Refrigerator with variable capacity compressor and cycle priming action through capacity control and associated methods

A refrigerator appliance, comprising:

• a refrigeration compartment;
• a freezer compartment;
• a condenser;
• a first and a second evaporator, the first evaporator in thermal communication with the refrigeration compartment and the second evaporator in thermal communication with the freezer compartment;
• a refrigerant;
• a multi-capacity compressor with a maximum capacity, a minimum capacity, and a nominal capacity;
• a refrigerant circuit arranged to allow flow of the refrigerant between the condenser, the evaporators and the compressor, the circuit comprising a primary evaporator conduit arranged between the condenser and each evaporator;
• a primary pressure reducing device arranged within each primary evaporator conduit;
• a valve system in the evaporator conduits capable of selectively directing or restricting flow of the refrigerant through each one, or all, of the evaporator conduits;
• a controller for controlling the valve system and the compressor to maintain the refrigeration compartment and the freezer compartment at any of a plurality of selectable temperatures, wherein the controller is further adapted to operate the compressor upon the initiation of a compressor ON-cycle at a priming capacity above the nominal capacity for a priming duration that is predetermined or calculated;
• and
• a sensor coupled to the refrigeration compartment and a sensor coupled to the freezer compartment, wherein the sensors generate signals indicative of the temperature in the respective compartments, and further wherein the priming duration is calculated based at least in part on an evaluation of the temperature in the refrigeration compartment.

A method of operating a refrigerator appliance having a refrigeration compartment, a condenser, a refrigerant, an evaporator in thermal communication with the refrigeration compartment, a refrigerant circuit arranged between the condenser, the compressor and the evaporator, a primary pressure reducing device arranged in the refrigerant circuit between the condenser and the evaporator, and a valve system in the refrigerant circuit capable of selectively directing or restricting flow of the refrigerant through the pressure reducing device, comprising the steps:

• providing a multi-capacity compressor with a maximum capacity, a minimum capacity, and a nominal capacity;
• controlling the valve system and the compressor to maintain the refrigeration compartment at any of a plurality of selectable temperatures;
• priming the compressor upon the initiation of a compressor ON-cycle at a priming capacity above a nominal capacity, wherein the priming lasts for a priming duration that is predetermined or calculated;
• and
• further wherein the priming duration is calculated based at least in part on an evaluation of the temperature in the refrigeration compartment.