Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a water circulation system and a replaceable water filter. The refrigerator includes a sensor that determines if a water filter is present, and a user interface that prompts a user to purge a water filter upon installation of a new water filter in the refrigerator. The water filter may include a memory storage device that stores information concerning the allowable life of the water filter, the remaining life of the water filter, and other information. Information concerning the remaining life of the water filter and other information can be displayed or otherwise communicated to a user by the user interface.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a water circulation system and a replaceable water filter. The refrigerator includes a sensor that determines if a water filter is present, and a user interface that prompts a user to purge a water filter upon installation of a new water filter in the refrigerator. The water filter may include a memory storage device that stores information concerning the allowable life of the water filter, the remaining life of the water filter, and other information. Information concerning the remaining life of the water filter and other information can be displayed or otherwise communicated to a user by the user interface.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a water circulation system and a replaceable water filter. The refrigerator includes a sensor that determines if a water filter is present, and a user interface that prompts a user to purge a water filter upon installation of a new water filter in the refrigerator. The water filter may include a memory storage device that stores information concerning the allowable life of the water filter, the remaining life of the water filter, and other information. Information concerning the remaining life of the water filter and other information can be displayed or otherwise communicated to a user by the user interface.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a water circulation system and a replaceable water filter. The refrigerator includes a sensor that determines if a water filter is present, and a user interface that prompts a user to purge a water filter upon installation of a new water filter in the refrigerator. The water filter may include a memory storage device that stores information concerning the allowable life of the water filter, the remaining life of the water filter, and other information. Information concerning the remaining life of the water filter and other information can be displayed or otherwise communicated to a user by the user interface.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a water circulation system and a replaceable water filter. The refrigerator includes a sensor that determines if a water filter is present, and a user interface that prompts a user to purge a water filter upon installation of a new water filter in the refrigerator. The water filter may include a memory storage device that stores information concerning the allowable life of the water filter, the remaining life of the water filter, and other information. Information concerning the remaining life of the water filter and other information can be displayed or otherwise communicated to a user by the user interface.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a water circulation system and a replaceable water filter. The refrigerator includes a sensor that determines if a water filter is present, and a user interface that prompts a user to purge a water filter upon installation of a new water filter in the refrigerator. The water filter may include a memory storage device that stores information concerning the allowable life of the water filter, the remaining life of the water filter, and other information. Information concerning the remaining life of the water filter and other information can be displayed or otherwise communicated to a user by the user interface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a filter may comprise a housing, a filter medium positioned within the housing, the filter medium having an operational life related to an amount of fluid passed through the filter medium, and a one-bit memory element coupled to the housing, the one-bit memory having a first state that indicates that the operational life of the filter medium has not expired and having a second state that indicates that the operational life of the filter medium has expired. The one-bit memory element may be illustratively embodied as a fusible link.

Abstract: According to one illustrative embodiment, a water dispensing system may include a replaceable water filter comprising (i) a filter medium having an operational life related to an amount of water passed through the filter medium and (ii) a one-bit memory element having a first state that indicates that the operational life of the filter medium has not expired and having a second state that indicates that the operational life of the filter medium has expired and an electronic control unit (ECU) remote from the replaceable water filter, the ECU configured to track usage of the replaceable water filter and switch the one-bit memory element from the first state to the second state in response to the usage of the replaceable water filter reaching a threshold value.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a filter may comprise a housing, a filter medium positioned within the housing, the filter medium having an operational life related to an amount of fluid passed through the filter medium, and a one-bit memory element coupled to the housing, the one-bit memory having a first state that indicates that the operational life of the filter medium has not expired and having a second state that indicates that the operational life of the filter medium has expired. The one-bit memory element may be illustratively embodied as a fusible link.

Abstract: A low cost method and apparatus for indicating when to replace a water filter in a water and ice delivery system for a refrigerator. The invention uses a low cost microprocessor and senses the operational condition of an ice maker water valve, a water dispenser valve to monitor and track water usage. The microprocessor has a built-in memory to retain water usage and other data during a power outage. The invention also senses the status of a door switch to permit user input of a reset message indicating that the filter has been changed as well as an input indicating a different type of filter has been installed. The microprocessor controls a tri-color light emitting diode to display the status of the filter as “good”, “order” or “change” which is determined based on the selection of the type of filter system, the amount of time since the last filter change, and the amount of water usage since the last filter change.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining when a replaceable filter for a refrigerator needs replacing based on the volume of water passing through the water filter as determined by the product of the time that water has passed through the filter and the flow rate of an accessory being supplied the filtered water.

