Abstract: An input command system for an electronic refrigerator control wherein dedicated function keys are provided for inputting commands to the processor. The processor will not accept inputs from the dedicated function keys unless an enable key is pressed first. The enable key is hidden on the control panel so as to avoid unauthorized inputting of commands. Once enabled, the processor receives commands for a predetermined time period that is extended when commands are input.

Abstract: An electronic control mounted in the door of a refrigerator. In fabrication, a compartment is formed within the refrigerated food door by positioning a tub behind a vertically elongated aperture near the edge of the door, and inserting locator pins of the tub through corresponding holes in the door panel so as to provide alignment between the two. The trim mounting bracket also has holes aligned to receive the locator pins, and the trim mounting bracket is screwed through the door panel to the tub. The control board is inserted into the compartment through the aperture and mounted to the tub. A plate is mounted over the aperture and provides a flame barrier in addition to having a side lever that reenforces the portion of the panel peripheral to the aperture so as to prevent oil canning. Finally, the decorative trim which integrally includes a control panel is positioned over the plate and mounted to the trim mounting bracket.

Abstract: A package terminal air conditioner having a modular blower and heater unit that is readily removable intact for servicing. The module includes a housing or box that has a back scroll portion and a pair of ends or side panels. The ends have rearwardly extending tabs and top forwardly extending mounting brackets. A cross-flow blower wheel is spaced adjacent the scroll portion of the housing and is supported by the ends. A shaft extending from the blower wheel is connected to a motor. An electric heating element is mounted to the housing, and the motor and heating element are connected to an electrical connector. The module is installed into an indoor section compartment of the air conditioner, and the tabs insert through slots in the main partition. The mounting brackets are then affixed and the connector is mated to a matching connector.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for defrosting a refrigerator in an operator actuated vacation mode wherein, after the operator actuation, the next defrost cycle is executed in accordance with the previously existing schedule in the normal defrost mode. If the time duration to execute the next defrost cycle is greater than a predetermined time period, the controller continues to defrost in the normal mode. However, if the next of a subsequent defrost cycle is executed in a relatively short time duration, the interval between defrost is significantly increased to a fixed interval of compressor run time hours.

Abstract: A shut-off mechanism for an automatic ice maker that cooperates with the ice feeler arm to deactivate the harvesting of ice when the ice storage bin is not properly positioned to receive ice. When the storage bin is absent, a biased plunger of the shut-off mechanism urges the feeler arm to a raised position that deactivates the ice maker. However, when the storage bin is properly positioned, the bin engages the plunger and secures it in a retracted position such that the feeler arm is free to pivot in its normal manner for sensing the level of ice in the storage bin and controlling the ice maker accordingly.

Abstract: An air flow control mechanism for a glass top refrigerator container wherein a flexible actuator is routed from a lateral front slide in a guide slot or track that runs back along one side to a damper or shutter at the rear. Accordingly, a cold air inlet at the rear such as used in a meat keeper or crisper pan is actuated by a lateral front slide without having a mechanical linkage that passes across the middle of the frame thereby obstrucitng the view down into the container. The flexible band is coupled to an operator actuable lateral slide mechanism at the front, and the band at the back is coupled to a shutter which moves laterally in response to the motion of the slide mechanism so as to open and close the rear cold air inlet.

Abstract: A crisper humidity control including a shelf having an aperture in the front and a space between the crisper pan and the shelf at the rear to provide flow-through ventilation when both are open. The shelf further includes a laterally slidable shutter for sealing off the front passageway and a damper flap for sealing off the back passageway. A damper actuator arm is linked between the damper flap and the front shutter so that both are operated in unison from a single laterally slidable operator actuable control knob.

Abstract: A refrigerator ice dispenser light having a control including a photosensitive switch which applies half wave rectified line voltage when there is little or no ambient room light thereby dimly lighting the bulb at night. In response to the dispenser being activated, the photosensitive switch is shunted and line voltage is applied across the bulb.

Abstract: A rigid plastic twist lock drain funnel for conveying defrost water from the interior of the refrigerator cabinet, through the insulation space, to the exterior. A top portion of the funnel has a groove seating an O-ring, and a central portion has a pair of radially extending cam-shaped ears. During fabrication, the drain funnel is inserted from inside the refrigerator liner through an aperture having notches for receiving the ears, and then the funnel is twisted approximately 90.degree. to engage the ears as a cam lock. In such arrangement, the funnel is securely attached to the liner and the O-ring provides a seal therebetween so as to prevent subsequently injected foam insulation from leaking to the interior of the cabinet. To allow for misalignment between the linear and the outer case, the opposite end of the drain funnel passes through an oversized hole in the outer case of the refrigerator.

Abstract: An air conditioner having a thermal insulation cover forming a pocket around the thermostat bulb which is mounted to the outside wall of the air intake chamber. The cover has an aperture and the outside wall has a plurality of holes communicating with the pocket whereby, when the blower is activated, a flow of ambient room air is drawn through the pocket so that the bulb accurately reflects the temperature of the room being cooled. The cover thermally isolated the thermostat bulb from hot outside fresh air so that the thermostat bulb is not falsely biased.

Abstract: A commercial microwave oven having a plurality of operator actuable switches each of which is dedicated to activating the microwave oven for a corresponding programmed time period. These operator actuable switches are located on a switchboard, and a front faceplate has graphic keypads indicating where to push to activate the respective switches. Also located on the switchboard are operator actuable switches used to reprogram the time periods, but these reprogramming switches are hidden because they do not have corresponding keypads on the faceplate. Accordingly, access to the reprogramming feature is limited to those who have been appropriately instructed.

