Patent Publication Number: US-2023141535-A1

Title: Automatic ice maker including a secondary water supply for an exterior of an ice mold

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to refrigerator appliances, and more particularly to improving a harvest of ice from an ice mold of an ice making appliance within a refrigerator appliance. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In domestic and commercial applications, ice is often formed as solid cubes, such as crescent cubes or generally rectangular blocks. The shape of such cubes is often dictated by the container holding water during a freezing process. For instance, an ice maker can receive liquid water, and such liquid water can freeze within the ice maker to form ice cubes. In particular, certain ice makers include a freezing mold that defines a plurality of cavities. Although the typical solid cubes or blocks may be useful in a variety of circumstances, they have certain drawbacks. For instance, such typical cubes or blocks are fairly cloudy due to impurities found within the freezing mold or water. As a result, certain consumers find clear ice preferable to cloudy ice. In clear ice formation processes, dissolved solids typically found within water (e.g., tap water) are separated out and essentially pure water freezes to form the clear ice. 
     However, further improvements are necessary to improve the creation and harvest of the clear ice cubes. For instance, in a spray up ice maker, excess water may freeze along an outer surface of the ice mold. This frozen outer surface may inhibit the harvest of the formed ice cubes, as a layer of ice on the outer surface must be removed prior to ejecting the ice from the mold. Accordingly, an ice maker that obviates one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks would be beneficial. In particular, an ice maker that eliminates the formation of ice along the outer surface of an ice mold would be useful. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an ice maker appliance is provided. The ice maker appliance may include a plurality of walls forming a receiving space; a conductive ice mold provided within the receiving space, the conductive ice mold defining an internal cavity and an exterior surface; a primary water supply positioned below the conductive ice mold to direct an ice-building spray of water to the internal cavity of the conductive ice mold; a heat exchanger disposed on the conductive ice mold to draw heat therefrom; and a secondary water supply provided adjacent the exterior surface of the conductive ice mold, wherein the secondary water supply dispenses ice-melting water over the exterior surface of the conductive ice mold. 
     In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator appliance is disclosed. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet defining one or more chilled chambers; a refrigerant system mounted within the cabinet to selectively cool the one or more chilled chambers, the refrigerant system including a compressor and an evaporator in fluid communication with the compressor; and an ice maker mounted within one of the one or more chilled chambers. The ice maker may include a plurality of walls forming a receiving space; a conductive ice mold provided within the receiving space, the conductive ice mold defining an internal cavity and an exterior surface; a primary water supply positioned below the conductive ice mold to direct an ice-building spray of water to the conductive ice mold; a heat exchanger disposed on the conductive ice mold to draw heat therefrom; and a secondary water supply provided adjacent the exterior surface of the conductive ice mold, wherein the secondary water supply dispenses ice-melting water over the exterior surface of the conductive ice mold. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. 
         FIG.  1    provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance according to exemplary embodiments of the present subject disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    provides a front view of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of  FIG.  1    with the refrigerator and freezer doors shown in an open position. 
         FIG.  3    provides a perspective view of a freezer chamber of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of  FIG.  1    with the freezer doors and storage bins removed for clarity. 
         FIG.  4    provides a front elevation view of the exemplary freezer chamber of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    provides a schematic view of a sealed cooling system of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6    provides a front elevation view of an ice making assembly within an icebox compartment of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  7    provides a schematic view of an ice making assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    provides a perspective view of an ice mold including a secondary water supply according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    provides a perspective view of an ice making assembly including a trough according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  10    provides a close up cut-away view of the exemplary trough of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  11    provides a perspective view of the exemplary trough of  FIG.  9   , detached from the ice mold. 
         FIG.  12    provides a perspective view of a perforated tube according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  13    provides a perspective view of a perforated tube according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     As used herein, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The phrase “in one embodiment,” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. 
     The terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative flow direction with respect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For example, “upstream” refers to the flow direction from which the fluid flows, and “downstream” refers to the flow direction to which the fluid flows. 
       FIG.  1    provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Refrigerator appliance  100  includes a cabinet or housing  102  that extends between a top  104  and a bottom  106  along a vertical direction V, between a first side  108  and a second side  110  along a lateral direction L, and between a front side  112  and a rear side  114  along a transverse direction T. Each of the vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular to one another. 
     Housing  102  defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, housing  102  defines fresh food chamber  122  positioned at or adjacent top  104  of housing  102  and a freezer chamber  124  arranged at or adjacent bottom  106  of housing  102 . As such, refrigerator appliance  100  is generally referred to as a bottom mount refrigerator. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of the present disclosure apply to other types and styles of refrigerator appliances such as, e.g., a top mount refrigerator appliance or a side-by-side style refrigerator appliance. Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any aspect to any particular refrigerator chamber configuration. 
     Refrigerator doors  128  are rotatably hinged to an edge of housing  102  for selectively accessing fresh food chamber  122 . Similarly, freezer doors  130  are rotatably hinged to an edge of housing  102  for selectively accessing freezer chamber  124 . To prevent leakage of cool air, refrigerator doors  128 , freezer doors  130 , or housing  102  may define one or more sealing mechanisms (e.g., rubber gaskets, not shown) at the interface where the doors  128 ,  130  meet housing  102 . Refrigerator doors  128  and freezer doors  130  are shown in the closed configuration in  FIG.  1    and in the open configuration in  FIG.  2   . It should be appreciated that doors having a different style, position, or configuration are possible and within the scope of the present subject matter. 
     Refrigerator appliance  100  also includes a dispensing assembly  132  for dispensing liquid water or ice. Dispensing assembly  132  includes a dispenser  134  positioned on or mounted to an exterior portion of refrigerator appliance  100 , e.g., on one of refrigerator doors  128 . Dispenser  134  includes a discharging outlet  136  for accessing ice and liquid water. An actuating mechanism  138 , shown as a paddle, is mounted below discharging outlet  136  for operating dispenser  134 . In alternative exemplary embodiments, any suitable actuating mechanism may be used to operate dispenser  134 . For example, dispenser  134  can include a sensor (such as an ultrasonic sensor) or a button rather than the paddle. A control panel  140  is provided for controlling the mode of operation. For example, control panel  140  includes a plurality of user inputs (not labeled), such as a water dispensing button and an ice-dispensing button, for selecting a desired mode of operation such as crushed or non-crushed ice. 
     Discharging outlet  136  and actuating mechanism  138  are an external part of dispenser  134  and are mounted in a dispenser recess  142 . Dispenser recess  142  is positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for a user to access ice or water and enabling the user to access ice without the need to bend-over and without the need to open refrigerator doors  128 . In the exemplary embodiment, dispenser recess  142  is positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a user. According to an exemplary embodiment, the dispensing assembly  132  may receive ice from an icemaker or icemaking assembly  300  disposed in a sub-compartment of the refrigerator appliance  100  (e.g., IB compartment  180 ). 
     Refrigerator appliance  100  further includes a controller  144 . Operation of the refrigerator appliance  100  is regulated by controller  144  that is operatively coupled to or in operative communication with control panel  140 . In one exemplary embodiment, control panel  140  may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In another exemplary embodiment, control panel  140  may include input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, touch pads, or touch screens. Control panel  140  may be in communication with controller  144  via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. Control panel  140  provides selections for user manipulation of the operation of refrigerator appliance  100 . In response to user manipulation of the control panel  140 , controller  144  operates various components of refrigerator appliance  100 . For example, controller  144  is operatively coupled or in communication with various components of a sealed system, as discussed below. Controller  144  may also be in communication with a variety of sensors, such as, for example, chamber temperature sensors or ambient temperature sensors. Controller  144  may receive signals from these temperature sensors that correspond to the temperature of an atmosphere or air within their respective locations. 
     In some embodiments, controller  144  includes memory and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of refrigerator appliance  100 . The memory can represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. The processor executes programming instructions stored in the memory. The memory can be a separate component from the processor or can be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller  144  may be constructed without using a microprocessor (e.g., using a combination of discrete analog or digital logic circuitry; such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like; to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software). 
       FIG.  2    provides a front view of refrigerator appliance  100  with refrigerator doors  128  and freezer doors  130  shown in an open position. According to the illustrated embodiment, various storage components are mounted within fresh food chamber  122  and freezer chamber  124  to facilitate storage of food items therein as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In particular, the storage components include bins  146 , drawers  148 , and shelves  150  that are mounted within fresh food chamber  122  or freezer chamber  124 . Bins  146 , drawers  148 , and shelves  150  are configured for receipt of food items (e.g., beverages or solid food items) and may assist with organizing such food items. As an example, drawers  148  can receive fresh food items (e.g., vegetables, fruits, or cheeses) and increase the useful life of such fresh food items. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , freezer chamber  124  will be described according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated, cabinet or housing  102  includes an inner liner  160  which defines freezer chamber  124 . For example, inner liner  160  may be an injection-molded door liner attached to an inside of housing  102 . Insulation (not shown), such as expandable foam can be present between housing  102  and inner liner  160  in order to assist with insulating freezer chamber  124 . For example, sprayed polyurethane foam may be injected into a cavity defined between housing  102  and inner liner  160  after they are assembled. Freezer doors  130  may be constructed in a similar manner to assist in insulating freezer chamber  124 . 
     Freezer chamber  124  generally extends between a left wall  162  and a right wall  164  along the lateral direction L, between a bottom wall  166  and a top wall  168  along the vertical direction V, and between a chamber opening  170  and a back wall  172  along the transverse direction T. In some embodiments, refrigerator appliance  100  further includes a mullion  176  positioned within freezer chamber  124  to divided freezer chamber  124  into a pair of discrete sub-compartments, such as an icebox (IB) compartment  180  and a dedicated freezer (Fz) compartment  182 . According to the illustrated embodiment, mullion  176  generally extends between chamber opening  170  and back wall  172  along the transverse direction T and between bottom wall  166  and top wall  168  along the vertical direction V. In this manner, mullion  176  is generally vertically-oriented and may split freezer chamber  124  into two equally-sized compartments  180 ,  182 . Nonetheless, it should be appreciated that mullion  176  may be sized, positioned, and configured in any suitable manner to form separate freezer sub-compartments within freezer chamber  124 . Moreover, alternative embodiments may be provided without any such mullion. 
     To limit heat transfer between IB compartment  180  and Fz compartment  182 , mullion  176  may generally be formed from an insulating material such as foam. In addition, to provide structural support, a rigid injection molded liner or a metal frame may surround the insulating foam. According to another exemplary embodiment, mullion  176  may be a vacuum insulated panel or may contain a vacuum insulated panel to minimize heat transfer between IB compartment  180  and Fz compartment  182 . Optionally, inner liner  160  or mullion  176  may include features such as guides or slides to ensure proper positioning, installation, and sealing of mullion  176  within inner liner  160 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5   , a schematic view of an exemplary sealed system  190  which may be used to cool freezer chamber  124  will be described. Sealed system  190  is generally configured for executing a vapor compression cycle for cooling air within refrigerator appliance  100  (e.g., within fresh food chamber  122  or freezer chamber  124 ). Sealed cooling system  190  includes a compressor  192 , a condenser  194 , an expansion device  196 , and an evaporator  198  connected in fluid communication (e.g., in series) and charged with a refrigerant. 
     During operation of sealed system  190 , gaseous refrigerant flows into compressor  192 , which operates to increase the pressure of the refrigerant and motivate refrigerant through sealed system  190 . This compression of the refrigerant raises its temperature, which is lowered by passing the gaseous refrigerant through condenser  194 . Within condenser  194 , heat exchange with ambient air takes place so as to cool the refrigerant and cause the refrigerant to condense to a liquid state. 
     Expansion device (e.g., an expansion valve, capillary tube, or other restriction device)  196  receives liquid refrigerant from condenser  194 . From expansion device  196 , the liquid refrigerant enters evaporator  198 . Upon exiting expansion device  196  and entering evaporator  198 , the liquid refrigerant drops in pressure and at least partially vaporizes. Due to the phase change of the liquid refrigerant, evaporator  198  is cool relative to fresh food and freezer chambers  122  and  124  of refrigerator appliance  100 . As such, cooled air is produced and refrigerates fresh food and freezer chambers  122  and  124  of refrigerator appliance  100 . Thus, evaporator  198  is a type of heat exchanger which transfers heat from air passing over evaporator  198  to refrigerant flowing through evaporator  198 . 
     It should be appreciated that the illustrated sealed system  190  is only one exemplary configuration of sealed system  190  which may include additional components (e.g., one or more additional evaporators, compressors, expansion devices, or condensers). As an example, sealed cooling system  190  may include two evaporators. As a further example, sealed system  190  may further include an accumulator  199 . Accumulator  199  may be positioned downstream of evaporator  198  and may be configured to collect condensed refrigerant from the refrigerant stream prior to passing it to compressor  192 . 
