US5402656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spread serpentine refrigerator evaporator
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1994-08-22
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Granted: 1995-04-04
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Expires: 2014-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A refrigerator evaporator is formed in a spread serpentine configuration having a plurality of straight tube segments and a plurality of bent tube segments where each one of the straight tube segments is joined at an acute angle to at least one other straight tube segment. The straight tube segments are arranged in a number of planar rows which are adjacent and parallel to one another. Approximately 25-50 percent of the cross-sectional area of the evaporator is not occupied by tubing or any attached fins. A cross flow blower disposed at one end of the evaporator draws air longitudinally over the evaporator.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinz Jaster
- 👤 Russell S. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:44
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D23/00; F25D23/006; F28; F28D; F28D7/00; F28D7/08; F28D7/082; F25B; F25B39/00; F25B39/02; F25D17/00; F25D17/04; F25D17/06; F25D17/062; F25D17/065; F28D7/005; F25B2500/00; F25B2500/01; F25D2317/00; F25D2317/06; F25D2317/065; F25D2317/0654; F25D2317/066; F25D2317/0664; F25D2400/00; F25D2400/04; F28D21/00; F28D2021/0019; F28D2021/0068; F28D2021/0071
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A refrigerator comprising: a refrigerated compartment having an upper rear portion; an evaporator chamber located entirely in said upper rear portion of said refrigerated compartment; an evaporator disposed in said evaporator chamber, said evaporator including an elongated tube having a plurality of straight tube segments and a plurality of bent tube segments formed in a serpentine arrangement, wherein each one of said bent tube segments joins two of said straight tube segments and each one of said straight tube segments is joined by one of said bent tube segments to at least one other of said straight tube segments at an acute angle so as to define a non-parallel relationship; and a cross flow blower disposed in said evaporator chamber at one end of said evaporator so as to cause air to flow longitudinally over said evaporator, said cross flow blower having a rotational axis which is disposed vertically in said evaporator chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A refrigerator comprising: a refrigerated compartment having an upper rear portion; an evaporator chamber located entirely in said upper rear portion of said refrigerated compartment; an evaporator disposed in said evaporator chamber, said evaporator including an elongated tube having a plurality of straight tube segments and a plurality of bent tube segments formed in a serpentine arrangement, wherein each one of said bent tube segments joins two of said straight tube segments and each one of said straight tube segments is joined by one of said bent tube segments to at least one other of said straight tube segments at an acute angle so as to define a non-parallel relationship; and a cross flow blower disposed in said evaporator chamber at one end of said evaporator so as to cause air to flow longitudinally over said evaporator, said cross flow blower having a rotational axis which is disposed vertically in said evaporator chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein said straight tube segments are arranged in at least one planar row.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein said straight tube segments are arranged in a plurality of planar rows, said planar rows being arranged adjacent and parallel to one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The refrigerator of claim 3 wherein there are three of said planar rows.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein said elongated tube defines a tube volume and about 25-50 percent of the cross-sectional area of said evaporator is not occupied by said tube volume.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2200502A
Cited
FR2241219A7
Cited
JPS534244A
Cited
US4269035A
Cited
US5067322A
Cited
US5193359A
Cited
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Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-04-03 | 1998-10-03 | 1999-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-03 | 2002-10-03 | 2003-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-03 | 2006-10-03 | 2007-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |