Conductive surface heater for a refrigerator

Abstract

A heater is provided for elevating the temperature of a surface of a refrigerator above the dew point of air surrounding the surface so as to avoid condensation. Heat energy is recovered from the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator by using a portion of the appliance's refrigeration loop to provide heat to the desired surface. A conductive element is connected with the desired surface and also placed into contact with a heated portion of the refrigeration loop to conduct heat energy therebetween. The surface and conductive element may be selectively removed and replaced from the refrigerator without the use of electric heating elements as conventionally required for removable surfaces.

1 . A conductive heater for increasing the temperature of a surface of a refrigerator, comprising:
 a refrigeration loop providing the heat source for the conductive heater; and   a conductive element attached along the inside of a component bearing the surface to be heated, said conductive element extending along at least part of the length of said component and in thermal communication therewith, said conductive element also positioned into contact with the heat source of said refrigeration loop such that heat from the heat source may be transferred to said conductive element and to the surface.   
     
     
         2 . A conductive heater for a surface of a refrigerator as in  claim 1 , wherein the heat source of said refrigeration loop comprises an exothermic portion of said refrigeration loop, and further comprising a conduit connected with the exothermic portion of said refrigeration loop and configured for transporting refrigerant, said conductive element positioned into contact with said conduit. 
     
     
         3 . A conductive heater for a surface of a refrigerator as in  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid placed within said conductive element, and wherein said conductive element is sealed so as to contain such fluid. 
     
     
         4 . A conductive heater for a surface of a refrigerator as in  claim 3 , wherein said fluid has a low boiling point such that a thermosyphon is created in said conductive element during operation of the refrigerator. 
     
     
         5 . A conductive heater for a surface of a refrigerator as in  claim 3 , wherein said fluid comprises water. 
     
     
         6 . A conductive heater for a surface of a refrigerator as in  claim 3 , wherein said fluid comprises an alcohol. 
     
     
         7 . A conductive heater for a surface of a refrigerator as in  claim 6 , wherein said fluid comprises methanol. 
     
     
         8 . A conductive heater for a surface of a refrigerator as in  claim 1 , wherein said component, along with said conductive element, is selectively removable from the refrigerator. 
     
     
         9 . A conductive heater for a surface of a refrigerator as in  claim 8 , wherein the refrigerator and said component define an interior space through which said conduit passes, the interior space also configured for receipt of said conductive element. 
     
     
         10 . A conductive heater for a surface of a refrigerator as in  claim 1 , wherein said conductive element comprises metal tubing filled with a fluid. 
     
     
         11 . A conductive heater for a surface of a refrigerator as in  claim 10 , wherein said metal tubing has an arcuate shape extending along at least a portion of the surface. 
     
     
         12 . A conductive heater for a surface of a refrigerator as in  claim 1 , wherein the surface comprises a mullion of the refrigerator. 
     
     
         13 . A refrigerator that includes the conductive heater of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . A method for heating a surface of a refrigerator, comprising the steps of:
 heating a refrigerant;   circulating the refrigerant within a conduit in the refrigerator, the conduit having at least a portion that is placed in proximity to the surface to be heated;   attaching a conductive element to a component of the refrigerator, the component bearing the surface to be heated;   placing the conductive element into contact with the conduit;   transferring heat from the refrigerant and conduit, through the conductive element, and to the surface to be heated; and   raising the temperature of the surface above the dew point of air to which the surface is exposed.   
     
     
         15 . A method for heating a surface of a refrigerator as in  claim 14 , wherein the conductive element and the component are selectively removable from the refrigerator. 
     
     
         16 . A method for heating a surface of a refrigerator as in  claim 14 , wherein the conductive element contains a fluid that is sealed within the conductive element. 
     
     
         17 . A method for heating a surface of a refrigerator as in  claim 16 , wherein the fluid is water. 
     
     
         18 . A method for heating a surface of a refrigerator as in  claim 16 , wherein the fluid is methanol. 
     
     
         19 . A method for heating a surface of a refrigerator as in  claim 14 , further comprising the step of providing an interior space in the refrigerator through which the conduit passes, the interior space also being configured for receipt of the conductive element.