Abstract: An evaporative cooling condenser for a household appliance cooling system includes a water source, a heat exchanger configured to contain a refrigerant, and a fluid heat transfer device, the fluid heat transfer device configured to receive water from the water source and apply the water to the heat exchanger for rejecting heat from the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A thermal insulating structure comprises a first curved layer, the first curved layer having a first radius of curvature associated therewith, and a second curved layer, the second curved layer having a second radius of curvature associated therewith. The first radius of curvature is different than the second radius of curvature. The first curved layer and the second curved layer are sealed and a vacuum space is formed there between. The first curved layer and the second curved layer substantially maintain their respective shapes without internal support in the vacuum space there between.

Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment and one or more power consuming features/functions including a refrigeration system for cooling the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility. The controller operates the refrigerator in one of plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively schedule, delay, adjust and deactivate at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the refrigerator in the energy savings mode.

Abstract: An appliance includes a cabinet, a solid state lighting device assembly integrated in the cabinet, and a power controller coupled to the solid state lighting device assembly for supplying electrical power to the solid state lighting device lighting assembly. The power controller is configured to provide a pulse modulated power signal to the solid state lighting device assembly that has a duty cycle. Each solid state lighting device in the solid state lighting device assembly cycles on and off in accordance with duty cycle.

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: An ice making assembly includes an ice maker including a mold body defining a one or more compartments for forming ice cubes therein, a harvesting assembly removes an ice cube from the compartment, and one or more bimetallic elements. Each bimetallic element is configured with a respective one of the compartments so that when energized the bimetallic element deforms with a portion moving in a direction so as to assist in removing an ice cube from the compartment. Related refrigeration appliances are also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular water filter assembly is disclosed. The modular water filter assembly includes a primary module having primary filter media for treating water; a secondary module having a first end and a second end; and a manifold defining an inlet connectable to a water source, and an outlet connectable to a water dispenser. The secondary module is removably coupled to the manifold at the first end thereof, and to the primary module at the second end thereof, the secondary module defining a flow path for carrying water therethrough. The water filter assembly is variably configurable for treating water passed from the water source through the inlet of the manifold and through at least one of the primary module and the secondary module and then through the outlet of the manifold. An appliance incorporating such a modular water filter assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Top hinge-weight loaded refrigerator doors are provided. A refrigerator apparatus is provided that includes a body portion; and at least one door hinged to the body portion using at least one top hinge. The top hinge is a weight load bearing hinge.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a mold body with at least one cavity configured and dimensioned to receive water to be frozen into ice. The mold body has a plurality of natural frequencies of vibration. Also included is an ice discharge mechanism configured to cause the ice to be removed from the at least one cavity. Also included is a vibration source mounted to the mold body at a location which is located near a region of high deflection at one of the first five natural frequency of vibration of the mold body; the location is also not a node at that natural frequency of vibration of the mold body. A refrigerator using the apparatus, a method of using the apparatus, and a method of designing the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a mold body with at least one cavity configured and dimensioned to receive water to be frozen into ice; a hollow sealed tube having an evaporator portion in thermal communication with the mold body and an offset condenser portion opposite the evaporator portion; a two-phase heat transfer fluid contained within the hollow sealed tube; and an actuation arrangement which causes the mold body and the tube to transition between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the water can be introduced into the at least one cavity and the offset condenser portion is above the evaporator portion. In the second position, the ice can be discharged from the at least one cavity and the offset condenser portion is below the evaporator portion. A refrigerator using the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An evaporative cooling condenser for a household appliance cooling system includes a water source, a heat exchanger configured to contain a refrigerant, and a fluid heat transfer device, the fluid heat transfer device configured to receive water from the water source and apply the water to the heat exchanger for rejecting heat from the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring an appliance is disclosed. The method includes establishing a wireless communication connection between a communication module in an appliance and a communication network, transmitting operational data in real-time from the appliance to an external monitoring system over the communication network, determining a status of a component of the appliance from the real-time operational data, and if a failure mode of the component is detected, initiating a service protocol corresponding to the component.

Abstract: An appliance includes a cabinet, a solid state lighting device assembly integrated in the cabinet, and a power controller coupled to the solid state lighting device assembly for supplying electrical power to the solid state lighting device lighting assembly. The power controller is configured to provide a pulse modulated power signal to the solid state lighting device assembly that has a duty cycle. Each solid state lighting device in the solid state lighting device assembly cycles on and off in accordance with duty cycle.

Abstract: A flow controlling assembly configured to permit air flow between a first chamber and a second chamber. A frame member includes a damper contacting surface at least partially surrounding a frame opening configured to permit the air flow therethrough. A damper plate includes a frame contacting surface configured to contact the damper contacting surface when the damper plate is in a closed position. A hinge assembly is disposed between the frame member and the damper plate. The hinge assembly is configured to permit the damper plate to rotate on a rotational axis relative to the frame member and to permit the rotational axis to translate relative to the frame member.

Abstract: A method for defrosting an evaporator of a refrigeration sealed system, the system including at least one refrigeration compartment and a controller operatively coupled to a compressor, an evaporator, an evaporator fan and a condenser fan, wherein the method includes initiating a defrost cycle, operating the sealed system to prechill the refrigeration compartment, and selectively operating the evaporator fan and the condenser fan to raise a temperature of the evaporator.

Abstract: A dent resistant laminated steel application is provided for a laminated appliance wall, including: an exterior cover having a first outer skin layer and at least a second substrate layer laminated thereto, wherein the first outer skin layer is stainless steel and overlays the second substrate layer. The second substrate layer can be bonded to the first outer skin layer, wherein the bonding material is disposed in the interspace between the first outer skin layer and the second substrate layer. The laminated wall can further include a first outer skin layer having a material thickness from about 0.014 to about 0.022 inches. The second substrate layer can be selected from the group consisting of fiberboard, galvanized steel, and polyester.

Abstract: A tubular element including a wall defining therein an inner cavity, and a plurality of microchannels supported by the wall and extending along a length of the wall.

Abstract: An electrical protection system includes a household electronic device and an electrical protection unit permanently interfaced therewith. The household electronic device is configured for detachable electric connection to an external household source and to utilize electrical power received from the household source. The electronic device operates according to an electrical power waveform, e.g., the device exhibits the electrical power waveform during operation. The electrical protection unit is configured to allow electrical power to pass from the household source to the electronic device if the power waveform is within a waveform profile, and to prevent electrical power from passing from the household source to the electronic device if the power waveform is outside a fault deviation of the waveform profile. The waveform profile is indicative of normal electrical operation of the electronic device, across its entire operational range.

Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment and one or more power consuming features/functions including a refrigeration system for cooling the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility. The controller operates the refrigerator in one of plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively schedule, delay, adjust and deactivate at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the refrigerator in the energy savings mode.

Abstract: An ice dispenser having a safety apparatus is disclosed. The ice dispenser includes a bin for storing ice to be dispensed; a chute in communication with the bin; a device for at least one of crushing the ice and moving the ice from the bin to the chute; a controller for activating the device in response to a dispensing signal; and a safety apparatus configured to determine a presence of an object in the chute and to provide an indication responsive to the determined presence to the controller. The controller deactivates the device after receiving the indication. A refrigerator incorporating such an ice dispenser is also disclosed.