Abstract: A low cost method and apparatus for indicating when to replace a water filter in a water and ice delivery system for a refrigerator. The invention uses a low cost microprocessor and senses the operational condition of an ice maker water valve, a water dispenser valve to monitor and track water usage. The microprocessor has a built-in memory to retain water usage and other data during a power outage, The invention also senses the status of a door switch to permit user input of a reset message indicating that the filter has been changed as well as an input indicating a different type of filter has been installed. The microprocessor controls a tri-color light emitting diode to display the status of the filter as “good”, “order” or “change” which is determined based on the selection of the type of filter system, the amount of time since the last filter change, and the amount of water usage since the last filter change.

Abstract: An ice maker for use in a refrigeration apparatus as well as a method of optimizing ice production in an ice maker. The ice maker has a mold and a fan selectively operable to direct moving cold air past the mold during the ice formation process. In the preferred embodiment, the fan does not operate during the harvest portion of the cycle. A fan assembly consisting of a fan or blower, a motor, a switch in series with the motor and leads for electrically interconnecting the motor and in switch with the icemaker power supply is preferably assembled as a module removably interconnectable with the icemaker as an optional feature. The icemaker has an increased the rate of ice production due to the increased rate of convective heat transfer.

Abstract: A modular lighting assembly is provided for a refrigerator which has a molded base plate carrying a light bulb, a light switch and electrical connectors between the light switch and light bulb. The light switch may be either a plunger type switch or other types of switch such as a magnetic switch. The light is positioned adjacent to the switch so as to avoid the necessity of having a wire harness extend within the refrigerator cabinet between those two components.

Abstract: A low cost, flexible lighting apparatus and method is provided. A light source and at least one extruded optical fiber having a first end and a second end are provided. The first end is arranged so that light from the light source enters the first end and is transmitted through the optical fiber so that it exits the second end. The second end is arranged so as to illuminate an indicator with light transmitted from the light source via the extruded optical fiber. This arrangement is advantageously used in an appliance such as a refrigerator to illuminate the control panel dials with the optical fibers in a high quality, cost effective method.

Abstract: A defrost cycle controller for a system, comprising a circuit operatively configured to control operation of a compressor and a defrost heater including a timer module that can be used either as a variable timer controller, a real time controller, or a cumulative run time controller, by selective connection of feedback signals provided to the plug-in module from the compressor and the defrost heater.

Abstract: A defrost cycle controller for modifying the total length of time a compressor operates before a defrost cycle is initiated, wherein the time the compressor is on between defrost cycles is referred to herein as a frost accumulation period. A microprocessor includes means for deenergizing the compressor and coupling the defrost heater to a power supply when a continuous compressor run time exceeds a predetermined demand defrost time. The microprocessor further includes means for determining the time required to actually defrost the evaporator during a defrost operation, referred to herein as a defrost time, and means for modifying the frost accumulation period in response to the time to complete the defrost operation.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a cabinet defining a first compartment and a second compartment separated from each other by a divider wall wherein the divider wall has an air passage for communicating between the first and second compartments. A baffle is positioned within the air passage and is positionable in an open or closed position for selectively opening and closing the air passage. A motor drives a cam which is coupled to the baffle such that rotation of the cam operates to selectively move the baffle to the open or closed position. A thermostat senses temperature within the fresh food compartment. First and second switches selectively energize the motor such that the baffle may be opened when the thermostat indicates the fresh food compartment requires cooling and closed when the thermostat indicates the fresh food compartment does not require cooling, respectively.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a cabinet defining a first compartment and a second compartment separated from each other by a divider wall wherein the divider wall has an air passage for communicating between the first and second compartments. The refrigerator further includes an evaporator disposed in the first compartment, a compressor fluidly connected with the evaporator for moving refrigerant therethrough, and an evaporator fan for moving air over the evaporator. A first thermostat senses temperature within the first compartment and a second thermostat senses temperature within the second compartment. An evaporator fan and baffle control system is provided including a baffle disposed within the air passage and being positionable in an open or closed position for selectively opening and closing the air passage.

Abstract: A defrost controller for a refrigerator/freezer including one or more of the following features: (1) a timer module that can serve as a real time, cumulative time or variable time defrost timer; (2) an algorithm to control defrosting in view of frequent power outages; (3) a power up defrost cycle; (4) a default reaction to loss of compressor run information; (5) a simple manufacturing test initiator; (6) a test initialization via thermostat actuation; (7) a relay power supply which supplies two different energization voltages; (8) a relay energization signal which decays rapidly from a voltage in excess of the relay rated voltage to a voltage within the relay rated voltage; and (9) respective relay energization sequence to overcome light contact welding.