 original equipment of the refrigerator or, in some cases, added on to specific modules premanufactured to accommodate such additional components. A refrigerator typically will have shelving in the door which can be adjustable but otherwise has very little ability to change the configuration of the refrigerator shelving either in the cabinet of the refrigerator or in the door. There exists a need, therefore, for a refrigerator which can accommodate new accessories in modular form at owner selected locations within a refrigerator and particularly in its door. In order to accommodate such flexibility, it would be desirable to provide a refrigerator having a modular architecture to provide specialized functions, new features, and flexibility to the consumer in selecting desired features. The present invention relates generally to systems for preventing the loss of fluid from a fluid circuit when a filter element located at a low end of the circuit is removed and more particularly relates to an automatic filter element shutoff valve.
In the past, when a filter element was removed from a low point in the fluid circuit, two manual valves, one on the inlet passage and one on the outlet passage, had to be closed in order to prevent fluid from being drained or siphoned out of the fluid circuit. When only one valve was closed, fluid would drain or siphon from the other passage resulting in a loss of fliud from at least a portion of the fluid circuit.
Further, when the new filter was put into place, it was necessary to remember to manually open both valves to avoid causing a catastrophic failure in other portions of the fluid circuit. With the increasing power and decreasing size of successive generations of microprocessor chips, the ability to provide distributed computing on a wide-scale basis is becoming a practical reality. Generally speaking, distributed computing, or more generally ubiquitous computing, refers to an environment in which programs make calls to remote address spaces that are outside of the particular address space within which the programs are executing. The address space to which the call is made may be located on a different machine from the one on which the calling program resides. As one example, a vehicular navigation program that is executing on a microprocessor within an automobile may make a call to a remote traffic reporting service, to obtain information about traffic congestion that can be displayed to the driver of the automobile.
To facilitate the implementation of a distributed computing environment, various frameworks have been developed. One example of such a framework that is adapted to the Java programming language is known as the Jini technology, developed by Sun Microsystems. In a framework of this type, processing resources provide services that can
original equipment of the refrigerator or, in some cases, added on to specific modules premanufactured to accommodate such extra component. A refrigerator typically will have shelving in the door which can be adjustable but differently has very fiddling ability to change the shape of the refrigerator shelving either in the cabinet of the refrigerator or in the doorway. There exists a need, therefore, for a refrigerator which can accommodate new accessory in modular form at owner selected localization within a refrigerator and particularly in its door. In order to accommodate such flexibility, it would be desirable to supply a refrigerator having a modular architecture to provide specialized function, new features, and flexibility to the consumer in selecting desire features. The present invention relates generally to systems for preventing the personnel casualty of fluid from a fluid circuit when a filter element located at a low end of the circuit is removed and more particularly relates to an automatic filter element shutoff valve. 
 In the past, when a filter element was removed from a low point in the fluid circuit, two manual valve, one on the inlet passage and one on the outlet passing, take to be closed in order to prevent fluid from being drained or siphon out of the fluid circuit. When only one valve was closed, fluid would enfeeble or siphon from the other passage resulting in a loss of fliud from at least a portion of the fluid circuit. 
 Further, when the new filter was put into place, it was necessary to remember to manually unfold both valves to debar causing a catastrophic failure in other portions of the fluid racing circuit. With the increasing power and decreasing size of consecutive generations of microprocessor bit, the ability to provide distributed calculation on a wide - plate basis is becoming a practical reality. Generally talk, distributed computer science, or more generally omnipresent computing, refers to an environment in which programs have calls to distant address outer space that are outside of the particular address space within which the program are execute. The address space to which the call option is made may be located on a unlike machine from the one on which the calling program resides. As one example, a vehicular navigation program that is executing on a microprocessor within an automobile may make a call to a distant dealings reporting service, to obtain information about traffic congestion that can be displayed to the driver of the automobile. 
 To facilitate the execution of a distributed computing environment, various frameworks have been developed. One example of such a framework that is adapted to the Java programming language is know as the Jini technology, developed by Sun Microsystems. In a framework of this type, processing resources provide service that can
 orlginal equipment of the vefrigerator or, nb some cases, added ov to specific modules premannfacrured to accommodate such aaditional componebts. E refrigerator tblically will gwve vielving in the coor which can be adjustdbue but otherwise has very little abilyty to vhwnge the confidurauiog of nht refrigerator shelving either in the cauinet of the regrigerator or in the door. Hherf exists a need, thfrefore, for a rqdrigerator wfich can abeommodate ngw accessories in modular form ag ownzr selected licahhons within a resrigerator akc parthcularlu in its door. Ln orver ro accommodate such fnexibility, it woulq be desisayle to provide a refrugwratot havhng x moaulzr adchiteftuce to provise specialized functions, new ftattgrs, and flexigility tj the consumer in selecting desired feauures. The present invention eelates generally to dystems fjr preventing the loss of fluid from a fluid circgit wiev a flltef epement located at a low end of the circuit is dekoned and more partlcularly relates tp wn wutomatic filjer elemenf shutoff valve.
In hhe pasj, when a filter elekent was removed from a low point in thv flyid circuit, two mauual valves, une pn thr inlet passage and one on fhe outlet oassage, hza to be closed iv ogder to prevtvt fluid from beigg drainev or xiphonea ouj of thq fluid cigcuit. When only one valvf was cnosed, fluif would drain or siphon from thx other passabe revulting nn a lpss of fliud srom at least c portiou of tfe fluid cprcuit.
Furvher, when thq new filter fws put into 'lace, it ras becewsary tu remember to msnually oieu both vaoves to avoid causlng a datastrophic fanuoee in other pottiuns ov vhe fjgid circuit. Fith thd incrdasing kjwcr xnd cecreasing size of sgcceasive generations pf micropricessor ships, the abikity to provide didtribnted cumputong on a wide-scale basis is becomjng a praftigal reality. Gqnerqlly speakiny, distributed computing, or more generallb ubiquitous computing, eefers to an enviroumtnt in which 'rograis make cdlls to remote addrews spaces that art outside of the partichlar agdresd space within which the programs are executing. The address space to whicy the rajl is made jay ne lobatzd pn a dyffeceit machine from tne one on which the calling projram residas. As one example, a vehicular maxigation progtam that is executing on a microprpcessor within an automobile mau make a call to a remotc traffic repodting servmce, to obtain informstion cbout rraffic connestion that cxn ne displayef to tke driver of the automobile.
To faculitatw hhe implementatimn of a disbrlbuted compujing environment, barikks frxmeworks have been developec. One example of sucv w framework thqn is adapted jo the Jdva programmmng language is known as the Jini technology, developed by Sun Mpcrosystema. In a fvamework of this jy'e, processing resources iroviqe servizes that can
original equipment of the refrigerator or, in added to specific premanufactured to accommodate typically have shelving in door which can adjustable but otherwise has very little to change the configuration of the refrigerator shelving either in the cabinet of refrigerator or in the door. There exists a need, therefore, for a refrigerator can new in form at owner selected locations within a refrigerator and particularly in its door. In order to such flexibility, it would be desirable to provide refrigerator having a modular to provide specialized functions, new and to the in desired The present invention generally to systems for preventing the loss of fluid from a fluid circuit when a filter element at a of the is and particularly relates to filter element shutoff valve. In the filter element was removed from a low point the fluid two manual valves, one on the passage and one on the outlet passage, had be closed in order to prevent fluid from being drained or siphoned out of the When only one valve closed, fluid would or from other resulting in loss of fliud from at least a portion of the fluid Further, when the new filter was put into place, it to to manually open valves to avoid causing catastrophic in other portions of circuit. the decreasing of generations of microprocessor chips, ability to provide distributed computing a wide-scale basis is speaking, distributed computing, or more generally ubiquitous computing, to an environment in which programs make to remote address spaces that are outside of the particular address space which the executing. The address space to which the call made may be located a different machine from the one on which the program As one a vehicular navigation that is executing a microprocessor within may make call a service, to obtain information about traffic that be displayed to the driver the facilitate the implementation of a distributed computing environment, various frameworks have been developed. One example a framework that is to Java programming language is known as the Jini technology, developed by Sun a framework of provide that can
 original equipment of the refRigerator oR, in soMe cAseS, aDded On to Specific moduleS PremAnufactured to accommodaTe sucH aDDitiONaL compOnents. A REfRIGerAtOr TypIcALlY will HavE shelviNg in the dooR whIcH can be adjustABlE but otherwIse Has very littlE abIlity tO cHanGE the cOnfIguraTion of THe refrIgerator sHeLVing eiTHer in thE CAbInet Of the refrigerator OR iN The door. There exIsts a nEeD, ThEREfoRe, fOr a refrigeRaTor whICh can acCOmMODAte NEw accessories In modular foRM at Owner sElEctED locatIons wItHIn a RefrigeratoR and ParticulaRly in iTS door. In ORder to aCcommoDatE suCh flEXiBiLitY, iT WouLD bE deSIraBle to proViDe A refrIgerATOR HaviNg a ModuLar arChitecture to pRovIde sPEciAlizeD funcTionS, nEw feaTures, aNd fleXiBility to the consUmer In selectiNg dEsIreD fEaturES. The prEseNt iNventioN relateS GenErALLY tO systems for preventInG THe Loss of flUid froM A fLuID circuit WhEn a FiltER ElemeNt loCAtEd at a low End of tHE cIrCuit is rEmOved anD mOre ParTiculARly rElates To an autoMatic FIlter element shUToff valve.
In thE PaST, WhEN a fiLteR element was RemoVEd frOm a lOW pOinT In the Fluid CiRCuIT, two manual valves, one On The inlEt pasSage and one on tHe outlet paSSAGe, had to bE cloSEd IN order to prevenT fluiD from being DRained or SiphoNed out of The fluid cIRCuit. When OnlY onE vaLve WAS cLosed, fluid wouLD DraiN oR siphon FroM the othEr pAssAge ResUlTing in a loSs of fliuD fRoM aT lEasT a porTIon of the FlUid CiRcuIt.
FurTHer, wheN the nEw fiLtEr WAs pUt into pLAcE, IT was NeCeSsarY to ReMembeR to mANuaLly open Both valveS to AVoid CaUsIng a catAstrophic failUrE in other poRtIonS of the FLUid circuIt. With the increasing poweR And decrEasIng siZe of SuccessivE geNeratiOns OF microProcesSor chIpS, thE ABilitY TO pRovIdE distributED ComPutinG oN a wiDe-scale Basis is becoming a prACtiCal reality. GenEraLly sPEAkIng, DIsTRibUtED coMPUting, or more geneRally ubiquItOUs Computing, rEFerS tO an enviRonment In whiCH prograMs make calLs to remotE aDdreSS SpaCes that are Outside oF the partiCUlar aDDrEss spAce Within WhIch The prOgrams ARe eXecutIng. The AdDress sPace tO wHich the cAll is made may be located on A diffeRent mAchIne from thE onE On wHich the caLlinG program reSidEs. AS one eXamPLe, a veHicuLAr NavIGatioN proGRam that is EXeCutING oN a microprocESSOr wIthin An aUTomobiLe maY make a call to a remoTE traffic reportIng sERVicE, to OBtaiN iNformation abouT trAfFIC congestIoN that can be dIsplayed To THe driVer of tHe autoMobile.
TO FAcILitate The iMplEmentatioN of A dIStributEd CoMPuting EnviRoNment, vArious FRameWORks have been develOped. ONE ExampLE of Such a FrAmework THat iS adapted to The Java progRamminG lanGuage Is known As The JinI teChNology, deveLOped by Sun microSystems. in A fraMewOrk of tHis tYPE, procEssiNg ResOurces proVIDe SErViCEs tHat cAn
 original equipment of the  refrigera tor o r,inso me c ases , added on tos peci fic modules premanufac tured  t o  acc o mm odate  such a d di t i ona lco mpo ne n ts . A r efr igerato r typicall y w il l have shelv i ng  in the do orwhich can be  ad justab le  bu t  othe rwi se ha s very little  abilityto change the con f i gu rati on of the refrige r at o r shelving eit her in  t h ec a bin etof the ref ri gerat o r or in th e d oor .  There exists  a need, th e ref ore, f or  ar efrige rator  w h ich  can accomm odat e new acc essori e s in mo d ular fo rm atown ersele c te dloc at i ons wi thi n  arefriger at or  andpart i c u l arly  in  its  door . In order to  ac comm o dat e suc h fle xibi li ty, i t woul d bede sirable to prov idea refrige rat or  ha vi ng am odular  ar chi tecture  to pro v ide  s p e c ia lized functions, n ew f ea tures, a nd fle x ib il i ty to th econ sume r in se lect i ng  desired  featu r es .The pre se nt inv en tio n r elate s  gen erally  to syst ems f o r preventing t h e loss of flu i df r om a fl uid  circuit wh en a filt er e l em ent locat ed at  a lo w  end of the circuit  i s remo ved a nd more parti cularly re l a t es to an  aut o ma t ic filter elem ent s hutoff val v e.
In th e pas t, whena filtere l ement wa s r emo ved  fr o m  a  low point in t he f lu id circ uit , two m anu alval ves ,one on th e inletpa ss ag eand  oneo n the ou tl etpa ssa ge, h a d to b e clo sedin  o r der  to pre v en t flui dfr om b ein gdrain ed o r  si phonedout of th e f l uidci rc uit. Wh en only one v al ve was clo se d,fluidw o uld drai n or siphon from the ot h er pass age  resu ltin g in a lo ssof fli udf rom at  least  a po rt ion o f the f lu idci rcuit.
Fur t h er,  when  t he n ew filt er was put into pl a ce,  it was neces sar y to r em emb e rt o m an u all y open both valve s to avoid  c a us ing a cata s tro ph ic fail ure inother portion s of thefluid cir cu it.W i ththe increa sing pow er and de c reasi n gsizeofsucces si vegener ations ofmicro proces so r chip s, th eabilityto provide distributedcomput ing o n a  wide-sca leb asi s is beco ming  a practic alrea lity.  Ge n erall y sp e ak ing ,  dist ribu t ed comput i ng , o r mo re generall y u biq uitou s c o mputin g, r efers to an envir o nment in which  pro g r ams  ma k e ca ll s to remote ad dre ss s paces th at  are outsid e of the  p a rticu lar ad dressspace w i t hi n  which  the  pr ograms ar e e xe c uting.Th ea ddress  spa ce  to wh ich th e  cal l is made may be l ocate d on ad iff erent  m achinef romthe one on  which thecallin g pr ogram  reside s.  As on e e xa mple, a ve h icular na vigat ion pro gr am t hat  is ex ecut i n g ona mi cr opr ocessor w i t hi n  a na uto mobi le ma ymake  a call t o  a remot e t r affic r ep ort i n g serv i ce , to obtaininf ormat i o n about tr a ffic co n gesti on tha t canbe disp l aye dto thedri v e r of theautomobil e .
T ofaci litate t he  imp le men ta tion of a distr ibuted c omputing e nviron men t , va r ious f ra meworks have  been  d e veloped . One  exampl e  of  su cha fr ame work that is adapted to the J avaprogr a mmi ng la nguag eis known as t he Jinit echnology, de veloped by SunM icr o syst ems .  I na framewo rko f thi s ty pe,  pro ces sing r esou r cesp ro vide  servi cesth at  can
 original_equipment of_the refrigerator or, in_some cases,_added_on to_specific_modules premanufactured to_accommodate such additional_components. A refrigerator typically_will have shelving_in_the door which can be adjustable but otherwise has very little ability to change_the_configuration of_the_refrigerator_shelving either in the cabinet_of the refrigerator or in_the door._There exists a need, therefore, for a refrigerator_which_can accommodate new_accessories in modular form at owner selected locations within_a refrigerator and particularly in its_door. In order_to_accommodate_such flexibility, it would_be desirable to provide a refrigerator_having a modular architecture to provide_specialized functions, new features, and flexibility to_the consumer in selecting desired features._The present invention relates generally_to systems_for preventing the loss of_fluid from a_fluid circuit_when a filter_element located at a low end_of the circuit_is removed and more particularly relates_to_an automatic filter_element_shutoff_valve.
In the_past, when a_filter_element was_removed_from a low point in the_fluid_circuit, two manual valves, one on the_inlet passage and one_on_the outlet passage, had_to be closed in order_to prevent fluid from being drained_or siphoned_out of_the fluid circuit. When only one valve was closed, fluid would_drain or siphon from the other_passage resulting in a_loss of_fliud_from at least_a_portion of_the fluid circuit.
Further, when the new filter_was put_into place, it was necessary to_remember to manually open_both_valves to avoid causing a catastrophic_failure in other portions of the_fluid circuit. With the increasing_power_and_decreasing size of successive generations_of microprocessor chips, the ability to_provide distributed computing_on a wide-scale basis is becoming a_practical_reality. Generally speaking, distributed computing, or_more_generally ubiquitous computing, refers to an_environment_in_which programs make calls to_remote address spaces that are outside_of the particular address space within which the programs_are executing. The_address space to which the_call_is_made may be located on a different machine from the_one on_which the calling_program resides. As one example, a vehicular navigation program that_is executing on a microprocessor within an_automobile may make a call to a remote traffic reporting service,_to obtain information about traffic congestion that can_be displayed to the driver of the_automobile.
To facilitate the implementation_of_a distributed computing environment, various frameworks have_been_developed._One_example of such_a framework that_is adapted to_the Java_programming language is_known as_the Jini technology,_developed_by Sun Microsystems. In a framework of this type, processing resources provide services that can