Means Using Refrigerant Or Coolant As Heating Fluid Patents (Class 62/352)
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Patent number: 12117223Abstract: A refrigerator according to the present invention comprises: a storage chamber for storing food; a cold air supply means for supplying cold air to the storage chamber; a first tray forming one part of an ice making cell which is a space in which water is phase-changed into ice by means of the cold air; a second tray forming the other part of the ice making cell and connected to a driving unit so as to come into contact with the first tray during an ice making process and be separated from the first tray in an ice separating process; a heater positioned adjacent to the first tray and/or the second tray; an operation unit for inputting a start command of a test mode; and a control unit for controlling the heater and/or the driving unit in the test mode, wherein, if the start command of the test mode is input during the operation of the heater, the control unit turns the heater off and operates the driving unit such that the second tray moves.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2019Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Seungseob Yeom, Donghoon Lee, Wookyong Lee, Yongjun Bae, Sunggyun Son, Chongyoung Park, Donghoon Lee
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Patent number: 12104840Abstract: A refrigerator includes an ice maker, which includes an ice making cell, a heater configured to supply heat to the ice making cell during an ice making process, and a controller configured to control the heater. A cooling power of the cooler when a temperature sensed by a temperature sensor is greater than or equal to a limit temperature during an ice making process is greater than a cooling power of the cooler when the temperature is less than the limit temperature. A heating amount of the heater when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is greater than or equal to the limit temperature during the ice making process is greater than a heating amount of the heater when the temperature is less than the limit temperature.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2019Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Donghoon Lee, Wookyong Lee, Seungseob Yeom, Donghoon Lee, Yongjun Bae, Sunggyun Son, Chongyoung Park
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Patent number: 12013168Abstract: A refrigerator includes: a storage chamber in which food is stored; a cold air supply means for supplying cold air to the storage chamber; a tray forming an ice-making cell; a heater for supplying heat to the tray; and a controller for controlling the heater. The controller turns on the heater in at least a part of a range in which the cold air supply means supplies cold air such that air bubbles dissolved in water inside the ice-making cell can move from ice-generating parts to liquid-state water, thereby generating transparent ice. The controller determines whether or not the heater is functioning abnormally in the ice-making process. If it is determined that the heater is functioning abnormally, the controller supplies water to the ice-making cell by a second amount of water supply, which is smaller than the first amount of water supply, during the next water supply process.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Donghoon Lee, Donghoon Lee, Wookyong Lee, Seungseob Yeom, Yongjun Bae, Sunggyun Son, Chongyoung Park
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Patent number: 12000651Abstract: An instant freezer apparatus able to freeze consumable fluids and food having a freezing point lower than water is disclosed. The method of the present invention is directed to freezing of a substance such as to instantly freeze consumable fluids and food without altering their chemical compositions. The instant freezer apparatus generally comprises a main frame and a removable freezing module. The apparatus may further comprise a freezing fluid injection system such as a liquid carbon dioxide tank or a liquid nitrogen tank fluidly connected to the main frame. At least two freezing cells comprising the fluid to be frozen may be included, the freezing cells being independently removable from the freezing module and other freezing cells. A semi-flexible mat for receiving and supporting varying shapes of freezing cells may be included.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2023Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: ETHER INNOVATIONS INC.Inventor: Julien Michalk-Allaire
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Patent number: 11994330Abstract: The refrigerator includes: a first tray forming a part of ice-making cells which are where water changes phase into ice due to cold air; a second tray forming the other part of the ice-making cells; and a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the water or ice in the ice-making cells, wherein the temperature sensor comes into contact with the first tray and/or the second tray.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2019Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Donghoon Lee, Donghoon Lee, Wookyong Lee, Seungseob Yeom, Yongjun Bae, Sunggyun Son, Chongyoung Park
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Patent number: 11976866Abstract: Disclosed is a transparent ice manufacturing system including a reservoir tank, in which a liquid is stored, a mold having a cavity, in which the liquid supplied from the reservoir tank is filled to form ice, a cooling part that cools one area of the mold to manufacture ice while freezing the liquid from the one area to an opposite area of the mold, and a fluid circulation part provided between the reservoir tank and the mold, and that circulates the liquid between the reservoir tank and the cavity while the liquid is frozen in the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: INTYCO Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sang Jun Seo
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Patent number: 11885549Abstract: A refrigerator including a fresh food compartment; a freezer compartment; an ice compartment disposed in the fresh food compartment; an ice maker disposed in the ice compartment, the ice maker including an ice maker tray, a separate fin evaporator, and a cooling tube which is assembled between the ice maker tray and the fin evaporator, such that the cooling tube is in direct contact with the ice maker tray and the fin evaporator; and an ice bucket for storing ice, the ice bucket being disposed in the ice compartment.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2020Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignees: BSH Home Appliances Corporation, BSH Hausgeräte GmbHInventors: Nilton Bertolini, Alexander Görz, Jorge Carlos Montalvo Sanchez, Vishal Vekariya
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Patent number: 11808508Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ice making evaporator that combines the cubic shape of pan and partition evaporators with the central ice making of a pin evaporator to achieve an ice shape that is mostly cubic. Separation of the cooling ability of these two evaporator portions allows cube shaping during ice making cycle based on time, temperature, pressure, or other variables.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: PENTAIR FLOW SERVICES AGInventors: William E. Olson, Jr., Richard T. Miller, Timothy L. Hynek, John P. Myers
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Patent number: 11719478Abstract: An ice maker, according to the present invention, comprises: a first tray forming a part of an ice-making cell; a second tray forming another part the ice-making cell; and a heater which is disposed so as to be adjacent to the first or the second tray, wherein the heater turns on during a period when cold air is being supplied to the ice-making cell, and the output of the on heater can vary.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2019Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Donghoon Lee, Wookyong Lee, Seungseob Yeom, Sunggyun Son, Donghoon Lee, Chongyoung Park
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Patent number: 11585586Abstract: An instant freezer apparatus able to freeze consumable fluids and food having a freezing point lower than water is disclosed. The apparatus and method of the present invention is directed to a freezer typically able to instantly freeze consumable fluids and food without altering their chemical compositions. The instant freezer apparatus generally comprises a main frame and a removable freezing module. The apparatus may further comprise a freezing fluid injection system such as a liquid carbon dioxide tank or a liquid nitrogen tank fluidly connected to the main frame. At least two freezing cells comprising the fluid to be frozen may be included, the freezing cells being independently removable from the freezing module and other freezing cells. A semi-flexible mat for receiving and supporting varying shapes of freezing cells may be included.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: ETHER INNOVATIONS INC.Inventor: Julien Michalk-Allaire
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Patent number: 11525612Abstract: A method for refrigerant charge determination in a cooling circuit including a low-pressure section and a high-pressure section. At least one compressor unit generates a compression flow of refrigerant from said low-pressure section to said high-pressure section. At least one expansion device generates an expansion flow of refrigerant from said high-pressure section to said low-pressure section. A heat-releasing heat exchanger in said high-pressure section cools and condenses compressed refrigerant. A heat-absorbing heat exchanger in said low-pressure section vaporizes said expanded refrigerant. The method includes loading refrigerant from said low-pressure section into said high-pressure section. An unloading step admits the expansion flow of refrigerant loaded in said high-pressure section into said low pressure section and determines the amount of refrigerant flowing in said unloading step.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: BITZER Electronics A/SInventor: Kresten Kjaer Sørensen
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Patent number: 11421926Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator including a cabinet having a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment defined therein, and an ice maker disposed in the freezing compartment, wherein the ice maker includes an upper tray made of an elastic material, and having a plurality of hemispherical upper chambers defined therein, a lower tray made of an elastic material, wherein the lower tray comes into contact with the upper tray by pivoting to define a plurality of spherical ice chambers therebetween, a driver for pivoting the lower tray to open and close the upper tray and the lower tray, and each rib formed along a circumference of each upper chamber or each lower chamber in contact with each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Yonghyun Kim, Jinil Hong, Hyunji Park
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Patent number: 9915460Abstract: According to an embodiment, an ice tray comprising: a tray body configured to provide ice-making spaces configured to retain water; a plurality of partition walls extending upward from a bottom surface of the tray body to define the ice-making spaces; and a vibration-generating unit configured to vibrate the tray body. The vibration-generating unit can include a vibration-generating member configured to generate vibration and a mounting member configured to mount the vibration-generating member to a lower surface of the tray body.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: DONGBU DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CORPORATIONInventor: Sung Jin Yang
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Patent number: 9049873Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an aqueous liquid aromatised with aroma compounds from coffee, wherein a gas comprising aroma from roast and ground coffee and water is condensed to provide a liquid aqueous phase and a gas phase; and the gas phase is subjected to pressurisation in the presence of an aqueous liquid. The liquid is useful e.g. in the production of soluble coffee products.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2010Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Scott A. Westfall, Annette Michelle Birch, Robert Garwood, Iacopo Cerea, Miguel Angel Garchitorena Gamero, Christophe Duchanoy
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Patent number: 9016926Abstract: A machine for the homogenization and thermal treatment of liquid and semi-liquid food products, for example ice creams, whipped cream, creams, chocolate, yogurt and the like, comprises a containment tank for the mixture and a centrifugal pump put in fluid communication with the bottom of the containment tank for drawing mixture from the tank and putting it back into the tank, heating and cooling means acting at the pump for heating and cooling the mixture in transit in the pump. The heating and cooling means comprise a thermal machine with reversible thermodynamic cycle and using carbon dioxide as refrigerant.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: ALI S.p.A.—Carpigiani GroupInventors: Andrea Cocchi, Roberto Lazzarini
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Patent number: 8950197Abstract: A clear ice making system and method utilizes an ice forming tray pivotally connected to opposing side walls of an icemaker housing. Ice forming fingers of a dedicated evaporator extend into fluid within the ice forming tray, and are cooled by communication with the refrigerant circulating system of the refrigerator. A motor oscillates the ice forming tray about a longitudinal axis at a frequency of about 0.4-0.6 hertz as fluid channels freezes on the ice forming fingers over time, forming clear ice pieces. During an ice dispensing event, the motor pivots the ice making tray about the longitudinal axis such that fluid remaining within the ice making tray drains into a fluid reservoir below. The ice forming fingers are then heated to release the clear ice pieces for transfer from the fresh food compartment to the freezer compartment of the refrigerator.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2011Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Anderson Bortoletto, Kevin M. Chase, Tony L. Koenigsknecht, Ronald L. Voglewede, Matthew E. Young
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Patent number: 8899067Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus including a control unit which starts the operation of the refrigerant compressor in response to an operation signal and which regulates the pressure reducing device so that the temperature of a refrigerant in the water heat exchanger becomes +80 ° C. or more and the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator becomes 0 ° C. or less. The control unit detects a state where a cold storage amount in the cold storage unit reaches a predetermined amount or more and another state where the control unit judges whether the hot water storage tank is full of the hot water, after the elapse of a predetermined time from the start of the operation of the refrigerant compressor, and it stops the operation of the refrigerant compressor when one of the states is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2010Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahisa Otake, Setsu Hasegawa, Ken Kawakubo, Hidetaka Sasaki
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Patent number: 8844309Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Alexandre D. Grosse, Adriana S. Guillen
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Patent number: 8453475Abstract: A system and method for making ice is provided. The system may include a tray for containing a water to be used for making ice, and a refrigerant pipe positioned so that at least a portion thereof is submerged in the water contained in the tray. A refrigerant of relatively low temperature flows through the refrigerant pipe to cause ice to be formed on surfaces thereof. A heater may be provided on the refrigerant pipe and operated during an ice-releasing process. This system and method may eliminate the need for an additional duct to supply cold air to the ice maker, thus simplifying a manufacturing process and reducing manufacturing costs.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2008Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jong Min Shin, Ju Hyun Kim
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Patent number: 8430658Abstract: A frozen comestible maker suitable for home use includes single or multiple molding cavities for forming frozen comestibles, a heat exchanger for maximizing the heat transfer away from the fluid that is being frozen in the molding cavities, a refrigerant solution with a depressed freezing point in contact with the heat exchangers, a base container to seal the refrigerant solution from the fluid that is being frozen, and a bezel piece to retain spills and aid with handling. The refrigerant solution is captured between the molding cavities and the base container. One or more sticks, a drip cup, and an extraction tool may be provided with the frozen comestible maker for preparing and extracting shaped frozen comestibles, such as ice pops and popsicles, therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2009Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Propeller, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Daniel Zorovich, Yos Kumthampinu, John Chandler Earle, Jesse Pierce Delgigante
