Patent · US Expired

Ice bank control system for beverage dispenser

US4497179A · kind A · utility

32Cited by
6References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 24, 1984
Grant dateFeb 5, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 24, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF25D31/003
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

An ice bank control system for a beverage dispenser for preventing the unnecessary erosion of the ice bank when the dispenser is idle or inactive, and for thus increasing the draw capacity of the dispenser. The control system includes a pair of ice bank sensors for sensing first and second locations of the surface of the ice bank, the second sensor being spaced further from the cooling coils than is the first sensor. Each sensor generates an electrical signal which, through appropriate electrical control circuitry, controls the on/off mode of the electrical motor that drives the water agitator and also the electrical motor that operates the refrigeration unit.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.