For Liquid Patents (Class 62/318)
-
Publication number: 20090249814Abstract: An ice maker for a domestic appliance comprises an ice tray, a water feed line which can be used to fill the ice tray with water, a water filter which is arranged in the water feed line such that it can be replaced, and a monitoring unit for calculating a value which is representative of the degree of wear of the filter. The monitoring unit has means for changing the representative value by a first fixed step width each time the ice tray is filled.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2006Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbHInventors: Georg Hausmann, Peter Nalbach
-
Publication number: 20090241572Abstract: An air-conditioning system including a water inlet, a processing module having a particle filter (20) for trapping particles larger than about 4.5 ?m, an anti-colloid filter for trapping colloid substances larger than about 1.2 ?m, an ultra-filtration filter for trapping micro-organisms larger than 0.1 ?m and an UVC lamp for destroying micro-organisms smaller than 0.1 ?m, and at least one air-conditioning apparatus (14, 16, 18) for receiving water filtered by the processing module, where the air-conditioning apparatus includes an electrovalve (38), a high-pressure pump (40), at least one misting rail (42), a fan (44) for a misting operation in a room during pump operation, and a control housing (46) for opening the electrovalve and for switching on the pump and the fan for predetermined operation time intervals separated by predetermined temporization periods.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2005Publication date: October 1, 2009Inventors: Lionel Nicolai, Alain Nicolai, Robert Castro, Marc Lassus
-
Patent number: 7491327Abstract: A refrigerator water filter assembly is provided in the ceiling of a refrigerator and is adapted to hinge downwardly from the ceiling for changing the filter cartridge. The cartridge is normally partially recessed within the ceiling so as to minimize the use of space in the food compartment of the refrigerator. The filter assembly includes a base mounted in the refrigerator ceiling, a manifold pivotally mounted on the base, a filter cartridge attached to the manifold, and a cover pivotally mounted on the manifold so as to be movable between open and closed positions. When the cover is opened, the filter cartridge is angled downwardly from the ceiling for easy grasping by a person for replacement of the cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2006Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: James H. Jenkins, Jr., David J. Olberding, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, John Frank Zinni, Timothy Mark Nugent, Ravi Kumar Sawhney
-
Publication number: 20080156015Abstract: Refrigeration devices that have a water dispensing system to dispense water to an exterior water dispenser from a water supply line have need of a water vessel for storing water under pressure within the refrigeration device until dispensed. The water vessel has an inlet for receiving water from the water supply line and an outlet for dispensing water to the exterior water dispenser. A plurality of pressure resistant walls are formed between the inlet and the outlet to form an internal volume to reservoir water within the water vessel. The water vessel is constructed to reservoir water within the vessel under hydrostatic pressure from the water supply line until dispensed through the outlet when requested by the exterior water dispenser and/or the icemaker.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2007Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: ERIC R. MEYERHOLTZ, MANOJ K. SHRESTHA, JEFFREY J. SMALE, LARRY A. LUTZ
-
Publication number: 20080141697Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a water filter, a water filter housing, a water filter cap, and a tool for rotating the water filter cap. Engagement of the tool and the water filter cap and subsequent rotation of the tool thereby rotates the water filter cap and water filter. The tool includes a head portion and a body portion and the head portion is an inverse surface of at least a portion of the water filter cap for mating with the water filter cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventor: JOSEPH LEE COLEMAN
-
Patent number: 7216502Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body having at least one refrigerating compartment; a door to open and close an opening of the refrigerating compartment; a water dispenser provided on the door to supply drinking water; a drawer provided inside the refrigerating compartment; and a filter assembly disposed behind the drawer to filtrate water supplied to the water dispenser. Thus, the refrigerator has more available space and the filter assembly can be exchanged by the user with ease. Further, the refrigerator has a better appearance inside the cooling compartment and the cost for the filter assembly is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Bu-kil Jeong, Sung-chul Kang
-
Patent number: 7182857Abstract: An apparatus comprising a pressure limiting valve for preventing transmission of elevated pressure to components downstream of the apparatus. Preferably, the pressure limiting valve is used in combination with a flow regulating device that maintains a substantially steady flow rate through the apparatus even when subject to a wide range of applied pressure. The apparatus of the present invention is preferably suitable for use with filter systems wherein the pressure limiting valve is placed upstream of filter components that have limited burst and fatigue life capabilities. By isolating the downstream filter components from pressures that are greater than the target pressure range for a given application, the filter components can be designed to operate at much lower pressure, can be produced at a smaller size, and at a reduced cost.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: KX Industries L.P.Inventors: Evan E. Koslow, Donald J. Baumgarten, Blake E. Savoy
