Refrigeration appliance and method for operation

Abstract

A refrigeration appliance, a controller, and method for operation are provided. The appliance includes a cabinet, a damper assembly, an evaporator, a flow device, and a return conduit. The cabinet forms a first compartment and a second compartment. The damper assembly is configured to selectively flow conditioned air to the first compartment and the second compartment. The evaporator is configured to condition air and flow the conditioned air to the damper assembly. The flow device is positioned in fluid communication with the first compartment. The return conduit extends in fluid communication between the first compartment and the evaporator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigeration appliance, the appliance comprising:
 a cabinet forming a first compartment and a second compartment;   a damper assembly configured to selectively flow conditioned air to the first compartment and the second compartment;   an evaporator configured to condition air and flow the conditioned air to the damper assembly; and   a selectively-activatable flow device positioned in fluid communication with the first compartment; and   a first return conduit extending in fluid communication between the first compartment and the evaporator.   
     
     
         2 . The appliance of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a second return conduit extending in fluid communication between the second compartment and the evaporator.   
     
     
         3 . The appliance of  claim 2 , wherein a second pressure difference from the second compartment to the second return conduit is at least 1.3 times greater than a first pressure difference from the first compartment to the first return conduit. 
     
     
         4 . The appliance of  claim 3 , comprising:
 a first supply conduit extending in fluid communication between the damper assembly and the first compartment.   
     
     
         5 . The appliance of  claim 4 , comprising:
 a second supply conduit extending in fluid communication between the damper assembly and the second compartment.   
     
     
         6 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the first compartment forms an upper chamber relative to the second compartment forming a lower chamber relative to the upper chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The appliance of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a second flow device positioned in fluid communication between the evaporator and the damper assembly, the second flow device configured to flow the conditioned air to the damper.   
     
     
         8 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the evaporator is a single evaporator. 
     
     
         9 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the evaporator is positioned proximate to the second compartment relative to the first compartment. 
     
     
         10 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the refrigeration appliance is a beverage cooler appliance. 
     
     
         11 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the flow device is positioned at a first supply conduit, the first compartment, or at the first return conduit. 
     
     
         12 . A controller configured to operate a refrigeration appliance, the controller comprising a processor configured to execute instructions that cause the refrigeration appliance to perform operations, the operations comprising:
 generating, at an evaporator, conditioned air comprising a first temperature and a second temperature;   flowing the conditioned air comprising the first temperature to a first compartment;   flowing the conditioned air comprising the second temperature to a second compartment; and   actuating a flow device positioned in fluid communication between the first compartment and the evaporator.   
     
     
         13 . The controller of  claim 12 , wherein actuating the flow device comprises actuating the flow device to maintain a pressure balance between the first compartment and the second compartment. 
     
     
         14 . The controller of  claim 12 , the operations comprising:
 maintaining, at the first compartment and the second compartment, humidity between approximately 50% and approximately 80%.   
     
     
         15 . The controller of  claim 12 , wherein flowing the conditioned air from the first compartment to the evaporator comprises flowing the conditioned air from the first compartment positioned above the second compartment. 
     
     
         16 . The controller of  claim 15 , wherein flowing the conditioned air from the second compartment to the evaporator comprises flowing the conditioned air from the second compartment positioned adjacent to the evaporator. 
     
     
         17 . The controller of  claim 12 , wherein the first temperature and the second temperature is between approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit and approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         18 . The controller of  claim 12 , wherein flowing the conditioned air comprising the first temperature to the first compartment is above the second compartment at which conditioned air comprising the second temperature is flowed. 
     
     
         19 . The controller of  claim 12 , wherein the refrigeration appliance is a beverage cooler appliance. 
     
     
         20 . A method for multiple zone temperature and humidity control at a refrigeration appliance, the method comprising:
 selectively generating, at an evaporator, conditioned air comprising a first temperature and a second temperature;   flowing the conditioned air comprising the first temperature to a first compartment;   flowing the conditioned air comprising the second temperature to a second compartment positioned below the first compartment; and   actuating a flow device positioned in fluid communication between the first compartment and the evaporator, wherein actuating the flow device generates a pressure balance between the first compartment and the second compartment.