Patent ID: 9046291
Filing Date: 2015-06-02
Classification: F25D

Abstract:
1. A refrigeration appliance including: a plurality of operating components that are configured to operate in accordance with operating commands directed to the plurality of operating components and implement at the refrigeration appliance modes of operation that are available for selective implementation by a user; a respective actuating device corresponding to each mode of operation that is available for selective implementation by the user at the refrigeration appliance upon the activation by the user of the respective actuating device; and a controller operably associated with the plurality of operating components and each respective actuating device, the controller being configured to direct operating commands to one or more of the operating components in response to the activation by the user of a respective actuating device, causing the one or more of the operating components to which operating commands are directed to operate in a manner so as to selectively implement at the refrigeration appliance the mode of operation corresponding to the respective actuating device activated by the user, wherein the modes of operation include a mode of operation that maintains the consumption of energy at the refrigeration appliance at reduced levels, a mode of operation that controls the variations in the temperatures present in the refrigeration appliance to which items stored in the refrigeration appliance are subject so as to provide for a stable temperature profile, and a mode of operation that maintains noise generated at the refrigeration appliance at reduced levels, and wherein, in both of the mode of operation that maintains the consumption of energy at the refrigeration appliance at reduced levels and the mode of operation that controls the variations in the temperatures present in the refrigeration appliance to which items stored in the refrigeration appliance are subject so as to provide for a stable temperature profile, the controller is configured to activate a compressor of the refrigeration appliance to cool the interior of the refrigeration appliance based on a statistical analysis of the frequency and times of day at which the interior of the refrigeration appliance is exposed to the ambient environment, wherein, in both of the mode of operation that maintains the consumption of energy at the refrigeration appliance at reduced levels and the mode of operation that controls the variations in the temperatures present in the refrigeration appliance to which items stored in the refrigeration appliance are subject so as to provide for a stable temperature profile, the controller determines when to activate the compressor from a result of the statistical analysis, wherein, in the mode of operation that controls the variations in the temperatures present in the refrigeration appliance to which items stored in the refrigeration appliance are subject so as to provide for a stable temperature profile, the controller is further configured to activate the compressor each time a door of the refrigeration appliance is opened and then subsequently closed when the compressor is not running, wherein the controller is configured to operate an ice-maker of the refrigeration appliance to produce ice at a reduced rate while continuing to produce ice if the refrigeration appliance is in either one of the mode of operation that maintains the consumption of energy at the refrigeration appliance at reduced levels and the mode of operation that maintains noise generated at the refrigeration appliance at reduced levels, and wherein the compressor is a variable speed compressor and the refrigeration appliance includes variable speed fans, and when the mode of operation that maintains the noise generated at the refrigeration appliance at reduced levels is selected, operating speeds of the variable speed compressor and variable speed fans while running are reduced due to said selection, to thereby reduce noise generated by the variable speed compressor and fans.