US3918269A - Temperature and air flow controlling apparatus of a household refrigerator - Google Patents

Temperature and air flow controlling apparatus of a household refrigerator Download PDF

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Publication number
US3918269A
US3918269A US515159A US51515974A US3918269A US 3918269 A US3918269 A US 3918269A US 515159 A US515159 A US 515159A US 51515974 A US51515974 A US 51515974A US 3918269 A US3918269 A US 3918269A
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Prior art keywords
air
fresh
compartment
food compartment
temperature
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US515159A
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Paul E Summers
Robert B Gelbard
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General Electric Co
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General Electric Co
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • F25D17/062—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators
    • F25D17/065—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators with compartments at different temperatures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
    • F25D2317/062—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation along the inside of doors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
    • F25D2400/06—Refrigerators with a vertical mullion
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
    • F25D2700/12—Sensors measuring the inside temperature

Definitions

  • a L N 515,159 Chilled air is directed from the freezer compartment and discharged into the upper portion of the freshfood compartment.
  • Means is provided for directing the dis- [52] US. Cl. 62/180; 62/407; 62/414; charged air i a path lying generally in a plane parallel 62/419; 62/186 to the plane of the access opening of the fresh-food [51] Int. CL' F251) 17/00 compartment for mixing with Warmer air in the fresh [58] Fleld of Search 62/407, 414, 419, 186, food Compartment.
  • Temperature sensing means is 62/180 cated in the downstream path of the chilled air after mixture with at least some of the warmer air of the [56] References C'ted fresh-food compartment.
  • the fresh-food compartment of a side-by-side refrigerator-freezer is chilled by circulated air diverted from the freezer compartment.
  • Means is provided for discharging the diverted chilled air into the fresh-food compartment at a point adjacent the uppermost portion of the compartments access opening.
  • the discharge means includes means for directing the discharged air in a path lying generally in a plane parallel to the plane of the access opening so as to mix with the warmer air extending across the access opening.
  • a temperature-sensing means is located in the downstream path of the chilled discharge air for sensing the temperature of the chilled air after mixture with at least some of the warmer air adjacent the access opening of the fresh-food compartment.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic frontal view of the side-byside refrigerator having the temperature-air flow controlling apparatus of this invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic top view in partial section of a portion of the refrigerator of FIG. 1.
  • the airstream of the freshfood compartment is directed against the ceiling 16 of the fresh-food compartment 14 on its pathway between the air-directing element 34 and the temperaturesensing element 36.
  • the air-directing element 34 and the element 36 are each positioned in the most forward one-fourth portion of the fresh-food compartment 14 as measured between a back wall 38 and a frontal edge 40 of the compartment.
  • the chilled airstream passes into the fresh-food compartment 14 and is directed toward and along the ceiling 16.
  • This causes the present fresh-food compartment air (shown by curved arrows in FIG. 1) to mix with the incoming second chilled airstream on its pathway to the temperature-sensing element 36.
  • the airstream mixture is further directed along the door covering the access opening 22 which is the location of highest heat leakage.
  • discharge means for discharging the diverted chilled air into the fresh-food compartment at a point adjacent the uppermost portion of the compartments access opening, said discharge means including means for directing the discharged air in a path lying generally 2.
  • the discharge means directs the airstream against a ceiling of the fresh-food compartment on its pathway to the temperature sensing means.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

Chilled air is directed from the freezer compartment and discharged into the upper portion of the freshfood compartment. Means is provided for directing the discharged air in a path lying generally in a plane parallel to the plane of the access opening of the fresh-food compartment for mixing with warmer air in the fresh-food compartment. Temperature-sensing means is located in the downstream path of the chilled air after mixture with at least some of the warmer air of the fresh-food compartment.

