By Energy Input Actuated Means Patents (Class 62/154)
  • Patent number: 12135161
    Abstract: A cooler including a cabinet defining an interior volume for storing a perishable product. A cold plate is disposed within the cabinet, and the cold plate is configured to absorb heat within the cabinet. The cooler further includes a defrosting system that includes a sensor configured to detect a presence of frost on a surface of the cold plate, a heating element affixed to the surface of the cold plate that is configured to at least partially melt frost on the cold plate, and a control unit configured to selectively activate and deactivate the heating element when the presence of frost is determined by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Praveen Kumar Nooli, John Michael Hartney, Gurmeet Singh Bhutani, Andrew Hoffman, Joseph E. Stapleton, Atul Tripathi
  • Patent number: 11910938
    Abstract: A mullion assembly for a merchandiser including an elongated mullion body that has a first end and a second end. The mullion body defines an elongated channel extending from the first end toward the second end along a longitudinal axis oriented along a length of the mullion body. The channel is defined by a support surface, opposite sidewalls, and opposite hooks that are coupled to the sidewalls and that extend in a direction across the longitudinal axis. A light assembly is coupled to the mullion body within the elongated channel, and the light assembly is captured by the hooks to retain the light assembly in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond P. Twohy, Delanie M. Parmenter, Daniel E. Schnur
  • Patent number: 11835250
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed towards a system and a method for performing calibration of variable air volume (VAV) units. One or more embodiments of the invention describe the method comprising steps of turning off a fan of an air handling unit and calibrating one or more airflow sensors associated with one or more reference variable air volume (VAV) units of the plurality of variable air volume (VAV) units using a step measure technique or using a value of airflow of the one or more supply ducts measured by an airflow sensor of the air handling unit or by an airflow sensor in the one or more supply ducts and determining a reference airflow value of the one or more reference VAV units. The method also describes a step of calibrating other airflow sensors associated with other variable air volume (VAV) units based on the reference airflow value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rohan Ajinkya Mehta
  • Patent number: 11577579
    Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning device includes a compressor 2, a radiator 4, an outdoor heat exchanger 7, a first heat medium circulating device 61 to let a first heat medium circulate in a heat medium heating heater 66, and a second heat medium circulating device 62 to let a second heat medium circulate in a battery 55. The first heat medium circulating device has a first heat medium heat exchanging unit 65A which exchanges heat between a refrigerant and the first heat medium. The second heat medium circulating device has a second heat medium heat exchanging unit 65B which exchanges heat between the first heat medium and the second heat medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: SANDEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ishizeki, Takefumi Tomiya, Yoshiyuki Okamoto
  • Patent number: 11514537
    Abstract: A decoupled ETP model processor is configured to store power consumption data retrieved from power systems; convert the power consumption data into power activated time cycles and power non-activated time cycles; derive a thermal resistance (R) parameter and a capacitance (C) parameter for a predetermined heat flow (Q) parameter at each of the outdoor temperatures; compare the converted power activated time cycles to the actual power activated time cycles; compare the converted power non-activated time cycles to the actual power non-activated time cycles; calculate a first improved resistance-capacitance-heat flow (RCQ) parameter set and a respective first outdoor temperature for the compared and converted power activated time cycles to the actual power activated time cycles; calculate the Q parameter at each outdoor temperature during the power activated time cycles; and calculate the R parameter and the C parameter at each outdoor temperature during the power non-activated time cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignees: TOTAL SOLAR INTERNATIONAL, NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jian Lu, Jiyu Wang, Ning Lu, Wente Zeng
  • Patent number: 11346570
    Abstract: A refrigerant leakage determination system capable of detecting leakage of refrigerant without requiring complicated processing is provided. A refrigerant leakage determination system is a refrigerant leakage determination system of a refrigeration cycle apparatus that includes a refrigerant circuit including a heat-source-side heat exchanger and has, as operating modes, a normal mode in which the heat-source-side heat exchanger is caused to function as an evaporator and a defrosting mode in which the heat-source-side heat exchanger frosted during a normal operation is defrosted. The refrigerant leakage determination system includes a processor configured to acquire defrosting information regarding a relationship between a normal operation period and the number of defrosting operations, and memory that stores the defrosting information. The processor is further configured to determine, based on the acquired defrosting information, leakage of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Yoshimi, Takeshi Hikawa
  • Patent number: 11320186
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycle apparatus is configured to suppress extension of defrost time. The refrigerant cycle apparatus includes: a refrigerant circuit; a first temperature sensor configured to measure first refrigerant temperature between the main heat exchange unit and the pressure loss portion; a second temperature sensor configured to measure second refrigerant temperature between the pressure loss portion and the expansion mechanism; and a controller configured to control the flow direction switching mechanism to switch between normal operation and defrost operation. The controller has control modes for the defrost operation, including a control mode of terminating the defrost operation based on the first refrigerant temperature and a control mode of terminating the defrost operation based on the second refrigerant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: You Tomiyama
  • Patent number: 11274846
    Abstract: A refrigerant leakage determination system capable of detecting leakage of refrigerant without requiring complicated processing is provided. A refrigerant leakage determination system is a refrigerant leakage determination system of a refrigeration cycle apparatus that includes a refrigerant circuit including a heat-source-side heat exchanger and has, as operating modes, a normal mode in which the heat-source-side heat exchanger is caused to function as an evaporator and a defrosting mode in which the heat-source-side heat exchanger frosted during a normal operation is defrosted. The refrigerant leakage determination system includes a processor configured to acquire defrosting information regarding a relationship between a normal operation period and the number of defrosting operations, and memory that stores the defrosting information. The processor is further configured to determine, based on the acquired defrosting information, leakage of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Yoshimi, Takeshi Hikawa
  • Patent number: 11262117
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a first inner case that defines a freezing compartment, a second inner case that defines a refrigerating compartment, a thermal siphon unit that is configured to carry a working fluid for heat transfer and that has a closed loop shape that includes a first part arranged at an outer side of the first inner case and a second part arranged at an outer side of the second inner case, and a cool air storage unit arranged in a space partitioned in the first inner case. The cool air storage unit is configured to accommodate cool air of the freezing compartment and transfer the cool air to the first part of the thermal siphon unit arranged outside of the first inner case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seokjun Yun, Changho Seo, Younghoon Yun
  • Patent number: 10976095
    Abstract: A method for controlling a refrigerator includes providing an initial input value to a heater configured to supply heat to an evaporator, performing a continuous operation of the heater based on the initial input value to increase a temperature of the evaporator to a predetermined temperature, determining a period of time taken to increase the temperature of the evaporator to the predetermined temperature, determining whether the period of time is within a reference period of time, operating the heater based on a first input value that is equal to the initial input value based on a determination that the period of time is outside of the reference period of time, and operating the heater based on a second input value that is less than the initial input value based on a determination that the period of time is within the reference period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Soonkyu Lee, Sungwook Kim, Kyongbae Park, Sangbok Choi
  • Patent number: 10921044
    Abstract: A method for controlling a refrigerator includes operating a heater of the refrigerator in a first mode to increase a temperature of an evaporator of the refrigerator to a predetermined temperature, the first mode comprising a continuous operation of the heater, determining a period of time taken to increase the temperature of the evaporator to the predetermined temperature, determining whether the period of time is within a reference period of time, maintaining operation of the heater in the first mode based on a determination that the period of time is outside of the reference period of time, and operating the heater in a second mode that is different from the first mode based on a determination that the period of time is within the reference period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Soonkyu Lee, Sungwook Kim, Kyongbae Park, Sangbok Choi
  • Patent number: 10890333
    Abstract: An optical sensor is used in a cooling system of a cooking appliance to sense rotation of the cooling fan. For example, in one aspect a cooking appliance is disclosed as including a housing with a cooking enclosure and cooling passage for venting heat generated within the cooking enclosure; a cooling fan in fluid communication with the cooling passage in order to provide a directed airflow within the cooling passage; and an optical sensor to sense rotation of the cooling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Vern A. Neal, John Hooker, Daniel J. Trice
  • Patent number: 10086677
    Abstract: A refrigerant heating performance is increased while suppressing an increase in weight or cost. A vehicle air-conditioning device (10) is provided with a heat pump cycle (16) for heating operation in which an electric compressor (50) for compressing refrigerant, a vehicle-cabin-interior condenser (26), a throttle (52), and a vehicle-cabin-exterior heat exchanger (54) are connected in that order via refrigerant piping. An inverter for the electric compressor (50) in which a power element comprising a highly heat-resistant semiconductor device is used is disposed on the electric compressor (50) so that the refrigerant compressed by the electric compressor (50) can be heated by the power element. During heating operation of the heat pump cycle (16), the refrigerant is heated by the power element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES THERMAL SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Morishita, Koji Nakano, Hideo Nakamura, Keiji Nagasaka, Shunsuke Yakushiji
  • Patent number: 9933204
    Abstract: A method for controlling a refrigerating unit that includes the steps of providing a freezing compartment, a user interface and a refrigeration circuit with a compressor; and setting a controlling routine through the user interface for avoiding freezer burns on food products to be stored in the freezing compartment, upon the setting changing the set temperature of the freezing compartment to a value from 2° C. to 10° C. lower than the previously set value, and changing the on/off control or the cooling capacity of the compressor so that temperature oscillations in the freezing compartment are limited to a range from 1° C. to 0.1° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Carolina Biotti, Raffaele Paganini, Sankara Pandian
  • Patent number: 9919613
    Abstract: A battery temperature regulating device is provided with a low temperature heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchange with the air conditioning system, a battery temperature regulating unit configured to allow heat exchange with the low temperature heat exchanger so as to regulate the temperature of the battery to approach a target temperature, and a control unit configured to control the battery temperature regulating unit. In the case where the charging is performed from the power supply external to the vehicle, the control unit determines whether or not it is necessary to accumulate heat in the battery, and in the case where it is determined that the heat accumulation is necessary, the control unit sets the target temperature of the battery during charging higher than that in the case where it is determined that the heat accumulation is unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiko Arai, Yoshiaki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 9643470
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning apparatus is provided to prevent a frost from being formed on a heat exchanger under the condition that the outdoor temperature is low. During a heating and dehumidifying operation, the third solenoid valve 25c is closed when outdoor temperature Tam is predetermined temperature T1 or lower, or when temperature Thex of the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 22 is a predetermined temperature T2 or lower and temperature Te detected by the cooled air temperature sensor 44 is temperature Tet-? or lower. By this means, during the heating and dehumidifying operation, when a frost is likely to be formed on the heat exchanger 14, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from flowing into the heat exchanger 14, and to prevent a frost from being formed on the heat exchanger 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: SANDEN HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Suzuki, Ryo Miyakoshi, Hidenori Takei, Kouhei Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9581352
    Abstract: The present disclosure simplifies the H-bridge circuit of the direct current motor for driving the damper (door) that switches the air passages in the indoor unit of an air conditioning device. The control device for an air conditioner that takes in inside or outside air and conditions the air inside an air conditioning unit using an evaporator and a heater core is provided with: a first actuator and a second actuator that drive the multiple dampers installed inside the air conditioning unit for switching the air passages; and three half-bridge circuits that control the first actuator and the second actuator sharing one of the half-bridge circuits. Of the multiple dampers, the first actuator is connected to the inside/outside air switching damper. Of the multiple dampers, the second actuator is connected to at least one air mix damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Sekito, Keizou Nimura, Tatsuhiro Matsuki, Kazuhiro Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 9260908
    Abstract: A touch-control integrated cabinet includes a temperature control cabinet, a decoration cabinet and an integral cabinet door. One side of the temperature control cabinet has a temperature control cabinet opening. One side of the decoration cabinet has a decoration cabinet opening. The temperature control cabinet opening corresponds in position to the decoration cabinet opening. The cabinet door is pivotally connected to both the temperature control cabinet opening and the decoration cabinet opening to seal the temperature control cabinet opening and the decoration cabinet opening. A touch-control device is provided on the cabinet door for controlling the internal temperature of the temperature control cabinet. The traditional temperature control cabinet door and the decoration cabinet door are combined into an integrated cabinet door. The user can touch and operate the buttons on the surface of the cabinet door to control the internal temperature of the temperature control cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: DONG GUAN SONG WEI ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei Lin Lu
  • Patent number: 8726683
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and apparatus for removing ice layers and/or snow layers and/or dirt layers from the rotor blades of axial fans in cooling installations for refrigerating and/or freezing products. At least one cleaning substance jet is directed toward the rotor blades of an axial fan within certain time intervals in such a way that ice layers and/or snow layers and/or dirt layers are at least separated from the surfaces of the rotor blades and transported away, wherein the rotor blades rotate with nominal speed while cleaning jets act upon their surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rudolf Erwin Berghoff
