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Auger-driven icemaker system for refrigerator

a technology of icemaker and refrigerator, which is applied in the field of icemaker systems, can solve the problems of significant increase in manufacturing complexity and labor, implementation of refrigerator applications, and significant so as to avoid the cost of tubing, valves and controls, and increase manufacturing complexity and labor

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-10-24
HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention describes a way to cool a refrigerator by using ambient air from the freezer compartment instead of direct refrigerant solution. This saves money and reduces complexity and labor required for installation. The technical effect of this innovation is improved cost and labor efficiency.

Problems solved by technology

However, the requirements for a drain and the cost and complexity of adapting a refrigerator cooling system have prevented its implementation in refrigerator applications.
Although a refrigerator cooling system could conceivably be adapted to cool the icemaker using direct refrigerant cooling, there is considerable cost for tubing, valves and controls.
There is also a significant increase in manufacturing complexity and labor to install the cooling system components.

Method used

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  • Auger-driven icemaker system for refrigerator
  • Auger-driven icemaker system for refrigerator
  • Auger-driven icemaker system for refrigerator

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0022]One or more of the embodiments of the invention will be described below in the context of an icemaker system in a refrigerator appliance, such as a household refrigerator. However, it is to be understood that embodiments of the invention are not intended to be limited to icemaker systems in household refrigerators. Rather, embodiments of the invention may be applied to and deployed in any other suitable refrigerator environments in which it would be desirable to position the ice making apparatus in a fresh food compartment of the refrigerator appliance but utilize ambient air from a freezer compartment of the refrigerator appliance.

[0023]FIG. 1 is a diagram of a refrigerator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. More particularly, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary refrigerator 100 within which an icemaker system according to an embodiment of the invention may be deployed. As is typical, a refrigerator has a freezer compartment 102 and a fresh food compartment 104 (...

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Abstract

A system for making ice comprises an auger-driven ice formation portion configured for mounting in a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator appliance, and at least one inlet duct positioned proximate to the auger-driven ice formation portion and configured for receiving and passing ambient air from a freezer compartment of the refrigerator appliance into the auger-driven ice formation portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The subject matter disclosed herein relates to icemaker systems, and more particularly to nugget or auger style icemaker systems.[0002]Nugget icemakers, also known as auger icemakers, have been used in commercial applications for many years. However, the requirements for a drain and the cost and complexity of adapting a refrigerator cooling system have prevented its implementation in refrigerator applications. A typical nugget icemaker is chilled by direct refrigerant cooling of a freezing cylinder. Although a refrigerator cooling system could conceivably be adapted to cool the icemaker using direct refrigerant cooling, there is considerable cost for tubing, valves and controls. There is also a significant increase in manufacturing complexity and labor to install the cooling system components.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION[0003]As described herein, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention overcome one or more disadvantages known in the ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): F25C1/10F25C5/18F25C5/08
CPCF25C1/147F25D17/065F25D2317/061F25D2317/0666F25C5/142
Inventor MITCHELL, ALAN JOSEPHMILLER, CHARLES BENJAMINNUSS, BART ANDREW
Owner HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC
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