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Patent number: 8397532Abstract: A direct-cooled ice making assembly for a refrigeration appliance is disclosed. A refrigeration system includes a refrigerant circuit having an ice maker cooling portion for cooling an ice maker mold body. A cooling plate houses the ice maker cooling portion which creates ice within compartments of the mold body by cooling the mold body via the cooling plate. The ice maker is configured to be removably attached to the cooling plate so as to be replaceable without removing the ice maker cooling portion of the refrigerant circuit within the cooling plate or the cooling plate. Related refrigeration appliances are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alan Joseph Mitchell, Charles Benjamin Miller
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Patent number: 8375737Abstract: An ice maker for a domestic appliance comprises an ice tray, a water feed line which can be used to fill the ice tray with water, a water filter which is arranged in the water feed line such that it can be replaced, and a monitoring unit for calculating a value which is representative of the degree of wear of the filter. The monitoring unit has means for changing the representative value by a first fixed step width each time the ice tray is filled.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Georg Hausmann, Peter Nalbach
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Patent number: 8371133Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 15, 2007Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Young Jin Kim, Hong Hee Park, Kwang Ha Suh, Tae Hee Lee, Joon Hwan Oh
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Patent number: 8057207Abstract: An apparatus for preparing frozen comestibles including a container having an interior portion holding a refrigerant solution, and a mold insert attached to the container. The mold insert includes a base, molding cavities extending therefrom, and a heat exchanger in communication with the molding cavities. The mold insert is received within the container such that the molding cavities are housed within the interior portion of the container and the heat exchangers are submerged within the refrigerant solution. The molding cavities include exposed openings that receive fluids to be frozen. When the refrigerant solution is at a sufficiently cool temperature, the fluids freeze into a shaped frozen comestible.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2011Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Propeller, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Daniel Zorovich, Yos Kumthampinij, John Chandler Earle, Jesse Pierce Delgigante
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Patent number: 7926201Abstract: A clogging detecting apparatus for a dryer is provided that checks and displays a clogging degree of an air passage. The clogging detecting apparatus includes a judgment device for judging the clogging degree of the air passage, a storing device for storing the clogging degree of the air passage, and a display for displaying the clogging degree to the user. The clogging detecting apparatus provides information on the clogging degree, so that the user precisely checks the state of the air passage.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2007Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Ju-hyun Kim, Kyung-hun Kim, Sun-cheol Bae, Jin-seok Hu, Yang-hwan Kim, Ju-young Min, Ja-in Koo
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Patent number: 7832219Abstract: An ice barrier and an ice making machine having an ice barrier is provided in some embodiments, wherein the ice barrier is movable between a first orientation in which liquid water from an ice-forming surface is directed into the liquid receptacle, and a second orientation in which the ice barrier blocks access of ice from the ice-forming surface to locations in which ice is trapped between the ice barrier and an adjacent surface. Also, a method of producing ice in an ice making machine is provided in some embodiments, wherein a barrier diverts a flow of liquid water received from the ice-forming surface away from an ice collection bin, and wherein the barrier is moved to an orientation in which the barrier diverts ice toward the ice collection bin and also blocks access of ice to positions trapped between the barrier and an adjacent surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Baranowski, Lee G. Mueller, John P. Myers, Curt R. Cayemberg, Brian A Ebelt
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Patent number: 7757509Abstract: A portable instrument for providing an on-site ice cream, comprise of all natural ingredients, in front of a customer is provided. The instrument according to the current application is comprised of; 1) a compressor equipped with a condenser having heat removal capacity of 12,000 BTU/hr, 2) an exit tube, 3) a condenser tube, 4) an expansion valve, 5) an outlet copper tube, 6) a coiled coolant pipe, 7) a stainless steel shallow bowl shape plate welded on the coolant pipes, 8) an inlet copper tube, 9) a separator, 10) a by pass line that connects the exit tube and the outlet copper tube, 11) a solenoid valve, and 12) a foot stepper to control on/off of the solenoid valve. Slurry of a mixture of fruits, milk, cream powder and honey syrup, formed from an electric mixer is dumped on the stainless steel plate, which is maintained at the very low temperature between ?31 C to ?35 C.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2006Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Han Mi Trade, Inc.Inventor: Seungbok Jin
