Apparatus for transferring water from a container to a refrigerator ice maker

Claim 1

Apparatus for providing water from a container to an ice maker in a refrigerator having water sensing means, comprising, in combination: container means for holding a quantity of water; housing means secured to the container means; first conduit means extending into the water through which water flows; pump means in the housing means for pumping water through the first conduit means from the container means; second conduit means extending from the pump means to the water sensing means through which water is pumped; pressure sensing means in the second conduit means for sensing pressure in the second conduit means; check valve means in the second conduit means between the pump means and the pressure sensing means for allowing water to flow in the second conduit means from the pump means toward the ice maker but preventing water from flowing backwards from the ice maker to the pump means in the second conduit means; motor means connected to the pump means for pumping water from the container means through the first conduit means and the second conduit means to the ice maker; and electrical circuit means for providing an electrical current to, and for controlling, the motor means, including means responsive to a drop in the pressure sensed by the pressure sensing means for providing an electrical current to the motor means, means for sensing a predetermined minimum water level in the container means secured to the first conduit means, and switch means responsive to the sensing of the predetermined minimum water level for disconnecting the electrical current between the pressure sensing means and the motor means for preventing the actuation of the motor means when the water level drops below the predetermined minimum water level.