Abstract: An air circulation system for a refrigeration apparatus provides a controllable baffle to selectively open or close an air outlet port. Particularly, the refrigeration apparatus includes an evaporator and an evaporator fan for providing flow of refrigerated air. A fresh food compartment is to be cooled by the refrigerated air. An air inlet passage is provided in communication with the fan and compartment for delivering refrigerated air to the compartment. An air outlet passage is provided in communication with the compartment and the fan for returning air from the compartment to the fan. A baffle is mounted at the compartment air outlet and has an open position allowing movement of air through the compartment, and a closed position preventing movement of air through the compartment. A control is provided for selectively opening the baffle in response to the compartment temperature being above a desired temperature, and to close the baffle when the compartment temperature is below the desired temperature.

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet has a valve controlling the amount of cooled air flowing from a cooling chamber having an evaporator to a fresh food compartment to control the ratio of the air flow from the cooling chamber to a freezer compartment and the fresh food compartment. The valve is retained in a predetermined position at the time of assembly by a duct cover, which is forward of an evaporator cover in the freezer compartment, having a frangible key on its front wall extend through an opening in a disc of the valve. If a user deems the freezer compartment too hot or too cold, a service person breaks the frangible key with pliers, for example, after removing the duct cover and rotates the valve to one of a plurality of selected positions to change the air flow. The dics has a plurality of notches in its periphery for cooperation with a second key on the front wall of the duct cover to hold the valve in its selected position.

Abstract: An air circulation system for a refrigeration apparatus provides a controllable baffle for selectively opening or closing dual output ports. Particularly, the refrigeration apparatus includes an evaporator and an evaporator fan providing flow of refrigerated air. The fresh food compartment is to be cooled by the refrigerated air. First and second air inlet passages are provided in communication with the fan and upper and lower zones in the compartment for delivering refrigerated air in the compartment. First and second air outlet passages are provided in communication with the compartment and the fan for returning air from the compartment upper and lower zones to the fan. A baffle is mounted at the first and second air outlets and has independent open positions for each outlet allowing movement of air through its associated zone, and a closed position for each outlet preventing movement of air through such zone.

Abstract: An air baffle for a refrigeration apparatus is provided with means for preventing freeze up of the baffle. The baffle includes a fixed plate and a movable plate each having corresponding apertures therethrough for permitting the control of air flow to a fresh food compartment. The fixed plate is provided with a heating device molded therein which is operable to maintain the fixed plate above the freezing temperature to prevent moisture from freezing thereon. Additionally, spacer means are provided for maintaining the movable plate in spaced relation with the fixed plate, and for preventing the movable plate from coming into contact with an actuator device. The spacer means add to the prevention of freeze up problems as by minimizing moisture which might bridge and freeze up between the movable plates and the fixed plate, or the movable plate and the actuator device.

Abstract: A food compartment (I) and a freezer compartment (II) are both cooled by an evaporator coil mounted in the freezer compartment. An air damper assembly selectively allows cold air to flow from the freezer compartment to the food compartment to maintain a selected temperature in the food compartment. The air damper assembly includes a damper door (101) which is slidably mounted to a housing (110) to provide sufficient motive force to drive the damper door to one of the open and closed positions. The damper door is frictionally retained in the selected one of the opened and closed positions until a like momentary electrical pulse is applied to the other coil to drive the damper door to the other position. Optionally, momentary pulses may be applied intermittently to the same coil to assure that the door remains in the selected opened or closed position.

Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a damper controlling inflow of cold air into a compartment thereof, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature within the compartment, a damper drive device for driving the damper in accordance with the detected temperature in the compartment, a damper position detection device for detecting the open state and the closed state of the damper, a heater for defrosting the damper, an abnormality detection device, and a malfunction detection device. The abnormality detection device monitors the time that the damper drive device drives the damper, and when the driven time reaches a predetermined value, energizes the heater to defrost the damper. The malfunction detection device monitors the time that the heater is energized, and when the energization time of the heater reaches a predetermined value, deenergizes the heater.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for the control of electrical apparatus with particular reference to control by electric sensors, and with special reference to a control system for domestic appliances, such as refrigerators. The system may be adapted to control of appliances such as dishwashers, dryers, washers, stoves, etc. The preferred embodiment is microcomputer based. Thus, the system enables lower energy consumption, more accurate temperature maintenance and more effective servicing and monitoring of the mechanical condition of the apparatus to which it is applied.

Abstract: A refrigerator control for operating a refrigerator which may experience an abnormal temperature condition due to operation in low ambient temperatures includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of a portion of a refrigerator compartment in order to detect an abnormally low temperature in another portion of the compartment. If the compartment temperature at the end of a predetermined length of time since cooling was last supplied to the compartment is below a predetermined value, then an abnormal condition is assumed to exist and corrective action is taken to eliminate the abnormal condition. A preferred form of corrective action is to prevent compressor re-energization until the compartment temperature reaches a second predetermined value.

Abstract: In an improved control for a refrigerator, critical components such as fresh food and freezer compartment temperature sensors, temperature set devices and baffle are sampled to conform that each is operational. Upon diagnosis of a critical component failure or of multiple component failures, the control, using stored control parameters, operates the remaining components in a manner that will continue to preserve food.

Abstract: A refrigerator system, a control device therefor and methods of making and operating the same are provided, the system having a frozen food compartment and a non-frozen food compartment interconnected together by an air circulating unit that has a control valve unit therein for controlling the amount of opening of the air circulating unit between the compartments, the control valve unit comprising a housing having a movable valve member and a temperature sensing unit operatively interconnected to the valve member to control the position of the valve member in relation to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensing unit, the system having a fan for forcing an air flow through the air circulating unit from the frozen food compartment to the non-frozen food compartment when the fan is operating and the valve member is in an open condition thereof, the system having structure for causing the fan to be operating only when the valve member is in a certain open condition thereof.

Abstract: In an improved control for a refrigerator, critical components such as fresh food and freezer compartment temperature sensors, temperature set devices and baffle are sampled to confirm that each is operational. Upon diagnosis of a critical component failure or of multiple component failures, the control, using stored control parameters, operates the remaining components in a manner that will continue to preserve food.

Abstract: Apparatus and the method for directing cool air to stacks of containers holding freshly harvested produce and the like, to remove field heat therefrom. Air is caused to flow in one direction through the containers to cool the produce, then the airflow direction is reversed and the air is caused to flow in the opposite direction. In this way, the produce in the container is uinformly cooled. The apparatus includes a housing having a suction fan for blowing air through an air cooler into a plenum from which the cool air passes through the containers. The direction of airflow is selected by moving damper devices relative to the housing.

Abstract: An AC voltage motor switching circuit for a refrigerator control has a temperature responsive portion connected to provide gate current to an SCR which is connected with a reverse-poled diode to form a parallel combination, which together are in series with the AC motor and a charging capacitor. When the SCR is gated on, the SCR conducts positive half-waves of the voltage source and the diode conducts negative half-waves causing the capacitor to become an AC reactance device and, thus, the motor to be energized. When the SCR is gated off, only the negative half-waves of the AC signal are capable of being transmitted through the diode which fully charges the capacitor and prevents current flow through the windings of the motor to deeenergize the motor.

Abstract: A refrigerator-freezer has a separate controlled temperature compartment and method that includes a freezer air siphon for drawing air from a horizontal mid-portion of the freezer and mixing the freezer air within a plenum with air circulating through the separate compartment. An air return is provided to the freezer from the separate compartment, while an inlet in the plenum, at which is mounted a temperature sensor for controlling a fan, draws air from the compartment into the plenum for mixing and for recirculation.

Abstract: The baffle for controlling flow of chilled air through the divider wall between the frozen food and fresh food compartments of a refrigerator is coupled to a motor driven cam which indexes the baffle open or closed in response to commands from a conventional control unit. Electrical switches for controlling the compressor and defrost heater of the refrigerator are positioned axially along the cam to be operated selectively by concentric cam surfaces as the cam is rotated by the motor. A cam follower engages another concentric cam surface to operate another set of switches to apply rotational positional feedback signals to the control unit. The cam surfaces are shaped and the baffle is coupled to the cam such that unidirectional rotation of the cam in response to commands from the control unit operates the switches synchronously with the baffle to selectively cool the frozen food and fresh food compartments and defrost the evaporator.

Abstract: A multi-zone cold storage variable air volume air conditioning system for capacity effective averaging of continuously operable refrigeration cooling units of varied capacity and each operable at its optimum capacity and assigned to a separate zone space, wherein variable air volume by-pass ducts and zone dampers operate in response to zone space temperature, and characterized by a chilled water storage tank and pump circulating chilled water through a closed circuit and through a water conditioning coil, there being a downstream charging coil and an upstream re-cooling coil in the supply air duct upstream from the air conditioning coil of the cooling unit and each selectively in closed circuit through the chilled water storage tank, and control means therefor.

Abstract: An air flow system for a refrigerator having a refrigeration system including a condenser, evaporator, compressor, and thermostatic control. A freezer compartment is located at the top of the refrigerator and a fresh food compartment is located below the freezer compartment with the compartments being separated by a partition. An area above the fresh food compartment contains the evaporator and a fan for circulating air through the evaporator, which fan cycles on when the compressor is operating and off when the compressor is not operating. The air flow system includes an air duct having an upper end to receive cold air from the evaporator and a lower end having an air flow control assembly located in the fresh food compartment for discharging cold air into the fresh food compartment.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a mode-change chamber, having first and second dampers which may be selectively used as a freezer compartment, refrigeration compartment or chill compartment. When the freezer compartment mode is selected, the first damper permits the flow of cold air into the mode-change chamber to maintain the temperature in the mode-change chamber at a freezing temperature. When the refrigerating compartment mode is selected, the second damper permits the flow of cold air into the mode-change chamber to maintain the temperature in the mode-change chamber at the selected refrigeration temperature. When the chill compartment mode is selected, the control temperature of the second damper is forcibly expanded by a heater to maintain the temperature in the mode-change chamber at a chill temperature between the freezing and refrigeration temperatures.

Abstract: The baffle for controlling flow of chilled air through the divider wall between the frozen food and fresh food compartments of a refrigerator is coupled to a motor driven cam which indexes the baffle open or closed in response to commands from a conventional control unit. Electrical switches positioned around the control surface of the cam, actuated successively during rotation of the cam, operate the compressor, evaporator fan and defrost heater synchronously with the baffle to maintain the frozen food and fresh food compartments at desired temperatures and to control defrosting.

Abstract: A circuit for controllably positioning an air baffle to control flow of air from a freezer compartment to a fresh food compartment of a refrigeration apparatus. The circuit energizes a first solenoid coil to close the baffle when the temperature sensed in the fresh food compartment is lower than a desired temperature and energizes a second solenoid to open the baffle when the temperature sensed is greater than the set point temperature. A capacitor, acting as a timer, carries a charge providing a voltage which eventually exceeds a voltage generated according to either the set point or the sensed temperature. If the capacitor voltage exceeds the sensed temperature voltage the open solenoid coil is energized. If the capacitor voltage exceeds the set point voltage the close solenoid coil is energized. Each solenoid is selectively energized when a charge on the capacitor is transferred through the solenoid, thereby discharging the capacitor and resetting the timer.

Abstract: A refrigerator system, a control device and methods of making the same are provided, the system having a frozen food compartment and a fresh food compartment operatively interconnected together by the control device having a housing provided with a passage interconnecting the compartments together, the housing having a movable damper valve member controlling the passage and a temperature responsive unit operatively interconnected to the valve member to move the valve member between open and closed positions thereof in relation to the temperature sensed by the unit. An electrical heater is carried by the housing and is disposed adjacent the temperature responsive unit to cause the temperature responsive unit to open the passage when the electrical heater has been energized for a certain period of time.

Abstract: The refrigerator temperature control apparatus includes a damper in a cooled air outlet to a storage chamber. The damper is controlled by means of electromagnets with a temperature detecting portin sensing the temperature in the storage chamber and emitting a high level signal or low level signal in response to a sensed temperature. Two switching portions are connected with the temperature detecting portion so as to energize one or the other of the electro magnets for controlling the movement of the damper.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a switching device for selectively controlling the flow of cooling air in a central cooling air duct of a refrigerator of the type having a cold storage space and a freezing storage space. In preferred embodiments, the switching apparatus includes a pivotal flap member disposed in a cooling air duct leading to both the freezing and cold storage spaces. A manually operable control lever is pivotably mounted at a housing attached to the cooling air duct and is interconnected to pivot the control flap valve by means of a connecting pin having one end connected to the control lever and the other end connected to a working lever which is in rotatably fixed with the pivot axis of the control flap.

