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 filter assembly with features for improved filter cartridge placement and detection are provided. The filter assembly includes a filter cartridge and a filter housing for receiving the filter cartridge. A contact member extends from the filter housing for engaging the filter cartridge when the filter cartridge in the installed position. A first contact is mounted to the contact member and a second contact is mounted to the filter cartridge such that the first contact and the second contact establish an electrical connection when the filter cartridge in the installed position.

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: 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 water filter assembly is provided that includes features that facilitate mounting and removal of a water filter cartridge to and from a manifold. In particular, the water filter assembly includes a magnetic interface that simplifies and aids mounting and removal of the water filter cartridge to and from the manifold.

Abstract: A water filter assembly is provided that includes features that facilitate mounting and removal of a water filter cartridge to and from a manifold. In particular, the water filter assembly includes an electromagnet interface that simplifies and aids mounting of the water filter cartridge to the manifold as well as removal from the manifold.

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 a refrigerator appliance includes a filter housing and a filter locking mechanism pivotally mounted at least partially within the filter housing. The filter locking mechanism includes a locking arm defining a retention clip and a resilient arm that extends from the locking arm at an extension angle of less than 90 degrees. As a filter cartridge is inserted into the filter housing, the resilient arm acts like a spring to urge the filter cartridge out of the housing. After the filter cartridge passes or engages the retention clip, the spring force from the resilient arm urges the filter cartridge against the retention clip to secure the filter cartridge within the housing.

Abstract: A filter assembly with features for improved filter cartridge placement and detection are provided. The filter assembly includes a filter cartridge and a filter housing for receiving the filter cartridge. A contact member extends from the filter housing for engaging the filter cartridge when the filter cartridge in the installed position. A first contact is mounted to the contact member and a second contact is mounted to the filter cartridge such that the first contact and the second contact establish an electrical connection when the filter cartridge in the installed position.

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

Abstract: A passive fluid treatment assembly is provided including a passive treatment body defining a primary flow path and a liquid treatment path. The liquid treatment path bypasses a portion of the primary flow path and enters a treatment enclosure through a high pressure port. The fluid entering the high pressure port is treated by a treatment media in the treatment enclosure and exits through a low pressure port into a mixing chamber where it is remixed with the fluid in the primary flow path. A one-way valve is operably coupled to an outlet of the high pressure port for preventing the flow of treated fluid from exiting the treatment enclosure through the high pressure port.

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 having an ice making assembly is provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, an icemaker attached to the cabinet, an ice bin, a support tray, a fluid filter, a liquid storage volume, and a fluid pump. The ice bin may define a bin outlet at a bottom end. The support tray may be positioned below the bin outlet to receive water therefrom. The support tray may define an inclined groove extending downward toward a tray outlet. The fluid filter may be positioned below the support tray. A filter inlet may be positioned downstream from the tray outlet. A filter outlet may be positioned below the filter inlet along the vertical direction. The liquid storage volume may be positioned below the filter outlet and downstream therefrom. The fluid pump may be positioned in fluid communication between the liquid storage volume and the icemaker.

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.

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 refrigerator appliance having an ice making assembly is provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, an icemaker attached to the cabinet, an ice bin, a support tray, a fluid filter, a liquid storage volume, and a fluid pump. The ice bin may define a bin outlet at a bottom end. The support tray may be positioned below the bin outlet to receive water therefrom. The support tray may define an inclined groove extending downward toward a tray outlet. The fluid filter may be positioned below the support tray. A filter inlet may be positioned downstream from the tray outlet. A filter outlet may be positioned below the filter inlet along the vertical direction. The liquid storage volume may be positioned below the filter outlet and downstream therefrom. The fluid pump may be positioned in fluid communication between the liquid storage volume and the icemaker.

Abstract: A passive fluid treatment assembly is provided including a passive treatment body defining a primary flow path and a liquid treatment path. The liquid treatment path bypasses a portion of the primary flow path and enters a treatment enclosure through a high pressure port. The fluid entering the high pressure port is treated by a treatment media in the treatment enclosure and exits through a low pressure port into a mixing chamber where it is remixed with the fluid in the primary flow path. A one-way valve is operably coupled to an outlet of the high pressure port for preventing the flow of treated fluid from exiting the treatment enclosure through the high pressure port.