Self-metering fluid dispensing device
AssigneeHaier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
InventorsMichael Goodman Schroeder, Alan Joseph Mitchell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid metering system includes an upper chamber and a lower chamber, with a supply conduit providing a flow of fluid into the lower chamber. The flow of fluid lifts the float to a predetermined fluid volume and the float seals the lower chamber. A delivery conduit is coupled to the lower chamber and a dispensing valve. The dispensing valve is operated to dispense the predetermined fluid volume to a downstream assembly.
Claims20
A fluid metering system for an ice making assembly, the fluid metering system defining an axial direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction, the fluid metering system comprising:
- a housing comprising a perimetral wall defining a chamber;
- a flange dividing the chamber into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the flange defining a vent hole;
- a float constrained for axial displacement within the lower chamber between a lowered position in which the float is spaced apart from the flange and a raised position in which the float engages the flange;
- a supply conduit providing fluid communication between the lower chamber and a water supply;
- a delivery conduit providing fluid communication between the lower chamber and an ice mold;
- a supply valve fluidly coupled to the supply conduit between the lower chamber and the water supply;
- a delivery valve fluidly coupled to the delivery conduit between the lower chamber and the ice mold;
- and
- a controller in operative communication with the supply valve and the delivery valve, the controller configured to:
- operate the delivery valve to a closed position and operate the supply valve to an open position to allow a fluid volume to flow from the water supply to the lower chamber, wherein the fluid volume moves the float to the raised position and the fluid volume is defined within the lower chamber by the housing, the float, and the flange;
- and
- operate the supply valve to a closed position and operate the delivery valve to an open position to allow the fluid volume to flow from the lower chamber to the ice mold.
A refrigerator appliance comprising:
- a fluid metering system for dispensing fluid to an ice making assembly, the fluid metering system comprising:
- a housing comprising a perimetral wall defining a chamber;
- a flange dividing the chamber into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the flange defining a vent hole;
- a float constrained for axial displacement within the lower chamber between a lowered position in which the float is spaced apart from the flange and a raised position in which the float engages the flange;
- a supply conduit providing fluid communication between the lower chamber and a water supply;
- a delivery conduit providing fluid communication between the lower chamber and an ice mold;
- a supply valve fluidly coupled to the supply conduit between the lower chamber and the water supply;
- a delivery valve fluidly coupled to the delivery conduit between the lower chamber and the ice mold;
- and
- a controller in operative communication with the supply valve and the delivery valve, the controller configured to:
- operate the delivery valve to a closed position and operate the supply valve to an open position to allow a fluid volume to flow from the water supply to the lower chamber;
- and
- operate the supply valve to a closed position and operate the delivery valve to an open position to allow the fluid volume to flow from the lower chamber to the ice mold;
- wherein the lower chamber, the float in the raised position, and the flange define the fluid volume.
A method of operating a fluid metering system comprising a chamber divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by a flange, a float constrained for axial displacement within the lower chamber, a delivery conduit, a supply conduit, a supply valve, and a delivery valve, the method comprising:
- receiving a signal to initiate a fluid metering operation;
- operating a supply valve to an open position and a delivery valve to a closed position;
- detecting a metered water volume in the lower chamber in response to a float within the lower chamber being in a raised position whereby the float engages a flange dividing the lower chamber from an upper chamber;
- and
- delivering the metered water volume in response to detection of the metered water volume.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.