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 method may include selecting a first set of values for a first set of parameters of one or more hardware components of an ice-making machine; identifying a water temperature at a water inlet of the ice-making machine; identifying an ambient air temperature surrounding the ice-making machine; calculating a second set of parameters of the ice-making machine based on at least a portion of the first set of values, the water temperature and the ambient temperature, the second set of parameters corresponding to operation of the ice-making machine in a freeze mode in which liquid water is cooled by an evaporator; and calculating a third set of parameters based on at least a portion of the first set of values, the water temperature and the ambient temperature, the third set of parameters corresponding to operation of the ice-making machine in a harvest mode.

A system and method for controlling ice-making and ice-separating of an ice maker is proposed. In the ice maker that is configured to change an ice-separating time so that ice is cleanly separated in accordance with a changed required icing when the required icing time is changed, the system and method count a consumed ice-making time when ice-making is performed, set a target ice-separating time longer than a predetermined reference ice-separating time when the consumed ice-making time is out of a reference time range, and control the ice maker to perform ice-separating for the set target ice-separating time by means of the controller.

An ice supply device includes an ice storage tank, a supply path, and a water flow path. The ice storage tank is configured to store sherbet ice. The sherbet ice may be taken out of the ice storage tank through the supply path. The water flow path joins the supply path. The water flow path is configured to carry flow of water there through.

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.

A refrigerator includes a main body defining a storage compartment, a door, an ice making device, a water tank disposed for supplying water into the ice making device, and an ice bin to receive and store ice pieces made in the ice making device. The ice making device includes an ice making tray having ice making chambers configured to be filled with water for making the ice pieces, and an ejector extending from an upper central portion of the ice making tray in a longitudinal direction of the ice making tray to pass through both ends of the ice making tray. The ejector is configured to be maintained in a fixed state during water supply, ice making, and ice separation processes, and the ice making tray is configured to rotate at an angle of about 360° in one direction with respect to the ejector.

The invention relates to a method for rapid freezing of ice cubes by means of a higher dispensing rate and contact freezing, the cube being produced in 7 minutes with a water consumption equivalent to the volume of the cubes, thereby not wasting a single drop of water. A conventional condenser and compressor store cold in a store where the cold produced is maintained at a constant temperature of −30° C., and a gel that absorbs the cold from the medium is pumped as far as the ice-tray, where it runs into the spaces separating the cells where the cubes are formed in order then to return via a downward conduit to the cold store, continuing the cycle, and a series of dispensing devices meter out the water necessary into the cells where a contact-freezing process is initiated.

A method for controlling a refrigerating device of a water dispenser. The method includes: S1, controlling a refrigerating module to cool water in a cold water tank; S2, when the temperature of the water in the cold water tank is reduced to a first preset temperature, stopping the refrigerating module at the first preset time; S3, controlling the refrigerating module to work again to continue cooling the water in the cold water tank; S4, when the temperature of the water in the cold water tank is reduced to an n.sup.th preset temperature, stopping the refrigerating module at the n.sup.th preset time; and S5, determining whether the temperature of the water in the cold water tank reaches a target temperature, and if not, repeating steps S3 and S4 after reaching a predefined number. Through multi-stage refrigeration, an ultra-low temperature refrigeration is achieved.

A water switch assembly for a nugget ice making assembly is provided. The ice making assembly includes a hollow auger rotatably mounted within a reservoir and configured for extruding ice. The water switch assembly includes a water supply pipe that extends vertically through the center of the ice making auger and reservoir. The water switch assembly is in fluid communication with a water inlet and includes a capacitance probe for measuring the water level in the reservoir. In this manner, the water switch assembly is configured to control the flow of water to the reservoir in response to the water level measured by the capacitance probe.