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Patent number: 7681406Abstract: An ice-making system is adapted to operate within a section of a refrigeration appliance where the ice-making system and the ice made in the ice-making system are exposed to a temperature greater than zero degrees Centigrade. When installed in the fresh food compartment of a refrigerator that also has a freezer section compartment, the refrigeration system furnishes a cooling effect to the freezer compartment sufficient to maintain the freezer compartment at a temperature of zero degrees or less and separately furnish to the ice-making unit a cooling effect sufficient to freeze water for making ice in the ice-making unit of the ice-making system. The ice-making system can include a reservoir that is operatively associated with the ice-making unit of the ice-making system for delivering water to the ice-making unit and for receiving water returned from the ice-making unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Cushman, David L. Hall, James Scoville, James R. Holland, Andrea Bertolaccini, Stefano Zuccolo, Enrico Favretti, Huang Hsin
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Patent number: 7406838Abstract: An ice-making machine includes a control faceplate and formed with a water tank and an accommodating hollow. The water tank has a water intake connected with the feed water pipe of the accommodating hollow. The accommodating hollow is bored with a draining channel communicating with the water tank and has an insert hole in a side and a trigger switch on an outer side. A water trough pivotally assembled in the accommodating hollow has a push plate at the front side and a pivot at the opposite sides to be fitted with the trigger switch. A freezing system installed in the machine body is composed of a compressor, a condenser, an electric magnetic valve, a dryer with a capillary tube, a vaporizer with plural ice-making rods and a liquid reservoir. The water tank has an ice-collecting box.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Inventor: Ching-Hsiang Wang
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Publication number: 20080155999Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for making ice, and more particularly, to an ice maker provided in a refrigerator and an ice making method using the same. A system for making ice according to the present invention comprises a tray for containing a water to be used for making ice; and an ice-making pipe disposed so that at least a portion thereof is submerged in the water contained in the tray, wherein a refrigerant of relatively low temperature flows to the ice-making pipe during an ice-making process, while a refrigerant of relatively high temperature flows to the ice-making pipe during an ice-releasing process.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2008Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Jong Min SHIN, Ju Hyun Kim
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Patent number: 7168262Abstract: In external unit 19, three-way valve 25 provided downstream of CPR 23 enables a switching connection between CPR 23 and branch line 21A of first bypass line 21 with respect to liquid line 18 A. In internal unit 20, second bypass line 27 connects inlet side of receiver 13 and inlet side of evaporator 16, and open/close valve 28 is provided along second bypass line 27. At de-icing, three-way valve 25 switches to first bypass line 21 side and open/close valve 28 opens. There upon, hot gas from compressor 11 circulates from first bypass line 21 to liquid line 18A to enter evaporator 16 through second bypass line 27 while squeezing out liquid refrigerant. Evaporator 16 is heated by manifest heat of introduced hot gas, and when the internal pressure of vaporator 16 rises to a condensation temperature over 0° C., de-icing is performed efficiently by manifest heat plus latent heat.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2005Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akihiko Hirano, Masao Sanuki, Chiyoshi Toya, Kazuhiro Yoshida
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Patent number: 7062936Abstract: A compact refrigerator has a split cabinet defining insulated refrigerator and clear ice maker sections. Its refrigeration system includes one external compressor and condenser and two evaporators, one for each section. The condenser is coupled to the inlet of the ice maker evaporator by a capillary tube and the evaporators are connected in series via a line having a refrigerator valve. The compressor receives return refrigerant from the outlet side of either the refrigerator evaporator or the ice maker evaporator depending on the state of a bypass valve, which is closed when the refrigerator valve is open, and vice versa. Refrigerant is thus routed to the ice maker evaporator to make ice and to both the ice maker and refrigerator evaporators when the refrigerator needs cooling. A hot gas bypass valve allows pre-condensed refrigerant exiting the compressor to bypass the condenser and be routed to the ice maker evaporator for harvesting the clear ice cubes.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: U-Line CorporationInventors: Thomas W. Rand, Andrew J. Doberstein, Joseph H. Zyduck
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Patent number: 7017353Abstract: An ice cube-making machine that is characterized by noiseless operation at the location where ice cubes are dispensed and be lightweight packages for ease of installation. The ice cube-making machine has an evaporator package, a separate compressor package and a separate condenser package. Each of these packages has a weight that can generally by handled by one or two installers for ease of installation. The noisy compressor and condenser packages can be located remotely of the evaporator package. The maximum height distance between the evaporator package and the condenser package is greatly enhanced by the three package system. A pressure regulator operates during a harvest cycle to limit flow of refrigerant leaving the evaporator, thereby increasing pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator and assisting in defrost thereof. The evaporator can be integrated with a beverage dispenser and an ice dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignees: Scotsman Ice Systems, Mile High Equipment CompanyInventors: David Brett Gist, Matthew Allison, Daniel Leo Ziolkowski, Michael Kraus, Michael J. Andresen
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Patent number: 6952937Abstract: An ice making machine having a main body and an auxiliary table which is separable from the main body, wherein the main body of the ice making machine comprises a freezing unit for making ice pieces by freezing water separated into discrete cells; a cooling system connected to the freezing unit; an ice bin for storing ice pieces made by the freezing unit; a first water supply pipe for supplying water to the freezing unit; and a first drain pipe for discharging water remaining unfrozen in the freezing unit. The auxiliary table comprises a feed water receptacle and a drain receptacle, both having a space for containing a predetermined level of water; a second water supply pipe selectively connected to the first water supply pipe to supply water contained in the feed water receptacle to the freezing unit; and a second drain pipe selectively connected to the first drain pipe to direct water discharged from the freezing unit to flow to the drain receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2003Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignees: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Cheol-ho Choi, Hideo Nakajo
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Patent number: 6920764Abstract: A high throughput, short batch cycle commercial ice making machine produces commercial ice which resists melting in convenient sizes for mobile food carts, market produce, or fish displays. The machine introduces super-cooled water, that is in a liquid state while exposed to a temperature below freezing, into a batch of pre-formed hollow molds of one or more horizontally oriented ice forming freezing trays oriented horizontally. Using vapor compression refrigeration, the machine produces a plurality of supercooled ice segments in pockets within the freezing tray. The supercooled ice segments are rapidly subjected to a short, temporary contact with a high heat source from a sleeve integral with the freezing tray compartments, along a peripheral bottom surface of the ice segment accommodating freezing tray molds. This temporarily melts a bottom surface of each ice segment, lubricating it and loosening it.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2003Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Inventor: John Zevlakis
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Publication number: 20040237564Abstract: A high throughput, short batch cycle commercial ice making machine produces salt containing, milk containing or beverage containing commercial ice, which resists melting in convenient sizes for mobile food carts, market produce, or fish displays. The machine introduces super-cooled liquid, that is in a liquid state while exposed to a temperature below freezing, into a batch of pre-formed hollow molds of one or more horizontally oriented ice forming freezing trays oriented horizontally. Using vapor compression refrigeration, the machine produces a plurality of supercooled ice segments in pockets within the freezing tray. The supercooled ice segments are rapidly subjected to a short, temporary contact with a high heat source from a sleeve integral with the freezing tray compartments, along a peripheral bottom surface of the ice segment accommodating freezing tray molds. This temporarily melts a bottom surface of each ice segment, lubricating it and loosening it.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventor: John Zevlakis
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Publication number: 20040187514Abstract: A method of regulating the refrigerant temperature for a beverage machine, including a refrigeration system for producing a frozen beverage, operating at least one compressor at a speed to flow the refrigerant through the refrigeration system of the beverage machine and cooling the refrigerant with at least one condenser. The method may also include controllably varying the flow of air across the at least one condenser or the speed of the at least one compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventors: Doug Franck, Darren Wayne Simmons, Daniel J. Peck, Richard Carroll Staten
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Patent number: 6742351Abstract: An ice-making machine comprises a housing, an evaporator connected to a freezing system, a base frame having a plurality of freezing cells for receiving water to be frozen, a freezing base plate on which the evaporator is disposed, the freezing base plate having a lower surface and freezing fingers formed thereon to be dipped into the water received by the freezing cells, and an air-removing means rocking the base frame to remove air bubbles from the water to be frozen. The air-removing means comprises a supporting frame for movably supporting the base frame and enabling it to rock upward and downward, a spring interposed between the base frame and the supporting frame, and a pressing means for repeatedly pressing the base frame, and the base frame being capable of rocking upward and downward due to the elastic recovering force of the spring and the pressure of the pressing means so that the water in the freezing cells are applied to the freezing fingers repeatedly.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2003Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignees: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Oh-bok Kim, Hideo Nakajo
