Abstract: An ice maker for forming ice having a refrigeration system, a water system, and a control system. The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. The water system includes a water filter and a sump to hold water to be made into ice. The control system includes a controller adapted to determine a baseline freeze time, a baseline harvest time, and/or a baseline fill time after an initial set of ice making cycles and is further adapted to compare subsequent harvest times, freeze times, and/or fill times to the baseline freeze, harvest, and/or fill times to determine whether the ice maker needs maintenance. If controller determines that ice maker needs maintenance, controller can push a notification to a portable electronic device connected to the ice maker.

Abstract: An ice making machine having a refrigeration system designed for hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants, and particularly propane (R-290), that includes dual independent refrigeration systems and a unique evaporator assembly comprising of a single freeze plate attached to two cooling circuits. The serpentines are designed in an advantageous pattern that promotes efficiency by ensuring the even bridging of ice during freezing and minimizing unwanted melting during harvest by providing an even distribution of the heat load. The charge limitations imposed with flammable refrigerants would otherwise prevent large capacity ice maker from being properly charged with a single circuit. The ice making machine includes a single water circuit and control system.

Abstract: An ice maker for forming ice having a refrigeration system, a water system, and a control system. The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. The water system includes a water filter and a sump to hold water to be made into ice. The control system includes a controller adapted to determine a baseline freeze time, a baseline harvest time, and/or a baseline fill time after an initial set of ice making cycles and is further adapted to compare subsequent harvest times, freeze times, and/or fill times to the baseline freeze, harvest, and/or fill times to determine whether the ice maker needs maintenance. If controller determines that ice maker needs maintenance, controller can push a notification to a portable electronic device connected to the ice maker.

Abstract: A method of interacting with a refrigeration appliance using a portable electronic device, wherein the refrigeration appliance comprises a refrigeration system comprising one or more refrigeration components and a controller adapted to control the one or more refrigeration components and wherein the portable electronic device comprises an application for interacting with the controller of the refrigeration appliance. The method comprising the steps of positioning the portable electronic device in proximity to the refrigeration appliance, establishing a wireless communication connection between the refrigeration appliance and the portable electronic device, and displaying information on the portable electronic device corresponding to the refrigeration appliance to which the portable electronic device is connected.

Abstract: A water distributor for an ice maker having a first reservoir comprising a bottom and an inlet passageway, a central wall comprising a first central wall portion and a second central wall portion, and a second reservoir separated from the first reservoir by the central wall, the second reservoir comprising a bottom. A population of teeth separated by a population of gaps are disposed along the central wall. Water flows from the first reservoir to the second reservoir through the population of gaps. A population of outlet passageways are disposed in the second central wall portion proximate the bottom of the second reservoir. Water exits the second reservoir substantially horizontally through the population of outlet passageways.

Abstract: An ice maker for forming ice during a cooling cycle, the ice maker having a variable-speed compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator, wherein the variable-speed compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator are in fluid communication by one or more refrigerant lines. The ice maker further includes a freeze plate thermally coupled to the evaporator, a water pump, a sensing device for identifying a state of the cooling cycle, and a controller adapted to control the speed of the variable-speed compressor based on the identified state of the cooling cycle. The ice maker may also include a variable-speed condenser fan which may be controlled by the controller based on the identified state of the cooling cycle. Additionally, the water pump may be a variable-speed water pump which may be controlled by the controller based on the identified state of the cooling cycle.

Abstract: An ice maker includes a refrigeration system, a water system, and a control system. The control system includes an air fitting disposed in the sump of the water system, a pneumatic tube, and a controller including a processor and an air pressure sensor. The air fitting defines a chamber in which air may be trapped and includes openings through which water in the sump is in fluid communication with the air in the chamber. The pneumatic tube is in fluid communication with the air pressure sensor and the air fitting. The air pressure sensor is adapted to sense a pressure corresponding to a sump water level. The controller is adapted to control the operation of the refrigeration system and the operation of the water system based upon the sump water level and to detect one or more failure modes of the water system based upon the sump water level.

Abstract: A refrigerator cooler comprises a cabinet comprising at least one storage compartment having an open front and a front face. Refrigerator cooler further has left and right door assemblies rotatably affixed to the cabinet to close and seal against the front face when the left and right door assemblies are in a closed position. The left and right door assemblies comprise left and right doors, perimeter gaskets affixed to the back faces of the left and right doors, magnetic French door gaskets affixed to the inner faces of the left and right doors, and one or more door stops affixed to the left and right doors. The left and right magnetic French door gaskets are magnetically attracted to one another when the left and right doors are closed and are magnetically opposed one another when either the left or right doors are opened.

Abstract: A refrigerator cooler comprises a cabinet comprising at least one storage compartment having an open front and a front face. Refrigerator cooler further has left and right door assemblies rotatably affixed to the cabinet to close and seal against the front face when the left and right door assemblies are in a closed position. The left and right door assemblies comprise left and right doors, perimeter gaskets affixed to the back faces of the left and right doors, magnetic French door gaskets affixed to the inner faces of the left and right doors, and one or more door stops affixed to the left and right doors. The left and right magnetic French door gaskets are magnetically attracted to one another when the left and right doors are closed and are magnetically opposed one another when either the left or right doors are opened.

