US4439998A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method of controlling air temperature of a two-evaporator refrigeration system
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1982-04-16
•
Granted: 1984-04-03
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Expires: 2002-04-16
Abstract
Abstract The present refrigeration apparatus includes a single condenser and compressor, two evaporators, and more particularly an electronically controlled valve system that delivers refrigerant to one evaporator in preference to the other, but will cause the valve system to deliver refrigerant to the other evaporator after a predetermined amount of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Julius B. Horvay
- 👤 Luis E. Prada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:36
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B5/00; F25B5/02; F25D; F25D11/00; F25D11/02; F25D11/022; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1917; G05D23/20; G05D23/24; F25B2600/00; F25B2600/25; F25B2600/2511; F25D21/00; F25D21/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
In a refrigerating apparatus including a cabinet containing an above freezing compartment and a below freezing compartment, a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a first evaporator arranged in said above freezing compartment, a second evaporator arranged in said below freezing compartment, valve means operable for delivering refrigerant to either one of said evaporators, temperature selecting means in each of said compartments for selecting a set temperature in said compartment, a first temperature responsive means in said above freezing compartment, a second temperature responsive means in said below freezing compartment, the combination including a normal operating cycle operable when the temperature of both of said compartments is within a set temperature and an initial pull down cycle operable when the temperature of said fresh food compartment is substantially above said set temperature comprising: control means for causing said valve means to deliver refrigerant to said first evaporator in preference to said second evaporator when both of said temperature responsive means sense a temperature above a predetermined value; decision means for causing said valve means to terminate the flow of refrigerant to said first evaporator when said above freezing compartment is at said predetermined temperature or after a predetermined amount of time independent of said first temperature responsive means and to cause said second valve means to deliver refrigerant to said second evaporator and for proceeding under said normal operating cycle when the temperature of both of said compartments is below said set temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
In a refrigerating apparatus including a cabinet containing an above freezing compartment and a below freezing compartment, a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a first evaporator arranged in said above freezing compartment, a second evaporator arranged in said below freezing compartment, valve means operable for delivering refrigerant to either one of said evaporators, temperature selecting means in each of said compartments for selecting a set temperature in said compartment, a first temperature responsive means in said above freezing compartment, a second temperature responsive means in said below freezing compartment, the combination including a normal operating cycle operable when the temperature of both of said compartments is within a set temperature and an initial pull down cycle operable when the temperature of said fresh food compartment is substantially above said set temperature comprising: control means for causing said valve means to deliver refrigerant to said first evaporator in preference to said second evaporator when both of said temperature responsive means sense a temperature above a predetermined value; decision means for causing said valve means to terminate the flow of refrigerant to said first evaporator when said above freezing compartment is at said predetermined temperature or after a predetermined amount of time independent of said first temperature responsive means and to cause said second valve means to deliver refrigerant to said second evaporator and for proceeding under said normal operating cycle when the temperature of both of said compartments is below said set temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
271 words
In a refrigerating apparatus including a cabinet containing an above freezing compartment and a below freezing compartment, a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a first evaporator arranged in said above freezing compartment, a second evaporator arranged in said below freezing compartment, valve means operable for delivering refrigerant to either one of said evaporators, temperature selecting means in each of said compartments for selecting a set temperature in said compartments, a first temperature responsive means in said above freezing compartment, a second temperature responsive means in said below freezing compartment, the combination including a normal operating cycle operable when the temperature of both of said compartments is within a set temperature and an initial pull down cycle operable when the temperature of said fresh food compartment is substantially above said set temperature comprising: memory means for receiving and storing the fresh food and freezer compartment temperatures; means comparing said fresh food and freezer food temperatures; control means coupled to said comparing means for causing said valve means to deliver refrigerant to said first evaporator in preference to said second evaporator when both of said temperature responsive means sense a temperature above a predetermined value; decision means for causing said valve means to terminate the flow of refrigerant to said first evaporator when said above freezing compartment is at said predetermined temperature or after a predetermined amount of time independent of said first temperature responsive means and to cause said second valve means to deliver refrigerant to said second evaporator and for proceeding under said normal operating cycle when the temperature of both of said compartments is below said set temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
271 words
