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[Rob <becida AT comcast.net>]

This is NASA technology brought to the market by a couple of NASA 
engineers. Thought it might be of interest.

Rob

http://www.techbriefs.com/spinoff/spinoff2003/er_1.html





>>Designed to function in arid to semi-arid regions with at least 5 
sun-hours per day, the PV direct-drive, or “PV direct,” SunDanzer™ solar 
refrigerator is a chest-type cabinet with a 105-liter (3.7 cubic feet) 
internal volume, a lockable top-opening door, a corrosion-resistant coated 
steel exterior, and a patented low-frost system. It uses thermal storage 
for cooling efficiency, with a direct connection between the vapor 
compression cooling system and the PV module. This is accomplished by 
integrating a phase-change material into a well-insulated refrigerator 
cabinet and developing a microprocessor-based control system that permits 
the direct connection of a PV module to a variable-speed compressor. The 
integration allows for peak power-point tracking and the elimination of 
batteries (thus, the environmental threat of improper battery disposal is 
eliminated). <<