6773results about "Defrosting" patented technology

A build-up monitoring system in combination with a refrigerated enclosure comprises a refrigerated enclosure having a drain, a drain basin and a refrigeration unit adapted to maintain refrigerating conditions in the refrigerated enclosure. A build-up detector is positioned with respect to the refrigerated enclosure so as to monitor a level of build-up in the drain/drain basin. A condition analyzer receives detection data from the build-up detector, the condition analyzer identifying from the detection data a build-up in the drain/drain basin requiring an intervention. An interface indicates the requirement for the intervention. A method is provided to identify a build-up requiring an intervention in a drain/drain basin of a refrigerated enclosure.

A method and system to monitor and determine energy consumption and energy efficiency of devices that use electrical and/or gas power is described. In one embodiment, a power monitoring system is configured to monitor electrical and/or gas power consumption of devices such as refrigerators, air-conditioners, washers, dryers, hot tubs, etc. Power consumption of the device is processed by the power monitoring system to determine the amount of power the device is consuming and the device's energy efficiency. In one embodiment, the power monitoring system transmits data associated with the device's power consumption, such as power efficiency, power cost, power usage, etc., to the device user and/or to a power supplier such as a utility company supplying the gas and/or electricity to the device. In one configuration, when the power efficiency of the device exceeds a predefined threshold, the user and/or power supplier is notified. The power monitoring system may be configured to be integral with and/or attached to the device being measured. The power monitoring system may provide an output on a display apparatus associated with the power monitoring system attached to the device being monitored and/or the output may be part of a graphics display on a computer monitor, for example.

A household appliance system and method include an appliance control system having a common appliance interface provided on an appliance and a demand side management module connected to the common appliance interface. The module corresponds to one select utility of a plurality of utilities and is adapted to communicate with the one select utility of the plurality of utilities. The appliance control system operates the appliance based on communications with the one select utility through the module.

A system for retaining and controlling the temperature of a beverage, suitable for installation in an automobile, includes a generally cylindrical, open-topped heat-conductive expandable cupholder, a heat-conductive liner, one or more thermoelectric devices located on a vertical exterior side of the cupholder, a heat sink contacting the thermoelectric device and thermally insulated from the cupholder; and a switch. The placement of the thermoelectric device and an improved arrangement for contact between the cupholder and the cup enable more efficient heat transfer.

Various systems and methods are described for a charge air cooler coupled to an engine. One example method comprises collecting condensate discharged from the cooler in a condensation trap coupled to an outside surface of a bend in an outlet duct of the cooler; during a first condition, temporarily storing the condensate in a reservoir of the condensation trap; and, during first and second conditions, releasing the condensate to the outlet duct in a direction of airflow via a tube.

An apparatus with a self heating feature includes a conductive component of the apparatus having conductive composite. The conductive component is adapted to couple with a source of electricity, and the conductive component heats up on passage of electricity. According to another aspect, a domestic appliance that requires heating for its operation, includes at least one part comprising a conductive composite, which heats up on passage of electricity and the part is adapted to couple with a power supply. According to another aspect a method for providing heating in an apparatus includes heating at least one conductive component of the apparatus. The heating is done by passing an electric current through the conductive component, and the conductive component comprises a conductive composite.

The present invention provides a unit cooler adapted for use in a refrigerated environment. The unit cooler includes a housing adapted to be positioned within the refrigerated environment and at least one microchannel evaporator coil supported by the housing. The at least one microchannel evaporator coil includes an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold. The inlet manifold has an inlet port for receiving refrigerant, and the outlet manifold has an outlet port for discharging the refrigerant.

