Method and apparatus for improving energy efficiency of an ice maker system

Abstract

Method and apparatus for ice maker systems are disclosed. One exemplary method comprises the step of, in a harvesting cycle of an ice maker system wherein a heating element is turned on at a first time instance to generate heat to separate ice from an ice mold body formed in the ice mold body during a preceding ice formation cycle, and turned off at a second time instance to allow the ice mold body to cool so that a next ice formation cycle can begin, controlling an amount of heat generated by the heating element between the first time instance and the second time instance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 in a harvesting cycle of an ice maker system wherein a heating element is turned on at a first time instance to generate heat to separate ice from an ice mold body formed in the ice mold body during a preceding ice formation cycle, and turned off at a second time instance to allow the ice mold body to cool so that a next ice formation cycle can begin;   controlling an amount of heat generated by the heating element between the first time instance and the second time instance.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of controlling an amount of heat generated by the heating element between the first time instance and the second time instance comprises reducing electric current provided to the heating element. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the reduction of electric current provided to the heating element is effectuated by a positive temperature coefficient resistor operatively coupled between the heating element and a source of the electric current provided to the heating element. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the positive temperature coefficient resistor decreases an amount of electric current provided to the heating element by the electric current source as the amount of heat generated by the heating element increases. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the positive temperature coefficient resistor is selected such that an amount of heat is generated by the heating element, after the first time instance, to allow the ice to separate from the ice mold body but is limited thereafter until the heating element is turned off at the second time instance. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of controlling an amount of heat generated by the heating element between the first time instance and the second time instance comprises controlling a relay device that provides electric current to the heating element. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the relay device is controlled as a function of time. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the relay device is controlled as a function of a temperature of the ice mold body. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the relay device is controlled as a function of a position of a rake assembly used to release the ice from the ice mold body. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of controlling the relay device that provides electric current to the heating element further comprises applying a control signal to a control terminal of the relay device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the control signal applied to the control terminal of the relay device is generated as a function of one or more of time, a temperature of the ice mold body, and a position of a rake assembly used to release the ice from the ice mold body. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the relay device comprises a triac. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus comprising:
 a heating element, wherein, in a harvesting cycle of an ice maker system, the heating element is turned on at a first time instance to generate heat to separate ice from an ice mold body formed in the ice mold body during a preceding ice formation cycle, and turned off at a second time instance to allow the ice mold body to cool so that a next ice formation cycle can begin; and   a device for controlling an amount of heat generated by the heating element between the first time instance and the second time instance.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the device for controlling an amount of heat generated by the heating element between the first time instance and the second time instance comprises a positive temperature coefficient resistor. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the positive temperature coefficient resistor is operatively coupled between the heating element and a source of the electric current provided to the heating element. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the positive temperature coefficient resistor decreases an amount of electric current provided to the heating element by the electric current source as the amount of heat generated by the heating element increases. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the positive temperature coefficient resistor is selected such that an amount of heat is generated by the heating element, after the first time instance, to allow the ice to separate from the ice mold body but is limited thereafter until the heating element is turned off at the second time instance. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the device for controlling an amount of heat generated by the heating element between the first time instance and the second time instance comprises a relay device. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein relay device controls electric current provided to the heating element. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein a control signal is applied to a control terminal of the relay device so as to control the electric current provided to the heating element and reduce the heat generated by the heating element. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the control signal applied to the control terminal of the relay device is generated as a function of one or more of time, a temperature of the ice mold body, and a position of a rake assembly used to move the ice out of the ice mold body. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the relay device comprises a triac. 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus for making ice, comprising:
 an ice mold body for forming ice;   a heating element, wherein, in a harvesting cycle, the heating element is turned on at a first time instance to generate heat to separate ice from the ice mold body formed in the ice mold body during a preceding ice formation cycle, and turned off at a second time instance to allow the ice mold body to cool so that a next ice formation cycle can begin;   a device for controlling an amount of heat generated by the heating element between the first time instance and the second time instance; and   a mechanism for releasing the ice from the ice mold body in the harvesting cycle.