US4862707A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two compartment refrigerator
Assignee: MAINE SYSTEM WILLIAM J SULLIVAN TREASURER THE, University of
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Filing: 1988-10-06
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Granted: 1989-09-05
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Expires: 2008-10-06
Abstract
Abstract The refrigeration system disclosed herein provides separate chilling and freezing compartments and operates in alternate phases. In the first phase, an evaporator which controls chilling compartment temperature also absorbs heat from a thermal mass through the change of phase of a liquid to a solid. In the second phase, this evaporator becomes a condenser for the operation of a second evaporator associated with the freezer component. During this second phase, the heat transfer is reversed, the fusion energy of the first phase is recaptured as melting energy in the second. Accordingly, heat is transferred from the second evaporator to the mass over a temperature differential which is less than that existing between the second evaporator and the environment.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C. Hill
- 👤 James C. LaBrecque
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:20
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D11/00; F25D11/02; F25D11/022; F25B; F25B47/00; F25B47/02; F25B2600/00; F25B2600/25; F25B2600/2511; F25D2400/00; F25D2400/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A refrigeration system comprising: a condenser; a compressor; a mass providing appreciable thermal inertia; thermally coupled to said mass, a first evaporator; a second evaporator; conduit means interconnecting the aforesaid components, said conduit means including valve means operative in a first state for directing refrigerant flow from said compressor through said condenser and thence through said first evaporator in a first direction and operative in a second state for directing refrigerant flow from said compressor through said first evaporator in a direction opposite said first direction and thence through said second evaporator whereby, in said second state, heat is transferred from said second evaporator to said mass over a temperature differential established by prior operation with said valve means in said first state, which temperature differential is substantially less than the temperature differential between said second evaporator and said condenser.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A refrigeration system comprising: a condenser; a compressor; a mass providing appreciable thermal inertia; thermally coupled to said mass, a first evaporator; a second evaporator; conduit means interconnecting the aforesaid components, said conduit means including valve means operative in a first state for directing refrigerant flow from said compressor through said condenser and thence through said first evaporator in a first direction and operative in a second state for directing refrigerant flow from said compressor through said first evaporator in a direction opposite said first direction and thence through said second evaporator whereby, in said second state, heat is transferred from said second evaporator to said mass over a temperature differential established by prior operation with said valve means in said first state, which temperature differential is substantially less than the temperature differential between said second evaporator and said condenser.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A refrigeration system as set forth in claim 1 comprising first and second metering devices, one being interposed between said condenser and said first evaporator and the second metering device being interposed between the first metering device and said second evaporator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A refrigeration system as set forth in claim 2 wherein one end of said first evaporator is connected between said metering devices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
169 words
In a refrigerator having a chilled compartment and a freezing compartment, a refrigeration system comprising: in said chilling compartment, a mass providing appreciable thermal inertia; thermally coupled to said mass, a first evaporator; outside said compartments, a condenser; a compressor; in said freezing compartment, a second evaporator; conduit means interconnecting said compressor, said condenser, and said first and second evaporators, said conduit means including valving means operative in a first state for directing refrigerant flow from said compressor through said condenser and thence through said first evaporator in a first direction and operative in a second state for directing refrigerant flow from said compressor through said first evaporator in a direction opposite said first direction and thence through said second evaporator whereby, in said second state, heat is transferred from said second evaporator to said mass over a temperature differential established by prior operation with said valve means in said first state, which temperature differential is substantially less than the temperature differential between said second evaporator and said condenser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
169 words
In a refrigerator having a chilled compartment and a freezing compartment, a refrigeration system comprising: in said chilling compartment, a mass providing appreciable thermal inertia; thermally coupled to said mass, a first evaporator; outside said compartments, a condenser; a compressor; in said freezing compartment, a second evaporator; conduit means interconnecting said compressor, said condenser, and said first and second evaporators, said conduit means including valving means operative in a first state for directing refrigerant flow from said compressor through said condenser and thence through said first evaporator in a first direction and operative in a second state for directing refrigerant flow from said compressor through said first evaporator in a direction opposite said first direction and thence through said second evaporator whereby, in said second state, heat is transferred from said second evaporator to said mass over a temperature differential established by prior operation with said valve means in said first state, which temperature differential is substantially less than the temperature differential between said second evaporator and said condenser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A refrigerator system as set forth in claim 4 further comprising a thermostatically controlled fan coupled to said mass for controlling absorption of heat from said chilling compartment.
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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) | 1992-09-04 | 1993-03-06 | 1993-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-04 | 1997-03-06 | 1997-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-04 | 2001-03-06 | 2001-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |