Patent Publication Number: US-2012042681-A1

Title: Multifunctional rod for icemaker

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on ______, Attorney Docket Number 236952, entitled ICEMAKER WITH REVERSIBLE THERMOSIPHON, the complete disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter disclosed herein relates to refrigeration, and more particularly to icemakers and the like. 
     It is now common practice in the art of refrigerators to provide an automatic icemaker. The icemaker is often disposed in the freezer compartment and ice is often dispensed through an opening in the access door of the freezer compartment. In this arrangement, ice is formed by freezing water with cold air in the freezer compartment. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As described herein, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention overcome one or more disadvantages known in the art. 
     One aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus comprising: a mold body with at least one cavity configured and dimensioned to receive water to be frozen into ice; and a rod, the rod in turn comprising at least one of a heat source and a heat sink, the mold body being mounted to the rod such that the rod functions as an axis of rotation for the mold body. 
     Another aspect relates to a refrigerator comprising: a body defining at least one cooled compartment; a door hinged to the body and permitting access to the at least one cooled compartment; a mold body with at least one cavity configured and dimensioned to receive water to be frozen into ice; a rod, mounted to at least one of the body and the door, the rod in turn comprising at least one of a heat source and a heat sink, the mold body being mounted to the rod such that the rod functions as an axis of rotation for the mold body, at least one of the body and the door having a region for receiving discharge of the ice from the mold body. 
     These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. Moreover, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of a first exemplary icemaker location in a side-by-side refrigerator, according to an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view along line of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of a second exemplary icemaker location in a side-by-side refrigerator, according to an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram of a third exemplary icemaker location in a side-by-side refrigerator, according to an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view along line VI-VI of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of an icemaker assembly with a secondary rack, according to an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional view along line VIIIA-VIIIA of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view along line VIIIB-VIIIB of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram of a first exemplary icemaker location in a bottom mount refrigerator, according to an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view along line X-X of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram of a second exemplary icemaker location in a bottom mount refrigerator, according to an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view along line XII-XII of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram of a third exemplary icemaker location in a bottom mount refrigerator, according to an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view along line XIV-XIV of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram of a fourth exemplary icemaker location in a bottom mount refrigerator, according to an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view along line XVI-XVI of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of an icemaker assembly with a first exemplary multifunctional fixed rod, in a fill and freeze mode, in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a side view looking in direction shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is an end view along line XIX-XIX in  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a side view of the assembly of  FIGS. 17-19  in heat and dispense mode; 
         FIG. 21  is an end view along line XXI-XXI in  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a top view of an icemaker assembly with a second exemplary multifunctional fixed rod, in a fill and freeze mode, in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 23  is a side view looking in direction XXIII-XXIII shown in  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  is an end view along line XXIV-XXIV in  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a side view of the assembly of  FIGS. 22-24  in heat and dispense mode; 
         FIG. 26  is an end view along line XXVI-XXVI in  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a view similar to  FIG. 20  but of an alternative embodiment with a fixed rod; 
         FIG. 28  is a top view of an icemaker assembly with a hollow ice mold, in a fill and freeze mode, in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 29  is a side view looking in direction. XXIX-XXIX shown in  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 30  is an end view along line XXX-XXX in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a side view of the assembly of  FIGS. 28-30  in heat and dispense mode; and 
         FIG. 32  is an end view along line XXXII-XXXII in  FIG. 31 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference should initially be had to  FIGS. 1-16 . In one or more embodiments, a multifunctional rod  102  provides an icemaker mold body  104  with an axis of rotation, a heating path for enhancing release of ice from the mold body, and optionally a cooling path for rapid freezing of ice. Further details are provided below. 
       FIGS. 1-8  illustrate different exemplary configurations of a “side-by-side” refrigerator  100  which includes a fresh food compartment  106  and a freezer compartment  108 . The refrigerator  100  is cooled by a conventional vapor-compression mechanical refrigeration cycle (although embodiments could also be used with other types of refrigerators, such as those cooled using thermoelectric cooling). The present invention is therefore not intended to be limited to any particular type or configuration of a refrigerator. 
