Maytag Corporation

Kyle B VanMeter

Robert L Wetekamp

Alvin V Miller

Joseph H Ryner

Kenneth E Davis

Sheldon Wayne Mandel

John Phillip Myers

Scott T Tunzi

Robert C Zimmerman

Paul V Sikir

A refrigerator incorporates a variable speed refrigeration system including a variable speed compressor, a variable speed evaporator fan, a variable speed fresh food compartment stirring fan and a variable position damper. Various temperature sensors are provided to sense system parameters which are used by a controller to regulate each of the variable components in order to compensate for temperature changes within at least one refrigerator compartment in a highly effective, energy efficient and synergistic manner.

Variable speed refrigeration system

A refrigerated appliance includes a power interrupt system for detecting an out-of-range temperature condition in a fresh food or freezer compartment after a power interruption. The power interrupt system includes a central processor including a memory storage module and a plurality of temperature sensors. In operation, the power interrupt system compares sensed temperature values with stored temperature variables. If, after a power interruption, a compartment temperature exceeds a stored temperature variable by a defined amount, an over-temperature flag is triggered. Preferably, a display unit flashes an indication of the highest temperature reached by each compartment intermittently with the current compartment temperatures and an indication that a power interruption has occured. In this manner, a consumer can make an informed determination whether food stored within the appliance has been exposed to temperatures high enough to cause spoilage.

Power interrupt system for a refrigerated appliance

A refrigerator, having freezer and fresh food compartments, includes a temperature sensor arranged to sense an average temperature in the fresh food compartment, a multi-position damper interposed in an intake duct leading from the freezer compartment, and a fresh food compartment stirring fan. The stirring fan receives a flow of air from each of the intake duct and a plurality of recirculation ducts exposed to different portions of the fresh food compartment. A control system regulates the stirring fan and the opening of the damper based on the sensed temperature in order to minimize temperature stratification within the fresh food compartment, while maintaining an energy efficient and noise reducing operation.

Temperature control system for a refrigerated compartment

A refrigerator incorporates a variable speed refrigeration system including a variable speed compressor, an evaporator fan, a fresh food compartment stirring fan and a multi-position damper. Various temperature sensors are provided to sense system parameters which are used by a controller to regulate each of the variable components in order to compensate for temperature changes within a refrigerator compartment and, maintain the compartment within a confined temperature band, in a highly effective, energy efficient and synergistic manner.

A defrost control system for a refrigerator having freezer and fresh food compartments includes a plurality of temperature sensors, a plurality of door sensors to provide signals indicative of the occurrence of a door opening condition, a memory to store the signals in a plurality of usage blocks, and a CPU or controller to categorize the usage blocks into periods of high and low usage. When a defrost cycle is required, the control system establishes the cycle at an upcoming period designated as one of low usage. Additionally, prior to activating the system, the controller lowers the temperature of at least the freezer compartment to below a set point. The controller establishes the defrost cycle for a period based upon the time duration of previously completed cycles.

Adaptive defrost control for a refrigerator

An air flow system for the freezer compartment of a refrigerator includes air inlets located at an upper rear portion of the freezer compartment which direct a supply of cooling air forward and against both top and side walls of the compartment. The air then flows along an upper portion of the compartment toward a front thereof where it is re-directed downward and rearward. The bottom wall of the freezer compartment is provided with a plurality of upstanding, laterally spaced ribs upon which food items can be supported. Since the ribs are spaced, numerous channels are formed which extend from the front portion of the compartment to adjacent the rear wall. A gap is preferably created between the rear wall and the ends of the ribs such that air is permitted to flow laterally along a lower rear portion of the compartment. Air outlets or returns are also provided in the lower rear portion of the compartment for recycling of the air. With this arrangement, an effectively distributed and enhanced circulating flow of cooling air is created to efficiently maintain stored food items at a desired temperature.

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Galesburg, IL, United States of America

Kyle B VanMeter