A temperature modulation system for a bed, blanket, or other furniture includes a fluid for moderating temperature change, a number of conduit circuits for directing the fluid through respective zones, a control unit including a thermoelectric device for modulating temperature of the fluid, and a pump. Each of the conduit circuits selectively and independently directs fluid through its respective zone in order to produce a temperature within the zone that is independent of the temperature outside the zone. The system also includes an arrangement of one or more zones in an arrangement in which the control unit is programmed to vary the zone temperature over time according to a schedule.

This cooling module (14A) comprises: an assembly of one or more Peltier cells comprising, on the inside, an internal heat transmission face and, on the outside, an external heat transmission face; an internal heat sink (46A) and an external heat sink (48A), which are in thermal contact, respectively, with the internal heat transmission face and the external heat transmission face; and at least one internal fan (50A) and at least one external fan (54A), which are respectively suitable to circulate an internal air flow through the internal heat sink (46A) and an external air flow through the external heat sink (48A).

A refrigerator may include a temperature sensor, a thermoelectric device module having a thermoelectric device, and at least one fan and configured to cool a storage compartment, and a controller that controls the output power of the thermoelectric device based on the temperature of the storage compartment, a set temperature, and the outside temperature. The output power of the thermoelectric device may be determined based on whether the temperature of the storage compartment is within a first temperature region including the set temperature, a second temperature region, or a third temperature region. In the first and second temperature regions, the thermoelectric device may operate at different output power and which gradually increases as the outside temperature increases. In the third temperature region, the thermoelectric device may operate at a third output power which exceeds the first output power and is greater than or equal to the second output power.

A portable cooler container with active temperature control system is provided. The active temperature control system is operated to heat or cool a chamber of a vessel to approach a temperature set point suitable for a medication stored in the cooler container.

A thermoelectric cooling system includes a first circuit, a second circuit, a circuit heat exchanger, and a thermoelectric subsystem. The first circuit is configured to circulate a first refrigerant. The second circuit is configured to circulate a second refrigerant. The circuit heat exchanger includes a circuit heat exchanger first passage and a circuit heat exchanger second passage. The circuit heat exchanger first passage is coupled to the first circuit and configured to receive the first refrigerant from the first circuit and provide the first refrigerant to the first circuit. The circuit heat exchanger second passage is coupled to the second circuit and configured to receive the second refrigerant from the second circuit and provide the second refrigerant to the second circuit. The thermoelectric subsystem includes a thermoelectric subsystem first heat exchanger and a first thermoelectric cell. The thermoelectric subsystem first heat exchanger has a thermoelectric subsystem first heat exchanger passage.

An ice-making appliance, as provided herein, may include a sink, an upper dispenser, a lower tank, and a heat exchanger. The upper dispenser may be disposed above the sink. The lower tank may be disposed below the upper dispenser to hold an initial volume of liquid water. The heat exchanger may include a mold finger may be disposed within the lower tank and to freeze a portion of the initial volume of liquid water as an ice nugget. The lower tank may define a vertical passage permitting the ice nugget to float therethrough with a remaining volume of liquid water. The upper dispenser may include an ice door. The ice door may be movable between a closed position and an open position. The open position may permit the ice nugget from the upper dispenser to the sink. Methods of operating the ice-making appliance are also provided herein.

A controller assembly, apparatus, and method of manufacture for a micro-chiller unit is provided. The control assembly includes a controller coupled to a plurality of sensors configured within a micro-chiller unit wherein the controller is configured to receive sensed data from at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors comprising at least temperature data of an interior cavity disposed in the micro-chiller unit, wherein in response to receiving at least temperature data, the controller is configured to adjust an amount of power to the micro-chiller unit in accordance with a maximum level of power from a supply locally available, wherein the amount of power is further adjusted in accordance with a mode of operation of the micro-chiller unit for supplying current to at least a set of thermo-electric elements to cool the interior cavity of the micro-chiller unit to a set-point temperature.

A refrigerator includes a thermoelectric element module, and a defrosting temperature sensor, and a controller configured to control operation of the thermoelectric element module. The thermoelectric element module includes a thermoelectric element including a heat absorption portion and a heat dissipation portion, a first heat sink in contact with the heat absorption portion, a first fan facing the first heat sink, a second heat sink in contact with the heat dissipation portion, and a second fan facing the second heat sink. The controller is configured to initiate a natural defrosting operation for removing frost on the thermoelectric element module at every preset period, and terminate the natural defrosting operation based on a temperature measured by the defrosting temperature sensor corresponding to a reference temperature. The controller is configured to control operation of the thermoelectric element and rotation of the first and second fans in the natural defrosting operation.

A temperature modulation system for a bed, blanket, or other furniture includes a fluid for moderating temperature change, a number of conduit circuits for directing the fluid through respective zones, a control unit including a thermoelectric device for modulating temperature of the fluid, and a pump. Each of the conduit circuits selectively and independently directs fluid through its respective zone in order to produce a temperature within the zone that is independent of the temperature outside the zone. The system also includes an arrangement of one or more zones in an arrangement in which the control unit is programmed to vary the zone temperature over time according to a schedule.

A portable cooler container with active temperature control system is provided. The active temperature control system is operated to heat or cool a chamber of a vessel to approach a temperature set point suitable for a medication stored in the cooler container.