Patent Publication Number: US-2015083384-A1

Title: Appliance with timed preheating for dispensed fluids

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter of the present disclosure relates generally to a refrigerator appliance that dispenses heated water or heated beverages. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain refrigerator appliances include a dispenser for providing water and/or ice. For example, ice can be provided from the refrigerator&#39;s ice maker. Water may be routed through the refrigerator compartments for cooling prior to dispensing. A user can activate the dispenser to direct a flow of ice or water into a cup positioned within the dispenser. Water directed to the dispenser is generally chilled or at an ambient temperature. 
     A user may also desire to also have hot water or a hot beverage dispensed from the refrigerator as well. Hot water could be used e.g., to make tea, coffee, and other beverages. Different temperature ranges may be desirable depending upon the intended use. 
     Refrigerator appliances are generally not connected to a residential hot water heater. Further, connecting refrigerator appliances to residential hot water heaters for purposes of dispensing can have certain drawbacks. For example, certain consumers dislike consuming heated water from residential hot water heaters because such heated water may not be filtered. Such consumers may also dislike the taste of such heated water. Also, heated water from residential hot water heaters is generally heated to about one-hundred and forty degrees Fahrenheit, e.g., to avoid scalding and save energy. However, certain foods and beverages may require water at a higher temperature. For example, consumers may prefer coffee, tea, and/or oatmeal created with water at a higher temperature than typically provided by a residential hot water heater. 
     To provide hot water or a heated beverage, a refrigerator appliance can be equipped with one or more features for heating water or the beverage. In particular, a heating element can be used to provide e.g., heated water at the dispenser. However, a considerable amount of power is required to provide such heating and this requirement may be higher than electrical and/or building codes allow. For example, the water heating element may be limited to a maximum power output of about seven-hundred and fifty watts due to electrical codes or other regulations. As a result, several minutes may be required before the water heating element can heat the water to the temperature desired by the user. F or some users, this waiting period may be undesirable and inconvenient. 
     Accordingly, a refrigerator appliance with one or more features for providing heated water would be useful. Such a refrigerator appliance that can reduce or eliminate the time a user waits for the appliance to dispense hot water would be particularly beneficial. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a refrigerator appliance that includes a hot water dispenser. The appliance can have hot water ready at a particular time selected by the user. In addition, the appliance can also be equipped to provide the hot water over a particular period of time. As such, the user can avoid an undesirable or inconvenient waiting period for dispensing hot water and certain energy efficiencies can be provided by avoiding the continuous maintenance of hot water over extended time periods. The present invention can also be used for dispensing heated beverages as well. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In one exemplary aspect, the present invention provides a method of operating a refrigerator appliance having a hot fluid dispenser, the method comprising the steps of placing fluid into a container; receiving a first temperature, TEMP-1, to which the fluid is to be heated; providing a first time, TIME-1, by which the fluid is to be ready at first temperature, TEMP-1; ascertaining a first time period, Δt 1 , required to heat the fluid in the container to at least the first temperature, TEMP-1; and operating a heater for at least the first time period, Δt 1 , before first time, TIME-1, so as to heat the fluid and provide the fluid at about first temperature, TEMP-1, by the first time, TIME-1. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a refrigerator appliance. The appliance includes one or more refrigerated chambers; a dispenser for providing a heated fluid; and a fluid heating assembly configured to provide heated fluid to the dispenser. The fluid heating assembly includes a container for the receipt of a fluid to be heated; a heater for heating fluid in the container; and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the fluid in the container. A controller is provided in communication with the heater and the temperature sensor. The controller is configured for receiving a first temperature, TEMP-1, to which the fluid in the container is to be heated; receiving a first time, TIME-1, by which the fluid is to be ready at first temperature, TEMP-1; ascertaining a first time period, Δt 1 , required to heat the fluid in the container to at least the first temperature, TEMP-1; and operating the heater for at least the first time period, Δt 1 , before first time, TIME-1, so as to heat the fluid and provide the fluid at about first temperature, TEMP-1, by about the first time, TIME-1. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  provides a front, elevation view of a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 2  provides a schematic view of a water heating assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 3  provides a schematic view of a water heating assembly according to an additional exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 4  sets forth a flow chart according to an exemplary method of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
       FIG. 1  provides a front, elevation view of a refrigerator appliance  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Refrigerator appliance  100  includes a cabinet or housing  120 . Housing  120  extends between an upper portion  101  and a lower portion  102  along a vertical direction V and also extends between a first side portion  103  and a second side portion  104  along a lateral direction L. Housing  120  defines chilled chambers, e.g., a fresh food compartment  122  positioned adjacent upper portion  101  of housing  120  and a freezer compartment  124  arranged at lower portion  102  of housing  120 . Housing  120  also defines a mechanical compartment (not shown) for receipt of a sealed cooling system for cooling fresh food compartment  122  and freezer compartment  124 . 
