Patent ID: 9557087
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: F25B,F25C

Claim:
1. An ice maker comprising: an ice making tray having an array of individual ice cube compartments, the ice making tray having a transverse axis and at least one pivot axle aligned with the transverse axis wherein the tray defines a median wall extending parallel with the transverse axis, said median wall having a uniform height along the length of the wall; the ice cube making tray further including a floor made of a thermoelectric plate operated at a temperature below freezing in order to freeze water in the tray; and a microprocessor which controls a mechanical oscillating mechanism coupled to the ice making tray, the microprocessor controlled mechanical oscillating mechanism being configured to rotate the ice making tray from a horizontal plane along said longitudinal axis at an angle Φ of about 20° to about 40° such that water in said tray cascades over the median wall; wherein the microprocessor controlled mechanical oscillating mechanism is not actuated by the microprocessor until ice has started to form along a top surface of the thermoelectric plate, and wherein after ice has begun to form along the top surface of the thermoelectric plate, the microprocessor controlled mechanical oscillating mechanism is activated by the microprocessor and begins to rotate the ice making tray in a rocking cycle about the transverse axis; and wherein the frequency of oscillation (ω) is harmonically related to the frequency of movement of water in said tray.