POWER INTERRUPT SYSTEM FOR A REFRIGERATED APPLIANCE

• US 20040177625A1
• Filed: 03/12/2003
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: VanMeter, Kyle B., Miller, Alvin V., Wetekamp, Robert L., Ryner, Joseph H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,789,392 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/129
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/361 Interactive visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/12 Sensors measuring the inside temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/122 of freezer compartments
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/008 Alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/005 Circuits arrangements for indicating a predetermined temperature fire detection G08B17/00

Abstract

A refrigerated appliance includes a power interrupt system for detecting an out-of-range temperature condition in a fresh food or freezer compartment after a power interruption. The power interrupt system includes a central processor including a memory storage module and a plurality of temperature sensors. In operation, the power interrupt system compares sensed temperature values with stored temperature variables. If, after a power interruption, a compartment temperature exceeds a stored temperature variable by a defined amount, an over-temperature flag is triggered. Preferably, a display unit flashes an indication of the highest temperature reached by each compartment intermittently with the current compartment temperatures and an indication that a power interruption has occured. In this manner, a consumer can make an informed determination whether food stored within the appliance has been exposed to temperatures high enough to cause spoilage.

Claims

1. A method of detecting an over-temperature condition in fresh food and freezer compartments of a refrigerator after a power interruption comprising:

initializing, in a first variable set, values being defined by an interrupt temperature for each of the fresh food and freezer compartments;

setting a second variable set as the value of the current sensed temperature for each of the fresh food and freezer compartments;

detecting the power interruption and subsequent re-initialization of power to the refrigerator;

sensing a post power interrupt temperature for each of the fresh food and freezer compartments;

establishing the over-temperature condition if either the fresh food or freezer compartment post interrupt temperature exceeds the values established in either the first or second variable sets by respective predetermined amounts; and

providing an indication when the over-temperature condition exists.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the interrupt temperature is defined by a lowest possible set point temperature for the fresh food and freezer compartments respectively.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

establishing the over-temperature condition if either the fresh food or freezer compartment post power interrupt temperature exceeds the values of the first variable set by at least 3°

F.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

establishing the over-temperature condition if the post power interrupt temperature for either the fresh food or freezer compartment exceeds the value of the second variable set by at least 2°

F.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing the indication of the over-temperature condition comprises intermittently flashing a visual indication of the over-temperature condition on a display console.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing the indication of the over-temperature condition comprises sounding an audible alarm.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing the indication of the over-temperature condition constitutes providing a visual indication of the highest temperature reached within each of the respective fresh food and freezer compartments, resulting from the power interruption, on a display console.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising:

displaying an indication of the current temperature within each of the respective fresh food and freezer compartments on the display console.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

replacing the values in the first variable set with the respective post power interrupt temperatures.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

continuously monitoring each of the fresh food and freezer compartments for the occurrence of the over-temperature condition.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

resetting the variables stored in the first and second variable sets.

12. A method of detecting an over-temperature condition in a refrigerator having fresh food and freezer compartments after a power interruption comprising:

initializing, in a first variable set, a value being defined by an interrupt temperature for at least one of the fresh food and freezer compartments;

setting a second variable set as a value of a current sensed temperature for the at least one of the fresh food and freezer compartments;

detecting the power interruption and subsequent re-initialization of power to the refrigerator;

sensing a post power interrupt temperature for the at least one of the fresh food and freezer compartments;

establishing the over-temperature condition if the post interrupt temperature exceeds the values established in either the first or second variable sets by respective predetermined amounts;

replacing the value in the first variable set with the post power interrupt temperature; and

providing an indication of the over-temperature condition.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the interrupt temperature is defined by a lowest possible set point temperature for the at least one of the fresh food and freezer compartments.

14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

establishing the over-temperature condition if the post power interrupt temperature exceeds the value stored in the first variable set by at least 3°

F.

15. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

establishing the over-temperature condition if the post power interrupt temperature exceeds the value stored in the second variable set by at least 2°

F.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein providing the indication of the over-temperature condition comprises intermittently flashing a visual indication of the over-temperature condition on a display console.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein providing the indication of the over-temperature condition comprises sounding an audible alarm.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein providing the indication of the over-temperature condition constitutes visually displaying a highest temperature reached within the at least one of the fresh food and freezer compartments resulting from the power interrupt.

19. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

continuously monitoring the at least one of the fresh food and freezer compartments for the occurrence of the over-temperature condition.

20. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

resetting the variables stored in the first and second variable sets.