IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0877808
(2004-06-25)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Unger,Larry Eugene
- Glavaris, Jr.,Mike Nick
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Mid South Products Engineering, Inc.
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대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
0 인용 특허 :
14 |
초록
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The invention consists of a unit 10 including a two-piece, snap together housing made of elements 40 and 50 which forms the orifice seat and the transitions which direct moisture away from the seat area and prevents the accumulation of moisture in the seat area. Left-Hand (LH) housing 50 contains a
The invention consists of a unit 10 including a two-piece, snap together housing made of elements 40 and 50 which forms the orifice seat and the transitions which direct moisture away from the seat area and prevents the accumulation of moisture in the seat area. Left-Hand (LH) housing 50 contains a blind journal and right-hand (RH) housing portion 40 contains a through journal for support and location of the gate 60. Also integral to the RH housing portion 40 are bosses for attaching the snap action switches 80, which determine gate orientation and mounting a gear motor 90, and can generally be referenced as "gate position sensors". Such switches could also be replaced with other gate position sensors such as know in the art such as hall effect switches, magnetic switches, optical devices, etc. The gear motor provides the driving torque to the gate 60 through a cam-coupling 70, which has four switch detents 71, oriented to an internal shaft indexing means. Insulation members 20, 30 minimize condensation in the housing portions 40, 50 by separating the cold air flowing through housing from the warmer air which surrounds the damper assembly 10. In operation, a temperature sensing device/system senses the compartment temperature and energizes the gear motor 90, rotating the gate 60 into the open or closed position. The position of the gate 60 is determined by the combination of the states of the two switches 80. When used with mechanical controls the gate will rotate 90 degrees per cycle. When used with an electronic control system, the gate 60 can be rotated to any desired position and then stopped.
대표청구항
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The invention claimed is: 1. A combination refrigerator/freezer unit, said unit comprising: A) a refrigerator portion; B) a freezer portion; and C) a valve in between the two portions, said valve itself comprising: a housing portion defining a substantially circular air passageway hole and further
The invention claimed is: 1. A combination refrigerator/freezer unit, said unit comprising: A) a refrigerator portion; B) a freezer portion; and C) a valve in between the two portions, said valve itself comprising: a housing portion defining a substantially circular air passageway hole and further defining a land area, said land area defining a surface portion along the circumference of said hole; a butterfly valve including a gate portion pivotable about an axis transversing said substantially circular air passageway hole, said gate portion capable of substantially closing said air passageway hole, but said gate portion also being capable of knocking off ice formed on said land area. 2. The combination refrigerator/freezer unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gate portion is mounted within said housing portion such that it could rotate a full 360 degrees if it was free from any drive or control means. 3. A combination refrigerator/freezer unit, said unit comprising: A) a refrigerator portion; B) a freezer portion; and C) a valve in between the two portions, said valve itself comprising: a housing portion defining a substantially circular air passageway hole and further defining a land area, said land area defining a surface portion along the circumference of said hole; a butterfly valve including a gate portion pivotable about an axis transversing said substantially circular air passageway hole, said gate portion capable of substantially closing said air passageway hole, but said gate portion also being capable of knocking off ice foamed on said land area; and an insulating portion for insulating at least a portion of said housing portion. 4. The combination refrigerator/freezer unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein said gate portion is mounted within said housing portion such that it could rotate a full 360 degrees if it was free from any drive or control means. 5. A combination refrigerator/freezer unit, said unit comprising: A) a refrigerator portion; B) a freezer portion; and C) a valve in between the two portions, said valve itself comprising: a housing portion defining a substantially circular air passageway hole and further defining a land area, said land area defining a surface portion along the circumference of said hole; a butterfly valve including a gate portion pivotable about an axis transversing said substantially circular air passageway hole, said gate portion capable of substantially closing said air passageway hole, but said gate portion also being capable of knocking off ice formed on said land area; an insulating portion for insulating at least a portion of said housing portion; and gate position sensors configured to provide feedback on the position of said gate portion. 6. The combination refrigerator/freezer unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein said gate portion pivots about an axis that transversing said air passageway at approximately the center of the passageway. 7. The combination refrigerator/freezer unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein said gate position sensor is a mechanical electrical switch. 8. The combination refrigerator/freezer unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein said gate portion is mounted within said housing portion such that it could rotate a full 360 degrees if it was free from any drive or control means. 9. A combination refrigerator/freezer unit, said unit comprising: A) a refrigerator portion; B) a freezer portion; C) a valve in between the two portions, said valve itself comprising: a housing portion defining a substantially circular air passageway hole and further defining a land area, said land area defining a surface portion along the circumference of said hole; a butterfly valve including a gate portion pivotable about an axis transversing said substantially circular air passageway hole, said gate portion capable of substantially closing said air passageway hole, but said gate portion also being capable of knocking off ice formed on said land area; an insulating portion for insulating at least a portion of said housing portion; gate position sensors configured to provide feedback on the position of said gate portion; and electronics for determining the location of the gate, with such electronics facilitating the manipulation of the valve to something other than fully open or fully closed. 10. An apparatus for controlling air flow between the refrigerator portion and the freezer portion of a combination refrigerator/freezer unit, said apparatus comprising: a valve in between the two portions, said valve itself comprising: a housing portion defining a substantially circular air passageway hole and further defining a land area, said land area defining surface portion along the circumference of said hole; and a butterfly valve including a gate portion pivotable about an axis transversing said substantially circular air passageway hole, said gate portion capable of substantially closing said air passageway hole, but said gate portion also being capable of knocking off ice formed on said land area. 11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said gate portion is mounted within said housing portion such that it could rotate a full 360 degrees if it was free from any drive or control means. 12. An apparatus for controlling air flow between the refrigerator portion and the freezer portion of a combination refrigerator/freezer unit, said apparatus comprising: a valve in between the two portions, said valve itself comprising: a housing portion defining substantially circular air passageway hole and further defining a land area, said land area defining a surface portion along the circumference of said hole; a butterfly valve including a gate portion pivotable about an axis transversing said substantially circular air passageway hole, said gate portion capable of substantially closing said air passageway hole, but said gate portion also being capable of knocking off ice formed on said land area; and an insulating portion for insulating at least a portion of said housing portion. 13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said gate portion is mounted within said housing portion such that it could rotate a full 360 degrees if it was free from any drive or control means. 14. An apparatus for controlling air flow between the refrigerator portion and the freezer portion of a combination refrigerator/freezer unit, said apparatus comprising: a valve in between the two portions, said valve itself comprising: a housing portion defining a substantially circular air passageway hole and further defining a land area, said land area defining a surface portion along the circumference of said hole; a butterfly valve including a gate portion pivotable about an axis transversing said substantially circular air passageway hole, said gate portion capable of substantially closing said air passageway hole, but said gate portion also being capable of knocking off ice formed on said land area; an insulating portion for insulating at least a portion of said housing portion; and gate position sensors configured to provide feedback on the position of said gate portion. 15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said gate portion pivots about an axis that transversing said air passageway at approximately the center of the passageway. 16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said gate position sensor is a mechanical electrical switch. 17. An apparatus for controlling air flow between the refrigerator portion and the freezer portion of a combination refrigerator/freezer unit, said apparatus comprising: a valve in between the two portions, said valve itself comprising: a housing portion defining substantially circular air passageway hole and further defining a land area, said land area defining a surface portion along the circumference of said hole; a butterfly valve including a gate portion pivotable about an axis transversing said substantially circular air passageway hole, said gate portion capable of substantially closing said air passageway hole, but said gate portion also being capable of knocking off ice formed on said land area; an insulating portion for insulating at least a portion of said housing portion; and gate position sensors configured to provide feedback on the position of said gate portion; and electronics for determining the location of the gate, with such electronics facilitating the manipulation of the valve to something other than fully open or fully closed.
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