Patent ID: 8021218

Claim:
A refrigerator damper comprising: a housing providing an air passageway along an axis through a damper seat; a damper plate mounted for movement along the axis with respect to the housing between a closed position covering the damper seat and an opened position uncovering the damper seat by separating the damper plate from the damper seat; an electric actuator communicating with the damper plate to move the damper plate so that the damper plate moves without pivoting in a straight line between the open and closed positions as constrained in motion by at least one of the electric actuator and the housing, the electric actuator including a motor having a series current limiting resistance allowing the motor to operate in stall condition without damage, wherein the motor drives the damper plate for a time period longer than required for full travel of the damper plate between the closed and open positions; whereby velocity of closure between the damper plate and the damper seat at all points of contact around the damper plate and damper seat are substantially equal and wherein at least one of the damper plate and damper seat includes a gasket that extends between the damper plate and damper seat when the damper plate is in a closed position; wherein the electric actuator is a motor and a lead screw communicating with a threaded portion of the damper plate to linearly displace the damper plate with rotation of the lead screw; and wherein the damper plate includes key surfaces fitting within a keyway and preventing rotation of the damper plate.