Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090293514 | COOLING SYSTEM FOR REFRIGERATOR - A cooling system for a refrigerator having a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment separated by a partition, includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; a condenser for condensing the compressed refrigerant; an evaporator having a freezer compartment portion and a fresh food compartment portion; wherein the freezer compartment portion of the evaporator cools a freezer compartment, and the fresh food compartment portion of the evaporator cools a fresh food compartment. The fresh food compartment portion of the evaporator projects into a passage formed in the partition which passage extends between the fresh food compartment portion of the evaporator and the fresh food compartment. | 12-03-2009 |
20100037635 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING A REFRIGERANT - A method and a recovery container for collecting a hydrocarbon refrigerant are disclosed. The method includes releasing the hydrocarbon refrigerant from the refrigeration system, and collecting the released hydrocarbon refrigerant with a recovery container containing a hydrocarbon refrigerant adsorptive substance thereby binding the released hydrocarbon refrigerant to the hydrocarbon refrigerant adsorptive substance. | 02-18-2010 |
20100037636 | METHOD FOR SERVICING A REFRIGERATION SYSTEM - A method for servicing a refrigeration system is disclosed. The refrigeration system contains a refrigerant and has a compressor, a high-side section and a low-side section. The method includes the steps of releasing the refrigerant from the refrigeration system from the high-side section; collecting the released refrigerant with a recovery container containing a refrigerant adsorptive substance; charging the refrigeration system with inert gas from the low-side section; and discharging the inert gas from the refrigeration system from the high-side section. | 02-18-2010 |
20100115985 | REFRIGERATOR - A refrigerator includes a main body defining a compartment, the compartment having an access opening, a first wall and a heat exchanger supported by the first wall; a refrigeration system containing therein a working medium and including an evaporator which is disposed outside of the compartment for cooling the compartment; a door supported by the main body for selectively closing at least part of the access opening of the compartment; and a sub-compartment on the door and including a second wall with an opening. The heat exchanger is coolable by the working medium. The heat exchanger and the second wall are positioned so that when the door is in a closed position, the heat exchanger is exposed to an interior of the sub-compartment through the opening. | 05-13-2010 |
20100242526 | REFRIGERATOR - 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 comprising 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, and a refrigeration system having a working medium for cooling the heat exchanger, where the heat exchanger further includes one or more segments of the refrigeration system attached to a heat exchanging plate. | 09-30-2010 |
20100313589 | TUBULAR ELEMENT - A tubular element including a wall defining therein an inner cavity, and a plurality of microchannels supported by the wall and extending along a length of the wall. | 12-16-2010 |
20100326096 | CONTROL SYTEM FOR BOTTOM FREEZER REFRIGERATOR WITH ICE MAKER IN UPPER DOOR - 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. A controller is configured to adjust a speed of the fan in dependence of the temperature of the heat-exchanging plate detected by the thermistor. | 12-30-2010 |
20110239673 | WATER HEATER CONTAINING A PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL - An appliance includes a water heater storage tank, a heating assembly configured to heat water within the water heater storage tank, and a heat exchange device disposed within the heat storage unit in a fixed relationship relative to a position of the heating assembly. The heat exchange device includes a hollow object and a phase change material within the hollow object. | 10-06-2011 |
20110308269 | APPARATUS FOR PELLETIZING ICE WITHIN A REFRIGERATOR - An apparatus and refrigerator for creating ice pellets is disclosed. The apparatus and refrigerator include a compartment, an ice storage bin positioned in the compartment and configured to store whole ice cubes therein, and a pellet ice dispenser. The pellet ice dispenser includes a first motor, a first axle drivingly connected to a shaft of the first motor, a first ice cube auger drivingly connected to the first axle, a blade downstream of the first ice cube auger and configured to shave whole ice cubes into ice pieces, and an ice pelleter. The ice pelleter includes an extrusion die disposed downstream of the blade, a shaved ice auger disposed between the blade and the extrusion die and configured to move and compress the ice pieces through the extrusion die to form pellet ice. | 12-22-2011 |
20120000240 | REFRIGERANT COOLING DEVICE - A refrigeration system for an appliance includes a compression stage, a condenser stage, and an evaporation stage. The condenser stage includes a first condenser coupled to the compression stage and a pressure restriction device coupled between the first condenser and the evaporation stage. | 01-05-2012 |
20120017464 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REFRIGERATION CYCLE WITH AUXILIARY HEATING - An apparatus includes a mechanical refrigeration cycle arrangement in turn including an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and an expansion device, cooperatively interconnected. A drum is provided to receive clothes to be dried. An auxiliary heater is included, as is a duct and fan arrangement configured to pass air over the condenser and the heater, and through the drum. A sensor is located to sense high side temperature and/or high side pressure of the mechanical refrigeration cycle arrangement. A controller is coupled to the sensor and the auxiliary heater, and is operative to: activate the auxiliary heater during a startup transient of the mechanical refrigeration cycle arrangement; monitor the high side temperature and/or high side pressure, during the startup transient; and de-activate the auxiliary heater in response to the high side temperature and/or high side pressure reaching a first predetermined value. | 01-26-2012 |
20120017466 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REFRIGERATION CYCLE CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT - An apparatus includes a mechanical refrigeration cycle arrangement having a working fluid and an evaporator, a condenser of adjustable surface area, a compressor, and an expansion device, cooperatively interconnected and containing the working fluid. The apparatus also includes a drum to receive clothes to be dried, a duct and fan arrangement configured to pass air over the condenser and through the drum, a sensor located to sense at least one parameter, and a controller coupled to the sensor, condenser and/or the compressor. The controller is operative to adjust the condenser to increase surface area during a steady state drying rate period of the cycle, and adjust the condenser to decrease surface area during a start transient period of the cycle, wherein adjusting the condenser to decrease surface area during a start transient period of the cycle accelerates the start transient period of the cycle. | 01-26-2012 |
20120017612 | SYSTEM TO CONTROL EXTERNAL CONDENSATION ON A REFRIGERATOR - A cooling system for an appliance includes an evaporator stage, a compressor stage coupled to the evaporator stage and a condenser stage coupled to the compressor stage. The condenser stage includes a condenser and a condenser cooling fan for cooling the condenser, and a condenser loop coupled between the condenser stage and the evaporator stage. A humidity sensor is configured to detect a humidity level in an area of the cooling system and a controller is configured to cycle an operating state of the condenser cooling fan from ON to a low speed or OFF prior to an end of a cooling cycle. | 01-26-2012 |
20120036872 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF AN ICE MAKER SYSTEM - Method and apparatus for ice maker systems are disclosed. One exemplary method comprises the step of, in a harvesting cycle of an ice maker system wherein a heating element is turned on at a first time instance to generate heat to separate ice from an ice mold body formed in the ice mold body during a preceding ice formation cycle, and turned off at a second time instance to allow the ice mold body to cool so that a next ice formation cycle can begin, controlling an amount of heat generated by the heating element between the first time instance and the second time instance. | 02-16-2012 |
20120036877 | EVAPORATIVE COOLING CONDENSER FOR HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE - An evaporative cooling condenser for a household appliance cooling system includes a water source, a heat exchanger configured to contain a refrigerant, and a fluid heat transfer device, the fluid heat transfer device configured to receive water from the water source and apply the water to the heat exchanger for rejecting heat from the heat exchanger. | 02-16-2012 |
