Abstract: A variable fluid dispenser for a refrigerator utilizes a variable control suitable for varying the rate of fluid dispensing by the dispenser. In some instances, the variable control may include a rotary control actuator that varies the fluid dispensing rate of the variable dispenser, and in some instances, the variable control may include a variable control actuator movable between a range of positions that includes a home position at which the variable dispenser is deactivated. In such instances, movement of the variable control actuator away from the home position both activates the variable dispenser to dispense fluid and increases the fluid dispensing rate of the variable dispenser.

Abstract: A method of measuring pressure includes the steps of (1) providing a vacuum cabinet with a storage compartment and an insulating space, and three temperature sensors; (2) sensing a first temperature level of an interior wall of the storage compartment; (3) sensing an ambient temperature level within the storage compartment; (4) sensing a second temperature level of an exterior wall of the storage compartment; (5) calculating an overall heat transfer coefficient (Q) using the ambient temperature level, the first temperature level, and a convective heat transfer coefficient for the interior wall of the storage compartment; (6) calculating a temperature differential between the second and first temperature levels; (7) determining a conductivity level (K) using the temperature differential, the overall heat transfer coefficient (Q) and a thickness of the insulating space; and (8) determining a pressure level (P) within the insulating space using the conductivity level (K).

Abstract: A vacuum adiabatic body includes a first plate configured to define at least a portion of a wall for a first space, a second plate configured to define at least a portion of a wall for a second space having a temperature different from that of the first space, and a support configured to maintain the third space. The support includes a coupling mechanism by which a first support plate and a second support plate are coupled to each other and integrated with each other and a seating mechanism configured to maintain a gap between the first support plate and the second support plate at points at which the first support plate and the second support plate contact each other. The seating mechanisms are spaced apart from the coupling mechanism.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator including a cabinet having a freezing compartment defined therein, an ice-maker mounted in the freezing compartment, wherein the ice-maker makes spherical ice and removes the made spherical ice downwards, an ice bin disposed below the ice-maker, and retractable and extendable in a front and rear direction, wherein the removed ice is stored in the ice bin, and a cover plate extending downward from a rear face of the ice-maker, wherein the cover plate shields a space between the ice bin and the ice-maker.

Abstract: A drawer includes a drawer base mounted to a housing, a drawer, and a bottom tray. The drawer slides relative to the drawer base and includes a front wall and a receptacle that includes a bottom wall with a front edge and a back edge. The front edge is mounted to the front wall. The bottom wall forms a first funnel that slopes downward from the front edge to the back edge. The bottom tray is mounted to the drawer base below the receptacle not to slide relative to the drawer base. The bottom tray includes a tray wall and a drain aperture wall. The tray wall includes a front edge and a back edge and forms a second funnel that slopes downward from the front edge to the back edge. The drain aperture wall is mounted to the tray wall at a lowest elevation of the second funnel.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator including a cabinet having a freezing compartment defined therein, an ice-maker mounted in the freezing compartment, wherein the ice-maker makes spherical ice and removes the made spherical ice downwards, an ice bin disposed below the ice-maker, and retractable and extendable in a front and rear direction, wherein the removed ice is stored in the ice bin, and a cover plate extending downward from a rear face of the ice-maker, wherein the cover plate shields a space between the ice bin and the ice-maker.

Abstract: An apparatus for waste heat recovery is provided. The apparatus includes a base block disposed adjacent to a heat source, a thermoelectric generator including a first end and a second end, the first end being thermally coupled to the base block and configured to receive heat from the heat source, and a thermoelectric cooler including a third end and a fourth end, the third end being thermally coupled to the second end. The thermoelectric cooler is configured to receive an electric current, which causes the third end to cool and the fourth end to heat such that the third end conducts heat from the second end. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Abstract: A system for blast-freezing items includes a plurality of cells arranged side-by-side, each cell including a housing with a bay space, a plenum, a front air passage, a rear air passage, and a fan. The fan is positioned in the plenum and configured to circulate air through the bay space. Each cell also includes a plurality of channels to separate pathways of air to segments of the bay space. The system also includes a plurality of crane rails extending between rows of cells and at least one crane capable of traveling along the plurality of crane rails to load or unload each of the plurality of cells.

Abstract: A vacuum adiabatic body according to the present invention includes a reinforcing member which is provided at a peripheral portion of at least one plate member so as to reinforce the strength of the plate member providing the vacuum adiabatic body; and a drain pipe which penetrates a third space except for the reinforcing member and through which water passes. According to the present invention, the strength of the vacuum adiabatic body increases and a penetration path of the defrost water can be secured.

Abstract: A vacuum adiabatic body is provided. The vacuum adiabatic body may include a first plate, a second plate, a seal, a support, a heat resistance device, and an exhaust port. The support may include at least two bars to support the first plate and the second plate. Each of the at least two bars may include a material having a lower emissivity than emissivities of each of the first and second plates, and each bar may be fabricated using at least one material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate (PC), glass fiber PC, low outgassing PC, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and liquid crystal polymer (LCP).

Abstract: Provided is an ice maker including an upper tray and a lower tray made of an elastic material, wherein a plurality of upper chambers defined in the upper tray and a plurality of lower chambers defined in the lower tray are in contact with each other to define a plurality of spherical ice chambers, respectively, each ejector-receiving opening opened to each of the plurality of upper chambers, each opening-defining wall extending upward along a circumference of each ejector-receiving opening, an upper ejector configured to pass through the ejector-defining wall and vertically move to remove each ice from each ice chamber, and a driver for pivoting the lower tray to open and close the upper tray and the lower tray, wherein the upper tray includes a horizontal extension forming a top face of the upper tray, wherein the upper chamber is positioned below the horizontal extension such that the opening-defining wall is formed at a vertical level equal to or lower than a vertical level of the opening-defining wall.

Abstract: A fluoropropene composition comprising Z-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, E-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, and optionally 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane wherein the 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene being present in an amount of 0.00001 to 1.0%. A method of producing the fluoropropene, methods for using the fluoropropene and the composition formed are also disclosed.

Abstract: Solid production systems, devices, and methods utilizing oleophilic surfaces are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a water tank used to store fresh water. Some embodiments include an emulsion tank that may include a set of auxiliary components that may be utilized to create and/or to pump an emulsion. This auxiliary equipment may include suction headers, ejectors, pumps, mechanical mixers, and/or hydrodynamic mixers, for example. Some embodiments include a heat exchanger that may produce a cold surface for ice formation. This surface may include an oleophilic surface that may produce an affinity for oils and/or other non-polar materials. Some embodiments include piping that may allow for the connection of the other components such that ice may be formed from a flow of water from the emulsion and the overflow may be returned to the emulsion tank. Ice making methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method of controlling a refrigerator that includes: operating a cool air supply means with a predetermined output; a controller determining the output of the cool air supply means based on a current temperature of a storage compartment sensed by a temperature sensor while the cool air supply means operates with the predetermined output; and the controller operating the cool air supply means with the determined output.

Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluation and diagnostic for a customer product are provided. Aspects include receiving, by a processor, customer usage data associated with the customer product, obtaining customer data associated with a customer business operation, analyzing, by the processor, the customer usage data and the customer data to generate a usage score card associated with the customer product, and determining an action for the customer product based at least in part on the usage score card.

Abstract: Embodiments include overflow sensor assemblies for water heaters, HVAC systems, and other devices for which temperature control systems may be used. An example overflow sensor assembly for detecting fluid leaks at a device may include a sensor probe configured to be in electrical communication with a power supply, and a sensor mounting bracket that forms a ground, the sensor mounting bracket configured to attach to a mounting surface on the device and suspend the sensor probe in a condensate drain pan of the device. An overflow detection circuit can be activated when the sensor probe and the sensor mounting bracket come in contact with a condensate fluid.

Abstract: An ice machine includes: an ice maker including: an ultrasonic bin sensor mounted to a body; and a controller in electrical communication with the ultrasonic bin sensor and configured to control the ultrasonic bin sensor; and a storage bin coupled to the ice maker and sized to receive a mound of ice, a lens of the ultrasonic bin sensor facing a bottom of an interior cavity of the storage bin, the controller configured to process a return signal of the ultrasonic bin sensor to control a level of ice stored inside the storage bin, the controller further configured to apply a predetermined time delay to filter out a portion of the return signal that exceeds a threshold voltage but does not exceed the time delay.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a vacuum adiabatic body having a storage space to store a product and a door to open or close the storage space. The main body includes a first plate and perforation plate. A cool air supply gap through which cool aft flows is formed between the first plate and the perforation plate. At least two holes through which cool air is discharged to the storage space are formed in the perforation plate. The first plate may be a wall of the main body.

Abstract: A refrigeration door system with a defrosting feature includes a housing defining a refrigerated cavity therein, and a door assembly carried by the housing and providing access to the refrigerated cavity. The door assembly includes a door frame and a sliding door coupled to the door frame, the sliding door switching between an open position providing the access to the refrigerated cavity and a closed position where the refrigerated cavity is inaccessible. The door frame includes a top member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a first side member coupled transversely to the first end of the top member and having a side conduit therein, a second side member coupled transversely to the second end of the top member, and a medial member coupled transversely to the top member between the first end and the second end of the top member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for the cryopreservation of biological samples involving a density assisted vitrification wherein a sample of biological material in a cryopreservation agent is cooled from its top surface, causing an ice layer to form thereon. As cooling continues the ice layer grows downwards through the sample to provide a cryoprotectant and biological material rich layer below the ice layer that undergoes vitrification as cooling continues to below the glass transition temperature.