公开(公告)号：US20140165620A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-19

申请号：US13713131

申请日：2012-12-13

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： BRIAN K. CULLEY

IPC: F25C1/18

CPC classification number: F25C1/18 ,  F25C1/22

Abstract: A method of making clear ice spheres includes a providing a mold apparatus having a first mold portion and a second mold portion having mold cavity segments which define one or more mold cavities when the mold apparatus is assembled in an ice forming position. The mold apparatus is then cooled using a cooling source in thermal communication with the first mold portion. Water is then injected into the mold cavities, such that a portion of the water injected into the mold cavities is solidified in a directional manner from the first mold portion to the second mold portion to create a clear ice structure. Water is continuously circulated within the mold cavities to ensure clear ice is formed by injecting and simultaneously ejecting water from the mold cavities during ice formation. The ice clear structures are then released from the mold apparatus by disassembling the mold apparatus.

Abstract translation: 一种制备透明冰球的方法包括提供具有第一模具部分的模具装置和具有模具腔部分的第二模具部分，当模具装置组装在成冰位置时，该模具部分限定一个或多个模腔。 然后使用与第一模具部分热连通的冷却源来冷却模具设备。 然后将水注入模腔中，使得注入到模腔中的一部分水以定向的方式从第一模具部分固化到第二模具部分，以产生清晰的冰结构。 水在模具腔内连续循环，以确保通过在冰层形成期间注射并同时从模腔中喷出水而形成透明的冰。 然后通过拆卸模具装置将冰清除结构从模具装置中释放出来。

公开(公告)号：US20140165610A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-19

申请号：US13713154

申请日：2012-12-13

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PATRICK J. BOARMAN ,  BRIAN K. CULLEY

IPC: F25C1/00 ,  F25C5/02 ,  F25B21/02

CPC classification number: F25C1/04 ,  F25C1/00 ,  F25C1/22 ,  F25C2500/02

Abstract: A method of making an ice structure comprising the steps of: providing a mold with at least two mold portions where the at least two mold portions come together to form a cavity that defines a shape of an ice structure; placing the at least two mold portions in thermal communication with at least one cooling source; chilling the at least two mold portions using the at least one cooling source; orienting the at least two mold portions in spaced apart relation; delivering a flow of water such that the flow of water passes along the surface of the at least two mold portions with the mold segments such that water flows (by capillary/wicking action) over the mold segment and forms an ice structure segment; ceasing the flow of water when the ice structure segments are formed; and fusing the ice structure segments together to form the ice structure.

Abstract translation: 一种制作冰结构的方法，包括以下步骤：提供具有至少两个模具部分的模具，其中所述至少两个模具部分在一起形成限定冰结构形状的空腔; 将所述至少两个模具部分放置成与至少一个冷却源热连通; 使用所述至少一个冷却源来冷却所述至少两个模具部分; 将所述至少两个模具部分定位成间隔开的关系; 输送水流，使得水流沿着模具部分的至少两个模具部分的表面通过，使得水在模具段上流动（通过毛细管/芯吸作用）并形成冰结构段; 当冰结构段形成时停止水流; 并将冰结构段融合在一起形成冰结构。

公开(公告)号：US20140150456A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-05

申请号：US13691874

申请日：2012-12-03

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

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

IPC: F25B21/04 ,  F25C1/04

CPC classification number: F25B21/04 ,  F25B21/02 ,  F25B2321/0251 ,  F25C1/04 ,  F25C5/22 ,  F25D17/065 ,  F25D2323/021

Abstract: An icemaker is mounted remotely from a freezer compartment. The icemaker includes an ice mold. A thermoelectric device is provided and includes a warm side and an opposite cold side. A flow pathway is connected in communication between the cold side of the thermoelectric device and the icemaker. In one aspect, a fan is operatively positioned to move air from the fresh food compartment across the warm side of the thermoelectric device and a pump moves fluid from the cold side of the thermoelectric device to the icemaker. Cold air, such as from a refrigerator compartment, may be used to dissipate heat from the warm side of the thermoelectric device for providing cold fluid to and for cooling the ice mold of the icemaker.

Abstract translation: 制冰机从冷冻室远程安装。 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。 流动通道连接在热电装置的冷端和制冰机之间。 在一个方面，风扇可操作地定位成将空气从新鲜食物室移动到热电装置的温暖侧面，并且泵将流体从热电装置的冷侧移动到制冰机。 可以使用诸如来自冷藏室的冷空气来从热电装置的温暖侧消散热量，以将冷流体提供给制冰机的冰模并用于冷却制冰机的冰模。

公开(公告)号：US20140165624A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-19

申请号：US13713160

申请日：2012-12-13

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

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

IPC: F25C1/18 ,  F25C5/18 ,  F25C1/12 ,  F25C5/14

CPC classification number: F25C1/18 ,  F25C1/12 ,  F25C5/14

Abstract: A unitary clear ice sheet is formed from a plurality of individual clear ice sheets which are fused together to give the unitary ice sheet a predetermined thickness. The fused unitary ice sheet is a clear unitary ice sheet due to the formation of the plurality of individual clear ice sheets by running water over a cold plate apparatus or evaporator mechanism to form the ice sheets in a gradual layer-by-layer process. The fused unitary clear ice sheet is used to mold or shape clear ice structure therefrom, such as clear ice spheres in a mold apparatus.

