Abstract: A docking station for a beverage dispenser having a reservoir is provided. A spout configured for selectively directing a flow of water into the reservoir of the beverage dispenser. A water level sensor is configured for assessing a level of water within the reservoir of the beverage dispenser. The flow of water from the spout may automatically fill the reservoir of the beverage dispenser based at least in part upon signals from the water level sensor.

Abstract: A capillary tube for a heat pump system, such as a packaged terminal air conditioner unit, includes features for adjusting a restriction on a flow of refrigerant through the capillary tube depending upon a direction of the flow of refrigerant through the capillary tube. A related packaged terminal air conditioner unit is also provided.

Abstract: Generally the present disclosure is directed to refrigerators and other appliances configured to provide dispensing in response to a voice command. One example appliance includes a sensor configured to provide an output signal indicating whether a receptacle is present in a dispensing area of the appliance. The appliance includes a microphone for receiving a human speech signal. The appliance includes a speech-to-text module configured to convert the human speech signal into textual information. The appliance includes a feature processing module configured to determine one or more requested actions based on the textual information. When the one or more requested actions comprise dispensing, the appliance is configured to perform the dispensing only when the output signal from the sensor indicates that the receptacle is present in the dispensing area.

Abstract: A method for defrosting a food item within a freezer chamber of a refrigerator appliance is provided. The method includes positioning the food item within a defrosting chamber of an insulated housing within the freezer chamber of the refrigerator appliance, initiating a defrosting operation and activating a heater during the defrosting operation in order to heat the food item within the defrosting chamber. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided.

Abstract: Appliance systems and methods for using visual cues to improve appliance audio recognition are provided. One example method performed by an appliance includes identifying one or more visual cues included in imagery captured by a camera of the appliance. The one or more visual cues indicate that a user of the appliance is seeking to provide a voice command to the appliance. The method includes communicating with one or more devices over a network to reduce background noise associated with the one or more devices upon identifying the one or more visual cues. The method includes receiving the voice command from the user. The method includes determining that the user has finished providing the voice command. The method includes communicating with the one or more devices over the network to resume standard operations upon determining that the user has finished providing the voice command.

Abstract: Generally the present disclosure is directed to appliances that provide a user-specific response to a received voice command. In particular, the appliance can store a plurality of voice samples respectively associated with a plurality of users. The appliance can also store one or more preferences for each of the plurality of users. For example, the preferences can be input by the user and/or learned or inferred over time. When the appliance receives a human speech signal or voice command, it can match the received speech signal against one or more of the plurality of voice samples to identify the user. The preferences stored and associated with the identified user can then be obtained and the appliance can perform any requested operations in accordance with the obtained preferences. In such fashion, the appliance can provide a user-specific response to a received voice command.

Abstract: Refrigerator appliances are provided. A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a fresh food chamber, and a door rotatably hinged to the cabinet for accessing the fresh food chamber, the door including an inner surface and an outer surface. The refrigerator appliance further includes a compartment defined in the inner surface of the door, the compartment defining an interior chamber and including a compartment door providing access to the interior chamber. The compartment is selectively operable at a first temperature below approximately 32 degrees Fahrenheit and a second temperature above approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: A method for viewing contents of a refrigerator appliance is provided. The method includes obtaining a series of pictures of a chilled chamber of the refrigerator appliance over a period of time. The method also includes selecting at least two of the pictures and displaying the at least two pictures to a user. The method can assist the user with establishing an inventory of food articles positioned within the chilled chamber.

Abstract: A method for storing food items within a refrigerator appliance is provided. The method includes placing a plurality of food items within a chilled chamber of the refrigerator appliance and establishing an identity of each food item of the plurality of food items. The method also includes determining a preferred storage condition of the chilled chamber based upon the identities of the plurality of food items and adjusting a current storage condition of the chilled chamber to about the preferred storage condition. Operating the chilled chamber of the refrigerator appliance at the preferred storage condition can improve a useful life of food items within the chilled chamber.

Abstract: An evaporative cooling condenser for a household appliance cooling system includes a water source, a heat exchanger configured to contain a refrigerant, and a fluid heat transfer device, the fluid heat transfer device configured to receive water from the water source and apply the water to the heat exchanger for rejecting heat from the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An improved heat exchanger for an appliance is provided. More particularly, the present invention provides a new condenser for a refrigerator that is formed from a conduit wound into the shape of a conical helix. Extensions from the surface of the conduit provide additional area for heat exchange. A fan can be aligned with the conical helix to further improve heat transfer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a mold body with at least one cavity configured and dimensioned to receive water to be frozen into ice. The mold body has a plurality of natural frequencies of vibration. Also included is an ice discharge mechanism configured to cause the ice to be removed from the at least one cavity. Also included is a vibration source mounted to the mold body at a location which is located near a region of high deflection at one of the first five natural frequency of vibration of the mold body; the location is also not a node at that natural frequency of vibration of the mold body. A refrigerator using the apparatus, a method of using the apparatus, and a method of designing the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An evaporative cooling condenser for a household appliance cooling system includes a water source, a heat exchanger configured to contain a refrigerant, and a fluid heat transfer device, the fluid heat transfer device configured to receive water from the water source and apply the water to the heat exchanger for rejecting heat from the heat exchanger.