  • Patent number: 8621880
    Abstract: An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes a heat exchanger which exchanges heat with air by passing a coolant therethrough; and an anti-freeze apparatus which prevents the freeze of water on the surface of the heat exchanger by supplying energy to the heat exchanger. The air conditioner can prevent the freeze of water on the surface of the heat exchanger during its operation, and thus, there is no need to perform a defrost operation during the operation of the air conditioner. In addition, the air conditioner can continuously and efficiently perform an air conditioning function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Seok Kim, Jie Seop Sim
  • Patent number: 8584476
    Abstract: An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes a heat exchanger which exchanges heat with air by passing a coolant therethrough; an anti-freeze apparatus which prevents the freeze of water on the surface of the heat exchanger by supplying energy to the heat exchanger; and a control unit which controls the anti-freeze apparatus according to operating conditions of the air conditioner. Therefore, the air conditioner can effectively prevent the freeze of water, if any, on the surface of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Seok Kim, Jie Seop Sim
  • Patent number: 8539783
    Abstract: An improved refrigerator energy management system removes condensation from glass refrigerator doors in an energy efficient manner by operating refrigerator frame heaters independently of refrigerator door heaters. Sensors for detecting humidity or condensation transmit data to a control unit that controls electrical current supplied to separate door and frame heater wires. Additional sensors for controlling the refrigerator lighting and monitoring the power consumption of refrigerator fans may transmit data to the control unit. A command unit may receive data from multiple control units, compile the data, and make it available over the internet to a shopkeeper monitoring the system from a remote location. The sensors, control unit, and command unit all communicate on a wireless peer-to-peer network using the ZigBee protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Supermarket Energy Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Bunch
  • Patent number: 8522567
    Abstract: An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes a heat exchanger which exchanges heat with air by passing a coolant therethrough; an anti-freeze apparatus which prevents the freeze of water on the surface of the heat exchanger by supplying energy to the heat exchanger; and a heat generation unit which heats the heat exchanger. The air conditioner can minimize the need for a defrost operation and can thus continuously and effectively perform an air conditioning function even when water on the surface of the heat exchanger is frozen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Seok Kim, Jie Seop Sim
  • Patent number: 8424324
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: The Trustees of Dartmouth College
    Inventors: Victor F. Petrenko, Fedor F. Petrenko
  • Publication number: 20120204582
    Abstract: An apparatus for managing operation of refrigerating machines controls defrosting of evaporators of refrigeration cycles. Each of the refrigeration cycles uses a compressor, a condenser, a decompressor, and the evaporator, and is formed for a corresponding one of cooling/heating devices installed in a single store. The apparatus obtains a total estimated power consumption in a case of a pull-down operation using power consumptions necessary for the pull-down operation performed for the cooling/heating devices after defrosting is performed and using a power consumption of the store that includes at least the power consumptions of the refrigeration cycles and that is estimated for each of predetermined time periods. The apparatus changes defrosting start times or defrosting end times of the cooling/heating devices so that the total estimated power consumption does not exceed an upper limit value of a power consumption set in advance by the store.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kei Yazaki, Kyoichi Takano
  • Patent number: 8087261
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes a cold air duct that receives cold air circulating inside of a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber, an evaporator in the cold air duct, at least one defrosting heater in the cold air duct that selectively emits heat, a fan in the cold air duct, that selectively directs the cold air in an upward or downward direction, a motor that drives the fan, and an open/close device that closes a space having the evaporator, the defrosting heater, and the fan positioned therein selectively, thereby providing an improved defroster for an evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Ik Lee, Bong Jun Choi, Jong Min Sin, Youngsan Jeon, Jae Seong Sim, Young Jeong
  • Publication number: 20110302937
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a motor that rotates a motor shaft to rotate a fan. An operating speed of the motor shaft determines an airflow through a heat exchanger coil. The heat exchanger also includes a sensor that detects a parameter of the motor shaft and a control. The parameter detected by the sensor is communicated to the control. The parameter is one of the operating speed of the motor shaft and a motor shaft torque. If the parameter is the operating speed, the control initiates a defrost cycle when the operating speed of the motor shaft is less than or equal to a threshold value. If the parameter is the motor shaft torque, the control initiates the defrost cycle when the torque application to the motor shaft is greater than or equal to a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Walter E. Bujak, JR.
  • Patent number: 8076945
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an autosensitive detector and an autosensitive measurement system with a self-adjustable set-off value, and more specifically, to a probe for adaptation to an environmental parameter such as liquids adapted to reset its measured sensitivity each time the probe is enabled or turned on, which can be further desensitized by adjusting a sensitivity correction factor by a factor (F) within the range of 0.05<F<2.01 of the reset sensitivity or of up to ten times or ten percent of the reset sensitivity but most likely of 10 to 20% from the initial value using a remote control system such as a handheld programmer or programming function of the sensor board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventor: Ronald V. Calabrese
  • Patent number: 7921660
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable code for controlling a defrost cycle of a refrigeration device are disclosed. According to some embodiments, a defrost command is issued to a defrost heater at a time determined at least in part by a total wasted energy parameter of the compressor for at least one time interval. In some embodiments, time interval includes a plurality of runtimes, and the total wasted energy parameter of a runtime is measured relative to a chosen reference runtime such as a minimum energy runtime after a defrost or an early runtime after a defrost. Optionally, a sequence of wasted energy parameters of the compressor for a sequence of time intervals is analyzed, and then a correction is performed on at least one wasted energy parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Brody Engineering Ltd.
    Inventor: Chaim Brody
  • Publication number: 20100024452
    Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes an evaporator having a plurality of longitudinally extending, flattened heat exchange tubes disposed in parallel, spaced relationship. Each of the heat exchange tubes has a flattened cross-section and defining a plurality of discrete, longitudinally extending refrigerant flow passages. One or more frost detection sensor(s) is/are installed in operative association with the evaporator for detecting a presence of frost/ice formation on at one of the flattened heat exchange tubes and associated heat transfer fins. A defrost system is provided and operatively associated with the evaporator heat exchanger A controller, operatively coupled to the frost detection sensor(s) and to the defrost system, selectively activates the defrost system to initiate a defrost cycle of the evaporator in response to the signal indicative of the presence of frost formation on the flattened heat exchange tubes and heat transfer fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Jason Scarcella, Michael F. Taras
  • Patent number: 7454918
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Davern, Jack Devine, William B. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20080223049
    Abstract: An adaptive defrost control for a frozen product machine implements an algorithm that utilizes various operating parameters of the machine to adaptively adjust the time interval between successive defrost cycles in a manner such that defrost cycles occur only on an as-needed basis. The adaptive defrost control minimizes the time during which the machine is in a defrost cycle, thereby maximizing the uptime of the machine during which frozen can be prepared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Steve Every, John F. Paulius, David B. Gist, Santhosh Kumar, Gregory M. Billman, Daniel C. Leaver, Kyle B. Elsom, Nikolay Popov
  • Publication number: 20080202131
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable code for controlling a defrost cycle of a refrigeration device are disclosed. According to some embodiments, a defrost command is issued to a defrost heater at a time determined at least in part by a total wasted energy parameter of the compressor for at least one time interval. In some embodiments, time interval includes a plurality of runtimes, and the total wasted energy parameter of a runtime is measured relative to a chosen reference runtime such as a minimum energy runtime after a defrost or an early runtime after a defrost. Optionally, a sequence of wasted energy parameters of the compressor for a sequence of time intervals is analyzed, and then a correction is performed on at least one wasted energy parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Chaim Brody
  • Patent number: 7228692
    Abstract: A heat pump, and in particular a heat pump for heating a hot water supply is provided with an improved defrost mode. The defrost mode is actuated to remove frost from an outdoor evaporator that may accumulate during cold weather operation. An algorithm for operation of the defrost mode is developed experimentally by seeking to maximize the heat transfer provided by the refrigerant. A heating system condition is experimentally related to the heat transfer capacity. One then maximizes the average heat transfer capacity to determine the optimum initiation point for the defrost mode. Further, protections are included into the defrost mode. When the heat pump is utilized to heat hot water, methods are provided to prevent the water that remains in the heat exchanger from becoming unduly heated. In one method, the water pump may be periodically operated to move the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Julio Concha, Yu Chen, Young Kyu Park, Tobias H. Sienel
  • Patent number: 7210302
    Abstract: A no-frost refrigerator includes at least one storage compartment, an evaporator, which can be switched on and off and is disposed in a chamber that is separate from the storage compartment, and a fan for driving an exchange of air between the storage compartment and the chamber. Of the evaporator and fan, at least one can be operated while the other is switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Konopa
