Variable capacity modular refrigeration system for kitchens
First Claim
1. A refrigeration appliance system constructed and arranged for use in a residential kitchen and other rooms in a dwelling comprising:
- a plurality of separate refrigerating modules each having;
an insulated cabinet having an opening for access to the interior of the cabinet;
at least one insulated door for covering and uncovering an opening in the insulated cabinet;
an apparatus for receiving a cooling medium to cool the interior of the refrigerating module;
at least one temperature sensor for sensing the temperature in the module; and
at least one temperature selector for selecting an operating temperature for the insulated refrigerating module;
a single, continuously operating variable capacity central cooling unit for chilling a cooling medium comprising a variable speed compressor, a condenser, a variable speed condenser fan and a controller;
a cooling medium circuit connecting the central cooling unit and the plurality of refrigerating modules to supply cooling medium from the central cooling unit to the plurality of refrigerating modules, and to return cooling medium to the central cooling unit from the refrigerating modules;
a plurality of cooling medium flow control devices connected in the cooling medium circuit for controlling flow of cooling medium to each of the refrigerating modules;
a control circuit connecting the temperature sensors, the temperature selectors and the cooling medium flow control devices for the plurality of refrigerating modules with the controller, said controller including;
a first portion to adjust the capacity of the central cooling unit in response to the aggregate cooling load of the plurality of refrigerating modules in order to supply sufficient cooling medium to cool the plurality of refrigerating modules to the respective selected operating temperatures, anda second portion to adjust the volume of cooling medium directed to respective ones of the refrigerating modules to maintain the selected operating temperature in the respective refrigerating modules.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigeration appliance system for a residential kitchen having multiple separate refrigerating modules and a single, continuously operating variable capacity central cooling unit with a variable speed compressor for chilling a cooling medium. A cooling medium circuit supplies cooling medium to the plurality of refrigerating modules from the central cooling unit. Flow control devices control flow of cooling medium to the refrigerating modules. A control circuit controls the central cooling unit and the temperature in the refrigerating modules. The refrigerating modules can be refrigerator, freezer or refrigerator freezer modules. The cooling medium can be air, cooling liquid or refrigerant. A below freezing freezer module having an insulated freezer cabinet, a freezer compressor, a freezer condenser and a freezer evaporator can be combined with the refrigeration appliance system for providing 0° F. freezer storage without requiring the central cooling unit to provide 0° F. cooling medium.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A refrigeration appliance system constructed and arranged for use in a residential kitchen and other rooms in a dwelling comprising:
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a plurality of separate refrigerating modules each having; an insulated cabinet having an opening for access to the interior of the cabinet; at least one insulated door for covering and uncovering an opening in the insulated cabinet; an apparatus for receiving a cooling medium to cool the interior of the refrigerating module; at least one temperature sensor for sensing the temperature in the module; and at least one temperature selector for selecting an operating temperature for the insulated refrigerating module; a single, continuously operating variable capacity central cooling unit for chilling a cooling medium comprising a variable speed compressor, a condenser, a variable speed condenser fan and a controller; a cooling medium circuit connecting the central cooling unit and the plurality of refrigerating modules to supply cooling medium from the central cooling unit to the plurality of refrigerating modules, and to return cooling medium to the central cooling unit from the refrigerating modules; a plurality of cooling medium flow control devices connected in the cooling medium circuit for controlling flow of cooling medium to each of the refrigerating modules; a control circuit connecting the temperature sensors, the temperature selectors and the cooling medium flow control devices for the plurality of refrigerating modules with the controller, said controller including; a first portion to adjust the capacity of the central cooling unit in response to the aggregate cooling load of the plurality of refrigerating modules in order to supply sufficient cooling medium to cool the plurality of refrigerating modules to the respective selected operating temperatures, and a second portion to adjust the volume of cooling medium directed to respective ones of the refrigerating modules to maintain the selected operating temperature in the respective refrigerating modules. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification