EP2778570A2 - A method and system for controlling the initiation of a freeze cycle pre-set time in an ice maker - Google Patents
A method and system for controlling the initiation of a freeze cycle pre-set time in an ice maker Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2778570A2 EP2778570A2 EP14159225.3A EP14159225A EP2778570A2 EP 2778570 A2 EP2778570 A2 EP 2778570A2 EP 14159225 A EP14159225 A EP 14159225A EP 2778570 A2 EP2778570 A2 EP 2778570A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- water
- temperature
- condenser
- time
- ice making
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C1/00—Producing ice
- F25C1/12—Producing ice by freezing water on cooled surfaces, e.g. to form slabs
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C1/00—Producing ice
- F25C1/04—Producing ice by using stationary moulds
- F25C1/045—Producing ice by using stationary moulds with the open end pointing downwards
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
- F25B2700/21—Temperatures
- F25B2700/2116—Temperatures of a condenser
- F25B2700/21163—Temperatures of a condenser of the refrigerant at the outlet of the condenser
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C2600/00—Control issues
- F25C2600/02—Timing
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
- F25C2700/14—Temperature of water
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a method and system for controlling a freeze cycle in an ice making machine.
- Inlet water temperature has a significant impact on the time required to freeze a full cube in a spray machine evaporator due to the sensible heat removal required for the entire volume of water and the relatively large volume of water relative to ice produced in each batch for a spray machine.
- the evaporator, pump, and various components that make up the water circulation system warm up to a much higher temperature than the average during repetitive freeze and harvest cycles.
- refrigerant migrates to the colder sections of the refrigeration system during off times. This results in significantly longer periods of time for the refrigeration system to chill the water volume and evaporator to the freezing point during the first freeze cycle following an off cycle when compared to repetitive freeze and harvest cycles.
- a method and system of the present disclosure monitors the water temperature in a sump and refrigerant temperature exiting a condenser so that a start time of a freeze cycle/sequence is delayed until the water temperature reaches a predetermined value and a freeze cycle time period value based upon the temperature of the refrigerant is attained, thereby producing ice much more efficiently and saving energy.
- the duration of the freeze cycle is able to adapt to changes in inlet water temperature, changes in ambient air temperature, and the impact of warm temperatures of internal ice making parts within the ice machine due to off cycle periods. This is accomplished through a combination of starting a freeze time period only after the water temperature for the volume of water circulating over the evaporator has reached approximately 32°F, and a freeze time period value that is a function of the liquid temperature leaving the condenser at the time where the water reaches approximately 32°F.
- a heat exchange system comprises an evaporator and a condenser configured to make ice pieces with water applied to the evaporator during a freeze cycle.
- a controller controls a start time and an end time of the freeze cycle so that the start time begins only if a temperature of the water is 32 degrees F or lower and the end time is based on a temperature of refrigerant exiting the condenser when the start time begins.
- the end time is determined from a table of time versus condenser refrigerant exit temperatures at a time when the water is approximately 32 degrees F.
- the heat exchanger system further comprises one or more sprayers that spray the water on the evaporator.
- a first temperature sensor is located in the water and a second temperature sensor is located to sense the temperature of the refrigerant exiting the condenser. The start and end times are determined based on temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors.
- a processor and program module are associated with the controller.
- the processor executes instructions of the program module to determine the start time and the end time of the freeze cycle.
- An embodiment of a method for making ice with an ice making machine of the present disclosure comprises:
- the method further comprises:
- the method further comprises:
- the method further comprises: executing instructions of a program module to determine the start time and end time of the freeze cycle.
- the method further comprises: spraying the water on the evaporator.
- the use of the refrigerant temperature leaving the condenser at the point in time that the water has reached 32°F means that the effect of the evaporator load has been standardized, and so the condenser leaving temperature is almost entirely due to the ambient temperature for the condenser cooling medium (air or water) and the relative efficiency of the condenser.
- the evaporator heat removal capacity is strongly correlated to the liquid temperature, since it represents the enthalpy of the refrigerant entering the evaporator, and the time required to freeze a full cube in the evaporator once the water has reached 32°F is directly related to the enthalpy of the entering refrigerant. This relationship provides an accurate method for setting freeze time from the point where the water has reached 32°F.
- an ice making machine 100 includes a freeze cycle/sequence controller of the present disclosure.
- the ice making machine 100 makes and stores ice.
- ice making machine 100 comprises a door 105 in a closed position, an ice storage area 110 and an ice making system 115.
- Ice storage area 110 has a bin 120 that holds ice cubes.
- Ice making system 115 makes ice cubes, and dispenses the ice cubes into bin 120.
- Ice making machine 100 comprises an evaporator 2, spray assembly 3, water temperature sensor 4 and water trough or sump 130.
- Ice making system 115 has a housing 117 enclosing a housing volume 116.
- Housing 117 has an opening 119 therethrough covered by gate 125.
- Housing 117 has a bottom portion that forms a sump 130 and a drain 135.
- Temperature sensor 4 is located in sump 130.
- a top portion of housing 117 forms cups 140.
- Each of cups 140 surrounds an interior volume.
- Housing 117 has a water inlet 145 having apertures 146 that receives water from a water supply through a water supply tube 150.
- Water supply tube 150 has a valve 151, for example, a solenoid valve that opens to allow water from a water supply to flow through supply tube 150, and closes to block water from flowing through supply tube 150.
- the water supply for example, is a public water supply.
- a pump 155 is disposed in housing volume 116.
- Pump 155 has a pump chamber 165 and a pump tube 170.
- Pump tube 170 is connected to pump tube outlets 175.
- Pump tube outlets 175 are connected to a mount 180 positioning pump tube outlets 175 in housing volume 116 above a baffle 185.
- Ice making system 115 has a heat exchange system that performs a vapor compression cycle in thermal communication with housing 117.
- the heat exchange system includes an evaporator 2 having an evaporator tube 190, a compressor (not shown), a condenser 604 (see Fig. 6 ) and a thermal expansion valve (not shown).
- the evaporator tube 190 is in thermal communication with the interior volume of cups 140.
- condenser 604 has a liquid line 600 leaving condenser 604, wherein a temperature sensor 620 (shown in Fig. 4 ) is disposed under insulation sleeve (black foam) 608 disposed before condenser coil 602.
- a temperature sensor 620 shown in Fig. 4
- insulation sleeve black foam
- a controller 107 activates pump 155 that generates suction drawing water 160 in sump 130 into pump chamber 165.
- Pump 155 generates a flow of the water from pump chamber 165 to pump tube 170, for example, by an impeller in pump chamber 165 operated by a motor.
- the flow in pump tube 170 is directed to pump tube outlets 175, so that the flow generates a spray out of pump tube outlets 175 into cups 140.
- Controller 107 activates the heat exchange system to flow cooled refrigerant through evaporator tube 190 during the freeze cycle.
- the evaporator tube 190 is in thermal communication with the interior volume of cups 140 to cool the interior volume of cups 140.
- controller 107 deactivates pump 155 so that water is no longer sprayed into cups 140 and controller 107 deactivates the heat exchange system to stop flow of cooled refrigerant through evaporator tube 190 ending the freeze cycle.
- Valve 151 is closed to block water from flowing through supply tube 150 during the freeze cycle.
- a system 400 comprises a computer 405 coupled to a network 420, e.g., the Internet.
- Computer 405 may be a part of controller 107 or separate from controller 107. In either case, connections between controller 107 and computer 405 allow the freeze cycle sequence to operate.
- Computer 405 includes a user interface 410, a processor 415, and a memory 425.
- Computer 405 may be implemented on a general-purpose microcomputer. Although computer 405 is represented herein as a standalone device, it is not limited to such, but instead can be coupled to other devices (not shown) via network 420.
- Processor 415 is configured of logic circuitry that responds to and executes instructions.
- Memory 425 stores data and instructions for use by processor 415.
- Memory 425 may be implemented in a random access memory (RAM), a hard drive, a read only memory (ROM), or a combination thereof.
- RAM random access memory
- ROM read only memory
- One of the components of memory 425 is a program module 430.
- Program module 430 contains instructions for controlling processor 415 to execute for control of the methods described herein, in particular, the control of freeze cycles of ice making machine 100.
- Program module 430 includes a table 440 of time versus refrigerant temperature (e.g., a look-up table) and a freeze countdown timer 445.
- the term "module” is used herein to denote a functional operation that may be embodied either as a stand-alone component or as an integrated configuration of a plurality of sub-ordinate components.
- program module 430 may be implemented as a single module or as a plurality of modules that operate in cooperation with one another.
- program module 430 is described herein as being installed in memory 425, and therefore being implemented in software, it could be implemented in any of hardware (e.g., electronic circuitry), firmware, software, or a combination thereof.
- User interface 410 includes an input device, such as a keyboard or speech recognition subsystem, for enabling a user to communicate information and command selections to processor 415.
- User interface 410 also includes an output device such as a display or a printer.
- a cursor control such as a mouse, track-ball, or joy stick, allows the user to manipulate a cursor on the display for communicating additional information and command selections to processor 415.
- Processor 415 outputs, to user interface 410, a result of an execution of the methods described herein. Alternatively, processor 415 could direct the output to a remote device (not shown) via network 420.
- Storage medium 435 can be any conventional storage medium that stores program module 430 thereon in tangible form. Examples of storage medium 435 include a floppy disk, a compact disk, a magnetic tape, a read only memory, an optical storage media, universal serial bus (USB) flash drive, a digital versatile disc, or a zip drive. Alternatively, storage medium 435 can be a random access memory, or other type of electronic storage, located on a remote storage system and coupled to computer 405 via network 420.
- USB universal serial bus
- the controller operated freeze sequence uses processor 415 to execute instructions of program module 430 to control the freeze cycle with steps 530.
- processor 415 initiates the freeze cycle sequence.
- processor 415 monitors the sump water temperature as sensed by temperature sensor 205 of the water in the sump 130.
- processor 415 checks to determine if the water temperature in the sump 130 is about 32°F or less. If the water temperature in sump 130 is higher than 32°F, then processor 415 returns to step 502.
- processor 415 checks the temperature of the refrigerant leaving the condenser as monitored by condenser temperature sensor 620.
- processor 415 uses the condenser temperature to determine a remaining freeze time from table 440 of time versus refrigerant temperature (i.e. a freeze time period value that is a function of the refrigerant temperature leaving the condenser at the time where the water reaches approximately 32°F).
- processor 415 at step 510 starts freeze countdown timer from the freeze time value determined from look-up table 440.
- Processor 415 then at step 512 monitors the freeze countdown timer value.
- step 514 if the freeze timer value is not equal to a time out value, e.g., zero, steps 512 and 514 are repeated when the countdown freeze timer value is equal to zero, processor 415 at step 516 stops the freeze cycle and starts the harvest cycle or sequence.
- a time out value e.g., zero
- test data showing the variation in time required for the water to reach 32°F from the start of the freeze operation for both first cycles following an extended off period, and subsequent freeze cycles during continuous freeze and harvest operation, over a range of ambient and inlet water conditions.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Production, Working, Storing, Or Distribution Of Ice (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present disclosure relates to a method and system for controlling a freeze cycle in an ice making machine.
- Inlet water temperature has a significant impact on the time required to freeze a full cube in a spray machine evaporator due to the sensible heat removal required for the entire volume of water and the relatively large volume of water relative to ice produced in each batch for a spray machine.
- During extended off cycles, the evaporator, pump, and various components that make up the water circulation system warm up to a much higher temperature than the average during repetitive freeze and harvest cycles. In addition, refrigerant migrates to the colder sections of the refrigeration system during off times. This results in significantly longer periods of time for the refrigeration system to chill the water volume and evaporator to the freezing point during the first freeze cycle following an off cycle when compared to repetitive freeze and harvest cycles.
- Conventional control strategies for spray machines set the freeze cycle time to a fixed value once a thermostat detects the evaporator temperature has reached a predetermined value. This results in partially formed ice cubes during the first cycle following an off cycle, or when the inlet water is higher than average.
- Thus, there is a need for a method and system that controls a freeze cycle of an ice making machine with enhanced efficiency and reduced energy usage.
- The present disclosure also provides many additional advantages, which shall become apparent as described below.
- A method and system of the present disclosure monitors the water temperature in a sump and refrigerant temperature exiting a condenser so that a start time of a freeze cycle/sequence is delayed until the water temperature reaches a predetermined value and a freeze cycle time period value based upon the temperature of the refrigerant is attained, thereby producing ice much more efficiently and saving energy.
- The duration of the freeze cycle is able to adapt to changes in inlet water temperature, changes in ambient air temperature, and the impact of warm temperatures of internal ice making parts within the ice machine due to off cycle periods. This is accomplished through a combination of starting a freeze time period only after the water temperature for the volume of water circulating over the evaporator has reached approximately 32°F, and a freeze time period value that is a function of the liquid temperature leaving the condenser at the time where the water reaches approximately 32°F.
- In an embodiment of an ice making machine of the present disclosure, a heat exchange system comprises an evaporator and a condenser configured to make ice pieces with water applied to the evaporator during a freeze cycle. A controller controls a start time and an end time of the freeze cycle so that the start time begins only if a temperature of the water is 32 degrees F or lower and the end time is based on a temperature of refrigerant exiting the condenser when the start time begins.
- In another embodiment of the ice making machine according to the present disclosure, the end time is determined from a table of time versus condenser refrigerant exit temperatures at a time when the water is approximately 32 degrees F.
- In another embodiment of the ice making machine according to the present disclosure, the heat exchanger system further comprises one or more sprayers that spray the water on the evaporator.
- In another embodiment of the ice making machine according to the present disclosure, a first temperature sensor is located in the water and a second temperature sensor is located to sense the temperature of the refrigerant exiting the condenser. The start and end times are determined based on temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors.
- In another embodiment of the ice making machine according to the present disclosure, a processor and program module are associated with the controller. The processor executes instructions of the program module to determine the start time and the end time of the freeze cycle.
- An embodiment of a method for making ice with an ice making machine of the present disclosure, the method comprises:
- configuring an evaporator and a condenser to make ice pieces with water applied to the evaporator during a freeze cycle;
- controlling a start time of the freeze cycle to begin only if a temperature of the water is 32 degrees F or lower; and
- controlling an end time of the freeze cycle based on a temperature of refrigerant exiting the condenser when the start time begins.
- In another embodiment of the method of ice making according to the present disclosure, the method further comprises:
- determining the end time from a table of time versus condenser refrigerant exit temperatures at a time when the water is approximately 32 degrees F.
- In another embodiment of the method of ice making according to the present disclosure, the method further comprises:
- locating a first temperature sensor to sense a temperature of the water; and
- locating a second temperature sensor to sense a temperature of refrigerant exiting the condenser. The start and end times are determined based on the temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors.
- In another embodiment of the method of ice making according to the present disclosure, the method further comprises: executing instructions of a program module to determine the start time and end time of the freeze cycle.
- In another embodiment of the method of ice making according to the present disclosure, the method further comprises: spraying the water on the evaporator.
- Further objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be understood by reference to the following drawings in which like reference numbers refer to like elements.
-
-
Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a spray-type ice making machine according to the present disclosure. -
Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view along line 2-2 ofFig. 1 ; -
Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of water being sprayed during a freeze cycle on an evaporator of the ice making machine ofFig. 1 . -
Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a computer system for control of freeze cycles of the ice making machine ofFig. 1 . -
Fig. 5 is a logic or flow diagram for control of the freeze cycles of the ice making machine ofFig. 1 . -
Fig. 6 is a schematic representation depicting a temperature sensor disposed at the exit of a condenser of the ice making machine ofFig. 1 . - The impact of the warm internal components and refrigerant migration following an off cycle is eliminated by starting the freeze cycle period at a 32°F water condition, which makes the first freeze cycle and all subsequent freeze cycles have essentially the same temperature conditions at the start of the timed freeze period.
- The use of the refrigerant temperature leaving the condenser at the point in time that the water has reached 32°F means that the effect of the evaporator load has been standardized, and so the condenser leaving temperature is almost entirely due to the ambient temperature for the condenser cooling medium (air or water) and the relative efficiency of the condenser. The evaporator heat removal capacity is strongly correlated to the liquid temperature, since it represents the enthalpy of the refrigerant entering the evaporator, and the time required to freeze a full cube in the evaporator once the water has reached 32°F is directly related to the enthalpy of the entering refrigerant. This relationship provides an accurate method for setting freeze time from the point where the water has reached 32°F.
- Referring to
Fig. 1 , anice making machine 100 includes a freeze cycle/sequence controller of the present disclosure. Theice making machine 100 makes and stores ice. - Referring to
Fig. 2 ,ice making machine 100 comprises adoor 105 in a closed position, anice storage area 110 and anice making system 115.Ice storage area 110 has abin 120 that holds ice cubes. Ice makingsystem 115 makes ice cubes, and dispenses the ice cubes intobin 120.Ice making machine 100 comprises anevaporator 2,spray assembly 3,water temperature sensor 4 and water trough orsump 130. - Referring to
Fig. 3 there is shown an illustrative diagram ofice making system 115 ofice making machine 100 during a freeze cycle.Ice making system 115 has ahousing 117 enclosing ahousing volume 116.Housing 117 has an opening 119 therethrough covered bygate 125.Housing 117 has a bottom portion that forms asump 130 and adrain 135.Temperature sensor 4 is located insump 130. A top portion ofhousing 117forms cups 140. Each ofcups 140 surrounds an interior volume.Housing 117 has awater inlet 145 havingapertures 146 that receives water from a water supply through awater supply tube 150.Water supply tube 150 has avalve 151, for example, a solenoid valve that opens to allow water from a water supply to flow throughsupply tube 150, and closes to block water from flowing throughsupply tube 150. The water supply, for example, is a public water supply. - A
pump 155 is disposed inhousing volume 116.Pump 155 has apump chamber 165 and apump tube 170.Pump tube 170 is connected to pumptube outlets 175.Pump tube outlets 175 are connected to a mount 180 positioningpump tube outlets 175 inhousing volume 116 above abaffle 185. -
Ice making system 115 has a heat exchange system that performs a vapor compression cycle in thermal communication withhousing 117. The heat exchange system includes anevaporator 2 having anevaporator tube 190, a compressor (not shown), a condenser 604 (seeFig. 6 ) and a thermal expansion valve (not shown). Theevaporator tube 190 is in thermal communication with the interior volume ofcups 140. - As shown in
Fig. 6 ,condenser 604 has a liquid line 600 leavingcondenser 604, wherein a temperature sensor 620 (shown inFig. 4 ) is disposed under insulation sleeve (black foam) 608 disposed beforecondenser coil 602. - During a freeze cycle, a
controller 107 activates pump 155 that generatessuction drawing water 160 insump 130 intopump chamber 165.Pump 155 generates a flow of the water frompump chamber 165 to pumptube 170, for example, by an impeller inpump chamber 165 operated by a motor. The flow inpump tube 170 is directed to pumptube outlets 175, so that the flow generates a spray out ofpump tube outlets 175 intocups 140.Controller 107 activates the heat exchange system to flow cooled refrigerant throughevaporator tube 190 during the freeze cycle. Theevaporator tube 190 is in thermal communication with the interior volume ofcups 140 to cool the interior volume ofcups 140. At least a portion of the water from the spray dispensed bypump tube outlets 175 freezes in the interior volume ofcups 140 formingice cubes 192. The remaining water from the spray dispensed bypump tube outlets 175 that does not freeze incups 140 falls away fromcups 140 due to gravity ontobaffle 185 intosump 130 or directly intosump 130. After a predetermined time period,controller 107 deactivates pump 155 so that water is no longer sprayed intocups 140 andcontroller 107 deactivates the heat exchange system to stop flow of cooled refrigerant throughevaporator tube 190 ending the freeze cycle.Valve 151 is closed to block water from flowing throughsupply tube 150 during the freeze cycle. - Referring to
Fig. 4 , asystem 400 comprises acomputer 405 coupled to anetwork 420, e.g., the Internet.Computer 405 may be a part ofcontroller 107 or separate fromcontroller 107. In either case, connections betweencontroller 107 andcomputer 405 allow the freeze cycle sequence to operate. -
Computer 405 includes auser interface 410, aprocessor 415, and amemory 425.Computer 405 may be implemented on a general-purpose microcomputer. Althoughcomputer 405 is represented herein as a standalone device, it is not limited to such, but instead can be coupled to other devices (not shown) vianetwork 420. -
Processor 415 is configured of logic circuitry that responds to and executes instructions. -
Memory 425 stores data and instructions for use byprocessor 415.Memory 425 may be implemented in a random access memory (RAM), a hard drive, a read only memory (ROM), or a combination thereof. One of the components ofmemory 425 is aprogram module 430. -
Program module 430 contains instructions for controllingprocessor 415 to execute for control of the methods described herein, in particular, the control of freeze cycles ofice making machine 100.Program module 430 includes a table 440 of time versus refrigerant temperature (e.g., a look-up table) and afreeze countdown timer 445. The term "module" is used herein to denote a functional operation that may be embodied either as a stand-alone component or as an integrated configuration of a plurality of sub-ordinate components. Thus,program module 430 may be implemented as a single module or as a plurality of modules that operate in cooperation with one another. Moreover, althoughprogram module 430 is described herein as being installed inmemory 425, and therefore being implemented in software, it could be implemented in any of hardware (e.g., electronic circuitry), firmware, software, or a combination thereof. -
User interface 410 includes an input device, such as a keyboard or speech recognition subsystem, for enabling a user to communicate information and command selections toprocessor 415.User interface 410 also includes an output device such as a display or a printer. A cursor control such as a mouse, track-ball, or joy stick, allows the user to manipulate a cursor on the display for communicating additional information and command selections toprocessor 415. -
Processor 415 outputs, touser interface 410, a result of an execution of the methods described herein. Alternatively,processor 415 could direct the output to a remote device (not shown) vianetwork 420. - While
program module 430 is indicated as already loaded intomemory 425, it may be configured on astorage medium 435 for subsequent loading intomemory 425.Storage medium 435 can be any conventional storage medium that storesprogram module 430 thereon in tangible form. Examples ofstorage medium 435 include a floppy disk, a compact disk, a magnetic tape, a read only memory, an optical storage media, universal serial bus (USB) flash drive, a digital versatile disc, or a zip drive. Alternatively,storage medium 435 can be a random access memory, or other type of electronic storage, located on a remote storage system and coupled tocomputer 405 vianetwork 420. - Referring to
Fig. 5 , the controller operated freeze sequence according the present disclosure usesprocessor 415 to execute instructions ofprogram module 430 to control the freeze cycle withsteps 530. At the start of freeze cycle,processor 415 initiates the freeze cycle sequence. Atstep 502,processor 415 monitors the sump water temperature as sensed by temperature sensor 205 of the water in thesump 130. Atstep 504,processor 415 checks to determine if the water temperature in thesump 130 is about 32°F or less. If the water temperature insump 130 is higher than 32°F, thenprocessor 415 returns to step 502. If the water temperature insump 130 is less than or equal to 32°F, then atstep 506processor 415 checks the temperature of the refrigerant leaving the condenser as monitored bycondenser temperature sensor 620. Atstep 508,processor 415 uses the condenser temperature to determine a remaining freeze time from table 440 of time versus refrigerant temperature (i.e. a freeze time period value that is a function of the refrigerant temperature leaving the condenser at the time where the water reaches approximately 32°F). Once the water temperature insump 130 is equal to or less than 32°F, thenprocessor 415 atstep 510 starts freeze countdown timer from the freeze time value determined from look-up table 440.Processor 415 then atstep 512 monitors the freeze countdown timer value. Atstep 514, if the freeze timer value is not equal to a time out value, e.g., zero,steps processor 415 atstep 516 stops the freeze cycle and starts the harvest cycle or sequence. - Specific data for the relationship between freeze period time and condenser leaving refrigerant temperature will be provided from test data showing the variation in time required for the water to reach 32°F from the start of the freeze operation for both first cycles following an extended off period, and subsequent freeze cycles during continuous freeze and harvest operation, over a range of ambient and inlet water conditions.
- While we have shown and described several embodiments in accordance with our invention, it is to be clearly understood that the same may be susceptible to numerous changes apparent to one skilled in the art. Therefore, we do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described but intend to show all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (10)
- An ice making machine comprising:a heat exchange system comprising an evaporator and a condenser configured to make ice pieces with water applied to said evaporator during a freeze cycle; anda controller that controls a start time and an end time of the freeze cycle, wherein the start time begins only if a temperature of said water is 32 degrees F or lower and the end time is based on a temperature of refrigerant exiting said condenser when the start time begins.
- The ice making machine of claim 1, wherein the end time is determined from a table of time versus condenser refrigerant exit temperatures at a time when the water is approximately 32 degrees F.
- The ice making machine of claim 1, wherein said heat exchanger system further comprises one or more sprayers that spray the water on the evaporator.
- The ice making machine of claim 1, further comprising a first temperature sensor located in the water and a second temperature sensor located to sense the temperature of the refrigerant exiting the condenser, and wherein the start and end times are determined based on temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors.
- The ice making machine of claim 1, further comprising a processor and program module associated with the controller, wherein the processor executes instructions of the program module to determine the start time and the end time of the freeze cycle.
- A method of controlling ice making of an ice making machine comprising:configuring an evaporator and a condenser to make ice pieces with water applied to said evaporator during a freeze cycle;controlling a start time of the freeze cycle to begin only if a temperature of said water is 32 degrees F or lower; andcontrolling an end time of the freeze cycle based on a temperature of refrigerant exiting said condenser when the start time begins.
- The method of claim 6, further comprising:determining the end time from a table of time versus condenser refrigerant exit temperatures at a time when the water is approximately 32 degrees F.
- The method of claim 6, further comprising:locating a first temperature sensor to sense a temperature of the water;locating a second temperature sensor to sense a temperature of refrigerant exiting the condenser, and wherein the start and end times are determined based on the temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors.
- The method of claim 6, further comprising:executing instructions of a program module to determine the start time and end time of the freeze cycle.
- The method of claim 6, further comprising:spraying the water on the evaporator.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201361793912P | 2013-03-15 | 2013-03-15 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2778570A2 true EP2778570A2 (en) | 2014-09-17 |
EP2778570A3 EP2778570A3 (en) | 2016-08-17 |
Family
ID=50276979
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP14159225.3A Withdrawn EP2778570A3 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2014-03-12 | A method and system for controlling the initiation of a freeze cycle pre-set time in an ice maker |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20140260349A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2778570A3 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20140113885A (en) |
CN (1) | CN104048459A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2014201376B2 (en) |
IN (1) | IN2014DE00734A (en) |
TW (1) | TW201447203A (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3425310A1 (en) * | 2017-07-07 | 2019-01-09 | Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S. | Operation method for cooling devices |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10801768B2 (en) * | 2018-08-06 | 2020-10-13 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Ice making assemblies for making clear ice |
US20220090836A1 (en) * | 2018-12-12 | 2022-03-24 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Ice machine |
CN110631299B (en) * | 2019-09-24 | 2021-08-24 | 合肥美的电冰箱有限公司 | Ice maker and control method and device thereof |
CN116911074B (en) * | 2023-09-11 | 2024-01-16 | 潍柴动力股份有限公司 | Method and device for determining opening time of pre-cooling bin of frozen sand mold and pre-cooling bin |
Family Cites Families (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS55146369A (en) * | 1979-05-02 | 1980-11-14 | Sanyo Electric Co | Ice making machine |
US4257237A (en) * | 1979-05-15 | 1981-03-24 | King-Seeley Thermos Co. | Electrical control circuit for ice making machine |
US4373345A (en) * | 1981-04-08 | 1983-02-15 | Lewis Tyree Jr | Ice-making and water-heating |