20120055179 | DSM DEFROST DURING HIGH DEMAND - A method includes providing a standard supply of electrical power to a defrost heater during a standard defrost cycle for a refrigeration system of an appliance, detecting a high energy demand period during the standard defrost cycle, and enabling a reduced consumption of electrical power by the defrost heater in a low power defrost cycle. | 03-08-2012 |
20120060549 | HEAT EXCHANGER FOR AN APPLIANCE - An improved heat exchanger for an appliance is provided. More particularly, the present invention provides a new condenser for a refrigerator that is formed from a conduit wound into the shape of a conical helix. Extensions from the surface of the conduit provide additional area for heat exchange. A fan can be aligned with the conical helix to further improve heat transfer. | 03-15-2012 |
20120096889 | AUGER STYLE ICE MAKER AND REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE INCORPORATING SAME - An ice making assembly includes a mold configured for forming an ice cube. The mold has a base, a side wall, and an opening in the side wall spaced from the base. An auger has a shaft with a proximal end above and outside of the mold, a distal end within the mold, and a central section between the distal end and the proximal end and extending through the opening. The auger further has a threaded portion configured for moving the ice cube out of the mold through the opening via rotation of the auger. A motor may be located above the mold and attached to the proximal end of the shaft for rotating the auger to lift the ice cube from the mold. The ice cubes may be formed with a gap and a splitter may split the ice cubes at the gap. | 04-26-2012 |
20120102779 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REFRIGERATION CYCLE ELEVATION BY MODIFICATION OF CYCLE START CONDITION - An apparatus includes a mechanical refrigeration cycle arrangement having a working fluid, an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and an expansion device, cooperatively interconnected and containing the working fluid. The apparatus also includes a drum to receive clothes, a duct and fan arrangement configured to pass air over the evaporator, condenser and through the drum, a sensor located to sense parameters, a working fluid accumulator, and a controller coupled to the sensor, accumulator and/or compressor. The controller is operative to control collection of refrigerant during a run cycle when pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold value, control retention of the collected refrigerant when the run cycle is completed, until a subsequent run cycle, control discharge of the retained refrigerant to an evaporator or condenser when the subsequent run cycle is started, and control use of discharged refrigerant to elevate the refrigeration cycle by modifying a start condition of the refrigeration cycle. | 05-03-2012 |
20120102985 | CONDUCTIVE SURFACE HEATER FOR A REFRIGERATOR - A heater is provided for elevating the temperature of a surface of a refrigerator above the dew point of air surrounding the surface so as to avoid condensation. Heat energy is recovered from the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator by using a portion of the appliance's refrigeration loop to provide heat to the desired surface. A conductive element is connected with the desired surface and also placed into contact with a heated portion of the refrigeration loop to conduct heat energy therebetween. The surface and conductive element may be selectively removed and replaced from the refrigerator without the use of electric heating elements as conventionally required for removable surfaces. | 05-03-2012 |
20120137724 | DUAL EVAPORATOR REFRIGERATION SYSTEM - A dual evaporator refrigerator appliance is disclosed. The appliance includes a first evaporator, a second evaporator, and at least one refrigerant stream combining device. Refrigerant flow control techniques are provided whereby a compressor in the refrigerator appliance that receives a resulting refrigerant stream is required to do less work to raise the pressure of the stream, and thus the refrigerator appliance is more energy efficient. | 06-07-2012 |
20120285971 | INTEGRATED VACUUM INSULATION PANEL - In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a refrigerator is described. The refrigerator includes an inner liner defining a storage compartment. The refrigerator further includes an outer wall forming a vacuum insulation panel. The outer wall defines a hermetically sealed vacuum compartment wall. The compartment includes filler insulating material and is evacuated of atmospheric gases. The compartment is located between the outer wall and the inner liner. | 11-15-2012 |
