Unitary ice maker with fresh food compartment and control system therefor
US4872317A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 24, 1988 |
| Grant date | Oct 10, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 24, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/86389
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An ice maker includes an interior volume containing a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment. The freezer compartment houses an automatic ice making unit, including an ice mold, a water solenoid valve for admitting water into the ice mold, and a first thermistor attached to the ice mold. A second thermistor is disposed in the fresh food compartment. A microprocessor based control unit monitors the first and second thermistors to determine when to initiate ice harvest cycles. Ice harvest cycles are delayed, if necessary, to maintain the fresh food compartment below a setpoint temperature. The control unit also includes sensing means for determining if the water solenoid valve is energized. The solenoid is monitored, and if it remains energized for a prolonged period, then power to the automatic ice making unit is removed to prevent excessive water spillage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.