Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator provided with a coolant circuit that includes a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. The refrigerator also includes a ventilator, such as a fan, for cooling at least one of the condenser and the compressor, and a control system. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the control system is structured to detect a failure of the ventilator.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A refrigerator, comprising:
 a refrigerant circuit, the refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator;   a fan structured to cool at least one of the condenser and the compressor; and   a controller, wherein the controller is structured to detect a failure of the fan.   
   
   
       12 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the condenser and the compressor are disposed in a machine bay in a base of the refrigerator. 
   
   
       13 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the controller is structured to communicate with at least one sensor. 
   
   
       14 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one sensor is a temperature sensor. 
   
   
       15 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the temperature sensor is structured to measure a temperature in a machine bay in a base of the refrigerator. 
   
   
       16 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the temperature sensor is structured to measure a temperature of at least one of the condenser and the compressor. 
   
   
       17 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the controller is structured to detect when a temperature in at least one of the machine bay, the condenser, and the compressor has exceeded a predetermined limit temperature and to switch off at least the compressor when the predetermined limit temperature is exceeded. 
   
   
       18 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the controller is structured to detect a fault in the temperature sensor when the predetermined limit temperature is not undershot after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. 
   
   
       19 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the controller is structured to detect the failure of the fan when the predetermined limit temperature is undershot after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the compressor has been switched off. 
   
   
       20 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein at least one of an audible warning signal and a visual warning signal is output when the failure of the fan is detected.