20120298142 | APPLIANCE CONFIGURED TO CIRCULATE AIR DURING A WASH CYCLE - An appliance such as a dishwasher is configured to re-circulate air to reduce the amount of air with high moisture content that is expelled from the dishwasher. In one embodiment, the dishwasher comprises a wash zone in which objects are positioned to be washed and a door assembly, secured to the dishwasher in sealing engagement. Air from an upper region of the wash zone is drawn into a door cavity in the door assembly and re-circulated to a lower region of the wash zone. Inside of the door cavity is a thermal sink with a surface on which vapor in the air condenses, thereby lowering the relative humidity of the air that is ejected from the door assembly and into the lower region of the wash zone. | 11-29-2012 |
20130327078 | DUAL EVAPORATOR REFRIGERATION SYSTEM USING ZEOTROPIC REFRIGERANT MIXTURE - A dual evaporator refrigerator appliance includes a compressor, a condenser, a first evaporator, a second evaporator and a separating component coupled to the condenser and an input of the first evaporator and an input of the second evaporator and configured to separate a refrigerant stream received by the condenser into a first refrigerant stream and a second refrigerant stream. The refrigerant stream received by the separating component comprises a zeotropic refrigerant mixture. The first evaporator and the second evaporator are configured to substantially simultaneously receive the first refrigerant stream and the second refrigerant stream, respectively. | 12-12-2013 |
20140013793 | TOP MOUNT REFRIGERATOR AIRFLOW SYSTEM - A refrigeration system includes an airflow system which eliminates the traditional air tower in the freezer area by utilizing at least one air outlet formed between a freezer cavity area and a fresh food cavity area. The air outlet is configured to permit at least a portion of a cooled air stream generated by a fan of an evaporator assembly and circulated in the freezer cavity area to flow into the fresh food cavity area through the air outlet. The refrigeration system also includes at least one air return formed between the evaporator assembly and the fresh food cavity area. The air return is configured such that air from the fresh food cavity area flows into the evaporator assembly through the air return. | 01-16-2014 |
20140013794 | BOTTOM MOUNT REFRIGERATOR AIRFLOW SYSTEM - A refrigeration system includes an airflow system which eliminates the traditional evaporator fan cover assembly in the freezer area by utilizing at least one air outlet formed between a freezer cavity area and a duct coupled to the fresh food cavity area. The air outlet is configured to permit at least a portion of a cooled air stream generated by a fan of the evaporator assembly received in the freezer cavity area to be provided to the fresh food cavity area through the air outlet and via the duct. The refrigeration system also includes at least one air return formed between the evaporator assembly and the fresh food cavity area. The air return is configured such that air from the fresh food cavity area flows into the evaporator assembly through the air return. | 01-16-2014 |
20140169774 | WATER HEATING ASSEMBLY FOR A REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE - A water heating assembly for a refrigerator appliance is provided. The water heating assembly includes a vacuum insulated container and a heating element received within a heated chamber of the vacuum insulated container for heating water therein. An inlet conduit is configured for directing water into the heated chamber, and an outlet conduit is configured for directing heated water out of the heated chamber. | 06-19-2014 |
20140216706 | HUMIDITY CONTROL SENSOR FOR A REFRIGERATOR - An improved humidity control sensor is provided that cost effectively allows for a more efficient operation of a refrigerator by using two temperature sensors to determine ambient conditions of a room housing the refrigerator. Based on the two temperature sensor measurements, the humidity control sensor may e.g., use a processing device to efficiently control a heating element in thermal communication with an exterior surface of the refrigerator's cabinet to prevent condensation from forming on that exterior surface. | 08-07-2014 |
