Refrigeration module and refrigeration system

Abstract

A self-contained, portable refrigeration unit having a construction arrangement which enables it to be compatible with several models, types and variations of refrigeratable compartments. This refrigeration unit is represented by a refrigeration module ( 1 ) capable of being removably fitted into a refrigeratable compartment, comprising a first housing ( 100 ) and a second housing ( 200 ) associated with each other. The first housing ( 100 ) is in contact with the inside of the refrigeratable compartment and the second housing ( 200 ) is in contact with the outside of the refrigeratable compartment, and in some embodiments of the present invention, the first housing ( 100 ) is capable of moving in relation to the second housing ( 200 ). The first housing ( 100 ) interfaces the refrigeration module ( 1 ) with the inside of the refrigeratable compartment. The second housing ( 200 ) interfaces the refrigeration module ( 1 ) with the outside of the refrigeratable compartment. In another preferred embodiment, the first housing ( 100 ) fits into the refrigeratable compartment through a fitting portion ( 111 ) whose cross section is smaller than the largest cross section of the second housing ( 200 ). The present invention also relates to a refrigeration system ( 500 ) comprising at least one embodiment of the portable refrigeration module ( 1 ) mentioned above.

1 .- 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A refrigeration module ( 1 ) capable of being removably fitted into a refrigeratable compartment, comprising a first housing ( 100 ) and a second housing ( 200 ) associated with each other, the first housing ( 100 ) being in contact with the inside of the refrigeratable compartment, the second housing ( 200 ) being in contact with the outside of the refrigeratable compartment, the first housing ( 100 ) having an evaporator ( 104 ), the second housing ( 200 ) having a condenser ( 206 ) and a compressor ( 204 ) pneumatically connected with each other, the compressor ( 204 ) being pneumatically associated with the evaporator ( 104 ) through at least one suction line ( 12 ), wherein the first housing ( 100 ) and the second housing ( 200 ) are mechanically connected with each other, the first housing ( 100 ) being capable of angularly moving in relation to the second housing ( 200 ) in a pivotable way through an articulation mechanism ( 300 ). 
     
     
         52 . The refrigeration module ( 1 ) according to  claim 51 , wherein the articulation mechanism ( 300 ) is capable of stabilizing the first housing ( 100 ) in relation to the second housing ( 200 ) in any angular position. 
     
     
         53 . The refrigeration module ( 1 ) according to  claim 51  wherein the first housing ( 100 ) comprises at least a first lid ( 102 ) removably fitted into a first base ( 103 ). 
     
     
         54 . The refrigeration module ( 1 ) according to  claim 51  wherein the second housing ( 200 ) comprises at least a second lid ( 202 ) removably fitted into a second base ( 203 ). 
     
     
         55 . The refrigeration module ( 1 ) according to  claim 51 , further comprising an expansion device ( 11 ) which enables the heat exchange between the condenser ( 206 ) and the evaporator ( 104 ). 
     
     
         56 . The refrigeration module ( 1 ) according to  claim 51  wherein the suction line ( 12 ) and the expansion device ( 11 ) are flexible. 
     
     
         57 . The refrigeration module ( 1 ) according to  claim 51  wherein the first housing ( 100 ) comprises at least one outlet ( 107 ) which enables the refrigerated air to flow to the environment. 
     
     
         58 . The refrigeration module ( 1 ) according to  claim 57 , wherein the first housing ( 100 ) comprises at least a first fan ( 106 ) associated with the outlet ( 107 ). 
     
     
         59 . The refrigeration module ( 1 ) according to  claim 51  wherein the first housing ( 100 ) comprises inlet slots ( 108 ) which enable the ambient air to flow into the first housing ( 100 ). 
     
     
         60 . The refrigeration module ( 1 ) according to  claim 51  wherein the second housing ( 200 ) comprises cooling slots ( 207 ) which enable heat dispersion to the environment. 
     
     
         61 . The refrigeration module ( 1 ) according to  claim 51  wherein it is capable of being moved along the refrigeratable compartment. 
     
     
         62 . The refrigeration module ( 1 ) according to  claim 51  wherein it is capable of dividing the refrigeratable compartment into at least two different spaces, the refrigeration module ( 1 ) being capable of refrigerating each space separately, keeping said compartments at different temperatures and enabling temperature reversal or change between the refrigerated volumes through the flow rate control of the first fans ( 106 ). 
     
     
         63 . A refrigeration module ( 1 ) capable of being removably fitted into a refrigeratable compartment, comprising at least a first housing ( 100 ) and a second housing ( 200 ) directly and firmly associated with each other, the first housing ( 100 ) interfacing the refrigeration module ( 1 ) with the inside of the refrigeratable compartment, the second housing ( 200 ) interfacing the refrigeration module ( 1 ) with the outside of the refrigeratable compartment, the first housing ( 100 ) having an evaporator ( 104 ), the second housing ( 200 ) having a condenser ( 206 ) and a compressor ( 204 ) pneumatically connected with each other, the compressor ( 204 ) being pneumatically associated with the evaporator ( 104 ) through at least one suction line ( 12 ), wherein the first housing ( 100 ) is capable to fit into the refrigeratable compartment through a fitting portion ( 111 ) whose cross section is smaller than the largest cross section of the second housing ( 200 ), the first housing ( 100 ) and the second housing ( 200 ) being mechanically connected with each other. 
     
     
         64 . A refrigeration system ( 500 ) having at least one refrigeration cabinet ( 2 ) to accommodate refrigeratable items, the refrigeration system ( 500 ) comprising at least one refrigeration module ( 1 ), the refrigeration module ( 1 ) comprising:
 a first housing ( 100 ) and a second housing ( 200 ) associated with each other, the first housing ( 100 ) being in contact with the inside of the refrigeratable compartment, the second housing ( 200 ) being in contact with the outside of the refrigeratable compartment, the first housing ( 100 ) having an evaporator ( 104 ), the second housing ( 200 ) having a condenser ( 206 ) and a compressor ( 204 ) pneumatically connected with each other, the compressor ( 204 ) being pneumatically associated with the evaporator ( 104 ) through at least one suction line ( 12 ), wherein the first housing ( 100 ) and the second housing ( 200 ) are mechanically connected with each other, the first housing ( 100 ) being capable of angularly moving in relation to the second housing ( 200 ) in a pivotable way through an articulation mechanism ( 300 ).   
     
     
         65 . The refrigeration system ( 500 ) according to  claim 64 , wherein the refrigeration module ( 1 ) is partially accommodated in a back wall ( 501 ) of the refrigeration cabinet ( 2 ). 
     
     
         66 . The refrigeration system ( 500 ) according to  claim 65 , wherein the refrigeration module ( 1 ) is capable of being moved along the back wall ( 501 ) of the refrigeration cabinet ( 2 ). 
     
     
         67 . A refrigeration module ( 1 ) capable of being removably fitted into a refrigeratable compartment, comprising a first housing ( 100 ) and a second housing ( 200 ) associated with each other, the first housing ( 100 ) being in contact with the inside of the refrigeratable compartment, the second housing ( 200 ) being in contact with the outside of the refrigeratable compartment, the first housing ( 100 ) having an evaporator ( 104 ), the second housing ( 200 ) having a condenser ( 206 ) and a compressor ( 204 ) pneumatically connected with each other, the compressor ( 204 ) being pneumatically associated with the evaporator ( 104 ) through at least one suction line ( 12 ), wherein the first housing ( 100 ) and the second housing ( 200 ) are mechanically connected with each other, the first housing ( 100 ) being capable of angularly moving in relation to the second housing ( 200 ) in a pivotable way through an articulation mechanism ( 300 ), the refrigeration module ( 1 ) being capable of dividing the refrigeratable compartment into at least two different spaces, the refrigeration module ( 1 ) being capable of refrigerating each space separately, keeping said compartments at different temperatures and enabling temperature reversal or change between the refrigerated volumes through the flow rate control of first fans ( 106 ), the first housing ( 100 ) being capable to fit into the refrigeratable compartment through a fitting portion ( 111 ) whose cross section is smaller than the largest cross section of the second housing ( 200 ).