US20120011861A1 - Supercooling apparatus - Google Patents

Supercooling apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US20120011861A1
US20120011861A1 US13/143,020 US201013143020A US2012011861A1 US 20120011861 A1 US20120011861 A1 US 20120011861A1 US 201013143020 A US201013143020 A US 201013143020A US 2012011861 A1 US2012011861 A1 US 2012011861A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
temperature
supercooling
heat source
source supply
heat
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Abandoned
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US13/143,020
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English (en)
Inventor
Cheol-Hwan Kim
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LG Electronics Inc
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LG Electronics Inc
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Publication of US20120011861A1 publication Critical patent/US20120011861A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B40/00—Subcoolers, desuperheaters or superheaters
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L3/00—Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs
    • A23L3/36—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling
    • A23L3/363—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling the materials not being transported through or in the apparatus with or without shaping, e.g. in form of powder, granules, or flakes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B1/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
    • F25D2700/12—Sensors measuring the inside temperature
    • F25D2700/122—Sensors measuring the inside temperature of freezer compartments

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a supercooling apparatus, and, more particularly, to a supercooling apparatus which can reduce a deviation of energy applied to a stored or received object during the cooling.
  • Supercooling means the phenomenon that a molten object or a solid is not changed although it is cooled to a temperature below the phase transition temperature in an equilibrium state.
  • a material has a stable state at every temperature. If the temperature is slowly changed, the constituent elements of the material can follow the temperature changes, maintaining the stable state at each temperature. However, if the temperature is suddenly changed, since the constituent elements cannot be changed to the stable state at each temperature, the constituent elements maintain a stable state of the initial temperature, or some of the constituent elements fail to be changed to a state of the final temperature.
  • an electrostatic atmosphere is made in a refrigerator and meat and fish are thawed in the refrigerator at a minus temperature.
  • meat and fish are thawed in the refrigerator at a minus temperature.
  • fruit is kept fresh in the refrigerator.
  • the supercooling phenomenon indicates the phenomenon that a molten object or a solid is not changed although it is cooled to a temperature below the phase transition temperature in an equilibrium state.
  • This technology includes Korean Patent Publication No. 2000-0011081 titled “Electrostatic field processing method, electrostatic field processing apparatus, and electrodes therefor”.
  • FIG. 1 is a view of an example of a conventional thawing and freshness-keeping apparatus.
  • a keeping-cool room 1 is composed of a thermal insulation material 2 and an outer wall 5 .
  • a mechanism (not shown) controlling a temperature inside the room 1 is installed therein.
  • a metal shelf 7 installed in the room 1 has a two-layer structure. Target objects to be thawed or freshness-kept and ripened such as vegetables, meat and marine products are loaded on the respective layers.
  • the metal shelf 7 is insulated from the bottom of the room 1 by an insulator 9 .
  • a high voltage generator 3 can generate 0 to 5000 V of DC and AC voltages, an insulation plate 2 a such as vinyl chloride, etc. is covered on the inside of the thermal insulation material 2 .
  • a high-voltage cable 4 outputting the voltage of the high voltage generator 3 is connected to the metal shelf 7 after passing through the outer wall 5 and the thermal insulation material 2 .
  • a safety switch 13 (see FIG. 2 ) is turned off to intercept the output of the high voltage generator 3 .
  • FIG. 2 is a circuit view of the circuit configuration of the high voltage generator 3 .
  • 100 V of AC is supplied to a primary side of a voltage regulation transformer 15 .
  • Reference numeral 11 represents a power lamp and 19 a working state lamp.
  • a relay 14 is operated. This state is displayed by a relay operation lamp 12 .
  • Relay contact points 14 a , 14 b and 14 c are closed by the operation of the relay 14 , and 100 V of AC is applied to the primary side of the voltage regulation transformer 15 .
  • the applied voltage is regulated by a regulation knob 15 a on a secondary side of the voltage regulation transformer 15 , and the regulated voltage value is displayed on a voltmeter.
  • the regulation knob 15 a is connected to a primary side of a boosting transformer 17 on the secondary side of the voltage regulation transformer 15 .
  • the boosting transformer 17 boosts the voltage at a ratio of 1:50. For example, when 60 V of voltage is applied, it is boosted to 3000 V.
  • One end O 1 of the output of the secondary side of the boosting transformer 17 is connected to the metal shelf 7 insulated from the keeping-cool room 1 through the high-voltage cable 4 , and the other end O 2 of the output is grounded. Moreover, since the outer wall 5 is grounded, if the user touches the outer wall 5 of the keeping-cool room 1 , he/she does not get an electric shock. Further, in FIG. 1 , when the metal shelf 7 is exposed in the room 1 , it should be maintained in an insulated state in the room 1 . Thus, the metal shelf 7 needs to be separated from the wall of the room 1 (the air performs an insulation function).
  • the insulation plate 2 a is attached to the inner wall to prevent drop of the applied voltage.
  • an electric field atmosphere is produced in the entire room 1 .
  • an electric field or a magnetic field is applied to the stored object to be cooled, such that the stored object enters a supercooled state. Accordingly, a complicated apparatus for producing the electric field or the magnetic field should be provided to keep the stored object in the supercooled state, and the power consumption is increased during the production of the electric field or the magnetic field.
  • the apparatus for producing the electric field or the magnetic field should further include a safety device (e.g., an electric or magnetic field shielding structure, an interception device, etc.) for protecting the user from high power, when producing or intercepting the electric field or the magnetic field.
  • a safety device e.g., an electric or magnetic field shielding structure, an interception device, etc.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus and method which can reliably prevent the formation of ice crystal nucleuses in a stored object of a supercooled state.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus and method which can easily prevent the formation of ice crystal nucleuses and adjust a supercooling temperature of a stored object.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus and method which can maintain a stored object in a supercooled state only by the power supply in a space where only the cooling is performed.
  • a still further object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus and method which can reduce a temperature deviation of a stored object of a supercooled state to stably maintain the supercooled state.
  • a still further object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus and method which can accurately rapidly determine a supercooled state of a stored object.
  • a still further object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus and method which can maintain and control a supercooled state through the supply of energy with a greatly-reduced deviation, when controlling the temperature of a stored object during the cooling.
  • a supercooling apparatus including: a storage room provided in a storing unit where the cooling is performed and having a storing space therein to store an object; a heat source supply unit provided in the storage room and supplying heat to the storing space or generating heat in the storing space; a temperature sensing unit sensing the temperature of the storing space or the stored object; and a control unit operating the heat source supply unit based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensing unit to enable an upper portion of the storing space to have a temperature higher than a temperature of the maximum ice crystal formation zone, such that the storing space or the stored object is maintained in a supercooled state at a temperature below the maximum ice crystal formation zone, the control unit supplying or generating heat over a given magnitude during the supercooled-state control.
  • control unit maintains the upper temperature of the storing space over the phase transition temperature.
  • control unit maintains the lower temperature of the storing space or the temperature of the stored object at a preset supercooling temperature to store the stored object in the supercooled state.
  • control unit controls the heat source supply unit to supply or generate heat of a given magnitude range.
  • the heat source supply unit comprises first and second heat source supply units independently respectively provided on two or more surfaces of the storing space.
  • the first or second heat source supply unit comprises two or more sub-heat source supply units, wherein at least one sub-heat source supply unit has the on state and the other one sub-heat source supply unit alternately has the on state and the off state during the supercooled-state control.
  • the first or second heat source supply unit receives a voltage included in a voltage variable region higher than 0 V and maintains the on state to keep the stored object in the supercooled state.
  • the temperature sensing unit includes one or more temperature sensors mounted on or adjacent to the surface having the heat source supply unit thereon.
  • control unit independently controls the heat source supply unit based on the temperature of the temperature sensor mounted on the same surface as the heat source supply unit or the temperature sensor mounted in the proximity of the heat source supply unit.
  • control unit determines whether the supercooled state of the stored object has been released according to a change in the sensed temperature from the temperature sensing unit.
  • a supercooling method for a cooling apparatus including a storage room which is provided in a storing unit where the cooling is performed and which has a storing space therein to store an object
  • the supercooling method including: cooling the stored object or the storage room to a temperature of the maximum ice crystal formation zone or a lower temperature; and supplying heat to the storing space or generating heat in the storing space, wherein the supercooling method performs sensing the temperature of the storing space or the stored object, and performs the supercooled-state control which controls at least one of the cooling and the supplying of heat based on the sensed temperature to enable an upper portion of the storing space to have a temperature higher than a temperature of the maximum ice crystal formation zone, such that the storing space or the stored object is maintained in a supercooled state at a temperature below the maximum ice crystal formation zone.
  • An embodiment of the present invention can stably maintain a stored object in a supercooled state for an extended period of time by reliably preventing the formation of ice crystal nucleuses in the stored object of the supercooled state.
  • An embodiment of the present invention can store and maintain a stored object in a desired state by easily preventing the formation of ice crystal nucleuses and adjusting a supercooling temperature of the stored object.
  • An embodiment of the present invention can achieve a simple structure and independent control by maintaining a stored object in a supercooled state only by the power supply in a space where only the cooling is performed.
  • An embodiment of the present invention can stably maintain a supercooled state by reducing a temperature deviation of a stored object of the supercooled state.
  • An embodiment of the present invention can stably maintain quality of a stored object by accurately rapidly determining a supercooled state of the stored object.
  • An embodiment of the present invention can stably maintain a state of a stored object by maintaining and controlling a supercooled state through the supply of energy with a greatly-reduced deviation, when controlling the temperature of the stored object during the cooling.
  • FIG. 1 is a view of an example of a conventional thawing and freshness-keeping apparatus.
  • FIG. 2 is a circuit view of the circuit configuration of a high voltage generator.
  • FIG. 3 is a view showing a process in which ice crystal nucleuses are formed in a liquid during the cooling.
