Refrigeration Ceiling Airflow Design for Temperature Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration systems suffer from temperature instability and non-uniformity due to inefficient airflow distribution, leading to cold and warm spots within the refrigerated chamber, exacerbated by product loading and recirculation effects.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an air plenum configuration that directs cooled air from the evaporator to the front and upper portion of the storage chamber, creating an enveloping airflow that homogenizes temperature distribution, reduces recirculation, and utilizes the thermal mass of the refrigerator components for enhanced stability and uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the intake fan is placed in front of the evaporator, then air is drawn from the front portion, but recirculation increases and temperature uniformity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful recirculation effect by repositioning the intake fan to draw air from the lower front portion of the chamber, separating the intake location from the evaporator exhaust. This spatial separation prevents the immediate re-ingestion of cold exhaust air, eliminating the recirculation loop that caused temperature non-uniformity while preserving effective air circulation
2Ease of operation
If plenums are used to direct air further into the chamber, then air distribution improves slightly, but overall temperature variation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the conventional plenum structure at the evaporator outlet and instead directs air flow along the chamber walls using the envelope airflow pattern. This approach distributes air more effectively throughout the chamber volume without creating the localized cold air concentration that plenums produce, thereby reducing overall temperature variation
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 configuration significantly improves temperature stability and uniformity, reduces compressor cycles, and extends the refrigeration cycle period without compromising energy efficiency, effectively maintaining consistent temperatures across the chamber.
Implementation Method 1
The ceiling wall surface is maintained at a temperature sufficiently low to induce convective air flow from a second surface of the ceiling wall surface in the storage chamber
Implementation Method 2
the airflow coming off the evaporator (cooled air, potentially as low as −10° C. exits the evaporator)
Data Source
AI summary
A method for cooling a product with a refrigeration system is provided. The method includes providing a product within a storage chamber defined by an opening wall surface, a floor surface, a rear wall surface and a ceiling wall surface. The ceiling wall is cooled with cooled air in contact with an opposing surface of an internal baffle. The ceiling wall surface is maintained at a temperature to provide convective heat absorption from the ceiling wall surface in the storage chamber. An enveloping airflow of the cooled air is induced downward along the opening wall surface by discharging the cooled air from the discharge chamber into a discharge area within the storage chamber adjacent the opening wall.