Modular refrigeration cassette with condensate evaporative tray

Abstract

The interior space within a refrigeration unit cassette associated with a refrigerated merchandiser is divided by a division wall ( 68 ) into a first section in air flow communication with interior product display space, and a second section isolated from said first section and in fluid flow communication with the environment exterior of the cabinet. An evaporator module ( 160 ) is disposed within the first section, and a condenser module ( 170 ) is disposed within the second section. The division plate has a forward portion sloping downwardly from an upper forward region of the first section to an aft portion thereby forming a converging channel. The aft portion extends generally horizontally in spaced relationship above the base plate forming an exhaust channel. A condensate tray is disposed in the exhaust channel generally beneath the evaporator module to collect condensate draining from the evaporator module.

1 . A refrigeration cassette for a refrigerated merchandiser having a cabinet having a refrigerated interior space for housing a product in a refrigerated environment intended for selection by consumers; said refrigeration cassette comprising: 
 a generally box-like structure defining an interior space having a first section in air flow communication with the refrigerated interior space of the cabinet, and a second section isolated from said first section and in fluid flow communication with an environment exterior of the cabinet;    an evaporator module disposed within said first section;    a condenser module disposed within said second section; and    a compressor connected in refrigerant flow communication with said evaporator module and said condenser module for circulating refrigeration through said evaporator module and said condenser module;    a division plate dividing the interior space within said box-like structure into said first and second sections, said division plate having a forward portion and an aft portion, the forward portion sloping downwardly from an upper forward region of the interior space to the aft portion thereby forming a converging channel, the aft portion extending beneath said first section in spaced relationship with and above said base plate thereby forming an exhaust channel; and    a condensate tray disposed in said exhaust channel generally beneath said evaporator module to collect condensate draining from said evaporator module.    
     
     
         2 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 1  wherein said condensate tray is formed integrally in said base plate.  
     
     
         3 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 1  wherein said box-like structure has a front plate, a back plate, a pair of side plates, and a base plate cooperatively defining the interior space within said box-like structure, and said division plate extends between the respective side plates.  
     
     
         4 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 3  wherein the aft portion of said division plate extends generally horizontally in spaced relationship above said base plate to said back plate.  
     
     
         5 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 1  wherein said evaporator module includes a housing, an evaporator coil disposed within the housing, and an evaporator fan/motor assembly operatively associated with the evaporator coil and mounted to the housing.  
     
     
         6 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 1  wherein said condenser module includes a condenser coil and a condenser fan/motor assembly operatively associated with the condenser coil.  
     
     
         7 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 1  further comprising at least one baffle member associated with said condensate tray for limiting wave action in the condensate collected in said condensate tray.  
     
     
         8 . A refrigeration cassette for a refrigerated merchandiser comprising: 
 a generally box-like structure having a front plate, a back plate, a pair of side plates, and a base plate cooperatively defining an interior space within said box-like structure;    a division plate dividing the interior space into a first section in air flow communication with the refrigerated interior space of the cabinet, and a second section isolated from said first section and in fluid flow communication with an environment exterior of the cabinet, said division plate having a forward portion and an aft portion, the forward portion sloping downwardly from an upper forward region of the interior space to the aft portion thereby forming a converging channel and an aft portion extending beneath said first section in spaced relationship with and above said base plate thereby forming an exhaust channel; and    a condensate tray disposed in said exhaust channel generally beneath said first section.    
     
     
         9 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 8  wherein the aft portion of said division plate extends generally horizontally in spaced relationship above said base plate to said back plate.  
     
     
         10 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 8  further comprising at least one baffle member associated with said condensate tray for limiting wave action in the condensate collected in said condensate tray.  
     
     
         11 . A method for evaporating condensate draining from an evaporator coil in a refrigeration unit including a condenser coil and a condenser fan/motor assembly operatively associated with said condenser for passing air over said condenser coil, said method comprising the steps of: 
 collecting the condensate draining from the evaporator module in a condensate tray;    accelerating the relatively hot air having passed through the condenser coil to a relatively higher velocity; and    passing said higher velocity air over the surface of the condensate collected in the condensate tray.    
     
     
         12 . A method for evaporating condensate as recited in  claim 7  further comprising the step of drawing ambient air from externally of the refrigeration unit over said condenser coil.  
     
     
         13 . A method for evaporating condensate as recited in  claim 8  further comprising exhausting the air having passed over said condensate tray to externally of the refrigeration unit.