Energy efficient domestic refrigeration system

• US 5,743,109 A
• Filed: 08/23/1996
• Issued: 04/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edward R. Schulak
• Original Assignee: Edward R. Schulak
• Inventors: Schulak, Edward R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sollecito, John M.
• Application Number:
  US08/702,102
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 62/89, 62/428, 62/404, 62/405, 62/406, 62/426, 62/440, 62/238.1, 62/238.6, 62/238.7, 62/255
• US Class Current: 62/428
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 16/00 Devices using a combination of a cooling mode associated with refrigerating machinery with a cooling mode not associated with refrigerating machinery
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/003 for cooling refrigerating machinery
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/068 Arrangements for circulating fluids through the insulating material
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/04 Refrigerators with a horizontal mullion

Abstract

An energy transfer system for a household refrigeration appliance. The energy transfer system includes a first venting system within the refrigeration appliance for cooling a cooling storage compartment and a second venting system within the refrigeration appliance for cooling at least one component of a refrigeration system which cools the cooling storage compartment, and a first and second set of conduits for enabling the transfer of outside air into, through and out of the first and second venting system. In one form of the present invention, the system may also include a thermostatically actuated valve for enabling outside air into, through and out of the compartment in response to a predetermined temperature.

Claims

1. A refrigeration or freezer appliance comprising:

a housing surrounding a cooling storage compartment;

refrigeration means for cooling said cooling storage compartment, said refrigeration means having components including a compressor and a condenser;

at least one passage disposed adjacent to said cooling storage compartment and having a first inlet and a first outlet for enabling ingress and egress of outdoor outside air and a venting system positioned within said housing for circulating the outdoor outside air through and out of said housing;

a compartment for storing at least one of said components of said refrigeration means fluidly isolated from said passage and having a second inlet and a second outlet for enabling ingress and egress of outdoor outside air and a venting system positioned within said compartment for circulating the outdoor outside air through and out of said compartment.

2. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein said first and second inlets are connected with conduits which deliver outside air through said first and second inlets.

3. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein said first and second inlets are provided with a valve for allowing inside air to be mixed with outside air.

4. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, further comprising a second cooling storage compartment within said housing.

5. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 4, further comprising a third inlet and a third outlet communicating with a passage around said second cooling storage compartment.

6. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 5, wherein said third inlet is provided with a valve for allowing inside air to be mixed with outside air.