REFRIGERATOR HAVING TWO EVAPORATORS

Abstract

A refrigerator with first and second chambers includes a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, a condenser configured to condense the compressed refrigerant while cooling the refrigerant, a first evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant to cool the first chamber, a second evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant to cool the second chamber, and a valve mechanism connected to control a flow of the refrigerant relative to the evaporators in three different modes. The valve mechanism is configured to provide the refrigerant to the first evaporator and not the second evaporator in a first mode, to provide the refrigerant to the second evaporator and not the first evaporator in a second mode, and to provide the refrigerant to the first and second evaporators in a third mode. In the third mode, the refrigerant may pass the first and second evaporators sequentially or in parallel.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in priority Korean Application No. 10-2005-0134512, filed on Dec. 29, 2005, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This disclosure relates to a refrigerator having two evaporators and, more particularly, to a refrigerator having two evaporators capable of precisely controlling temperature of a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber by using two evaporators that cool the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, in a direct cooling type refrigerator, an evaporator is tightly attached in a refrigerating chamber or a freezing chamber, or a mounting plate of the freezing chamber itself is formed as an evaporator to directly cool the refrigerating chamber or the freezing chamber. Recently, an indirect cooling type refrigerator in which cooling air is injected to the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber has been commonly used. Compared with the indirect cooling type refrigerator, the direct cooling type refrigerator is operated based on a principle that cooling air of the evaporator is directly supplied to the refrigerating chamber or freezing chamber according to a natural convection phenomenon of cooled air around the evaporator, instead of separately generating a large quantity of cooling air.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of general configuration of a cabinet of a refrigerator with a refrigerating chamber 10 and a freezing chamber 20. FIG. 2 illustrates a side view to show the construction of a direct cooling type refrigerator. FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a serial type refrigerating cycle of the direct cooling type refrigerator of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the direct cooling type refrigerator 9 has a refrigerating cycle in which two evaporators 50 and 60 are connected in series. The direct cooling type refrigerator 9 includes a cabinet 1 having a refrigerating chamber 10 and a freezing chamber 20, and a compressor 30 for compressing a refrigerant of a refrigerating cycle. Typically, compressor 30 is formed at a lower portion of the cabinet 1. The refrigerator further includes a condenser 40 for receiving compressed refrigerant in a direction as illustrated by reference numeral 88 along refrigerant passage 99 and condensing the refrigerant while emanating heat, a first evaporator 50 tightly attached on a rear surface of the refrigerating chamber 10 and cooling the refrigerating chamber 10 by evaporating the refrigerant from the condenser 40, a second evaporator 60 tightly attached on a rear surface of the freezing chamber 20 and connected with the first evaporator 50 in series in order to evaporate the refrigerant from the first evaporator 50 to thus cool the freezing chamber 20, and a valve 80 for selectively opening a first tube 81 that connects the condenser 40 and the first evaporator 50 and a second tube 82 that connects the condenser 40 and the second evaporator 60.

As explained above, in this example, the first evaporator 50 cools the refrigerating chamber 10 of the cabinet 1 of the refrigerator, and the second evaporator 60 cools the freezing chamber 20 of the cabinet 1 of the refrigerator.

In this example of a refrigerating cycle having the two evaporators 50 and 60, when a hot food item is received in the refrigerating chamber 10, for example, an increase in temperature within the refrigerating chamber 10 is detected and a refrigerant is controlled to circulate in the first evaporator 50 to cool the refrigerating chamber. In this case, however, even if the freezing chamber 20 has been sufficiently cooled, the refrigerant is also circulated in the second evaporator 60 of the freezing chamber 20. Thus, the freezing chamber 20 will be unnecessarily over-cooled while the refrigerating chamber 10 is not sufficiently cooled because of the additional unnecessary burden of cooling the freezing chamber 20.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a parallel type refrigerating cycle of the direct cooling type refrigerator of FIG. 2. With reference to FIG. 4, the direct cooling type refrigerator 9 may have a refrigerating cycle in which the two evaporators 50 and 60 are connected in parallel. The direct cooling type refrigerator 9, as illustrated in FIG. 4, includes a compressor 30 for compressing a refrigerant of a refrigerating cycle, a condenser 40 for receiving the compressed refrigerant and condensing the refrigerant while emanating heat, a first evaporator 50 tightly attached on a rear surface of the refrigerating chamber 10 and cooling the refrigerating chamber by evaporating the refrigerant from the condenser 40, a second evaporator 60 tightly attached on a rear surface of the freezing chamber and connected to evaporate the refrigerant from the condenser 40 to thus cool the freezing chamber, and a valve 80 for selectively opening a first tube 81′ that connects the condenser 40 and the first evaporator 50 and a second tube 82′ that connects the condenser 40 and the second evaporator 60.

In this example, the first evaporator 50 cools the refrigerating chamber 10 of the cabinet 1 of the refrigerator, and the second evaporator 60 cools the freezing chamber 20 of the cabinet 1 of the refrigerator.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, where the first and second evaporators 50 and 60 are connected in parallel with the condenser 40, one of the first and second evaporators 50 and 60 can be merely selectively operated but simultaneous operation of both evaporators may result in overload at the compressor or accumulator.

If the first and second evaporators 50 and 60, which are connected in parallel, are simultaneously operated, because the first and second evaporators 50 and 60 have different evaporating environment and different evaporating capacity, pressure at an outlet of the first evaporator 50 and that of the second evaporator 60 may be different. Because of this, although not shown in the drawing, an accumulator positioned between the evaporators 50 and 60 and/or the compressor 30 may be overloaded. Thus, when the first and second evaporators 50 and 60 are arranged in parallel, the evaporators 50 and 60 may not be able to be operated simultaneously.

As explained, in the refrigerating cycle of the refrigerator in which the first and second evaporators 50 and 60 are connected in parallel, the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber can be independently operated to separately control temperature therein, respectively. But even when temperature of external air increases to be high or hot food items are simultaneously received in the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber, the two evaporators 50a and 60 may not be simultaneously operated, which may result in a failure to quickly cool the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber at a desired set temperature.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, a refrigerator includes first and second chambers, a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, a condenser configured to condense the compressed refrigerant while cooling the refrigerant, a first evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant to cool the first chamber, a second evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant to cool the second chamber, and a valve mechanism connected to control a flow of the refrigerant relative to the evaporators in three different modes.

The valve mechanism may be configured to provide the refrigerant to the first evaporator and not the second evaporator in a first mode, to provide the refrigerant to the second evaporator and not the first evaporator in a second mode, and to provide the refrigerant to the first and second evaporators in a third mode. The valve mechanism may be configured to pass the refrigerant through the first and second evaporators sequentially or in parallel in the third mode. The refrigerator may further includes a regulator configured to control refrigerant pressure of either the first evaporator or the second evaporator.

Implementations of the refrigerator may allow the independent operation of the two evaporators. Only one of the two evaporators may operate or the two evaporators may operate at the same time.

Implementations may precisely control temperatures of chambers, such as a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, cooled by two evaporators by independently operating the evaporators connected in series. These or other implementations may simultaneously operate two evaporators although the two evaporators are connected in parallel. These or other implementations may quickly cool a refrigerating chamber or a freezing chamber without degrading efficiency of a refrigerating cycle of the refrigerator although a food item with a temperature higher than desired is put in a refrigerating chamber or a freezing chamber.

In another general aspect, a refrigerator includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for condensing the compressed refrigerant, a first evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant from the condenser, and a second evaporator connected with the first evaporator and evaporating the refrigerant from the first evaporator., The refrigerator further includes a first valve installed between the condenser and the first evaporator and selectively connecting one of a first pipe that supplies the refrigerant from the condenser to the first evaporator and a second pipe that supplies the refrigerant from the condenser to the second evaporator without passing the refrigerant through the first evaporator, and a second valve installed between the first and second evaporators and selectively connecting a third pipe that supplies the refrigerant from the first evaporator to the second evaporator and a fourth pipe that supplies the refrigerant from the first evaporator to an outlet of the second evaporator without passing the refrigerant through the second evaporator.

Although the first and second evaporators are connected in series, because the first valve selectively connects the first and second pipes, the refrigerant can flow directly to the second evaporator without passing through the first evaporator, and because the second valve selectively connects one of the third and fourth pipes, the refrigerant can flow to the compressor without passing through the second evaporator. In this manner, the first and second evaporators can be independently operated.

The first evaporator cools the refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator, and the second evaporator cools the freezing chamber of the refrigerator. Temperature sensors for measuring temperature may be mounted in the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber.

Accordingly, when a hot food item is suddenly put in the cooling space (e.g., the refrigerating chamber) that is cooled by the first evaporator so the increase in the temperature of the refrigerating chamber is detected, the first valve connects the first pipe and the second valve connects the fourth pipe, to thus concentratively cool the refrigerating chamber.

Likewise, when temperature of the freezing chamber cooled by the second evaporator goes up to above a certain value, the first valve connects the second pipe and the second valve connects the third pipe, to thus concentratively cool only the freezing chamber.

The first and second valves may be formed as a three-way valve that can selectively connect one of the first and second pipes and the third and fourth pipes.

In another general aspect, a refrigerator includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for condensing the compressed refrigerant, a first evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant from the condenser, and a second evaporator connected with the first evaporator and evaporating the refrigerant from the first evaporator. The refrigerator may further include a valve installed at an outlet of the condenser and selecting one of a first pipe that supplies the refrigerant from the condenser to the first evaporator and a second pipe that supplies the refrigerant from the condenser to the second evaporator or simultaneously connecting the first and second pipes, and a regulating valve installed at an outlet of the first or second evaporator and controlling pressure of the refrigerant.

Although the first and second evaporators are connected in parallel, a pressure difference can be controlled by the regulating valve that controls pressure of the outlets of the first or second evaporators so that the valve can allow the first and second pipes to be connected to simultaneously supply the refrigerant to the first and second evaporators to drive them.

Herein, the first evaporator cools the refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator and the second evaporator cools the refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator. The regulating valve may be installed at the outlet of the second evaporator to lower pressure at the outlet of the second evaporator. This is because the refrigerant pressure of the second evaporator that cools the freezing chamber is generally higher than that of the first evaporator that cools the refrigerating chamber.

Temperature sensors for measuring temperature may be installed in the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber. If the temperature of the refrigerating chamber and the temperature of the freezing chamber are sensed to be simultaneously high, the valve simultaneously connects the first and second pipes to simultaneously cool the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber.

When ambient temperature of the refrigerator increases, preferably, the valve simultaneously connects the first and second pipes to simultaneously cool the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber.

The second pipe connected with the second evaporator that cools the freezing chamber generally has a larger diameter than that of the first pipe to transfer much refrigerant.

Other features will be apparent from the following description, including the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a general configuration of a cabinet of a refrigerator;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the construction of a direct cooling type refrigerator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a serial type refrigerating cycle of the direct cooling type refrigerator of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram a parallel type refrigerating cycle of the direct cooling type refrigerator of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a serial type refrigerating cycle having two evaporators; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a parallel type refrigerating cycle having two evaporators.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a serial type refrigerating cycle having two evaporators. As shown in FIG. 5, a refrigerator in which two evaporators are connected in series includes a compressor 30 for compressing a refrigerant of a refrigerating cycle; a condenser 40 for receiving the compressed refrigerant and condensing the refrigerant while emanating heat; a first evaporator 50 tightly attached on a rear surface of the refrigerating chamber 10 and cooling the refrigerating chamber 10 by evaporating the refrigerant from the condenser 40; a second evaporator 60 tightly attached on a rear surface of the freezing chamber 20 and connected with the first evaporator 50 in series in order to evaporate the refrigerant to thus cool the freezing chamber 20; a first valve 80 for controlling a flow passage of the refrigerant from the condenser 40; and a second valve for controlling a flow passage of the refrigerant from the first evaporator 50. Typically, temperature sensors (not shown) are adapted to measure the temperatures of the refrigerating chamber 10 and the freezing chamber 20.

In this example, the first valve 80 controls the flow of the refrigerant from the condenser 40 by selecting among the first pipe 81 that supplies the refrigerant from the condenser 40 to the first evaporator 50 and the second pipe 82 that supplies the refrigerant from the condenser 40 to an inlet 82a of the second evaporator 60 without passing the refrigerant through the first evaporator 50.

The second valve 100 controls the flow of the refrigerant from the first evaporator 50 by selecting among a third pipe 101 that supplies the refrigerant from the first evaporator 50 to the second evaporator 60 and a fourth pipe 102 that supplies the refrigerant from the first evaporator 50 to the output of the second evaporator 60 without passing it through the second evaporator 60.

The operation of the one implementation as described above will now be explained.

When temperature of the refrigerating chamber 10 exceeds a certain value because, for example, a hot food item is put in the refrigerating chamber 10, it is not necessary to excessively cool the freezing chamber but it is necessary to quickly cool the refrigerating chamber 10 to a certain set temperature. Thus, in this case, the first valve 80 is operated to connect the condenser 40 with the first pipe 81 and the second valve 100 is operated to connect the first evaporator 50 with the fourth pipe 102. In this arrangement, only the first evaporator 50 operates to cool the refrigerating chamber 10, while the second evaporator 60 does not cool the freezing chamber 20.

When temperature of the freezing chamber 20 goes up to above a certain value because, for example, a hot food item is put in the freezing chamber 20, it is not necessary to additionally cool the refrigerating chamber 10 but it is necessary to quickly cool the freezing chamber 20 to below a certain set temperature. Thus, in this case, the first valve 80 connects the condenser 40 with the second pipe 82, in order to operate only the second evaporator 60 that cools the freezing chamber 20. In this case, the first evaporator 50 that cools the refrigerating chamber 10 is not operated. The second valve 100 may be configured to actively involved to guide the refrigerant from the pipe 82 into pipe 101 and then into the second evaporator 60.

When each temperature of the refrigerating chamber 10 and the freezing chamber 20 simultaneously goes up to above a certain value as hot food items are simultaneously put in the refrigerating chamber 10 and the freezing chamber 20, the refrigerating chamber 10 and the freezing chamber 20 need to be cooled simultaneously. In this case, the first valve 80 is operated to connect the condenser 40 and the first pipe 81 and the second valve 100 operates to connect the first evaporator 50 and the third pipe 101. In this arrangement, the refrigerant sequentially passes the first evaporator 50 and the second evaporator 60, thereby simultaneously cooling the refrigerating chamber 10 and the freezing chamber 20.

In this implementation, although the first and second evaporators 50 and 60 are connected in series, the first and second evaporators 50 and 60 can be independently driven. Accordingly, temperature of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber can be precisely controlled to a level set by a user, and when the loads of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber increase simultaneously, the two evaporators can be simultaneously operated to improve load corresponding capability.

The first and second valves 80 and 100 as shown in FIG. 5 can be referred to as controlling the refrigerant flow in three different modes. In the first mode, the first valve 80 provides the refrigerant from the condenser 40 to the first evaporator 50 and the second valve 100 provides the refrigerant from the first evaporator 50 to the compressor 30. Therefore, only the first evaporator 50 works to cool the refrigerating chamber 10.

In the second mode, the first valve 80 provides the refrigerant from the condenser 40 to the second evaporator 60, thereby skipping the first evaporator 50. Therefore, only the second evaporator 60 works to cool the freezing chamber 20.

In the third mode, the first valve 80 provides the refrigerant from the condenser 40 to the first evaporator 50 and the second valve 100 provides the refrigerant from the first evaporator 50 to the second evaporator 60. Therefore, both the first and second evaporators 50 and 60 work to respectively cool the refrigerating and freezing chambers 10 and 20.

The refrigerating cycle of the refrigerator according to another implementation will now be described.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a parallel type refrigerating cycle having two evaporators. As shown in FIG. 6, the refrigerator in which two evaporators are connected in parallel includes a compressor 30 for compressing a refrigerant of a refrigerating cycle; a condenser 40 for receiving the compressed refrigerant and condensing the refrigerant while emanating heat; a first evaporator 50 tightly attached on a rear surface of the refrigerating chamber 10 and cooling the refrigerating chamber 10 by evaporating the refrigerant from the condenser 40; a second evaporator 60 tightly attached on a rear surface of the freezing chamber 20 and cooling the freezing chamber 10 by evaporating the refrigerant from the condenser 40, which is connected with the condenser 40 in parallel with the first evaporator 50,; a valve 80′ for controlling the refrigerant flow to the first and/or second pipes 81′ and 82′, which are respectively connected to the first and second evaporators 50 and 60; and a regulating valve or a regulator 200 for regulating pressure of the refrigerant which has passed through the second evaporator 60 at an outlet of the second evaporator 60. Typically, temperature sensors (not shown) are adapted to measure the temperatures of the refrigerating chamber 10 and the freezing chamber 20.

Instead of being installed at the outlet of the second evaporator 60, the regulating valve or regulator 200 may be installed at an outlet of the first evaporator 50 that cools the refrigerating chamber 10 to regulate the pressure of the refrigerant which has passed through the first evaporator 50.

In order to supply enough refrigerant to the second evaporator 60 that cools the freezing chamber 20, the second pipe 82′ typically has a larger diameter than that of the first pipe 81′.

The operation of the implementation illustrated in FIG. 6 will now be explained.

When the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 10 goes up to above a certain value because, for example, a hot food item is put in the refrigerating chamber 10, it is not necessary to excessively cool the freezing chamber 20, but it is necessary to quickly cool the refrigerating chamber 10 to a certain set temperature. Thus, in this case, the valve 80′ is operated to connect the condenser 40 with the first pipe 81′ in order to operate only the first evaporator 50.

When temperature of the freezing chamber 20 goes up to above a certain value as a hot food item is put in the freezing chamber 20, it is not necessary to additionally cool the refrigerating chamber 10 but it is necessary to quickly cool the freezing chamber 20 to below a certain set temperature. Thus, in this case, the valve 80′ connects the condenser 40 with the second pipe 82′ in order to operate only the second evaporator 60.

When each temperature of the refrigerating chamber 10 and the freezing chamber 20 simultaneously goes up to above a certain value as hot food items are simultaneously put in both the refrigerating chamber 10 and the freezing chamber 20, or when the ambient temperature of the refrigerator suddenly goes up, the refrigerating chamber 10 and the freezing chamber 20 need to be cooled simultaneously. In this case, the valve 80′ simultaneously connects the condenser 40 with the first and second pipes 81′ and 82′ to simultaneously operate the first and second evaporators 50 and 60.

When both the first and second evaporators 50 and 60 work, because pressure at an outlet of the second evaporator 60 that cools the freezing chamber 20 is generally higher than that of the first evaporator 50, the regulating valve 200 controls the pressure at the outlet of the second evaporator 60 to reduce the pressure difference between the first and second evaporators 50 and 60. This pressure regulation prevents the overload of the compressor 30 and/or an accumulator positioned between the evaporators 50 and 60 (not shown). As previously mentioned, the regulating valve 200 may be installed at the outlet of the first evaporator 50 to control the pressure there.

According to this implementation, when the first and second evaporators 50 and 60 are connected in parallel, the first evaporator 50 and the second evaporator 60 can operate simultaneously and/or independently. Accordingly, the temperatures of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber can be independently controlled to levels set by the user.

The valve 80′ shown in FIG. 6 can be referred to as controlling the refrigerant flow in three different modes. In the first mode, the valve 80′ provides the refrigerant from the condenser 40 to the first evaporator 50 only. Therefore, only the first evaporator 50 works to cool the refrigerating chamber 10.

In the second mode, the valve 80′ provides the refrigerant from the condenser 40 to the second evaporator 60 only. Therefore, only the second evaporator 60 works to cool the freezing chamber 20.

In the third mode, the valve 80′ provides the refrigerant from the condenser 40 to both of the first and second evaporators 50 and 60. Therefore, both the first and second evaporators 50 and 60 work to respectively cool the refrigerating and freezing chambers 10 and 20.

A certain implementation of the serial type refrigerator includes a compressor 30 for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser 40 for condensing the compressed refrigerant, a first evaporator 50 for evaporating the refrigerant from the condenser 40, a second evaporator 60 connected with the first evaporator 50 and evaporating the refrigerant from the first evaporator 50, a first valve 80 installed between the condenser 40 and the first evaporator 50 and selectively connecting one of a first pipe 81 that supplies the refrigerant from the condenser 40 to the first evaporator 50 and a second pipe 82 that supplies the refrigerant from the condenser 40 to the second evaporator 60 without passing it through the first evaporator 50, and a second valve 100 installed between the first evaporator 50 and the second evaporator 60 and selectively connecting a third pipe 101 that supplies the refrigerant from the first evaporator 50 to the second evaporator 60 and a fourth pipe 102 that supplies the refrigerant from the first evaporator 50 to an outlet of the second evaporator 60 without passing it through the second evaporator 60, whereby the first evaporator 50 and the second evaporator 60 can be independently operated.

Accordingly, temperature of the refrigerating chamber 10 and the freezing chamber 20 can be precisely controlled to a level set by the user, and when the loads of the refrigerating chamber 10 and the freezing chamber 20 increase simultaneously, the two evaporators 50 and 60 are simultaneously operated to thus improve load corresponding capability.

A certain implementation of the parallel type refrigerator includes a compressor 30 for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser 40 for condensing the compressed refrigerant, a first and second evaporators 50 and 60 for evaporating the refrigerant from the condenser 40, a valve 80′ installed at an outlet of the condenser 40 and selecting one of a first pipe 81′ that supplies the refrigerator from the condenser 40 to the first evaporator 50 and a second pipe 82′ that supplies the refrigerant from the condenser 40 to the second evaporator 60 or simultaneously connecting the first and second pipes 81′ and 82′, and a regulating valve 200 installed at an outlet of the first evaporator 50 or the second evaporator 60 and controlling pressure of the refrigerant, whereby the refrigerant can be simultaneously supplied to the first evaporator 50 and the second evaporator 60 to drive them.

