Abstract: A freezer and method of operating a freezer are provided with an adaptive defrost cycle. The freezer includes a controller that operates the freezer to: provide cooling to a cabinet via an evaporator during periodic operational cycles, monitor a time elapsed since a most recent defrost cycle, determine whether the time elapsed is greater than a current defrost interval, and perform a defrost cycle if so. The controller varies the current defrost interval between a first, larger time value and a second, smaller time value based on a plurality of trigger signals in response to various operating characteristics of the freezer monitored by sensors. After each defrost cycle is completed, the current defrost interval is reset to the first, larger time value.

Abstract: A defogging control system includes a plurality of first heating wires, a plurality of second heating wires, an electrical sensor and driver, a timer, an environment sensing module, and a control module. The electrical sensor and driver is utilized to generate a start signal or a stop signal, corresponding to a controller of a refrigeration storage apparatus. The timer is utilized to count a real-time operation time and record a previous operation time. The environment sensing module is utilized to sense a temperature and a humidity. The control module is utilized to control the first heating wires and the second heating wires by the real-time operation time, the previous operation time, the temperature, and the humidity. Further, a defogging control method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising on or more cooler or freezer compartments in which food products are placed, a door enabling access to the compartment, and an odor removal device enabling cleaning the air emanating from the food products to the environment in the compartment and forming odor comprising: an UV light source provided in a housing, a fan, a photocatalytic filter and a plurality of openings provided on the housing, enabling passing the air received from interior of the compartment and delivered into the compartment by the fan, and a control unit operating the odor removal device in subsequent on-off periods according to a predetermined algorithm.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a door that has a front panel with an operation area to receive a touch operation of a user, a touch sensor assembly that is located rearward of the operation area and that includes sensors to generate an input signal based on the touch operation, and a sensor controller connected to the touch sensor assembly and configured to process the input signal received from the touch sensor assembly. The sensor controller is configured to determine whether the touch operation is a push operation or a release operation based on comparison of a voltage value of the processed input signal to predetermined first and second threshold voltage values.

Abstract: A refrigerator and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. A refrigerator includes a timer for measuring an interval of one hour after power is supplied to the refrigerator, a door opening/closing sensor for sensing opening and closing of a door, a storage unit for storing information whether door is opened in a sector defined as one hour by the timer and at least 7 sector units each having 24 consecutive sectors, and a control unit for predicting a refrigerator use pattern in 24 sectors by overlapping 7 sector units, performing a normal operation mode to maintain a storage compartment at a first desired temperature in a sector in which door opening is predicted, and performing a power-saving operation mode to maintain the storage compartment at a second desired temperature higher than the first desired temperature in a sector in which door opening is not predicted.

Abstract: A control system for operating a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator has a variable damper, a variable speed fan, and a variable speed compressor. The damper position, evaporator fan speed, and compressor speed are determined through interacting feedback control loops based on the set point temperatures for the fresh food and freezer compartments as well as the measured temperatures in such compartments. The adjustment of these actuators can eliminate large temperature fluctuations and discontinuities in the air flow and improve the thermal performance and energy efficiency of the refrigerator.

Abstract: A method and system is provided which receives a desired humidity level from a user for the refrigeration compartment of a refrigerator, determines the current humidity level, and then activates an atomizer in the refrigeration compartment to increase the humidity level if needed. The humidity in the refrigeration compartment may be determined based at least in part on the temperature of the refrigeration compartment, the defrost timer, the door opening times, and the compressor timer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.

Abstract: A system for defogging doors to a display case is described and includes an electric motor and an air moving device. The air moving device is operatively coupled to the electric motor and positioned to provide an output proximate to at least one door of the display case. The motor is configured to operate at a first speed under standard closed door conditions, at a second speed when the door of the display case is open, and at a third speed for a predetermined length of time after the door is moved from an open position to a closed position.

Abstract: A method of conditioning air in a vehicle load space. The method includes providing a refrigeration circuit including an evaporator, directing refrigerant through the refrigeration circuit, directing load space air across the evaporator, sensing a first condition based on one of a temperature and a pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigeration circuit upstream from the evaporator, determining a second condition based on one of a temperature and a pressure of the refrigerant in the evaporator, determining a difference between the first condition and the second condition, and initiating a defrost process of the evaporator when the difference is greater than a threshold.

Abstract: An appliance, such as a refrigerator, includes a drawer mounted within a cabinet for movement between an opened position and a closed position. A driving mechanism, including an electric motor connects to the drawer for driving the drawer between the opened position and the closed position. A control circuit connected to the electric motor and the transmission assembly of the driving mechanism commands the transmission assembly to connect or disconnect the electric motor and the drawer, and further commands the electric motor to drive the drawer to one of the opened position and the closed position when the electric motor is connected to the drawer. The control circuit also senses obstructions and adjusts the movement of the drawer accordingly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a refrigerator and a defrost control method thereof that are capable of sensing an amount of frost formed on an evaporator based on a change amount of absolute humidity in the refrigerator to control a defrost operation. A defrost control method of a refrigerator including a storage chamber and an evaporator to cool the storage chamber, includes sensing absolute humidity in the storage chamber, determining an estimated amount of frost formed on the evaporator using time segments in which the absolute humidity in the storage chamber decreases, and controlling a defrost operation based on the estimated amount of frost. According to the present embodiments, it is possible to perform the defrost operation at the point of time for optimum defrost, thereby maximizing energy efficiency and cooling efficiency.

Abstract: A freezer for the storage of blood plasma and other blood products includes a user interface device which permits a user to adjust operating parameters of the freezer. The user interface device is operable to display the current status of the freezer. A defrost icon is displayed when the freezer is in defrost mode. The user interface device a graphical representation of the temperature within the freezer over the previous twenty-four hours. The controller of the freezer stores temperature related events which can be displayed on the user interface device or downloaded to a remote computer.

Abstract: A system and method for refrigeration timer control having an energy efficient defrost cycle are provided. The system and method provide a delay time after the refrigeration cycle and prior to the defrost cycle. During this delay period the evaporator fan may run. The fan circulation and the heat from the fan coil provide a pre-warm cycle to the evaporator prior to the defrost cycle. To further enhance energy efficiency, the system and method may also provide a pre-refrigeration cycle after the defrost cycle. During this pre-refrigeration cycle only the compressor is energized. This prevents warm moist air from being circulated until the evaporator coils are cooled.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigeration compartment having an upper region and a lower region, a first evaporator positioned in the upper region, a second evaporator, positioned in the lower region, and a fan disposed between the first and second evaporators. The fan is configured, such that air flows past first and second evaporators and is discharged into said upper and lower regions when said fan is energized.

Abstract: An adaptive defrost control includes a microcomputer for controlling the initiation and termination of a defrost operation based, at least in part, on opening of the fresh food door and the freezer door. The control monitors the compressor run time and the fresh food and freezer door open times and adjusts the time until defrost accordingly. A pre-chill operation cools the freezer prior to defrosting the evaporator coils so that the defrost heat will have less of an affect on the maximum temperature after defrost, and enables the freezer compartment to be maintained at a temperature a few degrees higher than with known refrigerators, providing energy savings.

Abstract: This invention provides a configurable electronic controller comprising control circuitry and output interface circuitry that is characterized such that the said control circuitry and said output interface circuitry are designed to be configurable for various control functions and various interfaces respectively, by means of configuration data supplied by a configuration memory included with the said electronic controller. The said configurable electronic controller further optionally includes configurable input interface circuitry, configurable user interface circuitry, configurable power supply interface circuitry, and network interface circuitry.

Abstract: A system for recovering potable water from the water vapor in ambient air at a wide range of temperature and humidity conditions. The system is especially adapt at operating efficiently at low temperatures and/or low humidities. The system is able to operate efficiently at low temperatures and/or low humidities by employing a mechanism for enhancing the buildup of frozen water on the surfaces used to condense the water vapor from ambient air.

Abstract: There is provided an idling engine speed control apparatus which can economically and suitably control an idling engine speed in the case where a variable displacement type compressor with a variable displacement is mounted is a part of an automotive air conditioning system. A the time of idling, a duty ratio of a control valve current value sent as an external signal to a control valve is sent also to an engine controller, and the engine control apparatus controls the output of an engine on the basis of the duty ratio. For example, when the duty ratio becomes high from a small value, since the present operating state of the compressor is in the direction where the differential pressure becomes high and the displacement is increased, it is expected that a large load is applied to the engine. Thus, in this case, the engine output is controlled correspondingly to a large duty ratio and the idling engine speed is made high.

Abstract: A refrigerator defrost controlling method includes the step of setting an initial defrost cycle, the step of determining whether defrost entering conditions are met, the step of driving a defrost heater to remove the frost formed on the evaporator if the defrost entering conditions are met, and setting a defrost restoration temperature and a defrost cycle according to a latent heat period detected by the temperature of a defrost sensor to perform the defrost operation, the step of terminating the operation if the temperature of the defrost sensor reaches the defrost restoration temperature, and the step of resetting a defrost cycle according to the operating rate of a compressor and the number of door opening/closing times if the defrost entering conditions are not met.