Abstract translation: 由多个单独的清澈冰盖形成一个整体的清冰块，它们被熔合在一起，以使整体冰盖具有预定的厚度。 由于通过在冷板装置或蒸发器机构上运行水来形成多个单独的清澈冰盖，所以熔融的单一冰盖是清晰的单一冰盖，以逐渐逐层的方式形成冰盖。 熔融的单一透明冰盖用于模制或形成透明的冰结构，例如模具装置中的透明冰球。

公开(公告)号：US20140165621A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-19

申请号：US13713147

申请日：2012-12-13

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PATRICK J. BOARMAN ,  BRIAN K. CULLEY

IPC: F25C1/18 ,  F25C5/04

CPC classification number: F25C5/04 ,  F25B21/02 ,  F25C1/10 ,  F25C1/20 ,  F25C5/22 ,  F25C2305/022 ,  F25C2500/02

Abstract: An ice maker has an ice mold that includes a metallic piece and an insulated piece. A cooling source is thermally coupled to the metallic piece. A cavity is within the ice mold and has a first reservoir in the metallic piece and a second reservoir in the insulated piece. The first and second reservoirs align to substantially enclose the cavity. An intake aperture in the insulated piece extends to the cavity for receiving water. A drive body rotatably coupled to the ice mold that operates in an ice-making cycle, wherein the drive body repeatedly rotates the mold from an injection position to a tilted position. The cavity receives an incremental amount of water in the injection position and moves to the tilted position to freeze at least a portion of the incremental amount of water over a side surface of the cavity to make an ice piece.

Abstract translation: 制冰机具有包括金属片和绝缘片的冰模。 冷却源热耦合到金属片。 空腔在冰模内，并且在金属片中具有第一储存器，在绝缘件中具有第二储存器。 第一和第二储存器对齐以基本上包围空腔。 绝缘件中的入口孔延伸到用于接收水的空腔。 驱动体可旋转地联接到在制冰循环中操作的冰模，其中驱动体将模具从注射位置反复旋转到倾斜位置。 空腔在注射位置接收增加量的水，并移动到倾斜位置，以使空腔的侧表面上的增量的至少一部分水冻结以制成冰块。

公开(公告)号：US20140137576A1

公开(公告)日：2014-05-22

申请号：US13679199

申请日：2012-11-16

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： BRIAN K. CULLEY ,  LINDSEY ANN WOHLGAMUTH

IPC: F25C5/18

CPC classification number: F25D25/025 ,  F25C1/04 ,  F25C1/25 ,  F25C5/18 ,  F25C5/182 ,  F25C5/22 ,  F25C2305/00 ,  F25C2500/02

Abstract: An ice support and storage tray includes one or more cavities having upwardly facing spherical surface portions that support spherical pieces of ice. The tray is preferably made of a material having a low thermal conductivity to reduce melting of the spherical pieces of ice. The spherical support surfaces minimize melting points that could otherwise cause the spherical pieces of ice to melt and develop irregular surface shapes. The ice tray may be used in a freezer having an ice maker that transports spheres of ice to the ice support cavities. The ice storage tray may be configured to permit removal of spheres of ice without tipping the tray upside down and/or twisting/deforming the tray.

Abstract translation: 冰支撑和储存托盘包括一个或多个空腔，其具有支撑球形冰块的向上的球形表面部分。 托盘优选由具有低导热性的材料制成，以减少球形冰块的熔化。 球形支撑表面最小化熔化点，否则会导致球形冰块熔化并形成不规则的表面形状。 冰盘可用于具有将冰球输送到冰支撑腔的制冰机的冷冻机中。 冰储存托盘可以被配置为允许去除冰球，而不会将托盘倒置和/或使托盘扭曲/变形。

公开(公告)号：US20160138844A1

公开(公告)日：2016-05-19

申请号：US15006350

申请日：2016-01-26

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PATRICK J. BOARMAN ,  BRIAN K. CULLEY

IPC: F25C1/10 ,  F25C1/18

CPC classification number: F25C1/10 ,  F25C2500/02

Abstract: An ice maker has an ice mold that includes a metallic piece and an insulated piece. A cooling source is thermally coupled to the metallic piece. A cavity is within the ice mold and has a first reservoir in the metallic piece and a second reservoir in the insulated piece. The first and second reservoirs align to substantially enclose the cavity. An intake aperture in the insulated piece extends to the cavity for receiving water. A drive body rotatably coupled to the ice mold that operates in an ice-making cycle, wherein the drive body repeatedly rotates the mold from an injection position to a tilted position. The cavity receives an incremental amount of water in the injection position and moves to the tilted position to freeze at least a portion of the incremental amount of water over a side surface of the cavity to make an ice piece.

