Thermoelectric icemaker and control

Abstract

In one aspect, an icemaker for making ice in a fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator comprises a freezer compartment comprising a freezer door, and a fresh food compartment located over the freezer compartment and comprising a fresh food door. The fresh food door comprises an ice dispenser. An ice maker is located in the fresh food compartment, and the ice maker comprises an ice mold, and a thermoelectric device for moving heat from the ice mold. The mold is positioned so that ice from the mold can be dispensed by the ice dispenser in the fresh food door.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A bottom mount refrigerator, comprising:
 a freezer compartmentcomprising a freezer door; 
 a freezer door configured to close after freezer compartment; 
 a fresh food compartment located over said freezer compartmentand comprising; 
 a fresh food door configured to close said fresh food compartment, said fresh food door comprising an ice dispenser; and 
 an insulated third compartment located within said fresh food compartment; 
 a temperature measurement device located within said insulated third compartment; 
 an ice maker mounted in said fresh food insulated third compartment, said ice maker comprising an ice mold, and a thermoelectric device for moving heat from said ice mold, said mold positioned so that ice from said ice mold can be dispensed by said ice dispenser in said fresh food door; 
 a freezer air duct extending from said freezer compartment to said ice mold; and 
 an air flow control device for controlling flow of freezer air through said freezer air duct. 
 
     
     
       2. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a freezer air duct extending from said freezer compartment to said ice mold. 
     
     
       3. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with  claim 2  further comprising an air flow control device for controlling flow of freezer air through said freezer air duct. 
     
     
       4. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim  3  1 wherein said air flow control device comprises a damper in said freezer air duct. 
     
     
       5. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim  3  1 wherein said air flow control device comprises a variable speed fan for moving air from said freezer compartment into and through said freezer air duct. 
     
     
       6. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising an insulated container into which ice from said mold is dispensed, and wherein said insulated container is in communication with said ice dispenser in said fresh food door. 
     
     
       7. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a controller, a flow control device for controlling flow of freezer air through said freezer air duct, and a temperature measurement device positioned to be in an air stream leaving said thermoelectric device, said controller coupled to said air flow control device and to said temperature measurement device. 
     
     
       8. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said controller is programmed to control a temperature of air from said thermoelectric device insulated third compartment to be within a pre-selected range by controlling freezer air flow through said freezer air duct. 
     
     
       9. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with  claim 8  further comprising a thermoelectric device for selectively heating the ice mold or moving heat from the ice mold, and wherein said controller is coupled to said thermoelectric device and is further programmed to operate said thermoelectric device to selectively heat said ice mold to facilitate dispensing ice from said ice mold or to move heat from the ice mold. 
     
     
       10. An icemaker for making ice in a fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator, the bottom mount refrigerator further including a freezer compartment and a freezer air duct extending from the freezer compartment into the fresh food compartment, said icemaker comprising:
 an ice mold configured to be positioned in the fresh food compartment and in flow communication with the freezer air duct; 
 a thermoelectric device for moving heat from said ice mold; and 
 a temperature measurement device positioned in an air stream leaving said thermoelectric device; 
 a controller coupled to said temperature measurement device and programmed to control a temperature of air from said thermoelectric device to be within a pre-selected range; and 
 an air flow control device for controlling flow of freezer air through the freezer air duct. 
 
     
     
       11. An icemaker in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said air flow control device comprises a damper in said freezer air duct. 
     
     
       12. An icemaker in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said air flow control device comprises a variable speed fan for moving air from the freezer compartment into and through the freezer air duct. 
     
     
       13. An icemaker in accordance with  claim 10  further comprising an insulated container into which ice from said ice mold is dispensed, and wherein said insulated container is in communication with an ice dispenser in a fresh food compartment door of the bottom mount refrigerator. 
     
     
       14. An icemaker in accordance with  claim 10  further comprising a controller for controlling said flow control device. 
     
     
       15. An icemaker in accordance with  claim 14  further comprising a temperature measurement device positioned to be in an air stream leaving said thermoelectric device, said controller coupled to said temperature measurement device and programmed to control a temperature of air from said thermoelectric device to be within a pre-selected range. 
     
     
       16. An icemaker in accordance with claim  14  10 wherein said controller is further programmed to operate said thermoelectric device to selectively heat said ice mold to facilitate dispensing ice from said ice mold. 
     
     
       17. A method for operating an icemaker in a fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator, the icemaker comprising an ice mold configured to be positioned in the fresh food compartment and in flow communication with a freezer air duct, a thermoelectric device for moving heat from the ice mold, and an air flow control device for controlling flow of freezer air through the freezer air duct, said method comprisingthe steps of:
 monitoring a temperature of an air flow from the thermoelectric device, 
 when the temperature of air flow from the thermoelectric device is above a predetermined temperature, increasing the air flow through the freezer air duct, and 
 when the temperature of air flow from the thermoelectric device is below a predetermined temperature, then decreasing the air flow through the freezer air duct. 
 
     
     
       18. A method according to  claim 17  wherein the air flow control device is a damper, and wherein increasing the air flow through the freezer air duct comprises moving the damper toward a fully open position and wherein decreasing the air flow through the freezer air duct comprises moving the damper toward a fully closed position. 
     
     
       19. A method according to  claim 17  wherein the air flow control device comprises a variable speed fan, and wherein increasing the air flow through the freezer air duct comprises operating the variable speed fan at a faster speed, and wherein decreasing the air flow through the freezer air duct comprises operating the variable speed fan at a slower speed. 
     
     
       20. A method according to  claim 17  further comprising the step of operating the thermoelectric device to selectively heat the ice mold to facilitate dispensing ice from the ice mold. 
     
     
       21. A bottom mount refrigerator, comprising:
 a freezer compartment comprising a freezer door; 
 a fresh food compartment located over said freezer compartment and comprising a fresh food door, said fresh food door comprising an ice dispenser; 
 an ice maker in said fresh food compartment, said ice maker comprising an ice mold, said ice mold positioned so that ice from said ice mold can be dispensed by said ice dispenser in said fresh food door; and 
 an air flow control device comprising a fan for moving air from said freezer compartment over said ice mold; 
 a temperature measurement device positioned to be in an air stream leaving a thermoelectric device; and 
 a controller coupled to said air flow control device and to said temperature measurement device. 
 
     
     
       22. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with  claim 21  further comprising a freezer air duct extending from said freezer compartment to said ice mold. 
     
     
       23. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with  claim 22  further comprising an wherein said air flow control device for controlling is configured to control flow of freezer air through said freezer air duct. 
     
     
       24. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with  claim 23  wherein said air flow control device comprises at least one of a damper in said freezer air duct and said fan comprises a variable speed fan for moving air from said freezer compartment into and through said freezer air duct. 
     
     
       25. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim  21  further comprising a controller, a flow control device for controlling flow of freezer air through said freezer air duct, and a temperature measurement device positioned to be in an air stream leaving a thermoelectric device, said controller coupled to said flow control device, to said temperature measurement device, and to said fan 22, wherein said air flow control device further comprises a damper in said freezer air duct. 
     
     
       26. A refrigerator, comprising:
 a freezer compartment;   a fresh food compartment;   an ice maker in said fresh food compartment, said ice maker comprising an ice mold; and   a drawer located within said fresh food compartment, said ice mold positioned in said drawer.   
     
     
       27. A refrigerator according to  claim 26  wherein said icemaker further comprises a thermoelectric device for moving heat from said ice mold. 
     
     
       28. A refrigerator according to  claim 26  wherein said mold comprises a heat transfer surface. 
     
     
       29. A bottom mount refrigerator comprising:
 a freezer compartment;   a fresh food compartment located over said freezer compartment;   a fresh food door configured to close said fresh food compartment;   an insulated third compartment located within said fresh food compartment, said insulated third compartment not mounted to said fresh food door;   an ice dispenser located in said fresh food door;   an ice maker located in said insulated third compartment and comprising an ice mold, said ice mold being positioned such that ice from said ice mold is dispensed by said ice dispenser, wherein said ice maker further comprises a thermoelectric device for moving heat from said ice mold;   an air flow control device for controlling flow of freezer air over said ice mold;   a temperature measurement device positioned within an air stream leaving said thermoelectric device; and   a controller coupled to said air flow control device and to said temperature measurement device.   
     
     
       30. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim 29 further comprising a freezer air duct extending from said freezer compartment to said ice maker, said air flow control device being configured to control flow of freezer air through said freezer air duct. 
     
     
       31. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim 30 wherein said air flow control device comprises a damper positioned with respect to said freezer air duct. 
     
     
       32. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim 30 wherein said air flow control device comprises a fan for moving air from said freezer compartment into and through said freezer air duct. 
     
