Patent · US Active

Clear ice maker with varied thermal conductivity

US9599388B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
81References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 13, 2012
Grant dateMar 21, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 7, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF25C2305/0221
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A clear ice maker assembly for an appliance includes an ice tray rotatably coupled with a housing and horizontally suspended within an interior volume of the housing. The ice tray includes a metallic ice forming plate with a bottom surface, a substantially planar top surface and an edge portion. A containment wall extends upward from the top surface along the edge portion. A grid having at least one dividing wall extends across the top surface between the containment walls. A fluid line extends into the housing and supplies water to the top surface of the ice tray to be retained by the containment wall and the grid. A cooling source is thermally coupled to the bottom surface of the ice forming plate. The containment wall and the grid have a material with a lower thermal conductivity than the ice forming plate.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.