     Refrigerator appliance  100  is generally referred to as a bottom mount refrigerator appliance. However, it should be understood that refrigerator appliance  100  is provided by way of example only. Thus, the present subject matter is not limited to refrigerator appliance  100  and may be utilized in any suitable refrigerator appliance. For example, one of skill in the art will understand that the present subject matter may be used with side-by-side style refrigerator appliances, top mount refrigerator appliances, and other styles and configurations as well. 
     Refrigerator doors  128  are rotatably hinged to an edge of housing  120  for accessing fresh food compartment  122 . A freezer door  130  is arranged below refrigerator doors  128  for accessing freezer compartment  124 . Freezer door  130  is mounted to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably coupled within freezer compartment  124 . 
     Refrigerator appliance  100  also includes an ice-dispensing assembly  110  for dispensing water and/or ice. Ice-dispensing assembly  110  includes a dispenser  114  positioned on an exterior portion of refrigerator appliance  100 . Dispenser  114  includes several outlets for accessing ice, chilled water, and heated water. In particular, a chilled water paddle  134  is mounted below a chilled water outlet  132  for accessing chilled water, and a heated water paddle  152  is mounted below a heated water outlet  150  for accessing heated water. Similarly, an ice paddle  138  is mounted below an ice outlet  136  for accessing ice. As an example, a user can urge a vessel such as a cup against any of chilled water paddle  134 , heated water paddle  152 , and/or ice paddle  138  to initiate a flow of chilled water, heated water, and/or ice into the vessel, respectively. 
     A user interface panel  140  is provided for controlling the mode of operation of dispenser  114 , e.g., for selecting crushed or whole ice. In additional exemplary embodiments, refrigerator appliance  100  may include a single outlet and single paddle rather than three separate paddles and dispensers. In such embodiments, user interface panel  140  can include a chilled water dispensing button (not labeled), an ice-dispensing button (not labeled), and a heated water dispensing button (not labeled) for selecting between chilled water, heated water, and ice, respectively. Alternatively, a single button or knob may be used to selected between chilled water, heated water, and ice. Other configurations may also be used. 
     Refrigerator  100  can be operated by a controller  154  or other processing device according to programming and/or user preference via manipulation of a control interface  140  that is connected with (or otherwise in communication with) controller  154 . Controller  154  may include one or more memory devices and one or more microprocessors, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with the operation of the refrigerator. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. The controller may include one or more proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers programmed, equipped, or configured to operate the refrigerator appliance according to exemplary aspects of the control method set forth herein. 
     Controller  154  may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout refrigerator  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the controller may be located e.g., within a door—but other locations may be used as well. Input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the control system and various operational components of refrigerator  100  along wiring harnesses that may be routed through e.g., the back, sides, or mullion  26 . Typically, through user interface panel  140 , a user may select various operational features and modes and monitor the operation of refrigerator  100 . In one embodiment, user interface panel  140  may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In one embodiment, user interface panel  140  may include input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. User interface panel  140  may include a display component, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. User interface panel  140  may be in communication with controller  154  via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. 
     Outlets  132 ,  136 , and  150  and paddles  134 ,  138 , and  152  are an external part of dispenser  114 , and are mounted in a concave portion of dispenser  114  defined in an outside surface of refrigerator door  128 . Dispenser  114  is positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for a user to access ice or water, e.g., enabling the user to access ice without the need to bend-over and without the need to access freezer compartment  124 . In the exemplary embodiment, dispenser  114  is positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a user. 
