Whirlpool Corporation

David Michael Jackson

Christopher M Thompson

Brian J Phillips

Jon D Tromblee

Jurgen Pannock

Christopher Paul Campbell

Andy Lynn Derryberry

James J Morton, Jr

Laura A Billingham

A method and apparatus for operating a dehumidifier in a de-ice mode is provided wherein the dehumidifier has an evaporator coil, a fan operated by a fan motor to cause a flow of ambient air over the evaporator coil, and a compressor operated by a compressor motor to cause a flow of refrigerant to the evaporator coil. A control is provided for detecting a characteristic of the dehumidifier associated with the formation of frost on the evaporator coil. Such characteristic could be the temperature of the evaporator coil, the rate of change of the temperature of the coil, a drop in the amp draw of the compressor motor below a predetermined value or a predetermined rate of downward change in the amp draw of the compressor motor. The control terminates power to the compressor motor after detection of the characteristic, either immediately or after a predetermined time, while continuing operation of the fan to provide the melting. Normal operation is resumed when the characteristic is no longer detected, or after passage of a predetermined amount of time.

Method and apparatus for de-icing dehumidifier

Dehumidifier

A control circuit for a cool/heat pump in which two separate motors are utilized, each with a main winding and an auxiliary winding. A single dual rated capacitor is provided in series with both auxiliary windings. A selectively operative switch, which may be in the form of a thermostat, is provided in series between one of the alternating current lines and the windings of one of the motors to selectively terminate power to that motor while maintaining power to both windings of the other motor. The switch is also used to alternately energize an electric heater unit when the motor power is terminated. Such a control circuit avoids a de-icing operation normally required with cool/heat pumps working in a heating mode, when the outdoor temperature is below freezing.

Cool/heat pump control circuit for a room air conditioner

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Murfreesboro, TN, United States of America

David Michael Jackson