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. 30, 2016
Filed:
Nov. 26, 2012
Applicant:
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Inventor:
Robert E. Porter, Newburgh, IN (US);
Assignee:
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
F25D 17/04 (2006.01); F25D 21/08 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
F25D 17/045 (2013.01); F25D 21/08 (2013.01); F25D 2317/0666 (2013.01); F25D 2700/12 (2013.01);
Abstract
A refrigeration system includes a powered barrier or air door that controls air flow between refrigerated compartments. The powered door includes a powered actuator that is electrically connected to and in parallel with an electric heating element configured to melt ice and/or frost that could otherwise interfere with operation of the door. A switch determines if the door is opened or closed and a controller provides electrical power to the powered actuator and the electric heating element until the door shifts to the desired opened or closed position.