     Refrigerator appliance  100  also includes a fluid heating assembly  160  for generating a heated fluid such as heated water. An exemplary embodiment of assembly  160  will now be described with reference to heated water. Using the teachings disclosed herein, one of skill in the art will understand that the present invention could also be used to provide heated beverages such as e.g., tea or coffee as well. 
     Refrigerator appliance  100  is not necessarily connected to a residential hot water heating system in order to supply heated water to heated water outlet  150 . In particular, refrigerator appliance  100  uses water heating assembly  160  mounted within refrigerator door  128  for heating water therein. Refrigerator appliance  100  includes a tee-joint  162  for splitting a flow of water. Tee-joint  162  directs water to both a heated water conduit  166  and a chilled water conduit  164 . 
     Heated water conduit  166  is in fluid communication with water heating assembly  160  and heated water outlet  150 . Thus, water from tee-joint  162  can pass through water heating assembly  160  and exit refrigerator appliance  100  at heated water outlet  150  as heated water. Conversely, chilled water conduit  164  is in fluid communication with chilled water outlet  132 . Thus, water from tee-joint  162  can exit refrigerator appliance  100  as chilled water at chilled water outlet  132 . Other configurations or routings can also be used as well. 
       FIG. 2  provides a schematic view of an exemplary fluid heating assembly or water heating assembly  200  as may be used in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Water heating assembly  200  may be utilized in a refrigerator appliance, e.g., refrigerator appliance  100 , as the water heating assembly  160  ( FIG. 1 ). Water heating assembly  200  is configured for generating heated water as discussed in greater detail below. 
     Water heating assembly  200  includes a vacuum flask or vacuum insulated container  210 . Vacuum insulated container  210  includes an outer wall  211  and an inner wall  212 . Outer and inner walls  211  and  212  define a vacuum volume  213  therebetween. Vacuum volume  213  contains very little gas relative to the ambient atmosphere in order to assist with insulating contents of vacuum insulated container  210 . 
     A cap  250  is mounted to vacuum insulated container  210  at opening  216  of vacuum insulated container  210 . Cap  250  assists with sealing heated chamber  214  of vacuum insulated container  210 . In particular, cap  250  can assist with hindering heat flow out of heated chamber  214  through opening  216 . Cap  250  can be mounted at opening  216  utilizing any suitable method. For example, cap  250  may be threaded to vacuum insulated container  210 . Alternatively, cap  250  may be mounted to vacuum insulated container  210  using an adhesive or interference fit. 
     Water heating assembly  200  also includes a heating element  220  that is received within heated chamber  214  of vacuum insulated container  210 . Heating element  220  is configured for heating water within heated chamber  214 . Heating element  220  may be any suitable heating element. For example, heating element  220  may be an electrical resistance heating element. Heating element  220  is mounted to cap  250  and extends into heated chamber  214  for heating water therein as discussed in greater detail below. 
     Heating element  220  may have any suitable power output. For example, after heated water is dispensed from heated chamber  214  of vacuum insulated container  210 , heating element  220  can operate in a recovery mode or phase in which relatively cool water entering heated chamber  214  is heated. During such recovery mode, heating element  220  can have a power output between about ten watts and about seven-hundred and fifty watts. After the water within heated chamber  214  reaches a suitable temperature, e.g., about one-hundred and eighty degrees Fahrenheit, heating element  220  can operate in a maintenance mode or phase in which heating element  220  operates to maintain water within heated chamber  214  at a predetermined temperature or within a predetermined range of temperatures. In such maintenance mode, heating element  220  may have a power output of about four watts, about three watts, about two watts, about one watt, less than about one watt, between about three watts and about one watt, or less than about four watts. 
