Vertical tube ice maker
US3984996A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 1975 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 1995 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C1/06
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An open-ended non-circular sectioned vertical tube is supported in a lower insulated housing providing a heated water reservoir to fill the tube to a predetermined level. A threaded shaft is rotated about its axis in the tube such that upon a refrigeration medium subjecting the outer surface of the tube to a below freezing temperature the water therein is frozen into an ice column starting at the tube inside surface and continuing toward the shaft. The rotating shaft advances the non-circular ice column upwardly whereupon harvesting mechanism is actuated by the column to sever the same into uniform ice pieces for transfer into an ice storage container.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.