     Referring again generally to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , in some embodiments, evaporator  198  is positioned adjacent back wall  172  of inner liner  160 . The remaining components of sealed system  190  may be located within a machinery compartment  200  of refrigerator appliance  100 . A conduit  202  may pass refrigerant into freezer chamber  124  to evaporator  198  through a fluid tight inlet and may pass refrigerant from evaporator  198  out of freezer chamber  124  through a fluid tight outlet. 
     According to the illustrated embodiments, evaporator  198  includes a first evaporator section  204  and a second evaporator section  206 . First evaporator section  204  and second evaporator section  206  are connected in series such that refrigerant passes first through first evaporator section  204  before second evaporator section  206 . More specifically, according to the illustrated embodiment, first evaporator section  204  and second evaporator section  206  are coupled by a transition tube  208 . Transition tube  208  may be a separate connecting conduit or a part of the same tube forming evaporator  198 . As illustrated, first evaporator section  204  is positioned within IB compartment  180  and second evaporator section  206  is positioned within Fz compartment  182 . In this regard, transition tube  208  may pass through an aperture in mullion  176 . 
     An evaporator cover may be placed over evaporator  198  to form an evaporator chamber with inner liner  160 . For example, as illustrated, a first evaporator cover  220  is positioned within IB compartment  180  over evaporator  198 , or more specifically, over first evaporator section  204 . In this manner, inner liner  160 , mullion  176 , and first evaporator cover  220  define a first evaporator chamber  222  which houses first evaporator section  204 . Similarly, a second evaporator cover  224  is positioned within Fz compartment  182  over evaporator  198 , or more specifically, over second evaporator section  206 . In this manner, inner liner  160 , mullion  176 , and second evaporator cover  224  define a second evaporator chamber  226  which houses second evaporator section  206 . 
     Evaporator chambers  222 ,  226  may include one or more return ducts and supply ducts to allow air to circulate to and from IB compartment  180  and Fz compartment  182  (e.g., along one or more air paths). In exemplary embodiments, first evaporator cover  220  defines one or more first return ducts  230  for allowing air to enter first evaporator chamber  222  and one or more first supply ducts  232  for exhausting air out of first evaporator chamber  222  into IB compartment  180  (e.g., along a first air path  250 ). Additionally or alternatively, second evaporator cover  224  may define one or more second return ducts  234  for allowing air to enter second evaporator chamber  226  and one or more second supply ducts  236  for exhausting air out of second evaporator chamber  226  into Fz compartment  182  (e.g., along a second air path  252 ). According to the illustrated embodiment, a first return duct  230  and a second return duct  234  are positioned proximate a bottom of freezer chamber  224  (e.g., proximate bottom wall  166 ) and a first supply duct  232  and a second supply duct  236  are positioned proximate a top of freezer chamber  224  (e.g., proximate top wall  168 ). It should be appreciated, however, that according to alternative embodiments, any other suitable means for providing fluid communication between the evaporator chambers and the freezer compartments are possible and within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Refrigerator appliance  100  may include one or more fans to assist in circulating air through evaporator  198  and chilling freezer compartments  180 ,  182 . For example, according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment refrigerator appliance  100  includes a first fan  240  in fluid communication with first evaporator chamber  222  for urging air through first evaporator chamber  222 . Optionally, first fan  240  may be an axial fan positioned within a first supply duct  232  for urging chilled air from first evaporator chamber  222  into IB compartment  180  through a first supply duct  232  while recirculating air through a first return duct  230  back into first evaporator chamber  222  to be re-cooled. Additionally or alternatively, refrigerator appliance  100  may include a second fan  242  in fluid communication with second evaporator chamber  226  for urging air through second evaporator chamber  226 . Optionally, second fan  242  may be an axial fan positioned within a second supply duct  236  for circulating air between second evaporator chamber  226  and Fz compartment  182 , as described above. 
