Abstract:
System and apparatus for channeling air through a cargo space including: a front section including at least one front opening; a rear section including at least one rear opening; and at least one channel coupling the front section to the rear section, the at least one channel recessed into a ceiling of the cargo space, the at least one channel configured to receive and channel air blown into the at least one front opening through the at least one rear opening into the cargo space.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a system for channeling air through a cargo space, and more specifically, to a recessed air chute system. 
         [0003]    2. Background 
         [0004]    Refrigerated trucks, trailers, containers, railcars, and various other types of cargo space have utilized a type of chute to channel the cold air from the blower section of a refrigeration unit to the cargo space to be cooled. Such refrigerated cargo space includes a refrigeration unit and connected blower unit to which one end of the chute is connected. The other end of the chute is open to the cargo space. These chutes are made of a textile material, e.g., canvas, cotton or similar material such as vinyl. These fabrics chutes are suspended from the ceiling or wall portion of the cargo space by snap fasteners or the like. These chutes extend approximately two-thirds of the length of the refrigerated cargo space. As these fabric chutes are flexible and suspended from the ceiling, they assume a semi-circular or catenary shape with reference to the ceiling of the cargo space. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention provides for channeling air through a cargo space. 
         [0006]    In one implementation, a recessed air chute system for a cargo space is disclosed. The system includes: a front section including at least one front opening; a rear section including at least one rear opening; and at least one channel coupling the front section to the rear section, the at least one channel recessed into a ceiling of the cargo space, the at least one channel configured to receive and channel air blown into the at least one front opening through the at least one rear opening into the cargo space. 
         [0007]    In another implementation, an apparatus for channeling air through a cargo space is disclosed. The apparatus includes: means for providing at least one front opening; means for providing at least one rear opening; and means for recessing at least one channel into a ceiling of the cargo space, the means for recessing configured to receive and channel air blown into the means for providing at least one front opening through the means for providing at least one rear opening and into the cargo space. 
         [0008]    Other features and advantages of the present invention should be apparent from the present description which illustrates, by way of example, aspects of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, may be gleaned in part by study of the appended further drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a bottom perspective view of a front section of conventional chutes connected to the blower section of a refrigeration unit for a cargo space; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  is a bottom perspective view of a rear section of the conventional chutes for a cargo space; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a bottom perspective view of a front section of a recessed air chute system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  is a front view of the recessed air chute system showing the channels that are recessed into the ceiling of the cargo space; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2C  is a bottom perspective view of a rear section of the recessed air chute system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2D  is a rear view of the recessed air chute system showing the channels that are recessed into the ceiling of the cargo space; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of a refrigerated truck or trailer including the recessed air chute system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of a refrigerated truck or trailer including a recessed air chute system in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    As stated above, refrigerated trucks, trailers, containers, railcars, and various other types of cargo space have utilized a type of hanging vinyl chute to channel the cold air from the blower section of a refrigeration unit to the cargo space to be cooled. Such refrigerated cargo space includes a refrigeration unit and connected blower unit to which one end of the chute is connected. The other end of the chute is open to the cargo space. The disadvantages of such hanging chutes include constantly being subjected to damage during loading due to the loading equipment and/or the load tearing the chute. Another problem which has been observed with such chutes is that when the cargo load is stacked too high within the cargo space, the stacked load further tends to push the flexible or non-rigid chute against the top of the cargo space, thus creating a blockage of air which prohibits proper refrigeration of the load within the cargo space. 
         [0019]    To address the above-stated disadvantages and problems using a hanging vinyl chute to channel the cold air from the blower section of a refrigeration unit to the cargo space, several embodiments of a recessed air chute design are proposed. In one embodiment, the recessed air chute includes channels built into the ceiling of the cargo space. After reading this description it will become apparent how to implement the invention in various implementations and applications. However, although various implementations of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these implementations are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various implementations should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1A  is a bottom perspective view of a front section of conventional chutes  100  connected to the blower section  110  of a refrigeration unit  120  for a cargo space.  FIG. 1A  shows the conventional chutes  100  configured as hanging vinyl chutes to channel the cold air from the blower section  110  of a refrigeration unit  120  to the cargo space to be cooled. As shown, the blower unit  110  connects to the front section of the chutes  100  at connection points  130 ,  132 . The rear section of the chutes are open to the cargo space (shown in  FIG. 1B ). These chutes are made of a textile material, e.g., canvas, cotton or similar material such as vinyl. As stated above, these fabrics chutes are suspended from the ceiling or wall portion of the cargo space by snap fasteners  134 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 1B  is a bottom perspective view of a rear section of the conventional chutes  100  for a cargo space.  FIG. 1B  shows the rear section of the conventional chutes  100  which are open  140 ,  142  to the cargo space. These chutes extend approximately two-thirds of the length of the refrigerated cargo space. As these fabric chutes  100  are flexible and suspended from the ceiling, they assume a semi-circular shape with reference to the ceiling of the cargo space. 
         [0022]    As noted above, the disadvantages of such chutes include constantly being subjected to damage during loading due to the loading equipment and/or the load tearing the chute. Also during the operation of the refrigeration unit, some cool, moist air is constantly being channeled through the fabric chute. This causes the chute to become damp and moist. This moisture and dampness is conducive to bacterial growth and the formation of slime along the inner surfaces of the chute. Thus, when such chutes become contaminated, the air passing through also becomes contaminated and is circulated throughout the entire cargo area. This condition adversely affects the cargo contained within the refrigerated space. Moreover, because of the cost and labor involved in removing the chutes for cleaning, chutes are rarely cleaned. In the event they are cleaned, the chutes are subjected to rot due to moisture and the inability of the fabric chute to be fully dried. Further, when the cargo load is stacked very high within the cargo space, the stacked load further tends to push the flexible or non-rigid chute against the top of the cargo space, thus creating a blockage of air which prohibits proper refrigeration of the load within the cargo space. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2A  is a bottom perspective view of a front section of a recessed air chute system  200  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 2A , the recessed air chute system  200  is built into the ceiling of the cargo space and includes two channels  200   a ,  200   b . The recessed air chute system  200  connects to the blower section  210  of a refrigeration unit  220  through front openings  240 ,  242  at the front section of the recessed air chute system  200 . Thus, the blower section  210  blows cold air into the openings  240 ,  242  of the front section of the two channels  200   a ,  200   b  at connection points  230 ,  232 . In other embodiments, the recessed air chute system  200  includes at least one channel to direct or channel the cold air from the front section to the rear section. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2B  is a front view of the recessed air chute system  200  showing the channels  200   a ,  200   b  that are recessed into the ceiling  250  of the cargo space.  FIG. 2B  also shows the front openings  240 ,  242  into which the blower section  210  of the refrigeration unit  220  blows cold air. Typically, the thickness of a ceiling of the cargo space is configured to be in the range of about 2-4 inches. With the recessed air chute system (e.g., system  200 ) built into the ceiling  250  of the cargo space, the thickness of the ceiling is increased. However, in other embodiments, the thickness of the ceiling can be increased or decreased to any appropriate size or even remain the same. Therefore, with the recessed air chute system  200  built into the ceiling  250  of the cargo space, most of the disadvantages of the conventional chutes (e.g., the vinyl air chute system  100  of  FIG. 1A ) should be eliminated. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2C  is a bottom perspective view of a rear section of the recessed air chute system  200  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2C  shows the rear view of the recessed air chute system  200  having two channels  200   a ,  200   b  built into the ceiling  250  and having rear openings  260 ,  262 . The cold air blown into the front openings  240 ,  242  by the blower section  210  is passed through the channels  200   a ,  200   b  and out into the cargo space through the rear openings  260 ,  262 . Although the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 2C  only shows two rear openings  260 ,  262 , in other embodiments, the cold air can be circulated through the cargo space through multiple openings (i.e., three or more openings). 
         [0026]      FIG. 2D  is a rear view of the recessed air chute system  200  showing the channels  200   a ,  200   b  that are recessed into the ceiling  250  of the cargo space.  FIG. 2D  also shows the rear openings  260 ,  262  through which the cold air blown into the front openings  240 ,  242  by the blower section  210  is passed through the channels  200   a ,  200   b  and out into the cargo space. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of a refrigerated truck or trailer  300  including the recessed air chute system  200  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In other embodiments, the recessed air chute system  200  can be configured for other cargo space such as containers and railcars. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the recessed air chute system  200  is built into the ceiling  250  of the cargo space to address the disadvantages of the conventional chutes (e.g., the vinyl air chute system  100  of  FIG. 1A ). Further, the ceiling  250  includes two channels  200   a ,  200   b.    
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of a refrigerated truck or trailer  450  including a recessed air chute system  400  in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the recessed air chute system  400  is built into the ceiling  250  and/or the side walls  410 ,  412  of the cargo space. Thus, in one embodiment of the recessed air chute system  400 , air channels  200   a ,  200   b  are built into the ceiling  250 . In another embodiment of the recessed air chute system  400 , air channels  420 ,  422  are built into the side walls  410 ,  412 , respectively. In yet another embodiment of the recessed air chute system  400 , air channels  200   a ,  200   b ,  420 ,  422  are built into the ceiling  250  and the side walls  410 ,  412 . As stated above for the ceiling, the thickness of the side walls  410 ,  412  of the cargo space which includes the recessed air chute system  400  may need to be increased as well. 
         [0029]    With the improved air chute design of the recessed air chute system  200  or  400  shown in  FIGS. 2A-2D, 3 and 4 , there is significant improvement in the air flow rate. For example, in one comparison test between the vinyl air chutes and the recessed channel chutes, the air flow rate increased from 0.9888 ft 3 /sec for the vinyl chutes to 11.27 ft 3 /sec for the recessed chutes. Other advantages of the recess air chute system  200  or  400  include clean design with no possible freight snag points and less maintenance costs. 
         [0030]    The above description of the disclosed implementations is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these implementations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, while the embodiments above focus on embedding the recessed air chute system into the ceiling and/or the side walls, the systems can be embedded into other areas of the cargo space such as a floor or front wall. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter that is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.