The present disclosure relates to heat exchangers and in particular, relates to a modular
5 heat exchanger assembly for a refrigeration unit.
BACKGROUND
Refrigeration units, such as commercial refrigerators and household refrigerators, are
deployed with heat exchangers to maintain a desirable temperature within such refrigeration
10 units. The heat exchangers can be used as evaporators or condensers in the refrigeration units.
Generally, the heat exchangers include coils for circulating a flow of refrigerant to enable heat
transfer between the flow of refrigerant and another flowing substance to maintain the desirable
temperature within the refrigeration units. Overall constructional aspects and operational aspects
of the heat exchangers usually varies based on various parameters associated with the
15 refrigeration unit. For instance, a heat exchanger is manufactured based on a capacity of a
refrigeration unit in which such heat exchanger is to be employed for maintaining the desirable
temperature.
However, it is substantially expensive to manufacture different heat exchangers for the
refrigeration units with different capacities. Further, a position within the refrigeration unit at
20 which the heat exchanger to be deployed is considered as a constraint for designing such heat
exchanger. Constructional aspects of the heat exchanger are selected based on the position at
which such heat exchanger is to be deployed. This also leads to substantial increase in the
overall manufacturing cost of the heat exchanger which is not desirable. Further, managing
inventory for different heat exchangers is a time consuming, expensive and cumbersome task
25 Furthermore, the heat exchangers are provided with a large number of joints between
various sub-components which substantially increases probability of rusting, damage, and
leakage in the heat exchangers. Various sub-components are connected within the heat
exchanger via fasteners which substantially increases time consumption while replacing or
servicing one of the sub-components. This further results in decrease in overall serviceability of
30 the heat exchangers. As mentioned earlier, different heat exchangers are manufactured for the
refrigeration units with different capacities. In particular, each of such heat exchangers is only
compatible for the refrigeration unit with a specific capacity. Generally, a number of such heat
exchangers are manufactured based on availability of a number of the refrigeration units with the
specific capacity. However, if there is sudden fluctuation in the availability of the refrigeration
3
units which is identified after the heat exchangers are manufactured. Then, this might lead to
wastage of the components and the overall heat exchanger, as such heat exchangers cannot be
deployed in other refrigeration units.
5 SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that
are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither
intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for
determining the scope of the invention.
10 In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a modular heat exchanger assembly for a
refrigeration unit is disclosed. The modular heat exchanger assembly includes a housing member
having an outer wall and an inner wall distal to the outer wall. The housing member is adapted to
be positioned in one of a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation within the refrigeration
unit. Further, the modular heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of locking members
15 formed on the outer wall of the housing member. The plurality of locking member is adapted to
removably couple the modular heat exchanger assembly with at least one another modular heat
exchanger assembly in one of the horizontal orientation and the vertical orientation. The
modular heat exchanger assembly includes at least one coil disposed within the housing member
and adapted to receive a flow of refrigerant. The at least one coil is adapted to be removably
20 coupled to the inner wall of the housing member. The modular heat exchanger assembly
includes at least one fan removably coupled to the outer wall of the housing member. The fan is
adapted to circulate a flow of air within the housing member to exchange heat from the flow of
refrigerant within the at least one coil.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular
25 description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof,
which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only
typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope.
The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the
accompanying drawings.
30
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
4
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become
better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings,
wherein:
5 Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a modular heat exchanger assembly for a
refrigeration unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the modular heat exchanger assembly, according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3a illustrates a partial side sectional view of the refrigeration unit depicting
10 orientation of the modular heat exchanger assembly in a vertical orientation, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3b illustrates a front perspective view of a housing member of the modular heat
exchanger assembly positioned in the vertical orientation, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
15 Figure 3c illustrates a rear perspective view of the housing member of the modular heat
exchanger assembly positioned in the vertical orientation, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
Figures 4a and 4b illustrate perspective views of the modular heat exchanger assembly
positioned in the vertical orientation and coupled to another modular heat exchanger, according
20 to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5a illustrates a perspective view of the housing member of the modular heat
exchanger assembly positioned in a horizontal orientation, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
Figure 5b illustrates another perspective view of the housing member of the modular heat
25 exchanger assembly positioned in the horizontal orientation, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
Figures 6a and 6b illustrate perspective views of the modular heat exchanger positioned in
the horizontal orientation and coupled to another modular heat exchanger assembly, according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure;
30 Figures 7a and 7b illustrate enlarged view of a portion of the modular heat exchanger
assembly as illustrated in Figure 6b, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
5
Figures 8a, 8b, and 8c illustrate a partial perspective view of the modular heat exchanger
assembly depicting a fan of the modular heat exchanger assembly, according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure;
Figures 9a and 9b illustrate a rear perspective view of the modular heat exchanger
5 assembly depicting at least one coil of the modular heat exchanger assembly, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figures 10a and 10b illustrate perspective views of a pair of coils defining a single loop
positioned in the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation, respectively, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
10 Figures 10c and 10d illustrate perspective views of a pair of coils defining a double loop
positioned in the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation, respectively, according to
another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 10e illustrates a perspective view of a pair of continuous coils positioned in the
horizontal orientation, according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure; and
15 Figures 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d illustrate perspective views of the modular heat exchanger
assembly positioned in the horizontal orientation and coupled to a plurality of the modular heat
exchanger assembles with the pair of continuous coils, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for
20 simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts
illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve
understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of
the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by
conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent
25 to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings
with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the
description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
30 For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference
will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be
used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of
the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated
6
system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein
being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same
meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention
5 belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not
intended to be limiting.
The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.”
Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all”
would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no
10 embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments.
Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one
embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”
The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and
illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit,
15 restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.
More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,”
“comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact
limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more
features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the
20 possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with
the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”
Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either
way it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least
one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at
25 least one” feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element,
unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . . ”
or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”
Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms,
used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an
30 ordinary skill in the art.
Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an
embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements
presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of
7
illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of
the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.
Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further
embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple
5 embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”,
“furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily
refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features
and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one
embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all
10 embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or
elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in
the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all
embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any
appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the
15 context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context
of a single embodiment.
Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments
and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The
attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other
20 than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a modular heat exchanger assembly 100 for a
refrigeration unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The modular heat
25 exchanger assembly 100 may be employed in the refrigeration unit for maintaining a
temperature within the refrigeration unit. The modular heat exchanger assembly 100 may be
used as one of an evaporator and a condenser in the refrigeration unit, without departing from
the scope of the present disclosure. The modular heat exchanger assembly 100 may
interchangeably be referred to as one of the modular heat exchanger 100 and the heat exchanger
30 100. In an embodiment, the refrigeration unit may be embodied as one of a commercial
refrigerator, a household refrigerator, and a freezer unit, without departing from the scope.
In an embodiment, the modular heat exchanger 100 may be adapted to be removably
coupled to at least one another heat exchanger. Based on a cooling capacity of the refrigeration
8
unit, a plurality of modular heat exchangers 100 may be adapted to be removably coupled to
each other for maintaining the temperature within the refrigerator unit. The plurality of modular
heat exchangers 100 may interchangeably be referred to as the modular heat exchangers 100 or
the heat exchangers 100, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
5 Further, based on constructional aspects, such as dimensions, of the refrigeration unit, the
modular heat exchangers 100 may be adapted to oriented in one of a vertical orientation and a
horizontal orientation. In one implementation, each of the modular heat exchangers 100 may be
positioned in the vertical orientation in the refrigeration unit and coupled to each other in the
vertical orientation to enhance cooling within the refrigeration unit. Similarly, in another
10 implementation, each of the modular heat exchangers 100 may be positioned in the horizontal
orientation in the refrigeration unit and coupled to each other in the horizontal orientation to
enhance cooling within the refrigeration unit. Constructional and operational details of the
modular heat exchanger 100 are explained in subsequent sections of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the modular heat exchanger assembly 100,
15 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the modular heat
exchanger 100 may include, but is not limited to, a housing member 202, at least one coil 204,
and at least one fan 206. The housing member 202 may include an outer wall 208 and an inner
wall 210 distal to the outer wall 208. The housing member 202 may be adapted to be positioned
in one of the horizontal orientation and the vertical orientation within the refrigeration unit.
20 Referring to Figure 3a, the outer wall 208 may include, but is not limited to, a front portion 208-
1, a rear portion 208-2, a first vertical portion 208-3, a second vertical portion 208-4, a first
horizontal portion 208-5, and a second horizontal portion 208-6.
Further, referring to Figure 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the modular heat exchanger
100 may include a plurality of locking members 212 formed on the outer wall 208 of the housing
25 member 202. The plurality of locking members 212 may be adapted to removably couple the
modular heat exchanger 100 with at least one another modular heat exchanger in one of the
horizontal orientation and the vertical orientation. In an embodiment, the modular heat
exchanger 100 may be snap-fitted to at least one another modular heat exchanger via the
plurality of locking members 212. Constructional and operational details of the plurality of
30 locking members 212 are explained in subsequent sections of the present disclosure.
Figure 3a illustrates a partial side sectional view of the refrigeration unit depicting
orientation of the modular heat exchanger 100 in the vertical orientation, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 3a, the modular heat exchanger 100
9
may be embodied as the evaporator and positioned in the vertical orientation in a chamber
disposed at a top portion of the refrigeration unit, such as a refrigeration unit 300. However, it
should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that it should not be construed as limiting,
and the modular heat exchanger 100 can be positioned in the vertical orientation at different
5 locations in the refrigeration unit 300, without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure. In an embodiment, the modular heat exchanger 100 may be embodied as the
condenser and positioned in the vertical orientation in a chamber disposed at a bottom portion of
the refrigeration unit 300.
Figure 3b illustrates a front perspective view of the housing member 202 of the modular
10 heat exchanger 100 positioned in the vertical orientation, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure. Figure 3c illustrates a rear perspective view of the housing member 202 of
the modular heat exchanger 100 positioned in the vertical orientation, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 3b and 3c, in an embodiment, the
plurality of locking members 212 may include a first set of locking members 302 formed on the
15 first vertical portion 208-3 of the housing member 202. Further, the plurality of locking
members 212 may include a second set of locking members 304 formed on the first horizontal
portion 208-5 of the housing member 202. Constructional and operational details of the second
set of locking members 304 are explained in the description with respect to Figures 5a-5b, 6a-6b,
and 7a-7b of the present disclosure.
20 The first set of locking members 302 may be adapted to couple the heat exchanger 100
with at least one another heat exchanger in the vertical orientation. Referring to Figure 3b, in the
illustrated embodiment, the first set of locking members may include a first locking member
302-1 and a second locking member 302-2 formed on the first vertical portion 208-3. The first
locking member 302-1 may be formed on an upper portion of the first vertical portion 208-3 of
25 the housing member 202. Further, the second locking member 302-2 may be formed on a lower
portion of the first vertical portion 208-3 of the housing member 202. Each of the first locking
member 302-1 and the second locking member 302-2 may protrude from the first vertical
portion 208-3.
Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3c, in an embodiment, the housing member 202 may
30 include, but is not limited to, a plurality of locking slots 214 adapted to receive a plurality of
locking members 214 of at least one another heat exchanger. The plurality of locking slots 214
may include, but is not limited to, a first set of locking slots 306 and a second set of locking slots
502 (shown in Figure 5b). The first set of locking slots 306 may be formed on the second
10
vertical portion 208-4 of the housing member 202. The first set of locking slots 306 of the heat
exchanger 100 may be adapted to receive the first set of locking members 302 of at least one
another heat exchanger. The heat exchanger 100 may be coupled with at least one another heat
exchanger in the vertical orientation. In an embodiment, the heat exchanger 100 may be coupled
5 with at least one another heat exchanger assembly in the vertical orientation by snap-fitting the
first set of locking members 302 with the first set locking slots 306.
In the illustrated embodiment, the first set of locking slots 306 may include a first locking
slot 306-1 and a second locking slot 306-2 formed on the second vertical portion 208-4 of the
housing member 202. The first locking slot 306-1 may be formed on an upper portion of the
10 second vertical portion 208-4. The first locking slot 306-1 of the heat exchanger 100 may be
adapted to receive the first locking member 302-1 of another heat exchanger. Further, the second
locking slot 306-2 may be formed on a lower portion of the second vertical portion 208-4 of the
housing member 202. The second locking slot 306-2 of the heat exchanger 100 may be adapted
to receive the second locking member 302-2 of another heat exchanger.
15 Figures 4a and 4b illustrate perspective views of the modular heat exchanger 100
positioned in the vertical orientation and coupled to another modular heat exchanger, according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 4a and Figure 4b, the heat
exchanger 100 may be removably coupled to another heat exchanger in the vertical orientation.
The heat exchanger 100 and another heat exchanger may be interchangeably referred to as the
20 heat exchanger 100-1 and the heat exchanger 100-2, without departing from the scope of the
present disclosure.
In the illustrated embodiment, the heat exchanger 100-1 and the heat exchanger 100-2 may
be positioned in the vertical orientation and removably coupled to each other. In order to couple
the heat exchanger 100-1 with the heat exchanger 100-2 in the vertical orientation, the first set of
25 locking members 302 formed on the first vertical portion 208-3 of the heat exchanger 100-1 may
be snap-fitted with the first set of locking slots 306 formed on the second vertical portion 208-4
of the heat exchanger 100-2. Similarly, the heat exchanger 100-1 may be removably coupled to
another heat exchanger, such as the heat exchanger 100-3. In order to couple the heat exchanger
100-2 with a heat exchanger 100-3, the first set of locking members 302 of the heat exchanger
30 100-3 may be snap-fitted with the first set of locking slots 306 of the heat exchanger 100-1.
Figure 5a illustrates a perspective view of the housing member 202 of the modular heat
exchanger 100 positioned in the horizontal orientation, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure. Figure 5b illustrates another perspective view of the housing member of the
11
modular heat exchanger 100 positioned in the horizontal orientation, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure. As mentioned earlier, the heat exchanger 100 may be
adapted to be removably coupled to another heat exchanger in the horizontal orientation. Each of
the heat exchanger 100 and another heat exchanger may be oriented in the horizontal orientation
5 and removably coupled to each other.
Further, as mentioned earlier, the plurality of locking member 212 formed on the housing
202 of the heat exchanger 100 may include the second set of locking members 304. Referring to
Figure 5a, in the illustrated embodiment, the second set of locking members 304 may be formed
on the first horizontal portion 208-5 of the housing member 202. In an embodiment, the second
10 set of locking members 304 may include a pair of locking members 304-1 and a locking curved
member 304-2. Each of the pair of locking members 304-1 may protrude from the first
horizontal portion 208-5 of the housing member 202. Further, the locking curved member 304-2
may be formed on one end of the first horizontal portion 208-5.
Referring to Figure 5b, in the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of slots 214 formed on
15 the housing member 202 of the heat exchanger 100 may include the second set of locking slots
502. The second set of locking slots 502 may be formed on the second horizontal portion 208-6
of the housing member 202. In an embodiment, the second set of locking slots 502 may include
a pair of locking slots 502 formed on one end of the second horizontal portion 208-6. The pair of
locking slots 502 may be adapted to receive the second set of locking members 302 of another
20 heat exchanger in the horizontal orientation. As mentioned earlier, the heat exchanger 100 may
be coupled with at least one another heat exchanger in the horizontal orientation.
Figures 6a and 6b illustrate perspective views of the modular heat exchanger 100
positioned in the horizontal orientation and coupled to another modular heat exchanger
assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 6a and 6b,
25 the heat exchanger 100 may be removably coupled to another heat exchanger in the horizontal
orientation. The heat exchanger 100 and another heat exchanger may be interchangeably referred
to as the heat exchanger 100-1 and the heat exchanger 100-2, without departing from the scope
of the present disclosure. As explained earlier, the second set of locking members 304 may be
adapted to couple the heat exchanger assembly 100-1 with the heat exchanger 100-2 in the
30 horizontal orientation.
Figures 7a and 7b illustrate enlarged view of a portion of the modular heat exchanger
assembly as illustrated in Figure 6b, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Referring to Figures 6a-6b and Figures 7a-7b, in the illustrated embodiment, the heat exchanger
12
100-1 and the heat exchanger 100-2 may be positioned in the horizontal orientation and
removably coupled to each other. In order to couple the heat exchanger 100-1 with the heat
exchanger 100-2 in the horizontal orientation, the second set of locking members 304 formed on
the first horizontal portion 208-5 of the heat exchanger 100-1 may be snap-fitted with the second
5 set of locking slots 502 formed on the second horizontal portion 208-6.
For instance, the pair of locking members 304-1 of the heat exchanger 100-1 may be
adapted to be snap-fitted with the pair of locking slots 502 of the heat exchanger 100-2. Further,
the locking curved member 304-2 of the heat exchanger 100-1 may be adapted to be snap-fitted
with an edge 702 of the second horizontal portion 208-6 of the heat exchanger 100-2. Similarly,
10 the heat exchanger 100-1 may be removably coupled to another heat exchanger, such as the heat
exchanger 100-3, the second set of locking members 304 of the heat exchanger 100-3 may be
snap-fitted with the second set of locking slots 306 of the heat exchanger 100-1.
