Ice producing machine and method with gear motor monitoring
US6463746B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 27, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 15, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 27, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C2700/08
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ice producing machine that has a cylindrical evaporator, a compressor that circulates refrigerant supplied to the evaporator, an auger that removes ice from the evaporator and an ice bin for holding the ice. Potential damage to the machine that might result from abnormal loading of the motor that drive the auger is prevented by monitoring the motor current and turning off the motor and compressor before abnormal loading can cause damage. False ice bin not full interpretations are avoided by setting the threshold of a light detector that senses whether the ice bin is full or not full to slightly less than the voltage developed by the light detector when subjected to ambient light only.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.