Description

United States Patet Summers et al.
[ Nov. 11, 1975 TEMPERATURE AND AIR FLOW 3,403,533 10/1968 Bollenbacher 62/419 CONTROLLING APPARATUS OF A 3,630,046 12/1971 Boor 62/419 HOUSEHOLD REFRIGERATOR 3,793,847 2/1974 Scarlett 62/419 [75] Inventors: Paul E. Summers; Robert B.
Gelbard, both of Lo i ill K Primary Examiner-William J. Wye
[73] Assignee: General Electric Company,
Louisville, Ky. ABS CT 7 TRA [22] Filed: Oct. 1s, 1974 [5 1 [21] A L N 515,159 Chilled air is directed from the freezer compartment and discharged into the upper portion of the freshfood compartment. Means is provided for directing the dis- [52] US. Cl. 62/180; 62/407; 62/414; charged air i a path lying generally in a plane parallel 62/419; 62/186 to the plane of the access opening of the fresh-food [51] Int. CL' F251) 17/00 compartment for mixing with Warmer air in the fresh [58] Fleld of Search 62/407, 414, 419, 186, food Compartment. Temperature sensing means is 62/180 cated in the downstream path of the chilled air after mixture with at least some of the warmer air of the [56] References C'ted fresh-food compartment.
UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,359,751 12/1967 Stevens 62/186 3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures (30 /o (/6 l I x /34 (I \jz \L 36 l l 1 l I v v U.S. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 L is.
TEMPERATURE AND IR FLow CONTROLLING APPARATUS or A nousarrohn REFRIGERATOR BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION In the constructionof household refrigerators where the freezing compartment and the fresh-food compartment are side-by-side, it isdifficult to provide a uniform temperature throughout the fresh-food compartment. These conditions are caused by a multiplicity of interacting factors, some of which are difficult to control, such as ambient outside temperature, for example.
Heretofore utilized side-by-side household refrigerators, such as the Model .TFF-24 refrigerator manufactured by the General Electric Company, Louisville, Ky., had means for discharging the chilled air at the rear of the fresh-food compartment. This procedure, when combined with other air and temperature control means of the refrigerator, provided a cooling system of excellent quality.
It was discovered, however, that if the chilled air was discharged into the fresh-food compartment at the upper portion and directed as set forth in this invention, the temperature gradients in the fresh-food compartment would be more uniform, the system would be more convenient for the user, no portion of the freshfood compartment contents would be subjected to the impingement of below-freezing temperature air, and waste of power would be avoided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, the fresh-food compartment of a side-by-side refrigerator-freezer is chilled by circulated air diverted from the freezer compartment. Means is provided for discharging the diverted chilled air into the fresh-food compartment at a point adjacent the uppermost portion of the compartments access opening. The discharge means includes means for directing the discharged air in a path lying generally in a plane parallel to the plane of the access opening so as to mix with the warmer air extending across the access opening. A temperature-sensing means is located in the downstream path of the chilled discharge air for sensing the temperature of the chilled air after mixture with at least some of the warmer air adjacent the access opening of the fresh-food compartment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic frontal view of the side-byside refrigerator having the temperature-air flow controlling apparatus of this invention; and