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Publication number: 20040083754Abstract: Method for controlling and optimising the cycle for production of ice cream depending on the mixtures used in the ice-cream making machine, comprising a freezing cylinder exchanging heat with the evaporator of a refrigerating circuit, and a stirrer/scraper element rotating inside said freezing cylinder and actuated by a suitable electric motor, and further comprising a processing element, sensors for detecting continuously the temperature values of the refrigerating gas at the inlet and at the outlet of the evaporator and means for detecting continuously the value of the electric power used by the motor, said temperature values and said values for the electric power used by the motor being continuously input into said processing element; a software program in said processor for processing said values being able to provide an output signal which drives an impulse solenoid valve which introduces continuously the hot gases removed from the exhaust of the compressor into the main stream of refrigerating fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2003Publication date: May 6, 2004Inventors: Gino Cocchi, Gianni Zaniboni
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Publication number: 20040083753Abstract: An ice-making machine comprises a housing, an evaporator connected to a freezing system, a base frame having a plurality of freezing cells for receiving water to be frozen, a freezing base plate on which the evaporator is disposed, the freezing base plate having a lower surface and freezing fingers formed thereon to be dipped into the water received by the freezing cells, and an air-removing means rocking the base frame to remove air bubbles from the water to be frozen. The air-removing means comprises a supporting frame for movably supporting the base frame and enabling it to rock upward and downward, a spring interposed between the base frame and the supporting frame, and a pressing means for repeatedly pressing the base frame, and the base frame being capable of rocking upward and downward due to the elastic recovering force of the spring and the pressure of the pressing means so that the water in the freezing cells are applied to the freezing fingers repeatedly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2003Publication date: May 6, 2004Inventors: Oh-Bok Kim, Hideo Nakajo
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Patent number: 6705107Abstract: An ice making machine has a water system, including a pump, an ice-forming mold and interconnecting lines therefore; a refrigeration system, including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, an evaporator in thermal contact with the ice-forming mold, and a receiver. The receiver has an inlet connected to the condenser, a liquid outlet connected to the expansion device and a vapor outlet connected by a valved passageway to the evaporator. In a preferred embodiment, two interconnected receivers are used. A cabinet housing the evaporator is preferably less than 18 inches deep. The pump is preferably mounted so that the pump motor is located outside of the water compartment, but can still be removed from the front of the machine.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Schlosser, Cary J. Pierskalla, Scott J. Shedivy, Michael R. Lois, Richard T. Miller, Brian A. Ebelt
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Publication number: 20040035136Abstract: An ice cube-making machine that is characterized by noiseless operation at the location where ice cubes are dispensed and be lightweight packages for ease of installation. The ice cube-making machine has an evaporator package, a separate compressor package and a separate condenser package. Each of these packages has a weight that can generally by handled by one or two installers for ease of installation. The noisy compressor and condenser packages can be located remotely of the evaporator package. The maximum height distance between the evaporator package and the condenser package is greatly enhanced by the three package system. A pressure regulator operates during a harvest cycle to limit flow of refrigerant leaving the evaporator, thereby increasing pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator and assisting in defrost thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: Scotsman Ice Systems and Mile High Equipment Co.Inventors: David Brett Gist, Matthew Allison, Daniel Leo Ziolkowski, Michael J. Kraus
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Patent number: 6688130Abstract: An ice making machine comprises a housing, an evaporator connected to a freezing system, a base frame having a plurality of freezing cells for being filled with water to be frozen, a freezing base plate provided with the evaporator and freezing fingers formed on the lower surface of the freezing base plate to be dipped into the water supplied to the freezing cells, and an air removing means for pumping the water into the freezing cells to remove air bubbles inside the water, thereby forming clear pieces of ice. The air removing means comprises a water path disposed at the base frame to be connected to the freezing cells, a water pocket connected to the water path and being replenished with water form an external water supply, and a pressing means for repeatedly pressing the water pocket to pump the water of the water pocket into each freezing cell.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2003Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Oh-bok Kim
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Patent number: 6681580Abstract: A method of making and harvesting ice cubes includes freezing water in an ice-forming mold having a back surface, an open front face and dividers mounted on the back surface forming pockets for the formation of individual ice cubes, the water also forming ice bridges between the ice formed in the pockets, thus forming a slab of ice cubes; heating the ice-forming mold to release the ice cubes from their individual pockets; and using pressurized fluid to push the frozen slab of ice cubes out of the ice-forming mold. An ice making machine for practicing the present invention preferably includes an air compressor to supply compressed air as the pressurized fluid. The compressed air is directed preferably through a plurality of holes in the back of the ice-forming mold.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc.Inventors: Scott J. Shedivy, Timothy J. Kraus, Charles E. Schlosser, Mathew E. Kampert, Richard T. Miller