     An inlet conduit  230  is configured for directing a flow of water (shown with arrows F c ) into heated chamber  214  of vacuum insulated container  210 . In particular, inlet conduit  230  passes through opening  216  of vacuum insulated container  210  in order to direct the flow of water F c  through opening  216  and into heated chamber  214 . Inlet conduit  230  has an outlet  232  positioned proximate bottom portion  219  of vacuum insulated container  210 . The flow of water F c  exits inlet conduit  230  and enters heated chamber  214  at outlet  232 . Inlet conduit  230  may be mounted to cap  250  or any other suitable component of water heating assembly  200  or refrigerator appliance  100  ( FIG. 1 ). Water heating assembly  200  also includes a valve  260  for regulating or controlling the flow of water F c  through inlet conduit  230 . 
     An outlet conduit  240  is configured for directing a flow of heated water (shown with arrows F h ) out of heated chamber  214  of vacuum insulated container  210 . In particular, outlet conduit  240  passes through opening  216  of vacuum insulated container  210  in order to direct the flow of heated water F h  through opening  216  and out of heated chamber  214 . Outlet conduit  240  has an inlet  242  positioned proximate top portion  218  of vacuum insulated container  210 . The flow of heated water F h  exits heated chamber  214  and enters outlet conduit  240  at inlet  242 . Outlet conduit  240  may be mounted to cap  250  or any other suitable component of water heating assembly  200  or refrigerator appliance  100  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     As an example, valve  260  can permit flow of water F c  to fill heated chamber  214  of vacuum insulated container  210  through inlet conduit  230 . Within heated chamber such water can be heated with heating element  220 . As will be understood by those skilled in the art, water heated by heating element  220  will rise within heated chamber  214 . Thus, heated water and relatively cooler water will segregate within heated chamber  214  such that the heated water collects near top portion  218  of vacuum insulated container  210  adjacent inlet  242  of outlet conduit  240 . In turn, outlet conduit  240  can direct flow of heated water F h  out of heated chamber  214 , e.g., to dispenser  114  of refrigerator appliance  100  ( FIG. 1 ) for dispensing by a user. 
     Heated volume  214  can hold water heated to relatively high temperatures (such as e.g., about one-hundred and eighty degrees Fahrenheit) for long periods of time without the temperature of the heated water dropping significantly due to vacuum insulated container  210 . Once the water is heated, water heating assembly  200  can supply heated water to a user on demand without a significant time lag. Further, while the heated water is held in heated volume  214 , heating element  220  can have a low power output due to vacuum insulated container  210  such that water heating assembly  200  has relatively high energy efficiency despite holding heated water within heated chamber  214 . 
       FIG. 3  provides a schematic view of a water heating assembly  300  according to an additional exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Water heating assembly  300  is similar to water heating assembly  200  ( FIG. 2 ). However, vacuum insulated container  210  is oriented in a different manner in water heating assembly  300 . In particular, opening  216  of vacuum insulated container  210  is positioned adjacent bottom portion  219  of vacuum insulated container  210  rather than bottom portion  218 . Further, outlet  232  of inlet conduit  230  is positioned proximate top portion  218  of vacuum insulated container  210 , and inlet  242  of outlet conduit  240  is positioned proximate bottom portion  219  of vacuum insulated container  210 . Water heating assembly  300  otherwise operates in a similar manner to water heating assembly  200  described above. 
     In order to further improve the efficiency of fluid heating assembly  200 , it is desirable to avoid powering heating element  220  continuously during operation of refrigerator appliance  100 . Heating assembly  200  could be configured to activate heating element  220  only upon request by a user for dispensing heated water such as by pressing e.g., paddle  152  or a button on user interface panel  140 . However, as previously discussed, unless heated water is already present in container  210 , the user will have to wait for a time period sufficient to allow heating element  220  to heat the water in container  210  to the desired temperature. This time period may be inconvenient or undesirable for certain users. 
     Accordingly, controller  154  can be programmed or configured to operate heating assembly  200 —including heating element  220 —in a manner that provides heated water to the user at the desired temperatures at one or more desired times. Furthermore, the time period over which the heated water will remain available can also be selected by the user.  FIG. 4  provides an exemplary method of operation for which controller  154  can be configured, which will now be further described. It should be understood that  FIG. 4  is provided by way of example only. Other methods may also be employed including e.g., a different ordering of steps from what is shown. 
