Bladder pump for liquid dispensing

US9476636B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Nihat O. Cur · Three Rivers, US
• Steven J. Kuehl · Stevensville, US
• Mark M. Senninger · Saint Joseph, US
• Douglas D. Leclear · Benton Harbor, US
• Gregory Gene Hortin · Henderson, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 30, 2014
• Grant date: Oct 25, 2016
• Expiry date: Oct 24, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B67D2210/00036
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A refrigerator includes a main refrigeration loop and a canister configured in a parallel circuit with the main refrigeration loop between the compressor and evaporator, with a liquid-filled bladder within the canister. The canister is pressurized by high-pressure refrigerant from the compressor, which forces the liquid within the bladder out of the bladder and to a pressurized water reservoir in fluid communication with the bladder and configured to house the evaporator and then out to a dispenser.