Methods and apparatus for controlling heating within refrigerators
US6862891B2 · kind B2 · utility
6Cited by
14References
27Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 2, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 8, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 2, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C5/22
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a freezer compartment having a freezer door, an ice maker in communication with an ice dispensing system, the ice dispensing system has an ice delivery conduit extending through the freezer door, and a heating element positioned proximate to the ice dispensing system to provide heat to the ice dispensing conduit. The refrigerator further includes a controller operationally coupled to the heating element, the controller providing variable wattage to the heating element.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.