Whirlpool Corporation

Chad Lange

Paul B Allard

Andrew Michael Tenbarge

Karen J Querfurth

Michele Wilcox

Douglas D LeClear

Marcus Roland Fischer

Ronald L Voglewede

Peter Richmond

Bob A Ghent

A refrigerator includes a dispenser, a dispenser well, a control for regulating a dispensing operation, and a sensor system for automatically initiating and terminating the dispensing operation. The sensor system includes at least one capacitive-type sensor mounted in the dispenser well. The sensor is configured to detect the presence of a container in the dispenser well, an upper edge portion of the container and a level of liquid filling the container during the dispensing operation. The sensor signals the control to automatically cease the dispensing operation before the level of liquid reaches the upper edge portion of the container. The control is configured to differentiate between animate and inanimate objects, while preventing any release of water or ice when an animate object is detected.

Sensor system for a refrigerator dispenser

A modular cabinet for a family of drawer appliances including an insulated liner defining a drawer space, a machine compartment, a wiring harness leading from the machine compartment to the drawer space, a passage leading from the machine compartment to the drawer space and an air passage leading from the machine compartment to the front of the cabinet and a drain leading from the liner space to the machine compartment. The family of drawer appliances can include refrigerator, freezer, ice maker, wine and warming drawers. A drawer can have two compartments and can be maintained at two temperatures. The drawers include an insulated front and a bin and can be slidably carried in the drawer space. The modular cabinet and control can be used for each member of the family of drawer appliances.

Drawer appliance

A method of making ice cubes in a compact ice maker by setting a freeze time based on the determined volume of a mold for the ice maker.

Method for making ice in a compact ice maker

Growing community of inventors

St. Joseph, MI, United States of America

Chad Lange