THERMAL CAPACITIVE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A MULTI-COMPARTMENT REFRIGERATOR

摘要

A system for controlling temperatures in and the flow of air between freezer and fresh food compartments of a refrigerator incorporates a thermal mass that is adapted to receive a flow of air directed from the freezer compartment to the fresh food compartment. The thermal mass is associated with a temperature sensor that is connected to a manually adjustable thermostat unit. In the preferred embodiment, the temperature sensor comprises a capillary tube which is wrapped around an outer surface portion of the thermal mass. Structure is provided in the air passageway between the freezer and fresh food compartments to regulate the flow of air over the thermal mass. By regulating the flow over the thermal mass, as well as establishing a desired thermal mass size and location, the control system can achieve desired operational cycles in order to minimize energy consumption and to minimize any variance of the number of cycles over a given period of time between various refrigerator units.