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic top view in partial section of a portion of the refrigerator of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a household refrigerator has side-by-side freezing and fresh- food compartments 12, 14. The compartments 12, 14 have ing the first chilled air portion into-the freezing compartment 12. The means'30'can be an element of T or Y configuration or otherelement or elements as is known in the art. I
h A c'onduit32 is associated with the means-30 and is provided for moving the second chilled air portion to "a' location in the upper portion of the fresh-food compartment 14 adjacent its access opening 22. An airdirect ing means 34, such as an element of L configuration or other co'nnection known in the art, is connected to the discharge end of the 'conduit 32. The airdirecting means 34 is adapted for discharging the second chilled air portion from the conduit 32 into the fresh-food compartment 14 and directing said second chilled air portion (as shown by broken arrows) along the ceiling region 16 substantially parallel to and along the plane of access opening 22 and across said freshfood compartment 14.
A temperature sensing-signalling element 36 is a portion of the temperature controlling system of the refrigerator 10. The element 36 is positioned on an opposed side of the fresh-food compartment 14 from the airdirecting means 34 and in the pathway of the second chilled air portion.
As can be seen in FIG. 1, the airstream of the freshfood compartment is directed against the ceiling 16 of the fresh-food compartment 14 on its pathway between the air-directing element 34 and the temperaturesensing element 36.
As can be seen in FIG. 2, the air-directing element 34 and the element 36 are each positioned in the most forward one-fourth portion of the fresh-food compartment 14 as measured between a back wall 38 and a frontal edge 40 of the compartment.
In the operation of this invention, the chilled airstream passes into the fresh-food compartment 14 and is directed toward and along the ceiling 16. This causes the present fresh-food compartment air (shown by curved arrows in FIG. 1) to mix with the incoming second chilled airstream on its pathway to the temperature-sensing element 36. The airstream mixture is further directed along the door covering the access opening 22 which is the location of highest heat leakage. Thus, substantially no portion of the fresh-food compartment contents is subjected to the impingement of below-freezing temperature air.
By so providing the apparatus of this invention and directing and positioning the elements as set forth above, the efficiency of the coupling of the fresh food thermal load to the refrigeration source is improved, the temperature gradient is reduced in the fresh-food compartment, and waste of power is avoided.
Other modifications and alterations of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing discussion, and it should be understood that this invention is not to be unduly limited thereto.
What is claimed is:
1. An improved air-flow system in a side-by-side refrigerator-freezer in which the fresh-food compartment is chilled by circulated air from the refrigeration system being diverted from the freezer compartment, the improvement comprising:
means for discharging the diverted chilled air into the fresh-food compartment at a point adjacent the uppermost portion of the compartments access opening, said discharge means including means for directing the discharged air in a path lying generally 2. Apparatus, as set forth in claim I, wherein the discharge means directs the airstream against a ceiling of the fresh-food compartment on its pathway to the temperature sensing means.
3. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the discharge means and the temperature sensing means are each positioned in the most forward one-quarter portion of the fresh-food compartment as measured between a back wall and the access opening of the freshfood compartment.

