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Damper assembly

a technology for damper assemblies and refrigerators, which is applied in the direction of operating means/release devices of valves, domestic cooling devices, lighting and heating devices, etc., can solve the problems of damper door operation being problematic, damper door and/or travel limits may be damaged or deteriorated, and the noise level of impact is objectionabl

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-07-26
GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] In another aspect, a control system is provided for a damper assembly having a damper door movable between a first position and a second position. The control system includes an actuation device operatively coupled to the damper door and configured to mo...

Problems solved by technology

In known refrigerators, however, operation of the damper door may be problematic.
The noise level of the impact is objectionable in some known dampers.
Additionally, the damper door and / or the travel limits may be damaged or deteriorated over time and after multiple uses due to the force of the impact.

Method used

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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary refrigerator 100 in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be practiced and for which the benefits of the invention may be realized. It is appreciated, however, that the herein described methods and apparatus may likewise be practiced in a variety of refrigerating appliances with modification apparent to those in the art. Therefore, refrigerator 100 as described and illustrated herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the herein described methods and apparatus in any aspect.

[0014]FIG. 1 illustrates a side-by-side refrigerator 100 including a fresh food storage compartment 102 and a freezer storage compartment 104. Freezer compartment 104 and fresh food compartment 102 are arranged side-by-side. In one embodiment, refrigerator 100 is a commercially available refrigerator from General Electric Company, Appliance Park, Louisville, Ky. 40225, and is modified to incorporate the herein descr...

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PUM

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Abstract

A damper assembly includes a housing positionable between refrigerator compartments operable at different temperatures. A damper door is coupled to the housing and is movable between a first position configured to restrict airflow between the refrigerator compartments and a second position configured to allow airflow between the refrigerator compartments. An actuation device is operatively coupled to said damper door. The actuation device is configured to move the damper door between the first position and the second position during an energizing cycle, and the actuation device is configured to be energized intermittently during the energizing cycle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to damper assemblies for refrigerators, and more particularly, to damper assemblies having noise dampening features. [0002] Known refrigerators typically regulate a temperature of a refrigerated compartment by opening and closing a damper door established in flow communication with a freezer compartment. At least some known refrigerators also operate a fan to draw cold freezer compartment air into the refrigerated compartment as needed to maintain a desired temperature in the fresh food compartment. [0003] In known refrigerators, however, operation of the damper door may be problematic. For example, when the damper door is moved to an open position or a closed position, the damper door impacts a travel stop. The noise level of the impact is objectionable in some known dampers. Additionally, the damper door and / or the travel limits may be damaged or deteriorated over time and after multiple uses due to the force of t...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): F25D17/04
CPCF16K3/312F16K3/314F16K31/0668F25D2400/06F25D11/02F25D17/045F25B2500/12
Inventor VINOCUR, SERGIO A.
Owner GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
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