Abstract: A contaminant measurement system is provided. The system is operable to detect and measure a concentration level of a preselected contaminant, e.g., lead, in water disposed within a chamber of the system. The system includes a detection agent that is operable to interact with the preselected contaminant in the water. The detection agent can be a plurality of polymeric beads or a membrane, for example. The system has a sensing circuit that includes a pair of electrodes spaced from one another and both at least partially disposed in the water. A controller is communicatively coupled with the sensing circuit and is configured to receive one or more electric signals from the sensing circuit. The controller determines a parameter indicative of the concentration level of the preselected contaminant based on the one or more electrical signals. The controller then determines and outputs the concentration level of the preselected contaminant.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance having a dispensing system, a dispensing system, and a method for dispensing liquid into a container are provided. The dispensing system can be an autofill dispensing system. In one example aspect, the dispensing system includes a vibration generator and a measurement device. When a container is present in a preselected position, liquid is delivered to the container. As liquid fills into the container, the vibration generator propagates vibrations through the container. The measurement device detects one or more characteristics of the vibration and routes one more signals indicative of the characteristics to a controller of the system. The controller determines a liquid fill level of liquid within the container based at least in part on the signals received from the measurement device.

Abstract: A dispense control system for a dispensing assembly of a refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The dispensing assembly defines a base plane for receiving a container. A dispense control system includes an emitter for directing a beam of energy toward the container and the base plane and a receiver for detecting a projection of the beam of energy in an image plane of the receiver. The dispense control system may be configured to obtain a measured displacement of the projection when the container is positioned on the base plane, and an actual height of the container or a liquid level within the container may be determined from the measured displacement of the projection.

Abstract: A foam and liquid fill level detection system includes a first signal emitter operable to emit a signal at a first wavelength towards a dispensing area, a second signal emitter operable to emit a signal at a second wavelength towards the dispensing area, and one or more signal receivers operable to detect the signal at the first wavelength and the signal at the second wavelength from the dispensing area. The first wavelength is selected such the signal at the first wavelength reflects from liquid, and the second wavelength is selected such the signal at the second wavelength reflects from foam.

Abstract: A system and method are directed toward the synthesis of polymeric capsules using a phase inversion process by extrusion of polymeric droplets through a syringe-needle assembly or an iris-shutter mechanism. The polymeric solution may be prepared by dissolving PAN (polyacrylonitrile) polymer in DMF (Dimethyl Formamide) solvent at high temperature through continuous stirring. Following preparation of the capsules, further treatment was initiated using triethylamine in gelation bath to make the final product an efficient removal agent of water hardness.

Abstract: A quick connect fitting kit includes a chuck having a threaded end. The chuck defines a channel. A collar has a threaded end and a sloped inner surface. The threaded end of the collar is meshable with the threaded end of the chuck to mount the collar to the chuck. A collet has a sloped outer surface. The collet is positioned within the collar such that the sloped outer surface of the collet is positioned on the sloped inner surface of the collar. The collet defines a passage. The passage of the collet is sized for receipt of a pipe. The pipe is in fluid communication with the channel of the chuck when the collet is compressed against the pipe and the collar is mounted to the chuck.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and ice dispenser is provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, an ice maker attached to the cabinet, a dispenser recess defined on the refrigerator appliance, and a dispenser conduit disposed within the dispenser recess. The dispenser conduit may include a chute wall. The chute wall may define an ice passage, one or more fluid inlets, a manifold channel, and one or more fluid outlets. A fluid inlet may be positioned radially outward from the ice passage in fluid communication with a fluid source selectively supplying a fluid flow thereto. The manifold channel may extend within the chute wall about at least a portion of the ice passage. The manifold channel may be in downstream fluid communication with the fluid inlet. A fluid outlet may be defined through the chute wall in downstream fluid communication with the manifold channel.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a water supply system with a supply conduit connectable to a pressurized water supply such that a flow of water is flowable through the supply conduit to an exit of the supply conduit positioned at a dispenser recess. A dispensing valve is coupled to the supply conduit downstream of a flow restriction. A water tank is connected to the supply conduit downstream of the flow restriction and upstream of the dispensing valve. The water tank is configured such that a compressible medium within the water tank is compressed by water from the supply conduit when the dispensing valve is closed.

