Method and system for cooler conversion to a refrigerator

Abstract

A method and system for converting a conventional cooler to a refrigerator. A heat transfer module is disposed within the cooler for cooling the contents therein, while an external cooling module includes refrigerant in a closed loop configuration that stays outside of the cooler. The heat transfer module includes a closed loop chilling fluid that extends outside the cooler through a drain port to perform a heat exchange with the refrigerant loop.

Claims

1. A modular retrofit unit for retrofit into a cooler with a body having a drain port on the exterior of the body to allow for liquid to drain from the cooler therethrough, the retrofit unit comprising: a. an internal heat transfer module placed inside of the cooler, the internal heat transfer module processing a closed loop liquid for cooling the interior of the cooler, the internal heat transfer module comprising a radiator, a liquid pump, and a liquid reservoir; b. an external liquid cooling module external to the outside walls of the cooler, the cooler being separate from the body and movable and adjustable during operation relative to external liquid cooling module, the external liquid cooling module processing a refrigerant contained within the external liquid cooling module for heat exchange with the closed loop liquid for supply to the internal heat transfer module, the external liquid cooling module comprising a condenser, a refrigeration compressor, an evaporator, and an expansion valve; c. at least one inlet conduit and at least one outlet conduit for moving the closed loop liquid between the external liquid cooling module and the internal heat transfer module during the refrigeration process, wherein the at least one inlet conduit and the at least one outlet conduit can be displaced through the drain port; and d. a power source connected to the external liquid cooling module to drive the internal heat transfer module and the external liquid cooling module.

2. The modular retrofit unit of claim 1, wherein the power source includes a DC power supply.

3. The modular retrofit unit of claim 1, further including a microprocessor and wherein the interior heat exchange module further includes a sensor, the sensor being connected to the microprocessor connected through the drain port to the sensor to provide a user temperature control for the refrigeration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a perspective drawing of a system employing an embodiment of the refrigeration conversion system of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of components to be used with a conventional cooler fitted with an embodiment of the refrigeration conversion system of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2B shows an exposed perspective view showing drain port and slot features of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 2C shows a bottom perspective view of a system fitted with an embodiment of the refrigeration conversion system of the present invention including a power supply component.

(5) FIG. 3A shows condenser, compressor and evaporator components of a system employing an embodiment of a refrigeration conversion system of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 3B shows heat exchange module and cooling liquid loop details of a system employing an embodiment of a refrigeration conversion system of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 3C shows an exposed interior detail of cooled air and return air opening details of a system employing an embodiment of a refrigeration conversion system of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 3D shows a perspective exposed view of the system employing an embodiment of the present invention including the details from FIGS. 3A and 3B.

(9) FIG. 3E shows the details of the system of FIG. 3D rotated to more clearly show the detail of FIG. 3C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) Set forth below is a description of what is currently believed to be the preferred embodiment or best examples of the invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to this preferred embodiment are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure or in result are intended to be covered by the claims in this patent.

(11) FIGS. 1, 2A-2C and 3A-3C show a first preferred embodiment of the system 10 employed with a cooler 20, the system including a heat exchange module 30 and a liquid cooling module 50. The cooler 20 most preferably includes a drain port 22, and a series of notches or slots 24 for receiving a partition sheet 26 which has a return air opening 28 to allow for the circulation of air from the interior of the cooler 20 through the heat exchange module 30, then back to the rest of the interior of the cooler 20 through the cooled air opening 29. As shown in this preferred embodiment, the heat exchange module 30 of this embodiment includes an internal fan and radiator 32 for transmitting air through the cooled air opening 29 of the partition sheet, as well as a cooling liquid loop 34 comprised of a flexible hose or similar conduit, a liquid pump 36 for circulating the cooling liquid and a cooling liquid reservoir 38. The liquid employed in this loop is most preferably a propylene glycol type fluid, though those of skill in the art will understand that other, equivalent fluids may be used with comparable efficacy.

(12) Additionally, those of skill in the art having this invention will understand that the present disclosure could support at least one alternative comprising liquid pump 36 and reservoir 38 outside of the cooler to further maximize available space. However, such reconfiguration might degrade the efficiency of the system, as the liquid in the reservoir would no longer be maintained inside the now-chilled cooler 20. Those of skill in the art will also understand that some coolers may not contain notches or slots 24 for partition, which may be overcome in further alternative embodiments of this disclosure with the use of inserts, straps, fasteners, or friction to secure the internal, thermal exchange module 30.

(13) The cooling liquid loop 34 passes through the drain port 22 outside of the cooler where it comes into contact with the external liquid cooling module. Specifically, the cooling liquid loop 34 most preferably engages in a cross flow conductive heat exchange with a refrigerant loop 52 maintained entirely external to the cooler 20. The refrigerant used in the refrigerant loop 34 can be R134, R600a or other commercially known refrigerants. The external liquid cooling module further contains standard refrigeration cycle components to remove heat from the refrigerant to support the heat exchange process, including an external fan and condenser 54, a refrigeration compressor 56, an evaporator 58, and a throttling device 60, such as a capillary tube, an expansion exchange valve (EXV) or the like.

(14) The power for the internal thermal exchange module 30 and the external liquid cooling module is provided by a power supply unit 80. This power supply unit is most preferably a 12-volt battery of the lithium ion type, though alternative supply source may likewise be used, such as a wall plug or portable car DC supply jack. Additionally, the power can be made still more efficient by the use of a temperature monitoring system (not shown), including one or more temperature sensors or thermistors which can be inserted into the cooler 20, and a microprocessor control unit which communicates electronically with the sensor to turn off or on the power supply to the thermal exchange module 30 and the liquid cooling module depending upon the temperature rising above acceptable temperature set points (e.g., 38 F). Thus, the effective life of the battery supply is greatly increased depending upon the use or lack thereof, e.g., when the cooler remains closed, the temperature will remain relatively constant, and thus the thermal exchange module 30 and the external liquid cooling module will only need to operate a small portion of the time to maintain the set point temperature.

(15) The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in the following claims that define the invention. Rather, it is contemplated that future modifications in structure, function or result will exist that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims. For instance, the specific voltages and refrigerants and cooling fluids used in the examples of the preferred embodiments of present invention is for illustrative purposes with reference to the example drawings only. Likewise, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, additions, omissions, and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the following claims.