Abstract: A system to make ice includes a refrigeration unit and an icemaker disposed in the refrigeration unit. The refrigeration unit is configured to be subjected to a refrigeration cycle; the icemaker is configured to be subjected to a freeze cycle; and the system is configured such that the freeze cycle is synchronized with the refrigeration cycle, asynchronized with the refrigeration cycle, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. A process for controlling an icemaker includes providing a freeze cycle to an icemaker; providing a refrigeration cycle to a refrigeration unit; and constraining the freeze cycle and the refrigeration cycle to control the icemaker.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance is provided with a bracket disposed within a cavity defined by a cabinet of the appliance. The bracket supports a divider disposed within a chamber defined by the cabinet and configured for receipt of food articles. The divider extends from a top wall of the chamber into the chamber.

Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.

Abstract: A vehicle transportable ice plant includes a transportable trailer including an enclosure, and an evaporator positioned within the enclosure for supplying supercooled refrigerant to a heat exchanger, a compressor downstream from the evaporator for compressing the refrigerant, a discharge line downstream from the compressor for discharging compressed refrigerant to a condenser, a condenser fan for removing heat from the condenser, and a thermostatic expansion valve for delivering supercooled refrigerant to the evaporator in an endless cycle. An ice production brings water into contact with the evaporator heat exchanger to produce ice, and an ice cube maker is provided for producing ice cubes from the ice.

Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to methods and apparatuses for generating ice. In one embodiment, a material is introduced to water, and the temperature of the combination of the water and the material is lowered until ice forms, the formed ice having a higher albedo than it would have had if the step of lowering the temperature had been carried out on the water without first carrying out the step of introducing the material. In one embodiment, the material is selected such that an aqueous solution of the material is alkaline. In another embodiment, a material is introduced to water, and the temperature of the combination of the water and the material is lowered until ice forms, the ice forming at a faster rate than the rate at which it would have formed if the material had not been introduced to the water.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes body having a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment, and an ice making compartment disposed outside the freezing compartment. The ice making compartment is in communication with an evaporator space via a supply duct to supply cold air from the evaporator to the ice making compartment, a blowing fan to introduce cold air from the evaporator into the ice making compartment, and a return duct configured so that circulated air inside the ice making compartment is discharged through an outlet of the return duct and mixed together with circulated air from inside the freezing compartment at a lower region of the evaporator space, the mixed air flowing through the evaporator in an upward direction as the mixed air is heat exchanged by the evaporator before being discharged to the freezing compartment or the supply duct.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for forming frozen foam products, including edible products, using air or gases or gas mixtures having an average molecular weight larger than that of air, wherein the products contain bubbles having a reduced average size preferably in a narrow size range.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a fast ice making device for quickly producing ice cubes. The fast ice making device includes a mold body having a plurality of ice forming cavities adapted to hold fluid. In an ice making cycle, a vacuum system evacuates air from the cavities, thereby depressurizing the cavities. Then, a liquid delivery system delivers liquid to the depressurized cavities, whereby an initial portion of the liquid bubbles up within the respective cavities. Overall, a cooler fluid is established at the beginning of an ice making cycle, thus accelerating the rate at which ice cubes are formed within the fast ice making device. Once ice cubes have been formed within the cavities, a heat transfer system is utilized to heat the cavities, thereby slightly melting the ice cubes and aiding in the expulsion of ice cubes from the cavities.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator in which a water tank for storing water to be supplied to an ice maker and a dispenser is in a shelf in the interior thereof. The refrigerator includes an ice maker in a freezer; a dispenser in a front part of a door; a slidable water tank in a shelf in a cold storage space; a pump for pumping water in the water tank to the ice maker and the dispenser; a passage connecting the water tank to the pump; and a silicone inlet in a rear surface of the shelf and having one end connected to an outlet of the water tank and another end connected to the passage. Thus, the water tank, which stores purified water, not tap water, is in the shelf in the refrigerator to supply water to the ice maker and the dispenser through the pump.

Abstract: An inflatable cushion useable for an ice cream maker. The ice cream maker can be spherical in shape and the inflatable cushion can approximate a spherical or dodecahedron shell. The inflatable cushion can be comprised of two half-shell portions that are pivotable with respect to one other to be selectively placed in a closed or open position. The ice cream maker can be snugly inserted within the inflatable cushion.

Abstract: An ice maker includes an ice tray which is moveably mounted to a housing and operable between ice forming and ice harvesting positions. The ice tray comprises a generally planar body portion having a plurality of ice forming cavities disposed thereon. A harvesting mechanism, including retractable or fixed contacting members, is adapted to engage and deform the ice tray when the ice tray is in the ice harvesting position for facilitating release of formed ice structures during an ice harvesting process. The ice tray is a thin mold ice tray which is flexibly resilient, such that the ice tray is adapted to return to an at-rest position from a deformed position when the ice tray is no longer being urged to the deformed position by the harvesting mechanism.

Abstract: An impingement apparatus for use with a freezer includes a flexible belt having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of impingement holes extending through the belt between the first and second surfaces, wherein a passageway is formed in each one of the plurality of impingement holes and through which a cooling medium can pass.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus for an appliance comprising an ice making tray having at least one specialty feature chosen from the group consisting of: a convex bottom surface, a ledge disposed about a perimeter of the at least one ice compartment and proximate a bottom portion of the at least one ice compartment, at least one thread extending from one corner of the at least one ice compartment to another corner of the at least one ice compartment, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: An energy management system may include a refrigeration apparatus. Heat rejected from that apparatus may be used for heating elsewhere. There may be cooling loads which may be prone to frosting. A defrosting apparatus is provided. It is segregated from the coolant distribution array. Recaptured heat of the refrigeration apparatus may be used to defrost the cooling load heat exchangers, in an alternating or cycling mode, as may be. The apparatus may be electronically controlled. Ammonia may be used in a primary refrigeration vapour cycle system. The apparatus may also use a secondary cooling loop or system, linked to the primary system. The secondary system may be a distribution system. The secondary system may use CO2 as a heat transport medium. The coolant system may be an high pressure system, whereas the defrost system is a low pressure system. Separate circuits are provided for coolant and defrost.

Abstract: A novel control logic for an individual cube spray type ice machine. The duration of the freeze cycle is able to adapt to changes in inlet water temperature, changes in ambient air temperature, and the impact of warm temperatures of internal ice making parts within the ice machine due to off cycle periods. This is accomplished through a combination of starting a freeze time period only after the water temperature for the volume of water circulating over the evaporator has reached approximately 32° F., and a freeze time period value that is a function of the refrigerant temperature leaving the condenser at the time where the water reaches approximately 32° F.

Abstract: An ice making module includes a conductive ice tray having a bottom surface and a barrier coating on at least a portion of the conductive ice tray. An electrical circuit in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray includes a power source and a capacitor. A switch is configured to move between a charging position, wherein the capacitor stores an electrical charge, and a pulse position, wherein the capacitor releases the electrical charge. A conductive material disposed proximate the conductive ice tray is in selective electromagnetic communication with the conductive ice tray. The electrical charge released by the capacitor generates an induced electrical current through the conductive material and a repelling electromagnetic force between the conductive ice tray and the conductive material. A water dispensing mechanism disposes water into the conductive ice tray. A cooling apparatus decrease the temperature of the water in the conductive ice tray.

Abstract: To provide a beverage dispenser capable of appropriately and smoothly supplying a supercooled beverage. According to the present invention, there is disclosed a beverage dispenser including a beverage supply circuit 7 which supplies a carbonated beverage to the outside a primary cooling device 13, a secondary cooling device 30, and a heat exchanger 16 for supercooling which allows these components to cool the carbonated beverage flowing through the beverage supply circuit 7 into a supercooled state at a temperature of a solidifying point or less. The heat exchanger 16 supplies the carbonated beverage in the supercooled state to release the supercooled state in the outside, and the carbonated beverage on standby for serving in a portion of the beverage supply circuit 7 cooled by at least the heat exchanger 16 for supercooling is maintained in an unsaturated state.

Abstract: A refrigerator including an ice maker is disclosed. The refrigerator includes an ice maker comprising: an ice making tray rotatably provided therein; a driving unit connected with the ice making tray, to rotate the ice making tray selectively; and a cooling member provided in the ice making tray, contactable with water supplied to the ice making tray.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for automatically turning off an electrically powered actuator in a refrigeration mechanism upon detection of an unwanted condition. In one aspect of the invention, the electrically powered actuator can be the motor of an ice maker/dispenser. The detection can be accomplished by sensing the presence of an object along or near an ice dispensing pathway from the ice maker/dispenser. The unwanted condition could be the presence of the object for more than a preset time period. This would allow to distinguish between an unwanted object such as silverware or clogged ice versus a wanted object such as flowing ice cubes, crushed ice, or shaved ice.

