Ice maker with heatless ice removal and method for heatless removal of ice
US9587870B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 4, 2015 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 4, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C2700/14
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ice making module for an appliance includes a conductive ice tray having an ice forming cavity. An electrical circuit is in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray and includes a power source in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray and a switch. The switch releases an electromagnetic pulse through the conductive ice tray. A water dispensing mechanism disposes water into the ice forming cavity and a cooling apparatus cools the water to form at least one ice piece that is in electromagnetic communication with the conductive ice tray. The electromagnetic pulse released through the conductive ice tray generates an induced electrical current through the ice piece and a repelling electromagnetic force between the conductive ice tray and the ice piece, wherein the repelling force biases the ice piece away from the conductive ice tray, thereby ejecting the ice piece from the ice forming cavity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.