Multi-compartment refrigerator with system for minimizing condensation
AssigneeAluminum Company of America
InventorsJohn E. Fristoe, David B. Kueterman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A refrigerator having multi-compartments and having a heat pipe which transfers heat from a heat source in the refrigeration system to surfaces on the refrigerator which are prone to sweating such as the mullion between compartments. The refrigerator has a gas absorption refrigeration system and the heat pipe is routed from the generator in the system, between the inner and outer shells of the cabinet to the mullion. The heat pipe minimizes condensation of moisture on the external surface of the mullion.
Claims12
In a refrigerator comprising a cabinet and a gas absorption refrigeration system which includes a heat source with said cabinet having a fresh foods compartment and a freezing compartment, the improvement comprising a closed and sealed heat pipe containing a thermodynamic working fluid, said heat pipe having a first end portion thereof disposed in heat transfer relationship with said heat source in the refrigeration system, a second end portion disposed adjacent at said freezing compartments, and the remainder of the heat pipe concealed in said cabinet and connecting said first and second ends for transferring heat from said first end to said second end to minimize condensation adjacent said freezing compartment.
A refrigerator comprising a cabinet having a freezer compartment, a fresh food compartment, and a divider therebetween, a gas absorption refrigeration system which cools the compartments and produces heat, and a heat pipe having an evaporator end which absorbs heat from said refrigeration system and a condenser end which transfers heat to said divider to minimize condensation of moisture on the surface of the divider.
A refrigerator with no electrical connections comprising a cabinet having a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment each of which has an external opening and a door therefor with a horizontal mullion between the two openings, said cabinet further comprising an inner shell and an outer shell spaced from the inner shell with insulating material between the two shells, said refrigerator further including a gas absorption refrigeration system that includes a generator adapted to be fueled by gas and a heat pipe concealed in the space between the inner and outer shells of said cabinet having an evaporator end in heat transfer relationship with said generator and a condenser end in heat transfer relationship with said mullion for minimizing condensation of moisture on the external surface of said mullion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.