An apparatus and related method of utilizing articulating vacuum plates to manipulate a film or polymeric sheet and form a three dimensional article is provided. The apparatus can be in the form of an articulating vacuum plate system which includes one or more plates or mold parts that are configured to support a sheet, constructed for example, from a polymeric film, in a two dimensional configuration or a three dimensional configuration in a first mode. The apparatus is constructed so that the plates and/or mold parts can articulate or move so as to reconfigure the sheet from a generally planar configuration into a second three dimensional configuration in a second mode for further forming, optionally while the plates and/or mold parts apply vacuum to the sheet while the plates and/or mold parts articulate, so that the plates and/or mold parts bend or otherwise manipulate the configuration and shape of the sheet.

The invention relates to compositions comprising composite materials comprised of discontinuous fibers and one or more polymers and/or oligomers. The invention relates to methods of making the same. The composite materials can be in the form of compositions, composite sheets, laminates, pellets, and/or shaped composite products.

A method and a device for heat sealing multiple plies of a laminate from which gable top packaging can be produced, wherein the laminate has a carrier layer made of electrically non-conductive material and a sealing layer made of thermoplastic material on at least one surface of the laminate. To heat seal multiple plies of a laminate in a high-frequency alternating electric field, the alternating electric field is generated by a first lead of an HF voltage supply in a first sub-region of the sealing region and is generated by a second lead of the HF voltage supply, differing from the first lead, in at least a second sub-region of the sealing region, so that a different heat distribution is obtained over the sub-regions of the sealing region.

There is described a sonotrode for sealing an opening device onto a hole of a packaging material destined to from a sealed package, comprising: a sealing surface adapted to cooperate with a said packaging material in order to seal the opening device to the packaging material; a cavity bounded by an opening of sealing surface and adapted to receive the opening device; and a ring made in an elastomeric material, partially protruding inside the cavity, and adapted to center a first axis of the opening device on a second axis of the sonotrode.

Apparatuses and methods for applying a transfer material onto the surface of an article are disclosed, including apparatuses and methods of transfer printing on and/or decorating three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles printed and/or decorated thereby. In some cases, the apparatuses and methods involve providing a deposition device, such as a printing device; providing a transfer component; depositing a material onto a portion of the transfer component with the deposition device; modifying the portion of the transfer component with the transfer material thereon to conform the transfer component to at least a portion of the surface of the three-dimensional article; and transferring the transfer material onto the surface of the article.

Apparatuses and methods for applying a transfer material onto the surface of an article are disclosed, including apparatuses and methods of transfer printing on and/or decorating three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles printed and/or decorated thereby. In some cases, the apparatuses and methods involve providing a deposition device, such as a printing device; providing a transfer component; depositing a material onto a portion of the transfer component with the deposition device; modifying the portion of the transfer component with the transfer material thereon to conform the transfer component to at least a portion of the surface of the three-dimensional article; and transferring the transfer material onto the surface of the article.

A method for making a composite structure with a surfacing film thereon. The surfacing film is co-cured with fiber-reinforced resin composite materials. The surfacing film is formed from a curable resin composition containing an epoxy novolac resin, a tri-functional or tetra-functional epoxy resin, ceramic microspheres, an amine-based curing agent, particulate inorganic fillers; and a toughening component. The surfacing film exhibits high Tg and high cross-linked density after curing, as well as high resistance to paint stripper solutions.

The present invention generally relates to an improved winding apparatus useful in the production of filament wound products and particularly wound tubular products having high length to diameter ratios. The improved winding apparatus comprises a support means for supporting a rotatable mandrel during the manufacture of wound products, the support means comprising a plurality of axially spaced pins extending circumferentially around the mandrel, and a support assembly having a semicircular inner face and an opening, wherein a portion of the plurality of pins is brought into contact with the inner face of the support assembly when the mandrel is rotated.

A device for producing a strip-shaped composite sheet may comprise at least two outer metal cover sheets and at least one plastic layer disposed between the two outer metal cover sheets. The device may further comprise at least one first laminating device for laminating the metal cover sheets with the at least one plastic layer arranged between the metal cover sheets, with the first laminating device comprising at least two laminating rolls forming a laminating gap. One object of the present disclosure is to provide methods and devices for producing composite sheets, with which the economy, in particular the production speed, of the production method can be significantly increased and at the same time the risk of delamination of the composite sheets during the further processing can be reduced.”

