Emerson Electric Company

Other

Nidec Motor Corporation

Michael R DuHack

Neil Edward Grah

Laurence S Slocum

Steven W Smock

Eugene A Ritter, Jr

Bernd D Zimmermann

Tung-Sheng Yang

Michael T Clouser

Dennis Dane Tremblay

Steve W Smock

Kelly S Gagne

Andrew F Schloot

James William Richmond

Joseph LaBonte

David G Knop

A valve assembly is provided to control the flow of a fluid therethrough. The valve assembly includes a valve body and a pressure-regulating assembly. The valve body defines an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path extending therebetween. The pressure-regulating assembly includes a longitudinally extending piston tube, a venturi element, and a vent. The piston tube is shiftably mounted in the valve body and at least in part defines an outer chamber. The flow path extends through the piston tube. The venturi element is disposed in the flow path. The vent fluidly interconnects the flow path and the outer chamber such that a pressure drop associated with fluid flow through the venturi element draws fluid from the outer chamber through the vent and into the flow path.

Reduced noise valve mechanism

A valve body defines an inlet, an outlet, a valving cavity disposed between the inlet and outlet and a valving surface between the inlet and the outlet. A valve is moveable to a position away from the valving surface for permitting flow from the inlet through the valving cavity to the outlet. The fluid flow rate sensor includes a probe having a detection module adapted to change condition in response to the presence of the flow of the fluid, a control module that is electrically connected to the probe that monitors the condition of the detection module over time (e.g., a temperature), determines a rate of change of that condition over time, and generates an output that is indicative of the rate of flow of the fluid, and a I/O module connected to the control module and communicating the output of the control module to another device or a user.

Fluid flow rate sensor

A fluid valve assembly and method for assembling the same includes a valve body defining an inlet, an outlet and a fluid passage communicating fluid therebetween. A control member is positioned within the fluid passage and includes a central passage through which the fluid advances. A flow seat component is positioned in the valve body downstream of the flow control member and receives the fluid from the flow control member. A cap component is secured to a distal opening defined on the valve body. A quick-connect collet is retained within an opening defined on the cap component.

Enhanced water valve tube stop

A dishwasher includes a water inlet connectable to a water source. A dishwasher element is operable on water received through the inlet. A flow sensor is in fluid communication with the inlet and is operable to generate a control signal indicative of water flow through the inlet. A control apparatus is connected between the dishwasher element and the flow sensor and is operable to inhibit operation of the dishwasher element in response to the control signal.

Method and apparatus for sensing water flow through a dishwasher including a vacuum switch

An icemaker assembly includes an ice tray has at least one ice forming compartment and an ice ejector having at least one ejector member. The ice ejector is operable to (i) stir water located within the at least one ice forming compartment with the at least one ejector member during a first mode, and (ii) urge ice out of the at least one ice forming compartment with the at least one ejector member during a second mode. A method of making ice comprises an operating an ice ejector of an icemaker in a first mode of operation step and an operating an ice ejector of an icemaker in a second mode of operation step. During the first mode of operation step, a plurality of ejector members of the ice ejector are respectively advanced through water located within a plurality of compartments of an ice tray of the ice maker during cooling of the water in the ice tray. In the second mode of operation step, the plurality of ejector members are respectively advanced into contact with ice formed within the plurality of ice forming compartments so that the ice is urged out of the plurality of ice forming compartments.

Method and device for stirring water during icemaking

A water valve assembly includes a valve body having defined therein (i) an inlet, (ii) an outlet, (iii) a central cavity, and (iv) a component access opening, wherein fluid advancing into the valve body through the inlet must pass through the central cavity before exiting out of the valve body through the outlet, and further wherein the component access opening is configured so that a valve component may be advanced into the central cavity through the component access opening. The water valve assembly further includes a retaining bracket having a retaining portion positioned in relation to the valve body so as to block advancement of the valve component from the central cavity to a location outside of the valve body through the component access opening.

Appliance water valve assembly and associated method

A water delivery system having increased flow rate properties for use in a refrigerator is provided. The water delivery system includes a pilot operated solenoid valve which feeds water to a water filter. The filtered water flows out of the filter to a second pilot operated solenoid valve. The second pilot operated solenoid valve has a first output which delivers water to a chilled water dispenser and a second output having a direct acting valve delivers water to an icemaker.

Water delivery system for refrigerator

A water valve assembly includes a valve body having defined therein a central cavity and a bracket-receiving opening. The valve assembly also includes a first valve component positioned in the central cavity of the valve body. Moreover, the water valve assembly includes a retaining bracket having a flange which has a crimped end portion defined therein. The flange is positioned in the bracket-receiving opening so as to retain the first valve component in the central cavity of the valve opening. The crimped end portion of the flange contacts the valve body so as to retain the flange in the bracket-receiving opening. A method of making an appliance water valve assembly is also disclosed.

Snap-and-crimp appliance water valve assembly and associated method for making the same

A water valve assembly includes a valve body having defined therein a central cavity. The water valve assembly also includes an integrated filter and noise suppressor device having a component body which has defined therein (i) a number of screen members, (ii) a number of fluid channels, and (iii) a first flange secured around a periphery of the component body with each of the number of fluid channels extending through the first flange. The integrated filter and noise suppressor device is positioned within the central cavity of the valve body. A method of operating an appliance water valve assembly is also disclosed.

Integrated filter and noise suppressor device for a water valve assembly and associated method for operating the same

A water valve assembly includes a valve component having defined therein a central cavity and a bypass channel. The water valve assembly also includes a flow control device positioned in the central cavity. The flow control device has defined therein a fluid passage and a sealing member secured to an outer periphery of the flow control device. The flow control device is positionable between a first pressure orientation and a second pressure orientation based on water pressure in the central cavity of the valve component. The sealing member is adapted to prevent advancement of water through the bypass channel when the flow control device is oriented in the first pressure orientation. The sealing member is adapted to allow advancement of water through the bypass channel when the flow control device is oriented in the second pressure orientation. A method of operating an appliance water valve assembly is also disclosed.

Flow control device having a lip seal and compressible bypass pads and associated method for operating an appliance water valve

An appliance water valve assembly includes a valve body and an armature which is movable within the valve body. The armature includes an armature tip. The appliance water valve also has a valve seat which includes a valve seat orifice. The valve seat is positioned in cooperation with the armature tip such that the armature tip contacts the valve seat orifice when the appliance water valve is in a closed position and the armature tip is spaced apart from the valve seat orifice when the valve is an open position. The valve seat further includes a cylindrical ring which is positioned around the valve seat orifice. This cylindrical ring protects the valve seat orifice from damage.

Apparatus for improving the seating of an armature for a water valve

A water valve assembly includes a valve body having defined therein (1) a first channel, and (2) a first threaded portion. The water valve assembly also includes a first stop attached to the valve body and a second stop attached to the valve body, the second stop being positioned relative to the first stop such that a recess is defined therebetween. The water valve assembly further includes an attachment mechanism having a base and an arm attached to the base. The attachment mechanism has defined therein (1) a second channel, and (2) a second threaded portion. The arm includes a tab, and the arm is positionable in a first lowered position relative to the base when the tab is located outside of the recess. In addition, the arm is positionable in a second lowered position relative to the base when the tab is located within the recess. Furthermore, the tab contacts the first stop so as to move the arm relative to the base when the arm is moved from the first lowered position to the second lowered position.

Water valve assembly having attachment mechanism which prevents a fluid

A fluid valve including a valve body, a flow control member and a cavitation prevention assembly. The valve body has an inlet, an outlet, a fluid passage communicating fluid therebetween, and means for selectively opening and closing fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. The flow control member is positioned within the fluid passage and has a central passage through which the fluid advances. The cavitation prevention assembly is positioned within the flow passage and is in flow communication with the inlet and the flow control member. The cavitation prevention assembly controls the pressure of the fluid entering the central passage to a level which is sufficiently low to prevent cavitation of the fluid.

Apparatus for reducing noise generated by the flow of water through a

A noise suppression assembly including a retainer having (1) a retainer body defining a central cavity therein, (2) a base flange extending outwardly from the retainer body, and (3) a fluid channel defined therein. The noise suppression assembly further includes a flow control member having a central passage through which the flow of water advances, the central passage of the flow control member being offset from the fluid channel of the retainer. Moreover, the noise suppression assembly also includes a suppresser having (1) a suppresser body, (2) a bullet secured to the suppresser body, and (3) a hole defined therein through which the flow of water advances, the hole of the suppresser being offset from the central passage of the flow control member, and further the bullet being aligned with the central passage of the flow control member. The base flange of the retainer has a peripheral edge with the fluid channel being spaced apart therefrom. Moreover, the retainer is configured so as to create a reverse flow of water which opposes the flow of water entering the fluid channel thereby reducing the velocity of the flow of water advancing therethrough.

Growing community of inventors

Indianapolis, IN, United States of America

Michael R DuHack