Flow director system
US6279329A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 14, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C5/20
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A flow director system for transporting ice to a desired locale includes a conduit system and a gas flow gate assembly coupled with the conduit system for directing ice to the desired locale along a desired path defined by the conduit system. The gas flow gate assembly includes a plurality of flow gates disposed along the conduit system and a flow gate controller linked with the plurality of flow gates, whereby the flow gate controller opens and closes the flow gates to route ice flow along the conduit system. In addition, the flow director system preferably includes an ice maker for delivering ice into an ice container. The ice container, in turn, includes a plurality of interface apertures for channeling ice from the ice maker to the conduit system. Moreover, in operation, a gas flow is established through the ice container between the interface apertures to prevent ice blockage about the ice container.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.