-
Patent number: 7083725Abstract: A refrigerator water filter assembly is provided in the ceiling of a refrigerator and is adapted to hinge downwardly from the ceiling for changing the filter cartridge. The cartridge is normally partially recessed within the ceiling so as to minimize the use of space in the food compartment of the refrigerator. The filter assembly includes a base mounted in the refrigerator ceiling, a manifold pivotally mounted on the base, a filter cartridge attached to the manifold, and a cover pivotally mounted on the manifold so as to be movable between open and closed positions. When the cover is opened, the filter cartridge is angled downwardly from the ceiling for easy grasping by a person for replacement of the cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2005Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: James H. Jenkins, Jr., David J. Olberding, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, John Frank Zinni, Timothy Mark Nugent, Ravi Kumar Sawhney
-
Patent number: 7056435Abstract: A refrigerator water filter assembly is provided in the ceiling of a refrigerator and is adapted to hinge downwardly from the ceiling for changing the filter cartridge. The cartridge is normally partially recessed within the ceiling so as to minimize the use of space in the food compartment of the refrigerator. The filter assembly includes a base mounted in the refrigerator ceiling, a manifold pivotally mounted on the base, a filter cartridge attached to the manifold, and a cover pivotally mounted on the manifold so as to be movable between open and closed positions. When the cover is opened, the filter cartridge is angled downwardly from the ceiling for easy grasping by a person for replacement of the cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2002Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: James H. Jenkins, David J. Olberding, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, John Frank Zinni, Timothy Mark Nugent, Ravi Kumar Sawhney
-
Publication number: 20040231345Abstract: A process for recovering potable water from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. In this process the exhaust gases are cooled causing water to condense out, and the water formed is passed through particulate filters, activated carbon filters and ion exchange resin filters. In this process, the water is treated to reduce the levels of nitrates, sulfates, acidic and other organic components therein (for example, by passing it through a flow through capacitor) before the water is passed through the ion exchange resins. The apparatus for practicing this process is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventor: Marit Jagtoyen Mazzetti
-
Patent number: 6779358Abstract: A water collection and dispensing machine having a primary housing with an air inlet and an air outlet, an air blower structured to draw air into the primary housing through the air inlet and push air out of said primary housing through the air outlet. The water collection and dispensing machine further includes an evaporator coil structured to cycle a cold refrigerant liquid therethrough, the evaporator coil being disposed in line with the air inlet so that the air drawn into the primary housing through the air inlet passes thereover and moisture therefrom condenses on an exterior surface of the evaporator coil so that it may be collected in the form of water droplets, filtered to eliminate contaminants, and dispensed for convenient consumption by a user.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2001Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: International Water Makers, Inc.Inventors: John M. Zakryk, John Kopec
-
Publication number: 20040099003Abstract: The aspect of this invention is to provide a freshness maintaining apparatus designed to keep various items fresh for a lengthy period of time. The apparatus includes a water storage unit (10). A support unit (11) is installed in the water storage unit (10), and cooling water is contained in the water storage unit under the support unit. A filtering unit (30) is connected to the water storage unit (10) via a drain line (20) to remove impurities from water flowing to the filtering unit. A cooling unit (40) is connected to an end of a water supply branching pipe (32) of the filtering unit (30) to cool the filtered water fed from the filtering unit to a predetermined temperature. A humidifying unit (50) is connected to another end of the water supply branching pipe (32) to atomize the filtered water fed from the filtering unit (30).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Inventor: Young-Sil Yu
-
Publication number: 20040074252Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing sanitized water in a cabinet and spigot type bottled water dispenser features an ozone generating system to generate ozone for sanitizing the water. Ozone is generated and collected within an ozone generator housing. A blower transmits air to the ozone generator housing. The air carries the ozone that is generated through a flow line to an air diffuser that is positioned upstream of the spigot (or spigots) used to dispense water. In one embodiment, a valve that is activated on the spigot to dispense water also activates the blower and ozone generator. In other embodiments, a flow sensor activates the ozone generator and blower. Various spigot and flow sensor arrangements are disclosed as a part of the overall apparatus and method.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Inventor: James J. Shelton
-
