Freeze-tolerant waterline valve for a refrigerator

Abstract

An improved refrigerator is provided with a freeze tolerant valve for the water tank assembly in the refrigerator. The valve includes a body with an internal plastic spool which minimizes the volume of water within the valve, and which provides a space in the valve to accommodate freezing water in the valve. The valve will not crack or fail in the event of a temperature control problem in the refrigerator which results in frozen water within the valve.

1 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a waterline;   a valve for controlling flow of water through the waterline, the valve including a barrel-shaped body and an internal space; and   a flexible spool within the internal space of the body of the valve, the spool having an axial passageway with an inlet and an outlet for allowing water flow, the spool being compressible to absorb expansion forces in case of water freezing within the valve to thereby help prevent the valve from cracking.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible spool occupies at least 60% of the internal space of the valve. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the axial passageway is oriented generally vertically with the inlet at an upper end and the outlet at a lower end, the axial passage having an expanded diameter at the upper end to accommodate an increased volume of water within the valve in case of water freezing. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , further comprising a water storage receptacle, the valve being downstream from the water storage receptacle. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator of  claim 4 , wherein a water filter is provided downstream from the water storage receptacle and upstream from the valve. 
     
     
         6 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a cabinet;   a fresh food compartment in the cabinet, the fresh food compartment being defined by at least one wall;   a water inlet line in the cabinet;   a water storage receptacle, the water storage receptacle receiving and storing water from the water inlet line;   a water valve located behind the at least one wall of the fresh food compartment, the water valve being downstream from the water storage receptacle, the water valve having a barrel-shaped body with an internal space;   a flexible spool within the internal space in the body, the spool having a longitudinal passage to permit flow of water through the body, the spool being compressible to absorb expansion forces in case of water freezing within the valve to thereby prevent the valve from cracking.   
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator of  claim 6 , wherein the flexible spool occupies at least 60% of the internal space of the valve. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator of  claim 6 , wherein the longitudinal passageway is oriented generally vertically with an inlet at an upper end and an outlet at a lower end, the longitudinal passage having an expanded diameter at the upper end to accommodate an increased volume of water within the valve in case of water freezing. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigerator of  claim 6 , wherein a water filter is provided downstream from the water storage receptacle and upstream from the valve. 
     
     
         10 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a waterline;   a valve for controlling flow of water through the waterline, the valve including a barrel-shaped body;   a spool within the body, the spool having a longitudinal passage to permit flow of water through the body, the longitudinal passage being oriented generally vertically with an upper inlet and a lower outlet, the longitudinal passage having an expanded diameter at the upper inlet to accommodate an increased volume of water within the valve in case of water freezing within the valve to thereby prevent the valve from cracking.   
     
     
         11 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , wherein the spool is compressible to absorb expansion forces in case of water freezing within the valve. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , wherein the spool occupies at least 60% of the internal space of the valve. 
     
     
         13 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , further comprising a water storage receptacle, the valve being downstream from the water storage receptacle. 
     
     
         14 . The refrigerator of  claim 13 , wherein a water filter is provided downstream from the water storage receptacle and upstream from the valve.