The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 16, 1980
Filed:
Dec. 26, 1978
Stephen J Hogan, Boulder, CO (US);
Roger L Nyland, Lincoln Township, Berrien County, MI (US);
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Abstract
A slab-type ice maker apparatus wherein a slab of ice is formed on an inclined evaporator plate by the flowing of water over the upper surface of the refrigerated plate. A control is provided for sensing the temperature of the evaporator plate so as to determine when the thickness of the ice slab reaches a minimal preliminary thickness and continuing the ice slab formation for a preselected period of time subsequent to that determination to provide the completed final thickness slab. The thermally responsive sensing structure is mounted to the underside of the evaporator plate for improved sensing operation. The rate of flow of the water is reduced subsequent to the determination of the formation of the minimal thickness slab for improved efficiency in completing the formation of the final slab. Sensing structure is provided for determining the transfer of the ice slab to a slab dividing grid from the refrigerated plate. A subsequent ice making cycle is initiated a preselected period of time after termination of a previous ice making cycle notwithstanding a failure of the ice slab to move fully onto the dividing grid. The control requires a signal indicating the end of the ice forming cycle as well as a signal from the level sensing elements to effect a termination of the ice maker operation.