Abstract: Leak detection sensors, appliances configured to detect leaks and methods of detecting leaks are provided. The leak detection sensor is a self-powered leak detection sensor. The leak detection sensor includes a water-permeable medium and at least one electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell can include a first electrode and a second electrode, and an electrolyte disposed between the electrodes, wherein in a dormant state, the electrolyte is in a solid, dry state. The electrochemical cell can enter an active state when exposed to water. The electrochemical cell can be configured to generate electrical power in the active state. The leak detection sensor can further include a peripheral electronic component configured to receive electrical power produced by the electrochemical cell. The self-powered leak detection sensor is configured for, and related methods include, detecting exposure to water in response to electrical energy generation of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A method of operating a dispenser system of a refrigerator appliance includes storing a custom dispenser setting for the dispenser system. The method may also include recognizing a user at the refrigerator appliance or receiving an input with the dispenser system and determining a time when the input is received. The method then includes applying the custom dispenser setting. The custom dispenser setting may be applied based on the recognized user and/or the determined time. The method further includes dispensing one or more objects from the dispenser system according to the applied custom dispenser setting.

Abstract: Leak detection sensors, appliances configured to detect leaks and methods of detecting leaks are provided. The leak detection sensor is a self-powered leak detection sensor. The leak detection sensor includes a water-permeable medium and at least one electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell can include a first electrode and a second electrode, and an electrolyte disposed between the electrodes, wherein in a dormant state, the electrolyte is in a solid, dry state. The electrochemical cell can enter an active state when exposed to water. The electrochemical cell can be configured to generate electrical power in the active state. The leak detection sensor can further include a peripheral electronic component configured to receive electrical power produced by the electrochemical cell. The self-powered leak detection sensor is configured for, and related methods include, detecting exposure to water in response to electrical energy generation of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: An ice making system includes an ice maker configured to form ice pieces therein with a top reservoir upstream of the ice maker and an ice bucket in communication with the ice maker. The ice making system also includes a recirculation tank and a recirculation pump. An oxidizing agent generator is configured to generate one or more oxidizing agents and provide the one or more oxidizing agents to form treated water within the ice making system.

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: An indoor gardening appliance includes a grow module that is rotatably mounted within a grow chamber and that defines pod apertures for receiving a plurality of plant pods. A nutrient cartridge assembly includes a manifold defining a cartridge receptacle for receiving a nutrient cartridge. The manifold defines a follower pin for engaging a track system on the nutrient cartridge such that a user simply pushes the nutrient cartridge into the cartridge receptacle to install the cartridge. When the nutrient cartridge needs to be removed, the user pushes the nutrient cartridge again and the track system/follower pin cause relative rotation between the nutrient cartridge and the follower pin to a circumferential orientation from which it can slide out of the cartridge receptacle.

Abstract: A leak indicator includes a substrate comprising a permeable material with an immobilized reactant embedded in the substrate at a fixed location and a mobile reactant disposed at an initial location on the substrate. The initial location of the mobile reactant is spaced apart from the fixed location of the immobilized reactant. The mobile reactant is transported through the substrate by water to the fixed location of the immobilized reactant. The mobile reactant and the immobilized reactant interact to indicate a leak when the mobile reactant reaches the immobilized reactant.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing assembly may include a dispensing body and a siphon conduit. The dispensing body may define a dispense chamber. The dispensing body may extend along a dispenser axis between an upper end and a lower end. The dispensing body may include a wall defining an outlet at the lower end. The siphon conduit may extend from the wall within the dispense chamber upstream of the outlet. The siphon conduit may define a dispensing threshold above the outlet to set a predetermined initiation height of liquid dispensing from the dispense chamber. The siphon conduit may further defining a drain threshold below the dispensing threshold to set a predetermined cut-off height of liquid dispensing from the dispense chamber.

Abstract: A free-standing appliance may include a cabinet, a water source, an icemaker, an ice bin, a cold water line, and one or more other features. The icemaker may be mounted within the cabinet downstream from the water source to receive water therefrom. The ice bin may be disposed within the cabinet downstream from the icemaker to receive ice therefrom. The cold water line may be mounted to the cabinet and define a cold water outlet downstream from the water source in fluid isolation from the icemaker.

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: An indoor gardening appliance includes a grow module that is rotatably mounted within a grow chamber and that defines pod apertures for receiving a plurality of plant pods. A nutrient cartridge assembly includes a manifold defining a cartridge receptacle for receiving a nutrient cartridge. The manifold defines a follower pin for engaging a track system on the nutrient cartridge such that a user simply pushes the nutrient cartridge into the cartridge receptacle to install the cartridge. When the nutrient cartridge needs to be removed, the user pushes the nutrient cartridge again and the track system/follower pin cause relative rotation between the nutrient cartridge and the follower pin to a circumferential orientation from which it can slide out of the cartridge receptacle.

Abstract: A hydration system for an indoor gardening appliance includes a water supply that provides untreated water into a reverse osmosis filter that filters the water into treated water and wastewater. A wastewater conduit provides fluid communication between a wastewater outlet and a wastewater storage reservoir, and a wastewater valve selectively discharges the wastewater through the wastewater storage reservoir, e.g., when a water quality sensor determines that the total dissolved solids in the treated water exceeds a predetermined threshold.

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 plumbing system for an ice maker may include a supply line extending to a dispense point and a dispense valve coupled to the supply line. An ice maker is coupled to the recirculation line, and a pump is also coupled to the recirculation line. The pump is operable to recirculate liquid through the ice maker via the recirculation line. The plumbing system also include features for draining water from the recirculation line.

Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module rotatably mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods. A ripening control system includes a recirculation duct and a fan assembly that recirculates air within the grow chamber. A reactive assembly, such as a titanium dioxide (TiO2) porous structure and an ultraviolet light, is positioned within the recirculation duct to regulate the concentration of one or more gases within the flow of air.

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 filter assembly that includes one or more features that enhance installation, inspection, and replacement of the filter is provided. In one exemplary aspect, the filter assembly includes a manifold and a filter media assembly that includes a filter media and an end cap attached thereto. The end cap and manifold include features that provide for secure mounting of the filter media assembly with the manifold so as to facilitate inspection, installation, and removal of the filter assembly.

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.