Absorption refrigerator with automatic defrosting

A refrigerated cabinet comprising:

• an absorption refrigeration apparatus having an evaporator;
• a freezing compartment cooled by a first part of the evaporator;
• a refrigerating compartment cooled by a second part of the evaporator;
• a temperature adjustment device for adjusting the temperature in the freezing compartment separately from the refrigerating compartment;
• a first controller that senses temperature in the refrigerating compartment;
• a second controller that senses temperature in the freezing compartment and controls the temperature adjustment device responsive to the temperature sensed in the freezing compartment;
• and
• a heater disposed in the freezing compartment and connected to be operated by the second controller.

A refrigerated cabinet comprising:

• an absorption refrigeration apparatus having an evaporator;
• a freezing compartment cooled by a first part of the evaporator;
• a refrigerating compartment cooled by a second part of the evaporator;
• a temperature adjustment device for adjusting the temperature in the freezing compartment separately from the refrigerating compartment, wherein the temperature adjustment device is a fan;
• a first controller that senses temperature in the refrigerating compartment;
• a second controller that senses temperature in the freezing compartment and controls the temperature adjustment device responsive to the temperature sensed in the freezing compartment, wherein the second controller controls the fan responsive to the temperature sensed in the freezing compartment;
• a heat transfer plate for conducting heat from the freezing compartment to the first part of the evaporator;
• and
• a wall located in the freezing compartment and spaced from the transfer plate to define a duct for air flow, wherein the fan is disposed for blowing air through the duct.

A refrigerated cabinet comprising:

• an absorption refrigeration apparatus having an evaporator;
• a freezing compartment cooled by a first part of the evaporator;
• a refrigerating compartment cooled by a second part of the evaporator;
• a temperature adjustment device for adjusting the temperature in the freezing compartment separately from the refrigerating compartment;
• a first controller that senses temperature in the refrigerating compartment;
• and
• a second controller that senses temperature in the freezing compartment and controls the temperature adjustment device responsive to the temperature sensed in the freezing compartment;
• a heat transfer plate for conducting heat from the freezing compartment to the first part of the evaporators;
• and
• a wall located in the freezing compartment and spaced from the transfer plate to define a duct for air flow, wherein the temperature adjustment device comprises a damper that is movable to control air flow through the duct and the second controller controls the position of the damper.

A refrigerator cabinet comprising:

• an absorption refrigeration apparatus having an evaporator;
• a freezing compartment cooled by a first part of the evaporator;
• a refrigerating compartment cooled by a second part of the evaporator;
• a temperature adjustment device for adjusting the temperature in the freezing compartment separately from the refrigerating compartment, wherein the temperature adjustment device comprises a movable wall disposed between the first part of the evaporator and the freezing compartment;
• a first controller that senses temperature in the refrigerating compartment;
• and
• a second controller that senses temperature in the freezing compartment and controls the temperature adjustment device responsive to the temperature sensed in the freezing compartment, wherein the second controller is connected to control movement of the wall;
• and
• a heat transfer plate for conducting heat from the freezing compartment to the first part of the evaporator, wherein the movable wall is disposed in the freezing compartment adjacent the heat transfer plate and movement of the wall exposes the heat transfer plate to the freezing compartment.

A refrigerator cabinet comprising:

• an absorption refrigeration apparatus having an evaporator;
• a freezing compartment cooled by a first part of the evaporator;
• a refrigerating compartment cooled by a second part of the evaporator;
• a temperature adjustment device for adjusting the temperature in the freezing compartment separately from the refrigerating compartment, wherein the temperature adjustment device comprises a movable wall disposed between the first part of the evaporator and the freezing compartment and the movable wall comprises a suspended collapsible blind operated by a motor;
• a first controller that senses temperature in the refrigerating compartment;
• and
• a second controller that senses temperature in the freezing compartment and controls the temperature adjustment device responsive to the temperature sensed in the freezing compartment, wherein the second controller is connected to control movement of the wall.

A refrigerated cabinet comprising:

• an absorption refrigeration apparatus having an evaporator;
• a refrigerating compartment cooled by a lower part of the evaporator;
• a freezing compartment;
• a heat transfer plate for conducting heat from the freezing compartment to an upper part of the evaporator for cooling the freezing compartment;
• a film heater on the transfer plate;
• a first controller that senses temperature in the refrigerating compartment;
• and
• a second controller that senses temperature in the freezing compartment and is connected to control power to the film heater.

A method of operating a refrigerated cabinet comprising an absorption refrigeration apparatus having an evaporator;

• a freezing compartment cooled by a first part of the evaporator;
• a refrigerating compartment cooled by a second part of the evaporator;
• a temperature adjustment device;
• a first controller including a first temperature sensor that senses temperature in the refrigerating compartment;
• and a second controller including a second temperature sensor that senses temperature in the freezing compartment and controls the temperature adjustment device, the method comprising the steps of:
• transferring heat from the freezing compartment to the first part of the evaporator;
• transferring heat from the refrigerating compartment to the second part of the evaporator;
• sensing temperature in the refrigerating compartment using the first temperature sensor;
• controlling operation of the refrigeration apparatus responsive to the temperature sensed in the refrigerating compartment;
• sensing temperature in the freezing compartment using the second temperature sensor;
• and
• controlling operation of the temperature adjustment device responsive to the temperature sensed in the freezing compartment by the second temperature sensor and independent of the temperature sensed in the refrigerating compartment by the first temperature sensor to adjust the heat transfer from the freezing compartment to the first part of the evaporator to thereby control the temperature in the freezing compartment separately from the temperature in the refrigerating compartment.