US3759053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air control for fresh food compartment quick chill operation
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1971-12-15
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Granted: 1973-09-18
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Expires: 1991-12-15
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a pair of mechanically controlled air regulating dampers used in the fresh food compartment of a refrigerator. Each of the dampers controls the admission of air from the freezer compartment into the quick chill portion of the fresh food compartment, with one of the dampers being manually set to maintain a desired temperature range within the fresh food compartment during normal operation without quick chill, and the other (quick chill) damper being used to control during a quick chill operation. The quick chill damper is coupled to a timer mechanism so that an increased setting of timer period for quick chill also increases the quick chill damper opening so that those items having a heavy cooling load to obtain quick chill have their requirements met by the simultaneous setting of the quick chill damper and the quick chill timer. The quick chill damper is arranged to be closed for any timer setting of say ten minutes or less. This feature provides for the quick chill cooling of food by only that air which is being circulated within the fresh food compartment.
Inventors
- 👤 A Swaneck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:49
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D17/00; F25D17/04; F25D17/06; F25D17/062; F25D17/065; F25D17/042; F25D17/045; F25D2317/00; F25D2317/06; F25D2317/068; F25D2317/0682; F25D2400/00; F25D2400/06; F25D2400/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
In a control arrangement for a refrigerating device including a freezer space and a refrigerator space and having a quick chill space in the refrigerator space, including; a fan means in said quick chill space for circulating air thereabout; a timer means for controlling said fan means; manually operative means for setting said timer means; an air passageway between said freezer space and said quick chill space; a damper for said air passageway; said manually operative means for setting said timer means being operative to position said damper simultaneously.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
In a control arrangement for a refrigerating device including a freezer space and a refrigerator space and having a quick chill space in the refrigerator space, including; a fan means in said quick chill space for circulating air thereabout; a timer means for controlling said fan means; manually operative means for setting said timer means; an air passageway between said freezer space and said quick chill space; a damper for said air passageway; said manually operative means for setting said timer means being operative to position said damper simultaneously.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
In the control arrangement of claim 1 wherein; a. said damper is moved, generally and within limits, to assume a less and less interfering position to the flow of cooling air from said freezer space to said quick chill space as said timer means is manually set for a longer and longer time period of quick chill operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
In the control arrangement of claim 1 wherein; a. said manually operative means includes a manually manipulated knob and gear means mounted on a common shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
In the control arrangement of claim 1 wherein; a. said timer means may be set for any one of a number of time periods; b. said damper is arranged to remain in a closed position for those time periods not exceeding a selected time period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a control and air circulation arrangement for a refrigerating device including a freezer space and a refrigerator space and having a quick chill compartment in the refrigerator space, including; a. first and second air passageways for the supply of cooling air from said freezer space to said quick chill compartment, b. first and second damper means for said first and second air passageways, respectively, c. a first fan means in said freezer space for moving air through said first air passageway, d. a second fan means in said quick chill compartment for circulating air in said compartment and drawing air through said second air passageway when said second passageway is open, e. said second fan means when operating creating an air flow condition at said first passageway opposing the admission of air flow through said first air passageway to said quick chill compartment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a control and air circulation arrangement for a refrigerating device including a freezer space and a refrigerator space and having a quick chill compartment in the refrigerator space, including; a. first and second air passageways for the supply of cooling air from said freezer space to said quick chill compartment, b. first and second damper means for said first and second air passageways, respectively, c. a first fan means in said freezer space for moving air through said first air passageway, d. a second fan means in said quick chill compartment for circulating air in said compartment and drawing air through said second air passageway when said second passageway is open, e. said second fan means when operating creating an air flow condition at said first passageway opposing the admission of air flow through said first air passageway to said quick chill compartment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
In the control and air circulation arrangement of claim 5 wherein; a. said second fan means when operating creating said air flow condition irrespective of the position of said second damper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
In the control and air circulation arrangement of claim 5 wherein; a. said first damper means controls a flow of cooling air through said first air passageway to modulate the temperature of a fresh food compartment of said refrigerator, b. timer means is provided for controlling periods of operation of said second fan means, c. said second damper means is positionable in accordance with setting of said timer means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
85 words
In a refrigerator-freezer of the character having a fast chill compartment in the refrigerator side with a timer controlled fan for circulating air in said chill compartment, an air flow and control arrangement comprising: means defining an opening through which air is adapted to be admitted from the freezer side to said chill compartment; damper means for said opening; manually operated means for setting said timer for any of a number of periods of fan operation and concurrently establishing a setting of said damper means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
In a refrigerator-freezer of the character having a fast chill compartment in the refrigerator side with a timer controlled fan for circulating air in said chill compartment, an air flow and control arrangement comprising: means defining an opening through which air is adapted to be admitted from the freezer side to said chill compartment; damper means for said opening; manually operated means for setting said timer for any of a number of periods of fan operation and concurrently establishing a setting of said damper means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3093981A
Cited
US3659429A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-17 | 1977-03-19 | 1977-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-17 | 1981-03-19 | 1981-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-17 | 1985-03-19 | 1985-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |