DEMAND RESPONSE MULLION SWEAT PROTECTION
First Claim
1. A refrigerator comprising:
- a housing enclosing a cooled storage compartment;
an anti-sweat heater for warming at least a portion of the housing; and
a controller operatively connected to one or more power consuming features/functions of the refrigerator, the controller being configured to receive and process a demand response signal and in response thereto operate the appliance in one of a plurality of operating modes including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, the controller being configured in at least the energy savings mode to inactivate the anti-sweat heater and at least selectively activate the anti-sweat heater for at least a limited time period during the energy savings mode.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An appliance such as a refrigerator receives a demand response signal indicating a peak demand period and operates the refrigerator in an energy savings mode by disabling an anti-sweat heater. A sensor on an external surface of the refrigerator enables the anti-sweat heater during the peak demand period if moisture is detected by the sensor. A preselected location can be defined where incipient moisture would form such as reducing the amount of insulation in this location. By forming a depression in the location and using an impedance-type sensor, moisture can be easily detected. The sensor signal is sent to the controller which then activates the anti-sweat heater to remove the moisture.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A refrigerator comprising:
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a housing enclosing a cooled storage compartment; an anti-sweat heater for warming at least a portion of the housing; and a controller operatively connected to one or more power consuming features/functions of the refrigerator, the controller being configured to receive and process a demand response signal and in response thereto operate the appliance in one of a plurality of operating modes including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, the controller being configured in at least the energy savings mode to inactivate the anti-sweat heater and at least selectively activate the anti-sweat heater for at least a limited time period during the energy savings mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A control method for an appliance, comprising:
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receiving a demand response signal indicative of at least a peak demand period and an off-peak demand period; operating the appliance in a normal mode during the off-peak demand period; operating the appliance in an energy savings mode during the peak demand period; disabling an anti-sweat heater operatively associated with a housing of the appliance during the peak demand period; providing a sensor on an external surface of the appliance; and
enabling the anti-sweat heater during the peak demand period if moisture is detected by the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An appliance comprising:
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a housing enclosing a cooled storage compartment; an electrical anti-sweat heater incorporated into a region of the housing susceptible to moisture or fog in a high humidity environment; a controller operatively connected to one or more power consuming features/functions of the refrigerator, the controller being configured to receive and process a demand response signal and in response thereto operate the appliance in one of a plurality of operating modes including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, the controller being configured in at least the energy savings mode to inactivate the anti-sweat heater; and a moisture detecting sensor located at the housing region and in operative communication with the controller for activating the anti-sweat heater in response to the sensor detecting moisture or fog. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification