The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 16, 1999
Filed:
Jun. 04, 1997
Behrooz Mohebbi, Peoria, IL (US);
Michael J Kempiak, Osceola, IN (US);
Maytag Corporation, Newton, IA (US);
Abstract
A system for controlling temperatures in and the flow of air between freezer and fresh food compartments of a refrigerator incorporates a thermal mass that is adapted to receive a flow of air directed from the freezer compartment to the fresh food compartment. The thermal mass is associated with a temperature sensor that is connected to a manually adjustable thermostat unit. In the preferred embodiment, the temperature sensor comprises a capillary tube which is wrapped around an outer surface portion of the thermal mass. Structure is provided in the air passageway between the freezer and fresh food compartments to regulate the flow of air over the thermal mass. By regulating the flow over the thermal mass, as well as establishing a desired thermal mass size and location, the control system can achieve desired operational cycles in order to minimize energy consumption and to minimize any variance of the number of cycles over a given period of time between various refrigerator units.