Abstract: An appliance is provided including a fluid flow path and a filter receiving portion. The filter receiving portion comprises an installation assistance feature and is configured to receive a water filter such that it is fluidly connected to the flow path. One or more water filter sensors are included that sense when the water filter is in a first position relative to the filter receiving portion so as to enable initiation of an installation procedure to cause the water filter to move to the installed position. The installation procedure utilizes no the installation assistance feature. At least one controller is provided that receives an indication that the water filter is in a first position and causes, based on the indication, activation of the installation assistance feature to reposition the water filter from the first position towards the installed position.

Abstract: A system and method for filtering a fluid includes a manifold and a filter releasably connected to the manifold that includes a memory storage device. A filter valve in fluid communication with the manifold has an open position that allows the fluid to flow through the filter and a shut position that prevents the fluid from flowing through the filter valve. A sensor in fluid communication with the manifold generates a fluid parameter signal reflective of a characteristic of the fluid flowing through the manifold. A controller receives the fluid parameter signal and positions the filter valve to the shut position when the fluid parameter signal meets a predetermined fluid condition.

Abstract: A water filter assembly may include a filter body having vertical side walls that defines a cavity within which one or more filter layers may be housed, the filter body further including a plurality of vertical barriers that define a plurality of flow paths that converge on an outlet hole, the vertical barriers further including a plurality of cutouts defining alternative overflow paths permitting water therethrough, and each filter layer including a plurality of vertical barriers that define a plurality of flow paths.

Abstract: A dispense control system for filling a container using a dispensing assembly of a refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The dispense control system includes an emitter for generating a beam of energy and a scanning assembly for selectively directing the beam of energy along a scan path comprising a plurality of scan positions. A receiver detects the beam of energy reflected by the container or the liquid at each of the plurality of scan positions and a controller determines a height of the container or the liquid at each of the plurality of scan positions along the scan path based at least in part on a travel time of the beam of energy between the emitter and the receiver.

Abstract: A contaminant measurement system is provided. The system is operable to detect and measure a concentration level of a preselected contaminant, e.g., lead, in water disposed within a chamber of the system. The system includes a detection agent that is operable to interact with the preselected contaminant in the water. The detection agent can be a plurality of polymeric beads or a membrane, for example. The system has a sensing circuit that includes a pair of electrodes spaced from one another and both at least partially disposed in the water. A controller is communicatively coupled with the sensing circuit and is configured to receive one or more electric signals from the sensing circuit. The controller determines a parameter indicative of the concentration level of the preselected contaminant based on the one or more electrical signals. The controller then determines and outputs the concentration level of the preselected contaminant.

Abstract: A quick connect fitting kit includes a chuck having a threaded end. The chuck defines a channel. A collar has a threaded end and a sloped inner surface. The threaded end of the collar is meshable with the threaded end of the chuck to mount the collar to the chuck. A collet has a sloped outer surface. The collet is positioned within the collar such that the sloped outer surface of the collet is positioned on the sloped inner surface of the collar. The collet defines a passage. The passage of the collet is sized for receipt of a pipe. The pipe is in fluid communication with the channel of the chuck when the collet is compressed against the pipe and the collar is mounted to the chuck.

Abstract: A system and method are directed to detecting the presence of heavy metals in a flowing fluid, such as a drinking water supply. The system includes a first chamber for receiving a filtered portion of the fluid and a second chamber for receiving an unfiltered portion of the fluid. A test device measures electrical properties of the filtered fluid in the first chamber and the unfiltered fluid in the second chamber, such as an electric potential difference, and a controller can use the measured electrical properties to detect the presence or quantity of one or more heavy metals within the fluid, such as lead, cadmium, zinc, nickel, and/or copper.

Abstract: A system and method are directed toward the synthesis of polymeric capsules using a phase inversion process by extrusion of polymeric droplets through a syringe-needle assembly or an iris-shutter mechanism. The polymeric solution may be prepared by dissolving PAN (polyacrylonitrile) polymer in DMF (Dimethyl Formamide) solvent at high temperature through continuous stirring. Following preparation of the capsules, further treatment was initiated using triethylamine in gelation bath to make the final product an efficient removal agent of water hardness.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for controlling the operation of an ice making appliance is provided. The ice making appliance includes an ice maker that forms and dispenses ice into an ice bucket. A sensor assembly includes an emitter for generating a beam of energy and a receiver that monitors the time of flight of the beam of energy to determine a level of the ice within the ice bucket.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and ice dispenser is provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, an ice maker attached to the cabinet, a dispenser recess defined on the refrigerator appliance, and a dispenser conduit disposed within the dispenser recess. The dispenser conduit may include a chute wall. The chute wall may define an ice passage, one or more fluid inlets, a manifold channel, and one or more fluid outlets. A fluid inlet may be positioned radially outward from the ice passage in fluid communication with a fluid source selectively supplying a fluid flow thereto. The manifold channel may extend within the chute wall about at least a portion of the ice passage. The manifold channel may be in downstream fluid communication with the fluid inlet. A fluid outlet may be defined through the chute wall in downstream fluid communication with the manifold channel.

Abstract: A dispense control system for a dispensing assembly of a refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The dispensing assembly defines a base plane for receiving a container. A dispense control system includes an emitter for directing a beam of energy toward the container and the base plane and a receiver for detecting a projection of the beam of energy in an image plane of the receiver. The dispense control system may be configured to obtain a measured displacement of the projection when the container is positioned on the base plane, and an actual height of the container or a liquid level within the container may be determined from the measured displacement of the projection.

Abstract: A system and method are directed to detecting the presence of heavy metals in a flowing fluid, such as a drinking water supply. The system includes a first chamber for receiving a filtered portion of the fluid and a second chamber for receiving an unfiltered portion of the fluid. A test device measures electrical properties of the filtered fluid in the first chamber and the unfiltered fluid in the second chamber, such as an electric potential difference, and a controller can use the measured electrical properties to detect the presence or quantity of one or more heavy metals within the fluid, such as lead, cadmium, zinc, nickel, and/or copper.

Abstract: A dispense control system for filling a container using a dispensing assembly of a refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The dispense control system includes an emitter for generating a beam of energy and a scanning assembly for selectively directing the beam of energy along a scan path comprising a plurality of scan positions. A receiver detects the beam of energy reflected by the container or the liquid at each of the plurality of scan positions and a controller determines a height of the container or the liquid at each of the plurality of scan positions along the scan path based at least in part on a travel time of the beam of energy between the emitter and the receiver.

Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a casing. A filter medium is disposed within the casing. A radio-frequency identification, RFID, tag is positioned on the casing. A leak detection pad is positioned on the casing. The RFID tag is in communication with the leak detection pad. The RFID tag is configured to transmit a leak detection signal in response to a liquid at the leak detection pad.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance having a dispensing system and a method for dispensing liquid into a container are provided. The dispensing system can be an autofill dispensing system. In one example aspect, the dispensing system includes a vibration generator and a measurement device. When a container is present in a preselected position, liquid is delivered to the container. As liquid fills into the container, the vibration generator propagates vibrations through the container. The measurement device detects one or more characteristics of the vibration and routes one more signals indicative of the characteristics to a controller of the system. The controller determines a liquid fill level of liquid within the container based at least in part on the signals received from the measurement device.

Abstract: A water filter assembly may include a filter body having vertical side walls that defines a cavity within which one or more filter layers may be housed, the filter body further including a plurality of vertical barriers that define a plurality of flow paths that converge on an outlet hole, the vertical barriers further including a plurality of cutouts defining alternative overflow paths permitting water therethrough, and each filter layer including a plurality of vertical barriers that define a plurality of flow paths.

Abstract: A foam and liquid fill level detection system includes a first signal emitter operable to emit a signal at a first wavelength towards a dispensing area, a second signal emitter operable to emit a signal at a second wavelength towards the dispensing area, and one or more signal receivers operable to detect the signal at the first wavelength and the signal at the second wavelength from the dispensing area. The first wavelength is selected such the signal at the first wavelength reflects from liquid, and the second wavelength is selected such the signal at the second wavelength reflects from foam.

Abstract: A filter assembly for authenticating a filter cartridge includes a filter housing and an optical receiver mounted to the filter housing.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and extraction is provided herein. The extraction fluid assembly may include a fluid tank, an open container, a filter assembly, a dispenser housing, and a precision doser. The fluid tank may define an extraction chamber to receive a liquid solvent. The open container may be selectively disposed on the fluid tank to hold an additive within the extraction chamber. The filter assembly may be positioned beneath the fluid tank along a vertical direction in fluid communication with the extraction chamber. The dispenser housing may support the filter assembly. The dispenser housing may also define a dispensing chamber positioned beneath the filter assembly in fluid communication therewith. The precision doser may be in fluid communication with the dispensing chamber to direct an extraction fluid therefrom.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a water supply system with a supply conduit connectable to a pressurized water supply such that a flow of water is flowable through the supply conduit to an exit of the supply conduit positioned at a dispenser recess. A dispensing valve is coupled to the supply conduit downstream of a flow restriction. A water tank is connected to the supply conduit downstream of the flow restriction and upstream of the dispensing valve. The water tank is configured such that a compressible medium within the water tank is compressed by water from the supply conduit when the dispensing valve is closed.