Refrigerator power back up system

Abstract

A food refrigeration appliance including a freezer compartment for storing food at a first temperature below the freezing point of water and a refrigeration compartment for storing food at a second temperature above the freezing point of water. A duct is provided between the freezer compartment and the refrigeration compartment. A fan is used for moving air through the duct from the freezer compartment to the refrigeration compartment. A battery supplies power to the fan when electrical power from an external source is interrupted during a power outage.

1 . A food refrigeration appliance comprising: 
 a freezer compartment for storing food at a first temperature below the freezing point of water;    a refrigeration compartment for storing food at a second temperature above the freezing point of water;    a duct between the freezer compartment and the refrigeration compartment;    a fan for moving air through the duct from the freezer compartment to the refrigeration compartment; and    a battery for supplying power to the fan when electrical power from an external source is interrupted during a power outage.    
   
   
       2 . The food refrigeration appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermostat for controlling the operation of the fan during a power outage.  
   
   
       3 . The food refrigeration appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery charger for supplying electrical charge to the battery from the external source.  
   
   
       4 . The food refrigeration appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising an inverter for switching an electrical connection on the fan from the external source to the battery during a power outage.  
   
   
       5 . The food refrigeration appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermal ballast for assisting in the maintenance of cooling in the event of a power outage.  
   
   
       6 . An accessory for a food refrigeration appliance comprising: 
 a duct for connecting a freezer compartment to a refrigeration compartment in a food refrigeration appliance;    a fan for moving air through the duct from the freezer compartment to the refrigeration compartment; and    a battery for supplying power to the fan when electrical power from an external source is interrupted during a power outage.    
   
   
       7 . The accessory of  claim 6  further comprising a thermostat for controlling the operation of the fan during a power outage.  
   
   
       8 . The accessory of  claim 6 , further comprising an electrical connection to an external source of electricity.  
   
   
       9 . The accessory of  claim 8 , wherein the electrical connection further comprises a switch that activates the accessory when a power outage is detected.  
   
   
       10 . The accessory of  claim 8 , wherein the electrical connection further comprises a battery charger for supplying electrical charge to the battery from the external source.