Apparatus and method for controlling operation of an icemaker

Abstract

A control system for a refrigerator includes a detection component positioned with respect to the icemaker. An icemaker controller is in signal communication with the detection component. The icemaker controller is configured to detect an operational status of the icemaker in response to a signal transmitted by the detection component. A main controller is in bidirectional signal communication with the icemaker controller. The main controller is configured to operate the air damper, the fan and/or the water valve in response to a signal transmitted by the icemaker controller representative of the operational status of the icemaker.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to refrigerators and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for controlling an ice making system in a refrigerator.

Some known refrigerators include a fresh food storage compartment and a freezer storage compartment. Such refrigerators also typically include a refrigeration circuit including a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser connected in series. An evaporator fan is provided to blow air over the evaporator, and a condenser fan is provided to blow air over the condenser. In operation, when an upper temperature limit is reached in the freezer storage compartment, the compressor, evaporator fan, and condenser fan are energized. Once the temperature in the freezer storage compartment reaches a lower temperature limit, the compressor, evaporator fan, and condenser fan are de-energized.

Some refrigerators include an icemaker. The icemaker receives water for ice production from a water valve typically mounted to an exterior of a refrigerator case. A primary mode of heat transfer for making ice is convection. Specifically, by blowing cold air over an icemaker mold body, heat is removed from water in the mold body. As a result, ice is formed in the mold. However, at least some know refrigerators operate the refrigerator components without knowing the operational status of the icemaker. As such, the icemaker works without the help from other refrigerator component. Further, other refrigerator components may adversely effect the normal operation of the icemaker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a control system for a refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a fresh food storage compartment and a freezer storage compartment. An icemaker is positioned within the fresh food storage compartment or the freezer storage compartment. An air damper is operatively coupled to the fresh food storage compartment and the freezer storage compartment. A fan is configured to direct cooled air through the air damper and into the fresh food storage compartment and the freezer storage compartment. An icemaker valve is configured to control water flow into the icemaker. The control system includes a detection component positioned with respect to the icemaker. An icemaker controller is in signal communication with the detection component. The icemaker controller is configured to detect an operational status of the icemaker in response to a signal transmitted by the detection component. A main controller is in bidirectional signal communication with the icemaker controller. The main controller is configured to operate the air damper, the fan and/or the water valve in response to a signal transmitted by the icemaker controller representative of the operational status of the icemaker.

In another aspect, a refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a fresh food storage compartment and a freezer storage compartment. An icemaker is positioned within the fresh food storage compartment or the freezer storage compartment. The refrigerator includes air damper and a fan configured to direct cooled air through the air damper and into the fresh food storage compartment and/or the freezer storage compartment. An icemaker valve is configured to control water flow into the icemaker. The refrigerator further includes a control system having at least one detection component positioned with respect to the icemaker and an icemaker controller in signal communication with the at least one detection component. The icemaker controller is configured to detect an operational status of the icemaker in response to a signal received from the at least one detection component. A main controller is in bidirectional signal communication with the icemaker controller. The main controller is configured to operate the air damper, the fan and/or the water valve in response to receiving a signal from the icemaker controller representative of the operational status of the icemaker.

In still another aspect, a method for controlling a refrigerator is provided. The method includes providing a refrigerator including a fresh food storage compartment and a freezer storage compartment, an icemaker positioned within one of the fresh food storage compartment and the freezer storage compartment, an air damper operatively coupled to the fresh food storage compartment and the freezer storage compartment, a fan configured to direct cooled air through the air damper and into at least one of the fresh food storage compartment and the freezer storage compartment and an icemaker valve configured to control water flow into the icemaker. A detection component is positioned with respect to the icemaker. An icemaker controller is coupled in signal communication with the detection component. The icemaker controller is configured to detect an operational status of the icemaker in response to a signal received from the detection component. A main controller is coupled in bidirectional signal communication with the icemaker controller. The main controller is configured to operate the air damper, the fan and/or the water valve in response to a signal received from the icemaker controller representative of the operational status of the icemaker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary refrigerator.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an exemplary icemaker suitable for use with the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is block diagram of an exemplary control system suitable for use with the icemaker shown in FIG. 2

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary refrigeration appliance 100 in which the present invention may be practiced. In the embodiment described and illustrated herein, appliance 100 is a side-by-side refrigerator. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of the present invention are equally applicable to other types of refrigerators, freezers, and refrigeration appliances. Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention in any aspect.

Refrigerator 100 includes a fresh food storage compartment 102 and a freezer storage compartment 104 contained within an outer case 106 and inner liners 108 and 110. A space between outer case 106 and inner liners 108 and 110, and between inner liners 108 and 110, is filled with foamed-in-place insulation. Outer case 106 normally is formed by folding a sheet of a suitable material, such as pre-painted steel, into an inverted U-shape to form top and side walls of case. A bottom wall of outer case 106 normally is formed separately and attached to the case side walls and to a bottom frame that provides support for refrigerator 100. Inner liners 108 and 110 are molded from a suitable plastic material to form fresh food storage compartment 102 and freezer storage compartment 104, respectively. Alternatively, inner liners 108, 110 may be formed by bending and welding a sheet of a suitable metal, such as steel. The illustrative embodiment includes two separate inner liners 108, 110 as it is a relatively large capacity unit and separate liners add strength and are easier to maintain within manufacturing tolerances. In smaller refrigerators, a single liner is formed and a mullion spans between opposite sides of the liner to divide it into a freezer storage compartment and a fresh food storage compartment.

A breaker strip 112 extends between a case front flange and outer front edges of liners. Breaker strip 112 is formed from a suitable resilient material, such as an extruded acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene based material (commonly referred to as ABS).

The insulation in the space between inner liners 108, 110 is covered by another strip of suitable resilient material, which also commonly is referred to as a mullion 114. Mullion 114 also preferably is formed of an extruded ABS material. Breaker strip 112 and mullion 114 form a front face, and extend completely around inner peripheral edges of outer case 106 and vertically between inner liners 108, 110. Mullion 114, insulation between compartments, and a spaced wall of liners separating compartments, sometimes are collectively referred to herein as a center mullion wall 116.

Shelves 118 and slide-out drawers 120 normally are provided in fresh food storage compartment 102 to support items being stored therein. In one embodiment, a bottom drawer or pan 122 partly forms a quick chill and thaw system (not shown) selectively controlled, together with other refrigerator features, by a main controller 123 according to user preference via manipulation of a control interface 124 mounted in an upper region of fresh food storage compartment 102 and coupled to main controller 123.

Main controller 123 is mounted within refrigerator 100, and is programmed to perform functions described herein. As used herein, the term controller is not limited to just those integrated circuits referred to in the art as microprocessor, but broadly refers to computers, processors, microcontrollers, microcomputers, programmable logic controllers, application specific integrated circuits, and other programmable circuits, and these terms are used interchangeably herein.

Freezer storage compartment 104 includes at least one shelf 126 and/or at least one wire basket 128. Further, an automatic icemaker 130 is at least partially positioned within freezer storage compartment 104. Alternatively, icemaker 130 is at least partially positioned within fresh food storage compartment 102. In one embodiment, icemaker 130 is an electronically controlled icemaker including an electronic circuit board with a microprocessor. The electronic circuit board and/or the microprocessor are operatively coupled to the main controller 123. Icemaker 130 is in signal communication with main controller 123 in a serial configuration or a digital signal configuration to monitor and/or control other elements of refrigerator 100, as described in greater detail below. It is apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that icemaker 130 may include any suitable component or mechanism for producing ice. In alternative embodiments, icemaker 130 may include a cooling mechanism for cooling by air convection around the icemaker and/or by conduction achieved by contact with a heat exchanger containing fluid, such as a refrigerant fluid or any suitable fluid. Alternatively or in addition, icemaker 130 may be positioned in contact with an enhanced heat transfer device, such as a thermoelectric junction or a thermal tunneling junction.

In a particular embodiment, icemaker 130 includes a timer or clock circuit and/or a temperature sensor. In this embodiment, the temperature sensor and/or transfer functions are utilized to monitor a quantity of water within icemaker 130 to activate icemaker 130 to make ice and/or whether ice should be dispensed from icemaker 130. An ice dispenser 131 is positioned in freezer door 132 and in communication with icemaker 130 such that ice can be obtained without opening freezer door 132.

In one embodiment, icemaker 130 includes a number of electromechanical elements and/ electronic elements that manipulate a mold to shape ice as the ice freezes, a mechanism to remove or release frozen ice from the mold, and a primary ice bucket for storage of ice produced in the mold. Periodically, the ice supply is replenished by icemaker 130 as ice is removed from the primary ice bucket. The storage capacity of the primary ice bucket is generally sufficient for normal use of refrigerator 100.

