US20020020177A1 - Ice maker harvest control and method - Google Patents
Ice maker harvest control and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020020177A1 US20020020177A1 US09/930,420 US93042001A US2002020177A1 US 20020020177 A1 US20020020177 A1 US 20020020177A1 US 93042001 A US93042001 A US 93042001A US 2002020177 A1 US2002020177 A1 US 2002020177A1
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- Prior art keywords
- water
- ice
- evaporator
- pan
- pressure
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Classifications
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- 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
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- 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
- F25C2400/00—Auxiliary features or devices for producing, working or handling ice
- F25C2400/14—Water supply
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- 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
- F25C2600/04—Control means
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- 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
- F25C2700/04—Level of water
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- 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
- F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
- F25C5/02—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice
- F25C5/04—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws
- F25C5/08—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws by heating bodies in contact with the ice
- F25C5/10—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws by heating bodies in contact with the ice using hot refrigerant; using fluid heated by refrigerant
Definitions
- the present application relates generally to ice making machines, and specifically to ice harvest controls and sensors as used therein.
- Ice making machines are well known in the art, and typically include an ice cube making mechanism located within a housing along with an insulated ice retaining bin for holding a volume of ice cubes produced by the ice forming mechanism.
- a vertically oriented evaporator plate is used to form a slab of ice characterized by a plurality of individual cubes connected by ice bridges there between.
- the ice bridges have a tendency to break forming smaller slab pieces and individual cubes.
- the ice slab is formed by the circulating of water over the cooled surface of the evaporator plate, the plate forming a part of a refrigeration system including a compressor and a condenser.
- the harvest point can also be indicated by the lost water approach.
- a water pan is positioned below the evaporator to catch the water not immediately frozen thereon. The water is then recycled from the tray back over the evaporator. If water that freezes on the evaporator is not replenished into that water circulatory system, then the water level in the pan will gradually be lowered as the ice is formed.
- various techniques have been used to sense the low water level point that corresponds with a desired ice build-up or thickness. It is known to use an electromechanical float mechanism that can signal when that point is reached. However, such systems are prone to mechanical failure whereby contact with the water can lead to corrosion and fouling problems.
- Other sensors including photo optical sensors are used, but again are located in or closely adjacent the water pan and thereby subject to corrosive or depositional effects that can degrade the performance thereof.
- the present invention comprises an ice harvest system for use in an ice maker.
- the ice maker herein works in the conventional manner wherein a refrigeration system provides for cooling of the evaporator. Ice is formed thereon as water is pumped by a re-circulating pump to flow from a water distribution tube over the evaporator surface. Water that is not frozen thereon flows into a water pan positioned there below.
- a pressure fitting is positioned in the pan at the bottom thereof and connected to a pneumatic tube. The pneumatic tube is connected to a pressure sensor located on a control board at a position remote from the water pan. As water fills the pan it attempts to flow into the fitting interior.
- Air trapped in the fitting and in the tube is compressed slightly by this action and this pressure is communicated through the tube to the pressure transducer/sensor.
- the sensor then converts this pressure into a voltage reading, which is input to and converted by a microprocessor of the control board for interpretation as a pressure value.
- the pressure transmitted to the pressure sensor reduces.
- a harvest point is reached and a harvest cycle is initiated.
- the water pump is stopped along with cooling of the evaporator.
- a hot gas valve is then opened to warm the evaporator resulting in the discharge of the ice there from.
- a major advantage of the pressure sensing strategy of the present invention is the location of the pressure sensor on the control board at a point within the ice maker substantially distant from the water tray. As a result thereof, any water based degradation thereof due to sedimentation, corrosion or the like is greatly minimized, if not eliminated.
- the control of the present invention is also low in cost as the tube and pressure fitting are inexpensive and easily replaced and as the pressure sensor is relatively inexpensive relative to other sensor/transducer technologies.
- FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an ice maker mounted atop an ice storage bin.
- FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the interior of the ice maker.
- FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the ice maker.
- FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the ice maker control board.
- FIG. 5 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the water pan and pressure fitting.
- FIGS. 6A and 6B show a flow diagram of the general control strategy of the present invention.
- Ice maker 10 includes an exterior housing 12 and is positioned atop an insulated ice retaining bin 14 .
- ice maker 10 includes a vertical ice forming evaporator plate 16 , a condenser and fan 18 and a compressor 20 connected by high pressure refrigerant lines 21 a and low pressure line 21 b .
- the refrigeration system herein includes an expansion valve 22 and a hot gas valve 24 .
