Condenser/compressor fan control for refrigerator
AssigneeBSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
InventorsHans Ihle, Matthias Mrzyglod
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A refrigerator is provided that includes a chilled interior and a cooling circuit for a coolant, the cooling circuit being provided with an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser. The refrigerator further includes a controller as well as a fan for cooling the condenser and the compressor. The controller controls the fan to operate during an idle phase of the compressor.
Claims6
A refrigerator comprising:
- a refrigerated interior;
- a refrigeration circuit for a refrigerant, the refrigeration circuit including an evaporator, a heater cooperable with the evaporator for a defrosting step, a compressor, and a condenser, the compressor operating in a compressing phase in which the compressor compresses the refrigerant and an idle phase in which the compressor does not compress the refrigerant;
- a blower for cooling at least one of the condenser and the compressor;
- a temperature sensor positioned to detect a temperature of the condenser and the compressor;
- and
- a control unit, the control unit controlling the blower to operate during an idle phase of the compressor,
- wherein the control unit performs the defrosting step during the idle phase of the compressor, and wherein the blower is operated in a temperature controlled manner with the heater ON during the defrosting step such that the blower is operated during the defrosting step until a predetermined temperature is attained at the condenser and the compressor as detected by the temperature sensor.
A refrigerator comprising:
- a refrigerated interior;
- a refrigeration circuit for a refrigerant, the refrigeration circuit including an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser, the compressor operating in a compressing phase in which the compressor compresses the refrigerant and an idle phase in which the compressor does not compress the refrigerant;
- a blower for cooling the condenser and the compressor;
- a temperature sensor positioned to detect a temperature of the condenser and the compressor;
- and
- a control unit, the control unit controlling the blower to operate during an idle phase of the compressor, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the blower to operate until a predetermined temperature is attained at the condenser and the compressor as detected by the temperature sensor.
A method of operating a refrigerator including a refrigeration compartment and a refrigeration circuit with an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser, the method comprising:
- flowing refrigerant through the evaporator and drawing airflow across the evaporator to cool the airflow, wherein a temperature of the refrigerant increases after a heat exchange with the airflow;
- flowing the refrigerant to the compressor and compressing the refrigerant in the compressor;
- flowing the refrigerant to the condenser where the refrigerant changes from gaseous to liquid by releasing heat;
- cooling the compressor and the condenser with a blower using ambient air;
- switching off the compressor when a temperature in the refrigeration compartment reaches a desired temperature;
- and
- operating the blower with the compressor switched off and maintaining liquid refrigerant in the condenser, wherein the operating step is practiced by measuring a temperature of the condenser and the compressor and by operating the blower with the compressor switched off until a predetermined temperature is reached at the condenser and the compressor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.