  • Patent number: 7131282
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for defrosting an absorption refrigerator comprising the steps of determining a defrost start time for defrosting of the low temperature compartment and higher temperature compartment, starting the absorption refrigerating system at the defrost start time independent of other control parameters determining start and stop of the absorption refrigerating system, detecting stop of the absorption refrigerating system, applying heat to the first tube section using the first heater, detecting end of low temperature compartment defrosting, starting the absorption refrigerating system after end of low temperature compartment defrosting, and applying heat to the second tube section using the second heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
    Inventors: Arne Karlsson, Ingemar Hallin, Carl Lindhagen, Fredrik Reithe, Anton Lundqvist
  • Patent number: 6851270
    Abstract: An integrated refrigeration control (IRC) module is disclosed which combines both thermal and electrical protection to the main components of a refrigerator and uses sensor inputs to control the compressor. The IRC module employs triacs (Q2, Q4, Q6, Q8, Q10) to control power to the start and run windings of the compressor motor, evaporator and compressor fans and the defrost heater. The module adaptively controls the refrigerator defrost cycle using pervious defrost cycle run times to determine new cumulative compressor run times. Also disclosed is the use of preventive defrost periods performed for brief periods at intervals between portions of the cumulative compressor run time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Kerry J. Denvir
  • Publication number: 20040074243
    Abstract: A no-frost refrigerator includes at least one storage compartment, an evaporator, which can be switched on and off and is disposed in a chamber that is separate from the storage compartment, and a fan for driving an exchange of air between the storage compartment and the chamber. Of the evaporator and fan, at least one can be operated while the other is switched off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Helmut Konopa
  • Patent number: 6668566
    Abstract: A system and a method of automatic defrost for a refrigeration appliance, including a hermetic compressor driven by an electric motor (1); a control unit (2); a thermal switch means (10) having a first and a second turn on condition and a turn off condition and another turn off condition of the electric motor (1); a timer (20), which measures the periods of time in the turn on and turn off conditions of the electric motor (1); a switch means (40), which selectively interrupts the energization of the electric motor (1), by instruction of the control unit (2); and a cycle counting means (30), which counts each first and second turn on conditions of the electric motor (1), the control unit (2) selectively activating the thermal switch means (10) to operate in determined turn on and turn off conditions of the electric motor (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Multibras S.A. Eletrodomesticos
    Inventors: Roberto de Medeiros Brun, Marco Eduardo Marques
  • Patent number: 6662578
    Abstract: A refrigeration system and method for controlling defrost includes a refrigeration case, an evaporator disposed in the refrigeration case, and a condenser and compressor coupled in fluid communication with the evaporator. The condenser is disposed on the refrigeration case and the compressor is a pulse width modulated variable capacity compressor. The system also includes a controller responsive to a load sensor disposed in the refrigeration case and is coupled to the compressor for providing a variable duty cycle control signal to the compressor, wherein the compressor is modulated between a first capacity and a second capacity while operating to adjust the operating capacity of the refrigeration system. The system further includes a module for periodically defrosting the refrigeration system as a function of duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventors: Hung M. Pham, Abtar Singh, Jean-Luc M. Caillat, Mark Bass
  • Publication number: 20030182951
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for defrosting an evaporator of a refrigeration sealed system is described. The system includes a controller operatively coupled to an evaporator fan, a condenser fan and a defrost heater, and the method includes operating the sealed system until a selected time till defrost interval expires, initiating a defrost cycle when the time till defrost interval expires, and selectively operating the sealed system to raise a temperature of the evaporator while the defrost heater is inactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Alexander Rafalovich, Ziqiang Hu, Anil Kumar Tummala, Richard DeVos
  • Patent number: 6622498
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for defrosting a refrigerator with two evaporators, and more particularly, to a method for defrosting a refrigerator with two evaporators, in which the two evaporators are operated on the same time when defrosting time points of the two evaporators are close. Moreover, when it is intended that the freezing chamber evaporator is defrosted, after the freezing chamber temperature and the storage chamber temperature are dropped to lower limits of temperature ranges, the freezing chamber evaporator is defrosted, and when the storage chamber is operative in a kimchi fermenting mode for fermenting kimchi, it is made that the storage chamber evaporator is not defrosted even if the storage chamber evaporator reaches to the defrosting period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joon Hyung Park, Jin Koo Park, Yang Gyu Kim, Se Young Kim, Yin Young Hwang, Sang Ho Seo, Eui Yeop Chung
  • Patent number: 6606870
