Whirlpool Corporation
Method for ensuring reliable core material fill around the pass throughs in a vacuum insulated structure

Abstract:

A vacuum insulated refrigerator structure with a vacuum core material filled in around an elongated umbilical. The vacuum insulated refrigerator structure is made of a shell having a liner and a wrapper wherein the shell forms an internal cavity. A gas permeable casing surrounds the entire length of the elongated umbilical passing through the internal cavity of the shell. A vacuum tube is inserted at a first opening between the gas permeable casing and the elongated umbilical and a second end of the elongated umbilical is coupled to the shell at a second opening in the liner. A vacuum is formed in the internal cavity of the shell through the vacuum tube while adding the vacuum core material fill. In the shell, an elongated umbilical has one or more elongated internal passageways wherein the one or more utility lines may be routed through the one or more elongated internal passageways.