Abstract: A reference temperature of the cooler is set which is required to moderate an interior temperature of the refrigerator. During a defrosting mode, if a door is opened, then a control part switches on an air curtain fan if a temperature of a cooler is lower than the reference temperature, or switches it off if it is not lower. The control part switches off the air curtain fan when the door is closed. Meanwhile, during the defrosting mode, if the door is closed, then the control part switches on the air curtain fan if the temperature of the cooler is lower than the reference temperature in a heating state, or switches it off if it is not lower. The air curtain fan is also switched off if it is not in a heating state. Thus, the air curtain fan is driven depending on interior and exterior conditions during a defrosting operation of the refrigerator. Thereby, refrigerating efficiency as well as defrosting efficiency are increased.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of defrosting a frost load accumulated on an evaporator, the method comprising the steps of: performing a normal mode for controlling ON-OFF operations of the compressor; sensing a temperature of the evaporator, comparing the sensed temperature with a first preset temperature to thereby determine a significant amount of frost; if the sensed temperature is less than the first preset temperature, removing the frost by activating the fan and the heater for a predetermined duration; determining whether or not the fan should be activated during the defrost mode, by sensing and comparing temperatures outside/inside the refrigerator, and a total number of instances of a refrigerator door opening and closing; checking whether or not the duration has elapsed, and if the duration has not elapsed, continuously activating the heater; and de-activating the heater if the duration has elapsed and performing the normal mode.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a defrosting heater. An outdoor air temperature sensor senses a temperature of outside air. A defrosting time period of the heater is set as a function of the outside air temperature. If it is determined that the temperature sensor is inoperative, i.e., if the sensor indicates that the outside air temperature is above 50.degree. C. or below -50.degree. C., the defrosting period which is set is the same, regardless of whether the sensor indicates the outside air temperature to be above 50.degree. C. or below -50.degree. C.

Abstract: A defrost control method and apparatus for a refrigerator having a defrosting heater for defrosting the evaporator. The method classifies a plurality of operating condition cases based on outside temperature of the cabinet and door opening number. Each of the operating condition cases has a predetermined severity factor. It is obtained a frosting weight for the unit time interval by multiplying a compressor operating time with the severity factor of the operating condition case. The frosting weights for a plurality of the unit time interval are accumulated and a defrosting operation is performed when the accumulated frosting weight exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A defrost control apparatus and method for controlling the defrosting of a cooling coil of a refrigerator by estimating a postpone defrost time to postpone the defrosting of the cooling coil in accordance with fuzzy logic reasoning. The fuzzy logic reasoning uses the total number of times a door on the refrigerator is opened and an outside temperature value related to the outside temperature as input variables. The fuzzy logic estimate is produced at predetermined time intervals after a compressor of the refrigerator has operated a predetermined time since the last defrosting. The defrost control apparatus counts the total refrigerator operating time period after the compressor has operated the predetermined time. The defrost control apparatus starts to defrost the cooling coil when the total refrigerator operating time period exceeds the postpone defrost time.

Abstract: A defrost control apparatus for refrigerator includes a microcomputer which counts the number of opening/closing times of a door of a storage room for each of time zones within a day so as to set indexes for every time zones on the basis of the number of opening/closing times. The microcomputer also counts operating hours of a compressor and total elapsed hours, and determines a sudden phenomenon and a season. The microcomputer further selectively fetches the indexes, and generates a single index by joining a plurality of indexes so as to apply the same to a neural network included in a defrost signal generating unit. The neural network generates a defrost on/off signal on the basis of inputted data. In addition, if feature amounts are generated on the basis of the indexes by a feature detecting unit, the neural network generates the defrost on/off signal on the basis of the feature amounts.

Abstract: In a refrigerator, the inner space of a heat insulated housing is divided to form a refrigerating compartment, a freezer compartment, and a vegetable compartment. A projection which contacts with the back of a cooler cover and divides the space behind the cooler cover into two chambers arranged in a lateral direction is formed on a back wall portion. The space enclosed by the projection, the cooler cover, and the housing is formed as a cold air passage for guiding cold air of the refrigerating compartment to the vegetable compartment. A damper device has a shutter plate, a bias spring which urges the shutter plate toward a cold air duct, and a shape memorizing alloy coil spring on which a heater is wound. A weak current is always supplied from a damper control device to the heater so that the temperature of the shape memorizing alloy coil spring is maintained at the Ms point (martensite phase transition start temperature) or higher under the state where the shutter plate is lifted up.

Abstract: A method for controlling a defrosting operation of a refrigerator by providing a defrosting operation control method wherein a refrigerator use pattern by the user is learned. The defrosting operation control method based on the learning of the refrigerator use pattern comprises the steps of dividing a day, namely, 24 hours into a plurality of time intervals each corresponding to a predetermined period, for example, one hour, calculating the number of refrigerator door openings by time intervals, repeating the calculating step for predetermined days, storing information about arithmetic average values of the number of door openings calculated by time intervals, and performing a defrosting operation during the period that the refrigerator is not used by the user, based on the arithmetic average value information.

Abstract: A refrigerator is defrosted by comparing a sensed temperature in the refrigerator with a predetermined temperature when a defrost start time is reached. If the sensed temperature is too high, a compressor is caused to operate in order to reduce the temperature to the predetermined temperature. Then, the open/closed conditions of the refrigerator doors are sensed, and the defrost heater is activated if the doors are sensed as being closed.

Abstract: An automatic operation control method automatically controls the temperature setting of a chamber, the defrost cycling and the operation of a compressor and a fan motor according to the door open/close frequency and open time. The defrost cycling is operated during a predetermined time period or an auxiliary time period according to the usage frequency of a refrigerator and the door open time before entering into the defrost cycle while being started after dropping the chamber temperature according to the current state of a temperature adjuster and the average value of the chamber temperature. The operation of a compressor and a fan motor is retarded to prevent the chamber temperature from increasing after the completion of the defrost cycling, thereby minimizing the temperature change of the chamber to protect the stored food.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for defrosting a refrigerator in an operator actuated vacation mode wherein, after the operator actuation, the next defrost cycle is executed in accordance with the previously existing schedule in the normal defrost mode. If the time duration to execute the next defrost cycle is greater than a predetermined time period, the controller continues to defrost in the normal mode. However, if the next of a subsequent defrost cycle is executed in a relatively short time duration, the interval between defrost is significantly increased to a fixed interval of compressor run time hours.

Abstract: An adaptive demand defrost control system controls the length of an interval between defrost operations in accordance with the number and duration of compartment door-openings, the duration of a previous defrost operation as corrected by the temperature of the evaporator prior to defrost, and the length of time the compressor has been energized. A count is stored which is varied according to a decrementing schedule, with the decrementing schedule in turn being based upon a comparison of the corrected defrost duration with either a desired defrost duration or a range of desired defrost durations. A defrost operation is initiated when the count reaches a predetermined value. An alternative embodiment of the invention develops an indication of the ambient humidity and controls humidity-dependent apparatus in accordance with the indication.

Abstract: An adaptive demand defrost control system controls the length of an interval between defrost operations in accordance with the number and duration of compartment door-openings, the duration of a previous defrost operation as corrected by the temperature of the evaporator prior to defrost, and the length of time the compressor has been energized. A count is stored which is varied according to a decrementing schedule, with the decrementing schedule in turn being based upon a comparison of the corrected defrost duration with either a desired defrost duration or a range of desired defrost durations. A defrost operation is initiated when the count reaches a predetermined value. An alternative embodiment of the invention develops an indication of the ambient humidity and controls humidity-dependent apparatus in accordance with the indication.

Abstract: The time between constant speed defrost cycles is shortened by monitoring the opening and closing of a door of a cooling unit. The control system for doing so includes cam means rotating at a constant speed and electrical switches responsive thereto, a ratchet with missing teeth coupled to the cam means, a pawl engaging the door and the ratchet.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a compressor, an evaporator fan, a condensor fan and a defrost heater which are controlled by a defrost control system. The control senses the number and duration of freezer and fresh food compartment openings, the duration of the previous defrost operation, and the total accumulated compressor run time since the previous defrosting operation. A stored count is decremented by weighting functions which are adaptably varied in accordance with the number and duration of compartment door openings and the duration of the previous defrosting operation. When the stored count is decremented to zero, the defrosting operation may be initiated, unless inhibited. The defrosting operation is inhibited if the total accumulated compressor run time is less than a predetermined amount. The control is reset to a point just short of a defrosting operation if a power outage occurs.

Abstract: A fail-safe electronically controlled defrost system is provided for use in a frost-free refrigerator suitable for home use. The defrost cycle, in the interests of power conservation, is made subject to plural input electronic control in a circuit in which the intrinsic reliability of the defrost system is specifically designed to revert to a non-power conservation mode in the event of failure of the electronics. Compressor time, door openings and user (vacation mode) settings are typical inputs for control of the period between defrosts.

Abstract: Door open time in an automatic defrost refrigerator is accumulated in the memory of a microcomputer. Normal cycling of defrost is delayed by inactivating the defrost timer during periods of light usage of the refrigerator until a minimum predetermined accumulated door open time is reached. Provision is made for sensing interior refrigerator temperature to override the delaying effect of the door open measurement when a sensed over-temperature condition indicates an abnormal build-up of frost on the evaporator coils even though the refrigerator is experiencing relatively light usage. A maximum compressor run time interval between defrost cycles is provided for when no door openings occur, as during vacation periods.