Abstract: A centrifugal clutch for use with a power door lock actuator. The centrifugal clutch includes an independently rotatable pinion cup having an integral pinion gear which meshes with a jack screw, and a driver rotatably secured to an output shaft of a drive motor. The driver has at least one radially outwardly opening recess formed therein with at least one slider slidably retained within the recess. The slider is biased in a radially inward direction by magnetic lines of force which are provided by a permanent magnet mounted within the driver. Alternatively, a number of sliders can be formed of magnetic material such that the magnetic sliders are mutually attracted to one another in a radially inward direction. A centrifugal force is generated when the driver is rotated. The centrifugal force overcomes the magnetic attractive force to throw the sliders radially outwardly into positive driving engagement with the pinion cup.

Abstract: An ice piece dispenser comprising a receptacle for storing ice pieces and including a front plate having a discharge opening therein. There is provided a dispenser horizontally supported in the receptacle and includes a rotatable feed section having an inlet end and a discharge end with a central axle therebetween, the feed section comprising a cylindrical collar adjacent the front plate and a double bladed screw auger within the collar forming two helical passages. The blades of the screw auger extend from the central axle to the collar and are spaced rearwardly from the front plate with the trailing edge of each blade being curved rearwardly between the axle and collar sufficiently to prevent ice pieces being wedged between the front plate and the blades during rotation of the feed section. A wire auger which is rotatably driven is secured to the feed section for rotation in unison therewith.

Abstract: An ice dispenser comprising a receptacle for storing ice pieces and having a front discharge opening. Supported in the receptacle is a cylindrical, rotatable, feed section having the outer end thereof positioned adjacent the receptacle discharge opening and the inner end thereof having an opening to receive ice pieces. A rotatable wire auger comprising an elongate axial portion is secured to the cylindrical, rotatable, feed section at one end and at the opposite end to a helically coiled portion concentric therewith and spaced therefrom. The helically coiled portion has a terminal end spaced from the feed section and the axial portion of the auger. A drive arrangement is provided to rotate the feed section and auger.

Abstract: An icemaker including a freezer mold having a plurality of partitioned walls disposed within the mold to define a plurality of cavities in which water is to be frozen to form ice pieces having an edge portion. There is provided a stripper member disposed longitudinally along one side of the mold and having a portion thereof above the cavities and said portion having an upwardly depending ridge. The ejection of ice pieces from the mold is provided by a rotating ejector for rotatably moving the ice pieces to above the cavities and to continue rotating the ejector and moving the ice pieces onto the stripper member such that the edge portion of the ice pieces engage the upwardly depending ridge and are retained thereby. Continued rotation of the ejector pivots the ice pieces upwardly about the edge portion and past the vertical whereupon the ice pieces tumble off the stripper member laterally outward of the mold.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for thawing frozen food for use in a refrigerator appliance with a storage compartment maintained at a temperature between 33.degree.-55.degree. F. There is provided a container for receiving a frozen food load to be thawed within the compartment. An electric fan is in air flow communication with the interior of the container and timer means are provided for energizing and then deenergizing the fan after a predetermined period of operating time whereby the frozen food load may be thawed and allowed to remain in the container subsequent to thawing, the temperature within said container being substantially at the temperature of the storage compartment thus preventing spoilage of the thawed food.

Abstract: A refrigerator including a freezer compartment with a quick-chilling chamber having a first container section with a door for access to the interior of the container section from outside the freezer compartment and a second air-duct section. There is airflow communication between the first container section and freezer compartment, airflow communication between the second air-duct section and freezer compartment and airflow communication between the first and second sections near the top thereof. There is also provided means for moving air from the freezer compartment in a path through one section and the other section of the quick-chilling chamber and back into the freezer compartment for a selectable period of time. Thermal insulation is provided between the quick-chilling chamber and the freezer compartment.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for thawing frozen food for use in a refrigerator appliance with a storage compartment maintained at a temperature between 33.degree.-55.degree. F. There is provided a container for receiving a frozen food load to be thawed within the compartment. An electric fan is in air flow communication with the interior of the container and timer means are provided for energizing and then deenergizing the fan after a predetermined period of operating time whereby the frozen food load may be thawed and allowed to remain in the container subsequent to thawing, the temperature within said container being substantially at the temperature of the storage compartment thus preventing spoilage of the thawed food.

Abstract: Door open time in an automatic defrost refrigerator is accumulated in the memory of a microcomputer. Normal cycling of defrost is delayed by inactivating the defrost timer during periods of light usage of the refrigerator until a minimum predetermined accumulated door open time is reached. Provision is made for sensing interior refrigerator temperature to override the delaying effect of the door open measurement when a sensed over-temperature condition indicates an abnormal build-up of frost on the evaporator coils even though the refrigerator is experiencing relatively light usage. A maximum compressor run time interval between defrost cycles is provided for when no door openings occur, as during vacation periods.

Abstract: A demand defrost control system which responds to whether a predetermined evaporator temperature is reached during a defrosting operation. If the predetermined temperature is not reached, then a relatively shorter interval before the next defrosting operation is established. If the predetermined temperature is reached, then a relatively longer interval before the next defrosting operation is established.