Abstract: A power bus, connected to a 24V isolated power supply, is provided in a refrigerator where removable shelves can be selectively connected to it. Each shelf has a user interface and a circuit to control a microenvironment within the refrigerator, partially bounded by the shelf. Data between the shelf and a control circuit in the refrigerator can be transmitted over the power bus, or by other methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automated liquid dispenser employing ultrasonic sensing to determine the level of a dispensed liquid with respect to the height of a container to be filled. In one aspect, the invention relates to a refrigerator with an automated liquid dispenser that utilizes ultrasonic sensing.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser and self-filling container system, including a liquid supply line, a liquid container, a liquid dispenser positioned to deliver a supply of liquid to the container from the liquid supply line, a valve positioned in the liquid supply line to selectively deliver liquid to the liquid dispenser, an optical sensor positioned relative to the liquid container to detect the presence of the container and a level of liquid in the container, and a control circuit connecting the optical sensor and the valve to open the valve when the sensor detects the presence of the container and a level of liquid below a maximum desired liquid level in the container and to close the valve when the sensor detects at least one of the absence of the container and a maximum desired liquid level in said container. Such a liquid dispenser may be a water dispenser in a refrigerator.

Abstract: A system for protecting optical elements from moisture and/or ice build up when used in freezing environment, such as a freezer compartment of a refrigerator. The system includes a hood or sleeve which can be assembled to an optical element such as a light emitting or receiving elements used in a freezer compartment. The sleeve acts to trap air about the optic element such that warm humid air does not readily move into contact with the optic element. Moreover, the warm, humid air that does flow toward the optic element may be cooled by the sleeve such that moisture condenses out of the air and onto the sleeve. A heater may be provided adjacent the sleeve for heating the sleeve if the optic element is impaired due to ice or moisture build up.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a control system for an ice making system. The ice making system includes an ice maker, and an ice storage bin for receiving ice pieces formed by the ice maker. The control system controls the ice maker and includes optic elements for emitting and receiving a beam of light directed across the upper portion of the bin. The control system senses when the ice maker is ready to harvest ice pieces and then directs a beam of light or light signal from a first side of the ice storage bin, across the bin toward a second side of the ice storage bin. The control system senses for the light signal at the second side of the ice storage bin and if ice pieces block the path of the light signal, the control system prevents ice harvesting from the ice maker. The optic elements of the control system include a light emitting element and a light receiving element.

Abstract: An ice level sensing system for use on a refrigerator including a freezer compartment having top wall, opposite side walls and an access opening. A door is provided for closing the access opening. An ice maker is disposed within the freezer compartment adjacent the top wall for forming ice pieces. An ice storage bin is removably mounted to the door below the ice maker for receiving ice pieces from the ice maker. An emitter element, supported on a side wall of the freezer, emits a beam of light across the upper portion of the bin. A receiver element, supported on a freezer side wall opposite the emitter element, receives the beam of light wherein beam of light travels between the emitter element and the receiver element along a line of sight path. A paddle is rotatably supported on a freezer side wall for blocking the line of sight when the door is open.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a middle fresh food compartment and a relatively large bottom freezer compartment arranged below the fresh food compartment and a relatively small freezer compartment arranged above the fresh food compartment. The bottom freezer compartment preferably supports a drawer including a frame and a removable bin. Cool air can be supplied to the compartments of the refrigerator by employing a two fan control system such that no electromechanical baffles are required. Alternatively, cool air can be directed to the compartments of the refrigerator by use of a baffle which requires only a single electromechanical device to control air flow into three different compartments. The baffle includes a main rotary damper which can be positioned to provide proportional amounts of chilled air to the three separate compartments based on the degree of cooling required.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a middle fresh food compartment and a relatively large bottom freezer compartment arranged below the fresh food compartment and a relatively small freezer compartment arranged above the fresh food compartment. The bottom freezer compartment preferably supports a drawer including a frame and a removable bin. Cool air can be supplied to the compartments of the refrigerator by employing a two fan control system such that no electro-mechanical baffles are required. Alternatively, cool air can be directed to the compartments of the refrigerator by use of a baffle which requires only a single electro-mechanical device to control air flow into three different compartments. The baffle includes a main rotary damper which can be positioned to provide proportional amounts of chilled air to the three separate compartments based on the degree of cooling required.

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.

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.

Abstract: An electronic control mounting system for a refrigerator. In the refrigerator, a freezer compartment is defined by a freezer liner, a fresh food compartment is defined by a fresh food liner and a partition wall is disposed between the compartments. A mounting plate is disposed between the freezer liner and fresh food liner within the partition wall and includes a mounting boss and a conduit boss. The conduit boss joins a first opening provided in the freezer liner and a second opening provided in the fresh food liner such that a channel is formed between the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment. A housing member, supporting a control printed circuit board (PC board), is secured to the bottom surface of the partition wall by attachment to the mounting boss provided on the mounting plate. The PC board further includes a first temperature sensor having a pair of extending electrical leads directly soldered or mounted onto the PC board.

