Abstract: A heat exchanger has at least one inlet and outlet to permit circulation of refrigerant therethrough. Each heat exchanger includes a plurality of thin sections of material arranged between a pair of thin flat outer plates. Each of the thin sections of material is comprised of parallel flow paths, allowing for the refrigerant to flow through the inlet, then from one section to the next, and finally out the outlet. The arrangement of the sections of parallel flow paths allows for the refrigerant to come into contact with the majority of the inside wall of the outer plates, allowing for maximum heat exchange. In use for cooling liquids, the heat exchangers are arranged within a frame and brought into contact with the liquid to be cooled. When the heat exchangers are used to cool liquid sufficiently to produce ice crystals, a rotating scraping device sweeps across the surface of the heat exchanger, removing any ice crystals that have formed.

Abstract: A fluid heat exchanger has an impeller assembly with first and second impeller bodies mated together, each having a substantially circular shape and at least one opening therethrough. Impeller vanes extend axially from the first impeller body and away from the second impeller body. Impeller vanes extend axially from the second impeller body away from the first impeller body. A thermoelectric module is disposed between the first impeller body and the second impeller body. Heat sinks are connected to each side of the thermoelectric module and extend through at least one opening in the first and second impeller bodies, where the impeller vanes are configured to move a fluid through the heat sinks during rotation of the first and second impeller bodies. Electrically-conductive windings disposed in the impeller assembly are configured to deliver induced electric current to the thermoelectric module(s).

Abstract: A cabinet is provided, including a case and a fin element. The case has at least one opening. The fin element is disposed in the case and is adjacent to the at least one opening and includes a main body and a plurality of fins, wherein the fins are disposed on the main body and face the at least one opening.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance having an ice making assembly is provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, an icemaker attached to the cabinet, an ice bin, a support tray, a fluid filter, a liquid storage volume, and a fluid pump. The ice bin may define a bin outlet at a bottom end. The support tray may be positioned below the bin outlet to receive water therefrom. The support tray may define an inclined groove extending downward toward a tray outlet. The fluid filter may be positioned below the support tray. A filter inlet may be positioned downstream from the tray outlet. A filter outlet may be positioned below the filter inlet along the vertical direction. The liquid storage volume may be positioned below the filter outlet and downstream therefrom. The fluid pump may be positioned in fluid communication between the liquid storage volume and the icemaker.

Abstract: A pedestal housing for heat reduction generated by electronic components within the pedestal housing having a cover in which the electronic components are located, a cap positioned on an upper surface of the cover for forming an attic above the cover, a support layer and an insulation layer positioned between the cover and the cap in the attic and a heat and solar barrier layer positioned within the attic for electromagnetic radiation reflection away from the electronic components and electromagnetic radiation absorption from a radiation source and the electronic components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powdered ice maker comprising: an ice-making part provided in a cylinder shape of which the inside is empty; a rotary shaft rotating around the central axis of the ice-making part; a water spraying part provided at the rotary shaft so as to spray water at an inner wall of the ice-making part while rotating; a cutter part provided at the rotary shaft so as to cut the ice formed on the inner wall of the ice-making part while rotating; a water tray rotating at the same angular velocity as that of the rotary shaft, and provided at a lower side of the water spraying part; and an ice tray provided at a lower side of the cutter part.

Abstract: An ice storage device includes an ice storage box, an ice discharging door, an ice crushing device and at least one stirrer. The ice crushing device includes at least one fixed ice crushing blade and at least one moving ice crushing blade which is provided on a rotating shaft and rotates synchronously to the rotating shaft. The at least one stirrer is provided on the rotating shaft and rotates synchronously to the rotating shaft, and the stirrer includes a stirring body having at least one stirring finger on its outer surface.

Abstract: Cooling of a meter by liquid flowing in a flow that is reverse from dispensing flow is described. A plurality of tubes is configured to transport a plurality of fluids comprising a first fluid and a second fluid. Dispense valves attached to corresponding tubes are configured to open when the first fluid is dispensed from a pump to a first outlet. Recirculation valves attached to respective tubes are configured to open when the second fluid is transported from the pump to a second outlet. A meter attached to a tube of the plurality of tubes is configured to measure properties of a fluid when the fluid flows through the tube, wherein the fluid is one of the first fluid and the second fluid. The meter is configured to sense reverse flow when the second fluid flows from the outlet section to the inlet section.

Abstract: A stand-alone ice making appliance and method of operation is provided. The stand-alone ice making appliance may include a container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice, a water storage volume in fluid communication with the container to receive water from the container, an ice maker, a pump, and an ultraviolet light source. The ice maker may include an auger at least partially surrounded by a casing. The casing may be in fluid communication with the water storage volume to receive water from the water storage volume. The ice maker may further include a sealed refrigeration system in thermal communication with the casing. The pump may be in fluid communication with water storage volume for actively flowing water from the water storage volume to the ice maker. The ultraviolet light source may face the water storage volume to selectively direct ultraviolet light into the water storage volume.

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 fluid heat exchanger has an impeller assembly with first and second impeller bodies mated together, each having a substantially circular shape and at least one opening therethrough. Impeller vanes extend transversely from the first impeller body and away from the second impeller body. Impeller vanes extend transversely from the second impeller body away from the first impeller body. A thermoelectric module is disposed between the first impeller body and the second impeller body. Heat sinks are connected to each side of the thermoelectric module and extend through at least one opening in the first and second impeller bodies, where the impeller vanes are configured to move a fluid through the heat sinks during rotation of the first and second impeller bodies. Electrically-conductive windings disposed in the impeller assembly are configured to deliver induced electric current to the one or more thermoelectric modules.

Abstract: An apparatus for breaking ice clumps in a refrigerator. The apparatus includes an ice storage bin, an axle rotatably supported by an ice storage bin, an actuator operatively coupled to the axle and an ice breaker operatively coupled to the actuator. The ice breaker moves in a reciprocal manner upon the driving of the axle and the actuator. Such reciprocal movement of the ice breaker breaks ice clumps in the storage bin.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing flake ice from a liquid is proposed, which apparatus is equipped with a rotatably disposed evaporator roller, a shaft on the evaporator roller that transmits torque from a drive to the evaporator roller, at least two bearing bushings which are permanently disposed on the apparatus and in which the shaft is rotatably received and mounted, a scraper for stripping ice that has been formed from the liquid at the surface of the evaporator roller, a pan that is open at the top and receives the liquid to be frozen, wherein the pan is able to be inserted or slid in one piece onto the bearing bushings or onto additional coupling elements disposed on the shaft or onto the bearing bushings or directly onto the shaft, and is detachable therefrom.

Abstract: An ice bank for a refrigerator, comprises: an ice bank body having an ice-crushing unit and a discharging passage; and a mode conversion apparatus disposed in the ice bank body for guiding ice cubes to the ice-crushing unit, or guiding the ice cubes to the discharging passage for discharge in a non-crushed state, wherein the mode conversion apparatus comprises: a guide member rotatably disposed in the ice bank body for guiding ice cubes to the ice-crushing unit, or to the discharging passage for discharge in a non-crushed state; an elastic member for elastically supporting the guide member; and a driving unit for generating a driving force so as to rotate the guide member. Accordingly, ice cubes can be dispensed in a non-crushed state or in a crushed state, and limitations in installation places of the ice bank can be reduced.

Abstract: An ice making assembly includes an ice maker including a mold body defining a one or more compartments for forming ice cubes therein, a harvesting assembly removes an ice cube from the compartment, and one or more bimetallic elements. Each bimetallic element is configured with a respective one of the compartments so that when energized the bimetallic element deforms with a portion moving in a direction so as to assist in removing an ice cube from the compartment. Related refrigeration appliances are also disclosed.

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: Provided is a refrigerator configured to improve the structure of an ice-making chamber provided to a refrigerator door, thereby efficiently supplying cool air into the ice-making chamber. The refrigerator includes a main body including a storage chamber, a refrigerator door rotatably coupled to the main body, an ice-making device provided to the refrigerator door and configured to make ice, an ice-making unit provided to the ice-making device and including a cool air introduction part, a freezing core vertically arranged in the ice-making unit and cooled by cool air, and an ice tray configured to receive at least one portion of the freezing core therein, wherein the cool air introduction part is provided on an upper side of the freezing core. Cool air is efficiently introduced into the ice-making chamber, thereby increasing the amount of ice made.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ice maker for a refrigerator and a refrigerator having the same. The ice maker for a refrigerator may include an ice tray having a plurality of cells thereinside, an ejector configured to remove ice inside the cells, and a transfer unit configured to transfer the ice removed by the ejector in the length direction of the ice tray. Accordingly, the width of the ice maker can be reduced, thereby reducing the size of its occupied area in the width direction when the ice maker is provided therein.

Abstract: The invention discloses an industrial shell and tube heat exchanger for providing freezing or chilling of brine to produce slurry ice, which includes a shell and tube heat exchanger located in a horizontal position and which includes at least one tube within the shell and tube heat exchanger; and at least one rotatable spiral driven in at least the one tube, and which is adapted to move or pump the brine and slurry ice through the respective tube to ensure individual supply of brine for the production of slurry ice.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has at least one inlet and outlet to permit circulation of refrigerant therethrough. Each heat exchanger includes a plurality of thin sections of material arranged between a pair of thin flat outer plates. Each of the thin sections of material is comprised of parallel flow paths, allowing for the refrigerant to flow through the inlet, then from one section to the next, and finally out the outlet. The arrangement of the sections of parallel flow paths allows for the refrigerant to come into contact with the majority of the inside wall of the outer plates, allowing for maximum heat exchange. In use for cooling liquids, the heat exchangers are arranged within a frame and brought into contact with the liquid to be cooled. When the heat exchangers are used to cool liquid sufficiently to produce ice crystals, a rotating scraping device sweeps across the surface of the heat exchanger, removing any ice crystals that have formed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Provided is a dispenser in which a wash water discharge opening provided to a drain pan is connected to an external tap water system via a wash water supply path. The wash water supply path is provided with a wash water supply valve for controlling whether or not to supply wash water to the drain pan. A wash control section in a controller performs timing separately from control of a generation/delivery control section for performing generation and delivery of ice chips, and also performs a wash action at predetermined time intervals by opening the wash water supply valve.

Abstract: Provided is a dispenser in which a wash water discharge opening provided to a drain pan is connected to an external tap water system via a wash water supply path. The wash water supply path is provided with a wash water supply valve for controlling whether or not to supply wash water to the drain pan. Based on delivery information output from a delivery control section for controlling delivery of ice chips, a wash control section in a controller judges whether or not a delivery count of the ice chips has reached a predetermined set count, and, when it is judged that the delivery count has reached the set count, opens the wash water supply valve to perform a wash action.

Abstract: An automatic icemaker for a refrigerator is disclosed. The automatic icemaker includes an ice mold body having a front side, a back side, and a plurality of ice chambers for containing water therein for freezing into ice cubes, each ice chamber having a top opening having a frontal portion adjacent the front side; an ice stripper disposed along the front side and extending over the ice chambers, the ice stripper being configured to completely cover the frontal portion of the top opening of each ice chamber; and an ice rake disposed between the front side and the back side, the ice rake including a rotatable shaft, and a plurality of rake fingers extending outward from the shaft for moving ice cubes out of the respective ice chambers and onto the ice stripper.

Abstract: An apparatus for making and dispensing frozen aerated products includes a rotating horizontal freeze plate with an upper surface for receiving a chilled aerated mix. The chilled aerated mix includes, in one embodiment, a base that has been sufficiently aerated, and at least one flavor. The horizontal freeze plate rotates about its central axis. The apparatus also includes a spreader body for distributing the chilled aerated mix on the rotating freeze plate. The spreader body extends radially across at least a portion of the upper surface of the freeze plate. The apparatus further includes a scraper for scraping frozen aerated mix off of the rotating freeze plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for heat exchange with a product including a vat, with a first end, a second end and an outer surface, for containing the product to be treated, a shaft, at least one element for heating or cooling a product and for being coupled in the shaft and at least one scraper blade. The machine for heat exchange with a product additionally includes a plurality of separators configured to be coupled in the shaft, at least one separator being located between two contiguous elements. Between two contiguous elements there may be located inner scraper blades anchored in structures fixed to the shaft of the machine at their ends, which in their rotation movement will scrape the outer surfaces of the elements and separators. Additionally, outer scraper blades may be arranged between the structures and the vat to scrape the inner surface of said vat.

Abstract: Disclosed is the auger in an ice bin mounted in a refrigerator, and the like. The auger in the ice bin is configured to rotate an auger having spiral-shaped transfer blades and to dispose ice in each space between the transfer blades of the auger for transfer. Accordingly, a certain amount of ice can always be discharged without simultaneously discharging a great amount of ice, and a user may select the number of ice, thus to diversity functions of an ice dispenser. In addition, since the auger is made of a flexible material, the ice can be prevented from being crushed during transfer, thereby enhancing the reliability of the ice dispenser.

Abstract: The machine for the production of ice, comprises a tubular pipe to form the ice, covered by a refrigerator group evaporator, and having an auger inside to move the ice towards the delivery outlet, associated with a ring nut having a plurality of drawing holes arranged angularly spaced along a circumference, the delivery outlet of the tubular pipe is associated with the terminal inlet of the conveyor of ice, having a substantially upward axial extension and a terminal outlet part positioned at a level substantially higher than the top of the machine.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body which forms an external appearance and has a storage chamber to be opened at a front side, and an ice making device which is disposed in the storage chamber to make ice. The ice making device includes an ice making tray which has ice making grooves for making ice, an ejector which rotates and separates the ice made in the ice making grooves, blocking members which are disposed at an upper portion of one side of the ice making grooves to prevent the ice separated from the ice making grooves through the other side of the ice making grooves from returning to the ice making grooves, and a guide member which is disposed above the other side of the ice making tray to guide the ice separated from the other side of the ice making grooves by the ejector toward the blocking members.

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: A refrigerator including an ice making device to make ice and a control method of the refrigerator. The refrigerator includes the ice making device to make ice, and an ice reservoir disposed below the ice making device to receive the ice made by the ice making device. The ice making device includes an ice-full state sensing lever installed, in a vertically pivotally rotatable manner, at one side thereof to sense whether or not the ice reservoir is full of ice, and a lever cover to cover a side surface of the ice-full state sensing lever. With the use of the lever cover, even if the ice is caught between a wall surface of an ice making compartment and the ice making device, the ice is caught between the wall surface of the ice making compartment and the lever cover. This has the effect of assuring a stable operation of the ice-full state sensing lever.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has at least one inlet and outlet to permit circulation of refrigerant therethrough. Each heat exchanger includes a plurality of thin sections of material arranged between a pair of thin flat outer plates. Each of the thin sections of material is comprised of parallel flow paths, allowing for the refrigerant to flow through the inlet, then from one section to the next, and finally out the outlet. The arrangement of the sections of parallel flow paths allows for the refrigerant to come into contact with the majority of the inside wall of the outer plates, allowing for maximum heat exchange. In use for cooling liquids, the heat exchangers are arranged within a frame and brought into contact with the liquid to be cooled. When the heat exchangers are used to cool liquid sufficiently to produce ice crystals, a rotating scraping device sweeps across the surface of the heat exchanger, removing any ice crystals that have formed.

Abstract: The subject application relates to a remote control system and method for an ice maker machine. The system, for example, can monitor and regulate the operations of a plurality of ice maker components. An output display can also be employed in order to output relevant operating statuses to a user remotely or at a distance from the ice maker machine. The system can receive user input as well as sensor input and control the operation of the ice maker according to both types of input. As a result, a user can remotely determine failure modes and efficiently troubleshoot them as well as maintain an overall awareness of the operation status of the ice maker without physical interaction with the machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the partial crystallization of a phase in a solution, comprising at least one pump for circulation of the solution in a circuit of a heat exchanger formed from at least one tube in contact with a cooling circuit, characterized in that the circuit of the exchanger includes static means to mix the solution, so that the crystallized particles of the phase are continuously mixed with the solution during the circulation of said solution. The invention also relates to an assembly including several devices according to the invention or several parts of such a device. The invention also relates to a method to use such a device.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has at least one inlet and outlet to permit circulation of refrigerant therethrough. Each heat exchanger includes a plurality of thin sections of material arranged between a pair of thin flat outer plates. Each of the thin sections of material is comprised of parallel flow paths, allowing for the refrigerant to flow through the inlet, then from one section to the next, and finally out the outlet. The arrangement of the sections of parallel flow paths allows for the refrigerant to come into contact with the majority of the inside wall of the outer plates, allowing for maximum heat exchange. In use for cooling liquids, the heat exchangers are arranged within a frame and brought into contact with the liquid to be cooled. When the heat exchangers are used to cool liquid sufficiently to produce ice crystals, a rotating scraping device sweeps across the surface of the heat exchanger, removing any ice crystals that have formed.

Abstract: An ice making, and delivery apparatus for making and delivering ice to different ones of a plurality of receptacle units is provided, in which ice delivered via a conduit to a diverter valve mechanism, is diverted from alignment with one ice discharge line to another, depending upon sensors in ice receptacles recognizing a level of build-up of ice in any given receptacle, for computer control of a gearmotor for moving the diverter valve from one position to another. Various controls are provided for preventing ice build-up, and for operating the diverter valve during a “dwell” period of ice movement in the conduit, as distinguished from a “push” period of ice movement in the conduit to the diverter valve. A force multiplication technique is employed for moving the diverter valve notwithstanding the presence of ice therein.

Abstract: An auger type ice making machine is provided with a freezing cylinder into which water for making ice is supplied, an ice-scraping auger for scraping ice formed on the inner surface of the freezing cylinder, and an auger motor for driving the ice-scraping auger. A freezing apparatus has a compressor driven by a motor, circulating refrigerant discharged from the compressor through a condenser, a dryer, a constant pressure expansion valve, and an evaporator provided on the outer peripheral surface of the freezing cylinder. At the outlet of the evaporator there is provided a temperature sensor for sensing refrigerant temperature. A controller controls the rotational speed of the motor through an inverter circuit such that the sensed refrigerant temperature is equal to a specified refrigerant temperature, allowing the freezing apparatus to keep ice-making performance thereof.

Abstract: The device comprises a basin-like container in which partitioning baffles define a plurality of cavities or moulds open at the top, intended to hold a respective quantity of water put into them by means of a solenoid valve, for the formation of corresponding ice cubes. An ejection device includes an electric motor device to which a rotatable shaft is coupled, from which stretch a plurality of ejector elements capable of provoking the expulsion of the ice cubes formed in said cavities or moulds as an effect of the rotation of the shaft. Control devices are associated with the motor device and with the solenoid valve, and comprise two cams operatively driven in rotation by the motor at different speeds. These cams have respective enabling and control profiles engaged operatively by the same feeler that cooperates with an electric switch in such a way as to define, in the operating cycle of the device, at least one time interval of predetermined duration for the opening of said water feed solenoid valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for making and dispensing frozen aerated products includes a rotating horizontal freeze plate with an upper surface for receiving a chilled aerated mix. The chilled aerated mix includes, in one embodiment, a base that has been sufficiently aerated, and at least one flavor. The horizontal freeze plate rotates about its central axis. The apparatus also includes a spreader body for distributing the chilled aerated mix on the rotating freeze plate. The spreader body extends radially across at least a portion of the upper surface of the freeze plate. The apparatus further includes a scraper for scraping frozen aerated mix off of the rotating freeze plate. The scraper includes a scraper blade with a leading edge that extends radially across the portion of the freeze plate and that engages the upper surface of the freeze plate. The scraper blade is directed opposite the direction of rotation of the freeze plate.

Abstract: An auger type ice making machine is provided with a freezing cylinder into which water for making ice is supplied, an ice-scraping auger for scraping ice formed on the inner surface of the freezing cylinder, and an auger motor for driving the ice-scraping auger. A freezing apparatus has a compressor driven by a motor, circulating refrigerant discharged from the compressor through a condenser, a dryer, a constant pressure expansion valve, and an evaporator provided on the outer peripheral surface of the freezing cylinder. At the outlet of the evaporator there is provided a temperature sensor for sensing refrigerant temperature. A controller controls the rotational speed of the motor through an inverter circuit such that the sensed refrigerant temperature is equal to a specified refrigerant temperature, allowing the freezing apparatus to keep ice-making performance thereof.

Abstract: An auger type ice making machine is provided with a freezing cylinder (21) into which water for making ice is supplied, an ice-scraping auger (23) for scraping ice formed on the inner surface of the freezing cylinder (21), and an auger motor (25) for driving the ice-scraping auger (23). An freezing apparatus (10) has a compressor (11) driven by a motor (16), circulating refrigerant discharged from the compressor (11) through a condenser (12), a dryer (13), a constant pressure expansion valve (14), and an evaporator (15) provided on the outer peripheral surface of the freezing cylinder (21). At the outlet of the evaporator (15) there is provided a temperature sensor (41) for sensing refrigerant temperature. A controller (42) controls the rotational speed of the motor (16) through an inverter circuit (43) such that the sensed refrigerant temperature is equal to a specified refrigerant temperature, allowing the freezing apparatus (10) to keep ice-making performance thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus transports rod(s) of ice of flaked or chipped ice through a tube to a remote ice bin, in which the ice is broken into nuggets. A method of cleaning the transport tube is also provided in which ice pushes a dry conformable article and a wet conformable articles carrying sanitizing solution through the tube, with the conformable articles preferable being sponges, and with the wet article sanitizing algae, bacteria, etc. during movement through the tube, and with the dry conformable article scraping debris from wall(s) of the tube during transport.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus is provided in which a refrigeration cycle is used to produce ice inside an evaporator that is generally horizontally disposed, with a hollow auger being provided with a helical flight thereon, for scraping ice from the inner wall of the evaporator and pushing the ice toward one end of the auger, by which it is compressed and moved by a paddle toward a flange, in which it is delivered to an ice breakup device, by which the ice is diverted into a compression zone, with water being squeezed from the ice and the ice delivered to a transport tube and then to an ice retainer. Filling the retainer or jamming of ice nuggets inside the transport will effect a shut-down of the apparatus. Various water level controls for a water reservoir are provided, whereby the auger is flooded inside and outside, for enhancing ice formation. Nugget-type ice is provided by the ice making apparatus. The apparatus allows for changing the nugget size/shape without negative ice hardness consequences.

Abstract: Disclosed is the auger in an ice bin mounted in a refrigerator, and the like. The auger in the ice bin is configured to rotate a plurality of augers having spiral-shaped transfer blades and to dispose ice in each space between the transfer blades of the auger for transfer. Accordingly, a certain amount of ice can always be discharged without simultaneously discharging a great amount of ice, and a user may select the number of ice, thus to diversity functions of an ice dispenser. In addition, since the auger is made of a flexible material, the ice can be prevented from being crushed during transfer, thereby enhancing the reliability of the ice dispenser.

Abstract: Disclosed is the auger in an ice bin mounted in a refrigerator, and the like. The auger in the ice bin is configured to rotate an auger having spiral-shaped transfer blades and to dispose ice in each space between the transfer blades of the auger for transfer. Accordingly, a certain amount of ice can always be discharged without simultaneously discharging a great amount of ice, and a user may select the number of ice, thus to diversity functions of an ice dispenser. In addition, since the auger is made of a flexible material, the ice can be prevented from being crushed during transfer, thereby enhancing the reliability of the ice dispenser.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body which forms an external appearance and has a storage chamber to be opened at a front side, and an ice making device which is disposed in the storage chamber to make ice. The ice making device includes an ice making tray which has ice making grooves for making ice, an ejector which rotates and separates the ice made in the ice making grooves, blocking members which are disposed at an upper portion of one side of the ice making grooves to prevent the ice separated from the ice making grooves through the other side of the ice making grooves from returning to the ice making grooves, and a guide member which is disposed above the other side of the ice making tray to guide the ice separated from the other side of the ice making grooves by the ejector toward the blocking members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchange device including at least one heat exchange wall (6) between the refrigerant fluid (3) and the fluid to be cooled (4) having on one side a so-called hot surface (7) in contact with the fluid to be cooled, and at least one mechanical system (10) antagonist to the deposition on the hot surface of the exchange wall, of a solid layer of the fluid to be cooled. According to the invention, the means antagonist to the deposition is formed with a friction means (11) including a planar surface extending parallel to the hot surface of the exchange wall and having a heat conductivity such that the ratio of the heat conductivities of said friction means on the hot surface is larger than or equal to 3, and the mechanical system (10) includes means for supporting the friction means, adapted so that the latter rubs on the hot surface of the exchange wall via its planar surface.

Abstract: A method of operating an auger ice-making machine having a refrigeration casing, an auger screw rotatably disposed inside the casing and feeding, while scraping, the ice frozen on an inner wall surface of the casing, a stocker for storing/retaining the ice fed, the stocker being formed with an ice discharge port of the stocker in order to discharge the ice to an exterior of the machine by being opened, and a stored-ice detector for detecting a high level, and a low level, of a quantity of ice stored within the stocker, wherein: when the stored-ice detector detects the high level, a controller is activated to stop ice-making operation, and when the quantity of ice stored decreases below the low level by a required quantity, the controller restarts the ice-making operation; and when the controller judges, during a stopped state of the ice-making operation, that a block of ice has occurred in the stocker, the controller restarts the ice-making operation, provided that the stored-ice detector has detected the low

Abstract: An ice making apparatus is provided in which a refrigeration cycle is used to produce ice inside an evaporator that is generally horizontally disposed, with a hollow auger being provided with a helical flight thereon, for scraping ice from the inner wall of the evaporator and pushing the ice toward one end of the auger, by which it is compressed and moved by a paddle toward a flange, in which it is delivered to an ice breakup device, by which the ice is diverted into a compression zone, with water being squeezed from the ice and the ice delivered to a transport tube and then to an ice retainer. Filling the retainer or jamming of ice nuggets inside the transport will effect a shut-down of the apparatus. Various water level controls for a water reservoir are provided, whereby the auger is flooded inside and outside, for enhancing ice formation. Nugget-type ice is provided by the ice making apparatus. The apparatus allows for changing the nugget size/shape without negative ice hardness consequences.

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.