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US 4,889,316 AGranted
Method and device for quick connection and disconnection of a solenoid operated valve to a refrigerator with an icemaker
AssigneeEmhart Industries, Inc.
InventorWilliam R. Donahue, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A quick connect/disconnect solenoid operated valve providing simultaneous electrical and fluid connections to a refrigerator with an icemaker.
Claims8
An improved solenoid operated valve assembly for use with a refrigerator with an icemaker comprising;
- a liquid supply connector in said refrigerator connected to the site of liquid requirement;
- an electrical connector in said refrigerator connected to electrical liquid requirement indicator means for providing an electrical signal during the period when the refrigerator requires a liquid, said electrical connector being in a fixed spacial relationship to said liquid supply connector;
- a valve body comprising:
- a liquid supply intake connectable to a supply of liquid;
- a liquid supply output connector designed and arranged to sealingly connect with said liquid supply connector of said refrigerator, said liquid supply output connector being connected to a fluid path connecting said output connector to said liquid supply intake;
- a solenoid operated valve movably positioned in the fluid path to open and close said fluid path;
- a second electrical connector electrically communicating with said solenoid operated valve so that an electrical signal received by said electrical connector will supply an impulse to cause said valve to selectively open and close said fluid path, said second electrical connector being electrically connectable to said first electrical connector, said second electrical connector being in a second fixed spacial relationship to said liquid supply intake connector such that said second fixed spacial relationship is the same as said first fixed spacial relationship;
- wherein said liquid supply connector is connected to said liquid supply output connector and said first electrical connector is connected to said second electrical connector;
- and
- said device further comprising an attachment means for attaching said valve body to said refrigerator while simultaneously grounding said solenoid to said refrigerator and relieving strain on a line connecting said supply of liquid to said liquid supply intake.
7 more elements
A method of providing a solenoid operated valve for a refrigerator with an icemaker comprising the steps of:
- providing a refrigerator with an icemaker and a liquid connector in a fixed spacial relationship to an electrical connector both of which communicate with the icemaker;
- providing a solenoid operated valve with a liquid supply intake and having a second liquid connector in the same fixed spacial relationship to a second electrical connector as the fixed spacial relationship of the connectors in the refrigerator;
- simultaneously connecting said liquid connectors and said electrical connectors;
- and
- securing the valve to the refrigerator with a fastener while simultaneously grounding said solenoid to said refrigerator and relieving strain in a line connecting said supply of liquid to said liquid supply intake.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.