Claims
- 1. A method of controlling a refrigeration apparatus having juxtaposed above-freezing and below-freezing compartments, refrigeration means for supplying cooling to the compartments, a first sensor for sensing temperature within the below-freezing compartment and a second sensor for sensing temperature within the above-freezing compartment, the method comprising;
- controlling the operation of the refrigeration means in response to the temperature of the below-freezing compartment as sensed by the first sensor;
- determining a length of time since the refrigeration means has been operated to supply cooling to the compartments;
- monitoring the temperature within the above-freezing compartment as sensed by said second sensor and detecting if the monitored temperature is below a preselected temperature and the length of time is above a preselected length of time, such conditions representing an undesirable temperature condition; and
- controlling the operation of the refrigeration means in response to the temperature of the above-freezing compartment as sensed by said second during periods when the undesirable temperature condition is detected.
- 2. The method of controlling a refrigeration apparatus of claim 1, wherein the monitoring step comprises determining whether the above-freezing compartment temperature has failed to rise above a predetermined temperature within a certain time period after cooling was last supplied to the above-freezing compartment.
- 3. A method of controlling a refrigeration apparatus having juxtaposed above-freezing and below-freezing compartments, refrigeration means operable to supply cooling to the compartments and a temperature sensor in the above-freezing compartment, the method comprising:
- sensing the temperature in the above-freezing compartment by means of the temperature sensor;
- determining a length of time since the refrigeration means was operated to supply cooling to the compartments;
- determining whether the temperature in the above-freezing compartment is below a first preselected temperature and the length of time is above a preselected length of time, such conditions representing an undesirable temperature condition which has arisen within the above-freezing compartment since cooling was last supplied to the compartments by the refrigeration means; and
- preventing further operation of the refrigeration means when the undesirable temperature condition is detected until the temperature within the above-freezing compartment has reached a second preselected temperature.
- 4. A method of operating a refrigerator having juxtaposed above-freezing and below-freezing compartments and refrigeration means for supplying cooling to the compartments, the method comprising the steps of:
- sensing temperature at an upper portion of the above-freezing compartment;
- determining a length of time that the upper portion of the above-freezing compartment is below a preselected temperature;
- detecting the existence of an undesirable temperature condition within a lower portion of the above-freezing compartment, such an undesirable temperature condition existing when the upper portion temperature is below the preselected temperature for a preselected length of time; and
- correcting the temperature of the lower portion of the above-freezing compartment when the undesirable temperature condition is detected by controlling operation of the refrigeration means to cause the temperature to approach a desired temperature.
- 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of correcting comprises the step of preventing operation of the refrigeration means until the temperature of the above-freezing compartment reaches a certain temperature.
- 6. A method of operating a refrigerator having juxtaposed above-freezing and below-freezing compartments and refrigeration means switchable between a cooling mode to supply cooling to the compartments and an off mode wherein no cooling is supplied to the compartments, the refrigeration means further including a temperature sensor in the above-freezing compartment and timing means for indicating the length of time since the refrigeration means was switched to the off mode, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) sensing the temperature in the above-freezing compartment;
- (b) measuring the length of time since the refrigeration means was switched to the off mode;
- (c) continuously repeating steps (a) and (b) to detect an abnormal temperature condition wherein the temperature in the above-freezing compartment has failed to rise to a particular temperature within a predetermined time period; and
- (d) initiating corrective action to eliminate the abnormal temperature condition when such condition is detected.
- 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of initiating includes the step of preventing operation of the refrigeration means until the temperature of the above-freezing compartment reaches a certain temperature.
Parent Case Info
This is a division of application Ser. No. 588,304 filed Mar. 12, 1984, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,169.
US Referenced Citations (22)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0045728 |
Feb 1982 |
EPX |
0128136 |
Nov 1978 |
JPX |
0153049 |
Aug 1984 |
JPX |
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
588304 |
Mar 1984 |
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