Abstract: A refrigerator includes a low-temperature storage compartment damper to control supply of cool air to a low-temperature storage compartment, a high-temperature storage compartment damper to control supply of hot air to a high-temperature storage compartment, and a controller to control the low-temperature storage compartment damper to be opened and the high-temperature storage compartment damper to be closed while controlling a compressor and blowing fan to be driven so that the temperature of the low-temperature storage compartment reaches a low set temperature, to control the driving of the compressor and blowing fan to be stopped and the low-temperature storage compartment damper to be closed when the temperature of the low-temperature storage compartment reaches the low set temperature, and to control a defrosting heater and the blowing fan to be driven and the high-temperature storage compartment damper to be opened when the supply of cool air is stopped.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for monitoring a condition and selectively executing a certification defrost algorithm for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in response to the status of the monitored condition. A system and a method are provided for selectively operating a certification defrost algorithm in parallel to a field defrost algorithm. A system and a method are also provided for causing a controller to execute a first algorithm and for causing the controller to selectively execute a second algorithm while also executing the first algorithm where each of the first algorithm and the second algorithm are configured to selectively cause the HVAC system to operate in a defrost mode.

Abstract: An air-conditioner for a vehicle includes a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle, a determination unit and a controller. The refrigeration cycle includes a compressor, an inside condenser, an outside heat exchanger, and an inside evaporator. The refrigeration cycle is capable of operating an outside-air heat-absorption heating operation in which refrigerant absorbs heat at the outside heat exchanger and radiates heat at the inside condenser, and an inside-air heat-absorption heating operation in which refrigerant absorbs heat at the inside evaporator and radiates heat at the inside condenser. The determination unit determines whether or not the outside heat exchanger freezes. The controller changes over the outside-air heat-absorption heating operation to the inside-air heat-absorption heating operation when the determination unit determines that the outside heat exchanger freezes.

Abstract: A method of defrosting a transcritical vapor compression system having a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a first heat exchanger for cooling the refrigerant during a cooling mode, an expansion valve for decreasing the pressure of the refrigerant, and a second heat exchanger for cooling a space during the cooling mode. The method includes attaining a superheated refrigerant condition in a defrost mode of the transcritical vapor compression system and defrosting the second heat exchanger in the defrost mode by directing the superheated refrigerant to the second heat exchanger without bypassing the first heat exchanger.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for and a method of reducing and/or avoiding ice formation inside a cooling space (41) of a refrigerated transport container (1) comprising at least a cooling unit (40) and an evaporator (16) located in the cooling space (41), where the cooling unit (40) comprises at least an intermittently operated compressor (6) operated between a first active state and a second less active state, and wherein the method comprises: reducing and/or avoiding ice formation inside the cooling space (41), when the system is operated at a temperature setpoint where a potential risk of ice build-up on the external surface of the evaporator exists, by altering a cycling of the compressor (6) between the first active state and the second less active state such that the number of melting-refreezing cycles at an external surface of the evaporator is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air conditioner in an electric vehicle, and more particularly to an air conditioner in an electric vehicle, which can make continuous heating operation even in defrosting operation, can enhance heating efficiency and performance even in the defrosting operation, and can recover heat discharged from various components of the electric vehicle even in the defrosting operation for preventing liquid refrigerant from being introduced to a compressor.

Abstract: To obtain an air-conditioning apparatus that is capable of performing an effective defrosting operation, as well as saving energy, the air-conditioning apparatus has a heating operation mode that heats a heat medium in at least one of the heat exchangers related to heat medium, a heat recovery defrosting operation mode that melts frost attached to a heat source side heat exchanger—during the heating operation mode by operating at least one of the pumps and by making a heat source side refrigerant receive heat from the heat medium that is flowing in the at least one of the heat exchangers related to heat medium, and a bypass defrosting operation mode that melts frost attached to the heat source side heat exchanger during the heating operation mode by passing a portion or all of the heat source side refrigerant through a bypass piping.

Abstract: An auxiliary heater control device can be readily attached to a hot water heating system configured with a simple water circuit without a hot water storage tank, and is capable of preventing freezing of circulating water such that use of an auxiliary heater is minimized. When a sensed temperature tS sensed by a temperature sensor is in a range, a control device increases a rotational speed of a circulation pump. When the sensed temperature tS is in a range, the control device increases the rotational speed of the circulation pump and lowers an operating frequency of a compressor. When the sensed temperature tS is in a range, the control device increases the rotational speed of the circulation pump, lowers the operating frequency of the compressor, and activates an auxiliary heater.

Abstract: To achieve a reduction in power consumption by allowing a plurality of air conditioners to communicate with each other and thereby leveling their air-conditioning capacities with no load variations involved by temperature variations. An air-conditioning apparatus 100 may include a plurality of air conditioners and a computing section for control, where each air conditioner includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit that form a closed refrigeration cycle. The indoor units of the plurality of air conditioners are installed in an area to be air-conditioned. The computing section for control may allow the plurality of air conditioners to communicate with each other, thereby leveling their air-conditioning capacities based on air-conditioning load detected by each air conditioner.

Abstract: An outdoor unit for an air conditioning system includes a tank to store defrosting liquid, a nozzle to apply defrosting liquid from the tank to a heat exchanger, a valve to control flow of the defrosting liquid between the tank and nozzle, and a controller to control the valve based on a temperature of the heat exchanger and a number of times the valve has been set to an open state during a heating mode of the air conditioning system.

Abstract: In at least some embodiments, an air handler includes a coil and a fan. The air handler also includes an auxiliary heat source having a plurality of heat elements. The auxiliary heat source implements a wear-leveling algorithm to cycle use of the heat elements over multiple auxiliary heat cycles.

Abstract: An aircraft fuel tank ventilation system, comprising a refrigerative dehumidifying device having a refrigerating element in contact with air flowing between a vent open to the atmosphere and a fuel tank. Also, a method of dehumidifying air introduced into an aircraft fuel tank via the ventilation system, the method comprising directing atmospheric air from the vent into contact with the refrigerating element, and cooling the refrigerating element so as to remove water vapour from the air flowing from the vent towards the fuel tank by condensation. An aircraft fuel tank ventilation system, comprising a refrigerative dehumidifying device having a refrigerating element in contact with air flowing between a vent open to the atmosphere and a fuel tank.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for terminating a refrigeration unit's defrost function. The refrigeration unit comprises an evaporator, a temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the evaporator during a defrost function, and a controller configured to calculate the rate of temperature change and terminate the defrost function when the rate meets a specified criteria, such as a predetermined rate or a sharp increase in the rate after the evaporator temperature has increased above the freezing point of water.

Abstract: A defrost fan control device for a refrigerator is provided. The device comprises a container, a heat exchanger, a chamber, a suction pump, a condensate spraying device, an evaporation coil, and a blower. The suction pump is for sucking up the condensate from the container. The condensate spraying device is for spraying the condensate sucked up by the suction pump within the chamber. The evaporation coil is disposed around the condensate spraying device such that the condensate from the suction pump lands on an inner surface of the evaporation coil and evaporates the condensate. The blower is for inducing air flow within the chamber, whereby the evaporated condensate is exhausted from the chamber.

Abstract: The presently disclosed invention uses a heating and cooling circuit to produce both heating and cooling effects through one single air-conditioning unit. It operates in one refrigeration cycle to provide both heating and cooling effects to control the temperature in an electric vehicle's passenger compartment. It also includes a self heat-up component to prevent the outside heat exchanger from getting frozen when the outside temperature drops below 32° F.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes a heat generating member, an electromagnetic induction heating unit, an air conditioning target space temperature detecting unit, an outdoor air temperature detecting unit, and a control unit. The heat generating member thermally contacts a refrigerant piping and/or refrigerant that flows through the refrigerant piping. The electromagnetic induction heating unit includes a magnetic field generating part that generating part generates a magnetic field in order to heat the heat generating member by induction heating. The control unit, when the refrigeration cycle is performing heating operation or defrosting operation, inhibits the generation of the magnetic field by the magnetic field generating part when the temperature of the space to be air conditioned and the outside air temperature do not satisfy a first prescribed condition or when a difference between a target set temperature and the temperature of the space does not satisfy a second prescribed condition.

Abstract: Liquefied natural gas is regasified to form natural gas, including circulation of an intermediate fluid between a vaporizer and an ambient air heater, where the intermediate fluid is warmed by exchanging heat with the ambient air as the intermediate fluid passes through the ambient air heater, and the intermediate fluid is cooled by exchanging heat with LNG as the intermediate fluid passes through the vaporizer. The ambient air heater is subjected to a defrosting cycle by intermittently regulating the temperature of the intermediate fluid fed to the ambient air heater to a temperature greater than zero degrees Celsius using a source of supplemental heat.

Abstract: A frost protection system is described for a condensate drain pipe for a boiler, air-conditioning unit etc to protect an outdoors run of the pipe. The system comprises an outdoors temperature sensor, a heater, and a controller for activating the heater in dependence upon the temperature sensed by the sensor. The heater is in the form of a flexible line (for example an electrical cable with a resistive filament). The heater (or a connection for it) passes through a fitting in the pipe indoors, and the heater extends along the inside of the outdoors run of the pipe. In cold weather, the controller activates the heater to produce heat inside the drain pipe and thus reduce the risk of the condensate freezing.

Abstract: A cryogenic system comprises: a liquid helium vessel containing liquid helium (LHe) in which are immersed superconducting magnet windings (20); a helium condenser (30); a neck (32) providing fluid communication between the liquid helium vessel and the helium condenser; a heater (42) disposed outside of and not surrounding the neck; and a thermally conductive passive deicing member (50) disposed in the neck, the thermally conductive passive deicing member thermally coupled with the heater to conduct heat from the heater into the neck. A deicing method for deicing a neck (32) of a liquid helium vessel of a superconducting magnet system comprises generating heat at a location (30, 42) outside of the neck and conducting an amount of the generated heat effective for deicing the neck from outside of the neck through an opening of the neck and into the neck to deice the neck.

Abstract: A method for defrosting an evaporator of a refrigeration sealed system, the system including at least one refrigeration compartment and a controller operatively coupled to a compressor, an evaporator, an evaporator fan and a condenser fan, wherein the method includes initiating a defrost cycle, operating the sealed system to prechill the refrigeration compartment, and selectively operating the evaporator fan and the condenser fan to raise a temperature of the evaporator.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a controller and a closed system that includes a condensing heat exchanger coil, an evaporating heat exchanger coil, a refrigerant and a compressor. The compressor is configured to compress the refrigerant, thereby causing the refrigerant to have a greater pressure in the condensing heat exchanger coil than in the evaporating heat exchanger coil. The controller is configured to perform a passive defrost of the evaporating heat exchanger coil. The passive defrost includes disabling the compressor and providing a bypass path between the condensing and evaporating heat exchanger coils that bypasses the compressor. The bypass path allows the refrigerant to flow from the condensing heat exchanger coil to the evaporating heat exchanger coil while the compressor is disabled.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling automatic defrost of a refrigerator device are provided. The system adaptively moves the defrost cycle to low usage times based on an evaluation of compressor usage in a daily cycle.

Abstract: A method for defrost control of a refrigerator having a refrigeration and defrost system that includes a compressor, an evaporator, an evaporator fan and a heater. The refrigerator also has a control system to control the operation of the refrigerator. The method includes stopping the compressor operation; starting a defrost process; starting the heater; maintaining a start state over a preset period of time; closing off the heater; and starting the compressor. After starting the compressor and before the evaporator fan is started to perform the refrigeration operation, the evaporator fan is operated at least once briefly and intermittently.

Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle includes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle switchable between a heat pump cycle and a cooler cycle, a heat core configured to heat air to be blown into a vehicle compartment by using coolant of an engine of the vehicle as a heat source, and a controller configured to control operation of the vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The controller controls the vapor compression refrigeration cycle to be operated as the cooler cycle so as to perform a defrosting control of the outdoor heat exchanger, and outputs an operation request signal to the engine, when the controller determines that the outdoor heat exchanger is frosted.

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

Abstract: A refrigerating air conditioning system is provided with a refrigerant circuit which includes a compressor 3, an indoor heat exchanger 6, a first pressure reducing device 10, an outdoor heat exchanger 11, and a switching device 4 for switching a direction of a refrigerant flow between heating and cooling modes for supplying heat from the indoor heat exchanger 6. In the system, a refrigerant temperature detection sensor 14c of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and an outdoor air temperature detection sensor 14d are provided for determining a state of a frost formed on the outdoor heat exchanger 11. Two types of defrosting inhibition time values ?1 and ?3 are allowed to be set in accordance with a previous defrosting time ?2 for continuously performing heating operation.

