Refrigerator with icemaker chilled by thermoelectric device cooled by fresh food compartment air
US9151524B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 2012 |
| Grant date | Oct 6, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D2317/061
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An icemaker is mounted remotely from a freezer compartment. The icemaker includes an ice mold. A thermoelectric device is provided and includes a warm side and an opposite cold side. A flow pathway is connected in communication between the cold side of the thermoelectric device and the icemaker. In one aspect, a fan is operatively positioned to move air from the fresh food compartment across the warm side of the thermoelectric device and a pump moves fluid from the cold side of the thermoelectric device to the icemaker. Cold air, such as from a refrigerator compartment, may be used to dissipate heat from the warm side of the thermoelectric device for providing cold fluid to and for cooling the ice mold of the icemaker.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.