Temperature controller and method for facilitating the storage of wine and like perishables
First Claim
1. A temperature controller for converting a refrigeration unit of the type including an electrically powered chiller, a chilled compartment and a thermostat for controlling operation of said chiller, to a unit for storing perishables for extended periods of time, comprising:
- a housing;
means, adapted to be positioned in said chilled compartment, for sensing a temperature of said chilled compartment; and
means in said housing, operatively connected to said temperature sensing means, for overriding the thermostat control of said chiller by enabling the supply of electrical power from an electrical power supply to said chiller, when the sensed temperature of said chilled compartment is above a preselected temperature, and disabling the supply of electrical power from the electrical power supply to said chiller when the sensed temperature is below said preselected temperature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A temperature controller for facilitating the storage of wine and like perishables in a household refrigeration unit includes a temperature sensing device, adapted to be positioned in a chilled compartment of the refrigeration unit, and a temperature controller circuit, operatively connected to the temperature sensing device, for overriding an internal thermostat of the refrigeration unit. The temperature controller circuit maintains the refrigeration unit'"'"'s chilled compartment at a desired user selected wine storage temperature by periodically enabling and disabling the supply of electrical power from an external power supply to the refrigeration unit'"'"'s chiller (e.g., compressor). The temperature controller circuit is maintained in a housing adapted to be positioned on or adjacent the refrigeration unit. The housing may also include a display for visually indicating the temperature of the chilled compartment. Unlike conventional household refrigeration units, the cooling of the chilled compartment is not performed on a continuous basis until the user selected wine storage temperature is reached, but instead is performed on a more gradual basis using a series of consecutive cooling and non-cooling periods.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A temperature controller for converting a refrigeration unit of the type including an electrically powered chiller, a chilled compartment and a thermostat for controlling operation of said chiller, to a unit for storing perishables for extended periods of time, comprising:
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a housing; means, adapted to be positioned in said chilled compartment, for sensing a temperature of said chilled compartment; and means in said housing, operatively connected to said temperature sensing means, for overriding the thermostat control of said chiller by enabling the supply of electrical power from an electrical power supply to said chiller, when the sensed temperature of said chilled compartment is above a preselected temperature, and disabling the supply of electrical power from the electrical power supply to said chiller when the sensed temperature is below said preselected temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A temperature controller for converting a refrigeration unit of the type including an electrically powered chiller, a chilled compartment and a thermostat for controlling operation of said chiller, to a unit for storing perishables for extended periods of time, comprising:
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a housing; temperature sensing means adapted to be positioned in said chilled compartment; means in said housing, operatively connected to said temperature sensing means, for overriding the thermostat control of said chiller by enabling the supply of electrical power from an electrical power supply to said chiller, when the sensed temperature of said chilled compartment is above a first preselected temperature, and disabling the supply of electrical power from the electrical power supply to said chiller when the sensed temperature is below said first preselected temperature; and means, mounted on said housing, for visually displaying the sensed temperature of said chilled compartment relative to a second preselected temperature. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A refrigeration unit comprising,
a chilled compartment; -
an electrically powered chiller for chilling said chilled compartment; a thermostat for controlling operation of said chiller; means, adapted to be positioned in said chilled compartment, for sensing a temperature of said chilled compartment; and means, operatively connected to said temperature sensing means, for overriding the thermostat control of said chiller by enabling the supply of electrical power from an electrical power supply to said chiller, when the sensed temperature of said chilled compartment is above a first preselected temperature, and disabling the supply of electrical power from the electrical power supply to said chiller when the sensed temperature is below said first preselected temperature. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of regulating temperature in a refrigeration unit of the type including an electrically powered chiller, a chilled compartment and a thermostat for controlling operation of said chiller, said thermostat being adjustable from a low temperature setting to a high temperature setting, the regulating method comprising the steps of:
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sensing a temperature of said chilled compartment; enabling, independent of said thermostat, the supply of electrical power from an electrical power supply to said chiller, when the temperature of said chilled compartment is above a preselected temperature; and disabling the supply of electrical power from the electrical power supply to said chiller when the sensed temperature is below said preselected temperature. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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Specification