A batch ice maker can execute a pulsed fill routine in which a control system pulses water from a water supply into the sump until the sump reaches a predefined freeze routine starting level. Pulsing may begin after continuously filling the sump to a fill-approach level. A batch ice maker can execute a differential freeze routine in which the control system circulates water from a sump to an ice formation device until water level decreases by a predefined differential amount from a high control water level based on the water level in the sump at a point in time after the sump was filled to a freeze routine starting level. The high control water level can be set based on water level in the sump when sump water temperature reaches a predefined pre-chill temperature. The predefined pre-chill temperature can be associated with a switchover from sensible cooling to latent cooling.

A refrigerator appliance or door assembly may include an enclosing body, a liquid reservoir, a level sensor, a water valve, and a liquid dispenser. The enclosing body may define an exterior surface and an interior surface. The liquid reservoir may be defined within the enclosing body between the exterior surface and the interior surface. The level sensor may be mounted to the liquid reservoir. The level sensor may be configured to detect a water volume within the liquid reservoir. The water valve may be mounted upstream from the liquid reservoir to selectively direct water thereto based on the detected water volume. The liquid dispenser may extend from the liquid reservoir and through the interior surface to an outlet aperture to selectively dispense water from the liquid reservoir.

A system for manufacturing clear ice products is provided. The system includes a freezing module, a demolding module, and a converting station. The freezing module includes a frame comprising a plurality of levels, a plate freezer provided at each level, and at least one mold provided for placement on each plate freezer and suitable for receiving water. A control frame is provided associated with each plate freezer and is movable from an elevated position to fill position. In the fill position, the control frame is at least partially disposed within the mold. One or more circulation pumps are associated with each control frame for circulating water in the mold to release air bubbles as the water freezes. The demolding module removes the mold from the freezing module and removes formed ice from the mold. The converting station converts the formed ice into a clear ice product.

An icemaker appliance includes a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a first circulation system associated with the first reservoir, and a second circulation system associated with the second reservoir. Liquid in the first reservoir is directed toward a first set of ice molds and liquid from the second reservoir is directed toward a second set of ice molds. Liquid in the first reservoir is selectively supplied to the second reservoir.

An ice maker for forming ice having a refrigeration system, a water system, and a control system. The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an ice formation device, and a condenser fan comprising a fan blade and a condenser fan motor for driving the fan blade. The water system supplies water to the ice formation device. The control system includes a controller adapted to operate the condenser fan motor at a first speed in a forward direction when the ice maker is making ice and adapted to operate the condenser fan motor at a second speed in a reverse direction when the ice maker is not making ice. Operating the condenser fan motor at the second speed in the reverse direction is sufficient to reduce the amount of dirt, lint, grease, dust, and/or other contaminants on or in the condenser.

An ice maker includes a refrigeration system, a water system, and a control system. The control system includes an air fitting disposed above the sump of the water system, a pneumatic tube, and a controller including a processor and an air pressure sensor. The air fitting defines a chamber in which air may be trapped and includes one or more openings through which water in the sump is in fluid communication with the air in the chamber. The pneumatic tube is in fluid communication with the air pressure sensor and the air fitting. The air pressure sensor is adapted to sense a pressure corresponding to a sump water level. The controller is adapted to control the operation of the refrigeration system and the operation of the water system based upon the sump water level. To avoid errors in water level measurements due to temperature changes, the system uses the pressure sensor data's noise level to detect when the water level reaches the bottom of the air fitting.

A device for removing foreign matter in an ice maker is configured to prevent foreign matter from accumulating on the bottom of a float by changing the structure of the bottom of the float. The device includes a level sensor sensing a water level using a float moving up and down, depending on a height of water supplied in a water tank and a connection pipe forming a channel for water flow between the water pump and the level sensor by being connected to the level sensor, and having an inclined surface inclined downward toward an entrance of the channel under the float.

An ice maker comprising a refrigeration system, a water system, and a control system. The control system includes a controller comprising a processor and a water level sensor. The water level sensor is adapted to externally sense a capacitance corresponding to a sump water level. The controller is adapted to control the operation of the refrigeration system and the operation of the water system based upon the sump water level and to detect one or more failure modes of the water system based upon the sump water level.

A batch ice maker can execute a pulsed fill routine in which a control system pulses water from a water supply into the sump until the sump reaches a predefined freeze routine starting level. Pulsing may begin after continuously filling the sump to a fill-approach level. A batch ice maker can execute a differential freeze routine in which the control system circulates water from a sump to an ice formation device until water level decreases by a predefined differential amount from a high control water level based on the water level in the sump at a point in time after the sump was filled to a freeze routine starting level. The high control water level can be set based on water level in the sump when sump water temperature reaches a predefined pre-chill temperature. The predefined pre-chill temperature can be associated with a switchover from sensible cooling to latent cooling.

An ice maker for forming ice during a cooling cycle, the ice maker having a variable-speed compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator, wherein the variable-speed compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator are in fluid communication by one or more refrigerant lines. The ice maker further includes a freeze plate thermally coupled to the evaporator, a water pump, a sensing device for identifying a state of the cooling cycle, and a controller adapted to control the speed of the variable-speed compressor based on the identified state of the cooling cycle. The ice maker may also include a variable-speed condenser fan which may be controlled by the controller based on the identified state of the cooling cycle. Additionally, the water pump may be a variable-speed water pump which may be controlled by the controller based on the identified state of the cooling cycle.