Abstract: A method using controlled forced-convection to couple (or de-couple) a refrigerant-evaporator thermally to a refrigerated compartment, and a method to use heat from a fresh food compartment (or other compartment maintained above 0C) of a two or more temperature refrigeration appliance to defrost a freezer evaporator automatically without using a controller or heater. When thermally coupled to its compartment, an evaporator can provide efficient cooling to the compartment. The ability to de-couple the evaporator from its compartment enables refrigerant flow through the evaporator at significantly different temperatures than its compartment, but without significant heat transfer. This ability enables using a single refrigeration system (with one or no valves) to remove heat (sequentially) at two or more different temperatures from two or more refrigerated compartments.

Abstract: A low-cost and thermodynamically efficient implementation of a two-stage refrigeration system applied to a retail refrigerator. The invention includes a simple and easily manufactured thermally efficient and low-cost evaporation unit. The invention further includes a thermal energy storage module and an energy efficient control protocol to maintain steady temperatures in the fresh and frozen food sections, to permit energy efficient defrosting of the heat exchange surfaces in the freezer section, and minimize losses associated with condensing unit on-and-off cycling.

Abstract: A low-cost and thermodynamically efficient implementation of a two-stage refrigeration system applied to a retail refrigerator. The invention includes a simple and easily manufactured thermally efficient and low-cost evaporation unit. The invention further includes a thermal energy storage module and an energy efficient control protocol to maintain steady temperatures in the fresh and frozen food sections, to permit energy efficient defrosting of the heat exchange surfaces in the freezer section, and minimize losses associated with condensing unit on-and-off cycling.