Hydrocarbon refrigeration system with convection channel

Abstract

A refrigeration system including a cabinet having an outer wall defining an insulated interior, an inner wall, and an insulative material disposed between the outer and inner walls. A cooling system is disposed in a space beneath the cabinet and cools the insulated interior. A convection channel is disposed between the outer and inner walls and extends and communicates air from an area outside an upper portion of the cabinet to the space beneath the cabinet. The channel is positioned within about 1.905 cm from the inner wall. The channel may have a plurality of different widths and may include a thermal bridge extending from the inner wall to the channel. The channel may include a primary branch extending from the upper portion of the cabinet to a junction point and a plurality of secondary branches extending from the junction point to a plurality of locations beneath the cabinet.

1 . A refrigeration system comprising: 
 a cabinet having an outer wall, an inner wall and an insulative material disposed between said outer and inner walls, said inner wall defining an insulated interior;    a cooling system for cooling said insulated interior of said cabinet, said cooling system disposed in a space beneath said cabinet; and    a convection channel disposed between said outer and inner walls and extending from an area outside an upper portion of said cabinet to said space beneath said cabinet, said channel communicating air from said area outside said upper portion of said cabinet to said space beneath said cabinet to vent said cooling system.    
   
   
       2 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one thermal bridge extending from said inner wall of said cabinet to said channel.  
   
   
       3 . The refrigeration system of  claim 2  wherein said at least one thermal bridge is comprised of a conductive material.  
   
   
       4 . The refrigeration system of  claim 2  wherein said insulative material is disposed between said inner wall and said channel; and said at least one thermal bridge is comprised of a gap in said insulative material.  
   
   
       5 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein said channel is positioned within a distance of about 1.905 cm from said inner wall.  
   
   
       6 . The refrigeration system of  claim 5  wherein said channel is positioned directly adjacent said inner wall.  
   
   
       7 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein said channel has a plurality a different widths.  
   
   
       8 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein a portion of said channel extends at an angle with respect to said outer wall.  
   
   
       9 . The refrigeration system of  claim 8  wherein said angle is less than about 75°.  
   
   
       10 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein said channel is branched, said branched channel comprising a primary branch extending from said area outside said upper portion of said cabinet to a junction point; and a plurality of secondary branches extending from said junction point to a plurality of locations in said space beneath said cabinet to vent said plurality of locations.  
   
   
       11 . A refrigeration system comprising: 
 a cabinet having an outer wall, an inner wall and an insulative material disposed between said outer and inner walls, said inner wall defining an insulated interior;    a cooling system for cooling said insulated interior of said cabinet, said cooling system disposed in a space outside a lower portion of said cabinet;    a convection channel disposed between said outer and inner walls, said channel spaced apart from said inner wall and extending from an area outside an upper portion of said cabinet to said space outside said lower portion of said cabinet, said channel communicating air from said area outside said upper portion of said cabinet to said space outside said lower portion said cabinet to vent said cooling system; and    at least one thermal bridge extending from said inner wall of said cabinet to said channel.    
   
   
       12 . The refrigeration system of claim  111  wherein said at least one thermal bridge is comprised of a conductive material.  
   
   
       13 . The refrigeration system of  claim 11  wherein said insulative material is disposed between said inner wall and said channel; and said at least one thermal bridge is comprised of a gap in said insulative material.  
   
   
       14 . The refrigeration system of  claim 11  wherein said channel is positioned within a distance of about 1.905 cm from said inner wall.  
   
   
       15 . The refrigeration system of  claim 11  wherein a portion of said channel extends at an angle with respect to said outer wall.  
   
   
       16 . The refrigeration system of  claim 11  wherein said angle is less than about 75°.  
   
   
       17 . The refrigeration system of  claim 11  wherein said channel is branched, said branched channel comprising a primary branch extending from said area outside said upper portion of said cabinet to a junction point; and a plurality of secondary branches extending from said junction point to a plurality of locations in said space outside said lower portion of said cabinet to vent said plurality of locations.  
   
   
       18 . A refrigeration system comprising: 
 a cabinet having an outer wall, an inner wall and an insulative material disposed between said outer and inner walls, said inner wall defining an insulated interior;    a cooling system for cooling said insulated interior of said cabinet, said cooling system disposed in a space outside a lower portion of said cabinet; and    a convection channel disposed between said outer and inner walls and extending from an area outside an upper portion of said cabinet to said space outside said lower portion of said cabinet, said channel having a plurality of widths, said plurality of widths decreasing in size as said channel extends from said upper portion of said cabinet to said lower portion of said cabinet, said channel communicating air from said area outside said upper portion of said cabinet to said space outside said lower portion said cabinet to vent said cooling system.    
   
   
       19 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein said channel is spaced apart from said inner wall and said channel is positioned within a distance of about 1.875 cm from said inner wall.  
   
   
       20 . The refrigeration system of  claim 19  further comprising at least one thermal bridge extending from said inner wall of said cabinet to said channel.  
   
   
       21 . The refrigeration system of  claim 20  wherein said at least one thermal bridge is comprised of a conductive material.  
   
   
       22 . The refrigeration system of  claim 20  wherein said insulative material is disposed between said inner wall and said channel; and said at least one thermal bridge is comprised of a gap in said insulative material.  
   
   
       23 . The refrigeration system of  claim 18  wherein said channel is positioned directly adjacent said inner wall.  
   
   
       24 . The refrigeration system of  claim 18  wherein a portion of said channel extends at an angle of between about 7° and 75° with respect to said outer wall.  
   
   
       25 . The refrigeration system of  claim 18  wherein said channel is branched, said branched channel comprising a primary branch extending from said area outside said upper portion of said cabinet to a junction point; and a plurality of secondary branches extending from said junction point to a plurality of locations in said space outside said lower portion of said cabinet to vent said plurality of locations.