Abstract: A refrigerator and method utilize a door-mounted icemaking system including an icemaking mold, an ice storage bin and a cold wall evaporator disposed proximate the ice storage bin along an interior wall of the door to provide cooling proximate the ice storage bin. In some instances, the cold wall evaporator may be in addition to an icemaking evaporator that provides direct cooling of the icemaking mold, and furthermore, in some instances, the cold wall and icemaking evaporators may be separately controllable to optimize cooling within the door-mounted icemaking system. In addition, in some instances, a hot wall condenser may be used in a door-mounted icemaking system to dissipate heat generated by a refrigeration circuit through an exterior wall of a door. Further, in some instances a reversible refrigeration circuit may be used in connection with an icemaking evaporator to assist in ejecting ice from an icemaking mold.

Abstract: A refrigerator utilizes in some instances an icemaker having a tandem arrangement of storage bins. A first storage bin receives ice produced by an icemaker and includes a reversible ice mover that when operated in a first direction feeds an ice dispenser, and when operated in a second direction feeds a second storage bin disposed below the first storage bin. A refrigerator may also in another aspect include an externally-accessible ice dispenser having a dispenser recess portion that is removable from the refrigerator when the doors of the refrigerator are closed, e.g., for the purpose of accessing an ice storage bin.

Abstract: A refrigerator and method utilize a pair of tandem evaporators to provide cooling for both a compartment and an ice making system of a refrigerator. An upstream evaporator in the pair of tandem evaporators provides cooling for a compartment such as a freezer, fresh food, flexible cooling, or quick cooling compartment, while a downstream evaporator is in fluid communication with the upstream evaporator to receive a portion of the air cooled by the upstream evaporator and further cool the received portion for use in cooling one or more components of the ice making system.

Abstract: A venting appliance for use with a cooking appliance including a cooktop with at least one cooking element disposed thereon, where the venting appliance may include: a housing configured to be positioned above the cooktop; a repositionable vent arm coupled to and extending below the housing; and a controller coupled to the repositionable vent arm and configured to determine that a first cooking element among at least one cooking elements is active, and in response thereto, automatically reposition the vent arm to be closer to the first cooking element.

Abstract: A system for measuring and monitoring the closure of a refrigerated compartment of an appliance includes a controller having at least one input and at least one output for receiving and providing electrical signals to a plurality of electrical components of the appliance. The system includes a pressure sensor for monitoring the compartment to detect the presence of a negative pressure pulse indicative of a compartment closure.

Abstract: A retracting rack for an appliance such as a dish washing appliance. The rack may be positionable between a stowed position and a deployed position. A spring may drive the rack towards the stowed position. A locking mechanism may be used to secure the rack in one or more positions.

Abstract: A refrigerator and method utilize a door-mounted icemaking system including an icemaking mold, an ice storage bin and a cold wall evaporator disposed proximate the ice storage bin along an interior wall of the door to provide cooling proximate the ice storage bin. In some instances, the cold wall evaporator may be in addition to an icemaking evaporator that provides direct cooling of the icemaking mold, and furthermore, in some instances, the cold wall and icemaking evaporators may be separately controllable to optimize cooling within the door-mounted icemaking system. In addition, in some instances, a hot wall condenser may be used in a door-mounted icemaking system to dissipate heat generated by a refrigeration circuit through an exterior wall of a door. Further, in some instances a reversible refrigeration circuit may be used in connection with an icemaking evaporator to assist in ejecting ice from an icemaking mold.

Abstract: A refrigerator and method utilize a pair of tandem evaporators to provide cooling for both a compartment and an ice making system of a refrigerator. An upstream evaporator in the pair of tandem evaporators provides cooling for a compartment such as a freezer, fresh food, flexible cooling, or quick cooling compartment, while a downstream evaporator is in fluid communication with the upstream evaporator to receive a portion of the air cooled by the upstream evaporator and further cool the received portion for use in cooling one or more components of the ice making system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of a folding door for a cooking appliance. The folding door includes two or more segments hingedly connected. The folding door may vertically fold towards the bottom of the appliance. The outer surface of the folding door may face interiorly towards the one or more cooking compartments of the cooking appliance when in the folded configuration. The cooking appliance may also include one or more tracks guiding the folding door to the folded configuration.

