Patent ID: 9046287
Filing Date: 2015-06-02
Classification: F25B,F25D,F28D,F28F

Abstract:
1. An appliance comprising: a co-extruded evaporator within the appliance and disposed in thermal communication with and in thermal communication of an interior compartment such that the co-extruded evaporator provides cooling to at least one interior compartment, the co-extruded evaporator having a main channel in fluid communication with a main cooling loop, and at least one support channel in direct thermal communication with the main channel, wherein a wall of the main channel comprises at least a portion of a wall of the at least one support channel, and a plurality of co-extruded cooling fins disposed proximate at least one of the main channel and the at least one support channel, wherein the plurality of cooling fins is in direct physical contact with and in thermal communication with at least one of the main channel and the at least one support channel; a coolant fluid disposed in the main channel and the main cooling loop, wherein the main cooling loop comprises a compressor, a condenser, at least one expansion device, and the main channel in fluid communication with the coolant fluid; a thermally conductive media that is independent and maintained separate from the coolant fluid disposed in the main channel and the main cooling loop and selectively disposed in each at least one support channel, wherein the thermally conductive media is in direct contact and in thermal communication with the main channel and in thermal communication with the coolant fluid in the main channel, and wherein the thermally conductive media for each at least one support channel is chosen from the group consisting of: a. a support channel coolant, wherein the appliance further comprises a second cooling loop in fluid communication with the selected at least one support channel, and wherein the second cooling loop is in thermal communication with at least one cooling module that provides cooling to an interior of the at least one module; b. a thermal storage material, wherein the thermal storage material is disposed within a volume defined by an interior surface and first and second ends of the selected at least one support channel, and wherein the thermal storage media is in thermal communication with the same at least one interior compartment; and c. a defrost fluid, wherein the appliance further comprises a defrost circuit in fluid communication with the selected at least one support channel and a defrost-fluid pump, and wherein the defrost circuit is in thermal communication with a heat source.