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Publication number: 20040003621Abstract: A high throughput, short batch cycle commercial ice making machine produces commercial ice which resists melting in convenient sizes for mobile food carts, market produce, or fish displays. The machine introduces super-cooled water, that is in a liquid state while exposed to a temperature below freezing, into a batch of pre-formed hollow molds of one or more horizontally oriented ice forming freezing trays oriented horizontally. Using vapor compression refrigeration, the machine produces a plurality of supercooled ice segments in pockets within the freezing tray. The supercooled ice segments are rapidly subjected to a short, temporary contact with a high heat source from a sleeve integral with the freezing tray compartments, along a peripheral bottom surface of the ice segment accommodating freezing tray molds. This temporarily melts a bottom surface of each ice segment, lubricating it and loosening it.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Inventor: John Zevlakis
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Patent number: 6668575Abstract: An ice cube-making machine that is characterized by noiseless operation at the location where ice cubes are dispensed and be lightweight packages for ease of installation. The ice cube-making machine has an evaporator package, a separate compressor package and a separate condenser package. Each of these packages has a weight that can generally by handled by one or two installers for ease of installation. The noisy compressor and condenser packages can be located remotely of the evaporator package. The maximum height distance between the evaporator package and the condenser package is greatly enhanced by the three package system. A pressure regulator operates during a harvest cycle to limit flow of refrigerant leaving the evaporator, thereby increasing pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator and assisting in defrost thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2003Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignees: Mile High Equipment Co., Scotsman Ice SystemsInventors: Gerald J. Stensrud, Daniel Leo Ziolkowski, Matthew W. Allison, David Brett Gist
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Patent number: 6647739Abstract: An ice making machine comprising a housing, an evaporator connected to a freezing system, a base frame having a lower surface and a multiplicity of freezing cells for retaining water to be frozen, a freezing base plate provided adjacent to the evaporator and the freezing base plate having freezing fingers formed on the lower surface of the freezing base plate to be dipped into the water retained by the freezing cells, and an ultrasonic transducer for removing air bubbles inside the water by vibrating the water contained in the freezing cells with ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic transducer preferably is disposed on the lower surface of the base frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2003Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Oh-bok Kim, Hideo Nakajo
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Patent number: 6637227Abstract: An ice cube-making machine that is characterized by noiseless operation at the location where ice cubes are dispensed and be lightweight packages for ease of installation. The ice cube-making machine has an evaporator package, a separate compressor package and a separate condenser package. Each of these packages has a weight that can generally by handled by one or two installers for ease of installation. The noisy compressor and condenser packages can be located remotely of the evaporator package. The maximum height distance between the evaporator package and the condenser package is greatly enhanced by the three package system. A pressure regulator operates during a harvest cycle to limit flow of refrigerant leaving the evaporator, thereby increasing pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator and assisting in defrost thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignees: Mile High Equipment Co., Scotsman Ice SystemsInventors: Gerald J. Stensrud, Daniel Leo Ziolkowski, Matthew W. Allison, David Brett Gist
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Patent number: 6588219Abstract: A high throughput, short batch cycle commercial ice making machine produces commercial ice which resists melting in convenient sizes for mobile food carts, market produce, or fish displays. The machine introduces super-cooled water, that is in a liquid state while exposed to a temperature below freezing, into a batch of pre-formed hollow molds of one or more horizontally oriented ice forming freezing trays oriented horizontally. Using vapor compression refrigeration, the machine produces a plurality of supercooled ice segments in pockets within the freezing tray. The supercooled ice segments are rapidly subjected to a short, temporary contact with a high heat source from a sleeve integral with the freezing tray compartments, along a peripheral bottom surface of the ice segment accommodating freezing tray molds. This temporarily melts a bottom surface of each ice segment, lubricating it and loosening it.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2002Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Inventor: John Zevlakis
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Patent number: 6434965Abstract: An apparatus for forming a large block of frozen liquid having vertically-disposed heat transfer tubes positioned within an open-bottom, walled mold, and elevator means to raise and lower a platform or a tray to seal with the mold as a bottom to receive and retain the liquid. Once frozen, the block is removed by lowering the platform or tray in a controlled manner.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2001Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Inventors: Mike Hughes, Al Becker