Abstract: A retracting rack for an appliance such as a dish washing appliance. The rack may be positionable between a stowed position and a deployed position. A spring may drive the rack towards the stowed position. A locking mechanism may be used to secure the rack in one or more positions.

Abstract: A venting appliance for use with a cooking appliance including a cooktop with at least one cooking element disposed thereon, where the venting appliance may include: a housing configured to be positioned above the cooktop; a repositionable vent arm coupled to and extending below the housing; and a controller coupled to the repositionable vent arm and configured to determine that a first cooking element among at least one cooking elements is active, and in response thereto, automatically reposition the vent arm to be closer to the first cooking element.

Abstract: A venting appliance for use with a cooking appliance including a cooktop with at least one cooking element disposed thereon, where the venting appliance may include: a housing configured to be positioned above the cooktop; a repositionable vent arm coupled to and extending below the housing; and a controller coupled to the repositionable vent arm and configured to determine that a first cooking element among at least one cooking elements is active, and in response thereto, automatically reposition the vent arm to be closer to the first cooking element.

Abstract: A refrigerator combines an externally-accessible door-mounted fluid or water dispenser outlet with an externally-accessible case-mounted ice dispenser outlet and/or an externally-accessible case-mounted fluid dispenser control.

Abstract: A refrigerator utilizes a quick fill dispenser that incorporates a fluid storage receptacle that is easily removable for cleaning and/or dispensing independently of the refrigerator.

Abstract: A refrigerator and method utilize first and second sensors to determine a volume of fluid dispensed by a fluid dispenser that incorporates a fluid storage receptacle. The first sensor is disposed in upstream fluid communication with the fluid storage receptacle to generate a first signal representative of a volume of fluid entering the fluid storage receptacle and the second sensor is disposed downstream of the first sensor to generate a second signal representative of a volume of fluid exiting the fluid storage receptacle, and a controller determines the volume of fluid dispensed using the first and second signals output by the first and second sensors.

Abstract: A variable fluid dispenser for a refrigerator utilizes a variable control suitable for varying the rate of fluid dispensing by the dispenser. In some instances, the variable control may include a rotary control actuator that varies the fluid dispensing rate of the variable dispenser, and in some instances, the variable control may include a variable control actuator movable between a range of positions that includes a home position at which the variable dispenser is deactivated. In such instances, movement of the variable control actuator away from the home position both activates the variable dispenser to dispense fluid and increases the fluid dispensing rate of the variable dispenser.

Abstract: A variable ice dispenser for a refrigerator utilizes a variable control suitable for varying the rate of ice dispensing by the dispenser. In some instances, the variable control includes a variable control actuator that is movable between a range of positions including a home position, and movement of the variable control actuator in a first direction from the home position causes the variable ice dispenser to dispense cubed ice while movement of the variable control actuator in a second direction from the home position causes the variable ice dispenser to dispense crushed ice. Further, in some instances, the variable control may also selectively activate the ice dispenser such that the variable control actuator controls the ice dispensing rate while the variable ice dispenser is activated. In addition, in some instances, a variable control may also include a secondary control that switches between ice and water dispensing modes.

Abstract: An appliance, e.g., a refrigerator, and method utilize a transitioning handle that is usable in both a recessed and an extended position. As an example, a refrigerator may include a housing that defines at least a food compartment, a door attached to the housing that provides access to the food compartment and includes an exterior surface and a handle recess extending inwardly from the exterior surface of the door, and a handle attached to the at least one door and movably mounted within the handle recess between a recessed position and an extended position, where the handle is manually grippable in both the recessed position and the extended position.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance having a quick fill dispenser to rapidly fill a container. The refrigerator may include a water storage receptacle. The water storage receptacle may be in fluid communication with a water filter. The water storage receptacle may dispense water at a flow rate greater than the flow rate entering the water storage receptacle. A valve may be downstream of the water storage receptacle.

Abstract: An appliance having at least a freezer compartment. The appliance may include a pair of freezer doors accessing the freezer compartment. The freezer compartment may include one or more freezer shelves. A mullion may include a movable portion and a fixed portion for sealing the pair of freezer doors.