Abstract: A refrigerator includes an ice making device for producing ice cubes. The ice making device includes a mold body having a plurality of ice forming cavities adapted to hold fluid. In an ice making cycle, air is evacuated from the cavities by a vacuum system, thereby depressurizing the cavities. Then, liquid is delivered to the depressurized cavities by a liquid delivery system, whereby an initial portion of the liquid bubbles up within the respective cavities. Once ice cubes have been formed within the cavities, the cavities are heated by a heat transfer system, thereby partially melting the ice cubes and aiding in the expulsion of ice cubes from the cavities.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a fast ice making device for quickly producing ice cubes. The fast ice making device includes a mold body having a plurality of ice forming cavities adapted to hold fluid. In an ice making cycle, a vacuum system evacuates air from the cavities, thereby depressurizing the cavities. Then, a liquid delivery system delivers liquid to the depressurized cavities, whereby an initial portion of the liquid bubbles up within the respective cavities. Overall, a cooler fluid is established at the beginning of an ice making cycle, thus accelerating the rate at which ice cubes are formed within the fast ice making device. Once ice cubes have been formed within the cavities, a heat transfer system is utilized to heat the cavities, thereby slightly melting the ice cubes and aiding in the expulsion of ice cubes from the cavities.