Method and apparatus for operating a water cooler

US7287392B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Peter Brand · Kieselbronn, DE
• Jeffery Borden · Louisville, US
• Virginia Lee Castillo · Louisville, US
• John Joseph Roetker · Louisville, US
• Mark Anthony Copelli · New Albany, US
• William Stanley Garrett · Louisville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 21, 2004
• Grant date: Oct 30, 2007
• Expiry date: Apr 22, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F25D2700/16
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for operating a water cooler, wherein the water cooler includes a cooling system, a storage compartment assembly, a water dispenser assembly, and a climate control assembly including a thermostat and a control capillary, includes coupling the control capillary to the thermostat, and coupling the thermostat to the cooling system such that the thermostat controls the operational state of the cooling system. The method includes positioning the control capillary adjacent each of the storage compartment assembly and the water dispenser assembly, determining the temperature of the storage compartment assembly and the water dispenser assembly using the control capillary, and cooling the storage compartment assembly and the water dispenser assembly using the cooling system.