Secondary cooling apparatus and method for a refrigerator

摘要

The present invention provides a secondary cooling apparatus and method of providing cooling to one or more features in a refrigerator. In one exemplary aspect of the present invention, the refrigerator includes a cabinet having a door, a first cooling loop in the cabinet, and a second cooling loop cooled by the first cooling loop. The secondary cooling loop is adapted to cool the one or more features in the cabinet or on the door of the refrigerator. In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a method for providing cooling in a refrigerator to one or more features in a compartment or on a door of the refrigerator includes providing a first cooling loop within a refrigerator, cooling a secondary cooling loop directly or indirectly with the first cooling loop, and transferring cooling from the secondary cooling loop to the one or more features in the compartment or on the door of the refrigerator.

主权项

1. A refrigerator having one or more evaporator systems adapted to provide cooling to one or more features of the refrigerator, the refrigerator comprising:
a cabinet; a cabinet door; a first cooling loop in the cabinet, the first cooling loop having a first coupler with a first coupling interface, the first cooling loop further including a freezer evaporator and a fresh food evaporator in parallel with each other and wherein the first coupler is in parallel with the freezer evaporator and in series with the fresh food evaporator; a secondary cooling loop cooled by the first cooling loop, the secondary cooling loop having a second coupler with a second coupling interface and a flow control device to control flow in the secondary cooling loop; wherein the first coupling interface is in mating engagement with the second coupling interface; wherein the first coupling interface is in mating engagement with the second coupling interface in both the open and the closed position of the cabinet door; and the secondary cooling loop adapted to cool one or more features in the cabinet or on the door of the refrigerator.