Atmospheric Condensation Accumulation, E.g., Frost Patents (Class 62/128)
  • Patent number: 11860021
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a water collecting container includes a first sensor operable to detect if water is present within the water collecting container, a second sensor operable to determine a level of water within the water collecting container, and a processing device operably coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ankit Anand Gupta, Stella M. Oggianu
  • Patent number: 11181311
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of controlling a refrigerator that includes a compressor, an evaporator to supply cold air to a storage chamber, a defrosting heater to defrost the evaporator, and a controller to control the defrosting heater. The method includes: operating a cooling cycle for cooling the storage chamber; determining whether a defrosting start condition is satisfied during operation of the cooling cycle; determining whether a defrosting delay condition is satisfied when the defrosting start condition is satisfied; and starting a defrosting operation when the defrosting delay condition is not satisfied, and starting the defrosting operation at a delayed defrosting start time when the defrosting delay condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Changyoon Jung, Yunsu Cho
  • Patent number: 10941947
    Abstract: A drainage tray may be provided for collecting condensate from a heat pump that is adapted to be mounted on a support. The support may be mountable to at least one supporting structure to carry the weight of the heat pump and the support. The drainage tray may include a peripheral edge portion defining a central recessed portion configured to collect condensate. A condensate outlet may be provided for removing the condensate from the tray. The drainage tray may be configured to be arranged between an underside of the heat pump and the support. The drainage tray may have a trapezoidal shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: CLIMACO HOLDING AB
    Inventor: Mats Andersson
  • Patent number: 10845096
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle device includes a first physical quantity detector that detects a first physical quantity having a correlation with a temperature of refrigerant flowing into an evaporator, a second physical quantity detector that detects a second physical quantity having a correlation with a temperature of ventilation air heat-exchanged in the evaporator to be blown into a space to be cooled, a defrosting operation determination portion that determines whether a defrosting operation of the evaporator is to be started based on whether a temperature difference between the temperature of the refrigerant specified by the first physical quantity and the temperature of the ventilation air specified by the second physical quantity is equal to or larger than a determination threshold value, and a defrosting operation execution portion that performs the defrosting operation of the evaporator when it is determined that defrosting operation of the evaporator is to be started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasushi Nishida
  • Patent number: 10677479
    Abstract: A drainage tray for collecting condensate from a heat pump is disclosed, where the heat pump (3) being adapted to be mounted on a support (4) being mountable to at least one supporting structure to carry the weight of the heat pump (2) and the support (4) wherein the tray (2) comprises a peripheral and preferably inclined edge portion (7) defining a central recessed tray portion (8) configured to collect condensate, wherein the tray further comprises a condensate outlet (9) for removing the condensate from the tray (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: CLIMACO HOLDING AB
    Inventor: Mats Andersson
  • Patent number: 9328953
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion unit, an evaporator for evaporating a refrigerant that has passed through the expansion unit, a heating unit for providing heat for defrosting the evaporator, a photographing device provided at one side of the evaporator and disposed to photograph the evaporator, so as to sense the amount of frost on the evaporator, the photographing device including a photographing unit for photographing frost on the evaporator and the surrounding background, and a control unit configured to determine the amount of frost on the evaporator from an image taken by the photographing device by acquiring pixel values which are proportionate to the amount of frost on the evaporator by applying image processing which includes binarization that separates the frost from other acquired images to determine the amount of frost on the evaporator, the control unit further configured to control the heating unit to operate when the amount of frost exceeds a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yonghwan Eom, Hoyoun Lee, Youngjin Kim
  • Patent number: 8984900
    Abstract: A decorative member of a refrigerator and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed. A refrigerator includes a storage container provided in a storage chamber; and a decorative member provided in the storage container, the decorative configured to generate light refraction and guide a movement of condensate condensed in the storage container, and configured to be capable of displaying humidity inside the storage container according to the movement degree of condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seok Jae Jeong, Young Kyu Kim
  • Publication number: 20150027144
    Abstract: An air conditioner, having an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, to perform a heating operation and a defrosting operation, the air conditioner including a detection unit to detect a state of at least one selected between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit and to output the detected value, a controller to determine whether the air conditioner is in a stable state when the defrosting operation is completed and, upon determining that the air conditioner is in the stable state, to control the detected value output from the detection unit to determine entry time of the next defrosting operation, and a storage unit to store a value detected in the stable state. The entry time of the defrosting operation is accurately determined, thereby minimizing the number of times of the defrosting operation during the heating operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Suk Ho LEE, II Yong CHO, Hyung Mo KOO, Chang Yong LEE, Joon Hwan LEE, Byoung Guk LIM
  • Patent number: 8794018
    Abstract: A system for preventing icing in a conduit, as can occur in an aircraft's air conditioning system, includes at least one sensor for acquiring mechanical oscillations of the conduits, an electronic evaluation unit and an electronic control unit. The sensor is connected to the electronic evaluation unit, which knows characteristics relating to the oscillation behavior of the conduit and is equipped to compare the measured conduit oscillations with these characteristics, and through correlation to interpret them as conduit icing, and in the case of conduit icing to emit a signal to the control unit. If the operation-associated oscillations are inadequate, oscillations can be generated or amplified through an actuator. With this system an icing state within the conduit can be detected without the use of sensors located in the interior cross section of the conduit, which itself serves as a sensitive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Gleine
  • Publication number: 20140150477
    Abstract: In various implementations, frost in a vapor compression system may be controlled. A property of a fan may be determined. A determination may be made whether a frost event and/or a nonfrost event has occurred based at least partially on the determined fan property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Yi Qu, H. Gene Havard, Jon Douglas, Jeff Mangum
  • Patent number: 8375737
    Abstract: An ice maker for a domestic appliance comprises an ice tray, a water feed line which can be used to fill the ice tray with water, a water filter which is arranged in the water feed line such that it can be replaced, and a monitoring unit for calculating a value which is representative of the degree of wear of the filter. The monitoring unit has means for changing the representative value by a first fixed step width each time the ice tray is filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Hausmann, Peter Nalbach
  • Patent number: 8250873
    Abstract: System and methods for providing anti-condensation system are disclosed. A relative humidity (RH) sensor signal from a sensor on or near a control surface is received. An AC power input is received. A phase of the AC power input is modulated at least partly in response to the sensor signal in such a manner that a phase-modulated AC power output provided to a heater is a) substantially constant at a first power level (P1st) in a low RH region ranging from 0% RH to a first RH (RH1), b) varying as a function of the sensor signal from P1st to a second power level (P2nd) in an intermediate RH region ranging from RH1 to a second RH (RH2), and c) substantially constant at P2nd in a high RH region beginning at RH2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Anthony, Inc.
    Inventors: Doo Eui Yoon, Paul Artwohl
  • Patent number: 7997093
    Abstract: An air conditioner that adjusts the temperature in a target space includes a refrigerant circuit and a controller. The refrigerant circuit is configured by the interconnection of a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, indoor expansion valves, and indoor heat exchangers. The controller adjusts the temperature such that predetermined temperature is reached in a target space. In addition, the controller judges the refrigerant quantity in the refrigerant circuit based on at least one value of operation state quantity of constituent equipment or refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit. The controller achieves a state in which the target space temperature satisfies a predetermined temperature condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Kasahara
  • Patent number: 7909922
    Abstract: A dehumidifier is provided. A dehumidifier includes a cabinet defining an outer appearance, a barrier installed in the cabinet to collect condensed water removed from air, a bucket assembly for storing the condensed water directed from the barrier, and a condensed water detecting unit for detecting an amount or level of the condensed water stored in the bucket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Duck-Yong Jang, Chi-Wao Kim
  • Publication number: 20100293972
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for detecting ice crystal formation on a heat exchange surface in an ice-making machine comprises at least one microphone monitoring the sound made by a rotating blade assembly within the ice-making machine during ice slurry formation. A filter filters the output of the microphone to remove background noise. A comparator receives the output of the filter and compares the filtered microphone output with a threshold to determine if the filtered microphone output signifies ice crystal formation on the heat exchange surface. The operation of the ice-making machine can then be adjusted in a manner to allow the formed ice crystals to be removed from the heat exchange surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Vladimir Goldstein
  • Patent number: 7836710
    Abstract: A freezer includes a refrigerating surface that is capable of freezing and a measuring circuit for estimating the quantity of ice located on the refrigerating surface and for furnishing a warning signal when the estimated quantity of ice exceeds a limit value. The freezer includes a sensor sensing at least one climatic condition and a refrigerating surface periodically freezing, and a measuring circuit having at least one sensor and a time measuring device estimating a quantity of ice on said refrigerating surface based upon various factors. A warning signal is supplied when an estimated quantity of ice exceeds a predetermined limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Flinner, Georg Hausmann, Stefan Holzer, Fritz Hägele, Helmut Konopa, Jörg Stelzer
  • Patent number: 7765818
    Abstract: A refrigeration unit and diagnostic method therefore are provided. The refrigeration unit includes: a housing with an insulated cavity for storing food and beverages; a vapor cycle system operative to cool the food and beverages in the insulated cavity; a plurality of sensors in communication with the vapor cycle system and outputting data relative to the vapor cycle system; and a controller that, according to the data from the plurality of sensors, determines an occurrence of an event. Wherein the controller logs the data from the plurality of sensors to a data structure according to a first data-logging mode, and logs the data to the data structure according to a second data-logging mode upon occurrence of the event. In one embodiment the refrigeration unit may be a refrigeration line replaceable unit (LRU) configured for an aircraft galley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Gilbert Walter Buck
  • Patent number: 7466146
    Abstract: An electric field sensor may be used to detect accumulation of frozen material. In one embodiment, an e-field system includes a first electrode, a second electrode located at a distance from the first electrode, the second electrode forming a capacitive element with the first electrode, wherein a gap is present between the first and second electrodes, and an electric field sensor having an electrode terminal coupled to the first electrode and providing an electric field output value representative of an amount of frozen material located in the gap between the first and second electrodes. The system may also include a first insulator adjacent the first electrode and outside the gap, and a conductive layer adjacent the first insulator, where the first insulator is between the first electrode and the conductive layer, and where a shield output of the electric field sensor is coupled to the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Clayton Stewart, Sergio Garcia de Alba Garcin, Rogelio Reyna Garcia, Gabriel Sanchez Barba, David L. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20080149837
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for operating a fully automatic, “on demand” refrigeration defrost cycle and controlling the frost build-up on the evaporative surfaces of both medium temperature (above freezing), and low temperature (below freezing) refrigeration devices or on any system or device requiring control by optical contrast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Alan Bagley, Jeffrey Bagley
  • Patent number: 7337621
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for operating a fully automatic, “on demand” refrigeration defrost cycle and controlling the frost build-up on the evaporative surfaces of both medium temperature (above freezing), and low temperature (below freezing) refrigeration devices or on any system or device requiring control by optical contrast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: BBC Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Bagley, Jeffrey Bagley
  • Patent number: 7260948
    Abstract: A system includes a compressor receiving fluid from a low-pressure side of a circuit and outputting fluid to a high-pressure side of the circuit. The system also includes a motor drivingly connected to the compressor, at least one high-side sensor operable to measure fluid properties of the high-pressure side of the circuit, at least one current sensor operable to monitor a current drawn by the motor, and processing circuitry receiving fluid property and current information from the at least one high-side sensor and the at least one current sensor and processing the information to determine a system operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventors: Nagaraj Jayanth, Hung Pham
  • Patent number: 7178349
    Abstract: A system and method for switching a communication mode of a detachable pad refrigerator, wherein the attachment/detachment of a client pad to/from the refrigerator is sensed and the communication mode of the refrigerator with the client pad is switched to a wired/wireless communication mode according to the sensed result so that signals can be transmitted and received in the switched communication mode. The client pad is detachably attached to the outer surface of the refrigerator. A communication module is installed in the refrigerator to transmit and receive signals to/from the client pad by wire or wirelessly. A refrigerator control unit is adapted to control the communication module to automatically switch the communication mode of the refrigerator with the client pad to the wired/wireless communication mode according to the attachment/detachment of the client pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Hoon Roh, Jung Ho Kim, Jin Cheol Cho, Jae Won Chang, Sang Hyuk Kang, Sang Mahn Kim, Pan Su Kim, Kwang Hui Hong
  • Patent number: 6923018
    Abstract: An electro-desorption actuator comprises a fixed member, a movable member which is coupled to the fixed member, a pressure chamber which is disposed between the fixed member and the movable member, and a sorption compression system which is in communication with the pressure chamber. The sorption compression system comprises first and second electrical conductors, a sorbent which is positioned between the first and second conductors, a sorbate which is capable of combining with the sorbent in an adsorption reaction to form a sorbate/sorbent compound, and a power supply which is connected to the conductors and which is selectively actuated to generate a current that is conducted through the sorbate/sorbent compound to desorb the sorbate from the sorbent in a desorption reaction. The sorbate is communicated from the sorption compression system to the pressure chamber during the desorption reaction and from the pressure chamber back to the sorption compression system during the adsorption reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd, Howard L. Davidson, Charles J. Ingalz
  • Patent number: 6751968
    Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, a refrigerant cycle system is constructed to switch a cooling refrigerant cycle where an interior heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, and a hot gas heater cycle where the interior heat exchanger is used as a radiator. Further, determining means of a control unit determines whether the interior heat exchanger has a quantity of retained water in a heating mode with the hot gas heater cycle. When the determining means determines that the interior heat exchanger has the quantity of retained water in the heating mode while a blower stops, operation of the heating mode is stopped. On the other hand, when the determining means determines the interior heat exchanger does not have the quantity of retained water in the heating mode while the blower stops, the operation of the heating mode is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Takano
  • Publication number: 20030101737
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for freezer defrost, which are particularly suited for an automated system, include the formulation of algorithms utilized for this purpose. The algorithms are included in the firmware of an embedded controller and operate the freezer defrost cycle at temperature lows for increased efficiency. An application of the freezer defrost method and apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Richard H. Bair, Chuan Weng
  • Patent number: 6205800
    Abstract: A refrigerated device having a cooled enclosure and an evaporator through which refrigerant is circulated. An air temperature sensor adapted to generate an air temperature signal indicative of air temperature within the enclosure is provided. A refrigerant temperature sensor adapted to generate a refrigerant temperature signal indicative of refrigerant temperature is provided. A programmable controller adapted to compare the air temperature signal and the refrigerant temperature signal to calculate a difference between the air temperature and the refrigerant temperature is provided. The controller initiates a defrost routine for removing condensate from the evaporator if the difference between the air temperature and the refrigerant temperature is greater or equal to a defrost threshold. Also disclosed are methods for defrosting a refrigerated device and for detecting condensate accumulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Topper, Robert Gilliom, Joseph Sanders, Jason Breland
  • Patent number: 5775116
    Abstract: A defrosting control method wherein an indoor unit determines whether a drop in the temperature gradient of an indoor side heat exchanger has been caused by a heavy load protecting operation or frosting of the outdoor heat exchanger during a reverse cycle heating operation of a two-unit-type air conditioner. The defrosting control is not triggered when the heavy load protecting operation is being carried out, and the defrosting control is started when predetermined conditions are satisfied, including the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger being below a raised predetermined temperature during a heavy load protecting operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Matsumoto, Hikaru Katsuki, Masayuki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5729990
    Abstract: A refrigeration system having at least one defrostable cold-production device is disclosed, beneath which device a drip tray provided with a drain channel is arranged. In such a refrigeration system, it is desirable to reduce the risk of flooding because of a blocked drain channel. For that purpose, a liquid sensor which detects the presence of liquid at a level above the drain channel is provided in the drip tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Tage Stenberg Basse, Vladimir Decovski
  • Patent number: 5664429
    Abstract: The invention prevents the temperature of supplied air from being decreased by a defrosting operation when a vehicle is in operation. During the heating operation, it is judged whether the vehicle is in operation. When the vehicle is in operation, it is judged whether an external heat exchanger is frosted or not relying upon the external air temperature, temperature of the external heat exchanger (coolant) and the time of heating operation. When it is judged that frost is formed, the rotational speed of the compressor is increased to increase the ability to supplying the coolant, to maintain heating ability and to prevent the drop of temperature of the supplied air. When the frost is formed after the operation of the vehicle has been finished, it is judged whether the secondary batteries are being charged or not, i.e., whether the charging circuit of the secondary batteries is connected to the external power source for charging or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Isaji
  • Patent number: 5295361
    Abstract: A defrost recycle apparatus and method for use with a temperature control system is provided. The temperature control system includes a heat transfer unit for removing heat from an enclosed space. The temperature control system automatically defrosts the heat transfer unit based upon a default defrost control strategy. After the termination of a defrost operation initiated according to the default defrost control strategy, the defrost recycle apparatus determines if the defrost operation was successful (completely defrosted the heat transfer unit) based upon two parameters associated with the defrost operation. In the preferred embodiment, the defrost recycle apparatus determines the success of the defrost operation based upon the temperature in the vicinity of the heat transfer unit after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the termination of the defrost operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Paragon Electric Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Novak, Gary D. Fredell
  • Patent number: 5071768
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing for the presence and concentration of contaminants in a refrigerant. A sample of the refrigerant is withdrawn from a closed refrigeration, air conditioning or similar system and passed through a testing tube. Various sections of the tube contain provisions for the removal of oil entrained in the sample, for the removal of water contamination from the sample and for providing visual indications of the presence and concentration of a plurality of contaminants that may be present in the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Harry F. Klodowski
  • Patent number: 5038575
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an enclosed compartment for storing food to be cooled, an evaporator including a refrigerant flowing therethrough for cooling the food in the compartment, a defrosting device, and a defrost override device. The defrosting device periodically heats the evaporator for removing the accumulated frost for controlled periods. The defrost override device automatically deactivates the defrosting device when the heating of the evaporator continues for longer than a preset time. The defrost override device may also automatically activate the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator. In this manner the refrigerator of this invention can store food without overheating during the defrosting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tetsuro Yamada
  • Patent number: 5003786
    Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus is conventionally provided with an electric which is fed with an electric current to effect heating and defrosting operations, a defrosting control device including a defrosting timer and an evaporator outlet refrigerant temperature detector for controlling the electric current fed to the electric heater, and an overheating preventing temperature detector for preventing the occurrence of abnormal overheating by the electric heater. The refrigerating apparatus of the present invention can regularly effect defrosting even if any anomaly should arise in the evaporator outlet refrigerant temperature detector. Specifically, the overheating preventing temperature detector is connected to the defrosting control device, and a detection temperature signal from either the evaporator outlet refrigerant temperature detector of the overheating preventing temperature detector is used to commence and terminate defrosting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kanji Fudono, Hiroshi Ogawa, Toshimasa Takahashi, Toshio Yamashita
  • Patent number: 4923806
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, refrigerant together with oil, water and any other contaminants is drawn off from a high pressure refrigeration system. The drawn off refrigerant is reduced in pressure and serially, the oil is removed, the water is removed and the amount of water and acid present is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Harry F. Klodowski
  • Patent number: 4787212
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for a building including an air conditioner, a thermostat for controlling operation of the air conditioner, and alternating current electrical control means including circuitry for effectively maintaining operation of the air conditioner and wherein said system comprises a relay including a switch normally closed in the absence of adverse presence of water, at least one water sensor functioning as a switch in the presence of water, and a triac including first and second terminals and a gate, said triac preventing flow of current to the relay and permitting flow of current when the gate of the triac receives flow of an electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Inventor: John C. Hessey
  • Patent number: 4649854
    Abstract: An over-temperature indicator for freezers includes an indicator pin slidable mounted within a cylindrical housing in which is mounted a bistable bimetal thermostat disk which is engaged by a magnet mounted to an end of the indicator pin. A cup shaped insulator is mounted over a substantial portion of the cylindrical housing to provide a thermal time delay. An over-temperature condition triggers the bistable bimetal disk to snap, causing the magnet to release and enabling gravity to urge the indicator pin into an indicating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Janke, William J. Linstromberg
  • Patent number: 4649713
    Abstract: A sensing and control device is provided for monitoring the build up of frost, ice and condensate on the cooling coils of refrigeration unit. The microwave unit is placed a fixed distance away from a cooling coil and provides an emitted wave and reflected wave. The reflected wave, and the resulting standing wave, shift in spacial phase which differs due to the accumulation of ice or frost and provides a voltage change which is observed by an electronic circuit to shut off the cooling unit while activating a defrost cycle or merely keeping the refrigeration shut off until the ice melts. The sensing and control unit is also used to sense the removal of ice and frost by heating of the defrost cycle and thus establish the termination of defrost cycle and restoration of refrigeration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Inventor: Donald J. Bezek
  • Patent number: 4573326
    Abstract: A microcomputer based defrost control for a heat pump system that "learns" from previous defrost cycles to achieve optimum defrost control at each of a plurality of outdoor temperature ranges, even if the heat pump system operating parameters change due to system aging. At the conclusion of each defrost cycle, the control determines the differential temperature between the outdoor ambient air and the outdoor heat exchanger and compares that value to a value stored in microcomputer memory representing a previous best such post-defrost differential temperature for the same ambient air temperature range. The control then calculates a defrost differential temperature initiate value, corrected to compensate for any loss of defrost performance indicated by the current post-defrost cycle differential temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Louis E. Sulfstede, Carl Bergt, Robert W. Helt
  • Patent number: 4566285
    Abstract: A door ajar alarm system for a refrigerator-freezer, the system having a variable alarm delay period. The door ajar alarm system includes a control which may be digital or analog for monitoring various operating conditions of the refrigerator such as the temperatures of the refrigerator compartments and whether the refrigerator is undergoing a defrost operation. The control determines the alarm delay period in accordance with the monitored conditions such that the delay period is decreased in response to each monitored condition which reaches a predetermined status. The door ajar alarm thus alerts the user to operating conditions which are likely to produce an undesirable temperature within the refrigerator more rapidly than usual or to produce temperatures from which recovery is unusually slow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew T. Tershak, Michael D. Thieneman
  • Patent number: 4534179
    Abstract: In a self-contained air conditioner unit of the reversible refrigeration type having cooling and heating cycles, a no-drain heat pump is provided wherein in the heating cycle, water collected on the outdoor heat exchanger operating as the system evaporator is transferred to the indoor section. The condensate is directed into the indoor air flow where it is atomized and directed through the relatively warm indoor heat exchanger operating as a condenser to humidify the air. Control means are provided which produces a signal in the event the condensate when present is not being transferred to the indoor section during the heating cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: George E. Stocking, Walter J. Pohl
  • Patent number: 4398412
    Abstract: A hand held device (12) having a forward open window portion (14) adapted to be pushed downwardly into the frost on a surface, and a rear container portion (22) adapted to receive the frost removed from the window area. A graph (FIG. 4) on a side of the container enables an observer to determine the density of the frost from certain measurements noted. The depth of the frost is noted from calibrated lines (28) on the sides of the open window portion (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Farouk Huneidi
  • Patent number: 4392358
    Abstract: A defrost system for refrigerating apparatus having a refrigerating mode and a defrosting mode including an evaporator and an electric resistance heater in heat transfer relationship with the evaporator. There is provided a timer to actuate a normally open defrost initiation switch to energize the heater periodically and initiate a defrosting mode. A defrost terminating thermostat switch is in the heater circuit and will open at a predetermined elevated temperature to deenergize the heater and close at a lower temperature. A voltage sensor across the normally open defrost initiation switch senses periodically and provides a signal when voltage in the heater circuit is interrupted. The multiple voltage sensor signals are stored in a memory bank over a predetermined period of time and when the voltage is interrupted for the predetermined period of time, an alarm is actuated to indicate failure of the defrost system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Frederick E. Hicks
  • Patent number: 4206612
    Abstract: A refrigeration system contains a common compressor supplying refrigerant to a plurality of evaporators that are refrigerated and defrosted independently of one another. Individual refrigeration/defrost controls are provided in solid state form for the respective evaporators, and the individual controls are connected with a master control that prevents all of the evaporators from being defrosted at one time. The master control includes a digital time clock providing time signals to each of the individual refrigeration/defrost controls, and each of the individual controls can initiate a defrost operation for its respective evaporator on either a timed or demand basis. The master control includes a scanner that interrogates the individual controls in a special manner to initiate defrosting of the units in order of priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Assignee: Emhart Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward B. Gardner
  • Patent number: 4074987
    Abstract: A two-door household refrigerator with a separate freezer compartment and a manually-initiated freezer defrost cycle. A frost-sensing means is located in the thermal insulation in outer-spaced relation from the combined freezer liner and evaporator. The frost sensing means is thermally sensitive at a preselected high temperature of the insulation at the completion of the defrost cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1978
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Edward B. Krulewich
  • Patent number: 4037427
    Abstract: A refrigeration evaporator with a drain pan which contains a heated temperature sensitive element for distinguishing between the abnormal condition of water or ice in the drain pan and the normal condition of cold air there. The distinguishing action of the element takes place because the heated element is warmer in the presence of air than in the presence of moisture. An alarm or signal, for alerting operating or service personnel, responds to the temperature of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1974
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1977
    Inventor: Doris S. Kramer