  • FIG. 4 is a view showing a process of preventing the ice crystal nucleus formation, which is applied to a supercooling apparatus according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration view of the supercooling apparatus according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a graph showing a supercooled state of water in the supercooling apparatus of FIG. 5 .
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a supercooling system adopting a supercooling apparatus according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the supercooling apparatus of FIG. 7 .
  • FIG. 9 is a view showing the arrangement of a heat source supply unit of the supercooling apparatus of FIG. 8 .
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a supercooling method using the supercooling apparatus of FIG. 8 .
  • FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the supercooling apparatus of FIG. 7 .
  • FIG. 12 is a graph showing a voltage applied to a heat source supply unit in the supercooling apparatus of FIG. 11 .
  • FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a supercooling method using the supercooling apparatus of FIG. 11 .
  • FIG. 14 is a graph showing a temperature change caused by the on/off operation of the heat source supply unit.
  • FIG. 15 is a graph showing the temperature in the supercooling release of a stored object in the heat supply of FIG. 14 .
  • FIG. 16 is a graph showing differential values of the sensed temperature of FIG. 15 .
  • FIG. 17 is a graph showing a temperature change in the supercooling methods of FIGS. 8 and 11 .
  • FIG. 18 is a graph showing the temperature in the supercooling release of a stored object in the heat supply of FIG. 17 .
  • FIG. 19 is a graph showing differential values of the sensed temperature of FIG. 18 .
  • FIG. 3 is a view showing a process in which ice crystal nucleuses are formed in a liquid during the cooling. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , a container C containing a liquid L (or a stored object) is cooled in a storing unit S with a cooling space therein.
  • a cooling temperature of the cooling space is lowered from a normal temperature to a temperature below 0° C. (the phase transition temperature of water) or a temperature below the phase transition temperature of the liquid L. While the cooling is carried out, it is intended to maintain a supercooled state of the water or the liquid L (or the stored object) at a temperature below the maximum ice crystal formation zone ( ⁇ 1° C. to ⁇ 7° C.) of the water in which the formation of ice crystals is maximized, or at a cooling temperature below the maximum ice crystal formation zone of the liquid L.
  • the liquid L is evaporated during the cooling such that vapor W 1 is introduced into a gas Lg (or a space) in the container C.
  • the gas Lg may be supersaturated due to the evaporated vapor W 1 .
  • the vapor W 1 forms ice crystal nucleuses F 1 in the gas Lg or ice crystal nucleuses F 2 on an inner wall of the container C.
  • the condensation occurs in a contact portion of the surface Ls of the liquid L and the inner wall of the container C (almost the same as the cooling temperature of the cooling space) such that the condensed liquid L may form ice crystal nucleuses F 3 which are ice crystals.
  • the liquid L is released from the supercooled state and caused to be frozen. That is, the supercooling of the liquid L is released.
  • the liquid L is released from the supercooled state and caused to be frozen.
  • the liquid L is released from the supercooled state due to the freezing of the vapor evaporated from the liquid L and existing on the surface Ls of the liquid L and the freezing of the vapor on the inner wall of the container C adjacent to the surface Ls of the liquid L.
  • FIG. 4 is a view showing a process of preventing the ice crystal nucleus formation, which is applied to a supercooling apparatus according to the present invention.
  • the liquid L in the container C maintains the supercooled state at a temperature below its phase transition temperature or a temperature below its maximum ice crystal formation zone.
  • the cooling temperature in the storing unit S is a considerably low temperature, e.g., ⁇ 20° C.
  • the liquid L which is the stored object may not be able to maintain the supercooled state.
  • energy should be applied to a lower portion of the container C to some extent.
  • the temperature of the upper portion of the container C can be maintained higher than the phase transition temperature or a temperature of the maximum ice crystal formation zone.
  • the temperature of the liquid L in the supercooled state can be adjusted by the energy applied to the lower portion of the container C and the energy applied to the upper portion of the container C.
  • the liquid L has been described as an example with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 .
  • the stored object when the liquid in the stored object is continuously supercooled, the stored object can be kept fresh for an extended period of time.
  • the stored object can be maintained in a supercooled state at a temperature below the phase transition temperature via the above process.
  • the stored object may include meat, vegetable, fruit and other food as well as the liquid.
  • the energy adopted in the present invention may be thermal energy, electric or magnetic energy, ultrasonic-wave energy, light energy, and so on.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration view of the supercooling apparatus according to the present invention.
  • the supercooling apparatus of FIG. 5 includes a case Sr mounted in the storing unit S in which the cooling is performed and having a storing space therein, a heat generation coil H 1 mounted on the inside of the top surface of the case Sr and generating heat, a temperature sensor C 1 sensing a temperature of an upper portion of the storing space, a heat generation coil H 2 mounted on the inside of the bottom surface of the case Sr and generating heat, and a temperature sensor C 2 sensing a temperature of the lower portion of the storing space or a temperature of a stored object P.
  • the supercooling apparatus is installed in the storing unit S such that the cooling is performed therein.
  • the temperature sensors C 1 and C 2 sense the temperature and the heat generation coils H 1 and H 2 are turned on to supply heat from the upper and lower portions of the storing space to the storing space.
  • the heat supply quantity is adjusted to control the temperature of the upper portion of the storing space (or the air on the stored object P) to be higher than a temperature of the maximum ice crystal formation zone, more preferably, the phase transition temperature.
  • the positions of the heat generation coils H 1 and H 2 in FIG. 5 are appropriately determined to supply the heat (or energy) to the stored object P and the storing space.
  • the heat generation coils H 1 and H 2 may be inserted into the side surfaces of the case Sr.
  • the storing space may be opened and closed by a drawer, etc.
  • FIG. 6 is a graph showing the supercooled state of water in the supercooling apparatus of FIG. 5 .
  • the graph of FIG. 6 is a temperature graph when the liquid L is water and the principle of FIGS. 4 and 5 is applied thereto.
  • line I represents a curve of the cooling temperature of the cooling space
  • line II represents a curve of the temperature of the gas Lg (air) on the surface of the water in the container C or the case Sr (or the temperature of the upper portion of the container C or the case Sr)
  • line III represents a curve of the temperature of the lower portion of the container C or the case Sr.
  • a temperature of an outer surface of the container C or the case Sr is substantially identical to the temperature of the water in the container C or the case Sr.
  • the cooling temperature is maintained at about ⁇ 19° C. to ⁇ 20° C. (see line I)
  • the temperature of the gas Lg on the surface of the water in the container C is maintained at about 4° C. to 6° C. which is higher than a temperature of the maximum ice crystal formation zone of the water
  • the temperature of the water in the container C is maintained at about ⁇ 11° C. which is lower than a temperature of the maximum ice crystal formation zone of the water, but the water is stably maintained in a supercooled state which is a liquid state for an extended period of time.
  • the heat generation coils H 1 and H 2 supply heat.
  • energy is applied to the surface of the water or the gas Lg on the surface of the water before the temperature of the water reaches a temperature of the maximum ice crystal formation zone, more preferably, the phase transition temperature due to the cooling.
  • the water stably enters and maintains the supercooled state.
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a supercooling system according to the present invention and FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a supercooling apparatus of FIG. 7 .
  • the supercooling system includes a cooling apparatus 100 , and a supercooling apparatus 200 mounted in and cooled by the cooling apparatus 100 .
  • the cooling apparatus 100 which is provided with a storing unit storing a stored object, includes a cooling cycle (i.e., cooling means) 110 cooling the storing unit, an input unit 120 receiving the input of a setting command or the like from a user, a display unit 130 displaying a temperature state or the like of the cooling apparatus 100 , and a main control unit 140 receiving external commercial power (or another power) and controlling the cooling cycle 110 to maintain the temperature in the storing unit at a temperature below at least the maximum ice crystal formation zone.
  • a cooling cycle i.e., cooling means
  • an input unit 120 receiving the input of a setting command or the like from a user
  • a display unit 130 displaying a temperature state or the like of the cooling apparatus 100
  • main control unit 140 receiving external commercial power (or another power) and controlling the cooling cycle 110 to maintain the temperature in the storing unit at a temperature below at least the maximum ice crystal formation zone.
  • the cooling cycle 110 is divided into indirect-cooling type and direct-cooling type according to methods for cooling the stored object.
  • the indirect-cooling type cooling cycle includes a compressor compressing the refrigerant, an evaporator producing the cool air to cool a storing space or a stored object, a fan making the forcible flow of the produced cool air, an inlet duct introducing the cool air into the storing space, and a discharge duct inducing the cool air passing through the storing space to the evaporator.
  • the indirect-cooling type cooling cycle may include a condenser, a dryer, an expansion device, etc.
  • the direct-cooling type cooling cycle includes a compressor compressing the refrigerant, and an evaporator provided in a case defining a storing space to be adjacent to the inner surface of the case and evaporating the refrigerant.
  • the direct-cooling type cooling cycle includes a condenser, an expansion valve, etc.
  • the input unit which receives the input of temperature setting of the storing unit, an operation command of the supercooling apparatus 200 , function setting of a dispenser, and so on from the user, may be provided as, e.g., push buttons, a keyboard or a touch pad.
  • the operation commands of the supercooling apparatus 200 may include a freezing command, a thin-ice command, a supercooling command, etc.
  • the display unit 130 may display an operation basically performed by the cooling apparatus 100 , e.g. the temperature of the storing unit, the cooling temperature, the operation state of the supercooling apparatus 200 , etc.
  • the display unit 130 may be implemented as an LCD display, an LED display, etc.
  • the main control unit 140 includes a power unit 142 receiving commercial power and rectifying, smoothing and transforming the commercial power into operating power (e.g., 5 V, 12 V, etc.) necessary for the cooling apparatus 100 and the supercooling apparatus 200 .
  • the power unit 142 may be included in the main control unit 140 or provided as a separate element.
