Electrical Heater Patents (Class 62/351)
  • Patent number: 8256234
    Abstract: A method for cooling an icemaker is disclosed. The icemaker includes an ice mold body having a channel for transport of coolant and a plurality of ice cavities. The method includes the steps of injecting a coolant into the channel, adding water to the ice cavities, forming ice cubes in the ice cavities, removing coolant from the channel, heating the ice mold body, and ejecting the ice cubes from the ice mold body. The removal step is performed by reversing direction of a coolant pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric K. Watson, Omar Haidar, Matthew William Davis, Ronald Scott Tarr
  • Patent number: 8245527
    Abstract: An ice making device may include an ice tray, a drive mechanism for moving the ice tray to a water-supply position and to an ice making position, a guide plate formed with a guide groove for guiding the ice tray to the water-supply position and to the ice making position, an engaging projection provided on the ice tray and engaged with the guide groove, a crank which is formed with a drive groove with which the engaging projection is engaged and which is connected with the drive mechanism for moving the ice tray, a heater which is mounted on the ice tray, and a connecting wire which is connected to the heater. The engaging projection is an engaging tube and is structured of two engaging tube pieces which are divided by a plane in an axial direction, and the connecting wire is drawn out by passing through an inner side of the engaging tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventors: David R. Ducharme, Russell E. Watts, Hiroki Kuratani
  • Publication number: 20120167596
    Abstract: According to certain aspects of the disclosure, an ice and cold water dispensing assembly for a refrigeration appliance is disclosed including a reservoir holding water having a water level and an ice maker for making ice cubes to be held within the water within the reservoir. Structure is provided on the reservoir allowing the reservoir to be removably attached to the refrigeration appliance. A handle and a spout are attached to the reservoir and are configured for allowing manual dispensing of ice cubes or water from the reservoir when the reservoir is removed from the refrigeration appliance. An ice dispenser and a water dispenser are provided in the refrigeration appliance for dispensing ice cubes or water respectively from the reservoir when the reservoir is attached to the refrigeration appliance. Related refrigeration devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew Reinhard Krause, Edward Philip Strauss
  • Publication number: 20120111041
    Abstract: An ice making assembly includes a reservoir holding water having a water level, at least one conductor extending into the reservoir below the water level, and a cooling device for cooling the conductor to a temperature sufficient to form an ice cube on the conductor. A heater heats the conductor to a temperature sufficient to harvest the ice cube from the conductor. A dispensing device removes harvested ice cubes from the water. Related refrigeration appliances are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Alan Joseph Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20120096890
    Abstract: An ice cube maker includes an ice-making compartment having side walls, at least one rod-shaped conductor extending distally into the compartment through one of the side walls, and a cooling device for cooling the conductor to a temperature sufficient to form ice on the conductor. A misting system includes a reservoir for water and a nebulizer for creating a liquid mist from water in the reservoir and introducing the liquid mist into the ice-making compartment so that a portion of the liquid mist freezes on the conductor to form a cup-shaped ice cube thereon. A return conduit connects a drain of the ice-making compartment and the reservoir for transferring liquid mist not freezing on the conductor to the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Alan Joseph Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20120073312
    Abstract: A system for use in freezing or thawing a biopharmaceutical material includes a container means and a support member. The container means has a receiving cavity receiving the biopharmaceutical material therein. The support member is connected to and supported by the container means. A transmitter is configured to propagate an ultrasonic pulse into the biopharmaceutical material and is located in a support member cavity of the support member. An ultrasonic sensor is configured to sense a reflection of the pulse in the biopharmaceutical material and is located in the support member cavity. A controller is coupled to the transmitter and the sensor. The controller is configured to determine a phase change of the biopharmaceutical material based on the propagation of the pulse by the transmitter and the sense of the reflection by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: SARTORIUS STEDIM NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventor: Jonathan Cutting
  • Publication number: 20120042680
