Whirlpool Corporation

Whirpool Corporation

Melissa Marie Bippus

Dennis J Staley

Ronald Wayne Guess

Keith Allen Snyder

John A Laine

Li Y Situ

Steven John Kuehl

Wyndham Fairchild Gary, Jr

Brent A Rowland

Manjur Tamboli

Matthew E Herr

Ravindra S Kavchale

John P Tinney

Beth Michelle Gehlhausen

Gregory Urban Schmitt

Brian Joseph Beuligmann

Andrew M Drees

Roger Urban Merkel

Craig C Lear

A water filter system for an appliance includes a filter head assembly, a first appliance control unit positioned proximate the filter head assembly and a water filter having a memory storage unit. The water filter is selectively placed in communication with the first appliance control unit to define a filter use state. The filter use state is further defined by a first potential fluid-flow rate through the water filter and a predetermined lifetime fluid filtration amount. A data transfer mechanism defines a second data-transfer protocol between the memory storage unit and the first appliance control unit when an actual fluid filtration amount of the water filter reaches the predetermined lifetime fluid filtration amount. The second data transfer protocol defines a notification state defined by a second potential fluid flow rate, the second potential fluid flow rate being less than the first potential fluid flow rate.

Appliance water filter system having memory and authentication functionality

A refrigeration system includes a water circulation system and a replaceable water filter. The refrigerator includes a sensor that determines if a water filter is present, and a user interface that prompts a user to purge a water filter upon installation of a new water filter in the refrigerator. The water filter may include a memory storage device that stores information concerning the allowable life of the water filter, the remaining life of the water filter, and other information. Information concerning the remaining life of the water filter and other information can be displayed or otherwise communicated to a user by the user interface.

Water filter purge indication

A water filter communication system and method of using the system. A method of periodically reading water filter data associated with a water filter and retained by the water filter that has been positioned in an appliance includes the steps of: installing a water filter into an engaged position in a filter head assembly within an interior of a cabinet of an appliance that includes a water inlet and a water outlet and periodically, based upon and after a user's interaction with the appliance or the water filter, supplying power from the appliance to the filter read-write memory device engaged to the filter housing; transmitting water filter data to the appliance from the filter read-write memory device, which retains filter information.

Replaceable water filter and memory device for appliance

A fluid line support system includes a fluid line and a collet having an insertion end and a thickened portion having a biased end. A fluid valve has a valve aperture that receives the insertion end of the collet. A collet securing device has a fluid line portion that engages the wall of the fluid line, wherein at least the fluid line portion encircles the wall and is slidably engaged with the wall to define a loose position and a securing position. A collet portion of the collet securing device engages the retaining portion of the fluid valve when in the securing position. When in the securing position, the fluid line portion engages the biased end of the collet, wherein the fluid line and collet portions bias the retaining portion and biased end toward one another such that the insertion end is positioned at a final insertion depth.

Collet securing device for joining two fluid lines and providing lateral support at the connection of the two fluid lines

Water filtration purge indication

A method of operating an ice maker including accepting a desired ice layer thickness setting, opening a water supply inlet valve to admit water from a water supply inlet, cooling an ice forming surface below freezing, directing the admitted water into a water collecting device, sensing an admitted volume of water, closing the water supply inlet valve based upon the sensed volume of admitted water and the set desired ice layer thickness, pumping water from the water collecting device to the ice forming surface via a recirculating pump, directing unfrozen water from the ice forming surface back to the water collecting device, determining a level of water in the water collecting device with a level sensor, initiating an ice harvesting routine based on input from the level sensor, operating a drain flow control device to selectively discharge water from the water collecting device to a drain outlet.

Method of operating an ice maker with water quantity sensing

An ice maker includes a refrigeration system for cooling an ice forming surface, a water supply inlet and an inlet valve arranged to selectively admit and prevent admission of water from the inlet. A flow sensor at the inlet valve determines a volume of water admitted through the water supply inlet. An operating position of the water supply inlet valve is based upon input from the flow sensor. A water collecting device receives a supply of water from the water supply inlet through the water supply inlet valve and receives a flow of water from the ice forming surface. A recirculating pump is connected to the water collecting device and to a recirculating passage arranged to direct water toward the ice forming surface. A level sensor at the water collecting device determines a level of water in the water collecting device. A discharge pump is connected to the water collecting device, and the control selectively operates the discharge pump based upon input from the level sensor.

Ice maker with water quantity sensing

Growing community of inventors

Evansville, IN, United States of America

Melissa Marie Bippus