INTEGRATED FAN GRILLE FOR A COOLING MACHINE IN A REEFER CONTAINER

Abstract

The invention relates to a back-plate for a cooling machine in a reefer container with an improved fan grille, where a grille or grating defines a section formed integral with the back-plate. The grille or grating defined in the back-plate can comprise layers of fibreglass forming the back-plate. The grille or grating can surround holes provided by drilling, cutting or another suitable machining of the back-plate after casting. The grille or grating can be provided by a mesh structure having different mesh sizes. The grille or grating can be provided with a more dense mesh structure in one or more local areas compared to a remaining part of the grille. The grille or grating is provided at an upper part of the back-plate.

Claims

1. A back-plate for a cooling machine in a reefer container with a fan grille, wherein a grille or grating defines a section formed integral with the back-plate.

2. A back-plate according to claim 1, wherein the grille or grating defined in the back-plate comprises layers of fibreglass forming the back-plate.

3. A back-plate according to claim 1, wherein the grille or grating surrounds holes provided by drilling, cutting or another suitable machining of the back-plate after casting.

4. A back-plate according to claim 1, wherein the grille or grating is provided by a mesh structure having different mesh sizes.

5. A back-plate according to claim 4, wherein the grille or grating is provided with a more dense mesh structure in one or more local areas compared to a remaining part of the mesh of the grille.

6. A back-plate according to claim 5, wherein the one or more local areas extends at least partly aligned with a fan.

7. A back-plate according to claim 5, wherein the one or more local areas extends longer in a width direction than in a height direction of the grille.

8. A back plate according to claim 5, wherein the local areas are positioned symmetrical in relation to a vertical axis through a centre of the grille.

9. A back-plate according to claim 1, wherein the grille or grating is provided at an upper part of the back-plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The invention will now be described more fully below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a cooling unit for a reefer container from an end facing inside the container;

[0026] FIG. 2 shows the unit of FIG. 2 in a perspective view;

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a back-plate according to the invention; and

[0028] FIG. 4 shows the back-plate of FIG. 3 in a perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Now convenient embodiments of the invention will be described.

[0030] In a back-plate 1 for a cooling machine in a reefer container is provided a fan grille or grating 2. The back-plate 1 is mounted on one side of the cooling machine, which side is faced inside the reefer container thereby forming an end wall in a cooling compartment of the container.

[0031] The grille or grating 2 is formed integral with the back-plate where the grille or grating 2 defines a section of the back-plate 1.

[0032] Openings formed in the fan grille or grating 2 in the back-plate 1 forms a mesh structure 3. The openings can have different sizes and thereby form a mesh structure of different mesh sizes 3. In an area 4 close to rotating fan blades of the fans 5, the mesh size 3 of the grille or grating 2 is more dense and thereby more narrow openings compared to the rest of the mesh/openings 3 of the grille or grating 2. Hereby it is prevented that a person by accident can get his fingers in contact with the rotating fan 5 blades.

[0033] The cooling machine is mounted in a frame 6, which frame is fastened to one end of a reefer container opposite a door opening of the container or the frame 6 to which the cooling machine is mounted can be a part of the container structure.

[0034] In an embodiment the grille or grating 2 defined in the back-plate 1 comprises layers of fibreglass forming the back-plate 1. Here the layers of fibreglass is placed in such a way that web or the like from the layers is not covering the holes of the grille or grating 2, but forms the mesh 3 of the grille or grating 2.

[0035] The layers can be provided with cut-outs where the remaining fibreglass forms the mesh 3.

[0036] In an embodiment the grille or grating 2 surrounds holes, which holes are provided by drilling, cutting or another suitable machining of the back-plate 1 after casting.

[0037] In an embodiment the grille or grating 2 is provided with a more dense mesh structure in one or more local areas 4 compared to a remaining part of the mesh 3 of the grille 2.

[0038] In an embodiment the one or more local areas 4 extend at least partly aligned with a fan 5. Aligned should be understood as positioned in the mesh 3 close to a fan 5 and having an extent preventing a person from getting his fingers in contact with a rotating fan 5 blade.

[0039] In an embodiment the one or more local areas 4 extends longer in a width direction than in a height direction of grille 2.

[0040] In yet an embodiment the local areas 4 are positioned symmetrical in relation to a vertical axis through a centre of the grille 2.

[0041] In an embodiment the grille or grating 2 is provided at an upper part of the back-plate 1 where one or more evaporator fans 5 are placed to draw in return air in the cooling machine.

[0042] Having such an integrated grille or grating 2 with the back-plate 1 of a reefer container eliminates joints where bacteria or germs can propagate and thereby reduces need for exhaustive cleaning before next cargo enters the container.