System for preventing condensation on refrigerator doors and frames

• US 7,240,501 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2004
• Issued: 07/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Bunch
• Original Assignee: Door Miser, LLC
• Inventors: Malwitz, Bruce G., Shelby, Stephen Maxwell, Winthur, Matthew, Bunch, John
• Primary Examiner(s): NORMAN, MARC E
• Application Number:
  US10/778,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20050172649A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,245 Days
• Field of Search: 621/50, 621/40, 622/75, 622/48, 621/75, 622/79, 621/55, 622/34, 622/76, 236/51
• US Class Current: 62/150
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/0482 Details common to both closed and open types
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 21/04 Preventing the formation of frost or condensate
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 25/02 by shelves

Abstract

The present invention is a device for reducing energy consumption by heaters on refrigerator doors and frames. A control unit is set so that the heater is on prior to the formation of condensation. The preferred embodiment provides for preset heater stop and start times entered by a system user. The heater may also be turned on when condensation is sensed by a sensor, and the sensor reading may be used to override the preset times. A programmer provides individual identification of each connected control unit and is used to read, measure and adjust one or more control units'"'"' settings. A communications host is used to enable remote monitoring and control. In addition, a quick-disconnect power connector provides for easily setting the system to a heater-on state.

Claims

1. A system for reducing energy consumption by a heater on a refrigerator, the system comprising:

a) a control unit comprising a computer processor;

memory;

a timer; and

an analog-to-digital converter;

b) a quick-disconnect power connector connecting the control unit to a power source;

c) at least one sensor that senses condensation connected to the control unit;

c) a programmer connected to the control unit, wherein the programmer further comprises;

i. a computer processor;

ii. a signal input/output;

iii. a keyboard; and

iv. a display, wherein the programmer sets at least one preset time in the control unit to turn off the heater and the control unit receives a signal from a sensor that overrides the preset time such that the heater is turned on; and

e) a communications host connected to at least one control unit, wherein the communications host enables remote monitor and control of each control unit.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the communications host enables remote monitor and control of the control unit via connection to one of a laptop, the internet, or a local area network.

3. A system for reducing energy consumption by a heater on a refrigerator, the system comprising:

a) a control unit comprising a computer processor;

memory;

a timer; and

an analog-to-digital converter;

b) a quick-disconnect power connector connecting the control unit to a power source;

c) at least one sensor that senses condensation connected to the control unit;

d) a programmer connected to the control unit, wherein the programmer sets at least one preset time in the control unit to turn the heater on or off based on one or more predetermined times of day and the control unit receives a signal from a sensor that overrides the preset time such that the heater is turned on; and

e) a communications host connected to at least one control unit, wherein the communications host enables remote monitor and control of each control unit.

4. The system according to claim 3 wherein the communications host enables remote monitor and control of the control unit via connection to one of a laptop, the internet, or a local area network.