Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body defining a storage compartment that is divided into a plurality of storage sections, and a door coupled to the main body to selectively open or close the storage compartment. The door includes a door glass having at least one transparent display area, and a door frame surrounding one or more edges of the door glass and configured to protect the door glass. The transparent display area is configured to display, based on being touched by a user, information on food stored in one or more of the plurality of storage sections that corresponds to the touched transparent display area.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance system including a camera captures images of objects entering and exiting the interior space of a refrigeration appliance and processes the images to identify the objects in the image, for example, using a trained machine learning model. The system may also process the images to determine a volume or quantity within the object. Using this determined information, the system may then create, update, or alter a log of objects within the refrigeration appliance and/or the determined volumes or quantities. The system may also provide the log and/or recommendations of items to purchase to a user.

Abstract: The disclosure features various embodiments and aspects of a chest for quenching beverages. The chest can include a tank for holding a chilled mixture of ice and water, an ice maker adapted for making ice having an output for ejecting ice into a conduit in fluid communication with the tank, and a plurality of quench trays disposed above the tank for holding containers of beverages located in first and second positions. The trays can be filled with cold water by way of a conduit in fluid communication with the tank. The quench trays can include a compartment defined by a bottom and a plurality of walls, and defining therein a plurality of rows for aligning and containing a plurality of beverage containers. The drawers can further include at least one drain orifice configured to guide water out of the quench tray.

Abstract: A liquid slug reduction and charge compensator device for use in air conditioning and heat pump systems includes a housing having a cavity. The housing includes an inlet port providing an entry path into the cavity and an outlet port providing an exit path from the cavity. The housing further includes a liquid line port providing a refrigerant pathway into and out of the cavity. The liquid slug reduction and charge compensator device further includes a flash tube extending through the cavity and providing a passageway through the cavity such that a hot gas refrigerant that enters the cavity through the inlet port causes a liquid refrigerant that enters the flash tube to evaporate.

Abstract: Fluid supply assemblies for fluid systems are provided, including faucet assemblies (e.g., electrically or mechanically actuated faucet assemblies) having an integrated anti-scald device and having an integrated temperature mixing valve. An exemplary faucet assembly includes an integrated temperature mixing valve, and/or an integrated anti-scald device configured to stop the inlet flow of hot water in the event the mixed outlet water temperature exceeds a user-selected set point. The faucet assemblies can prevent scalding as defined by ASSE 1070.

Abstract: A refrigerant metering system/method incorporating a manual expansion valve (MEV), condenser isolation valve (CIV), flow isolation valve (FIV), and evaporator isolation valve (EIV) is disclosed. The MEV is configured to replace a conventional automated expansion valve (AEV) that controls a refrigerant flow valve (RFV) that is positioned in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system between a refrigerant condenser coil (RCC) and a refrigerant evaporator coil (REC) and permits manual metering of refrigerant by the RFV from the RCC to the REC and also allows complete shutoff of refrigerant flow by the RFV from the RCC to the REC. The MEV allows rapid HVAC repair and restoration of service where a replacement AEV is not readily available. The CIV/FIV/EIV are positioned in the refrigerant flow lines to permit the AEV and/or REC to be isolated from HVAC refrigerant flow for repairs to the AEV and/or REC.

Abstract: An HVAC/R system having: an HVAC/R component that has a heat exchanger, the HVAC/R component configured to allow a refrigerant to flow therethrough; a housing with the heat exchanger disposed there therein, and a supply side air conduit connected to the housing, the supply side air conduit being operably coupled to the HVAC/R component; a supply side leak mitigation damper operably coupled to the supply side air conduit; and wherein the supply side leak mitigation conduit is configured to selectively block airflow through the supply side air conduit.

Abstract: A heat pump water heater can include a water tank and a refrigerant circuit that can be in fluid communication with an evaporator coil, a condenser coil, and a compressor. The heat pump water heater can include a fan configured to move air across the evaporator coil, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The controller can be configured to receive temperature data from the temperature sensor and, in response to the temperature data indicating a temperature less than a predetermined temperature threshold, output instructions for the compressor to deactivate and the fan to move air across the evaporator coil.

Abstract: A temperature control medium processing apparatus configured to collect a temperature control medium from a module using the temperature control medium or refill the module with the temperature control medium includes a tank configured to store the temperature control medium therein; a first inlet path which is connected to a first inlet opening of the tank, and through which the temperature control medium is introduced; an inlet connector configured to connect the first inlet path and a path from the module; an outlet path which is connected to an outlet opening of the tank, and through which the temperature control medium is flown out; an outlet connector configured to connect the outlet path and a path to the module; and a pump provided at the outlet path, and configured to force the temperature control medium stored in the tank to be flown out.

Abstract: An electric valve, e.g., an electric expansion valve, for expanding a fluid, e.g., for a thermodynamic cycle, is disclosed. The electric valve includes an electric machine including a rotor and a stator interacting with the rotor during operation. A valve body is drive-connected with the rotor. The rotor, the stator, and the valve body are arranged in a valve housing. The valve housing, in an axial direction outside includes a bottom, and a connector projects axially from the bottom. At least one wing projects from the bottom, the at least one wing extending obliquely to the axial direction at least in portions and resiliently supports the bottom on the front side.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are air conditioning systems including a refrigerant line configured to transport a refrigerant; a compressor in fluid communication with the suction line; and a controller in communication with a sensor configured to measure a characteristic of the refrigerant line. The compressor can be configured to move the refrigerant through the refrigerant line, and the refrigerant can have a first temperature at the outlet of the compressor. The controller can be configured to receive sensor data from the sensor indicating a current value associated with the characteristic of the refrigerant line; determine, based at least partially on the sensor data, that the characteristic of the refrigerant line is above a predetermined threshold; and output instructions for the compressor to perform one or more corrective actions.

Abstract: At least one method and container are described for maintaining a target temperature within the container. The container generally includes a vacuum insulated body; a lid couplable to the vacuum insulated body; a heatsink, coupled to the lid, wherein a portion of the heatsink is positionable within the vacuum insulated body; and at least one thermoelectric cell coupled to the heatsink, wherein the at least one thermoelectric cell is operated to promote the transfer of heat between the inside of the container and the outside of the container to cool the inside of the container or to warm the inside of the container. The container may be arranged so that internal and external portions of the heatsink may be arranged in a decoupled position to reduce heat transfer therebetween.

Abstract: An air-conditioning device includes: a heat medium cycle circuit including: a pump, a plurality of indoor heat exchangers, and a plurality of flow control devices configured to control a flow rate of the heat medium through the heat medium cycle circuit; a heat-source-side device configured to heat or cool the heat medium; and a controller that includes a determination processing unit to determine whether the heat medium is caused to pass through the plurality of indoor heat exchangers where heat exchange is stopped, a selection processing unit to select, based on a determination from the determination processing unit, an indoor heat exchanger through which the heat medium is caused to pass from the plurality of indoor heat exchangers where heat exchange is stopped, and an instruction processing unit to instruct a release of a flow control device that corresponds to the indoor heat exchanger selected.

Abstract: A refrigerant metering system/method incorporating a manual expansion valve (MEV), condenser isolation valve (CIV), flow isolation valve (FIV), and evaporator isolation valve (EIV) is disclosed. The MEV is configured to replace a conventional automated expansion valve (AEV) that controls a refrigerant flow valve (RFV) that is positioned in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system between a refrigerant condenser coil (RCC) and a refrigerant evaporator coil (REC) and permits manual metering of refrigerant by the RFV from the RCC to the REC and also allows complete shutoff of refrigerant flow by the RFV from the RCC to the REC. The MEV allows rapid HVAC repair and restoration of service where a replacement AEV is not readily available. The CIV/FIV/EIV are positioned in the refrigerant flow lines to permit the AEV and/or REC to be isolated from HVAC refrigerant flow for repairs to the AEV and/or REC.

Abstract: Chiller control systems and methods for chiller control use iterative modeling of cooling towers, heat exchangers, and pumps to determine the feasibility of integrated free cooling and the ability to take advantage of free cooling. The control systems and control methods can further include selecting the parameters for operating in the free cooling or integrated free cooling mode to improve efficiency and/or reduce energy consumption when operating in these modes. The models can have inputs and outputs that feed into one another, and converge at a solution over multiple iterations. The feasibility of integrated free cooling can be based on providing cooling to a cooling load process fluid at a heat exchanger. The availability of free cooling can be based on the cooling provided at the heat exchanger achieving a target temperature for the cooling load process fluid.

Abstract: A vehicle, a refrigerator for a vehicle, and a method for controlling a refrigerator for a vehicle are provided. The method for controlling the refrigerator for the vehicle includes turning on a switch of the refrigerator for the vehicle, measuring a temperature of an interior of the refrigerator for the vehicle a first time, measuring a temperature of the interior of the refrigerator for the vehicle again a second time after a predetermined time has elapsed from the first time, determining a temperature change of the interior of the refrigerator from the first time to the second time, and operating the refrigerator for the vehicle in a quench mode in which the temperature in the interior of the refrigerator is rapidly lowered, unlike a normal mode, if the temperature change in the interior of the refrigerator is in a positive direction.

Abstract: Thermostatic cartridge for a mixing valve for mixing a cold incoming fluid and a hot incoming fluid in a determined proportion to form a mixture. A head includes a housing extending along a central axis, and a thermostatic regulating assembly. A regulating system defines an abutment surface adjustable in axial translation with respect to the head. A thermostatic system includes a heat sensitive first portion over which the mixture can flow, and a second portion to abut axially against the abutment surface. The first portion can move the second portion axially between plural positions relative to the first portion, the relative positions determined by the mixing temperature. A slide mounted on the first portion moves axially relative to the head for modifying the determined proportion, and may slide between a normal position and plural overtravel positions axially closer to the head than the normal position.

Abstract: An outdoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus includes a housing, a heat exchanger, a bottom plate, a drainage structure, and a heater. The housing has an opening through a side of the housing. The heat exchanger is disposed in an upper portion of the interior of the housing. The bottom plate is disposed at the bottom of the housing, and has a drainage hole through which to drain out drain water generated at the heat exchanger. The drainage structure is disposed below the heat exchanger and that guides the drain water to the bottom plate. The drainage structure includes a side panel that covers the opening of the housing, and a water guide plate disposed inside the housing and facing the side panel. The water guide plate and the side panel define a drainage path for draining the drain water between the water guide plate and the side panel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance can include a cabinet defining a chilled chamber, a door to provide selective access to the chilled chamber, and a camera assembly operable to monitor the chilled chamber. The camera assembly can include a camera module having a camera that is operable to capture data associated with the chilled chamber. The camera module can be configured to capture audio data associated with the chilled chamber. The camera module can be further configured to determine a position of the door based at least in part on the audio data associated with the chilled chamber. The camera module can be further configured to operate the camera to capture the data associated with the chilled chamber based at least in part on a determination that the door is in an open position.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a refrigerant leak. The method includes monitoring, by a first controller, operation of a first HVAC system for conditioning air within a first level of a residence, monitoring, by a second controller, operation of a second HVAC system for conditioning air within a second level of the residence and determining, using a plurality of leak detectors, whether refrigerant within the first HVAC system is leaking. Responsive to a positive determination in the determining step, receiving, by the first controller, a refrigerant leak warning signal, forwarding, by the first controller to the second controller, the refrigerant leak warning signal. Responsive to receiving the refrigerant leak warning signal from the first controller, activating, by the second controller, a variable-speed circulation fan of the second HVAC system.