Publication number: 20030209020Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing make-up water for a chilled water system. A first water tower for cooling water is provided. Condensate water from a condensate water source is extracted. Make-up water for the first water tower is provided using the condensate water. The apparatus comprises a first water tower for generating cooling water; an air compressor to produce compressed air; a condensate water source to extract condensate water from the compressed air; and a water flow control system for providing water from the condensate water source to the first water tower.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2003Publication date: November 13, 2003Inventor: Eric Klein
-
Patent number: 6622509Abstract: A chilled water supply system for a refrigerator is provided. The system includes a water storage tank comprising an outlet leg, and a filter media disposed within said outlet leg.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Richard Anthony Stich, Jimmy Nelson Knight
-
Patent number: 6588226Abstract: A system for recovering potable water from the water vapor in ambient air at a wide range of temperature and humidity conditions. The system is especially adapt at operating efficiently at low temperatures and/or low humidities. The system is able to operate efficiently at low temperatures and/or low humidities by employing a mechanism for enhancing the buildup of frozen water on the surfaces used to condense the water vapor from ambient air.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2000Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Aquatronics, Inc.Inventors: Terry L. Semrow, Elwin Brooks Petersen, Cory Buckway, Keith C. Warner, Mark H. Nelson, Desiree Ragan, Nick Wells, Greg A. Cameron
-
Publication number: 20030110791Abstract: A chilled water supply system for a refrigerator is provided. The system includes a water storage tank comprising an outlet leg, and a filter media disposed within said outlet leg.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2001Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventors: Richard Anthony Stich, Jimmy Nelson Knight
-
Publication number: 20030024259Abstract: A refrigerator water filter assembly is provided in the ceiling of a refrigerator and is adapted to hinge downwardly from the ceiling for changing the filter cartridge. The cartridge is normally partially recessed within the ceiling so as to minimize the use of space in the food compartment of the refrigerator. The filter assembly includes a base mounted in the refrigerator ceiling, a manifold pivotally mounted on the base, a filter cartridge attached to the manifold, and a cover pivotally mounted on the manifold so as to be movable between open and closed positions. When the cover is opened, the filter cartridge is angled downwardly from the ceiling for easy grasping by a person for replacement of the cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Inventors: James H. Jenkins, David J. Olberding, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, John Frank Zinni, Timothy Mark Nugent, Ravi Kumar Sawhney
-
Patent number: 6505477Abstract: An apparatus to extract water from ambient air. The apparatus includes a dehumidifier, a holding tank, and one or more dispensing tanks in which water is maintained hot or cold. Provision is made to recycle water in the holding tank through an aerator to prevent stagnation of stored water. Water from the holding tank is pumped through a filter system before entering the dispensing tanks. A safety control is provided to prevent overflowing a collection pump reservoir in event of interruption in normal water flow in the machine. Provision is made to control bacteria and algae.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2000Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Cloud Nine of Utah, Inc.Inventors: Shayne D. Smith, Joeseph W. Stewart
-
Publication number: 20020189275Abstract: A water delivery system having increased flow rate properties for use in a refrigerator is provided. The water delivery system includes a pilot operated solenoid valve which feeds water to a water filter. The filtered water flows out of the filter to a second pilot operated solenoid valve. The second pilot operated solenoid valve has a first output which delivers water to a chilled water dispenser and a second output having a direct acting valve delivers water to an icemaker.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventor: Michael DuHack
-
Patent number: 6457322Abstract: A filter housing assembly for refrigerators is disclosed. The assembly comprises an upper filter housing, a lower filter housing, a valve, and a passage control lever. The upper filter housing has an inlet, an outlet, an inflow passage and an outflow passage. The lower filter passage is detachably combined with the upper filter housing and holds a filter element for purifying water supplied through the inflow passage of the upper filter housing. The valve has a first passage hole, a second passage hole and a third passage hole so as to selectively connect the inlet to the outlet, and the inlet and the outlet respectively to the first inflow passage and the first outflow passage. The passage control lever is fixedly connected at its one end to the valve so as to rotate the valve for the selective connection of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2000Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Ill-Shin Kim, Yong-Chol Kwon, Si-Jae Kim
-
Patent number: 6405551Abstract: A heating apparatus having a refrigeration cycle includes a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator. The heating apparatus has a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, where the first heat exchanger is selected as a heat source, and the second heat exchanger is selected as either a cooling or heating source. The first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are connected in series with each other in a refrigerant circuit. A heating medium is circulated in a heat transfer device which is connected to the first heat exchanger. Bathwater of a bathtub and water of a hot-water storage tank are heated through the heat transfer device indirectly by the first heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2000Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: Science, Inc.Inventors: Katumi Kuwabara, Junji Wakikawa, Mitiyuki Takahashi, Akihiro Kobayashi
