# US 11,306,966 B2 · Refrigerator appliance and variable shelf assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,306,966 B2 - Document ID: US11306966B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/529,114 - Filed: 2019-08-01 - Published: 2021-02-04 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2019-08-01 - Assignees: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. - Applicants: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. - Inventors: Michael Goodman Schroeder; Matthew Hunter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11306966B2 ## CPC - F25D 25/02: by shelves - A47F 3/06: with movable or removable shelves {or receptacles (A47F3/0486 takes precedence; display racks with movable parts A47F5/0081)} - F25D 23/126: {Water cooler} - F25D 2325/021: Shelves with several possible configurations - F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B) - A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS ## Abstract A refrigerator appliance or a variable shelf assembly, as provided herein, may include a selectively-sealed shelf tube, a support piston, a shelving bracket, a first valve, and a second valve. The selectively-sealed shelf tube may define a fluid inlet to receive water therethrough and a fluid outlet to exhaust water therethrough. The support piston may be slidably disposed within the selectively-sealed shelf tube to move between a top position and a base position according to a volume of water within the selectively-sealed shelf tube. The shelving bracket may be fixed to the support piston to move therewith. The first valve may be upstream from the fluid inlet to selectively permit water thereto. The second valve may be downstream from the fluid outlet to selectively permit water from the variable shelf assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A refrigerator appliance comprising: a cabinet; a liner positioned within the cabinet, the liner defining a refrigerated chamber; a variable shelf assembly mounted within the refrigerated chamber, the variable shelf assembly comprising a selectively-sealed shelf tube defining a fluid inlet to receive water therethrough and a fluid outlet to exhaust water therethrough, a support piston slidably disposed within the selectively-sealed shelf tube to move between a top position and a base position according to a volume of water within the selectively-sealed shelf tube, a shelving bracket fixed to the support piston to move therewith, a first valve upstream from the fluid inlet to selectively permit water thereto, and a second valve downstream from the fluid outlet to selectively permit water from the variable shelf assembly; an evaporation pan positioned within the cabinet apart from the liner; and a surge tank positioned within the cabinet above the evaporation pan, the surge tank defining a storage volume downstream from the second valve to receive water therefrom, the surge tank further defining a tank outlet downstream from the storage volume and upstream from the evaporation pan to permit water thereto. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the selectively-sealed shelf tube defines a variable water chamber below the support piston. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The refrigerator appliance of claim 2, wherein the selectively-sealed shelf tube comprises a piston backstop extending within the variable water chamber, the piston backstop being in selective engagement with the support piston in the base position to limit downward movement of the support piston. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The refrigerator appliance of claim 2, wherein the fluid inlet extends from the variable water chamber in fluid communication therewith below the support piston. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The refrigerator appliance of claim 2, wherein the fluid outlet extends from the variable water chamber in fluid communication therewith below the support piston. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The refrigerator appliance of claim 5, wherein the fluid inlet extends from the variable water chamber above the fluid outlet in fluid communication with the variable water chamber below the support piston. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, further comprising a condenser mounted on the evaporation pan. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, further comprising a drain conduit extending from the second valve to a terminal end positioned above the evaporation pan. ### Claim 9 A variable shelf assembly for a refrigerated chamber, the variable shelf assembly comprising: a selectively-sealed shelf tube defining a fluid inlet to receive water therethrough and a fluid outlet to exhaust water therethrough; a support piston slidably disposed within the selectively-sealed shelf tube to move between a top position and a base position according to a volume of water within the selectively-sealed shelf tube; a shelving bracket fixed to the support piston to move therewith; a first valve upstream from the fluid inlet to selectively permit water thereto; a second valve downstream from the fluid outlet to selectively permit water from the variable shelf assembly; an evaporation pan positioned apart from the selectively-sealed shelf tube; and a surge tank positioned above the evaporation pan, the surge tank defining a storage volume downstream from the second valve to receive water therefrom, the surge tank further defining a tank outlet downstream from the storage volume and upstream from the evaporation pan to permit water thereto. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The variable shelf assembly of claim 9, wherein the selectively-sealed shelf tube defines a variable water chamber below the support piston. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The variable shelf assembly of claim 10, wherein the selectively-sealed shelf tube comprises a piston backstop extending within the variable water chamber, the piston backstop being in selective engagement with the support piston in the base position to limit downward movement of the support piston. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The variable shelf assembly of claim 10, wherein the fluid inlet extends from the variable water chamber in fluid communication therewith below the support piston. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The variable shelf assembly of claim 10, wherein the fluid outlet extends from the variable water chamber in fluid communication therewith below the support piston. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The variable shelf assembly of claim 13, wherein the fluid inlet extends from the variable water chamber above the fluid outlet in fluid communication with the variable water chamber below the support piston. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The variable shelf assembly of claim 9, further comprising a condenser mounted on the evaporation pan. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The variable shelf assembly of claim 9, further comprising a drain conduit extending from the second valve to a terminal end positioned above the evaporation pan.