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 = {2015},
month = {9}
}
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