Patent · US Active

Refrigerator and method for controlling the same

US7765815B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
3References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 25, 2006
Grant dateAug 3, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 3, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02B40/00
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A refrigerator which includes a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, a first evaporator and a second evaporator corresponding to the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment, respectively, a compressor compressing refrigerant to be supplied to the first and second evaporators, a first fan and a second fan supplying cool air to the compartments, respectively, an external temperature sensor detecting an external temperature of the refrigerator, a multi-directional valve supplying the refrigerant to at least one of the evaporators, and a control unit operating the compressor and the multi-directional valve, and driving the first fan and the second fan until temperatures of the compartments reach a predetermined reference temperature. When the detected external temperature meets a low temperature condition, the control unit controls the multi-directional valve to supply the refrigerant to the first evaporator such that the compressor is operated and an operation of the first fan is halted.

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