Patents by Inventor Kwang Ha Suh
Kwang Ha Suh has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9097450Abstract: An ice detecting apparatus for an ice maker provided in a refrigerator includes an ice maker, and an ice detecting sensor attached to the ice maker and detecting an amount of ice collected in an ice container. The ice detecting sensor includes at least one optical transmitter or emitter provided on one side of the ice maker and at least one receiver at another side of the ice maker. The optical transmitter and receiver are separated by a prescribed distance and, at least one heater is provided to generate heat to be transferred to at least one of the optical transmitter or receiver.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2009Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Yong-Su Kim, Dong-Hoon Lee, Kyung-Han Jeong, Kwang-Ha Suh
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Patent number: 8986462Abstract: A method for cleaning a water purifier comprising: a filtering unit; a water tank unit for storing purified water having passed through the filtering unit; and a discharging unit for discharging out the purified water stored in the water tank unit, the method comprises: a cleaning water supplying step of supplying cleaning water in which a cleaning agent is dissolved to the water tank unit; a cleaning water discharging step of discharging the cleaning water when a predetermined time has lapsed; a rinsing water supplying step of supplying rinsing water to the water tank unit when the cleaning water discharging step has been completed; and a rinsing water discharging step of discharging the rinsing water when a predetermined time has lapsed. In the method, cleaning and rinsing processes for a water purifier are automatically executed by a series of consecutive processes. Accordingly, a user can directly clean the water purifier if necessary without requiring a Codi's visit.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2009Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Deul-Re Min, Kwang-Ha Suh, Min-Je Cho, Young-Jin Kim, Byung-Tak Park
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Patent number: 8959939Abstract: An ice detecting apparatus for a refrigerator the apparatus includes an ice maker, an ice container to collect ice made by the ice maker, and an ice detecting sensor to detect an amount of ice stored in the ice container. The ice detecting sensor has a transmitter module provided on one side of the ice maker and a receiver module provided on another side of the ice maker. The transmitter module is separated by a prescribed distance from the receiver module. At least one of the transmitter module or receiver module includes at least one optical element and at least one heater, and the heater is made of an electroconductive heating material.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2009Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Yong-Su Kim, Dong-Hoon Lee, Kyung-Han Jeong, Kwang-Ha Suh
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Patent number: 8769980Abstract: An apparatus for purifying water comprises: an ice making unit configured to make introduced water into ice cubes, and to store the ice cubes; a cold water unit configured to generate cold water by receiving the ice cubes made by the ice making unit; and a cooling unit configured to supply cold air to the ice making unit. Firstly, since cold water is generated by using ice cubes made by the ice making unit, may be solved the conventional problem that the ice cubes cling to each other due to contact with the cold water. Secondly, the ice making unit, the cold water unit, etc. may be installed so as to be stacked with each other in upper and lower directions, the apparatus for purifying water may have a slim configuration.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2009Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Kyung-Han Jeong, Kwang-Ha Suh
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Patent number: 8635877Abstract: An ice detecting apparatus for a refrigerator having an ice maker includes an ice detecting sensor which determines whether or not an ice storage container which receives and stores ice made by the ice maker is full or nearly full of ice based on pulses transmitted from and received by transmitting and receiving units. The ice detecting sensor includes a transmitting unit to transmit one or more pulses and a receiving unit to detect the pulses transmitted from the transmitting unit. A controller is operably coupled to the transmitting and receiving units to determine whether the storage container is full or nearly full based on pulses detected by the receiving unit among one or more pulses transmitted by the transmitting unit. The controller also determines whether or not external light has been introduced into the ice maker based on the pulses detected by the receiving unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2009Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Yong-Su Kim, Dong-Hoon Lee, Kyung-Han Jeong, Kwang-Ha Suh
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Patent number: 8616013Abstract: A method of determining a amount of ice collected in a storage container of a refrigerator, the ice being discharged into the storage container by an ice maker having an ice detecting sensor with a heater, the method comprises determining whether or not the ice storage container is full or nearly full of ice by turning on the detecting sensor for a prescribed period of time. In one embodiment, the heater is turned on while the determining step is preformed. In an alternative embodiment, the heater is continuously maintained in an “ON” state.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Yong-Su Kim, Dong-Hoon Lee, Kyung-Han Jeong, Kwang-Ha Suh
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Patent number: 8534088Abstract: A method of controlling an ice maker is provided that minimizes generation of excess water and reduces energy consumption. The method allows for uniform heat to be generated and distributed throughout the ice tray during an ice separation process. Consequently, the ice separating process may be consistently performed irrespective of the shape of the ice tray and its surroundings, thereby minimizing generation of excess water, and reducing energy consumption.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2008Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Tae Hee Lee, Hong Hee Park, Joon Hwan Oh, Young Jin Kim, Kwang Ha Suh
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Patent number: 8516846Abstract: An ice maker and a refrigerator having the same include an ice making container which is maintained at a temperature higher than a freezing point of water. Ace core rods having the temperature lower than the freezing point are inserted into the ice making container to cause water in the container to freeze. Accordingly, water at the periphery of the ice making container remains liquid which the water surrounding the ice core rods freezes. As a result, air bubbles generated when the ice is made can be discharged from the liquid portions of the water at the outer edges of the container. This results in ice without trapped air bubbles, which allows excellent transparent ice pieces to be formed. In some embodiments, the exterior surfaces of the ice making container are maintained at a temperature lower than the freezing point of water, and thawing rods maintained at the temperature higher than the freezing point of water are inserted into the center portions of the ice making container.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Tae-Hee Lee, Hong-Hee Park, Joon-Hwan Oh, Young-Jin Kim, Kwang-Ha Suh, Jin-Sung Park
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Patent number: 8405002Abstract: An icemaker and a refrigerator having an icemaker are discussed. The icemaker has pulse-electrothermal ice release and includes an ice-making tray having several ice forming portions in which water is stored and ice is formed; and a housing surrounding the ice-making tray provided with at least one cold air inlet and/or ice ejection port through which cold air is supplied and ice released along a bent channel. The cold air inlet and/or ice ejection ports are baffled to prevent contact with a user's fingers and thereby reduce the possibility of electric shock.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: The Trustees of Dartmouth CollegeInventors: Victor F. Petrenko, Gabriel Martinez, Tae Hee Lee, Hong Hee Park, Joon Hwan Oh, Kwang Ha Suh
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Patent number: 8393164Abstract: A method of detecting an amount of ice stored in a storage bin made by an ice maker of a refrigerator, the method comprises applying heat to the ice detecting sensor of the ice maker, detecting an amount stored in the storage bin, and controlling heat application according to the detected amount. The ice maker has an ice detecting sensor attached thereto. A sensor heater provides the heat.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2009Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Yong-Su Kim, Dong-Hoon Lee, Kyung-Han Jeong, Kwang-Ha Suh
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Patent number: 8371133Abstract: Ice maker including an ice making container (100) having a plurality of cavities (120) for forming ice, a heater body (210) on one side of the ice making container for selective generation of heat, and heating bars (220) each extended from the heater body to the cavity by a predetermined length with a profile in conformity with a bottom surface profile of the cavity (120) with a gap to the bottom surface such that the heating bar (220) is submerged under water in the cavity for causing a temperature gradient during ice making.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2007Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Young Jin Kim, Hong Hee Park, Kwang Ha Suh, Tae Hee Lee, Joon Hwan Oh
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Publication number: 20120036883Abstract: An apparatus for purifying water comprises: an ice making unit configured to make introduced water into ice cubes, and to store the ice cubes; a cold water unit configured to generate cold water by receiving the ice cubes made by the ice making unit; and a cooling unit configured to supply cold air to the ice making unit. Firstly, since cold water is generated by using ice cubes made by the ice making unit, may be solved the conventional problem that the ice cubes cling to each other due to contact with the cold water. Secondly, the ice making unit, the cold water unit, etc. may be installed so as to be stacked with each other in upper and lower directions, the apparatus for purifying water may have a slim configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2009Publication date: February 16, 2012Inventors: Kyung-Han Jeong, Kwang-Ha Suh
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Patent number: 8109114Abstract: An ice maker and a controlling method thereof are provided. The system and method may prevent the overflow or splashing of water or thin ice out of an ice tray during the supply of water or when the ice maker is shaken by an external force. The ice maker may include an ice tray, and an ice tray cover that covers an open portion of the ice tray. The cover may include an opening through which water may be supplied to the ice tray, and through which ice may be discharged from the ice tray. The cover may move together with the tray, or may move separately from the tray, to facilitate these supply and discharge processes.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Tae Hee Lee, Hong Hee Park, Joon Hwan Oh, Young Jin Kim, Kwang Ha Suh
