Method of operating a BLDC motor in an ice making appliance
US12287134B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 20, 2021 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 20, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D23/04
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An icemaker includes a casing that receives water from a water supply and is in thermal communication with an evaporator of a sealed system that chills the casing to freeze the water. An auger is mounted within the interior volume and is rotatable to scrape the ice from the casing and urge it through an extruder to form nugget ice. A BLDC motor is mechanically coupled to the auger to selectively rotate the auger. A controller determines a target speed of the auger based at least in part on the ice production parameter, and operates the BLDC motor to rotate the auger at the target speed. The BLDC motor with the speed-closed control loop can provide the constant speed and enough torque to prevent the ice maker from freezing. The controller can adjust the PWM and the voltage will be adjusted slightly, then the torque will be adjusted accordingly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.