Flow-through rotary damper providing compartment selectivity for a multi-compartment refrigerator

• Main Author: PEARSON JAMES E.,DAVERN THOMAS J.,TUMA PAUL H
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 23.08.2006
• Subjects: AIR-CONDITIONING, AIR-HUMIDIFICATION, VENTILATION, USE OF AIRCURRENTS FOR SCREENING; BLASTING; COLD ROOMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT COVERED BY ANY OTHERSUBCLASS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; HEATING; ICE-BOXES; LIGHTING; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; RANGES; REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; REFRIGERATORS; VENTILATING; WEAPONS

A flow-through rotary damper assembly providing highly efficient, essentially laminar fluid flow therethrough is provided. The rotary damper assembly includes a cylindrical outer body and a cylindrical inner body that are rotatable in relation to one another. The outer body defines apertures in relation to one another to allow fluid flow without requiring fluid direction change. The inner body defines a flow passage having inlet and outlet apertures that may be aligned with the apertures of the outer body to allow fluid flow therethrough, or may be rotated out of alignment to block fluid flow. The outer body includes an aperture on one end to allow fluid flow to a third compartment. The inner body also includes an end aperture that may be aligned therewith. The damper provides selectable fluid flow between each of the compartments depending on the relative position of the cylindrical inner body member.