     Turning especially to  FIGS.  6  through  9   , an ice making assembly (or ice maker)  300  may be mounted within IB compartment  180 . It should be noted that while ice maker  300  is described herein as being installed within a refrigerator appliance, the disclosure and accompanying description may apply to a stand-alone ice maker in certain circumstances. Generally, ice making assembly  300  includes a mold assembly  310 . Mold assembly  310  may include a conductive ice mold  340  that defines a mold cavity  318  within which an ice billet  320  may be formed. Moreover, conductive ice mold  340  may define an outer or exterior surface  319  opposite mold cavity  318 . Moreover, in some embodiments, exterior surface  319  may include or be defined by a plastic cover surrounding ice mold  340 . Accordingly, exterior surface may be referred to as a plastic cover  319 . Optionally, a plurality of mold cavities  318  may be defined by mold assembly  310  (e.g., as discrete or connected ice building units  312 ) and spaced apart from each other (e.g., perpendicular to the vertical direction V, such as along the lateral direction L). Generally, mold assembly  310  may be positioned along an air path within IB compartment  180  between supply duct  232  and return duct  230 . In some such embodiments, mold assembly  310  is vertically positioned between supply duct  232  and return duct  230 . 
     As will be described in further detail below, mold assembly  310  may further include a heat exchanger  348  mounted thereon (e.g., in conductive thermal communication with each discrete ice building unit  312 ). For instance, heat exchanger  348  may be any suitable solid state, electrically-driven heat exchanger, such as a thermoelectric device (e.g., a Peltier cell). Heat exchanger  348  may include a first heat exchange end or side and a second heat exchange end or side. When activated, heat may be selectively directed between the ends. In particular, a heat flux created between the junction of the ends may draw heat from one end to the other end (e.g., as driven by an electrical current). In some embodiments, heat exchanger  348  is operably coupled (e.g., electrically coupled) to controller  144 , which may thus control the flow of current to heat exchanger  348 . During use, heat exchanger  348  may selectively draw heat from mold cavity  318 , as will be further described below. 
     A water dispenser  314  positioned below mold assembly  310  may generally act to selectively direct the flow of water into mold cavity  318 . Generally, water dispenser  314  includes a water pump  322  and at least one nozzle  324  directed (e.g., vertically) toward mold cavity  318 . In embodiments wherein multiple discrete mold cavities  318  are defined by mold assembly  310 , water dispenser  314  may include a plurality of nozzles  324  or fluid pumps vertically aligned with the plurality mold cavities  318 . For instance, each mold cavity  318  may be vertically aligned with a discrete nozzle  324 . 
     In some embodiments, a water basin  316  is positioned below the ice mold  340  (e.g., directly beneath mold cavity  318  along the vertical direction V). Water basin  316  includes a solid nonpermeable body and may define a vertical opening and interior volume  328  in fluid communication with mold cavity  318 . When assembled, fluids, such as excess water falling from mold cavity  318 , may pass into interior volume  328  of water basin  316  through the vertical opening. Optionally, a drain conduit may be connected to water basin  316  to draw collected water from the water basin  316  and out of IB compartment. 
     In certain embodiments, a guide ramp  330  is positioned between mold assembly  310  and water basin  316  along the vertical direction V. For example, guide ramp  330  may include a ramp surface that extends at a negative angle (e.g., relative to a horizontal direction, such as the transverse direction T) from a location beneath mold cavity  318  to another location spaced apart from water basin  316  (e.g., horizontally). In some such embodiments, guide ramp  330  extends to or terminates above an ice bin  332  (e.g., within IB compartment  180 ). Optionally, guide ramp  330  may define a perforated portion that is, for example, vertically aligned between mold cavity  318  and nozzle  324  or between mold cavity  318  and interior volume  328  (described in further detail below). One or more apertures are generally defined through guide ramp  330  at perforated portion. Fluids, such as water, may thus generally pass through perforated portion of guide ramp  330  (e.g., along the vertical direction V between mold cavity  318  and interior volume  328 ). 
     In exemplary embodiments, ice bin  332  generally defines a storage volume  336  and may be positioned below mold assembly  310  and mold cavity  318 . Ice billets  320  formed within mold cavity  318  may be expelled from mold assembly  310  and subsequently stored within storage volume  336  of ice bin  332  (e.g., within IB compartment  180 ). In some such embodiments, ice bin  332  is positioned within IB compartment  180  and horizontally spaced apart from water dispenser  314  or mold assembly  310 . Guide ramp  330  may span a horizontal distance above or to ice bin  332  (e.g., from mold assembly). As ice billets  320  descend or fall from mold cavity  318 , the ice billets  138  may thus be motivated (e.g., by gravity) toward ice bin  150 . 