-
Patent number: 6375834Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Ronald W. Guess, Dale A. Beard, Patrick J. Gotzbach, Keith A. Snyder
-
Patent number: 6345515Abstract: A conditioning and filling system includes a first processing section for degassing and dehydrating a working fluid, a second processing section for filtering the working fluid, and a monitoring section for sensing a condition of the working fluid, the monitoring section controlling a flow of the working fluid depending on the condition of the working fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2000Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.Inventors: Gregory W. Pautsch, William J. Matthews, Rich Rineck
-
Patent number: 6289689Abstract: A water collection and dispensing machine having a primary housing with an air inlet and an air outlet, an air blower structured to draw air into the primary housing through the air inlet and push air out of said primary housing through the air outlet. The water collection and dispensing machine further includes an evaporator coil structured to cycle a cold refrigerant liquid therethrough, the evaporator coil being disposed in line with the air inlet so that the air drawn into the primary housing through the air inlet passes thereover and moisture therefrom condenses on an exterior surface of the evaporator coil so that it may be collected in the form of water droplets, filtered to eliminate contaminants, and dispensed for convenient consumption by a user.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2000Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: International Water Makers, Inc.Inventor: John M. Zakryk
-
Patent number: 6272879Abstract: A portable liquid chilling system for chilling and disinfecting the liquid of each and every independent desired container, comprising: a refrigeration unit, a pipe having an intake liquid section, taking the liquid from a container, a liquid cooling section held to and passing trough said refrigeration unit, for chilling the liquid circulating through said liquid cooling section, and a liquid returning section, for returning the chilled liquid to said container; a liquid pump connected to the flexible pipe, for pumping the liquid from the container, through the pipe and returning it to the container; a bactericide dispenser connected to the pipe for dispensing a bactericide substance to the liquid, and a liquid filter connected to the pipe, for filtering and retiring any solid form the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2000Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Inventor: Oscar-Raul Lopez-Ordaz
-
Patent number: 6058711Abstract: The evaporator comprises a) a chamber (12) made of a porous material with an inlet for a heat exchanging fluid in liquid form, b) a shell (9) in which is located said chamber (12) to define around it, a chamber (15) for collecting said fluid in vapor form, said shell (9) having an outlet by which the vapor collected in said chamber (15) is evacuated. It further comprises a tube (22) which extends through the whole internal space of the chamber (12) with a porous wall, from one end (24) of the tube constituting the chamber (12) inlet for the heat exchanging fluid, said tube (22) being pierced over its whole length with holes (33) for injecting the heat exchanging liquid into the chamber (12) wall.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Centre National d'Etudes SpatialesInventors: Thierry Maciaszek, Jacques Mauduyt
-
Patent number: 4745354Abstract: Semiconductor devices such as integrated circuits and discrete transistors are mounted on cards and the cards are installed on raised racks extending up from the bottom of a tank forming a burn-in chamber. The racks are individually lowered to immerse the cards and operating devices in a bath of liquid heat exchange medium at an elevated temperature. The racks are individually accessible through aligned segments of a segmented cover to reduce the intrusion of room water vapor into the burn-in chamber. The elevated temperature of the medium is maintained during the procedure by pumping the medium over mechanical cooling coils to remove excess heat produced by the operating devices. A lead screw and lever mechanical combination provide variable speed pumping, to accommodate changes in medium viscosity, from a fixed speed motor. The pumping also mixes the medium around the cards and devices to produce uniformity in the medium temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1986Date of Patent: May 17, 1988Assignee: FTS Systems, Inc.Inventor: Douglas S. Fraser
-
Patent number: 4572785Abstract: A water purifier for producing potable water from contaminated water, the purifier includes a crystallizer chamber with a plurality of projecting freeze elements, and a water spray unit which directs a fine spray of water at the freeze elements to produce ice coating on the freeze elements. The purifier also includes a refrigerant unit to periodically chill and warm the freeze elements to alternately produce and release ice shells that are melted to form purified water.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1984Date of Patent: February 25, 1986Inventor: Melvin Braaten
-
Patent number: 4466257Abstract: The present invention is a self-aided refrigerated filter assembly and method for its use for filtration of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) so that a liquid phase is maintained during the filtration process and that the LPG is sufficiently subcooled to suppress the formation bubbles to prevent the risk of vapor lock or cavitation damages to a pump downflow from the filtration process and/or to provide liquid for metering purpose.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1982Date of Patent: August 21, 1984Assignee: Prodatek CorporationInventors: Richard K. Pefley, J. Barrett Pullman