Patent ID: 8739563

Claim:
A method of adaptably defrosting an evaporator in a refrigeration system installed on an aircraft, the method comprising: detecting a build-up of ice on the evaporator in the refrigeration system installed on the aircraft; initiating in response to detecting the build-up of ice an adaptable defrost operation that includes reducing compressor speed of a compressor to a minimum value greater than zero, wherein the defrost operation includes waiting for a first duration of time after detecting the build-up of ice on the evaporator before initiating the defrost operation, wherein the first duration of time is variable and is based on operating conditions of the refrigeration system that include whether the aircraft is on the ground or in the air; and determining whether the defrost operation was successful, wherein if the defrost operation was successful then normal operation is resumed at the expiration of the defrost operation, wherein if the defrost operation was not successful, then the defrost operation is modified by turning the compressor off and extending a duration of the defrost operation.