     As shown, controller  144  may be in communication (e.g., electrical communication) with one or more portions of ice making assembly  300 . In some embodiments, controller  144  is in communication with one or more fluid pumps (e.g., water pump  322 ), heat exchanger  348 , and fan  240 . Controller  144  may be configured to initiate discrete ice making operations and ice release operations. For instance, controller  144  may alternate the fluid source spray to mold cavity  318  and a release or ice harvest process, which will be described in more detail below. 
     During ice making operations, controller  144  may initiate or direct water dispenser  314  to motivate an ice-building spray (e.g., as indicated at arrows  346 ) through nozzle  324  and into mold cavity  318  (e.g., a through mold opening at the bottom end of mold cavity  318 ). Controller  144  may further direct fan  240  to motivate a chilled airflow (e.g., from evaporator  190  or section  204  along the air path  250 ) to convectively draw heat from within mold cavity  318  during the ice building spray  346 . As the water from the ice-building spray  346  strikes mold assembly  310  within mold cavity  318 , a portion of the water may freeze in progressive layers from a top end to a bottom end of mold cavity  318 . Excess water (e.g., water within mold cavity  318  that does not freeze upon contact with mold assembly  310  or the frozen volume herein) and impurities within the ice-building spray  346  may fall from mold cavity  318  and, for example, to water basin  316 . After an initial portion of ice has formed within the mold cavity  318 , controller  144  may activate heat exchanger  348  to further draw heat from the ice mold cavity  318 , thereby accelerating freezing of ice billet  320 , notably, without requiring a significant power draw. 
     Once an ice billet  320  is formed within mold cavity  318 , an ice release or harvest process may be performed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. For instance, fan  240  may be restricted or halted to slow/stop the active chilled airflow. Moreover, controller  144  may first halt or prevent the ice-building spray  346  by de-energizing water pump  322 . Additionally or alternatively, an electrical current to heat exchanger  348  may be reversed such that heat is delivered to mold cavity  318  from heat exchanger  348 . Thus, controller  144  may slowly increase a temperature of heat exchanger  348  and ice mold  340 , thereby facilitating partial melting or release of ice billets  320  from mold cavities  318 . 
     Referring now specifically to  FIG.  9   , an exemplary primary water dispenser assembly (or primary water supply)  314 , including a dispenser base  342  and one or more removable spray caps  326 , that may be used with ice making assembly  300  will be described according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For instance, primary water supply  314  may be positioned within a receiving space  338  formed by a plurality of walls  344 . Specifically, for example, dispenser base  342  and spray cap  326  may be used as (or as part of) guide ramp  330  and nozzle  324 , respectively. Thus, the water dispenser may be positioned below (e.g., directly below) the ice mold  342  to direct an ice-building spray of water to the mold cavity  318 . Although one discrete spray cap  326  is illustrated, any suitable number of spray caps (and thus corresponding ice building units  312 ) may be provided, as would be understood in light of the present disclosure. 
     With specific reference now to  FIGS.  8  and  9   , a secondary water supply  350  will be described in detail. In detail, secondary water supply  350  may be provided adjacent to conductive ice mold  340 . For instance, secondary water supply  350  may surround exterior surface  319  of conductive ice mold  340 . Secondary water supply  350  may selectively dispense, supply, or otherwise distribute water to exterior surface (or plastic cover)  319  of conductive ice mold  340 . As will be described in more detail below, secondary water supply  350  may generate a water curtain that flows downward (e.g., along the vertical direction V) along exterior surface  319  of conductive ice mold  340 . Accordingly, secondary water supply  350  may assist or aid in forming particular ice billets  320  as well as reducing a harvest time by discouraging ice buildup along exterior surface  319  of conductive ice mold  340 . 
     Ice making assembly  300  may include a cooling pocket  360  attached to heat exchanger  348 . As described above, heat exchanger  348  may be a thermoelectric heat exchanger having a hot side and a cold side, across which heat is transferred. The cold side of heat exchanger  348  may be attached to a top surface of conductive ice mold  340 . The hot side of heat exchanger  348  may be attached to cooling pocket  360 . Accordingly, cooling pocket  360  may be positioned above heat exchanger  348  (e.g., along the vertical direction V). In at least some examples, cooling pocket  360  is a computer processing unit (CPU) cooler. Accordingly, water (such as cooling water) may flow through cooling pocket  360  and absorb heat transferred from the hot side of heat exchanger  348 . 