Abstract: An ice making assembly and method utilizes a housing having an upper fluid chamber, a plurality of distinct, substantially vertical fluid channels, and at least one drain aperture in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir. Ice forming members extend from an ice forming evaporator into respective fluid channels. During an ice making event, fluid continuously supplied to the upper fluid chamber flows into each of the fluid channels and out through at least one drain aperture into a fluid reservoir below. The ice forming members are cooled such that fluid flowing across the fluid channels freezes on the ice forming members over time, forming clear ice pieces. The ice pieces are subsequently released from the ice forming members and transferred for storage and/or dispensing.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a frozen liquid product into a predetermined shape, such as a spherical or ball-shape, includes a body (or “housing”) comprising first and second sections relatively disposable into an open or closed orientation, through connection by an attachment assembly. A securing structure is associated with the attachment assembly and operative to maintain the first and second sections in the closed orientation concurrently to the securing structure being disposed in fluid sealing disposition to a hollow interior of the body. A single use connector removably connects the securing structure into the fluid sealing relation as it maintains the first and second sections in the closed orientation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a portable onsite ice making apparatus having a bypass tube, which includes a compressor equipped with a condenser having heat removal capacity of about 2,400˜2,600 BTU/hr; an expansion valve; an evaporator being in heat exchange relationship with an ice making tray; a bypass tube for the refrigerant to bypass the condenser and the expansion valve; and a switching means selectively changing the flow of the refrigerant from the compressor to the condenser or from the compressor to the bypass tube. The portable ice making apparatus has heat removal capacity to cool the ice making tray to ?27° C.˜?26° C. within 3 minutes and heating capacity to heat the ice making tray from about ?27° C.˜?26° C. to about 50° C.˜?60° C. within 30 seconds. The area of the capillary tube in the bypass tube to the area of the first discharging tube is about 1/25˜ 1/10.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body that defines a storage space, a door configured to open or close the storage space, and a dispenser located in the door and configured to dispense cooled water and purified water. The refrigerator also includes a purified water input part that inputs a command for dispensing the purified water, a cooled water input part that inputs a command for dispensing the cooled water, and a dispensing amount input part that sets an amount of purified water to be dispensed based on the purified water being selected through the purified water input part. The refrigerator further includes a filter device located within the storage space to purify water supplied from a water supply source, and a water tank storing water that has passed through the filter device in a cooled state.

Abstract: An ice making assembly includes an ice tray extending along a longitudinal axis. The ice tray includes a first section disposed at a longitudinal first end of the ice tray, the first section including a plurality of first cavities projecting into the ice tray. The ice tray further includes a second section disposed at a longitudinal second end of the ice tray that is opposite from the longitudinal first end. The second section includes an elongated second cavity extending in a direction that is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the ice tray. The second cavity has a shape that is longer in length than a length of each of the first cavities.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment. A door is coupled with the cabinet. A cooling system is disposed in the door and is in fluid communication with the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. A dividing wall is removably coupled with the cabinet and extends between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. The dividing wall is relocatable within the cabinet to change a relative volume of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment. A door is pivotally coupled with the cabinet. A cooling system is disposed solely in the door and is in fluid communication with the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. The cooling system maintains a temperature of the refrigerator compartment at a different temperature than the freezer compartment.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment. A refrigerator door is operably coupled with the cabinet proximate the refrigerator compartment. A freezer door is operably coupled with the cabinet proximate the refrigerator compartment. A first cooling system is disposed in the refrigerator door. The first cooling system maintains a temperature of the refrigerator compartment at a first temperature. A second cooling system is disposed in the freezer door. The second cooling system maintains the freezer compartment at a second temperature that is different than the first temperature.

Abstract: An ice maker comprises: an ice-making vessel having a cylindrical shape, cooling means, a block ice making mold which is placed inside; and a screw type agitator. The block ice making mold includes: a main mold body comprising a plurality of connected L-shaped plates projected radially outward from the central axis; a base plate which is joined to each L-shaped plate, and the main mold body includes a screw insertion part which is formed by cutting off another end side of the central axis by a predetermined length along a side of the central axis from the another end side toward the one end side of the central axis.

Abstract: An ice dispenser for a refrigeration appliance is provided that can deliver both crushed ice and whole or non-crushed ice. A rotating drum or cylinder carries one or more blades that can crush ice against non-rotating blades carried on an axis or rod that extends into the drum. The direction of rotation of the drum can be selected so as to determine whether crushed or non-crushed ice is dispensed. The dispensing system can be located on the door of the refrigerator. An ice maker can also be positioned with the ice dispenser on the door of the appliance or, optionally, can be located in a compartment of the refrigerator.

Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of colored ice cubes (100, 100?, 100?) comprising: a connection for a water supply (10), a heater (20), a single cooler (30), an array of two or more color recipients (50, 50?, 50?), two or more associated mixers (60, 60?, 60?) for mixing the colored water from the recipients (50, 50?, 50?) with water from the single cooler (30), and at least one freezer (70, 70?, 70?) for preparing colored ice cubes (100, 100?, 100?), which is connected to the outlets of the mixers (60, 60?, 60?). Further a method for operating the apparatus for the preparation of colored ice cubes is presented.

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: 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: A stand alone ice making appliance or an ice maker within an appliance is provided where the ice maker includes a fluid inlet, a filtration element in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, a control housing configured to engage the filtration element, and a filter cover disposed adjacent the control housing and configured to support the filtration element, wherein the filter cover comprises a plurality of fluid draining slots.

Abstract: An ice display device includes a chill tube and a piston that slides within the chill tube providing a fluidtight seal against the interior. The tube is filled with water and cooled to form an ice column. A shutter may selectively close the upper end of the chill tube with a fluidtight seal while the ice column is formed. The tube is warmed and the piston is lifted to an upper end of the tube to display the ice column. A plurality of water nozzles may selectively discharge streams of high pressure water inwardly to sculpt the ice column. An armature may extend upwardly from the piston to support and cool an interior of the ice column. The tube and armature may be cooled and warmed by a thermal transfer fluid. A device may be provided to induce turbulence in the thermal transfer fluid.

Abstract: A through-flow freezer is disclosed comprising a freezing cylinder, an inlet pipe, an inlet blocking device, an air inlet, an outlet pipe and an outlet blocking device, wherein, at least in one operational mode of the through-flow freezer, the inlet blocking device and the outlet blocking device are closed such that a certain amount of mix and a certain amount of air substantially corresponding to a desired overrun in the freezing cylinder can be entrapped in the freezing cylinder by introducing air via the air inlet. Furthermore, a method for starting up a through-flow freezer is disclosed comprising the step of adding air through the air inlet until a certain amount of mix and a certain amount of air substantially corresponding to a desired overrun is entrapped in the freezing cylinder and a certain cylinder pressure is reached in the freezing cylinder before starting the cooling of the freezing cylinder.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The refrigerator appliance includes an ice maker for producing ice. The ice maker is deactivated for a predetermined period of time after the ice maker has been filled with liquid water. After the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the ice maker can harvest ice if a demand side management (DSM) status is off-peak, or the ice maker can remain deactivated if the DSM status is on-peak. By operating in such a manner, operating costs of the refrigerator appliance can be reduced.

Abstract: An ice maker for a refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The ice maker includes a mold body that is rotatable relative to an ejector. The ejector is configured for selective receipt within the mold body to assist with removal of ice from the mold body. The ice maker also includes at least two sensors for monitoring rotational motion of the mold body. Utilizing the at least two sensors, the ice maker can monitor ice removal from the mold body.

Abstract: An ice maker includes an upper tray that includes a plurality of upper cells that each have a hemispherical shape and an ice making tube disposed at outer circumferential surfaces of the upper cells and configured to cool each of the upper cells. The ice maker also includes a lower tray that includes a plurality of lower cells that each have a hemispherical shape. The lower tray is rotatably connected to the upper tray. The ice maker further includes a rotation shaft connected to a rear end of the lower tray and a rear end of the upper tray, and configured to rotate the lower tray with respect to the upper tray.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for systems, apparatus, and methods for making ice. According to some embodiments, a refrigerant tube is disposed within an ice formation cell. The ice formation cell receives a water stream, and the portion of the water stream makes direct contact with the refrigerant tube is frozen by the refrigerant tube. Thus, an ice piece is generated.

Abstract: A low profile ice maker/dispenser and water dispenser having a high ice making capacity, for ice nugget manufacture is provided, wherein ice nuggets are metered out of a storage bin via a nugget dispenser outlet, and whereby water is dispensed via a water dispenser outlet. A refrigeration cycle is used, wherein an auger compresses ice on a wall of an evaporator and delivers the ice to the ice bin, breaking it into nuggets along the way. An outer wall of the evaporator is comprised of part of the water reservoir. A baffle in the ice bin facilitates metering of the amount of ice discharged. The system comprises a closed system that enables efficient cleaning of the system.