Abstract translation: 制冰机具有包括金属片和绝缘片的冰模。 冷却源热耦合到金属片。 空腔在冰模内，并且在金属片中具有第一储存器，在绝缘件中具有第二储存器。 第一和第二储存器对齐以基本上包围空腔。 绝缘件中的入口孔延伸到用于接收水的空腔。 驱动体可旋转地联接到在制冰循环中操作的冰模，其中驱动体将模具从注射位置反复旋转到倾斜位置。 空腔在注射位置接收增加量的水，并移动到倾斜位置，以冻结在空腔的侧表面上的增量的至少一部分水以制成冰块。

公开(公告)号：US20140165605A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-19

申请号：US13713296

申请日：2012-12-13

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PATRICK J. BOARMAN ,  BRIAN K. CULLEY

IPC: F25C1/20 ,  F25C5/18 ,  F25B21/04 ,  F25C1/10

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

Abstract: A clear ice maker assembly for an appliance includes an ice tray rotatably coupled with a housing and horizontally suspended within an interior volume of the housing. The ice tray includes a metallic ice forming plate with a bottom surface, a substantially planar top surface and an edge portion. A containment wall extends upward from the top surface along the edge portion. A grid having at least one dividing wall extends across the top surface between the containment walls. A fluid line extends into the housing and supplies water to the top surface of the ice tray to be retained by the containment wall and the grid. A cooling source is thermally coupled to the bottom surface of the ice forming plate. The containment wall and the grid have a material with a lower thermal conductivity than the ice forming plate.

Abstract translation: 用于器具的透明制冰机组件包括与壳体可旋转地联接并水平悬挂在壳体的内部容积内的冰盘。 冰盘包括具有底表面，基本平坦的顶表面和边缘部分的金属制冰板。 容纳壁沿着边缘部分从顶表面向上延伸。 具有至少一个分隔壁的格栅跨过容纳壁之间的顶表面延伸。 流体管线延伸到壳体中并将水供应到冰盘的顶表面以被容纳壁和栅格保持。 冷却源热耦合到成冰板的底表面。 容纳壁和栅格具有比制冰板更低的热导率的材料。

公开(公告)号：US20140165598A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-19

申请号：US13713140

申请日：2012-12-13

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PATRICK J. BOARMAN ,  BRIAN K. CULLEY

IPC: F25C1/18

CPC classification number: F25C1/18 ,  F25C1/22

Abstract: An ice maker adapted to make clear ice spheres includes a mold apparatus having a first mold portion and a second mold portion. The first and second mold portions further include mold cavity segments which define mold cavities when the mold apparatus is assembled in an ice forming position. A cooling source is in thermal communication with the first mold portion of the mold apparatus, such that water injected into the mold cavities is solidified in a directional manner from the first mold portion to the second mold portion to create a clear ice structure. Water is circulated, typically continuously, within the mold cavities to ensure clear ice is formed by injecting and simultaneously ejecting water from the mold cavities during ice formation.

Abstract translation: 适于制成透明冰球的制冰机包括具有第一模具部分和第二模具部分的模具装置。 第一和第二模具部分还包括当模具装置组装在成冰位置时限定模腔的模腔段。 冷却源与模具设备的第一模具部分热连通，使得注入到模腔中的水以定向的方式从第一模具部分固化到第二模具部分，以产生清晰的冰结构。 水通常在模具腔内循环，以确保通过在冰层形成期间注射并同时从模腔中喷出水而形成透明的冰。

公开(公告)号：US20140150457A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-05

申请号：US13691877

申请日：2012-12-03

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

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

IPC: F25B21/04 ,  F25C1/04

CPC classification number: F25B21/04 ,  F25B21/02 ,  F25C1/04 ,  F25C2400/10 ,  F25D17/065 ,  F25D23/126 ,  F25D2317/061

Abstract: An icemaker is mounted remotely from a freezer compartment. The icemaker includes an ice mold. A thermoelectric device is provided and includes a warm side and an opposite cold side. A flow pathway is connected in communication between the cold side of the thermoelectric device and the icemaker. In one aspect, a fan is operatively positioned to move air from the fresh food compartment across the warm side of the thermoelectric device and a pump moves fluid from the cold side of the thermoelectric device to the icemaker. Cold air, such as from a refrigerator compartment, may be used to dissipate heat from the warm side of the thermoelectric device for providing cold fluid to and for cooling the ice mold of the icemaker.