Cold track for refrigeration piping

Abstract

A cold track plate which both secures the refrigeration coils to the exterior of the tray well and helps to distribute cooling (or absorb heat) more efficiently solves the problem of inconsistent heat transfer and other inefficiencies in pan cooler assemblies.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A cold plate comprising:
 An area of thermally conductive material having a series of troughs separated by generally non-trough areas for covering a length of refrigeration piping; the non-trough areas of the thermally conductive material having apertures for enabling the thermally conductive material to be attached to a pan cooler well.   
     
     
         2 . The process of assembling a pan cooler comprising the steps of:
 forming a cold track plate having an outside surface and an inside surface, the inside surface including a trough for covering a length of refrigeration piping;   forming holes in the cold track plate to facilitate attachment of the cold track plate to another structure;   applying a series of threaded studs to an external surface of a pan cooler well in alignment with the holes;   providing a length of refrigeration piping to fit within the trough;   applying a thermal mastic between the inside trough of the cold track plate and the length of refrigeration piping;   attaching the cold track plate to the pan cooler well using a series of threaded nuts, each engageable with an associated one of the threaded studs.   
     
     
         3 . The process of assembling a pan cooler as recited in  claim 2  and further comprising the step of applying an insulation layer to the outside surface of the cold track plates and exposed surfaces of the pan cooler not covered by the cold track plates.