  • the power unit 142 is connected to the supercooling apparatus 200 through a power line PL to supply the necessary operating power to the supercooling apparatus 200 .
  • the main control unit 140 includes a microcomputer 144 controlling the cooling cycle 110 , the input unit 120 and the display unit 130 to enable the cooling apparatus 100 to perform the cooling operation and maintaining the inside of the storing unit at a temperature below at least the maximum ice crystal formation zone.
  • the main control unit 140 includes a memory (not shown) storing necessary data.
  • the main control unit 140 (particularly, the microcomputer 144 ) may be connected to the supercooling apparatus 200 through a data line DL.
  • the main control unit 140 may receive data (e.g., the current operation state of the supercooling apparatus 200 ) from the supercooling apparatus 200 through the data line DL, and store the data or display the data on the display unit 130 .
  • the data line DL may be selectively provided.
  • the microcomputer 144 controls the temperature in the storing unit according to the temperature setting from the input unit 120 , and maintains the inside of the storing unit at a temperature below at least the maximum ice crystal formation zone to independently perform the control of the supercooling apparatus 200 , such as the supercooling control, thin-ice control, freezing control, etc.
  • the supercooling apparatus 200 which is provided with an independent storage unit having a storing space therein to store an object and being mounted and cooled in the storing unit, includes a heat source supply unit 210 supplying heat to the storing space or generating heat in the storing space, a temperature sensing unit 220 sensing the temperature of the storing space or the stored object, an input unit 230 receiving the input of a command from the user, a display unit 240 displaying a state of the storing space or the stored object or an operation of the supercooling apparatus 200 , and a sub-control unit 280 controlling the heat source supply unit 210 , which is a temperature control means, based on the sensed temperature from the temperature sensing unit 220 such that the stored object in the independent storage room is stored in either a supercooled state or a frozen state.
  • a heat source supply unit 210 which is a temperature control means, based on the sensed temperature from the temperature sensing unit 220 such that the stored object in the independent storage room is stored in either a supercooled state
  • the supercooling apparatus 200 is operated by the operating power applied from the main control unit 140 .
  • the wiring for power supply (the wiring connected to the power line PL) is connected to the entire power-needing components. This configuration has been publicly known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and thus its description will be omitted.
  • the heat source supply unit 210 corresponds to a temperature control means which controls the temperature in the storing space to maintain the temperature for each of the supercooled-state control, the thin-ice control and the freezing control.
  • the heat source supply unit 210 which is a means for applying energy to the storing space, may produce thermal energy, electric or magnetic energy, ultrasonic-wave energy, light energy, microwave energy, etc. and apply such energy to the storing space.
  • the heat source supply unit 210 may supply energy to thaw the stored object, when it is frozen.
  • the heat source supply unit 210 is composed of a plurality of sub-heat source supply units and mounted on an upper or lower portion or a side surface of the storing space to supply energy to the storing space.
  • the heat source supply unit 210 includes an upper heat source supply unit 210 a formed in the upper side of the independent storage room which is the upper side of the storing space, and a lower heat source supply unit 210 b formed in the lower side of the independent storage room which is the lower side of the storing space.
  • the upper heat source supply unit 210 a and the lower heat source supply unit 210 b may be independently or integrally controlled by the sub-control unit 280 .
  • the upper heat source supply unit 210 a includes a sub-heat source supply unit Hon 1 which always supplies or generates heat, while the supercooling apparatus 200 performs the supercooling control, and a sub-heat source supply unit H 1 which is on/off-operated by the on/off control of the sub-control unit 280 .
  • the lower heat source supply unit 210 b includes a sub-heat source supply unit Hon 2 which always supplies or generates heat, while the supercooling apparatus 200 performs the supercooling control, and a sub-heat source supply unit H 2 which is on/off-operated by the on/off control of the sub-control unit 280 .
  • sub-heat source supply units Hon 1 and Hon 2 are controlled in the on state by the sub-control unit 280 , they may receive a pulse-type control signal such as a PWM signal and alternately have the on state and the off state.
  • a pulse-type control signal such as a PWM signal
  • the sub-heat source supply units Hon 1 and Hon 2 maintain the on state by a duty ratio even in this pulse control method.
  • the sub-heat source supply units Hon 1 and Hon 2 may always receive an on-state signal.
  • the heat source supply unit 210 uses the sub-heat source supply units Hon 1 and Hon 2 to supply or generate heat over a given quantity during the supercooling control.
  • the sub-control unit 280 may control the sub-heat source supply units H 1 and H 2 to further supply necessary heat according to the sensed temperature from the temperature sensing unit 220 .
  • the supercooling apparatus 200 supplies or generates minimum heat through the sub-heat source supply units Hon 1 and Hon 2 and maximum heat through the on-control of the entire heat source supply units 210 a and 210 b . In other words, the supercooling apparatus 200 supplies or generates heat of a given range greater than ‘0’.
