Single evaporator refrigerator/freezer unit with interdependent temperature control

Abstract

A combination refrigerator / freezer unit with an insulated cabinet defining a refrigerator section, a freezer section and at least one air passage between the freezer section and refrigerator section. A single evaporator is disposed in the freezer section. A controller controls operation of the refrigeration system. The controller receives input signals from freezer and refrigerator sensors and controls the refrigeration system to pass refrigerant to the evaporator in the freezer section according to at least one temperature parameter of the refrigerator section sensed by the refrigerator sensor.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 862,376 filed on Oct. 20, 2006, and entitled “Cooling Unit,” hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Technical Field[0004]The present invention relates to refrigerated food and drink units, and in particular, a controller for controlling the temperature of a cooling unit.[0005]2. Description of the Related Art[0006]Refrigerators and coolers for the cold storage of food and beverage items are well known. Some cooling units include a freezer section and a refrigerator section. Typically, the freezer section is cooled by a refrigeration system. The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator connected in series and charged with a refrigerant. The evaporator is a specific ty...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]One temperature parameter can be a refrigerator section minimum temperature, and the controller can be configured to prevent the refrigerator section temperature from dropping below the refrigerator section minimum temperature.

[0023]One temperature parameter can be a refrigerator section minimum temperature and the refrigerator section temperature can be prevented from dropping below the refrigerator section minimum temperature.

Problems solved by technology

Freezing temperatures in the refrigerator section can be problematic when the refrigerator section is colder than expected due to abnormal ambient air temperatures, defrost problems, or variations in the food product stored in the cooling unit.

The controller is properly controlling the temperature of the freezer section, but the relationship between the freezer section temperature and the refrigerator section has changed and the controller is no longer able to adequately control the temperature in the refrigerator section.

This can mean that the normal freezer section temperature will cause the refrigerator section to be too cold and can even cause freezing in the refrigerator section that causes damage to the food product stored therein.

Images