Distributed refrigeration system with optional storage module and controller

A distributed refrigeration appliance system constructed and arranged for use in a residential kitchen and other locations associated with a dwelling comprising:

• a plurality of separate refrigeration appliance modules each having:
• an insulated cabinet having an opening for access to the interior of the cabinet;
• at least one insulated door for covering and uncovering an opening in the insulated cabinet;
• and
• an apparatus for receiving a cooling medium to cool the interior of the refrigeration appliance module;
• a central cooling unit to remove heat from the cooling medium;
• a cooling medium circuit connecting the central cooling unit and the plurality of refrigeration appliance modules to supply cooling medium from the central cooling unit to the plurality of refrigeration appliance modules and to return cooling medium to the central cooling unit from the refrigeration appliance modules;
• a plurality of cooling medium flow control devices connected in the cooling medium circuit for to controlling flow of cooling medium to each of the refrigeration appliance modules;
• at least one refrigeration/storage module located relative to a first one of the plural refrigeration appliance modules arranged to selectively provide refrigerated storage space or unconditioned storage space located relative to a first one of the plural refrigeration appliance modules, a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature in the refrigeration/storage module, at least one insulated air duct connecting the refrigeration/storage module with the first one of the plural refrigeration appliance modules, and at least one flow controller for to selectively permitting circulation of chilled air through the at least one insulated air duct from the first one of the plural refrigeration appliance modules to the refrigeration/storage module and to return air from the refrigeration/storage module to the first one of the plural refrigeration appliance modules when the at least one flow controller is positioned arranged to allow chilled air to flow through the at least one insulated air duct and operate the refrigeration/storage module as a refrigerated storage space;
• further comprising a control circuit connecting the plurality of refrigeration appliance modules, the refrigeration/storage module, the plurality of cooling medium flow control devices, the temperature sensor, the central cooling unit and a system controller, and further comprising a selector connected to the system controller and arranged to select refrigerated operation of the refrigeration/storage module or use of the refrigeration/storage module as unconditioned storage space.