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a mold body with at least one cavity configured and dimensioned to receive water to be frozen into ice; a hollow sealed tube having an evaporator portion in thermal communication with the mold body and an offset condenser portion opposite the evaporator portion; a two-phase heat transfer fluid contained within the hollow sealed tube; and an actuation arrangement which causes the mold body and the tube to transition between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the water can be introduced into the at least one cavity and the offset condenser portion is above the evaporator portion. In the second position, the ice can be discharged from the at least one cavity and the offset condenser portion is below the evaporator portion. A refrigerator using the apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Carlos A. HERRERA, Richard Devos, Brian Robert Campbell, Ronald Smith
  • Publication number: 20120036872
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for ice maker systems are disclosed. One exemplary method comprises the step of, in a harvesting cycle of an ice maker system wherein a heating element is turned on at a first time instance to generate heat to separate ice from an ice mold body formed in the ice mold body during a preceding ice formation cycle, and turned off at a second time instance to allow the ice mold body to cool so that a next ice formation cycle can begin, controlling an amount of heat generated by the heating element between the first time instance and the second time instance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Brent Alden Junge, Joseph Thomas Waugh, Alan Joseph Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20110314842
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for ice maker systems are disclosed. One exemplary method comprises the steps of: heating an ice mold body to separate ice formed in the ice mold body from the ice mold body; releasing the separated ice from the ice mold body; and contacting at least a portion of the ice mold body with a heat transfer fluid to cool the ice mold body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Carlos A. Herrera, Russell James Fallon, Ronald Gary Foster, William Newton
  • Patent number: 8051667
    Abstract: An icemaker control module for controlling an icemaker making ice bodies in a freezer has a base with snap fit components including an insert molded circuit board, a motor assembly, an ice level sensing system using a bail arm or a paddle, and a water fill system. Lance features in the circuit board connect switch and motor leads. The thermostat, ground wire, and heater of the icemaker electrically couple to the insert molded circuit board when the ice maker control module is joined to the ice maker. Energy may be conserved by pausing rotation and turning off the heater. There is a method for manufacturing the insert molded circuit board in a cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: France/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Daniel K. Amonett, Kevin Mumpower
  • Publication number: 20110252816
    Abstract: An icemaker moisture removal and defrost assembly is provided in a refrigerator. Cooled refrigerant is provided to a refrigerant loop within an icemaker to cool an ice making cavity and a moisture removal portion of the icemaker. Moisture laden air from a refrigerator compartment is directed through airflow channels defined by a plurality of fins extending from the moisture removal portion of the icemaker, whereby moisture condenses on the fins in the form of ice. Dry air exiting the airflow channels is directed across an evaporator and back into the refrigerator compartment. During a defrost event, a heater within the icemaker is used to melt the ice formed on the fins. Alternatively, hot gas from a compressor is used to heat a refrigerant line flowing through the evaporator and/or the icemaker to melt ice formed on the evaporator and/or the icemaker during a defrost event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: TUSHAR KULKARNI, GUOLIAN WU
  • Publication number: 20110162406
    Abstract: A refrigerator including a refrigeration cycle including a refrigerant pipe to supply cooling energy to an ice making compartment, an ice making tray, on which at least a portion of the refrigerant pipe is seated, a drainage duct to collect condensed water falling from the ice making tray or from at least a portion of the refrigerant pipe, and to drain the collected water, and at least one fixer to fix at least a portion of the refrigerant pipe to the ice making tray. The fixer is protruded from the drainage duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Shik Shin, Chang Hak Lim, Jin Jeong, Sang Hyun Park
  • Patent number: 7900470
    Abstract: An icemaker includes a body including an ice mode for receiving water and freezing water to ice. The ice mold has a first side surface, a second side surface and an arcuate bottom surface indisposed between the first side surface and the second side surface. An ice ejector including an ejector member is rotatably connected to the body. The ice ejector defines an axis of rotation. A drive mechanism is operably coupled to the ice ejector. The drive mechanism is configured to reversibly rotate the ice ejector between a first position and a second position. A first cover is fixedly connected to the body for at least partially covering a front portion of the ice mold. A second cover is connected to one of the ice ejector and the body. The second cover is configured to reversibly rotate with the ice ejector between the first position and a third position. The second cover at least partially covers a back portion of the ice mold at the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Chandra Mohan Pendyala
  • Publication number: 20110023523
    Abstract: An icemaker in a refrigerator is disclosed, by which heat generated from a heater to detach ice is prevented from being transferred to an inside of the refrigerator. The present invention includes an icemaker body provided to a prescribed position of the refrigerator to make to ice from a supplied water, a heater provided to the icemaker body to generate heat to facilitate detachment of the made ice, and a heater shielding unit provided to prevent the heat generated from the heater from being supplied to an inside of the refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jong Gon KIM, Oh Chul KWON, You Min PARK, Young Hoon GWAK, Hyeon Po CHO, Bon Young KOO, Myung Soo KIM
  • Publication number: 20110000248
    Abstract: An icemaker unit and a refrigerator having the same. A drainage duct is provided to the icemaker unit, including a longitudinally inclined structure, a laterally inclined structure, and drainage holes to enhance drainage of the water. An upper part of the drainage duct is formed of a high heat-conductivity material and a lower part of the drainage duct of a low heat-conductivity material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Jeong, Young Shik Shin, Sang Hyun Park, Quasim Khan
  • Publication number: 20100319373
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an ice-making unit, which uses a cooling unit in which a refrigerant pipe is received, and a refrigerator having the same. The cooling unit includes a cooler for conduction of coldness, an inner surface of the cooler coming into direct contact with the refrigerant pipe, realizing a direct cooling type ice making operation. A rotatable tray is provided under the cooling unit, so that an ice-separating member attached to the cooling unit pushes ice upon rotation of the tray, allowing the ice to be discharged in a direction opposite to the rotating direction of the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Jeong, Young Shik Shin, Sang Hyun Park, Qasim Khan
  • Patent number: 7823408
    Abstract: An icemaker in a refrigerator is disclosed, by which heat generated from a heater to detach ice is prevented from being transferred to an inside of the refrigerator. The present invention includes an icemaker body provided to a prescribed position of the refrigerator to make to ice from a supplied water, a heater provided to the icemaker body to generate heat to facilitate detachment of the made ice, and a heater shielding unit provided to prevent the heat generated from the heater from being supplied to an inside of the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Gon Kim, Oh Chul Kwon, You Min Park, Young Hoon Gwak, Hyeon Po Cho, Bon Young Koo, Myung Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7810346
    Abstract: An icemaker and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. An object of the present invention is to provide an icemaker and a method for controlling the same, which has an improved structure to make a lot of ice in a short time. an icemaker includes an ice tray rotatable with at least one column of ice making chambers formed therein to make ice; an ejector rotatably provided in each ice making chamber to eject the ice formed in the ice making chamber; an operation device which rotates the ice tray; and a separation device which separates the ice from the ice tray. The separation device may be a heater which heats the ice. Preferably, the heater is operated until adhesive force which acts between the ice and the ice tray is smaller than pushing force in which the ejector pushes the ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung Han Jeong, In Chul Jeong, Nam Gi Lee
  • Publication number: 20100251733
    Abstract: An ice making device, a refrigerator having the ice making device, and a method for making ice are disclosed. Water is supplied to an ice making structure of an ice making device and frozen into ice. The ice is at least partially released from the ice making structure by supplying liquid water to the ice making structure to apply force to the ice in the ice making structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seong-Jae KIM, Nam-Gi LEE
  • Publication number: 20100229574
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for ice making of a refrigerator and, more particularly, to an ice maker of a refrigerator, which reduces unnecessary power consumption by controlling the operation of a heater according to the presence of a liquid for freezing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Si-Yeon An, Seong-Wook Kim
  • Publication number: 20100218519
    Abstract: A refrigeration system is provided with an ice maker chamber within a fresh food compartment. The refrigeration system includes a refrigeration path and an ice maker path. The ice maker path includes an electronic expansion valve for controlling the refrigerant entering an ice maker evaporator and an evaporator pressure regulator. Controlling the refrigeration system includes the steps of sensing a first refrigerant temperature at an exit of the ice maker evaporator and controlling a first control of the electronic expansion valve until the temperature reaches a temperature target. The method of controlling can further include comparing a slope of the temperature to at least one of a minimum, a target, or a maximum setting to adjust the control. Subsequently, a second control for the electronic expansion valve can be repeatedly adjusted by evaluating the first refrigerant temperature and the slope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Hall, James Scoville
  • Publication number: 20100206990
    Abstract: An apparatus for ice removal from a surface has an electrically resistive layer on the surface. An actuation device is provided for mechanically disturbing the surface, as for example deflecting, deforming, or vibrating the surface. When ice has accumulated, an interface layer of ice is melted by heating the electrically resistive layer with an electric current, and an electric current is applied to the actuation device to disturb the surface and release the ice. Alternative embodiments having various forms of actuation device are disclosed. An icemaker using the ice removal apparatus for ice release is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Victor F. Petrenko
  • Publication number: 20100205996
    Abstract: An ice making device may include an ice tray, a drive mechanism for moving the ice tray to a water-supply position and to an ice making position, a guide plate formed with a guide groove for guiding the ice tray to the water-supply position and to the ice making position, an engaging projection provided on the ice tray and engaged with the guide groove, a crank which is formed with a drive groove with which the engaging projection is engaged and which is connected with the drive mechanism for moving the ice tray, a heater which is mounted on the ice tray, and a connecting wire which is connected to the heater. The engaging projection is an engaging tube and is structured of two engaging tube pieces which are divided by a plane in an axial direction, and the connecting wire is drawn out by passing through an inner side of the engaging tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: David R. Ducharme, Russell E. Watts, Hiroki Kuratani
  • Patent number: 7765828
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment provided with an automatic icemaker incorporating a mold configured to produce truncated, crescent-shaped ice cubes. With this arrangement, the icemaker produces cubes that are shorter than full, standard crescent-shaped cubes. The reduced mold size advantageously enables the icemaker to take less space in a freezer compartment, without a significant reduction in ice cube volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Guolian Wu, Kevin Michael Chase, Marcus Roland Fischer
  • Publication number: 20100147005
    Abstract: A method for cooling an icemaker is disclosed. The icemaker includes an ice mold body having a channel for transport of coolant and a plurality of ice cavities. The method includes the steps of injecting a coolant into the channel, adding water to the ice cavities, forming ice cubes in the ice cavities, removing coolant from the channel, heating the ice mold body, and ejecting the ice cubes from the ice mold body. The removal step is performed by reversing direction of a coolant pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Eric K. Watson, Omar Haidar, Matthew William Davis, Ronald Scott Tarr
  • Patent number: 7703300
    Abstract: A pulse system for detaching ice includes a power supply for applying a high-power heating pulse to the interface between ice and an object such as a cold plate of an ice making system, an ice-container, a heat-exchanger, a refrigerator surface or an airplane wing. Pulse heating may be generated within a metal foil or resistive film disposed upon an object to be deiced, or a capillary tube proximate the object to be deiced. An interfacial layer of ice is melted and the ice is released from the object. A force, for example gravity, pressure of vaporization or mechanical scraping, removes the ice from the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: The Trustees of Dartmouth College
    Inventor: Victor Petrenko
  • Publication number: 20100043458
    Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: GUOLIAN WU, Marcus R. Fischer, Jim J. Pastryk, Shawn F. Olsson, Michele E. Wilcox, Jerry M. Visin, Martin D. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100037632
    Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: GUOLIAN WU, MARCUS R. FISCHER, MICHELE E. WILCOX, JERRY M. VISIN, MARTIN D. LEWIS
  • Patent number: 7661275
    Abstract: An ice making has an ice making mold with a plurality of ice making cells opened at the bottom, a water tank, water spray nozzles adapted for spraying the water contained in the water tank towards the ice making cells, an ice bin adapted for storage of ice cubes formed in and harvested from the ice making cells, and an inclined plate having water spray openings and recovery openings and mounted between the ice making mold and the water spray nozzles. The ice making cells are each attached to a serpentine evaporator tube, which is cooled by a refrigeration system and also heated by way of electrical pulse energy. The electrical pulse heating of the ice making cells allows ice to be quickly and efficiently harvested from the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Mile High Equipment L.L.C.
    Inventors: John A. Broadbent, William E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100031675
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a refrigerant pipe, through which low temperature and low pressure refrigerant flows, directly on a tray, allowing for quick ice formation even when an ice maker is installed in a refrigeration compartment, and allowing for transparent chunks of ice to be made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ju-Hyun Kim, Jong-Min Shin
  • Publication number: 20100018226
    Abstract: Ice maker including an ice making container (100) having a plurality of cavities (120) for forming ice, a heater body (210) on one side of the ice making container for selective generation of heat, and heating bars (220) each extended from the heater body to the cavity by a predetermined length with a profile in conformity with a bottom surface profile of the cavity (120) with a gap to the bottom surface such that the heating bar (220) is submerged under water in the cavity for causing a temperature gradient during ice making.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Young Jin Kim, Hong Hee Park, Kwang Ha Suh, Tae Hee Lee, Joon Hwan Oh
  • Publication number: 20100011786
    Abstract: The present invention is characterized in that a refrigerant pipe through which low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flows is directly provided in a tray, that fast icing is possible even an ice maker is installed at a refrigerating chamber, and that transparent ice can be formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jong-Min Shin, Ju-Hyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20090308095
    Abstract: Disclosed are an ice maker and a refrigerator having the same. The refrigerator includes a storage compartment, a storage compartment door for opening/closing the storage compartment, and an ice maker including an ice making tray for producing pieces of ice, and a water dispense cup for dispensing water supplied from a water supply pipe to the ice making tray. A water guide section is formed in the water dispense cup to guide the water, which is supplied from the water supply pipe, to a region below the water supply pipe so that ice pieces are prevented from being accumulated in the water dispense cup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Koog An, Jong Yeob Kim, Young Gwi Park, Sang Min Park
  • Publication number: 20090277191
    Abstract: A tray (1) pivotably mounted in an automatic ice maker has a plurality of compartments (4) arranged in a number of rows and separated from one another by partition walls. The wall (6) extending above the upper edges of the partition walls (3) is formed at a longitudinal side of each row of compartments (4) and at at least a part of the transverse sides (2) thereof. For ice making, water (10) is filled into the tray (1) and allowed to freeze therein. Prior to letting the freezing take place, the tray (1) is pivoted from a tilted setting, in which the filled water (10) floods over the partition walls (3) between the compartments (4) of the tray (1) on a part of the width thereof and contacts a region of the longitudinal wall (6) extending above the upper edges of the partition walls (3), to an upright setting, in which the level of the water (10) lies below the upper edges of the partition walls (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Heger, Tom St Quintin, Craig Duncan Webster, Nathan Wrench
  • Publication number: 20090277208
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a freezer segment for a freezer of the type used for casting confectionery in moulds which are cooled for freezing and subsequently supplied with heat for a short period, whereafter stripping occurs. Cooling of the moulds is effected by using direct evaporation of CO2. The advantage of such a freezer segment is that there is no use for both a primary and a secondary cooling circuit. Another advantage in using a system according to the invention is that working with temperatures down to about minus 50° C. is enabled, compared to about minus 40° C. with brine systems. The low freezing temperature entails that the capacity of a given system is increased by about 40%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Klaus Eichler
  • Publication number: 20090272141
