US 2006/0218950 A1 · Damper door control from adaptive defrost control

Abstract

An adaptive defrost control method and device for controlling a damper door during a defrost cycle is provided. Before entering the defrost cycle, the adaptive defrost control logic determines if the damper door is open. If the damper door is open, the defrost cycle is suspended until the door is closed. If the damper door is closed, the adaptive defrost control logic activates a barrier between the damper door motor and a power supply so that the damper door may not be opened during the defrost cycle. After the defrost cycle is completed, the adaptive defrost control logic removes the barrier between the damper door motor and a power supply. The damper door may then be opened and closed as necessary. Accordingly, warm moist air from the defrost cycle does not enter the fresh food compartment.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for preventing warm air generated in a freezer compartment during a defrost cycle from flowing through an opening regulated by a damper door and into a fresh food compartment, comprising:

a damper motor adapted to drive the damper door;
a thermostatic switch operatively coupled to the damper motor, the thermostatic switch adapted to actuate the damper motor;
an electronic barrier interposed between the thermostatic switch and a power supply;
and
a controller operatively coupled to the electronic barrier, the controller adapted to open the electronic barrier during the defrost cycle thereby prohibiting the damper motor from operating.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Damper door control from adaptive defrost control

Life of this patent

Damper door control from adaptive defrost control

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20