A refrigerator and a method of controlling an operation thereof are proposed. In the refrigerator and method thereof, heat control of heaters for preventing a damper from freezing is performed according to at least any one condition set in consideration of a room temperature and refrigerator internal humidity. Accordingly, consumption of power due to unnecessary heat generation of the heaters may be reduced, thereby improving the power consumption.

This invention relates to a novel kit, transportable apparatus and method for generating in-situ CO2 snow block within the apparatus. An item such as a biological sample can be stored and transported within the same apparatus that is employed for creating the CO2 snow block. The apparatus is capable of preserving the sample during transport. The invention also includes a specially designed CO2 snow charger system including a charger and meshed conduit. The charger system is operated in accordance with the methods of the present invention to create the in-situ CO2 snow block within a container that can be also used for transport.

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method for time shifting when a cold storage facility is cooled that includes determining a thermal model of a cold storage facility, obtaining an energy cost model that describes a schedule of variable energy costs over a predetermined period of time in the future, determining an operational schedule for at least a portion of a refrigeration system based on the thermal model, the energy cost model, and a maximum allowed temperature, and powering on the portion the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule, cooling, by the powered portion of the refrigeration system to a temperature below the maximum allowed temperature, reducing power usage of the powered portion of the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule, and permitting the facility to be warmed by ambient temperatures toward the maximum allowed temperature.

A container energy storage system is provided in this disclosure. The system includes a container and a plurality of functional assemblies. The container includes a container frame and a bottom plate. The container frame is formed a plurality of openings and a hollow main body. The bottom plate is disposed at the bottom of the container frame and is fixedly connected to the container frame. The functional assemblies are disposed in the hollow main body and located above the bottom plate.

A refrigerating appliance includes a cabinet that defines an interior cavity. A temperature sensing network monitors a temperature stratification of the interior cavity. The temperature stratification includes a plurality of temperature levels that correspond to respective locations of the interior cavity. A controller is configured to receive an input related to an item to be stored. The controller is further configured to compare the input with the temperature stratification. The controller is further configured to identify a primary storage location of the item to be stored based upon a comparison of the input and the plurality of temperature levels of the temperature stratification. A visual indicia is disposed within the interior cavity and coupled to the controller. The visual indicia activates to identify the primary storage location of the item to be stored.

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method for time shifting when a cold storage facility is cooled that includes determining a thermal model of a cold storage facility, obtaining an energy cost model that describes a schedule of variable energy costs over a predetermined period of time in the future, determining an operational schedule for at least a portion of a refrigeration system based on the thermal model, the energy cost model, and a maximum allowed temperature, and powering on the portion the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule, cooling, by the powered portion of the refrigeration system to a temperature below the maximum allowed temperature, reducing power usage of the powered portion of the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule, and permitting the facility to be warmed by ambient temperatures toward the maximum allowed temperature.

A refrigerator appliance includes a chilled chamber defining a plurality of cooling zones and a lighting assembly comprising a plurality of lighting zones corresponding to the plurality of cooling zones. A climate control system generates and selectively directs a flow of cooling air into the plurality of cooling zones such that the temperature in each zone is independently regulated and the lighting assembly selectively illuminates the plurality of lighting zones to provide user feedback regarding the operation of the climate control system, e.g., by indicating which zones are receiving the flow of cooling air, by notifying a user when a zone has reached a setpoint temperature, or by identifying the presence and location of a flow restriction.

A method for verifying an alarm condition in an environmental sensing system includes monitoring data received from environmental sensors; detecting anomalous data received from one of the plurality of environmental sensors; determining the context in which the anomalous data was acquired is consistent with typical usage activities; and providing an alarm condition alert when the determined context is not consistent with typical activities. A system for intelligently monitoring environmental conditions includes environmental sensors configured to monitor first and second environmental conditions and to communicate with an intelligent analysis module. The intelligent analysis module is configured with logic to determine whether anomalous data has been collected by the environmental sensors, to determine the context in which the anomalous data was collected, to determine whether the anomalous data can be attributed to a routine activity, and to provide an alarm condition if the anomalous data cannot be attributed to a routine activity.

A container energy storage system is provided in this disclosure. The system includes a container and a plurality of functional assemblies. The container includes a container frame and a bottom plate. The container frame is formed with a plurality of openings and a hollow main body. The bottom plate is disposed at a bottom of the container frame and is fixedly connected to the container frame. The functional assemblies are disposed in the hollow main body and located above the bottom plate.

A refrigerator for storing products includes a sensor container configured to position at least one temperature sensor within a refrigerated interior in a cabinet of the refrigerator. The sensor container includes a main body portion enclosing a hollow interior space configured to receive a ballast liquid, and a plurality of dry wells which each extend generally horizontally between a closed end within the hollow interior space and an open end. The temperature sensors positioned in the dry wells are surrounded by ballast liquid but are not in direct contact with refrigerated air within the cabinet or the ballast liquid. The temperature measurements therefore approximate the thermal response of products (such as blood) stored in the cabinet without necessitating submersible sensors or a risk of liquid leaks. The temperature measurements may be sent to elements such as a chart recorder, and a display and alarm device associated with the refrigerator.