In a refrigerating apparatus including a cabinet containing an above freezing compartment and a below freezing compartment, a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a first evaporator arranged in said above freezing compartment, a second evaporator arranged in said below freezing compartment, valve means operable for delivering refrigerant to either one of said evaporators, temperature selecting means in each of said compartments for selecting a set temperature in said compartments, a first temperature responsive means in said above freezing compartment, a second temperature responsive means in said below freezing compartment, the combination including a normal operating cycle operable when the temperature of both of said compartments is within a set temperature and an initial pull down cycle operable when the temperature of said fresh food compartment is substantially above said set temperature comprising: memory means for receiving and storing the fresh food and freezer compartment temperatures; means comparing said fresh food and freezer food temperatures; control means coupled to said comparing means for causing said valve means to deliver refrigerant to said first evaporator in preference to said second evaporator when both of said temperature responsive means sense a temperature above a predetermined value; decision means for causing said valve means to terminate the flow of refrigerant to said first evaporator when said above freezing compartment is at said predetermined temperature or after a predetermined amount of time independent of said first temperature responsive means and to cause said second valve means to deliver refrigerant to said second evaporator and for proceeding under said normal operating cycle when the temperature of both of said compartments is below said set temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
310 words
An automatic control system for a refrigerating apparatus including a cabinet containing an above freezing compartment and a below freezing compartment, a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a fresh food evaporator arranged in said above freezing compartment, a freezer evaporator arranged in said below freezing compartment, valve means operable for delivering refrigerant to either one of said evaporators, a first temperature responsive means including means for selecting a predetermined set temperature for said above freezing compartment, a second temperature responsive means including means for selecting a predetermined set temperature for said below freezing compartment, the combination including an initial pull down cycle including means giving preference to said fresh food evaporator when the temperature of said fresh food compartment is substantially above said set temperature comprising: memory means for receiving and storing the fresh food and freezer compartment temperatures; means comparing said fresh food and freezer food temperatures; control means coupled to said comparing means for causing said valve means to deliver refrigerant to said fresh food evaporator in preference to said freezer evaporator when both of said temperature responsive means sense a temperature above said predetermined set value; means monitoring said fresh food compartment temperature and the accumulated time said fresh food evaporator has been active in said refrigeration system; decision means for causing sid valve means to divert refrigerant to said fresh food evaporator when the temperature is above said set temperature to terminate the flow of refrigerant to said fresh food evaporator after a first predetermined amount of time after a predetermined amount of accumulated time independent of said first selected set temperature and to cause said second valve means to deliver refrigerant to said freezer evaporator for a second predetermined amount of time and for proceeding under said normal operating cycle when the temperature of both of said compartments is below said set temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
310 words
An automatic control system for a refrigerating apparatus including a cabinet containing an above freezing compartment and a below freezing compartment, a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a fresh food evaporator arranged in said above freezing compartment, a freezer evaporator arranged in said below freezing compartment, valve means operable for delivering refrigerant to either one of said evaporators, a first temperature responsive means including means for selecting a predetermined set temperature for said above freezing compartment, a second temperature responsive means including means for selecting a predetermined set temperature for said below freezing compartment, the combination including an initial pull down cycle including means giving preference to said fresh food evaporator when the temperature of said fresh food compartment is substantially above said set temperature comprising: memory means for receiving and storing the fresh food and freezer compartment temperatures; means comparing said fresh food and freezer food temperatures; control means coupled to said comparing means for causing said valve means to deliver refrigerant to said fresh food evaporator in preference to said freezer evaporator when both of said temperature responsive means sense a temperature above said predetermined set value; means monitoring said fresh food compartment temperature and the accumulated time said fresh food evaporator has been active in said refrigeration system; decision means for causing sid valve means to divert refrigerant to said fresh food evaporator when the temperature is above said set temperature to terminate the flow of refrigerant to said fresh food evaporator after a first predetermined amount of time after a predetermined amount of accumulated time independent of said first selected set temperature and to cause said second valve means to deliver refrigerant to said freezer evaporator for a second predetermined amount of time and for proceeding under said normal operating cycle when the temperature of both of said compartments is below said set temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
445 words
An automatic control system for a refrigerating apparatus including a cabinet containing an above freezing compartment and a below freezing compartment, a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a fresh food evaporator arranged in said above freezing compartment, a freezer evaporator arranged in said below freezing compartment, valve means operable for delivering refrigerant to either one of said evaporators, a first temperature responsive means including means for selecting a predetermined set temperature for said above freezing compartment, a second temperature responsive means including means for selecting a predetermined set temperature for said below freezing compartment, the combination including a normal operating cycle wherein the temperature of said compartments is within a set temperature and an initial pull down cycle comprising: memory means for receiving and storing the fresh food and freezer compartment temperatures; means comparing said fresh food and freezer food temperatures; control means coupled to said comparing means for energizing said compressor and causing said valve means to deliver refrigerant to said fresh food evaporator in preference to said freezer evaporator when both of said temperature responsive means sense a temperature above said predetermined set value and for going to normal cycle if the temperature of both compartments is below said set point; first means measuring accumulated time said fresh food evaporator has been active in said refrigeration system; means coupled to said first means for causing said valve means to terminate refrigerant flow to said fresh food evaporator and directing refrigerant flow to said freezer evaporator; second means measuring accumulated time said freezer evaporator has been active in said refrigeration system; means coupled to said second means for causing said valve means to give preference to said fresh food evaporator when the temperature of both of said compartments is above said set point temperature to terminate refrigerant flow to said freezer evaporator and diverting refrigerant flow to said fresh food evaporation when said fresh food compartment temperature is above the set point temperature; means monitoring said fresh food compartment temperature and the accumulated time said fresh food evaporator has been active in said refrigeration system; decision means for causing said valve means to terminate the flow of refrigerant to said freezer evaporator when said freezer compartment is below predetermined set temperature or after a predetermined amount of accumulated time independent of said first selected set temperature and to cause said valve means to deliver refrigerant to said fresh food evaporator and for proceeding under said normal operating cycle when the temperature of both of said compartments is below said set temperature, and for terminating operation of said compressor if the temperature of the fresh food compartment is also below the set temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
445 words
An automatic control system for a refrigerating apparatus including a cabinet containing an above freezing compartment and a below freezing compartment, a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a fresh food evaporator arranged in said above freezing compartment, a freezer evaporator arranged in said below freezing compartment, valve means operable for delivering refrigerant to either one of said evaporators, a first temperature responsive means including means for selecting a predetermined set temperature for said above freezing compartment, a second temperature responsive means including means for selecting a predetermined set temperature for said below freezing compartment, the combination including a normal operating cycle wherein the temperature of said compartments is within a set temperature and an initial pull down cycle comprising: memory means for receiving and storing the fresh food and freezer compartment temperatures; means comparing said fresh food and freezer food temperatures; control means coupled to said comparing means for energizing said compressor and causing said valve means to deliver refrigerant to said fresh food evaporator in preference to said freezer evaporator when both of said temperature responsive means sense a temperature above said predetermined set value and for going to normal cycle if the temperature of both compartments is below said set point; first means measuring accumulated time said fresh food evaporator has been active in said refrigeration system; means coupled to said first means for causing said valve means to terminate refrigerant flow to said fresh food evaporator and directing refrigerant flow to said freezer evaporator; second means measuring accumulated time said freezer evaporator has been active in said refrigeration system; means coupled to said second means for causing said valve means to give preference to said fresh food evaporator when the temperature of both of said compartments is above said set point temperature to terminate refrigerant flow to said freezer evaporator and diverting refrigerant flow to said fresh food evaporation when said fresh food compartment temperature is above the set point temperature; means monitoring said fresh food compartment temperature and the accumulated time said fresh food evaporator has been active in said refrigeration system; decision means for causing said valve means to terminate the flow of refrigerant to said freezer evaporator when said freezer compartment is below predetermined set temperature or after a predetermined amount of accumulated time independent of said first selected set temperature and to cause said valve means to deliver refrigerant to said fresh food evaporator and for proceeding under said normal operating cycle when the temperature of both of said compartments is below said set temperature, and for terminating operation of said compressor if the temperature of the fresh food compartment is also below the set temperature.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
174 words
The method of air temperature control for a refrigerating apparatus including a cabinet containing an above freezing compartment and a below freezing compartment, a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a first evaporator arranged in said above freezing compartment, a second evaporator arranged in said below freezing compartment, valve means operable for delivering refrigerant to either one of said evaporators, a first temperature responsive means in said above freezing compartment, a second temperature responsive means in said below freezing compartment, the method comprising: controlling operation of said valve means to deliver refrigerant to said first evaporator in preference to said second evaporator when both of said temperature responsive means sense a temperature above a predetermined value; operating said valve means under control of decision means to terminate the flow of refrigerant to said first evaporator when said above freezing compartment is at said predetermined temperature or after a predetermined amount of time independent of said first temperature responsive means and to cause said second valve means to deliver refrigerant to said second evaporator.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
