Patent · US Expired

Convertible refrigerator-freezer

US7051539B2 · kind B2 · utility

26Cited by
16References
38Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 12, 2003
Grant dateMay 30, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 15, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF25D2400/34
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A refrigerator freezer having an upper refrigerator compartment and a lower below freezing freezer compartment. The upper compartment can be a convertible compartment selectively operable by the user as an above freezing refrigerator compartment or as a below freezing freezer compartment. The evaporator for supplying refrigerated air is located in the upper compartment along with an auxiliary heater and upper compartment thermostat to control the temperature in the upper compartment. A control discharges an amount of refrigerated air to the upper compartment for refrigerator operation and a larger amount of refrigerated air for freezer operation. The control also energizes the auxiliary heater under control of the upper compartment thermostat during refrigerator operation to assure above freezing temperatures in the upper compartment. A low ambient heater can be provided for the upper compartment for use of the refrigerator freezer in low ambient temperature conditions such as an unheated garage.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.