Modular chiller system and method for retrofit

{
  "publication_number": "US2012291466A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Modular chiller system and method for retrofit",
  "abstract": "A Modular Chiller System integrated into a single Standalone Rack Assembly having vertically positioned air intakes, heat exchanger, and an air deflector is disclosed. The orientation of the components in the Standalone Rack Assembly allows for maximum heat exchange from a rack of hot food items positioned coextensively to the Chiller System. Hot air from the food rack is received through the air intakes into the heat exchanger where chilled air is recirculated outward through said frame assembly. The Chiller System is portable and can be retrofitted to existing walk-in cooler configurations.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A Modular Chiller System, comprising: a frame assembly comprising a plurality of air intakes, a heat exchanger, and an air deflector positioned therein, said heat exchanger for chilling air received from said intakes, said air deflector coextensive to and positioned rearward of said heat exchanger, said air deflector dispensing said chilled air from said heat exchanger outward through said frame assembly. 2. A modular chiller system as in claim 1, wherein said frame assembly further comprises a base panel, a top panel, and side supports extending there between, said air intakes and said heat exchanger fixed between said side supports. 3. A modular chiller system as in claim 2, wherein said base panel further includes legs to raise said frame assembly from the mounting surface. 4. A modular chiller system as in claim 2, wherein said base panel surface area and said top panel surface area extends beyond the periphery of said side supports, said surface area extending to the left, right, and rear of said periphery. 5. A modular chiller system as in claim 4, wherein said air deflector splits said chilled air from said heat exchanger over said surface area of said base panel and said top panel. 6. A modular chiller system as in claim 5, wherein said air deflector includes a first section, a second section, and a center section, said first and second sections displaced away from said heat exchanger, said first and second sections terminating into a center section, said center section angled inward into said heat exchanger, said inward angled center section channeling chilled air over said first and second sections. 7. A modular chiller system as in claim 1, further comprising a condensing unit external to said frame assembly and connected to said heat exchanger. 8. A modular chiller system as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of air intakes, said heat exchanger, and said air deflector are positioned vertically within said frame assembly. 9. A modular chiller system as in claim 1, further comprising a temperature adjustment means, said temperature adjustment means for comparing a measured product temperature with a target product temperature and controlling said heat exchanger to lower said product temperature to said target temperature, said temperature adjustment means having a sensor capable of insertion into a product to be cooled, said sensor measuring a product temperature. 10. A modular chiller system as in claim 9, wherein said temperature adjustment means is contained in a control unit, said control unit having a top section and a side section, said top section and said side section being substantially perpendicular, said side section including said temperature adjustment means and operator interface for operation of said chiller system. 11. A modular chiller freezer enclosure, comprising: an enclosed room for freezing non-frozen food product and for storing frozen food product, the room including a floor, a ceiling, opposing first and second end walls and opposing first and second side walls, a modular chiller system having a frame assembly comprising a base panel, a top panel, and side supports extending therebetween, said frame assembly having a plurality of air intakes and a heat exchanger fixed between said side supports, said heat exchanger for chilling air received from said intakes, said frame assembly further including an air deflector coextensive to and positioned rearward of said heat exchanger, said air deflector dispensing said chilled air from said heat exchanger outward through said frame assembly and into said enclosed room, and a temperature adjustment means, said temperature adjustment means for comparing a measured product temperature with a target product temperature and controlling said heat exchanger to lower said product temperature to said target temperature, said temperature adjustment means comprising a sensor capable of insertion into a product to be cooled, said sensor measuring a product temperature. 12. A modular chiller freezer enclosure as in claim 11, wherein said temperature adjustment means is contained in a control unit, said control unit having a top section and a side section, said top section and said side section being substantially perpendicular and electrically interfaced, said side section including said temperature adjustment means and operator interface for operation of said chiller system, said top panel of said frame assembly and said top section of said control unit electrically interfaced. 13. A modular chiller freezer enclosure as in claim 12, wherein said top section of said control unit and said side section of said control unit are positioned outside of said enclosed room. 14. A modular chiller freezer enclosure as in claim 13, wherein said outside positioned control unit top section rests against said ceiling of said enclosed room and said outside positioned side section of said control unit rests against a wall selected from the group consisting of opposing first and second end walls and opposing first and second side walls. 15. A modular chiller freezer enclosure as in claim 14, wherein said top section of said control unit is coextensive with said top panel of said frame assembly. 16. A modular chiller freezer enclosure as in claim 11, wherein said plurality of said air intakes, said heat exchanger, and said air deflector are positioned vertically within said frame assembly, said vertical positioning conforming closely to the shape of an insertable rack. 17. A method of retrofitting a modular chiller system to an existing refrigeration room, comprising the steps of: Sizing an area of an existing refrigeration room; Installing new panels to create a smaller enclosure within said refrigeration room; Providing a modular chiller system within the smaller enclosure. 18. A method of retrofitting a modular chiller system to an existing refrigeration room as in claim 17, wherein the step of sizing an area of an existing refrigeration room is determined by the quantity of food to be shock freezed in a given cycle. 19. A method of retrofitting a modular chiller system to an existing refrigeration room as in claim 17, wherein the step of sizing an area of an existing refrigeration room further includes the step of partitioning a single rack space in 20 ft increments. 20. A method of retrofitting a modular chiller system to an existing refrigeration room as in claim 18, further including the step of: Selecting an evaporator and condenser size for the modular chiller system based on the quantity of food to be shock freezed in a given cycle within said sized area of an existing refrigeration room. 21. A method of retrofitting a modular chiller system to an existing refrigeration room as in claim 17, further including the step of installing at least one door for entry and exit into said smaller enclosure. 22. A method of retrofitting a modular chiller system to an existing refrigeration room as in claim 17, further including the step of positioning a control unit outside of said small enclosure. 23. A method of retrofitting a modular chiller system to an existing refrigeration room as in claim 22, further including the step of interfacing said control unit to said modular chiller system. 24. A method of retrofitting a modular chiller system to an existing refrigeration room as in claim 17, further including the step of interfacing an external condensing unit to said modular chiller system."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "F25B 1/10",
    "A23B 2/80",
    "B23P 15/26",
    "F25B 49/00",
    "F25D 13/00",
    "F25D 13/02",
    "F25D 17/005",
    "F25D 17/067",
    "F25D 2317/061",
    "F25D 2400/28",
    "F25D 2400/30",
    "F25D 2700/16",
    "F25D 3/08",
    "Y10T 29/49359"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "IOVANEL FLAVIAN"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2011-05-17",
  "publication_date": "2012-11-22",
  "priority_date": "2011-05-17",
  "application_number": "US-201113068683-A",
  "family_id": "47173899",
  "citations": [
    "GB2186357A",
    "US5577958A",
    "US6213867B1",
    "US6321830B1",
    "US6551185B1",
    "US6769477B2",
    "US6819564B2",
    "US7497250B2",
    "US8715047B2"
  ]
}