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 for authenticating a filter cartridge includes a filter housing and an optical scanner mounted to the filter housing. A controller uses the optical scanner to take one or more digital images of the filter cartridge and obtain digital coded data identifying the filter cartridge. Specifically, the controller locates a functional locator on the filter cartridge, determines a location of an identifying region on the filter cartridge, reads the digital coded data by interrogating the identifying region with the optical scanner, and determines that the filter cartridge is authentic based at least in part on the digital coded data.

Abstract: A water filter assembly includes a manifold mountable to a water conduit. An end of the water conduit is receivable between a manifold body and a mounting clamp of the manifold. A fastener is configured for drawing the manifold body and the mounting clamp together in order to clamp the water conduit to the manifold. A face seal is configured to be compressed between the manifold body and the mounting clamp when the fastener draws the manifold body and the mounting clamp together. An O-ring is positionable on the water conduit such that the O-ring extends between an inner surface of the manifold body and an inner surface of the mounting clamp.

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 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 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 therefrom.

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 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 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 of the water filter cartridge to the manifold as well as removal therefrom.

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 therefrom.

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 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.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a manifold and a filter cartridge removably mounted to the manifold. The filter cartridge includes a first cartridge component and a second cartridge component joined to the first cartridge component at a failure interface such that the second cartridge component moves relative to the first cartridge component when the filter cartridge fails.

Abstract: A filter for a non-plumbed appliance is provided. The filter includes a filter housing defining a filter chamber. A filter medium is positioned within the filter chamber, each end of the filter medium being enclosed by an endcap formed from a resilient material, such as molded silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer. The endcaps slide on the ends of the filter media with no need for adhesive and form a fluid seal with both the filter media and the filter housing once installed. One or more fluid bypass channels may be defined by the filter housing or in the endcaps to allow water to flow as desired within the filter chamber. The resulting filter requires fewer components and less assembly time while improving filtration performance and reliability.

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 water filter assembly includes a manifold mountable to a water conduit. An end of the water conduit is receivable between a manifold body and a mounting clamp of the manifold. A fastener is configured for drawing the manifold body and the mounting clamp together in order to clamp the water conduit to the manifold. A face seal is configured to be compressed between the manifold body and the mounting clamp when the fastener draws the manifold body and the mounting clamp together. An O-ring is positionable on the water conduit such that the O-ring extends between an inner surface of the manifold body and an inner surface of the mounting clamp.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a manifold with a base and a support ring. The support ring is received within the base such that the support ring is rotatable relative to the base. A housing of the filter cartridge has an interface positioned at an outer surface of the housing. The interface is configured to engage with a post of the support ring in order to mount the filter cartridge to the manifold.

Abstract: A passive fluid dosing assembly and system is provided. The passive fluid dosing system may include a passive dosing body, a pressure plate, and a treatment enclosure. The passive dosing body may define a primary flow path and a liquid treatment path. The primary flow path may be defined between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The liquid treatment path may be defined between a high pressure port and a low pressure port, bypassing a portion of the primary flow path. The pressure plate may be disposed within the passive dosing body between the high pressure port and the low pressure port. The pressure plate may define an internal orifice. The treatment enclosure may be positioned in fluid communication between the high pressure port and the low pressure port along the liquid treatment path. The treatment enclosure may define a solute chamber housing a dosed media.

Abstract: A liquid filter assembly is provided for an appliance. The liquid filter assembly may define an axial direction and a radial direction. The assembly may also include a filter medium, a housing, a pair of end caps, one or more interlocking ring, and/or a leveling tube. The filter medium may extend along the axial direction between a first end and a second end. The filter medium may define an interior passage to receive liquid passed through the filter medium. The housing may be disposed about the filter medium. The housing may define a liquid inlet opposite the first end of the filter medium.

Abstract: A filtration device includes features for robust filtering capability. In particular, the filtration device includes a filter medium having mixed matrix membranes that include hollow fiber membranes embedded with adsorbents such that the filter medium provides both mechanical and adsorption capability.