The invention allows cool rooms or sea containers designed for frozen goods to handle produce requiring more precisely controlled temperatures and conditions, e.g., vegetables and fruits requiring temperatures in the chilling range and often also needing control or modification of the atmosphere. Each load of produce (100) (e.g. of pallet size) is held in the sea container or cool room but is sealed from the air of the refrigerated environment by, for example, a plastics bag (56). The atmosphere within the bag is then circulated by a fan (12) (or by convection currents from a heating element) so as to pass through the load and around it via ducts (30) provided adjacent the bag (56). Heat exchange (50) between the circulating gas and the refrigerated environment, via the plastics film, serves to cool the load. However, if cooling is excessive a heating element can be used to raise the temperature of the circulating atmosphere. Gas composition of the atmosphere can be controlled by scrubbing, flushing, etc. via pipes from a central unit or at each load individually or by choosing semi-permeable plastic for the sealing bags.

An autonomous water source (AWS) for extracting water from ambient air and delivering it to a plant to support growth. The system is based on an adsorption-desorption-condensation (ADC) cycle using a sorption material to extract moisture from ambient air and condensing the water vapor driven off from the sorption material by subsequent heating and followed by condensation. Liquid condensate produced in this process on the condenser is collected and delivered by gravity to a plant to reduce thermal stress and to support growth. The invention provides a sustainable source of irrigation water for agriculture and forestry, including areas where no water resources exist or are not economically viable. It can be tailored in size, and therefore, output capacity, reflecting the desired water requirements of a particular application, and can be used to replace most agricultural situations now reliant on surface water drip feed systems. The device is simple, rugged, invulnerable to rain, snow, and freezing conditions, and can be designed to last for many years without service as there are few moving parts and power required for operation is provided by sunlight.

In an ejector cycle device having an ejector, an evaporator is arranged in a refrigerant branch passage connected to a refrigerant suction port of the ejector, an opening/closing member for opening and closing a refrigerant passage is disposed to prevent refrigerant from flowing into the evaporator, and a control unit intermittently controls operation of the compressor. In the ejector cycle device, the control unit brings the opening/closing member into a closing state in a time period for which the operation of the compressor is stopped. Accordingly, it can restrict liquid refrigerant from collecting in the evaporator while the compressor is stopped.

According to certain embodiments disclosed in the present application, a climate controlled seating assembly includes a thermal module. The thermal module comprises at least one inlet channel, at least one outlet channel and a thermoelectric device (e.g., Peltier circuit) positioned upstream of the outlet channel. In one embodiment, the seating assembly includes a sensor positioned within an interior of the thermal module and configured to detect the presence of a liquid, such as water, condensation or other fluids, on or near said sensor. In certain arrangements, the sensor is configured to detect the presence of a liquid by measuring an electrical resistance or capacitance across a portion of the sensor. A climate control system can include a separator gasket located within a housing of a fluid module and at least partially between the cold passage and the hot passage. In some embodiments, the separator gasket comprises one or more wicking materials. The separator gasket can be configured to transport liquids from the cold passage to the hot passage.

The present invention is directed to a water making device that collects the moisture contained in the atmosphere and condenses it into high purity water. In one embodiment, moist air entering the water making/water cooling system flows across an air filter, then a precooler heat exchanger (where the air stream is cooled to or close to its dew point) and then a water extraction heat exchanger, where the air stream is cooled further and water is extracted. The water that leaves water extraction heat exchanger is collected in a water collection device and passes from there through a primary water filter into a water storage tank. The air stream then passes across a reheat heat exchanger and exhausted to the outside. A water circulation pump extracts water from the water storage tank and circulates the water stream through an evaporator of a vapor compression refrigeration system, where the water stream is chilled, then through the water extraction heat exchanger and precooler, where the incoming air stream is chilled by removing heat to the water stream. The water stream is then circulated through the reheat heat exchanger, where the water stream is again cooled by removing heat to the cool dry air exiting the water extraction heat exchanger. Finally, the cooled water stream is circulated through the water filter to a three way valve, that directs water flow either to a dispenser or back to the water storage tank.

A control system for a refrigeration system having a refrigeration compartment and a quick chill/thaw pan. A main controller board, electrically connected to a temperature adjustment board and a dispenser board through the serial communications bus, controls the temperature of the refrigeration compartment and the quick chill/thaw pan. The control system accepts a plurality of inputs to determine a refrigeration mode and to execute a plurality of software algorithms to control the refrigeration compartment as both a chill pan to rapidly chill food and beverage items without freezing and a thaw pan to timely thaw frozen items at controlled temperature levels.

