Abstract: The present disclosure includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system having a control system suitable to control operation of a device in the HVAC system. The control system may include a zone control panel that may control operation of the device using power-line communication. Accordingly, the zone control panel and the device may be both communicatively and electrically coupled via one or more power lines. To that end, the zone control panel may determine a primary address identifying the device and/or a secondary address indicating the one or more power lines electrically coupled to the device. Further, the zone control panel may communicate with and/or coordinate operation of the device by transmitting data messages to the device via the one or more power lines based on the primary address and/or the secondary address.

Abstract: An environmental control system (10) is provided, and includes an interface module (42) that provides an interface associated with the environmental control system (10) for controlling operation of a network (22) connected to the environmental control system (10) and receiving operating data from at least one sensor associated with a target space. A monitoring module (28) receives the operating data via the interface module (42) and provides environmental condition information about the target space. A detection module (30) examines the operating data for controlling at least one environmental unit, recognizes an environmental condition change, identifies a triggering event defined by a difference between at least two operating parameters of the environmental control system (10), and determines a desired environmental operation based on the difference.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes techniques that enable a conditioned air system to automatically restore functionality and/or to operate at reduced functionality when a fault is detected, for example, to facilitate reducing likelihood that continuing operation with the fault present will decrease lifespan of the conditioned air system. To facilitate improving operation of the conditioned air system when a fault is present, the control system of the conditioned air system may utilize substitute sensor data and/or adjust its control algorithm. In this manner, the control system may facilitate improving operational reliability and/or availability of the conditioned air system, for example, by adaptively adjusting its operation to enable the conditioned air system to continue operating even when a fault is present, while reducing likelihood that the continued operation will reduce lifespan of the conditioned air system.

Abstract: A fire damper for an air distribution system includes a body defining a flow path and a closure means adapted to close the flow path when a temperature within the flow path exceeds a predetermined maximum temperature. A first flange is fixed to the body and a mounting means comprising a second flange is slidably engageable with and removable from the body. The mounting means comprises securing means for securing the mounting means to the body such that a building element through which the fire damper extends, in use, can be clamped between the first and second flanges. A flexible insulating sleeve configured for use with a fire damper, and a method of installing a fire damper, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A control system for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes control circuitry having a storage device and a microcontroller. The storage device is configured to store faults. The microcontroller is configured to monitor for a condition of the HVAC system associated with a fault, store a fault in the storage device when the condition is detected, identify whether a duration of time that the fault has been stored in the storage device exceeds a threshold time period, and clear the fault from the storage device when the duration exceeds the threshold time period.

Abstract: A control system for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system having control circuitry includes a microcontroller, a memory that stores a plurality of addresses, a communication bus configured to communicatively couple the microcontroller and a device of a plurality of devices of the HVAC system, and a fault register. The plurality of addresses includes a plurality of compatible addresses, a plurality of incompatible addresses, or any combination thereof. The microcontroller is programmed to monitor a signal address of a signal on the communication bus. The microcontroller is programmed to compare the signal address with the plurality of addresses, detect a fault event, and record the fault event in the fault register. Detection of the fault event includes the signal address not corresponding to a compatible address, the signal address corresponding to an incompatible address, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air conditioner system including an integrated controller that separately determines whether sensor fault is occurred in each of the plurality of outdoor units, based on a sensing data of each of a plurality of outdoor units, and if there is an outdoor unit in which sensor fault is occurred, finally determines that sensor fault is occurred when a difference between a first sensing data of the outdoor unit in which sensor fault is occurred and a second sensing data of remaining outdoor unit is equal to or greater than a failure determination reference value, while operating the plurality of outdoor units under the same condition for a set time, and if a difference between the first sensing data and the second sensing data is less than the failure determination reference value, determines that sensor fault is not occurred, and if there is an outdoor unit determined to have sensor fault among the plurality of outdoor units, controls the outdoor unit in which sensor fault is oc

Abstract: An HVAC system for a comfort zone includes a compressor, temperature sensor and controller. The controller is configured to receive a starting temperature from the temperature sensor, receive a desired temperature, and receive a desired time for the comfort zone to reach the desired temperature. The controller is further configured to determine a starting time to adjust cooling the comfort zone, the starting time determined based at least on the desired time, the desired temperature, the starting temperature, and a most-energy-efficient operating speed of the compressor. Once the starting time has been reached, the controller is further configured to communicate a command to the HVAC system to operate the compressor at the most-energy-efficient operating speed.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents techniques for improving operational efficiency of climate control systems. A climate control system may include climate control equipment, a sensor that measures temperature in a building, and a control system that controls operation of the equipment using a first temperature schedule, which associates each time step with a temperature setpoint, when the building is occupied.

