Congealing Flowable Material, E.g., Ice Making Patents (Class 62/66)
  • Publication number: 20120031114
    Abstract: A method for making clear ice comprising: filling a water sump to a predetermined level; contacting a refrigerant to an evaporator; circulating water from the sump over the evaporator to form ice on the evaporator; monitoring the water level in the sump; and monitoring the conductivity of the water in the sump to determine if the conductivity of the water is equal to or greater than a predetermined conductivity valve, (i) if the conductivity is not equal to or greater than the predetermined conductivity valve and if the water level reaches a predetermined lower water level, then complete the ice making cycle and initiate the harvest cycle; or (ii) if the conductivity is equal to or greater than the predetermined conductivity valve and if the water level has not reached a predetermined lower water level, then add additional water to the water sump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Lee Gerard Mueller, Daryl G. Erbs
  • Patent number: 8099968
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for circulating air within an icemaker compartment of a refrigerator are disclosed. The method includes the steps of activating the icemaker, filling the ice cavities with water, and activating the fan after a predetermined time after the ice cavities are filled with water. The apparatus includes a food storage compartment, an access door operable to selectively close the food storage compartment, an icemaker compartment on the access door, an icemaker disposed in the icemaker compartment, the icemaker including an ice mold body defining a plurality of ice cavities, an ice storage bin disposed in the icemaker compartment, a fan for distributing cold air within the icemaker compartment, at least one heating element attached to the ice mold body, a coolant pump, and a controller for regulating the fan and the coolant pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric K. Watson, Omar Haidar, Kenneth U. Nsofor, Matthew William Davis, Ronald Scott Tarr, Joseph Waugh
  • Publication number: 20120000215
    Abstract: A method for controlling freezing capacity of a variable-frequency freezing AC ice-water system separates the freezing capacity of each individual requirement end so as to reduce sudden or peak concentrating freezing demand and relieve variable-frequency load demand, and defines operating procedures corresponding to different requirement ends, respectively, wherein each of the operating procedures has a corresponding high-low temperature range that can be used as a temperature buffer zone so as to redistribute supply of the freezing capacity to each requirement end, thereby allowing the compressors thereof to operate smoothly and thus achieve energy saving as a result. The drawbacks of damaged pipelines are overcome that cause deficiency in freezing capacity as encountered in prior techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: CHUNGHWA TELECOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shyang-Yih Chen, Yu-Huan Wang, Chen-Kun Hsu, Ming-Hsien Pan, Pin-Chuan Chen, Ya-Ru Yang, Yan-Shao Lin
  • Publication number: 20120000214
    Abstract: A method for controlling the freezing capacity of a fixed-frequency freezing AC ice-water system, by using temperature buffer difference of individual requirement ends to control the number of operating compressors in a fixed-frequency chiller and make each of the operating compressors have a usage rate close to 100%. Further, various operating procedures are defined for the requirement ends and each of the operating procedures has an individually defined high-low temperature range such that the freezing capacity supply cycle or startup cycle of the fixed-frequency chiller can be adjusted by using the high-low temperature ranges of the operating procedures as temperature buffer strips, thereby allowing the compressors in the fixed-frequency chiller to operate collectively in order to save energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: CHUNGHWA TELECOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shyang-Yih Chen, Yu-Huan Wang, Chen-Kun Hsu, Ming-Hsien Pan, Pin-Chuan Chen, Ya-Ru Yang, Yan-Shao Lin
  • Publication number: 20120000216
    Abstract: An ice maker for a refrigerator and a power saving method of an ice maker are provided. The ice maker includes: an ice tray for making ice; an ejector for removing the ice from the ice tray; an storage unit for dispensing and storing the removed ice; and a controller for controlling an ice making operation for making ice, an ice removing operation for removing generated ice, and a dispensing operation of dispensing removed ice, and providing control to cut off power supply during the ice making operation. While an ice making operation is being performed, an ice making elapsed-time and an ice making temperature are measured to determine whether or not the ice making operation has been completed, and while the ice making operation is being performed, power supplied to the ice maker is cut off, thus reducing unnecessary power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Seongjae KIM, Hoyoun Lee
  • Patent number: 8082742
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ice-making system having a control system. The control system selectively places the ice-making machine in a freeze cycle and a harvest cycle, based upon inputs from sensors that determine a flow rate of fluid out of an evaporator, and a level of fluid in a sump. The control system can further prevent a slushing condition in the ice-making machine by monitoring the temperature of the fluid in the sump. The control system can also monitor the sensors to ensure that they are providing correct signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Mile High Equipment L.L.C.
    Inventors: John Allen Broadbent, Richard Kepler, Ricky Rochleau
  • Publication number: 20110308259
    Abstract: Provided are methods, devices and systems for controlled removal of thermal energy from a fluid within a thermally conducting metal conduit. The system allows for the in situ formation of a reversible plug that can stop the flow of fluid through the conduit, particularly without inducing thermally induced stress fractures or breaches in the conduit. The devices and systems include a thermal transfer device that can be adapted to be in thermal communication with a thermal conducting metal conduit containing a fluid, particularly a flowing fluid. The devices and systems allows for controlled re-heating of the conduit without inducing thermally induced stress fractures or breaches in the conduit to restore fluid flow through the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel X. Wray, Robert J. Wray, Henry Cutbirth
  • Publication number: 20110308260
    Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage cooler having an in-line operating cooling unit for instant cooling of beverage flowing through the same, comprising a cooling container (5) having an inlet (10) and an outlet (11), for feeding the beverage to and from the cooling container, respectively, and a cooling tube (14) located inside the cooling container. The cooling container (5) is adapted to be located in an ambient temperature which is above the freezing point for the beverage, wherein the cooling tube (14) is adapted to carry a cooling fluid having a temperature below the freezing point of the beverage and is located such that the beverage can pass between the cooling tube and an outer wall of the cooling container (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Johansson, Ilan Cohen, Susanne Hedblom, Urban Wahlby, Richard Furberg
  • Publication number: 20110308203
    Abstract: An ice dispensing apparatus is described which is capable of dispensing free ice or ice in a sealed bag. The apparatus has an ice manufacturing zone capable of converting incoming water to ice. An ice storage zone receives the ice from the ice manufacturing zone. An ice distribution zone has a distributor capable of receiving the ice from the ice storage zone and distributing the ice to a free ice chute or an ice bagging station wherein the free ice chute discharges ice to an exterior receptacle. The ice bagging station has a bag funnel capable of receiving ice and passing the ice in a downward flow of predetermined size. A bag storage device stores multiple bags prior to use. A bag grabbing device removes a bag from the bag storage device and bag filling hold the bag with a mouth opened to a size which is at least as large as the predetermined size whereby the ice passing through the bag funnel is collected in the bag. Bag closing pins hold the bag with the mouth in an orientation for sealing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Advanced Ice Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric James Strating, William A. Lenz
  • Patent number: 8080164
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for utilizing a substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid for the purpose of remediation and retrieval of, e.g., spilled crude oil and other “oil spill”-related products from marine/aquatic and terrestrial environments. In some implementations, systems and apparatus are provided for applying a substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid to a volume of spilled oil, and further having structure for collecting the spilled oil. Some implementations are environmentally-neutral. Substances other than oil may be remediated as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Ronald de Strulle
  • Publication number: 20110302935
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a refrigerator including a door, a liquid reservoir, a dispenser mounted at the door for dispensing liquid, the dispenser having an outlet located above the liquid reservoir, and a pump in communication with the dispenser. Further provided is a method of operating a refrigerator including the steps of providing a refrigerator comprising a refrigerator cabinet, a door attached to the refrigerator cabinet, a liquid reservoir, and a dispenser mounted at the door for dispensing liquid through the door, the dispenser having an outlet located above the liquid reservoir, providing a pump having an inlet in communication with the liquid in the liquid reservoir and an outlet in communication with the dispenser, and providing a user interface in communication with the pump, whereby selectively entering a dispensing function input into the interface actuates the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: NIHAT CUR, GREGORY G. HORTIN, DEBRA E. STEEL
  • Patent number: 8037697
    Abstract: An icemaker for a refrigerator having a cabinet with a refrigerated compartment and an unrefrigerated machine compartment includes a body portion formed with an inlet, an outlet and an opening. A flexible mold is positioned in the opening. A water supply is positioned to provide water to the flexible mold. A fluid supply circuit, including a pump mounted in the machine compartment, a first fluid conduit connected between the pump and the inlet, and a second fluid conduit connected to the outlet, provides warm fluid to the body portion. The icemaker forms ice during an ice production cycle and the fluid warmed in the machine compartment is used to partially melt and aid in releasing the ice which is then deposited in a ice storage bin during a harvest cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas David LeClear, Andrew Michael Tenbarge, Guolian Wu, Jon Donald Tromblee
  • Patent number: 8028532
    Abstract: A system for use in freezing, storing and thawing biopharmaceutical materials includes a flexible sterile container means for holding biopharmaceutical material therein and a holder more rigid than said container means. The container means is received in a cavity of the holder and the holder extends along a perimeter of the container means. The holder is fixedly connected to the container means. The holder includes opposing sides defining an opening and the container means extends between the opposing sides of the holder defining the opening. The container means includes a substantially smooth exterior surface extending between the opposing sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim North America Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Voute, Eric K. Lee, Dimitry Yakoushkin
  • Patent number: 8028533
    Abstract: A defrost indicator is configured such that the process of freezing and defrosting the defrost indicator places the defrost indicator into a state that is not completely reversed by refreezing, so that one can detect whether the defrost indicator defrosted and refroze or never defrosted by observing its current state. In an embodiment, the defrost indicator is initially placed in a first state before being frozen (e.g., upside down with fluid in an upper chamber). Freezing the defrost indicator places it in a second state (e.g., with the fluid frozen in the upper chamber). Then when the defrost indicator is defrosted, the defrost indicator is placed into a third state that is different than the first state (e.g., right-side-up with liquid fluid in the lower chamber). If the defrost indicator is again frozen, the defrost indicator is placed into a fourth state (e.g., the fluid frozen in the lower chamber).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: E & J Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Erik S. Palin, Jozefina Cimbalova
  • Publication number: 20110220841
    Abstract: Articles, systems, and methods involving the control of thermal and/or electrical conductivity in suspensions are generally described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ruiting Zheng, Jinwei Gao, Gang Chen
  • Publication number: 20110209483
    Abstract: Provided are a method and refrigeration appliance for making substantially-transparent ice. The refrigeration appliance includes a fresh food compartment in which a refrigeration temperature that is greater than 32° F. and less than 55° F. is maintained, and a water tray disposed within the fresh food compartment and including a bottom surface and an upwardly extending wall forming a reservoir for holding a volume of water. A plurality of fingers are supported adjacent to the water tray to be at least partially submerged in water within the water tray, and an evaporator is in thermal communication with the fingers for chilling an exposed surface of the fingers to a finger temperature that is less than 32° F. Water is introduced into the water tray, and an extent to which the fingers are submerged in the water is repeatedly adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David L. Hall, James Scoville
  • Patent number: 8006502
    Abstract: Refrigerator including a door, a dispenser mounted to the door, the dispenser having a dispensing opening for dispensing content, a button and tray combination device for controlling the dispensing of the content, as well as holding residue from the dispensing opening after the dispensing of the content, and a sensing device for sensing a height of the residue in the button and tray combination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seong Jae Kim, Nam Gi Lee
  • Patent number: 8001796
    Abstract: A food storing apparatus dispenses a content stored in the apparatus. The food storing apparatus includes a button tray that functions as a switch to control dispensing of different contents in accordance with different moved positions of the button tray, but also functions as a tray to receive a residual content discharged after dispensing the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seong Jae Kim, Nam Gi Lee
  • Publication number: 20110190856
    Abstract: A garment for treating white and brown fat areas on a human body employs a wearable garment with pockets for holding cooling inserts in positions to cool fat of a wearer. The pockets are configured at predetermined locations on a wearable garment adjacent to areas of the body having white adipose tissue (fatty deposits) to be treated by cooling. The pockets receive cooling inserts that stimulate brown adipose tissue to consume the fatty deposits. Preferably, the wearable garment is a high-waisted pair of shorts made with elastic material. The pockets are preferably located on the thighs, buttocks, stomach, hips, waist and lower back of a wearer, where fat is often a problem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: FreezeAwayFat LLC
    Inventors: Jamie T. Burke, Lark T. MacPhail
  • Publication number: 20110167840
    Abstract: A refrigeration system for a frozen product dispenser is controlled to have a variable cooling capacity that is determined by variable cooling load demands of the dispenser. This is accomplished, in part, by providing the refrigeration system with a variable speed compressor and one or more adjustable expansion valves for metering refrigerant to associated evaporators that are heat exchange coupled to associated freeze barrels of the dispenser, and by controlling the metering setting of the expansion valves and the speed of operation of the compressor in accordance with the cooling load demands of the dispenser. The arrangement provides for efficient operation of the refrigeration system from an energy standpoint and for a reduction in on/off cycling of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel C. Leaver, Gregory M. Billman
  • Publication number: 20110162392
    Abstract: A control method of a refrigerator to prevent frost from being formed in an ice making chamber. The refrigerator includes an ice making chamber refrigerant pipe to supply a refrigerant to make ice in a direct cooling manner and an ice making chamber circulation fan to create a forced air stream to circulate air in the ice making chamber. The control method includes determining whether temperature of the ice making chamber is lower than a predetermined temperature and driving the ice making chamber circulation fan in a state in which the temperature of the ice making chamber is lower than the predetermined temperature and the refrigerant flows in the ice making chamber refrigerant pipe or when flow of the refrigerant in the ice making chamber refrigerant pipe is interrupted in a state in which the temperature of the ice making chamber is lower than the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Hak Lim, Keon Ho Hong, Young Shik Shin, Jae Koog An, Jin Jeong, Sang Hyun Park
  • Publication number: 20110146303
    Abstract: A refrigerator in which an evaporator is separately installed in each of a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber such that operations of the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber are independently controlled, and a method of controlling an operation thereof. An operation of the freezing chamber is performed first when the refrigerator starts to be operated in a parallel cycle to convert a flow of a refrigerant such that operations of the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber are independently performed using a 3-way valve, thereby achieving energy savings. Further, a check valve to prevent the refrigerant from flowing to a freezing chamber evaporator is omitted, thereby achieving production cost reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kook Jeong Seo, Won Jae Woon, Young Han Kim
  • Patent number: 7959860
    Abstract: A drape including a sensing device according to the present invention is disposed over a top surface of a thermal treatment system having a basin recessed therein. A portion of the drape is pushed down into the basin to form a drape container for collecting a sterile medium. The thermal treatment system may be of the type that either heats or congeals the sterile medium. The sensing device includes electrodes that are typically disposed through the drape and sealed. The electrodes provide signals indicating the presence of liquid and/or leaks or other conditions within the drape container to the system to facilitate control of system operation. In addition, the sensing device includes a fuse to limit the drape to a single use. The system disables the fuse to indicate prior use and detects tampering to bypass the fuse, thereby preventing use of the drape for subsequent medical procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship, David Hendrix
  • Publication number: 20110120151
    Abstract: A system for use in freezing, thawing, transporting or storing biopharmaceutical materials which includes a container, a holder and plurality of heat transfer members. The container is configured to hold biopharmaceutical materials therein. The holder has a cavity for receiving the container and includes an interior surface bounding the cavity. A plurality of pockets contact outer surfaces of the container and is received in the cavity. Each pocket of the plurality of pockets includes a pocket cavity. A heat transfer member actively controls the temperature of biopharmaceutical materials held in the container and is received in the pocket cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: SARTORIUS STEDIM SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan CUTTING, Isabelle GAY, Oscar Werner REIF
  • Patent number: 7921668
    Abstract: A refrigerator has a freezing chamber at the bottom, and a refrigerating chamber over the freezing chamber. The refrigerator includes an ice making unit and an ice dispenser mounted in a refrigerating chamber door that allows ice to be dispensed without opening the door. A sub-PCB is mounted in the refrigerating chamber door for controlling operations of the ice making unit and the dispenser. A cold air supply duct supplies cold air from a cold air supply unit to the ice making unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung Mok Lee, Sam Kyu Park
  • Patent number: 7921658
    Abstract: A door mounted dispenser for a refrigerator includes rear and opposing side walls that collectively define a cavity, a release mechanism for dispensing ice and/or water and a light for illuminating the cavity. The cavity light can be operated in one of three distinct modes, i.e., in a first mode wherein the cavity light is continuously illuminated, in a second mode wherein the cavity light is illuminated only through activation of the release mechanism, and in a third mode wherein the cavity light is illuminated based upon a sensed level of ambient light present at or near the refrigerator. In the third mode, the cavity light is illuminated at a first level based upon ambient light and a second, higher level when the release mechanism is operated. The level of ambient light necessary to activate the cavity light can be set by a consumer through control panel inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Wetekamp
  • Patent number: 7908871
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing and dispensing aerated and/or blended products, such as food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: MooBella, Inc.
    Inventors: James R Baxter, Steven A. Lowe, Paul R. Kateman, Charles S. Brunner, John M. DeCarlo, Roderick H. Beaulieu, Christopher T. Zirps, Jennie Kwo
  • Patent number: 7908882
    Abstract: A refrigerator door is provided. The refrigerator door has an outer case forming a shape of the refrigerator door, an inner case provided within the outer case to configure a backside of the refrigerator door wherein a space between the inner case and the outer case is charged with a foaming liquid, an ice making unit provided to one side of the inner case to make ice, a fixing unit provided to the space charged with the foaming liquid between the inner case and the outer case and fixing the ice making unit to the refrigerator door, and a dispenser provided to one side of the outer case to discharge the ice supplied by the ice making unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Bok Dong Lee, Seung Mok Lee, Sam Kyu Park
  • Patent number: 7895843
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a freezer compartment, a fresh food compartment, a door providing access to the refrigerator, and an ice making compartment. The ice making compartment includes an assembly including a fan, bracket, grommet, and motor. The bracket is configured to receive the grommet, fan, and motor without separate securing means. A method of manufacturing a refrigerator includes providing a refrigerator with an ice making compartment and an assembly consisting of a fan, bracket, grommet, and motor. The fan, grommet, and motor are attached to the bracket through the use of latches, which hold the components in place. The assembly is then installed into the ice making compartment, such that the fan assists in cooling the ice making compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor L. Hawkins, Derek T. Lehman
  • Publication number: 20110041543
    Abstract: To provide a beverage dispenser capable of appropriately and smoothly supplying a supercooled beverage. According to the present invention, there is disclosed a beverage dispenser including a beverage supply circuit 7 which supplies a carbonated beverage to the outside a primary cooling device 13, a secondary cooling device 30, and a heat exchanger 16 for supercooling which allows these components to cool the carbonated beverage flowing through the beverage supply circuit 7 into a supercooled state at a temperature of a solidifying point or less. The heat exchanger 16 supplies the carbonated beverage in the supercooled state to release the supercooled state in the outside, and the carbonated beverage on standby for serving in a portion of the beverage supply circuit 7 cooled by at least the heat exchanger 16 for supercooling is maintained in an unsaturated state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Tachibana, Takashi Nishiyama, Kazuhide Saito, Kazuaki Mizukami, Hiroyuki Hashimoto, Hiroshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7891208
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji Hoon Kim, Jae Koog An
  • Patent number: 7891198
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including adjusting cut-in and cut-out temperatures of the cooling system to control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Wetekamp, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan G. Tarrant, Ryan D. Schuchart, Mauro M. Oliveira, Alvin V. Miller, Brent A. Koppenhaver, Carl J. Franken, Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Tim L. Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Carl Anell
  • Publication number: 20110033241
    Abstract: A dam construction method utilizing refrigerating technology is provided, the method takes natural water as the material to construct the dam and constructs an ice dam body by utilizing the refrigerating technology. The method includes the following steps: choosing the forms and quantity of ice unit bodies, determining the positions and quantity of frozen contact points, manufacturing sufficient ice unit bodies by frozen units, choosing heat insulating material with high performance as the heat preservation layer to cover on the outside of the frozen ice unit bodies; temporarily fixing the ice unit bodies; quickly freezing the seams of the ice unit bodies to form a whole ice dam; mounting temporary generating equipment and completing the temporary dam body; thawing the ice dam body after a permanent dam body is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Ju Yang, Guan Yang
  • Publication number: 20110005242
    Abstract: An ice mold includes a container having a bottom surface, a pair of end walls, a pair of sidewalls and an open top in communication with an interior chamber. The bottom surface includes a plurality of integral ridges with integral grooves formed therebetween that extend from one end wall to the other. Preferably, the sidewalls and end walls extend outwardly slightly relative to a vertical plane to facilitate removal of an ice block. The open top is bordered by a lip having an inverted U-shaped cross-section that may be grasped to lift or contort the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Ronald R. Sciortino
  • Patent number: 7866165
    Abstract: A refrigerator dispenser includes an ice dispensing actuator, an ice dispensing chute oriented closer to a front surface of a refrigerator door than the ice dispensing actuator, a liquid dispensing actuator oriented closer to the front surface of the refrigerator door than the ice dispensing actuator and the ice dispensing chute, and a liquid dispensing chute oriented closer to the front surface of the refrigerator door than the ice dispensing actuator, the ice dispensing chute, and the liquid dispensing actuator. The ice dispensing actuator, the ice dispensing chute, the liquid dispensing actuator, and the liquid dispensing chute are arranged in a serial order, along a vertical plane that extends substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the refrigerator door within which the cavity exists, from a relatively deep position within the cavity to a relatively shallow position within the cavity or the front of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Heon-jae Jang, Seung-beom Chae, Il-wook Joung, Sang-ho Park, Yong-chul Kwon, Hyeon-jin Kim
  • Patent number: 7866167
    Abstract: An icemaker system provided in a refrigerator is designed to reduce an amount of time required to produce ice. The refrigerator includes a refrigeration system including a number of refrigeration components and a refrigeration loop. The refrigeration loop includes an icemaker section that carries a flow of refrigerant to an ice mold portion of the icemaker system and a bypass section that isolates the icemaker system from the flow of refrigerant. A control system automatically activates the icemaker system regardless of a need for cooling. That is, upon sensing a demand for ice, the control system opens a valve to cause refrigerant to flow through the icemaker section and activates the refrigeration components to speed ice production whether or not additional cooling is required in fresh food and/or freezer compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce A. Kopf
  • Patent number: 7866166
    Abstract: An method for converting tensile residual stress on an inner surface of a welded part of a pipe to compressive residual stress with use of ice plugs formed by cooling the pipe from the outer surface, comprises the steps of: placing refrigerant containers for forming the ice plugs in the upstream and downstream of a butt-welded part; cooling the outer surface of the pipe to form the ice plugs; and then cooling the outer surface of the pipe with use of at least one refrigerant container for expanding the pipe arranged between the refrigerant containers for forming the ice plugs. When the method is applied to a pipe with a large inside diameter, the method comprises forming the ice plugs at a curved pipe, an elbow or a branch pipe in the upstream and downstream of the butt-welded part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Aoike, Masakazu Hisatsune
  • Publication number: 20110000233
    Abstract: A control module for a refrigerator/freezer wherein the control module drives a rotatable ice ejector for removing ice bodies from a mold of an automatic ice maker in the freezer section of the refrigerator/freezer. The control module has a motor which drives a cam gear which drives the ice ejector. The cam gear comprises a circular gear with a first face and a second face. Once or more cam projections on at least one of the first and second faces are positioned to selectively interact with one or more switches fixedly supported within the control module housing to activate at least one feature of the control module or automatic ice maker rotation of the cam gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Hankscraft Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Rybaski, Ryan M. Subera
  • Publication number: 20100326093
    Abstract: A method of controlling temperature for forming ice within an icemaker compartment of a refrigerator is disclosed. The method includes the steps of activating at least one of the compressor and the coolant pump during an icemaking cycle to provide cooling to the icemaker compartment sufficient to make ice at a first rate, and increasing operation of at least one of the compressor and the coolant pump to provide cooling to the icemaker compartment sufficient to make ice at a second rate, which is faster than the first rate. A related refrigerator is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Eric K. Watson, Matthew William Davis, Omar Haidar, Ronald Scott Tarr, Joseph Waugh
  • Patent number: 7856832
    Abstract: A refrigerator that allows a user to receive supercooled beverage through a dispenser in the refrigerator door. The refrigerator includes a main body having a compartment and a door opening and closing the compartment, a supercooling compartment in the main body to supercool a beverage, and a dispenser in the door to dispense supercooled liquid from the supercooling compartment without opening the door. A supercooled liquid tank is detachably installed in the supercooling compartment to supercool beverage. The supercooling compartment is installed in the rear side of the door such that a supercooling compartment door may be installed in the front side of the door to open and close the supercooling compartment in front of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang Hak Lim, Yong Han Kim, Jeong Han Kim, Young Shik Shin, Won Jae Yoon, Jae Seung Lee, Hye Ran Lee, Jung Soo Lim, Joo Young Ha, Kyung Hee Hahm
  • Publication number: 20100281889
    Abstract: A control system measures the pressure/temperature of the refrigerant within a Thermal Energy Module having a heat exchanger and calculates the thickness of ice within the Thermal Energy Module. A controller calculates an integral starting from the moment when ice accumulation begins: I(t)=?Tr(?)*d? where Tr is the refrigerant saturation temperature changing with time t. The thickness of the ice on one side of the heat exchanger can be calculated using the following formula: X=?(2*I*K*Ui/?i/ci) where Ui is the thermal conductance of ice ?i is the density of the ice Ci is the latent heat of the ice K is a correction coefficient associated with the type of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel Reich, Michael Burdett, Vladimir Reich
  • Patent number: 7814754
    Abstract: A method, a system, and a mould box for creating form-moulded items of edible ice from an ice mass. The method includes filling at least one mould created between a number of mould boxes with ice mass, and the introduction of cooling or heating medium into the mould boxes, where the flow of the cooling or heating medium is controlled by one or more control units in the mould boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holding & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Carsten Hermansen
  • Publication number: 20100250005
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: FOLLETT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard B. Hawkes, Edward V. Twiggar, III
  • Publication number: 20100218510
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for supercooling and a method of maMng slush thr?gh supercooling which generate a supercooled liquid by supplying cool air and energy, control the state of the supercooled liquid, store and supply the supercooled liquid, generate slush by applying an external force to the supercooled liquid, maintain the state of the slush, and supply the slush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Su-Cheong Kim, Jong-Min Shin, Su-Won Lee, Cheol-Hwan Kim, Yong-Chol Kwon, Ku-Young Son
  • Publication number: 20100218518
    Abstract: Provided is a method and system for forming ice pieces with an ice maker that includes a mold defining a plurality of cavities for receiving water to be frozen into ice pieces. A processor controls delivery of a refrigerant to freeze water received in the plurality of cavities into ice pieces. A freeze signal transmitted by a temperature sensor embedded within the mold is received by the processor, the freeze signal indicating that a temperature of a portion of the mold adjacent to the temperature sensor has reached a freeze temperature where the water in at least one of the cavities has achieved a frozen state to initiate harvesting of the frozen ice pieces. Defrosting a system evaporator can also be coordinated with operation of the ice maker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David R. Ducharme, Russell Watts, David L. Hall, Cornel Comsa, Marcelo Candeo, Dennis Carl Hansen
  • Publication number: 20100218517
    Abstract: Embodiments of cascading ice luges and embodiments of apparatuses and methods for making cascading ice luges are disclosed. One apparatus embodying the principles of the invention features shelves and attached brackets in stepwise configuration. The shelves are affixed to a scaffold. Ice blocks can be frozen in trays such that pre-formed lanes are formed in the ice blocks. The trays can be of convenient size that can be placed in a conventional household freezer. Ice blocks can be arranged on the shelves in stepwise configuration and oriented so that a liquid or beverage placed on the uppermost ice block will flow in the pre-formed lanes in a cascading manner thereby rapidly cooling the beverage with minimal dilution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen John Luther
  • Publication number: 20100186429
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for circulating air within an icemaker compartment of a refrigerator are disclosed. The method includes the steps of activating the icemaker, filling the ice cavities with water, and activating the fan after a predetermined time after the ice cavities are filled with water. The apparatus includes a food storage compartment, an access door operable to selectively close the food storage compartment, an icemaker compartment on the access door, an icemaker disposed in the icemaker compartment, the icemaker including an ice mold body defining a plurality of ice cavities, an ice storage bin disposed in the icemaker compartment, a fan for distributing cold air within the icemaker compartment, at least one heating element attached to the ice mold body, a coolant pump, and a controller for regulating the fan and the coolant pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Eric K. Watson, Omar Haidar, Kenneth U. Nsofar, Matthew William Davis, Ronald Scott Tarr, Joseph Waugh
  • Publication number: 20100180608
    Abstract: An ice storage bin and an icemaker apparatus are disclosed. The ice storage bin has a body for defining an ice collection cavity and a channel surrounding at least a substantial portion of the body for permitting fluid flow through the channel. The icemaker apparatus is disposed in a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator. The icemaker apparatus has an ice maker, above the ice storage bin, and an icemaking compartment for accommodating the ice maker and the ice storage bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Bipin Shaha, Wayne E. Lawson
  • Patent number: 7752859
    Abstract: A method of controlling a refrigerator including an ice maker for making ice using chilled air is disclosed. The method includes supplying chilled air to a compartment, blowing chilled air in the compartment to an ice-making tray disposed in the compartment regardless of conditions in the compartment, and varying a blowing speed of the chilled air in the compartment to the ice-making tray according to a demand. According to the present invention, a large quantity of ice can be produced within a short time. Ice-making speed and the quantity of ice can be varied according to a user's demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Hoon Lee, In Chul Jeong, Young Jin Kim
  • Publication number: 20100154438
    Abstract: A system, configured to be disposed in a information technology equipment rack for providing ice thermal storage, includes a tank configured to hold water, a heat exchanger disposed in water in the tank and configured to convey a two-phase liquid and vapor refrigerant and to transfer heat between the water and the refrigerant, a first valve connected to a liquid and a vapor refrigerant line and configured to selectively connect the liquid refrigerant line to a first port and the vapor refrigerant line to a second port in a first mode and to connect the liquid refrigerant line to the second port and the vapor refrigerant line to the first port in a second mode, a thermostatic expansion valve connected to an inlet of the heat exchanger, and a liquid/vapor pump connected to an outlet of the heat exchanger and to the second port of the first valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: John H. Bean, JR.