A machine (1) and a method for thermobonding using an emission of electromagnetic waves (13), for example microwaves, to activate one or a plurality of adhesive layers located between a support and one or a plurality of layers of flexible covering, through a bed of particles (4) fluidized by a humidified gas. A multi-layer upholstery item including at least one non-permeable layer and produced in a single operation is also described.

Method and apparatus for lamination of substrates, e.g. rigid plastic layers, to manufacture laminated products. The methods include the sequential application of vacuum and mechanical force through a two-stroke process performed by a lamination apparatus having one or more force-producing stroke cylinders. Actuation of a cylinder to produce a first stroke creates a sealed chamber within the apparatus, enclosing a stack of substrates to be laminated. The sealed chamber may be evacuated of air by application of a vacuum. Subsequent actuation of a cylinder to produce a second stroke applies mechanical force to the sealed chamber, which compresses the substrates into a laminated product substantially free of air bubbles or voids.

A method and apparatus for laying composite tape. The method may comprise driving a plurality of robots, each having a respective movement system across a movement surface, in which the movement surface faces a workpiece, and laying composite tape from the plurality of robots in a coordinated manner on the workpiece.

The present invention relates to novel thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions that contain linear monohydric alcohols. The present invention provides for TPU compositions which may be applied at relatively low temperatures, but upon activation (e.g., activation by ultraviolet light), exhibits higher temperature and melt resistance.

The present invention relates to a process for detaching a component from an electronic assembly. In particular, the present invention relates to a process for detaching a component bonded with a liquid optically clear adhesive (LOCA) in a display module by using electromagnetic radiation (EMR).

The disclosed composite wood particulate products, adhesives contained in such wood particulate products, and methods of making the adhesive and the wood particulate products employ an aldehyde-free adhesive, and more specifically a formaldehyde-free adhesive. The aldehyde-free adhesive includes an inert additive that extends a resin, such as an isocyanate resin, and forms an evenly dispersed, less expensive polymeric adhesive admixture. The extender-filler of the resin is mixed with water to form a slurry. The slurry can then be mixed with a resin, like the isocyanate resin, to form the adhesive. Various rheology modifiers can be added, if desired, to the extender-filler or the slurry. The adhesive can be blended with wood particles to form a mat that is then pressed into a composite wood particulate product.

The present disclosure provides a substrate processing apparatus capable of preventing a heating process from having adverse effects on an operation of supplying gas, even though a shower head is used to supply gas onto a substrate. The substrate processing apparatus includes: a process module having a process chamber where a substrate is processed; a substrate loading/unloading port; a cooling mechanism; a substrate support; a heating unit; a shower head including a dispersion plate made of a material having a first thermal expansion rate; a dispersion plate supporting unit made of a material having a second thermal expansion rate different from the first thermal expansion rate; a first position regulating part configured to regulate positions of the dispersion plate and the dispersion plate supporting unit; and a second position regulating part configured to regulate the positions of the dispersion plate and the dispersion plate supporting unit.

A paperboard or fiberboard sheet is provided with at least one preapplied adhesive strip used to connect together and an adjacently positioned surface protector to form a dust-proof and/or liquid-proof seal between the two surface protectors.

A method of forming a vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet structure includes providing a multi-layer sheet of material comprising at least one layer of barrier material that is disposed between first and second outer structural layers. The barrier material and the first and second outer layers comprise thermoplastic polymers. The multi-layer sheet of material is thermoformed to form a non-planar first component having a central portion and four sidewalls extending transversely from the central portion. The method further includes securing a second component having a central portion and four sidewalls extending transversely from the central portion to the first component to form an interior space therebetween. Porous filler material is positioned in the interior space, and a vacuum is formed in the interior space. The first and second components are sealed together to form a vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet structure.

The invention relates to an electrode structure for ICP etcher, including: inductive coils, inductive coil connectors, connect rods and sleeve; in which, inductive coils are set on insulation window and insulation window is set on chamber lid; two ends of the connect rods respectively connect inductive coils and inductive coil connectors; the sleeve is made of conductive material and grounded; first end of the sleeve is covered by a cap while the second is opening; the cap has holes, and the connect rods are set pass through the holes and isolated from the cap; the opening of sleeve is set toward inductive coils, and the inductive coils are shielded inside the sleeve. This invention shields electromagnetic field generated by inductive coil connectors outside the sleeve to avoid influence of even electromagnetic field generated to inductive coils, and guarantee even etching.

