Maytag Corporation

Scott T Tunzi

Dean A Martin

Kyle B Van Meter

Alvin V Miller

Sheldon Wayne Mandel

Kyle B VanMeter

Robert C Zimmerman

Paul V Sikir

Bobbie J Gilman

An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent with a damper in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency, including movement of the damper between open and closed positions.

Refrigerator air control damper for ice compartment

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.

Air flow system for refrigerator freezer compartment

A mechanism for controlling the temperature in and the flow of air between freezer and fresh food compartments in a refrigerator is constituted by a pre-assembled control unit including a housing within which is mounted fresh food and freezer compartment control knobs, a thermostatic controller, a temperature sensing capillary tube, a defrost timer, an automatic damper unit for adjusting the opening of an air passageway formed in the housing, and lighting assemblies. The air passageway formed in the housing is adapted to be aligned with an opening leading from the freezer compartment to the fresh food compartment. The capillary tube has one end attached to the thermostatic controller and another end positioned in the air passageway such that the thermostatic controller receives temperature signals from the capillary tube that are associated with not only the temperature of the freezer compartment, but also the temperature of the fresh food compartment. The capillary tube is maintained in the desired position within the air passageway by means of a tube holder. The end of the capillary tube is preferably covered by a sleeve for thermal damping purposes. Since the control mechanism is pre-assembled, only a few mechanical connections are required to secure the entire control mechanism within the refrigerator.

Temperature control system for a multi compartment refrigerator

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Galesburg, IL, United States of America

Scott T Tunzi