Synchronous temperature rate control for refrigeration with reduced energy consumption

Patent · Tue Sep 22 04:00:00 EDT 2015

OSTI ID:1215827

Gomes, Alberto Regio; Keres, Stephen L.; Kuehl, Steven J.; Litch, Andrew D.; Richmond, Peter J.; Wu, Guolian

Methods of operation for refrigerator appliance configurations with a controller, a condenser, at least one evaporator, a compressor, and two refrigeration compartments. The configuration may be equipped with a variable-speed or variable-capacity compressor, variable speed evaporator or compartment fans, a damper, and/or a dual-temperature evaporator with a valve system to control flow of refrigerant through one or more pressure reduction devices. The methods may include synchronizing alternating cycles of cooling each compartment to a temperature approximately equal to the compartment set point temperature by operation of the compressor, fans, damper and/or valve system. The methods may also include controlling the cooling rate in one or both compartments. Refrigeration compartment cooling may begin at an interval before or after when the freezer compartment reaches its lower threshold temperature. Freezer compartment cooling may begin at an interval before or after when the freezer compartment reaches its upper threshold temperature.

• Research Organization: Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: EE0003910
• Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation (Benton Harbor, MI)
• Patent Number(s): 9,140,478
• Application Number: 13/476,435
• OSTI ID: 1215827
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION