Secondary cooling apparatus and method for a refrigerator

Abstract

The present invention provides a secondary cooling apparatus and method of providing cooling to one or more features in a refrigerator. In one exemplary aspect of the present invention, the refrigerator includes a cabinet having a door, a first cooling loop in the cabinet, and a second cooling loop cooled by the first cooling loop. The secondary cooling loop is adapted to cool the one or more features in the cabinet or on the door of the refrigerator. In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a method for providing cooling in a refrigerator to one or more features in a compartment or on a door of the refrigerator includes providing a first cooling loop within a refrigerator, cooling a secondary cooling loop directly or indirectly with the first cooling loop, and transferring cooling from the secondary cooling loop to the one or more features in the compartment or on the door of the refrigerator.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method for providing cooling in a refrigerator to one or more features in a compartment or on a door of the refrigerator, the method comprising:
 providing a first cooling loop within a refrigerator;   cooling a secondary cooling loop directly and/or indirectly with the first cooling loop; and   transferring cooling from the secondary loop to the features in the compartment or on the door of the refrigerator.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of cooling fluid in a fluid reservoir within a freezer or evaporator compartment of the refrigerator to provide cooling to an ice maker, heat exchanger, water chiller, and/or other compartment within the refrigerator or on the door. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of routing the first or secondary cooling loop through a hinge connecting the door to the refrigerator to provide cooling to one or more features on the door. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of transferring cooling in the first cooling loop to the secondary cooling loop through a coupler by conduction. 
     
     
         18 . A method for providing cooling in a refrigerator to one or more features in a compartment or on a door of the refrigerator, the method comprising:
 providing a first cooling loop having a freezer compartment evaporator in fluid communication with a refrigerator compartment evaporator;   cooling a secondary cooling loop directly or indirectly using the first cooling loop; and   transferring cooling in the secondary cooling loop to the feature in the compartment or on the door.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of connecting the secondary cooling loop to the first cooling loop after the refrigerator compartment evaporator to provide cooling to an evaporator on the door to cool an ice maker, heat exchanger, water chiller, and/or other compartment. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of connecting the secondary cooling loop to the first cooling loop before the refrigerator compartment evaporator to provide cooling to an evaporator on the door to cool an ice maker, heat exchanger, water chiller, and/or other compartment. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of conductively coupling the refrigerator compartment evaporator with an ice maker, whereby the ice maker forms a coupled or direct extension of the refrigerator compartment evaporator. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of coupling together a first coupler in line with the first cooling loop with a second coupler in line with the secondary cooling loop to provide cooling from the first cooling loop to the secondary cooling loop. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of substituting out one modular feature with another modular feature by de-coupling the one modular feature and re-coupling the other modular feature with the first coupler.