In one implementation, a system for controlling defrost of a chilled environment includes a camera configured to capture images of one or more objects located in the chilled environment and a defrost control unit. The defrost control unit is configured to: receive an image of the one or more objects from the camera, analyze the image of the one or more objects to quantify an amount of frost formation on the one or more objects, determine when to initiate a defrost cycle in the chilled environment based on the amount of frost formation on the one or more objects, and in response to determining to initiate the defrost cycle, initiating the defrost cycle by sending a defrost control signal to a defroster. The defroster is configured to perform the defrost cycle within the chilled environment in response to receiving the defrost control signal.

A method for controlling a refrigerator includes operating a heater of the refrigerator in a first mode to increase a temperature of an evaporator of the refrigerator to a predetermined temperature, the first mode comprising a continuous operation of the heater, determining a period of time taken to increase the temperature of the evaporator to the predetermined temperature, determining whether the period of time is within a reference period of time, maintaining operation of the heater in the first mode based on a determination that the period of time is outside of the reference period of time, and operating the heater in a second mode that is different from the first mode based on a determination that the period of time is within the reference period of time.

A refrigerator includes a main body defining a storage space, a cryogenic freezing compartment having an insulation space that is independent with respect to the storage space, an evaporator disposed inside the storage space to cool the storage space, and a thermoelectric module assembly disposed at one side of the cryogenic freezing compartment so that the cryogenic freezing compartment is cooled to a temperature less than that of the storage space. The thermoelectric module assembly includes a thermoelectric module, a cold sink coming into contact with a heat absorption surface of the thermoelectric module and disposed in the cryogenic freezing compartment, and a heat sink coming into contact with a heat generation surface of the thermoelectric module. The heat sink is cooled by introducing a refrigerant supplied to the evaporator.

A defogging control system includes a plurality of first heating wires, a plurality of second heating wires, a sensing and driving module, a timer, an environment sensing module, and a control module. The sensing and driving module is utilized to generate a start signal or a stop signal, corresponding to a controller of a refrigeration storage apparatus. The timer is utilized to count a real-time operation time and record a previous operation time. The environment sensing module is utilized to sense a temperature and a humidity. The control module is utilized to control the first heating wires and the second heating wires by the real-time operation time, the previous operation time, the temperature, and the humidity. Further, a defogging control method is also provided.

A refrigerator includes a first compressor configured to compress a first refrigerant, a first condenser configured to return the first refrigerant to the first compressor during a freezing cycle, a second compressor configured to compress a second refrigerant, and a second condenser configured to return the second refrigerant to the second compressor during a refrigerating cycle. The refrigerator includes a controller configured to control a radiating fan for the first condenser and the second condenser based on an operation state of the first compressor and the second compressor, and a refrigerant loop channel configured to allow the first refrigerant passing through a refrigerant channel that is located between a body and a door of the refrigerator. The refrigerant channel is coupled to the first condenser, and, for a predetermined time interval, an average operation time of the freezing cycle is longer than an average operation time of the refrigerating cycle.

A system and method for controlling a refrigeration system is disclosed. The system includes a cooled compartment, at least one heat source selectively activated to provide heat, at least one sensor, and a controller. The sensor detects a temperature and a relative humidity of ambient air that surrounds the cooled compartment. The controller is in communication with the at least one heat source and the at least one sensor. The controller includes logic for calculating a dew point temperature based on the temperature and the relative humidity. The controller also includes logic for selecting a region of operation based on at least one of the dew point temperature and the relative humidity, where the region of operation is representative of ambient conditions that surround the cooled compartment. The controller further includes logic for determining if the at least one heat source is activated based on the region of operation.

A cooler including a cabinet defining an interior volume for storing a perishable product. A cold plate is disposed within the cabinet, and the cold plate is configured to absorb heat within the cabinet. The cooler further includes a defrosting system that includes a sensor configured to detect a presence of frost on a surface of the cold plate, a heating element affixed to the surface of the cold plate that is configured to at least partially melt frost on the cold plate, and a control unit configured to selectively activate and deactivate the heating element when the presence of frost is determined by the sensor.

Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration systems have a thermostat to allow users to set a desired temperature for living and storage spaces. The output from the thermostat is a so-called Call for Cool signal (CfC) used to start the system compressor and begin the cooling process. A circuit which interrupts the CfC signal from a thermostat to the compressor without using specific input and output connections to define the CfC signal is disclosed. The circuitry monitors the temperature of the evaporator, and if the temperature dips too low, the compressor is disengaged until the measured temperature rises above a safe level.

A method of defrosting an indoor coil in a refrigeration system including, while the system is operating in the refrigeration mode, with a controller of the refrigeration system, determining a defrost commencement time at which the refrigeration system is to commence operating in the defrost mode. With the controller, one or more defrost energy conservation processes are initiated prior to the defrost commencement time, to decrease a rate at which thermal energy is transferred from the refrigerant in the outdoor coil to ambient air around the outdoor coil. The defrost energy conservation process continues until a defrost energy conservation termination criterion is satisfied, at which time the defrost energy conservation process is terminated. Upon termination of the defrost energy conservation process, operation of the refrigeration system in the defrost mode is commenced.

A refrigerator includes a cabinet configured to form a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber, a first evaporator configured to cool the first storage chamber, a first fan configured to circulate air in the first storage chamber to the first evaporator and the first storage chamber, a second evaporator configured to cool the second storage chamber, a compressor configured to be connected to the first evaporator and the second evaporator, a second fan configured to circulate air in the second storage chamber to the second evaporator and the second storage chamber; a refrigerant valve configured to guide refrigerant to the first evaporator or the second evaporator, and a controller configured to perform a plurality of modes sequentially to defrost the second evaporator.