Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110302935 | LIQUID DISPENSING AND AUTOMATIC ICEMAKING ON NON-PLUMBED REFRIGERATOR - The present invention is directed towards a refrigerator including a door, a liquid reservoir, a dispenser mounted at the door for dispensing liquid, the dispenser having an outlet located above the liquid reservoir, and a pump in communication with the dispenser. Further provided is a method of operating a refrigerator including the steps of providing a refrigerator comprising a refrigerator cabinet, a door attached to the refrigerator cabinet, a liquid reservoir, and a dispenser mounted at the door for dispensing liquid through the door, the dispenser having an outlet located above the liquid reservoir, providing a pump having an inlet in communication with the liquid in the liquid reservoir and an outlet in communication with the dispenser, and providing a user interface in communication with the pump, whereby selectively entering a dispensing function input into the interface actuates the pump. | 12-15-2011 |
20120103197 | BEVERAGE DISPENSER WITH MULTI-CHAMBERED CAROUSEL AND AUTOMATIC COORDINATION OF FLAVORANT FLOW RATE - An appliance includes a dispenser for dispensing a mixture of a diluent and a consumable. The mixture may be a beverage wherein the diluent is water and the consumable is a flavorant. The dispenser includes a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the diluent at the inlet. The rate at which the consumable is added to the diluent is dependent upon the pressure of the diluent at the inlet. The consumable may be provided in a single container, or a user may specify a particular type of consumable from a plurality of containers provided on a rotation carousel. | 05-03-2012 |
20120104020 | LIQUID DISPENSER WITH COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER - A liquid dispenser utilizes a collapsible container that contains a supply of liquid. The collapsible container is received within a chamber that has a stationary wall. A moveable member is adjustable into contact with the collapsible container within the chamber. An indicator displays an estimated amount of liquid remaining in the collapsible container based on a position of the moveable member. The moveable member may squeeze the collapsible container against the stationary wall to thereby increase pressure within the liquid in the collapsible container to urge an outlet valve towards an open position in order to resolve any clogs in the valve. | 05-03-2012 |
20120104021 | BEVERAGE SYSTEM ARCHITECTURES FOR REFRIGERATORS - A refrigerator with a liquid conditioning system providing a variety of levels and types of conditioned liquid streams for outputting to a refrigerator dispenser is disclosed. A liquid conditioning circuit having means for outputting ambient, cold, heated, filtered, and carbonated liquid streams for use in combination with a refrigerator is also disclosed. A finished beverage made from a conditioned liquid stream or combination of conditioned liquid streams is enhanced with one or more liquid enhancements components provided by a liquid enhancement system. | 05-03-2012 |
20120291475 | UNIVERSAL AND FLEXIBLE COOLING MODULE SET (CMS) CONFIGURATION AND ARCHITECTURE - A refrigerator is provided that includes at least one freezer compartment and at least one refrigerator compartment, wherein the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment are defined by a plurality of interior surfaces. The refrigerator further includes a cooling module set (CMS) removably attached to at least one of the plurality of interior surfaces, wherein the CMS is configured to operate in any orientation of a plurality of orientations, and the CMS is further configured to be repositionable with respect to the plurality of interior surfaces to alter a shape of at least one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. | 11-22-2012 |
20120291476 | COOLING SYSTEM INTEGRATION ENABLING PLATFORM ARCHITECTURE - An appliance is provided that includes at least one freezer compartment and at least one refrigerator compartment, wherein the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment are defined by a plurality of interior surfaces. The refrigerator further includes a cooling module set (CMS), wherein the CMS includes an orientation-flexible compressor, the CMS is configured to operate in any orientation of a plurality of orientations. | 11-22-2012 |
20120291477 | FLEXIBLE COOLING SYSTEM INTEGRATION FOR MULTIPLE PLATFORMS - A refrigerator is provided that includes a CMS adapted to define at least a portion of an envelope of at least one of a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment, where the CMS has a high pressure side and a low pressure side. The high pressure side includes an orientation-flexible compressor and a condenser fluidly connected with the orientation-flexible compressor. The low pressure side is fluidly connected to the high pressure side and includes an evaporator. The CMS also includes at least one housing configured to enclose at least one of the orientation-flexible compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator. The CMS further includes an insulating panel forming at least a portion of the at least one housing, and substantially separating the high pressure side from the low pressure side. The CMS is typically configured to operate in a plurality of orientations based upon the orientation-flexible compressor. | 11-22-2012 |
20120324913 | ICE MAKING, TRANSFERRING, STORING AND DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR A REFRIGERATOR - An ice making, transferring and storing system includes an icemaker located in the fresh food compartment and an ice storage bin, located in one of the fresh food and freezer compartments, for receiving ice from the icemaker. A first ice transfer mechanism delivers ice from the icemaker to the ice storage bin. An ice dispenser is located in one of the fresh food and freezer doors. A second ice transfer mechanism selectively delivers ice from the ice storage bin to the ice dispenser. | 12-27-2012 |
20120324915 | VERTICAL ICE MAKER PRODUCING CLEAR ICE PIECES - An ice making assembly and method utilizes a housing having an upper fluid chamber, a plurality of distinct, substantially vertical fluid channels, and at least one drain aperture in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir. Ice forming members extend from an ice forming evaporator into respective fluid channels. During an ice making event, fluid continuously supplied to the upper fluid chamber flows into each of the fluid channels and out through at least one drain aperture into a fluid reservoir below. The ice forming members are cooled such that fluid flowing across the fluid channels freezes on the ice forming members over time, forming clear ice pieces. The ice pieces are subsequently released from the ice forming members and transferred for storage and/or dispensing. | 12-27-2012 |
20120324917 | VERTICAL ICE MAKER WITH MICROCHANNEL EVAPORATOR - A clear ice making assembly and method utilizes a housing having an upper fluid chamber, a plurality of distinct, substantially vertical fluid channels, and at least one fluid outlet aperture in fluid communication with a bottom fluid chamber. During an ice making event, portions of an ice forming evaporator extending through the housing are exposed to water flowing into the fluid channels from the upper fluid chamber. The ice forming evaporator is formed with microchannels through which refrigerant flows such that water flowing across the fluid channels freezes on the exposed portions of the ice forming evaporator over time, forming clear ice pieces. In a harvesting operation, the ice pieces are released from the ice forming evaporator and transferred for storage and/or dispensing. | 12-27-2012 |
20120324918 | MULTI-EVAPORATOR REFRIGERATOR - A refrigeration system for a refrigerator having a freezer compartment, a fresh food compartment, an icemaker in the fresh food compartment includes distinct freezer, fresh food and icemaker evaporators and associated valving operating in conjunction with a common compressor and condenser in order to effectively regulate temperatures in specified zones of the refrigerator throughout various operational modes including at least a freezer cooling mode, a fresh food cooling mode and an ice harvesting mode. The icemaker can be serially linked with the fresh food evaporator during cooling of the fresh food compartment, while being also being selectively isolated for the ice harvesting mode. | 12-27-2012 |
20120324940 | IN THE DOOR ICE MAKER - A dispensing system suitable for dispensing ice through the refrigerator compartment door of a bottom-mount refrigerator is disclosed. | 12-27-2012 |
20130255304 | VACUUM INSULATED DOOR STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR THE CREATION THEREOF - A vacuum insulated door structure comprises a first wall having a first edge, outer sidewalls that extend from the first edge to a perimetrical lip, a first inner surface and a first outer surface. A second wall has a second inner surface, a second outer surface and a second edge coupled to the perimetrical lip forming a cavity volume. The second wall includes inner sidewalls defining a second wall opening. The inner sidewalls extend to a back wall and define a second wall offset. A tubular member includes a first end coupled to a first conduit opening in the first wall and a second end coupled to a second conduit opening in the second wall offset. A barrier layer is disposed on the first and second walls and the tubular member. A cavity insulation material is disposed within the cavity volume which is hermetically sealed. | 10-03-2013 |
20130256318 | VACUUM INSULATED STRUCTURE TUBULAR CABINET CONSTRUCTION - A refrigerator includes a vacuum insulated cabinet structure having side walls that are formed from a tube that has been folded/deformed into a structure having an “O” shape with vertically enlarged front and rear openings. The interior of the tube may be filled with silica powder or other filler, and a vacuum is formed within the tube. An insulated rear panel may be utilized to close off the rear opening of the vacuum insulated cabinet structure. | 10-03-2013 |
20130256319 | FOLDED VACUUM INSULATED STRUCTURE - A vacuum insulated cabinet structure includes panels having sheet metal outer side walls and polymer inner side walls. The polymer inner side walls are heat-sealed to a layer of polymer material laminated to a flat sheet metal blank to form vacuum cavities. The blank is then bent along fold lines to form a cabinet structure. | 10-03-2013 |
20130257256 | VACUUM PANEL CABINET STRUCTURE FOR A REFRIGERATOR - A vacuum panel cabinet structure comprising a frame having side and back framing members defining a frame opening and panel receptacles, framing edges, at least one outwardly expanded framing member, and an inner surface. A plurality of vacuum panels disposed in the panel receptacles. A barrier layer disposed on the vacuum panels. An outer enclosure having at least one extruded channel engaging the at least one outwardly expanded framing member, at least one outwardly contoured hinge, and an inward surface defining a frame receptacle into which the frame is disposed. A liner having at least four sidewalls, a back panel, a liner outer facing surface, and a liner perimetrical flange, wherein the liner outer facing surface is disposed within the frame opening proximate the frame inner surface. The liner perimetrical flange is disposed to the outer enclosure and includes a hermetically sealed infrastructure notch. | 10-03-2013 |
20130257257 | METHOD TO CREATE VACUUM INSULATED CABINETS FOR REFRIGERATORS - A method to form a vacuum insulated cabinet including forming a first basin having a first basin flange extending from a first basin opening and comprising a front surface, and forming a second basin having a second basin flange extending away from a second basin opening and comprising a rear surface. A barrier film and a heat sealing layer are disposed onto the first and second basins. The front surface of the first basin flange is disposed to the rear surface of the second flange to form a core cavity volume between the first and second basins. A core cavity material is disposing within the core cavity volume. The first and second basin flanges are sealed together, and gas is extracted from the core cavity volume through at least one port. The core cavity volume is hermetically sealed to form a vacuum insulated cabinet structure. | 10-03-2013 |
20130270732 | METHOD TO CREATE VACUUM INSULATED CABINETS FOR REFRIGERATORS - A method of forming a vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet, the method comprising providing first and second sheets of material. The first sheet of material is thermoformed over a first forming tool forming a first intermediate structure. The first intermediate structure is then thermoformed over a second forming mold to create a second intermediate structure. The second sheet of material is then sealing connected with the second intermediate structure forming an annular space. A vacuum is created in the annular space creating a vacuum insulated cabinet. | 10-17-2013 |
20130305535 | FOLDED VACUUM INSULATED STRUCTURE - A vacuum insulated cabinet structure for refrigerators and the like includes a plurality of vacuum insulated panels. The cabinet structure may include an “O” or “U” structure that is formed by folding a large panel assembly. The panels may comprise side walls that are heat-sealed together around the perimeters of the panels to form air-tight spaces having a vacuum. | 11-21-2013 |
20150176888 | FOLDED VACUUM INSULATED STRUCTURE - A vacuum insulated cabinet structure includes panels having sheet metal outer side walls and polymer inner side walls. The polymer inner side walls are heat-sealed to a layer of polymer material laminated to a flat sheet metal blank to form vacuum cavities. The blank is then bent along fold lines to form a cabinet structure. | 06-25-2015 |
20150267958 | VACUUM INSULATED STRUCTURE TUBULAR CABINET CONSTRUCTION - A refrigerator includes a vacuum insulated cabinet structure having side walls that are formed from a tube that has been folded/deformed into a structure having an “O” shape with vertically enlarged front and rear openings. The interior of the tube may be filled with silica powder or other filler, and a vacuum is formed within the tube. An insulated rear panel may be utilized to close off the rear opening of the vacuum insulated cabinet structure. | 09-24-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090145158 | ICE MAKING AND DISPENSING SYSTEM - An dispensing system suitable for lifting and dispensing ice through the refrigerator compartment door of a bottom-mount refrigerator or lifting and dispensing ice from an undercounter ice maker to a dispenser on the countertop. | 06-11-2009 |
20110094255 | ICE MAKING AND DISPENSING SYSTEM - A dispensing system suitable for dispensing ice through the refrigerator compartment door of a bottom-mount refrigerator is disclosed. | 04-28-2011 |
20120174607 | REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE WITH OPTIONAL STORAGE MODULE - A distributed refrigeration appliance system for use in a residential kitchen and other locations in a dwelling and includes multiple separate refrigeration appliance modules, a central cooling system and a cooling circuit. The system can include one or more satellite stations having a heat exchanger for supplying chilled air to one or more refrigeration appliance modules. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can include a thermal cascade cooling device to cool the module to lower temperatures than the cooling circuit can attain. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can be refrigeration/storage modules that can provide refrigerated, unconditioned or heated storage space. The central cooling system can be a vapor compression system having a refrigerant circuit connecting the modules. Alternately, the central cooling system can cool a secondary cooling medium circuit. The refrigeration system can have more than one refrigeration machine providing cooling to the secondary refrigeration loop. | 07-12-2012 |
20130098081 | HIGHER EFFICIENCY APPLIANCE EMPLOYING THERMAL LOAD SHIFTING IN REFRIGERATORS HAVING HORIZONTAL MULLION - An appliance includes a cabinet; a first compartment; and a second compartment. The first compartment and the second compartment are separated by a horizontal mullion. The cabinet also typically includes a coolant system that has: a single compressor for regulating a temperature of the first compartment and a temperature of the second compartment operably connected to at least one evaporator; a shared coolant fluid connection system; and a coolant fluid spaced within the shared coolant fluid connection system used to regulate both the temperature of the first compartment and the second compartment. The compressor can provide the shared coolant at at least two different pressures to at least one evaporator using the shared coolant fluid connection circuit. The ratio of the substantially steady state heat gain for the first compartment to the substantially steady state total heat gain for the overall cabinet is about 0.65:1 or greater. | 04-25-2013 |
20130098082 | HIGHER EFFICIENCY APPLIANCE EMPLOYING THERMAL LOAD SHIFTING IN REFRIGERATORS HAVING VERTICAL MULLION - An appliance includes a cabinet; a first compartment; and a second compartment. The first compartment and the second compartment are separated by a vertical mullion. The cabinet also typically includes a coolant system that has: a single compressor for regulating a temperature of the first compartment and a temperature of the second compartment operably connected to at least one evaporator; a shared coolant fluid connection system; and a coolant fluid spaced within the shared coolant fluid connection system used to regulate both the temperature of the first compartment and the second compartment. The compressor can provide the shared coolant at at least two different pressures to at least one evaporator using the shared coolant fluid connection circuit. The ratio of the substantially steady state heat gain for the first compartment to the substantially steady state total heat gain for the overall cabinet is about 0.65:1 or greater. | 04-25-2013 |
20130255290 | ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM BY USING DUAL SUCTION COMPRESSOR - A method for selectively transferring latent and sensible heat from air in a cooling system of a building structure interior volume that includes at least the steps of: (1) providing a building structure air conditioning system that provides cooling to at least a portion of the interior volume of a building structure and (2) adjusting a ratio of a time coolant flows through the first evaporator to a time coolant flows through the second evaporator such that coolant flows through the first evaporator for more time than the second evaporator when more latent heat is removed from the air and more coolant flows through the second evaporator for more time than the first evaporator when more sensible heat is removed from the air. | 10-03-2013 |
20130255307 | FIN-COIL DESIGN FOR A DUAL SUCTION AIR CONDITIONING UNIT - An evaporator system that includes: a first evaporator coil at a first evaporator temperature and pressure; a second evaporator coil at a second evaporator temperature and pressure that is less than the first evaporator temperature and pressure where the first evaporator and second evaporator are configured to be thermally disjointed; and a plurality of thermally conductive spaced apart evaporator fins having a plurality of spaced apart thermal break portions positioned between the first evaporator coil and the second evaporator coil that thermally disjoin the first evaporator and the second evaporator. | 10-03-2013 |
20130255309 | ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF ROOM AIR CONDITIONER OR UNITARY AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM BY USING DUAL SUCTION COMPRESSOR - A high-efficiency air conditioning system for chilling an interior of a building that includes: a compressor; a condenser having a condenser fan associated with the condenser that moves air to cool the condenser; at least two evaporator sections wherein a first evaporator section operates at a first evaporator pressure and a second evaporator section operates at a second evaporator pressure that is different than the first evaporator pressure; at least a first throttling device and a second throttling device having different throttling characteristics with the first throttling device being less restrictive than the second throttling device; and a plurality of refrigerant conduits. | 10-03-2013 |
20140238059 | DUAL SUCTION COMPRESSOR WITH RAPID SUCTION PORT SWITCHING MECHANISM FOR MATCHING APPLIANCE COMPARTMENT THERMAL LOADS WITH COOLING CAPACITY - An appliance employing a coolant system that includes a compressor having a housing, a cooling capacity, and operably connected to typically two evaporators for regulating a temperature of the first compartment and a temperature of the second compartment; a shared coolant fluid connection system; a coolant fluid spaced within the shared coolant fluid connection system; and a switching mechanism operably connected to a first fluid conduit that provides shared coolant fluid to the compressor at a first pressure level and a second fluid conduit that provides shared coolant fluid to the compressor at a second pressure level where the second pressure level is less than the first pressure level wherein the switching mechanism is capable of regulating and switching shared coolant flow to the compressor from the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit. | 08-28-2014 |
20140263400 | BEVERAGE SYSTEM ICEMAKER AND ICE AND WATER RESERVOIR - A beverage dispensing apparatus including a storage tank. At least one ice body is formed proximate the top portion of the storage tank. The ice body is formed in an icemaker configured to produce an ice body through direct contact with an evaporator coil and does not use cold air, or formed directly on a portion of the top portion of the storage tank using evaporator coils extending around a perimeter of the storage tank. The water is then configured to be carbonated and then dispensed to a user upon a user command. | 09-18-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090260370 | SECONDARY COOLING PATH IN REFRIGERATOR - A refrigerator includes a secondary cooling path for circulating liquid coolant through the refrigerator wherein the liquid coolant is cooled by the freezer compartment and wherein the liquid coolant cools the ice maker and the ice bin as the liquid coolant circulates through the secondary cooling path. A pump is positioned along the secondary cooling path for pumping the liquid coolant through the secondary cooling path. A tube having a first end proximate the pump and an opposite end exposed to atmosphere may control suction pressure associated with the pump. The refrigerator reduces frost build up through configuration of the secondary cooling path or performing ice harvesting operations which melt frost. The secondary cooling path may be used to provide for circulating hot liquid. The secondary cooling path may be used to provide for circulating liquid coolant during a power outage. | 10-22-2009 |
20090293530 | APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR A REFRIGERATOR HAVING LIQUID CONDITIONING AND ENHANCEMENT COMPONENTS FOR ENHANCED BEVERAGE DISPENSING - Apparatuses and methods for conditioning a liquid stream with a liquid dispensing system associated with a refrigerator, preparing an enhanced beverage using one or more of the individually conditioned liquid streams and a liquid enhancement device and minimizing the potential for back contamination of the liquid dispensing system are provided. | 12-03-2009 |
20090293735 | APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR A REFRIGERATOR HAVING LIQUID CONDITIONING AND ENHANCEMENT COMPONENTS FOR ENHANCED BEVERAGE DISPENSING - Apparatuses and methods for conditioning a liquid stream with a liquid dispensing system associated with a refrigerator, preparing an enhanced beverage using one or more of the individually conditioned liquid streams and a liquid enhancement device and minimizing the potential for back contamination of the liquid dispensing system are provided. | 12-03-2009 |
20100101432 | MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE FOR FOOD PRESERVATION - An appliance system including a module removably mounted to an appliance, one or more removable gas canisters operably connected to the module, and a food retaining enclosed space operably connected to the module. The one or more gas canisters supply a modified atmosphere in the food retaining enclosed space to produce a modified atmosphere that enhances preservation of the food contained in the food retaining enclosed space. A method of modifying the atmosphere in a food storage space for food includes the steps of: providing a module capable of being removably engaged to an appliance and typically receiving power from the appliance and at least one removable gas canister; operatively connecting or otherwise engaging the module with the appliance; operatively connecting or otherwise engaging the module to a food storage area having an existing atmosphere; and removing at least a portion of the existing atmosphere from the food storage space and replacing it with a modified food storage atmosphere using at least one of the at least one removable gas canisters to supply the modified atmosphere to the food storage area. | 04-29-2010 |
20100287974 | INSULATION PANELS APPLIED TO OR AS A FEATURE MODULE - A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an open storage space and having a rear wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall. Each of the rear wall, first side wall, second side wall, top wall, and bottom wall include an interior liner and an exterior wrapper. A door is disposed on the cabinet operable between an open position and a closed position. The door includes an interior liner and an exterior wrapper. At least one pocket is disposed in at least one of the rear wall, first side wall, second side wall, top wall, bottom wall, and door between the interior liner and the exterior wrapper. The at least one pocket includes an access opening. A removable insulation panel is disposed in the pocket. | 11-18-2010 |
20110041564 | HEAT PUMP (SERVER) COUPLED WASHER AND DRYER PAIR - An appliance system that includes an appliance group containing at least two appliances, a first appliance designed to perform a first consumer function related to the first appliance and a second appliance that is separate from the first appliance and designed to perform a second consumer function related to the second appliance. The appliance system also includes a thermal energy generator, typically a heat pump, where the thermal energy heats at least one thermal energy bearing fluid and is operably connected to the first and second appliances to deliver thermal energy to the first and second appliances simultaneously or at different times via one or more of the thermal energy bearing fluids. | 02-24-2011 |
20110252835 | HEAT PUMP (SERVER) COUPLED WASHER AND DRYER PAIR - An appliance system that includes an appliance group containing at least two appliances, a first appliance designed to perform a first consumer function related to the first appliance and a second appliance that is separate from the first appliance and designed to perform a second consumer function related to the second appliance. The appliance system also includes a thermal energy generator, typically a heat pump, where the thermal energy heats at least one thermal energy bearing fluid and is operably connected to the first and second appliances to deliver thermal energy to the first and second appliances simultaneously or at different times via one or more of the thermal energy bearing fluids. | 10-20-2011 |
20110315693 | INSULATION PANELS APPLIED TO OR AS A FEATURE MODULE - A refrigerator includes a rear wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall that are permanently attached to define a cabinet. The cabinet includes an interior liner and an exterior wrapper. A door is pivotally connected with the cabinet and includes an interior liner and an exterior wrapper. A pocket is disposed in at least one of the rear wall, first side wall, second side wall, top wall, bottom wall, and door between the interior liner and the exterior wrapper. The pocket includes an access opening disposed at an edge of one of the rear wall, first side wall, second side wall, top wall, and bottom wall. A removable insulation panel is disposed in the pocket. | 12-29-2011 |
20120324936 | WATER FILTER FOR REFRIGERATOR WATER DISPENSER - A water dispenser in a refrigerator door can include a filter casing in the door opening into the bottom of the dispenser housing. The filter casing can include a top wall positioned in the bottom of the dispenser housing, a head assembly at the bottom of the filter casing connected to the water supply and to a water outlet in the dispenser, and can include a filter casing drain. A filter cartridge in the filter casing can connect to the head assembly. The filter casing can include a filter retainer mounted adjacent the opening into the filter casing and can hold the filter cartridge connected to the head assembly in a first position and can release the filter cartridge in a second position. The filter casing can include a drain line leading from the filter casing drain to a pan outside the refrigerated space. | 12-27-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090158928 | SQUEEZABLE MOISTURE REMOVAL DEVICE - A moisture removal device for reducing the moisture content of air associated with an appliance including a body of moisture removing material, apparatus for moving air associated with the appliance into contact with the body, a heat sink for the body for the dissipating heat of condensation of moisture condensing on the body from air associated with the appliance, and an apparatus for deforming the body to regenerate the moisture capacity of the moisture removing material. The apparatus for deforming the body can compress, stretch, or twist the body of moisture removing material to mechanically remove liquid from the body. The moisture removal device can be part of a refrigerator, cooker hood, room air conditioner, dehumidifier, dishwasher, clothes dryer and a drying cabinet. | 06-25-2009 |
20120186279 | UTILITIES GRID FOR DISTRIBUTED REFRIGERATION SYSTEM - A distributed refrigeration appliance system for use in a residential kitchen and other locations in a dwelling and includes multiple separate refrigeration appliance modules, a central cooling system and a cooling circuit. The system can include one or more satellite stations having a heat exchanger for supplying chilled air to one or more refrigeration appliance modules. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can include a thermal cascade cooling device to cool the module to lower temperatures than the cooling circuit can attain. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can be refrigeration/storage modules that can provide refrigerated, unconditioned or heated storage space. The central cooling system can be a vapor compression system having a refrigerant circuit connecting the modules. Alternately, the central cooling system can cool a secondary cooling medium circuit. The refrigeration system can have more than one refrigeration machine providing cooling to the secondary refrigeration loop. | 07-26-2012 |
20130133343 | SECONDARY COOLING PATH IN REFRIGERATOR - A refrigerator includes a secondary cooling path for circulating liquid coolant through the refrigerator wherein the liquid coolant is cooled by the freezer compartment and wherein the liquid coolant cools the ice maker and the ice bin as the liquid coolant circulates through the secondary cooling path. A pump is positioned along the secondary cooling path for pumping the liquid coolant through the secondary cooling path. A tube having a first end proximate the pump and an opposite end exposed to atmosphere may control suction pressure associated with the pump. The refrigerator reduces frost build up through configuration of the secondary cooling path or performing ice harvesting operations which melt frost. The secondary cooling path may be used to provide for circulating hot liquid. The secondary cooling path may be used to provide for circulating liquid coolant during a power outage. | 05-30-2013 |
20140166252 | HEAT EXCHANGER AND METHOD - A shell and tube heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes having non-circular cross sectional shapes to improve heat transfer. The tubes may have central portions having an oblong cross-sectional shape with generally flat opposite side faces. The side faces may include raised portions to increase heat transfer. Alternatively, the tubes may have a C-shape in cross section. The shape of the tubes promotes thin film boiling of the fluid in the tubes to improve heat transfer. | 06-19-2014 |
20140238053 | VERTICAL ICE MAKER PRODUCING CLEAR ICE PIECES - An ice making assembly and method utilizes a housing having an upper fluid chamber, a plurality of distinct, substantially vertical fluid channels, and at least one drain aperture in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir. Ice forming members extend from an ice forming evaporator into respective fluid channels. During an ice making event, fluid continuously supplied to the upper fluid chamber flows into each of the fluid channels and out through at least one drain aperture into a fluid reservoir below. The ice forming members are cooled such that fluid flowing across the fluid channels freezes on the ice forming members over time, forming clear ice pieces. The ice pieces are subsequently released from the ice forming members and transferred for storage and/or dispensing. | 08-28-2014 |
20150013829 | MULTI-STAGE HOME REFUELING APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS - A multi-stage home refueling appliance and method supplying compressed natural gas from a utility natural gas supply. The multi-stage home refueling appliance includes a first compressing stage having a first stage inlet fluidly coupled to the supply of natural gas and a first stage outlet, a second compressing stage having a second stage inlet fluidly coupled to the first stage outlet and a second stage outlet and a vehicle refueling dispenser fluidly coupled to the second stage outlet and configured to be selectively fluidly coupled to a storage tank of a vehicle. | 01-15-2015 |
20150027147 | AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS WITH MULTIPLE TEMPERATURE ZONES FROM INDEPENDENT DUCTING SYSTEMS AND A SINGLE OUTDOOR UNIT - A high-efficiency air conditioning system for conditioning a plurality of zones within an interior of a building that includes: at least two independent ductwork systems within a building wherein each independent ductwork system directs heating and cooling to one zone within the building; a single outdoor unit a refrigerant flow pathway having a common refrigerant flow path portion, a first divergent flow path, and a second divergent flow path; at least one throttling device and at least a first indoor air handling unit providing cooling to a first independent ductwork system and a second indoor air handling unit providing cooling to a second indoor ductwork system. The compressor is incapable of simultaneously supplying both the first evaporator and the second evaporator at their full cooling capacity. | 01-29-2015 |
20150027150 | SPLIT AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WITH A SINGLE OUTDOOR UNIT - A split air conditioning system for conditioning a plurality of zones within a single living area of a building, that includes a single outdoor unit; a refrigerant flow pathway made up of a plurality of refrigerant conduits having a common refrigerant flow path portion and at least two divergent flow path portions, a first divergent flow path and a second divergent flow path and the first evaporator and second evaporator are in parallel with one another; at least one throttling device; a portioning device configured to selectively and proportionately regulate the flow of a refrigerant fluid to the first evaporator and the second evaporator, respectively where the compressor is configured to be capable of simultaneously driving both the first evaporator and the second evaporator at their full cooling capacity. | 01-29-2015 |
20150027151 | AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS FOR AT LEAST TWO ROOMS USING A SINGLE OUTDOOR UNIT - A high-efficiency air conditioning system for conditioning a plurality of rooms within an interior of a building, the air conditioning system including: two separate rooms within a building, a single outdoor unit a refrigerant flow pathway that includes a plurality of refrigerant conduits having a common refrigerant flow path portion and at least two divergent flow path portions, a first divergent flow path where the first evaporator and second evaporator are in parallel with one another; at least one throttling device and at least a first indoor air handling unit positioned within and providing cooling to the first room and a second indoor air handling unit positioned within and providing cooling to a second room. The compressor is incapable of simultaneously supplying both the first evaporator and the second evaporator at their full cooling capacity. | 01-29-2015 |
20150027159 | ENHANCED HEAT TRANSFER TO WATER - A beverage dispensing apparatus which includes a tank, a liquid inlet and a fluid dispensing system which includes a dispensing fluid conduit having a helical portion at least substantially vertically oriented within the interior volume of the tank. The beverage dispensing apparatus also includes a fluid circulating system that includes at least one fluid circulation conduit having an inlet portion positioned proximate the bottom portion of the tank and at least one outlet. A fluid cycling device is also included in the beverage dispensing apparatus and is configured to move fluid from the bottom portion of the tank to the fluid circulation conduit. The at least one outlet is configured to produce a fluid flow tangential to the orientation of the dispensing fluid conduit configuration. Evaporator coils extend around a perimeter of the tank's exterior sidewall surface and are configured to chill the fluid within the tank. | 01-29-2015 |
20150314249 | CARBONATION VIA A CARBON FILTER MEDIA - An appliance for dispensing a chilled, carbonated liquid includes a mixer connected to a water source and a carbon dioxide source. A highly activated carbon filter is placed downstream from the mixing chamber between the mixing chamber and a dispenser. | 11-05-2015 |
20150315009 | BLADDER PUMP FOR LIQUID DISPENSING - A refrigerator includes a main refrigeration loop and a canister configured in a parallel circuit with the main refrigeration loop between the compressor and evaporator, with a liquid-filled bladder within the canister. The canister is pressurized by high-pressure refrigerant from the compressor, which forces the liquid within the bladder out of the bladder and to a pressurized water reservoir in fluid communication with the bladder and configured to house the evaporator and then out to a dispenser. | 11-05-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140151275 | FILTER ASSEMBLY - A gravity-driven fluid (water) treatment device that includes a bottom portion having at least one treated fluid outlet, an upper perimeter, and a bottom portion side wall that defines an interior volume of the bottom portion and wherein the bottom portion side wall is a shaped surface that is configured to frictionally engage a plurality of differently sized fluid vessel openings and still allow treated fluid to be delivered to the interior of a fluid vessel through the at least one treated fluid outlets; a fluid treatment medium positioned within a fluid filter; and a top portion with an interior volume defined by at least one wall. The fluid filter, the bottom portion and the top portion are each configured to be removably engaged and disengaged to allow for replacement of the filter and reassembly of the overall gravity filter assembly by hand and without the use of tools. | 06-05-2014 |
20140151284 | WATER PITCHER WITH FILTER - A water pitcher system that includes a water receiving aperture configured to allow water to be delivered into an interior water storage volume defined by a base and at least one upwardly extending wall extending upward from the base. The at least one upwardly extending wall includes an inner fluid facing wall section having an inner fluid facing surface and an outer user facing wall section having an exterior, user facing surface where the inner fluid facing wall section and the outer user facing wall section are each composites of a plastic substrate and a glass layer, typically deposited by vapor deposition or blow-molding, onto the plastic substrate. The inner fluid facing surface and the outer user facing surface are the glass layers. | 06-05-2014 |
20140151285 | VERTICALLY STACKED OR DIVIDED FLUID FILTER SYSTEM FOR INLET, OUTLET OR BOTH INLET AND OUTLET FILTERING - A liquid (water) pitcher that includes a pitcher having a liquid receiving aperture configured to allow a liquid (water) to be delivered into an interior liquid storage volume defined by at least one upwardly extending wall extending upward from a base and a liquid (water) filter positioned within the pitcher that includes a filter housing and at least one gravity-driven fluid treatment medium within the filter housing where the filter housing has a plurality of fluid intake apertures and at least one treated fluid outlet configured to deliver treated fluid into an internal volume of a vessel wherein the at least one fluid filtering medium treats the liquid at a rate of at least about one liter per minute while removing at least chlorine odor and chlorine taste components from the liquid (water). | 06-05-2014 |
20140151304 | GRAVITY FLUID/WATER FILTER ENGINE SYSTEM - A gravity-driven fluid filtering system that includes a universal fluid (typically water) filter and a plurality of differently sized fluid dispensing adapters. The universal fluid filter includes: at least one gravity-driven fluid filter media; a housing having an interior and at least one fluid inlet aperture configured to allow a fluid to be treated to enter the interior of the housing by a force of gravity and into contact with the at least one gravity-driven water filter media spaced within the interior of the housing; and at least one treated fluid outlet aperture configured to deliver treated fluid to at least one of a plurality vessels each having a differently sized fluid receiving aperture. The plurality of differently sized fluid dispensing adapters each having a sloped and contoured fluid receiving portion, which is different for each adapter. | 06-05-2014 |
20140202187 | HIGHER EFICIENCY APPLIANCE EMPLOYING THERMAL LOAD SHIFTING IN REFRIGERATORS HAVING HORIZONTAL MULLION - An appliance includes a cabinet; a first compartment; and a second compartment. The first compartment and the second compartment are separated by a horizontal mullion. The cabinet also typically includes a coolant system that has: a single compressor for regulating a temperature of the first compartment and a temperature of the second compartment operably connected to at least one evaporator; a shared coolant fluid connection system; and a coolant fluid spaced within the shared coolant fluid connection system used to regulate both the temperature of the first compartment and the second compartment. The compressor can provide the shared coolant at least two different pressures to at least one evaporator using the shared coolant fluid connection circuit. The ratio of the substantially steady state heat gain for the first compartment to the substantially steady state total heat gain for the overall cabinet is about 0.65:1 or greater. | 07-24-2014 |
20140202197 | IN THE DOOR ICE MAKER - A refrigerator that has a refrigerating compartment and a freezer compartment. A refrigerating compartment door covers at least a portion of the refrigerating compartment. An ice compartment located in the refrigerating compartment is located on the refrigerating compartment door. An ice maker is located in the ice compartment and a dispenser is located on the refrigerating compartment door. | 07-24-2014 |