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Title: Synchronous temperature rate control for refrigeration with reduced energy consumption

Abstract

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.

Inventors:
; ; ; ; ;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1215827
Patent Number(s):
9140478
Application Number:
13/476,435
Assignee:
Whirlpool Corporation (Benton Harbor, MI)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F25 - REFRIGERATION OR COOLING F25B - REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F25 - REFRIGERATION OR COOLING F25D - REFRIGERATORS
DOE Contract Number:  
EE0003910
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 2012 May 21
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION

Citation Formats

Gomes, Alberto Regio, Keres, Stephen L., Kuehl, Steven J., Litch, Andrew D., Richmond, Peter J., and Wu, Guolian. Synchronous temperature rate control for refrigeration with reduced energy consumption. United States: N. p., 2015. Web.
Gomes, Alberto Regio, Keres, Stephen L., Kuehl, Steven J., Litch, Andrew D., Richmond, Peter J., & Wu, Guolian. Synchronous temperature rate control for refrigeration with reduced energy consumption. United States.
Gomes, Alberto Regio, Keres, Stephen L., Kuehl, Steven J., Litch, Andrew D., Richmond, Peter J., and Wu, Guolian. Tue . "Synchronous temperature rate control for refrigeration with reduced energy consumption". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1215827.
@article{osti_1215827,
title = {Synchronous temperature rate control for refrigeration with reduced energy consumption},
author = {Gomes, Alberto Regio and Keres, Stephen L. and Kuehl, Steven J. and Litch, Andrew D. and Richmond, Peter J. and Wu, Guolian},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Sep 22 00:00:00 EDT 2015},
month = {Tue Sep 22 00:00:00 EDT 2015}
}

Works referenced in this record:

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patent, August 1993


Control algorithm for dual temperature evaporator system
patent, December 1994


Temperature control system for a multi compartment refrigerator
patent, May 1999


Freezer-equipped refrigerator
patent, November 1999


Apparatus for supplying cold air in refrigerators
patent, November 1999


Method of supplying cold air in refrigerators
patent, March 2000


Refrigerator freezer with two evaporators for respective refrigerating and freezing compartments
patent, February 2001


Refrigerator
patent, June 2002


Flexible sealed system and fan control algorithm
patent, December 2003


Variable speed refrigeration system
patent, August 2004


Refrigerator system and software architecture
patent, October 2004


Temperature control method for refrigerator
patent, November 2005


Method for controlling a multiple cooling compartment refrigerator, and refrigerator using such method
patent, September 2006


Cooler and refrigerator
patent, August 2010


Cooling Storage Cabinet and Method of Operating Thereof
patent-application, September 2009


Cooling storage and method of operating the same
patent-application, April 2010


Variable position air damper for a refrigerator
patent-application, July 2011