Refrigeration – Automatic control – By accumulation on freezing surface – e.g. – ice
Patent
1987-12-29
1989-08-29
Tanner, Harry B.
Refrigeration
Automatic control
By accumulation on freezing surface, e.g., ice
62151, 340583, F25D 2102
Patent
active
048605514
ABSTRACT:
A fiber optic frost sensor for use in a refrigerating apparatus having evaporator coils is used to determine when ice or frost has accumulated on the evaporator coils to an extent that the air around the evaporator coils cannot be cooled efficiently. The frost sensor includes a fiber optic cable located adjacent to the evaporator coils, the fiber optic cable extending between a light transmitter and a light receiver. As ice and frost accumulate on the evaporator coils, the ice and frost also accumulate on the outer surface of the fiber optic cable resulting in a change in the amount of light traveling from the transmitter to the receiver through the fiber optic cable. When the amount of light received by the receiver changes a preselected amount, the receiver determines that a defrost cycle needs to be initiated to melt the accumulated ice or frost. In one embodiment, a serpentine fiber optic cable is looped along the evaporator coils. In another embodiment, notches or the like are provided in the external surface of the fiber optic cable. In yet another embodiment, a segmented fiber optic cable is used. In order to properly position the fiber optic cable adjacent to the evaporator coils, the fiber optic cable can be preassembled into a mounting bracket that snaps onto the evaporator coils.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2355014 (1944-08-01), Schorn
patent: 3280577 (1966-10-01), Kobayashi et al.
patent: 3540025 (1970-11-01), Levin et al.
patent: 3822560 (1974-07-01), Hansen et al.
patent: 4221962 (1980-09-01), Black et al.
patent: 4240747 (1980-12-01), Harmer
patent: 4593533 (1986-06-01), Alsenz
Tanner Harry B.
Whirlpool Corporation
LandOfFree
Frost sensor for an appliance does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Frost sensor for an appliance, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Frost sensor for an appliance will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2230131