    Abstract: A defrost control system for a self-defrosting refrigerator is configured to monitor a compressor load, determine whether at least a first defrost cycle is required based on the compressor load, execute at least one defrost cycle when required; and regulate the defrost cycle to conserve energy. A controller is operatively coupled to a compressor, a defrost heater, and a refrigeration compartment temperature sensor. The controller makes defrost decisions based on temperature conditions in the refrigeration compartment in light of other events, such as refrigerator door openings, completed defrost cycles, and power up events. Defrost cycles are automatically adjusted as operating conditions change, thereby avoiding unnecessary energy consumption that would otherwise occur in a fixed defrost cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John S. Holmes, Wolfgang Daum, Jerry J. Queen, II
  • Publication number: 20020152762
    Abstract: An alternating electric field at an ice interface generates conductivity AC with a frequency greater than 1000 Hz in interfacial ice. Typically, a first electrode and a second electrode define an interelectrode space containing a stack of freezer packages. Each freezer package has an outer dielectric film and a continuous inner conductive layer coating the inside of the dielectric film. An AC power source provides a voltage of about 10 to 500 volts across the electrodes. The first and last freezer packages in the stack are proximate to the first and second electrodes, respectively. The AC voltage generates conductivity AC in the inner conductive layers. An alternating electric field between adjacent conductive layers generates conductivity current in the ice, resulting in Joule heat, which melts the ice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventor: Victor F. Petrenko
  • Publication number: 20010054292
    Abstract: A cooling system and related method of defrosting a refrigeration unit or a freezer unit involves the steps of (a) monitoring a compressor running time, (b) monitoring an evaporator coil temperature, (c) monitoring a first time period since a last cooled compartment door open alarm of the unit, (d) monitoring a second time period since a last defrost operation, (e) monitoring a third time period during which the cooled compartment door is closed, and (f) controlling initiation of a defrost operation as a function of the monitored compressor running time, the monitored evaporator coil temperature, the monitored first time period, the monitored second time period, and the monitored third time period. Various sets of conditions may be established for triggering initiation of the defrost operation. The system may also detect refrigerant leaks and a clogged condenser as a function of compressor running time and compressor discharge line temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: Ronald Davis, Laura Lewis, Alvin Slade
  • Publication number: 20010015071
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of an externally mounted radiant reflector defrost heater, is a curved reflector combined by means of electrical insulators to a discrete heating means to form an apparatus to reduce ice buildup on a heat pump system's exterior unit heat exchangers through a non-reverse cycle defrost, via an apparatus which can be installed into a newly manufactured heat pump or by the retrofit of said apparatus onto an existing heat pump system, on site at location, said apparatus operating a non-reverse cycle defrost; independent of and uninterrupted by the said heat pump system's reversing valve defrost cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventor: Karl Vernon Lee Barnett
  • Patent number: 6260365
    Abstract: A cooling system and related method of defrosting a refrigeration unit or a freezer unit involves the steps of (a) monitoring a compressor running time, (b) monitoring an evaporator coil temperature, (c) monitoring a first time period since a last cooled compartment door open alarm of the unit, (d) monitoring a second time period since a last defrost operation, (e) monitoring a third time period during which the cooled compartment door is closed, and (f) controlling initiation of a defrost operation as a function of the monitored compressor running time, the monitored evaporator coil temperature, the monitored first time period, the monitored second time period, and the monitored third time period. Various sets of conditions may be established for triggering initiation of the defrost operation. The system may also detect refrigerant leaks and a clogged condenser as a function of compressor running time and compressor discharge line temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Traulsen & Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Davis, Laura Lewis, Alvin Slade
  • Patent number: 6178760
    Abstract: An air conditioner system for vehicles has an exterior heat exchanger, which is used as an evaporator at the time of heating operation. A control unit monitors the heating operation and stores a defrost flag when the heating operation continues for a predetermined time period, e.g., 20 minutes, under a low exterior air temperature below a predetermined temperature, e.g., 5° C. When an electric vehicle is at rest after the heating operation to charge its secondary battery with an electric power from an external power source, the control unit first starts a defrosting operation and starts a charging operation of the secondary battery after the completion of the defrosting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masaya Tanaka, Kunio Iritani
  • Patent number: 6131400
    Abstract: An operation control method for a refrigerator after a power-supply comeback due to a power-failure that performs a re-operation according to operation information stored before the power-failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Oh Seok, Yun-Seog Kang
  • Patent number: 6058724
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eun Kyung Park