IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO REFRIGERATION APPARATUS

Abstract: The invention relates to refrigeration apparatus such as freezers, refrigerators and bottle/can coolers/chillers. A condenser (5) is normally located on a rearmost side of a refrigeration apparatus. The condenser (5) comprises a pipe (10) for containing a refrigerant, one or more adjacent portions (15) of the pipe (10) being connected by a baffle (20, 25), characterised in that the baffle provides a plurality of wall portions, at least some wall portions (40, 45, 50, 55) being disposed in opposing directions relative to a plane extending between respective adjacent portions of the pipe.

Description: Improvements In or Relating to Refrigeration Apparatus This invention relates to refrigeration apparatus such as freezers, refrigerators and bottle/can coolers/chillers. Tne invention particularly relates to an improved condenser for use in such apparatus . Condensers (heat exchange devices) which remove heat from a refrigerant material and expel it to the atmosphere outw t the refrigeration apparatus are known. Condensers are normally located on a rearmost side cf a refrigeration apparatus, and are therefore termed "back condensers". Known condenser designs are illustrated in Figs 1 to 2. These condensers comprise a condenser pipe having a plurality of substantially parallel spaced portions (lengths) , adjacent portions being connected by a louvered steel plate. In Fig 1 adjacent portions are connected by a steel plate, opposing elongate edges of which plate are crimped to respective adjacent portions. In Fig 2 adjacent portions are connected by a steel plate, elongate edges of the plate being suitably shaped so as to, with an adjacent plate, enclose a portion therebetween, adjacent elongate edges of the plate and the adjacent plate being spotwelded together. In Fig 3 all portions are connected by a single steel plate, each portion being welded onto the plate. A number of problems have been found with prior art condensers. One problem is that of efficiency of heat transfer from the refrigerant material within the pipe to the atmosphere . It is an object cf tne present invention to ODviate or mitigate at least some of the aforementioned problems ir. t e prior ar . According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a condenser for a refrigeration apparatus comprising a pipe for containing a refrigerant, one or more adjacent portions of the pipe being connected by a baffle, characterised in that the baffle provides a plurality cf wall portions, at least some wall portions being disposed m opposing directions relative to a plane extending betwee: respective adjacent portions of the pipe. The adjacent portions of the pipe may be space: substantially parallel one from another. There may be provided two baffles for connecting n -=. portions of the pipe. Each baffle may comprise a plate formed so as tc provide a plurality of recesses, the recesses Deing spaced so as tc receive respective adjacent portions of the pipe. Between and along adjacent recesses eacn baffle may provide a plurality of wall portions, at least some adjacent wall portions of each baffle being disposed in opposing directions relative to a plane extending between tne respective adjacent portions cf the pipe. Wall portions of each of the two baffles may be r intimate contact with one another. The adjacent portions cf the pipe may be spaced at around 31.75mm centres. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a refrigeration apparatus including a condenser, the condenser comprising a pipe for containing a refrigerant, one or more adjacent portions of the pipe being connected by a baffle, characterised m that the baffle provides a plurality of wall portions, at least some wall portions being disposed in opposing directions relative tc a plane extending between respective adjacent portions of tne pipe. The refrigeration apparatus may be, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer, or a bottle/can cooler/chiller, may be cf tne chest or front opening type, and may be fc: commercial or domestic use. According to a third aspect of the present mventic- there is provided a condenser for a refrigeration apparatus comprising a pipe fcr containing a refrigerant, one or rcre adjacent portions cf the pipe being connected joy at least zvc baffles. Between adjacent portions of the pipe each baffle may provide a plurality of wall portions, adjacent wall portions being disposed m opposing directions relative to a plane extending between the adjacent portions of tne pipe According to a fourth aspect of the present invention tnere is provided a refrigeration apparatus including a condenser, the condenser comprising a pipe for containing a refrigerant, one or more adjacent portions of the pipe being connected by at least two baffles An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are Fig 1 a cross-sectional view from aoove of a portion of a first prior art condenser, Fig 2 a cross-sectional view from aoove of a portion of a second prio art condenser, Fig 3 a cross-sectional view from above of a portion of a third prior art condenser; Fig 4 a cross-sectional view from above of a condenser according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig 5 a partial exploded perspective view from below and to the front of the condenser of Fig 4 ; and Fig 6 a view of the condenser of Fig 4 mounted on the rear of a refrigeration apparatus Referring to Figs 4 to 6, there is illustrated a condenser, generally designated 5, according to an embodiment of the present invention, for use m a refrigeration apparatus The condenser 5 comprises a pipe 10 for containing and transporting a refrigerant (not sno n ) therethrougn As car be seen most clearly from Fig 6, the pipe IC is shaped so as to proviαe a plurality of adjacent portions 15 spaceα suostantially parallel from one another. The condenser 5 also provides first and second baffles 20, 25. Each baffle 20, 25 comprises a plate formed so as to provide a plurality of recesses 30, 35, the recesses 30, 35 being spaced so as to receive respective spaced portions 15 cf tne pipe 10. Between and along adjacent recesses 30, 35 eacr. baffle 20, 25, provides a plurality of walls 40, 45, 50, 55. For each baffle 20, 25, adjacent walls 4C, 50 and 45, 55 are disposed m opposing directions relative tc a plane extending between the recesses 30, 35 of the oaffie 20, 25. The condenser 5 may be formed as follows. Plane, unformed, baffles 20, 25 are provided and recesses 30, 35 initially formed therein by pressing. Tne oaffles 2C, 25 are then Drought together so as to enclose tne pipe 10 within tne recesses 30, 35. The baffles 20, 25 are tnen tagged togetner by welds or the like. Subsequently the oaffles 2C, 25 are pressed so as to form walls 40, 45, 5C, 5Ξ Alternatively, the condenser 5 may oe formed by bringing together preformed baffles 20, 25 so as to enclose the pipe 10 within the recesses 30, 35. In doing this opposing surfaces of walls 40, 45 and walls 50, 55 are brought into proximity with one another. The baffles 20, 25 may again be retained together by welds or the like. In a preferred embodiment of the invention: adjacent portions 15 of the pipe 10 are spaced at approximated 31.75mm centres; the length of the portions 15 is approximately 486.15mm; the baffles 20, 25 are made from steel plate approximately 0.28mm thick; and the pipe IC is made from steel pipe of outer diameter 4.76mm. As shown in Fig 6 the condenser 5 may be mounted in a conventional fashion to a rear side cf a refrigerator cabinet 60 oy means of screws 65 extending tnrougr. flanged portions 73, 75 at first and second ends of tne condenser 5. In use, the condenser 5 forms part cf a refπgeraticr. apparatus operating in a conventional way, le, extracting neat fror refrigerant material passing tnrougr. the pipe 10 and αumpmg such heat to atmosphere. However, the condenser 5 gives enhanced condensation. This effect is believed to be at least partially due to tne "chimney effect" provided by the wall portions 40, 45, 50, 55 of the baffles 20, 25. The embodiment of the invention hereinbefore described is given by way of example only and is not meant to limit tne scope of the invention in any way. It should particularly be appreciated that although the disclosed embodiment has two baffles 20, 25 the "chimney effect" hereinbefore mentioned may be provided via a single baffle suitably shaped. It should further be appreciated that although the disclosed embodiment has adjacent wall portions 40, 45, 50, 55 of each baffle 2C, 25 disposed in opposing directions relative tc a plane extending between respective adjacent portions 15 of tne pipe 10, only some of the wall portions require to be so disposed to provide the "chimney effect", and such wall portions need not be adjacent.

Claims: Claims 1. A condenser (5) for a refrigeration apparatus comprising a pipe (10) for containing a refrigerant, one or more adjacent portions (15) of the pipe (10) being connected by a baffle (20, 25) , characterised in that the baffle provides a plurality of wall portions, at least some wall portions (4C, 45, 50, 55) being disposed in opposing directions relative to a plane extending between respective adjacent portions of the pipe . 2. A condenser (5) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the adjacent portions (15) of the pipe (10) are spaced substantially parallel one from another. 5 3. A condenser (5) as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that there are provided two baffles (20, 25) for connecting the portions (15) of the pipe (10) . 0 4. A condenser (5) as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that each baffle (20, 25) comprises a plate formed so as to provide a plurality of recesses (30, 35) , the recesses (30, 35) being spaced so as tc receive respective adjacent portions (15) of the pipe (10) . 5 5. A condenser (5) as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that between and along adjacent recesses (30, 35) eacn baffle (10, 15) provides a plurality of wall portions (40, 45, 50, 55' , at least some adjacent wall portions cf each baffle being C disposed in opposing directions relative tc a plane extending between the respective adjacent portions (15 of the p pe (10; . 6. A condenser (5) as claimed m claim 5, characterised in 5 that wall portions (40, 45, 50, 55) of each of the baffles (20, 25) are in intimate contact with one another. 7. A condenser (5) as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the adjacent portions (15) of the pipe (10' are spaced at around 31.75mm centres. 8. A refrigeration apparatus including a condenser (5) , the condenser (5) comprising a pipe (10) for containing a refrigerant, one or more adjacent portions (15) of the pipe (10' being connected by a baffle (20, 25) , characterised in that the baffle provides a plurality of wall portions (40, 45, 50, 55) , at least some wall portions (4C, 45, 5C, 55' being disposed in opposing directions relative to a plane extending between respective adjacent portions cf the pipe. 5. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed ir. claim S, characterised in that the appparatus is one of a refrigerator, a freezer, or a bottle/can cooler/chiller. 10. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed in either of claims 8 or 9, characterised in that the apparatus is either a chest or front opening type. SUBSTITUTESHEET(RULE 26

Inventors: GRANT ALEXANDER, GRANT, ALEXANDER
Applicants: GRANT ALEXANDER, NORFROST LTD, GRANT, ALEXANDER, NORFROST LIMITED
Application year: 1995
Main classification: F25B39
IPC codes: F25B39, F28F1