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Publication number: 20120017627Abstract: An apparatus for purifying water comprises: a cold water unit configured to store cold water therein; an ice making unit configured to make the cold water into ice cubes; a first heat exchanger configured to supply cold air to the ice making unit; and a second heat exchanger configured to supply cold air to the cold water unit. Since the heat exchangers are individually disposed at the cold water unit and the ice making unit, the temperature of the cold water supplied from the cold water unit may be easily controlled. Furthermore, this may allow the cold water to be supplied to a user with a uniform temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2009Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Kyung-Han Jeong, Kwang-Ha Suh
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Publication number: 20110185760Abstract: Disclosed is an ice maker for a refrigerator. The ice maker is further provided with an ice making evaporator in addition to an evaporator for cooling a refrigerating chamber of a freezing chamber, and the ice making evaporator is sunk in water to generate ice, thereby quickly creating transparent ice. The ice maker can also be disposed in the refrigerating chamber or a refrigerating chamber door, thus to prevent ice from being formed with air bubble remaining in water, resulting in enhancing transparency of ice. In addition, even if the ice maker is disposed in the refrigerating chamber door, cold air is not needed to be induced from the freezing chamber, which allows independent operations of the freezing chamber and the ice maker, thereby increasing energy efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2008Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Kwang-Ha Suh, Tae-Hee Lee, Hong-Hee Park, Joon-Hwan Oh
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Publication number: 20110100039Abstract: An ice-full state detecting apparatus and a refrigerator having the same are disclosed. The refrigerator including an ice-full state detecting apparatus includes: a refrigerator body including a cooling chamber; a cooling chamber door to open and close the cooling chamber; an ice maker installed at the cooling chamber or at the cooling chamber door; an ice storage container to store ice made by the ice maker; and the ice-full state detecting apparatus to detect an ice-full state of the ice storage container, wherein the ice-full state detecting apparatus includes: a ice-full state detecting sensor to detect an ice-full state of the ice storage container; a sensor heater to heat the ice-full state detecting sensor; a detecting unit to detect whether the ice-full state detecting sensor is in contact with external air; and a controller to control the operation of the sensor heater based on the detection result of the detecting unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Yong-Su Kim, Dong-Hoon Lee, Kyung-Han Jeong, Kwang-Ha Suh
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Patent number: 7922463Abstract: Disclosed herein is a linear compressor wherein a compression unit, including a cylinder and a linear motor, is supported by a frame mounted in a hermetic container. The frame is die cast using diamagnetic zinc having a high forming accuracy, thereby preventing an electromagnetic force of the linear motor from being leaked therethrough, and enabling a reduction in the number of machining times thereof after die casting.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2005Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jong Koo Lee, Jin Taek Oh, Kwang Wook Kim, Min Chul Han, Gye Young Song, Hyung Pyo Yoon, Kwang Ha Suh, Kyoung Seok Kang
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Patent number: 7905466Abstract: An ice tray is provided that prevents the overflow or splashing of water or thin ice out of the ice tray as water is supplied to the ice tray, or when the ice tray is shaken by an external force. The ice tray may include a plurality of receiving portions that receive water for freezing into ice pieces. An overflow preventing portion may extend upward from upper edges of the receiving portions to form a barrier to water flowing out of the ice tray. Alternatively, the receiving parts may be positioned within a corresponding plurality of location parts having water proofing walls extending upward therefrom to inhibit the unintentional flow of water or thin ice out of the receiving portions of the ice tray.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2008Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Tae Hee Lee, Hong Hee Park, Joon Hwan Oh, Young Jin Kim, Kwang Ha Suh
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Publication number: 20100139299Abstract: A refrigerator and an ice level sensing apparatus are provided. The refrigerator may include a main body, and an ice level sensing apparatus including an optical element for sending or receiving a signal, and an alignment device for aligning and maintaining alignment of the optical element in a preset direction. The sensing apparatus may sense whether an ice storage container in which ice cubes made by an ice maker is at a full ice level. The optical element may be aligned at a preset position, thus preventing movement of the optical element, resulting in improved reliability of the sensing apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2010Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: Dong-Hoon LEE, Tae-Hee Lee, Yong-Su Kim, Kyung-Han Jeong, Kwang-Ha Suh
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Publication number: 20100018226Abstract: Ice maker including an ice making container (100) having a plurality of cavities (120) for forming ice, a heater body (210) on one side of the ice making container for selective generation of heat, and heating bars (220) each extended from the heater body to the cavity by a predetermined length with a profile in conformity with a bottom surface profile of the cavity (120) with a gap to the bottom surface such that the heating bar (220) is submerged under water in the cavity for causing a temperature gradient during ice making.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2007Publication date: January 28, 2010Inventors: Young Jin Kim, Hong Hee Park, Kwang Ha Suh, Tae Hee Lee, Joon Hwan Oh