Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting a failure in an automatic defrost system for a refrigerator. A current sensor means monitors the current supplied to the defrost heater and generates an "on" signal when current is sensed in the defrost heater circuit. A microprocessor determines the "off" time, that is the time between successive "on" signals, and compares this time to a predetermined reference time longer than the normal "off" time. A user discernible signal is generated upon detection of an "off" time greater than the reference time, signifying to the user that the defrost system is not operating properly, and corrective action may be necessary.

Abstract: An icemaker including a freezer mold having a plurality of partitioned walls disposed within the mold to define a plurality of cavities in which water is to be frozen to form ice pieces having an edge portion. There is provided a stripper member disposed longitudinally along one side of the mold and having a portion thereof above the cavities and said portion having an upwardly depending ridge. The ejection of ice pieces from the mold is provided by a rotating ejector for rotatably moving the ice pieces to above the cavities and to continue rotating the ejector and moving the ice pieces onto the stripper member such that the edge portion of the ice pieces engage the upwardly depending ridge and are retained thereby. Continued rotation of the ejector pivots the ice pieces upwardly about the edge portion and past the vertical whereupon the ice pieces tumble off the stripper member laterally outward of the mold.

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet having an outer metal case including side walls and a top wall, a plastic inner liner and a partition separating a freezer and fresh food compartments and separate front door openings. A front face is formed along the front edge of the side and top wall defining the door openings. The front face on each side wall is provided with a pair of vertically spaced openings. A support bar including a pair of vertically spaced openings dimensioned to align with the openings in the front face is secured relative to the front face adjacent each side wall. A cross member extending between the side walls is positioned adjacent the front portion of the partition. The cross member includes a pair of vertically spaced openings adjacent each end thereof which are cooperatively arranged relative to the pair of vertically spaced openings in the front face and support bar.

Abstract: An improved over-temperature warning system for a refrigerator/freezer appliance comprises a temperature sensor responsive to the temperature in the freezer compartment of the appliance and logic circuitry responsive to the sensor operative to detect a first over-temperature condition when the sensed temperature is greater than a first reference temperature and less than a second reference temperature and to detect a second over-temperature condition when the sensed temperature is greater than the second reference temperature. The logic circuitry times the duration of the first and second over-temperature conditions and provides a user discernible warning signal when the first condition exceeds a first predetermined time period or when the second over-temperature condition exceeds a second predetermined time period shorter than the first time period.

Abstract: A rotary compressor of the type having an outer metal cylinder casing, a metal cylinder with a vane slot and a vane and the method of assembling the compressor by forming the cylinder with a circular chamber, the center of which is in alignment with the central axis of the cylinder and having a circular outer wall slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the casing. A vane slot is cut in the cylinder which slot is open at one end into the chamber. A vane is placed in the slot to divide the chamber into a high pressure side and a low pressure side. The cylinder has formed therein three curved elongated ports spaced from each other in the cylinder between the chamber and outer wall. The length of each port and thickness of the metal between the port and outer wall of the cylinder cooperate to provide adequate strength for welding and sufficiently flexible to absorb any significant distortion forces caused by welding without transmitting the distortion forces to the vane slot.

Abstract: A display arrangement for a cooking appliance using a heater energy counter based power control system which provides a user discernible signal signifying that the appliance heating element has reached the steady state temperature associated with the user selected power setting. The heater energy counter is selectively incremented or decremented at a rate in accordance with the selected power setting such that the count rate is approximately proportional to the rate of increase or decrease respectively of the temperature of the heating element for the power setting selected. When so incremented and decremented the count of the counter provides an approximation of the actual heating element temperature. The display arrangement generates a user discernible signal when the count of the heater energy counter indicates that the associated heating element has approximately reached the steady state temperature for the selected power setting.

Abstract: The method of inspecting and determining the status of a hole in a surface of a part comprising placing a robot at a stationary position, said robot being controlled by a programmable controller and having a movable arm with a fiber optic scanner device capable of sensing a reflective surface. The part to be inspected is placed in a stationary fixture spaced from the robot and the robot arm with the fiber optic scanner device is moved to a point spaced from the part surface. The robot arm with the fiber optic scanner is incrementally moved closer to the part surface until light reflection is detected from the part surface by the fiber optic scanner. A signal is sent to the robot controller upon detecting light reflection from the part surface to stop further incremental movement of the robot arm and fiber optic scanner closer to the part.

Abstract: An electrical switch panel including a switch actuating assembly is disclosed for intermittently altering the electrical condition of a switch. A base member is formed to include a plurality of chambers each dimensioned for receiving and retaining the electrical switch actuating assembly is positioned on a support member carrying the switch. An insulative tactile film is arranged on the base pad providing a touch area covering the chamber openings. An axially movable member disposed in the chamber is operable by movement of the film to engage a cantilever switch actuating member whereby the axial movement of the film transmitted through the axially movable member causes an amplified movement of the cantilever switch actuating member which is effective in altering the electrical condition of the switch.

Abstract: A process for automated and improved proteinaceous soil removal in a wash water solution wherein alkali is first added to the wash water solution to bring the pH thereof to slightly below a selected target pH value in the range of 10 to 11 that will be effective to react with and solubilize the proteinaceous soil. To that wash water solution 5 to 50 milligrams of hypohalous halogen per liter of wash water solution and sufficient alkali is added to raise the pH of the wash water solution to the target pH value. The wash water solution is monitored to detect a drop in pH of at least 0.02 pH units occurring after the addition of the hypohalous halogen. If there is no such drop in pH then the process is terminated. If there is at least a 0.02 pH units drop in pH then an incremental amount of hypohalous halogen and sufficient alkali are added to the solution to again raise the pH of the water solution to the target pH. This cycle continues until there is less then 0.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for detecting fault conditions in an automatic icemaker system of the type having an ice forming mold and an electric motor and mold heater which are energized during ice cube ejection cycles. A current sensor monitors current in the icemaker motor and mold heater circuit and generates an "on" signal when current is detected. A microprocessor measures the duration of the "on" signals and the elapsed time between successive of "on" signals. A diagnostic code is displayed signifying a fault condition in the icemaker circuit when the time between successive "on" signals is less than the normal time required to freeze cubes or the duration of an "on" cycle exceeds the normal ejection time.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for testing microwave oven cavities during the oven fabrication process after the cavity forming operation is complete. The cavity to be tested is positioned front frame resting on a test plate containing a non-protruding microwave power source and choke/ferrite attenuators. The power source radiates into the interior of the cavity and microwave leakage is measured at the cavity exterior.

Abstract: In a hermetic compressor there is provided a resilient retainer member adapted to removably secure a terminal receptacle block assembly and a thermal overload protector relative to the compressor casing. The receptacle block assembly is adapted to engage conductor pins of an electrical terminal secured to the upper wall of the casing while the overload protector is adapted to engage the upper wall of the casing. The retainer member includes a first leg portion dimensioned to engage the thermal overload protector and a second leg portion dimensioned to engage the terminal receptacle block whereby downward pressure on the retainer member secures both the overload protector and terminal receptacle block relative to the casing.

Abstract: A capacitive attenuator type touch switch cell arrangement employs a touch responsive pad or electrode and a receiver electrode of comparable surface area on opposing surfaces of a dielectric substrate for capacitive coupling therebetween, which capacitive coupling is alterable by the human touching of or proximate to the touch pad. A scan signal is coupled from signal generating circuitry to the touch responsive pad by a separate transmitting capacitor. Signal detection circuitry senses the signal coupled to the receiver electrode to detect attenuation of the coupled signal signifying the touching of the touch pad. The use of a separate capacitor to provide the transmitting capacitance reduces the touch pad area requirement, thereby permitting closer spacing of touch switch cells for greater switch density on a control panel.

Abstract: A method of assembling a refrigerator cabinet having an outer metal shell with side walls, a plastic inner liner and an insulation partition separating a freezer and fresh food compartment. Mounting brackets each having a preset fastener location are mounted on each side of the outer shell adjacent the partition. The insulation partition is faced with a plastic mullion component having a cutout section at both ends. A flexible metal tension cross member is formed having a preset fastener opening at each end thereof spaced apart a distance such that when the flexible metal tension cross member is utilized to draw the cabinet side walls together and fastened at both ends at the preset fastener openings to the preset fastener locations on the partition mounting brackets the outer shell of the refrigerator cabinet will have the desired correct cabinet width.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling motor winding current by employing ON/OFF duty cycle control switching between an upper and a lower current threshold to establish an average motor winding current approximately midway between the two thresholds. Rising current during ON time intervals is directly measured, and an upper threshold detector is employed to turn OFF a switching transistor when the upper current threshold is reached. Rather than directly measuring decay or flyback current which circulates in the motor windings through free-wheeling diodes for comparison against the lower current threshold, the decay time is simulated. A lower current threshold detector and an upper current threshold detector are employed. Following winding energization, the lower threshold current detector starts a timing device. The upper threshold current detector subsequently stops the timing device, and turns OFF the switching transistor.

Abstract: An electrical ground connection arrangement and method between two metal elements wherein a first metal element has an aperture with a tab extending from the aperture periphery and the second metal element has an aperture and a slot radially outwardly of the aperture to receive the tab of the first metal part. An externally threaded metal fastener is passed through the first and second metal element apertures which fastener bends the tab and scores it so that there is metal-to-metal contact between the fastener and the tab and second metal element.

Abstract: An arrangement for monitoring the approximate temperature of a resistive heating element selectively energized at a plurality of power levels in response to the selection by an operator of one of a plurality of power settings including OFF, which includes a heater energy counter to provide approximate heating element temperature information. The heater energy counter is incremented at a rate which is approximately proportional to the rate of increase of the temperature of the heating element when energized at the selected power level. In one form of the invention, the counter is decremented when a lower power setting or an OFF setting is selected, at a rate which is approximately proportional to the rate at which the temperature of the heating element decreases in cooling down to the temperature level associated with the new power setting. By this arrangement, the count of the counter approximately tracks the heating element temperature, thereby providing approximate temperature information.

Abstract: An article accumulator and transfer system and method is provided for combining the transfer of articles from a loading station to an unloading station and the accumulation of articles to avoid prolonged, interrupted operation of the unloading station in the event the loading station is inoperative. The method includes a first primary operation which intermittently moves and stops a continuous conveyor having a plurality of article stations between the loading and unloading stations, placing articles on the conveyor at the loading station when the conveyor is stopped and there is no article on the conveyor article station at the loading station at a rate greater than the rate at which the articles are removed at the unloading station and removing articles from non-sequential article stations of the conveyor when at the unloading station and the conveyor is stopped.

Abstract: A domestic combination microwave and electric self-cleaning oven of the type providing a plurality of operating modes including a microwave mode and a self-cleaning mode is provided with an arrangement for preventing an undesirable buildup of humid air in the cavity when operating in the microwave modes. The venting arrangement includes a restricted air inlet passageway provided to allow outside air to enter the cavity. Air is vented from the cavity through an air exhaust passageway. A catalytic oxidation unit is provided in the air exhaust passageway to decompose gases generated when the oven is operating in the self-cleaning mode. The restricted air inlet passageway is configured to limit unaugmented air flow into the cavity to a level sufficient to facilitate the proper operation of the oxidation unit during operation in the self-cleaning mode.

Abstract: A compact evaporator unit for a household refrigerator including a partition dividing the refrigerator into two separate compartments. The partition is formed with an evaporator compartment in which the evaporator is positioned. The evaporator comprises a tubular member having an extended heat exchange surface in the form of a pair of longitudinally extending helically coiled portions. The coiled portions are arranged parallel with the rear coil being elevated relative to the front coil. The rear coil is extended to form end coils which provide a central area between the end coils to accommodate a fan employed for moving air through the evaporator compartment. The rear coil being raised so that the flow of air passing through the evaporator compartment will impact on both coils to thereby increase the frost tolerance of the evaporator.