Refrigerator with efficient freezer compartment heat exchanger - has fan circulated thermal exchange between main compartment and freezer requiring small energy input for drive

摘要

The refrigerator has an upper freezer compartment (2), a lower main cabinet (4), a cooling unit (31) with controller (ST1) connected to an evaporator coil (30) and thermostat (32). The evaporator (30) is surrounded by a reservoir (3) containing a cooling medium e.g. brine or organic fluid of thermal capacity and freezing point related to main cabinet parameters. Relatively warm air (KL) from lower cabinet (4) is circulated by thermostat (42) controlled fan (41) over the reservoir (3) surface and returned to cabinet (4). Via cabinet (4) via duct (40). The fan supply is automatically interrupted by doorswitch (43) to prevent egress of cold air on opening. USE/ADVANTAGE - Particularly in mobile equipment where energy must be conserved. Maintains required temp. over several hours with small energy inputs to fan and cooling unit, energy savings of 40 per cent are achievable against similar equipment, small battery driven fan is adequate due to low air resistance around circuit and small movement required.