초록 ▼

An ice maker for use in a refrigeration apparatus as well as a method of optimizing ice production in an ice maker. The ice maker has a mold and a fan selectively operable to direct moving cold air past the mold during the ice formation process. In the preferred embodiment, the fan does not operate

An ice maker for use in a refrigeration apparatus as well as a method of optimizing ice production in an ice maker. The ice maker has a mold and a fan selectively operable to direct moving cold air past the mold during the ice formation process. In the preferred embodiment, the fan does not operate during the harvest portion of the cycle. A fan assembly consisting of a fan or blower, a motor, a switch in series with the motor and leads for electrically interconnecting the motor and in switch with the icemaker power supply is preferably assembled as a module removably interconnectable with the icemaker as an optional feature. The icemaker has an increased the rate of ice production due to the increased rate of convective heat transfer.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An ice making apparatus adapted for installation in a freezer compartment of an refrigeration appliance, said ice making apparatus comprising:a mold, water supply means adapted to supply water to said mold, whereby said water freezes in said mold due to exposure to below freezing conditions in sa

1. An ice making apparatus adapted for installation in a freezer compartment of an refrigeration appliance, said ice making apparatus comprising:a mold, water supply means adapted to supply water to said mold, whereby said water freezes in said mold due to exposure to below freezing conditions in said freezer compartment, means for ejecting an ice body from the mold, control means for controlling the operation of said ice making apparatus, a fan assembly comprising: a fan, a fan motor in driving engagement with said fan, said fan motor being selectively operable to direct moving air across said mold when in response to said control means when said ice making apparatus is making ice, and a user operable switch to selectively shut off or permit operation of said fan motor, said fan motor only operating when both said user operable switch is closed and said ice maker is operating.