Systems and methods are disclosed for extracting freshwater from atmospheric humidity in extremely hot and humid climates and supplying freshwater to a small group of people, a building, a farm, or forestation area. The freshwater is treated to provide drinking water by disinfecting to eliminate microorganisms and filtration to remove suspended particulates from air, erosion or corrosion products, and disinfected waste. Compact units provide drinking water for individuals, passengers in cars, vans, trucks, or recreational boats, or crewmembers on a seagoing cargo ship whether from atmospheric humidity or from moisture-laden gases. Furthermore, systems are disclosed for the ample supply of freshwater with minimal treatment for small- to large-sized buildings in a manner that alleviates the heat load on buildings. Collection of freshwater from hot humid ambient air is also provided for other uses, such as irrigation and farm animal drinking. Various methods are used for condensation of water vapor suspended in the air as alternative to conventional refrigeration cycles using CFC refrigerants. Devices are disclosed using naturally occurring brackish cold water, circulation of cooling water cooled by thermoelectric cooling or thermoacoustic refrigeration as well as evaporative cooling and transpiration cooling. Water produced by the systems may flow under gravitational forces entirely or with the assistance of boasting pumps.

A water producing system adapted to condense water from the air and collected in a storage tank were the water is purified and bacteria is killed. An additive device is configured to supplement additives to the water such as minerals. An additive control system supplements the water and controls the amount of additives therein. One form of killing the bacteria is utilizing an ozone injection system with a filter system to remove the ozone before the water is dispensed.

An improved anti-sweat heater control system is disclosed for reducing and/or eliminating sweat on cooled surfaces of a refrigerated container. A method for reducing or eliminating sweat from forming on cooled surfaces of a refrigerated container is also disclosed. A refrigerated container incorporating the anti-sweat heater control is also disclosed.

An ice making and dispensing system suitable for making and dispensing ice through the refrigerator compartment door of a bottom freezer refrigerator. The ice maker is positioned in an insulated sub-compartment in the refrigerator compartment maintained at a temperature below 0° C. An insulated ice cube storage bin and ice dispenser are positioned on the refrigerator compartment door for dispensing ice cubes through the face of the refrigerator compartment door.

Provided is an ice maker that includes a mold including a plurality of cavities for receiving water to be frozen into ice pieces, a driver operatively connected to the mold for adjusting a position of the mold to a plurality of different locations during an ice making cycle, and a controller. A limit switch is located at a plurality of different positions along a range of travel of the mold to be actuated and transmit a signal indicative of the mold's arrival at the different locations. The mold can travel along path including first portion having a first axis of rotation and a substantially vertical portion, and can be driven by a motor with a drive shaft rotatable about a single axis of rotation. The motor can drive both the mold and a bail arm, and the mold can be leveled upon reaching a predetermined location. The ice maker can perform a Dry Cycle in response to detecting an anomaly during ice making.

A commercial refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a valve, and an evaporator coil, all of which are in fluid communication. The refrigeration system further including a fixture adapted to be cooled by the evaporator coil, a system controller operable to control operation of the refrigeration system, and a subsystem controller in communication with the system controller. The subsystem controller being operable to monitor at least one parameter of a subsystem having at least one of the compressor, condenser, valve, and fixture, and being further operable to execute a command from the system controller to affect the operation of the subsystem.

A water producing system adapted to condense water from the air and collected in a storage tank were the water is purified and bacteria is killed. One form of killing the bacteria is utilizing a circulation line with a filter system to remove the ozone before the water is dispensed. A circulation line is to prevent dead legs in the system which can lead to bacteria production.

An air passage has a blow-out side opening opposed to a position other than the longitudinal ends of a blow-out port of a decorative panel. The width of a louver, as determined in an air-blowing direction, decreases from a longitudinal center of the louver to the ends of the louver.