Fan motor on/off control system for a refrigeration appliance
US5918474A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 6, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B40/00
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A refrigeration appliance and control system for efficiently operating the evaporator and condenser fan motors of the refrigeration appliance to reduce the total energy consumed by the appliance are disclosed. The control system operates to turn the evaporator fan motor on only after the evaporator has cooled to its operating temperature to avoid premature and inefficient use of the evaporator fan motor. The control system also permits the evaporator fan motor to continue running after the compressor is turned off to utilize the residual cooling capacity of the evaporator. In an embodiment, a secondary control system also operates to turn a condenser fan motor on only after the condenser reaches its operating temperature and operates to turn the condenser fan motor off only after the compressor is turned off and the condenser cools to a shutoff temperature below its operating temperature. The control systems may operate to delay the normal operation of the evaporator and condenser fan motors to provide for their most efficient use. The delay in operation may be determined by predetermined time intervals with respect to activation and deactivation of the compressor of the refrigerat…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.