Methods and apparatus to chill dispensed beverages in refrigerators
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B67D-001/00
F25D-031/00
B67D-001/08
출원번호
US-0452886
(2014-08-06)
등록번호
US-9302897
(2016-04-05)
발명자
/ 주소
Dherde, Eric J.
출원인 / 주소
Whirlpool Corporation
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
10
초록▼
Example methods and apparatus to chill beverages in refrigerators at a faster rate than existing solutions, which use a tank in a refrigerating compartment for chilling, are disclosed. An example refrigerator includes a freezing compartment, a refrigerating compartment, a dispenser, a first tank in
Example methods and apparatus to chill beverages in refrigerators at a faster rate than existing solutions, which use a tank in a refrigerating compartment for chilling, are disclosed. An example refrigerator includes a freezing compartment, a refrigerating compartment, a dispenser, a first tank in the freezing compartment fluidly coupled to a supply, and a second tank in the refrigerating compartment fluidly coupled to the first tank and to the dispenser. The refrigerator may further include a temperature sensor associated with the first tank, and a controller configured to transfer a beverage in its liquid state from the first tank to the second tank when the temperature sensor indicates the temperature of the beverage in its liquid state in the first tank meets a criterion.
대표청구항▼
1. A refrigerator comprising: a freezing compartment;a refrigerating compartment;a dispenser;a first tank in the freezing compartment fluidly coupled to a supply; anda second tank in the refrigerating compartment fluidly coupled to the first tank and to the dispenser. 2. A refrigerator as defined in
1. A refrigerator comprising: a freezing compartment;a refrigerating compartment;a dispenser;a first tank in the freezing compartment fluidly coupled to a supply; anda second tank in the refrigerating compartment fluidly coupled to the first tank and to the dispenser. 2. A refrigerator as defined in claim 1, wherein: the dispenser is configured to dispense a chilled potable liquid in its liquid state into a container, the potable liquid intended for consumption by a person;the first tank is configured to receive the potable liquid in its liquid state from the supply, and to chill the potable liquid to approximately a temperature associated with the refrigerating compartment while retaining the potable liquid in its liquid state; andthe second tank is configured to receive the chilled potable liquid in its liquid state from the first tank, and provide the chilled potable liquid in its liquid state to the dispenser. 3. A refrigerator as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a level sensor associated with the second tank;a first valve to selectively fluidly couple the supply to the first tank; anda controller configured to at least operate the first valve to transfer a beverage from the supply to the first tank when the level sensor indicates the level of the beverage in the second tank is below a predetermined level. 4. A refrigerator as defined in claim 3, further comprising: a temperature sensor associated with the first tank; anda second valve to selectively fluidly couple the first tank to the second tank,wherein the controller is further configured to operate the second valve to transfer the beverage from the first tank to the second tank when the temperature sensor indicates the temperature of the beverage in the first tank meets a criterion. 5. A refrigerator as defined in claim 4, wherein the criterion is met when the temperature of the beverage in the first tank is approximately a temperature associated with the refrigerating compartment. 6. A refrigerator as defined in claim 4, further comprising a third tank in the refrigerating compartment fluidly coupled between the second tank and to the dispenser, wherein a beverage is transferred from the second tank to the third tank as the beverage is dispensed at the dispenser. 7. A refrigerator as defined in claim 5, wherein the controller is further configured to close the first valve and open the second valve during a period of time when the beverage is being dispensed at the dispenser. 8. A refrigerator as defined in claim 4, wherein the first and second valves comprise electrovalves electrically operated by the controller. 9. A refrigerator as defined in claim 3, further comprising a second valve to selectively fluidly couple the first tank to the second tank, wherein the controller is further configured to operate the second valve to transfer the beverage from the first tank to the second tank a predetermined period of time after the beverage is transferred from the supply to the first tank. 10. A refrigerator as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a temperature sensor associated with the first tank; anda controller configured to at least transfer a beverage from the first tank to the second tank when the temperature sensor indicates the temperature of the beverage in the first tank meets a criterion. 11. A refrigerator as defined in claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to at least transfer a beverage from the first tank to the second tank a predetermined period of time after the beverage is transferred from the supply to the first tank. 12. A refrigerator as defined in claim 1, further comprising a third tank in the refrigerating compartment fluidly coupled between the second tank and to the dispenser, wherein a beverage is transferred from the second tank to the third tank as the beverage is dispensed at the dispenser. 13. A method of chilling a beverage in a refrigerator having a freezing compartment, a refrigerating compartment, and a dispenser, the method comprising: transferring a beverage in its liquid state from a supply to a first tank located within the freezing compartment;maintaining the beverage in its liquid state while in the first tank;transferring the beverage in its liquid state from the first tank to a second tank located within the refrigerating compartment when a criterion is satisfied; andtransferring the beverage in its liquid state from the second tank to the dispenser for dispensing into a user's container. 14. A method of chilling as defined in claim 13, wherein the criterion comprises a temperature criterion. 15. A method of chilling as defined in claim 13, further comprising transferring the beverage from the supply to the first tank when the level of the beverage in the second tank is below a predetermined level. 16. A method of chilling as defined in claim 13, wherein transferring the beverage from the first tank to the second tank comprising transferring the beverage to a third tank fluidly coupled between the first and second tanks. 17. A method of chilling as defined in claim 13, wherein the beverage is transferred from the supply to the first tank while the beverage is being dispensed at the dispenser. 18. A method of chilling as defined in claim 13, wherein transferring the beverage from the supply to the first tank comprising operating a first valve, and wherein transferring the beverage from the first tank to the second tank comprises operating a second valve. 19. A refrigerator comprising: a freezing compartment;a refrigerating compartment;a dispenser;a first tank in the freezing compartment;a first valve selectively fluidly coupling a supply and the first tank;a temperature sensor associated with the first tank;second and third tanks in the refrigerating compartment;a second valve selectively fluidly coupling the first and second tanks;a level sensor associated with the second tank;a first line fluidly coupling the second and third tanks;a second line fluidly coupling the third tank and the dispenser; anda circuit configured to at least: operate the first valve to flow a potable liquid in its liquid state from the supply to the first tank when the level sensor indicates the level of the potable liquid in the second tank is below a predetermined level;maintain the potable liquid in its liquid state while in the first tank; andoperate the second valve to flow the potable liquid in its liquid state from the first tank to the second tank when the temperature sensor indicates the temperature of the potable liquid in the first tank meets a criterion. 20. A refrigerator as defined in claim 19, wherein the circuit comprises: a processor; anda tangible article of manufacture storing machine-readable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to at least: operate the first valve to flow the potable liquid in its liquid state from the supply to the first tank when the level sensor indicates the level of the potable liquid in the second tank is below the predetermined level;maintain the potable liquid in its liquid state while in the first tank; andoperate the second valve to flow the potable liquid in its liquid state from the first tank to the second tank when the temperature sensor indicates the temperature of the potable liquid in the first tank meets the criterion.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (10)
Morellato Paul J.,CAX ; Terkalas Don ; Carr Keith E.,SGX, Filtered water dispensing cabinet.
Lim, Chang Hak; Kim, Yong Han; Kim, Jeong Han; Shin, Young Shik; Yoon, Won Jae; Lee, Jae Seung; Lee, Hye Ran; Lim, Jung Soo; Ha, Joo Young; Hahm, Kyung Hee, Refrigerator with supercooled beverage dispenser and method for controlling the same.
Lim, Chang Hak; Kim, Yong Han; Kim, Jeong Han; Shin, Young Shik; Yoon, Won Jae; Lee, Jae Seung; Lee, Hye Ran; Lim, Jung Soo; Ha, Joo Young; Hahm, Kyung Hee, Refrigerator with supercooled beverage dispenser and method for controlling the same.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.