  • the temperature sensing unit 220 which senses the temperature of the storing space or the temperature of the stored object, corresponds to a sensor provided on a sidewall of the storing space to sense the temperature of the air in the storing space or provided in proximity or contact with the stored object to accurately sense the temperature of the stored object.
  • the temperature sensing unit 220 applies a change value of a current value, a voltage value or a resistance value corresponding to the temperature to the sub-control unit 280 .
  • the temperature sensing unit 220 senses a sudden rise in the temperature of the stored object or the storing space during the phase transition of the stored object and enables the sub-control unit 280 to recognize the release of the supercooled state of the stored object.
  • the temperature sensing unit 220 may be composed of an upper sensing unit 220 a formed in the upper side of the independent storage room which is the upper side of the storing space, and a lower sensing unit 220 b formed in the lower side of the independent storage room which is the lower side of the storing space.
  • the upper sensing unit 220 a and the lower sensing unit 220 b are mounted on or adjacent to the surfaces having the upper heat source supply unit 210 a and the lower heat source supply unit 210 b thereon.
  • the sub-control unit 280 may control the heat source supply unit 210 to selectively perform the freezing control, the thin-ice control and the supercooling control according to the sensed temperature from the temperature sensing unit 220 . Particularly, the sub-control unit 280 may control the upper heat source supply unit 210 a according to the sensed temperature from the upper sensing unit 220 a and the lower heat source supply unit 210 b according to the sensed temperature from the lower sensing unit 220 b , respectively.
  • the input unit 230 which enables the user to select an on/off switch function of the supercooling apparatus 200 , a freezing control command, a thin-ice control command and a supercooling control command, may be provided as, e.g., push buttons, a keyboard or a touch pad.
  • the display unit 240 which displays the on/off state of the supercooling apparatus 200 and the current control thereof (e.g., the freezing control, the thin-ice control and the supercooling control), may be provided as an LCD display, an LED display, etc.
  • the sub-control unit 280 may control the heat source supply unit 210 according to the sensed temperature from the temperature sensing unit 220 , thereby independently performing the freezing control, the thin-ice control and the supercooling control with respect to the main control unit 140 and the cooling apparatus 100 .
  • the sub-control unit 280 may include a memory storing a control algorithm, etc.
  • the heat source supply unit 210 does not or seldom supplies or generates heat such that the stored object in the independent storage room is frozen. This control may be performed by turning off the supercooling apparatus 200 .
  • the freezing control since the temperature is maintained almost same as the cooling temperature of the cooling apparatus 100 , it becomes a temperature below at least the maximum ice crystal formation zone, e.g., ⁇ 20° C.
  • the temperature of the stored object ranges from, e.g., ⁇ 3° C. to ⁇ 4° C. and the stored object is stored in the supercooled state.
  • the control which senses the freezing of the stored object of the supercooled state by the phenomenon that the temperature of the stored object suddenly rises from, e.g., ⁇ 4° C. is further performed during the supercooling control.
  • the control which performs the thawing through the operation of the heat source supply unit 210 and resumes the cooling after the completion of the thawing is performed in the release of the supercooled state.
  • the sub-control unit 280 controls the heat source supply unit 210 to supply or generate heat of a given range greater than ‘0’ in the storing space and the stored object during the supercooling control.
  • the temperature of the stored object is controlled to be lower than the temperature in the supercooling control and higher than the cooling temperature of the cooling apparatus 100 using the heat source supply unit 210 , such that the stored object is stored in a sub-frozen state, taken out and easily cut by a knife, etc.
  • the sub-control unit 280 may intercept the power supply to the respective elements according to the on/off switch input of the supercooling apparatus 200 from the input unit 230 , thereby preventing their operation.
  • sub-control unit 280 may receive three or more control commands from the input unit 230 as described above and perform the corresponding operations.
  • the input unit 230 further has a function of acquiring a thawing command, and the sub-control unit 280 operates the heat source supply unit 210 to apply energy (particularly, heat energy) to thaw the stored object according to the thawing command from the input unit 230 .
  • FIG. 9 is a view showing the arrangement of the heat source supply unit of the supercooling apparatus of FIG. 8 .
  • the sub-heat source supply units Hon 1 and Hon 2 always maintaining the on state are formed on the upper and lower sides of the independent storage room, respectively, and supply or generate heat over a given magnitude in the storing space.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a supercooling method using the supercooling apparatus of FIG. 8 .
  • the cooling apparatus 100 performs the cooling, and an object is received and cooled in the independent storage room of the supercooling apparatus 200 .
  • the sub-control unit 280 of the supercooling apparatus 200 operates the sub-heat source supply units Hon 1 and Hon 2 (overall, Hon) of the heat source supply unit 210 to continuously supply energy (i.e., heat) over a given quantity to the storing space or the stored object.
  • energy i.e., heat
  • the sub-control unit 280 acquires the sensed temperature from the temperature sensing unit 220 . More specifically, the sub-control unit 280 acquires the sensed temperatures from the upper sensing unit 220 a and the lower sensing unit 220 b , respectively.