     From start  310 , controller  154  can place fluid in container  210  as indicated in step  315  of  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, a level sensor could be provided in container  210  by which controller  154  can check to see if sufficient fluid is present in container  210 . Next, in step  320 , controller  154  can receive the desired first temperature, referred to herein as TEMP-1, at which the user desired a heat fluid to be dispensed. More particularly, using e.g., user interface panel  140  communicating with controller  154 , the user can specify the first temperature, TEMP-1, at which the user would like water or another heated beverage to be dispensed from appliance  100 . For example, for TEMP-1 the user might select 140 degrees Fahrenheit or some other desired temperature for dispensing the fluid. 
     In step  322 , using interface panel  140 , the user can also provide a first time, TIME-1, at which the fluid should be ready for dispensing at temperature TEMP-1. For example, the user might select 7:00 AM or some other time as a time at which fluid should be available at a temperature of TEMP-1. 
     As indicated in step  324 , upon receiving these user inputs of TIME-1 and TEMP-1, controller  154  can ascertain or determine the amount of time—referred to herein as Δt 1 —that will be required to heat the water in container  210  to TEMP-1. For example, controller  154  may determine that a Δt 1  of 20 minutes is required to heat the fluid in container  210  to a temperature of TEMP-1. As will be understood by one of skill in the art using the teachings disclosed herein, a variety of techniques could be used for such determination. For example, controller  154  could receive temperature measurements from one or both of temperature sensors  262  and  264  to indicate the current temperature of the fluid in container  210 . Using this information and either knowing the amount of fluid in container  210  or assuming a certain amount is present, controller  154  could be programmed with an algorithm and/or empirical data that allows a prediction of Δt 1 . Other techniques could be used as well. 
     Next, in step  326 , controller  154  operates heater  210  for the time period Δt 1  before first time TIME-1 so as heat the fluid in container  210  to TEMP-1 by first TIME-1. For example, assume again that the user selects a TEMP-1 of 140 degrees Fahrenheit a TIME-1 of 7:00 AM. If controller  154  ascertains a Δt 1  of 20 minutes, then controller  154  might activate heating element  220  by at least 6:40 AM so that the fluid in container  210  is at about 140 degrees Fahrenheit by 7:00 AM. At 7:00 AM or upon reaching 140 degrees Fahrenheit, controller  154  can deactivate heating element  220  as indicated in step  328 . In still another embodiment, controller  154  might activate heating element  220  even earlier than 6:40 AM and then place heating element  220  in a maintenance mode until at least 7:00 AM while monitoring the temperature using one or both of sensors  262  and  264 . During this maintenance mode, a lower wattage output could be used for heating element  220 . 
     Once TIME-1 is reached, controller  154  can be configured to maintain the temperature of the fluid in container  210  for second period of time—referred to herein as Δt 2 —that can be received from the user. More particularly, using interface panel  140 , the user can specify a second time period—Δt 2 —over which the fluid in container  210  is to be maintained at TEMP-1. Returning to the previous example, the user might indicate a Δt 2  of one hour. In which case, the controller  154  would maintain the temperature of the fluid in container  210  at 140 degrees Fahrenheit from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM. Other time periods could also be used. In an alternate but equivalent manner, the user could specify a time to which the fluid should remain at TEMP-1 and controller  154  could maintain the fluid at TEMP-1 over the resulting time period Δt 2 . Returning to the previous example, through panel  140  the user might indicate that the fluid should remain available at 140 degree Fahrenheit (TEMP-1) until 8:00 AM—from which controller  154  would determine that Δt 2  is one hour. As previously mentioned, during Δt 2 , controller  154  can operate heating element  220  in e.g., a maintenance mode at a lower wattage. Once Δt 2  has expired, heating element  220  can be deactivated. 
     Using the teachings disclosed herein, one of skill in the art will understand that multiple different times and associated time periods could be applied for the dispensing of a hot fluid. For example, controller  154  could be programmed to receive a second time—referred to herein as TIME-2—at which the user desires the availability of a heated fluid at the dispenser. In addition, the user could also be allowed to specify a second temperature—referred to herein as TEMP-2—desired for the fluid at TIME-2 as well another time period over which such temperature should be maintained. Additional times, temperatures, and time periods could also be allowed. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.