High performance refrigerator having passive sublimation defrost of evaporator
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
F25D-021/06
F25B-005/02
F25D-021/08
F25D-017/04
F25D-021/12
출원번호
US-0653448
(2012-10-17)
등록번호
US-9285153
(2016-03-15)
발명자
/ 주소
Contreras Lafaire, J. Antonio
Hegedus, Ralph
출원인 / 주소
Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) LLC
대리인 / 주소
Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
74
초록▼
A high performance refrigerator or freezer includes a cabinet with a refrigerated interior, a first evaporator cover separating a first evaporator compartment within the cabinet from the refrigerated interior, and a refrigeration fluid circuit having a first evaporator located within the first evapo
A high performance refrigerator or freezer includes a cabinet with a refrigerated interior, a first evaporator cover separating a first evaporator compartment within the cabinet from the refrigerated interior, and a refrigeration fluid circuit having a first evaporator located within the first evaporator compartment, a second evaporator, and a three-way valve enabling selective communication of refrigerant to one or both of the evaporators. The second evaporator includes an air diffuser that receives chilled air from the first evaporator compartment and delivers the chilled air into the refrigerated interior. During normal operation, the three-way valve only directs refrigerant into the first evaporator such that the first evaporator cools the cabinet and the chilled air from the first evaporator passively defrosts the second evaporator by sublimation.
대표청구항▼
1. A refrigerator, comprising: a cabinet having a refrigerated interior;a refrigeration fluid circuit for circulating a refrigerant, the circuit including a compressor, a condenser, a first evaporator located within the cabinet, a second evaporator located within the cabinet, and a three-way valve e
1. A refrigerator, comprising: a cabinet having a refrigerated interior;a refrigeration fluid circuit for circulating a refrigerant, the circuit including a compressor, a condenser, a first evaporator located within the cabinet, a second evaporator located within the cabinet, and a three-way valve enabling selective communication of refrigerant to one or both of the first and second evaporators;the first evaporator including a first evaporator coil, a first defrost heater, and a first evaporator cover separating a first evaporator compartment from the refrigerated interior, the first evaporator cover defining an inlet aperture communicating between the refrigerated interior and the first evaporator compartment, and an outlet aperture;the second evaporator including an air diffuser communicating with the first evaporator compartment at the outlet aperture so as to be configured to receive chilled air from the first evaporator compartment and pass the chilled air to the refrigerated interior, the air diffuser defining a second evaporator compartment separated from the refrigerated interior, and the air diffuser including air inlets communicating between the second evaporator compartment and the refrigerated interior, and an air outlet communicating between the refrigerated interior and the second evaporator compartment on an opposite side of the second evaporator from the air inlets;an evaporator fan producing air flow through at least one of the first and second evaporators;a first damper located at the inlet aperture and moveable between an open position that permits air flow into the first evaporator from the refrigerated interior, and a closed position that blocks air flow from flowing into the first evaporator via the inlet aperture; anda second damper located at the outlet aperture and moveable between an open position that blocks air flow through the air inlets but permits flow into the second evaporator compartment through the outlet aperture, and a closed position the blocks air flow from flowing out of the first evaporator via the outlet aperture but permits flow from the refrigerated interior through the air inlets into the second evaporator compartment,wherein the three-way valve directs refrigerant into only the first evaporator during normal operation such that chilled air from the first evaporator passively defrosts the second evaporator by sublimation, andwherein the evaporator fan is located in the air diffuser such that when the first and second dampers are open, the evaporator fan draws air flow from the refrigerated interior through the inlet aperture, the first evaporator, the outlet aperture, the second evaporator, and the air outlet in sequence, and such that when the first and second dampers are closed to isolate the first evaporator compartment from the refrigerated interior, the evaporator fan draws air flow from the refrigerated interior through the air inlets, the second evaporator, and the air outlet in sequence. 2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the first evaporator further includes a first defrost heater, and the refrigerator further comprises: a controller operable to command the refrigerator to perform the following steps when the first evaporator requires defrosting:direct refrigerant with the three-way valve through only the second evaporator;remove heat from the refrigerated interior with the second evaporator;close the first and second dampers to isolate the first evaporator from the refrigerated interior; andstart operation of the first defrost heater. 3. The refrigerator of claim 2, further comprising a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the first evaporator, and wherein the controller is further operable to command the refrigerator to perform the following steps during defrosting of the first evaporator: when the temperature sensor detects that the first evaporator has reached a first target temperature above the freezing point of water, stop operation of the first defrost heater and allow for any remaining moisture to drip off the first evaporator coil;direct refrigerant with the three-way valve into both the first and second evaporators; andwhen the temperature sensor detects that the first evaporator has reached a second target temperature below the freezing point of water, open the first and second dampers. 4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the controller is further operable to command the refrigerator to perform the following steps during an initial cooling of the refrigerated interior or immediately after the cabinet is opened: direct refrigerant with the three-way valve through the first and second evaporators; andremove heat from the refrigerated interior with both of the first evaporator and the second evaporator simultaneously. 5. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the first target temperature is about 10° C. and the second target temperature is about −25° C. 6. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the controller is further operable to command the refrigerator to perform the following steps during an initial cooling of the refrigerated interior or immediately after the cabinet is opened: direct refrigerant with the three-way valve through the first and second evaporators; andremove heat from the refrigerated interior with both of the first evaporator and the second evaporator simultaneously. 7. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the second evaporator is a plate shaped or foil-type evaporator. 8. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the second evaporator is a tube-type evaporator including a second evaporator coil. 9. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the refrigeration fluid circuit includes an expansion device having at least one of a capillary tube or a valve. 10. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the expansion device includes a first capillary tube disposed between the three-way valve and the first evaporator, and a second capillary tube disposed between the three-way valve and the second evaporator. 11. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the refrigeration fluid circuit further includes an accumulator operatively connected to the first and second evaporators and the compressor. 12. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the refrigeration fluid circuit further includes a filter/dryer operatively connected to the condenser and the expansion device. 13. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the first evaporator cover includes a plurality of insulated panels. 14. A method of operating a refrigerator including a cabinet having a refrigerated interior compartment, a refrigeration fluid circuit including a compressor, a condenser, a first evaporator located within the cabinet, a second evaporator located within the cabinet and including an air diffuser, an evaporator fan for drawing air through at least one of the first and second evaporators, and a three-way valve enabling selective communication between the compressor/condenser and one or both of the first and second evaporators, the refrigerator also including at least one damper that may open to permit air circulation from the refrigerated interior through the first evaporator, and the method comprises: during normal operation, directing refrigerant with the three-way valve only through the first evaporator;removing heat from the refrigerated interior with the first evaporator; and passively defrosting the second evaporator by sublimation with chilled air directed from the first evaporator through the air diffuser, wherein the first evaporator includes a first evaporator cover separating first evaporator compartment from the refrigerated interior, the first evaporator cover defining an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, the air diffuser defines a second evaporator compartment separated from the refrigerated interior and includes air inlets and an air outlet, the evaporator fan is located in the air diffuser, and the at least one damper includes a first damper located at the inlet aperture and a second damper located at the outlet aperture, and the method further comprises;opening the first and second dampers to permit air flow through the inlet and outlet apertures such that the first evaporator compartment communicates with the refrigerated interior and the second evaporator compartment;blocking air flow through the air inlets with the second damper when the second damper is opened;drawing air with the evaporator fan from the refrigerated interior through the inlet aperture, the first evaporator, the outlet aperture, the second evaporator, and the air outlet in sequence to cool the refrigerated interior when the first and second dampers are opened;closing the first and second dampers to isolate the first evaporator compartment from the refrigerated interior by blocking air flow through the inlet and outlet apertures; anddrawing air with the evaporator fan from the refrigerated interior through the air inlets, the second evaporator, and the air outlet in sequence to cool the refrigerated interior when the first and second dampers are closed. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first evaporator further includes a first defrost heater, and the method further comprises: when the first evaporator requires defrosting, directing refrigerant with the three-way valve only through the second evaporator;removing heat from the refrigerated interior with the second evaporator;closing the first and second dampers to isolate the first evaporator from the refrigerated interior; andstarting operation of the first defrost heater. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: when the first evaporator has reached a first target temperature above the freezing point of water, stopping operation of the first defrost heater and allowing for any remaining moisture to drip off the first evaporator coil;directing refrigerant with the three-way valve into both the first and second evaporators; andwhen the first evaporator has reached a second target temperature below the freezing point of water, opening the first and second dampers. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first target temperature is about 10° C. and the second target temperature is about −25° C. 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising: during initial cool down of the refrigerated interior or immediately after the cabinet is opened, directing refrigerant with the three-way valve through the first and second evaporators; andremoving heat from the refrigerated interior with both the first evaporator and the second evaporator.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (74)
Davis, Kenneth E.; Miller, Alvin V.; Ryner, Joseph H.; VanMeter, Kyle B.; Wetekamp, Robert L., Adaptive defrost control for a refrigerator.
Yoo Han-Ju,KRX ; Lee Jae-Seung,KRX ; Seo Kuk-Jeong,KRX ; Lee Gi-Hyeong,KRX ; Park Hae-Jin,KRX ; Kim Jong-Ki,KRX, Defrosting apparatus for refrigerators and method for controlling the same.
Park, Joon Hyung; Park, Jin Koo; Kim, Yang Gyu; Kim, Se Young; Hwang, Yin Young; Seo, Sang Ho; Chung, Eui Yeop, Method for defrosting refrigerator with two evaporator.
Radermacher K. Reinhard H. (Silver Spring MD) Kim Kwangil (Hyattsville MD) Kopko William L. (Springfield VA) Pannock Jurgen (Stevensville MI), Tandem refrigeration system.
Kim,Yoon Young; Bae,Hak Gyun; Kim,Chang Nyeun; Lee,Jae Seung; Kim,Myung Wouk; Seo,Eung Ryeol, Time division multi-cycle type cooling apparatus and method for controlling the same.
Cur Nihat O. (St. Joseph Township ; Berrien County MI) Kruck Richard W. (Sodus Township ; Berrien County MI) White William S. (St. Joseph MI) Kirby David B. (St. Joseph Township ; Berrien County MI), Vacuum insulation system for insulating refrigeration cabinets.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.