A plasma system includes a source electrode, an RF source power generation unit, an RF source power output unit, and a source power output managing unit. The source power output managing unit determines an amplitude and a duty cycle of a pulse RF source power based on information on an amplitude of a continuous wave RF source power.

A plasma processor, including a first gas supplier to supply first gas to the inside of a vacuum vessel, a stage on which a wafer is placed, an electromagnetic wave supplier to supply electromagnetic waves for generating first plasma, a susceptor provided to an outer peripheral portion of the stage, a second high frequency power source connected to the susceptor, and a second gas supplier to supply second gas to the inside of the susceptor. The inside of the susceptor is provided with a high frequency electrode connected to the second high frequency power source and a first earth electrode disposed opposite to the high frequency electrode. The second high frequency power source supplies high frequency power while the second gas supplier supplies the second gas, thereby generating second plasma inside the susceptor.

A dry etching apparatus includes a process chamber, a stage, a gas supply device and a plasma generating device. The stage is in the process chamber and is configured to support a wafer, wherein the wafer has a center region and a periphery region surrounding the center region. The gas supply device is configured to supply a first flow of an etching gas to the center region and supply a second flow of the etching gas to the periphery region. The plasma generating device is configured to generate plasma from the etching gas.

The present invention provides a temperature adjusting apparatus for a focus ring, wherein heat radiated from the plasma onto the focus ring is transferred downward to a base through the first heat conducting pad contacting a lower surface of the focus ring, an insulating ring contacting a lower surface of the first heat conducting pad, and the second heat conducting pad contacting a lower surface of the insulating ring, so as to be cooled by a cooling system provided at the base; turning on a heater disposed in a grounded shielding ring to generate a controllable external heating source, heat from the heater being transferred to the focus ring through the shielding ring, a third heat conducting pad contacting the shielding ring, the insulating ring contacting the third heat conducting pad, and the first heat conducting pad, so as to perform controllable warming to the focus ring. By providing a good heat conduction path in conjunction with controllable heating power, the present invention achieves a fine control of the working temperature of the focus ring such that it is tunable in processing such as etching, thereby satisfying processing demands.

The present invention discloses a multi-zone active-matrix temperature control system, the control system having a temperature control matrix and a gate driver; the temperature control matrix comprising: N*M temperature control modules forming a N-row M-column matrix, a power supply line, and a power return line; each temperature control module comprising: a temperature control unit adapts to be heated up by electrical power for temperature controlling; a semiconductor switch provided with a gate electrode connected with the gate driver, two ends of the gate, which turn on or off, being connected with the power supply line, and with the power return line through the temperature control unit, respectively. In the temperature control matrix, one ends, which are connected with a power return line, of the temperature control units of temperature control modules in a same row or same column are serially connected, and connected with the power supply line; one ends, which are connected with the power supply line, of the semiconductor switches of the temperature control modules at a same row or a same column are serially connected, and connected with the power supply line. The present invention may precisely perform temperature control to each zone of the electrostatic chuck and significantly reduces the number of electrostatic chuck lead-out lines.

Embodiments using immersion de-taping are described. A substrate having a substrate tape attached thereto is provided. The substrate includes electrically conductive connectors attached to the substrate tape. A fluid is provided between the substrate and the substrate tape. While the fluid is between the substrate and the substrate tape, the substrate tape is removed from the substrate. Another embodiment is an apparatus comprising an immersion tank, a substrate chuck, first and second fixed rollers, and a moveable roller. The substrate chuck is configured to secure a substrate and to place the substrate into the immersion tank. The first fixed roller is operable to dispense a clamp tape. The second fixed roller is operable to roll the clamp tape. The moveable roller is operable to extend into the immersion tank and to adhere the clamp tape to a substrate tape on the substrate.

A substrate processing apparatus, including: a process chamber configured to process a substrate, a transfer chamber adjoining the process chamber, a shaft installed in the transfer chamber, a substrate mounting stand connected to the shaft and including a heating part, a first thermal insulation part installed in a wall of the transfer chamber at a side of the process chamber, and a second thermal insulation part installed in the shaft at a side of the substrate mounting stand.

A vapor compression system comprising a centrifugal compressor (22) having: an inlet (24); an outlet (26); a first impeller stage (28); a second impeller stage (30); and a motor (34) coupled to the first impeller stage and second impeller stage. A first heat exchanger (38) is downstream of the outlet along a refrigerant flowpath. An expansion device (56) and a second heat exchanger (64) are upstream of the inlet along the refrigerant flowpath. A bypass flowpath (120; 320) is positioned to deliver refrigerant from the compressor bypassing the first heat exchanger. A valve (128) is positioned to control flow through the bypass flowpath, wherein: the bypass flowpath extends from a first location (140) intermediate the inlet and outlet to a second location (142; 342) downstream of the first heat exchanger along the refrigerant flowpath.

A refrigeration system includes: a compressor arrangement for compressing gaseous refrigerant from a first pressure to a second pressure, wherein the second pressure comprises a condensing pressure; a plurality of condenser evaporator systems, wherein each condenser evaporator system comprises: (1) a condenser for receiving gaseous refrigerant at a condensing pressure and condensing the refrigerant to a liquid refrigerant; (2) a controlled pressure receiver for holding the liquid refrigerant from the condenser; and (3) an evaporator for evaporating liquid refrigerant from the controlled pressure receiver to form gaseous refrigerant; a first gaseous refrigerant feed line for feeding the gaseous refrigerant at the second pressure from the compressor arrangement to the plurality of condenser evaporator systems; and a second gaseous refrigerant feed line for feeding gaseous refrigerant from the plurality of condenser evaporator systems to the compressor arrangement.

This invention relates to oil lubricated helium compressor units for use in cryogenic refrigeration systems, operating on the Gifford McMahon (GM) or Brayton cycle. The objective of this invention is to provide redundancy by having a water cooled compressor manifolded to an air cooled compressor and sensors to detect faults so that an expander can be kept running if there is a failure in either the water or air supply.

A variable refrigerant package air conditioner is shown that is easy to install in new construction with a unique base that causes collected mixture that overflows to drain outside the building. A control system is shown that has motors and compressor that are pulse width modulated so the air conditioner is infinitely variable while maintaining the highest possible power factor. Dehumidification of outside air occurs as it is mixed with inside air. By gradually approaching a temperature set point and even reheating after dehumidification, moisture is removed from the room.

A heat exchange apparatus includes a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat between a refrigerant and another medium, a plurality of second heat exchangers configured to transfer heat between the refrigerant and the liquid, a compressor configured to pressurize the refrigerant and a plurality of expansion devices for each of the plurality of second heat exchangers and configured to expand the refrigerant pressurized by the compressor, wherein the refrigerant flows through the plurality of second heat exchangers in parallel, and the liquid flows through the plurality of second heat exchangers in series.

An evaporator and methods of using the same are described herein. A vapor-compression refrigeration apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology utilizes a fluid refrigerant and can include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator arranged in succession and in fluid communication within a closed loop in order to circulate the fluid refrigerant. The apparatus can include at least one line within the closed loop in operable communication with the condenser for reducing temperature of at least a portion of the fluid refrigerant coming from the condenser prior to the fluid refrigerant entering the expansion device.

Apparatus for and method of rapidly chilling a beverage in which a vessel having high thermal mass relative to the amount of beverage to be introduced into the vessel is cooled through contact with a cooling module to a temperature low enough that a volume of beverage introduced into the vessel is rapidly cooled.

The disclosed apparatus cools a drinking liquid utilizing the Peltier effect, and optionally includes a system of gasification for gasifying the drinking liquid, once cooled. The cooling system in turn includes: a first cooling circuit, in which an operating fluid circulates, associated with a hot side of a Peltier cell; and a second cooling circuit, in which the drinking liquid circulates, associated with a cold side of the Peltier cell. The Peltier cell is integrated in a cooling unit exhibiting a special sandwich structure which integrates, as well as the Peltier cell, a first and a second heat exchanger, apt respectively to exchange directly the heat between the operating fluid which circulates in the first cooling circuit and the hot side of the Peltier cell and between the drinking liquid which circulates in the second cooling circuit and the cold side of the Peltier cell to cool the drinking liquid.

Disclosed herein is a powered air cooling device contained within a single portable unit and a method of using said device. The portable solar powered cooling unit can include some or all of the following: solar panels, a rechargeable power source, a thermostat unit, a thermoelectric (TE) cooling unit, a heat dissipation unit, a cooling unit resembling a heat sink or an actual heat sink, an air distribution device, for example in one preferred embodiment, a low power high volume fan, and a structure that directs air intake and outflow. The unit features the ability to maintain a stable ambient air temperature via heating, cooling, humidity control, or all of the above. The unit may also feature a form factor which allows the dissipation of the desired cooling or heating to occur at a faster rate. The unit itself although portable, may be fixed in place for more permanent applications. The unit can be used to provide temperature and humidity control.

A device includes a substrate, a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device disposed on the substrate, a controller disposed on the substrate, a heating element, and an enclosure. The heating element is configured to generate heat in response to a signal generated by the controller. The enclosure encloses the MEMS sensor device, the controller, and the heating element. The controller is configured to generate the signal responsive to temperature measurements within the enclosure. The signal causes the heating element to generate heat and maintain a predetermined temperature within the enclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a vapor compression system that includes a refrigerant loop, a compressor disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to circulate refrigerant through the refrigerant loop, a condenser disposed downstream of the compressor along the refrigerant loop, where the condenser includes a plurality of tubes disposed in a shell and a diffusion area configured to enhance thermal energy transfer within the condenser, where the diffusion area is defined by a cavity of the condenser without a tube of the plurality of tubes, and an evaporator disposed downstream of the condenser along the refrigerant loop.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a vapor compression system that includes a refrigerant loop, a compressor disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to circulate refrigerant through the refrigerant loop, and a heat exchanger disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to place the refrigerant in a heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid. The heat exchanger includes a water box portion having a first length, a shell having a second length, a plurality of tubes disposed in the shell and configured to flow the cooling fluid, and a cooling fluid portion having a third length, where the water box portion and the cooling fluid portion are coupled to the shell, such that the first length, the second length, and the third length form a combined length of the heat exchanger that is substantially equal to a target length.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a vapor compression system that includes a refrigerant loop, a compressor disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to circulate refrigerant through the refrigerant loop, a condenser disposed downstream of the compressor along the refrigerant loop and configured to condense vapor refrigerant to liquid refrigerant, a subcooler coupled to the condenser, where the subcooler is external of a shell of the condenser, and where the subcooler is configured to receive the liquid refrigerant from the condenser and to cool the liquid refrigerant to sub cooled refrigerant, and an evaporator disposed downstream of the subcooler along the refrigerant loop and configured to evaporate the subcooled refrigerant to the vapor refrigerant.

An electronic expansion device includes a main body having inlet and outlet side faces; an inlet disposed on the inlet side face; an orifice formed in the main body between the inlet side face and the outlet side face; a flow path fluidly connecting an inlet side of the orifice and an outlet side of the orifice, the flow path configured to redirect an inlet flow and provide an outlet flow; an outlet disposed on the outlet side face, the outlet being in fluid communication with the inlet via the orifice and the flow path; and a flow control device including an electric motor and a sealing member, the sealing member extending through the main body between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the sealing member is movable into and out of the main body to control the outlet flow of a fluid.

An apparatus for separating and storing liquid refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit including a housing configured as a refrigerant collection container, the housing having a refrigerant outflow line disposed therein. The refrigerant outflow line extending from an inlet opening, which is disposed in a gas refrigerant region and above a level of the liquid refrigerant, via a liquid refrigerant region to the outside, and has a through-opening formed in the liquid refrigerant region. The housing includes a boiling element for liquid refrigerant disposed therein. The boiling element is connected to the refrigerant outflow line in the region of the through-opening, such that a liquid passing through the through-opening from the housing passes through the boiling element by suction of a gas refrigerant.

This invention relates generally to oil lubricated helium compressor units for use in cryogenic refrigeration systems, operating on the Gifford McMahon (GM) cycle. This invention provides redundancy between water cooling and air cooling if there is a blockage in the water or air supply by having air and water cooled after-coolers in series or parallel.

A container treatment installation having a refrigeration installation, and a method for starting the operation of a refrigeration installation of a container treatment installation, are provided. The refrigeration installation comprises a refrigerant vessel for receiving a refrigerant which can be used for cooling a component of the container treatment installation, and a control device for controlling an amount of the refrigerant in the refrigerant vessel such that, after operation of the refrigeration installation, only a predetermined residual amount of refrigerant remains in the refrigerant vessel for the transport of the refrigerant installation, and after the transport of the refrigeration installation, the predetermined residual amount is filled up with a predetermined replenishment amount of refrigerant.

