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US 10,514,193 B2Granted
Refrigerator appliance and ice maker apparatus
AssigneeHaier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
InventorAlan Joseph Mitchell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A refrigerator appliance and ice maker apparatus are included herein. The ice maker apparatus may include a casing, an auger, a discrete flange, and an extruder die. The casing may define a chamber about a central axis. The casing may extend along the central axis between a top portion and a bottom portion. The casing may include a first material. The auger may be disposed within the chamber of the casing. The discrete flange may be selectively mounted on the casing. The discrete flange may include a second material that is unique from the first material. The extruder die may be attached to the discrete upper flange and positioned above the casing.
Claims15
An ice maker apparatus comprising:
- a casing defining a chamber about a central axis, the casing extending along the central axis between a top portion and a bottom portion, the casing comprising a first material;
- an auger disposed within the chamber of the casing;
- a discrete upper flange selectively mounted on the casing at the top portion, the discrete upper flange comprising a second material that is unique from the first material;
- an extruder die attached to the discrete upper flange and positioned above the casing;
- a discrete lower flange selectively mounted on the casing at the bottom portion, the discrete lower flange comprising the second material;
- and
- a plurality of bolts radially spaced from the central axis and extending axially from the discrete upper flange to the discrete lower flange, each bolt of the plurality of bolts extending parallel to the central axis from the top portion to the bottom portion in attached engagement with the upper flange at the top portion and the lower flange at the bottom portion.
4 more elements
An ice maker apparatus comprising:
- a casing comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a chamber about a central axis, the outer surface being directed radially outward away from the central axis, the casing extending along the central axis between a top portion and a bottom portion, the casing comprising a first material;
- an auger disposed within the chamber of the casing;
- a discrete upper flange selectively mounted on the casing at the top portion, the discrete upper flange comprising a second material that is unique from the first material;
- a discrete lower flange selectively mounted on the casing at the bottom portion, the discrete lower flange comprising the second material;
- an extruder die positioned above the auger in fluid communication with the chamber;
- a cooling air duct defining an air passage extending about the casing and a plurality of air openings in fluid communication with the air passage;
- a plurality of fins in thermal communication with the chamber, the plurality of fins extending radially outward away from the outer surface of the casing within the air passage;
- and
- a plurality of bolts radially spaced from the central axis and extending axially from the discrete upper flange to the discrete lower flange, each bolt of the plurality of bolts extending parallel to the central axis from the top portion to the bottom portion in attached engagement with the upper flange at the top portion and the lower flange at the bottom portion.
6 more elements
A refrigerator appliance comprising:
- a housing defining a chilled chamber;
- and
- an ice maker disposed within the housing, the ice maker comprising
- a casing defining a chamber about a central axis, the casing extending along the central axis between a top portion and a bottom portion, the casing comprising a first material,
- an auger disposed within the chamber of the casing,
- a discrete upper flange selectively mounted on the casing at the top portion, the discrete upper flange comprising a second material that is unique from the first material,
- an extruder die attached to the discrete upper flange and positioned above the casing,
- a discrete lower flange selectively mounted on the casing at the bottom portion, the discrete lower flange comprising the second material, and
- a plurality of bolts radially spaced from the central axis and extending axially from the discrete upper flange to the discrete lower flange, each bolt of the plurality of bolts extending parallel to the central axis from the top portion to the bottom portion in attached engagement with the upper flange at the top portion and the lower flange at the bottom portion.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.