Ice maker with adaptive fill
First Claim
1. A method of producing ice, comprising the steps of:
- opening a valve for a first period of time during a first ice making cycle so that water advances from a fluid source into at least one ice forming compartment of an ice tray through said valve;
determining if a level of water in said at least one ice forming compartment is below a threshold value during said first ice making cycle and generating a control signal in response thereto; and
opening said valve for a second period of time during a second ice making cycle in response to generation of said control signal so that water advances from a fluid source into said least one ice forming compartment of said ice tray through said valve during said second ice making cycle, wherein said second period of time is greater than said first period of time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An icemaker assembly includes an ice tray having an ice forming compartment, a water line configured to advance water from a water source to the ice tray, a valve operable to selectively block advancement of water through the water line while an actuation signal is generated, a control system operable to generate the actuation signal for a water advancement period, a water level detection system for determining if a level of water in the ice forming compartment is below a threshold value and generating a control signal in response thereto. The control system is further operable to alter a magnitude of the water advancement period in response to generation of the control signal. Water is initially advanced into the ice forming compartment for a first period of time during a first ice making cycle by opening the valve. If it is determined that the level of water in the ice forming compartment is below a threshold value during the first ice making cycle, a control signal is generated in response thereto and during a second ice making period the valve is opened for a second period of time in response to generation of the control signal so that water advances into the ice forming compartment of said ice tray through the valve during said second ice making cycle for a period of time that is greater than the first period of time.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of producing ice, comprising the steps of:
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opening a valve for a first period of time during a first ice making cycle so that water advances from a fluid source into at least one ice forming compartment of an ice tray through said valve;
determining if a level of water in said at least one ice forming compartment is below a threshold value during said first ice making cycle and generating a control signal in response thereto; and
opening said valve for a second period of time during a second ice making cycle in response to generation of said control signal so that water advances from a fluid source into said least one ice forming compartment of said ice tray through said valve during said second ice making cycle, wherein said second period of time is greater than said first period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of producing ice, comprising the steps of:
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(a) performing successive ice making cycles, each ice making cycle including (i) advancing water into at least one ice forming compartment of an ice tray by opening a valve connected to a water source for a water advancement period;
(ii) reducing temperature of water within said ice tray after said water advancing step so as to cause said water located within said at least one ice forming compartment to become an ice member; and
(b) determining if a size characteristic of said ice member produced during a first ice making cycle is less than a threshold value and generating a control signal in response thereto; and
(c) altering a magnitude of said water advancement period for a subsequent ice making cycle in response to generation of said control signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An icemaker assembly, comprising:
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an ice tray having at least one ice forming compartment;
a water line configured to advance water from a water source to said ice tray;
a valve operable to selectively block advancement of water through said water line while an actuation signal is generated;
a control system operable to generate said actuation signal for a water advancement period;
a water level detection system for determining if a level of water in said at least one ice forming compartment is below a threshold value and generating a control signal in response thereto, wherein said control system is further operable to alter a magnitude of said water advancement period in response to generation of said control signal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An icemaker assembly, comprising:
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an ice tray having at least one ice forming compartment;
a water line configured to advance water from a water source to said ice tray;
a valve operable to selectively block advancement of water through said water line while an actuation signal is generated;
a control system operable to generate said actuation signal for a water advancement period;
an ice size detection system for determining if a size characteristic of an ice member located in said at least one ice forming compartment is less than a threshold value and generating a control signal in response thereto, wherein said control system is further operable to increase a magnitude of said water advancement period in response to generation of said control signal. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification