Ice thickness control system and sensor probe for ice-making machines
US6339930B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 25, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 22, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D21/02
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides an improved system and method for sensing of ice, particularly applicable in the control of ice thickness in automatic ice-making machines. The ice-making machine may be of the conventional type using a cold plate with water flowing over it. A thermistor bead temperature sensor is encapsulated in a metal housing, which is in turn mounted on a carrier. The position of the carrier is adjustable relative to the cold plate. The control system has several variable delays or time durations which optimize system performance: 1. Minimum harvest time delay, relative to the start of the ice-making cycle; 2. Threshold persistence time delay, requires that the signal sensor persists above the harvest threshold value for a certain amount of time (referenced to when the threshold is first exceeded), before harvesting may begin; 3. Harvesting delay is an optional delay provided give the option of making sure the ice is sufficiently “cured.” These delay times may be implemented in hardware (by being built into the control logic), software, or by a combination of both hardware and software. The improved sensor and control concepts offer their own benefits …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.