Christopher H Bird

US Patent:

20190383542, Dec 19, 2019

Filed:

Jun 18, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/010570

Inventors:

- Wilmington DE, US
Christopher Francis Bird - Louisville KY, US

International Classification:

F25C 5/187
F25D 29/00

Abstract:

An icemaker for a refrigeration appliance includes a motor having a shaft. A feeler arm coupling is connected to a shaft of the motor. The motor is operable to rotate the feeler arm coupling about a rotation axis. A feeler arm rake is hinged to the feeler arm coupling such that the feeler arm rake is rotatable relative to the feeler arm coupling about a hinge axis. The hinge axis is perpendicular to the rotation axis. The feeler arm rake rotates with the feeler arm coupling about the rotation axis when the motor operates to rotate the feeler arm coupling.

US Patent:

20180008087, Jan 11, 2018

Filed:

Jul 7, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/203852

Inventors:

- Wilmington DE, US
Christopher Francis Bird - Louisville KY, US

International Classification:

A47J 31/40
F25D 23/12
A47J 31/44
F25D 11/02

Abstract:

A brew module for use with a refrigerator appliance is provided. The brew module includes a brewing body and a pivotally attached lid that together define a brew chamber configured to receive a brew pod. A lower needle is positioned at the bottom of the brew chamber and an upper needle is slidably received within the lid. Pivoting the lid to the closed position forces the lower needle to pierce the brew pod first, thereby relieving any built up pressure. Thereafter, a moving water supply tube drives the upper needle downward to pierce a top cover of the brew pod along a substantially vertical direction, thus minimizing the size of the pierced hole in the top cover. The brew module thus facilitates an improved seal with the brew pod, reduces the risk of clogging the upper needle, and prevents the ejection of brew pod contents.

US Patent:

20160209108, Jul 21, 2016

Filed:

Jan 21, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/601551

Inventors:

- Schenectady NY, US
Christopher Francis Bird - Louisville KY, US

International Classification:

F25D 27/00
F25D 23/12

Abstract:

A dispenser assembly for a refrigerator appliance may generally include a dispenser tube extending within a recessed area defined by the dispenser assembly. The dispenser tube may be in fluid communication with a fluid source. In addition, the dispenser assembly may include a light pipe positioned on the dispenser tube and a light source configured to direct light towards the light pipe, wherein the light directed from the light source is configured to illuminate the light pipe.

US Patent:

20150144651, May 28, 2015

Filed:

Nov 26, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/090085

Inventors:

- Schenectady NY, US
Bradley Nicholas Gilkey - Louisville KY, US
Christopher Francis Bird - Louisville KY, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F25D 23/02
B67D 1/00
B67D 1/08
F25D 23/12

US Classification:

222 1, 222173, 2221462

Abstract:

Refrigerator appliances for use with single serve dispensers, and methods for operating refrigerator appliances, are provided. A refrigerator appliance includes a dispensing assembly. The dispensing assembly includes an outlet conduit configured for flowing a liquid therefrom, the outlet conduit disposed in the dispenser recess, a housing for supporting the single serve dispenser, the housing disposed in the dispenser recess, and a flow control device upstream of and in fluid communication with the outlet conduit, the flow control device outputting liquid at a generally constant pressure.

US Patent:

20150060490, Mar 5, 2015

Filed:

Aug 27, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/010605

Inventors:

- Schenectady NY, US
Christopher Francis Bird - Louisville KY, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F25D 23/12
A47J 31/46
F25D 29/00
F25D 23/02
A47J 31/44

US Classification:

2221465

Abstract:

A dispensing assembly for a refrigerator appliance is provided. The dispensing assembly includes a tank that defines a fluid chamber and a heating element for heating fluid within the fluid chamber. An inlet conduit directs liquid into the fluid chamber, a first outlet conduit directs liquid out of the fluid chamber, and a second outlet conduit directs gas out of the fluid chamber. The dispensing assembly also includes valves for regulating fluid flow through the inlet conduit and the first and second outlet conduits.

US Patent:

20150060491, Mar 5, 2015

Filed:

Aug 27, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/010610

Inventors:

- Schenectady NY, US
Christopher Francis Bird - Louisville KY, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F25D 23/12
F25D 29/00
A47J 31/46
F25D 23/02

US Classification:

2221466

Abstract:

A dispenser assembly for a refrigerator appliance is provided. The dispenser assembly includes a dispenser body that defines a dispenser recess. A heated liquid water outlet is configured for directing a flow of heated liquid water towards a container within the dispenser recess. The dispenser assembly also includes a cooling mechanism configured for selectively directing a flow of gaseous fluid towards the container within the dispenser recess.