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:
Aug. 19, 2003
Filed:
Jan. 05, 2001
John S. Holmes, Sellersburg, IN (US);
Wolfgang Daum, Louisville, KY (US);
Jerry J. Queen, II, New Albany, IN (US);
General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US);
Abstract
A defrost control system for a self-defrosting refrigerator is configured to monitor a compressor load, determine whether at least a first defrost cycle is required based on the compressor load, execute at least one defrost cycle when required; and regulate the defrost cycle to conserve energy. A controller is operatively coupled to a compressor, a defrost heater, and a refrigeration compartment temperature sensor. The controller makes defrost decisions based on temperature conditions in the refrigeration compartment in light of other events, such as refrigerator door openings, completed defrost cycles, and power up events. Defrost cycles are automatically adjusted as operating conditions change, thereby avoiding unnecessary energy consumption that would otherwise occur in a fixed defrost cycle.