US3834176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerator evaporator construction
Assignee: Whirlpool Corp
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Filing: 1973-10-09
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Granted: 1974-09-10
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Expires: 1993-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A refrigerator evaporator construction arranged to provide extended operation between defrosting requirements. The evaporator is defined by different portions having different width passes and the air flow from different portions of the refrigerator is correlated with the width of the passes to provide minimum blocking of the passes by frost buildup. The evaporator defines vertically extending passes and a defrost heater is provided extending upwardly into selected passes providing for facilitated installation and removal. The evaporator enclosure is arranged to define means for bypassing air around a lower end portion of the evaporator in the event of blockage thereof by frost buildup.
Inventors
- 👤 C Clarke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:35
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D17/00; F25D17/04; F25D17/06; F25D17/062; F25D17/065; F25B; F25B39/00; F25B39/02; F25D21/00; F25D21/06; F25D21/08; F25D2400/00; F25D2400/04; F25D2400/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
In a refrigeration system having means defining a freezer chamber and an above-freezing refrigerator chamber, and air moving means for flowing air through said chambers, evaporator apparatus comprising: enclosure means defining a heat exchange space having an outlet and first and second inlets spaced from said outlet, said air moving means causing circulation of air (a) from said freezer chamber through said first inlet, through a first portion of said space to said outlet, and back to said freezer chamber, and (b) from said refrigerator chamber through said second inlet, through a second portion of said space to said outlet, and back to said refrigerator chamber; and a serpentine tube evaporator in said space having a first portion in said first portion of said space and defining relatively closely spaced turns defining narrow passes extending in the direction of air flow between said first inlet and said outlet, and a second portion in said second portion of said space and defining relatively widely spaced turns defining wider passes extending in the direction of air flow between said second inlet and said outlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
In a refrigeration system having means defining a freezer chamber and an above-freezing refrigerator chamber, and air moving means for flowing air through said chambers, evaporator apparatus comprising: enclosure means defining a heat exchange space having an outlet and first and second inlets spaced from said outlet, said air moving means causing circulation of air (a) from said freezer chamber through said first inlet, through a first portion of said space to said outlet, and back to said freezer chamber, and (b) from said refrigerator chamber through said second inlet, through a second portion of said space to said outlet, and back to said refrigerator chamber; and a serpentine tube evaporator in said space having a first portion in said first portion of said space and defining relatively closely spaced turns defining narrow passes extending in the direction of air flow between said first inlet and said outlet, and a second portion in said second portion of said space and defining relatively widely spaced turns defining wider passes extending in the direction of air flow between said second inlet and said outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein said evaporator is provided with integral fins.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein said evaporator is provided with integral fins turned transversely to the tube longitudinal extent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein baffle means are provided separating said first and second space portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein said inlets are substantially spaced.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein a third inlet is provided oppositely of said second inlet relative to said first inlet for conducting air from said refrigerator chamber through a third portion of said space to said outlet and said evaporator includes a third portion disposed in said third portion of said space.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The refrigeration system of claim 1 further including defrost heater means extending to between said spaced turns of said second evaporator portion from the upstream end thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein said space defining means includes front and rear walls and said evaporator is provided with integral fins turned transversely to the tube longitudinal extent to abut said walls.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
The refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein said space defining means includes front and rear walls and said evaporator is provided with integral fins turned transversely to the tube longitudinal extent to abut said walls, at least one of said walls defining means for bypassing air around the upstream end of said turns in the event said end is blocked by frost.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein the evaporator tube deines vertically extending passes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein the evaporator tube defines vertically extending passes and said enclosure means is arranged to confine the flowed air to require the air to pass around at least one portion of the tube whiLe flowing upwardly from the inlet to the outlet through said space.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a refrigeration system having means defining a freezer chamber, and air moving means for flowing air through said chamber, evaporation apparatus comprising: enclosure means defining a heat exchange space having an outlet means and inlet means spaced below said outlet means, said air moving means causing circulation of air from said inlet means through said spaces to said outlet; a serpentine tube evaporator in said space defining vertical passes extending in the direction of air flow upwardly from said inlet means to said outlet means, and fins formed integrally with the evaporator tube and turned transversely to the longitudinal extent of the tube; and means for causing the flowed air to bypass the lower end of the tube evaporator as a result of frost buildup blocking the passes thereat.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a refrigeration system having means defining a freezer chamber, and air moving means for flowing air through said chamber, evaporation apparatus comprising: enclosure means defining a heat exchange space having an outlet means and inlet means spaced below said outlet means, said air moving means causing circulation of air from said inlet means through said spaces to said outlet; a serpentine tube evaporator in said space defining vertical passes extending in the direction of air flow upwardly from said inlet means to said outlet means, and fins formed integrally with the evaporator tube and turned transversely to the longitudinal extent of the tube; and means for causing the flowed air to bypass the lower end of the tube evaporator as a result of frost buildup blocking the passes thereat.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The refrigeration system of claim 12 wherein said enclosure means includes a rear wall and a front wall, said fins extending forwardly and rearwardly from said tube into abutment with said walls whereby said air flow is confined to flow against said tube and fins in passing the evaporator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The refrigeration system of claim 12 further including means for causing the air to bypass the upper end of the evaporator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The refrigeration system of claim 12 further including a defrost heater forwardly of the lower end of the evaporator and subjacent the forwardly extending fins.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The refrigeration system of claim 12 further having means defining an above freezing refrigerator chamber, and said apparatus further including said tube evaporator defining different width vertical passes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The refrigeration system of claim 16 further including vertical baffle means disposed in a vertical pass between portions of the evaporator having different width passes.
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) | 1977-09-09 | 1978-03-11 | 1978-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-09 | 1982-03-11 | 1982-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-09 | 1986-03-11 | 1986-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |