Vacuum generating system for an appliance incorporating a vacuum insulated structure

A method of expressing gas from an insulated structure to form a vacuum insulated structure, the method comprising steps of:

• attaching a vacuum chamber to a surface of a structural cabinet such that a plurality of gas valves are disposed within a vacuum space defined between the vacuum chamber and the surface of the structural cabinet, wherein the plurality of gas valves are attached via an interior gas conduit within an insulating space of the structural cabinet;
• expressing gas from the vacuum space to define a first gas pressure proximate the plurality of gas valves, the first gas pressure being less than a second gas pressure defined within an interior insulating space of the structural cabinet and the interior gas conduit, thereby defining an open position of the plurality of gas valves;
• expressing gas from the insulating space through the plurality of gas valves in the open position via the interior gas conduit and into the vacuum space, wherein an insulating material is maintained in the insulating space;
• placing the plurality of gas valves in the closed position by defining a substantially equalized pressure within the vacuum space and the insulating space, wherein the first gas pressure is approximately equal to the second gas pressure;
• returning gas to the vacuum space such that the first gas pressure is greater than the second gas pressure, and wherein the plurality of gas valves are maintained in the closed position;
• and
• separating the vacuum chamber and the structural cabinet.

A method of forming a vacuum insulated structure, the method comprising steps of:

• coupling a trim breaker to an inner liner and an outer wrapper to define a structural cabinet and an insulating space therein, the trim breaker defining an interior gas conduit that is at least partially separated from the insulating space;
• disposing an insulating material within the insulating space;
• attaching a plurality of gas valves to the trim breaker, the plurality of gas valves being in selective communication with the insulating space via the interior gas conduit;
• placing a vacuum frame against an exterior surface of the structural cabinet proximate the trim breaker such that the plurality of gas valves are disposed within a vacuum space defined between the vacuum frame and the trim breaker;
• expressing gas from the vacuum space to define a first gas pressure proximate the exterior of the trim breaker and around the plurality of gas valves, the first gas pressure being less than a second gas pressure defined within the insulating space and the interior gas conduit, thereby defining an open position of the plurality of gas valves;
• expressing gas from the insulating space through the plurality of gas valves in the open position via the interior gas conduit and into the vacuum space, wherein expressed gas is further expressed from the vacuum frame, wherein as the expressed gas is expressed through the interior gas conduit, the insulating material is maintained in the insulating space;
• placing the plurality of gas valves in a closed position by defining a substantially equalized pressure within the vacuum space and the insulating space, wherein the first gas pressure is approximately equal to the second gas pressure;
• returning gas to the vacuum space such that the first gas pressure is greater than the second gas pressure, and wherein the plurality of gas valves are maintained in the closed position;
• and
• separating the vacuum frame from the structural cabinet.