Refrigerator Condensation Removal System
A refrigerator has a machine compartment located at its top end. The refrigerator includes a drain tube and a pump coupled to the drain tube and located at the bottom end of the refrigerator. The pump transfers the accumulated condensation from the drain tube to a pan located at the top end of the refrigerator. The heat and airflow generated by the machine compartment then evaporates the condensation from the pan.
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One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a refrigerator. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a condensation removal system for a refrigerator.
BACKGROUND INFORMATIONIt is common practice in modern day refrigerators to provide a self-defrosting feature in which, from time to time, the frost build up on the evaporator is melted and the condensation (i.e., water) is directed to the outside of the refrigerated compartments. Typically this condensation is collected in a pan or similar container in the machine compartment at the bottom of the refrigerator. The heat in the compartment from the compressor and other devices, and the air flowing through the compartment, will then evaporate the water.
Most stand-alone type of refrigerators have the machine compartment at the bottom of the refrigerator. However, other types of consumer and commercial refrigerators, such as built-in types of refrigerators, have a machine compartment located at the top of the refrigerator. Therefore, extra components must be used to evaporate the water that builds up at the bottom of the refrigerator.
For example,
Based on the foregoing, there is a need for an improved condensation removal system that does not require as many additional components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne embodiment of the present invention is a refrigerator that has a machine compartment located at its top end. The refrigerator includes a drain tube and a pump coupled to the drain tube and located at the bottom end of the refrigerator. The pump transfers the accumulated condensation from the drain tube to a pan located at the top end of the refrigerator. The heat and airflow generated by the machine compartment then evaporates the condensation from the pan.
One embodiment of the present invention is a condensation removal system for a refrigerator that has a top mounted machine compartment. Condensation is pumped from the bottom to the top of the refrigerator, where the existing machine compartment components can be used for evaporation.
Refrigerator 10 further includes an input tube 26 and an output tube 27 coupled to pump 22. Input tube 26 is coupled to the drain tube of refrigerator 10, and receives all condensation drained from refrigerator 10. Condensation received on input tube 26 is pumped by pump 22 to output tube 27, which runs through a channel 23 along the back of refrigerator 10 to the top end of refrigerator 10.
Refrigerator 10 optionally includes a condensate tube 25 that provides heat to eliminate moisture gathered at the bottom of refrigerator 10. Additional components of refrigerator 10 include water valves 28 and 29 for providing water to dispenser 18, and wheels 30 for aiding in moving refrigerator 10.
Refrigerator 10 further includes a pan 45 coupled to output tube 27 that is received from the bottom end of refrigerator 10. Condensation from output tube 27 accumulates in pan 45. The heat from compressor 40, condenser 42, and the warm air blown from compressor fan 41 causes the condensation in pan 45 to evaporate.
Pan 45, because of the additional clearance on the top end of refrigerator 10, can be much larger than prior art pan 52. In one embodiment, pan 45 has double the capacity of pan 52. Further, the condensation system of
In one embodiment, output tube 27 is connected to an additional water heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the condenser 42 before being inserted into pan 45. In this embodiment, the water in tube 27 circulates through condenser 42 to help cool condenser 42 and therefore increase the efficiency of refrigerator 10.
In one embodiment, a pan is coupled to the bottom of refrigerator 10.
As disclosed, embodiments of the present invention utilize a pump to transport condensation to the top of the refrigerator, where it is evaporated by existing machine compartment components.
Several embodiments of the present invention are specifically illustrated and/or described herein. However, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations of the present invention are covered by the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A refrigerator having a top end and a bottom end, said refrigerator comprising:
- a machine compartment located at the top end;
- a drain tube;
- a pump coupled to the drain tube and located at the bottom end;
- an output tube coupled to said pump and extending to the top end; and
- a first pan located at the top end and coupled to said output tube.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein said machine compartment comprises:
- a compressor;
- a condenser; and
- a condenser fan.
3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein said pump is a peristaltic pump.
4. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising an input tube coupled to said pump and said drain tube.
5. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a condensate tube located at the bottom end.
6. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a defrost heater and a motor coupled to said pump, wherein said pump is activated when said defrost heater is on, and said pump is deactivated when said defrost heater is off.
7. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a second pan coupled to said pump and a float switch, wherein said pump is activated by said float switch.
8. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein said output tube is coupled to said condenser.
9. A method of removing condensation generated by a refrigerator having a top end and a bottom end comprising:
- receiving the condensation from the bottom end of the refrigerator;
- pumping the condensation to a pan on the top end of the refrigerator; and
- evaporating the condensation from the pan using, at least in part, heat generated by a machine compartment of the refrigerator.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
- defrosting the refrigerator;
- wherein said pumping the condensation is performed at the same time as defrosting the refrigerator.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein said pumping the condensation is triggered by a float pump.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein said pump is a peristaltic pump.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein said machine compartment is located at the top end of the refrigerator and comprises a compressor, a condenser and a condenser fan.
14. A refrigerator comprising:
- a pump adapted to receive accumulated condensation;
- an output tube coupled to said pump and extending to a top end of the refrigerator; and
- a first pan coupled to said output tube.
15. The refrigerator of claim 14, further comprising a machine compartment located at the top end, wherein the machine compartment is adapted to generate heat to evaporate the accumulated condensation in said first pan.
16. The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein said pump is a peristaltic pump.
17. The refrigerator of claim 14, further comprising:
- a drain tube; and
- an input tube coupled to said pump and said drain tube.
18. The refrigerator of claim 17, further comprising a condensate tube located at a bottom end of the refrigerator.
19. The refrigerator of claim 14, further comprising a defrost heater and a motor coupled to said pump, wherein said pump is activated when said defrost heater is on, and said pump is deactivated when said defrost heater is off.
20. The refrigerator of claim 14, further comprising a second pan coupled to said pump and a float switch, wherein said pump is activated by said float switch.
21. The refrigerator of claim 15, wherein said machine compartment comprises a condenser and said output tube is coupled to said condenser.
22. The refrigerator of claim 20, wherein said second pan is coupled to a bottom end of the refrigerator.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 18, 2006
Publication Date: Apr 24, 2008
Applicant: Viking Range Corporation (Greenwood, MS)
Inventors: Daniel W. Lyvers (Greenwood, MS), Alan Clark Webb (Grenada, MS), Michael Steven Winchell (Greenwood, MS)
Application Number: 11/550,469
International Classification: F25D 21/00 (20060101); F25D 21/14 (20060101);