GB913827A - Ice-block release apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

913,827. Ice-making. GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. Oct. 11, 1961 [Oct. 20, 1960], No. 36470/61. Addition to 868,875. Class 29. [Also in Group XXXVII] In an ice-block release apparatus having an ice-block compartment connected by a restricted passage with a chamber so that freezing of water in the chamber forces a pre-formed iceblock out of the compartment, a heater is arranged to thaw the chamber after ejection of an ice-block. In the apparatus described, ice-blocks are formed and ejaculated as described in Specification 913,826 in a refrigerator freezer compartment 13, Fig. 4, and an electrical control circuit causes automatic thawing of the chambers 37 and refilling of the compartments 36 so that ice-blocks may be formed continually until receptacle 73 is full. In operation, after blocks have been ejaculated into receptacle 73, further cooling of the air in freezer compartment 13 operates temperatureresponsive switch 48, Fig. 9, to energize a heater 52 and a heater 103. The heater 52 melts the ice in chambers 37. The heater 103 initiates operation of a timing device 75 by causing a flexible beam comprising bimetallic arms 86, 96 and insulating plate 87 to move to the left which results firstly in the closing of contacts 99, 101 to complete a holding circuit for heater 103 and eventually in the opening of contacts 83, 84. The latter contacts then oscillate until switch 48 is opened by the rise of temperature of air in compartment 13 when the flexible beam returns to the right. Contact 88 then engages contact 89 on arm 91 which has been moved to the left by the beam and pressed against stop 94 by toggle spring 92; this energizes solenoid 59 to open valve 58 for refilling of the chambers 37 and iceblock compartments 36 with water. Continued movement of the flexible beam to the right causes arm 91 to snap back to the position shown after a predetermined time, thus reopening contacts 88, 89 and closing the valve. Further ice-blocks can then be formed and ejaculated. When the receptacle is full, the weight of the ice-blocks opens contacts 61, 62 to prevent any further energization of heaters 52, 103 so that the cycle of operations is broken. Removal of the receptacle similarly opens contacts 61, 62. Specification 868,874 also is referred to.