Non-Linear Refrigeration Coil Layout for Even Display Cooling

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigeration systems in merchandisers, using linear serpentine coils, often result in warmer outer corners and frost issues due to uneven temperature distribution, making it difficult to regulate the product display area effectively.

Innovation Solution

A non-linear coil with a sinuous refrigerant path and an inlet on the outer periphery and outlet closer to the center, with increasing spacing between coil sections from the periphery to the center, is used to enhance heat transfer and even cooling distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a linear serpentine coil is used with inlet and outlet on opposite sides, then the coil structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the temperature distribution becomes uneven with outer corners warmer and inner area subject to frost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoil structure simplicityVSAvoidtemperature distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional coil configuration by positioning the refrigerant inlet on the outer periphery and the outlet toward the center, opposite to the traditional approach. This inversion reverses the refrigerant flow pattern, allowing the coldest refrigerant to first cool the outer perimeter areas that were previously warmer, thereby achieving more uniform temperature distribution across the entire cooled surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a spiral or curved coil configuration instead of a linear serpentine design. This curved geometry allows the refrigerant to flow in a rotational pattern from the outer periphery toward the center, improving heat transfer efficiency and temperature uniformity by eliminating the sharp corners and straight-line transitions characteristic of linear coils

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Area of stationary object

If coil sections are arranged in a back-and-forth pattern, then the coil fits compactly in the space, but the outer corners remain warmer and the interior area experiences frost and freezing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoil space utilizationVSAvoidfrost formation and temperature non-uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional coil configuration by positioning the refrigerant inlet on the outer periphery and the outlet toward the center, opposite to the traditional approach. This inversion reverses the refrigerant flow pattern, allowing the coldest refrigerant to first cool the outer perimeter areas that were previously warmer, thereby achieving more uniform temperature distribution across the entire cooled surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different coil section spacing characteristics to different regions of the coil. By having coil sections with varying spacing where inner sections may be spaced differently from outer sections, the design addresses local temperature distribution needs - providing enhanced cooling capacity where required and preventing frost formation in vulnerable areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a conventional linear coil is used, then the device complexity is low, but the temperature regulation in the product display area becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoil configuration complexityVSAvoidtemperature regulation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a spiral or curved coil configuration instead of a linear serpentine design. This curved geometry allows the refrigerant to flow in a rotational pattern from the outer periphery toward the center, improving heat transfer efficiency and temperature uniformity by eliminating the sharp corners and straight-line transitions characteristic of linear coils

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional coil configuration by positioning the refrigerant inlet on the outer periphery and the outlet toward the center, opposite to the traditional approach. This inversion reverses the refrigerant flow pattern, allowing the coldest refrigerant to first cool the outer perimeter areas that were previously warmer, thereby achieving more uniform temperature distribution across the entire cooled surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design ensures more even cooling of the product display area, reducing frost formation and improving temperature control by superheating the cooling fluid and distributing heat more evenly across the platform.

Implementation Method 1

a non-linear coil that is disposed in the case and positioned to conductively refrigerate product in the product display area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

improving temperature control by superheating the cooling fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuperheating: Superheating

Data Source

PatentUS9528771B2Heat exchanger with non-linear coil

Publication Date: 2016.12.27 HUSSMANN CORP

AI summary

A heat exchanger including a non-linear coil. The coil has coil sections that define a sinuous refrigerant path, and the coil has an inlet that is located on an outer periphery of the coil and an outlet that is located inward of the outer periphery. A distance between the coil sections monotonically increases from the outer periphery toward the center.