     
       33. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim 30 wherein said controller is programmed to control a temperature of air from said thermoelectric device to be within a selected range by controlling freezer air flow through said freezer air duct. 
     
     
       34. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim 29 wherein said controller is coupled to said thermoelectric device and is further programmed to operate said thermoelectric device to selectively heat said ice mold to facilitate dispensing ice from said ice mold. 
     
     
       35. A bottom mount refrigerator comprising:
 a freezer compartment;   a fresh food compartment located over said freezer compartment;   an insulated third compartment located within said fresh food compartment;   a fresh food door configured to close said fresh food compartment, said fresh food door comprising an ice dispenser;   an ice maker located in said insulated third compartment and in communication with said ice dispenser, said ice maker comprising an ice mold positioned such that ice from said ice mold can be dispensed by said ice dispenser;   a freezer air duct extending from said freezer compartment to said ice mold;   an air flow control device for controlling flow of freezer air through said freezer air duct;   a temperature measurement device positioned within an air stream leaving a thermoelectric device of said ice maker; and   a controller coupled to said air flow control device and to said temperature measurement device.   
     
     
       36. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim 35 wherein the thermoelectric device is configured for moving heat from said ice mold. 
     
     
       37. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim 36 wherein said air flow control device comprises a damper in said freezer air duct. 
     
     
       38. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim 37 wherein said air flow control device comprises a fan for moving air from said freezer compartment through said freezer air duct. 
     
     
       39. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim 35 wherein said controller is programmed to control a temperature of air from said thermoelectric device to be within a selected range by controlling freezer air flow through said freezer air duct. 
     
     
       40. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim 35 wherein said controller is coupled to said thermoelectric device and is further programmed to operate said thermoelectric device to selectively heat said ice mold to facilitate dispensing ice from said ice mold. 
     
     
       41. A bottom mount refrigerator comprising:
 a freezer compartment;   a freezer door configured to close said freezer compartment;   a fresh food compartment located over said freezer compartment;   a fresh food door configured to close said fresh food compartment, said fresh food door comprising an ice dispenser;   an ice maker mounted in said fresh food compartment, said ice maker comprising an ice mold positioned so that ice from said ice mold can be dispensed by said ice dispenser in said fresh food door;   a freezer air duct extending from said freezer compartment to said ice mold; and   an air flow control device for controlling flow of freezer air through said freezer air duct,   wherein said air flow control device comprises a variable speed fan for moving air from said freezer compartment into and through said freezer air duct.   
     
     
       42. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim 41 wherein said air flow control device further comprises a damper in said freezer air duct. 
     
     
       43. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim 41 further comprising an insulated container into which ice from said ice mold is dispensed, and wherein said insulated container is in communication with said ice dispenser in said fresh food door. 
     
     
       44. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim 41 further comprising an insulated third compartment located within said fresh food compartment, said ice maker being located in said insulated third compartment. 
     
     
       45. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim 41 further comprising a controller, a thermoelectric device for moving heat from said ice mold, said temperature measurement device being positioned in an air stream leaving said thermoelectric device, said controller being coupled to said air flow control device and to said temperature measurement device. 
     
     
       46. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim 45 wherein said controller is programmed to control a temperature of air from said thermoelectric device to be within a pre-selected range by controlling freezer air flow through said freezer air duct. 
     
     
       47. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim 46 wherein said controller is coupled to said thermoelectric device and is further programmed to operate said thermoelectric device to selectively heat said ice mold to facilitate dispensing ice from said ice mold. 
     
     
       48. A bottom mount refrigerator comprising:
 a freezer compartment comprising a freezer door;   a fresh food compartment located over said freezer compartment and comprising a fresh food door, said fresh food door comprising an ice dispenser,   an ice maker in said fresh food compartment, said ice maker comprising an ice mold, said ice mold being positioned so that ice from said ice mold can be dispensed by said ice dispenser in said fresh food door;   a freezer air duct extending from said freezer compartment to said ice mold; and   an air flow control device configured to control flow of freezer air through said freezer air duct, said air flow control device comprising a damper in said freezer air duct, and a variable speed fan for moving air from said freezer compartment into and through said freezer air duct.   
     
     
       49. A bottom mount refrigerator in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a controller coupled to said air flow control device and to said temperature measurement device, said controller being programmed to control the flow of freezer air through said freezer air duct.