Abstract: A method for operating a refrigerator appliance includes operating a dispenser of the refrigerator appliance to initiate a flow of liquid water or ice into a container positioned within a dispensing recess of the dispenser in response to a user input at a user input panel of the refrigerator appliance, receiving one or more signals from a sensor positioned at the dispensing recess after operating the dispenser to initiate the flow of liquid water or ice into the dispensing recess, and detecting a presence of the container in the dispensing recess based at least in part on the one or more signals from the sensor only after operating the dispenser to initiate the flow of liquid water or ice into the dispensing recess. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a manifold and a filter cartridge removably mounted to the manifold. The filter cartridge includes a first cartridge component and a second cartridge component joined to the first cartridge component at a failure interface such that the second cartridge component moves relative to the first cartridge component when the filter cartridge fails.

Abstract: A filter for a non-plumbed appliance is provided. The filter includes a filter housing defining a filter chamber. A filter medium is positioned within the filter chamber, each end of the filter medium being enclosed by an endcap formed from a resilient material, such as molded silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer. The endcaps slide on the ends of the filter media with no need for adhesive and form a fluid seal with both the filter media and the filter housing once installed. One or more fluid bypass channels may be defined by the filter housing or in the endcaps to allow water to flow as desired within the filter chamber. The resulting filter requires fewer components and less assembly time while improving filtration performance and reliability.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a manifold with a base and a support ring. The support ring is received within the base such that the support ring is rotatable relative to the base. A housing of the filter cartridge has an interface positioned at an outer surface of the housing. The interface is configured to engage with a post of the support ring in order to mount the filter cartridge to the manifold.

Abstract: A passive fluid dosing assembly and system is provided. The passive fluid dosing system may include a passive dosing body, a pressure plate, and a treatment enclosure. The passive dosing body may define a primary flow path and a liquid treatment path. The primary flow path may be defined between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The liquid treatment path may be defined between a high pressure port and a low pressure port, bypassing a portion of the primary flow path. The pressure plate may be disposed within the passive dosing body between the high pressure port and the low pressure port. The pressure plate may define an internal orifice. The treatment enclosure may be positioned in fluid communication between the high pressure port and the low pressure port along the liquid treatment path. The treatment enclosure may define a solute chamber housing a dosed media.

Abstract: A filtration device includes features for robust filtering capability. In particular, the filtration device includes a filter medium having mixed matrix membranes that include hollow fiber membranes embedded with adsorbents such that the filter medium provides both mechanical and adsorption capability.

Abstract: A system for detecting a liquid, such as liquid water, is provided. The system includes an RFID tag spaced apart from a liquid collection location. The system also includes features for wicking or otherwise transferring liquid from the liquid collection location to the RFID tag. A water filter assembly with features for detecting water leaks is also provided.

Abstract: A system for detecting a liquid, such as liquid water, is provided. The system includes an RFID tag and an absorbent material positioned over the RFID tag. The system also includes features for hindering or preventing compression of the absorbent material and/or for spacing the RFID tag from the absorbent material. A water filter assembly with features for detecting water leaks is also provided.

Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a radio frequency identification, RFID, tag positioned on a casing. A compressed cellulose foam is positioned over the RFID tag on the casing. An impermeable material is positioned over the cellulose foam on the casing at an outer surface of the casing. The impermeable material defines a passage that extends through the impermeable material to the cellulose foam. The passage is configured such that water is flowable through the passage to the cellulose foam. The compressed cellulose foam is configured for wicking the water from the passage to the RFID tag.

Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a filter medium disposed within an interior volume of a casing. A leak director is positioned on the casing above an RFID tag. The leak director has a trough that extends about a sidewall of the casing. The trough of the leak director has an outlet positioned for directing liquid in the trough to the RFID tag.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and extraction is provided herein. The extraction fluid assembly may include a fluid tank, an open container, a filter assembly, a dispenser housing, and a precision doser. The fluid tank may define an extraction chamber to receive a liquid solvent. The open container may be selectively disposed on the fluid tank to hold an additive within the extraction chamber. The filter assembly may be positioned beneath the fluid tank along a vertical direction in fluid communication with the extraction chamber. The dispenser housing may support the filter assembly. The dispenser housing may also define a dispensing chamber positioned beneath the filter assembly in fluid communication therewith. The precision doser may be in fluid communication with the dispensing chamber to direct an extraction fluid therefrom.

Abstract: A method for operating a refrigerator appliance includes operating a dispenser of the refrigerator appliance to initiate a flow of liquid water or ice into a container positioned within a dispensing recess of the dispenser in response to a user input at a user input panel of the refrigerator appliance, receiving one or more signals from a sensor positioned at the dispensing recess after operating the dispenser to initiate the flow of liquid water or ice into the dispensing recess, and detecting a presence of the container in the dispensing recess based at least in part on the one or more signals from the sensor only after operating the dispenser to initiate the flow of liquid water or ice into the dispensing recess. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided.