Energy saving refrigeration apparatus having a control means
First Claim
1. Refrigeration apparatus comprising in combination:
- generator means for generating electrical energy, having a running state wherein electrical energy is generated and a nonrunning state wherein electrical energy is not generated;
rechargeable battery means connected to said generator means for storing electrical energy generated by said generator means;
cooling means for cooling a refrigerated space, including coil means disposed in said refrigerated space through which cooled refrigeration fluid is circulated and a compressor and condenser located outside said refrigerated space for cooling said refrigeration fluid prior to circulating it through said coil means, said cooling means powered by said battery means; and
control means for sensing whether said generator means is in its running state or its non-running state and for operating said cooling means to maintain said refrigerated space within a first predetermined temperature range when said generator is in said running state and within a second predetermined temperature range when said generator is in said non-running state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigeration apparatus includes a compressor, a condenser and a eutectic plate adapted to be mounted in the refrigerated space in place of, or in heat-conducting relation with, cooling coils. The compressor is of a type operated by a battery which is recharged by a generator. In turn, the generator is powered by any convenient external power source, such as an internal combustion engine. The refrigeration apparatus also includes a control device which senses the voltage at the battery terminals, thereby determining whether or not the engine is running. The control device chooses between two different cooling levels. A low (warmer) cooling level is chosen if the engine is not running. A high (cooler) cooling level is chosen when the motor is running. The operation of the control device is based on the fact that the voltage at the battery terminals when the battery is being charged is higher than a predetermined voltage level whereas the voltage at the battery terminals when the battery is not being charged is below the predetermined voltage level. In the former case the compressor is operated until the cooling medium of the eutectic plate has partly or even completely solidified, for instance a temperature of between -8 degrees and -15 degrees C. In the latter case the compressor is operated only until the still liquid medium of the eutectic plate has reached a temperature of for instance between -2 degrees C. and -6 degrees C.
75 Citations
11 Claims
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1. Refrigeration apparatus comprising in combination:
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generator means for generating electrical energy, having a running state wherein electrical energy is generated and a nonrunning state wherein electrical energy is not generated; rechargeable battery means connected to said generator means for storing electrical energy generated by said generator means; cooling means for cooling a refrigerated space, including coil means disposed in said refrigerated space through which cooled refrigeration fluid is circulated and a compressor and condenser located outside said refrigerated space for cooling said refrigeration fluid prior to circulating it through said coil means, said cooling means powered by said battery means; and control means for sensing whether said generator means is in its running state or its non-running state and for operating said cooling means to maintain said refrigerated space within a first predetermined temperature range when said generator is in said running state and within a second predetermined temperature range when said generator is in said non-running state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification