Modular refrigeration unit and refrigerator

A refrigerator comprising:

• a refrigeration cabinet comprising insulated outer walls and at least one access door for accessing an insulated main chamber of the cabinet;
• the refrigeration cabinet comprising a condenser chamber extending inwardly from an aperture in an outer wall of the cabinet, the condenser chamber being at least partially defined by at least one insulated interior wall portion with at least one mating surface thereon, said at least one mating surface being positioned distal to the aperture, said at least one mating surface defining an opening between the condenser chamber and the main chamber;
• a modular refrigeration unit installed in the cabinet, the modular refrigeration unit comprising:
• a condenser assembly comprising:
• a condenser for condensing a refrigerant therein;
• a condenser fan, for directing a flow of air through the condenser, to remove heat from the condenser;
• a condenser fan motor to drive the condenser fan;
• a compressor for compressing the refrigerant;
• an evaporator assembly comprising:
• an evaporator, for evaporating the refrigerant therein;
• an evaporator tray positioned beneath the evaporator, for collecting condensed moisture;
• an evaporator fan for directing a flow of air through the evaporator;
• an evaporator fan motor to drive the evaporator fan;
• the condenser assembly comprising a condenser tray for collecting and dissipating moisture condensed on the evaporator and directed to the condenser tray;
• a bulkhead assembly positioned between the condenser assembly and the evaporator assembly, the bulkhead assembly including a periphery, and a gasket assembly positioned around the periphery;
• the bulkhead assembly being receivable in the opening upon movement of the modular refrigeration unit in a direction substantially transverse to the bulkhead assembly;
• and
• the gasket assembly being engageable with said at least one mating surface to form a substantially air-tight seal between the condenser chamber and the main chamber when the bulkhead assembly is positioned in the opening.

A gasket assembly for use with a mating surface including a first thermal breaker portion in a refrigeration cabinet, the gasket assembly comprising:

• a second thermal breaker portion adapted for attachment to a bulkhead body portion around a periphery thereof;
• and
• a flexible gasket portion attached to the second thermal breaker portion,
• the gasket portion being adapted to engage with the mating surface on at least one internal wall portion surface of the refrigeration cabinet such that the gasket portion is positioned between the first and second thermal breaker portions to form a substantially air-tight seal.

A modular refrigeration unit for use in a refrigeration cabinet, the refrigeration cabinet including a condenser chamber having at least one insulated wall portion with at least one mating surface thereon and an insulated main chamber, said at least one mating surface defining an opening between the condenser chamber and the main chamber, the modular refrigeration unit comprising:

• a condenser assembly;
• an evaporator assembly;
• a bulkhead assembly positioned between the condenser assembly and the evaporator assembly, the bulkhead assembly having a periphery engageable in said opening between the condenser chamber and the main chamber;
• a gasket assembly coupled to one of said bulkhead periphery and said at least one mating surface;
• and
• the modular refrigeration unit being adapted for movement substantially transverse to the bulkhead assembly for engaging the gasket assembly with the other of said bulkhead periphery and said at least one mating surface to form a substantially air-tight seal between the condenser chamber and the main chamber.

A refrigerator comprising:

• a refrigeration cabinet comprising insulated outer walls and at least one access door for accessing an insulated main chamber of the cabinet;
• the refrigeration cabinet comprising a condenser chamber extending inwardly from an aperture in an outer wall of the cabinet, the condenser chamber being at least partially defined by at least one insulated interior wall portion with at least one mating surface thereon, said at least one mating surface being positioned distal to the aperture, said at least one mating surface defining an opening between the condenser chamber and the main chamber;
• a modular refrigeration unit installed in the cabinet, the modular refrigeration unit comprising:
• a condenser assembly;
• an evaporator assembly;
• a bulkhead assembly positioned between the condenser assembly and the evaporator assembly, the bulkhead assembly having a periphery engageable in said opening between the condenser chamber and the main chamber;
• a gasket assembly coupled to one of said bulkhead periphery and said at least one mating surface;
• and
• the modular refrigeration unit being adapted for movement substantially transverse to the bulkhead assembly for engaging the gasket assembly with the other of said bulkhead periphery and said at least one mating surface to form a substantially air-tight seal between the condenser chamber and the main chamber.