174 words
The method of air temperature control for a refrigerating apparatus including a cabinet containing an above freezing compartment and a below freezing compartment, a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a first evaporator arranged in said above freezing compartment, a second evaporator arranged in said below freezing compartment, valve means operable for delivering refrigerant to either one of said evaporators, a first temperature responsive means in said above freezing compartment, a second temperature responsive means in said below freezing compartment, the method comprising: controlling operation of said valve means to deliver refrigerant to said first evaporator in preference to said second evaporator when both of said temperature responsive means sense a temperature above a predetermined value; operating said valve means under control of decision means to terminate the flow of refrigerant to said first evaporator when said above freezing compartment is at said predetermined temperature or after a predetermined amount of time independent of said first temperature responsive means and to cause said second valve means to deliver refrigerant to said second evaporator.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
354 words
A method of air temperature control for a refrigerating apparatus including a cabinet containing an above freezing compartment and a below freezing compartment, a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a fresh food evaporator arranged in said above freezing compartment, a freezer evaporator arranged in said below freezing compartment, valve means operable for delivering refrigerant to either one of said evaporators, a first temperature responsive means including means for selecting a predetermined set temperature for said above freezing compartment, a second temperature responsive means including means for selecting a predetermined set temperature for said below freezing compartment, the method comprising: receiving and storing the fresh food and freezer compartment temperatures; comparing said fresh food and freezer food temperatures; controlling operation of said valve means to deliver refrigerant to said fresh food evaporator in preference to said freezer evaporator when both of said temperature responsive means sense a temperature above said predetermined set value; measuring accumulated time said fresh food evaporator has been active in said refrigeration system against a set predetermined time; controlling operation of said valve means to terminate refrigerant flow to said fresh food evaporator and directing refrigerant flow to said freezer evaporator when the accumulated time said fresh food evaporator is at or greater than set predetermined time; measuring accumulated time said freezer evaporator has been active in said refrigeration system against set predetermined time; controlling operation of said valve means to terminate refrigerant flow to said freezer evaporator and diverting refrigerant flow to said fresh food evaporation when the accumulated time said freezer evaporator is at or greater than set predetermined time; monitoring said fresh food compartment temperature and the accumulated time said fresh food evaporator has been active in said refrigeration system against a set predetermined time; operating said valve means under control of decision means to terminate the flow of refrigerant to said fresh food evaporator when said above fresh food compartment is at said predetermined set temperature or after a predetermined amount of accumulated time independent of said first selected set temperature and to cause said second valve means to deliver refrigerant to said freezer evaporator.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
354 words
A method of air temperature control for a refrigerating apparatus including a cabinet containing an above freezing compartment and a below freezing compartment, a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a fresh food evaporator arranged in said above freezing compartment, a freezer evaporator arranged in said below freezing compartment, valve means operable for delivering refrigerant to either one of said evaporators, a first temperature responsive means including means for selecting a predetermined set temperature for said above freezing compartment, a second temperature responsive means including means for selecting a predetermined set temperature for said below freezing compartment, the method comprising: receiving and storing the fresh food and freezer compartment temperatures; comparing said fresh food and freezer food temperatures; controlling operation of said valve means to deliver refrigerant to said fresh food evaporator in preference to said freezer evaporator when both of said temperature responsive means sense a temperature above said predetermined set value; measuring accumulated time said fresh food evaporator has been active in said refrigeration system against a set predetermined time; controlling operation of said valve means to terminate refrigerant flow to said fresh food evaporator and directing refrigerant flow to said freezer evaporator when the accumulated time said fresh food evaporator is at or greater than set predetermined time; measuring accumulated time said freezer evaporator has been active in said refrigeration system against set predetermined time; controlling operation of said valve means to terminate refrigerant flow to said freezer evaporator and diverting refrigerant flow to said fresh food evaporation when the accumulated time said freezer evaporator is at or greater than set predetermined time; monitoring said fresh food compartment temperature and the accumulated time said fresh food evaporator has been active in said refrigeration system against a set predetermined time; operating said valve means under control of decision means to terminate the flow of refrigerant to said fresh food evaporator when said above fresh food compartment is at said predetermined set temperature or after a predetermined amount of accumulated time independent of said first selected set temperature and to cause said second valve means to deliver refrigerant to said freezer evaporator.
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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) | 1987-04-03 | 1987-10-03 | 1988-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-04-03 | 1991-10-03 | 1992-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-04-03 | 1995-10-03 | 1996-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |