Modular mechanical refrigeration unit

• US 5,007,246 A
• Filed: 05/18/1990
• Issued: 04/16/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Kuehl, Steven J., Leclear, Douglas D., Burin, Ralph R., Kruck, Richard W., Cur, Omer N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tapolcai, William E.
• Application Number:
  US07/412,981
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: 62/131, 340/545, 340/522, 340/626, 200/61.7, 200/61.81, 307/115, 307/328
• US Class Current: 62/131
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/23 Time delays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 11/00 Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 19/02 plug-in type
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/063 formed by an assembly of panels
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/10 Refrigerator top-coolers
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/02 Sensors detecting door opening

Abstract

A modular self-contained mechanical refrigeration unit adapted to form one wall of a refrigeration appliance is relatively thin and includes all of the electrical, mechanical and control components of the sealed refrigeration system.

Claims

1. A system in a refrigeration unit for detecting when a closure panel of the unit is ajar comprising a first switch positioned to be engaged by a hinge side of said closure panel and having contacts which are open when said closure panel is open, said first switch contacts being closed in response to closure of said closure panel, a second switch positioned to be engaged by the outer edge of said closure panel and having contacts which are normally closed when said closure panel is open, said second switch contacts being opened in response to complete closure of said closure panel, delay means responsive to closure of said first switch contacts for initiating a time delay of predetermined duration, and means for energizing an alarm if said second switch contacts are not opened before the end of said time delay of predetermined duration.

2. A method of detecting when the closure panel of a refrigeration unit is ajar comprising the steps of:

(1) initiating a time delay of predetermined duration in response to movement of the closure panel to a generally closed position;

(2) thereafter sensing the air pressure within said refrigeration unit; and

(3) developing an alarm if the air pressure within said refrigeration unit is not below a predetermined amount before the end of said time delay of predetermined duration.

3. A method of detecting when the closure, panel of a refrigeration unit is ajar as recited in claim 2 wherein the step of sensing the air pressure within said refrigeration unit comprises the step of sensing the air pressure within said refrigeration unit relative to the air pressure outside said refrigeration unit.

4. A system in a freezer unit for detecting when a closure member of the freezer unit is ajar comprising a first switch actuated in response to the movement of said closure member to a generally closed position, means responsive to the actuation of said first switch for initiating a time delay of predetermined duration, different pressure sensing means for measuring the air pressure within said freezer unit relative to the air pressure outside said freezer unit, and means controlled by said differential pressure sensing means for developing an alarm if the air pressure within said freezer unit does not drop to a predetermined value before the end of said time delay of predetermined duration.

7. A system in a freezer unit for detecting when a closure panel of the freezer unit is ajar as recited in claim 4 wherein said first switch and said differential pressure sensing means are mounted on a mechanical refrigeration unit adapted to form a wall portion of said freezer unit.

5. A system in a freezer unit for detecting when a closure panel of the freezer unit is ajar comprising a first switch actuated in response to the movement of said closure panel to a generally closed position, means responsive to the actuation of said first switch for initiating a time delay of predetermined duration, a second switch actuated in response to complete closure of said closure panel, and means for developing an alarm if said second switch is not actuated before the end of said time delay.

6. A system in a freezer unit for detecting when a closure panel of the freezer unit is ajar as recited in claim 5 wherein said first and second switches are mounted on a mechanical refrigeration unit adapted to form a wall portion of said freezer unit.