Abstract: An appliance includes an appliance housing, an interface adapted to receive power information, a plurality of sensors for sensing environmental conditions, a plurality of controls for controlling operations of the appliance, and an intelligent control. The intelligent control is disposed within the appliance housing and operatively connected to the interface and the plurality of sensors and adapted to dynamically select control values associated with the plurality of controls based on at least one of the power information, the environmental conditions, or a combination thereof to increase energy efficiency of the appliance.

Abstract: A refrigerator, a sealed refrigerant system, and method are provided where the refrigerator includes at least a refrigerated compartment and a sealed refrigerant system including an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, a controller, an evaporator fan, and a condenser fan. The method includes monitoring a frequency of the compressor, and identifying a fault condition in the at least one component of the refrigerant sealed system in response to the compressor frequency. The method may further comprise calculating a compressor frequency rate based upon the rate of change of the compressor frequency, wherein a fault in the condenser fan is identified if the compressor frequency rate is positive and exceeds a condenser fan fault threshold rate, and wherein a fault in the evaporator fan is identified if the compressor frequency rate is negative and exceeds an evaporator fan fault threshold rate.

Abstract: A method to control a fixed-sequence dual evaporator cooling system including providing a recurring cooling cycle cooling system wherein each recurring cooling cycle comprises first and second cooling cycles for cooling respective first and second interiors, a pump-out cycle for returning coolant to a condenser, and an idle cycle, and providing a processor to establish exceptions to the recurring cooling cycle. A step includes the processor monitoring first and second actual temperatures of the respective first and second interiors, selecting predetermined first and second control temperatures for the respective first and second interiors, and selecting a command input signal to supply to a compressor, the condenser fan, the first and second evaporator fans, and the valve of the cooling system during the recurring cooling cycle based upon the first and second actual temperatures and the predetermined first and second control temperatures to initiate the established exceptions.

Abstract: An ice maker assembly includes an ice forming plate and a cooling source thermally engaged to a bottom surface of the ice forming plate. The cooling source is configured to freeze water coming into contact with a top surface of the ice forming plate. A containment wall surrounds the top surface of the ice forming plate to define an ice tray that is configured to retain water. An electrical drive body is rotatably coupled to the ice tray and is configured to oscillate the ice-forming plate in a rocking cycle about a transverse axis of the ice tray. A median wall divides the ice tray along the transverse axis into a first reservoir and a second reservoir. The rocking cycle causes water to repeatedly move over the median wall to form layers of an ice piece within each reservoir of the ice tray.

Abstract: A refrigerator and method are provided where the refrigerator includes two or more cooling compartments monitored by temperature sensors and cooled by a plurality of evaporators. The cooling for the evaporators is provided by a compressor operating on a recurring cooling cycle. A processor provides varying levels of voltages to the compressor and sets the recurring cooling cycle. The recurring cooling cycle comprises at least two cooling periods and a rest period. The method includes determines the length of the rest period as compared a predetermined rest period range. When the rest period falls outside the predetermined range, the processor selects the voltage to send to the compressor during a subsequent cooling cycle. The processor selects the voltage based on at least one of the temperature of the first and second compartments and the voltage to the compressor during the cooling cycle.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet having at least one door. A removable cooling module is coupled with an outer periphery of the cabinet. The removable cooling module includes an ice maker. A duct is in communication with the removable cooling module. Ice is produced by the ice maker and transferred through the duct to the refrigerator.

Abstract: A removable cooling module for a refrigerator includes a cooling unit positioned in a housing and removably coupled with a top wall of the refrigerator. An ice maker is coupled to the cooling unit. An ice bin is disposed in the housing and is adapted to receive and store ice from the ice maker. A duct is in communication with the cooling unit and is adapted to convey ice from the removable cooling module to an ice dispenser.

Abstract: An appliance includes a co-extruded evaporator in thermal communication with a compartment. The co-extruded evaporator includes main and support channels in thermal communication that share a common wall. A main cooling loop is in fluid communication with the main channel. A plurality of co-extruded fins are disposed proximate and in thermal communication with the main and support channels. A coolant is disposed in the main channel and the main cooling loop. A thermally conductive media is selectively disposed in the support channel in fluid and thermal communication with the main channel. The thermally conductive media is chosen from the group consisting of a support channel coolant, wherein the appliance includes a second cooling loop in fluid communication with the support channel, a thermal storage material in thermal communication with the compartment, and a defrost fluid, wherein the appliance includes a defrost circuit in fluid communication with the support channel.

Abstract: Methods of operation for refrigerator appliance configurations with a controller, a condenser, at least one evaporator, a compressor, and two refrigeration compartments. The configuration may be equipped with a variable-speed or variable-capacity compressor, variable speed evaporator or compartment fans, a damper, and/or a dual-temperature evaporator with a valve system to control flow of refrigerant through one or more pressure reduction devices. The methods may include synchronizing alternating cycles of cooling each compartment to a temperature approximately equal to the compartment set point temperature by operation of the compressor, fans, damper and/or valve system. The methods may also include controlling the cooling rate in one or both compartments. Refrigeration compartment cooling may begin at an interval before or after when the freezer compartment reaches its lower threshold temperature.

Abstract: A method of operating a refrigeration appliance, comprising the steps: operating a compressor and a valve system to cause refrigerant to flow through a refrigerant circuit to chill an evaporator during a compressor ON-cycle; operating the valve system to direct the refrigerant through a secondary pressure reducing device in response to the initiation of the compressor ON-cycle for a duration that lasts until a nominal operation condition has been reached; operating the valve system during the compressor ON-cycle to direct the refrigerant through a primary pressure reducing device in response to the nominal operation condition; and transferring thermal energy from the primary pressure reducing device to a suction line heat exchanger.

Abstract: An appliance includes a cabinet; a first compartment; and a second compartment. The first compartment and the second compartment are separated by a horizontal mullion. The cabinet also typically includes a coolant system that has: a single compressor for regulating a temperature of the first compartment and a temperature of the second compartment operably connected to at least one evaporator; a shared coolant fluid connection system; and a coolant fluid spaced within the shared coolant fluid connection system used to regulate both the temperature of the first compartment and the second compartment. The compressor can provide the shared coolant at least two different pressures to at least one evaporator using the shared coolant fluid connection circuit. The ratio of the substantially steady state heat gain for the first compartment to the substantially steady state total heat gain for the overall cabinet is about 0.65:1 or greater.

Abstract: An appliance includes an appliance housing, an interface adapted to receive power information, a plurality of sensors for sensing environmental conditions, a plurality of controls for controlling operations of the appliance, and an intelligent control. The intelligent control is disposed within the appliance housing and operatively connected to the interface and the plurality of sensors and adapted to dynamically select control values associated with the plurality of controls based on at least one of the power information, the environmental conditions, or a combination thereof to increase energy efficiency of the appliance.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance including a multi-capacity compressor and a refrigerant circuit with two conduits and pressure reducing devices arranged in parallel between an evaporator and a condenser. Refrigerant can flow through one, both or none of the conduits and pressure reducing devices. The appliance also has a heat exchanger in contact with either one pressure reducing device, or one conduit between the pressure reducing device and the valve system. The appliance also includes a controller for priming the compressor above a nominal capacity for a predetermined or calculated duration at the beginning of an ON-cycle.

Abstract: A method of determining a time delay for turning off an evaporator fan in a refrigerator after a compressor of the refrigerator is turned off includes operating the evaporator fan in the refrigerator for a period of time, operating the compressor of the refrigerator to cool the refrigerator to a predetermined temperature after turning off the evaporator fan, determining a power consumption value for operating the compressor to cool the refrigerator, repeating the previous steps to obtain a plurality of times and a plurality of power consumption values, selecting the time coinciding with a lowest power consumption value, and adapting the refrigerator to use the time as the time delay for turning off the evaporator fan in the refrigerator after the compressor of the refrigerator is turned off.

Abstract: An appliance includes an appliance housing, an interface adapted to receive power information, a plurality of sensors for sensing environmental conditions, a plurality of controls for controlling operations of the appliance, and an intelligent control. The intelligent control is disposed within the appliance housing and operatively connected to the interface and the plurality of sensors and adapted to dynamically select control values associated with the plurality of controls based on at least one of the power information, the environmental conditions, or a combination thereof to increase energy efficiency of the appliance.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance including a refrigerant circuit between a condenser, an evaporator, and a compressor that includes two conduits and pressure reducing devices arranged in parallel between the evaporator and the condenser. The appliance also includes a valve system to direct refrigerant through one, both or none of the conduits and pressure reducing devices, and a heat exchanging member in thermal contact with either one pressure reducing device, or one conduit between the pressure reducing device and the valve system.

Abstract: A refrigerator, a sealed refrigerant system, and method are provided where the refrigerator includes at least a refrigerated compartment and a sealed refrigerant system including an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, a controller, an evaporator fan, and a condenser fan. The method includes monitoring a frequency of the compressor, and identifying a fault condition in the at least one component of the refrigerant sealed system in response to the compressor frequency. The method may further comprise calculating a compressor frequency rate based upon the rate of change of the compressor frequency, wherein a fault in the condenser fan is identified if the compressor frequency rate is positive and exceeds a condenser fan fault threshold rate, and wherein a fault in the evaporator fan is identified if the compressor frequency rate is negative and exceeds an evaporator fan fault threshold rate.

Abstract: A method to control a fixed-sequence dual evaporator cooling system including providing a recurring cooling cycle cooling system wherein each recurring cooling cycle comprises first and second cooling cycles for cooling respective first and second interiors, a pump-out cycle for returning coolant to a condenser, and an idle cycle, and providing a processor to establish exceptions to the recurring cooling cycle. A step includes the processor monitoring first and second actual temperatures of the respective first and second interiors, selecting predetermined first and second control temperatures for the respective first and second interiors, and selecting a command input signal to supply to a compressor, the condenser fan, the first and second evaporator fans, and the valve of the cooling system during the recurring cooling cycle based upon the first and second actual temperatures and the predetermined first and second control temperatures to initiate the established exceptions.

Abstract: A method to control a fixed-sequence dual evaporator cooling system including providing a recurring cooling cycle cooling system wherein each recurring cooling cycle comprises first and second cooling cycles for cooling respective first and second interiors, a pump-out cycle for returning coolant to a condenser, and an idle cycle, and providing a processor to establish exceptions to the recurring cooling cycle. A step includes the processor monitoring first and second actual temperatures of the respective first and second interiors, selecting predetermined first and second control temperatures for the respective first and second interiors, and selecting a command input signal to supply to a compressor, the condenser fan, the first and second evaporator fans, and the valve of the cooling system during the recurring cooling cycle based upon the first and second actual temperatures and the predetermined first and second control temperatures to initiate the established exceptions.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a removable cooling module that defines a cavity. The removable cooling module includes a cooling unit and an ice maker disposed in the cavity. A duct is disposed inside the refrigerator and is in communication with the removable cooling module. The duct is adapted to convey cool air and ice from the ice maker to an ice storage bin in the refrigerator. An ice deflector is disposed in the duct. The ice deflector directs ice to the ice storage bin and directs cool air to a food storage area in the refrigerator.