Adaptive defrost control for frozen product dispensers

US7895845B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Steve Every · Hawthorn Woods, US
• John F. Paulius, III · Algonquin, US
• David Gist · Grayslake, US
• Santhosh Kumar · Naperville, US
• Gregory M. Billman · Hoffman Estates, US
• Daniel C. Leaver · La Crosse, US
• Kyle B. Elsom · East Moline, US
• Nikolay Popov · Cupertino, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 21, 2007
• Grant date: Mar 1, 2011
• Expiry date: May 28, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F25D21/006
• WIPO field: Thermal processes and apparatus
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An adaptive defrost control for a frozen product machine implements an algorithm that utilizes various operating parameters of the machine to adaptively adjust the time interval between successive defrost cycles in a manner such that defrost cycles occur only on an as-needed basis. The adaptive defrost control minimizes the time during which the machine is in a defrost cycle, thereby maximizing the uptime of the machine during which frozen product can be prepared.