Patent Application
20190011172
Mechanical components of a refrigerant loop increase in temperature during use, which may negatively impact the efficiency of the components. Accordingly, it is desired to cool these components during use.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator is disclosed that includes a cabinet defining a refrigerated compartment and a machine compartment. A compressor is disposed within the machine compartment and adapted to compress a refrigerant within a refrigerant line. A heat exchanger is positioned in communication with the compressor and is adapted to reject heat from a refrigerant into the machine compartment. A fan is disposed between the heat exchanger and compressor. The fan is adapted to draw air from an area adjacent the machine compartment and through the heat exchanger. A funnel is disposed between the heat exchanger and the fan and directs air toward the fan. A tunnel is disposed between the fan and the compressor and directs forced air from the fan toward the compressor.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator is disclosed that includes a cabinet defining a machine compartment. A heat exchanger and a compressor are each disposed within the machine compartment. A fan is positioned between the heat exchanger and compressor. The fan is adapted to draw air through the heat exchanger. A funnel has a first end portion disposed proximate an interior side of the heat exchanger and a second end portion encompassing the fan. A tunnel is operably coupled with the fan and configured to direct the air toward the compressor from an exit portion thereof.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a machine compartment is disclosed. The machine compartment includes a compressor and a condenser. A fan is positioned within the machine compartment between the condenser and compressor and is adapted to draw air through the condenser. The fan has an airflow path that is substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the fan. The airflow path is offset from the compressor. A tunnel is coupled to the fan and is configured to redirect the air toward the compressor.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there are shown in the drawings, certain embodiment(s). It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Drawings are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the disclosure may be exaggerated in scale or shown in schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to a detailed design and some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to show function overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.
Referring to
Referring now to
The inner liner 32 is shaped and configured to mate, couple, or otherwise be positioned within the external wrapper 34. In various embodiments, the external wrapper 34 may be formed of and by any of the materials and processes listed above in connection with the inner liner 32. The coupling of the inner liner 32 and the wrapper 34 may be performed such that an airtight, or hermetic, seal is formed between the inner liner 32 and the external wrapper 34. The hermetic seal of the wrapper 34 and the inner liner 32 may be achieved through use of adhesives, welding, elastomeric gasket fitting under compression, and/or crimping.
According to various examples, an insulator 36 may be disposed between the wrapper 34 and the liner 32. The insulator 36 may be a material configured to have low thermal conductivity. For example, the insulator 36 may include precipitated silica, polyurethane foam, fumed silica, beads (e.g., of glass, ceramic, and/or an insulative polymer), hollow organic micro/nanospheres, hollow inorganic micro/nanospheres, silica aerogel, nano aerogel powder, perlite, glass fibers, polyisocyanurate, urea foam, rice hulls, rice husk ash, diatomaceous earth, cenospheres, polyethylene foam, vermiculite, fiberglass and combinations thereof. Optionally, an opacifier (e.g., TiO2, SiC, and/or carbon black) may be included in the insulator 36 or materials configured to change and/or reduce the radiation conduction, the flow properties, and/or packing factor of the insulator 36. Further, one or more gas (e.g., oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide) and/or moisture getters may be included in the insulator 36.
Referring now to
The compressor 18 is adapted to compress the refrigerant into a vapor that is then delivered to the condenser 44 through the refrigerant line 20 where the vaporized refrigerant is condensed into a liquid. Through this change in state of refrigerant from a vapor state to a liquid state, heat is rejected from the refrigerant while in the condenser 44. The refrigerant, in a liquid state, is then moved toward an expansion device where the refrigerant is transferred again into a combination liquid/vapor state to be delivered to the evaporator 52. Within the evaporator 52, the refrigerant is transferred back into a vapor state. Through this transfer from a liquid/vapor state to a vapor state of the refrigerant, heat is absorbed into the refrigerant at the evaporator 52. In this manner, the area around the evaporator 52 is cooled, such as within the refrigerated compartment 14. The now vaporized refrigerant is transferred back to the compressor 18 to be re-pressurized for later condensation and rejection of the heat that has been acquired within the evaporator 52.
The control unit 46 includes a controller for receiving various inputs and controlling each of the components within the refrigerant loop 50. The controller may include a microprocessor and memory, according to various embodiments. It should be appreciated that the controller may include control circuitry such as analog and/or digital control circuitry. Logic is stored within the memory and executed by the microprocessor for processing the various inputs and controlling each component that is within the machine compartment 16 and/or the refrigeration cabinet 12. The heatsink 48 may be disposed on and/or within the control unit 46 and utilized for removing, absorbing, and/or dissipating heat from the control unit 46.
As exemplified in
The condenser 44, which may be in the form of a micro-channel condenser 44, can be positioned in communication with the compressor 18. In this manner, the condenser 44 can be adapted to selectively reject heat from the refrigerant into the machine compartment 16 and/or out of the refrigerator 10 altogether. The condenser fan 24 is positioned within the machine compartment 16 proximate the condenser 44. According to various embodiments, the condenser fan 24 is positioned between the condenser 44 and the compressor 18 such that the fan 24 is adapted to draw the heated air 54 through and/or from the condenser 44. The condenser fan 24 is also adapted to draw the ambient air 56 from an area 26 adjacent to the machine compartment 16. This ambient air 56 can be drawn from an area 26 rearwardly of and/or laterally outward from the refrigerated compartment 14. As described above, the heated air 54 and ambient air 56 combine to define mixed air 58 that is directed toward the compressor 18 for cooling the compressor 18 during operation of the condenser fan 24. It is contemplated that this configuration of the condenser fan 24 between the condenser 44 and the compressor 18 may allow for a greater rejection of heat from the condenser 44 and also greater cooling capacity provided to an area proximate the compressor 18, which may increase the efficiency of the refrigerant loop 50.
Referring again to
Referring to
During operation of the condenser fan 24, the condenser fan 24 draws heated air 54 from the condenser 44 and also draws ambient air 56 from the area 26 adjacent to the machine compartment 16 through the air inlets 66. The ambient air 56 and heated air 54 are combined proximate the condenser fan 24 (e.g. within the funnel 28 and/or while passing through the condenser 44) to define mixed air 58 that is delivered to the compressor 18. The mixed air 58 that is cooled through the incorporation of the ambient air 56 from the area 26 adjacent to the machine compartment 16 may have a greater cooling capacity for absorbing heat from the compressor 18. This absorption of heat from the compressor 18 allows for greater cooling of the compressor 18 and a more efficient refrigeration system.
According to various embodiments, the condenser fan 24 is positioned to define a rotational axis 76 that is substantially transverse with the interior edge 64 of the condenser 44 providing an airflow path through the fan 24 in a substantially parallel direction. The positioning of these components provides for the efficient rejection of heat from the condenser 44. Moreover, the tunnel 30 may direct the mixed air 58 toward the compressor 18 providing for efficient absorption of heat from the compressor 18 to assist in preventing overheating of the compressor 18 during operation of the refrigerant loop 50. In various embodiments, the condenser 44 may include cooling fins formed on an outer surface of the condenser 44 to enlarge a contact area with the heated air 54 and the ambient air 56 to improve heat exchange performance.
Referring to
With further reference to
The motor 80 may be a variable speed motor that promotes heat transfer between the condenser 44 and the surrounding air by creating the airflow path that may be substantially parallel to the rotational axis 76 of the fan 24. According to various embodiments, the motor 80 is an electronically commutated motor (ECM) that provides for speed control of the motor 80 with the input of a pulse width modulated signal. According to various embodiments, the housing 84 is disposed within the funnel 28. The housing 84 may be attached to the funnel 28 or formed therewith according to various embodiments.
