Evaporator air management system for trailer refrigeration

Abstract

An improved evaporator air management system for trailer refrigeration systems, including an electrically powered, vertical axis, axial flow fan, arranged so as to draw air through a horizontally mounted evaporator coil. The flow is then driven upward through a nozzle and discharged into the trailer. The nozzle shape graduates from a circular cross-section to a wide-aspect ratio rectangular cross-section, while turning through 90°. The preferred choice of axial flow fan for the invention is the vane-axial type incorporating outlet guide vanes. Provision is made for a single fan-nozzle configuration which may be either centered or transversely off-set with respect to the evaporator coil. An additional option provides for an arrangement with a pair of side-by-side fan-nozzles.

1 . A trailer refrigeration system, comprising:
 an evaporator coil and fan;   a condenser coil and fan disposed adjacent thereto;   an engine driven generator for providing electrical power to said evaporator fan and condenser fan;   wherein said evaporator fan comprises:   at least one axial fan for drawing air through said evaporator coil and discharging it vertically upward; and   a nozzle disposed downstream of said axial fan for turning the airflow substantially 90° from its upward flow path.   
     
     
         2 . A trailer refrigeration system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said at least one axial fan comprises a pair of axial fans disposed in transverse side-by-side relationship in said system. 
     
     
         3 . A trailer refrigeration system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said nozzle shape transitions from a circular to a wide aspect ratio (width to height ratio greater than  3 ) rectangular cross-section while turning 90°. 
     
     
         4 . A trailer refrigeration system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said at least one axial fan comprises a single fan which is offset transversely to one side of said system. 
     
     
         5 . A trailer refrigeration system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said axial fan is a vane-axial fan with outlet guide vanes. 
     
     
         6 . A truck-trailer refrigeration system of the type having a condenser, an evaporator, a compressor and an engine driven generator for supplying electrical power to those components, comprising:
 at least one axial fan disposed downstream of the evaporator coil for drawing air through the coil and discharging it substantially upwardly; and   a nozzle disposed downstream of said axial fan for turning the airflow from its substantially upward direction to a substantially horizontal direction.   
     
     
         7 . A truck-trailer refrigeration system as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said at least one axial fan comprises a pair of axial fans disposed in transverse side-by-side relationship in said system. 
     
     
         8 . A truck-trailer refrigeration system as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said nozzle shape transitions from a circular to a wide aspect ratio (width to height ratio greater than 3) rectangular cross-section while turning 90°. 
     
     
         9 . A truck-trailer refrigeration system as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said at least one axial fan comprises a single fan which is offset transversely to one side of said system. 
     
     
         10 . A trailer refrigeration system as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said at least one axial fan is a vane-axial fan with outlet guide vanes.