US 12,422,178 B2
Hybrid ice maker
Eric K. Larson, Cumberland, RI (US); Juan J. Barrena, Johnston, RI (US); and William D. Chatelle, Cranston, RI (US)
Assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed by ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed on Jul. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/220,139.
Application 18/220,139 is a division of application No. 17/153,632, filed on Jan. 20, 2021, granted, now 11,725,861.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/084,976, filed on Sep. 29, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/963,784, filed on Jan. 21, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0349616 A1, Nov. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. F25C 1/24 (2018.01); F25C 5/08 (2006.01)
CPC F25C 1/24 (2013.01) [F25C 5/08 (2013.01); F25C 2305/0221 (2021.08); F25C 2500/02 (2013.01); F25C 2500/08 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An icemaker with an ice tray having a plurality of pockets for molding water into ice cubes, the icemaker comprising:
a first electrode positioned adjacent to at least one pocket of the plurality of pockets;
a second electrode positioned adjacent to at least one pocket of the plurality of pockets, wherein the first and second electrode are configured to detect a capacitance of water;
a controller that communicates with the first and second electrodes to detect a phase change of the water to ice in the plurality of pockets;
a heater adapted to activate and deactivate based on the phase change of the water to ice; and
an ejector to eject ice from the plurality of pockets after water in the pockets freezes into ice cubes, wherein the ejector activates and deactivates the heater, wherein the ejector comprises a frame to hold the ice tray, the frame having a circular opening, wherein the circular opening includes a plurality of protrusions along an inner perimeter of the circular opening, and an insert positioned in the circular opening adapted to rotate inside the circular opening of the frame.