Abstract: Systems and methods for smart multi-zone control are provided. The system can include a plurality of sensors, a plurality of dampers, and a controller. The plurality of sensors can be configured to sense temperatures of a plurality of zones. The plurality of dampers can be configured to control the temperatures of the plurality of zones. The controller can be configured to obtain a first array associated with the plurality of sensors. Each element in the first array can represent a difference between a measurement value of a respective sensor and a setpoint associated with the respective sensor. The controller can be configured to obtain a second array associated with the plurality of dampers. Each element in the second array can represent a damper position of a respective damper. The controller can be configured to determine values of entries of a matrix using the first array and the second array.

Abstract: A building management system includes one or more processors, and one or more computer-readable storage media communicably coupled to the one or more processors and having instructions stored thereon that cause the one or more processors to: define a state of a zone or space within a building; control an HVAC system to adjust a temperature of the zone or space corresponding to a first action; receive utterance data from a voice assist device located in the zone or space; analyze the utterance data to identify a sentiment relating to the temperature of the zone or space; calculate a reward based on the state, the first action, and the sentiment; determine a second action to adjust the temperature of the zone or space based on the reward; and control the HVAC system to adjust the temperature of the zone or space corresponding to the second action.

Abstract: A building management system includes one or more processors, and one or more computer-readable storage media communicably coupled to the one or more processors and having instructions stored thereon that cause the one or more processors to: receive utterance data from a voice assist device; determine a location of the voice assist device; analyze the utterance data to identify a sentiment relating to a temperature of the location; and control an HVAC system to adjust the temperature of the location based on the sentiment.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system having a zone control panel suitable to control operation of equipment and/or devices in the HVAC system. The zone control panel may include an electronic display to facilitate user interaction with the HVAC system. For example, the electronic display may be used to view, configure, and/or modify operation of the zone control panel and/or other devices implemented in the HVAC system. Further, the zone control panel may use the electronic display to reproduce user interfaces from the equipment and/or the devices. As such, the zone control panel may centralize presentation of relevant information and/or present the relevant information in a familiar manner.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system having a control system suitable to control operation of a device in the HVAC system. The control system may include a zone control panel that may maintain an instance of each schedule used by one or more devices in the HVAC system to operate. Further, the zone control panel may include a set of one or more status flags, which may each indicate whether data associated with a respective flag is available to be retrieved. Accordingly, the zone control panel may communicate information, such as an update to a schedule, rapidly between devices in the HVAC system.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system having a control system suitable to control operation of a device in the HVAC system. The control system may include a zone control panel that may maintain an instance of each schedule used by one or more devices in the HVAC system to operate. Further, the zone control panel may include a set of one or more status flags, which may each indicate whether data associated with a respective flag is available to be retrieved. Accordingly, the zone control panel may communicate information, such as an update to a schedule, rapidly between devices in the HVAC system.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system having a zone control panel implemented to control operation of equipment in the HVAC system. The zone control panel may determine occupancy and/or an indication of occupancy of a space in the HVAC system based at least in part on motion detected by an occupancy sensor. Accordingly, the zone control panel may control the operation of the equipment based at least in part on information received from an occupancy sensor. As such, the zone control panel may more rapidly condition air and/or more suitably adjust the airflow to an occupied space in comparison with an unoccupied space.

Abstract: A thermal conditioning system for controlling a thermal comfort of an occupant of a building includes a vapor compression system to control an air temperature in the building space and a radiant system to control a radiant temperature in the building space. The system also includes a feedback controller to generate a first control signal for controlling a state of the vapor compression system to reduce an error between a set-point air temperature and a current air temperature in the building space and includes a feedforward controller to generate a second control signal control for controlling a state of the radiant system based on the state of the vapor compression system.

