Ice maker for a refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorCharles Benjamin Miller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An ice maker for a refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The ice maker includes a mold body that is rotatable relative to an ejector. The ejector is configured for selective receipt within the mold body to assist with removal of ice from the mold body. The ice maker also includes at least two sensors for monitoring rotational motion of the mold body. Utilizing the at least two sensors, the ice maker can monitor ice removal from the mold body.
Claims20
A method for operating an ice maker of a refrigerator appliance, the ice maker having a mold body rotatable relative to an ejector, the ice maker also having at least two sensors for monitoring rotation of the mold body, the method comprising:
- determining that the mold body of the ice maker is in a fill position based upon a signal received from a first sensor of the at least two sensors;
- filling the mold body of the ice maker with liquid water when the mold body is in the fill position;
- turning the mold body of the ice maker in a first rotational direction from the fill position towards a twist position;
- and
- revolving the mold body of the ice maker in a second rotational direction from the twist position towards a harvest position, the second rotational direction being opposite to the first rotational direction.
An ice maker for a refrigerator appliance, the ice maker defining an axial direction and a circumferential direction, the ice maker comprising:
- a mold body defining a plurality of cavities for receipt of liquid water for freezing;
- a motor in mechanical communication with said mold body, said motor configured for selectively rotating said mold body about an axis of rotation that is parallel to the axial direction;
- an ejector positioned adjacent said mold body, said ejector having a plurality of harvesters, each harvester of the plurality of harvesters configured for selective receipt within a respective cavity of the plurality of cavities of said mold body;
- and
- at least two sensors positioned proximate said mold body, said at least two sensors spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction, each sensor of said at least two sensors configured for determining that said mold body is in a particular rotational position.
A method for operating an ice maker of a refrigerator appliance, the ice maker having a mold body rotatable relative to an ejector, the ice maker also having at least two sensors for monitoring rotation of the mold body, the method comprising:
- determining that the mold body of the ice maker is in a fill position based upon a signal received from a first sensor of the at least two sensors;
- filling the mold body of the ice maker with liquid water when the mold body is in the fill position;
- revolving the mold body of the ice maker towards a harvest position;
- and
- monitoring a second sensor of the at least two sensors in order to determine if the mold body of the ice maker is in the harvest position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.