Independent compartment temperature control in a household refrigerator using fan interlock
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorWarren F. Bessler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Energy efficient independent temperature control is achieved in refrigerators by minimizing evaporator fan on time. A circuit including a first switch responsive to a freezer thermostat and a second switch responsive to a fresh food thermostat controls operation of the refrigeration system and the evaporator fan. The first and second switches are connected so that the refrigeration system and the evaporator fan can be activated only when the freezer thermostat demands cooling. A fan interlock having one or more relays prevents the first switch from inactivating the evaporator fan if the fresh food thermostat demands cooling. Thus, the evaporator fan only runs while the refrigeration system is operating or has immediately shut off.
Claims14
A control for a refrigeration apparatus having first and second cooled compartments, a compressor and an evaporator fan, said control comprising:
- a first thermostat having a temperature sensing element located in said first compartment;
- and
- a second thermostat having a temperature sensing element located in said second compartment, wherein only said first thermostat is arranged to activate said evaporator fan and both of said first and second thermostats are arranged to inactivate said evaporator fan.
A control for a refrigeration apparatus having first and second cooled compartments, a compressor and an evaporator fan, said control comprising:
- a first thermostat having a temperature sensing element located in said first compartment;
- a second thermostat having a temperature sensing element located in said second compartment;
- a first switch responsive to said first thermostat;
- and
- a second switch responsive to said second thermostat, wherein only said first switch is arranged to activate said evaporator fan and both of said first and second switches are arranged to inactivate said evaporator fan.
A refrigeration apparatus comprising:
- a freezer compartment;
- a fresh food compartment;
- an air passage between said freezer compartment and said fresh food compartment;
- a damper situated in said air passage;
- a compressor;
- an evaporator fan situated in said freezer compartment for circulating air within said freezer compartment and through said air passage;
- a first thermostat having a temperature sensing element situated in said freezer compartment;
- a second thermostat having a temperature sensing element situated in said fresh food compartment, said second thermostat controlling opening and closing of said damper;
- and
- a control circuit connected to said first and second thermostats so that only said first thermostat activates said compressor and said evaporator fan and both said first and second thermostats inactivate said compressor and said evaporator fan.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.