- a water catching pan 26 is positioned below evaporator 16 and includes a partial cover 27 .
- a water distribution tube 28 having a water inlet 29 extends along and above evaporator 16 .
- a water supply solenoid valve 30 has an inlet connected to a source of potable water, not shown, and an outlet line 31 supplying water to pan 26 .
- a water pump 32 provides for circulating water from outlet 32 b thereof to inlet 29 of distribution tube 28 along a water line 34 .
- a solenoid operated dump valve 36 is fluidly connected to line 34 and serves, when open, to direct water pumped thereto to a drain, not shown.
- An evaporator curtain 37 is pivotally positioned closely adjacent evaporator 16 and includes a magnetic switch 38 for indication when it has moved away from evaporator 16 to an open position indicated by the dashed line representation thereof.
- the various fluid connections of pump 32 , dump valve 36 and water supply valve 30 are not shown, such being represented in schematic form in FIG. 3.
- an electronic control board 40 is located within a separate housing 41 at a position remote and physically isolated from pan 26 and evaporator 16 .
- Control board 40 includes a microprocessor 42 for controlling the operation of ice maker 10 .
- Board 40 includes a pressure sensor 44 , such as manufactured and sold by Motorola, Inc. of Phoenix, Ariz., and identified as model MPXV5004G.
- a plastic pneumatic tube 46 shown in dashed outline, is connected to sensor 44 and on its opposite end to a cylindrical air cup or fitting 48 .
- housing 41 includes a cover, not shown, that provides for the enclosing and protection of control 40 and sensor 44 therein and through which tube 46 passes prior to connecting to sensor 44 .
- a Fitting 48 resides in pan 26 at the bottom thereof and is press fit within a circular ridge 49 that is formed as an integral molded portion of the bottom surface of pan 26 .
- Fitting 48 includes an outer housing 48 a defining an inner air trapping area 48 b and a tube connecting portion 48 c.
- Four water flow openings 50 exist around a bottom perimeter of housing 48 a.
- FIG.'S 6 A and 6 B The operation of the present invention can be better understood by referring to the flow diagram of FIG.'S 6 A and 6 B wherein the basic operation of the present invention is shown.
- power is provided to control 40 .
- compressor 20 is turned on and substantially simultaneously at block 54 fill valve 30 and dump valve 36 are opened.
- cooling of evaporator 18 begins and water flows into pan 26 .
- decision block 56 once a predetermined pump-on water level is reached in pan 26 , as indicated by the level line represented by the letter P in FIG. 5, circulatory water pump 32 is turned on at block 58 .
- the pump-on point is sensed by sensor 44 .
- water flows through holes 50 of fitting 48 .
- control 40 monitors for the attainment of a maximum fill level for pan 26 indicated by the level line denoted by letters MX. When this highest pressure level is sensed, then at block 74 fill valve 30 is closed. At block 76 , a 45 second clock is initiated to provide for some pre-cooling of the water delivered to pan 26 through flow over evaporator 16 . At block 78 pump 32 is again turned on. A further 45 second clock is set at block 80 , and when that has timed out, fill valve 30 is opened. It will be understood by those of skill that action of pump 32 will serve to fill fluid line 34 and distribution tube 28 which will slightly lower the level of water in pan 26 below that of the desired maximum water volume indicated by level MX. Thus, fill valve 30 is opened at block 82 , to replenish that volume as is determined at block 84 . At block 86 , fill valve 30 is closed when the desired starting maximum level MX is again attained.
- pump 32 is operating to flow water over evaporator 16 as such is being cooled by the action of compressor 20 , condenser and fan 18 and expansion valve 22 , all as operated by control 40 .
- the water level in pan 26 goes down as does the pressure sensed by sensor 44 .
- a corresponding predetermined pressure value is sensed by control 40 at block 88 .
- pump 32 is stopped and hot gas valve 24 is opened at block 90 , causing evaporator 16 to warm resulting in the release of the ice slab formed thereon.
- the pressure-based water level sensing as described herein provides for very accurate and repeatable determination and control thereof, and hence, for very reliable control of the harvest cycle of an ice maker.
- the physical isolation of the pressure sensor 44 from pan 26 contributes to this improved performance by serving to prevent any degradation of the sensor due to the presence of water and/or the corrosive impact thereof.
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- 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
The present invention comprises an ice harvest system for use in an ice maker. The ice maker herein includes a refrigeration system for cooling of an evaporator. Ice is formed thereon as water is pumped by a re-circulating pump to flow from a water distribution tube over the evaporator surface. Water that is not immediately frozen thereon flows into a water pan positioned there below. A pressure fitting is positioned in the pan at the bottom thereof and connected to a pneumatic tube. The pneumatic tube is connected to a pressure sensor located on a control board at a position remote from the water pan. Pressure is communicated through the tube to the pressure sensor as a function of the depth of the water in the pan. This pressure is converted by a microprocessor of the control board for interpretation as a water level in the pan. As the water level in the tray lowers due to the formation of ice, the pressure transmitted to the pressure sensor reduces from a predetermined high or full water level. A harvest point occurs which corresponds to the sensing of a predetermined low water level/low pressure point indicating sufficient ice has formed on the evaporator.
Description
- The present application relates generally to ice making machines, and specifically to ice harvest controls and sensors as used therein.
- Ice making machines are well known in the art, and typically include an ice cube making mechanism located within a housing along with an insulated ice retaining bin for holding a volume of ice cubes produced by the ice forming mechanism. In one type of ice maker a vertically oriented evaporator plate is used to form a slab of ice characterized by a plurality of individual cubes connected by ice bridges there between. As the slab falls from the evaporator plate into the ice bin, the ice bridges have a tendency to break forming smaller slab pieces and individual cubes. As is well understood, the ice slab is formed by the circulating of water over the cooled surface of the evaporator plate, the plate forming a part of a refrigeration system including a compressor and a condenser.
- Of critical importance to ice makers of this general type, is knowing when the ice is of sufficient thickness to be harvested. Once the harvest point is reached, the making of ice is discontinued by stopping the flow of water over the evaporator and the cooling thereof. The evaporator plate is then heated, typically by the use of hot gas from the refrigeration system. The ice slab then melts slightly releasing its adhesion to the plate so that it can fall into the bin positioned there below. Various controls have been proposed and used over the years to signal the harvest point. One approach is to use electrical conductivity whereby an electrical probe is positioned closely adjacent the surface of the evaporator. When ice builds to a desired thickness the plate comes in contact with the flow of water causing a conductivity connection which can trigger the harvest cycle. A problem with this sensor type concerns the evaporative or electrically caused chemical deposition on the probe resulting in a weak or no signal failure condition wherein the harvest point is not detected.
- The harvest point can also be indicated by the lost water approach. In ice makers of the above described type, a water pan is positioned below the evaporator to catch the water not immediately frozen thereon. The water is then recycled from the tray back over the evaporator. If water that freezes on the evaporator is not replenished into that water circulatory system, then the water level in the pan will gradually be lowered as the ice is formed. Thus, various techniques have been used to sense the low water level point that corresponds with a desired ice build-up or thickness. It is known to use an electromechanical float mechanism that can signal when that point is reached. However, such systems are prone to mechanical failure whereby contact with the water can lead to corrosion and fouling problems. Other sensors including photo optical sensors are used, but again are located in or closely adjacent the water pan and thereby subject to corrosive or depositional effects that can degrade the performance thereof.
- Accordingly, it would be desirable to have an ice harvest sensing system that is significantly less likely to be damaged or subject to corrosive or depositional effects and can thereby accurately and reproducibly sense, over time, the proper harvest point.
- The present invention comprises an ice harvest system for use in an ice maker. The ice maker herein works in the conventional manner wherein a refrigeration system provides for cooling of the evaporator. Ice is formed thereon as water is pumped by a re-circulating pump to flow from a water distribution tube over the evaporator surface. Water that is not frozen thereon flows into a water pan positioned there below. A pressure fitting is positioned in the pan at the bottom thereof and connected to a pneumatic tube. The pneumatic tube is connected to a pressure sensor located on a control board at a position remote from the water pan. As water fills the pan it attempts to flow into the fitting interior. Air trapped in the fitting and in the tube is compressed slightly by this action and this pressure is communicated through the tube to the pressure transducer/sensor. The sensor then converts this pressure into a voltage reading, which is input to and converted by a microprocessor of the control board for interpretation as a pressure value. As the water level in the tray lowers, the pressure transmitted to the pressure sensor reduces. When a predetermined low pressure is sensed, a harvest point is reached and a harvest cycle is initiated. In particular, the water pump is stopped along with cooling of the evaporator. A hot gas valve is then opened to warm the evaporator resulting in the discharge of the ice there from.
- A major advantage of the pressure sensing strategy of the present invention is the location of the pressure sensor on the control board at a point within the ice maker substantially distant from the water tray. As a result thereof, any water based degradation thereof due to sedimentation, corrosion or the like is greatly minimized, if not eliminated. The control of the present invention is also low in cost as the tube and pressure fitting are inexpensive and easily replaced and as the pressure sensor is relatively inexpensive relative to other sensor/transducer technologies.
- A better understanding of the structure, function, operation and advantages of the present invention can be had by referring to the following detailed description which refers to the following drawing figures, wherein:
- FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an ice maker mounted atop an ice storage bin.
- FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the interior of the ice maker.
- FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the ice maker.
- FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the ice maker control board.
- FIG. 5 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the water pan and pressure fitting.
- FIGS. 6A and 6B show a flow diagram of the general control strategy of the present invention.
- The ice maker of the present invention is seen in FIG. 1, and referred to generally by the
numeral 10.Ice maker 10 includes anexterior housing 12 and is positioned atop an insulatedice retaining bin 14. As is further understood by referring to FIG.'S 2 and 3, and as is conventional in the art,ice maker 10 includes a vertical ice formingevaporator plate 16, a condenser andfan 18 and acompressor 20 connected by highpressure refrigerant lines 21 a and low pressure line 21 b. As is also well understood, the refrigeration system herein includes anexpansion valve 22 and ahot gas valve 24. Awater catching pan 26 is positioned belowevaporator 16 and includes apartial cover 27. Awater distribution tube 28 having awater inlet 29 extends along and aboveevaporator 16. A watersupply solenoid valve 30 has an inlet connected to a source of potable water, not shown, and anoutlet line 31 supplying water topan 26. Awater pump 32 provides for circulating water fromoutlet 32 b thereof to inlet 29 ofdistribution tube 28 along awater line 34. A solenoid operateddump valve 36 is fluidly connected toline 34 and serves, when open, to direct water pumped thereto to a drain, not shown. Anevaporator curtain 37 is pivotally positioned closelyadjacent evaporator 16 and includes amagnetic switch 38 for indication when it has moved away fromevaporator 16 to an open position indicated by the dashed line representation thereof. For purposes of clarity of the view of FIG. 2, the various fluid connections ofpump 32,dump valve 36 andwater supply valve 30 are not shown, such being represented in schematic form in FIG. 3. - As particularly seen in FIG. 4, and also by referring to FIG. 2, an
electronic control board 40 is located within a separate housing 41 at a position remote and physically isolated frompan 26 andevaporator 16.Control board 40 includes amicroprocessor 42 for controlling the operation ofice maker 10.Board 40 includes apressure sensor 44, such as manufactured and sold by Motorola, Inc. of Phoenix, Ariz., and identified as model MPXV5004G. As understood by also viewing FIG. 5, a plasticpneumatic tube 46, shown in dashed outline, is connected tosensor 44 and on its opposite end to a cylindrical air cup or fitting 48. Those of skill will understand that housing 41 includes a cover, not shown, that provides for the enclosing and protection ofcontrol 40 andsensor 44 therein and through whichtube 46 passes prior to connecting tosensor 44. - A
Fitting 48 resides inpan 26 at the bottom thereof and is press fit within acircular ridge 49 that is formed as an integral molded portion of the bottom surface ofpan 26. Fitting 48 includes anouter housing 48 a defining an innerair trapping area 48 b and atube connecting portion 48 c. Fourwater flow openings 50 exist around a bottom perimeter ofhousing 48 a. - The operation of the present invention can be better understood by referring to the flow diagram of FIG.'S6A and 6B wherein the basic operation of the present invention is shown. At
start block 51 power is provided to control 40. Atblock 52compressor 20 is turned on and substantially simultaneously atblock 54fill valve 30 and dumpvalve 36 are opened. Thus, cooling ofevaporator 18 begins and water flows intopan 26. Atdecision block 56, once a predetermined pump-on water level is reached inpan 26, as indicated by the level line represented by the letter P in FIG. 5,circulatory water pump 32 is turned on atblock 58. The pump-on point is sensed bysensor 44. In particular, as water fillspan 26, water flows throughholes 50 of fitting 48. As that occurs, air trapped inarea 48 b is slightly compressed and forced intotube 46 which communicates such pressure increase tosensor 44. That pressure is then input as a voltage tomicroprocessor 42 which assigns a numerical value thereto corresponding to a pressure scale. Therefore, when the predetermined pressure value is sensed that corresponds to the pressure at level P, pump 32 is turned on. Because of the fluid