Abstract: A movable air mix door serves to adjust the temperature of outgoing air from an air conditioner. The temperature of outgoing air depends on the position of the air mix door. A combination of a position sensor for sensing the actual position of the air mix door and a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of incoming air into the air conditioner generates a first signal depending on the actual position of the air mix door and on the incoming air temperature. A second signal represents a target position of the air mix door. The position of the air mix door is controlled by a controller in accordance with the first and second signals. Since the combination sensor produces a signal dependent on incoming air temperature, the processing load on the controller is reduced in that the controller itself need not correct the target position in accordance with the incoming air temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator comprising a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment in which the freezing compartment can be used as a refrigerating compartment. The two compartments are in close proximity. Means are provided in a cooling-air passage to supply cooling air generated from an evaporator into both of the compartments or selectively only into one compartment.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises an air delivery chamber and an air extraction chamber which together define a cooling zone, said delivery chamber and said extraction chamber each having a fan and said air delivery chamber having a perforated face plate through which air is delivered into said cooling zone, said delivery chamber and said extraction chamber being connected together by ducting, and a plurality of mutually co-operable dampers in said ducting for selectively controlling the amount of humidified air passing from said extraction chamber to said delivery chamber and exhaust and for selectively controlling the amount of air from atmosphere being delivered to said delivery chamber.

Abstract: A temperature control apparatus for mounting in a transportable body includes a false ceiling having a plurality of ducts defined therethrough. The ducts extend through a single compartment or between two or more compartments when such two or more compartments are defined within the transportable body. A shutter mechanism controls the flow of temperature-treated air flowing between compartments, thereby controlling the temperature in the various compartments. To provide a flow of temperature-treated air into the apparatus, the apparatus includes an air channeling structure which can be adjusted to divert different quantities of air into the apparatus.

Abstract: A zone whose air supply volume and character is responsive to temperature data supplied from a single location in the zone is made responsive to the requirements of a subzone remote from the sensor location. The air supply to the subzone is changed responsive to an unsatisfied condition therein resulting in a changed supply to the area in which the sensor is located. As a result, the sensor responds to the changed air supply by indicating an unsatisfied condition to which the system responds by changing the amount of air supplied to the zone.

Abstract: An improved refrigerator of the forced refrigerated air type is disclosed in which a divider shelf is provided for the convenience of the user who wishes to convert a portion of the freezer section into a standard refrigeration section or a portion of the standard refrigerator section into a freezer section. The shelf is formed of an insulating material and is dimensioned and shaped to be positioned in a selected compartment in any of a plurality of selectable locations. The shelf has a resilient sealing member along peripheral portions which engage the corresponding walls of the compartment in which it is positioned so as to permit the shelf to selectively alter the flow of refrigerated air in such a manner as to permit the separate thermostatic temperature control of the separate sections created by the shelf.

Abstract: An improved refrigerator of the forced refrigerated air type is disclosed in which a divider shelf is provided for the convenience of the user who wishes to convert a portion of the freezer section into a standard refrigeration section or a portion of the standard refrigerator section into a freezer section. The shelf is formed of an insulating material and is dimensioned and shaped to be positioned in a selected compartment in any of a plurality of selectable locations. The shelf has a resilient sealing member along peripheral portions which engage the corresponding walls of the compartment in which it is positioned so as to permit the shelf to selectively alter the flow of refrigerated air in such a manner as to permit the separate thermostatic temperature control of the separate sections created by the shelf.

Abstract: A side-by-side refrigerator of the type having a single evaporator, single fan including a freezer compartment thermostat controlling operation of the evaporator and fan, and a fresh food compartment thermostat controlling the operation of the fan and an air flow control for circulating the colder freezer compartment air through the fresh food compartment. The air flow control includes an air valve mounted in a passageway that is movable between a closed set position and an open set position. When cooling of the fresh food compartment is required, the fan is energized and the valve rotated to its open position. When the cooling requirements are satisfied, the thermostat causes the fan to deenergize and the valve to be rotated to its closed position. However, the fan may continue to operate under control of the freezer compartment thermostat. The valve moves between its open and closed positions of 90.degree. by a solenoid that is momentarily energized.

Abstract: A low cost control regulates air flow between the freezer and food compartments of a side-by-side refrigerator and cooperates with a freezer thermostat to form a system which regulates operation of the refrigerator compressor in an energy efficient manner. A spiral coil spring of thermostat metal material has its inner end secured to a damper shaft to bias damper movement between positions opening and closing a control housing orifice in response to changes in temperature. A cylinder fitted around and secured to the outer end of the spring coil rotates to adjust the spring bias for selectively changing the temperature setting of the control. A control arm has a split sleeve at one end releasably clamped to the cylinder at a selected angle for initially calibrating the control and system, the opposite arm end being slidable on the control housing to rotate the arm for selectively varying the spring bias.

Abstract: A supplemental cold air supply unit is disclosed which is incorporated into an existing refrigeration enclosure for supplying cooler ambient air to the refrigeration enclosure when the outside air is at a lower temperature than the air temperature within the enclosure. The cold air supply unit comprises a housing which includes a blower fan and a coaxial pipe assembly for cold air inlet and warm air exhaust. Outside and inside thermostats determine when the outside air is at or below the temperature of the air within the enclosure to turn the blower fan on for cooling the refrigeration enclosure when appropriate. The cold air from the outside is exhausted into the refrigeration enclosure through a shuttered opening in the housing, and warm air within the enclosure is returned to the housing through a separate warm air opening for exhaust through the coaxial pipe assembly.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a freezer compartment on top and a fresh food compartment below with an air duct connecting the two compartments. A temperature control system and method of controlling is provided and includes a temperature sensing element located at the top of the fresh food compartment and shielded from the stream of cold air being directed into the fresh food compartment. The temperature sensing element changes the temperature in both the freezer and fresh food compartments without changing the constant ratio of those respective compartment temperatures. An air flow assembly divides the cold air entering the fresh food compartment through the connecting air duct between the top of the compartment and the bottom. The air flow control assembly is arranged to divide the cold air stream such that the ratio of the difference in the freezer and fresh food compartment temperatures is changed.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for a refrigeration unit having an evaporator coil through which cooling fluid is circulated. Air is forced across the evaporator coil and valve means directs the flow of air into an enclosed freezer compartment or alternately to a warmer enclosed refrigerated compartment which has a temperature above 0.degree. C. The air normally passes into the freezer compartment until the evaporator coil reaches a predetermined low temperature, below 0.degree. C., then the flow of cooling fluid through the coils is stopped and the valve means directs the air flow to the refrigerated compartment to defrost the evaporator coil. When the evaporator coil reaches a predetermined high temperature above 0.degree. C., the temperature cooling fluid will once again be circulated through the evaporator coils and the valve means will again direct the air flow through the freezer compartment.

Abstract: A single evaporator, single fan combination refrigerator includes a temperature control system which thermostatically maintains the fresh food compartment at a desired temperature by cycling the refrigerator system on and off as required, and which controls freezer compartment temperature by varying airflow through a duct conducting refrigerated air from the evaporator chamber to the fresh food compartment. Variable airflow control apparatus comprising a mechanical summer operating an air valve varies airflow through the duct as a function of the settings of both the fresh food control and the freezer control.

Abstract: A single evaporator, single fan combination refrigerator includes a temperature control system which thermostatically maintains the fresh food compartment at a desired temperature by cycling the refrigeration system on and off as required, and which controls freezer compartment temperature by varying the airflow through a duct conducting refrigerated air from the evaporator chamber to the fresh food compartment. In order to compensate for variations in freezer compartment temperature which would otherwise result when the setting of the fresh food control is changed, the airflow through the duct is varied as a funtion of the setting of the fresh food control, as well as of the freezer control.

Abstract: A single evaporator, single fan combination refrigerator includes a temperature control system which thermostatically maintains the fresh food compartment at a desired temperature by cycling the refrigerator system on and off as required, and which controls freezer compartment temperature by varying airfow through a pair of ducts conducting refrigerated air from the evaporator chamber to the fresh food compartment. The freezer control operates a pair of main dampers disposed in the ducts. In order to compensate for variations in freezer compartment temperature which would otherwise result when the setting of the thermostatic fresh food control is changed, a pair of compensating dampers are also disposed in the ducts and operatively connected to the fresh food control for ganged operation with the thermostatic control. The dampers are constructed to only partially block airflow when in the fully closed position.

Abstract: A household refrigerator-freezer has an air passageway formed through the partition between the freezer and the fresh food compartment. Air is controllably passed by convection through the passageway for maintaining the fresh food compartment in a preselected temperature range. Apparatus is associated with the passageway for controllably opening and closing the air passageway.