Supplemental refrigeration heat sink and related systems and methods
OwnerJoseph P. Stineinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A supplemental refrigeration heat sink includes a plurality of sealed tubes filled with a compound and arranged so as to extend across the top inside a refrigerated box. The compound is preferably a phase change compound with a melting point proximate to and higher than the average return air temperature. During the cooling phase of the box, the supplemental heat sink tubes are cooled, with the phase change material freezing or nearly freezing. During the heating phase, cooling fans can be secured and the phase change material readily absorbs heat from the box, slowing the temperature rise in the box.
Claims16
A refrigeration unit comprising:
- a box having a top and enclosing a refrigeration volume;
- a refrigeration system connected with the box and operable to generate and introduce cooled air into the refrigeration volume during a cooling phase, a heating phase occurring after generation of cooled air is stopped;
- a thermostat configured to measure an air temperature within the refrigeration volume and in signal communication with the refrigeration system to initiate the cooling phase upon reaching a high temperature set point and to stop generation of cooled air upon reaching a low temperature set point;
- and
- a supplemental refrigeration heat sink including at least one sealed tube filled with a phase change compound arranged in the refrigeration volume proximate to the top of the box.
A method for enhancing temperature control in a refrigeration unit using a supplemental refrigeration heat sink, the method comprising:
- arranging a plurality of sealed tubes filled with a phase change compound in a refrigeration volume of a box, proximate to a top thereof;
- introducing cooled air into the box using at least one fan during a cooling phase, such that the phase change compound releases heat and undergoes at least partial freezing;
- and
- securing the cooling phase and stopping the at least one fan to initiate a heating phase, during which the phase change compound absorbs heat and undergoes at least partial melting.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.