Patent classifications
F25B2600/112
System and method for current limiting and defrost enhancement
A dehumidifying system and method for reducing humidity in ambient air is disclosed. The system includes a circulation unit, a refrigeration unit, a condensate receptacle for receiving condensate generated by the refrigeration unit, a controller to control both the circulation and refrigeration units, and wherein the controller receives input from one or more ambient sensors configured to sense ambient conditions, and a user interface configured to receive input from a user. The system implements variable speed control within the circulation and/or refrigeration unit to maximize efficiency or capacity under a current threshold, and enables the system to delay the need for defrost cycling during low temperature operation.
REFRIGERATOR AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME
A method for controlling a refrigerator, includes turning off a cold air transmission unit as a temperature of a storage compartment becomes equal to or less than a second reference temperature while a cold air generator is operated, turning on the cold air transmission unit, upon determining that the temperature of the storage compartment is equal to or greater than a first reference temperature which is greater than the second reference temperature, and calculating, by a controller, an operating ratio of the cold air transmission unit based on ON and OFF time of the cold air transmission unit, determining an output of the cold air transmission unit based on the operating ratio of the cold air transmission unit, and operating the cold air transmission unit with the determined output, upon determining that the temperature of the storage compartment is equal to or less than the second reference temperature.
Detection of refrigerant side faults
An HVAC system includes a controller communicatively coupled to a subcool sensor, an outdoor temperature sensor, a compressor, and a blower of the HVAC system. For a first period of time, the controller periodically determines subcool values. For each determined subcool value, a corresponding compressor speed, outdoor temperature, and blower speed are determined. A baseline database is generated with baseline values associated with normal operation of the HVAC system. Following the first period of time, subcool values are determined based on the subcool signal. For each subcool value, a corresponding compressor speed, outdoor temperature, and blower speed are determined. The controller determines whether each subcool value satisfies a criteria based on the baseline database. If the criteria are not satisfied for at least a threshold time, the system is determined to be operating under a fault condition, and a corresponding alert is transmitted.
Sensor validation
An HVAC system includes a compressor, condenser, and evaporator. A sensor measures a value associated with the refrigerant in the condenser or the evaporator, and a controller is communicatively coupled to the compressor and the sensor. The controller determines, based on an operational history the compressor, that pre-requisite criteria are satisfied for entering a sensor validation mode. After determining the pre-requisite criteria are satisfied, an initial sensor measurement value is determined. Following determining the initial sensor measurement value, the compressor is operated according to a sensor-validation mode. Following operating the compressor according to the sensor-validation mode for at least a minimum time, a current sensor measurement value is determined. The controller determines whether validation criteria are satisfied for the current sensor value. In response to determining that the validation criteria are satisfied, the controller determines that the sensor is validated.
A REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE WITH HIGH FREEZER CAPACITY
A refrigeration appliance (2) is provided. The refrigeration appliance can comprise a fresh-food compartment (7) configured for storing food items at a first target temperature above zero degrees Celsius; and a freezer compartment (11) configured for storing food items at a second target temperature below zero degrees Celsius. A cooling air channel (27) is formed between the freezer compartment and the fresh-food compartment to allow air to flow between the freezer compartment and the fresh-food compartment. The refrigeration appliance further comprises a refrigeration circuit configured for cooling the freezer compartment, the circuit having a compressor, in particular a variable speed compressor, an evaporator, and a variable speed evaporator fan. A controller is operatively connected to the refrigeration circuit and configured to operate the variable speed compressor and/or the variable speed evaporator fan at a calculated speed of the variable speed compressor and a calculated speed of the variable speed evaporator fan, respectively; wherein the controller is configured to, in a normal mode of operation, operate the variable speed compressor at a first calculated compressor speed and the variable speed evaporator fan at a first calculated fan speed and wherein the controller is configured to, in a freezer priority, mode of operation, operate the variable speed compressor at a second calculated compressor speed and the variable speed evaporator fan at a second calculated fan speed, wherein the second calculated compressor speed is higher than the first calculated compressor speed and the second calculated fan speed is lower than the first calculated fan speed. Hereby an efficient control of the refrigeration appliance can be obtained wherein a quick-freezing mode can be supported that gives priority to the freezer in an efficient manner. Hereby items placed in the freezer compartment can be quickly frozen in an energy efficient manner.
TRANSPORT REFRIGERATION SYSTEM WITH PARALLELED INVERTERS
A method of operating a transport refrigeration system having a plurality of inverters configured to power a refrigeration unit includes placing a first inverter of the plurality of inverters in an active state; monitoring a load on the first inverter; comparing the load on the first inverter to an upper threshold; placing a second inverter of the plurality of inverters in an active state upon the load on the first inverter being greater than the upper threshold.
Expansion Valve Performance Monitoring in Refrigeration System
A method of detecting electrical failure in a refrigeration system is provided. The method includes determining whether a present superheat of the refrigeration system is between a maximum superheat and a minimum superheat for the refrigeration system, the maximum superheat and the minimum superheat defining a normal operating range. The method also includes detecting an electrical property of an expansion valve assembly of the refrigeration system responsive to the superheat being outside the normal operating range. The method further includes determining whether the expansion valve assembly as experienced an electrical failure based on at least the electrical property. A signal indicating that the expansion valve has experienced an electrical failure is generated based on a determination that the expansion valve assembly has experienced the electrical failure.
REFRIGERATOR HAVING A COLD AIR SUPPLY MEANS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFORE
A control method for a refrigerator includes sensing a temperature of a storage room; operating a cool air supply at a cooling power when the sensed temperature of the storage room is equal to or above a first reference temperature; operating the cool air supply at a delay power, which is less than the cooling power, when the sensed temperature of the storage room is equal to or below a second reference temperature, which is less than the first reference temperature while the cool air supply is operating at the cooling power; and adjusting the cooling power or the delay power of the cool air supply according to the temperature of the storage room while the cool air supply is operating at the delay power, and operating the cool air supply at the determined adjusted cooling power or delay power.
On-line energy consumption optimization adaptive to environmental condition
An appliance includes an appliance housing, an interface adapted to receive power information, a plurality of sensors for sensing environmental conditions, a plurality of controls for controlling operations of the appliance, and an intelligent control. The intelligent control is disposed within the appliance housing and operatively connected to the interface and the plurality of sensors and adapted to dynamically select control values associated with the plurality of controls based on at least one of the power information, the environmental conditions, or a combination thereof to increase energy efficiency of the appliance.
Systems and methods for leak detection and refrigerant charging
A system for charging an outdoor unit with refrigerant includes a sensor configured to measure a refrigerant concentration and a user device configured to receive the measured refrigerant concentration. The system includes that the user device is configured to, in response to the measured refrigerant concentration exceeding a threshold, generate and display an alert on a user interface of the user device indicating the measured refrigerant concentration exceeds the threshold.