Multi-mode moisture sensor and/or defogger, and related methods
First Claim
1. A method of removing condensation from a refrigerator and/or freezer door including at least one glass substrate, the refrigerator and/or freezer door being connected to a heating system operable in at least first and second modes, the method comprising:
- when the heating system is operating in the first mode, heating the refrigerator and/or freezer door while condensation is detected as being present thereon, as determined via a moisture detector, wherein the moisture detector is affixed to a glass surface of the door; and
when the heating system is operating in the second mode;
heating the refrigerator and/or freezer door when the door is determined to be open, andstopping heating of the refrigerator and/or freezer door in response to detecting that the refrigerator and/or freezer door is determined to be closed,stopping heating of the refrigerator and/or freezer door in response to detecting of a thermal runaway,wherein heating is stopped, in the second mode, in response to detecting that the door is closed, or detecting the thermal runaway, whichever detection comes first.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In certain example embodiments, moisture sensors, defoggers, etc., and/or related methods, are provided. More particularly, certain example embodiments relate to moisture sensors and/or defoggers that may be used in various applications such as, for example, refrigerator/freezer merchandisers, vehicle windows, building windows, etc. When condensation or moisture is detected, an appropriate action may be taken (e.g., actuating windshield wipers, turning on a defroster, triggering the heating of a merchandiser door or window, etc.). Bayesian approaches optionally may be implemented in certain example embodiments in an attempt to improve moisture detection accuracy. For instance, models of various types of disturbances may be developed and, based on live data and a priori information known about the model, a probability of the model being accurate is calculated. If a threshold value is met, the model may be considered a match and, optionally, a corresponding appropriate action may be taken.
71 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of removing condensation from a refrigerator and/or freezer door including at least one glass substrate, the refrigerator and/or freezer door being connected to a heating system operable in at least first and second modes, the method comprising:
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when the heating system is operating in the first mode, heating the refrigerator and/or freezer door while condensation is detected as being present thereon, as determined via a moisture detector, wherein the moisture detector is affixed to a glass surface of the door; and when the heating system is operating in the second mode; heating the refrigerator and/or freezer door when the door is determined to be open, and stopping heating of the refrigerator and/or freezer door in response to detecting that the refrigerator and/or freezer door is determined to be closed, stopping heating of the refrigerator and/or freezer door in response to detecting of a thermal runaway, wherein heating is stopped, in the second mode, in response to detecting that the door is closed, or detecting the thermal runaway, whichever detection comes first. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A refrigerator and/or freezer merchandiser, comprising:
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a refrigerator and/or freezer door comprising at least first and second substantially parallel glass substrates; a switch configured to provide a signal indicative of whether the door is open or closed; first and second moisture detectors configured to detect the presence of condensation on the door; a heating system configured to apply heat to the door upon instructions from a controller, the controller being configured to; operate in a first mode, wherein the heating system is caused to heat the door while condensation is detected as being present thereon as determined via the moisture detectors; and operate in a second mode where the heating system is caused to heat the door when the switch indicates that the door is open and while the controller does not detect a thermal runaway, wherein heating is stopped in response to detection of the thermal runaway in the second mode, and wherein heating is stopped in the second mode in response to detecting that the door is closed, or detecting the thermal runaway, whichever detection comes first; and wherein the first and second moisture detectors are interposed between the first and second glass substrates along a diagonal of the door, each of the first and second moisture detectors being responsible for detecting condensation within a corresponding zone and for reporting the presence of condensation to the controller to cause heat to be applied to the corresponding zone, as appropriate. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of removing condensation from a refrigerator and/or freezer door including at least one glass substrate, the refrigerator and/or freezer door being connected to a heating system operable in at least first and second modes, the method comprising:
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when the heating system is operating in the first mode, heating the refrigerator and/or freezer door while condensation is detected as being present thereon, as determined via a moisture detector, wherein the moisture detector is affixed to the door; and when the heating system is operating in the second mode;
heating the refrigerator and/or freezer door when the door is determined to be open, and stopping heating of the refrigerator and/or freezer door in response to detection of a thermal runaway, wherein heating is stopped, in the second mode, in response to detecting that the door is closed, or detecting the thermal runaway, whichever detection comes first.
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Specification