GB721116A - Improvements in and relating to refrigerators - Google Patents

Abstract

721,116. Refrigerators. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. July 29, 1953 [July 30, 1952], No. 21038/53. Class 29. In a refrigerator 1 having an evaporator 7 in its upper part over which some of the air from the storage space 5 can circulate, the circulation is controlled by varying the position of a baffle 8 of low thermal mass and made of material such as aluminium of good heat conductivity, the baffle being downwardly rearwardly inclined. As shown in Fig. L the baffle can be selectively placed on upper or lower side rails 14, 15 and, when on the upper rail, it abuts at its rear end against a ledge on the rear wall 3 or, as shown, against a resilient gasket 18 fixed to the rear wall to minimize air circulation. In the lower position, a passage of air circulation exists between the baffle and the gasket 18. When the evaporator is being defrosted, melt water flows down the baffle, runs along an arcuate rear extension 11 and drops into an inclined trough 21 leading into a receiver 24 on a shelf 25. Trough 21 is held clear of the wall 3 to prevent the circulating air from playing on moisture in the trough and so freezing it. Receiver 24 is translucent and has a recess 26 taking over the cabinet light 27. The baffle 8 may be embossed or corrugated to provide drainage channels when it abuts the gasket 18. Instead of the reservoir 24 being provided, the melt may be led outside the cabinet for evaporation. During defrosting, the baffle may be heated by an element, by the lamp 27 or by having a part in direct thermal contact with evaporator 7. In cooling periods, moisture condenses on the under surface of the baffle and runs into the trough 21. As shown in Fig. 4, a baffle 29 can be slid in runners 28 from a rear position in which it contacts a gasket 34 to a forward position in which it is held by a spring catch 35.