     The freezer compartment  108  and the fresh food compartment  106  are arranged in a side-by-side configuration where the freezer compartment  108  is disposed next to the fresh food compartment  106 . The doors closing the fresh food and freezer compartments are omitted in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  7 , while the freezer door  110  is shown in  FIG. 5 . The doors can be hinged to the body in a conventional fashion. 
     The fresh food compartment  106  and the freezer compartment  108  are, in a well-known manner, contained within a main body including an outer case, which can be formed by folding a sheet of a suitable material, such as pre-painted steel, into a generally inverted U-shape to form a top and two sidewalls of the outer case. The outer case also has a bottom which connects the two sidewalls to each other at the bottom edges thereof, and a back. A mullion or divider  112  connects the top and bottom to each other and separates the fresh food compartment  106  from the freezer compartment  108 . As is known in the art, a thermally insulating liner is affixed to the outer case. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , an ice making assembly including rod  102  and mold body  104  is mounted adjacent to the interior surface of the freezer door  110 . The ice making assembly is disposed near a thermally insulated hopper-like ice compartment  114  mounted or formed on the freezer door  110 , and the mold body  104  of the ice making assembly is adjacent the hopper  114 . A bucket  115  collects ice discharged from mold body  104 . Auger  113  conveys same to crusher blades  117  which discharge ice to hopper  114 . Hopper  114  can have different locations in different embodiments; for example, freezer door, fresh food door, compartment in the freezer or fresh food regions, and so on. 
     Water is provided to the mold body  104  through a water supply conduit (not shown but per se familiar to the skilled artisan), and then is frozen into ice cubes. Then the ice cubes are usually discharged from the mold body  104  and stored in the ice storage hopper  114  until needed by a user. In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the axis of rod  102  is generally perpendicular to the freezer door  110  and generally parallel to the sides of the freezer compartment  108 . 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  depict an embodiment similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , except that the axis of rod  102  is generally parallel to the freezer door  110  and perpendicular to the mullion or divider  112 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  depict an embodiment wherein the ice making assembly including rod  102  and mold body  104  is mounted within a cavity  116  of the freezer door  110 . In  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the axis of rod  102  is generally parallel to the freezer door  110  and generally perpendicular to the sides of the freezer compartment  108 . 
       FIGS. 9-16  illustrate different exemplary configurations of a “bottom mount” refrigerator  100 ′ which includes a fresh food compartment  106  and a freezer compartment  108 . The refrigerator  100 ′ can be cooled in a manner similar to that described above, for example. 
     The freezer compartment  108  and the fresh food compartment  106  are arranged in a configuration where the freezer compartment  108  is disposed beneath the fresh food compartment  106 . The doors closing the fresh food and freezer compartments are omitted in  FIGS. 9 ,  11 , and  15 , while the fresh food door  130  is shown in  FIG. 13 . The doors can be hinged to the body in a conventional fashion. 
     The fresh food compartment  106  and the freezer compartment  108  are, in a well-known manner, contained within a main body constructed in a well-known manner, similar to that described above. A mullion or divider  112  connects the sides to each other and separates the fresh food compartment  106  from the freezer compartment  108 . As is known in the art, a thermally insulating liner is affixed to the outer case. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , an ice making assembly including rod  102  and mold body  104  is mounted on the left side wall of the freezer compartment  108 . Ice is discharged via bucket  115  on a pull-out freezer bin. In  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the axis of rod  102  is generally parallel to the freezer door  110  and generally perpendicular to the sides of the freezer compartment  108 . 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  show an embodiment wherein an ice making assembly including rod  102  and mold body  104  is mounted within a cavity  132  of the fresh food door  130 . In  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the axis of rod  102  is generally parallel to the fresh food door  130  and generally perpendicular to the sides of the fresh food door compartment  106 . Auxiliary cooling may be provided to compartment  132  to aid ice formation (for example, by ducting air from freezer compartment  108 , or a separate evaporator may be employed in the mechanical refrigeration cycle (not to be confused with the evaporator of a heat pipe, thermosiphon, or reflux boiler as described below)). 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  show an embodiment wherein an ice making assembly including rod  102  and mold body  104  is mounted within a separate ice-making compartment  134  within the fresh food compartment  106 . In  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the axis of rod  102  is generally perpendicular to the fresh food door  130  and generally parallel to the sides of the fresh food door compartment  106 . Auxiliary cooling may be provided to compartment  134  to aid ice formation (for example, by ducting air from freezer compartment  108 , or a separate evaporator may be employed in the mechanical refrigeration cycle (not to be confused with the evaporator of a heat pipe, thermosiphon, or reflux boiler as described below)). 