    Abstract: An ice maker comprises a frame (15) and a tray (1) pivotable in the frame (15) about an axis. The tray (1) has a plurality of compartments (4) which are arranged in a number of rows and separated from one another by partition walls (3) and is pivotable between an upright setting in which the upper edges of the partition walls (3) extend horizontally, an emptying setting in which the openings of the compartments (4) face downwardly and a tilted setting in which a predetermined water quantity filled into a row of the tray (1, 1?, 1?) in part floods over the upper edges of the partition walls (3) between the compartments (4) of the row whilst after pivotation back into the upright setting the partition walls (3) separate the part quantities, which are distributed to the compartments (4), of the water quantity from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Heger, Tom StQuintin, Craig Duncan Webster, Nathan Wrench
  • Publication number: 20090235681
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
    Inventors: Victor F. PETRENKO, Gabriel MARTINEZ, Michiya HIGA, Valeri KOZLYUK, Tae Hee LEE, Hong Hee PARK, Joon Hwan OH, Kwang Ha SUH
  • Publication number: 20090235682
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
    Inventors: Victor F. PETRENKO, Gabriel MARTINEZ, Tae Hee LEE, Hong Hee PARK, Joon Hwan OH, Kwang Ha SUH
  • Publication number: 20090211270
    Abstract: An ice making assembly for a refrigerator and a method for controlling the ice making assembly. The ice making assembly and the method of controlling the ice making assembly producing transparent ice and capable of preventing water overflow, the freezing of water that has overflowed, and the spilling out of water that has overflowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Young Jin Kim, Tae Hee Lee, Hong Hee Park, Ho Youn Lee, Joon Hwan Oh
  • Publication number: 20090211267
    Abstract: An ice making assembly for a refrigerator and a method for controlling the ice making assembly are provided. The ice making assembly and the method of controlling the ice making assembly provides a constant amount of water supply for each ice making cycle regardless of environmental conditions such as the varying water supply pressure of different installation locations. Furthermore, overflowing can be prevented during water supply with the use of a capacitance water level sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Young Jin Kim, Tae Hee Lee, Hong Hee Park, Ho Youn Lee, Joon Hwan Oh
  • Publication number: 20090199569
    Abstract: A pulse system for detaching ice includes a power supply for applying a high-power heating pulse to the interface between ice and an object such as a cold plate of an ice making system, an ice-container, a heat-exchanger, a refrigerator surface or an airplane wing. Pulse heating may be generated within a metal foil or resistive film disposed upon an object to be deiced, or a capillary tube proximate the object to be deiced. An interfacial layer of ice is melted and the ice is released from the object. A force, for example gravity, pressure of vaporization or mechanical scraping, removes the ice from the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Victor Petrenko
  • Publication number: 20090178420
    Abstract: An icemaker control module for controlling an icemaker making ice bodies in a freezer has a base with snap fit components including an insert molded circuit board, a motor assembly, an ice level sensing system using a bail arm or a paddle, and a water fill system. Lance features in the circuit board connect switch and motor leads. The thermostat, ground wire, and heater of the icemaker electrically couple to the insert molded circuit board when the ice maker control module is joined to the ice maker. Energy may be conserved by pausing rotation and turning off the heater. There is a method for manufacturing the insert molded circuit board in a cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: FRANCE/SCOTT FETZER COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel K. Amonett, Kevin Mumpower
  • Publication number: 20090165467
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an ice maker including an ice tray (51) for containing water and making ice, and at least one energy generator (54) disposed to supply energy to at least one of the water contained in the ice tray and the ice made in the ice tray, and a method of making ice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Su-Cheong Kim, Jong-Min Shin, Su-Won Lee, Cheol-Hwan Kim, Yong-Chul Kwon, Ku-Young Son
  • Publication number: 20090165491
    Abstract: An icemaker having a mold comprising at least one cavity and a cooling system. The cooling system has a first heat exchanger configured to have a medium flow there through. The first heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the mold to reduce the temperature of the mold below a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Omar Haidar, Matthew William Davis, Kyzysztof Struminski, Solomon Muthumani, Ronald Scott Tarr, Stephen Bischoff, Alvaro Delgado
  • Patent number: 7540161
    Abstract: Ice making machine that uses PETD harvest technology, evaporators, ice molds and cooling system. One evaporator makes thin layers of ice that are laminated to form a larger ice piece. Other evaporators include an ice forming surface on a material that has good thermal conductivity for forming ice in a freeze mode and good electrical conductivity to serve as a resistive heater during a harvest mode. One evaporator has a plate and an array of freezing sites that extend above a surface thereof. Another evaporator has a plate that is divided into strips of good and poor thermal conductivity by. Another evaporator has a refrigerant tube that is sandwiched between a pair of corrugated sheets that have ice forming surfaces. Another evaporator has a waffle style pan that is constructed of a dielectric layer sandwiched between a pair of copper layers. Another evaporator forms an ice slab on an inclined flat surface, which after harvest is diced into cubes with a wire grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Mile High Equipment LLC
    Inventors: John Allen Broadbent, Matthew W. Allison
  • Publication number: 20090126391
    Abstract: An ice maker comprises a tray (1), which has at least one compartment (4) for moulding a piece of ice, a frame (15), in which the tray is mounted to be pivotable about an axis (14), and a motor (22) for driving the pivot movement of the tray, which motor is mounted at the frame (15) to be adjacent to the tray (1) and transversely offset relative to the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete Gmbh,
    Inventors: Bernd Heger, Thomas St. Quintin, Craig Duncan Webster, Nathan Wrench
  • Publication number: 20090120305
    Abstract: Ice cream products are made quickly by mixing ingredients with a liquefied gas in an open container from which clouds of vapor emanate. A deflector close above the open container keeps the vapor from rising away from the container and directs it laterally and downwardly around the container. A source of colored light is visible through openings in a powered mixer used to produce the ice cream products, and a heater prevents the products from freezing to the container. The ice cream products are made in a place where customers can see and feel the vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Rob Kennedy, John Beckmyer
  • Publication number: 20090113918
    Abstract: An ice maker comprises a frame (15), a tray (1) which is pivotable in the frame (15) about an axis and which has a plurality of compartments (4) arranged in a number of rows and separated from one another by partition walls (3), and a motor (22) for driving a pivot movement of the tray (1) about the axis, the motor being coupled to the tray (1) by way of an eccentric mechanism (25, 26, 28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Heger, Craig Duncan Webster, Nathan Wrench
  • Publication number: 20090100856
    Abstract: In the case of an ice maker comprising a frame (15) and a tray (1), which is pivotable in the frame (15) about an axis and in which at least one compartment (4) is formed, a flexible line (12) connecting the tray (1) with the frame (15) extends in a curve about the pivot axis of the tray (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Heger, Tom StQuintin, Craig Duncan Webster, Nathan Wrench
  • Patent number: RE43053
    Abstract: An ice maker for creating a layer of ice on a cooled surface, is disclosed. The ice maker has a source of de-gassed water, which may be de-gassed by being heated. A pump to pressurize the de-gassed water is provided and the water is passed to a sprayer hydraulically connected to the pump. The sprayer has nozzles sized and shaped to convert the pressurized water into a fine de-gassing droplet spray directed at the cooled surface. The droplets are sized to substantially freeze on contact with the cooled surface. In one embodiment a microprocessor is provided to change the volume sprayed according to the speed of the ice maker to ensure an even coat of ice is layed down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ice Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Dawe, Michael Horodenka, Alex Makarenko