Freezer door 132 and a fresh food door 134 close access openings to freezer storage compartment 104 and fresh food storage compartment 104, 102, respectively. Each door 132, 134 is mounted by a top hinge 136 and a bottom hinge (not shown) to rotate about its outer vertical edge between an open position, as shown in FIG. 1, and a closed position (not shown) closing the associated storage compartment. Freezer door 132 includes a plurality of storage shelves 138 and a sealing gasket 140, and fresh food door 134 also includes a plurality of storage shelves 142 and a sealing gasket 144.

In accordance with known refrigerators, refrigerator 100 also includes a machinery compartment (not shown) that at least partially contains components for executing a known vapor compression cycle for cooling air. The components include a compressor (not shown), a condenser (not shown), an expansion device (not shown), and an evaporator (not shown) connected in series and charged with a refrigerant. The evaporator is a type of heat exchanger which transfers heat from air passing over the evaporator to a refrigerant flowing through the evaporator, thereby causing the refrigerant to vaporize. The cooled air is used to refrigerate one or more refrigerator or freezer storage compartments via fans (not shown). Collectively, the vapor compression cycle components in a refrigeration circuit, associated fans, and associated compartments are referred to herein as a sealed system. The construction of the sealed system is well known and therefore not described in detail herein, and the sealed system is operable to force cold air through the refrigerator.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of icemaker 130, according to one embodiment. Icemaker 130 includes a metal mold 150 with a tray structure having a bottom wall 152, a front wall 154, and a back wall 156. A plurality of partition walls 158 extend transversely across mold 150 to define cavities in which ice pieces 160 are formed. Each partition wall 158 includes a recessed edge portion 162 through which water flows successively through each cavity to fill mold 150 with water. A water conduit 161 connected to a water source (not shown) is coupled in flow communication with mold 150 for facilitating filling mold 150 with water. In one embodiment, an icemaker valve 163 is provided for controlling water flow through water conduit 161.

A sheathed electrical resistance ice removal heating element 164 is press-fit, staked, and/or clamped into bottom wall 152 of mold 150 and heats mold 150 when a harvest cycle is executed to slightly melt ice pieces 160 and release them from the mold cavities. A rotating rake 166 sweeps through mold 150 as ice is harvested and ejects ice from mold 150 into a storage bin 168 or ice bucket. In one embodiment, cyclical operation of heating element 164 and rake 166 are effected by an icemaker controller 170 positioned with respect to icemaker 130.

In one embodiment, icemaker controller 170 actuates a spring loaded feeler arm 172 in order to sense a level of ice pieces 160 in storage bin 168 and control an automatic ice harvest so as to maintain a selected level of ice in storage bin 168. Feeler arm 172 is automatically raised and lowered during operation of icemaker 130 as ice is formed. Feeler arm 172 is spring biased to a lowered home position that is used to determine initiation of a harvest cycle and raised by a mechanism (not shown) as ice is harvested to clear ice entry into storage bin 168 and to prevent accumulation of ice above feeler arm 172 so that feeler arm 172 does not move ice out of storage bin 168 as feeler arm 172 raises. When ice obstructs feeler arm 172 from reaching its home position, icemaker controller 170 discontinues harvesting ice. As ice is removed from storage bin 168, feeler arm 172 gradually moves toward its home position, thereby indicating a need for more ice and causing icemaker controller 170 or main controller 123 (shown in FIG. 1) to initiate formation and harvesting of ice pieces 160, as is further explained below. In an alternative embodiment, icemaker controller 170 utilizes an algorithm to fill and/or sense when additional ice is needed. Icemaker controller 170 may include any suitable algorithm for monitoring and/or making ice, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,974 issued to Herzog, et al. and assigned to General Electric Company, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.

In an alternative embodiment, a cam-driven feeler arm (not shown) rotates underneath icemaker 130 and out over storage bin 168 as ice is formed. The feeler arm is spring biased to an outward or home position that is used to initiate an ice harvest cycle, and is rotated inward and underneath icemaker 130 by a cam slide mechanism (not shown) as ice is harvested from icemaker mold 150 so that the feeler arm does not obstruct ice from entering storage bin 168 and to prevent accumulation of ice above the feeler arm. After ice is harvested, the feeler arm is rotated outward from underneath icemaker 130, and when ice obstructs the feeler arm and prevents the feeler arm from reaching the home position, icemaker controller 170 discontinues harvesting because storage bin 168 is sufficiently full. As ice is removed from storage bin 168, feeler arm 172 gradually moves to its home position, thereby indicating to icemaker controller 170 a need for more ice.

In one embodiment, a damper 174 is provided within freezer storage compartment 104 and coupled in flow communication with the evaporator (not shown). A fan 176 is operatively coupled to main controller 123 for drawing cool air through damper 174, into freezer storage compartment 104, and further toward mold 150.

While the following control scheme is described in the context of a specific icemaker 130, the control schemes set forth below are easily adaptable to differently configured icemakers, and the herein described methods and apparatus are not limited to practice with a specific icemaker, such as for example, icemaker 130. The control scheme herein described is therefore intended for purposes of illustration rather than limitation.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary control system 178 suitable for use with icemaker 130 shown in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, icemaker controller 170 is a printed circuit board having a microprocessor mounted thereon. Icemaker controller 170 is operatively coupled to at least one detection component positioned with respect to icemaker 130 for detecting an operational status thereof. In a particular embodiment, the detection component includes at least one of a first hall effect sensor 178, a second hall effect sensor 180, at least one thermistor or temperature sensor 182, and a water meter 184. Icemaker controller 170 is operatively coupled to heater 164 for heating mold 150 (shown in FIG. 2), and a motor 188 for rotating rake 166 and feeler arm 172 (shown in FIG. 2).

Hall effect sensors 178, 180 and temperature sensor 182 are known transducers for detecting a position and a temperature, respectively, and generating corresponding electrical signals that are transmitted to icemaker controller 170. In one embodiment, first hall effect sensor 178 facilitates monitoring a position of a motor shaft (not shown) of motor 188, which drives rake 166. Further, second hall effect sensor 180 facilitates monitoring a position of feeler arm 172 (shown in FIG. 2). In a particular embodiment, hall effect sensors 178, 180 detect a position of magnets (not shown) coupled to rake 166 and/or feeler arm 172 in relation to a designated home position. In an alternative embodiment, other known transducers are utilized in lieu of hall effect sensors 178, 180 to detect operating positions of the motor shaft and/or feeler arm 172 for providing feedback control of icemaker 130 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). In response to at least one input signal received from hall effect sensors 178 and/or 180, icemaker controller 170 determines whether ice is extracted from mold 150, and communicates with main controller 123 with respect to a status of icemaker 130, as described in greater detail below.

In one embodiment, temperature sensor 182 is in flow communication with, but insulated from, mold 150 to determine an operating temperature of ice, water and/or air therein. Temperature sensor 182 is operatively coupled to icemaker controller 170 and configured to transmit at least one signal representative of the sensed temperature. Upon receiving the signal(s) from temperature sensor 182, icemaker controller 170 determines an operational status of icemaker 130 based on the received signal(s). In one embodiment, icemaker controller 170 determines whether ice is made in response to the signal(s) received from temperature sensor 182.

Water meter 184 is mounted with respect to water conduit 161 for monitoring the amount of water provided to mold 150 with icemaker valve 163 open. In an alternative embodiment, a water level sensor 186 is utilized in lieu of or in addition to water meter 184 to detect the water level within mold 150. Water meter 184 and/or water level sensor 186 are operatively coupled to icemaker controller 170 and configured to transmit at least one signal representative of the sensed water level within mold 150. Upon receiving the signal(s) from water meter 184 and/or water level sensor 186, icemaker controller 170 determines the amount of water within mold 150 based on the signal received from water meter 184 and/or level sensor 186.

Main controller 123 is operatively coupled to icemaker valve 163, damper 174, fan 176, the compressor (not shown), and/or any suitable refrigerator components. In one embodiment, icemaker controller 170 is in bidirectional signal communication with main controller 123, e.g., icemaker controller 170 transmits at least one signal to main controller 123 and/or receives at least one signal from main controller 123 during operation of appliance 100. Icemaker controller 170 communicates with main controller 123 to operate the refrigerator components based on the operational status of icemaker 130. In one embodiment, icemaker controller 170 communicates with main controller 123 in a serial manner or configuration. In another embodiment, icemaker controller 170 sends a digital signal, such as a representative number, to main controller 123 for altering the state of at least one refrigerator component.

In an exemplary method for operating refrigerator 100 and icemaker 130, icemaker controller 170 monitors icemaker 130 through the detection components. Icemaker controller 170 determines whether to execute a harvest cycle through hall effect sensors 178 and/or 180 and/or temperature sensor 182. Upon detecting that a number ice pieces 160 are removed from within mold 150, icemaker controller 170 communicates with main controller 123. Main controller 123 then opens icemaker valve 163 (shown in FIG. 2), and water is filled into mold 150 through conduit 161 (shown in FIG. 2). In one embodiment, water meter 184 detects the amount of water channeled through icemaker valve 163. In an alternative embodiment, water level sensor 186 monitors the water level in mold 150. Icemaker controller 170 receives at least one signal from water meter 184 and/or level sensor 186, and communicates with main controller 123 to close icemaker valve 163 when a predetermined amount of water is provided to mold 150. In one embodiment, a start and/or a termination of a fill cycle is detected by an opening and a closing of icemaker valve 163, respectively.

After a predetermined amount of water is provided to icemaker 130, icemaker controller 170 communicates with main controller 123 to energize the compressor to start a known vapor compression cycle. Main controller 123 also opens damper 174, and energizes fan 176 to draw cool air from the evaporator (not shown) into freezer storage compartment 104. In one embodiment, main controller 123 energizes fan 176 to improve heat exchange between freezer storage compartment 104 and icemaker 130 to increase ice production. In a particular embodiment, main controller 123 changes a rotational speed of fan 176 to vary the rate of ice production, thereby affecting the formation and/or physical characteristics of the ice. In a further embodiment, main controller 123 operates fan 176 to direct cool air toward icemaker 130 at an increased flow rate. As such, main controller 123 operates the compressor, damper 174 and/or fan 176 to facilitate increasing the production of ice upon receiving a signal from icemaker controller 170 representative of an ice producing status.

In one embodiment, main controller 123 is used to operate a defrosting process for freezer storage compartment 104 based on the operational status received from icemaker controller 170. In this embodiment, icemaker controller 170 determines whether the ice is ready to be harvested, and communicates such operational status to main controller 123. Upon receiving a signal representative of the operation status, main controller 123 prevents or limits operating the defrosting process when the ice is ready to be harvested.

In one embodiment, icemaker controller 170 energizes heater 164 to slightly melt ice pieces 160 in mold 150 during the harvest cycle, and communicates such operational status to main controller 123. Main controller 123 then operates fan 176 at a reduced speed upon receiving a signal from icemaker controller 170 representing that heater 164 is energized. As such, the cooled air flow within freezer storage compartment 104 is reduced during heating mold 150. In a further embodiment, main controller 123 closes damper 174 to prevent cooled air from flowing into freezer storage compartment 104 in response to such signal.

In one embodiment, icemaker controller 170 further operates an icemaker diagnostic process on icemaker 130 and communicates the diagnostic result to main controller 123. In a further embodiment, icemaker controller 170 operates the diagnostic process upon receiving a diagnostic request signal from main controller 123. As such, icemaker controller 170 may detect whether some icemaker components need to be replaced or repaired in a malfunction situation, and main controller 123 may prompt the operator the diagnostic result.

In one embodiment, icemaker controller 170 detects the operational status of icemaker 130, and is in bidirectional communication with refrigerator main controller 123. Main controller 123 may alter the status of at least one refrigerator component in response to the icemaker status received from icemaker controller 170, for example if the operational status signal exceeds a threshold operational status. As such, the refrigerator components are operated to facilitate an efficient performance of icemaker 130, thereby facilitating achieving an increased ice production rate.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A control system for a refrigerator, the refrigerator comprising a fresh food storage compartment and a freezer storage compartment, an icemaker positioned within one of the fresh food storage compartment and the freezer storage compartment, an air damper operatively coupled to the fresh food storage compartment and the freezer storage compartment, a fan configured to direct cooled air through the air damper and into the fresh food storage compartment and the freezer storage compartment and an icemaker valve configured to control water flow into the icemaker, said control system comprising:

a detection component positioned with respect to the icemaker;

an icemaker controller in signal communication with said detection component, said icemaker controller configured to detect an operational status of the icemaker in response to a signal transmitted by said detection component; and

a main controller in bidirectional signal communication with said icemaker controller, said main controller configured to operate at least one of the air damper, the fan and the water valve in response to a signal transmitted by said icemaker controller representative of the operational status of the icemaker.

2. A control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said detection component comprises a water meter configured to detect an amount of water channeled through the icemaker valve, said water meter in signal communication with said icemaker controller.

3. A control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said main controller is configured to operate a defrosting process based on the operational status of the icemaker.

4. A control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said icemaker controller is configured to run an icemaker diagnostic process based on a signal received from said main controller.

5. A control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said main controller is configured to operate the fan to direct cooled air through at least one of the fresh food storage compartment and the freezer storage compartment at an increased flow rate in response to a signal received from said icemaker controller representative of a threshold operational status.

6. A control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said main controller is configured to activate the air damper to move to a closed position restricting cooled air flow into at least one of the fresh food storage compartment and the freezer storage compartment in response to a signal received from said icemaker controller representative of a threshold operational status.

7. A control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said main controller is configured to activate the icemaker valve to channel a predetermined amount of water into the icemaker in response to a signal received from said icemaker controller representative of a threshold operational status.

8. A refrigerator comprising:

a fresh food storage compartment;

a freezer storage compartment;

an icemaker positioned within one of said fresh food storage compartment and said freezer storage compartment;

an air damper;

a fan configured to direct cooled air through said air damper and into at least one of said fresh food storage compartment and said freezer storage compartment;

an icemaker valve configured to control water flow into said icemaker; and

a control system comprising: at least one detection component positioned with respect to said icemaker; an icemaker controller in signal communication with said at least one detection component, said icemaker controller configured to detect an operational status of said icemaker in response to a signal received from said at least one detection component; and a main controller in bidirectional signal communication with said icemaker controller, said main controller configured to operate at least one of said air damper, said fan and said water valve in response to receiving a signal from said icemaker controller representative of the operational status of said icemaker.

9. A refrigerator in accordance with claim 8 wherein said at least one detection component comprises a water meter configured to detect an amount of water channeled into said icemaker, said water meter in signal communication with said icemaker controller.

10. A refrigerator in accordance with claim 8 wherein said main controller is configured to operate a defrosting process based on the operational status of said icemaker.

11. A refrigerator in accordance with claim 8 wherein said icemaker controller is configured to run an icemaker diagnostic process in response to the signal received from said main controller.

12. A refrigerator in accordance with claim 8 wherein said main controller is configured to operate said fan to direct a cooled air flow through at least one of said fresh food storage compartment and said freezer storage compartment at an increased flow rate in response to receiving a signal from said icemaker controller representative of a threshold operational status.

13. A refrigerator in accordance with claim 8 wherein said main controller is configured to operate said damper to restrict cooled air flow into at least one of said fresh food storage compartment and said refrigeration storage compartment in response to receiving a signal from said icemaker controller representative of a threshold operational status.

14. A refrigerator in accordance with claim 8 wherein said main controller is configured to operate said icemaker valve to channel a predetermined amount of water into said icemaker in response to receiving a signal from said icemaker controller representative of a threshold operational status.

15. A method for controlling a refrigerator comprising:

providing a refrigerator comprising a fresh food storage compartment and a freezer storage compartment, an icemaker positioned within one of the fresh food storage compartment and the freezer storage compartment, an air damper operatively coupled to the fresh food storage compartment and the freezer storage compartment, a fan configured to direct cooled air through the air damper and into at least one of the fresh food storage compartment and the freezer storage compartment and an icemaker valve configured to control water flow into the icemaker;

positioning a detection component with respect to the icemaker;

coupling an icemaker controller in signal communication with the detection component, the icemaker controller configured to detect an operational status of the icemaker in response to a signal received from the detection component; and

coupling a main controller in bidirectional signal communication with the icemaker controller, the main controller configured to operate at least one of the air damper, the fan and the water valve in response to a signal received from the icemaker controller representative of the operational status of the icemaker.

16. A method in accordance with claim 15 further comprising providing a water meter configured to detect an amount of water channeled through the icemaker valve, the water meter coupled in signal communication with the icemaker controller.

17. A method in accordance with claim 15 further comprising operating the main controller to run a defrosting process in response to a signal representative of the operational status received from the icemaker controller.

18. A method in accordance with claim 15 further comprising operating the icemaker controller to run an icemaker diagnostic process in response to a signal received from the main controller.

19. A method in accordance with claim 15 further comprising operating the main controller to activate the fan to direct cooled air through at least one of the fresh food storage compartment and the freezer storage compartment at an increased flow rate in response to the main controller receiving a signal from the icemaker controller representative of a threshold operational status.

20. A method in accordance with claim 15 further comprising operating the main controller to activate the damper to move to a closed position restricting cooled air flow into the refrigeration storage compartment in response to the main controller receiving a signal from the icemaker controller representative of a threshold operational status.