Patent ID: 7988771
Filing Date: 2011-08-02
Classification: A61L,F25D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for controlling odor within a refrigeration appliance that includes an airflow system for channeling cooled air through an airflow path and an evaporator for cooling air within the airflow path, said apparatus comprising: a frame positioned within a food storage compartment of the refrigerator, the frame comprising an inner surface extending between a first open end and a second open end opposite said first open end, said inner surface defining a chamber extending between said first open end and said second open end, said frame removably positioned proximate to an outlet of the evaporator such that the cooled air is at least partially channeled from the evaporator through said frame from said first end to said second end to facilitate removing odor from the cooled air; a filter medium positioned within said chamber such that said inner surface circumscribes said filter medium, said filter medium configured to filter air channeled therethrough and remove odorous molecules; and an odor sensing system operatively coupled to the refrigeration appliance for facilitating activating the airflow system to channel air through said filter medium upon sensing an odor, said odor sensing system comprising: a first sensor positioned within the food storage compartment, said first sensor configured to sense an odor within the food storage compartment and to transmit a first signal indicative of the sensed odor, said first sensor having an electrical resistance that is configured to be reduced upon exposure to an odor; a second sensor positioned within the food storage compartment, said second sensor configured to sense a temperature within the food storage compartment and transmit a signal indicative of the sensed temperature; and a controller coupled to said first and second sensors and configured to channel air through the filter medium upon said first sensor sensing an odor within the food storage compartment, said controller further configured to adjust a power supplied to said first sensor based at least in part on the sensed temperature to facilitate adjusting the electrical resistance of said first sensor.