Did You Know...
...that the Eveready Battery began as an invention called the "electric flowerpot," which was a tube with a battery and light bulb inside? The idea was to fasten this gizmo to the side of a flowerpot so it would illuminate the flowers from the bottom. The idea died on the vine and the businessman who licensed the flower pot, Conrad Huber, was left with a pile of useless tubes -- until he found a way to market them as batteries to light the world!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8161758 | Automatic defrost evaporator systems A method of defrosting a eutectic plate of a refrigeration system involves activating a defrost system when a power source is connected to the refrigeration system. The defrost system is operated for all or a portion of a defrost cycle and is then deactivated. The i... | 04/24/2012 |
| 8091372 | Heat pump defrost system A heat pump defrost system for efficiently defrosting an outdoor coil while simultaneously operating the heat pump in a normal heating manner. The heat pump defrost system generally includes a primary flow circuit including an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat ... | 01/10/2012 |
| 7836707 | Methods for detecting and responding to freezing coils in HVAC systems A method to detect and respond to a coil condition in an HVAC system. The method includes calculating an initial airflow restriction value and a current airflow restriction value, which are compared. If the current airflow restriction value is greater than a first s... | 11/23/2010 |
| 7797952 | Defrosting method of drum-type washing machine A defrosting method of a drum-type washing machine is provided. The defrosting method includes performing a warm water supply operation upon receiving a defrost command; performing a water discharge operation; performing a heating operation if a water level has not ... | 09/21/2010 |
| 7451607 | Method of control for a refrigerated merchandiser A method of controlling a refrigerated merchandiser. The method includes providing a case that defines a product display area and an air passage that has an inlet and an outlet, positioning an evaporator in the air passage to refrigerate the air, positioning a fan i... | 11/18/2008 |
| 7421847 | Refrigeration unit condensation prevention Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for efficient elimination of door and frame condensation at widely utilized commercial freezer/refrigeration display cases. The apparatus includes a local controller unit connected with an array of case sensors including ... | 09/09/2008 |
| 7334422 | Cabin air conditioning system with liquid cooling for power electronics An air conditioning system is provided with a cooling air ram that includes both air-to-air heat exchangers, and a liquid sink heat exchanger. The liquid sink heat exchanger receives a cooling fluid that has been utilized to cool a power electronics control for an e... | 02/26/2008 |
| 7331193 | Refrigerator A refrigerator including a refrigerating compartment evaporator cover to partition a storage space of a refrigerating compartment and a refrigerating compartment evaporator accommodator, a ventilator which is provided in a lower part of the refrigerating compartment... | 02/19/2008 |
| 7331188 | Method for controlling an HVAC system A method for controlling a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system having an air vent associated with a window for blowing an air flow of controlled temperature thereon; the HVAC system having a refrigeration unit with a compressor and an evaporator,... | 02/19/2008 |
| 7320226 | Freezer with defrost function and method for operating the freezer A freezer includes a refrigeration surface that can be frozen, such as an evaporator surface, a heating device for heating the refrigeration surface, and a control circuit for controlling the operation of the heating device in accordance with a timer. The control ci... | 01/22/2008 |
| 7308800 | Multi-type air conditioner with defrosting device Multi-type air conditioner comprising an outdoor unit installed in an outdoor, comprising a compressor, a refrigerant flow controlling part connected to a discharge end of the compressor for guiding the refrigerant proper to operation conditions selectively, an outd... | 12/18/2007 |
| 7293705 | Radio frequency identification method and system of distributing products A method and system for vending products from a defined area, such as a micro-warehouse with a door. The method includes fitting each product with a radio frequency identification tag, positioning the plurality of products in a micro-warehouse, sensing opening and c... | 11/13/2007 |
| 7287396 | Evaporator pressure regulator control and diagnostics An apparatus for refrigeration system control includes a plurality of circuits, each circuit having at least one refrigeration case and an electronic evaporator pressure regulator in communication with each circuit. Each electronic evaporator pressure regulator cont... | 10/30/2007 |
