公开(公告)号：US20160303525A1

公开(公告)日：2016-10-20

申请号：US15194078

申请日：2016-06-27

Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation

Inventor： PATRICK J. BOARMAN ,  Mark E. Thomas

IPC: B01F3/04 ,  F25D23/04 ,  F25D23/12 ,  B01F15/00 ,  B67D1/00

CPC classification number: B01F3/04808 ,  B01F3/04588 ,  B01F3/04815 ,  B01F15/00376 ,  B01F15/00389 ,  B01F2003/049 ,  B67D1/006 ,  B67D1/0071 ,  B67D1/0074 ,  B67D1/0075 ,  B67D1/0076 ,  F25D23/04 ,  F25D23/126

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system configured to produce and provide on-demand, immediate sequential dispensing of varying levels of carbonated water, such as carbonated water having a level of carbonation selected by an end-user, is disclosed. In one aspect, immediate sequential dispensing of varying levels of carbonated water is provided by varying the rate of agitation during a fixed agitation interval. The carbonating unit has a volume with an inlet in communication with a source of carbonating gas and noncarbonated water. An agitator is housed within the volume of the carbonating unit and is operated by a variable speed actuator.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种设备，方法和系统，其被配置为产生并提供不同程度的碳酸水的按需即时顺序分配，例如由终端用户选择的碳酸化水平的碳酸水。 在一个方面，通过在固定的搅拌间隔期间改变搅拌速率来提供不同程度的碳酸水的立即连续分配。 碳酸化装置具有一个与碳酸气源和非碳酸水源连通的入口的体积。 搅拌器容纳在碳酸化单元的体积内，并由可变速度致动器操作。

公开(公告)号：US20150198359A1

公开(公告)日：2015-07-16

申请号：US14601525

申请日：2015-01-21

Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation

Inventor： PATRICK J. BOARMAN

IPC: F25B21/02 ,  F25D11/00

CPC classification number: F25D11/006 ,  B67D3/0009 ,  F25B21/00 ,  F25B21/02 ,  F25B21/04 ,  F25C2400/10 ,  F25D11/00 ,  F25D11/02 ,  F25D23/028 ,  F25D23/04 ,  F25D23/126 ,  F25D2303/08 ,  F28D17/00 ,  F28D19/00 ,  F28D19/02 ,  F28D19/04 ,  F28D20/00

Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided including a thermal battery or phase change material positioned within the refrigerator or freezer in order to increase energy efficiency and compartment sizes of the refrigerator. The thermal battery can be used with an ice maker to aid in removing heat from the water in the ice maker to produce ice.Furthermore, the phase change material or thermal battery may be used with a thermoelectric cooler to aid in ice production. The phase change material may be tuned to various temperatures according to the desired use of the phase change material, as well as the location of the thermal battery or phase change material. Other embodiments include positioning the phase change material in the liner of the compartments or in thermal storage units in order to further increase the energy efficiency of the refrigerator.

Abstract translation: 提供底部安装的冰箱，其包括位于冰箱或冷冻箱内的热电池或相变材料，以便提高冰箱的能量效率和隔室尺寸。 热电池可以与制冰机一起使用以帮助从制冰机中的水中除去热量以产生冰。 此外，相变材料或热电池可以与热电冷却器一起使用以帮助制冰。 可以根据相变材料的期望用途以及热电池或相变材料的位置将相变材料调整到各种温度。 其他实施例包括将相变材料定位在隔室的衬里或热存储单元中，以进一步提高冰箱的能量效率。

公开(公告)号：US20150192348A1

公开(公告)日：2015-07-09

申请号：US14662271

申请日：2015-03-19

Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation

Inventor： PATRICK J. BOARMAN

IPC: F25D21/12 ,  F25D21/14

CPC classification number: F25D21/125 ,  F25D17/065 ,  F25D21/12 ,  F25D21/14

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes a low energy defrost system and method for melting frost formed on an evaporator of a cooling system for the refrigerator. The low energy defrost system includes using air from the refrigerator compartment or external air adjacent the refrigerator to be directed to the evaporator and passed adjacent the evaporator coils to melt any frost formed thereon. As the air is above freezing temperature, it will melt any frost formed on the coils without the need of use an electrical heater. Re-cooled air from the melted frost may then be directed back into the refrigerator compartment to be used to aid in cooling the refrigerator compartment or keeping the refrigerator compartment at the programmed or predetermined temperature.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种冰箱，其包括低能量除霜系统和用于在用于冰箱的冷却系统的蒸发器上形成的结霜的方法。 低能量除霜系统包括使用来自冷藏室的空气或与冰箱相邻的外部空气被引导到蒸发器并且相邻于蒸发器盘管通过以熔化其上形成的任何霜。 当空气高于冰点温度时，它将熔化形成在线圈上的任何霜，而不需要使用电加热器。 然后可将熔化的霜的再冷却空气引导回冷藏室，以用于帮助冷藏冷藏室或将冷藏室保持在编程或预定温度。

公开(公告)号：US20140165611A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-19

申请号：US13713244

申请日：2012-12-13

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PATRICK J. BOARMAN ,  MARK E. THOMAS

IPC: F25C5/04 ,  F25B21/02

CPC classification number: F25C1/18 ,  F25B21/02 ,  F25C1/22 ,  F25C1/243 ,  F25C5/04 ,  F25C5/06 ,  F25C5/182 ,  F25C5/22 ,  F25C2305/022

Abstract: An ice making tray has a water basin with a thermally conductive floor and a flexible grid positioned therein to define a plurality of ice making compartments. A motor is coupled to the basin to rotate the basin and grid to an inverted position, and a link is coupled between the motor and drive such that the grid is rotatable out of the basin and is flexed to release ice cubes formed therein.

Abstract translation: 制冰托盘具有带有导热地板的水盆和位于其中的柔性格栅，以限定多个制冰隔间。 电动机联接到盆地以将盆地和栅格旋转到倒立的位置，并且连杆联接在电动机和驱动器之间，使得栅格可旋转离开盆地并弯曲以释放其中形成的冰块。

公开(公告)号：US20140165604A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-19

申请号：US13713283

申请日：2012-12-13

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PATRICK J. BOARMAN ,  BRIAN K. CULLEY ,  ANDREW D. LTICH ,  MARK E. THOMAS

IPC: F25C1/20 ,  F25B21/04 ,  F25B39/02 ,  F25C1/10

CPC classification number: F25C1/20 ,  F25B21/02 ,  F25B21/04 ,  F25B39/02 ,  F25B2321/0251 ,  F25C1/10 ,  F25C5/22

Abstract: An ice maker assembly includes an ice forming plate and a cooling source thermally engaged to a bottom surface of the ice forming plate. The cooling source is configured to freeze water coming into contact with a top surface of the ice forming plate. A containment wall surrounds the top surface of the ice forming plate to define an ice tray that is configured to retain water. An electrical drive body is rotatably coupled to the ice tray and is configured to oscillate the ice-forming plate in a rocking cycle about a transverse axis of the ice tray. A median wall divides the ice tray along the transverse axis into a first reservoir and a second reservoir. The rocking cycle causes water to repeatedly move over the median wall to form layers of an ice piece within each reservoir of the ice tray.

Abstract translation: 制冰机组件包括与冰成形板的底表面热接合的冰形成板和冷却源。 冷却源构造成使与冰成型板的上表面接触的水冻结。 包围壁围绕冰形成板的顶表面以限定被配置为保持水的冰盘。 电驱动体可旋转地联接到冰盘并且构造成围绕冰盘的横向轴线摆动摆动循环。 中间壁沿着横轴将冰盘分成第一储存器和第二储存器。 摇摆周期使水重复地移动到中间壁上，以在冰盘的每个储存器内形成冰块层。

公开(公告)号：US20140165601A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-19

申请号：US13713233

申请日：2012-12-13

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PATRICK J. BOARMAN ,  MARK E. THOMAS

IPC: F25C1/20 ,  F25B21/04 ,  F25C1/10

CPC classification number: F25C1/20 ,  F25B21/02 ,  F25B21/04 ,  F25C1/10 ,  F25C5/06 ,  F25C5/08 ,  F25C5/182 ,  F25C5/22 ,  F25C2305/022 ,  F25C2400/10

Abstract: An ice making tray has an array of individual ice cube compartments. A mechanical oscillating mechanism is coupled to the tray and rotates the tray from a horizontal plane in opposite directions along an axis through an angle φ of about 20° to 40°, such that water in the tray moves between ice cube compartments. The frequency of oscillation (ω) is harmonically related to the frequency of movement of water in the tray and is about equal to or about twice the frequency of movement of water in the tray. In a preferred embodiment, the floor of the tray is a thermally conductive material in contact with a thermoelectric plate used to freeze the water as well as being subsequently heated to release the formed ice cubes.

Abstract translation: 制冰托盘具有单独的冰块隔间阵列。 机械摆动机构联接到托盘并且沿着相对方向的水平面沿着轴线旋转托盘通过角度＆phgr; 约20°至40°，使得托盘中的水在冰块隔间之间移动。 振荡频率（ω）与托盘中水的运动频率谐波相关，大约等于或大约是托盘中水的运动频率的两倍。 在优选实施例中，托盘的底板是与用于冷冻水的热电板接触的导热材料，并且随后被加热以释放所形成的冰块。

公开(公告)号：US20140165599A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-19

申请号：US13713169

申请日：2012-12-13

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PATRICK J. BOARMAN ,  BRIAN K. CULLEY

IPC: F25C1/18 ,  F25B21/02

CPC classification number: F25C1/10 ,  F25B21/02 ,  F25C1/18 ,  F25C1/22 ,  F25D11/006

Abstract: An ice maker has a mold with a first piece and a second piece. A cavity within the mold includes a first reservoir in the first piece and a second reservoir in the second piece that align to substantially enclose the cavity. A fluid intake aperture in the first piece extends to the cavity for injecting water therein. A thermoelectric device has a cold side thermally coupled to the exterior surface of the second piece. The thermoelectric device transfers heat from the cold side to a hot side to provide a first temperature to the mold. A removable cooling source is thermally coupled to the hot side of the thermoelectric device. The cooling source is configured to reduce the temperature of the hot side to allow the cold side to provide a second temperature that is cooler than the first temperature to freeze the water in the cavity.

Abstract translation: 制冰机具有具有第一块和第二块的模具。 模具内的空腔包括第一部分中的第一储存器和第二块中的第二储存器，其对准以基本上包围空腔。 第一件中的流体入口孔延伸到空腔中，用于在其中注入水。 热电装置具有热耦合到第二件的外表面的冷侧。 热电装置将热量从冷侧传递到热侧，以向模具提供第一温度。 可移除的冷却源热耦合到热电装置的热侧。 冷却源构造成降低热侧的温度，以允许冷侧提供比第一温度更冷的第二温度以冷冻空腔中的水。

公开(公告)号：US20140150466A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-05

申请号：US13691908

申请日：2012-12-03

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PATRICK J. BOARMAN ,  BRIAN K. CULLEY ,  GREGORY G. HORTIN

IPC: F25C1/00 ,  F25B21/02

CPC classification number: F25C1/00 ,  F25B21/02 ,  F25B2321/025 ,  F25C5/22 ,  F25D11/02 ,  F25D17/065 ,  F25D2323/021

Abstract: A refrigerator that has a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment, and a door that provides access to the fresh food compartment is disclosed. An icemaker is mounted remotely from the freezer compartment. The icemaker includes an ice mold. A thermoelectric device is provided and includes a warm side and an opposite cold side. A fluid pathway is connected in communication between the cold side of the thermoelectric device and the icemaker. A pump moves fluid from the cold side of the thermoelectric device to the icemaker. Cold fluid or air may be taken from the freezer compartment to dissipate heat from the warm side of the thermoelectric device for providing cold fluid to and for cooling the ice mold or cool/warm fluid to other cooling or warming applications in the refrigerator compartment or on the refrigerator compartment door.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种具有新鲜食物隔室，冷冻室和可以进入新鲜食物室的门的冰箱。 冰箱从冷冻室远程安装。 制冰机包括一个冰模。 提供了一种热电装置并且包括一个暖面和一个相对的冷侧。 流体通道连接在热电装置的冷端和制冰机之间。 泵将流体从热电装置的冷侧移动到制冰机。 冷冻流体或空气可以从冷冻室中取出，以从热电装置的温暖侧消散热量，以将冷流体提供给冷模具，或用于将冰模或冷/热流体冷却至冷藏室或冷藏室内的其它冷却或加温应用 冷藏室门。

公开(公告)号：US20140150465A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-05

申请号：US13691878

申请日：2012-12-03

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PATRICK J. BOARMAN ,  GREGORY GENE HORTIN ,  MARK E. THOMAS

IPC: F25B21/02 ,  F25C5/18 ,  F25C1/04

CPC classification number: F25B21/02 ,  F25B25/005 ,  F25C1/04 ,  F25C5/182 ,  F25C2400/10 ,  F25D17/02 ,  F25D23/028 ,  F25D23/04

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a refrigerator compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a refrigerator compartment door for providing access to the refrigerator compartment, an ice maker on the refrigerator compartment door, a thermoelectric cooler associated with the ice maker and operatively connected to the refrigerator compartment door, the thermoelectric cooler having a first side and an opposite second side, and a cooling loop operatively connected to the refrigerator compartment door and configured for cooling the thermoelectric cooler.

Abstract translation: 冰箱包括：冰箱，设在冰柜内的冷藏室，用于提供对冷藏室的通道的冷藏室门，冷藏室门上的制冰机，与制冰机相连的热电冷却器， 冷藏室门，所述热电冷却器具有第一侧和相对的第二侧，以及冷却回路，其可操作地连接到所述冷藏室门并且被配置为冷却所述热电冷却器。

公开(公告)号：US20140150458A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-05

申请号：US13691882

申请日：2012-12-03

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PATRICK J. BOARMAN

IPC: F25C5/08 ,  F25C5/18 ,  F25C1/04

CPC classification number: F25C5/08 ,  F25C1/04 ,  F25C5/182 ,  F25C5/22 ,  F25D2400/02

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, an ice maker disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, an ice storage bucket, a heater thermally coupled to the ice storage bucket to melt ice stored in the ice storage bucket, and a drain positioned to capture water from the ice melted by the heater.

Abstract translation: 冰箱包括冰箱，设在冰箱内的制冰机，储冰桶，与冰存储桶热耦合以加热储存在储冰桶中的冰的加热器，以及用于从冰中捕获水的排水口 被加热器熔化。