Synchronous temperature rate control for refrigeration with reduced energy consumption

摘要

Methods of operation for refrigerator appliance configurations with a controller, a condenser, at least one evaporator, a compressor, and two refrigeration compartments. The configuration may be equipped with a variable-speed or variable-capacity compressor, variable speed evaporator or compartment fans, a damper, and/or a dual-temperature evaporator with a valve system to control flow of refrigerant through one or more pressure reduction devices. The methods may include synchronizing alternating cycles of cooling each compartment to a temperature approximately equal to the compartment set point temperature by operation of the compressor, fans, damper and/or valve system. The methods may also include controlling the cooling rate in one or both compartments. Refrigeration compartment cooling may begin at an interval before or after when the freezer compartment reaches its lower threshold temperature. Freezer compartment cooling may begin at an interval before or after when the freezer compartment reaches its upper threshold temperature.

主权项

1. A method of operating a refrigerator appliance having a refrigeration compartment, a freezer compartment, a refrigeration compartment fan, a freezer compartment fan, a condenser, a compressor and an evaporator in thermal communication with the refrigeration and the freezer compartment, comprising the steps:
measuring a refrigeration compartment temperature in the refrigeration compartment as a function of time; measuring a freezer compartment temperature in the freezer compartment as a function of time; providing a freezer compartment and a refrigeration compartment set point temperature; synchronizing cycles of cooling the freezer and refrigeration compartments to temperatures approximately equal to their respective compartment set point temperatures, wherein the cycles of cooling the compartments are alternated by operation of one or more of the compressor, the refrigeration compartment fan and the freezer compartment fan; providing a freezer compartment upper and lower threshold temperature respectively above and below the freezer compartment temperature set point; and wherein the step of cooling the temperature in the freezer and refrigeration compartments further comprises cooling the temperature in the refrigeration compartment during a cycle of cooling at substantially the same time as the temperature in the freezer compartment reaches the freezer compartment lower threshold temperature, and cooling the temperature in the freezer compartment during a cycle of cooling at substantially the same time as the temperature in the freezer compartment reaches the freezer compartment upper threshold temperature by operation of one or more of the compressor, the refrigeration compartment fan and the freezer compartment fan; providing a refrigeration compartment upper and lower threshold temperature respectively above and below the refrigeration compartment temperature; and wherein the step of cooling the temperature in the freezer and refrigeration compartments further comprises controlling a rate of cooling in the freezer compartment such that the temperature in the freezer compartment during a cycle of cooling reaches the freezer compartment lower threshold temperature at substantially the same time as the temperature in the refrigeration compartment reaches the refrigeration compartment upper threshold temperature by operation of one or more of the compressor, the refrigeration compartment fan and the freezer compartment fan.