US 12,631,390 B1Granted

Defrost system for a conditioned space

AssigneeTippmann Engineering, LLC

InventorsDaniel J. Tippmann, Robert T. Tippmann, III

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Abstract

A defrost system for a vapor-compression based refrigerator/freezer combines increased operational efficiency with a high likelihood of robust adoption by technical and business personnel. The system includes a controller programmed to monitors and reports several key performance indicators on each evaporator of the system, and to provide reliable, repeatable “initiate defrost” and “terminate defrost” signals which may prompt actions by an operator or automatically control system components. The controller is designed to provide accurate and efficient defrosting signals regardless of the style of evaporator used, the location of the evaporator and other conditions including pull-down, high traffic locations and operations, and low use periods such as weekends.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A defrost system comprising:

a vapor compression system including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator having coils and an airflow pathway therethrough, and a quantity of refrigerant;
a defrost heater operably connected to the evaporator and configured to melt accumulated ice or frost from the coils of the evaporator upon activation;
a fan positioned and oriented to blow over the coils of the evaporator;
a controller;
an upstream pressure sensor operably connected to the controller and positioned downstream of the fan and upstream of the airflow pathway through the evaporator;
a downstream pressure sensor operably connected to the controller and positioned downstream of the airflow pathway through the evaporator;
and
the controller programmed to:
process signals received from the upstream pressure sensor and the downstream pressure sensor to determine whether a defrost cycle is needed;
and
upon determination that the defrost cycle is needed, initiate the defrost cycle via control over at least one component of the vapor compression system.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.