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AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsAlberto Regio Gomes, Stephen L. Keres, Steven J. Kuehl, Andrew D. Litch, Peter J. Richmond, Guolian Wu
Estimating the term…
Methods of operation for refrigerator appliance configurations with a controller, a condenser, at least one evaporator, a compressor, and two refrigeration compartments. The configuration may be equipped with a variable-speed or variable-capacity compressor, variable speed evaporator or compartment fans, a damper, and/or a dual-temperature evaporator with a valve system to control flow of refrigerant through one or more pressure reduction devices. The methods may include synchronizing alternating cycles of cooling each compartment to a temperature approximately equal to the compartment set point temperature by operation of the compressor, fans, damper and/or valve system. The methods may also include controlling the cooling rate in one or both compartments. Refrigeration compartment cooling may begin at an interval before or after when the freezer compartment reaches its lower threshold temperature. Freezer compartment cooling may begin at an interval before or after when the freezer compartment reaches its upper threshold temperature.
A method of operating a refrigerator appliance having a refrigeration compartment, a freezer compartment, a condenser, a compressor and an evaporator in thermal communication with the refrigeration and freezer compartments, comprising the steps:
A method of operating a refrigerator appliance having a refrigeration compartment, a freezer compartment, a condenser, a compressor and an evaporator in thermal communication with the freezer compartment, comprising the steps:
A method of operating a refrigerator appliance having a refrigeration compartment, a freezer compartment, a freezer compartment fan, a refrigeration compartment fan, a condenser, a compressor, a freezer compartment evaporator in thermal communication with the freezer compartment, a refrigeration compartment evaporator in thermal communication with the refrigeration compartment, and a valve system configured to direct or restrict flow of the refrigerant to either or both of the evaporators, comprising the steps:
A method of operating a refrigerator appliance having a refrigeration compartment, a freezer compartment, a condenser, a compressor and an evaporator in thermal communication with the refrigeration and freezer compartments comprising the steps:
A method of operating a refrigerator appliance having a refrigeration compartment, a freezer compartment, a condenser, a compressor and an evaporator in thermal communication with the freezer compartment, comprising the steps:
A method of operating a refrigerator appliance having a refrigeration compartment, a freezer compartment, a condenser, a compressor, a freezer compartment evaporator in thermal communication with the freezer compartment, a refrigeration compartment evaporator in thermal communication with the refrigeration compartment, and freezer and refrigeration compartment fans, comprising the steps:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators: with cooling compartments at different temperatures
Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
With cooling compartments at different temperatures: with two or more evaporators
In household refrigerators: with compartments at different temperatures
About 5 years 7 months of term left · ends 21 May 2032 (estimated)
The present invention relates to refrigeration appliances and refrigeration methods of operation. More particularly, the invention relates to refrigeration configurations and methods to improve system efficiency by optimizing temperature control within the refrigeration compartments in the system.
The energy efficiency of refrigerator appliances has a large impact on the overall energy consumption of a household. Refrigerators in particular must be as efficient as possible because they are usually operated in a continual fashion. Even a small improvement in the efficiency of a refrigerator appliance can translate into significant annual energy savings for a given household.
More efficient electrical components and/or improved thermal insulation materials have been used to improve refrigerator energy efficiency. However, these approaches add significant cost to the appliances. In many cases, the gains in efficiencies associated with these approaches are offset by the increased cost of the refrigerator appliance to the consumer.
FIG. 1 is a refrigeration circuit diagram depicting a configuration with a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator, a refrigeration compartment, a freezer compartment, and two compartment fans that can be operated with synchronous temperature control.
FIG. 1A is a refrigeration circuit diagram depicting a configuration with a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator, two pressure reduction devices, a refrigeration compartment, a freezer compartment, a switching valve to regulate evaporator temperature for the compartments, an evaporator fan, and a damper between the compartments that can be operated with synchronous temperature control.
FIG. 2 is a refrigeration circuit diagram depicting a configuration with a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator, a refrigeration compartment, a freezer compartment, an evaporator fan and a damper between the compartments that can be operated with synchronous temperature control.
For purposes of description herein, the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. The specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
Synchronous temperature control (STC) is a unique temperature control technique for refrigerator appliance configurations (and other types of refrigeration appliances) that include at least two refrigeration compartments (e.g., a freezer compartment and a refrigeration compartment). One important aspect of STC is that the temperatures of both cabinets are controlled in a coupled manner, not independently of one another. Various refrigerator appliance configurations are viable with STC, provided that they allow for control of the cooling rate in one or more of the appliance refrigeration compartments. For example, single- and dual-evaporator refrigeration appliances can be operated using STC when configured with (a) a variable-capacity compressor and ON/OFF fans (i.e., evaporator or refrigeration compartment fans); (b) a variable-capacity compressor and variable fans; and (c) an ON/OFF compressor (e.g., a single-speed compressor) and variable speed fans. Preferred refrigerator appliance arrangements that are configured for use with STC include single-evaporator and dual-evaporator systems with a variable-capacity linear compressor and variable-speed fans.
One objective of STC is to minimize refrigerator appliance energy consumption while maintaining the temperature in each refrigeration compartment within a certain range of user-defined compartment set point temperatures. For example, an appliance with freezer compartment and refrigeration compartment set point temperatures of 0° F. and 39° F. may be controlled using STC to maintain the temperature within these compartments at +/−2° F. from these set point temperatures. In general, STC uses a hysteresis-type control approach that synchronizes the temperature in each compartment as a function of time. STC may do this through the control of the cooling rate in one or more of the compartments. During typical operation of the appliance, STC can ensure that the temperature in each compartment approaches the full range above and below the compartment set point temperature (i.e., “maximum compartment temperature swing”). Maximizing compartment temperature swing increases the overall energy efficiency of the appliance. Note, however, that maximizing compartment temperature swing may come at the expense of food preservation, which aims to reduce the temperature spread within the refrigeration compartment (i.e., fresh food compartment).