Abstract: Appliances configured to detect leaks and methods of detecting leaks are provided. The appliance includes a grounded chassis. The appliance also includes a first levelling leg electrically coupled to the chassis and a second levelling leg electrically isolated from the chassis. The appliance also includes a controller in operative communication with the second levelling leg and the chassis. The controller is configured for, and related methods include, monitoring electrical continuity between the second levelling leg and the chassis and detecting water on the base surface in response to electrical continuity between the second levelling leg and the chassis.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a cabinet with a basket rotatably mounted within the cabinet and a motor configured to rotate the basket. The washing machine appliance also includes a controller in operative communication with the motor to regulate a speed of the motor. The controller may be configured for, and methods of operating the washing machine appliance may include, activating the motor to rotate the basket at a rotational speed within a predetermined speed range and measuring the rotational speed of the basket with the controller. The controller may also be configured for, and the method may also include, monitoring an ambient temperature inside the cabinet of the washing machine appliance and applying an offset to the measured rotational speed when the monitored ambient temperature exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Appliances configured to detect leaks and methods of detecting leaks are provided. The appliance includes a grounded chassis. The appliance also includes a first levelling leg electrically coupled to the chassis and a second levelling leg electrically isolated from the chassis. The appliance also includes a controller in in operative communication with the second levelling leg and the chassis. The controller is configured for, and related methods include, monitoring electrical continuity between the second levelling leg and the chassis and detecting water on the base surface in response to electrical continuity between the second levelling leg and the chassis.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a level sensor positioned within a bulk dispense tank. The level sensor includes a tether, a float body and a circuit board. The tether is mounted within the bulk dispense tank such that a distal end portion of the tether is moveable relative to the bulk dispense tank. The float body is positioned at the distal end portion of the tether. The circuit board is positioned within the float body and has one or more of an accelerometer chip and a gyroscope chip.

Abstract: A user interface includes a curved outer surface, a generally flat printed circuit board defining a base plane, and a capacitive touch sensor connected to the generally flat printed circuit board and offset from the base plane. The capacitive touch sensor is substantially aligned with the curved outer surface. The user interface may be provided on an appliance.

Abstract: A door assembly for a horizontal axis washing machine includes a door rotatably mounted to a front panel to permit selective access to an opening of the washing machine appliance. A sub-door is rotatably mounted to the door and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The sub-door defines a pretreat basin for collecting wash fluid from a wash fluid supply when the sub-door is in the open position for pretreating an article of clothing. After the pretreatment procedure is complete, the sub-door may be pivoted toward the closed position such that the article of clothing and the collected wash fluid are passed directly into the tub through a door opening and drain conduit.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a level sensor positioned within a bulk dispense tank. The level sensor includes a tether, a float body and a circuit board. The tether is mounted within the bulk dispense tank such that a distal end portion of the tether is moveable relative to the bulk dispense tank. The float body is positioned at the distal end portion of the tether. The circuit board is positioned within the float body and has one or more of an accelerometer chip and a gyroscope chip.

Abstract: A user interface includes a curved outer surface, a generally flat printed circuit board defining a base plane, and a capacitive touch sensor connected to the generally flat printed circuit board and offset from the base plane. The capacitive touch sensor is substantially aligned with the curved outer surface. The user interface may be provided on an appliance.

Abstract: A door assembly for a horizontal axis washing machine includes a door rotatably mounted to a front panel to permit selective access to an opening of the washing machine appliance. A sub-door is rotatably mounted to the door and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The sub-door defines a pretreat basin for collecting wash fluid from a wash fluid supply when the sub-door is in the open position for pretreating an article of clothing. After the pretreatment procedure is complete, the sub-door may be pivoted toward the closed position such that the article of clothing and the collected wash fluid are passed directly into the tub through a door opening and drain conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the amount of detergent in water used in a washing machine and to supplementing such water as needed for a wash load is provided. The amount of detergent present in grey water that is reused for washing, as well as the amount released from clothes or other articles to be washed, can also be determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the amount of detergent in water used in a washing machine and to supplementing such water as needed for a wash load is provided. The amount of detergent present in grey water that is reused for washing, as well as the amount released from clothes or other articles to be washed, can also be determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the amount of detergent in water used in a washing machine and to supplementing such water as needed for a wash load is provided. The amount of detergent present in grey water that is reused for washing, as well as the amount released from clothes or other articles to be washed, can also be determined.