JP2503424B2 (en) * | 1986-07-17 | 1996-06-05 | 株式会社豊田自動織機製作所 | Method of controlling evaporation temperature in refrigeration cycle |
US4774814A (en) * | 1986-09-05 | 1988-10-04 | Mile High Equipment Company | Ice making machine |
US4947653A (en) * | 1989-06-26 | 1990-08-14 | Hussmann Corporation | Ice making machine with freeze and harvest control |
JP2854078B2 (en) * | 1990-03-12 | 1999-02-03 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Operation control device for ice machine |
US5090210A (en) * | 1990-03-12 | 1992-02-25 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Control system for ice making apparatuses |
JP3071073B2 (en) * | 1993-07-23 | 2000-07-31 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Ice machine |
US5653114A (en) * | 1995-09-01 | 1997-08-05 | Nartron Corporation | Method and system for electronically controlling the location of the formation of ice within a closed loop water circulating unit |
US5878583A (en) * | 1997-04-01 | 1999-03-09 | Manitowoc Foodservice Group, Inc. | Ice making machine and control method therefore |
JP2002277121A (en) * | 2001-03-19 | 2002-09-25 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Cell type ice maker |
US6601399B2 (en) * | 2001-07-09 | 2003-08-05 | Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Ice making machine |
US7281386B2 (en) * | 2005-06-14 | 2007-10-16 | Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc. | Residential ice machine |
KR101156905B1 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2012-06-21 | 웅진코웨이주식회사 | Ice-maker and controlling method thereof |
-
2014
- 2014-03-11 AU AU2014201376A patent/AU2014201376B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2014-03-12 EP EP14159225.3A patent/EP2778570A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2014-03-13 IN IN734DE2014 patent/IN2014DE00734A/en unknown
- 2014-03-13 US US14/208,929 patent/US20140260349A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2014-03-14 TW TW103109708A patent/TW201447203A/en unknown
- 2014-03-17 CN CN201410099302.9A patent/CN104048459A/en active Pending
- 2014-03-17 KR KR1020140030926A patent/KR20140113885A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
None |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3425310A1 (en) * | 2017-07-07 | 2019-01-09 | Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S. | Operation method for cooling devices |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2778570A3 (en) | 2016-08-17 |
KR20140113885A (en) | 2014-09-25 |
TW201447203A (en) | 2014-12-16 |
US20140260349A1 (en) | 2014-09-18 |
IN2014DE00734A (en) | 2015-06-19 |
AU2014201376B2 (en) | 2016-07-14 |
AU2014201376A1 (en) | 2014-10-02 |
CN104048459A (en) | 2014-09-17 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2778570A2 (en) | A method and system for controlling the initiation of a freeze cycle pre-set time in an ice maker | |
CN107120899B (en) | A kind of wind cooling refrigerator and its defrosting control method | |
CN101571339B (en) | Refrigerator defrosting control method and refrigerator applying same | |
EP3540342B1 (en) | Refrigerator and method for controlling refrigerator | |
CN113720078B (en) | Refrigerator and control method thereof | |
US10753675B2 (en) | Refrigerator and method of controlling the same | |
US6334321B1 (en) | Method and system for defrost control on reversible heat pumps | |
US20120031126A1 (en) | Control system for an ice maker | |
KR20110136101A (en) | Control method for refrigerator | |
US20190383540A1 (en) | Control method for refrigerator | |
EP3674631A1 (en) | Refrigerator and method for controlling the same | |
CN109764631B (en) | Refrigerator and refrigeration control method and device thereof | |
CN112696872A (en) | Defrosting control method and device for air-cooled refrigerator and air-cooled refrigerator | |
EP3759408B1 (en) | Refrigerator and controlling method for the same | |
CN110873504B (en) | Defrosting control method of refrigerator and refrigerator | |
CN109764632B (en) | Refrigerator and refrigeration control method and device thereof | |
CN109923357A (en) | Refrigerator and its control method | |
CN104634062B (en) | Household water machine refrigeration control method and device | |
WO2020142930A1 (en) | Refrigerator and refrigeration control method and device therefor | |
JPH10205980A (en) | Refrigerator | |
US11493260B1 (en) | Freezers and operating methods using adaptive defrost | |
CN113366269B (en) | Refrigeration device with parallel-connected evaporators and operating method therefor | |
JP2007315716A (en) | Refrigerator | |
JP2007040666A (en) | Control device of refrigerator | |
JP3273917B2 (en) | Cooling storage |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20140312 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: F25C 1/04 20060101AFI20160713BHEP |
|
R17P | Request for examination filed (corrected) |
Effective date: 20170217 |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20170807 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20171219 |