An experimental payload and cryogenic system are provided. An experimental payload including a cryogenic chamber is provided. The cryogenic chamber includes an action chamber configured to be cryogenically cooled to an action temperature. The cryogenic chamber also includes an inner cooling ring cooled via an internal braiding system. The inner cooling ring is configured to operate at a first temperature. The cryogenic chamber further includes an outer ring in communication with the inner cooling ring. The outer ring is configured to absorb heat from the experimental payload. The outer ring defines a second temperature that is greater than the first temperature. The cryogenic chamber also includes a plurality of legs operably coupled to the cryogenic chamber at a top end of each leg. The legs are characterized by a low thermal conductivity and the experimental payload is configured to be attached to a base of a cryocooler.

An experimental payload and cryogenic system are provided. An experimental payload including a cryogenic chamber is provided. The cryogenic chamber includes an action chamber configured to be cryogenically cooled to an action temperature. The cryogenic chamber also includes an inner cooling ring cooled via an internal braiding system. The inner cooling ring is configured to operate at a first temperature. The cryogenic chamber further includes an outer ring in communication with the inner cooling ring. The outer ring is configured to absorb heat from the experimental payload. The outer ring defines a second temperature that is greater than the first temperature. The cryogenic chamber also includes a plurality of legs operably coupled to the cryogenic chamber at a top end of each leg. The legs are characterized by a low thermal conductivity and the experimental payload is configured to be attached to a base of a cryocooler.

A two-stage cascade refrigeration system is provided having a first refrigeration stage and a second refrigeration stage. The first refrigeration stage defines a first fluid circuit for circulating a first refrigerant, and has a first compressor, a condenser, and a first expansion device. The second refrigeration stage defines a second fluid circuit for circulating a second refrigerant, with the second refrigeration stage having a second compressor that is a variable speed compressor, a second expansion device, and an evaporator. A heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid circuits to exchange heat between the first and second refrigerants. A controller stages operation of the first and second compressors and runs the second compressor at an initial speed less than a maximum speed initially when a staging protocol is performed during start up or re-starting of the refrigeration system.

A two-stage cascade refrigeration system is provided having a first refrigeration stage and a second refrigeration stage. The first refrigeration stage defines a first fluid circuit for circulating a first refrigerant, and has a first compressor, a condenser, and a first expansion device. The second refrigeration stage defines a second fluid circuit for circulating a second refrigerant, with the second refrigeration stage having a second compressor that is a variable speed compressor, a second expansion device, and an evaporator. A heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid circuits to exchange heat between the first and second refrigerants. A controller stages operation of the first and second compressors and runs the second compressor at an initial speed less than a maximum speed initially when a staging protocol is performed during start up or re-starting of the refrigeration system.

An ice storage unit including a housing defining an interior portion and a heat exchange engine disposed within the interior portion, the heat exchange engine defining a thermal exchange element extending therefrom. A thermally conductive coupling element defining an aperture is sized to receive the thermal exchange element therein. A thermally conductive reservoir is disposed proximate the thermally conductive coupling element.

Containers (100) for cryopreserved biological samples (102) may include an insulated housing including a cavity (108) for containing at least one cryopreserved biological sample; and a sealed reservoir (106) at least partly surrounding the cavity, the sealed reservoir including liquified gas (120) such as liquified air, the gas being kept largely liquified by a heat transfer engine (112) such as a Stirling cryocooler. A valve (114) may be provided to function as both a pressure relief valve and an inlet valve. The inlet valve may be coupled to a sensor (122) for sensing a volume of liquified gas within the sealed reservoir. The container may further include a heat exchanger (116) coupled to the heat engine and extending into the sealed reservoir.

Containers (100) for cryopreserved biological samples (102) may include an insulated housing including a cavity (108) for containing at least one cryopreserved biological sample; and a sealed reservoir (106) at least partly surrounding the cavity, the sealed reservoir including liquified gas (120) such as liquified air, the gas being kept largely liquified by a heat transfer engine (112) such as a Stirling cryocooler. A valve (114) may be provided to function as both a pressure relief valve and an inlet valve. The inlet valve may be coupled to a sensor (122) for sensing a volume of liquified gas within the sealed reservoir. The container may further include a heat exchanger (116) coupled to the heat engine and extending into the sealed reservoir.

An apparatus, method, computer program product, and computer system for monitoring at least one of an environment of at least one freezer unit of one or more freezer units inside a mobile container and a macro environment of the mobile container maintained by a refrigeration unit. Data of at least one of the macro environment of the mobile container and the environment of the at least one freezer unit may be logged. The data may be provided to an external display. An alert may be provided in real-time to the external display based upon, at least in part, at least one of the macro environment of the mobile container and the environment of the at least one freezer unit. A first power supply providing power to the at least one freezer unit may be switched to a second power supply providing power to the at least one freezer unit based upon, at least in part, at least one of the macro environment of the mobile container and the environment of the at least one freezer unit.

In a refrigerator control method according to an embodiment of the present invention, an operation corresponding to a deep-freezing chamber load, in which both a refrigeration chamber valve and a freezer chamber valve are opened, is performed when a deep-freezing chamber mode is turned on and the input condition of the operation corresponding to a deep-freezing chamber load is satisfied.

A method for controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: determining whether or not an ultra-low temperature compartment mode is turned on; determining whether or not an ultra-low temperature compartment load-responsive operation input condition is satisfied; and determining whether or not a freezer compartment load-responsive operation input condition is satisfied, wherein if the ultra-low temperature compartment mode is turned on, and the ultra-low temperature compartment load-responsive operation input condition and the freezer compartment load-responsive operation input condition are both satisfied, a corresponding ultra-low temperature compartment load-responsive operation is preferentially performed.