Referring still to
The tunnel 30 is configured to direct mixed air 58 from the fan 24 toward the compressor 18, the control unit 46, and/or the heatsink 48 as the air exits the tunnel 30 through an exit portion 92. The exit portion 92 may have a varied geometry from that of the entrance portion 90. For example, in various embodiments, the exit portion 92 has a generally oval cross-sectional geometry that extends above and/or below the compressor 18 to provide convection heat transfer to the compressor 18 and/or the control unit 46 when the fan 24 is operating. Due to the orientation of the compressor 18 in relation to the condenser 44, the tunnel 30 may have an intermediate portion 100 that redirects the mixed air 58 in a desired direction from the airflow path generated by the fan 24. The exit portion 92 and/or the intermediate portion 100 may also include a baffle 102 that is configured to further direct the mixed air 58 in a desired direction. The baffle 102 may be integrally formed with the exit portion 92 and/or the intermediate portion 100, or later attached thereto. The tunnel 30 may be formed from any polymeric material, any elastomeric material, a combination thereof, and/or any other material known in the art.
According to some embodiments, the exit portion may have a larger cross-sectional area than the entrance portion 90 of the tunnel 30. Accordingly, an airflow speed of the mixed air 58 may be faster at proximate the entrance portion 90 relative the exit portion 92. According to alternate embodiments, the exit portion 92 may have a smaller cross-sectional area such that the airflow speed is increased as the mixed air 58 is forced through the tunnel 30. Alternatively still, the entrance portion 90 and the exit portion 92 of the tunnel 30 may have a similar cross-sectional area such that the airflow speed at the entrance portion 90 and the exit portion 32 may be substantially equal while the fan 24 is in operation.
A tray 104 may be disposed within the machine compartment 16 and below the condenser 44 and/or the tunnel 30. The tray 104 may be formed from a polymeric material. The tray 104 has a bottom wall 108 and an upstanding continuous peripheral wall 110 forming front, rear and sidewalls. The tray 104 may be mounted to the machine compartment 16. The tray 104 may collect and retain condensate that is generated or develops during operation of the refrigerant loop 50. In various embodiments, a bottom portion of the tunnel 30 is disposed above the peripheral wall 110 of the tray 104.
Referring to
When the refrigerant loop 50 operates, the compressor 18, the condenser 44, and the fan 24 operate. The ambient air 56 surrounding the lower part of the refrigerator 10 enters the machine compartment 16 through the air inlets 66 of the cover 42 as a pressure within the machine compartment 16 is lowered. The inlet air absorbs heat generated during a heat exchanging process of the condenser 44 and/or heat generated from the compressor 18 forming mixed air 58 that is then blown out of the machine compartment 16 by the fan 24. If the mixed air 58 expelled from the machine compartment 16 remains in an area 26 surrounding the lower part of the refrigerator 10, and reenters the machine compartment 16, the cooling efficiency of the machine compartment 16 may be lowered. Therefore, the mixed air 58 expelled through the air outlets 68 of the cover 42 is blown away from the air inlets 66. Moreover, a blowing efficiency of the fan 24 may be increased, since the fan 24 and the cover 42 form a substantially sealed space.
Use of the present disclosure may offer several advantages. First, the assembly provided herein may enhance the efficiency of the refrigerant loop within the appliance due to increased airflow within the machine compartment. For example, the offset angle of the evaporator may increase the amount of airflow through the condenser. The funnel may increase the amount of air through the condenser that is then directed through the tunnel and towards the condenser, the control unit, and/or the heatsink. The exit portion of the tunnel may be configured to maximize airflow through the remaining portions of the machine compartment. For example, the exit portion may extend above and/or below the compressor such that some of the air may make unimpeded contact with additional components of the machine compartment (other than the compressor). The tunnel may also include a baffle that further directs air towards a desired component within the machine compartment. Moreover, the fan may be encompassed by the funnel and/or tunnel. Accordingly, fan noise outside of the machine compartment may be minimized. It will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to cabinets for refrigerators, but may be used to form a variety of structures and assemblies which that utilize the refrigerant loop. Accordingly, although the disclosure was described in terms of a refrigerator, the disclosure may equally be applied to coolers, ovens, dishwashers, laundry applications, air-conditioning systems, and other applications.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described invention and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
Furthermore, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected” or “operably coupled” to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable” to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Some examples of operably couplable include, but are not limited, to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2017/020922 | 3/6/2017 | WO | 00 |
