Abstract: A refrigerator is provided, including a cabinet formed with at least one refrigerated compartment and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet via a hollow hinge to selectively open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A water heater is mounted on an exterior surface of the cabinet about the hollow hinge and configured to heat water supplied from the refrigerator. A hot water dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense hot water supplied from the water heater into a receiver vessel, and a hot water conduit is guided through the hollow hinge and extending from the water heater to the hot water dispenser to supply the hot water from the heater to the dispenser. A method of dispensing hot water is also provided. The method utilizes at least two distinct, user-initiated steps to permit the dispensing of hot water.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided, including a cabinet formed with at least one refrigerated compartment, and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet. A vented exhaust conduit is provided at least partially within an interior of the door and defines a pathway in fluid communication with an environment exterior of the cabinet. A water heater includes a heating element located at least partially within the vented exhaust conduit and configured to heat water supplied from the refrigerator, wherein heat generated by said heating element can escape through the pathway of the vented exhaust to said environment exterior of the cabinet. A hot water dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense hot water supplied from the water heater into a receiver vessel. A method of dispensing hot water is also provided. The method utilizes at least two distinct, user-initiated steps to permit the dispensing of hot water.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided including a refrigerator compartment with slides configured to be positioned within the refrigerator compartment, a bin door configured to cover a front of the refrigerator compartment and attached to the slides, a storage bin configured to be supported by the slides, and a lift mechanism including a first support structure configured to support the storage bin, a second support structure attached to the bin door, at least one support assembly attaching the first support structure and the second support structure, and a drive unit operatively connected to the support assembly to selectively change the distance between the first and second support structure.

Abstract: A safety system receives inputs from safety related input devices such as smoke detectors and the like and provides triggering outputs to notification appliances such as bells and the like and/or safety functions such as door releases. To facilitate testing of the input devices the system incorporates a timer operative to disconnect the output devices for a period of time during which testing may be achieved, automatically reconnects the output devices at the end of the time, records the number of triggering outputs received at the outputs during that period.

Abstract: An enclosure defines a confined space configured to store goods that can be advantageously maintained by controlling the water vapor levels to which the goods are exposed. A water vapor conversion element, at which liquid water is converted to water vapor, can be operably associated with the confined space to distribute that water vapor to the confined space. A water delivery unit is operatively associated with the water vapor conversion element and is configured to deliver water in liquid form to the water vapor conversion element. The water delivery unit can comprise a drip chamber configured to deliver the water essentially one drop at a time. The enclosure can comprise a drawer in a refrigeration appliance such as a household refrigerator. A sensor configured to determine the water vapor level present in the confined space can be operable to selectively control the distribution of water vapor to the confined space.

Abstract: Provided is a dryer for minimizing moisture entrained within a refrigerant used to provide a cooling effect to a temperature-controlled environment, and a refrigeration appliance including such a dryer. The dryer includes a housing defining a drying chamber and a desiccant disposed within the drying chamber for removing at least a portion of the moisture from the refrigerant. A first outlet is formed in the housing adjacent a lower region of the drying chamber when the drying chamber is viewed in an operational orientation. A second outlet is also formed in the housing at an elevation vertically above the first outlet when the dryer is viewed in the operational orientation for discharging at least a portion of the refrigerant introduced into the drying chamber to be delivered to a second heat exchanger with a relatively-low internal pressure. The elevation of the second outlet relative to the first outlet promotes the discharge of the refrigerant through the first outlet instead of through the second outlet.

Abstract: A sealed thermostat includes a body, electrical leads extending from the body for electrically connecting the thermostat to a system, a sheath sized to encapsulate the body and having a wall terminating at an open end, the sheath being disposed around the body with at least one of the electrical leads extending from the open end, and a sealant disposed in the open end around at least one electrical lead and between at least one electrical lead and the wall, thereby sealing the body within the sheath. The sealant and sheath substantially completely isolate the body from gasses capable of being ignited by an arc within the body.

Abstract: A paintball system may include a marker and delivery system configured to deliver paintballs to the marker. The delivery system may include a conduit and a gas supply. The gas supply may be configured to provide gas flow to the conduit, which may propel paintballs in the conduit to the marker. The gas supply may be configured to dynamically alter the gas flow to the conduit. The delivery system may include a first seal sized and configured to form a seal with at least one of the paintballs in the conduit.

Abstract: Provided is an ice maker that includes a mold including a plurality of cavities for receiving water to be frozen into ice pieces, a driver operatively connected to the mold for adjusting a position of the mold to a plurality of different locations during an ice making cycle, and a controller. A limit switch is located at a plurality of different positions along a range of travel of the mold to be actuated and transmit a signal indicative of the mold's arrival at the different locations. The mold can travel along path including first portion having a first axis of rotation and a substantially vertical portion, and can be driven by a motor with a drive shaft rotatable about a single axis of rotation. The motor can drive both the mold and a bail arm, and the mold can be leveled upon reaching a predetermined location. The ice maker can perform a Dry Cycle in response to detecting an anomaly during ice making.

Abstract: A duct detector housing includes a housing cover and a housing body defining a midline between the center of a detector and a printed circuit board within said body. Gas inlet and outlets are off axis of the midline to allow water that collects in conventional housing to drain from the housing. A maintenance mode button associated with a duct detector housing cover that is secured to a housing body of the housing provides a preselected time period during which removal of the cover is independent of a cover removal alarm. A printed circuit board within the housing has dedicated terminal blocks providing grouped connections with each of the groups segregated from another. An improved duct detector terminal has a hole in the terminal adapted to receive a test meter probe therethrough to provide an electrical contact between the wire.

Abstract: Sealing gaskets are provided for forming a seal between the door of an appliance and the cabinet of the appliance when the door of the appliance is closed onto the cabinet of the appliance. The gaskets are adapted to be mounted to the door of the appliance and comprise a first bellows chamber that can be compressed when the door of the appliance is closed onto the cabinet of the appliance, a pocket contiguous with the first bellows chamber for holding a magnet and a second bellows chamber adapted to be nearer the cabinet of the appliance than the pocket and engage the cabinet of the appliance prior to the pocket engaging the cabinet of the appliance when the door of the appliance is closed. A gasket mounting section is contiguous with the first bellows chamber and includes a first portion that is held in a mounting space.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for forming ice pieces with an ice maker that includes a mold defining a plurality of cavities for receiving water to be frozen into ice pieces. A processor controls delivery of a refrigerant to freeze water received in the plurality of cavities into ice pieces. A freeze signal transmitted by a temperature sensor embedded within the mold is received by the processor, the freeze signal indicating that a temperature of a portion of the mold adjacent to the temperature sensor has reached a freeze temperature where the water in at least one of the cavities has achieved a frozen state to initiate harvesting of the frozen ice pieces. Defrosting a system evaporator can also be coordinated with operation of the ice maker.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration device for storing food within an electric field. The refrigeration device includes a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment vertically below an elevation of the fresh food compartment. A storage compartment in which a desired temperature for storing food is selectable by a user independently of a target temperature of at least one of the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment. A refrigeration system provides a cooling effect to the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the storage compartment, and a conductor is arranged within close physical proximity to a bottom surface of the storage compartment. A control system controls delivery of an alternating electric signal to the conductor for generating an electric field that extends into the storage compartment, wherein the alternating electric signal comprises a frequency less than 1 kHz and a voltage greater than or equal to 1 kV.

Abstract: Provided are a method and refrigeration appliance for making substantially-transparent ice. The refrigeration appliance includes a fresh food compartment in which a refrigeration temperature that is greater than 32° F. and less than 55° F. is maintained, and a water tray disposed within the fresh food compartment and including a bottom surface and an upwardly extending wall forming a reservoir for holding a volume of water. A plurality of fingers are supported adjacent to the water tray to be at least partially submerged in water within the water tray, and an evaporator is in thermal communication with the fingers for chilling an exposed surface of the fingers to a finger temperature that is less than 32° F. Water is introduced into the water tray, and an extent to which the fingers are submerged in the water is repeatedly adjusted.

Abstract: An air sampling tube is provided that provides superior air flow, strength, and manufacturability and couples to an air sampling sensor housing. The sidewall of the tubular section has an axially extending groove. To facilitate installation and inspection, an air sampling tube is provided with a starter cap. An end cap prevents air flow through the distal end of the tube. An air sampling tube is provided that assures proper axial positioning of tubular section apertures through resort to a coupler with a rotationally asymmetric joining element. A modular kit is provided that allows for custom installation without resort to cutting or forming operations in the field.

Abstract: A refrigeration system is provided with an ice maker chamber within a fresh food compartment. The refrigeration system includes a refrigeration path and an ice maker path. The ice maker path includes an electronic expansion valve for controlling the refrigerant entering an ice maker evaporator and an evaporator pressure regulator. Controlling the refrigeration system includes the steps of sensing a first refrigerant temperature at an exit of the ice maker evaporator and controlling a first control of the electronic expansion valve until the temperature reaches a temperature target. The method of controlling can further include comparing a slope of the temperature to at least one of a minimum, a target, or a maximum setting to adjust the control. Subsequently, a second control for the electronic expansion valve can be repeatedly adjusted by evaluating the first refrigerant temperature and the slope.

Abstract: An enclosure defines a confined space configured to store goods that can be advantageously maintained by controlling the water vapor levels to which the goods are exposed. A water vapor conversion element, at which liquid water is converted to water vapor, can be operably associated with the confined space to distribute that water vapor to the confined space. A water delivery unit is operatively associated with the water vapor conversion element and is configured to deliver water in liquid form to the water vapor conversion element. The water delivery unit can comprise a drip chamber configured to deliver the water essentially one drop at a time. The enclosure can comprise a drawer in a refrigeration appliance such as a household refrigerator. A sensor configured to determine the water vapor level present in the confined space can be operable to selectively control the distribution of water vapor to the confined space.

Abstract: A duct detector housing includes a housing cover and a housing body defining a midline between the center of a detector and a printed circuit board within said body. Gas inlet and outlets are off axis of the midline to allow water that collects in conventional housing to drain from the housing. A maintenance mode button associated with a duct detector housing cover that is secured to a housing body of the housing provides a preselected time period during which removal of the cover is independent of a cover removal alarm. A printed circuit board within the housing has dedicated terminal blocks providing grouped connections with each of the groups segregated from another. An improved duct detector terminal has a hole in the terminal adapted to receive a test meter probe therethrough to provide an electrical contact between the wire.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a storage compartment. An evaporator cools the storage compartment. A defrost heater is associated with the evaporator. A temperature sensor senses an evaporator temperature and generates a temperature signal based on the evaporator temperature. A controller receives the temperature signal and generates a defrost heater power control signal. A power supply receives the defrost heater power control signal and controls a power level supplied to the defrost heater based on the defrost heater power control signal. A first power level is supplied to the defrost heater during a first heating interval of a defrosting operation, and, based on an evaporator temperature rise occurring during the first heating interval, the controller adjusts the defrost heater power control signal such that an adjusted power level is supplied to the defrost heater during a second heating interval of the defrosting operation.