U.S. patent application number 13/238484 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-12 for freeze-tolerant waterline valve for a refrigerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION. Invention is credited to THOMAS C. ANELL, JAMES H. JENKINS, JR..
Application Number | 20120006829 13/238484 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46323596 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120006829 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JENKINS, JR.; JAMES H. ; et
al. |
January 12, 2012 |
FREEZE-TOLERANT WATERLINE VALVE FOR A REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
An improved refrigerator is provided with a freeze tolerant
valve for the water tank assembly in the refrigerator. The valve
includes a body with an internal plastic spool which minimizes the
volume of water within the valve, and which provides a space in the
valve to accommodate freezing water in the valve. The valve will
not crack or fail in the event of a temperature control problem in
the refrigerator which results in frozen water within the
valve.
Inventors: |
JENKINS, JR.; JAMES H.;
(SOUTH AMANA, IA) ; ANELL; THOMAS C.; (KNOXVILLE,
IL) |
Assignee: |
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
BENTON HARBOR
MI
|
Family ID: |
46323596 |
Appl. No.: |
13/238484 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12499897 |
Jul 9, 2009 |
8028534 |
|
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13238484 |
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11329569 |
Jan 11, 2006 |
7568357 |
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12499897 |
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|
11139237 |
May 27, 2005 |
7337620 |
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11329569 |
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11131701 |
May 18, 2005 |
7284390 |
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11139237 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/592.02 ;
137/59 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 21/04 20130101;
F16K 19/00 20130101; F25D 2323/122 20130101; F25D 23/126 20130101;
Y10T 137/1189 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/592.02 ;
137/59 |
International
Class: |
F25D 11/00 20060101
F25D011/00; E03B 7/12 20060101 E03B007/12 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a waterline; a valve for controlling
flow of water through the waterline, the valve including a
barrel-shaped body and an internal space; and a flexible spool
within the internal space of the body of the valve, the spool
having an axial passageway with an inlet and an outlet for allowing
water flow, the spool being compressible to absorb expansion forces
in case of water freezing within the valve to thereby help prevent
the valve from cracking.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the flexible spool occupies
at least 60% of the internal space of the valve.
3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the axial passageway is
oriented generally vertically with the inlet at an upper end and
the outlet at a lower end, the axial passage having an expanded
diameter at the upper end to accommodate an increased volume of
water within the valve in case of water freezing.
4. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a water storage
receptacle, the valve being downstream from the water storage
receptacle.
5. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein a water filter is provided
downstream from the water storage receptacle and upstream from the
valve.
6. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet; a fresh food compartment
in the cabinet, the fresh food compartment being defined by at
least one wall; a water inlet line in the cabinet; a water storage
receptacle, the water storage receptacle receiving and storing
water from the water inlet line; a water valve located behind the
at least one wall of the fresh food compartment, the water valve
being downstream from the water storage receptacle, the water valve
having a barrel-shaped body with an internal space; a flexible
spool within the internal space in the body, the spool having a
longitudinal passage to permit flow of water through the body, the
spool being compressible to absorb expansion forces in case of
water freezing within the valve to thereby prevent the valve from
cracking.
7. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the flexible spool occupies
at least 60% of the internal space of the valve.
8. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the longitudinal passageway
is oriented generally vertically with an inlet at an upper end and
an outlet at a lower end, the longitudinal passage having an
expanded diameter at the upper end to accommodate an increased
volume of water within the valve in case of water freezing.
9. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein a water filter is provided
downstream from the water storage receptacle and upstream from the
valve.
10. A refrigerator comprising: a waterline; a valve for controlling
flow of water through the waterline, the valve including a
barrel-shaped body; a spool within the body, the spool having a
longitudinal passage to permit flow of water through the body, the
longitudinal passage being oriented generally vertically with an
upper inlet and a lower outlet, the longitudinal passage having an
expanded diameter at the upper inlet to accommodate an increased
volume of water within the valve in case of water freezing within
the valve to thereby prevent the valve from cracking.
11. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein the spool is compressible
to absorb expansion forces in case of water freezing within the
valve.
12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the spool occupies at
least 60% of the internal space of the valve.
13. The refrigerator of claim 10, further comprising a water
storage receptacle, the valve being downstream from the water
storage receptacle.
14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein a water filter is
provided downstream from the water storage receptacle and upstream
from the valve.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser.
No. 12/499,897 filed Jul. 9, 2009, which is a continuation
application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/329,569 filed Jan. 11,
2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,568,357 issued Aug. 4, 2009; which is a
continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No.
11/139,237 filed on May 27, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,337,620
issued Mar. 4, 2008; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/131,701 filed May 18, 2005, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,284,390 issued Oct. 23, 2007, herein incorporated by
reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Ice and water dispensers are common in household
refrigerators. Typically, the water system components, such as a
tank, valves, a filter and tubing are located in the refrigerator
throughout the cabinet and base pan areas. This arrangement is
prone to service calls to repair leaks and water restrictions due
to the large number of connections or fittings for the components.
The multiple connections in various tubing lengths also adds to the
manufacturing costs. Also, while the water system components are
not intended to be subjected to freezing temperatures,
refrigeration control problems can cause freezing temperatures to
occur which can lead to further problems. For example, if the water
inside the valve freezes, the frozen water expansion will cause the
valve to crack. Then, when the freezing temperature is eliminated,
the frozen water will thaw and leak from the valve.
[0003] Therefore, a primary objective of the present invention is
the provision of an improved valve for the waterline in a
refrigerator.
[0004] Another objective of the present invention is the provision
of a freeze tolerant waterline valve for a refrigerator.
[0005] Still another objective of the present invention is the
provision of a method of preventing failure of a valve in a
refrigerator waterline due to freezing temperatures.
[0006] Yet another objective of the present invention is the
provision of a refrigerator waterline valve having a spool in the
inlet barrel of the valve to displace water out of the barrel upon
freezing.
[0007] Another objective of the present invention is the provision
of a refrigerator waterline valve having an air space within the
valve body so as to accommodate expansion of freezing water in the
valve.
[0008] A further objective of the present invention is the
provision of an improved valve for a refrigerator waterline that
does not subject the body of the valve to the direct mechanical
force of expanding ice.
[0009] A further objective of the present invention is the
provision of an improved valve for a refrigerator waterline which
is economical to manufacture and durable in use.
[0010] These and other objectives will become apparent from the
following description of the invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The refrigerator of the present invention includes a water
tank for storing water, with a water inlet line and a water outlet
line. The improved valve of the invention is placed in the outlet
line to control flow of water from the tank to the icemaker and/or
water dispenser. The valve has a body or barrel in which a plastic
spool is mounted. The spool has a passageway and is there through
with a diameter approximately the same as the diameter of the
waterline, so as to minimize the volume of water within the valve.
If a control problem arises in the refrigerator which reduces the
temperatures below freezing, the water in the spool will freeze and
expand, but the plastic spool will absorb the expansion forces of
the freezing water so as to prevent cracking and failure of the
valve. The spooled geometry also provides air space within the
valve body to accommodate expansion of freezing water without
subjecting the body of the valve to the mechanical force of the
expanding ice.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bottom mount refrigerator
having the waterline valve of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of the fresh food compartment of the
refrigerator showing a cover for the water tank assembly.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a front view of the water tank assembly residing
within the cavity in the rear wall of the fresh food compartment,
with the cover removed.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the water tank assembly,
with the valve of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the water tank assembly.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the freeze tolerant
waterline valve of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the valve taken along lines
7-7 of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] The present invention is directed towards a freeze-tolerant
waterline valve for a refrigerator. The valve may be used in any
refrigerator having an ice and/or water dispenser, including a
bottom mount refrigerator, a top mount refrigerator, or a
side-by-side refrigerator.
[0020] In the drawings, a bottom mount refrigerator is generally
designated by the reference numeral 10. The refrigerator 10
includes a fresh food compartment 12 and a freezer compartment 14.
Doors 16 are provided for the fresh food compartment 12 and a door
18 is provided for the freezer compartment. An ice and/or water
dispenser 20 is provided in one of the doors 16.
[0021] The fresh food compartment 12 includes a recess or cavity 22
in the rear wall adapted to receive a water valve and tank assembly
24. The assembly 24 includes a mounting bracket 26 which is secured
in the recess 22 in the back wall of the fresh food compartment 12
in any convenient manner. A water tank 28 is mounted on the bracket
26 and includes a water inlet line 30 and a water outlet line 32. A
cover 34 attaches to the rear wall of the fresh food compartment 12
so as to hide the water tank 28 from view when the door 16 of the
fresh food compartment 12 is opened. The water system 24 is
pre-assembled in a single module that can be quickly and easily
installed. The module 24 has less tubing runs and connections
between components as compared to prior art water systems.
[0022] The water inlet line 30 is connected to a conventional water
supply line. The water outlet line 32 is operatively connected to a
filter 36. Preferably, the filter 36 is pivotally mounted in the
ceiling of the fresh food compartment 12, as disclosed in
Applicant's co-pending application Ser. No. 10/195,659, entitled
HINGE DOWN REFRIGERATOR WATER FILTER, filed Jul. 15, 2002, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0023] The water filter 32 has an outlet line 38 which is connected
to a water solenoid valve 40 mounted on the bracket 26. The valve
40 has a first outlet line 42 leading to the icemaker fill tube 44
and a second outlet line 46 leading to the water dispenser of the
refrigerator 10. Line 46 has a fitting 48 which provides a quick
connection with a simple 1,4 turn, without threads, to the water
dispenser line in the door 16.
[0024] In prior art refrigerators, the water tank is normally
located downstream of the water valve and filter, so as to prevent
subjecting the water tank to inlet water supply pressures. In this
invention, the tank 28 is designed to withstand inlet water supply
pressures. The location of the tank 28 in the recess 22 allows
greater fresh food storage capacity. Also, the location of the tank
28 upstream from the filter 36 and the valve 40 will reduce the
service call rate. The downstream location of the filter 36 also
removes plastic tastes associated with the plastic tank 28, and
allows chlorinated water to be stored in the tank 28, which reduces
microbiological growth on the interior of the water tank 28.
[0025] The valve 40 includes a body or barrel 50 in which a
flexible, plastic spool 52 is received. The spool 52 includes a
longitudinal passage 54 having a diameter substantially equal to
the diameter of the waterline 38. The spool 52 substantially fills
the volume of the body 50, occupying at least 60% of the body
volume. The body 50 and spool 52 define an internal space 56 in the
valve 40 to accommodate expansion of freezing water within the
spool 40.
[0026] The structure of the valve 40 minimizes the volume of water
within the valve. Therefore, in the event of a temperature control
problem in the refrigerator 10 which results in freezing
temperatures, the mechanical forces of expansion of the small
amount of water within the valve 40 are absorbed by the spool 52. A
space 50 within the valve 40 also accommodates the increased volume
of the freezing water within the valve 40. Thus, the
freeze-tolerant valve 40 will not crack or fail in the event of
freezing water within the valve.
[0027] The invention has been shown and described above with the
preferred embodiments, and it is understood that many
modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are
within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. From the
foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes
at least all of its stated objectives.
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