Auger-driven icemaker system for refrigerator

Abstract

A system for making ice comprises an auger-driven ice formation portion configured for mounting in a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator appliance, and at least one inlet duct positioned proximate to the auger-driven ice formation portion and configured for receiving and passing ambient air from a freezer compartment of the refrigerator appliance into the auger-driven ice formation portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for making ice, comprising:
 an auger-driven ice formation portion configured for mounting in a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator appliance; and   at least one inlet duct positioned proximate to the auger-driven ice formation portion and configured for receiving and passing ambient air from a freezer compartment of the refrigerator appliance into the auger-driven ice formation portion.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one outlet duct positioned proximate to the auger-driven ice formation portion and configured for receiving and returning ambient freezer air used for ice formation to the freezer compartment. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fan positioned proximate to the inlet duct and configured for drawing the ambient freezer air into the inlet duct. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a controller configured for controlling operation of the fan. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the auger-driven ice formation portion further comprises an ice formation chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the auger-driven ice formation portion further comprises an ambient freezer air receiving compartment coupled to the at least one inlet duct and substantially surrounding the ice formation chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the auger-driven ice formation portion further comprises an auger moveably positioned in the ice formation chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising an auger heater positioned in heat transfer contact with the auger. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the auger-driven ice formation portion further comprises an ice extruder positioned proximate to the ice formation chamber at an ice producing end of the auger. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a sweep arm positioned proximate to the ice extruder and configured for sweeping ice away from the ice extruder. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising an ice chute positioned proximate to the sweep arm and configured for receiving the ice swept by the sweep arm. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising an ice bin positioned proximate to the ice chute and configured for storing ice received from the ice chute. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a motor operatively coupled to the auger and configured for rotating the auger. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the motor is positioned above the auger. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a water reservoir proximate to the ice formation chamber and configured for supplying water for ice formation. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the auger-driven ice formation portion further comprises a plurality of heat transfer fins substantially surrounding the ice formation chamber. 
     
     
         17 . A system for making ice, comprising:
 an ice formation chamber coupled to a water supply and configured for mounting in a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator appliance;   a motor-driven auger moveably positioned in the ice formation chamber;   at least one inlet duct positioned proximate to the ice formation chamber and configured for receiving and passing ambient air from a freezer compartment of the refrigerator appliance into an area around the ice formation chamber;   a fan positioned proximate to the inlet duct and configured for drawing the ambient freezer air into the inlet duct; and   an auger heater positioned in heat transfer contact with the motor-driven auger.   
     
     
         18 . A refrigerator appliance comprising:
 a fresh food compartment;   a freezer compartment; and   an auger-driven icemaker system mounted in the fresh food compartment, wherein the icemaker system is configured to receive ambient air from the freezer compartment for use in ice formation.   
     
     
         19 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 18 , wherein the auger-driven icemaker system is mounted on a wall separating the fresh food compartment from the freezer compartment. 
     
     
         20 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 18 , wherein the auger-driven icemaker system is mounted on a door of the fresh food compartment.