A method of initiating a defrost cycle using a controller of a heat pump system includes measuring a temperature of an evaporator coil and determining whether the temperature of the evaporator coil is less than a freezing temperature. Responsive to a determination that the temperature of the evaporator coil is less than the freezing temperature, determining whether a current dew point temperature of air is greater than the temperature of the evaporator coil. Responsive to a determination that the current dew point temperature of air is greater than the temperature of the evaporator coil, calculating a frost-collection rate. Determining whether the frost-collection rate is greater than a frost-collection-rate threshold, and, responsive to a determination that the frost-collection rate is greater than the frost-collection-rate threshold, initiating a defrost cycle.

A system includes first and second compressors arranged in parallel, a condenser, expansion device, evaporator, and flow control device fluidly connected. The first compressor includes a first lubricant sump and the second compressor including a second lubricant sump. A lubricant transfer conduit fluidly connects the first lubricant sump and the second lubricant sump. The flow control device is disposed between the evaporator and the first and second compressors, and includes a fluid inlet and two fluid outlets. A first of the two fluid outlets is fluidly connected to the first compressor, a second of the two fluid outlets is fluidly connected to the second compressor. The second fluid outlet includes a nozzle disposed within a flow passage of the flow control device such that a space is maintained between an outer surface of the nozzle and an inner surface of the flow passage.

A novel process for activating available compressors in multiple compressor air conditioning systems, using an Optimum Stage-Up Process. This process is programmed into a controller as an algorithm, to provide a process for fast compressor start. This process shortens the time to initiate operation of compressors in a multi-compressor air conditioning system required to meet the demand call under any load condition, and hence shortens the time required for the actual sensed interior region air temperature to reach the interior region temperature set point. The Optimum Stage-up Algorithm estimates the number of compressor stages or steps that must be initiated, based on sensed or measured values, to meet the demand at any load condition. These measured values include the sensed temperature of the interior region being cooled, which is compared to the temperature set point of this interior region as well as measured mixed air temperature and supply air temperature.

An ice making machine having a refrigeration system designed for hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants, and particularly propane (R-290), that includes dual independent refrigeration systems and a unique evaporator assembly comprising of a single freeze plate attached to two cooling circuits. The serpentines are designed in an advantageous pattern that promotes efficiency by ensuring the even bridging of ice during freezing and minimizing unwanted melting during harvest by providing an even distribution of the heat load. The charge limitations imposed with flammable refrigerants would otherwise prevent large capacity ice maker from being properly charged with a single circuit. The ice making machine includes a single water circuit and control system to ensure the proper and efficient production of ice. Material cost is conserved as compared to a traditional dual system icemaker.

An evaporator assembly for an ice-making apparatus having a vertical, substantially flat freeze surface, a refrigerant circuit, and a freeze template. The freeze template is thermally coupled between the freeze surface and the refrigerant circuit, and is formed of a plurality of regions arranged in a plane and interconnected by strips having a smaller dimension in the plane than the regions. Interface locations between the freeze template and the freeze surface define where on the freeze surface ice is to be formed. During a freeze cycle, expanded refrigerant is passed through the refrigerant circuit, and water is run over the freeze surface. During a harvest cycle, compressed refrigerant is passed through the refrigerant circuit, wherein heat transfers from the refrigerant circuit to the freeze surface until the freeze surface is warmed to a temperature sufficient to allow ice formed on the freeze surface to fall from the freeze surface by a force of gravity.

An ice machine may include a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, an evaporator, an ice tray, and a water pump. The first heat exchanger may receive compressed working fluid from the compressor. The expansion device may receive working fluid from the first heat exchanger. The evaporator may receive working fluid from the expansion device. The ice tray may be in a heat transfer relationship with the evaporator. The ice tray may include a plurality of ice molds. The water pump may be in fluid communication with the ice molds and may be configured to pump water from a water source to the ice molds.

A refrigerator has a storage compartment, a door for opening and closing the storage compartment, an ice-making machine and an ice storage compartment. The ice-making machine is used to produce an ice cube. The ice storage compartment is disposed below the ice-making machine, so as to accommodate an ice cube. The ice storage compartment has a discharge port. A movable blocking member and an ice-crushing cutter are located in the ice storage compartment. A distributor is located on the door and used to distribute the ice cube from the ice storage compartment to the outside. The ice storage compartment further includes an opening and closing mechanism for opening or closing the discharge port. Because the discharge port of the ice storage compartment can be closed, the ice-crushing cutter disposed above the discharge port will not be unconsciously touched, and a user is avoided from being hurt by the ice-crushing cutter.