Abstract: Based on a result of detection taken by the high-low pressure difference detection means (93, 97) for detecting a difference between a high and a low pressure of a refrigeration cycle, an estimate of whether there is leakage of refrigerant in an expansion valve (52) is made. Based on the result detected by the high-low pressure difference detection means (93, 97), a control means (81) sets a reference temperature (T3) to a value corresponding to the degree of refrigerant leakage in the expansion valve (52).

Abstract: A conversion unit for an air conditioning system to cause it to act like the cooling unit of a refrigeration system comprises a frost detector, an A/C temperature control defeating mechanism and a control unit which operate together to force the range of operation of the air conditioning unit into the range of operation of a refrigeration unit. The conversion unit is particularly useful for providing low cost cooling systems for farmers in third world countries for keeping their produce fresh and safe, not to mention its use by all farmers around the world and by florists or others in need or desire of an economical refrigeration alternative. The present invention is also usable to provide inexpensive cooling to RV's and to refrigerated vehicles.

Abstract: A medium and low-temperature integrated refrigeration/freezing system (100) has the function of discharge gas defrosting. It comprises medium and low-temperature compressors sets (120, 122) and medium and low-temperature evaporators, as well as control valves (141, 142, 143, 144), adjusting valves (145, 146), one-way valves (147, 148) and expansion valves (150, 152, 154), and the switching between a refrigerating cycle and the discharge gas defrosting cycle is performed by the combination of actions between multiple control valves. When a first control valve is opened, a second valve is closed and a fourth valve is closed to the refrigerant pipeline to said reservoir, the refrigerating cycle operation is performed; and when the first control valve is closed, the second valve is opened and the fourth valve is closed to the refrigerant pipeline of an intercooler (128), the discharge gas defrosting operation is performed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a defrost operating method for a refrigerator which performs a defrost operation by controlling operations of a compressor and a fan on the basis of a continuous operation time of the compressor and surface temperatures of evaporators to prevent frost from being formed on the evaporators, when cool air is generated in a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber by circulating refrigerants through a refrigeration cycle built in a refrigerator main body and forcibly circulated bX rotating the fan. The defrost operating method for the refrigerator can omit a general defrosting heater by performing the defrost operation by using the compressor and the fan. In addition, the defrost operating method for the refrigerator improves heat exchange efficiency and reduces power consumption by efficiently performing the defrost operation.

Abstract: A method includes sensing an exposure of a refrigerated compartment of a vending machine to ambient air and, in response, sensing an initial temperature of the refrigerated compartment. The method also includes, responsive to sensing the exposure to ambient air, selecting a procedure from a plurality of procedures according to the sensed initial temperature, and controlling a refrigeration system of the vending machine using the selected procedure during an initial period. The method may include sensing a current temperature of the vending machine and, once the refrigerated compartment reaches a second predetermined temperature, controlling the refrigeration system according to the sensed current temperature, monitoring an operational characteristic of a compressor of the refrigeration system, and performing a defrost procedure according to the monitored operational characteristic.

Abstract: In an air-conditioner control unit, when pollen mode control is set by a vehicle occupant to perform the pollen mode control that can provide a defogging effect while maintaining the pollen removal effect, the opening of an air inlet door is forcibly set to an inside-air introduction mode (S330) when the following two conditions hold: ambient temperature Tam is higher than a threshold (5 to 6° C.) set in a low-temperature region (S320), and a compressor system is able to operate normally without causing an abnormal pressure (S330). If even one of these conditions does not hold, the opening of the air inlet door is not forcibly set to the inside-air introduction mode, and the air inlet door is operated as in normal control. In this way, in the pollen mode control, since the pollen removal effect in the inside-air introduction mode is enabled only when the ambient air is relatively high, the occurrence of windshield fogging can be suppressed.

Abstract: A method for controlling the defrost of an evaporator in a refrigeration appliance provided with a compressor and in which a temperature sensor (TP) is used for detecting the temperature inside a cell of the appliance, comprises the steps of estimating the temperature of the evaporator on the basis of the cell temperature (TP) and of a mathematical model of the refrigeration appliance, and controlling the compressor on the basis of the estimated temperature of the evaporator.

