Apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a refrigeration system
OwnerRobert G. Lehmiller, David K. Jacksinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling the operation of a refrigeration system having a compressor, a defrost timer that provides an operating power supply, a solenoid valve, and a thermostat includes a relay switch and a delay timer. The relay switch is coupled in series between the defrost timer and the thermostat, and it is configured to electrically disconnect an operating power supply from the thermostat for a predetermined time period regulated by the delay timer. The solenoid valve closes when the relay switch is in the opened state and the compressor remains functional during the predetermined time period.
Claims18
An apparatus for controlling the operation of a refrigeration system having a defrost heater, a solenoid valve, and a thermostat configured to control said solenoid valve, said apparatus comprising:
- a relay switch having a first terminal configured to couple to an operating power source and a second terminal configured to couple to said thermostat;
- and
- a delay timer configured to provide an energizing signal to said relay switch for a predetermined time period;
- wherein
- said relay switch is configured to open, in response to said energizing signal, to electrically disconnect said operating power source from said thermostat during said predetermined time period;
- said relay switch is configured to close, after said predetermined time period elapses, to electrically connect said operating power source to said thermostat;
- said solenoid valve closes when said relay switch opens and said solenoid valve remains closed during said predetermined time period;
- and
- said defrost heater is disabled during said predetermined time period.
A control apparatus for use in combination with a refrigeration system having a defrost timer, a solenoid valve, and a thermostat configured to control said solenoid valve, said apparatus comprising:
- a relay switch electrically coupled in series between said defrost timer and said thermostat, said relay switch being configured to provide operating power from said defrost timer to said thermostat when in a closed state, and to electronically disconnect said defrost timer from said thermostat when in an opened state;
- and
- a delay timer electrically connected to said relay switch and configured to provide an energizing signal to said relay switch for a predetermined time period during which said relay switch remains in said opened state;
- wherein
- said solenoid valve closes when said relay switch is in
- said opened state and said solenoid valve remains
- closed during said predetermined time period.
A method for controlling the operation of a refrigeration system having a defrost heater, a solenoid valve, and a thermostat configured to control said solenoid valve, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing an energizing signal to a relay switch for a predetermined time period, said relay switch having a first terminal configured to couple to an operating power source and a second terminal configured to couple to said thermostat;
- opening said relay switch, in response to said energizing signal, to electrically disconnect said operating power source from said thermostat during said time period;
- and
- closing said relay switch to electrically connect said operating power source to said thermostat, said closing step being performed after said predetermined time period elapses;
- wherein
- said solenoid valve closes in response to said opening step and said solenoid valve remains closed during said predetermined time period;
- and
- said defrost heater is disabled during said predetermined time period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.