the air mass 400, thereby increasing the laminar properties of the flow. The turbulence reduction ports 307 formed in the side panels 304 allow portions of the air mass 400 having a substantially non-vertical flow velocity to pass through the turbulence reduction ports 307 out of the airflow management system 300. The turbulent portions of the flow of the air mass 400 are removed. The removed turbulence will not interact with the smooth flow inside the airflow management system 300 nor will it reduce the overall laminar velocity of the air mass 400 flowing through the system.

[0040] According to some embodiments, the airflow management system 300 includes additional airflow management components. For example, Figure 5 A flow deflector 317 is also shown. The flow deflector 317 can be formed at the exhaust ports 306. The flow deflector 317 can form an angle 404 with respect to the intermediate exhaust portion 316. The intermediate exhaust portion 316 is the portion of the exhaust panel 302 that lies between the exhaust ports 306. The flow deflector 317 can slightly re-orient the flow of the air mass 400 that exits the airflow management system 300 through the exhaust ports 306. It can be desirable to slightly re-orient the air mass 400 through the flow deflector 317 to fine tune the flow of the air mass 400 to ensure more laminar flow across the transparent portion height 110. As shown, Figure 5 The flow deflector 317 can be said to be biased in the direction of the transparent portion 108. As shown, the flow deflector is biased toward a plane that intersects the radius 314 and is orthogonal to the exhaust panel 302.

[0041] Figure 6A And Figure 6B A flow diagram of the air mass 400 flowing across the transparent portion 108 is shown. Figure 6A A cooler 100A is shown having a flow deflector 600. The flow deflector 600 has an arc-shaped panel configured to re-orient the air mass 400 exiting the refrigeration unit 200 to travel upward along the transparent portion 108 of the cooler 100A. Although the flow deflector 600 is similar in many respects to the airflow management system 300 described above, and includes exhaust ports on the exhaust panel of the flow deflector 600, the flow deflector 600 does not have turbulence reduction ports 307. In contrast to the cooler 100A shown, Figure 6A In contrast to the cooler 100A shown, Figure 6B A cooler 100B is shown having an airflow management system 300 as described above. In particular, the airflow management system 300 of the cooler 100B includes turbulence reduction ports 307.

[0042] Figure 6A And Figure 6BThe flow diagrams shown illustrate the flow vectors of the air mass 400 leaving the flow splitter 600 of the cooler 100A and the air flow management system 300 of the cooler 100B, respectively. The length of each flow vector corresponds to the length of the laminar flow across the transparent section 108. That is, the length of each vector shows how far the flow of the air mass 400 remains smooth, laminar, and substantially in contact with the transparent section 108 as it travels up the transparent section height 110.

[0043] Figure 6A The flow vectors are shown to vary in length and have a generally parabolic shape. The flow remains laminar across the transparent section 108 up to the highest point 502. On average, the flow remains laminar to the average point 506.

[0044] Figure 6B The flow vectors of the air mass 400 extending up from the air flow management system 300 across the transparent section 108 are shown. Figure 6B The flow vectors of the air mass 510 extending from the turbulence reduction port 307 are also shown. As shown, the flow vectors extending up across the transparent section 108 remain laminar to the point 504. In contrast to the flow vectors shown in Figure 6A In contrast to the flow vectors shown in Figure 6B The flow vectors of the air mass 400 heated by the refrigeration unit 200 remain laminar across the entire face of the cooler 100B. Thus, the air mass 400 reaches the highest point of the cooler 100B.

[0045] Figure 7A In contrast to the flow vectors shown in Figure 7B The flow vectors of the air mass 400 heated by the refrigeration unit 200 remain laminar across the entire face of the cooler 100B. Thus, the air mass 400 reaches the highest point of the cooler 100B. Figure 6A In contrast to the flow vectors shown in Figure 6B The thermal maps of the coolers 100A and 100B are shown. The thermal maps show the temperature of the transparent section 108. Figure 7A In contrast to the flow vectors shown in Figure 7B The temperature zones 702, 704, 706, 708, and 710 are shown. The temperature zone 702 has a higher temperature than the temperature zone 704. The temperature zone 704 has a higher temperature than the temperature zone 706. The temperature zone 706 has a higher temperature than the temperature zone 708. The temperature zone 708 has a higher temperature than the temperature zone 710. Thus, the temperature zone 702 is the highest temperature and the temperature zone 710 is the lowest temperature.

[0046] As described above, when the air mass 400 leaves the flow splitter 600 or the air flow management system 300, the air mass 400 is heated by the refrigeration unit 200. The air mass 400 transfers the heat across the transparent section 108. The heat transferred increases the temperature across the transparent section 108 and causes the temperature of the zones 702 to 710 to vary. As the laminar flow of the air mass 400 decreases and the temperature of the air mass 400 decreases, the heat transferred to the transparent section 108 also decreases.

[0047] Figure 7Aand Figure 7B A temperature zone 710 is shown on coolers 100A and 100B. As described, the temperature zone 710 is the lowest temperature on the surface of the transparent portion 108. The low temperature of the temperature zone 710 makes the temperature zone 710 most susceptible to condensation formation. Figure 7A and Figure 7B The comparative comparison of the flow splitter 600 without the turbulence reducing port 307 and the airflow management system 300 including the turbulence reducing port 307 shows that, on average, the surface temperature of the transparent portion 108 of the cooler 100B is higher than the surface temperature of the transparent portion 108 of the cooler 100A. Thus, the transparent portion 108 of the cooler 100B is less susceptible to condensation formation.

[0048] It is to be understood that the detailed description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive of the scope, because the scope of the application is best determined by a review of the appended claims, along with the full description of the Disclosure provided below.

[0049] The above description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the application that others can, by applying knowledge of the present art, readily modify and / or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by those skilled in the art in light of the teachings and guidance.

[0050] The breadth and scope of the present application should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined in accordance with the following claims appended hereto with appropriate scope and equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A cooler comprising: a cabinet having a door with a transparent portion; a refrigeration unit coupled to the cabinet, the refrigeration unit comprising: an airflow inlet; and an airflow outlet, an airflow management system in fluid communication with the airflow outlet, the airflow management system comprising: one or more exhaust ports; and one or more turbulence reduction ports disposed below the exhaust ports, wherein the exhaust ports and the turbulence reduction ports are orthogonal such that the turbulence reduction ports are configured to increase laminar properties of an air mass passing through the airflow management system, and wherein a cross-sectional area of the airflow outlet is less than a cross-sectional area of the airflow inlet.

2. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the airflow management system is configured to redirect a flow of an air mass.

3. The cooler of claim 2, wherein the airflow management system redirects the flow of the air mass to cross over the transparent portion.

4. The cooler of claim 1, wherein a height of the transparent portion is greater than 95% of a height of the cabinet.

5. The cooler of claim 1, wherein a height of the transparent portion is greater than 85% of a height of the cooler.

6. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the refrigeration unit further comprises: a condenser, and wherein a coil of the condenser forms an air mass channel.

7. The cooler of claim 6, wherein the air mass channel is orthogonal to the door.

8. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising: wherein the airflow management system reduces formation of condensation on the transparent portion of the cabinet when: a temperature of an interior of the cabinet is less than 8°C, a height of the cabinet exceeds 6 ft, and wherein the cooler is located in an environment where: a temperature exceeds 38°C, and a relative humidity exceeds 75%, the airflow management system reduces formation of condensation on the transparent portion of the cabinet.

9. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the height of the transparent portion of the cabinet is between 6 ft to 6.5 ft.

10. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising: wherein a width of the cross-sectional area of the outlet and a width of the cross-sectional area of the inlet are the same.

11. The cooler of claim 10, wherein the cabinet further comprises an auxiliary storage space formed above the outlet of the refrigeration unit.

12. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the cabinet has a main space and an auxiliary space extending from the main space, wherein the refrigeration unit has a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having a height less than a height of the first portion; and wherein the auxiliary space of the cabinet is disposed above the second portion of the refrigeration unit.

13. The cooler of claim 12, wherein the cabinet and the refrigeration unit form a rectangular profile.

14. The cooler of claim 12, wherein the second portion of the refrigeration unit comprises a coil of a condenser, the coil of the condenser forming an air mass channel orthogonal to the door.

15. An air flow management system for a chiller, the air flow management system comprising: a housing having a discharge panel and a side panel, an exhaust port formed in the discharge panel; a turbulence reduction port formed in the side panel and disposed below the exhaust port; and an arcuate plate located inside the housing, wherein the exhaust port and the turbulence reduction port are orthogonal such that the turbulence reduction port is configured to increase laminar properties of an air mass passing through the air flow management system.

16. The air flow management system for a chiller of claim 15, wherein the arcuate plate is curved 90 degrees.

17. The air flow management system for a chiller of claim 15, wherein the exhaust port is offset toward a plane orthogonal to the discharge panel, the orthogonal plane intersecting a radius of the arcuate plate.

18. The air flow management system for a chiller of claim 15, wherein the arcuate plate engages the side panel.

19. The air flow management system for a chiller of claim 15, wherein the exhaust port comprises two rows.

20. The air flow management system for a chiller of claim 15, wherein the exhaust port on the discharge panel comprises two rows of ten columns. ​

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