Abstract: A refrigerating air conditioning system is provided with a refrigerant circuit which includes a compressor 3, an indoor heat exchanger 6, a first pressure reducing device 10, an outdoor heat exchanger 11, and a switching device 4 for switching a direction of a refrigerant flow between heating and cooling modes for supplying heat from the indoor heat exchanger 6. In the system, a refrigerant temperature detection sensor 14c of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and an outdoor air temperature detection sensor 14d are provided for determining a state of a frost formed on the outdoor heat exchanger 11. Two types of defrosting inhibition time values ?1 and ?3 are allowed to be set in accordance with a previous defrosting time ?2 for continuously performing heating operation.

Abstract: A control method for a refrigerator is provided. In the method, operating conditions of a compressor are determined through a defrost sensor mounted to an evaporator to reduce power consumption. Because the operating conditions of the compressor are determined according to the temperature of the evaporator, cooling efficiency of the refrigerator can be improved, and power consumption can be reduced.

Abstract: Defrosting operation is possible by causing refrigerant discharged from a compressor to flow to an outdoor heat exchanger, and returning the refrigerant passed through the outdoor heat exchanger to the compressor through a water-heat exchanger, while operating a pump. Quick defrosting operation is possible by causing refrigerant discharged from a compressor to flow to an outdoor heat exchanger, and returning the refrigerant passed through the outdoor heat exchanger directly to the compressor, while stopping a pump. The temperature of water that has flowed into a water-heat exchanger is detected. According to the detected temperature, the defrosting operation using hot water and quick defrosting operation are selectively executed.

Abstract: A timer is provided. The timer includes a rotatable electrically non-conducting ratchet gear, an electrically conducting pawl mechanism, and an electronic drive circuit. The ratchet gear has a plurality of teeth. The electrically conducting pawl mechanism includes a pawl configured to engage one of the plurality of teeth on the ratchet gear. The an electronic drive circuit is electrically coupled to the pawl mechanism. The electronic drive circuit passes a current through the pawl mechanism such that the pawl advances the ratchet gear by one tooth pitch.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a vehicle HVAC system to automatically defog a windshield glass and to prevent fogging or condensation of the windshield glass. The ambient air temperature and vehicle speed are measured and used to determine a windshield glass temperature. The in-cabin air temperature and relative humidity are measured and used to determine a dewpoint. An dewpoint margin is calculated to compensate for sensor accuracy and fog predictability. A fog margin, which is based upon calculated windshield glass temperature and dewpoint, is calculated and used, in conjunction with the dewpoint margin, to control the HVAC system to anticipate potential fogging conditions and to scale the intensity of the HVAC system response based upon the severity of fogging conditions.

Abstract: A cooling unit apparatus and method for controlling a defrost cycle using a multi-parameter defrost control system. The unit includes a refrigeration assembly with a compressor and an evaporator, a defrost temperature sensor that senses a temperature related to the defrost cycle, a controller configured to control a defrost cycle based on an elapsed defrost time and the defrost temperature. The controller is programmed with a defrost set point and a maximum defrost time. The controller ends the defrost cycle when the elapsed defrost time is greater than the maximum defrost time or when the defrost temperature is greater than the defrost set point, whichever occurs first.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for thawing a frozen food item, including a chamber dimensioned to receive the frozen food item, a heat exchanger operable to either heat air in the chamber or to cool the air in the chamber, a fan for creating a flow of the air within the chamber; and a tray disposed in the chamber and having an upper surface adapted to receive and support a lower surface of the frozen food item. The tray is adapted to receive a portion of the flow of air and to provide the portion of the flow of air to the lower surface of the food item such that the portion of the flow of air is distributed across the lower surface of the food item and directed upwardly about the food item.

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.

