A refrigerator includes a cabinet forming a storage space, a main door that opens and closes the storage space while defining an opening part that is in communication with the storage space, a sub-door mounted to the main door and configured to open and close the opening part, the sub-door including a panel assembly for allowing selective viewing of an inside of the opening part, a detection device for detecting an operation of a user, a lighting unit inside the refrigerator that turns on based on user operation to allow selective viewing of the inner side of the opening part, and a display unit inside the refrigerator at a position corresponding to the panel assembly that becomes visible and displays an operation state of the refrigerator when the lighting unit turns on.

Systems and methods for performing dynamic coefficient of performance calculations for refrigeration systems are provided. A controller calculates a weighted Carnot efficiency of a refrigeration case based on outdoor temperature data, refrigeration case temperature data, a case load of a refrigeration case, and a case defrost status of the refrigeration case. The controller calculates a weighted coefficient of performance based on based on a refrigerant type, the case load of the refrigeration case, the case defrost status of the refrigeration case, and at least one of the of the refrigeration case temperature data and pressure data. The controller calculates a system performance index (SPI) for the refrigeration case based on the weighted Carnot efficiency of the refrigeration case and weighted actual Carnot efficiency. The controller generates, in response to the SPI being below a threshold, an output indicating that the refrigeration case is operating below a threshold efficiency.

A door assembly includes a structural wrapper defining an insulating cavity. The structural wrapper defines a sensor port. A sensor assembly is coupled to an outer surface of the structural wrapper proximate to the sensor port. The sensor assembly includes a connector having a base coupled to a housing. The base is coupled to the structural wrapper. The connector defines an interior in fluid communication with the insulating cavity. A pressure sensor is disposed within the housing. The pressure sensor is configured to sense a pressure within the insulating cavity. At least one plate is disposed at an open end of the housing. The pressure sensor includes sensor pins that extend through the at least one plate.

A refrigerator includes a cabinet forming a storage space, a main door that opens and closes the storage space while defining an opening part that is in communication with the storage space, a sub-door mounted to the main door and configured to open and close the opening part, the sub-door including a panel assembly for allowing selective viewing of an inside of the opening part, the injection port is provided at a lower side of the sub-door to direct an insulating foaming solution to a space in the sub-door, a detection device for detecting an operation of a user, a lighting unit inside the refrigerator that turns on based on user operation to allow selective viewing of the inner side of the opening part, and a display unit inside the refrigerator at a position corresponding to the panel.

A beverage dispensing apparatus is characterized by a beverage dispenser and a refrigeration system for chilling beverage to be dispensed by the beverage dispenser. The refrigeration system has a compressor coupled to an evaporator for chilling the beverage, and a controller determines the amount of chilling that must be provided by the refrigeration system to chill the beverage and adjusts cut-in and cut-out beverage temperature set-points for the compressor accordingly. Advantageously, the cut-in and cut-out set-points are adjusted to beverage temperature values such that the chilling capacity of the refrigeration system is made to closely match to the amount of chilling required by the beverage, and also such that on/off cycles of the refrigeration system are decreased.

Disclosed is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a body which includes a storage compartment, a door which opens and closes the storage compartment and includes a dispenser, a water tank case disposed in the door, a water tank separably mounted in the water tank case, a water level sensor configured to sense a water level inside the water tank when the water tank is mounted in the water tank case, and a water tank valve configured to guide water supplied from a water supply source to the dispenser or the water tank and to prevent water from being supplied to the water tank when the water level sensor senses that a certain amount of water is stored in the water tank.

A freezer structure (12) includes a floor structure (20), side walls (22) and a ceiling (24), each of which includes a substantially hollow inner or upper layer or zone (30) behind or beneath which is disposed an intermediate layer or zone (32) substantially filled with insulating filler material and a bottom or outer layer or zone (34) that is substantially hollow. A monitoring system (16) monitors the temperature, moisture level and pressure of a substantially dry gas circulating through the first layer or zone to maintain the first layer or zone in substantially dry condition.

A refrigerator includes a storage chamber having an opening; a drawer type door to open or close the opening; a display positioned at the drawer type door; a first connector provided at a sidewall of the storage chamber; a second connector provided at the drawer type door and being electrically connected to the display; a first frame coupled to an inner wall of the storage chamber, the first frame to cover the first connector; a second frame coupled to the drawer type door, the second frame to support a storage box; and a wire electrically connected between the first connector and the second connector. The first frame has a first accommodating part to accommodate one portion of the wire and the second frame has a second accommodating part to accommodate another portion of the wire.

A refrigerator capable of supercooling a target liquid, housing a slush activation, and a control method thereof are provided. The refrigerator includes a temperature sensor which senses a temperature of the refrigerator's interior volume or of the target liquid therein and the temperature sensor is programmed to send warnings, alerts and messages to a user or as a default, activate a controller that cycles the compressor off and on to increase the temperature within the area where the ice nucleation and freezing is detected. In addition to a user-interactive warning system, a location system for a closed liquid container that is beginning to freeze is based on the detection of heat energy resulting from the exothermic crystalization reaction of a liquid that is beginning to freeze. A method, system and device is provided to prevent the unwanted occurrence of frozen, ruptured containers of supercooled liquid in closed containers. A refrigerator can have an inside compartment for chilling beverage containers to super cooled temperatures. A front door exterior port(s) on the refrigerator can be used for activating the slush formation from the super cooled liquid contents in the beverage containers. The front door exterior port can also be used as well for rapid chilling beverage containers to selected chilled temperatures with or with slush activation of the liquid contents in the beverage containers.

A refrigeration appliance includes a freezer compartment. An ice maker return duct fluidly couples an ice maker compartment and the freezer compartment. A pressure sensor is positioned within the freezer compartment and is configured to detect a pressure differential between the freezer compartment and an external environment. A fan is positioned within the ice maker return duct and is configured to be activated when the pressure within the freezer compartment is lower than the external environment.