Figures 8a, 8b, and 8c illustrate a partial perspective view of the modular heat exchanger
100 depicting the fan 206 of the modular heat exchanger 100, according to an embodiment of the
15 present disclosure. Referring to Figure 8a, 8b, and 8c, the fan 206 may be removably coupled to
the housing member 202 of the heat exchanger 100. The fan 206 may be removably coupled to
the outer wall 208 of the housing member 202. In an embodiment, the fan 206 may be
removably coupled to the front portion 208-1 of the outer wall 208 of the housing member 202.
The fan 206 may be adapted to circulate a flow of air within the housing member to exchange
20 heat from the flow of refrigerant within the at least one coil 204 of the heat exchanger 100.
Although, Figures 8a-8c illustrates only one fan coupled to the outer wall of the housing member
202. It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that it should not be construed as
limiting, and multiple fans can be removably coupled to the housing member 202 of the heat
exchanger 100, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
25 Referring to Figure 8a, the front portion 208-1 of the housing member 202 may include a
plurality of flaps 802 adapted to be removably coupled to a housing 804 of the fan 206. In an
embodiment, each of the plurality of flaps 802 may be adapted to be snap-fitted to the housing
804 of the fan 206. Although, Figures 8a-8c illustrates the plurality of flaps 802 for snap-fitting
the fan to the housing member 202 of the heat exchanger 100. It should be appreciated by a
30 person skilled in the art that it should not be construed as limiting, and any other provision can
be implemented for snap-fitting the fan 206 with the housing member 202 of the heat exchanger
100, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
13
Figures 9a and 9b illustrate a rear perspective view of the modular heat exchanger 100
depicting at least one coil of the modular heat exchanger, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure. As explained earlier, the modular heat exchanger may include the at least one
coil 204 disposed within the housing member 202. The at least one coil 204 may be adapted to
5 receive a flow of refrigerant. The at least one coil 204 may be adapted to be removably coupled
to the inner wall 210 of the housing member 202. The at least one coil 204 may interchangeably
referred to as the coil 204, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an
embodiment, a plurality of coils 204 may be disposed within the housing member 202 of the
heat exchanger 100. In the illustrated embodiment, only one coil may be disposed within the
10 housing member 202 of the heat exchanger 100.
Referring to Figure 9a and Figure 9b, the inner wall 210 may include, but is not limited to,
a plurality of grooves 902 adapted to removably couple the coil 204 to the inner wall 210 of the
housing member 202. The coil 204 may be adapted to be snap-fitted in the plurality of grooves
formed on the inner wall 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the coil 204 may be embodied as a
15 single coil defining a single loop and removably coupled to the plurality of grooves 902 formed
on the inner wall 210. The coil 204 may include but is not limited to, an inlet portion 904
adapted to receive the flow of refrigerant and an outlet portion 906 adapted to supply the flow of
refrigerant to another heat exchanger.
In an embodiment, the outlet portion 906 may be adapted to be coupled to the coil 204
20 disposed in another heat exchanger. the outlet portion 906 of the coil 204 may be adapted to be
removably coupled to the inlet portion 904 of the coil 204 disposed in another heat exchanger
assembly. In another embodiment, the outlet portion 906 of the coil 204 may be brazed with the
inlet portion 904 of the coil 204 disposed in another heat exchanger. Another heat exchanger
may be adapted to be removably coupled to the housing member 200 of the heat exchanger 100.
25 Figures 10a and 10b illustrate perspective views of a pair of coils defining a single loop
positioned in the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation, respectively, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure. As explained earlier, the plurality of coils 204 may be
disposed within the housing member 202 of the heat exchanger 100. Referring to Figures 10a
and 10b, in the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of coils 204 may be embodied as a pair of
30 coils defining a single loop, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The pair
of coils defining the single loop may be removably coupled to the plurality of grooves 902
formed on the inner wall 210 of the housing member 202. Referring to Figures 10a and Figure
14
10b, the pair of coils may be positioned in the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation,
respectively.