Abstract: Refrigerator drain pan apparatus including a pair of spaced mounting brackets having longitudinal guide slots for receiving in sliding engagement the longitudinal rims of the drain pan. The brackets also have clamps for securely engaging gripper pads on the rims of the drain pan at the operating position for eliminating vibration noise. The guide slots include a rim support shelf and a parallel top panel space thereabove. Forward extending ramps guide the drain pan rims up into the guide slots. The clamps include V-shaped tabs positioned in front and back of the guide slots, which tabs extend below the plane of the top panel and engage the gripper pads in an interference fit at the operating position. The pan also has bumpers protruding from the rims to engage the front V-shaped path at the operating position of the drain pan thereby providing a stop. An upward cone in the pan bottom provides a drip area for incoming water.

Abstract: A refrigerator shelf for dispensing cans or thawing food. Adapted for mounting in the limited height space below a meat keeper, the shelf defines a one-legged tray which is supported by the cross members of a cantilever-suspended frame. The cross bars are substantially L-shaped and inverted such that the respective supporting short sides are at different vertical heights. When the legged end of the tray is forward, the tray is held horizontally. When the legged end of the tray is rearward, the tray functions as a front loading can dispenser because it is inclined towards the rear.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a cold air meat keeper that is adjustable to a plurality of alternate vertical positions. The cold air is introduced into the refrigerated food compartment through a port in the back wall of the liner. The meat keeper, which is suspended below a height-adjustable cantileverly-supported shelf, has an elastic conduit extending rearwardly therefrom. The conduit has an enlarged rear chamber that seals against the liner wall around the port in a plurality of elevational positions. The conduit is compressed in an interference fit to provide a positive sealing force against the liner surface.

Abstract: A furnace having a recuperative heat exchanger including apparatus for draining condensate and then flushing the exchanger with water to remove residual condensate. The recuperative heat exchanger lowers the temperature of the products of combustion from approximately 500.degree. F. to approximately 100.degree. F. thereby recovering sensible heat and heat of condensation before exhaust into the flue. Preferably, the recuperative heat exchanger functions as a preheater for forced air which is then directed past a second heat exchanger adapted to receive a circulating fluid which is heated by the combustion burner.

Abstract: A recuperative furnace and method for heating wherein the recirculation air blower directs the return air upwardly first to a recuperative heat exchanger and then to a second heat exchanger operating from the heat of combustion. The flue gases are routed directly to the recuperative heat exchanger where a portion of the products of combustion condense. Accordingly, the recuperative heat exchanger not only provides sensible heat transfer from the flue gases but also recovers a portion of the latent heat of vaporization. The second heat exchanger transfers heat from a solution to the recirculation air. The solution flows through a closed loop between the second heat exchanger and a heat transfer module which includes the burner.

Abstract: A shipping base for elevating the bottom of a load to provide an entry slot for a mechanical lifting device. Cardboard is cut and folded to form a horizontal panel integrally connected to upward-facing rectangular channels along opposing panel edges. Polystyrene shipping pads are inserted in the channels for supporting the weight of an item to be shipped and partially encapsulating the item.

Abstract: A circularly polarized microwave oven. Microwave energy is coupled from a waveguide above the ceiling to the cavity by a rotatable vertical probe extending through a circular aperture in the cavity. A strip conductor closely spaced to the ceiling to limit radiation therefrom conducts the microwave current to an air dielectric patch antenna radially offset from the axis of the probe. A vertical section of the strip conductor spaces the patch antenna more than one-eighth wavelength from the ceiling which functions as a ground plane. The patch antenna is rectangular and the dimensions of its sides are selected to be respectively resonant above and below the operating frequency of the oven. More specifically, the dimensions are selected so that the orthogonal currents parallel to the rectangle sides produce orthogonal radiated components that are equal in magnitude and separated by 90.degree. in phase. Accordingly, the resonant patch or flag antenna radiates substantially circular polarization.

Abstract: A locking cover for preventing unauthorized access to the control panel of an air conditioner. The locking cover is adapted for use with an air conditioner having a control panel seated between a frame connected to the control panel access opening and a spongy pad. The locking cover defines a plate having a side wall to elevate the plate above the knobs of the control panel. The wall has an outwardly extending flange which is adapted for removably inserting between the panel and the frame wherein the gap for the insertion is provided by pressing the panel to compress the spongy pad. A key lock mounted adjacent to the opposite edge of the plate is rotated so that a latching member moves to a locking position between the panel and the opposite side of the frame.

Abstract: A circularly polarized microwave oven. Microwave energy is coupled from a waveguide above the ceiling to the cavity by a rotatable vertical probe. A strip transmission line closely spaced to the ceiling to limit radiation therefrom conducts the microwave current from the probe to a helical strip antenna radially offset from the axis of the probe. The helical strip antenna has a cylindrical segment which has a downward slope from its feed end to gradually increase the spacing between the cylindrical segment and the ceiling which functions as a ground plane. The increase in radiative efficiency around the cylindrical segment caused by increasing the spacing to the ceiling offsets the magnitude of the current traveling wave diminishing as a result of radiation losses. Accordingly, the magnitude of the X and Y electric vectors are substantially equal over a relatively wide angle thus defining circular polarization.