U.S. patent application number 12/132356 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-03 for refrigerator including high capacity ice maker.
Invention is credited to Timothy Allen Hamel, Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Mark Wayne Wilson.
Application Number | 20090293508 12/132356 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41378077 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090293508 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rafalovich; Alexander Pinkus ;
et al. |
December 3, 2009 |
REFRIGERATOR INCLUDING HIGH CAPACITY ICE MAKER
Abstract
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is
provided an ice service refrigerator comprising an ice maker and a
food preservation compartment containing an evaporator. The ice
maker includes a mold, an ejector for discharging ice pieces from
the mold and a controller for periodically initiating operation of
the ice maker through an ice making cycle and an ice harvesting
cycle. The refrigerator further comprises a refrigeration system
including a compressor, a condenser, a conduit flow line, a first
valve, a second valve, an ice maker coil, a first cap tube, a
second cap tube, and at least one evaporator connected in
selectively closed series flow relationship. The ice maker coil is
attached to the ice maker mold and includes a heat exchange
relationship with the ice maker mold. The refrigerator also
comprises circuitry including the controller for closing the first
valve to conduct refrigerant through the condenser, the first cap
tube, the ice maker coil, and the at least one evaporator during
the ice making. The circuitry includes the controller for opening
the first valve and closing the second valve to conduct refrigerant
through the ice maker coil, the second cap tube, and the at least
one evaporator during the ice harvesting.
Inventors: |
Rafalovich; Alexander Pinkus;
(Louisville, KY) ; Wilson; Mark Wayne;
(Simpsonville, KY) ; Hamel; Timothy Allen;
(Louisville, KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FAY SHARPE LLP
1228 Euclid Avenue, 5th Floor, The Halle Building
Cleveland
OH
44115
US
|
Family ID: |
41378077 |
Appl. No.: |
12/132356 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/66 ; 62/137;
62/340; 62/344; 62/498 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 11/022 20130101;
F25B 2600/2507 20130101; F25C 5/22 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/66 ; 62/498;
62/340; 62/344; 62/137 |
International
Class: |
F25C 1/00 20060101
F25C001/00; F25B 1/00 20060101 F25B001/00; F25C 1/22 20060101
F25C001/22; F25C 5/18 20060101 F25C005/18 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: an ice maker; a food preservation
compartment containing at least one evaporator; said ice maker
including a mold, an ejector for discharging ice pieces from said
mold; a controller for periodically initiating operation of the ice
maker through an ice making cycle and an ice harvesting cycle; a
refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a conduit
flow line, a first valve flow restrictor, a second valve flow
restrictor, an ice maker coil, a first cap tube, a second cap tube,
and said at least one evaporator connected in selectively closed
series flow relationship; said ice maker coil arranged in a heat
exchange relationship with said ice maker mold; said conduit
including said first valve for selectively connecting the
compressor output to said condenser for conducting refrigerant to
said ice maker coil; said conduit including said second valve for
selectively connecting said ice maker coil and said at least one
evaporator; said controller being operative to close said first
valve to conduct refrigerant through said condenser, said first cap
tube, said ice maker coil, and said at least one evaporator during
said ice making cycle; and, said controller being operative to open
said first valve and close said second valve to conduct refrigerant
through said ice maker coil, said second cap tube, and said at
least one evaporator during said ice harvesting cycle.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein during said ice
harvesting cycle, said refrigerant flows to said second cap tube,
expands and evaporates in said at least one evaporator for cooling
down of said compartment.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein ice maker
includes an outer mold having channels therethrough in a heat
exchange relationship with said ice maker mold.
4. An automatic ice service refrigerator comprising: a storage
compartment containing an ice maker; said ice maker including a
mold, an ejector for discharging ice pieces from said mold; a
controller for periodically initiating operation of the ice maker
through an ice making cycle and an ice harvesting cycle including
successive steps of discharging ice pieces from the mold and
supplying water to said mold after ejection of the ice pieces; a
refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a conduit
flow line, a first valve, a second valve, an ice maker coil, a
first cap tube, a second cap tube, and at least one evaporator
connected in selectively closed series flow relationship; said ice
maker coil in a heat exchange relationship with said ice maker
mold; said conduit, said first valve, and said second valve being
operatively arranged for selective fluid communication of
compressor output to said condenser for conducting refrigerant to
said ice maker coil; said controller being operative to close said
first valve to conduct refrigerant through said condenser, said
first cap tube, said ice maker coil, and said at least one
evaporator during said ice making cycle; and, said controller being
operative to open said first valve and close said second valve to
conduct refrigerant through said ice maker coil, said second cap
tube, and said at least one evaporator during said ice harvesting
cycle.
5. The automatic ice service refrigerator according to claim 4,
wherein said ice maker stores a first ice capacity when a first ice
storage receptacle is retained therewith and said ice maker stores
a second ice capacity when a second ice receptacle is retained
therewith.
6. The automatic ice service refrigerator according to claim 5,
said second ice storage receptacle is interchangeable with said
first ice storage receptacle and said second ice capacity is
greater than said first ice capacity.
7. The automatic ice service refrigerator according to claim 5,
said first ice storage receptacle is selectively openable to said
second ice storage receptacle for combining said first ice capacity
and said second ice capacity.
8. The automatic ice service refrigerator according to claim 4,
wherein said controller is a thermostat.
9. A method of ice making and compartment cooling, comprising:
conducting refrigerant selectively through a refrigeration system
including a compressor, a condenser, a conduit flow line, a first
valve, a second valve, an ice maker coil, a first cap tube, a
second cap tube, and at least one evaporator connected in
selectively closed series flow relationship, wherein the
compartment is a food preservation compartment containing said at
least one evaporator; periodically initiating operation of the ice
maker through an ice making cycle and an ice harvesting cycle
wherein said ice maker includes a mold, an ejector for discharging
ice pieces from said mold and a controller, wherein said ice maker
coil attached to said ice maker mold includes a heat exchange
relationship with said ice maker mold; selectively connecting the
compressor output to said condenser for conducting said refrigerant
to said ice maker coil through said conduit and said second valve
flow restrictor in an ice making mode; selectively connecting the
compressor output to said ice maker coil and said at least one
evaporator for conducting said refrigerant to said ice maker coil
through said conduit and said first valve in an ice harvesting
mode; closing said first valve to conduct refrigerant through said
condenser, said first cap tube, said ice maker coil, and said at
least one evaporator during said ice making and compartment
cooling; and, opening said first valve and closing said second
valve to conduct refrigerant through said ice maker coil, said
second cap tube, and said at least one evaporator during said ice
harvesting and compartment cooling.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said food preservation
compartment is a freezer compartment and said at least one
evaporator is a freezer evaporator.
11. The method according to claim 9, wherein said food preservation
compartment is a fresh food compartment and said at least one
evaporator is a fresh food evaporator for cooling down of said
fresh food compartment.
12. The method according to claim 9, wherein said food preservation
compartment is selectively a fresh food compartment or a freezer
compartment and said at least one evaporator is selectively a fresh
food evaporator or a freezer evaporator for cooling down of said
freezer compartment.
13. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: conducting
refrigerant selectively through the refrigeration system including
a three way valve, a third cap tube, and at least another
evaporator connected in selectively closed series flow
relationship; and, opening said first valve and closing said second
valve to conduct refrigerant through said ice maker coil, one of
said cap tubes, and said at least one evaporator during said ice
harvesting and compartment cooling.
14. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: conducting
refrigerant selectively through the refrigeration system including
a third valve, a check valve, and at least another evaporator
connected in selectively closed series flow relationship; and,
opening said first valve while closing said second valve to conduct
refrigerant through said ice maker coil, said check valve, one of
said cap tubes, and at least another evaporator during said ice
harvesting and compartment cooling.
15. The method according to claim 9, wherein said third valve is a
multiple way valve for conducting said refrigerant selectively
through said ice maker coil and selectively through said at least
one evaporator during said ice making and selectively through said
at least another evaporator during said ice harvesting.
16. A method of ice making and compartment cooling, comprising:
conducting refrigerant selectively in one direction, during an ice
making mode, through a refrigeration system including a compressor,
a condenser, a cap tube, and an ice maker coil, and back to said
compressor; circulating air over said ice maker coil, wherein said
ice maker coil is in heat exchange relationship with an ice maker
body, thereby chilling said air and providing cooling to an ice
storage area and said compartment; and, conducting refrigerant
selectively in another direction, during an ice harvesting mode,
through said refrigeration system including said ice maker coil and
said evaporator, said cap tube, said condenser, said compressor,
without circulating air.
17. The method according to claim 15, wherein during ice harvesting
said flow of said refrigerant is through said ice maker coil,
wherein said ice maker coil functions as a condenser.
18. The method according to claim 16, wherein said compartment is a
fresh food compartment and said evaporator is a fresh food
evaporator.
19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:
Interchanging a first ice storage receptacle with a second ice
storage receptacle for increasing ice storage volume therein.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator equipped
with an automatic ice maker in which the ice harvesting cycles can
be mold temperature initiated and wherein an increase in
temperature applied to the ice maker mold during the harvesting
cycle aids in the release and discharge of ice pieces therefrom.
While automatic ice makers are usually provided in automatic
refrigerators which also require means for cooling the evaporator
to cool a food preservation compartment, the controls for timing
and controlling the cooling operation of the refrigeration system
have been separate from the controls for initiating and timing the
ice maker in its ice harvesting cycles.
[0002] There are problems with existing ice makers, namely, low
capacity and very cold air necessary to freeze water that typically
requires placing the ice maker in the freezer compartment, or if in
the fresh food compartment moving cold air with a special duct from
the freezer. Additionally, heat (i.e. hot air) introduced at
freezer evaporator defrost can cause previously harvested ice to
fuse together.
[0003] Capacity issues, that is, rate of ice cube formation issues,
addressed heretofore have included an airflow increase and/or an
increase of the ice maker dimensions. Additional fans and damper
ducts have also been installed.
[0004] Typical ice makers can include a body where water is
freezing into ice having a top surface with several indentations,
for example of crescent shape to freeze and store the crescent
shape ice piece. The body can be made from conductive material. A
rotating rake can be provided for removing ice pieces from the
body. The ice maker can further include an electrical motor and a
water supply system.
SUMMARY
[0005] An ice maker according to the present disclosure, to be
described in more detail hereinafter, can provide high ice
capacity, and be located in any place inside of freezer or fresh
food compartment or ice machine. The ice maker can considerably
reduce the occupied volume compared to existing ice makers and
enables ice making concurrent with refrigerator cool down.
[0006] In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is
provided a refrigerator appliance comprising an ice maker and a
food preservation compartment containing an evaporator. The ice
maker includes a mold, an ejector for discharging ice pieces from
the mold and a controller for periodically initiating operation of
the ice maker through an ice making cycle and an ice harvesting
cycle. The refrigerator further comprises a refrigeration system
including a compressor, a condenser, a conduit flow line, a first
valve, a second valve, an ice maker coil, a first cap tube, a
second cap tube, and at least one evaporator connected in
selectively closed series flow relationship. The ice maker coil is
attached to the ice maker mold and includes a heat exchange
relationship with the ice maker mold. The refrigerator also
comprises circuitry including the controller for closing the first
valve to conduct refrigerant through the condenser, the first cap
tube, the ice maker coil, and the at least one evaporator during
the ice making. The circuitry includes the controller for opening
the first valve and closing the second valve to conduct refrigerant
through the ice maker coil, the second cap tube, and the at least
one evaporator during the ice harvesting.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, there
is provided an automatic high capacity ice service refrigerator
comprising a below-freezing storage compartment containing an ice
maker and a first ice storage receptacle having a first capacity
and a second ice storage receptacle having a second capacity. The
ice maker includes a mold, an ejector for discharging ice pieces
from the mold and a controller for periodically initiating
operation of the ice maker through an ice making cycle and an ice
harvesting cycle including successive steps of discharging ice
pieces from the mold and supplying water to the mold after ejection
of the ice pieces. The ice service refrigerator further comprises a
refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a conduit
flow line, a first valve, a second valve, an ice maker coil, a
first cap tube, a second cap tube, and at least one evaporator
connected in selectively closed series flow relationship. The ice
maker coil includes a heat exchange relationship with the ice maker
mold. Circuitry is provided including the controller for closing
the first valve to conduct refrigerant through the condenser, the
first cap tube, the ice maker coil, and the at least one evaporator
during the ice making. The circuitry includes the controller for
opening the first valve and closing the second valve to conduct
refrigerant through the ice maker coil, the second cap tube, and
the at least one evaporator during the ice harvesting.
[0008] In accordance with yet another aspect of the disclosure
there is provided a method of ice making and compartment cooling,
comprising conducting refrigerant selectively through a
refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a conduit
flow line, a first valve, a second valve, an ice maker coil, a
first cap tube, a second cap tube, and at least one evaporator
connected in selectively closed series flow relationship. The
compartment is a food preservation compartment containing at least
one evaporator. The method further provides for periodically
initiating operation of the ice maker through an ice making cycle
and an ice harvesting cycle wherein the ice maker includes a mold,
an ejector for discharging ice pieces from the mold and a
controller. The ice maker coil is attached to the ice maker mold
and includes a heat exchange relationship with the ice maker mold.
The method further selectively connects the compressor output to
the condenser for conducting the refrigerant to the ice maker coil
through the conduit and the second valve in an ice making mode, and
selectively connects the compressor output to the ice maker coil
and the at least one evaporator for conducting the refrigerant to
the ice maker coil through the conduit and the first valve in an
ice harvesting mode. The method further provides for the closing of
the first valve to conduct refrigerant through the condenser, the
first cap tube, the ice maker coil, and the at least one evaporator
during the ice making and compartment cooling; and, opening the
first valve and closing the second valve to conduct refrigerant
through the ice maker coil, the second cap tube, and the at least
one evaporator during the ice harvesting and compartment
cooling.
[0009] In accordance with yet another aspect of the disclosure
there is provided a method of ice making and compartment cooling,
comprising conducting refrigerant selectively in one direction,
during an ice making mode, through a refrigeration system including
a compressor, a condenser, a cap tube, and an ice maker coil, and
back to the compressor. A fan circulates air over the ice maker
coil, then acting as an evaporator, the air is chilled thereby
providing cooling to an ice storage receptacle and to the
compartment. The method further provides for conducting refrigerant
selectively in another direction, during an ice harvesting mode,
through the refrigeration system including the ice maker coil and
the evaporator, the cap tube, the compressor, without circulating
air over the ice maker coil. When refrigerant is conducted in this
direction, the ice maker coil acts as a condenser, removing heat
from the refrigerant which is used to heat the mold to release the
ice.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] With reference to the accompanying drawings:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit
employed in the practice of the present disclosure during ice
making/cooling according to a first arrangement;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit
employed in the practice of the present disclosure during ice
harvesting/cooling according to the first arrangement;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit
employed in the practice of the present disclosure during ice
making/cooling according to a second arrangement;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the dual evaporator
refrigerant circuit employed in the practice of the present
disclosure during ice harvesting/cooling according to the second
arrangement;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit
employed in the practice of the present disclosure during ice
making/freezer cooling according to a third arrangement;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit
employed in the practice of the present disclosure during ice
harvesting/fresh food cooling according to the third
arrangement;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit
employed in the practice of the present disclosure during fresh
food cooling according to the third arrangement;
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates certain components of an ice maker of the
type employed in the practice of the present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a side view of an evaporator coil surrounding an
ice maker body;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an evaporator coil surrounding
an ice maker body of FIG. 9;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit
employed in the practice of the present disclosure during ice
making/compartment cooling according to a fourth arrangement;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit
employed in the practice of the present disclosure during ice
harvesting according to the fourth arrangement;
[0023] FIG. 13 displays one version of a selectively increased
capacity storage container for ice; and,
[0024] FIG. 14 displays another version of a selectively increased
capacity storage container for ice.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] In existing ice makers, ice is built with cold air flowing
around the ice maker. The ice making rate, or capacity, of these
ice makers is low and typically a special heater is required to
harvest ice. The schematics to be described hereinafter, of the
present disclosure offer a way to freeze water and harvest ice
without any additional heater.
[0026] With particular reference to the drawings, a refrigerator
can comprise a rectangular cabinet (not shown) including insulated
outer walls and a partition dividing the cabinet into a freezer
compartment and a fresh food compartment in side-by-side, or other,
relationship. The access openings to these compartments are
respectively closed by suitable doors including a freezer
compartment door.
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary schematic
diagram of a refrigerant circuit is displayed showing a single
evaporator sealed system 10 according to a first embodiment. The
schematics shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 demonstrate the flow of
refrigerant 16. In particular, during the ice making/cooling
operation (FIG. 1), a valve 12 can be closed while a valve 14
remains open. In this arrangement, the refrigerant 16 flows from
the compressor 18 through a condenser or refrigerant liquefier 20,
a cap tube or expansion device 22, an ice maker coil 24 via a
conduit or flow line 25, valve 14, a freezer evaporator 26, and
then back to the compressor 18.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 2, during an ice harvesting/cooling
operation for the single evaporator system 10, valve 14 can be
closed while valve 12 remains open. In this arrangement, the
refrigerant 16 flows from the compressor 18, through valve 12,
through the ice maker 24, a cap tube 28, freezer evaporator 26, and
then back to the compressor 18 bypassing condenser 20. For ice
making, the ice maker coil acts as an evaporator absorbing heat
from the mold partially and, evaporating the condensed relatively
cold coolant as it passes through it. For ice harvesting, the ice
maker coil acts as a condenser extracting heat from the relatively
warm coolant which heats the mold to release the ice therein.
[0029] Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a dual evaporated sealed
system 30 is therein shown in schematic representation according to
a second embodiment. During an ice making/cooling operation, a
valve 32 can be closed while a pair of valves 33, 34 remains open.
It is to be appreciated that valve 33 is a three way valve. Valve
33 can have up to four positions, i.e. open to all directions, open
to one direction, open to another direction, and closed to all
directions. Refrigerant 36 flows from a compressor 38 through a
condenser 40, valve 33, a cap tube 42, an ice maker coil 24, valve
34, a freezer evaporator 46, and then back to compressor 38. During
an ice harvesting/cooling operation, as shown in FIG. 4, valve 34
can be closed while valve 32 remains open. In this arrangement, the
refrigerant 36 flows from the compressor 38 through valve 32, ice
maker coil 24, a cap tube 48, freezer evaporator 46, and then back
to the compressor 38, bypassing condenser 40. For ice making, the
ice maker coil acts as an evaporator absorbing heat from the mold
partially evaporating the condensed relatively cold coolant as it
passes through it; and, for ice harvesting, the ice maker coil acts
as a condenser extracting heat from the relatively warm coolant
which heats the mold to release the ice therein.
[0030] A dual evaporator system 60, as shown in FIGS. 5-7 according
to a third embodiment illustrates the refrigerant flow for various,
ice making/harvesting and an associated freezer cooling or fresh
food cooling modes of operation As illustrated in the schematic of
FIG. 5, during an ice production or ice making and freezer
compartment cooling operation, refrigerant 66 can flow from a
compressor 68 through a condenser 70, a three way valve 63, a cap
tube 72, ice maker 24, valve 64, a freezer evaporator 76, and then
back to the compressor 68.
[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 6, during an ice harvesting and fresh
food compartment cooling operation refrigerant 66 flows from the
compressor 68, through valve 62, ice maker 24, a cap tube 80, a
fresh food evaporator 82, and then back to the compressor 68,
bypassing condenser 70. As shown in FIG. 6, the three way valve 63
and valve 64 are closed
[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 7, during a fresh food compartment
cooling operation refrigerant 66 flows from the compressor 68, to
condenser 70, valve 63, cap tube 80, fresh food evaporator 82, and
then back to the compressor 68. As shown, valve 62 is closed. A
check valve 92 prevents flow of refrigerant 66 through conduit line
portion 90 and freezer evaporator 76. In this arrangement, the
refrigerant 66 flows via the condenser 70 to the fresh food
evaporator 82 which provides cooling to the fresh food compartment
without any ice making or ice harvesting.
[0033] It is to be appreciated that the above described embodiments
provide an automatic ice service refrigerator which eliminates the
use of electric mold heating means and separate defrost heating
means and provides for complete control of both the ice maker and
the refrigeration system through refrigeration and defrost cycles
by means of a common controller or system associated with the ice
maker. It is to be appreciated that the harvesting of ice, as
described above, does not include an electrical heater, or any
other type of heater.
[0034] In both the single and dual evaporator refrigerators (FIGS.
1-7), ice can be built and harvested with a refrigeration coil of
the sealed system, namely the ice maker coil
[0035] As described above, the disclosure provides an ice service
refrigerator comprising an ice maker and a food preservation
compartment containing an evaporator. The ice maker can include a
mold, an ejector for discharging ice pieces from the mold and a
controller for periodically initiating operation of the ice maker
through an ice making cycle and an ice harvesting cycle. As
discussed above, the refrigerator generally comprises a
refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a first
valve, a second valve, an ice maker coil and at least one
evaporator connected in selectively closed series flow
relationship.
[0036] Regular ice machines with water flowing on the ice making
surface require either a drain to drain not frozen water or a
special pump to recirculate water. Ice drops in an ice storage
receptacle that is relatively warm causing thawed water which is
either drained or pumped back to make new ice. Thus, existing ice
machines can be inefficient either consuming large water quantities
or making poor quality ice (from recirculating water).
[0037] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator can also
comprise circuitry including the controller (not illustrated) for
closing the first valve 12 to conduct refrigerant 16 through the
condenser 20, the ice maker coil 24, and the at least one
evaporator 26 during the ice making (i.e. FIG. 1). The circuitry
includes the controller for opening the first valve 12 and closing
the second valve 14 to conduct refrigerant 16 through the ice maker
coil 24 and the at least one evaporator 26 during the ice
harvesting (i.e. FIG. 2).
[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, an ice maker assembly including
ice maker coil 24 is therein illustrated. Ice maker coil 24
attached to an ice maker mold 102 and further includes a heat
exchange relationship with an ice maker body 104. Ice can be built
with cooling capacity provided for the ice maker mold 102 by ice
maker coil 24 attached or molded in the ice maker body 104 (FIG.
8). It is to be appreciated that the coil can be formed in
conjunction with the mold body (FIG. 8-10) or can be part of the
refrigerant flow tubing (FIG. 1-7). The ice maker coil can function
as either an evaporator or condenser coil depending on the
operating mode. As hereinbefore described during the ice making or
ice building process, refrigerant from the condenser flows through
ice maker coil 24 and a refrigeration evaporator(s) and back to the
compressor section (FIGS. 1, 3, and 5). During harvesting operation
the main condenser is bypassed and ice maker coil 24 acting as a
condenser receives relatively hot gaseous refrigerant from the
compressor which warms ice maker mold 102 to facilitate the ice
harvesting. The refrigerant flows from the ice maker coil to a cap
tube, and expands and evaporates in one of the refrigeration
evaporators, providing cooling to the fresh food compartment and/or
freezing compartment during the ice harvesting cycle (FIGS. 2, 4,
and 6). Thus, high capacity ice makers can be installed in either
single or multiple evaporator refrigerators allowing ice making and
ice harvesting while providing cooling to the refrigeration and/or
freezing compartments.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 8-10, coil 24 can be attached to the ice
maker mold 102 transferring freezing capacity directly through the
mold 102 to the water contained in the ice maker mold 102. FIGS. 9
and 10 display one exemplary arrangement wherein the coil 24
surrounds the sides and bottom of the ice maker mold 102. In
addition, as best shown in FIG. 8, an outer mold 104 can be
assembled wherein the evaporating coil 24 is sandwiched between the
outer mold 104 and the ice maker body 102. FIG. 10 displays the ice
maker body 102 with coil 24 before the coil has been molded in.
FIG. 8 displays the ice maker body 102 with the coil 24 molded into
the ice maker mold. Alternatively, outer mold 104 can include a
series of apertures or channels therethrough to allow flow of
refrigerant around ice maker body 102 (not illustrated). This
arrangement can obviate the need for coil 24.
[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, an alternative arrangement
110 for ice production in association with compartment cooling is
therein shown. For an ice maker positioned inside a fresh food
compartment, the ice maker along with its coil can act as the
evaporator for the entire fresh food compartment. This arrangement
110 can be particularly advantageous for a small refrigerator
(i.e., dormitory refrigerator or bar refrigerator with an ice
maker).
[0041] Referring to FIG. 11, the schematic illustrates the
operating mode for ice building (making) and compartment cooling.
Namely, refrigerant 116 flows through a compressor 118, built in
wall condenser 131, a cap tube 122, and an ice maker coil 124 or
equivalent fluid flow path formed in the ice maker mold, and
recirculated back to the compressor 118. As shown in FIG. 11, a
cooling fan 125 (via motor M) can be turned on forcing air 127 over
the ice maker coil 124 thereby chilling the air 129 and providing
cooling to the ice storage 119 and/or refrigeration
compartment.
[0042] FIG. 12, illustrates the ice harvesting operating mode. In
this mode the flow of refrigerant 116 is reversed wherein the
refrigerant 116 flows through the ice maker coil 124 (that now
works as condenser), cap tube 122, built in wall coil 131, through
the compressor 118 and back again. During the ice harvesting, the
cooling fan 125 is off.
[0043] It is to be appreciated that an ice maker 124 with a coil
for receiving refrigerant attached or molded into the ice maker
body can provide increased ice capacity and with developed surface
of the ice maker body (FIGS. 8-10) and fan 125 flowing air across
this body, will provide cooling to an ice storage 119 and/or
refrigeration compartment.
[0044] The ice maker 124 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 can include a
regular multi cube ice maker with a rake to remove cubes and an
evaporating coil that is a part of a refrigeration circuit and
attached or molded into or otherwise coupled to the ice maker body
in heat exchange relationship, to provide cooling capacity to
freeze water (not illustrated). Ice maker body and/or the
evaporating coil can have a developed surface to enhance heat
transfer from the evaporating coil to air 127 pumping around ice
maker body by fan 125. This air 127 provides cooling capacity
either to ice storage 119 or to refrigerated compartment or to both
(FIG. 11). The arrangement 110 further includes compressor 118,
regular condenser coil or hot wall condenser 131, a 4-way reversing
valve 33 to switch compressor 118 discharge and suction to harvest
ice (FIG. 12), a control system that can stop the fan 125 either
when ice storage/refrigerating compartment reaches required
temperature or during ice harvesting.
[0045] Existing ice makers in refrigerators having relatively low
and/or fixed ice capacity can satisfy typical everyday needs. In
case of parties or outdoor events (i.e. high volume demand), the
fixed ice capacity/production is not enough and results in either
use of special ice machines or buying ice from the grocery stores
in 5-10 lb. bags.
[0046] Having a high capacity ice maker to build large amounts of
ice (as described above) can include a much larger volume of ice
storage to accommodate the larger volume ice production.
[0047] The aforementioned problems have not existed heretofore
because low capacity ice makers don't require large ice storage.
The present disclosure considers increased ice storage capacity to
store ice from high capacity ice makers 10, for example.
[0048] The present disclosure provides two ways (FIGS. 13-14) to
increase ice storage capacity. FIG. 13 displays an alternative
arrangement 210 for increased ice storage. As displayed, an ice bin
212 receiving ice I from ice maker 224 can have a slot 214 in the
bottom that can be kept closed or open, depending on the ice usage.
A pan 213 under the bin can be used either for food storage when
the ice bucket slot 214 is closed, or as additional ice storage
when the slot 214 is open. The ice bin 212 can be equipped with
slides, hinges, etc. for a door 215 to close or open the bottom
slot 214. FIG. 13 displays one exemplary embodiment of a large ice
storage receptacle 210 wherein an ice storage (i.e. auger) bin 212
includes a selectively mountable pan or bucket 213 that can be
mounted under the selectively openable bin 212.
[0049] FIG. 14 displays an alternative arrangement 310 for
increased ice storage wherein a larger volume second ice bucket
313, mounted to receive ice I from ice maker 224 can be selectively
mounted to replace the first ice bin 212 shown in FIG. 13. In this
arrangement, a shelf under the regular ice bucket can be used for
storing frozen food. The larger ice bucket 313 can selectively
replace the regular storage bin 212, thus, considerably increasing
the ice storage volume. In both embodiments shown in FIGS. 13 and
14, ice I can be scooped out from ice storage bucket 213, 313 or
the storage bucket 213, 313 itself can be removed from the
refrigerator.
[0050] While there has been shown and described what is believed to
be several embodiments of the disclosure, it is to be understood
that the disclosure is not limited thereto and it is intended by
the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within
the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.
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