Control system for a refrigerated merchandiser
First Claim
1. A refrigerated merchandiser comprising:
- a case defining a product display area and including an air outlet and an air passageway in fluid communication with the product display area via the outlet to direct an airflow into the product display area to condition product supported in the product display area;
at least a portion of a refrigeration system including an evaporator disposed in the case within the air passageway to refrigerate the airflow, the evaporator having a coil with a hydrophobic coating, the refrigeration system further including a compressor in fluid communication with the evaporator; and
a control system in communication with and programmed to control the evaporator within a predetermined evaporating temperature range to condition the product display area within a predetermined temperature range, the control system further programmed to selectively cycle the compressor between an on state and an off state at least once during a predetermined time period to avoid formation of frost on the coil while maintaining the product display area within the predetermined temperature range.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area supporting product and an evaporator disposed in an air passageway in fluid communication with the product display area via an outlet to direct a refrigerated airflow into the product display area. The merchandiser also includes a control system in communication with and programmed to control the refrigeration system so that the product display area is maintained within a predetermined temperature range. The control system also varies the temperature of the refrigerated airflow through the outlet above an airflow temperature threshold between about 35 degrees Fahrenheit and 41 degrees Fahrenheit at least once during a predetermined time period to avoid formation of frost on the evaporator while maintaining the product display area within the predetermined temperature range.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A refrigerated merchandiser comprising:
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a case defining a product display area and including an air outlet and an air passageway in fluid communication with the product display area via the outlet to direct an airflow into the product display area to condition product supported in the product display area; at least a portion of a refrigeration system including an evaporator disposed in the case within the air passageway to refrigerate the airflow, the evaporator having a coil with a hydrophobic coating, the refrigeration system further including a compressor in fluid communication with the evaporator; and a control system in communication with and programmed to control the evaporator within a predetermined evaporating temperature range to condition the product display area within a predetermined temperature range, the control system further programmed to selectively cycle the compressor between an on state and an off state at least once during a predetermined time period to avoid formation of frost on the coil while maintaining the product display area within the predetermined temperature range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of controlling a refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area and including an air outlet and an air passageway in fluid communication with the product display area via the outlet to direct an airflow into the product display area, the method comprising:
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continuously operating an evaporator disposed in the merchandiser within a predetermined evaporating temperature range; refrigerating the airflow using the evaporator to condition the product display area within a predetermined temperature range; cycling a compressor between an on state and an off state at least once during a predetermined time period to avoid formation of frost on the evaporator; and maintaining the temperature of the product display area within the predetermined temperature range when the compressor is in the on state and in the off state. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification