The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 24, 2009
Filed:
Jan. 09, 2006
Nelson J. Ferragut, Ii, Williamsburg, IA (US);
Brian Midlang, Cedar Rapids, IA (US);
Robert L. Wetekamp, Cedar Rapids, IA (US);
Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Williamsburg, IA (US);
Brian Midlang, Cedar Rapids, IA (US);
Robert L. Wetekamp, Cedar Rapids, IA (US);
Maytag Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Abstract
A control system for a refrigerator ice/water dispenser includes an actuation switch, at least one drive unit for releasing either ice or water, a motor activation relay that controls operation of the drive unit, and a power system having multiple power supplies for operating the control system, motor activation relay and drive unit(s). Preferably, the dispenser includes multiple actuation switches, e.g. a water activation switch and a water/ice activation switch, each having an associated activation relay for independently controlling the release of water and/or ice respectively. Current for initiating the drive unit activation relays must pass through a corresponding actuation switch in order to prevent unintended release of water and/or ice. Multiple processor circuits are preferably employed, with one processor circuit relaying to another processor circuit to enable drive unit activation. Preferably, the actuation switches constitute membrane switches so as to maintain minimum voltage levels at the dispenser.