US 5,918,474 A · Fan motor on/off control system for a refrigeration appliance

Abstract

A refrigeration appliance and control system for efficiently operating the evaporator and condenser fan motors of the refrigeration appliance to reduce the total energy consumed by the appliance are disclosed. The control system operates to turn the evaporator fan motor on only after the evaporator has cooled to its operating temperature to avoid premature and inefficient use of the evaporator fan motor. The control system also permits the evaporator fan motor to continue running after the compressor is turned off to utilize the residual cooling capacity of the evaporator. In an embodiment, a secondary control system also operates to turn a condenser fan motor on only after the condenser reaches its operating temperature and operates to turn the condenser fan motor off only after the compressor is turned off and the condenser cools to a shutoff temperature below its operating temperature. The control systems may operate to delay the normal operation of the evaporator and condenser fan motors to provide for their most efficient use. The delay in operation may be determined by predetermined time intervals with respect to activation and deactivation of the compressor of the refrigeration appliance or may be determined by measuring the temperatures of the evaporator and condenser with appropriate sensors. Methods of operating the refrigeration appliance, and control system for efficient use of the evaporator and condenser fan motors are also disclosed.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A refrigeration appliance comprising:

at least one interior compartment;
a refrigeration circuit including a compressor, a condenser and at least one evaporator;
air circulation means for circulating air over said at least one evaporator and into said at least one interior compartment of the refrigeration appliance;
compressor control means for turning said compressor on when cooling is required in said at least one compartment so that said at least one evaporator is cooled to an operating temperature and for turning said compressor off when cooling is no longer required in said at least one compartment;
air circulation control means for turning said air circulation means on including delaying means for delaying activation of said air circulation means until after said compressor is activated to permit said at least one evaporator to cool to about said operating temperature;
a condenser air circulation means for circulating air over the condenser;
and
a secondary control means for turning said condenser air circulation means on after said compressor is energized to permit said condenser to warm to about a condenser operating temperature.

5 more elements

A control system for a refrigeration apparatus having at least one interior compartment, a compressor, a condenser, at least one evaporator, and air circulation means for circulating air over said at least one evaporator and into said at least one interior compartment, said control system comprising:

control means for sending signals to activate said compressor and said air circulation means when said interior compartment requires cooling and for sending signals to deactivate said compressor and the said air circulation means when the interior compartment no longer requires cooling;
delays means for delaying activation of said air circulation means until after said compressor is activated to permit said at least one evaporator to cool to about an operating temperature before said air circulation is activated
a condenser air circulation means for circulating air over and removing heat from said condenser wherein said control means operates to send signals to activate said condenser air circulation means when said compressor is activated;
and
a secondary delay means for delaying activation of said condenser air circulation means until after said compressor is activated to permit said condenser to warm to a condenser operating temperature.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fan motor on/off control system for a refrigeration appliance

Life of this patent

Fan motor on/off control system for a refrigeration appliance

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16