DEMAND RESPONSE MULLION SWEAT PROTECTION

• US 20120042666A1
• Filed: 08/19/2010
• Published: 02/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Besore, John K.
• Granted Patent: US 9,291,383 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/80
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/02 using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/02 Humidity
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 21/02 Detecting the presence of frost or condensate
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 21/04 Preventing the formation of frost or condensate

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.

Claims

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. The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the controller cyclically activates the anti-sweat heater during the energy savings mode.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1 further comprising a moisture detecting sensor operative to detect the presence and absence of moisture proximate the sensor and in operative communication with the controller and wherein the controller activates the anti-sweat heater in response to the sensor detecting moisture or fog.

4. The refrigerator of claim 3 wherein the anti-sweat heater and sensor are incorporated into a mullion of the housing.

5. The refrigerator of claim 3 wherein the sensor is located in a region where moisture tends to form.

6. The refrigerator of claim 2 wherein the controller activates the anti-sweat heater to duty cycle to maintain a first temperature during the energy savings mode that is lower than a second temperature which is maintained for the anti-sweat heater in the normal operation mode.

7. The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the controller automatically overrides the inactive status of the anti-sweat heater in the energy savings mode and activates the anti-sweat heater when sweat or fog is present.

8. The refrigerator of claim 1 further comprising a moisture detecting sensor in operative communication with the controller whereby the controller activates the anti-sweat heater in response to moisture detected by the sensor, the sensor including an impedance sensing device that changes electrical impedance in response to the presence of moisture or fog.

9. The refrigerator of claim 8 wherein the impedance sensing device signals the controller once the moisture or fog is removed by the anti-sweat heater so that the anti-sweat heater can be turned off.

10. The refrigerator of claim 3 wherein the controller is operative to continue energization of the anti-sweat heater for a pre-specified time after the absence of moisture is detected by the sensor to prevent short-cycling of the anti-sweat heater by the controller.

11. A control method for an appliance, comprising:

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.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the enabling step includes automatically overriding the demand response signal and activating the anti-sweat heater in response to moisture or fog formation at the sensor.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming a depression on the appliance and wherein the enabling step includes locating the sensor at the depression where moisture collects.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the enabling step includes creating a location on the housing where moisture will initially form and locating a sensor on the housing at the created location.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the enabling step includes providing reduced thermal insulation on the housing at the created location to encourage moisture to initially form at the created location prior to forming on adjacent surfaces.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the enabling step is operational for a preselected time period after the sensor indicates an absence of moisture or fog to prevent short-cycling of the anti-sweat heater.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the enabling step is responsive to a detected first electrical impedance of a sensor located on the housing.

18. The method of claim 11 further comprising disabling the anti-sweat heater in response to a detected second electrical impedance of the sensor.

19. An appliance comprising:

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.

20. The appliance of claim 19 wherein the housing region has a reduced amount of thermal insulation compared to adjacent areas of the housing in order to encourage formation of moisture or fog at the region in a high humidity environment.