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US3839878A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for controlling refrigerator defrost apparatus

Assignee: Whirlpool International BV
•
Filing: 1972-12-20
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Granted: 1974-10-08
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Expires: 1992-12-20
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Abstract

Abstract Apparatus for controlling a defrosting system in a refrigerator including temperature sensing devices to monitor the temperature of the evaporator coil and the storage space. When the difference in these temperatures exceeds a predetermined value, and one of the monitored temperatures is less than a predetermined value, the defrost operation will be initiated.

Inventors

  • 👤 A Tilmanis

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 11:14
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D21/00; F25D21/002; F25D21/006; F25B; F25B2700/00; F25B2700/21; F25B2700/2117; F25D2400/00; F25D2400/04; F25D2700/00; F25D2700/12; F25D2700/122

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 180 words
Apparatus for controlling the operation of refrigerator defrost apparatus comprising, means for continuously sensing the temperature of the evaporator coil of the refrigerator, means for conTinuously sensing the temperature of a storage space of the refrigerator, and means controlled by said temperature sensing means for initiating operation of said defrost apparatus when the difference between said two temperatures exceeds a predetermined value and, a selected one of said temperatures is less than a predetermined temperature, said means for initiating defrost including an electrical control circuit comprising two normally turned off electronic switches arranged in series with means operable, when energized to initiate operation of said defrost apparatus, and including means responsive to said two temperature sensing means to cause one of said electronic switches to turn on when the difference between the two temperatures sensed thereby exceeds said predetermined value, and vice versa, and means responsive to a selected one of said temperature sensing means to cause the other said electronic switch to turn on when the temperature sensed thereby is less than the said predetermined temperature, and vice versa.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 180 words
Apparatus for controlling the operation of refrigerator defrost apparatus comprising, means for continuously sensing the temperature of the evaporator coil of the refrigerator, means for conTinuously sensing the temperature of a storage space of the refrigerator, and means controlled by said temperature sensing means for initiating operation of said defrost apparatus when the difference between said two temperatures exceeds a predetermined value and, a selected one of said temperatures is less than a predetermined temperature, said means for initiating defrost including an electrical control circuit comprising two normally turned off electronic switches arranged in series with means operable, when energized to initiate operation of said defrost apparatus, and including means responsive to said two temperature sensing means to cause one of said electronic switches to turn on when the difference between the two temperatures sensed thereby exceeds said predetermined value, and vice versa, and means responsive to a selected one of said temperature sensing means to cause the other said electronic switch to turn on when the temperature sensed thereby is less than the said predetermined temperature, and vice versa.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said automatic defrost apparatus comprises timing means which determine the duration of operation of the defrost apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 37 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including means responsive to the temperature of a storage space of the refrigerator for terminating operation of the defrost apparatus when the temperature of the storage space rises to a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said temperature sensing means is a thermistor.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1977-10-07 1978-04-08 1978-10-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1981-10-07 1982-04-08 1982-10-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1985-10-07 1986-04-08 1986-10-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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