Accordingly, temperatures of the refrigerating chamber 10 and the freezing chamber 20 can be precisely controlled to levels set by the user, and when the loads of the refrigerating chamber 10 and the freezing chamber 20 increase simultaneously, the two evaporators 50 and 60 are simultaneously operated to thus quickly cool the refrigerating chamber 10 or the freezing chamber 20 without degrading the efficiency of the refrigerating cycle of the refrigerator.

Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerator with first and second chambers, the refrigerator comprising:

a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant;

a condenser configured to condense the compressed refrigerant while cooling the refrigerant;

a first evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant to cool the first chamber;

a second evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant to cool the second chamber; and

a valve mechanism connected to control a flow of the refrigerant relative to the evaporators in three different modes.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the valve mechanism is configured to provide the refrigerant to the first evaporator and not the second evaporator in a first mode, to provide the refrigerant to the second evaporator and not the first evaporator in a second mode, and to provide the refrigerant to the first and second evaporators in a third mode.

3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the valve mechanism is configured to pass the refrigerant through the first and second evaporators sequentially in the third mode.

4. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the valve mechanism is configured to pass the refrigerant to the first and second evaporators in parallel in the third mode.

5. The refrigerator of claim 4, further comprising a regulator configured to control refrigerant pressure of either the first evaporator or the second evaporator.

6. The refrigerator of claim 4, further comprising a regulator configured to control refrigerant pressure at an outlet of the first evaporator.

7. The refrigerator of claim 4, further comprising a regulator configured to control refrigerant pressure at an outlet of the second evaporator.

8. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the mode of the valve mechanism is determined based on temperatures of the first and second chambers.

9. A refrigerator with first and second chambers, the refrigerator comprising:

a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant;

a condenser configured to condense the compressed refrigerant while cooling the refrigerant;

a first evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant to cool the first chamber;

a second evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant to cool the second chamber;

a first valve configured to control a flow of the refrigerant from the condenser; and

a second valve configured to control a flow of the refrigerant from the first evaporator.

10. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the first and second valves are configured to operate in three different modes.

11. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein the first valve is configured to provide the refrigerant from the condenser to the first evaporator in a first mode and in a third mode, and to provide the refrigerant from the condenser to the second evaporator in a second mode, and wherein the second valve is configured to provide the refrigerant from the first evaporator to the compressor in the first mode, and to provide the refrigerant from the first evaporator to the second evaporator in the third mode.

12. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein the mode of the first and second valves is determined based on temperatures of the first and second chambers.

13. A refrigerator with first and second chambers, the refrigerator comprising:

a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant;

a condenser configured to condense the compressed refrigerant while cooling the refrigerant;

a first evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant to cool the first chamber;

a second evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant to cool the second chamber; and

a valve configured to control a flow of the refrigerant relative to the evaporators in three different modes.

14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the valve is configured to provide the refrigerant from the condenser to the first evaporator and not the second evaporator in a first mode, to provide the refrigerant from the condenser to the second evaporator and not the first evaporator in a second mode, and to provide the refrigerant from the condenser to the first and second evaporators in parallel in a third mode.

15. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the mode of the valve is determined based on temperatures of the first and second chambers.

16. The refrigerator of claim 13, further comprising a regulator configured to control refrigerant pressure of either the first evaporator or the second evaporator.

17. The refrigerator of claim 13, further comprising a regulator configured to control refrigerant pressure at an outlet of the first evaporator.

18. The refrigerator of claim 13, further comprising a regulator configured to control refrigerant pressure at an outlet of the second evaporator.

19. A method of manufacturing a refrigerator, comprising:

providing a cabinet with first and second chambers;

installing a first evaporator to cool the first chamber;

installing a second evaporator to cool the second chamber; and

installing a valve mechanism to control a flow of a refrigerant relative to the evaporators in three different modes.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the valve mechanism is configured to provide the refrigerant to the first evaporator and not the second evaporator in a first mode, to provide the refrigerant to the second evaporator and not the first evaporator in a second mode, and to provide the refrigerant to the first and second evaporators in a third mode.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising installing a regulator to control refrigerant pressure of either the first evaporator or the second evaporator.