公开(公告)号：US10030901B2

公开(公告)日：2018-07-24

申请号：US15283774

申请日：2016-10-03

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： Kevin J. Cox ,  Gregory Gene Hortin ,  Yen-Hsi Lin ,  Clayton A. Maas ,  Xi Shan ,  Cristian Soto ,  Andrew M. Tenbarge

IPC: F25C1/24 ,  F25C5/06 ,  F25C1/10

CPC classification number: F25C1/24 ,  F25C1/10 ,  F25C5/06 ,  F25C2305/022

Abstract: An ice maker is provided that includes a tray having recesses that can include ice-phobic surfaces. The ice-phobic surfaces may include ice-phobic coatings, textured metal surfaces, hydrophobic coatings or other surfaces configured to repel water and ice. The tray can be formed from metal material and may exhibit a fatigue limit greater than about 150 Megapascals (MPa) at 105 cycles. The ice maker further includes a frame body coupled to the tray, and a driving body that is rotatably coupled to the tray. The driving body is further adapted to rotate the tray in a clockwise and/or counter-clockwise cycle such that the tray presses against the frame body in a manner that flexes the tray to dislodge ice pieces formed in the recesses of the tray.

公开(公告)号：US09016073B2

公开(公告)日：2015-04-28

申请号：US13802863

申请日：2013-03-14

Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation

Inventor： Charles R. Cravens ,  Vincent D. Csapos ,  Yen-Hsi Lin ,  Xi Shan

IPC: F25C5/02 ,  F25C1/24 ,  F25C5/04 ,  F25C5/06

CPC classification number: F25C1/04 ,  F25C1/24 ,  F25C5/04 ,  F25C5/06 ,  F25C2400/10 ,  F25C2600/04 ,  F25C2700/14 ,  F25D23/126

Abstract: An ice making module includes a conductive ice tray having a bottom surface and a barrier coating on at least a portion of the conductive ice tray. An electrical circuit in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray includes a power source and a capacitor. A switch is configured to move between a charging position, wherein the capacitor stores an electrical charge, and a pulse position, wherein the capacitor releases the electrical charge. A conductive material disposed proximate the conductive ice tray is in selective electromagnetic communication with the conductive ice tray. The electrical charge released by the capacitor generates an induced electrical current through the conductive material and a repelling electromagnetic force between the conductive ice tray and the conductive material. A water dispensing mechanism disposes water into the conductive ice tray. A cooling apparatus decrease the temperature of the water in the conductive ice tray.

Abstract translation: 制冰模块包括导电冰盘，其具有底表面和在导电冰盘的至少一部分上的阻挡涂层。 与导电冰盘电连通的电路包括电源和电容器。 开关被配置为在电容器存储电荷的充电位置和脉冲位置之间移动，其中电容器释放电荷。 设置在导电冰盘附近的导电材料与导电冰盘选择性地电磁连通。 由电容释放的电荷产生通过导电材料的感应电流和导电冰盘与导电材料之间的排斥电磁力。 水分配机构将水排放到导电冰盘中。 冷却装置降低导电冰盘中的水的温度。

公开(公告)号：US09587870B2

公开(公告)日：2017-03-07

申请号：US14637582

申请日：2015-03-04

Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation

Inventor： Charles R. Cravens ,  Vincent D. Csapos ,  Yen-Hsi Lin ,  Xi Shan

IPC: F25C1/04 ,  F25C1/22 ,  F25C1/24 ,  F25C5/04 ,  F25C5/06

CPC classification number: F25C1/04 ,  F25C1/24 ,  F25C5/04 ,  F25C5/06 ,  F25C2400/10 ,  F25C2600/04 ,  F25C2700/14 ,  F25D23/126

Abstract: An ice making module for an appliance includes a conductive ice tray having an ice forming cavity. An electrical circuit is in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray and includes a power source in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray and a switch. The switch releases an electromagnetic pulse through the conductive ice tray. A water dispensing mechanism disposes water into the ice forming cavity and a cooling apparatus cools the water to form at least one ice piece that is in electromagnetic communication with the conductive ice tray. The electromagnetic pulse released through the conductive ice tray generates an induced electrical current through the ice piece and a repelling electromagnetic force between the conductive ice tray and the ice piece, wherein the repelling force biases the ice piece away from the conductive ice tray, thereby ejecting the ice piece from the ice forming cavity.

Abstract translation: 用于器具的制冰模块包括具有冰形成腔的导电冰盘。 电路与导电冰盘电连通，并且包括与导电冰盘和开关电连通的电源。 开关通过导电冰盘释放电磁脉冲。 水分配机构将水排入成冰空腔，冷却装置冷却水以形成与导电冰盘电磁连通的至少一个冰块。 通过导电冰盘释放的电磁脉冲产生通过冰块的感应电流和导电冰盘与冰块之间的排斥电磁力，其中排斥力使冰块偏离导电冰盘，从而弹出 来自冰块的冰块。

公开(公告)号：US20170023285A1

公开(公告)日：2017-01-26

申请号：US15283774

申请日：2016-10-03

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： Kevin J. Cox ,  Gregory Gene Hortin ,  Yen-Hsi Lin ,  Clayton A. Maas ,  Xi Shan ,  Cristian Soto ,  Andrew M. Tenbarge

IPC: F25C1/24 ,  F25C5/06 ,  F25C1/10

CPC classification number: F25C1/24 ,  F25C1/10 ,  F25C5/06 ,  F25C2305/022

Abstract: An ice maker is provided that includes a tray having recesses that can include ice-phobic surfaces. The ice-phobic surfaces may include ice-phobic coatings, textured metal surfaces, hydrophobic coatings or other surfaces configured to repel water and ice. The tray can be formed from metal material and may exhibit a fatigue limit greater than about 150 Megapascals (MPa) at 105 cycles. The ice maker further includes a frame body coupled to the tray, and a driving body that is rotatably coupled to the tray. The driving body is further adapted to rotate the tray in a clockwise and/or counter-clockwise cycle such that the tray presses against the frame body in a manner that flexes the tray to dislodge ice pieces formed in the recesses of the tray.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种制冰机，其包括具有可包括防恐表面的凹部的托盘。 防恐表面可以包括防冰涂层，织​​构化的金属表面，疏水涂层或被构造成排斥水和冰的其它表面。 托盘可以由金属材料形成，并且可以在105个循环中表现出大于约150兆帕（MPa）的疲劳极限。 制冰机还包括联接到托盘的框架体和可旋转地联接到托盘的驱动体。 驱动体还适于以顺时针和/或逆时针循环旋转托盘，使得托盘以使托盘弯曲以移除形成在托盘的凹部中的冰块的方式压靠框架体。

公开(公告)号：US20140260347A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-18

申请号：US13802863

申请日：2013-03-14

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： Charles R. Cravens ,  Vincent D. Csapos ,  Yen-Hsi Lin ,  Xi Shan

IPC: F25C1/24

CPC classification number: F25C1/04 ,  F25C1/24 ,  F25C5/04 ,  F25C5/06 ,  F25C2400/10 ,  F25C2600/04 ,  F25C2700/14 ,  F25D23/126

Abstract: An ice making module includes a conductive ice tray having a bottom surface and a barrier coating on at least a portion of the conductive ice tray. An electrical circuit in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray includes a power source and a capacitor. A switch is configured to move between a charging position, wherein the capacitor stores an electrical charge, and a pulse position, wherein the capacitor releases the electrical charge. A conductive material disposed proximate the conductive ice tray is in selective electromagnetic communication with the conductive ice tray. The electrical charge released by the capacitor generates an induced electrical current through the conductive material and a repelling electromagnetic force between the conductive ice tray and the conductive material. A water dispensing mechanism disposes water into the conductive ice tray. A cooling apparatus decrease the temperature of the water in the conductive ice tray.

Abstract translation: 制冰模块包括导电冰盘，其具有底表面和在导电冰盘的至少一部分上的阻挡涂层。 与导电冰盘电连通的电路包括电源和电容器。 开关被配置为在电容器存储电荷的充电位置和脉冲位置之间移动，其中电容器释放电荷。 设置在导电冰盘附近的导电材料与导电冰盘选择性地电磁连通。 由电容释放的电荷产生通过导电材料的感应电流和导电冰盘与导电材料之间的排斥电磁力。 水分配机构将水排放到导电冰盘中。 冷却装置降低导电冰盘中的水的温度。

公开(公告)号：US10126035B2

公开(公告)日：2018-11-13

申请号：US15404895

申请日：2017-01-12

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： Charles R. Cravens ,  Vincent D. Csapos ,  Yen-Hsi Lin ,  Xi Shan

IPC: F25C5/04 ,  F25C1/24 ,  F25C1/04

Abstract: An ice making module for an appliance includes a conductive ice tray having an ice forming cavity. An electrical circuit is in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray and includes a power source in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray and a switch. The switch releases an electromagnetic pulse through the conductive ice tray. A water dispensing mechanism disposes water into the ice forming cavity and a cooling apparatus cools the water to form at least one ice piece that is in electromagnetic communication with the conductive ice tray. The electromagnetic pulse released through the conductive ice tray generates an induced electrical current through the ice piece and a repelling electromagnetic force between the conductive ice tray and the ice piece, wherein the repelling force biases the ice piece away from the conductive ice tray, thereby ejecting the ice piece from the ice forming cavity.

公开(公告)号：US20170122643A1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-04

申请号：US15404895

申请日：2017-01-12

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： Charles R. Cravens ,  Vincent D. Csapos ,  Yen-Hsi Lin ,  Xi Shan

IPC: F25C5/04 ,  F25C1/24 ,  F25C1/04

CPC classification number: F25C1/04 ,  F25C1/24 ,  F25C5/04 ,  F25C5/06 ,  F25C2400/10 ,  F25C2600/04 ,  F25C2700/14 ,  F25D23/126

Abstract: An ice making module for an appliance includes a conductive ice tray having an ice forming cavity. An electrical circuit is in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray and includes a power source in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray and a switch. The switch releases an electromagnetic pulse through the conductive ice tray. A water dispensing mechanism disposes water into the ice forming cavity and a cooling apparatus cools the water to form at least one ice piece that is in electromagnetic communication with the conductive ice tray. The electromagnetic pulse released through the conductive ice tray generates an induced electrical current through the ice piece and a repelling electromagnetic force between the conductive ice tray and the ice piece, wherein the repelling force biases the ice piece away from the conductive ice tray, thereby ejecting the ice piece from the ice forming cavity.

公开(公告)号：US09587871B2

公开(公告)日：2017-03-07

申请号：US13795369

申请日：2013-03-12

Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation

Inventor： Kevin J. Cox ,  Gregory Gene Hortin ,  Yen-Hsi Lin ,  Clayton A. Maas ,  Xi Shan ,  Cristian Soto ,  Andrew M. Tenbarge

IPC: F25C1/10 ,  F25C1/24 ,  F25C5/06

CPC classification number: F25C1/24 ,  F25C1/10 ,  F25C5/06 ,  F25C2305/022 ,  F25C2600/04

Abstract: An ice maker assembly is provided that includes a tray having a plurality of ice-phobic recesses. The recesses may possess a total water volume of 70 cc or greater. The tray comprises metal material and can be formed with a substantially uniform strain distribution. The ice maker further includes a frame body coupled to the tray, a driving body that is rotatably coupled to the ice-forming tray, and a processor that is operatively coupled to the driving body. The processor controls the driving body to rotate the tray in a manner that flexes the tray to dislodge ice pieces formed in the recesses.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种制冰机组件，其包括具有多个防冰凹槽的托盘。 凹部可以具有70cc或更大的总水量。 托盘包括金属材料，并且可以形成具有基本均匀的应变分布。 制冰机还包括联接到托盘的框架体，可旋转地联接到制冰托盘的驱动体，以及可操作地联接到驱动体的处理器。 处理器控制驱动体以使托盘弯曲以移除形成在凹部中的冰块的方式旋转托盘。

公开(公告)号：US09513045B2

公开(公告)日：2016-12-06

申请号：US13782746

申请日：2013-03-01

Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation

Inventor： Kevin J. Cox ,  Gregory Gene Hortin ,  Yen-Hsi Lin ,  Clayton A. Maas ,  Xi Shan ,  Cristian Soto ,  Andrew M. Tenbarge

IPC: F25C5/06 ,  F25C1/24 ,  F25C1/10

CPC classification number: F25C1/24 ,  F25C1/10 ,  F25C5/06 ,  F25C2305/022

Abstract: An ice maker is provided that includes a tray having recesses that can include ice-phobic surfaces. The ice-phobic surfaces may include ice-phobic coatings, textured metal surfaces, hydrophobic coatings or other surfaces configured to repel water and ice. The tray can be formed from metal material and may exhibit a fatigue limit greater than about 150 Megapascals (MPa) at 105 cycles. The ice maker further includes a frame body coupled to the tray, and a driving body that is rotatably coupled to the tray. The driving body is further adapted to rotate the tray in a clockwise and/or counter-clockwise cycle such that the tray presses against the frame body in a manner that flexes the tray to dislodge ice pieces formed in the recesses of the tray.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种制冰机，其包括具有可包括防恐表面的凹部的托盘。 防恐表面可以包括防冰涂层，织​​构化的金属表面，疏水涂层或被构造成排斥水和冰的其它表面。 托盘可以由金属材料形成，并且可以在105个循环中表现出大于约150兆帕（MPa）的疲劳极限。 制冰机还包括联接到托盘的框架体和可旋转地联接到托盘的驱动体。 驱动体还适于以顺时针和/或逆时针循环旋转托盘，使得托盘以使托盘弯曲以移除形成在托盘的凹部中的冰块的方式压靠框架体。

公开(公告)号：US20150184914A1

公开(公告)日：2015-07-02

申请号：US14637582

申请日：2015-03-04

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： Charles R. Cravens ,  Vincent D. Csapos ,  Yen-Hsi Lin ,  Xi Shan

IPC: F25C1/04 ,  F25C1/22 ,  F25C1/24

CPC classification number: F25C1/04 ,  F25C1/24 ,  F25C5/04 ,  F25C5/06 ,  F25C2400/10 ,  F25C2600/04 ,  F25C2700/14 ,  F25D23/126

Abstract: An ice making module for an appliance includes a conductive ice tray having an ice forming cavity. An electrical circuit is in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray and includes a power source in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray and a switch. The switch releases an electromagnetic pulse through the conductive ice tray. A water dispensing mechanism disposes water into the ice forming cavity and a cooling apparatus cools the water to form at least one ice piece that is in electromagnetic communication with the conductive ice tray. The electromagnetic pulse released through the conductive ice tray generates an induced electrical current through the ice piece and a repelling electromagnetic force between the conductive ice tray and the ice piece, wherein the repelling force biases the ice piece away from the conductive ice tray, thereby ejecting the ice piece from the ice forming cavity.

Abstract translation: 用于器具的制冰模块包括具有冰形成腔的导电冰盘。 电路与导电冰盘电连通，并且包括与导电冰盘和开关电连通的电源。 开关通过导电冰盘释放电磁脉冲。 水分配机构将水排入成冰空腔，冷却装置冷却水以形成与导电冰盘电磁连通的至少一个冰块。 通过导电冰盘释放的电磁脉冲产生通过冰块的感应电流和导电冰盘与冰块之间的排斥电磁力，其中排斥力使冰块偏离导电冰盘，从而弹出 来自冰块的冰块。