Patent Publication Number: US-8117860-B2

Title: Refrigeration unit with integrated structural condenser coil support

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure is related to refrigeration units. More particularly, the present disclosure is related to refrigeration units for use with shipping containers. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Shipping containers are used for many purposes including storage and transportation of various types of goods. The shipping containers can be transported from one location to another, e.g. from a manufacture site to a desired location, via a variety of modes of transportation. For example, containers can be loaded on a truck or train. Or, in situations where goods need to be transported across bodies of water, for example international trade, the containers can be loaded onto ships. On the ships, the containers are usually stacked upon each other. Therefore, it is essential that containers be sturdy enough to withstand both rack loads and end loads to prevent the containers from crushing and damaging the goods. Rack loads are forces that are exerted on a container when containers are stacked upon one another. End loads are the forces exerted on a container due to the shifting of cargo. 
     Many of the goods that are stored and transported in containers require refrigeration systems. As such, it is common for refrigeration units to be attached to containers in order to preserve the goods. In most cases, containers and the associated refrigeration units are designed so that the refrigeration unit plays an essential role in the structure of the container. Typically, the condenser coils are made of very durable materials, such as copper and copper tube sheets, and are very strong. It is the condenser coil specifically that when attached to the frame plays an integral role giving structure and support to the container. 
     Accordingly, it has been determined by the present disclosure that there exists a need for a refrigeration unit that is designed so that the condenser coil is not a factor in the strength of the container so that smaller, lightweight coils can be used. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigeration unit for shipping containers. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are provided by a refrigeration unit for a shipping container exposed to end loads and rack loads. The refrigeration unit has a frame for securement to the shipping container, a back panel secured to the frame, a plurality of structural support brackets secured to the back panel, a condenser cover secured to the plurality of structural support brackets so that the condenser cover, the plurality of structural support brackets, the frame, and the back panel form a structural member sufficient to support the end loads and rack loads, a condenser coil having a first end and a second end, a first coil support member secured to one of the plurality of structural support brackets and secured around the first end, a second coil support member secured to one of the plurality of structural support brackets and secured around the second end. The first and second coil support members maintain the condenser coil unstressed from the end loads and rack loads. 
     A refrigeration unit for a shipping container suitable for withstanding end loads and rack loads is also provided. The refrigeration unit has a frame, a back panel attached to the frame, at least six support brackets, each one of the six support brackets being attached to the back panel, a condenser cover attached to the frame and to each one of the at least six support brackets, and a condenser coil attached to at least two of the at least six support brackets in a mariner such that the condenser coil is an unstressed member. The frame, the back panel, the at least six support brackets, and the condenser coil form a structure sufficient to withstand end loads and rack loads. 
     The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a container with a refrigeration unit according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a partially exploded view of a refrigeration unit according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a refrigeration unit  10  is shown in relation to a container  12 . Advantageously, refrigeration unit  10  is designed to give structural support to container  12  without stressing the condenser coil. With advances in technology, smaller, light-weight condenser coils have been designed which can be used in the refrigeration unit. The present disclosure contemplates the use of these lighter, smaller condenser coils in lieu of the larger, heavier coils due in part to reductions in associated manufacturing costs. However, due to the current design of the refrigeration units and containers, the replacement of a large condenser coil with the new smaller, lightweight coil would compromise the strength of the container&#39;s structure. Consequently, the container would not have sufficient strength to withstand the rack and end loads to which it would be susceptible. The present disclosure provides a solution. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary embodiment of refrigeration unit  10  according to the present disclosure is shown. Refrigeration unit  10  includes a condenser coil  14 , a condenser cover  16 , a frame  18 , a plurality of structural supports  40 , and a back panel  24 . 
     Condenser coil  14  is of any known type suitable for use in refrigeration unit  10 . In one embodiment, condenser coil  14  is a micro channel heat exchanger coil. Condenser coil  14  has a first end  36  and a second end  38 . Additionally, condenser coil  14  has one or more coil support members  34 . At least one coil support member  34  is on first end  36 . And, at least one coil support member  34  is on second end  38 . Condenser coil  14  is an unstressed member. For purposes herein, an “unstressed member” is a structure that does not play a role in providing structure to container  12 . 
     Condenser cover  16  is any known type suitable for use in refrigeration unit  10 . It is foreseen that condenser cover  16  can be any type of metal, plastic, or plastic composite. In one embodiment, condenser cover  16  is aluminum. Condenser cover  16  is a “stressed member”. For purposes of this application, a “stressed member” is a structure that plays a role in providing structure to container  12 . 
     Frame  18  is of any known type suitable for use in refrigeration unit  10 . In one embodiment, it is contemplated that frame  18  is aluminum. Frame  18  is a stressed member. 
     Plurality of structural supports  40  consists of one or more bottom supports  20  and one or more top supports  22 . Additionally, plurality of structural supports  40  are made of any material suitable for use in refrigeration unit  10 . Each of one or more bottom supports  20  has a first end  26  and a second end  28 . Each of one more top supports  22  has a first end  30  and a second end  32 . In one embodiment, one or more bottom supports  20  and one or more top supports  22  are made of aluminum. One or more bottom supports  20  and one or more top supports  22  are stressed members. The present disclosure contemplates the use of one or more bottom supports  20 . For purposes of clarity, only one bottom support  20  will be described in detail below as each of the one or more bottom supports are assembled in a similar fashion. Similarly, for purposes of clarity, only one top support  22  will be described in detail below as each of the one or more top supports  22  are assembled in a similar fashion. 
     Back panel  24  is made of any known material sufficient for use in refrigeration unit  10 . In one embodiment, back panel  24  is sheet metal. 
     During assembly, a first end  26  of bottom support  20  is attached to back panel  24  by any method sufficient to do so. In one embodiment, first end  26  is attached to back panel  24  by spot welding or bolting. In a preferred embodiment, one or more bottom supports  20  are bolted to back panel  24 . Second end  28  is attached to condenser cover  16  by any manner sufficient to do so. It is contemplated herein that second end  28  may be attached to condenser cover  16  by spot welding or bolting. 
     First end  30  of top support  22  is attached to back panel  24  by any method sufficient to do so. In one embodiment, first end  30  is attached to back panel  24  by spot welding or bolting. In a preferred embodiment, one or more top supports  22  are bolted to back panel  24 . Second end  32  is attached to condenser cover  16  by any manner sufficient to do so. It is contemplated herein that second end  32  may be attached to condenser cover  16  by spot welding or bolting. 
     Condenser cover  16  is attached to frame  18  by any known means sufficient to do so. In one embodiment, condenser cover  16  is spot welded to frame  18 . In another embodiment, condenser cover  16  is attached to frame  18  with bolts or screws. 
     One coil support member  34  of condenser coil  14  is attached to at least one top support  22  by any known manner such that the condenser coil essentially hangs from the top supports and is an unstressed member providing no structural support to container  12 . In one embodiment, coil support member  34  is attached to top support member. In one embodiment, condenser coil  14  is removably secured to each one of top supports  22  using screws or bolts. 
     Frame  18  is attached to container  12  by any known method sufficient to do so. In one embodiment, frame  18  is attached to container  12  using bolts. In another embodiment, frame  18  is attached to container  12  by spot welding. 
     It should also be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.