Abstract: A system for controlling a flow rate of a fluid through a valve is provided. The system includes a valve and an actuator. An actuator drive device is driven by an actuator motor and is coupled to the valve for driving the valve between multiple positions. The system further includes a differential pressure sensor configured to measure a differential pressure across the valve and a controller that is communicably coupled with the differential pressure sensor and the motor. The controller is configured to receive a flow rate setpoint and the differential pressure measurement, determine an estimated flow rate based on the differential pressure measurement, determine an actuator position setpoint using the flow rate setpoint and the estimated flow rate, and operate the motor to drive the drive device to the actuator position setpoint.

Abstract: A method of controlling a ceiling type air conditioner including a panel located on a ceiling surface, outlets formed at positions corresponding to four sides of the panel, a first vane group for opening and closing the outlets located at two opposing sides, and a second vane group for opening and closing the outlets located at the other two opposing sides includes performing a dynamic airflow mode in which an indoor temperature reaches a set temperature by controlling rotation angles of the first vane group and the second vane group, and calculating a pleasant airflow index Y for determining a pleasant feeling of a user at the set temperature. The pleasant airflow index is calculated using the indoor temperature, the rotation angle of the first vane group or the second vane group, an air volume, a distance from a floor surface and an airflow position as variables.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a heating and cooling system includes a heat exchanger configured to place an airflow and a refrigerant in thermal communication with one another, where the heat exchanger has a coil and a plurality of fans coupled to the coil, and where the plurality of fans is arranged in an array adjacent to the coil.

Abstract: A system includes primary zone control circuitry coupled to a set of zones, wherein the primary zone control circuitry is configured to communicate a first control signal to master control circuitry via a first communication bus, communicate one or more second control signals to one or more corresponding second zones, and communicate one or more third control signals to secondary zone control circuitry via a second communication bus. The master control circuitry is configured to control a first zone airflow to a first zone based on the first control signal. Each control signal of the one or more second control signals is configured to control a respective second zone airflows to the one or more corresponding second zones. The secondary zone control circuitry is configured to control one or more third zone airflows to one or more corresponding third zones based on the one or more third control signals.

Abstract: A removable circuit card assembly configured to be inserted into an HVAC device is provided. The removable circuit card assembly includes a printed wiring board, an enclosure cap coupled to the printed wiring board, and a dual in-line package (DIP) switch component coupled to the printed wiring board. The DIP switch component includes multiple DIP switches. Each of the DIP switches is configured to be actuated between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A duct panel, a method of manufacturing a duct panel, a duct section and a method of installing a duct are disclosed. The duct panel includes a laminate structure having an insulation layer disposed between a first support layer and a second support layer, the laminate structure having an end width; and an end cap attached to the end width and configured to be coupled to a mounting flange, wherein the mounting flange is configured to mount the duct panel. The end cap and the mounting flange comprise different materials.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to enclosures for HVACR units, particularly enclosures having a plurality of openings allowing airflow through the enclosure. The openings are arrayed with one column or row offset from the adjacent column or row by distances of 10-40% or 60-90% of a length of an opening. The openings may have a major axis in a vertical direction, and columns of openings are offset from one another. The distance that columns or rows are offset from one another may be at or about 30% or 70% of a length of an opening along its major axis. The openings may be extruded openings. The enclosure may be part of an HVACR unit including a spine-fin heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an HVAC system that includes a plurality of dampers each corresponding to one building zone of a plurality of building zones, a plurality of sensors each corresponding to the one of the plurality of building zones, and a control board communicatively coupled with the plurality of dampers and sensors. The control board includes a plurality of status light sources, each corresponding to one damper the plurality of dampers, a plurality of communication light sources each corresponding to one sensor of the plurality of sensors, and a microcontroller programmed to control operation of equipment in the HVAC system. The microcontroller is configured to perform “a hardware test mode” to facilitate diagnosis of the plurality of dampers by causing the plurality of status light sources to sequentially execute a first light scheme or a second light scheme in response to instructions to the plurality of dampers.