     Reference should now be had to  FIGS. 17-21 . In one or more embodiments, rod  102  is a thermosiphon, reflux boiler or heat pipe (in some instances, as discussed below, mold body  104  is hollow and also forms part of the thermosiphon, reflux boiler or heat pipe). Rod  102  is a sealed hollow pipe or tube containing a refrigerant which rapidly cools the mold body  104 , thus greatly reducing the freeze time for the ice. In a non-limiting example, ice may freeze in about ⅕ to 1/10 the time as in a conventional system, such that proportionately more ice can be generated per unit time. Rod  102  is a two-phase system containing liquid and vapor. Fins  140  augment cooling on one side (the condenser side  141 ). During cooling, middle region  142  functions as an evaporator, absorbing heat from mold body  104 . Heater  144  is provided on the opposite side from fins  140  to aid in harvesting. Fins  140  are depicted as annular but any suitable configuration can be employed. 
     In some instances, mold body  104  is fixed to rod  102  and rotates therewith when driven by motor  146  and suitable gearing  148  or the like. As best seen in  FIGS. 18 and 20 , rod  102  is bent such that in “fill and freeze” mode, as seen in  FIGS. 17-19 , finned condenser region  141  is elevated above the remainder of the rod. Refrigerant in rod  102  absorbs heat from the water in mold body  104 , and evaporates, then condenses in condenser region  141  where it gives up heat to the ambient (e.g., freezer compartment) through the fins  140 . The condensate flows back to the evaporator region by gravity. Because of this gravity action, a heat pipe with a wicking structure is not necessary, although it could be employed if desired. In the “release” mode in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , heater  144  is activated and the mold body  104  attached to rod  102  is rotated upside down to release the ice by a combination of heating and gravity. Heat from heater  144  is conducted through rod  102 . In some instances, to assist with the ice falling out of the mold body, the mold body can be twisted when in the inverted position; for example, by having one side rotate while the other side resists the rotating motion for a small time period or small distance. As seen in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , a mold stop  201  can be provided on one side of the mold body  104  opposite the side driven by the motor. The stop can be located to cause a slight interference with the position the mold body would otherwise assume, resulting in a twisting of the mold body to assist in discharging the ice. 
     Thus, in one or more embodiments, ice mold  104  is made of a conductive material, secured mechanically and thermally to rod  102  which functions as an axis of rotation. Rod  102  is a hollow sealed pipe with refrigerant inside; it acts as thermosiphon or reflux boiler; i.e., a heat pipe which can but need not have a wicking structure because the evaporator is below the condenser. In addition, one end of rod  102  has a heater  144  on it and the other end is the condenser  141  of the heat pipe and has fins  140 . The condenser end is angled up in the fill and freeze mode as seen in the view of  FIG. 18 . 
     Note that  FIGS. 17-21  show an embodiment wherein the mold body  104  and rod  102  are secured together and rotate together. In one or more alternate embodiments, the mold body  104  rotates and the rod  102  is fixed; i.e., the mold body  104  is secured to rod  102  in a way that conducts heat between the two but allows rotary motion therebetween.  FIGS. 17-19  and  21  are applicable to either configuration.  FIG. 27  shows the alternative configuration. As seen therein, where the rod  102  is fixed, then condenser  141  is always elevated above evaporator  142 . If both rotate as in  FIG. 20 , condenser  141  is elevated above evaporator  142  when mold body  104  is upright in the fill and freeze mode, as in  FIG. 18 , wherein it is desired to draw heat away from mold body  104  to cause water therein to freeze and turn to ice. In heat and dispense mode, in the embodiment of  FIG. 20  where the rod  102  rotates, the evaporator  141  is pointed down. 
