Top cooling module for a refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a top wall. At least one door is coupled with the cabinet and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. A removable cooling module is disposed on the top wall of the refrigerator. The removable cooling module includes a cooling unit and an ice maker. An ice dispenser is coupled with the refrigerator. A duct is in communication with the removable cooling module and is adapted to convey ice and cool air from the removable cooling module to the refrigerator.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a cabinet having a top wall;   at least one door coupled with the cabinet and moveable between an open position and a closed position;   a removable cooling module disposed on the top wall of the refrigerator, the removable cooling module including a cooling unit and an ice maker;   an ice dispenser coupled with the refrigerator;   a duct in communication with the removable cooling module and adapted to convey ice and cool air from the removable cooling module to the refrigerator; and   a gate disposed proximate the duct and removable cooling module and adapted to regulate ice flow from the ice maker of the removable cooling module to the duct.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the refrigerator includes an inner liner and an outer wrapper, and wherein a portion of the duct is disposed outside the refrigerator, external to the outer wrapper. 
     
     
         3 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a cabinet;   a door coupled with the cabinet and moveable between a closed position and an open position;   a removable cooling module disposed on the cabinet, the removable cooling module including an ice maker and an overhang, wherein the overhang includes an ice conveyance aperture disposed at least partially over the door when the door is in the closed position;   an ice dispenser coupled with the refrigerator;   a duct extending into the door and adapted to receive ice from the ice conveyance aperture of the overhang and convey the ice to the ice dispenser; and   a gate disposed proximate the duct and removable cooling module and adapted to regulate ice flow from the ice maker of the removable cooling module to the duct.   
     
     
         4 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a cabinet;   a removable cooling module having a cooling unit and an ice maker, the removable cooling module being disposed on a top wall of the cabinet to define an appliance height;   a door coupled with the refrigerator and moveable between an open position and a closed position, the door having a door height that is substantially equal to the appliance height;   an ice conveyance aperture disposed on a front face of the removable cooling module;   an ice dispenser coupled with the refrigerator; and   a duct extending into the door and adapted to convey ice from the ice conveyance aperture of the removable cooling module to the ice dispenser.   
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 an ice storage bin disposed in the door above the top wall of the cabinet.   
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 an ice storage bin disposed in the door below the top wall of the cabinet.   
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator of  claim 4 , wherein the ice dispenser is disposed in the door. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator of  claim 4 , wherein the duct generally extends between an outside wrapper and an inner liner of the door. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigerator of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a gate disposed proximate the duct and removable cooling module and adapted to regulate ice flow from the ice maker of the removable cooling module to the duct.   
     
     
         10 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a cabinet having a door operably coupled thereto, the cabinet and door each including an inner liner and an outer wrapper;   a removable cooling module having a cooling unit, an ice maker, and an ice conveyance aperture, the removable cooling module being disposed on a top wall of the cabinet;   an ice dispenser coupled with the refrigerator; and   a duct disposed outside the cabinet proximate the outer wrapper of one of the cabinet and the door and adapted to convey ice from the ice conveyance aperture of the removable cooling module to the ice dispenser.   
     
     
         11 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , wherein the ice dispenser is disposed outside the cabinet proximate the outer wrapper of the door. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a module ice bin disposed in the removable cooling module.   
     
     
         13 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a control panel coupled to the cooling unit and the ice maker.