Abstract: A microwave oven includes a top wall, side walls, and a bottom wall at least partially defining a cavity of the microwave oven, and a table coupled to the bottom wall. The table has a top surface and an opposing bottom surface. The top surface is configured to support an item within the cavity. A light source directs light to the table. The table is configured to diffuse light emitted from the light source into the cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus and methodologies are provided to improve the refrigeration system by precisely controlling refrigerator compartment and heat exchanger temperatures through continuous modulation of device speeds or positions to match capacity with instantaneous load. A controller in a refrigerator is configured to provide a plurality of control loops to control various operational aspects of selected components in the refrigerator. A first loop controls the operating speed of a compressor based on temperature of the evaporator or based on the desired speed of an evaporator fan. A second control loop controls speed of an evaporator fan to maintain a prescribed freezer compartment temperature. A third control loop maintains a prescribed temperature in a fresh food compartment. In certain embodiments selected of the control loops may be thermodynamically coupled by way of thermal interaction between the various cooled compartments rather than being electrically coupled.

Abstract: A hot water heater, and method of regulating the same, which includes a PID control. The PID control is responsive to inputs such as water temperature in the hot water heater and the flow rate of water such as through inlets and outlets coupled to the hot water heater. In one embodiment, the PID control generates an output that modifies the operating parameters of a heating device to accommodate changes in the temperature of the fluid in the hot water heater. The output results from one or more modules of a three-term control structure, wherein the modules comprise one or more of a proportional control module, an integral control module, and a derivative control module. Each of the modules is assigned at least one term, wherein the term is defined in accordance with gain parameters such as a proportional gain, an integral gain, and a derivative gain.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a front projection system operatively mounted as part of an appliance and configured to optically project a virtual user interface; an optics system operatively mounted as part of the appliance and configured to direct the virtual user interface optically projected by the front projection system onto a given surface; a user input system operatively mounted as part of the appliance and configured to receive one or more input selections made by a user in correspondence with one or more features that are part of the virtual user interface optically projected by the front projection system on the given surface via the optics system; and a controller operatively coupled to the front projection system and the user input system, and configured to control operation of one or more components of the appliance in response to the one or more input selections made by the user in correspondence with the one or more features that are part of the virtual user interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the amount of detergent in water used in a washing machine and to supplementing such water as needed for a wash load is provided. The amount of detergent present in grey water that is reused for washing, as well as the amount released from clothes or other articles to be washed, can also be determined.

Abstract: A microwave oven includes a top wall, side walls, and a bottom wall at least partially defining a cavity of the microwave oven, and a table coupled to the bottom wall. The table has a top surface and an opposing bottom surface. The top surface is configured to support an item within the cavity. A light source directs light to the table. The table is configured to diffuse light emitted from the light source into the cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus and methodology is provided to control lighting associated with an appliance. Ambient light proximate the appliance and/or light from one or more lighting devices associated with the appliance is monitored and used to control the energization of the appliance lighting devices. Lighting device may include illumination devices as well as indicia display devices. The controller is configured to compensate lighting levels over the lifetime of the lighting devices to provide consistent lighting from the appliance lighting under all operating conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methodologies are provided to improve the refrigeration system by precisely controlling refrigerator compartment and heat exchanger temperatures through continuous modulation of device speeds or positions to match capacity with instantaneous load. A controller in a refrigerator is configured to provide a plurality of control loops to control various operational aspects of selected components in the refrigerator. A first loop controls the operating speed of a compressor based on temperature of the evaporator or based on the desired speed of an evaporator fan. A second control loop controls speed of an evaporator fan to maintain a prescribed freezer compartment temperature. A third control loop maintains a prescribed temperature in a fresh food compartment. In certain embodiments selected of the control loops may be thermodynamically coupled by way of thermal interaction between the various cooled compartments rather than being electrically coupled.