Abstract: A stand-alone ice making appliance is provided. The stand-alone ice making appliance may include an outer casing, a water tank, a pump, an ice maker, and a container. The outer casing may define an internal cavity that includes a primary opening. The water tank may define a storage volume to receive water. The pump may be in fluid communication with the storage volume of the water tank to actively flow water therefrom. The ice maker may in fluid communication with the storage volume of the water tank to receive water therefrom. The container may be disposed within the internal cavity. One or more insulated walls or sealing features may be further included herein.

Abstract: An active ice press is provided herein and may be utilized to reshape an initial ice billet as a sculpted ice nugget. The active ice press may include a mold body and an electric heater. The mold body may define an axial direction and a mold cavity within which the sculpted ice nugget is shaped. The mold body may include a first mold segment and a second mold segment. The first mold segment may define a first cavity portion of the mold cavity. The second mold segment may be movably positioned above the first mold segment along the axial direction. The second mold segment may define a second cavity portion of the mold cavity. The electric heater may be disposed within the mold body in conductive thermal engagement with the mold cavity.

Abstract: A cooking engagement system for a cooktop appliance is provided herein. The cooking engagement system may include a camera assembly, an image monitor, a lighting assembly, and a controller. The camera assembly may be mounted above the cooktop appliance along a vertical direction and directed at a cooktop surface. The image monitor may be mounted above the cooktop appliance and directed away from the cooktop surface. The lighting assembly may be mounted to the casing above the cooktop appliance. The lighting assembly may include a light source directed at the cooktop source to emit a light thereto. The controller may be in operable communication with the camera assembly and the image monitor to initiate an interactive cooking operation.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and method of operation during Jewish holidays is provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet defining a refrigerated chamber, a sealed cooling system, and a controller. The sealed cooling system may be in operable communication with the refrigerated chamber and include a compressor. The controller may be operatively coupled to the sealed cooling system. The controller may be configured to selectively control the refrigerator appliance according to an operation routine for a Jewish holiday.

Abstract: Stand-alone ice making appliances are provided. An appliance includes a container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice, a water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of water, and a pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume. The appliance further includes an ice maker which is in fluid communication with the pump for receiving water from the pump. The appliance further includes a filter, the filter including a filter medium operable to remove contaminants from water flowing through the filter medium, the filter positioned upstream of the ice maker in a flow direction of water from the second storage volume to the ice maker.

Abstract: A packaged terminal air conditioner unit is provided. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit can include a heater bank jumper configured to couple one or more heater banks to a controller associated with the packaged terminal air conditioner unit. The heater bank jumper can be selectively configurable to provide at least one shunt line to couple at least one contact point associated with the controller to at least one contact point associated with the one or more heater banks. In this manner, the heater bank jumper can be configured based at least in part on an amount of current provided to the packaged terminal air conditioner unit by an electric service.

Abstract: A stand-alone ice making appliance is provided. The stand-alone ice making appliance may include a container, a water tank, a pump, a reservoir, an ice maker, and a primary drain line. The container may define a first storage volume to receive ice. The water tank may define a second storage volume to receive water. The pump may be in fluid communication with the second storage volume to actively flow water from the water tank. The reservoir may define a third storage volume that is in fluid communication with the pump to receive water that is actively flowed from the water tank. The ice maker may be in fluid communication with the third storage volume to receive water from the reservoir. The primary drain line may be in downstream fluid communication with the second storage volume and bypass the reservoir to selectively drain water from the second storage volume.

Abstract: Stand-alone ice making appliances are provided. An appliance includes a container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice, a water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of water, and a pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume. The appliance further includes an ice maker which is in fluid communication with the pump for receiving water from the pump. The appliance further includes a filter, the filter including a filter medium operable to remove contaminants from water flowing through the filter medium, the filter positioned upstream of the ice maker in a flow direction of water from the second storage volume to the ice maker.

Abstract: An air conditioner unit and methods of operating the same is provided. The air conditioner unit may include a refrigeration loop having a variable speed compressor, an electronic expansion valve, an indoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor heat exchanger. An indoor fan and an outdoor fan may be configured to urge air through the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, respectively. A bulkhead may be disposed between the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger to define an indoor portion and an outdoor portion of the unit. A vent aperture may be defined in the bulkhead, and the indoor and outdoor fans may be configured to urge make-up air from the outdoor portion through the vent aperture to the indoor portion. In addition, an auxiliary fan may be disposed within the vent aperture to provide additional “boost” make-up air, and a heating bank may be used to heat make-up air if desired.

Abstract: A packaged terminal air conditioner unit is provided. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit can include a heater bank jumper configured to couple one or more heater banks to a controller associated with the packaged terminal air conditioner unit. The heater bank jumper can be selectively configurable to provide at least one shunt line to couple at least one contact point associated with the controller to at least one contact point associated with the one or more heater banks. In this manner, the heater bank jumper can be configured based at least in part on an amount of current provided to the packaged terminal air conditioner unit by an electric service.

Abstract: A water heater system includes a water heater, a cover, a shroud assembly and at least one ring. The water heater includes a tank, a layer of foam surrounding the tank and a wrapper surrounding the layer of foam. The cover is positioned on a top edge of the water heater. The shroud assembly is positioned over the cover. The at least one ring is positioned around at least one of an inlet port and an outlet port of the water heater. The cover, the shroud assembly and at least one ring are operative to prevent a liquid from coming into contact with at least one of the layer of foam surrounding the tank and one or more components covered by the shroud assembly.

Abstract: A water heater system includes a water heater, a cover, a shroud and at least one ring. The water heater includes a tank, a layer of foam surrounding the tank and a wrapper surrounding the layer of foam. The cover is positioned on a top edge of the water heater. The shroud is positioned over the cover. The at least one ring is positioned around at least one of an inlet port and an outlet port of the water heater. The cover, shroud and at least one ring are operative to prevent a liquid from coming into contact with at least one of the layer of foam surrounding the tank and one or more components covered by the shroud.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an inner rim, a base wall, a side wall and an outer rim. The inner rim has a first opening formed therein. The base wall extends outward from an inner edge of the inner rim and is integral with the inner rim. The side wall extends outward from an outer edge of the inner rim and is integral with the inner rim. The outer rim has a second opening formed therein and an inner edge integral with the side wall. The inner rim, base wall, side wall and outer rim are formed to prevent liquid seepage to one or more surrounding components of an appliance in which the apparatus is installed.

Abstract: A water heater is provided that improves heat transfer between the coils of the heat exchanger of a refrigerant-based heating system and the water in the heater's water tank. Grooves can be added to the exterior of the water tank. The coils of the heat exchanger are positioned within the grooves on the exterior surface of the water tank. Additional features may also be used to further improve heat transfer. Methods for constructing such water heater are also provided.

Abstract: A water heater comprises a tank, a cylinder coil section and a return-flow coil section. The cylinder coil section is in a heat transfer relationship with the tank and encircles a first portion of the tank. The return-flow coil section is in a heat transfer relationship with the tank and encircles a second portion of the tank. The cylinder coil section and the return-flow coil section are continuous over at least the first and second portions of the tank.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an inner rim, a base wall, a side wall and an outer rim. The inner rim has a first opening formed therein. The base wall extends outward from an inner edge of the inner rim and is integral with the inner rim. The side wall extends outward from an outer edge of the inner rim and is integral with the inner rim. The outer rim has a second opening formed therein and an inner edge integral with the side wall. The inner rim, base wall, side wall and outer rim are formed to prevent liquid seepage to one or more surrounding components of an appliance in which the apparatus is installed.

Abstract: A water heater system includes a water heater, a cover, a shroud and at least one ring. The water heater includes a tank, a layer of foam surrounding the tank and a wrapper surrounding the layer of foam. The cover is positioned on a top edge of the water heater. The shroud is positioned over the cover. The at least one ring is positioned around at least one of an inlet port and an outlet port of the water heater. The cover, shroud and at least one ring are operative to prevent a liquid from coming into contact with at least one of the layer of foam surrounding the tank and one or more components covered by the shroud.

Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a top end cap and a bottom end cap spaced apart from one another. A filter media is disposed between the top and bottom end caps. An outlet channel is within the filter media and extends between the top end cap and the bottom end cap. The outlet channel includes an open top end proximate the top end cap and a closed bottom end proximate the bottom end cap.

Abstract: A water heater system is provided with a solar water heater and an electric water heater having one or more electric heating elements. The solar and electric water heaters are configured to provide a common hot water output. A controller is operatively configured with the water heaters and receives a first signal indicative of a current power demand state of an associated electric utility. In response to the received signal, the controller operates the electric water heater in an energy savings mode during periods of high power demand wherein power consumption of the electric heating elements is restricted. The controller is operatively configured to modulate the degree of power consumption restriction placed on the electric heating elements in the energy savings mode as a function of current hot water supply capacity of the solar water heater.

Abstract: A mixing valve comprises a housing including first and second inlet passages and a third outlet passage. The first passage is connectable in a high temperature fluid supply line. The second passage is connectable with a low temperature fluid supply. The third passage selectively communicates with the first and second passages. A valve assembly is mounted within the housing. The valve assembly includes a thermostat element and a valve body actuatable by the thermostat element. The thermostat element is contactable thermally by the high temperature fluid passing through the first passage. The valve body is operable under the influence of the thermostat element to regulate flow of low temperature fluid and provide a mix ratio of high temperature fluid and low temperature fluid that results in a mixed fluid having a selected temperature flowing out of the third passage. The mixing valve is adapted to provide feedback to a consumer of a failure condition.