Temperature-controlled cabinet

Abstract

A temperature-controllable equipment cabinet comprising a diffusion-absorption refrigeration cycle system ( 5 ), an evaporator pipe ( 4 ) of the refrigeration system extending through a wall ( 9 ) of the cabinet and passing through a sealed enclosure ( 3 ) for containing a heat transfer liquid ( 12 ), the sealed enclosure extending across and forming part of an internal surface ( 15 ) of the cabinet such that the refrigeration system in use extracts heat from within the cabinet to an external environment ( 7 ).

1 . A temperature-controllable equipment cabinet comprising a diffusion-absorption refrigeration cycle system, an evaporator pipe of the refrigeration system extending through a wall of the cabinet and passing through a sealed enclosure for containing a heat transfer liquid, the sealed enclosure extending across and forming part of an internal surface of the cabinet such that the refrigeration system in use extracts heat from within the cabinet to an external environment. 
   
   
       2 . The equipment cabinet of  claim 1  wherein the wall of the cabinet comprises a layer of thermal insulation through which the evaporator pipe extends. 
   
   
       3 . The equipment cabinet of  claim 2  wherein the evaporator pipe passes through a recess provided in the wall. 
   
   
       4 . The equipment cabinet of  claim 3  wherein the sealed enclosure is substantially planar in construction across the internal surface of the wall. 
   
   
       5 . The equipment cabinet of any preceding  claim 4  wherein the evaporator pipe passes in a horizontal direction through an upper portion of the sealed enclosure when the cabinet is oriented for use such that, in use, convective flow of the heat transfer liquid aids heat transfer from within the cabinet. 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . The equipment cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the evaporator pipe passes through a recess provided in the wall. 
   
   
       8 . The equipment cabinet of  claim 7  wherein the sealed enclosure is substantially planar in construction across the internal surface of the wall. 
   
   
       9 . The equipment cabinet of  claim 8 , wherein the evaporator pipe passes in a horizontal direction through an upper portion of the sealed enclosure when the cabinet is oriented for use such that, in use, convective flow of the heat transfer liquid aids heat transfer from within the cabinet. 
   
   
       10 . The equipment cabinet of  claim 1  wherein the sealed enclosure is substantially planar in construction across the internal surface of the wall. 
   
   
       11 . The equipment cabinet of  claim 10 , wherein the evaporator pipe passes in a horizontal direction through an upper portion of the sealed enclosure when the cabinet is oriented for use such that, in use, convective flow of the heat transfer liquid aids heat transfer from within the cabinet. 
   
   
       12 . The equipment cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the evaporator pipe passes in a horizontal direction through an upper portion of the sealed enclosure when the cabinet is oriented for use such that, in use, convective flow of the heat transfer liquid aids heat transfer from within the cabinet. 
   
   
       13 . The equipment cabinet of  claim 1  wherein the heat transfer liquid includes a mixture of water and glycol.