Viscous fluid timer for tray ice maker

Claim 2

The combination with a refrigerator automatic ice maker adapted to manufacture and discharge ice pieces including a mold, means for supplying liquid to said mold, means for freezing the liquid in said mold, an electric drive motor, timer switch means, a control circuit connecting said timer switch means in series with said drive motor, said timer switch means including a rotational housing member of nonmagnetic material mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis, said rotational housing member having an enclosed diametrically extending sealed chamber for accommodating a high viscosity liquid therein, said drive motor coupled to said housing and adapted when energized to rotate the same through an angle of about 180* to invert said chamber from its one vertically oriented position to its other vertically oriented position in response to the closing of said timer switch means at the completion of each ice piece harvest of said ice maker, a movable magnetic body in said liquid chamber, stop means positioned for movement in said liquid chamber from a first position permitting movement of said magnetic body to a second position interrupting the downward movement of said magnetic body, thermostatic means on said housing operative for moving said stop means from said first position to said second position upon a predetermined temperature increase in the refrigerator, resilient means on said housing operative to bias said stop means in said first position, said timer switch means having normally open contacts which close upon being magnetically actuated, said timer contacts located so as to be adjacent the lower end of said chamber when said chamber is oriented in either of its two vertical positions, said magnetic body movable through the high viscosity liquid under the influence of gravity from one upper end to the opposite lower end of said chamber during a predetermined ice piece forming time interval to close said timer contacts whereby said control circuit energizes said drive motor, said thermostatic means opeRative upon the attainment of said predetermined temperature rise in the refrigerator to move said stop means to said second position thereby interrupting the downward travel of said magnetic body until the refrigerator temperature is lowered below said predetermined temperature, whereby said resilient means operates to return said stop means to said first position such that said movable body is again free to descend in said chamber for subsequent magnetic actuation of said timer contacts.

Claim 3

A timer switch for use with a refrigerator automatic ice maker including a rotational housing member of non-magnetic material mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis, said rotational housing member having a diametrically located chamber therein, said chamber dimensioned in symmetrical fashion about said horizontal axis for accommodating a high viscosity liquid therein, drive means coupled to said housing and adapted to rotate the same in a vertical plane through an angle of about 180* so as to invert said chamber from its one vertically oriented position to its opposite vertically oriented position in response to the completion of a harvest cycle of the ice maker, a movable body of magnetic material in said chamber, cover means on said rotatable housing enclosing said chamber in a sealed manner having an axial bore therein, a motion transfer rod slidable in said bore, a thermostatic disc supported in concentric fashion on said cover means and movable in a snap-like manner from one outward curvature to an opposite inward curvature upon the occurrence of a predetermined temperature increase within the refrigerator, a stop bar positioned for axial movement in said passage, resilient biasing means on said housing operative to bias said stop bar to a first position out of contact with said movable body, magnetically actuated normally open switch means disposed adjacent a lower end of said housing chamber when said chamber is oriented in either of its two vertical positions, said movable body being displaceable through the high viscosity liquid under the influence of gravity from the upper end of said chamber to its lower end during a predetermined time interval sufficient to allow the formation of ice pieces in the ice maker, said movable body operative to close said magnetic switch means and energize said drive means upon reaching the lower end of said chamber, the movement of said thermostatic disc to said inward curvature upon the attainment of said predetermined temperature rise operative by imparting axial movement to said rod to a second position causing said stop means to contact said movable body interrupting the downward movement thereof, said movable body being prevented by said stop bar from further descent until the temperature in the refrigerator is lowered below said predetermined temperature, whereby the return of said thermostatic disc to said outward curvature allows said biasing means to move said stop bar and said rod to said first position such that said body is again free to descend in said chamber through the high viscosity liquid at a controlled rate for subsequent magnetic closing of said switch means.

Claim 4

A timer switch for use with a refrigerator automatic ice maker including a rotational housing member of non-magnetic material mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis, said rotational housing member having a diametrically located chamber therein, said chamber dimensioned in symmetrical fashion about said horizontal axis for accommodating a high viscosity liquid therein, drive means coupled to said housing and adapted to rotate the same in a vertical plane through an angle of about 180* so as to invert said chamber from its one vertically oriented position to its opposite vertically oriented position in response to the completion of a harvest cycle of the ice maker, a movable body of magnetic material in said chamber, cover means on said rotatable housing enclosing said chamber in a sealed manner having an axial bore therein, a motion transfer rod slidable in said bore, a thermostatic disc supported in concentric fashion on said cover means and movable in a snap-like manner from one outward curvature to an opposite inward curvature upon the occurrence of a predetermined temperature increase within the refrigerator, a stop bar positioned for axial movement in said passage, resilient biasing means on said housing operative to bias said stop bar to a first position out of contact with said movable body, magnetically actuated normally open switch means disposed adjacent a lower end of said housing chamber when said chamber is oriented in either of its two vertical positions, said movable body being displaceable through the high viscosity liquid under the influence of gravity from the upper end of said chamber to its lower end during a predetermined time interval sufficient to allow the formation of ice pieces in the ice maker, said movable body operative to close said magnetic switch means and energize said drive means upon reaching the lower end of said chamber, the movement of said thermostatic disc to said inward curvature upon the attainment of said predetermined temperature rise operative by imparting axial movement to said rod to a second position causing said stop means to contact said movable body interrupting the downward movement thereof, said movable body being prevented by said stop bar from further descent until the temperature in the refrigerator is lowered below said predetermined temperature, whereby the return of said thermostatic disc to said outward curvature allows said biasing means to move said stop bar and said rod to said first position such that said body is again free to descend in said chamber through the high viscosity liquid at a controlled rate for subsequent magnetic closing of said switch means.

Claim 5

A timer switch for use with a refrigerator automatic ice maker including a rotational housing member of nonmagnetic material mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis, said rotational housing member having a diametrically located chamber therein, said chamber dimensioned in symmetrical fashion about said horizontal axis for accommodating a high viscosity liquid therein, drive means coupled to said housing and adapted to rotate the same in a vertical plane through an angle of about 180* so as to invert said chamber from its one vertically oriented position to its opposite vertically oriented position in response to the completion of a harvest cycle of the ice maker, a movable ball of magnetic material in said chamber, a cover removably affixed on said rotatable housing overlying said chamber, a diaphragm flexible gasket sandwiched between said cover and said housing so as to seal the high viscosity liquid within said chamber, a recess formed in the inner face of said cover whereby expansion of the high viscosity liquid is accommodated by flexture of said gasket into said recess, an axial bore in said cover, a motion transfer rod slidable in said bore, a thermostatic disc supported in concentric fashion on said cover and movable in a snap-like manner from one outward curvature to an opposite inward curvature upon the occurrence of a predetermined temperature increase within said refrigerator, a stop bar positioned for axial movement in said passage, resilient biasing means on said housing operative to bias said stop bar to a first position out of contact with said movable ball, magnetically actuated normally open switch means disposed adjacent a lower end of said housing chamber when said chamber is oriented in either of its two vertical positions, said movable ball being displaceable through the high viscosity liquid under the influence of gravity from the upper end of said chamber to its lower end during a predetermined time interval sufficient to allow the formation of ice pieces in the ice maker, said movable ball operative to close said magnetic switch means and energize said drive means upon reaching the lower end of said chamber, the movement of said thermostatic disc to said inward curvature upon the attainment of said predetermined temperature increase operative by imparting axial movement to said rod to a second position moving said stop bar means into contact with said movable ball interrupting the downward movement thereof, said movable ball being prevented by said stop bar from further descent until the temperature in the refrigerator is lowered below said predetermined temperature, whereby the return of said thermostatic disc to said outward curvature allows said biasing means to move said stop bar and said rod to said first position such that said body is again free to descend in said chamber through the high viscosity liquid at a controlled rate for subsequent magnetic closing of said switch means.

Claim 6

A timer switch for use with a refrigerator automatic ice maker including a rotational housing member of nonmagnetic material mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis, said rotational housing member having a diametrically located chamber therein, said chamber dimensioned in symmetrical fashion about said horizontal axis for accommodating a high viscosity liquid therein, drive means coupled to said housing and adapted to rotate the same in a vertical plane through an angle of about 180* so as to invert said chamber from its one vertically oriented position to its opposite vertically oriented position in response to the completion of a harvest cycle of the ice maker, a movable ball of magnetic material in said chamber, a cover removably affixed on said rotatable housing overlying said chamber, a diaphragm flexible gasket sandwiched between said cover and said housing so as to seal the high viscosity liquid within said chamber, a recess formed in the inner face of said cover whereby expansion of the high viscosity liquid is accommodated by flexture of said gasket into said recess, an axial bore in said cover, a motion transfer rod slidable in said bore, a thermostatic disc supported in concentric fashion on said cover and movable in a snap-like manner from one outward curvature to an opposite inward curvature upon the occurrence of a predetermined temperature increase within said refrigerator, a stop bar positioned for axial movement in said passage, resilient biasing means on said housing operative to bias said stop bar to a first position out of contact with said movable ball, magnetically actuated normally open switch means disposed adjacent a lower end of said housing chamber when said chamber is oriented in either of its two vertical positions, said movable ball being displaceable through the high viscosity liquid under the influence of gravity from the upper end of said chamber to its lower end during a predetermined time interval sufficient to allow the formation of ice pieces in the ice maker, said movable ball operative to close said magnetic switch means and energize said drive means upon reaching the lower end of said chamber, the movement of said thermostatic disc to said inward curvature upon the attainment of said predetermined temperature increase operative by imparting axial movement to said rod to a second position moving said stop bar means into contact with said movable ball interrupting the downward movement thereof, said movable ball being prevented by said stop bar from further descent until the temperature in the refrigerator is lowered below said predetermined temperature, whereby the return of said thermostatic disc to said outward curvature allows said biasing means to move said stop bar and said rod to said first position such that said body is again free to descend in said chamber through the high viscosity liquid at a controlled rate for subsequent magnetic closing of said switch means.

Claim 7

The combination with a refrigerator automatic ice maker adapted to manufacture and discharge ice pieces including a mold, means for supplying liquid to said mold, means for freezing the liquid in said mold, an electric drive motor, timer switch means, a control circuit connecting said timer switch means in series with said drive motor, said timer switch means including a rotational housing member of nonmagnetic material mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis, said rotational housing member having an enclosed diametrically extending sealed chamber for accommodating a high viscosity silicone liquid therein, said drive motor coupled to said housing and adapted when energized to rotate the same through an angle of about 180* to invert said chamber from its one vertically oriented position to its other vertically oriented position in response to the closing of said timer switch means at the completion of each ice piece harvest of said ice maker, a movable steel ball in said liquid chamber, stop means positioned for movement in said liquid chamber from a first position permitting movement of said ball to a second position interrupting the downward movement thereof, thermostatic means on said housing operative for moving said stop means from said first position to said second position upon a predetermined temperature increase in the refrigerator, resilient means on said housing operative to bias said stop means in said first position, said timer switch means including a pivotal switch arm having a permanent magnet thereon, said switch arm gravity biased to a first normally open position engaging stop means, a fixed contact of said timer switch located adjacent the lower end of said chamber in either of its two vertically oriented positions, said ball movable through the silicone liquid under the influence of gravity from one upper end to the opposite lower end of said chamber during a pRedetermined ice piece forming time interval, said ball upon reaching the lower end of said chamber being positioned to attract said permanent magnet and pivot said switch arm into electrical contact with said fixed contact whereby said control circuit energizes said drive motor, said thermostatic means operative upon the attainment of said predetermined temperature rise in the refrigerator to move said stop means to said second position thereby interrupting the downward travel of said ball until the refrigerator temperature is lowered below said predetermined temperature whereby said resilient means operates to return said stop means to said first positon such that said ball is again free to descend in said chamber for subsequent magnetic actuation of said pivotal switch arm.

Claim 8

The combination with a refrigerator automatic ice maker adapted to manufacture and discharge ice pieces including a mold, means for supplying liquid to said mold, means for freezing the liquid in said mold, an electric drive motor, timer switch means, a control circuit connecting said timer switch means in series with said drive motor, said timer switch means including a rotational housing member of nonmagnetic material mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis, said rotational housing member having an enclosed diametrically extending sealed chamber for accommodating a high viscosity silicone liquid therein, said drive motor coupled to said housing and adapted when energized to rotate the same through an angle of about 180* to invert said chamber from its one vertically oriented position to its other vertically oriented position in response to the closing of said timer switch means at the completion of each ice piece harvest of said ice maker, a movable steel ball in said liquid chamber, stop means positioned for movement in said liquid chamber from a first position permitting movement of said ball to a second position interrupting the downward movement thereof, thermostatic means on said housing operative for moving said stop means from said first position to said second position upon a predetermined temperature increase in the refrigerator, resilient means on said housing operative to bias said stop means in said first position, said timer switch means including a pivotal switch arm having a permanent magnet thereon, said switch arm gravity biased to a first normally open position engaging stop means, a fixed contact of said timer switch located adjacent the lower end of said chamber in either of its two vertically oriented positions, said ball movable through the silicone liquid under the influence of gravity from one upper end to the opposite lower end of said chamber during a pRedetermined ice piece forming time interval, said ball upon reaching the lower end of said chamber being positioned to attract said permanent magnet and pivot said switch arm into electrical contact with said fixed contact whereby said control circuit energizes said drive motor, said thermostatic means operative upon the attainment of said predetermined temperature rise in the refrigerator to move said stop means to said second position thereby interrupting the downward travel of said ball until the refrigerator temperature is lowered below said predetermined temperature whereby said resilient means operates to return said stop means to said first positon such that said ball is again free to descend in said chamber for subsequent magnetic actuation of said pivotal switch arm.

Claim 9

The combination with a refrigerator automatic ice maker adapted to manufacture and discharge ice pieces including a mold, means for supplying liquid to said mold, means for freezing the liquid in said mold, an electric drive motor, timer switch means, a control circuit connecting said timer switch means in series with said drive motor, said timer switch means including a rotational housing member of nonmagnetic material mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis, said rotational housing member having an enclosed diametrically extending sealed chamber for accommodating a high viscosity liquid therein, said drive motor coupled to said housing and adapted when energized to rotate the same through an angle of about 180* to invert said chamber from its one vertically oriented position to its other vertically oriented position in response to the closing of said timer switch means, a movable magnetic body in said liquid chamber, said timer switch means having normally open contacts which close upon being magnetically actuated, said timer contacts located so as to be adjacent the lower end of said chamber when said chamber is oriented in either of its two vertical positions, said magnetic body movable through the high viscosity liquid under the influence of gravity from one upper end to the opposite lower end of said chamber during a predetermined ice piece forming time interval to close said timer contacts whereby said control circuit energizes said drive motor to initiate an ice piece harvest of said ice maker.

Claim 10

The combination with a refrigerator automatic ice maker adapted to manufacture and discharge ice pieces including a mold, means for supplying liquid to said mold, means for freezing the liquid in said mold, an electric drive motor, timer switch means, a control circuit connecting said timer switch means in series with said drive motor, said timer switch means including a rotational housing member of nonmagnetic material mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis, said rotational housing member having an enclosed diametrically extending sealed chamber for accommodating a high viscosity liquid therein, said drive motor coupled to said housing and adapted when energized to rotate the same through an angle of about 180* to invert said chamber from its one vertically oriented position to its other vertically oriented position in response to the closing of said timer switch means, a movable magnetic body in said liquid chamber, said timer switch means having normally open contacts which close upon being magnetically actuated, said timer contacts located so as to be adjacent the lower end of said chamber when said chamber is oriented in either of its two vertical positions, said magnetic body movable through the high viscosity liquid under the influence of gravity from one upper end to the opposite lower end of said chamber during a predetermined ice piece forming time interval to close said timer contacts whereby said control circuit energizes said drive motor to initiate an ice piece harvest of said ice maker.