Claims (3)

1. An improved air-flow system in a side-by-side refrigeratorfreezer in which the fresh-food compartment is chilled by circulated air from the refrigeration system being diverted from the freezer compartment, the improvement comprising: means for discharging the diverted chilled air into the freshfood compartment at a point adjacent the uppermost portion of the compartment''s access opening, said discharge means including means for directing the discharged air in a path lying generally in a plane parallel to the plane of the access opening so as to mix with the warmer air extending across the access opening; and means located in the downstream path of the chilled discharge air for sensing the temperature of the chilled air after mixture with at least some of the warmer air adjacent the access opening of the fresh-food compartment, delivering a signal responsive to said sensed temperature, and controlling the operation of said refrigeration system in response to said signal.
2. Apparatus, as set foRth in claim 1, wherein the discharge means directs the airstream against a ceiling of the fresh-food compartment on its pathway to the temperature sensing means.
3. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the discharge means and the temperature sensing means are each positioned in the most forward one-quarter portion of the fresh-food compartment as measured between a back wall and the access opening of the fresh-food compartment.
US515159A 1974-10-16 1974-10-16 Temperature and air flow controlling apparatus of a household refrigerator Expired - Lifetime US3918269A (en)

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Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4049954A (en) * 1975-04-22 1977-09-20 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Device for accurate measurement of the dimensions of an object by ultrasonic waves
US4184340A (en) * 1977-11-03 1980-01-22 Whirlpool Corporation Temperature sensor mounting means
US4519215A (en) * 1984-02-14 1985-05-28 Thermo King Corporation Transport refrigeration system with top freezing avoidance
US4553584A (en) * 1983-12-07 1985-11-19 Red Owl Stores, Inc. Refrigeration/air exchanger system maintaining two different temperature compartments
WO1994012836A1 (en) * 1992-11-20 1994-06-09 Grumman Aerospace Corporation Self-contained cooler/freezer apparatus
US5355686A (en) * 1993-08-11 1994-10-18 Micro Weiss Electronics, Inc. Dual temperature control of refrigerator-freezer
US5870900A (en) * 1997-06-04 1999-02-16 Maytag Corporation Thermal capacitive control system for a multi-compartment refrigerator
US6196011B1 (en) * 1999-11-16 2001-03-06 General Electric Company Refrigeration system with independent compartment temperature control
US6405548B1 (en) 2000-08-11 2002-06-18 General Electric Company Method and apparatus for adjusting temperature using air flow
US20030090890A1 (en) * 2001-11-15 2003-05-15 Debra Miozza Mullion assembly for refrigerator quick chill and thaw pan
US7096936B1 (en) 2000-06-07 2006-08-29 General Electric Company Refrigerator with quick chill and thaw system
US20100139309A1 (en) * 2008-12-10 2010-06-10 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator
US20150153093A1 (en) * 2013-12-04 2015-06-04 General Electric Company Refrigerator Appliance

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3359751A (en) * 1966-10-14 1967-12-26 Admiral Corp Two temperature refrigerator
US3403533A (en) * 1966-10-07 1968-10-01 Gen Motors Corp Refrigerator with upright dividing wall
US3630046A (en) * 1970-02-02 1971-12-28 Gen Motors Corp Damper control
US3793847A (en) * 1973-03-16 1974-02-26 Philco Ford Corp Refrigeration apparatus

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3403533A (en) * 1966-10-07 1968-10-01 Gen Motors Corp Refrigerator with upright dividing wall
US3359751A (en) * 1966-10-14 1967-12-26 Admiral Corp Two temperature refrigerator
US3630046A (en) * 1970-02-02 1971-12-28 Gen Motors Corp Damper control
US3793847A (en) * 1973-03-16 1974-02-26 Philco Ford Corp Refrigeration apparatus

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4049954A (en) * 1975-04-22 1977-09-20 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Device for accurate measurement of the dimensions of an object by ultrasonic waves
US4184340A (en) * 1977-11-03 1980-01-22 Whirlpool Corporation Temperature sensor mounting means
US4553584A (en) * 1983-12-07 1985-11-19 Red Owl Stores, Inc. Refrigeration/air exchanger system maintaining two different temperature compartments
US4519215A (en) * 1984-02-14 1985-05-28 Thermo King Corporation Transport refrigeration system with top freezing avoidance
WO1994012836A1 (en) * 1992-11-20 1994-06-09 Grumman Aerospace Corporation Self-contained cooler/freezer apparatus
US5355686A (en) * 1993-08-11 1994-10-18 Micro Weiss Electronics, Inc. Dual temperature control of refrigerator-freezer
US5870900A (en) * 1997-06-04 1999-02-16 Maytag Corporation Thermal capacitive control system for a multi-compartment refrigerator
US6196011B1 (en) * 1999-11-16 2001-03-06 General Electric Company Refrigeration system with independent compartment temperature control
US7096936B1 (en) 2000-06-07 2006-08-29 General Electric Company Refrigerator with quick chill and thaw system
US6405548B1 (en) 2000-08-11 2002-06-18 General Electric Company Method and apparatus for adjusting temperature using air flow
US6880949B2 (en) 2001-11-15 2005-04-19 General Electric Company Mullion assembly for refrigerator quick chill and thaw pan
US20030090890A1 (en) * 2001-11-15 2003-05-15 Debra Miozza Mullion assembly for refrigerator quick chill and thaw pan
US20100139309A1 (en) * 2008-12-10 2010-06-10 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator
US8261573B2 (en) * 2008-12-10 2012-09-11 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator
US20150153093A1 (en) * 2013-12-04 2015-06-04 General Electric Company Refrigerator Appliance
US9546809B2 (en) * 2013-12-04 2017-01-17 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Refrigerator appliance

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