Method and apparatus for maintaining a uniform temperature in a refrigeration system
US8056349B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 2007 |
| Grant date | Nov 15, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D2400/20
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A refrigeration apparatus includes an air chiller, a storage enclosure defining a compartment, a duct system, and a valve system. The air chiller blows chilled air into the duct system. The compartment has a first and a second opening, each of which is coupled to the duct system. The valve system has valves that can be moved to route the chilled air so that it enters into the first opening and exits the second opening, or vice versa. In one implementation, the first opening is at the top of the compartment and the second opening is at the bottom of the compartment, and the valve system is controlled by a control circuit that periodically switches the valves (via an actuator) to change the direction of the chilled air. This effectively maintains a relatively uniform temperature throughout the compartment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.