     A conventional motor  146  has reduction gear  148  and a controller  197  to cause it to actuate just enough to rotate the mold body  104 . 
     Any suitable heater  144  can be employed. The heater can also be controlled by the controller  197 . One non-limiting example of a suitable heater is the CALROD® line of resistance heating elements available from General Electric Company, Appliance Park, Louisville, Ky. 40225 USA. Where the rod  102  is fixed, the heater element  144  can be wrapped around the rod and heat is conducted through a thermal contact interface (the same could be augmented, for example, by soldering, brazing, use of thermally conductive grease or Indium foil, or the like). Where rod  102  rotates, the heater element  144  may, for example, be coiled around rod  102  with good thermal contact but sufficiently free to rotate. In this latter case, thermally conductive grease and/or a journal bearing can be employed, for example. Where mold  104  rotates with rod  102 , the two can be brazed, soldered, or in tight mechanical contact, so that heat is conducted easily through the mechanical fingers  150  seen in the drawings. Rod  102  may be mounted on bearings  199 . Where the mold  104  rotates about the rod  102 , with rod  102  stationary, journal bearings could be employed between the rod and mold body, optionally with thermal grease, or fingers  150  can form bearing surfaces against rod  102 , again optionally with thermal grease. 
     From a purely thermal standpoint, a presently preferred embodiment is one, to be discussed below, wherein mold  104  is hollow and contains working fluid in communication with the cavity of rod  102 ; the mold  104  thus itself forms the evaporator of the thermosiphon. In a thermal sense, the next best approach is the case where the mold body  104  is fixed to the rod  102  and both rotate together, as in  FIG. 20 . Again, in a purely thermal sense, a least preferred but still acceptable approach is as shown in  FIG. 27 , wherein rod  102  is fixed and mold body  104  rotates. Note that this ranking is purely from a thermal standpoint, and when other factors such as cost, ease of manufacture, or the like are taken into account, a different ranking may result. 
     Note that when in heat and dispense mode, in the embodiment of  FIG. 27  the rod  102  still functions as a thermosiphon, reflux boiler, or heat pipe, so that heat transfer from the heater  144  is from both conduction through the metal and the effect of the thermosiphon, reflux boiler, or heat pipe. However, in the embodiments of  FIG. 20 , fluid will stay in condenser portion  141  so for the heating effect, reliance is primarily on conduction through the metal from heater  144 . Of course, a wicking structure could be provided if desired so that rod  102  would function as a heat pipe in the heat and dispense mode of  FIG. 20 . 
     Reference should now be had to  FIGS. 28-32  which depict an alternative embodiment wherein mold body  104 ′ is hollow and in fluid communication with the hollow interior of rod  102 ′, the two forming a closed system containing the two-phase working fluid.  FIGS. 28-30  show the fill and freeze condition. The hollow interior of the mold body  104 ′ forms the evaporator of the heat pipe, thermosiphon, or reflux boiler.  FIGS. 31 and 32  show the heat and dispense mode. The remainder of the elements are similar to those in the embodiment of  FIGS. 17-21 , have received the same reference characters, and will not be described again. Because of the fluid communication between the hollow rod  102 ′ and the hollow mold body  104 ′, the rod and mold body rotate together on suitable bearings  199  or the like as described above. 
     It will thus be appreciated, with reference again to  FIGS. 1-16 , that ice making assemblies in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention can be positioned in a variety of locations, which may be similar to the positions of ice making assemblies on current refrigerators. These include, for example, the top corner of the freezer compartment, within the fresh food or freezer compartment doors, and so on. The footprint of ice making assemblies in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention can, in at least some instances, be similar to those of current ice makers. The condenser  141  of the rod should be in an environment with a temperature sufficiently low to freeze water into ice at ambient pressure, such as the ambient air in the freezer compartment or separate ice making compartment. 
       FIGS. 22-26  depict an alternative embodiment wherein rod  2202  is not a thermosiphon, reflux boiler, or heat pipe, but rather is simply a heater. This approach is lower in cost, but not as advantageous with respect to freezing time. Element  2203  is an electrical lead to a CALROD® heating element or other type of heating element, which provides an axis of rotation and also heats mold body  104  (and is one and the same as rod  2202  or is integrated with rod  2202 ). This embodiment works in a similar manner to the embodiments of  FIGS. 17-21  and  27  except without enhanced cooling. The mold body  104  may be secured to the rod  2202  as it is secured to the rod  102  in  FIG. 20  or may rotate with respect thereto as in  FIG. 27 . 
