An environmental control unit for use with a transport container is disclosed. The environmental control unit includes a thermoelectric device, a fan configured to blow air across the thermoelectric device, a cooling module, a controller in electronic communication with the thermoelectric device and the fan, and a communication module in electronic communication with the controller. The communication module is configured to transmit parameters of the environmental control unit to a computing device through wireless communication. The controller is also configured to determine a present location of the transport container, determine a destination of the transport container, evaluate an internal temperature of the transport container, and control an on or off condition of the thermoelectric device based on the present location, the destination, and the internal temperature of the transport container.

An example transport refrigeration system includes first and second refrigeration circuits configured to cool first and second transport compartments, respectively. An electric machine powers the first and second refrigeration circuits. A controller is configured to monitor a temperature of the electric machine, and reduce a cooling capacity of a selected one of the first and second refrigeration circuits based on the temperature exceeding a first threshold.

A drawer includes insulation defining a climate-controlled insulated interior of the drawer, and a refrigeration system. The interior of the drawer may be divided into compartments having lids, and actuators may be provided for unlocking the lids. The actuators may include solenoids, which may be disposed outside the climate-controlled interior of the drawer. The drawer may include an air inlet, an outlet, and a fan. The fan may draw air through an air flow path defined at least in part by the insulation.

A refrigerator includes: a control unit for controlling a thermoelectric module, a cooling fan, and a heat-radiation fan, in which when the outside temperature exceeds the set temperature, the control unit rotates each of the cooling fan and the heat-radiation fan at a high-speed, in which, when the outside temperature is equal to or lower than the set temperature and the storage chamber temperature is in the upper limit range, the control unit rotates each of the cooling fan and the heat-radiation fan at a medium-speed lower than a high-speed, and in which, when the outside temperature is equal to or lower than the set temperature and the storage chamber temperature is lower than the upper limit range, the control unit rotates each of the cooling fan and the heat-radiation fan at a low-speed lower than a medium-speed.

There is provided a mounting structure for mounting a cryocooler cold head on a vacuum vessel. The cold head includes a cold head-side cooling stage and a cold head-side flange. The mounting structure includes a cold head accommodation sleeve installed in the vacuum vessel and including a sleeve-side cooling stage which comes into thermal contact with the cold head-side cooling stage by coming into physical contact with the cold head-side cooling stage, and a sleeve-side flange to be coupled to the cold head-side flange, an inter-flange distance adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a distance between the sleeve-side flange and the cold head-side flange so that the cold head-side cooling stage and the sleeve-side cooling stage are physically brought into contact with each other or brought into a contactless state therebetween, and a flange fastening mechanism configured to fasten the cold head-side flange to the sleeve-side flange.

A refrigerator includes a cabinet configured to have an inner case in which a storage chamber is formed, a cooler configured to cool the storage chamber, a heating device configured to be spaced apart from the cooler and heat the storage chamber, a circulation fan configured to circulate air in the storage chamber, and a controller configured to operate the circulation fan when the heating device is operated.

A refrigerator includes a cabinet configured to be formed with a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber, a first door configured to open and close the first storage chamber, a second door configured to open and close the second storage chamber, a first cooler and a heater configured to adjust the temperature of the first storage chamber, a second cooler configured to adjust a temperature of the second storage chamber, and a controller configured to perform a general operation of the first storage chamber in preference to door load response operation of the second storage chamber, of the general operation of adjusting the temperature of the first storage chamber and the door load response operation of the second storage chamber.

A refrigerator includes a storage compartment and a mullion assembly pivotally coupled to one of a first door and a second door. The mullion assembly includes a cavity with an insulating member disposed therein. One or more sensor assemblies are coupled to the mullion assembly and configured to collect data sufficient to calculate a dew point temperature of the mullion assembly and an actual temperature of the mullion assembly. A heating element is coupled to the mullion assembly and is selectively activated by a controller based on information provided from the one or more sensor assemblies. The heating element is powered using a modulated power level that is inversely proportionate to the difference in temperature between the mullion assembly and the calculated dew point.

A device for dispensing items includes a cabinet, and a drawer within the cabinet. The drawer includes one or more compartments for storing items and a refrigeration system within the drawer. The refrigeration system is configured to maintain the one or more compartments in the drawer at a temperature below the temperature of the environment surrounding the cabinet. The drawer further includes thermal insulation at sides of the drawer and thermal insulation beneath the one or more compartments.

A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: detecting a first type of food item added to a first compartment of a refrigerator, determining an ideal storage temperature associated with the type of food item added to the first compartment, adjusting an ambient storage temperature in the first compartment to substantially match the ideal storage temperature associated with the first type of food item, detecting a second type of food item added to a second compartment of the refrigerator, determining an ideal storage temperature associated with the second type of food item added to the second compartment, and adjusting an ambient storage temperature in the second compartment to substantially match the ideal storage temperature associated with the second type of food item. The ideal storage temperature associated with the first type of food item is different than the ideal storage temperature associated with the second type of food item.