Abstract: A reciprocating refrigerant compressor system is disclosed. The compressor system includes a cylinder, a piston disposed within the cylinder, at least one fluid passageway, and an actuator. The piston is movable between a bottom dead center (BDC) and a top dead center (TDC) position. The fluid passageway is disposed within the cylinder between the BDC and TDC position and defined by one or more apertures. The actuator is in operative communication with the aperture and is responsive to an environmental condition external to the compressor system to at least partially close the aperture.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body defining a compartment, the compartment having an access opening and a first wall, a door supported by the main body for selectively closing at least part of the access opening, a sub-compartment on the door, the sub-compartment including a second wall having an opening, a heat exchanger supported by the first wall and positioned so that when the door is closed the heat exchanger is exposed to an interior of the sub-compartment through the opening. The heat exchanger includes a heat exchanging plate. A sealed refrigeration system contains a working medium for cooling the heat exchanger and has one or more segments attached to the heat exchanging plate. A fan is configured to force air over the heat exchanging plate and into the interior of the sub-compartment. A thermistor is coupled to the heat exchanging plate for monitoring a temperature of the heat exchanging plate.

Abstract: A method of insulating a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance includes a case, a liner, and a five-sided, box like vacuum panel. The liner is formed to be inserted into the case forming a chamber between the liner and the case. The five sides of the vacuum panel define a cavity. The method includes in one embodiment, positioning the five-sided vacuum panel in the chamber between the case and the liner, injecting foam into the chamber, and curing the foam to attach the live sided vacuum panel to the case and the liner.

Abstract: A method of insulating a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance includes a case, a liner, and a five-sided, box like vacuum panel. The liner is formed to be inserted into the case forming a chamber between the liner and the case. The five sides of the vacuum panel define a cavity. The method includes in one embodiment, positioning the five-sided vacuum panel in the chamber between the case and the liner, injecting foam into the chamber, and curing the foam to attach the five sided vacuum panel to the case and the liner.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The refrigerator appliance includes an ice maker for producing ice. The ice maker is deactivated for a predetermined period of time after the ice maker has been filled with liquid water. After the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the ice maker can harvest ice if a demand side management (DSM) status is off-peak, or the ice maker can remain deactivated if the DSM status is on-peak. By operating in such a manner, operating costs of the refrigerator appliance can be reduced.

Abstract: A method for operating a refrigerator appliance during a defrost cycle of the refrigerator appliance is provided. The method includes deactivating a compressor of the refrigerator appliance at a beginning or commencement of the defrost cycle until a predetermined period of time elapses or a chilled chamber of the refrigerator appliance rises to a preselected temperature. The method can improve an energy efficiency of the refrigerator appliance.

Abstract: A system and method of managing energy use in a home, and more particularly to energy management of household consumer appliances, are provided. Existing appliances can be modified with add-on features or modules, and likewise new energy saving features and functions can be incorporated into new appliances. Communication among a home energy manager, an appliance, and a utility meter measures energy usage and/or a local generator controls operation of various appliances such as a refrigerator, washer, dryer, oven/range, microwave oven, dishwasher, HVAC system hot water heater, and the like.

Abstract: A thermal insulating structure comprises a first curved layer, the first curved layer having a first radius of curvature associated therewith, and a second curved layer, the second curved layer having a second radius of curvature associated therewith. The first radius of curvature is different than the second radius of curvature. The first curved layer and the second curved layer are sealed and a vacuum space is formed there between. The first curved layer and the second curved layer substantially maintain their respective shapes without internal support in the vacuum space there between.

Abstract: A reciprocating refrigerant compressor system is disclosed. The compressor system includes a cylinder, a piston disposed within the cylinder, at least one fluid passageway, and an actuator. The piston is movable between a bottom dead center (BDC) and a top dead center (TDC) position. The fluid passageway is disposed within the cylinder between the BDC and TDC position and defined by one or more apertures. The actuator is in operative communication with the aperture and is responsive to an environmental condition external to the compressor system to at least partially close the aperture.

Abstract: A vacuum insulator for portions of the refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator appliance is provided. The vacuum insulator can be applied to the suction line leading to the refrigerant compressor, the capillary tube leading to the evaporator inlet, and/or the capillary tube—suction line heat exchanger. An outer insulating layer is used to create a vacuum that serves to insulate the intended portion of the refrigeration cycle.

Abstract: A refrigerator and a method of operating a refrigerator to determine the time at which to initiate a defrost cycle is provided. Changes in the voltage provided to an evaporator fan are used to determine and/or predict when to initiate a defrost cycle. Adjustments to the timing of the defrost cycle can be made based on known periods of peak energy demand and/or the increased costs associated with operating the defrost cycle during such peak energy demand periods.

Abstract: A method of insulating a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance includes a case, a liner, and a five-sided, box like vacuum panel. The liner is formed to be inserted into the case forming a chamber between the liner and the case. The five sides of the vacuum panel define a cavity. The method includes in one embodiment, positioning the five-sided vacuum panel in the chamber between the case and the liner, injecting foam into the chamber, and curing the foam to attach the five sided vacuum panel to the case and the liner.

Abstract: A dual evaporator refrigerator appliance is disclosed. The appliance includes a first evaporator, a second evaporator, and at least one refrigerant stream combining device. Refrigerant flow control techniques are provided whereby a compressor in the refrigerator appliance that receives a resulting refrigerant stream is required to do less work to raise the pressure of the stream, and thus the refrigerator appliance is more energy efficient.

Abstract: A vacuum insulator for portions of the refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator appliance is provided. The vacuum insulator can be applied to the suction line leading to the refrigerant compressor, the capillary tube leading to the evaporator inlet, and/or the capillary tube—suction line heat exchanger. An outer insulating layer is used to create a vacuum that serves to insulate the intended portion of the refrigeration cycle.

Abstract: A refrigerator and a method of operating a refrigerator to determine the time at which to initiate a defrost cycle is provided. Changes in the voltage provided to an evaporator fan are used to determine and/or predict when to initiate a defrost cycle. Adjustments to the timing of the defrost cycle can be made based on known periods of peak energy demand and/or the increased costs associated with operating the defrost cycle during such peak energy demand periods.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body defining a compartment, the compartment having an access opening and a first wall, a door supported by the main body for selectively closing at least part of the access opening, a sub-compartment on the door, the sub-compartment including a second wall having an opening, a heat exchanger supported by the first wall and positioned so that when the door is closed the heat exchanger is exposed to an interior of the sub-compartment through the opening. The heat exchanger includes a heat exchanging plate. A sealed refrigeration system contains a working medium for cooling the heat exchanger and has one or more segments attached to the heat exchanging plate. A fan is configured to force air over the heat exchanging plate and into the interior of the sub-compartment. A thermistor is coupled to the heat exchanging plate for monitoring a temperature of the heat exchanging plate.

Abstract: A system and method of managing energy use in a home, and more particularly to energy management of household consumer appliances, are provided. Existing appliances can be modified with add-on features or modules, and likewise new energy saving features and functions can be incorporated into new appliances. Communication among a home energy manager, an appliance, and a utility meter measures energy usage and/or a local generator controls operation of various appliances such as a refrigerator, washer, dryer, oven/range, microwave oven, dishwasher, HVAC system hot water heater, and the like.

Abstract: A refrigerator airflow distribution assembly includes an airflow diverter in flow communication with freezer compartment air. The diverter includes a primary flow path and at least one diverter opening therethrough, and together with a cover forms a secondary flow path in flow communication with the first flow path through the diverter opening. Freezer compartment air is directed to the primary flow path, and a portion of the air in the primary flow path flows through the diverter openings and into the secondary flow path, and is introduced to the fresh food compartment through one or more vents in the cover. Metered airflow through the diverter reduces temperature gradients in the refrigerator, as well as provides a regulated temperature source for a storage drawer in the fresh food storage compartment.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a vertically extending airflow distribution assembly for reducing vertical temperature gradients therein, and laterally extending air passages are in flow communication with the air distribution assembly for reducing horizontal temperature gradients therein. A single fan simultaneously directs freezer compartment air into the air distribution assembly, the laterally extending passages and into a storage drawer for temperature regulation therein. A damper is located in flow communication with a light assembly and is selectively positionable to cool the refrigeration compartment through the air distribution assembly and the laterally extending passages, as well as to remove heat from the light assembly that may damage a refrigeration compartment liner.

Abstract: A refrigerator airflow distribution assembly includes an airflow diverter in flow communication with freezer compartment air. The diverter includes a primary flow path and at least one diverter opening therethrough, and together with a cover forms a secondary flow path in flow communication with the first flow path through the diverter opening. Freezer compartment air is directed to the primary flow path, and a portion of the air in the primary flow path flows through the diverter openings and into the secondary flow path, and is introduced to the fresh food compartment through one or more vents in the cover. Metered airflow through the diverter reduces temperature gradients in the refrigerator, as well as provides a regulated temperature source for a storage drawer in the fresh food storage compartment.