20140260409 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A DUAL EVAPORATOR REFRIGERATION SYSTEM - A control system for a refrigeration system with dual evaporators is provided. In one embodiment, a control system for a dual evaporator refrigeration system is provided where the evaporators are operated simultaneously to provide for improved temperature and humidity control in a refrigerator appliance. In another embodiment, the control system can also use a linear model that is designed to minimize or remove excess enthalpy from one or more compartments and/or features of the appliance. The control system can also be configured with at least one variable speed compressor that is operated at a speed that will remove excess enthalpy within a desired time period while also operating at an optimized speed for energy efficiency. | 09-18-2014 |
20140298854 | DUAL EVAPORATOR REFRIGERATION SYSTEM WITH ZEOTROPIC REFRIGERANT MIXTURE - A refrigeration system is provided that uses dual evaporators and a zeotropic refrigerant mixture to provide more efficient cooling. The refrigeration system can be used in e.g., a refrigerator having a fresh food compartment and a frozen food compartment to provide separate cooling for each compartment. Multiple exemplary embodiments are described including embodiments utilizing a single compressor and a single condenser with dual evaporators. | 10-09-2014 |
20150101361 | SEALED SYSTEM FOR AN APPLIANCE - A sealed system for an appliance is provided. The sealed system includes a capillary tube for directing refrigerant from a condenser of the sealed system to an evaporator of the sealed system. A suction side conduit assembly is mounted to the capillary tube. The suction side conduit assembly includes multiple conduits or passages for directing refrigerant from the evaporator to a compressor of the sealed system. The suction side conduit assembly can assist with transferring heat from the refrigerant within the capillary tube without substantially reducing a pressure of the refrigerant within the suction side conduit assembly. | 04-16-2015 |
20150114829 | ELECTROCHEMICAL COMPRESSOR BASED HEATING ELEMENT AND HYBRID HOT WATER HEATER EMPLOYING SAME - An electrochemical compressor type heat pump system is described. An electrochemical compressor compresses a mixed gas refrigerant whereby heat from the compression can be used to heat an object. The electrochemical compressor is capable of producing high pressure gas from a mixed fluid system including an electrochemically-active component, such as hydrogen, and at least one refrigerant fluid, for example water. Any suitable proton associable compound, such as any suitable ionic or polar solvent compound, may be used in the mixed gas refrigerant. The electrochemical compressor may be configured in a hot water heater along with a secondary type heating source to produce a hybrid hot water heater. | 04-30-2015 |
20150143836 | COMBINATION PHASE SEPARATOR AND DRIER FOR A REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE - A device is provided for a refrigeration system that separates liquid and vapor phases of the refrigerant while also drying the liquid phase to remove water. The phase separator and drier are provided integrally as part of the same device. The device can be used with e.g., dual evaporator refrigeration systems and both single and multi-component refrigerants. Improved efficiencies in space and plumbing so as to reduce costs can be achieved. | 05-28-2015 |
20150153093 | Refrigerator Appliance - Refrigerator appliances are provided. A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a fresh food chamber and a freezer chamber. The refrigerator appliance further includes a fresh food door rotatably hinged to the cabinet for accessing the fresh food chamber, the door comprising an inner surface, an outer surface and a side surface extending between the inner surface and the outer surface. The refrigerator appliance further includes a freezer door connected to the cabinet for accessing the freezer chamber. The refrigerator appliance further includes a mullion, the mullion comprising an outer surface, and a fan mounted within one of the mullion, the fresh food door, or the freezer door, the fan configured to flow ambient air across the mullion. | 06-04-2015 |
20150192349 | REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE - A refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes an evaporation pan and a drain conduit for directing liquid to the evaporation pan. A reservoir is coupled to the drain conduit. The reservoir includes a tank positioned above the evaporation pan, a plug assembly and a float mounted to the plug assembly. A position of the float varies depending upon a height of water within the tank, and the plug assembly seals the reservoir when the position of the float is at a particular position. | 07-09-2015 |
