Abstract: A refrigerator includes a housing defining a freezer storage compartment, an evaporator operatively coupled to the freezer storage compartment and configured to cool the freezer storage compartment, and an evaporator fan positioned to move air across the evaporator. The refrigerator also includes an ice maker positioned within the freezer storage compartment, a dispenser in flow communication with the ice maker and configured to dispense ice, and a control system configured to receive a signal from said dispenser indicating dispensing of a first amount of ice from the dispenser, the control system configured to activate the evaporator fan in response to the signal, the evaporator fan operating continuously for a time period upon activation.

Abstract: A cooking appliance comprises one or more power consuming features/functions including at least one of a cooking cavity having a heating element and a cooking surface having a surface heating element. A controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility. The controller operates the cooking appliance in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively delay, adjust and disable at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the cooking appliance in the energy savings mode.

Abstract: A microwave oven comprises a cooking cavity and a RF generation module configured to deliver microwave energy into the cooking cavity. A controller is operatively associated with the RF generation module. The controller receives and processes a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility for determining whether to operate the microwave oven in one of a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least temporarily block the signal when the RF generation module is activated if a frequency of the signal is at least partially degraded by a frequency of the RF generation module.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating between a master and slave devices for managing home utility costs is provided. The system includes a measuring device for determining gas or water flow in the home, a memory that stores data relating to past usage, and that also receive data from the measuring device. A controller operatively communicates with the measuring device, memory, and at least one home appliance to provide a message to a homeowner, or transmit information to a utility, or display a proposed operational mode. The controller may include a lock-out feature to prevent a homeowner from overriding a proposed mode or operation, or the controller can shut-off gas or water flow based on a measured flow rate.

Abstract: An ice producing apparatus for a refrigerator is disclosed. The apparatus includes a door configured to permit and prohibit access to an interior volume of a storage compartment of the refrigerator, the door defining therein a door interior volume; a fan disposed in the door interior volume; and a mold disposed in the door interior volume and configured to receive water and to retain the water during freezing of the water into ice.

Abstract: A method of forming ice in a refrigerator is disclosed. The method includes cooling a first storage compartment to a first temperature, cooling a second storage compartment to a second temperature, cooling an interior volume defined in a door to a third temperature, wherein the door permits and impedes access to the second storage compartment, operating a fan disposed in the interior volume to circulate cool air through the interior volume, and cooling water to form ice in the interior volume.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a first storage compartment defining a first interior volume. A first evaporator is disposed in a first evaporator compartment and is configured to provide cool air to the first interior volume. A second storage compartment defines a second interior volume, the second interior volume configured to be cooled by cool air received from the first interior volume. A door is positionable to permit and prohibit access to the second interior volume through a front of the second interior volume. A third interior volume is defined in an interior of the door. A second evaporator is disposed in a second evaporator compartment and is configured to provide cool air to the third interior volume. An air flow channel extends from the second evaporator compartment to the third interior volume. A fan is disposed in the third interior volume. A mold is disposed in the third interior volume and is configured to receive water and to retain the water during cooling of the water.

Abstract: A dispensing system and method for storing and dispensing a temperature controlled fluid from an appliance includes a tank for storing the temperature controlled fluid and a dispenser outlet for dispensing the temperature controlled fluid. A dispenser fluid line fluidly couples the tank and the dispenser outlet. A pump dispenses the temperature controlled fluid from the tank through the dispenser outlet upon receipt of a dispense signal and subsequently withdraws any residual temperature controlled fluid from the dispenser fluid line.

Abstract: A water dispenser assembly used for a dispensing system includes an inlet configured to receive water from a water supply, and a flow meter in communication with the inlet. The flow meter is configured to measure an amount of water passing therethrough. A first valve is arranged in communication with the flow meter, and the first valve is configured to enable and restrict water flow to an outlet. A controller is operatively coupled to the flow meter and the first valve. The controller is configured to control the dispensing of water based on the measured amount of water passing through the flow meter and based upon a volume error factor correction.

Abstract: A touchless dispensing system includes a dispenser configured to dispense at least one of ice and at least one liquid. A detection device is positioned with respect to the dispenser. The detection device is configured to detect a container positioned with respect to the dispenser without contacting the container. The detection device is further configured to generate a signal confirming a position of the container with respect to the dispenser. The dispenser is activated to dispense an amount of ice and/or an amount of the at least one liquid into the container in response to the signal generated by the detection device.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a first storage compartment defining a first interior volume. A first evaporator is disposed in a first evaporator compartment and is configured to provide cool air to the first interior volume. A second storage compartment defines a second interior volume, the second interior volume configured to be cooled by cool air received from the first interior volume. A door is positionable to permit and prohibit access to the second interior volume through a front of the second interior volume. A third interior volume is defined in an interior of the door. A second evaporator is disposed in a second evaporator compartment and is configured to provide cool air to the third interior volume. An air flow channel extends from the second evaporator compartment to the third interior volume. A fan is disposed in the third interior volume. A mold is disposed in the third interior volume and is configured to receive water and to retain the water during cooling of the water.

Abstract: A fluid storage tank includes a wall defining a cavity therewithin. An inlet opening is formed through the wall and provides communication between a fluid source and the cavity. A projection and at least one obstruction are positioned within the cavity. The projection directs a flow of a fluid entering the cavity through the inlet opening towards the obstruction. The obstruction interferes with and disperses the flow within the cavity. An outlet opening is formed through the wall and provides communication between the cavity and a fluid dispenser.

Abstract: A control system for a refrigerator includes a detection component positioned with respect to the icemaker. An icemaker controller is in signal communication with the detection component. The icemaker controller is configured to detect an operational status of the icemaker in response to a signal transmitted by the detection component. A main controller is in bidirectional signal communication with the icemaker controller. The main controller is configured to operate the air damper, the fan and/or the water valve in response to a signal transmitted by the icemaker controller representative of the operational status of the icemaker.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a housing defining a freezer storage compartment, an evaporator operatively coupled to the freezer storage compartment and configured to cool the freezer storage compartment, and an evaporator fan positioned to move air across the evaporator. The refrigerator also includes an ice maker positioned within the freezer storage compartment, a dispenser in flow communication with the ice maker and configured to dispense ice, and a control system configured to receive a signal from said dispenser indicating dispensing of a first amount of ice from the dispenser, the control system configured to activate the evaporator fan in response to the signal, the evaporator fan operating continuously for a time period upon activation.

Abstract: A user interface for an appliance is provided. The user interface is operatively coupled to a controller configured to control operation of the appliance in a consumer input mode, wherein at least one operating parameter is selectable by the consumer. The user interface includes a display panel having an integer display portion and a fraction display portion. The user interface is configured to independently select an integer portion of the at least one operating parameter and a fraction portion of the at least one operating parameter. The user interface is in operational communication with the controller and configured to transmit a signal to the controller indicating the at least one selected operating parameter.

Abstract: A water dispenser assembly used for a dispensing system includes an inlet configured to receive water from a water supply, and a flow meter in communication with the inlet. The flow meter is configured to measure an amount of water passing therethrough. A first valve is arranged in communication with the flow meter, and the first valve is configured to enable and restrict water flow to an outlet. A controller is operatively coupled to the flow meter and the first valve. The controller is configured to control the dispensing of water based on the measured amount of water passing through the flow meter and based upon a volume error factor correction.

Abstract: A fluid storage tank includes a wall defining a cavity therewithin. An inlet opening is formed through the wall and provides communication between a fluid source and the cavity. A projection and at least one obstruction are positioned within the cavity. The projection directs a flow of a fluid entering the cavity through the inlet opening towards the obstruction. The obstruction interferes with and disperses the flow within the cavity. An outlet opening is formed through the wall and provides communication between the cavity and a fluid dispenser.