Abstract: A system and humidity control method is provided for a multi-stage cooling system having two or more refrigerant circuits that balances humidity control and cooling demand. Each refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator. A hot gas reheat circuit having a hot gas reheat coil is connected to one of the refrigerant circuits and is placed in fluid communication with the output airflow from the evaporator of that refrigerant circuit to provide additional dehumidification to the air when humidity control is requested. The hot gas reheat circuit bypasses the condenser of the refrigerant circuit during humidity control. Humidity control is performed during cooling operations and ventilation operations. During a first stage cooling operation using only one refrigerant circuit and having a low cooling demand, the request for humidity control activates the hot gas reheat circuit for dehumidification and activates a second refrigerant circuit to provide cooling capacity.

Abstract: Air conditioner, and method for controlling an operation of the same, the air conditioner including a sheath heater in the accumulator for heating the refrigerant in room heating for delaying deposition of frost on the outdoor heat exchanger. The sheath heater includes a coil formed heat generating part, and two electrodes connected to the heat generating part for supplying power. The method including the step of varying the heat generating rate of the sheath heater with an exterior temperature or a capacity of the indoor unit, thereby delaying deposition of frost on the outdoor heat exchanger.

Abstract: A heat exchanger liquid refrigerant defrost system disclosed herein specifically designed to defrost the coil subsystems used on an outdoor heat exchanger used on a building heat pump unit or combination heat pump/air condition unit. The outdoor heat exchanger contains at least two coil subsystems each including having a first secondary bypass check valve, a secondary liquid line, a bypass solenoid, a suction solenoid, and a metering device. During use, the flow of warm liquid refrigerant through the coil subsystems is selectively controlled to defrost the coil subsystem one chamber at a time. The other coil subsystems continue to exchange heat and warm the building. When all of the coils systems are sequentially defrosted, all of the coil subsystems may operate in a heating mode or begin the defrost cycle again. Two important benefits of the system over a conventional heat exchanger are the amount of energy required to defrost the coil subsystem is reduced and a supplemental heat source is not needed.

Abstract: A freezing prevention system for a refrigeration device includes a freezing-prevention temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant temperature in a refrigerant evaporator, and a control unit for controlling operation of a refrigerant compressor based on the detected refrigerant temperature. The control unit includes a calculating means for calculating an integral value of the detected refrigerant temperature integrating with respect to a passed time after the detected refrigerant temperature becomes equal to or lower than 0° C. When the integral value becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the control unit stops the operation of the refrigerant compressor. Accordingly, the freezing prevention system can accurately perform a freezing prevention control while its production cost can be reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that provides supplemental heat from a heat source based upon the operating environment of a refrigeration or freezer. The supplemental heat is automatically controlled to provide heating to a sealing area to prevent condensation from forming.

Abstract: A damper apparatus for controlling airflow between compartments in a two compartment refrigerator having a door includes a controller for controlling opening and closing of a damper; and a door sensor connected to the controller for detecting when the door is open. If the controller determines that the door has remained closed for a set period, the controller maintains the damper in the closed position. A method for cleaning a damper in a refrigerator includes a steps of defrosting a refrigeration apparatus of the refrigerator, at least partially opening the damper, followed by waiting for a set period and then at least partially closing the damper. The steps of at least partially opening and waiting are repeated a set number of times and then a cooling operation of the refrigeration apparatus is commenced.

Abstract: A refrigerator and a defrosting method thereof which are capable of achieving an appropriate defrosting operation even when a part of constituent elements included in a defrosting system fails. The defrosting method includes the steps of determining whether or not a predetermined first defrosting completion condition is usable, if the predetermined first defrosting completion condition is usable, executing a first defrosting mode, which uses the predetermined first defrosting completion condition, and if the predetermined first defrosting completion condition is not usable, executing a second defrosting mode, which uses a predetermined second defrosting completion condition different from the predetermined first defrosting completion condition, and a defrosting execution determination condition different from that of the first defrosting mode.

Abstract: The compressor head, internal and/or external discriminator, and manifold design in general utilize ball valves on the suction and discharge of a cylinder head in the recovery of refrigerant liquid and/or vapor. The device facilitates the flashing of liquid refrigerant pumped to the compressor which, in turn, assists to cool the compressor head. The flashing of liquid refrigerant to vapor also deters liquid transfer into the compressor enhancing performance thereof. The vapor passages within the discriminator, cylinder head and/or manifold are sized for receipt of spring actuated ball's to open and/or close the vapor passages during suction and/or discharge of refrigerant vapor or liquid by the compressor.