Ice maker with thermoelectrically cooled mold for producing spherical clear ice
US9200823B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 2012 |
| Grant date | Dec 1, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 12, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D11/006
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ice maker has a mold with a first piece and a second piece. A cavity within the mold includes a first reservoir in the first piece and a second reservoir in the second piece that align to substantially enclose the cavity. A fluid intake aperture in the first piece extends to the cavity for injecting water therein. A thermoelectric device has a cold side thermally coupled to the exterior surface of the second piece. The thermoelectric device transfers heat from the cold side to a hot side to provide a first temperature to the mold. A removable cooling source is thermally coupled to the hot side of the thermoelectric device. The cooling source is configured to reduce the temperature of the hot side to allow the cold side to provide a second temperature that is cooler than the first temperature to freeze the water in the cavity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.