| 7258276 | Radio frequency identification method and system of distributing products A method and system for vending products from a defined area, such as a micro-warehouse with a door. The method includes fitting each product with a radio frequency identification tag, positioning the plurality of products in a micro-warehouse, sensing opening and c... | 08/21/2007 |
| 7247254 | Antifreeze composition and method An antifreeze composition and method of use provides safety and protection for potable water systems in RVs, vacation homes, swimming pools and raw water cooled marine engines against freeze damage. The antifreeze composition includes propylene glycol, a sorbitol su... | 07/24/2007 |
| 7225627 | Vapor compression system and method for controlling conditions in ambient surroundings A vapor compression system including an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser interconnected in a closed-loop system and a method of operating such a system. The method includes the conversion of expanded liquid heat transfer fluid from a liquid form to a high q... | 06/05/2007 |
| 7191983 | Methods and systems for controlling flammability control systems in aircraft and other vehicles Methods and systems for controlling fuel tank flammability control systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system for use with an aircraft or other vehicle includes a flammability control system and a controller operably coupled to the flammability contro... | 03/20/2007 |
| 7188480 | Membrane desiccation heat pump There is provided a system for pumping thermal energy. The system includes (a) a heater for heating a liquid, (b) a gas-liquid contactor for adding vapor from the liquid to a process gas to produce a vapor-containing gas, and (c) a membrane permeator for removing th... | 03/13/2007 |
| 7185502 | Multi-type air conditioner and method for controlling operation of the same Air conditioner, and method for controlling an operation of the same, the air conditioner including a sheath heater in the accumulator for heating the refrigerant in room heating for delaying deposition of frost on the outdoor heat exchanger. The sheath heater inclu... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7178738 | Control system for air conditioner and air conditioner A control system for an air conditioner is configured that can wirelessly transmit control signals, and allow the output power settings of transceiver units arranged in the outdoor unit and indoor units to be reduced. The air conditioner control system includes an o... | 02/20/2007 |
| 7165720 | Radio frequency identification method and system of distributing products A method and system for vending products from a defined area, such as a micro-warehouse with a door. The method includes fitting each product with a radio frequency identification tag, positioning the plurality of products in a micro-warehouse, sensing opening and c... | 01/23/2007 |
| 7150156 | Product simulating probe and method A probe and method for simulating refrigerated product temperature includes a housing containing a thermal mass having thermo-physical properties similar to refrigerated food product, a temperature sensing element operable to measure the temperature of the thermal m... | 12/19/2006 |
| 7102501 | Device and method for automatically preventing misting of the windscreen of a vehicle A device and method for automatically preventing misting of the windscreen of a vehicle, wherein a number of sensors determine ambient conditions capable of misting the windscreen, and, upon such ambient conditions occurring, an electronic central control unit autom... | 09/05/2006 |
| 7086239 | Condenser The present invention relates to a condenser for an air-based climate control system, having an inlet and an outlet for the air to be cooled, an inlet and an outlet for the cool air, a heat exchange unit for heat transfer between the air to be cooled and the cool ai... | 08/08/2006 |
| 7047754 | Heater controller and heater control method of refrigerator The present invention relates to a heater controller and a heater control method of a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a heater controller and a heater control method of a refrigerator, which control a heater mounted in a refrigerator dispenser. In the presen... | 05/23/2006 |
| 7032401 | Break down ice merchandiser shroud A refrigerated merchandiser shroud that can be packaged and transported unassembled and then assembled without tools is disclosed. The unassembled shroud can be readily transported and is resistant to damage during shipping. The refrigerated merchandiser shroud incl... | 04/25/2006 |
