REFRIGERATED SALES CABINET

Abstract

A refrigerated sales cabinet (2) according to exemplary embodiments of the invention comprises a cabinet body (4) having a real wall; a compressor (16) of a vapor compression cycle arranged within a com-pressor compartment (14); and a riser conduit (22) having an inlet port (24) at the compressor compartment (14) and an outlet port (26) positioned outside, particularly behind the cabinet body (4) and above the inlet port (24) such that gas, including leaked refrigerant flows from the compressor compartment (14) through the riser conduit (22) and exits the riser conduit (22) through the outlet port (26).

Claims

1. Refrigerated sales cabinet (2) comprising a cabinet body (4) having a rear wall; a compressor (16) of a vapor compression cycle arranged within a compressor compartment (14); and a riser conduit (22) having an inlet port (24) at the compressor compartment (14) and an outlet port (26) positioned outside, particularly behind the cabinet body (4) and above the inlet port (24) such that gas, including leaked refrigerant flows from the compressor compartment (14) through the riser conduit (22) and exits the riser conduit (22) through the outlet port (26).

2. Refrigerated sales cabinet (2) of claim 1, wherein the riser conduit (22) extends substantially in a vertical direction.

3. Refrigerated sales cabinet (2) of claim 1, where in the outlet port (26) of the riser conduit (22) is located behind the rear wall (12) of the cabinet body (4) at a height between a middle portion of the rear wall (12) and the roof portion, particularly at a height of 1.50 to 2.00 meters above the floor on which the refrigerated sales cabinet (2) stands.

4. Refrigerated sales cabinet (2) according to claim 1, wherein the riser conduit (22) is located at, within or behind the rear wall (12) of the refrigerated sales cabinet (2).

5. Refrigerated sales cabinet (2) according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the riser conduit (22) is formed by the rear face of the rear wall (12) of the cabinet body (4) and a ledge (34), particularly a U-shaped ledge (34) mounted on the rear face of the rear wall (12) of the refrigerated sales cabinet (2).

6. Refrigerated sales cabinet (2) according to claim 1, wherein the inlet port (24) of the riser conduit (22) is arranged at an upper portion of the compressor compartment (14); and/or wherein the outlet port (26) of the riser conduit (22) is arranged at or behind the rear wall (12) of the refrigerated sales cabinet (2) so as to discharge the gas, including the leaked refrigerant, from the compressor compartment (14) to an environment behind the refrigerated sales cabinet (2).

7. Refrigerated sales cabinet (2) according to claim 1, wherein the riser conduit (22) is formed as a fanless riser conduit (22).

8. Refrigerated sales cabinet (2) according to claim 1, wherein the compressor compartment (14) is arranged at or in the rear wall (12) of the cabinet (2) body; and/or wherein the compressor compartment (14) encloses at least one compressor (16) and separates the interior of the compressor compartment (14) from the re-frigerated sales space (6) and/or from the outside of the refrigerated sales cabinet (2); and/or wherein the rear side of the compressor compartment (14) is formed by a removable rear cover (32) closing an opening within the rear wall (12) of the cabinet body (4).

9. Refrigerated sales cabinet (2) according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerated sales cabinet (2) is formed as a semi plug-in cabinet (2); wherein the vapor compression cycle comprises at least one compressor (16), at least one condenser (20), an expansion device and an evaporator (30) and refrigerant conduits interconnecting these elements and circulating a refrigerant therethrough; and wherein the at least one condenser (20) is formed as a heat exchanger transferring heat from the compressed hot refrigerant to a brine.

10. Refrigerated sales cabinet (2) according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerated sales cabinet (2) is formed as a plug-in cabinet; wherein the vapor compression cycle comprises at least one compressor (16), at least one condenser (20), an expansion device and an evaporator (30) and refrigerant conduits interconnecting these elements and circulating a refrigerant therethrough; and wherein the at least one condenser (20) is formed as a heat exchanger transferring heat from the compressed hot refrigerant to ambient air.

11. Refrigerated sales cabinet (2) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one condenser (20) is arranged at or on top of a roof portion of the cabinet body (4); wherein the vapor compression cycle further comprises a pressure line (18) extending between the at least one compressor (16) and the at least one condenser (20); and wherein the pressure line (18) extends behind the rear wall (12) of the cabinet body (4) and is covered, at least partially, by a ledge (34), particularly a U-shaped ledge (34), mounted on the rear face of the real wall (12) of the refrigerated sales cabinet (2), seen from behind.

12. Refrigerated sales cabinet (2) according to claim 11, wherein the interior space of the ledge (34), enclosed by the rear face of the rear wall (12) of the cabinet body (4) and the inner surfaces of the ledge (34) and which is not occupied by the pressure line (18), forms at least part of the riser conduit (22); and/or wherein the cross sectional area of such interior space is in the range of 2-8 cm.sup.2; or wherein the riser conduit (22) is formed separately from the pressure line (18).

13. Refrigerated sales cabinet (2) comprising a cabinet body (4) having a rear wall; a refrigerant containing component located in the lower section of the refrigerated sales cabinet; and a riser conduit having an inlet port (24) at the refrigerant containing component and an outlet port (26) positioned outside, particularly behind the cabinet body (4) and above the inlet port (24) such that gas, including leaked refrigerant flows from the refrigerant containing component through the riser conduit (22) and exits the riser conduit (22) through the outlet port (26).

Description

[0048] In the following, a refrigerated sales cabinet according to exemplary embodiments of the invention is described in more detail with respect to the enclosed Figs.

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a refrigerated sales cabinet according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a rear view onto the refrigerated sales cabinet of FIG. 1;

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a more detailed perspective side view of the refrigerated sales cabinet of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of the rear wall, the pressure line, the riser conduit and the U-shaped ledge of the refrigerated sales cabinet, taken along the line A-A-in FIG. 2.

[0053] The refrigerated sales cabinet 2 is of the front access type and can be provided with or without doors on the front. The refrigerated sales cabinet 2 can be a freezing cabinet providing freezing temperatures within the refrigerated sales space and comprising doors on the front (not shown). The refrigerated sales cabinet can also be a cabinet providing cooling temperatures of above 0° C. within the refrigerated sales space, without doors on the front (as shown). In the appended FIGS. 1 and 3, the side walls are omitted for purpose of illustration.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 1, the cabinet body of the refrigerated sales cabinet comprises substantially horizontal bottom and roof portions and a rear wall 12 connecting the rear ends of the bottom and roof portions. The bottom and roof portions, the rear wall 12 and the side walls (not shown) and, optionally, doors provided at the front (not shown) enclose a refrigerated sales space 6 in which refrigerated goods to be sold are supported and presented, e.g. on shelves 8.

[0055] The refrigerated sales space 6 formed in the interior of the cabinet body 4 is enclosed by a bottom plate, a particularly perforated rear wall and a ceiling plate. A cooling air cycle circulates through the intermediate spaces between the bottom plate of the refrigerated sales space 6 and the bottom portion of the cabinet body 4, between the rear wall of the refrigerated sales space 6 and the rear wall 12 of the cabinet body 4 and between the ceiling plate of the refrigerated sales space 6 and the roof portion of the cabinet body 4.

[0056] In these intermediate spaces, particularly between the rear wall of the refrigerated sales space 6 and the rear wall 12 of the cabinet body 4 at least one evaporator 30 can be arranged which is shown in FIG. 3.

[0057] The cooled air exits through a cold air supply baffle at the front end of the ceiling plate, flows downward forming a cooling air curtain and enters the return air baffle at the front end of the bottom plate of the refrigerated sales space 6.

[0058] The refrigerated sales cabinet 2 can be formed as plug-in cabinet or a semi-plugin cabinet, which means that all the elements of the vapor compression cycle, namely at least a compressor 6, a condenser 20, an expansion device (not shown), an evaporator 30 (see FIG. 3) and refrigerant conduits circulating a refrigerant therethrough, are integrated within or arranged at the refrigerated sales cabinet 2.

[0059] At the bottom portion of the rear side of the refrigerated sales cabinet 2, there is arranged a compressor compartment 14 enclosing a/the compressor 16. In the present embodiment, the compressor compartment 14 is arranged within the rear wall 12 of the cabinet body 4. The compressor compartment 14 comprises a bottom plate, a front cover, a top cover and a removable rear cover (not shown in FIG. 1). The front cover of the compressor compartment 14 is arranged behind the lower portion of the rear wall of the refrigerated sales space 6 so as to provide a passage for the cooling air circuit therebetween.

[0060] The condenser 20 is located on top of the roof portion of the cabinet body 4. A pressure line 18 connects the discharge side of the compressor 16 to the inlet side of the condenser 20. This pressure line 16 exits the compressor compartment 14 through its top cover, it extends along the rear face of the rear wall 12 of the cabinet body 4, is mounted with appropriate clamps or ledges to the rear wall 12, makes a bend at its upper end and connects to the inlet port of the condenser 20.

[0061] If the refrigerated sales cabinet 2 is formed as a semi-plug-in cabinet, the condenser 20 transfers heat from the compressed hot refrigerant to a brine circuit (not shown). The brine circuit typically comprises brine conduits located on top of the roof portion of the refrigerated sales cabinet 2.

[0062] If the refrigerated sales cabinet 2 is formed as a plug-in cabinet, the condenser 20 is transferring heat from the compressed hot refrigerant to the ambient air, and typically also comprises condenser fans improving such heat transfer efficiency.

[0063] The refrigerated sales cabinet 2 further comprises a riser conduit 22 having an inlet port 24 and an outlet port 26. The inlet port 24 is located at an upper rear portion of the compressor compartment 14. The outlet port 26 is arranged at a height of typically 1.50 to 2.00 m above the floor on which the refrigerated sales 2 stands.

[0064] The riser conduit 22 is formed in a fanless fashion and discharges gas, including leaked refrigerant exiting the vapor compression cycle at or in the vicinity of the compressor 16 in an upwards direction. Such leaked refrigerant is typically at a higher pressure level than the surrounding gas, particularly the air within the compressor compartment 14.

[0065] Such discharged gas, including leaked refrigerant exits the riser conduit 22 through its outlet port 26 and mixes with ambient air behind the refrigerated sales cabinet 2. Thus the risk of fire or explosion resulting from leaked flammable refrigerant is significantly reduced or even fully avoided.

[0066] FIG. 2 shows a rear view onto the rear wall 12 of the refrigerated sales cabinet 2.

[0067] The rear cover of the compressor compartment 14 can be formed as removable rear cover plate. Furthermore, it can be seen that the riser conduit 22 is formed as a U-shaped ledge 34 mounted to the rear face of the rear wall 12 of the cabinet body 4, for example by lateral attachment flanges that are screwed or otherwise connected with the rear wall 12. This is shown in greater detail in FIG. 4.

[0068] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the outlet port 26 is at a position below the roof portion of the cabinet body 4, however, it can also be positioned higher or in the vicinity of the roof portion of the cabinet body 4.

[0069] In FIG. 2 only one compressor with compressor compartment 14, one riser conduit 22, one pressure line 18 and one condenser 20 are shown. However, it is to be understood that the refrigerated sales cabinet 2 can also be equipped with a plurality of such arrangements

[0070] FIG. 3 shows a perspective side view of a refrigerated sales cabinet 2 in which more details are visible.

[0071] The particularly perforated rear wall of the refrigerated sales space 6 is omitted for the purpose of illustration.

[0072] The evaporator 30 is arranged in front of the rear wall 12 of the cabinet body 4. Furthermore, it can be seen that the removable rear cover 32 of the compressor compartment 14 closes an opening within the rear wall 12 of the cabinet body 4. Furthermore, elements like a night blind, lighting means, structural elements and isolation means are depicted.

[0073] The riser conduit extends from an inlet port 24 at an upper rear portion of the compressor compartment 14 to an outlet port 26 positioned approximately at ⅔ of the total height of the cabinet body 4. By way of such riser conduit 22, as already explained above, gas, including leaked refrigerant, can be discharged to mix with ambient air such that the risk of fire or explosion can be significantly reduced or even fully avoided.

[0074] FIG. 4 shows a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of the rear wall 12, the pressure line 18, the riser conduit 22 and the U-shaped ledge 34 of the refrigerated sales cabinet 2, taken along the line A-A-in FIG. 2.

[0075] The riser conduit 22 is formed as a U-shaped ledge 34 mounted to the rear face of the rear wall 12 of the cabinet body 4, for example by lateral attachment flanges 36 that are screwed or otherwise connected with the rear wall 12.

[0076] The rear face of the rear wall 12 of the cabinet body 4 and the inner surfaces of the U-shaped ledge 34, particularly of the rear wall and the side wall portions of the U-shaped ledge 34, enclose both the pressure line 18 and the riser conduit 22.

[0077] The pressure line 18 occupies part of the cross-sectional area of the interior space enclosed by the rear face of the rear wall 12 and the inner surfaces of the U-shaped ledge 34, and the interior space of such cross-sectional area which is not occupied by the pressure line 18 forms the riser conduit 22.

[0078] The cross-sectional area of such interior space is typically in the range of 2 to 8 cm.sup.2.

[0079] While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the claims. In addition many modifications may be made to adopt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope of the claims. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0080] 2 refrigerated sales cabinet [0081] 4 cabinet body [0082] 6 refrigerated sales space [0083] 8 shelves [0084] 10 front access portion [0085] 12 rear wall [0086] 14 compressor compartment [0087] 16 compressor [0088] 18 pressure line [0089] 20 condenser [0090] 22 riser conduit [0091] 24 inlet port [0092] 26 outlet port [0093] 30 evaporator [0094] 32 removable rear cover [0095] 34 U-shaped ledge [0096] 36 lateral attachment flanges