Abstract: A rack is provided for use with a temperature controlled bath having a housing containing a reservoir with a supply of working fluid and an opening providing access to the reservoir. The rack includes a rack body, and a vessel support supported by the rack body and configured for supporting at least one vessel. The rack further includes a supporting foot assembly supported by the rack body and including a plurality of support feet. Each support foot is configured for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A recirculating bath includes a main power input configured to receive an alternating current and a heating element that is selectively coupled to the main power input. The heating element is selectively coupled to the main power input in response to an activation signal having a duty cycle. The duty cycle of the activation signal is determined based on a voltage of the alternating current, with the duty cycle being reduced in response to an increase in the voltage of the alternating current. The heating element is thereby de-rated at higher alternating current voltages. A power unit coupled to the main power input provides direct current having a voltage independent of the alternating current voltage to portions of the recirculating bath, such as direct current motors coupled to a compressor and recirculating pump. The recirculating bath is thereby configured to operate with a range of alternating current voltages.

Abstract: A storage basket is configured to hold multiple product units such as blood bags within the cabinet of a freezer. The storage basket includes first and second spaced-apart sidewalls and a plurality of inclined shelves extending between and coupled to these sidewalls. The inclined shelves include a plurality of air flow apertures that defined storage receptacles for product units as well as additional flow apertures to ensure minimal hindrance of cooling air flow within the freezer. The storage basket also includes handles that enable easy grasping and movement of multiple product units at once into and out of the freezer. As a result, the amount of time needed to cool product units down to a desired temperature with the freezer is reduced and the storage density within the freezer is increased.

Abstract: A storage cabinet (16) is provided for an ultra-low temperature freezer (10). The cabinet (16) includes a base platform (62a), a plurality of side structural insulated panels (45, 50, 55) each defining a side wall of the storage cabinet (16), and a plurality of generally vertically oriented posts (40) extending from the base platform (62a). Each of the plurality of vertically oriented posts (40) has a slot (40a) for receiving an edge portion (45a, 50a, 55a) of one of the insulated panels (45, 50, 55) therealong. The slot (40a) may have a generally U-shaped profile that surrounds the edge portion (45a, 50a, 55a) of one of the insulated panels (45, 50, 55). At least one of the generally vertically oriented posts (40) has a channel (40c) that extends along a longitudinal dimension thereof, the channel (40c) being configured to receive one of insulation, tubing, or wiring of the freezer therethrough.

Abstract: A high performance freezer includes a deck and a cabinet supported above the deck and having a cabinet housing defining a generally cylindrical shape. The freezer includes a door supported by the cabinet housing that moves between open and closed positions by sliding or pivoting generally along the side wall of the cabinet. The freezer further includes a refrigeration system mounted at least partially within the deck and partially within the cabinet to refrigerate an inner chamber of the freezer. The cylindrical shape of the cabinet enables rotation of shelves within the inner chamber and a maximized storage space with a minimal floor space required.

Abstract: A sliding drawer storage rack for cold storage units includes a rack body and a plurality of shelves operatively coupled to the rack body. A drawer defines a storage cavity and is configured to be supported for sliding movement by at least one of the plurality of shelves. A plurality of divider lips extends upwardly from the drawer to divide the storage cavity into a plurality of box receptacles sized to receive a storage box. At least some of the plurality of shelves are defined by opposing first and second L-shaped supports laterally spaced from each other and coupled to the rack body, thereby reducing material use and weight of the storage rack.

Abstract: A cold storage unit includes a side access storage rack for holding storage boxes. The storage rack includes a housing with a top wall, a bottom wall, and a rear side wall extending between the top and bottom walls to define a storage space. The storage rack also includes a plurality of vertical dividers extending from the rear side wall and a horizontal shelf configured to be engaged with the plurality of vertical dividers to split the storage space into a grid of box receptacles for the storage boxes. The horizontal shelf includes an angled front portion that is bent and is configured to frictionally engage divider slots in the vertical dividers to thereby hold the horizontal shelf in position with respect to the housing. This frictional engagement simplifies manufacturing and improves the functionality of the storage rack.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods of displaying information associated with a refrigeration system, methods for managing a refrigeration system, refrigeration systems, methods of providing redundancy to a refrigeration system, and injector systems. A refrigeration system and method for displaying information associated with a refrigeration system includes monitoring a temperature associated with the refrigeration system, detecting events associated with the refrigeration system, and displaying the temperature and at least one event associated with the refrigeration system occurring during a predetermined period of time, including displaying the temperature occurring during the predetermined period of time and displaying a user interface element associated with at least one event occurring during the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A sliding drawer storage rack for cold storage units includes a rack body and a plurality of shelves operatively coupled to the rack body. A drawer defines a storage cavity and is configured to be supported for sliding movement by at least one of the plurality of shelves. A plurality of divider lips extends upwardly from the drawer to divide the storage cavity into a plurality of box receptacles sized to receive a storage box. At least some of the plurality of shelves are defined by opposing first and second L-shaped supports laterally spaced from each other and coupled to the rack body, thereby reducing material use and weight of the storage rack.

Abstract: A cold storage unit includes a side access storage rack for holding storage boxes. The storage rack includes a housing with a top wall, a bottom wall, and a rear side wall extending between the top and bottom walls to define a storage space. The storage rack also includes a plurality of vertical dividers extending from the rear side wall and a horizontal shelf configured to be engaged with the plurality of vertical dividers to split the storage space into a grid of box receptacles for the storage boxes. The horizontal shelf includes an angled front portion that is bent and is configured to frictionally engage divider slots in the vertical dividers to thereby hold the horizontal shelf in position with respect to the housing. This frictional engagement simplifies manufacturing and improves the functionality of the storage rack.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods of displaying information associated with a refrigeration system, methods for managing a refrigeration system, refrigeration systems, methods of providing redundancy to a refrigeration system, and injector systems. A refrigeration system and method for displaying information associated with a refrigeration system includes monitoring a temperature associated with the refrigeration system, detecting events associated with the refrigeration system, and displaying the temperature and at least one event associated with the refrigeration system occurring during a predetermined period of time, including displaying the temperature occurring during the predetermined period of time and displaying a user interface element associated with at least one event occurring during the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A cold storage unit such as a cryogenic dewar includes a tank with an opening, a storage space communicating with the opening, and a pool for liquid nitrogen positioned adjacent the storage space. The storage space receives a plurality of storage racks, each including a rack body with a rear wall and first and second sidewalls extending from the rear wall. The storage rack also includes a plurality of shelves, each shelf defined by a first lip punched from the first sidewall and a second lip punched from the second sidewall, the first and second lips being bent towards one another and spaced from one another. The shelves minimize the material and weight used in manufacturing the storage rack. Additionally, the storage rack is assembled with minimal spot welding required.

Abstract: A high performance freezer includes a deck and a cabinet supported above the deck and having a cabinet housing defining a generally cylindrical shape. The freezer includes a door supported by the cabinet housing that moves between open and closed positions by sliding or pivoting generally along the side wall of the cabinet. The freezer further includes a refrigeration system mounted at least partially within the deck and partially within the cabinet to refrigerate an inner chamber of the freezer. The cylindrical shape of the cabinet enables rotation of shelves within the inner chamber and a maximized storage space with a minimal floor space required.

Abstract: A high performance refrigerator includes a cabinet with a unitary refrigerated interior and a refrigeration fluid circuit having first and second evaporators located within the cabinet and separated from the refrigerated interior by respective first and second evaporator covers. The refrigerator also includes a first damper controlling flow between the first evaporator and the refrigerated interior, and a second damper controlling flow between the second evaporator and the refrigerated interior. A controller directs the refrigerator to operate a three-way valve in the refrigeration fluid circuit so as to direct refrigerant to only one of the evaporators when the other requires defrosting. Both evaporators may be used to remove heat from the unitary refrigerated interior during an initial cooling or immediately after the cabinet is opened.

Abstract: A high performance refrigerator or freezer includes a cabinet with a refrigerated interior, a first evaporator cover separating a first evaporator compartment within the cabinet from the refrigerated interior, and a refrigeration fluid circuit having a first evaporator located within the first evaporator compartment, a second evaporator, and a three-way valve enabling selective communication of refrigerant to one or both of the evaporators. The second evaporator includes an air diffuser that receives chilled air from the first evaporator compartment and delivers the chilled air into the refrigerated interior. During normal operation, the three-way valve only directs refrigerant into the first evaporator such that the first evaporator cools the cabinet and the chilled air from the first evaporator passively defrosts the second evaporator by sublimation.

Abstract: A high performance refrigerator includes a cabinet with a refrigerated interior and a refrigeration fluid circuit having first and second evaporators located within the cabinet and separated from the refrigerated interior by an insulating cover. The refrigerator also includes a first damper controlling flow from the refrigerated interior into the first evaporator, a second damper controlling flow from the first evaporator to the second evaporator, and a third damper controlling flow from the second evaporator to the refrigerated interior. The first evaporator operates with refrigerant at a lower temperature than the second evaporator such that substantially all frost formed on the first and second evaporators is collected on a first evaporator coil in the first evaporator. Thus, the first evaporator acts as a sacrificial evaporator that undergoes defrost more frequently than the second evaporator.

Abstract: A high performance refrigerator includes a cabinet with a refrigerated interior, a refrigeration fluid circuit having an evaporator located within an insulated evaporator compartment outside the cabinet, and at least one damper that opens to permit air circulation from the refrigerated interior through the evaporator compartment. The refrigerator also includes a eutectic member configured to melt at an operating temperature of the refrigerator. The evaporator cools the refrigerated interior to a temperature below the operating temperature so that the eutectic member melts to cool the refrigerated interior or the evaporator compartment during a defrost cycle. The insulated evaporator cover limits heat transfer into the refrigerated interior during the defrost cycle to avoid temperature spikes in the refrigerated interior.

Abstract: A two-stage cascade refrigeration system is provided having a first refrigeration stage and a second refrigeration stage. The first refrigeration stage defines a first fluid circuit for circulating a first refrigerant, and has a first compressor, a condenser, and a first expansion device that is in fluid communication with the first fluid circuit. The second refrigeration stage defines a second fluid circuit for circulating a second refrigerant, with the second refrigeration stage having a second compressor, a second expansion device, and an evaporator that is in fluid communication with the second fluid circuit. A heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid circuits to exchange heat between the first and second refrigerants. At least one of the first or second compressors is a variable speed compressor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods of displaying information associated with a refrigeration system, methods for managing a refrigeration system, refrigeration systems, methods of providing redundancy to a refrigeration system, and injector systems. A refrigeration system and method for displaying information associated with a refrigeration system includes monitoring a temperature associated with the refrigeration system, detecting events associated with the refrigeration system, and displaying the temperature and at least one event associated with the refrigeration system occurring during a predetermined period of time, including displaying the temperature occurring during the predetermined period of time and displaying a user interface element associated with at least one event occurring during the predetermined period of time.