Abstract: A method of energizing a relay comprising the steps of applying an energization signal to the relay having a voltage in excess of a rated voltage of the relay and then allowing the energization voltage to rapidly decay to a level within the rated voltage of the relay.

Abstract: A defrost cycle controller for a refrigeration system encompassing a compressor; a defrost heater; a thermostatic switch coupled in series with said compressor to control operation of said compressor; a bimetallic switch coupled in series with said defrost heater to control operation of said defrost heater; and a relay coupled to mutually exclusively couple the compressor or defrost heater to a power supply, the relay having a normally closed contact which is in series with said compressor and a normally open contact coupled in series with said defrost heater.

Abstract: A defrost cycle controller for a refrigerator or freezer having a compressor and a defrost heater, comprising a relay operatively connected to the compressor and the defrost heater via contacts to couple one or the other to a power supply, the relay having a normally closed contact to which said compressor is connected and a normally open contact to which said defrost heater is connected; and a control circuit operatively connected to the compressor, defrost heater and relay and configured to implement the following algorithm: (a) first, energize the relay; (b) second, monitor the relay contacts; (c) third, if the contacts do not change states, de-energize the relay; and (d) fourth, rest for a predetermined period, and then commence the algorithm.

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.

Abstract: An ice maker for use in a domestic refrigerator makes clear ice bodies. The ice maker comprises a support arranged to have an ice body formed thereon. The support is refrigerated to a below-freezing temperature and a container adapted to hold a body of water is moved to move liquid water contained therein uniformly about the support suitable to cause a clear substantially symmetrical ice body to build up outwardly on the refrigerated support.

Abstract: A control for a refrigerator having a freezer compartment, a fresh food compartment, and a refrigeration system having an evaporator disposed within the freezer compartment, a condenser, and a compressor for compressing the refrigerant in the system. The refrigerator includes a variable speed motor to drive the compressor, a variable speed condenser fan for moving air over the condenser, and a variable speed evaporator fan for circulating air over the evaporator and to the freezer compartment and fresh food compartment. Means are provided for responding to the temperature within the fresh food compartment for varying the speed of the evaporator fan such that the temperature of the fresh food compartment is controlled. Means are provided for responding to the temperature within the freezer compartment for varying the speed of the compressor motor and the condenser fan such that the temperature of the freezer compartment is controlled.

Abstract: A canister vacuum cleaner includes a floor cleaning unit having a rotatable brush driven by a brush motor and a remotely disposed canister having a vacuum or suction motor for providing suction to perform cleaning operations. The floor cleaning unit is mechanically and pneumatically interconnected with the canister through a rigid wand and a wand handle and hose assembly. The wand handle and hose assembly includes a wand handle, disposed between the rigid wand and a flexible hose, with a three-position electrical control switch mounted thereon. The control switch enables the deenergization of both the brush motor and the vacuum motor in a first position, enables the energization of the vacuum motor only in a second position and enables the energization of both the vacuum motor and the brush motor in a third position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively dispensing discrete quantities of elongated ice pieces from a supply thereof. The apparatus includes a baffle defining an upper edge and mechanism adjacent the baffle for causing ice pieces received from the supply to extend lengthwise generally parallel to the baffle and to be translated upwardly to above the level of the baffle upper edge while concurrently tipping the ice pieces over the upper edge to pass to forwardly of the baffle for dispensing thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the transfer mechanism is defined by at least one helical vane extending from a rearward transfer position to a forward dispensing position defined by the upper edge of the baffle. In the illustrated embodiment, the vanes extend approximately 105.degree. about an axis of rotation thereof within a tubular drum. The apparatus may include a constant speed dispensing mechanism and a timer control for any one of a plurality of preselected time periods.

Abstract: An air circulation system for a refrigeration apparatus provides a controllable baffle to selectively open or close an air outlet port. Particularly, the refrigeration apparatus includes an evaporator and an evaporator fan for providing flow of refrigerated air. A fresh food compartment is to be cooled by the refrigerated air. An air inlet passage is provided in communication with the fan and compartment for delivering refrigerated air to the compartment. An air outlet passage is provided in communication with the compartment and the fan for returning air from the compartment to the fan. A baffle is mounted at the compartment air outlet and has an open position allowing movement of air through the compartment, and a closed position preventing movement of air through the compartment. A control is provided for selectively opening the baffle in response to the compartment temperature being above a desired temperature, and to close the baffle when the compartment temperature is below the desired temperature.