Abstract:
A refrigeration system for an interior space ( 260 ), includes an evaporator coil ( 230 ) and evaporator fan ( 242 ) residing within the interior space, the evaporator coil ( 230 ) being configured for refrigerating the interior space ( 260 ); an evaporator motor ( 235 ) coupled to the evaporator fan ( 242 ) along an axial shaft; a condenser coil ( 215 ) and fan ( 210 ) disposed adjacent to the evaporator motor ( 235 ); and an insulation panel ( 250, 255 ) that separates the evaporator motor ( 235 ) from the evaporator fan ( 242 ).

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to a transport refrigeration system and, more particularly, to a integrated refrigerated container having an evaporator motor component, which is thermally separated from its evaporator fan component that is located with a conditioned space being cooled. 
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Products such as produce, meat and the like being shipped relatively long distances are conventionally placed within refrigerated containers. These refrigerated containers are specifically designed for conditioning an interior space with a temperature of the products for an extended period of time. The refrigerated containers utilize a transport refrigeration unit for cooling these products during transport. The refrigeration unit is typically secured to the front wall of the refrigerated container and circulates cooled air inside the interior space through evaporator fans which direct the air from the front of the container to the rear. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    According to one aspect of the invention, a refrigeration system for an interior space includes an evaporator coil and an evaporator fan residing within the interior space, the evaporator coil being configured for refrigerating the interior space; an evaporator motor coupled to the evaporator fan along an axial shaft; a condenser coil and a condenser fan disposed adjacent to the evaporator motor; and an insulation panel configured for separating the evaporator motor from the evaporator fan. 
         [0004]    According to another aspect of the invention, a method for refrigerating an interior space having a compressor coupled to a condenser coil and an evaporator coil includes providing an evaporator coil and evaporator fan within the interior space, the evaporator coil being configured for refrigerating the interior space; coupling an evaporator motor to the evaporator fan along an axial shaft; providing a condenser coil and a condenser fan adjacent to the evaporator motor; and separating, via an insulation panel, the evaporator motor from the evaporator fan. 
         [0005]    Other aspects, features, and techniques of the invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the FIGURES: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an integrated container with a refrigeration system according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic side view of the integrated container with an evaporator motor assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    Embodiments of an integrated refrigerated container include a refrigeration system coupled to a cargo container for providing more efficient cooling of an interior space in the cargo container. The integrated refrigerated container includes an evaporator fan component that is located within the interior space being cooled while its motor is located with a cavity separated from the interior space by a plurality of insulation panels. The evaporator motor drives the evaporator fan via an elongated shaft that partially traverses one of the insulation panels in order to maintain the separation between the motor and the evaporator fan. The insulation panels, which insulate the evaporator motor from the interior space, prevent heat from the motor to be added to the interior space, thereby reducing the cooling capacity needs of the interior space while also providing less power consumption of the refrigeration system. 
         [0010]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates an example of an integrated refrigerated container  100  including a cargo container  105  coupled to a refrigeration system  110  for providing space cooling of the cargo container  105  according to an embodiment of the invention. The integrated refrigerated container  100 , which is shown formed into a generally rectangular construction, and includes opposed side walls  115 , a front wall  120 , a top wall  125 , a directly opposed bottom wall  130 , and a door or doors (not shown) attached on hinges at the rear wall  135 . The walls  115 - 130  may be formed from welded corrugated steel or aluminum to provide significant strength and structural integrity. In an example, the integrated refrigerated container  100  may be approximately twenty feet in length and a width and height of approximately eight feet. However, these dimensions may vary depending on the particular environment in which the integrated refrigerated container  100  is utilized. The refrigeration system  110  is integrated into the cargo container  105 . The integrated refrigerated container  110  includes a front cavity  200  ( FIG. 2 ) at the front wall  120  for housing components of the refrigeration system  110 . 
         [0011]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a schematic side view of the refrigeration system  110  integrated into the cargo container  105  according to an embodiment of the invention. The refrigeration system  110  includes an electrically driven refrigeration compressor  205  connected, via a refrigerant line  225 , to a condenser coil  215 , a condenser fan  210 , and an expansion valve  210 . The compressor  205 , condenser coil  215 , condenser fan  210 , and expansion valve  220  are positioned in the front cavity  200 , which is exposed to the external ambient environment. Also, the compressor  205 , condenser coil  215 , condenser fan  210 , and expansion valve  220  are separated from the interior space  260  by an insulating wall  202 . An evaporator motor  235  drives a shaft  240 , which is connected to an evaporator fan  242  for providing uniform air flow over an evaporator coil  230  along paths  270 ,  275  in order to cool the interior space  260 . The evaporator motor  235  is positioned in a top cavity  245  formed by the top wall  125  and perforated panel  265 , which extends from the front wall upwards towards the top wall  125 . The evaporator motor  235  generates heat during operation, and the perforated panel  265  allows ambient air to enter and circulate within the cavity  245  and cool the evaporator motor  235  during operation. Further, the evaporator coil  230  and the evaporator fan  242  are located within the interior space  260  and are separated from the top cavity by a plurality of insulating panels  250 ,  255 . It is to be appreciated that the interior space  260 , being insulated from the evaporator motor  235  prevents heat from the rotating motor to be added to the interior space  260 , thereby reducing the cooling capacity needs of the interior space  260  and providing less power consumption of the refrigeration system  110 . 
         [0012]    In operation, as shown in  FIG. 2 , low-pressure refrigerant is delivered to the compressor  205  via the refrigerant line  225 , where it is compressed to a high-pressure, high temperature gas. The high-pressure, high temperature gas from the compressor  205  is delivered to the condenser  215  where the ambient air passes across the condenser  215  (e.g., via the condenser fan  210 ) and condenses the high-pressure vapor refrigerant into a lower temperature refrigerant gas. The refrigerant gas exiting the condenser coil  215  is diverted through the expansion valve  220 . The pressure change caused by the expansion valve  220  causes the gaseous refrigerant to liquefy into a super cooled liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant passes through the evaporator coil  230 , where the evaporator fan  242  circulates the air from the interior space  260  over the evaporator coil  230  in order to cool it further. The evaporator motor  235 , being located outside the interior space  260  and the shaft  240  partly traversing the interior space  260  prevents heat generated by the evaporator motor  235  from being delivered to the interior space  260 , thereby providing for a more efficient cooling system. Additionally, the perforated panel  265  provides for ambient air flow over the evaporator motor  235  to cool the evaporator motor  235  during operation, thereby preventing heat from accumulating within the top cavity  245 . 
         [0013]    The technical effects and benefits of embodiments relate to an integrated refrigerated container having a refrigeration system for providing more efficient cooling. The integrated refrigerated container includes an evaporator fan that is located with an interior space being cooled while an evaporator motor is located within an external cavity separated from the interior space by a plurality of insulation panels. The motor, being isolated from the interior space prevents heat from the motor being added to the interior space, thereby reducing the cooling capacity needs of the interior space and providing less power consumption of the refrigeration system. 
         [0014]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. While the description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, it is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications, variations, alterations, substitutions, or equivalent arrangement not hereto described will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Additionally, while the various embodiment of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.