Controlled DC power supply for a refrigeration appliance
US6014325A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jan 11, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S323/908
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A controlled DC power supply for a refrigeration appliance is disclosed for reducing heat dissipation and power loss. The refrigeration appliance has AC-powered components, such as compressors and fans, and DC-powered components, such as relays and solenoids. The relays operate to supply AC power from an AC input to the AC-powered components. The relays are selectively activated or deactivated by the controller through enable signals in response to factors such as time and/or temperature. The power supply has an AC-to-DC power conversion circuit for converting AC power at an AC input to one or more DC power outputs for powering DC-powered components. When a group of DC-powered components powered by the same DC power output, such as a group of relays, do not require DC power, the controller selectively disables or reduces a portion of the AC-to-DC power conversion circuit to reduce power consumption and heat dissipation therein. The AC-to-DC power conversion circuit also may utilize a transformerless (reactive) input stage and a dual-output, dual-polarity DC output stage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.