Abstract: A heat exchanger module includes a skin condenser and a skin evaporator. The skin condenser includes an inner condenser plate, an outer condenser plate coupled to the inner condenser plate and a condenser tube channel formed on one of the inner condenser plate and/or the outer condenser plate. The evaporator includes an inner evaporator plate, an outer evaporator plate coupled to the inner evaporator plate, and an evaporator tube channel formed on one of the inner evaporator plate and/or the outer evaporator plate. The heat exchanger also includes an insulation layer extending between the inner condenser plate and the inner evaporator plate. Each of the plates that form the skin condenser and/or evaporator can be formed from different materials and/or have different material thicknesses to reduce heat transfer through the insulation layer from the condenser to the evaporator while also promoting heat transfer through natural convection with surrounding air.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes at least one freezer compartment and at least one refrigerator compartment, wherein the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment are defined by a plurality of interior surfaces. The refrigerator further includes a cooling module set (CMS) removably attached to at least one of the plurality of interior surfaces, wherein the CMS is configured to operate in any orientation of a plurality of orientations, and the CMS is further configured to be repositionable with respect to the plurality of interior surfaces to alter a shape of at least one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes a CMS adapted to define at least a portion of an envelope of at least one of a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment, where the CMS has a high pressure side and a low pressure side. The high pressure side includes an orientation-flexible compressor and a condenser fluidly connected with the orientation-flexible compressor. The low pressure side is fluidly connected to the high pressure side and includes an evaporator. The CMS also includes at least one housing configured to enclose at least one of the orientation-flexible compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator. The CMS further includes an insulating panel forming at least a portion of the at least one housing, and substantially separating the high pressure side from the low pressure side. The CMS is typically configured to operate in a plurality of orientations based upon the orientation-flexible compressor.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes a CMS adapted to define at least a portion of an envelope of at least one of a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment, where the CMS has a high pressure side and a low pressure side. The high pressure side includes an orientation-flexible compressor and a condenser fluidly connected with the orientation-flexible compressor. The low pressure side is fluidly connected to the high pressure side and includes an evaporator. The CMS also includes at least one housing configured to enclose at least one of the orientation-flexible compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator. The CMS further includes an insulating panel forming at least a portion of the at least one housing, and substantially separating the high pressure side from the low pressure side. The CMS is typically configured to operate in a plurality of orientations based upon the orientation-flexible compressor.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes at least one freezer compartment and at least one refrigerator compartment, wherein the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment are defined by a plurality of interior surfaces. The refrigerator further includes a cooling module set (CMS) removably attached to at least one of the plurality of interior surfaces, wherein the CMS is configured to operate in any orientation of a plurality of orientations, and the CMS is further configured to be repositionable with respect to the plurality of interior surfaces to alter a shape of at least one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.

Abstract: An appliance is provided that includes at least one freezer compartment and at least one refrigerator compartment, wherein the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment are defined by a plurality of interior surfaces. The refrigerator further includes a cooling module set (CMS), wherein the CMS includes an orientation-flexible compressor, the CMS is configured to operate in any orientation of a plurality of orientations.

Abstract: A self-contained, portable refrigeration unit having a construction arrangement which enables it to be compatible with several models, types and variations of refrigeratable compartments. This refrigeration unit is represented by a refrigeration module (1) capable of being removably fitted into a refrigeratable compartment, comprising a first housing (100) and a second housing (200) associated with each other. The first housing (100) is in contact with the inside of the refrigeratable compartment and the second housing (200) is in contact with the outside of the refrigeratable compartment, and in some embodiments of the present invention, the first housing (100) is capable of moving in relation to the second housing (200). The first housing (100) interfaces the refrigeration module (1) with the inside of the refrigeratable compartment. The second housing (200) interfaces the refrigeration module (1) with the outside of the refrigeratable compartment.