An ice maker and a refrigerator having same. The ice maker comprises: a cooling part having a heat dissipation device and a metal piece; a liquid container configured to store liquid; a liquid supply part configured to supply liquid to the liquid container; a moving mechanism configured to rotate and move the liquid container; and a control part. The metal piece is mounted, so that a rod-shaped component made of metal extends downward from a base end to the tip, and the rod-shaped component is cooled by means of the heat dissipation device. The ice-making process is repeated multiple times under the control of the control part, and the following steps are carried out in the ice-making process: a liquid supply step, an ice making step, an avoidance step, a deicing step, and a recovering step. The ice maker can make ice within a short period of time.

An ice maker and a refrigerator having same. The ice maker comprises: a cooling part having a heat dissipation device and a metal piece; a liquid container configured to store liquid; a liquid supply part configured to supply liquid to the liquid container; a moving mechanism configured to rotate and move the liquid container; and a control part. The metal piece is mounted, so that a rod-shaped component made of metal extends downward from a base end to the tip, and the rod-shaped component is cooled by means of the heat dissipation device. The ice-making process is repeated multiple times under the control of the control part, and the following steps are carried out in the ice-making process: a liquid supply step, an ice making step, an avoidance step, a deicing step, and a recovering step. The ice maker can make ice within a short period of time.

Disclosed are a cold-water generating tank for generating cold water by using the ice thermal storage method and a water cooler equipped with same. The disclosed cold-water generating tank may comprise: a tank body which houses, on the inside thereof, an ice storage liquid cooled by means of a cooling unit; a cooling tube provided on the inside of the tank body in order to cool the ice storage liquid housed inside the tank body; and a cold-water generating unit which has a heat exchange tube forming a flow pathway where inflowing water becomes cold water through heat exchange with the ice storage liquid, and has an extension member positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the heat exchange tube in order to widen the area of contact with the ice storage liquid.

Disclosed are a cold-water generating tank for generating cold water by using the ice thermal storage method and a water cooler equipped with same. The disclosed cold-water generating tank may comprise: a tank body which houses, on the inside thereof, an ice storage liquid cooled by means of a cooling unit; a cooling tube provided on the inside of the tank body in order to cool the ice storage liquid housed inside the tank body; and a cold-water generating unit which has a heat exchange tube forming a flow pathway where inflowing water becomes cold water through heat exchange with the ice storage liquid, and has an extension member positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the heat exchange tube in order to widen the area of contact with the ice storage liquid.

An evaporator for an ice maker includes an evaporator body having a refrigerant flow path formed therein; a dipping member connected to the evaporator body, for a refrigerant having a temperature lower than a freezing point of water to flow in the refrigerant flow path to generate ice in a state in which at least a portion of the dipping member is submerged in water; a heater having at least a portion inserted into the refrigerant flow path, and directly or indirectly heating at least one of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path, the evaporator body, and the dipping member to separate the ice generated on the dipping member from the dipping member; and a connection member connecting the evaporator body and the refrigerant flow path to be connected to a refrigeration cycle, and inserting the at least a portion of the heater into the refrigerant flow path.

An ice maker for fitting into a cooling or freezing appliance includes an ice-making tray which forms a plurality of ice-piece-producing cavities for producing one ice piece each. An air channel is formed above the ice-making tray, which serves to guide a cold air stream. There is provided a heat-dissipating structure including a metal material and having a plurality of heat-dissipating pins, each of which, in a freezing phase, projects from above, with a pin tip leading, into one of the ice-piece-producing cavities. In some embodiments, the heat-dissipating pins extend into and through the upper air channel, so that the cold air flowing in the air channel flows around shaft portions of the heat-dissipating pins situated inside the air channel. When the ice-piece-producing cavities are filled with water, the heat-dissipating pins immersed in the water ensure improved dissipation of thermal energy from the water, which accelerates freezing.

Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed towards apparatuses for producing ice cubes. In particular, embodiments of the present invention are directed to trays for making ice cubes in a manner that allows for ice to be produced with a clear or semi-clear transparency through the elimination of gaseous water during the freezing process.

A refrigeration appliance includes an ice maker is disposed within a freezer compartment. The ice maker includes a water fill assembly for conveying water from a source of pressurized water to an ice tray. The water fill assembly includes a water fill tube fluidly connected to the source of pressurized water. A removable fill and heater assembly includes a plate disposed above the ice tray of the ice maker. The plate has an opening positioned above the ice tray. A shroud extends from an upper surface of the plate and has an inlet end fluidly communicating with the water fill tube. An outlet end of the shroud directs water into the ice tray in a predetermined direction. A heating element is disposed on the upper surface of the plate for applying heat to the plate to maintain a portion of the plate at a temperature in excess of 0° C.

An evaporator for an ice maker includes an evaporator body having a refrigerant flow path formed therein; a dipping member connected to the evaporator body, for a refrigerant having a temperature lower than a freezing point of water to flow in the refrigerant flow path to generate ice in a state in which at least a portion of the dipping member is submerged in water; a heater having at least a portion inserted into the refrigerant flow path, and directly or indirectly heating at least one of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path, the evaporator body, and the dipping member to separate the ice generated on the dipping member from the dipping member; and a connection member connecting the evaporator body and the refrigerant flow path to be connected to a refrigeration cycle, and inserting the at least a portion of the heater into the refrigerant flow path.

The invention provides, in some aspects, a thermal energy storage and retrieval system with a cavity containing a working fluid and a heat transfer surface disposed in the cavity transverse to a gravity field and in thermal coupling with an ice that is formed from and floating in the working fluid. The heat transfer surface transfers to that ice heat from a heat transfer medium that is thermally coupled to the heat transfer surface. According to aspects of the invention in which the ice is less dense than the working fluid, the heat transfer surface is disposed above (with respect to the gravity field) a region of the cavity where that ice is formed or inlet. According to aspects of the invention in which the ice is more dense than the working fluid, the heat transfer surface is disposed below that region.