Figures 10c and 10d illustrate perspective views of a pair of coils defining a double loop
oriented in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, respectively, according to another
5 embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 10c and 10d, in the illustrated
embodiment, the plurality of coils 204 may be embodied as a pair of coils defining a double
loop, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The pair of coils defining the
double loop may be removably coupled to the plurality of grooves 902 formed on the inner wall
210 of the housing member 202. Referring to Figures 10c and Figure 10d, the pair of coils may
10 be positioned in the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation, respectively.
Figure 10e illustrates a perspective view of a pair of continuous coils positioned in the
horizontal orientation, according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring
to Figure 10e, in the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of coils 204 may be embodied as a pair
of continuous coils extending in a horizontal direction, without departing from the scope of the
15 present disclosure. Referring to Figure 10e, the pair of continuous coils may be positioned in the
horizontal orientation.
Figures 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d illustrate perspective views of the modular heat exchanger
100 positioned in the horizontal orientation and coupled to a plurality of the modular heat
exchanger assembles with the pair of continuous coils 204, according to an embodiment of the
20 present disclosure. Referring to Figure 11a and 11b, the pair of continuous coils 204 may be
implemented as a single set of coils for two heat exchangers, such as a heat exchanger 100-1 and
a heat exchanger 100-2. Each of the heat exchanger 100-1 and the heat exchanger 100-2 may be
positioned in the horizontal orientation and thereby, the pair of continuous coils 204 may also
positioned in the horizontal orientation within two heat exchangers, i.e., the heat exchanger 100-
25 1 and the heat exchanger 100-2. Further, referring to Figure 11c and 11d, the pair of continuous
coils 204 may be implemented as a single set of coils for four heat exchangers, such as a heat
exchanger 100-1, a heat exchanger 100-2, a heat exchanger 100-3, and a heat exchanger 100-4.
Each of the heat exchangers 100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4 may be positioned in the horizontal
orientation and thereby, the pair of continuous coils 204 may also positioned in the horizontal
30 orientation within the aforesaid four heat exchangers.
As would be gathered, the present disclosure offers the modular heat exchanger 100 for the
refrigeration unit 302. As explained earlier, the plurality of the modular heat exchangers 100 can
be removably coupled to each other based on the capacity of the refrigeration unit 302. In
15
particular, a number of the modular heat exchangers 100 to be coupled to each other may be
selected based on the capacity of the refrigeration unit 302 in which such modular heat
exchangers 100 are to be deployed. This substantially eliminates requirement of manufacturing
different type of heat exchangers for different refrigeration units with varied capacities. Further,
5 this eliminates the requirement of different set of tools for manufacturing different type of the
heat exchangers for different refrigeration units. Furthermore, this substantially reduces overall
manufacturing cost for the heat exchangers 100 and the refrigeration unit 302.
Owing to implementation of the modular heat exchanger 100, overall design and
constructional aspect of the heat exchangers are standardized for different type of refrigeration
10 units and thereby, reducing overall effort of maintaining cumbersome inventory of different
types of the heat exchangers. Further, the modular heat exchanger 100 can be employed in
different orientations, such as the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation, in the
refrigeration unit based on the constructional aspects of such refrigeration unit. Therefore, this
eliminates requirement of manufacturing different heat exchangers based on the constructional
15 aspects of the refrigeration unit and based on a location at which such heat exchangers are
needed to be deployed in the refrigeration unit.
Further, the modular heat exchanger 100 may include the housing member 202, the fan
206, and the coil 204. Each of the fan 206 and the coil 204 may be removably coupled to the
housing member 202 of the modular heat exchanger 100. This substantially increases overall
20 modularity of the modular heat exchanger 100. Further, the fan 206 and the coil 204 may be
removably coupled to the housing member through snap-fitting. Each of the fan 206 and the coil
204 can be easily removed from the housing member 202 and can be replaced with new
components. Further, such an arrangement of the fan 206 and the coil 204 substantially increases
overall serviceability of the modular heat exchanger 100.
25 Furthermore, owing to snap-fitting between sub-components, such as the fan 206 and the
coil 204, with the housing member 100, overall number of joints in the modular heat exchanger
100 are substantially eliminated between various sub-components which further leads to
decrease in probability of rusting/damage/leakage. Further, the modular heat exchanger 100 is
compatible with the refrigeration unit having different capacities. This substantially reduces
30 overall wastage of the sub-components and the modular heat exchanger 100, if there is sudden
fluctuation in demand of the refrigeration unit with a specific capacity. For instance, the modular
heat exchanger 100 can be replaceably deployed in different refrigeration units without any
substantial modification to such modular heat exchanger 100. Therefore, the modular heat
16
exchanger 100 of the present disclosure is modular, efficient, risk-free, light-weight, flexible in
implementation, cost-effective, convenient, and has a wide range of applications.
While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any
limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the
5 art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the
inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of
embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements
may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be
split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another
10 embodiment.

We Claim:
1. A modular heat exchanger assembly (100) for a refrigeration unit, the modular heat
exchanger assembly (100) comprising:
a housing member (202) having an outer wall (208) and an inner wall (210) distal to
5 the outer wall (208), wherein the housing member (202) is adapted to be positioned in one
of a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation within the refrigeration unit;
a plurality of locking members (212) formed on the outer wall (208) of the housing
member (202), wherein the plurality of locking members (212) is adapted to removably
couple the modular heat exchanger assembly (100) with at least one another modular heat
10 exchanger assembly in one of the horizontal orientation and the vertical orientation;
at least one coil (204) (204) disposed within the housing member (202) and adapted
to receive a flow of refrigerant, wherein the at least one coil (204) is adapted to be
removably coupled to the inner wall (210) of the housing member (202); and
at least one fan (206) removably coupled to the outer wall (208) of the housing
15 member (202), wherein the at least one fan (206) is adapted to circulate a flow of air
within the housing member (202) to exchange heat from the flow of refrigerant within the
at least one coil (204).
2. The heat exchanger assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer wall (208)
includes a front portion (208-1), a rear portion (208-2), a first vertical portion (208-3), a
20 second vertical portion (208-4), a first horizontal portion (208-5), and a second horizontal
portion (208-6).
3. The heat exchanger assembly (100) as claimed in any of claims 1 and 2, wherein the
plurality of locking members (212) comprises:
a first set of locking members (302) formed on the first vertical portion (208-3) of
25 the housing member (202), wherein the first set of locking members (302) is adapted to
couple the heat exchanger assembly (100) with at least one another heat exchanger
assembly in the vertical orientation; and
a second set of locking members (304) formed on the first horizontal portion (208-5)
of the housing member (202), wherein the second set of locking members (304) is adapted
30 to couple the heat exchanger assembly (100) with at least one another heat exchanger
assembly in the horizontal orientation.
4. The heat exchanger assembly (100) as claimed in any of claims 1 and 2 further comprising
a plurality of locking slots (214) adapted to receive a plurality of locking members (212)
18
of at least one another heat exchanger, wherein the plurality of locking slots (214)
comprises:
a first set of locking slots (306) formed on the second vertical portion (208-4) of the
housing member (202), and adapted to receive a first set of locking members (302) of at
5 least one another heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger assembly (100) is coupled
with at least one another heat exchanger assembly in the vertical orientation; and
a second set of locking slots (502) formed on the second horizontal portion (208-6)
of the housing member (202) and adapted to receive a second set of locking members
(304) of at least one another heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger assembly (100) is
10 coupled with at least one another heat exchanger assembly in the horizontal orientation.
5. The heat exchanger assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner wall (210)
comprises a plurality of grooves adapted to removably couple the at least one coil (204) to
the inner wall (210) of the housing member (202), wherein the at least one coil (204) is
adapted to be snap-fitted in the plurality of grooves.
15 6. The heat exchanger assembly (100) as claimed in any of claims 1 and 5 further comprising
a single coil defining a single loop and removably coupled to the plurality of grooves
formed on the inner wall (210).
7. The heat exchanger assembly (100) as claimed in any of claims 1 and 5 further comprising
a pair of coils defining a single loop and removably coupled to the plurality of grooves
20 formed on the inner wall (210).
8. The heat exchanger assembly (100) as claimed in any of claim 1 and 5 further comprising
a pair of coils defining a double loop and removably coupled to the plurality of grooves
formed on the inner wall (210).
9. The heat exchanger assembly (100) as claimed in any of claims 1 and 5, wherein the at
25 least one coil (204) includes an inlet portion adapted to receive the flow of refrigerant and
an outlet portion adapted to supply the flow of refrigerant to another heat exchanger
assembly.
10. The heat exchanger assembly (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the outlet portion is
adapted to be coupled to at least one coil (204) disposed in another heat exchanger
30 assembly, wherein another heat exchanger assembly is adapted to be removably coupled to
the housing member (202) of the heat exchanger assembly (100).