  • the sub-control unit 280 determines whether heat is further needed according to the sensed temperatures from the upper sensing unit 220 a and the lower sensing unit 220 b , respectively. For example, if the temperature from the upper sensing unit 220 a is lower than the phase transition temperature, or if the temperature from the lower sensing unit 220 b is lower than a preset supercooling temperature (e.g., ⁇ 3° C.), the sub-control unit 280 goes to step S 59 , and if not, the sub-control unit 280 goes to step S 61 .
  • a preset supercooling temperature e.g., ⁇ 3° C.
  • the sub-control unit 280 independently respectively controls the sub-heat source supply units H 1 and H 2 (overall, H) in the on state according to the heat-needing position, thereby supplying heat.
  • the sub-control unit 280 switches the sub-heat source supply units H 1 and H 2 to the off state, or maintains the sub-heat source supply units H 1 and H 2 in the off state when they are currently in the off state.
  • the steps S 59 and S 61 lead to the step S 55 such that the sub-control unit 280 continuously maintains the stored object in the supercooled state.
  • the supercooling method of FIG. 10 further includes a process of determining whether the stored object has been frozen. If the stored object has been frozen, the thawing process may be performed as described above.
  • FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the supercooling apparatus of FIG. 7 .
  • the supercooling apparatus 200 a of FIG. 11 is similar to the supercooling apparatus 200 a of FIG. 8 except voltage changing units 250 a and 250 b , a heat source supply unit 211 , and a sub-control unit 280 a.
  • the voltage changing units 250 a and 250 b change a magnitude of an operating voltage applied to the heat source supply unit 211 (including an upper heat source supply unit 211 a and a lower heat source supply unit 211 b by the control of the sub-control unit 280 a , and thus substantially changes heat supplied by the heat source supply unit 211 .
  • the magnitude of the operating voltage may be set between 3 V and 10 V.
  • the voltage changing units 250 a and 250 b may be implemented as variable resistors, transformers, etc.
  • the upper heat source supply unit 211 a and the lower heat source supply unit 211 b include only sub-heat source supply units Hon 1 and Hon 2 , and thus always maintain the on state.
  • the magnitude of the voltage applied thereto by the voltage changing units 250 a and 250 b is changed. That is, the supercooling apparatus 200 a of FIG. 11 does not include a heat source supply unit controlled in the on/off state like the sub-heat source supply units H 1 and H 2 of the supercooling apparatus of FIG. 9 .
  • the sub-control unit 280 a individually controls the voltage changing units 250 a and 250 b according to an upper sensed temperature and a lower sensed temperature from a temperature sensing unit 220 during the supercooling control, thereby applying a minimum voltage higher than at least 0 V to the heat source supply unit 211 . If the heat supply is further required according to the current sensed temperature, the voltage applied is changed within a given range.
  • FIG. 12 is a graph showing the voltage applied to the heat source supply unit in the supercooling apparatus of FIG. 11 .
  • the range of the voltage applied to the upper and lower heat source supply units 211 a and 211 b by the voltage changing units 250 a and 250 b ranges from 3 V to 10 V.
  • a voltage equal to or higher than 3 V is always applied to generate or supply heat over a given quantity.
  • FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a supercooling method using the supercooling apparatus of FIG. 11 .
  • This flowchart provides a case where the range of the variable voltage includes only two stages, i.e., a first voltage which is the lowest voltage and a second voltage which is the highest voltage.
  • the cooling apparatus 100 performs the cooling, and an object is stored and cooled in the independent storage room of the supercooling apparatus 200 a.
  • the sub-control unit 280 a of the supercooling apparatus 200 a applies the first voltage which is the lowest voltage to the heat source supply unit 211 through the voltage changing units 250 a and 250 b.
  • the sub-control unit 280 a acquires the sensed temperature from the temperature sensing unit 220 . More specifically, the sub-control unit 280 a acquires sensed temperatures from an upper sensing unit 220 a and a lower sensing unit 220 b , respectively.
  • the sub-control unit 280 a determines whether heat is further needed according to the sensed temperatures from the upper sensing unit 220 a and the lower sensing unit 220 b , respectively. For example, if the temperature from the upper sensing unit 220 a is lower than the phase transition temperature, or if the temperature from the lower sensing unit 220 b is lower than a preset supercooling temperature (e.g., ⁇ 3° C.), the sub-control unit 280 a goes to step S 79 , and if not, the sub-control unit 280 a goes to step S 81 .
  • a preset supercooling temperature e.g., ⁇ 3° C.
  • the sub-control unit 280 a independently controls the voltage changing units 250 a and 250 b according to the heat-needing position, and thus applies the second voltage to the upper heat source supply unit 211 a or the lower heat source supply unit 211 b , thereby supplying heat.
  • the sub-control unit 280 a controls the voltage changing units 250 a and 250 b to change the magnitude of the voltage to the first voltage or apply the same first voltage to the upper heat source supply unit 211 a or the lower heat source supply unit 211 b , thereby supplying heat.
