Abstract: An icemaking appliance includes an ice storage chamber and a water jacket at least partially surrounding the ice storage chamber. A sensor assembly includes a sleeve, a conductive plug inserted into a first portion of the sleeve, and a temperature sensor inserted into a second portion of the sleeve. The first portion of the sleeve and the conductive plug are at least partially disposed within the ice storage chamber.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a casing defining a dispensing recess and a plurality of mounting pockets. The plurality of mounting pockets are distributed along a vertical direction at the dispensing recess. A fluid conduit is disposed within the casing. An outlet of the fluid conduit is disposed above the dispensing recess of the casing. A drip tray is mountable to the casing at each of the plurality of mounting pockets. A plurality of sensors is disposed within the casing. Each of the plurality of sensors is positioned at a respective one of the plurality of mounting pockets. Each of the plurality of sensors configured to detect when the drip tray is mounted at the respective one of the plurality of mounting pockets.

Abstract: An icemaking appliance includes an ice storage chamber and a water jacket at least partially surrounding the ice storage chamber. A sensor assembly includes a sleeve, a conductive plug inserted into a first portion of the sleeve, and a temperature sensor inserted into a second portion of the sleeve. The first portion of the sleeve and the conductive plug are at least partially disposed within the ice storage chamber.

Abstract: A beverage-dispensing appliance may include a cabinet, a liquid line, a liquid level sensor, and a signal shield. The cabinet may define a mutually-orthogonal vertical direction, lateral direction, and transverse direction. The cabinet may define a dispenser recess. The liquid line may be mounted to the cabinet and define a liquid outlet above the dispenser recess. The liquid level sensor may be mounted to the cabinet and directed at the dispenser recess. The signal shield may be movably mounted to the cabinet. The signal shield may be movable between a blocking position and a permissive position. The blocking position may laterally bound at least a portion of the dispenser recess. The permissive position may be transversely spaced apart from the dispenser recess to permit lateral access thereto.

Abstract: A beverage-dispensing appliance may include a carbonation tank, a carbonator jacket, a cold water line, and an ice bin. The carbonation tank may define a tank volume, a water inlet upstream from the tank volume, a carbon dioxide inlet upstream from the tank volume, and a carbonated water outlet downstream from the tank volume. The carbonator jacket may define a jacket volume disposed about the carbonation tank. The cold water line may extend to the carbonator jacket in upstream fluid communication with the tank volume to direct a cold water flow to the tank volume. The ice bin may be spaced apart from the carbonation tank. The ice bin may define a drain aperture upstream from the cold water line to direct melt water thereto.

Abstract: A beverage-dispensing appliance may include a cabinet, a liquid line, a liquid level sensor, and a signal shield. The cabinet may define a mutually-orthogonal vertical direction, lateral direction, and transverse direction. The cabinet may define a dispenser recess. The liquid line may be mounted to the cabinet and define a liquid outlet above the dispenser recess. The liquid level sensor may be mounted to the cabinet and directed at the dispenser recess. The signal shield may be movably mounted to the cabinet. The signal shield may be movable between a blocking position and a permissive position. The blocking position may laterally bound at least a portion of the dispenser recess. The permissive position may be transversely spaced apart from the dispenser recess to permit lateral access thereto.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a casing defining a dispensing recess and a plurality of mounting pockets. The plurality of mounting pockets are distributed along a vertical direction at the dispensing recess. A fluid conduit is disposed within the casing. An outlet of the fluid conduit is disposed above the dispensing recess of the casing. A drip tray is mountable to the casing at each of the plurality of mounting pockets. A plurality of sensors is disposed within the casing. Each of the plurality of sensors is positioned at a respective one of the plurality of mounting pockets. Each of the plurality of sensors configured to detect when the drip tray is mounted at the respective one of the plurality of mounting pockets.

Abstract: A liquid supply device includes a tank, an electric heating element, a dispenser to dispense liquid from the tank, and a controller configured to initiate a user-responsive heating operation. The user-responsive heating operation includes recording data regarding dispensed liquid amount and temperature, developing an expected heating pattern for the electric heating element, detecting a user, and directing the electric heating element accordingly.

Abstract: A liquid supply device includes a tank, an electric heating element, a dispenser to dispense liquid from the tank, and a controller configured to initiate a user-responsive heating operation. The user-responsive heating operation includes recording data regarding dispensed liquid amount and temperature, developing an expected heating pattern for the electric heating element, detecting a user, and directing the electric heating element accordingly.

Abstract: A free-standing appliance may include a cabinet, a water source, an icemaker, an ice bin, a cold water line, and one or more other features. The icemaker may be mounted within the cabinet downstream from the water source to receive water therefrom. The ice bin may be disposed within the cabinet downstream from the icemaker to receive ice therefrom. The cold water line may be mounted to the cabinet and define a cold water outlet downstream from the water source in fluid isolation from the icemaker.

Abstract: A user interface for a consumer appliance, including a method for operating the same, may provide for directing illumination of a first menu icon of the plurality of discrete menu icons at an operational brightness level, and receiving a selection signal corresponding to a second menu icon of the plurality of discrete menu icons during directing illumination of the first menu icon. The second menu icon may be in a relatively-dim state during directing illumination of the first menu icon. Furthermore, the user interface or method may provide for transmitting, based on the second-icon selection signal, an immediate illumination signal directing increased illumination of the second menu icon; and directing, based on the second-icon selection signal, a gradual brightness reduction of the first menu icon from the operational brightness level.

Abstract: An appliance user interface and display is provided herein. The appliance user interface may include a substrate panel, an electromagnetic sensor, and an applied layer. The electromagnetic sensor may be positioned behind the substrate panel along the axial direction. The applied layer may be attached to the substrate panel. The applied layer may include a perforated region axially aligned with the electromagnetic sensor. The perforated region may have a deposited portion and a negative portion. The deposited portion may include a material restricting infrared light along the axial direction. The negative portion may define a transparent void through the material and permit infrared light along the axial direction.

Abstract: An appliance user interface and display is provided herein. The appliance user interface may include a substrate panel, an electromagnetic sensor, and an applied layer. The electromagnetic sensor may be positioned behind the substrate panel along the axial direction. The applied layer may be attached to the substrate panel. The applied layer may include a perforated region axially aligned with the electromagnetic sensor. The perforated region may have a deposited portion and a negative portion. The deposited portion may include a material restricting infrared light along the axial direction. The negative portion may define a transparent void through the material and permit infrared light along the axial direction.

Abstract: An electronic trip unit (ETU) configured to trip a circuit breaker using power from an external device is provided. Additionally, a system for enabling an electronic control unit (ETU) to trip a circuit breaker using power from an external device is provided. Further, a method for enabling an electronic trip unit (ETU) to trip a circuit breaker using power from an external device is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for operation of an electronic trip unit are described. One example is a method for use in operating an electronic trip unit including a first controller. The first controller is configured to selectively operate a tripping device coupled between an input terminal and an output terminal of the electronic trip unit. The method includes receiving, by a second controller, a plurality of health signals from the first controller. The second controller determines an existence of an undesired condition based on at least one of the plurality of different health signals, and determines a first action to be taken to remedy the undesired condition.

Abstract: A method for enabling an ETU to function as a host controller is provided. The ETU includes a power bus port, a current sensor input, and a power distributor coupled to the power bus port and the current sensor input. The method includes determining that a peripheral device is connected to the power bus port. The method further includes determining that sufficient input power is available to the ETU to provide an output power to the peripheral device through the power bus port. Additionally, the method includes providing the output power to the peripheral device through the power bus port.

Abstract: An electronic trip unit (ETU) configured to trip a circuit breaker using power from an external device is provided. Additionally, a system for enabling an electronic control unit (ETU) to trip a circuit breaker using power from an external device is provided. Further, a method for enabling an electronic trip unit (ETU) to trip a circuit breaker using power from an external device is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for operation of an electronic trip unit are described. One example is a method for use in operating an electronic trip unit including a first controller. The first controller is configured to selectively operate a tripping device coupled between an input terminal and an output terminal of the electronic trip unit. The method includes receiving, by a second controller, a plurality of health signals from the first controller. The second controller determines an existence of an undesired condition based on at least one of the plurality of different health signals, and determines a first action to be taken to remedy the undesired condition.

Abstract: A method for enabling an ETU to function as a host controller is provided. The ETU includes a power bus port, a current sensor input, and a power distributor coupled to the power bus port and the current sensor input. The method includes determining that a peripheral device is connected to the power bus port. The method further includes determining that sufficient input power is available to the ETU to provide an output power to the peripheral device through the power bus port. Additionally, the method includes providing the output power to the peripheral device through the power bus port.

Abstract: A motor control system for controlling two or more motor groups includes a power converter that receives power from a power source and converts the power to an intermediate power and an intermediate power link coupled to the power converter. The motor control system also includes at least one motor driver coupled to the intermediate power link configured to provide power to one or more motors and a controller coupled to the power converter and the at least one motor driver. The controller is configured to cause the at least one motor driver to limit the amount of power delivered to the one or more motors based on the amount of power that the power converter can produce.