Gas absorption refrigerator

Abstract

An absorption refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an interior space. The interior space defines a first section, a second section, and a third section. The third section is in fluid communication with the second section and is indirectly cooled by the cool air in the second section. The third section has an operating temperature higher than that of the second section. An internal freezer door is provided inside the cabinet for closing the first section.

1 . An absorption refrigerator comprising: 
 a cabinet defining an interior space, the interior space defining; 
 a first section maintained at a first operating temperature;  
 a second section maintained at a second operating temperature;  
 a third section maintained at a third operating temperature; and  
   an absorption cooling system including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion directly absorbing heat from the first section and maintaining the first section at the first operating temperature, the second portion directly absorbing heat from the second section and maintaining the second section at the second operating temperature, the second section being in fluid communication with the third section such that the third section receives indirect cooling from the second section.    
   
   
       2 . The absorption refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the third section is normally maintained at a temperature greater than the first section and greater than the second section.  
   
   
       3 . The absorption refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the first section is disposed between the second section and the third section, and further wherein the first section is normally maintained at an operating temperature substantially less than the second and third sections.  
   
   
       4 . The absorption refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the first operating temperature is lower than the second operating temperature, and the second operating temperature is lower than the third operating temperature.  
   
   
       5 . The absorption refrigerator of  claim 1 , further comprising an inner door disposed inside the cabinet for selectively providing access to the first section.  
   
   
       6 . The absorption refrigerator of  claim 5 , further comprising a common outer door pivotally coupled to the cabinet, the common outer door moveable to an open position to provide direct access to the inner door, the second section and the third section.  
   
   
       7 . The absorption refrigerator of  claim 6 , further comprising a channel communicating the second section and the third section, the channel disposed between the inner door and the outer door and extending between the second section and the third section.  
   
   
       8 . The absorption refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling system comprises an evaporator, the evaporator including the first portion and the second portion.  
   
   
       9 . The absorption refrigerator of  claim 8 , wherein the first portion is an upstream portion of the evaporator and the second portion is a downstream portion of the evaporator.  
   
   
       10 . The absorption refrigerator of  claim 8 , wherein the first portion is a primary source of cooling of the cooling system, and the second portion is a residual source of cooling of the cooling system.  
   
   
       11 . The absorption refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the third section is positioned at a top of the interior space.  
   
   
       12 . An absorption refrigerator comprising; 
 a cabinet defining an interior space;    a freezer section disposed in the interior space between an upper section and a lower section, the upper section and the lower section being in constant fluid communication with each other adjacent a forward side of the freezer section; and    an absorption cooling system carried by the cabinet, the absorption cooling system including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion directly absorbing heat from the freezer section and maintaining the freezer section at a first operating temperature, the second portion directly absorbing heat from the lower section and maintaining the lower section at a second operating temperature, the second operating temperature being greater than the first operating temperature;    wherein the upper section receives indirect cooling from the lower section for maintaining the upper section at a third operating temperature.    
   
   
       13 . The absorption refrigerator of  claim 12 , wherein the upper section, the first temperature section has a normal operating temperature substantially greater than that of the lower section.  
   
   
       14 . The absorption refrigerator of  claim 12 , further comprising a common outer door pivotally attached to the cabinet and an inner door for selectively providing access to the freezer section.  
   
   
       15 . The absorption refrigerator of  claim 14 , further comprising a channel constantly communicating the upper section and the lower section, the channel disposed between the inner door and the outer door.  
   
   
       16 . The absorption refrigerator of  claim 15 , wherein the cooling system comprises an evaporator with the first portion for directly absorbing heat from the freezer section and the second portion for directly absorbing heat from the lower section.  
   
   
       17 . A method of cooling a refrigerator having cabinet defining an interior space with a first section, a second section and a third section, the method including; 
 attaching an absorption cooling system to the cabinet;    cooling the first section with a primary source of cooling of the absorption cooling system;    cooling the second section with a residual source of cooling of the absorption cooling system; and    cooling the third section with an indirect source of cooling from the second section.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein cooling the first section with a primary source of cooling of the absorption cooling system includes maintaining the first section at a temperature that is below a temperature of the second section.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein cooling the second section with a residual source of cooling of the absorption cooling system includes the step of maintaining the second section at a temperature that is below a temperature of the third section.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein cooling the third section with an indirect source of cooling from the second section includes the step of maintaining fluid communication between the second section and the third section.