  • the steps S 79 and S 81 lead to the step S 75 such that the sub-control unit 280 a continuously maintains the stored object in the supercooled state.
  • the supercooling method of FIG. 13 further includes a process of determining whether the stored object has been frozen. If the stored object has been frozen, the thawing process may be performed as described above.
  • FIG. 14 is a graph showing a temperature change caused by the on/off operation of the heat source supply unit.
  • a temperature graph I on the upper side of FIG. 14
  • the temperature of the storing space (the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor C 1 ) is significantly changed by the on operation and the off operation of the heat source supply units H 1 and H 2 .
  • both the heat source supply units H 1 and H 2 have the on state or the off state. Therefore, as known from the temperature graph I, a deviation of heat applied to or generated in the storing space is great.
  • FIG. 15 is a graph showing the temperature in the supercooling release of the stored object in the heat supply of FIG. 14 .
  • a sensed temperature graph II represents the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor C 2 and a temperature graph III represents the actual temperature of the stored object.
  • a temperature deviation is significant due to the influence of the on/off operation of the heat source supply units H 1 and H 2 .
  • the sensed temperature is more or less changed but almost in the previous change pattern.
  • the sensed temperature is lower than the temperature of the stored object.
  • the stored object may be frozen without reaching the phase transition temperature.
  • FIG. 16 is a graph showing differential values of the sensed temperature of FIG. 15 .
  • a curve A represents the distribution of primary differential values of the sensed temperature and a curve B represents the distribution of secondary differential values of the sensed temperature.
  • the curves A and B have extremely similar change patterns, and thus considerably overlap with each other.
  • the curves A and B are changed with smaller peak values than the previous ones in the supercooling release time Tsc.
  • such changes are included in the previous peak-peak values. Accordingly, the supercooling apparatus cannot easily determine whether the peak value in the supercooling release time Tsc results from the change in the peak value caused by the supercooling release.
  • FIG. 17 is a graph showing a temperature change in the supercooling methods of FIGS. 8 and 11 .
  • a minimum quantity Q 1 of heat and a maximum quantity Qall of heat are applied to or generated in the storing space or the stored object by the heat source supply units 210 a and 210 b and 211 a and 211 b .
  • a change width of the heat quantity is small, and thus a change width of a temperature graph I representing the temperature sensed by the upper sensing unit 220 a is small.
  • FIG. 18 is a graph showing the temperature in the supercooling release of the stored object in the heat supply of FIG. 17 .
  • a sensed temperature graph II representing the temperature sensed by the lower sensing unit 220 b has a small deviation
  • a temperature graph III representing the temperature of the stored object has a temperature change almost equivalent to the sensed temperature graph II.
  • Tsc supercooling release time
  • FIG. 19 is a graph showing differential values of the sensed temperature of FIG. 18 .
  • a curve A represents the distribution of primary differential values of the sensed temperature and a curve B represents the distribution of secondary differential values of the sensed temperature.
  • the curves A and B have extremely similar change patterns, and thus considerably overlap with each other.
  • the curves A and B are changed with peak values much larger than the previous ones in the supercooling release time Tsc. Such changes are significantly larger than the previous peak-peak values. Therefore, when the peak value in the supercooling release time Tsc has a differential value moving out of differential determination values +D and ⁇ D for the supercooling release, the supercooling apparatus can accurately determine that the supercooling of the stored object has been released.
US13/143,020 2009-01-08 2010-01-06 Supercooling apparatus Abandoned US20120011861A1 (en)

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US20160313833A1 (en) * 2013-12-12 2016-10-27 Toray Industries, Inc. Method of producing touch sensor member, and touch sensor member
US20170200690A1 (en) * 2015-07-23 2017-07-13 Nippon Micrometal Corporation Bonding wire for semiconductor device

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WO2007094549A1 (en) * 2006-02-15 2007-08-23 Lg Electronics, Inc. Apparatus for supercooling, and method of operating the same
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JP2007271154A (ja) 2006-03-31 2007-10-18 Hitachi Appliances Inc 冷蔵庫
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US6354102B1 (en) * 1999-12-28 2002-03-12 Tokyo Institute Of Technology Freezing device for supercooled water
US20070163287A1 (en) * 2006-01-14 2007-07-19 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Refrigerator and cooling control method thereof
WO2007094549A1 (en) * 2006-02-15 2007-08-23 Lg Electronics, Inc. Apparatus for supercooling, and method of operating the same
US20080245081A1 (en) * 2007-04-06 2008-10-09 Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd Refrigerator and method to control the same

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20160313833A1 (en) * 2013-12-12 2016-10-27 Toray Industries, Inc. Method of producing touch sensor member, and touch sensor member
US20170200690A1 (en) * 2015-07-23 2017-07-13 Nippon Micrometal Corporation Bonding wire for semiconductor device

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KR20100082257A (ko) 2010-07-16
WO2010079942A2 (ko) 2010-07-15
WO2010079942A3 (ko) 2011-07-07

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