Refrigerator condenser system

Abstract

A refrigerator condenser system includes an integral condenser coil and hot gas loop embedded in a floor and a vertical wall of a refrigeration compartment to increase heat transfer efficiency to ambient air. The condenser system is cast in place within the refrigerator cabinet to form a reliable, high efficiency, maintenance free refrigerator condenser system.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A condenser system for a refrigerator including an outer shell and an inner liner together forming a refrigeration compartment and a machinery compartment, the refrigeration compartment including a floor having a lower shelf surface and an upper shelf surface adjacent the machinery compartment and a substantially vertical wall extending from at least one of the upper and lower shelf surfaces, said condenser system comprising an integral condenser coil and hot gas loop comprising: 
 a first portion coinciding with the floor upper shelf when said integral condenser and hot gas loop is installed in the outer shell;    a second portion coinciding with the floor lower shelf when said integral condenser and hot gas loop are installed in the outer shell; and    a third portion coinciding with the vertical wall when said integral condenser and hot gas loop are installed in the outer shell.    
     
     
         2 . A condenser system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said first portion is substantially planar.  
     
     
         3 . A condenser system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said second portion is substantially planar.  
     
     
         4 . A condenser system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said third portion is substantially planar.  
     
     
         5 . A condenser system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said first portion and said second portion comprise a condenser coil.  
     
     
         6 . A condenser system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said third portion comprises a condenser coil.  
     
     
         7 . A refrigerator condenser system comprising: 
 a cabinet comprising a refrigeration compartment and a machinery compartment, said refrigerator compartment comprising a floor and a vertical wall, said refrigerator compartment and said machinery compartment separated by said floor;    a condenser coil embedded in one of said floor and said vertical wall;    a hot gas loop embedded in the other of said floor and vertical wall and extending from said condenser coil.    
     
     
         8 . A condenser system in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said floor comprises an upper shelf, a lower shelf, and a wall connecting said upper shelf and said lower shelf.  
     
     
         9 . A condenser system in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said condenser coil is embedded in at least a portion of said floor upper shelf and at least a portion of said lower shelf.  
     
     
         10 . A condenser system in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said floor further comprises an outside surface, said condenser system further comprising a plurality of fins attached to said outside surface.  
     
     
         11 . A condenser system in accordance with  claim 10  further comprising a condenser fan mounted to said machinery compartment for forcing air across said fins.  
     
     
         12 . A condenser system in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said condenser coil is embedded in said vertical wall.  
     
     
         13 . A condenser system in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said vertical wall comprises an outer surface, said condenser system comprising a plurality of fins attached to said outside surface.  
     
     
         14 . A condenser system in accordance with  claim 13  further comprising a condenser fan mounted to said machinery compartment for forcing air across said fins.  
     
     
         15 . A condenser system in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said cabinet comprises an outer shell, an inner liner, and a foam insulation therebetween.  
     
     
         16 . A condenser system in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said condenser coil and said hot gas loop are integral.  
     
     
         17 . A method for assembling a refrigerator condenser system for a refrigerator including an outer shell, an inner liner, and an integral condenser coil and hot gas loop, the integral condenser coil and hot gas loop including first, second, and third portions, the first and second portions coiled and the third portion forming the hot gas loop, the liner and shell including a floor having first and second surfaces and at least one vertical wall extending therefrom, said method comprising the steps of: 
 inserting the integral condenser coil and hot gas loop into the outer shell so that the first, second, and third portions coincide with the first floor surface, the second floor surface, and the vertical wall;    inserting the inner liner inside of the outer shell so that the integral condenser coil and hot gas loop is positioned between the shell and the liner; and    applying polyurethane foam between the inner liner and the outer shell to form a refrigerator cabinet with the condenser coil and hot gas loop embedded therein.    
     
     
         18 . A method in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said integral condenser coil and hot gas loop is inserted into said outer shell so that the first and second portions are adjacent the first and second floor surfaces.  
     
     
         19 . A method in accordance with  claim 17  wherein the floor and vertical wall include outer surfaces, said method further comprising the step of attaching fins to the outer surfaces of at least one of the floor and the vertical wall.  
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with  claim 19  further comprising the step of mounting a condenser fan adjacent the outer surface to force air across the fins.