Abstract: The disclosure features various embodiments and aspects of a chest for quenching beverages. The chest can include a tank for holding a chilled mixture of ice and water, an ice maker adapted for making ice having an output for ejecting ice into a conduit in fluid communication with the tank, and a plurality of quench trays disposed above the tank for holding containers of beverages located in first and second positions. The trays can be filled with cold water by way of a conduit in fluid communication with the tank. The quench trays can include a compartment defined by a bottom and a plurality of walls, and defining therein a plurality of rows for aligning and containing a plurality of beverage containers. The drawers can further include at least one drain orifice configured to guide water out of the quench tray.

Abstract: An ice maker having a housing defining an interior volume, with an ice tray rotatably coupled with the housing and horizontally suspended across the interior volume thereof. The ice tray has ice wells, defined along the bottom by a bottom surface and the sides by an interior surface of at least one containment wall, wherein the containment wall has an upper portion, including a top surface of the containment wall and the interior surface adjacent the top surface. The upper portion of the containment wall has an insulating layer applied thereto. A tray for use in the ice maker and method of manufacturing the tray are also provided.

Abstract: An ice tray may include a substantially planar body portion with a plurality of cavities that are not interconnected by weirs. The ice tray may include a body having raised portions between adjacent cavities to alleviate stress that may otherwise form in these areas. A water distribution system may be utilized to provide specified volumes of water in the cavities to prevent overflowing of the cavities.

Abstract: An ice making device includes heating and cooling elements that control the formation of ice within a cavity. The ice making device may include one or more fluid inlets that supply liquid water to the cavity, and one or more fluid outlets that drain water from the cavity after formation of ice having a desired shape.

Abstract: A clear ice maker assembly for an appliance includes an ice tray rotatably coupled with a housing and horizontally suspended within an interior volume of the housing. The ice tray includes a metallic ice forming plate with a bottom surface, a substantially planar top surface and an edge portion. A containment wall extends upward from the top surface along the edge portion. A grid having at least one dividing wall extends across the top surface between the containment walls. A fluid line extends into the housing and supplies water to the top surface of the ice tray to be retained by the containment wall and the grid. A cooling source is thermally coupled to the bottom surface of the ice forming plate. The containment wall and the grid have a material with a lower thermal conductivity than the ice forming plate.

Abstract: An ice making tray has an array of individual ice cube compartments. A mechanical oscillating mechanism is coupled to the tray and rotates the tray from a horizontal plane in opposite directions along an axis through an angle ? of about 20° to 40°, such that water in the tray moves between ice cube compartments. The frequency of oscillation (?) is harmonically related to the frequency of movement of water in the tray and is about equal to or about twice the frequency of movement of water in the tray. In a preferred embodiment, the floor of the tray is a thermally conductive material in contact with a thermoelectric plate used to freeze the water as well as being subsequently heated to release the formed ice cubes.

Abstract: An ice making tray has a water basin with a thermally conductive floor and a flexible grid positioned therein to define a plurality of ice making compartments. A motor is coupled to the basin to rotate the basin and grid to an inverted position, and a link is coupled between the motor and drive such that the grid is rotatable out of the basin and is flexed to release ice cubes formed therein.

Abstract: An ice-making apparatus for an appliance having a housing with an interior volume and an ice tray horizontally suspended in the interior volume. The ice tray has a cold plate with a top surface and a bottom surface and a containment wall surrounding an edge portion of the cold plate to retain water. A cooling source is thermally coupled to the bottom surface of the cold plate. An intake conduit extends into the interior volume over the ice tray and is configured to draw ambient air into the interior volume over the ice tray, and the ambient air is above freezing.

Abstract: A unitary clear ice sheet is formed from a plurality of individual clear ice sheets which are fused together to give the unitary ice sheet a predetermined thickness. The fused unitary ice sheet is a clear unitary ice sheet due to the formation of the plurality of individual clear ice sheets by running water over a cold plate apparatus or evaporator mechanism to form the ice sheets in a gradual layer-by-layer process. The fused unitary clear ice sheet is used to mold or shape clear ice structure therefrom, such as clear ice spheres in a mold apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for desalinating and/or treating polluted water. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for desalinating and/or treating polluted water using gas hydrates. In particular, the system comprises a desalination tank configured to form gas hydrates using a suitable hydrate former taken from a storage tank that is operatively connected to the desalination tank. With all operations, including formation of gas hydrates, discharging of highly saline water, washing the gas hydrates and dissociation of gas hydrates being conducted in a single pressurized tank such as the desalination tank, the present apparatus provides a simple and efficient solution at a low manufacturing and operating cost.