Abstract: An intake duct for an internal combustion engine includes a tubular side wall made of a fibrous molded body. The side wall includes split bodies that are separate from one another in a circumferential direction of the side wall. Flanges respectively protrude outward from opposite ends in the circumferential direction of each of the split bodies. Each of the flanges includes a low-compression portion and a high-compression portion that is located inward from the low-compression portion. Each of the flanges of each of the split bodies is paired with and in contact with one of the flanges of a corresponding one of the split bodies. A joining portion made of a plastic material is arranged on parts of each pair of the flanges in contact with each other, the parts being located outward from the high-compression portions, the joining portion surrounding and joining the parts to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cage created to protect outdoor items, e.g., appliances. The cage has panels that are assembled, and two of the panels are secured to a supporting surface. Upwardly extending pins exist inside of each lateral edge of two opposed panels. Two other side panels are installable by sliding them onto the pins. A back panel includes a hinged top that flips over to complete the cage. The top is also able to be locked to the tops of the panels.

Abstract: A heating apparatus comprising a tank having a tank inlet, a tank outlet, a heat exchanger inlet and heat exchanger outlet. A heat exchanger is located in the tank and comprises a hollow body having a mouth coupled to the heat exchanger inlet and a flue outlet coupled to the heat exchanger outlet. A burner device has a burner head that is located at least partly located in the mouth inside said hollow body.

Abstract: Floating marinized water bath vaporizer utilizing a slosh chamber having reduced water surface area to reduce the effects of wave created which the vaporizer is in motion, and systems utilizing such vaporizer, and to methods of making and using such vaporizer.

Abstract: Floating storage and regas vessels comprising a marinized water bath vaporizer utilizing a slosh chamber having reduced water surface area to reduce the effects of wave created which the vaporizer is in motion, and systems utilizing such vaporizer, and to methods of making and using such vaporizer.

Abstract: A furnace is disclosed. The furnace may include an enclosure having a vertical support column formed by a heat exchanger compartment panel and a blower compartment panel. The furnace may include a window assembly having venting openings hidden by a viewing window. The furnace may also include a rail to support a removable heat exchanger system. The furnace may further include a wire retaining fin assembly to retain a wire. A heat exchanger header design including features to retain a sealant is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for a combination space and water heater including a controller device and a method for control. The controller device is a self-contained system that can be added to, or in combination with, existing water heaters and hydronic air heating systems using standard plumbing connections, and provides a potable water system without any need of an intermediary heat exchanger. The controller device automatically monitors a heating capacity of the water heater and the hydronic heating coil over time, and correlates measured heating loads with one or more environmental temperatures, thermostats, user settings, and/or a supplemental heating system.

Abstract: A draft inducer blower assembly for use with a water heater has a housing, a motor, and a fan. The housing has an exhaust volute surrounding the fan and a base adapted to be mounted atop a water heater. The housing has an inlet port adapted to receive exhaust gas from the water heater. The fan is connected to the motor for rotation about a rotation axis. The exhaust volute has a cut-off at a cut-off angle relative to the rotation axis. The exhaust volute has an exhaust outlet passageway that extends to an exhaust port. The exhaust port is lower than the top of the exhaust volute.

Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes: a compressor configured to compress refrigerant and discharge the refrigerant to a refrigerant pipe; an air heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between air and the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe; an expansion valve configured to adjust pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe; a water heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between water supplied from the water return header pipe and the refrigerant and send out the water to the water delivery header pipe; an outlet pressure sensor provided on a water outlet side of the water heat exchanger and configured to measure water pressure; and a controller, in which the controller controls an opening degree of the bypass valve such that a value of water pressure measured by the outlet pressure sensor is equal to a preset target value.

Abstract: A temperature control system of a gas-fired water heater includes a cold water pipe connected to one side of a heat exchanger and a hot water pipe connected to another side of the heat exchanger. A circulation pump is mounted to a water return pipe, which has two ends respectively connected to the hot water pipe and the heat exchanger to direct and return hot water from the hot water pipe back to the heat exchanger. When a hot water faucet is opened to activate a combustion operation of the gas-fired water heater, the circulation pump is set in continuous operation to pump water from the water return pipe for returning back to the heat exchanger, so that the returned hot water can be mixed, in the heat exchanger, with cold water supplied through the cold water pipe in order to achieve a set temperature.

Abstract: A gas flow controller for use with a gas powered water heater includes a first gas flow valve, and a first gas flow valve actuator assembly connected to the first gas flow valve and configured to hold the first gas flow valve in an open position. The first gas flow valve actuator assembly includes a first electromagnetic actuator, a corrosion resistant material encapsulating the first electromagnetic actuator, a first wire lead connected to the first electromagnetic actuator at a first solder joint, a corrosion resistant material encapsulating the first solder joint, a second wire lead connected to the first electromagnetic actuator at a second solder joint, and a corrosion resistant material encapsulating the second solder joint.

Abstract: Elliptical cylinder collector for thermal solar energy comprising a first pipe and a reflector surface, which also comprises a second pipe and a third pipe, wherein the reflector surface has a generatrix which is half an ellipse and wherein the second pipe and the third pipe are located at focal points of the ellipse and the first pipe is located on a minor axis of the ellipse at a greater distance from the reflector surface than the second pipe and the third pipe, the first pipe is also located at the focal point of an imaginary parabola whose vertex is located at the negative end of the minor axis of the ellipse.

Abstract: A solar panel assembly (10) having a stand (30), a solar panel platform (20, 120) and one or more directional mechanisms (40; 404, 414) connecting the stand (30) with the solar panel platform. One or more optical elements (50; 161, 162) are provided at all or portions of the edges (24) of the platform around the solar panel directing the light under the platform (20, 120) or towards its underside (22), and then to the ground (31) under or near the solar panel assembly. One or more of the optical elements (161, 162) are mounted on an inner side of a profile (160). The profile (160) is connected via a web (164) to the solar panel platform (120) and the web is connected with a drive within the platform. The connection of the web extends the profile from the platform creating a passage (124) between the profile and the platform.

Abstract: A parasitic cleaning system for cleaning the reflective surfaces of a heliostat is disclosed. The system includes a blade carriage assembly that cleans the surface by imparting a frictional force as the carriage assembly moves across the surface to be cleaned. A cleaner drive system controls the motion of the blade carriage assembly over the surface. A guide system connects the cleaner drive system to the blade carriage assembly. The cleaner drive system applies a spring force to move the blade carriage assembly upwardly. The same spring system controls the lowering of the blade assembly over the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning apparatus is provided which is capable of expanding an effective range of a dehumidifying and heating mode to achieve comfortable vehicle interior air conditioning. A control device (controller) executes a dehumidifying and heating mode to let a refrigerant discharged from a compressor 2 radiate heat in a radiator 4, let a part of the refrigerant flow from a bypass circuit (refrigerant pipe 13F) to an indoor expansion valve 8, and let the residual refrigerant flow through an outdoor expansion valve 6. In the dehumidifying and heating mode, the control device has a state of controlling the operation of the compressor 2, based on a heat absorber temperature Te and executes a radiator temperature priority mode which enlarges a capability of the compressor when heat radiation in the radiator is insufficient.

Abstract: A thermal energy system comprising a first thermal system having a heating demand, and a heat source connection system coupled to the first thermal system, the heat source connection system being adapted to provide selective connection to a plurality of heat sources for heating the first thermal system, the heat source connection system comprising a first heat exchanger system coupled to a first remote heat source containing a working fluid and a second heat exchanger system adapted to be coupled to ambient air as a second heat source, a fluid loop interconnecting the first thermal system, the first heat exchanger system and the second heat exchanger system, at least one mechanism for selectively altering the order of the first heat exchanger system and the second heat exchanger system in relation to a fluid flow direction around the fluid loop, and a controller for actuating the at least one mechanism.

Abstract: A climate-control system includes a first working-fluid circuit, a second working-fluid circuit and a first heat exchanger. The first working-fluid circuit includes a first compressor, a second heat exchanger and a first pump. The second heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the first compressor. The first pump receives a first working fluid from the second heat exchanger and circulates the first working fluid through the first working-fluid circuit. The second working-fluid circuit is fluidly isolated from the first working-fluid circuit and includes a second pump and a fourth heat exchanger. The second pump is in fluid communication with the fourth heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger is thermally coupled with the first working-fluid circuit and the second working-fluid circuit.

Abstract: An injection device (10) injects a dispensible fluid material (32), such as a liquid sealant, into pressurized refrigerant lines of an air conditioning or refrigeration pressurized system or the like, by utilizing the pressure difference between high and low pressure zones of the pressurized system. The device comprises a tube (12) which contains the dispensible fluid material (32) and is closed by an outlet valve (26). A movable member (34) houses a spring-loaded check valve (38) and is disposed downstream of and spaced from the outlet valve (26). The movable member (34) is movable within a passageway (24e) formed in an outlet tube connector (24). Upon being connected to a service port (17) of a pressurized system by an installation nut (28), movable member (34) is forced into engagement with the outlet valve (26) to open it to dispense fluid material (32) into service port (17).

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising 1,1-difluoroethene (R-1132a); a second component selected from the group consisting of hexafluoroethane (R-116), ethane (R-170) and mixtures thereof; and, optionally carbon dioxide (CO2, R-744).

Abstract: A transcritical R-744 refrigeration system with a medium temperature section having a plurality of circuits, at least one evaporator receiving an R-744 refrigerant in a medium-pressure liquid state from a receiver and feeding at least one transcritical compressor to compress the R-744 refrigerant from a low-pressure gaseous state into a high-pressure gaseous state to feed a gas cooler and a throttling device to partially condense the R-744 refrigerant into a medium-pressure gaseous-liquid state, the system comprising a pressure reducing valve connected to a discharge conduit of the at least one transcritical compressor and feeding hot gas to a defrost manifold to defrost one of the plurality of circuits of the medium temperature section, wherein the hot gas being fed to the defrost manifold has a pressure value less than or equal to a maximum operating pressure of the at least one evaporator.

Abstract: A method for controlling ejector capacity in a vapour compression system (1) is disclosed. A parameter value being representative for a flow rate of liquid refrigerant from the evaporator(s) (8, 10) and into a return pipe (12, 13) is obtained, and the capacity of the ejector(s) (6) is adjusted based on the obtained parameter value. Ejector capacity may be shifted between low pressure ejectors (liquid ejectors) (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and high pressure ejectors (gas ejectors) (6e, 6f).

Abstract: The invention relates to an expansion unit for installation in a refrigerant circuit, including an expansion system having an subcooling unit for subcooling a mass flow of a refrigerant that is supplied to the expansion unit, having an expansion/compression unit including an expander stage and a compressor stage, having a branching point that splits off a subcooling mass flow from a total mass flow supplied to the expansion unit and that is connected to a supply conduit that guides the subcooling mass flow to an inlet of the subcooling unit, having an expansion member that expands the subcooling mass flow to a subcooling pressure, having a connection conduit that supplies the subcooling mass flow exiting from the subcooling unit to the compression stage, which for its part compresses the subcooling mass flow to a return high pressure, and having an electrically operated controller that detects an ambient temperature and/or a temperature of the mass flow of refrigerant that is supplied to the expansion unit an

Abstract: A device for making frozen geometric shapes, more particularly, to an ice molding device that shapes ice is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a device comprises a lower chamber of an ice shaping device and a plurality of guideposts on the lower chamber. The device further comprises a semi-spherical cavity in the lower chamber and a hole to fill a hollow chamber of the lower chamber with hot water.

Abstract: An organizer system for an ice cooler, ice chest or the like includes multiple trays of different heights that can be supported within a body of the ice cooler. The trays having different heights define multiple height compartments within the ice cooler, thereby enable different items such as cans, bottles, etc., to be stored with enhanced space efficiency. The trays each have dividing walls that define handles thereby enabling the trays to be removed from the ice cooler. The trays may be supported by a shelf within the ice cooler, or by an additional insert provided in the cooler. The insert may have sidewalls that abut the walls of the ice cooler. Cutouts may be provided in the insert sidewalls to enable drainage. The trays may also have openings for allowing cool air to circulate and to allow liquids to drain out of the trays. The openings may be positioned on the walls, bottom or both.

Abstract: An optimal package structure and an amount of refrigerant to insert into the package structure are determined based upon product information, consumer preference information, and weather information. The optimal package structure and the amount of refrigerant are an optimized combination that is effective to both protect the product from damage and preserve the product from spoilage. A package is constructed to contain the product according to the optimal package structure and the amount of refrigerant is inserted into the structure.