| 7028499 | Refrigerator with an evaporator A refrigerator with an evaporator having a refrigerant pipe, and a defrosting heater placed below the evaporator and defrosting the evaporator, wherein the refrigerant pipe includes a main refrigerant pipe evaporating a refrigerant, and a heat-transfer refrigerant p... | 04/18/2006 |
| 7024870 | Method of managing a refrigeration system A method of managing a refrigeration system includes transmitting energy consumption, maintenance indicator, and food condition data from the refrigeration system to a management center; analyzing the energy consumption, maintenance indicator, and food condition dat... | 04/11/2006 |
| 7013661 | Wireless method for monitoring and controlling food temperature A method for controlling refrigeration including a simulated product temperature sensor operable to measure a simulated product temperature from a refrigeration case and a transceiver in communication with said simulated product temperature sensor and operable to wi... | 03/21/2006 |
| 7004246 | Air-to-air heat pump defrost bypass loop An improvement in defrosting an air-to-air heat pump system when in the heating mode. A bypass loop transfers refrigerant at a higher temperature and pressure than is normally cycled through the outdoor unit to an outdoor coil to defrost ice on the outdoor coil, The... | 02/28/2006 |
| 7003967 | Methods and apparatus for controlling refrigerators A refrigerator includes a refrigeration compartment having an upper region and a lower region, a first evaporator positioned in the upper region, a second evaporator, positioned in the lower region, and a fan disposed between the first and second evaporators. The fa... | 02/28/2006 |
| 6997011 | Sliding rail for a wire-tube evaporator, evaporator assembly, and refrigeration unit with the evaporator assembly A sliding rail for a wire-tube evaporator has an elongated rail body to be mounted on the evaporator and to protect the latter against abrasion caused by a frozen product container that slides above or on the evaporator. The sliding rail includes at least a tubular ... | 02/14/2006 |
| 6976368 | Method and apparatus for controlling refrigeration A thermal sensor (20) located in the centre of a food simulant composition (24) linked to a remote measuring indicating and/or regulating device (28). The temperature of the food simulant changes in the same way as food stored in its vicinity an... | 12/20/2005 |
| 6973793 | Estimating evaporator airflow in vapor compression cycle cooling equipment A method for determining airflow through an evaporator coil in a vapor compression cycle by measuring the moist air conditions entering and leaving the coil, and various temperatures and pressures in the refrigerant of the vapor compression cycle. The mass airflow r... | 12/13/2005 |
| 6971584 | Method and apparatus for preventing fogging on the windows of a motor vehicle The regulated heating and air conditioning installations normally enable, when controlled, integration of the main factors affecting the comfort of passengers, in particular preventing the windscreen and the other windows from getting clouded. In order to detect inc... | 12/06/2005 |
| 6964172 | Adaptive defrost method The accumulation period between defrost cycles of a refrigeration apparatus having a electrical defrost heater is calculated on the basis of energy expended to remove the ice from the coil during the previous defrost cycle. In this way, variations in the voltage lev... | 11/15/2005 |
| 6952932 | Aftercooler bypass means for a locomotive compressed air system Method and apparatus for heating gases cooled by an aftercooler that receives hot gases from a compressor. The method includes the steps of directing at least a portion of said hot gases to means for bypassing the aftercooler, and using the bypass means to direct ho... | 10/11/2005 |
| 6945866 | Method and apparatus for delivering conditioned air using pulse modulation A method and apparatus for delivering conditioned air using short duty cycles during which a damper is fully open for a time and fully closed for the remaining time. Conditioned air is continuously supplied to a plenum at low pressure and is applied to the space whe... | 09/20/2005 |
| 6928827 | Control of temperature of supply of pressurized air A method of, and apparatus, for, controlling the temperature of pressurized air such as bleed air from a gas turbine engine, wherein the air is passed through a heat exchanger to exchange heat with coolant air which is caused to flow through the heat exchanger by op... | 08/16/2005 |
| 6862891 | Methods and apparatus for controlling heating within refrigerators A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a freezer compartment having a freezer door, an ice maker in communication with an ice dispensing system, the ice dispensing system has an ice delivery conduit extending through the freezer door, and a heating el... | 03/08/2005 |
