Plural Cooled Compartments Patents (Class 62/441)
  • Patent number: 11779191
    Abstract: A shelf for an appliance such as a dish washing appliance. The shelf may include an intermediate wheel shelf. The intermediate wheel shelf may include a biasing member. The intermediate wheel shelf may be pivotable between one or more positions. The intermediate wheel shelf may form a substantially continuous wheel shelf configuration with one or more wheel shelves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Joel Boyer
  • Patent number: 11754333
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a partition wall provided between first and second storage chambers and having a partition wall insulator, an evaporator case arranged in the partition wall and communicating with the first and second storage chambers, an evaporator installed inside the evaporator case, a grill cover provided on a rear side of the evaporator case and configured to accommodate a blower fan, and support guides provided in the grill cover and supporting a rear portion of the evaporator, such that an internal storage space of the refrigerator is increased, and a withdrawal distance of a drawer provided in the refrigerator is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Junsoo Han, Younseok Lee, Dongseok Kim
  • Patent number: 11466922
    Abstract: A refrigeration device capable of chilling beverage ingredients and accessories is disclosed. The refrigeration device may include a first compartment that defines a first open top area, a second compartment that defines a second open top area, and a wall disposed between the first and second compartments. The refrigeration device may further include a controller configured to control the temperature in at least one of the first and second compartments, a temperature regulator configured to adjust a thermal communication between the first and second compartments, and a lid assembly movable between an opened and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Perlick Corporation
    Inventors: Tobin G. Ellis, Karl R. Krumbiegel, Jonathon Haggerty, Brian J. Madson
  • Patent number: 11455584
    Abstract: A method of aiding the design of a data center is disclosed. In one aspect, the method refers to generating a list of components from a library that satisfy a defined list of needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: BULL SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Olivier Gerphagnon, Andry Razafinjatovo, Cédric Lambert
  • Patent number: 11421933
    Abstract: An appliance mounting device is provided herein. The appliance includes a vacuum insulated structure having a liner positioned within a wrapper, wherein the liner and wrapper cooperate to define an interior cavity. The appliance further includes an insulating material positioned within the interior cavity and a hanger coupled to an adapter plate and a support member. The support member is configured to couple to an interior surface of the vacuum insulated structure while maintaining a vacuum in the interior cavity and a holding member is coupled to a first side of the adapter plate and configured to receive a positioning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Lynne F. Hunter, Raffaella Gropallo, Giulia Marinello
  • Patent number: 11415360
    Abstract: A door assembly for an appliance includes a frame door defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the frame door being attached to the cabinet and movable between an open position and a closed position to permit selective access to the cavity; an outer door slidably connected to the frame door, the outer door being slidable relative to the frame door between an open position and a closed position; and a slide assembly connecting the outer door to the frame door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis A. Wantland, Daniel Allen
  • Patent number: 11300348
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a storage space, a freezing chamber defining an insulating space configured to maintain a chamber temperature independent from the storage space, an evaporator in the storage space, a grille panel assembly that defines an evaporator space configured to accommodate the evaporator and at least a portion of the storage space, a thermoelectric element assembly including a thermoelectric element, a heat sink, and a cold sink to cool the freezing chamber to a temperature less than the temperature of the storage space, a module accommodation portion located at a side of the grille panel assembly, a defrost water guide that communicates with the module accommodation portion and the evaporator space and that is configured to discharge defrost water generated during a defrost operation of the freezing chamber, and a defrost heater located in the module accommodation portion and configured to melt ice during the defrost operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yoomin Park, Jinho Son, Changwon Eom, Myeongha Yi
  • Patent number: 11236937
    Abstract: A cooling control method for a refrigerator includes steps of measuring an actual temperature of freezer compartments, and setting a freezing parameter; if the actual temperature of at least one of the freezer compartments is higher than a freezing startup temperature, measuring an actual temperature of a refrigerator compartment, setting a refrigeration parameter, and if the actual temperature of the refrigerator compartment is higher than a refrigeration startup temperature and a difference between the actual temperature of at least one of the freezer compartments and the freezing startup temperature is higher than a preset value, re-setting the refrigeration parameter and the freezing parameter; and, according to the refrigeration parameter and the freezing parameter, causing a compressor, a fan, a refrigeration air door and a branch air supply device to operate in a preset state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: QINGDAO HAIER JOINT STOCK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaobing Zhu, Chunyang Li, Haibo Tao
  • Patent number: 11156396
    Abstract: An appliance cabinet includes first and second sidewalls. A rear wall is disposed between the first and second sidewalls. A machine compartment is defined by a lower portion of the rear wall. An attachment feature defines openings and is coupled to at least one of the first and second sidewalls. A side access panel is selectively coupled to at least one of the first and second sidewalls via fasteners extending through the openings defined by the attachment feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Koteswara Rao Gochika, Narendra A. Kapure, Manjunathraddi Navalgund, Manoj T. Sambrekar
  • Patent number: 11150065
    Abstract: Thermally-sensitive hardware is at least partially enclosed within a container in which reactants for a solid-solid endothermic chemical reaction are disposed, surrounding at least a portion of the thermally-sensitive hardware. The reactants or a structure including the reactants are positioned between the thermally-sensitive hardware and a heat source, such as an external surface of a missile traveling through atmospheric gases at extremely high speed and experiencing extreme frictional heating. The reactants absorb heat during the solid-solid endothermic reaction to thermally protect the thermally-sensitive hardware. The reactants are preferably selected to absorb heat of at least 5 kilo-Joules per gram (kJ/g) during the solid-solid endothermic chemical reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: David R Smith, Thomas M. Deppert
  • Patent number: 11131475
    Abstract: An outdoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor unit main body, a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, an outdoor air temperature detection unit, and a control unit. The control unit stores an outdoor air temperature that is detected when the outdoor unit main body receives an operation stop signal, a temperature determination unit configured to determine whether the outdoor air temperature stored in the storage unit is less than a temperature threshold value when the outdoor unit main body receives an operation start signal, and an operation timing setting unit configured to select an operation mode of the compressor based on an outdoor air temperature detected by the outdoor air temperature detection unit after operation of the outdoor fan is resumed in a case where the temperature determination unit determines that the outdoor air temperature is less than the temperature threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Mineoka
  • Patent number: 11073317
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a first refrigeration cycle unit that is configured to circulate a first refrigerant and that includes a first compressor, a first condenser, a first expansion device, and a first evaporator, a second refrigeration cycle unit that is configured to circulate a second refrigerant and that includes a second compressor, a second condenser, a second expansion device, and a second evaporator, a first valve unit installed at an outlet side of the first compressor, and a first hot gas path configured to extend from the first valve unit to the second evaporator and configured to supply the first refrigerant to the second evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hosan Kim
  • Patent number: 10969155
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet including a storage compartment, a storage compartment door to open or close the storage compartment, a cool air duct provided in the storage compartment and positioned at an upper portion of the storage compartment to discharge cool air to the storage compartment, a damper to adjust an amount of cool air introduced into the cool air duct, and a door discharge duct communicating with the cool air duct and extending in a front-rear direction toward the storage compartment door to discharge cool air received from the cool air duct to the storage compartment door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sunam Chae, Kyungseok Kim, Soyoon Kim, Kyunghun Cha
  • Patent number: 10731911
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a storage space, a freezing chamber defining an insulating space configured to maintain a chamber temperature independent from the storage space, an evaporator in the storage space, a grill pan assembly that defines an evaporator space configured to accommodate the evaporator and at least a portion of the storage space, a thermoelectric element assembly including a thermoelectric element, a heat sink, and a cold sink to cool the freezing chamber to a temperature less than the temperature of the storage space, a module accommodation portion located at a side of the grill pan assembly, a defrost water guide that communicates with the module accommodation portion and the evaporator space and that is configured to discharge defrost water generated during a defrost operation of the freezing chamber, and a defrost heater located in the module accommodation portion and configured to melt ice during the defrost operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yoomin Park, Jinho Son, Changwon Eom, Myeongha Yi
  • Patent number: 10539360
    Abstract: The invention relates to a freezing machine (150) for freezing samples, encompassing: a freezing device (140) for freezing a sample received in the freezing machine (150); a container (100) for receiving the frozen sample, having a reservoir (105) for liquid nitrogen; and a transfer apparatus for transferring the frozen sample from the freezing device (140) into the container (100), the container (100) comprising at least two receiving devices (104), separated from one another, each for at least one frozen sample; a selection apparatus being provided for selecting one of the receiving devices (104) for a frozen sample that is to be transferred into the container (100), the freezing machine (150) being configured to carry out the transfer of the frozen sample, by means of the transfer apparatus, into the respectively selected receiving device (104) of the container (100); and to a method for transferring frozen samples into a container provided therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Leica Mikrosysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Lange, Cveta Tomova
  • Patent number: 10429112
    Abstract: A control method for a refrigerator includes driving a refrigerator compartment compressor that is configured to cool a refrigerator compartment; determining whether a temperature in the refrigerator compartment satisfies a first temperature; driving, based on the determination that a temperature in the refrigerator compartment satisfies the first temperature, a freezer compartment compressor that is configured to cool a freezer compartment; stopping the refrigerator compartment compressor; maintaining, after stopping the refrigerator compartment compressor, operation of the freezer compartment compressor; restarting the refrigerator compartment compressor; and varying a driving frequency of the refrigerator compartment compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Namhun Kim, Buhwan Ahn
  • Patent number: 9890992
    Abstract: A domestic appliance, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance, includes an interior chamber and an electronic control apparatus having an electronics system and being constructed to control at least one function of the domestic appliance during operation thereof. A door leaf for opening and closing the interior chamber has an inner face facing the interior chamber and an outer face facing away from the interior chamber. A recessed handle in the outer face includes a grip forming an indentation in the outer face. A lighting configuration has at least one lighting device, in particular an LED, to illuminate the recessed handle. At least a large part of the electronics system and the at least one lighting device form a common assembly disposed within the door leaf adjacent the indentation, so that the at least one lighting device can radiate light out of the indentation into the recessed handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Becke, Max Eicher, Klaus Foersterling, Christine Hartwein, Andreas Kessler, Philipp Kleinlein, Ralph Staud, Thomas Tischer, Xingen Yao
  • Patent number: 9890984
    Abstract: Provided is a supercooling refrigerator including, so as to supercool foods such as fish or meat and more uniformly and stably maintain a temperature in a storage chamber supercooling the foods, a body including a storage chamber storing goods such as the fish or meat in a supercooled state, a door installed in the body, a plurality of shelves installed in the storage chamber, on which the goods are stored, a cooling unit cooling internal air of the storage chamber, a cooling air supplying unit circulating the air cooled by the cooling unit into the storage chamber, and a cool air controlling unit controlling the temperature of the cool air supplied from the cool air supplying unit in a supercooling temperature range of the stored goods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: SUPERCOOLER, INC., SUPER COOLER USA, INC.
    Inventors: Tai Ho Kim, Byung Suhn Ahn
  • Patent number: 9869112
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a storage compartment within the cabinet, a main door to open or close the storage compartment, an auxiliary storage compartment mounted to a rear surface of the main door and configured to be accessed through an opening in the main door, a sub door to open or close the opening leading to the auxiliary storage compartment, a hook member at the sub door, a latch cam pivotally mounted in the main door to be selectively caught by the hook member, a stopper pivotally mounted at a location above the latch cam to selectively limit pivotal rotation of the latch cam, a solenoid device mounted below the latch cam to laterally push the stopper via a vertical movement caused by the solenoid device to release locking between the stopper and the latch cam, and a controller provided at the sub door to selectively operate the solenoid device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kibum Jeon
  • Patent number: 9739524
    Abstract: An appliance includes a cabinet having outer walls that define a portion of a contact surface. Operable panels are engaged with the cabinet and operate between closed and open positions. A lateral mullion is pivotally attached to a mullion panel of the plurality of operable panels and is operable between contact and tucked positions. When the mullion panel is in the closed position, an outer surface of the lateral mullion is in the vertically pointed contact position and defines a portion of the contact surface to receive a seal of the mullion panel and selectively receive a seal of a vertically adjacent panel. Movement of the mullion panel to the open position rotates the lateral mullion about a horizontal axis to define the tucked position such that the mullion panel can move to the open position free of operation of the vertically adjacent panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Neomar Giacomini, Axel Julio Ramm
  • Patent number: 9574818
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage compartment provided therein, a main door pivotably mounted at one side of the cabinet for opening and closing the storage compartment, an auxiliary storage compartment coupled to a rear of the main door, a sub door pivotably mounted at one side of the main door for opening and closing the auxiliary storage compartment, a locking device for selectively coupling the main door and the sub door to each other, a handle pivotably mounted at one side of the sub door for pivoting and opening the main door when pulled and releasing the locking device when pushed, and a lock control device mounted in the sub door for lock control with operation of the handle to release the locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyukwan Choi, Minsub Kim, Sungkyong Han
  • Patent number: 9163870
    Abstract: A refrigerator in which a rotating bar installed to one of a pair of doors is rotated when the other door is opened or closed. The refrigerator includes a rotating bar to seal a gap between doors, and a guide device to guide rotation of the rotating bar. The guide device includes a base having a receptacle, a rotating unit mounted in the receptacle and rotated by a rotating shaft, a ramp structure fixed in the receptacle and having a ramp, a linkage unit linearly movably secured to the rotating unit and connected to the rotating bar so as to be linearly moved on the ramp and rotated along with the rotating unit about the rotating shaft, and an elastic unit supported by the rotating unit and adapted to transmit elastic force to the linkage unit to allow the linkage unit to move on the ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Woon Jeon, Se Youn Park, Sun Min Lee, Jae Moon Lee
  • Patent number: 9142939
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power converter mounting system including a flange that cooperates with a power converter and an enclosure. The flange includes a through hole that cooperates with an opening in the enclosure to permit the power converter to extend therethrough. A number of fasteners connect to the flange and overhang a portion of the power converter. The fasteners are configured to be manipulated from a front side of the power converter. An outer perimeter of the flange extends beyond the opening in the enclosure. The flange is secured to the enclosure with a number of fasteners that are also operable from the front side of the power converter. The power converter mounting assembly is configured to secure a power converter to an enclosure so as to satisfy a variety of sealing requirements as well as allowing convenient servicing of the power converter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce W. Weiss, John R. Brubaker, Keith A. Alwardt, Paul J. Grosskreuz, Robert M. Michalski, Wayne O. Tobias
  • Patent number: 9134059
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling apparatus with a passage therein to introduce the cool air from a cooling space into a non-freezing apparatus to cool a lower space of the non-freezing apparatus. A cooling apparatus includes a cooling space supplied with the cool air, a non-freezing apparatus installed in the cooling space and storing food in a non-frozen state, a cooling passage for introducing the cool air from the cooling space into the non-freezing apparatus, and a discharge passage for discharging the flow from the non-freezing apparatus to the cooling space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Won-Young Chung, Jae-Hyun Soh, Cheol-Hwan Kim, Ju-Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 9046295
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a fixed frame in which an electric wire cable drawn from one sidewall of a storage chamber is disposed to form a loop, a sliding frame slidably coupled to the fixed frame, and an electric wire cable housing fixed to the sliding frame to surround a portion of the electric wire cable. The electric wire cable is prevented from being damaged upon insertion and drawing of a drawer type door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Myung Han, Jae Hoon Lim, Gi Joong Jeong, Woo Yeol Yoo, Jong Eun Chae, Sun keun Lee
  • Publication number: 20150135763
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for natural refrigeration comprising a naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin containing an ice bin with a refrigerator compartment suspended within it. The ice bin and cooler compartment are configured such that when ice cubes and the resulting cold water are loaded into the ice bin, the ice cubes and resulting cold water surround the refrigerator compartment and act to remove heat from inside the refrigerator compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Richard Y. Lee
  • Publication number: 20150135761
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sealing structure for a central wall for a refrigerator, and a refrigerator including the same. The sealing structure includes a refrigerating chamber inner case having a bent, angled or curved portion and a protrusion at one end; a freezer inner case having a bent, angled or curved portion and a protrusion at one end; a central wall which partitions the refrigerating chamber and freezer inner cases; a partition plate having bent, angled or curved portions at sides and/or a front surface thereof, seating grooves configured to receive the protrusions, and flanges at ends and/or a rear surface thereof, at or on a front surface of the central wall; a heat radiating pipe between the refrigerating chamber inner case and the freezer inner case; and a first supporting member on or in the bent, angled or curved portion of the refrigerating chamber inner case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Dong Sik JANG
  • Publication number: 20150135762
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: MICHAEL J. EVELAND, STEVEN G. HERNDON, TODD E. KNIFFEN, BILL J. KOONS
  • Publication number: 20150121927
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that may include at least one compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed in the at least one compressor, a refrigerant tube that guides the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, a plurality of evaporation passages, in which expansion devices may be respectively disposed, the plurality of evaporation passages branching from the refrigerant tube, a flow adjuster disposed in the refrigerant tube to supply the refrigerant into at least one evaporation passage of the plurality of evaporation passages, a plurality of evaporators, respectively, connected to the plurality of evaporation passages to evaporate the refrigerant decompressed in the plurality of expansion devices, and a liquid refrigerant supply device disposed at an outlet-side of the condenser to separate a liquid refrigerant of the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the condenser, thereby supplying the liquid refrigerant into the flow adjuster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sangbong LEE, Jangseok LEE, Hyoungkeun LIM, Myungjin CHUNG, Minkyu OH, Namsoo CHO
  • Publication number: 20150121926
    Abstract: A refrigerant is provided that may include at least one compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed in the at least one compressor, a first expansion device that decompresses the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, a gas/liquid separator that separates the refrigerant decompressed in the first expansion device into a liquid refrigerant and a gaseous refrigerant, first and second evaporators, to which the liquid refrigerant separated in the gas/liquid separator may be introduced, and a second expansion device disposed at an inlet-side of the second evaporator to decompress the refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sangbong LEE, Jangseok LEE, Hyoungkeun LIM, Myungjin CHUNG, Minkyu OH
  • Publication number: 20150121920
    Abstract: A refrigerator and a method for controlling the same may be provided. The refrigerator includes a compressor, a condenser condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor, a refrigerant tube for guiding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, a flow adjustment part coupled to the refrigerant tube to divide the refrigerant into a plurality of refrigerant passages, a plurality of expansion devices respectively disposed in the plurality of refrigerant passages to decompress the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, a plurality of evaporators evaporating the refrigerant decompressed in the plurality of expansion devices, and a supercooling heat exchanger disposed at an outlet-side of the condenser to supercool the refrigerant. The refrigerant supercooled in the supercooling heat exchanger may be introduced into the flow adjustment part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sangbong LEE, Jangseok LEE, Hyoungkeun LIM, Myungjin CHUNG, Minkyu OH
  • Patent number: 9010145
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an intermediate storage compartment, which has an improved structure of a return flow passage to return cold air from the intermediate storage compartment. The refrigerator includes a first evaporator to supply cold air to an upper storage compartment, a second evaporator to supply cold air to a lower storage compartment, a cold air supply duct to supply cold air generated at the second evaporator to an intermediate storage compartment, and a curved section formed at a top of the intermediate storage compartment to uniformly distribute the cold air supplied via the cold air supply duct in the intermediate storage compartment. The refrigerator also includes a cold air return duct to return cold air from the intermediate storage compartment, and an ice-making cold air return duct to return cold air from an ice maker. The cold air return duct is joined with the ice-making cold air return duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Hoon Lim, Gi Joong Jeong, Sinn Bong Yoon, Woo Yeol Yoo, Jong Eun Chae, Sun Keun Lee, Yun Ho Yang, Sang Woon Jeon, Jae Moon Lee
  • Patent number: 8997517
    Abstract: A storage compartment assembly is located within the interior of a compartment of a refrigerator such as a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator. The storage compartment assembly includes a storage container the temperature of which can be controlled independently of the temperature in the fresh food compartment. At least one of the sides of the storage container can be spaced away from a respective interior side of the refrigerator compartment and a housing located in the space between the side of the storage container and the interior side of the refrigerator compartment. The housing can contain components that are configured to function in the operation of the refrigerator, including the storage compartment assembly. The refrigerator can comprise a bottom-mount refrigerator and the fresh food compartment can be provided with double-doors for closing and opening the interior of the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Nilton Carlos Bertolini, Edmund S. Richardson, Jerry R. Baack, David L. Hall, Cory Dale Simpson
  • Patent number: 8991205
    Abstract: A refrigerator door is provided. The refrigerator door has an outer case forming a shape of the refrigerator door, an inner case provided within the outer case to configure a backside of the refrigerator door wherein a space between the inner case and the outer case is charged with a foaming liquid, an ice making unit provided to one side of the inner case to make ice, a fixing unit provided to the space charged with the foaming liquid between the inner case and the outer case and fixing the ice making unit to the refrigerator door, and a dispenser provided to one side of the outer case to discharge the ice supplied by the ice making unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Bok Dong Lee, Seung Mok Lee, Sam Kyu Park
  • Patent number: 8984908
    Abstract: A refrigerator that is capable of easily operating a storage chamber (30) where cooling is carried out independently from a cold chamber (10) is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator body having a cold chamber (10) defined therein and a storage chamber (30) disposed in the cold chamber, a cool air generation chamber having a cooler and a fan (102) for supplying cool air mounted therein, a partition plate for partitioning the cold chamber (10) and the cool air generation chamber from each other, the partition plate having a main flow channel (103) for guiding the cool air supplied by the fan (102) to the cold chamber (10) and at least one cool air hole (201) located between the fan (102) and the main flow channel (103) for bypassing the cool air, and at least one bypass duct (200) for guiding the cool air bypassed through the at least one cool air hole (201) to the storage chamber (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Ho Bae, Chung Joon Kim, Soo Kwan Lee
  • Patent number: 8979621
    Abstract: A system for storing articles can have at least two operating modes. In the first mode, gases are evacuated from the system whereby the articles are stored at a pressure less than the pressure at the exterior of the system. In the second mode, gases are evacuated while the system is open to the admittance of gases from the exterior of the system whereby the articles are ventilated by the admitted gases. The system also can have a third operating mode wherein both the first and second modes are rendered inoperative. The storage system can function so that when the articles are stored in the first mode, gases are intermittently removed from the system whereby the pressure at which the articles are stored is maintained at less than the pressure at the exterior of the system. The storage system can be located in a refrigeration appliance such as a household refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul H. Kelly, Robert L. Cushman, Robert J. Turnbull, Charles D. Baker, Aaron W. Arvia
  • Patent number: 8973389
    Abstract: A mobile cooler having an ice maker includes: a main body having first and second spaces which are thermally blocked; a cooling device positioned at a lower portion of the main body and providing cooling air to the first and second spaces; a plurality of shelves installed in the first space; an ice tray installed in the second space; an ice bank positioned on a lower surface of the ice tray and detachably mounted in the main body; and a cover that covers an opening in which the ice bank is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Namgi Lee, Sungil Park, Sangoh Kim
  • Publication number: 20150059393
    Abstract: A utility cart comprises a first container configured as an evaporative cooling system having a water reservoir disposed at a bottom end thereof in fluid communication with an evaporative medium. The evaporative cooling system further includes a fan to blow or draw outside air through the wet evaporative medium and out to the surrounding environment as cooled air. The utility cart further includes a second container coupled to the first container, the second container configured as an insulated chest cooler for holding ice and having a drain port for draining out melt water from melting ice disposed in the chest cooler, the drain port being configured to feed melt water into the evaporative cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: PHOENIX MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Gary Stephen Jouas, Lawrence Chavez
  • Publication number: 20150059399
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment that is positioned vertically below the first storage compartment, a first mullion that partitions the first storage compartment from the second storage compartment, an access cover configured to open or close the access hole, a reception drawer configured to be received into the second storage compartment and including a reception door configured to open and close the second storage compartment and a reception box provided in a rear surface of the reception door, and a cover member configured to cover at least a portion of a top surface of the reception box. The first mullion defines an access hole that allows fluid communication between the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Jungyeon HWANG, Jiyoung PARK, Hyunjung KIM, Eunjoo LEE, Kyukwan CHOI, Boram LEE
  • Patent number: 8966926
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Eveland, Steven G. Herndon, Todd E. Kniffen, Bill J. Koons
  • Patent number: 8966931
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes: an icemaker case on a door; an icemaker door on the icemaker case, the icemaker door being rotatable; a holding part on the icemaker case; and a lever assembly. The lever assembly is coupled to the icemaker door to be rotatable in order to engage or disengage with the holding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chang-Woan Yang
  • Patent number: 8966930
    Abstract: A container data center system includes a container, a plurality of servers, at least a regulation device, a first refrigeration device and a second refrigeration device. The container defines a first receiving room and a second receiving room isolated from the first receiving room. The servers are received in the first receiving room. The at least a regulation device is received in second receiving room. The at least regulation device is electrically connected to the servers for regulating the servers. The first refrigeration device is installed outside the container for cooling the first receiving room. The second refrigeration device is installed outside the container for cooling the second receiving room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tai-Wei Lin
  • Patent number: 8966929
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a first storage compartment defining a first interior volume. A first evaporator is configured to cool air that flows past. A first plenum includes a first air outlet, a second air outlet and a first air inlet disposed between the first and second air outlets. The first air inlet is configured to receive air into the first plenum from the first interior volume. The first plenum is configured to flow the air received in the first air inlet over the first evaporator to cool the air. The first and second air outlets are configured to flow the cool air from the first plenum into the first interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Ziqiang Hu
  • Patent number: 8959934
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a supercooling system and a method for displaying a supercooled state which can accurately display a supercooled state of a stored object in spite of the external influence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Won-Young Chung
  • Patent number: 8955352
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator. The present invention improves a structure of a door and a storage basket, thereby making it possible to facilitate the storage and a drawing out of articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Su Won Lee, Hyeung Ju Kim, Kyung Eun Lee
  • Patent number: 8950210
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes an airflow system which eliminates the traditional air tower in the freezer area by utilizing at least one air outlet formed between a freezer cavity area and a fresh food cavity area. The air outlet is configured to permit at least a portion of a cooled air stream generated by a fan of an evaporator assembly and circulated in the freezer cavity area to flow into the fresh food cavity area through the air outlet. The refrigeration system also includes at least one air return formed between the evaporator assembly and the fresh food cavity area. The air return is configured such that air from the fresh food cavity area flows into the evaporator assembly through the air return.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Brent Alden Junge
  • Patent number: 8950209
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes an airflow system which eliminates the traditional evaporator fan cover assembly in the freezer area by utilizing at least one air outlet formed between a freezer cavity area and a duct coupled to the fresh food cavity area. The air outlet is configured to permit at least a portion of a cooled air stream generated by a fan of the evaporator assembly received in the freezer cavity area to be provided to the fresh food cavity area through the air outlet and via the duct. The refrigeration system also includes at least one air return formed between the evaporator assembly and the fresh food cavity area. The air return is configured such that air from the fresh food cavity area flows into the evaporator assembly through the air return.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brent Alden Junge, Blake Mackenzie Whelan
  • Publication number: 20150020538
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling system of a refrigerator, particularly of a refrigerator including a refrigeration compartment and a freezer comprising a compressor attached to at least one condenser by a segment of a refrigerant tube, wherein a first refrigerant line leaves from the condenser and returns to the compressor, and a second refrigerant line leaves from the condenser and returns to the compressor. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compressor has at least two suction inlets, wherein the first refrigerant line is connected to the first inlet and the second refrigerant line is connected to the second inlet, and both inlets have each a suction valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: DIETMAR ERICH BERNHARD LILIE
  • Patent number: 8937532
    Abstract: A method of reading an RFID tag using an RFID reader includes providing an RF-blocking enclosure having a port. The RFID reader has an antenna located within the enclosure. The enclosure is positioned so that the port is adjacent to a conductive surface and the RFID tag is within the enclosure. The RFID reader is activated at a selected read power level to read the tag in the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mark P. Hinman, Edward Zogg, Abhishek Sharma
  • Patent number: 8919146
    Abstract: A soft freeze assembly is provided within a freezer compartment of a refrigerator assembly. The refrigerator assembly includes a fresh food compartment maintained at a first temperature arranged adjacent the freezer compartment maintained at a second temperature. The soft freeze assembly includes a support structure attached to a wall within the freezer compartment. The soft freeze assembly further includes a storage bin being supported by the support structure and movable with respect to the support structure. The storage bin is structured to allow air exterior from the freezer compartment to enter the storage bin and maintain the storage bin at a third temperature that is colder than the first temperature and warmer than the second temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Proucts, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Ellis, Timothy Bryan Rackley, Christopher W. Baum