Ice maker and refrigerator having the same
US8516846B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 4, 2008 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 11, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C2400/10
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ice maker and a refrigerator having the same include an ice making container which is maintained at a temperature higher than a freezing point of water. Ace core rods having the temperature lower than the freezing point are inserted into the ice making container to cause water in the container to freeze. Accordingly, water at the periphery of the ice making container remains liquid which the water surrounding the ice core rods freezes. As a result, air bubbles generated when the ice is made can be discharged from the liquid portions of the water at the outer edges of the container. This results in ice without trapped air bubbles, which allows excellent transparent ice pieces to be formed. In some embodiments, the exterior surfaces of the ice making container are maintained at a temperature lower than the freezing point of water, and thawing rods maintained at the temperature higher than the freezing point of water are inserted into the center portions of the ice making container. In this embodiment, water at the edges of the ice making container are frozen first, while the water surrounding the thawing rods remains liquid. This also allows air bubbles to escape during formation …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.