Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An ice detecting apparatus for a refrigerator comprising and ice maker, a storage container to collect ice from the ice maker, and an ice detecting sensor provided at the ice maker including a transmitting unit to transmit one or more pulses, and a receiving unit to detect the pulses transmitted from the transmitting unit. A controller to determine whether the storage container is full or nearly full based on the pulses detected by the receiving unit among one or more pulses transmitted by the transmitting unit.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An ice detecting apparatus of an ice maker disposed to make ice in a refrigerator includes an ice maker and an ice detecting sensor to detect an ice-full state of ice discharged from the ice maker. The ice detecting sensor may be disposed at the ice maker. The ice detecting sensor may also be heated by a heater.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present document relates to an icemaker having a pulse electrothermal ice release system for separating ice bodies from an ice mold. The pulse electrothermal ice release system operates by applying an electric current through the ice mold through two wires. Safety apparatus for preventing electric shock to users of the icemaker is described. A refrigerator having the icemaker, and an operating method of the icemaker are disclosed. In an embodiment, the safety apparatus interrupts current flow through both wires.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A compressor comprises a reciprocating motor disposed within a casing, for generating a driving force; a compressing unit for sucking, compressing and discharging gas by a linearly reciprocating motion of a piston connected to the reciprocating motor; a plurality of resonant springs connected to the piston, for inducing a resonant motion to the linearly reciprocating motion of the piston, wherein centers of the resonant springs are positioned at the same radius on the basis of a central axis of the piston.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reverse rotation preventing structure of a centrifugal compressor. The reverse rotation preventing structure of the centrifugal compressor comprises: a discharge pipeline of the centrifugal compressor; a suction pipeline of the centrifugal compressor; a bypass pipeline for connecting the discharge pipeline and the suction pipeline, wherein a predetermined valve is formed thereon; a control means for controlling an operation of the centrifugal compressor; and a detecting means for generating a predetermined signal to the control means if the operation of the centrifugal compressor is suddenly stopped, thereby opening the bypass pipeline.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) slurry composition and a method for planarizing a semiconductor device. The CMP composition comprises fumed silica, tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide, phosphates, fluorine compounds and deionized water. The method of planarizing comprises the steps of etching, subsequently laminating and polishing a semiconductor device by said CMP slurry composition.

Abstract: A compressor comprises a reciprocating motor disposed within a casing, for generating a driving force; a compressing unit for sucking, compressing and discharging gas by a linearly reciprocating motion of a piston connected to the reciprocating motor; a plurality of resonant springs connected to the piston, for inducing a resonant motion to the linearly reciprocating motion of the piston, wherein centers of the resonant springs are positioned at the same radius on the basis of a central axis of the piston.

Abstract: A compressor comprises: a reciprocating motor disposed within a casing, for generating a driving force; a compressing unit for sucking gas, compressing, and discharging by a driving force of the reciprocating motor; and a vibration reducing apparatus installed on a flow path through which compressed gas is discharged from the compressing unit, for reducing vibration of the flow path due to the gas discharge. According to this, vibration and noise of the compressor are reduced and a function thereof is enhanced.

Abstract: A system for cooling a turbo compressor includes two compressing parts on opposite ends of a rotational shaft driven by a motor. Fluid from a fluid chamber within the casing of the device is supplied to a bearing chamber when the temperature of the bearing chamber increases. A supply passage is formed in a first support where the radial bearing for supporting a load in the axial direction is formed. The open-and-shut valve supplies fluid when the temperature of the bearing chamber increases.

Abstract: A turbo compressor is provided which includes a motor having a stator with a rotor which rotates in the inside of the stator. A rotation shaft is press-fitted into the rotor and is integrally rotated with the rotor. A bearing is provided for supporting the rotation shaft of the motor. At least one impeller is attached to the rotation shaft of the motor and rotated therewith. A foil bearing including a plurality of foils is provided. First ends of the foils are respectively fitted into a multitude of engaging grooves defined on a circumferential inner surface of the stator, and second ends of the foils make contact with a circumferential outer surface of the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) slurry composition and a method for planarizing a semiconductor device. The CMP composition comprises fumed silica, tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide, phosphates, fluorine compounds and deionized water. The method of planarizing comprises the steps of etching, subsequently laminating and polishing a semiconductor device by said CMP slurry composition.