Abstract: An ice making device provides an ice tray and a frame to hold the ice tray. The frame has a proximal end with a motor and a distal end with a circular opening. An insert positioned in the circular opening with a projection provides a vibrating motion to dislodge ice cubes from the ice tray. An ice tray includes an integrated heating circuit for sensing capacitance and releasing frozen ice cubes. An ice tray also includes a raised flange to prevent water from splashing out of the ice tray.

Abstract: An ice making device provides an ice tray and a frame to hold the ice tray. The frame has a proximal end with a motor and a distal end with a circular opening. An insert positioned in the circular opening with a projection provides a vibrating motion to dislodge ice cubes from the ice tray. An ice tray includes an integrated heating circuit for sensing capacitance and releasing frozen ice cubes. An ice tray also includes a raised flange to prevent water from splashing out of the ice tray.

Abstract: An icemaker employs a thermoformed ice tray that may have preprinted conductors providing for heating elements in capacitive sensing. Capacitive sensing may be used to control a water fill level and/or to detect complete freezing of the ice cubes and/or to detect complete ejection of the ice cubes.

Abstract: An ice maker is provided that may include cooperating primary and secondary coils arranged on opposite sides of a freezer cabinet wall for wirelessly transmitting electrical power through the freezer cabinet wall to energize various ice maker components. During the wireless electrical power transmission, a data/control signal may be superimposed on the electrical power waveform to allow wireless transmission of the control signal, which can be processed by a logic circuitry for implementing component control methodologies.

Abstract: An ice making device provides an ice tray and a frame to hold the ice tray. The frame has a proximal end with a motor and a distal end with a circular opening. An insert positioned in the circular opening with a projection provides a vibrating motion to dislodge ice cubes from the ice tray. An ice tray includes an integrated heating circuit for sensing capacitance and releasing frozen ice cubes. An ice tray also includes a raised flange to prevent water from splashing out of the ice tray.

Abstract: An icemaker employs a thermoformed ice tray that may have preprinted conductors providing for heating elements in capacitive sensing. Capacitive sensing may be used to control a water fill level and/or to detect complete freezing of the ice cubes and/or to detect complete ejection of the ice cubes.

Abstract: An ice maker allows for installation without the need for electrical harnesses by employing closely adjacent secondary and primary coils that communicate electrical energy through an oscillating magnetic field through the freezer wall. A data signal may be superimposed on the electrical energy to allow the ice maker to control a valve outside of the freezer cabinet.

Abstract: An ice maker mechanism provides a position sensor sensing the position of the ice tray to allow control of absolute position of the ice tray without the need for motor stalling such as generates heat and wastes energy. An ice maker mechanism provides two motors for rotating the ice tray adapted for high torques low-speed rotation and low torque high-speed rotation the latter used for agitation of the water during freezing.

Abstract: An assembly for high-powered LEDs provides a direct attachment of the LED to a ceramic thermal conductor/electrical insulator sealed in a housing with a compression element between a portion of the housing and ceramic heat sink to provide a predetermined range of biasing force locating the ceramic heat sink against the portion of the housing with dimensional changes in the ceramic heat sink caused by thermal expansion of the ceramic heat sink.

Abstract: An ice maker mechanism provides a position sensor sensing the position of the ice tray to allow control of absolute position of the ice tray without the need for motor stalling such as generates heat and wastes energy. An ice maker mechanism provides two motors for rotating the ice tray adapted for high torques low-speed rotation and low torque high-speed rotation the latter used for agitation of the water during freezing.

Abstract: A valve stem position sensor for a gas range provides a slotted housing, wiper assembly, and printed circuit board that may be aligned to allow the sensor to be installed on the valve stem from the side of the valve stem rather than over the end of the valve stem permitting the valves to be partially installed in the gas range with the valve stems extending through the console for mechanical support during the remainder of the assembly process.

Abstract: An assembly for high-powered LEDs provides a direct attachment of the LED to a ceramic thermal conductor/electrical insulator sealed in a housing with a compression element between a portion of the housing and ceramic heat sink to provide a predetermined range of biasing force locating the ceramic heat sink against the portion of the housing with dimensional changes in the ceramic heat sink caused by thermal expansion of the ceramic heat sink.

Abstract: An automatic temperature control for a washing machine or the like may adopt in a first embodiment a single triac switched between a hot-water valve and cold-water valve by mechanical switch elements to provide for a range of temperature control via a microprocessor receiving a temperature command input. In a second embodiment two triacs may be used to permit a range of temperature controls to be effected by voltage signals generated by low-voltage low current switches implemented on an integrated circuit board.

Abstract: A valve stem position sensor for a gas range provides a slotted housing, wiper assembly, and printed circuit board that may be aligned to allow the sensor to be installed on the valve stem from the side of the valve stem rather than over the end of the valve stem permitting the valves to be partially installed in the gas range with the valve stems extending through the console for mechanical support during the remainder of the assembly process.

Abstract: A shaft of a rotary switch, for example, useful as a control for an appliance, such as a washing machine, incorporates an LED at the end of the shaft and projecting light laterally from the shaft to provide an indication of the rotary position of the corresponding knob with respect to printed indicia on a console. The LED may be powered by slip rings incorporated into the rotary switch and communicating directly with line power as controlled by the limiting resistor and the shaft may include a controlled breakage feature providing LED conductors that are recessed within the shaft in the event of shaft breakage to reduce the chance of operator contact with line voltage.

Abstract: A dual function switch assembly includes a switch housing part containing multiple switches at different elevations and a rotor having cam surfaces aligned with the switches for operating the switches. A mounting part is connected to the switch housing part and provides mounting features for attachment in a desired installation.

Abstract: A water level control for a washing machine provides an integrated unit that may replace standard mechanical water level controls with a microprocessor-based circuit that may provide for more sophisticated water management in a standard washing machine using a non-microprocessor cycle timer.

Abstract: An automatic temperature control for a washing machine or the like may adopt in a first embodiment a single triac switched between a hot-water valve and cold-water valve by mechanical switch elements to provide for a range of temperature control via a microprocessor receiving a temperature command input. In a second embodiment two triacs may be used to permit a range of temperature controls to be effected by voltage signals generated by low-voltage low current switches implemented on an integrated circuit board.

Abstract: An automatic temperature control for a washing machine or the like may adopt in a first embodiment a single triac switched between a hot-water valve and cold-water valve by mechanical switch elements to provide for a range of temperature control via a microprocessor receiving a temperature command input. In a second embodiment two triacs may be used to permit a range of temperature controls to be effected by voltage signals generated by low-voltage low current switches implemented on an integrated circuit board.

Abstract: A shaft of a rotary switch, for example, useful as a control for an appliance, such as a washing machine, incorporates an LED at the end of the shaft and projecting light laterally from the shaft to provide an indication of the rotary position of the corresponding knob with respect to printed indicia on a console. The LED may be powered by slip rings incorporated into the rotary switch and communicating directly with line power as controlled by the limiting resistor and the shaft may include a controlled breakage feature providing LED conductors that are recessed within the shaft in the event of shaft breakage to reduce the chance of operator contact with line voltage.