초록 ▼

A refrigeration apparatus includes an air chiller, a storage enclosure defining a compartment, a duct system, and a valve system. The air chiller blows chilled air into the duct system. The compartment has a first and a second opening, each of which is coupled to the duct system. The valve system ha

A refrigeration apparatus includes an air chiller, a storage enclosure defining a compartment, a duct system, and a valve system. The air chiller blows chilled air into the duct system. The compartment has a first and a second opening, each of which is coupled to the duct system. The valve system has valves that can be moved to route the chilled air so that it enters into the first opening and exits the second opening, or vice versa. In one implementation, the first opening is at the top of the compartment and the second opening is at the bottom of the compartment, and the valve system is controlled by a control circuit that periodically switches the valves (via an actuator) to change the direction of the chilled air. This effectively maintains a relatively uniform temperature throughout the compartment.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A method for cooling a plurality of food or beverage compartments, the method comprising:(a) directing chilled air through each of the compartments in a first direction via a ducting system having ducting in common with all of the compartments, each of the compartments comprising a recta

I claim: 1. A method for cooling a plurality of food or beverage compartments, the method comprising:(a) directing chilled air through each of the compartments in a first direction via a ducting system having ducting in common with all of the compartments, each of the compartments comprising a rectangular volume entirely bounded on six sides, wherein each of the compartments has two openings that correspond one-to-one with individual openings in the ducting system;(b) after step (a), inhibiting the flow of the chilled air from flowing in the first direction;(c) after step (b), directing chilled air through the compartment in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction;(d) after step (c), inhibiting the flow of the chilled air from flowing in the second direction; and(e) after step (d), repeating step (a);wherein reversing the flow of the chilled air between the first direction and the second direction is achieved exclusively by operation of a valve system comprising a first valve and a second valve, each having a first position permitting air to flow in the first direction, and a second position allowing the air to flow in the second direction.