DSM ENABLING OF ELECTRO MECHANICALLY CONTROLLED REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS

• US 20120047921A1
• Filed: 11/22/2010
• Published: 03/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Besore, John K.
• Application Number:
  US12/951,451
• Publication Number:
  US 20120047921A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/80
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 21/006 with electronic control circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 21/06 Removing frost defrosting cycles F25B47/02
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2600/02 Timing
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices

Abstract

An energy saving defrost control system for reducing power consumption of an electromechanically controlled refrigerator is provided. The system includes a defrost timer adapted to control a compressor according to an established run time, a defrost heater control operatively connected to the defrost timer and configured to activate a defrost heater in response to a timeout by the defrost timer, a DSM module responsive to demand state signals from an associated utility indicative of at least a peak demand and off peak demand state, and a time delay latching relay having a timer and configured to switch to one of a low position and a high position based on the demand state signal.

Claims

1. A system for reducing the peak power consumption by a refrigeration system, comprising;

a first electromechanical cold control calibrated to a first temperature setpoint;

a second electromechanical cold control calibrated to a second temperature setpoint, said first and second cold controls each having a setpoint selector member, said setpoint selector members being operatively linked such that adjustment of one results in a corresponding adjustment of the other;

a DSM module responsive to demand state signals from an associated utility indicative of at least a peak demand and an off peak demand state; and

a DSM switching device responsive to said DSM module and operative to selectively render one or the other of said cold controls effectively operative to control the cooling system depending upon the demand state signal.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first cold control is calibrated to a temperature set point of about 0°

F.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said second cold control is calibrated to a temperature set point higher than the setpoint of the first cold control.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the DSM module causes the switching device to render said second cold control operative in response to a peak demand state signal, whereby the cooling system is controlled to a higher setpoint in response to a peak demand state signal.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system controls the temperature in at least one of a freezer component and fresh food compartment of said refrigerator.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said DSM switching device is an electromechanical single pole, single throw relay device.

7. A method for reducing peak power consumption in an electromechanically controlled refrigerator having at least one compartment, said method comprising:

mechanically linking a first cold control having a first adjustable switch to a second cold control having a second adjustable switch;

calibrating the first cold control to a first temperature set point and the second cold control to a second temperature set point, wherein said second temperature set point is higher than said first temperature set point; and

opening and closing a DSM switching device in response to a signal received from an associated DSM module indicative of at least a peak demand and an off peak demand state of an associated utility, wherein opening said DSM switching device shifts control from said first cold control to said second cold control, causing the temperature to be controlled to a higher setpoint temperature.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising opening said DSM switching device in response to receiving a signal indicative of a peak demand period.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising controlling the temperature by the second cold control when said DSM switching device is open.

10. The method according to claim 7, further comprising closing the DSM switching device during a non-peak demand period, whereby the temperature is controlled by the first cold control.

12. The method according to claim 7, further including calibrating said first cold control to about 0°

F. and calibrating said second cold control to a temperature set point higher than the setpoint of the first cold control.

11. (canceled)

13. A system for reducing the power consumption in an electromechanically controlled refrigerator during periods of peak power demand, including at least a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment, said system comprising;

a cold control device being calibrated to a temperature set point;

a bourdon tube having a first end operatively connected to said cold control, and a second end, opposite said first end, located in one of said freezer and said fresh food compartment;

a heat source operative to supply a metered amount of heat to said bourdon tube; and

a DSM switching device operatively controlled by an associated DSM module, wherein said DSM module is configured to receive a signal indicative of at least one of a peak or non-peak demand period of an associated utility.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said cold control device is calibrated to said temperature setpoint with the metered amount of heat being provided from said heating source.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein said DSM module is capable of causing said DSM switching device to selectively enable and disable the heating of said bourdon tube by said heat source in response to a signal indicative of at least one of a non-peak and peak demand period respectively.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein said DSM module causes said DSM switching device to disable the heating of said bourdon tube upon receiving a signal indicative of a peak demand period.

17. The system according to claim 13, wherein said heat source comprises an electric heating element.

18. The system according to claim 13, wherein said heating element comprises a wire heater coiled around said bourdon tube.

19. The system according to claim 13, wherein said heat source comprises a heat pipe housed in said fresh food compartment and projecting from said fresh food compartment into said freezer compartment for thermal engagement with said bourdon tube.

20. The system according to claim 19, further including a heat block, comprising a first portion attached to said bourdon tube and a moveable second portion in contact with said heat pipe.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein said second portion is moveable into sufficient proximity to said first portion to enable heat flow from said heat pipe to said bourdon tube.

22. (canceled)