Robertshaw Controls Company

Ranco Inc. of Delaware

William B Bennett

Thomas J Davern

Jack Devine

James T Reier

A system and method for refrigeration timer control having an energy efficient defrost cycle are provided. The system and method provide a delay time after the refrigeration cycle and prior to the defrost cycle. During this delay period the evaporator fan may run. The fan circulation and the heat from the fan coil provide a pre-warm cycle to the evaporator prior to the defrost cycle. To further enhance energy efficiency, the system and method may also provide a pre-refrigeration cycle after the defrost cycle. During this pre-refrigeration cycle only the compressor is energized. This prevents warm moist air from being circulated until the evaporator coils are cooled.

Refrigeration and defrost control system

An evaporator fan control system is provided for a multi-compartment refrigerator that coordinates operation of the evaporator fan among a cooling cycle for a freezer compartment, a cooling cycle for a fresh food compartment, and an adaptive defrost cycle. An adaptive defrost timer control module is utilized to coordinate operation of the evaporator fan. This control module includes an embedded electronic controller having control logic programmed to operate the evaporator fan whenever either of the thermostats requires cooling, and to lock out operation of the evaporator fan whenever the system is performing a defrost cycle.

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Allegan, MI, United States of America

William B Bennett