Abstract: A method and system for defrosting a refrigerant coil using at least one of resistive and electromagnetic heating.

Abstract: Described herein is an evaporator and evaporator system. The system comprises a refrigerant tube formed from an electrically conductive material, the refrigerant tube being shaped to comprise a plurality of parallel tube portions; an upstream refrigerant conduit for supplying a refrigerant to the refrigerant tube; a downstream refrigerant conduit for receiving the refrigerant from the refrigerant tube; and a plurality of separators for securing the plurality of parallel tube portions in a plurality of relative positions to provide a plurality of airflow gaps separating adjacent parallel tube portions, and to impede electrical contact between different tube portions in the plurality of parallel tube portions.

Abstract: A method and system for defrosting a refrigerant coil using at least one of resistive and electromagnetic heating.

Abstract: A novel fins-on-tubes type evaporator/heat exchanger system that is optimized for energy-saving inductive heating thereof by configuring it to increasing its resistance to a value at which the system's reactance at its working frequency is comparable to its electrical resistance. The system includes a set of tubes configured for flow of cooling material therethrough, and also includes a set of fins positioned and disposed perpendicular to, and along, the tubes, in such a way that at least a portion of the fins comprises longitudinal excisions therein.

Abstract: An pulse electro thermal defrost evaporator system has multiple refrigerant tubes formed from an electrically conductive metal and connected in parallel for refrigerant flow. These tubes are, however, connected electrically in series. A controller is capable of detecting ice accumulation and connecting the tubes to a source of electrical power for deicing when it is necessary to deice the tubes. Embodiments having a manifold having multiple conductive sections insulated from each other are disclosed for coupling tubes electrically in series. Alternative embodiments with a single, long, wide-bore, tube are disclosed, as are embodiments having an evaporating pan coupled in series or parallel with the tubes, and embodiments with thermal cutoff and electrical safety interlocks.

Abstract: An icemaker and a refrigerator having an icemaker are discussed. The icemaker has pulse-electrothermal ice release and includes an ice-making tray having several ice forming portions in which water is stored and ice is formed; and a housing surrounding the ice-making tray provided with at least one cold air inlet and/or ice ejection port through which cold air is supplied and ice released along a bent channel. The cold air inlet and/or ice ejection ports are baffled to prevent contact with a user's fingers and thereby reduce the possibility of electric shock.

Abstract: A mechanical scraper with synchronized pulse electrothermal deicing includes a heating element that is coupled to a power supply and that is operable to convert power from the power supply into heating energy. A controller controls the magnitude and duration in which power is applied to the heating element, such that only an interfacial layer of ice at an ice-object interface is disrupted for a sufficient period of time to allow the scraper to move or remove the dislodged ice/snow. A scraper then works over the surface to be deiced, thus removing the ice before the interfacial layer re-freezes. Another method of the present invention electromagnetically induces current at the ice-to-object interface, to melt interfacial ice, using coils and a high frequency power supply disposed proximal to the scraper.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel fins-on-tubes type evaporator/heat exchanger system that is optimized for energy-saving inductive heating thereof, for example by way of application of Pulse Electro-Thermal Deicing/Defrosting (PETD) or equivalent technique thereto, by configuring it to increasing its resistance to a value at which the system's reactance at its working frequency is comparable to, or less than, its electrical resistance. Advantageously, the inventive system may be advantageously configured to comprise the same form factor and interface as a conventional fins-on-tubes type evaporator/heat exchanger component, such that the inventive evaporator/heat exchanger system may be readily utilized for replacement thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for ice removal from a surface has an electrically resistive layer on the surface. An actuation device is provided for mechanically disturbing the surface, as for example deflecting, deforming, or vibrating the surface. When ice has accumulated, an interface layer of ice is melted by heating the electrically resistive layer with an electric current, and an electric current is applied to the actuation device to disturb the surface and release the ice. Alternative embodiments having various forms of actuation device are disclosed. An icemaker using the ice removal apparatus for ice release is described.

Abstract: An pulse electro thermal defrost evaporator system has multiple refrigerant tubes formed from an electrically conductive metal and connected in parallel for refrigerant flow. These tubes are, however, connected electrically in series. A controller is capable of detecting ice accumulation and connecting the tubes to a source of electrical power for deicing when it is necessary to deice the tubes. Embodiments having a manifold having multiple conductive sections insulated from each other are disclosed for coupling tubes electrically in series. Alternative embodiments with a single, long, wide-bore, tube are disclosed, as are embodiments having an evaporating pan coupled in series or parallel with the tubes, and embodiments with thermal cutoff and electrical safety interlocks.

Abstract: A windshield deicer has a windshield with a substantially transparent heating element that generates heat in response to applied power in a magnitude sufficient to melt an interfacial layer of ice on the windshield; and a controller for limiting duration of the applied power such that a heat diffusion distance into the interfacial layer of ice and/or the windshield is less than about a thickness of the ice and/or the windshield. In an embodiment, the heating element is visually transparent semiconductor material having an electron gap larger than about 3 eV, and examples are given including ZnO and ZnS films. In another embodiment, the heating element is a transparent conductor made from indium tin oxide (ITO), tin oxide, metal, and mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the heating element dissipates at least 2 kilowatts per square meter.

Abstract: The present document relates to an icemaker having a pulse electrothermal ice release system for separating ice bodies from an ice mold. The pulse electrothermal ice release system operates by applying an electric current through the ice mold through two wires. Safety apparatus for preventing electric shock to users of the icemaker is described. A refrigerator having the icemaker, and an operating method of the icemaker are disclosed. In an embodiment, the safety apparatus interrupts current flow through both wires.

Abstract: An icemaker and a refrigerator having an icemaker are discussed. The icemaker has pulse-electrothermal ice release and includes an ice-making tray having several ice forming portions in which water is stored and ice is formed; and a housing surrounding the ice-making tray provided with at least one cold air inlet and/or ice ejection port through which cold air is supplied and ice released along a bent channel. The cold air inlet and/or ice ejection ports are baffled to prevent contact with a user's fingers and thereby reduce the possibility of electric shock.

Abstract: A first electrode is separated from a second electrode by an interelectrode space. The interelectrode space does not exceed 3 mm, and preferably does not exceed 100 ?m. Liquid water fills the interelectrode space, thereby electrically connecting the first electrode and the second electrode. A power supply, preferably low-frequency AC, is connected to the first and second electrodes, generating a current through the water in the interelectrode space. The applied electric power prevents freezing of a thin liquid water layer in the interelectrode space, thereby preventing ice formation.

Abstract: High-frequency AC voltage with a frequency in a range of from 60 to 100 kHz supplied from a power source at 3 to 15 kV is applied to an electrical conductor within about 30 cm of a cableway. The high-frequency AC voltage generates an alternating electric field. Capacitive AC current associated with the alternating electric field flows through the ice on the cableway and on the electrical conductor, causing dielectric loss heat that melts the ice.

Abstract: An electrical conductor and a gas-filled layer are located at or near the surface of an object being deiced. The conductor carries an AC voltage that generates an alternating electric field in the gas-filled layer. A conductive layer increases the electric field strength in the gas-filled layer between the electrical conductor and the conductive layer. The alternating electric field causes electric breakdown of gas and plasma-formation in the gas-filled layer. The plasma absorbs energy released during electric discharge through the plasma, which heats ice, causing it to melt. The alternating electric field typically has a field strength in a range of about from 1 to 100 kV/cm. The AC voltage typically has an amplitude in a range of about from 10 kV to 1300 kV, and a frequency in a range of about from 50 Hz to 1 MHz. The gas-filled layer includes a plasma-forming gas selected from, among others, air, nitrogen and argon.

Abstract: An alternating electric field is applied at an ice interface to generate a resistive AC current having a frequency greater than 1000 Hz in interfacial ice. Typically, a first electrode and a second electrode proximate to the interface are separated by an interelectrode distance of about 50 ?m to 500 ?m. An AC power source provides a voltage of about 10 to 500 volts across the electrodes in order to create the alternating electric field. Interfacial ice converts capacitive AC current into resistive AC current, which generates Joule heat in the interfacial ice.

Abstract: Low-frequency AC power in a range of about from 50 to 200 Hz flows through a cableway, providing 5 to 100 watts per meter of cableway. Through separate connections to a power bus, a cableway is electrically divided into branches of a parallel circuit that use low voltage to heat. A transformer connected to each branch transforms high-voltage low amperage current to low-voltage high amperage current.

Abstract: A first electrode is separated from a second electrode by an interelectrode space. The interelectrode space does not exceed 3 mm, and preferably does not exceed 100 ?m. Liquid water fills the interelectrode space, thereby electrically connecting the first electrode and the second electrode. A power supply, preferably low-frequency AC, is connected to the first and second electrodes, generating a current through the water in the interelectrode space. The applied electric power prevents freezing of a thin liquid water layer in the interelectrode space, thereby preventing ice formation.

Abstract: A plurality of electrodes in a solid object are located proximate to the contact interface between an ice layer and the surface of the solid object. A power source provides a potential difference across the electrodes to generate an electric field at the contact interface, thereby increasing the friction force between the solid object and the ice. Preferably, the power source is in AC power source. A capacitor in series between the power source and the electrodes creates an additional impedance for limiting the AC current to a level safe for human exposure.