In order to maintain frozen foods at desired storage temperatures, adequate air flow circulation is required. There exists a need for an improved air flow system for the freezer compartment of a household refrigerator. Proper air circulation of the cooling air throughout the freezer is required for adequate cooling of items stored in the compartment. To address these needs, a new air flow system was designed and tested for use in the top mount refrigerator. The existing design required the use of a false floor air return in the freezer. A lower cost design was developed that eliminated the use of a false floor air return while addressing the air circulation issues. Design options for the freezer air discharge grille were studied and tested in the lab under various operating conditions. Various slot configurations were examined to get the best temperature profile (air circulation) in the freezer compartment. The design of the back coil cover air return slots was carefully considered in conjunction with false floor and discharge air grille. Isothermal air flow bench testing and complete unit testing (under loaded package and unloaded conditions) confirmed the benefits of this improved air flow system design. This design has subsequently been incorporated into the top mount refrigerators.
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