     It should be noted that in some instances, the mold body is filled and freezing occurs in an upright position, then the mold body is inverted and heat is applied to aid discharge. However, heat can be applied at different times. For example, in some cases, the mold body is filled and freezing occurs in an upright position, then heat is applied to aid discharge, and finally the mold body is inverted. For example, consider  FIGS. 7 ,  8 A, and  8 B. As seen therein, mold body  104  is upright, the ice freezes, the mold body is heated up, melting a small layer of ice between the mold and the body of the ice. The mold body then rotates while at the same time secondary rack  203  engages ice  207  under the action of torsion spring  205 . Spring  205  keeps rack  203  down until it contacts the mold body side wall; upon contact, the mold body side wall pushes the secondary rack up as seen in phantom lines. Secondary rack  203  thus prevents ice  207  from rotating with mold body  104 , effectively scooping the ice out of the mold. 
     One advantage that may be realized in the practice of some embodiments of the described systems and techniques is more rapid ice production. Another advantage that may be realized in the practice of some embodiments of the described systems and techniques is a simple, robust, and low cost design (the components needed to make ice include a fixed (or rotating) rod, mold body, gear, and step motor.). Still another advantage that may be realized in the practice of some embodiments of the described systems and techniques is production of ice cubes with unique shapes, such as hemispheres, three-dimensional trapezoids, hollow cylinders, and the like. Yet another advantage that may be realized in the practice of some embodiments of the described systems and techniques is that less internal refrigerator volume is taken up by the icemaker (since one or more embodiments allow more rapid freezing of ice—say, on the order of ten times faster than conventional techniques—more rapid dispensing can be achieved, thus allowing production of a desired volume of ice per unit time with a smaller mold volume; furthermore, in at least some instances, rotation of the mold body overcomes the need for a large rotating rack). 
     It will thus be appreciated that in one or more embodiments, a fixed multifunctional rod provides the icemaker mold body with an axis of rotation, as well as a heat source and/or heat extraction for rapid chill of ice. Possible fixed rods includes a heat pipe, thermosiphon, or reflux boiler with fins on one side (to extract heat from the mold body) and a CALROD® or other heater looped around or otherwise in thermal communication with the heat pipe, thermosiphon, or reflux boiler on the other side (the same applies heat to the mold body for ice release), or a CALROD® or other heater (which only applies heat to mold body). The bottom of the mold body is attached to and rotates around the fixed rod or with a rotating rod. A large gear attached to one side of the mold body, and a step motor, rotate the mold body. 
     Given the teachings herein, the skilled artisan will be able to select working fluids and determine an appropriate charge of the selected working fluid. Further useful details are provided in the aforesaid U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on even date herewith, attorney docket number 236952, entitled ICEMAKER WITH REVERSIBLE THERMOSIPHON. 
     Given the discussion thus far, it will be appreciated that, in general terms, an exemplary apparatus, according to one aspect of the invention, includes a mold body  104 ,  104 ′ with at least one cavity configured and dimensioned to receive water to be frozen into ice, as well as a rod  102 ,  102 ′,  2202 . The rod in turn includes at least one of a heat source  144  and a heat sink  141 . The mold body is mounted to the rod such that the rod functions as an axis of rotation for the mold body (i.e., rod is fixed and mold body rotates about it or mold body and rod are fixed to each other and rotate as a unit). 
     In some instances, the rod  102 ,  102 ′ is hollow and sealed, the mold body  104 ,  104 ′ has first and second ends, and the rod has an evaporator portion  142  in thermal communication with the mold body  104 ,  104 ′. Further, the rod  102 ,  102 ′ has a condenser portion  141 , comprising the heat sink, and extending past the second end of the mold body  104 ,  104 ′ and above the evaporator portion  142  when the mold body is disposed to receive the water. Furthermore, the apparatus can also include a two-phase heat transfer fluid contained within the hollow rod  102 ,  102 ′ and a heat transfer surface (e.g., fins  140 ) on the condenser portion  141 . 
     In some instances, the apparatus further includes an actuation arrangement (e.g., motor  146  with gearing arrangement  148 ) which causes the mold body to rotate about the axis of rotation between a first position wherein the water can be introduced into the at least one cavity and a second position wherein the ice can be discharged from the at least one cavity. 
     In one or more embodiments, the rod further comprises a heater  144  in thermal communication with the evaporator portion  142 , the heater comprising the heat source. Heater  144  may be in thermal communication with evaporator  142  by conduction from a distal end extending past the first side of the mold body (left side of rod in FIGS.  22 ,  27 , and  28  with heater being in thermal contact with the distal end of the rod) or could even extend into the evaporator region. 
     In at least some instances, controller  197  is configured to cause the actuation arrangement to rotate the mold body about the axis of rotation/or to activate the heater (for example, when the mold body is in the second position and/or when the mold body is in the first position and about to rotate to the second position). 
     As shown, for example, in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 A, and  8 B, in some instances, a secondary rack  203  is located so as to scoop the ice out of the mold body as the mold body rotates from the first position to the second position. This approach can be used, for example, when the controller is configured to activate the heater at least under the condition when the mold body is in the first position and about to rotate to the second position. 
     As noted, in some cases, the mold body  104 ,  104 ′ and the rod  102 ,  102 ′ are fixed against relative rotation about the axis of rotation, in which case one or more bearings  199  can be provided, such that the rod and the mold body rotate as a unit about the axis of rotation. In another aspect as in  FIG. 27 , the rod is fixed and the mold body rotates about the rod. 
     In a preferred but non-limiting approach, mold body  104  has a plurality of cavities  160  configured and dimensioned to receive the water to be frozen into the ice. 
     In a thermally preferred approach of  FIGS. 28-32 , the mold body  104 ′ is hollow and in fluid communication with the hollow rod  102 ′, the two-phase heat transfer fluid extends into the hollow mold body, and the evaporator portion  142  of the rod is in thermal communication with the mold body via fluid communication. In the approach of  FIGS. 17-20  and  27 , the evaporator portion  142  of the rod  102  is in thermal communication with the mold body  104  via conduction. 
     In some instances, as in  FIGS. 22-26 , the rod further comprises a heater  2202 , the heater comprising the heat source. 
     An actuation arrangement as described above (optionally with controller  197 ) can also be provided in this case. 
     Furthermore, given the discussion thus far, it will be appreciated that, in general terms, an exemplary refrigerator  100 ,  100 ′, according to still another aspect of the invention, includes a body defining at least one cooled compartment (e.g.,  108 ,  134 ); a door such as  110  or  130  hinged to the body and permitting access to the at least one cooled compartment; and an apparatus as described above. 
     Software includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software, microcode, etc. As is known in the art, part or all of one or more aspects of the methods and apparatus discussed herein may be distributed as an article of manufacture that itself comprises a tangible computer readable recordable storage medium having computer readable code means embodied thereon. The computer readable program code means is operable, in conjunction with a computer system or microprocessor, to carry out all or some of the steps to perform the methods or create the apparatuses discussed herein. A computer-usable medium may, in general, be a recordable medium (e.g., floppy disks, hard drives, compact disks, EEPROMs, or memory cards) or may be a transmission medium (e.g., a network comprising fiber-optics, the world-wide web, cables, or a wireless channel using time-division multiple access, code-division multiple access, or other radio-frequency channel). Any medium known or developed that can store information suitable for use with a computer system may be used. The computer-readable code means is any mechanism for allowing a computer or processor to read instructions and data, such as magnetic variations on a magnetic medium or height variations on the surface of a compact disk. The medium can be distributed on multiple physical devices (or over multiple networks). As used herein, a tangible computer-readable recordable storage medium is intended to encompass a recordable medium, examples of which are set forth above, but is not intended to encompass a transmission medium or disembodied signal. A processor may include and/or be coupled to a suitable memory. A processor with suitable software and/or firmware instructions may be used to implement controller  197 . Other types of controls, such as electromechanical controls, could also be used. 
     Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.