Refrigeration/air exchanger system maintaining two different temperature compartments

Claim 2

Apparatus for use with a vehicle having first and second compartments and a main refrigeration unit for maintaining the first compartment at a predetermined temperature below freezing, which comprises: a duct fluidly interconnecting the first and second compartments, said duct having a first duct portion extending between the first and second compartments and a second duct portion extending only in said second compartment; the first portion of said duct having a first inlet and outlet both located in said first and second compartments, respectively, and the second portion of said duct having a second inlet and outlet both located in said second compartment; a divider wall in said duct to isolate the first and second duct portions from fluid communication; a cooling fan located in said first duct portion between said first inlet and outlet for selectively drawing cold air from said first compartment into said second compartment; a recirculation fan located in said second duct portion between said second inlet and outlet for continuously recirculating air in said second compartment; a heating element associated with said recirculation fan in said second duct portion between the second inlet and outlet; and means including a thermostat and associated temperature sensor for controlling said cooling fan and said heating element to maintain the temperature in said second compartment at a predetermined temperature relatively higher than the temperature in said first compartment.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said duct extends between said compartments entirely internal to the vehicle.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cooling fan is located at the first inlet of said duct, and further including a protective guard mounted over the first inlet.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control means includes: a second temperature sensor located in said second compartment; an external display connected to said second temperature sensor; an on/off switch connected to a power supply; a first indicator light connected to said on/off switch for indicating when the apparatus is energized; a second indicator light connected to said cooling fan for indicating when said fan is operating and thus drawing cold air into said second compartment; and a third indicator light connected to said heating element for indicating when the temperature in said second compartment is being modulated.

Claim 6

A refrigeration/air exchanger system for use with a vehicle having first and second compartments, comprising: a refrigeration unit connected to said compartment for maintaining the temperature therein at a first predetermined temperature below freezing; a straight, internal duct fluidly interconnecting said first and second compartments, said duct having a first duct portion extending between the first and second compartments and a second duct portion extending only in said second compartment; the first portion of said duct having an inlet and outlet located in said first and second compartments, respectively, and the second portion of said duct having a second inlet and outlet both located in said second compartment; a divider in said duct to isolate the first and second duct portions from fluid communication; a cooling fan located in said first duct portion between said first inlet and outlet for selectively drawing cold air from said first compartment into said second compartment; a recirculation fan located in said second duct portion between said second inlet and outlet for recirculating air in said second compartment; a heating element associated with said recirculation fan in said second duct portion between the second inlet and outlet; and means including a thermostat and associated temperature sensor for controlling said cooling fan and said heating element to maintain the temperature in said second compartment at a second predetermined temperature above freezing.

Claim 7

A refrigeration/air exchanger system for use with a vehicle having first and second compartments, comprising: a refrigeration unit connected to said compartment for maintaining the temperature therein at a first predetermined temperature below freezing; a straight, internal duct fluidly interconnecting said first and second compartments, said duct having a first duct portion extending between the first and second compartments and a second duct portion extending only in said second compartment; the first portion of said duct having an inlet and outlet located in said first and second compartments, respectively, and the second portion of said duct having a second inlet and outlet both located in said second compartment; a divider in said duct to isolate the first and second duct portions from fluid communication; a cooling fan located in said first duct portion between said first inlet and outlet for selectively drawing cold air from said first compartment into said second compartment; a recirculation fan located in said second duct portion between said second inlet and outlet for recirculating air in said second compartment; a heating element associated with said recirculation fan in said second duct portion between the second inlet and outlet; and means including a thermostat and associated temperature sensor for controlling said cooling fan and said heating element to maintain the temperature in said second compartment at a second predetermined temperature above freezing.

Claim 8

The refrigeration/air exchanger system of claim 5, wherein said duct is of generally triangular cross-section adapted for location in an internal corner of the vehicle extending between said first and second compartments.

Claim 9

The refrigeration/air exchanger system of claim 5, wherein said control means includes: a second temperature sensor located in said second compartment; an external display connected to said second temperature sensor; an on/off switch connected to a power supply; a first indicator light connected to said on/off switch for indicating when the apparatus is energized; a second indicator light connected to said cooling fan for indicating when said fan is operating and thus drawing cold air into said second compartment; and a third indicator light connected to said heating element for indicating when the temperature in said second compartment is being modulated.

Claim 10

The refrigeration/air exchange system of claim 5 further including: a hinged cover in a portion of said duct extending into said second compartment; said second inlet and outlet, recirculation fan, and heating element being mounted on said cover to facilitate access thereto when said cover is in an open position; and means for releasably securing said cover in a closed position.

Claim 11

A refrigeration/air exchanger system for a trailer having front and rear compartments separated by a bulkhead, comprising: a main refrigeration unit for cooling the front compartment to a predetermined first temperature below freezing; a duct fluidly interconnecting said front and rear compartments, said duct having a first duct portion extending between the first and second compartments and a second duct portion extending only in said second compartment; the first portion of said duct having an inlet and outlet located in said front and rear compartments, respectively, and the second portion of said duct having a second inlet and outlet both located in said rear compartment; a divider in said duct to isolate the first and second duct portions from fluid communication; a cooling fan located in said duct between said first inlet and outlet for drawing cold air from said front compartment into said rear compartment; a recirculation fan located in said duct between said second inlet and outlet for continously recirculating air in said rear compartment; an electrical heating element located in said second duct portion between the second inlet and said recirculation fan; and means for controlling said cooling fan and heating element to maintain the temperature in said rear compartment at a predetermined second temperature above freezing, said control means including: first and second temperature sensors located in said rear compartment; a thermostat connected between said first temperature sensor and said cooling fans and said heating element; a display connected to said second temperature sensor; and an on/off switch connected to a power supply.

Claim 12

A refrigeration/air exchanger system for a trailer having front and rear compartments separated by a bulkhead, comprising: a main refrigeration unit for cooling the front compartment to a predetermined first temperature below freezing; a duct fluidly interconnecting said front and rear compartments, said duct having a first duct portion extending between the first and second compartments and a second duct portion extending only in said second compartment; the first portion of said duct having an inlet and outlet located in said front and rear compartments, respectively, and the second portion of said duct having a second inlet and outlet both located in said rear compartment; a divider in said duct to isolate the first and second duct portions from fluid communication; a cooling fan located in said duct between said first inlet and outlet for drawing cold air from said front compartment into said rear compartment; a recirculation fan located in said duct between said second inlet and outlet for continously recirculating air in said rear compartment; an electrical heating element located in said second duct portion between the second inlet and said recirculation fan; and means for controlling said cooling fan and heating element to maintain the temperature in said rear compartment at a predetermined second temperature above freezing, said control means including: first and second temperature sensors located in said rear compartment; a thermostat connected between said first temperature sensor and said cooling fans and said heating element; a display connected to said second temperature sensor; and an on/off switch connected to a power supply.