US3638449A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigeration apparatus
Assignee: Whirlpool Corp
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Filing: 1970-04-15
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Granted: 1972-02-01
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Expires: 1990-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A refrigeration apparatus for chilling a storage chamber comprising air moving means for moving air through an air permeable refrigerant evaporator for chilling air flowing into the chamber and a duct air bypass exteriorly of the evaporator for flowing air around the evaporator in the region of the air entrance thereto and then back into the evaporator prior to the exit thereof in order to provide continuous flow and chilling of air through the exit portion of the evaporator in spite of frost accumulation on the evaporator. A method of chilling air in a storage space comprising directing the air from the space through a subfreezing chilling means having an entrance and an exit and bypassing the air around this entrance and back into the chilling means upon accumulation of frost at the entrance with the result that the chilling of the air is continued during the accumulation of the frost and prior to its eventual removal.
Inventors
- 👤 Harley Lichtenberger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:45
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D17/00; F25D17/04; F25D17/06; F25D17/062; F25D21/00; F25D21/06; F25D21/08; F25D2317/00; F25D2317/06; F25D2317/065; F25D2317/0653; F25D2400/00; F25D2400/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
Refrigeration apparatus, comprising: a cabinet including a plurality of walls defining a storage chamber; a panel spaced from one said wall defining one side of an airflow duct having an air inlet for air from said chamber and an air outlet to said chamber spaced from said inlet; air moving means for moving air in said duct between said inlet and outlet; and air permeable refrigerant evaporator in said duct having an air entrance and air exit for chilling air flowing in said duct and through the evaporator; and means defining an air bypass passage exposed to a side of said evaporator extending from said entrance and having flow conducting characteristics correlated with the flow conducting characteristics of said evaporator at said entrance such that air flows around said entrance and into the evaporator at said side thereof substantially only upon frost buildup at said entrance, said bypass means having its inlet adjacent said evaporator entrance and being elongated substantially parallel to the airflow in said evaporator to have the area of the bypass passage exposed to said evaporator side be substantially greater than the cross-sectional area of the inlet to said bypass passage at said evaporator entrance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
Refrigeration apparatus, comprising: a cabinet including a plurality of walls defining a storage chamber; a panel spaced from one said wall defining one side of an airflow duct having an air inlet for air from said chamber and an air outlet to said chamber spaced from said inlet; air moving means for moving air in said duct between said inlet and outlet; and air permeable refrigerant evaporator in said duct having an air entrance and air exit for chilling air flowing in said duct and through the evaporator; and means defining an air bypass passage exposed to a side of said evaporator extending from said entrance and having flow conducting characteristics correlated with the flow conducting characteristics of said evaporator at said entrance such that air flows around said entrance and into the evaporator at said side thereof substantially only upon frost buildup at said entrance, said bypass means having its inlet adjacent said evaporator entrance and being elongated substantially parallel to the airflow in said evaporator to have the area of the bypass passage exposed to said evaporator side be substantially greater than the cross-sectional area of the inlet to said bypass passage at said evaporator entrance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bypass means comprises an embossed area of said panel spaced from said evaporator side.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said embossed area is adjacent another panel area that is positioned against the side of said evaporator, thereby directing bypass air into the evaporator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said evaporator extends substantially the full width of said duct.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said evaporator entrance and bypass are located at said duct inlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said bypass means comprises an embossed area of said panel spaced from said evaporator, and said embossed area is adjacent another panel area that is positioned against the side of said evaporator, thereby directing bypass air into the evaporator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |