Method of making an integrally formed, modular ice cuber having a stainless steel evaporator and a microcontroller
US5479707A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 7, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jan 2, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 7, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49893
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ice maker module is built on an integrally formed plastic base. One or more ice making modules are stacked on top of an ice bin. Integrally formed within the plastic base is "wet" compartment within which are disposed multiple numbers of evaporators on which water is frozen into ice cubes. The plastic base also separates the wet compartment from a dry compartment in which is mounted refrigeration components and control circuitry. The evaporators are constructed of two plates of stainless steel. Icing sites are located on the flattened sides of a serpentine refrigeration channel formed between depressions in the stainless steel plates. A microcontroller operates the ice making process. Harvesting of the ice cubes is initiated after the ice maker has used an amount of water necessary to make the ice. An ultrasonic range finder monitors the amount of ice in the bin.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.