     Cooling pocket  360  may define an inlet  362  and an outlet  364 . For instance, water (e.g., secondary water) may be introduced into cooling pocket  360  via inlet  362 . The secondary water may be a different water flow (e.g., from a different water source) than the ice-building water spray. Accordingly, the secondary water may be referred to as ice-melting water. Upon being introduced into cooling pocket  360 , the ice-melting water may circulate through cooling pocket  360  and absorb heat from heat exchanger  348 . A flow path may be formed within cooling pocket  360 , however the disclosure is not limited to this. The ice-melting water may then flow out of cooling pocket  360  via outlet  364 . 
     Secondary water supply  350  may include a conduit  352 . Conduit  352  may be fluidly connected with outlet  364  of cooling pocket  360 . Accordingly, the ice-melting water may be introduced into conduit  352  after having absorbed heat within cooling pocket  360 . At this point, the ice-melting water may have a relatively higher temperature than, for example, the ice-building water (e.g., water sprayed into mold cavity  318 ). For at least one example, the ice-building water may be between about 32° and about 34°, and the ice-melting water may be between about 34° and about 37°. In some embodiments, the ice-melting water may be motivated through cooling pocket  360  and secondary water supply  350  via a pump. For instance, a supply pump  370  ( FIG.  7   ) may selectively supply water (e.g., municipal water) to each of water basin (or reservoir)  316  and cooling pocket  360 . In at least some embodiments, supply pump  370  motivates water from reservoir  316  to cooling pocket  360 . It should be noted that the ice-melting water may be supplied to cooling pocket  360  and dispensed via second water supply  350  throughout an ice making operation. In detail, when the ice-building water is sprayed toward mold cavity  318 , the ice-melting water may also be dispensed over exterior surface  319  via second water supply  350 . 
     Secondary water supply  350  may include a perforated tube  372 . Perforated tube  372  may be coupled to a distal end of conduit  352 . Accordingly, the ice-melting water from cooling pocket  360  may be supplied to perforated tube  372  via conduit  352 . As shown best in  FIG.  12   , perforated tube  372  may include an open end  374  connected to conduit  352 . Perforated tube  372  may further include a closed end  376  opposite open end  374 . In detail, the ice-melting water supplied to perforated tub  372  may not exit or flow out of perforated tube  372  via closed end  374 . Accordingly, perforated tube  372  may include a plurality of perforations  378  formed or defined therein. In detail, the plurality of perforations  378  may be formed through a circumferential surface of perforated tube  372 . The plurality of perforations  378  may generally face inward (e.g., toward conductive ice mold  340 ). Moreover, the plurality of perforations  378  may be provided sequentially from open end  374  toward closed end  376 . Accordingly, the ice-melting water supplied to perforated tube  372  may be dispensed evenly across exterior surface  319  of conductive ice mold (or plastic cover)  340 . 
     Referring briefly to  FIG.  13   , another embodiment of perforated tube  372  is shown. As such, according to another embodiment, perforated tube  372  may be formed as a ring torus. According to this embodiment, perforated tube  372  defines a 360° pathway through which the ice-melting water flows. Perforated tube  372  may thus include an inlet  379  to receive the ice-melting water. Inlet  379  may be fluidly connected with conduit  352  to receive ice-melting water therefrom. Similar to the embodiment described above, the plurality of perforations  378  may be formed through a surface of the ring torus (e.g., perforated tube  372 ). Thus, the ice-melting water supplied to perforated tube  372  via inlet  379  is dispensed via the plurality of perforations  378 . 
     Secondary water supply  350  may include a trough  380 . For this description, trough  380  (and conductive ice mold  340 ) may define an axial direction A, a radial direction R, and a circumferential direction C. For instance, trough  380  may be provided circumferentially around conductive ice mold  340  (e.g., around exterior surface  319 ). For instance, as shown in  FIG.  9   , trough  380  may be provided at or near a base or bottom of conductive ice mold  340 . However, the location and placement of trough  380  may vary according to specific embodiments. Trough  380  may form a pathway for water (e.g., ice-melting water) to be received. For instance, the ice-melting water may be supplied to trough  380  via an open top of trough  380 . In at least one embodiment (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  8   ), the ice-melting water is supplied to trough  380  via perforated tube  372  (e.g., along the vertical direction V). However, it should be understood that the ice-melting water may be supplied to trough  380  via other means, such as through a separate conduit from supply pump  370 , directly from cooling pocket  360 , from a municipal water supply source, from the fresh food chamber, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the ice-melting water may be supplied to perforated tube  372  via other means, such as through a separate conduit from supply pump  370 , directly from cooling pocket  360 , from a municipal water supply source, from the fresh food chamber, etc. It should be understood that the ice-melting water may be supplied to secondary water supply  350  via any suitable means. 
     Trough  380  may include an inner radial wall  382  and an outer radial wall  384 . Outer radial wall  384  may be taller (e.g., along the vertical direction V) than inner radial wall  382 . Accordingly, a cross-section of tough  380  may form a “J” shape. A basin wall  386  may connect inner radial wall  382  with outer radial wall  384 , such that the water (e.g., ice-melting water) is collected along basin wall  386 . Because inner radial wall  382  is shorter than outer radial wall  384 , the ice-melting water may spill over inner radial wall  382  upon reaching a predetermined height therein (or a predetermined volume). Thus, upon spilling over inner radial wall  382 , the ice-melting water may trickle down along exterior surface  319  of conductive ice mold  340 . 
     As seen in  FIGS.  10  and  11   , trough  380  may have a circumferential shape that is similar to a circumferential shape or cross-section of conductive ice mold  340 . As seen particularly in  FIG.  11   , trough  380  may have an octagonal shape. According to this embodiment, trough  380  matches exterior surface  319  of conductive ice mold  340 . Trough  380  may include one or more tabs  388  extending radially inward so as to contact exterior surface  319  of conductive ice mold  340 . For instance, tabs  388  may extend from inner radial wall  382  (e.g., at a top portion thereof) toward conductive ice mold  340 . A plurality of tabs  388  may be provided spaced apart from each other (e.g., along the circumferential direction). Thus, a plurality of gaps  389  may be formed between each of the plurality of tabs  388 . When the ice-melting water spills over inner radial wall  382 , the water may fall through each of the plurality of gaps along the exterior surface  319  of conductive ice mold  340 . 
     In some embodiments, ice making assembly  300  includes both trough  380  and perforated tube  372 . Accordingly, the ice-melting water may be circulated through cooling pocket  360  to absorb heat from heat exchanger  348 . The ice-melting water may then be urged into perforated tube  372 , e.g., via conduit  352 . The ice-melting water may then flow, drip, or otherwise exit perforated tube  372  via perforations  378 . At least a portion of the ice-melting water from perforations  378  may immediately contact exterior surface  319  of conductive ice mold  340  and begin to flow downward. At least another portion of the ice-melting water from perforations  378  may fall into trough  380 . Once the predetermined volume of ice-melting water has been reached within trough  380 , the ice-melting water seeps over inner radial wall  382  and onto exterior surface  319  of conductive ice mold  340 . 
     After having passed over exterior surface  319 , the ice-melting water may fall onto guide ramp  330 , for example. As described above, guide ramp  330  may include one or more slots  354  or through holes defined through guide ramp  330  along the vertical direction V. The ice-melting water may flow along guide ramp  330  toward the slots  354 . The slots may be positioned above water basin (reservoir)  316 . Accordingly, the ice-melting water may be collected within interior volume  328  of reservoir  316 . From here, the ice-melting water may mix with the ice-building water. As described above, supply pump  370  may selectively pump some of the water stored within reservoir  316  back into cooling pocket  360 , while water pump  322  may pump some of the water stored within reservoir  316  toward conductive ice mold  340 . 
     According to the embodiments described herein, a secondary water supply may be affixed to an automatic ice maker, for example, within a refrigerator appliance. The secondary water supply may selectively supply or dispense water, such as ice-melting water, over an external or exterior surface of an ice mold within the ice maker. The secondary water supply may include a cooling pocket such as a CPU cooler attached to a heat exchanger to absorb heat therefrom into water supplied thereto. The relatively heated water may be circulated through a conduit to a distribution point. The distribution point may include, for example, a perforated tube, a trough, both, or modifications to either or both. The water may then be dispensed over the exterior surface of the ice mold. Accordingly, the water from the secondary water supply (ice-melting water) may assist in forming ice billets within a cavity of the ice mold and reduce a harvest time by preventing a buildup of ice along the exterior surface of the ice mold. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.