US3675437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water fill shut-off control for a domestic icemaker
Assignee: Whirlpool Corp
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Filing: 1970-06-18
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1990-06-18
Abstract
Abstract A control for shutting off an automatic ice maker in a refrigeration apparatus, such as a refrigerator-freezer. The ice maker apparatus is driven by an electric motor which is permitted to run continuously and thereby provide additional timing functions for other controls in the refrigeration apparatus. The ice maker mechanism is caused to be inoperative for purposes of providing ice bodies such as when the level of collected ice bodies in a storage bin reaches a preselected full level. The ice maker mechanism is made inoperative for providing ice by preventing delivery of water to the ice maker freezing mold under such conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 William J Linstromberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:15
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25C; F25C1/00; F25C1/22; F25C1/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
Refrigeration apparatus comprising: cooling means; a drive motor; means for automatically making ice bodies including a mold, means for delivering water to the mold for cooling thereof by said cooling means to form ice bodies in said mold, and means driven by said motor for cyclically harvesting the ice bodies from said mold including a collecting bin for removably storing the harvested ice bodies; means for defrosting the cooling means including a control terminating the defrosting operation in response to a high temperature condition corresponding to a completed defrost operation or in response to a preselected time of defrost operation in the event said temperature condition is not reached during the defrost operation; means for timing the interval after said high temperature condition is terminated between successive defrosting operations of said defrosting means from said drive motor, said control causing said drive motor to be operated continuously during each said interval; and means preventing operation of said water delivery means whenever the level of ice bodies in said collecting bin is at a preselected full level thereof to permit continued operation of the ice making means by said drive motor while preventing forming of ice bodies thereby.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
Refrigeration apparatus comprising: cooling means; a drive motor; means for automatically making ice bodies including a mold, means for delivering water to the mold for cooling thereof by said cooling means to form ice bodies in said mold, and means driven by said motor for cyclically harvesting the ice bodies from said mold including a collecting bin for removably storing the harvested ice bodies; means for defrosting the cooling means including a control terminating the defrosting operation in response to a high temperature condition corresponding to a completed defrost operation or in response to a preselected time of defrost operation in the event said temperature condition is not reached during the defrost operation; means for timing the interval after said high temperature condition is terminated between successive defrosting operations of said defrosting means from said drive motor, said control causing said drive motor to be operated continuously during each said interval; and means preventing operation of said water delivery means whenever the level of ice bodies in said collecting bin is at a preselected full level thereof to permit continued operation of the ice making means by said drive motor while preventing forming of ice bodies thereby.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The refrigeration apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water delivery means includes a solenoid valve, and said means preventing operation of the water delivery means comprises a control switch controlling the electrical feed to said solenoid valve arranged to prevent operation of the valve when the bin ice body level is above said preselected level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The refrigeration apparatus of claim 2 including means responsive to the weight of said collected ice bodies to prevent said valve operation when the bin ice body level is above said preselected level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The refrigeration apparatus of claim 2 including a sensing arm movable through the space in said collecting bin to sense the upper level of collected ice bodies and mechanism controlled by said arm to prevent said valve operation when the bin ice body level is above said preselected level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The refrigeration apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water delivery means includes a solenoid valve, and said means preventing operation of the water delivery means comprises a control switch conTrolling the electrical feed to said solenoid valve arranged to prevent operation of the valve when the bin ice body level is above said preselected level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The refrigeration apparatus of claim 1 including means responsive to the weight of said collected ice bodies to prevent said valve operation when the bin ice body level is above said preselected level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The refrigeration apparatus of claim 1 including a sensing arm movable through the space in said collecting bin to sense the upper level of collected ice bodies and mechanism controlled by said arm to prevent said valve operation when the bin ice body level is above said preselected level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3143863A
Cited
US3541806A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |