Converging/Diverging Front Intake

Abstract

An air supply system for a refrigerator cabinet, which reduces temperature differences through-out the cabinet generates air currents in the cabinet by a panel that extends across the inside of the cabinet. The panel is set an angle that directs air downwardly and terminates with an upwardly-inclined air-diverting surface or baffle. The panel and baffle define a converging/diverging air intake for the air supply system, the input of which is located at the front of the refrigerated cabinet.

1 . An air supply system for a refrigerator cabinet, the refrigerator having an interior defined by first and second sides, a rear side, a front opening, a top and a bottom, the air supply system comprising:
 at least one panel extending between the first and second sides of the interior and extending from proximate the rear side of the interior toward the front opening, the at least one panel having a front edge proximate the front opening and having an inclined surface that extends upwardly from the front edge at an angle, the at least one panel, front edge and baffle defining an air passage proximate the front opening.   
     
     
         2 . The air supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one panel and the bottom of the refrigerator cabinet comprise a converging/diverging nozzle. 
     
     
         3 . The air supply system of  claim 2 , wherein the converging/diverging nozzle extends substantially all the way between the left and right sides. 
     
     
         4 . The air supply system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 an evaporator configured to cool air passing through the evaporator;   fan configured to move air through the evaporator; and   a warm air return duct that carries air between the converging/diverging nozzle and at least one of the fan and the evaporator.   
     
     
         5 . The air supply system of  claim 4 , wherein the warm air return duct is comprised of the at least one panel and an interior surface of the refrigerator. 
     
     
         6 . The air supply system of  claim 4 , wherein the cabinet is further comprised of a door, pivoting on a hinge proximate to one of the left and right sides of the cabinet. 
     
     
         7 . The air supply system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a blower, configured to move air through the cabinet; and   a switch operatively coupled to the door, the switch being configured to disable the blower when the door is open.   
     
     
         8 . The air supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one panel is fixed at a first angle, relative to horizontal. 
     
     
         9 . The air supply system of  claim 8 , wherein the first angle is between about negative ninety degrees to about positive ninety degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The air supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the baffle is at a second angle, relative to horizontal. 
     
     
         11 . The air supply system of  claim 10 , wherein the second angle is between about zero degrees and ninety degrees, relative to horizontal. 
     
     
         12 . The air supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one panel is fixed at a first angle relative to horizontal, the baffle is inclined at a second angle relative to horizontal, the panel and baffle defining a third angle between them, the third angle being between zero degrees and ninety degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The cool air supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one panel is perforated. 
     
     
         14 . The cool air supply system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one panel is perforated and wherein the at least one perforated panel is substantially impervious to air. 
     
     
         15 . The cool air supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one panel abuts at least one of the left and right sides. 
     
     
         16 . The cool air supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one panel abuts the rear surface. 
     
     
         17 . The cool air supply system of  claim 1 , wherein space between front edge, the baffle and the bottom define a venturi. 
     
     
         18 . A method of circulating air in a refrigerator having an interior with first and second sides, a rear surface, a front, a top and a bottom, the method comprising the steps of:
 driving cold air into the interior; and   collecting warm air through a converging/diverging nozzle located proximate the bottom, the converging/diverging nozzle being comprised of the bottom and, a panel located between the first and second sides and extending from proximate the rear surface of the interior toward the front opening, the panel having a front edge proximate the front opening and having a baffle extending upwardly from the front edge at an angle.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the converging/diverging nozzle extends substantially all the way between the first and second sides. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of:
 returning warm air to the cold air supply through a duct connected between the converging/diverging nozzle and the cold air supply.