Plural Cooled Compartments Patents (Class 62/441)
  • Publication number: 20120031111
    Abstract: An appliance system that includes an appliance and a turbo-chilling chamber is provided. In one embodiment, the turbo-chilling chamber for chilling a beverage within a beverage container or a foodstuff is operably engaged to an interior surface of the appliance and typically includes a rigid outer wall; a flexible inner wall defining a coolant chamber; and at least one coolant spaced between the rigid outer wall and flexible inner wall in the coolant chamber. The flexible inner wall defines a receiving space, accommodates various sized beverage containers or foodstuffs, and moves between a first position and a second position. The coolant within the coolant chamber is typically at higher than atmospheric pressure when the flexible inner wall is in the second position and a lesser pressure when the flexible inner wall is in the first position. The method of turbo-chilling a beverage container/beverage/foodstuff within the turbo-chilling chamber is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: TUSHAR V. KULKARNI, GUOLIAN WU
  • Publication number: 20120031138
    Abstract: A water supply apparatus arranged in a door of a refrigerator, for conveying water to an icemaker of the refrigerator. The apparatus has a water tube for delivering water from a water source, a support block attached to an inner surface of the door, a fill tube assembled to the support block and in fluid communication with the water tube, and a gasket disposed between the support block and the door for sealing an insulator in the door. The gasket has a hole through which the fill tube extends to convey the water from the water tube to the icemaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher David Hunter
  • Publication number: 20120031129
    Abstract: A secondary loop temperature control circuit for a temperature-controlled region in a compartment of a refrigerator is shown. The secondary loop temperature control circuit has a reservoir, configured to have a medium flow there through. A first heat exchanger is in flow communication with the reservoir and is configured to have the medium flow there through. The first heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the temperature-controlled region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Tarr, Matthew William Davis, Alvaro Delgado, Omar Haidar, Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Toby Whitaker, Martin Mitchell Zentner
  • Publication number: 20120023987
    Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment and one or more power consuming features/functions including a refrigeration system for cooling the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility. The controller adjusts the temperature of the refrigerator and/or freezer from a normal setting to a higher point during an energy saving mode and then back to a normal temperature. The transition between low and high is controlled to reduce energy consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: John K. Besore, Timothy Dale Worthington, Michael F. Finch, Darin Franks, William Newton, Jeff Donald Drake
  • Patent number: 8099975
    Abstract: An icemaker having a mold comprising at least one cavity and a cooling system. The cooling system has a first heat exchanger configured to have a medium flow there through. The first heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the mold to reduce the temperature of the mold below a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Omar Haidar, Matthew William Davis, Krzysztof Struminski, Solomon Muthumani, Ronald Scott Tarr, Stephen Bischoff, Alvaro Delgado
  • Publication number: 20120011879
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cold air supply device received in an insulating partition that defines a storage compartment into upper and lower storage compartments. As cold air is supplied into the storage compartment below the insulating partition through the cold air supply device, the refrigerator has enhanced productivity and interior volume efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yang Yeol Gu
  • Publication number: 20120011881
    Abstract: Provided are a cooling apparatus and a refrigerator having the same. The cooling apparatus includes a case configured to receive a container holding a liquid, and an agitating member that is positioned within the case and that is configured to agitate the container holding the liquid. The cooling apparatus also includes an electro-magnetic power generator that includes an electromagnet and that is configured to generate a driving force that causes the agitating member to agitate the container holding the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yeonwoo CHO, Yanggyu KIM, Younseok LEE
  • Publication number: 20120011880
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling apparatus including a non-freezing apparatus which can be installed in a refrigerating chamber or a refrigerating chamber door and stably store food in a non-frozen state. A cooling apparatus includes a freezing chamber, a refrigerating chamber, a freezing chamber door, a refrigerating chamber door, and a non-freezing apparatus installed in the refrigerating chamber or the refrigerating chamber door and storing food in a non-frozen state. In the non-freezing apparatus, since a lower space is cooled by the cool air introduced from the freezing chamber and an upper space is cooled by the atmosphere of the refrigerating chamber, it is possible to reduce a heating value of a heater which is operated to maintain the temperature of the upper space to be higher than that of the lower space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Won-Young Chung, Jae-Hyun Soh, Deok-Hyun Youn, Cheol-Hwan Kim, Ju-Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8087261
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes a cold air duct that receives cold air circulating inside of a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber, an evaporator in the cold air duct, at least one defrosting heater in the cold air duct that selectively emits heat, a fan in the cold air duct, that selectively directs the cold air in an upward or downward direction, a motor that drives the fan, and an open/close device that closes a space having the evaporator, the defrosting heater, and the fan positioned therein selectively, thereby providing an improved defroster for an evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Ik Lee, Bong Jun Choi, Jong Min Sin, Youngsan Jeon, Jae Seong Sim, Young Jeong
  • Publication number: 20110308269
    Abstract: An apparatus and refrigerator for creating ice pellets is disclosed. The apparatus and refrigerator include a compartment, an ice storage bin positioned in the compartment and configured to store whole ice cubes therein, and a pellet ice dispenser. The pellet ice dispenser includes a first motor, a first axle drivingly connected to a shaft of the first motor, a first ice cube auger drivingly connected to the first axle, a blade downstream of the first ice cube auger and configured to shave whole ice cubes into ice pieces, and an ice pelleter. The ice pelleter includes an extrusion die disposed downstream of the blade, a shaved ice auger disposed between the blade and the extrusion die and configured to move and compress the ice pieces through the extrusion die to form pellet ice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Alan Joseph Mitchell, Brent Alden Junge
  • Patent number: 8074468
    Abstract: A movement structure for a drawer of a refrigerator is provided that allows a storage box to be automatically withdrawn from or inserted into a main body of the refrigerator. The structure may include a rolling mechanism that rolls along a guide mechanism coupled to the storage box to facilitate and guide the movement of the storage box and maintain alignment relative to the main body of the refrigerator. A drive motor may provide a rotational force to the rolling mechanism to automate the movement of the storage box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myung Keun Yoo, Yong Hwan Eom, Ok Sun Yu, Hyoun Jeong Shin
  • Patent number: 8074469
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a first compartment, a second compartment and a multi-functional compartment that is disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment and is adjustable between temperature modes selected from the group consisting of a fresh food temperature mode, a soft freeze mode, a freezer mode and a chiller temperature mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Allen Hamel, Rita Barksdale, Chris George Bissig, John R. Brumleve, Jonathan Crosby, Rajesh Swarnkar, Thomas F. White, Martin Mitchell Zentner
  • Publication number: 20110283727
    Abstract: A household refrigerator having three compartments: a freezer compartment, a refrigerator compartment, and a condiment compartment. Each compartment is accessed via its own door. In an illustrative embodiment, the refrigerator compartment is above the freezer compartment and the condiment compartment is adjacent the refrigerator compartment on the side of the refrigerator. The condiment compartment preferably includes movable shelves inside the condiment compartment as well as on the door to the condiment compartment. One or more electric fans are provided to circulate cold air from the refrigerator compartment into the condiment compartment. The fans are preferably controlled by a thermostat. The refrigerator is preferably designed so that the condiment compartment may be mounted on either the left or right side of the refrigerator compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: ANDREW L. GRACIE
  • Patent number: 8061153
    Abstract: A distributed refrigeration appliance system for use in a residential kitchen and other locations in a dwelling and includes multiple separate refrigeration appliance modules, a central cooling system and a cooling circuit. The system can also include one or more satellite stations having a heat exchanger and arranged for supplying chilled air to one or more refrigeration appliance modules. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can include a thermal cascade cooling device to cool the module to lower temperatures than the cooling circuit can attain. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can be refrigeration/storage modules that can provide refrigerated, unconditioned or heated storage space. The central cooling system can be a vapor compression system having a refrigerant circuit connecting the modules. Alternately, the central cooling system can cool a secondary cooling medium circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nihat O. Cur, Steven John Kuehl, John Joseph Vonderhaar, Diego Barone, Lorenzo Bianchi, Enrica Monticelli
  • Publication number: 20110280750
    Abstract: A compressor (20) has a case (22) and a crankshaft (38). The case has a number of cylinders (30 32). For each of the cylinders, the compressor includes a piston (34) mounted for reciprocal movement at least partially within the cylinder. A connecting rod (36) couples each piston to the crankshaft. A pin (44) couples each connecting rod to the associated piston. Each pin has first (52) and second (53) end portions mounted to first (56) and second (57) receiving portions of the associated piston and a central portion (48) engaging the associated connecting rod. Each of the pistons is formed of a first cast iron. At each of the cylinders, the case is formed of second cast iron. One of the first cast iron and the second cast iron is a Meehanite type cast iron and the other of the first cast iron and the second cast iron is a gray cast iron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Paul J. Flanigan
  • Publication number: 20110277489
    Abstract: A cold tray for a container may have an interior. The cold tray may include a cold tray housing mountable within the container interior. A refrigerant may be mounted to the cold tray housing. An air flow source may be fluidly connectable to the cold tray housing and may draw air from the container interior into the cold tray housing such that the air passes over the refrigerant and is discharged back into the container interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Karen L. Hills, Nino Senoadi, William Quan
  • Publication number: 20110271703
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a bypass pipe, and a valve device. The condenser condenses refrigerant discharged from the compressor, and the expansion valve expands the refrigerant condensed in the condenser. The evaporator evaporates the refrigerant expanded in the expansion valve, and the bypass pipe allows the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to move toward an inlet of the evaporator. The valve device allows the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to selectively move toward the bypass pipe or the condenser. The valve device comprises an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows into the inlet. The refrigerant is discharged toward the condenser through the first outlet, and is discharged toward the bypass pipe through the second outlet. The first outlet has a diameter larger than that of the second outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Yong-Joo Park, Jong-Min Shin, Bong-Jun Choi, Su-Won Lee, Gyu-Won Shin, Seok-Min Lim
  • Patent number: 8042355
    Abstract: A distributed refrigeration appliance system for use in a residential kitchen and other locations in a dwelling and includes multiple separate refrigeration appliance modules, a central cooling system and a cooling circuit. The system can also include one or more satellite stations having a heat exchanger and arranged for supplying chilled air to one or more refrigeration appliance modules. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can include a thermal cascade cooling device to cool the module to lower temperatures than the cooling circuit can attain. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can be refrigeration/storage modules that can provide refrigerated, unconditioned or heated storage space. The central cooling system can be a vapor compression system having a refrigerant circuit connecting the modules. Alternately, the central cooling system can cool a secondary cooling medium circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nihat O. Cur, Steven John Kuehl, John Joseph Vonderhaar, Diego Barone, Lorenzo Bianchi
  • Patent number: 8037701
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment and a refrigeration system. A duct, exposed to the freezer compartment, leads into the fresh food compartment. A damper is arranged within the duct to selectively allow the passage of cooling air into the fresh food compartment. The refrigerator also includes an air mixing fan arranged in the fresh food compartment, a freezer mounted ice maker, a user interface having a plurality of control elements and a controller operatively associated with the user interface. The controller includes a memory having stored therein a plurality of operating parameters for controlling various aspects or features of the refrigerator, including a temperature control mode, a super cool mode, a food saver mode and a quick ice mode, which can be synergistically combined to efficiently operate the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Carl Anell, Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Carl J. Franken, Alvin V. Miller, Mauro M. Oliveira, Todd E. Pritts, Alan G. Tarrant, Robert L. Wetekamp
  • Patent number: 8033133
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator housing, a fresh food compartment disposed within the refrigerator housing, a door for providing access to the fresh food compartment, and an ice bin at the door, the ice bin having a window for viewing an ice level within the ice bin. An ice storage bin includes an ice storage bin body having an insulated front, a back, a bottom, opposite sides, and an open top, and a first window pane and a second window pane positioned at the front of the ice storage bin to allow for viewing the ice level within the ice storage bin. There may be an air gap between the first window pane and the second window pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Laura E. Flores, Michael A. Heaven, Bruce A. Kopf, Joseph M. Nurre
  • Patent number: 8033130
    Abstract: A refrigerator having a body defined with a plurality of cooling compartments, a plate arranged to partition the cooling compartments, and a cold air supplier arranged at one wall of the plate, to supply a cold air to at least one of the cooling compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Nam Soo Cho, Youn Seok Lee, Kyeong Yun Kim, Su Nam Chae, Sang Oh Kim, Jang Seok Lee
  • Publication number: 20110232322
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a freezer door for providing access to the freezer compartment, a lower freezer basket, an upper freezer basket, a divider operatively connected to the lower freezer basket to divide the lower freezer basket, and guide surfaces on a top portion of the divider to allow for guiding the upper freezer basket forward and back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: KEVIN L. NOEL, CHAD J. ROTTER
  • Publication number: 20110233289
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring the humidity inside a refrigerator and increasing the humidity when desired. In an embodiment, the humidifier is an ultrasonic atomizer that receives supply water from a removable tank that is refilled by a consumer. An adaptive control system monitors the humidity level inside the refrigerator and actuates the ultrasonic atomizer when an increase in humidity is desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: ANDERSON BORTOLETTO, SANT RANJAN, GUOLIAN WU
  • Publication number: 20110232303
    Abstract: A temperature regulation apparatus includes a dry ice module that encloses dry ice so that the module's outside surface is not hazardous to touch. Insulation, breathable material, or a combination of insulating and breathable materials, allows dry ice sublimation at a sufficiently slow rate within the attached dry ice module to control the ambient temperature in the area to be cooled. The dry ice module can be attached in a location that maximizes the dry ice cooling properties, typically at or near the top of the area to be cooled. Since sublimated carbon dioxide is heavier than normal air, it falls to the bottom of the area to be cooled and builds up. The venting placement in the dry ice module is based upon the make up of the dry ice module and the breathable materials inside of it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Robert E. Whewell, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110219806
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes at least two compartments designed for different storage temperatures to define a first compartment and a second compartment, with the storage temperature of the first compartment exceeding the storage temperature of the second compartment. A refrigerant circuit has a first branch which is routed via an evaporator of the first compartment and a second branch which is routed via an evaporator of the second compartment. The evaporator of the second compartment includes a first refrigerant conduit which is connected upstream of the evaporator of the first compartment in the first branch, and a second refrigerant conduit which is associated with the second branch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERÃÄTE GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Nuiding, Simon Schechinger
  • Publication number: 20110219807
    Abstract: Provided is a basket for storing food items in a temperature-controlled environment and a refrigeration appliance including such a basket. The basket includes a substantially-horizontal platform coupled to two or more upwardly-extending walls to form an open container for receiving the food items to be stored in the temperature-controlled environment. A partition is provided for dividing the basket into two or more storage regions. A guide is coupled to at least one of the platform and the walls, and extends substantially parallel to an upper perimeter of at least one of the walls to define a range of adjustment of the partition. A fastener securely couples the partition to the guide to be adjusted to two or more different locations where the partition is to divide the basket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: William Lee Moody, Michael Bayne, Jeremiah Stamey
  • Patent number: 8011195
    Abstract: A Kimchi refrigerator that applies cold shock to Kimchi stored therein at predetermined time intervals, while a keeping mode is performed, so as to improve the taste of the Kimchi, wherein the time intervals are changed, and a control method of the same are disclosed. The Kimchi refrigerator includes a cooling system to cool the interior of the refrigerator in which Kimchi is stored, and a control unit to control the cooling system to perform a cold shock operation in which the interior of the refrigerator is cooled to a cold shock temperature lower than a keeping temperature at predetermined time intervals, for a predetermined period of time, while a keeping mode is performed. The control unit changes the time intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Eun Young Park, Yeon Yi Hwang, Jong Min Shin
  • Patent number: 8011203
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration appliance including a cabinet defining a fresh-food compartment and a freezer compartment. The refrigeration appliance includes a refrigeration system that is operable to provide a cooling effect to an interior of the fresh-food and freezer compartments. A pair of doors is pivotally connected to the cabinet with a hinge assembly for restricting access to the interior of the fresh-food compartment. Each door includes a side portion extending between an exterior face and an interior portion of the door. The side portions of the doors generally oppose each other when the doors are closed. A user interface is also provided to the side portion of at least one of the doors comprising an input device to be manipulated by a user for controlling a target temperature within at least one of the fresh-food and freezer compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Schenk, Cory Dale Simpson, Nilton Carlos Bertolini
  • Publication number: 20110209493
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration appliance including a cabinet defining a fresh-food compartment and a freezer compartment. The refrigeration appliance includes a refrigeration system that is operable to provide a cooling effect to an interior of the fresh-food and freezer compartments. A pair of doors is pivotally connected to the cabinet with a hinge assembly for restricting access to the interior of the fresh-food compartment. Each door includes a side portion extending between an exterior face and an interior portion of the door. The side portions of the doors generally oppose each other when the doors are closed. A user interface is also provided to the side portion of at least one of the doors comprising an input device to be manipulated by a user for controlling a target temperature within at least one of the fresh-food and freezer compartments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis Schenk, Cory Dale Simpson, Nilton Carlos Bertolini
  • Publication number: 20110203305
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment which includes an ice chamber. The ice chamber includes an ice maker which includes a first heat exchanger for producing ice. The ice chamber further includes an ice container, a second heat exchanger, an air moving apparatus, and an enclosed loop passageway. The ice container is for storing ice produced by the ice maker and includes an exterior surface. The second heat exchanger is for controlling temperature at the ice container. The passageway forms an air flow path such that air travels in thermal contact with the second heat exchanger. The air moving apparatus is positioned to move air through the passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis Schenk, Xiaoyong Fu
  • Publication number: 20110197623
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a freezer 10 of the very low temperature vertical type. The freezer 10 comprises: a thermally insulating cabinet 12 comprising in turn two side walls 14 and 16, an upper wall 18, a lower wall 20 and a rear wall 22; a thermally conducting shelf 24 suitable for defining, inside the cabinet, an upper compartment 26 and a lower compartment 28; an upper door 30 for closing the upper compartment 26; and a lower door 32 for closing the lower compartment 28. The freezer comprises a single cooling plant 34 designed to cool the upper compartment and the lower compartment. Moreover, the thermally conducting shelf defines an air-tight closure between the upper compartment and the lower compartment. Finally, the cooling plant comprises a coil circuit 36 running through the upper wall, the side walls and the rear wall of the cabinet. The coils are distributed with a variable density along the height of the cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Angelantoni Industrie SPA
    Inventors: Maurizio Ascani, Dario De Angelis
  • Publication number: 20110179819
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. In the refrigerator, a manufacture cost for a buffer device to buffer a shock generated when opening a home bar door, can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventor: Moon-Seok Lee
  • Patent number: 7984623
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided including a freezing chamber having a first evaporator and a first fan provided inside, and a refrigerating chamber having a second evaporator and a second fan provided inside. Further, the first and second fans may be configured to direct cool air generated by the first and second evaporators to the freezing and refrigerating chambers, respectively. Additionally, plurality of cool-air ducts may be provided in at least one of the freezing and refrigerating chambers, the cool air ducts may be configured to provide cool air to the freezing and refrigerating chambers via operation of the first and second fans, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jun-Ho Bae, Soo-Kwan Lee, Chang-Joon Kim
  • Publication number: 20110175742
    Abstract: A refrigerator and a control method of the refrigerator are discussed. According to an embodiment, a control method of a refrigerator connected to an electric power management network comprises steps of receiving power-rate information via the electric power management network; setting an over-cooling period and a power-saving period based on the received power-rate information; controlling at east one storage chamber to be over-cooled by over-cooling cold air during the over-cooling period; and controlling the other storage chamber to be over-cooled by the over-cooled cold air during the power-saving period. According to the present invention, the functions of the refrigerator are provided with minimal use of electricity and/or with reduced electricity charges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jong Min SHIN, Ji Young LEE, Woo Hyun PAIK
  • Patent number: 7980091
    Abstract: A refrigeration device comprising two refrigerated regions, whose temperature is independently regulated and which are supplied with cold air from a common evaporator chamber. A flap is situated in one branch of a cold air conduit, which connects the refrigerated regions to the evaporator chamber, said flap being pivotable between two positions, each of which seals a respective branch of the conduit. The pivoting displacement of the flap is driven by an eccentric cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Panagiotis Fotiadis, Alexander Görz, Hans Ihle
  • Patent number: 7971443
    Abstract: There is provided a temperature switching compartment 3 which can switch the internal temperature thereof between a low temperature side at which a storage material is kept in cold storage and a high temperature side maintained at 50° C., to 80° C. at which cooked food is kept warm, by cooling with a cooler 17 and heating with a heater 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayasu Nishita, Yoshinari Fujihara, Yasuji Ohshiro, Kayo Takashima
  • Publication number: 20110146303
    Abstract: A refrigerator in which an evaporator is separately installed in each of a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber such that operations of the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber are independently controlled, and a method of controlling an operation thereof. An operation of the freezing chamber is performed first when the refrigerator starts to be operated in a parallel cycle to convert a flow of a refrigerant such that operations of the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber are independently performed using a 3-way valve, thereby achieving energy savings. Further, a check valve to prevent the refrigerant from flowing to a freezing chamber evaporator is omitted, thereby achieving production cost reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kook Jeong Seo, Won Jae Woon, Young Han Kim
  • Publication number: 20110146333
    Abstract: The embodiment relates to a refrigerator. In the refrigerator, a freezing compartment is selectively partitioned into a plurality of spaces and some of the plurality of spaces can be used as a convertible compartment that can be converted into the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment. In addition, the refrigerator has a structure that an operation unit is provided at a door that opens and closes the convertible compartment and a cable that extends from a main body to the operation unit is clearly processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Min Bon KOO, Jong Wook AN
  • Publication number: 20110146334
    Abstract: Provided are a refrigerator and a drawer for a refrigerator. The drawer for the refrigerator includes a receiving member received in the refrigerator to provide a receiving space for receiving foods, an induction member disposed inside the receiving member to induce a formation of moisture on a surface thereof, an indicating member disposed inside the receiving member, the indicating member comprising an indicating part for indicating a humidity state to the outside, and a transmission part providing a space through which the moisture flows, together with the indicating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Eunjeong KIM, Eunyoung PARK, Sangho OH, Jaehyun SOH
  • Publication number: 20110146335
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator compartment, a refrigerator compartment door opening and closing the refrigerator compartment, and an ice compartment in which an ice maker is disposed. The ice compartment is defined as an insulation space within the refrigerator compartment door. The refrigerator also includes an ice compartment door opening and closing the ice compartment, and a receiving member disposed on the ice compartment door. The receiving member protrudes toward an inside of the refrigerator compartment to provide a receiving space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jae Hun JUNG, Do Wan KIM, Chan Ju PAE
  • Patent number: 7950248
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body cabinet which includes an external cabinet, and an internal cabinet disposed inside the external cabinet and including a partition wall forming first and second storage compartments partitioned right and left, one of the first and second storage compartments being provided thereunder with a component compartment accommodating a compressor between the external cabinet and the internal cabinet but the other one being not provided thereunder with the component compartment; a bottom cabinet which is coupled to a bottom of the main body cabinet and accommodates a condenser for condensing a refrigerant received from the compressor accommodated in the component compartment. Thus, the capacity of the storage compartment increases, so that the inner space of the storage compartment can be efficiently used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyu-su Cho
  • Publication number: 20110120151
    Abstract: A system for use in freezing, thawing, transporting or storing biopharmaceutical materials which includes a container, a holder and plurality of heat transfer members. The container is configured to hold biopharmaceutical materials therein. The holder has a cavity for receiving the container and includes an interior surface bounding the cavity. A plurality of pockets contact outer surfaces of the container and is received in the cavity. Each pocket of the plurality of pockets includes a pocket cavity. A heat transfer member actively controls the temperature of biopharmaceutical materials held in the container and is received in the pocket cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: SARTORIUS STEDIM SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan CUTTING, Isabelle GAY, Oscar Werner REIF
  • Publication number: 20110113811
    Abstract: Refrigerator with an icemaker including a cabinet having a mullion wall for compartmentalization of a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, a case provided to a door on the refrigerating chamber, having a cavity therein, a first duct for supplying cold air from a neighborhood of an evaporator in the freezing chamber to the cavity, the icemaker in the cavity for producing ice, an ice container in the cavity for storing the ice, and a dispenser in the door in communication with the cavity, thereby having ice supplied to a user at an outside of the refrigerator through a dispenser provided to the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Myung Ryul LEE, Seong Jae KIM, Chang Ho SEO, Sung Hoon CHUNG
  • Publication number: 20110113813
    Abstract: Refrigerator with an icemaker including a cabinet having a mullion wall for compartmentalization of a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, a case provided to a door on the refrigerating chamber, having a cavity therein, a first duct for supplying cold air from a neighborhood of an evaporator in the freezing chamber to the cavity, the icemaker in the cavity for producing ice, an ice container in the cavity for storing the ice, and a dispenser in the door in communication with the cavity, thereby having ice supplied to a user at an outside of the refrigerator through a dispenser provided to the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Myung Ryul LEE, Seong Jae KIM, Chang Ho SEO, Sung Hoon CHUNG
  • Patent number: 7942012
    Abstract: A dual evaporator refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a refrigeration compartment with an enclosed pan. A freezer evaporator with a freezer fan is in the freezer compartment for cooling the freezer compartment and a refrigeration evaporator with a first refrigeration fan is in the refrigeration compartment for cooling the refrigeration compartment. A compressor provides refrigerant flow to the freezer and the refrigeration evaporators. A second refrigeration fan moves air from the refrigeration evaporator to the enclosed pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sheena L. Ritchie, Mark Wilson, Alexander Rafalovich
  • Publication number: 20110107788
    Abstract: Climate control unit with an interior section containing a storage space and with a closable access opening to the storage section whereby at least one part of the interior section is separated and sealed against the rest of the interior section thus forming a separate germ-proof section. The division takes place at least in part by a membrane that is permeable for water vapor and gas but impermeable for microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: THERMO ELECTRON LED GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Stahl, Olaf Broemsen, Ulrike Hohenthanner, Rainer Schuck, Waldemar Pieczarek
  • Publication number: 20110094256
    Abstract: A refrigerator having a sub door which reduces energy loss and a method of manufacturing method the sub door. The refrigerator includes a main body provided with storage chambers formed therein, doors opening and closing the storage chambers, and provided with an opening, a sub door to open and close the opening, and a cooling unit provided on the rear surface of the sub door. When the sub door is opened, cool air of the cooling unit is transmitted to a stored article put on the rear surface of the sub door, and when the sub door is closed, relatively uniform temperature distribution in the storage chamber is achieved and thus storage performance of the refrigerator is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joo Hee Song, Jeong Wook Lee, Ha Jin Jeong
  • Publication number: 20110094726
    Abstract: A refrigerator having a valve to control the supply of a refrigerant to a plurality of storage chambers and a control method of the same. An opening time rate of the valve is changed based on modes of the storage chambers to control the amount of the refrigerant supplied to the storage chambers, thereby avoiding concentration of the refrigerant in one of the storage chambers and thus preventing refrigerant shortage in the other storage chambers. Also, left and right temperature deviation of each storage chamber is reduced, thereby achieving uniform temperature distribution of each storage chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ha Jin Jeong, Hak Gyun Bae
  • Patent number: 7926298
    Abstract: A refrigerator, including a cabinet having top, bottom, rear and opposing side walls that collectively define a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment, employs a cooling system and an air plenum to deliver a cooling air flow into the freezer and fresh food compartments. The air plenum includes a variable position air damper having a first, substantially straight portion and a second arcuate portion that forms an air scoop. The air damper is slidably mounted within the air plenum between first and second positions. The variable position air damper is selectively arranged in the first position to efficiently deliver a volume of the cooling air flow into the freezer compartment, the second position to deliver the cooling airflow into the fresh food compartment or in an infinite number of intermediate positions to deliver the cooling airflow into both compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven John Kuehl, James Charles Leslie Guarino
  • Publication number: 20110083464
    Abstract: Refrigerators with at least one pullout refrigerator compartment that provides side access to one or more refrigerated items are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Craig Kettles