Abstract: A method of interacting with a refrigeration appliance using a portable electronic device, wherein the refrigeration appliance comprises a refrigeration system comprising one or more refrigeration components and a controller adapted to control the one or more refrigeration components and wherein the portable electronic device comprises an application for interacting with the controller of the refrigeration appliance. The method comprising the steps of positioning the portable electronic device in proximity to the refrigeration appliance, establishing a wireless communication connection between the refrigeration appliance and the portable electronic device, and displaying information on the portable electronic device corresponding to the refrigeration appliance to which the portable electronic device is connected.

Abstract: A water distributor for an ice maker having a first reservoir comprising a bottom and an inlet passageway, a central wall comprising a first central wall portion and a second central wall portion, and a second reservoir separated from the first reservoir by the central wall, the second reservoir comprising a bottom. A population of teeth separated by a population of gaps are disposed along the central wall. Water flows from the first reservoir to the second reservoir through the population of gaps. A population of outlet passageways are disposed in the second central wall portion proximate the bottom of the second reservoir. Water exits the second reservoir substantially horizontally through the population of outlet passageways.

Abstract: An ice maker for forming ice using a refrigerant capable of transitioning between liquid and gaseous states, the ice maker comprising a compressor, a condenser, a thermal expansion device, an evaporator assembly, a freeze plate thermally coupled to the evaporator assembly, a sump located below the freeze plate, and a guide which permits the sump to move from a first position to a second position. The ice maker may be disposed on top of an ice storage bin having a hole through which ice produced by the ice maker may fall and when the sump is in the first position, water can be recirculated from the sump to the freeze plate by a water pump, and when the sump is in the second position, the sump is adapted to cover the hole of the ice storage bin.

Abstract: An ice maker comprising a refrigeration system, a water system, and a control system. The control system includes an air fitting disposed in the sump of the water system, a pneumatic tube, and a controller comprising a processor and an air pressure sensor. The air fitting defines a chamber in which air may be trapped and includes openings through which water in the sump is in fluid communication with the air in the chamber. The pneumatic tube is in fluid communication with the air pressure sensor and the air fitting. The air pressure sensor is adapted to sense a pressure corresponding to a sump water level. The controller is adapted to control the operation of the refrigeration system and the operation of the water system based upon the sump water level and to detect one or more failure modes of the water system based upon the sump water level.

Abstract: An undercounter ice maker assembly comprising an ice maker chassis having a bottom panel, a front panel, a left panel, a right panel, and a back panel. The back panel comprises a bottom portion and a top portion and the bottom panel includes one or more openings. The bottom panel, front panel, left panel, right panel, and the bottom portion of the back panel define a refrigeration system compartment having a reduced height. The undercounter ice maker assembly further includes an ice maker disposed in the ice maker chassis, wherein the ice maker comprises an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and one or more condenser fans. The one or more condenser fans each have an axis of rotation which are disposed at an angle ? with respect to the bottom panel and air can enter or exit the undercounter ice maker assembly through the one or more openings of the bottom panel.

Abstract: An ice storage bin assembly including an ice storage bin having a cavity for the storage of ice and an opening which provides access to the cavity for retrieval of ice stored therein. The ice storage bin assembly further includes a door rotatably connected to the ice storage bin by one or more hinges which permit the door to swing down from a closed position to an open position. When the door is in the closed position, the door closes the opening and when the door is in the open position, the cavity of the ice storage bin is accessible. Optionally, one or more hooks may be disposed on the back side of the door, such that the one or more hooks are adapted to temporarily retain a bucket when the door is in the open position.

Abstract: An ice storage bin assembly comprising an ice storage bin having a cavity for the storage of ice and an opening for access to the cavity. An ice dispensing chute is disposed internal to the ice storage bin and comprises an inlet and an outlet. Ice can be directed into the inlet where it is carried by gravity down to the outlet and deposited in a bucket disposed below the outlet. An ice dispensing chute closure means closes the inlet of the ice dispensing chute. The closure means can comprise a scoop adapted to be received in and seal the inlet of the ice dispensing chute or a raised portion disposed on the back side of a door which is adapted to seal the inlet of the ice dispensing chute when the door is closed.

Abstract: This refrigerator unit (10) with a lighted door (20) includes a cabinet (12) defining a front opening (18). The door (20) is mounted to the cabinet (12) and includes a door frame (22) having top and bottom framing members (26 and 28) and side framing members (30 and 31). A lighting assembly (100, 200) is disposed adjacent one of the side framing members (30), and includes a base member (102, 202) which extends between the top and bottom framing members (26, 28) and conceals the lighting (134, 234) from sight outside of the refrigerator unit (10).

Abstract: This recessed handle (10) may find particular use for refrigeration units, such as freezers and coolers, and includes a front wall (14) having a cut-out wall portion (30) bent to extend inwardly about a bend line (42) to leave a compatibly configurated opening (50). The handle (10) includes an outer frame member (32) for the opening (50) and an inner frame member (34) for the cut-out wall portion (30). The frame members (32 and 34) cooperate to provide a re-entrantly formed portion opposite the bend line (42) providing a finger hold and the frame members are connected by threaded fasteners (94).

Abstract: This refrigerator unit (10) with a lighted door (20) includes a cabinet (12) defining a front opening (18). The door (20) is mounted to the cabinet (12) and includes a door frame (22) having top and bottom framing members (26 and 28) and side framing members (30 and 31). A lighting assembly (100, 200) is disposed adjacent one of the side framing members (30), and includes a base member (102, 202) which extends between the top and bottom framing members (26, 28) and conceals the lighting (134, 234) from sight outside of the refrigerator unit (10).