초록 ▼

A control system for regulating electrical power input to the refrigeration mechanism or defrost mechanism in an atmospheric cooling apparatus, including domestic refrigeration appliances, is provided which employs at least one piezoceramic relay device. The electrical power is applied with the piez

A control system for regulating electrical power input to the refrigeration mechanism or defrost mechanism in an atmospheric cooling apparatus, including domestic refrigeration appliances, is provided which employs at least one piezoceramic relay device. The electrical power is applied with the piezoceramic relay device responsive to control signals and with the control circuitry being directly and ohmically connected to the power source. In one embodiment, the control means employs individual piezoceramic relay devices for power regulation to the respective mechanisms while in a different embodiment a single piezoceramic relay device regulates power input between the refrigeration mechanism and the defrost mechanism. A method of operating the controlled apparatus in such manner and a refrigeration apparatus having such control means are also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

In a system for regulating electrical power input in an atmospheric cooling apparatus having a refrigeration mechanism, the combination comprising: (a) a piezoceramic relay device connected in circuit relationship to enable connection of a power source to the refrigeration mechanism, the piezocerami

In a system for regulating electrical power input in an atmospheric cooling apparatus having a refrigeration mechanism, the combination comprising: (a) a piezoceramic relay device connected in circuit relationship to enable connection of a power source to the refrigeration mechanism, the piezoceramic relay device including terminal means for connection to the power source and a movable piezoceramic bender member having movable electrical contact means which coact with fixed electrical contact means disposed thereby, the fixed electrical contact means being connected to terminal means of the refrigeration mechanism, and the piezoceramic bender member maintaining the movable contact means spaced apart from the fixed electrical contact means while in an unenergized condition; and (b) control circuitry directly and ohmically connected to the power source and the terminal means of the piezoceramic relay device which responds to control signals for actuation of the movable piezoceramic bender member and causes the bender member to deflect and complete a circuit between the power source and the terminal means of the refrigeration mechanism.