20150241093 | WATER HEATER APPLIANCES AND METHODS FOR OPERATING SAME - Water heater appliances and methods for operating water heater appliances are provided. A water heater appliance includes a tank defining an interior volume, and a sealed system for heating water within the interior volume. The sealed system includes a compressor operable to compress refrigerant, and a first condenser downstream of and in fluid communication with the compressor. The first condenser is operable to heat water within the interior volume using energy from the refrigerant. The sealed system further includes a second condenser downstream of and in fluid communication with the first condenser. The second condenser is operable to heat water within the interior volume using energy from the refrigerant. The sealed system further includes an evaporator between and in fluid communication with the second condenser and the compressor. | 08-27-2015 |
20150300710 | PHASE SEPARATOR FOR A SEALED SYSTEM - A sealed system is provided. The sealed system includes a compressor and a phase separator disposed downstream of the compressor. The phase separator includes a casing that defines a liquid refrigerant collection volume and a gaseous refrigerant collection volume. A refrigerant inlet conduit extends between the compressor and the gaseous refrigerant collection volume, a gaseous refrigerant outlet conduit has an inlet positioned within the gaseous refrigerant collection volume of the casing and a liquid refrigerant outlet conduit has an inlet positioned within the liquid refrigerant collection volume of the casing. A plurality of cooling fins is positioned on an outer surface of the casing. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided. | 10-22-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090313707 | Novel Gene Disruptions, Compositions and Methods Relating Thereto - The present invention relates to transgenic animals, as well as compositions and methods relating to the characterization of gene function. Specifically, the present invention provides transgenic mice comprising disruptions in PRO69122, PRO204, PRO214, PRO222, PRO234, PRO265, PRO309, PRO332, PRO342, PRO356, PRO540, PRO618, PRO944, PRO994, PRO1079, PRO1110, PRO1122, PRO1138, PRO1190, PRO1272, PRO1286, PRO1295, PRO1309, PRO1316, PRO1383, PRO1384, PRO1431, PRO1434, PRO1475, PRO1481, PRO1568, PRO1573, PRO1599, PRO1604, PRO1605, PRO1693, PRO1753, PRO1755, PRO1777, PRO1788, PRO1864, PRO1925, PRO1926, PRO3566, PRO4330, PRO4423, PRO36935, PRO4977, PRO4979, PRO4980, PRO4981, PRO5801, PRO5995, PRO6001, PRO6095, PRO6182, PRO7170, PRO7171, PRO7436, PRO9912, PRO9917, PRO37337, PRO37496, PRO19646, PRO21718, PRO19820, PRO21201, PRO20026, PRO20110, PRO23203 or PRO35250 genes. Such in vivo studies and characterizations may provide valuable identification and discovery of therapeutics and/or treatments useful in the prevention, amelioration or correction of diseases or dysfunctions associated with gene disruptions such as neurological disorders; cardiovascular, endothelial or angiogenic disorders; eye abnormalities; immunological disorders; oncological disorders; bone metabolic abnormalities or disorders; lipid metabolic disorders; or developmental abnormalities. | 12-17-2009 |
20120030776 | NOVEL GENE DISRUPTIONS, COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS RELATING THERETO - The present invention relates to transgenic animals, as well as compositions and methods relating to the characterization of gene function. Specifically, the present invention provides transgenic mice comprising disruptions in PRO69122, PRO204, PRO214, PRO222, PRO234, PRO265, PRO309, PRO332, PRO342, PRO356, PRO540, PRO618, PRO944, PRO994, PRO1079, PRO1110, PRO1122, PRO1138, PRO1190, PRO1272, PRO1286, PRO1295, PRO1309, PRO1316, PRO1383, PRO1384, PRO1431, PRO1434, PRO1475, PRO1481, PRO1568, PRO1573, PRO1599, PRO1604, PRO1605, PRO1693, PRO1753, PRO1755, PRO1777, PRO1788, PRO1864, PRO1925, PRO1926, PRO3566, PRO4330, PRO4423, PRO36935, PRO4977, PRO4979, PRO4980, PRO4981, PRO5801, PRO5995, PRO6001, PRO6095, PRO6182, PRO7170, PRO7171, PRO7436, PRO9912, PRO9917, PRO37337, PRO37496, PRO19646, PRO21718, PRO19820, PRO21201, PRO20026, PRO20110, PRO23203 or PRO35250 genes. Such in vivo studies and characterizations may provide valuable identification and discovery of therapeutics and/or treatments useful in the prevention, amelioration or correction of diseases or dysfunctions associated with gene disruptions such as neurological disorders; cardiovascular, endothelial or angiogenic disorders; eye abnormalities; immunological disorders; oncological disorders; bone metabolic abnormalities or disorders; lipid metabolic disorders; or developmental abnormalities. | 02-02-2012 |