connections ofpump 32 and dumpvalve 36, the action ofpump 32 serves to move any water inpan 26 tovalve 36 causing the draining away thereof. Thus, a minimum water level, indicated by the level line represented by the letter M in FIG. 5, is sensed in the same manner as described above for level P. When that predetermined volume of the water has been removed frompan 26, pump 32 is stopped atblock 62. As the water supply valve remains on, the level inpan 26 begins to rise and when the P level is again sensed atblock 64, then atblock 66, pump 32 is restarted and fillvalve 30 closed. Asdump valve 34 remains open, water will again be pumped frompan 26. Atblock 68control 40 again senses for the attainment of the M level. When that occurs, then, atblock 70,water pump 32 is stopped, dumpvalve 34 is closed and fillvalve 30 is opened. It can be appreciated that blocks 52-68 serve as a dump cycle whereby any contaminants that have accumulated inpan 26 are agitated by the action ofpump 32 and the inflow of water and are twice flushed in this manner and removed from the system. - At
block 72control 40 monitors for the attainment of a maximum fill level forpan 26 indicated by the level line denoted by letters MX. When this highest pressure level is sensed, then atblock 74fill valve 30 is closed. Atblock 76, a 45 second clock is initiated to provide for some pre-cooling of the water delivered to pan 26 through flow overevaporator 16. Atblock 78pump 32 is again turned on. A further 45 second clock is set atblock 80, and when that has timed out, fillvalve 30 is opened. It will be understood by those of skill that action ofpump 32 will serve to fillfluid line 34 anddistribution tube 28 which will slightly lower the level of water inpan 26 below that of the desired maximum water volume indicated by level MX. Thus, fillvalve 30 is opened atblock 82, to replenish that volume as is determined atblock 84. Atblock 86, fillvalve 30 is closed when the desired starting maximum level MX is again attained. - At this
point pump 32 is operating to flow water overevaporator 16 as such is being cooled by the action ofcompressor 20, condenser andfan 18 andexpansion valve 22, all as operated bycontrol 40. As ice forms onevaporator 16, the water level inpan 26 goes down as does the pressure sensed bysensor 44. When a predetermined harvest water level is reached, as indicated by the level line denoted H, a corresponding predetermined pressure value is sensed bycontrol 40 atblock 88. When the harvest point is indicated, pump 32 is stopped andhot gas valve 24 is opened atblock 90, causingevaporator 16 to warm resulting in the release of the ice slab formed thereon. Of course, those of skill will understand that other heating means known in the art could be employed, such as, an electrical heater integral with the ice forming evaporator. As is well understood, when the slab of ice falls fromevaporator 16,curtain 37 is opened and switch 38 is closed, signalling to thecontrol 40 the release of the ice slab fromevaporator 16. As is also known, to insure that the slab of ice has fallen intobin 12 and is no longer in the vicinity ofevaporator 16, atblock 96, the control herein awaits the remaking ofswitch 38 which occurs whencurtain 36 is free to swing back to its normal closed position unobstructed by any ice. Atblock 98 the control returns to start and initiates a further ice making cycle. - It was found that the pressure-based water level sensing as described herein provides for very accurate and repeatable determination and control thereof, and hence, for very reliable control of the harvest cycle of an ice maker. In particular, the physical isolation of the
pressure sensor 44 frompan 26 contributes to this improved performance by serving to prevent any degradation of the sensor due to the presence of water and/or the corrosive impact thereof.
Claims (2)
1. A control system for an ice maker, the ice maker having a refrigeration system for providing cooling of an ice forming evaporator, and a water circulatory system for circulating water over the evaporator for forming ice thereon as the evaporator is cooled by the refrigeration system, and the evaporator having a water receiving pan positioned there below for receiving water flowing off the evaporator, the control comprising: a water fitting secured within the water receiving pan having an exterior surface defining an interior area and one or more opening through the exterior surface for providing fluid communication into the fitting interior area by water retained in the water receiving pan, a tube fluidly connected on one end thereof to the water fitting, and on the other end thereof to a pressure sensor so that as water flows into the fitting interior area a pressure is communicated to the pressure sensor that corresponds to the level of water in the water receiving pan, and the pressure sensor forming a part of a control board, the control board located at a position remote from the water receiving pan and functioning to control the operation of the refrigeration and water circulatory system with respect to the sensed level of water in the water receiving pan.
2. The ice maker control system as defined in claim 1 , and the control board first sensing a maximum water level and subsequently sensing a lower harvest level in the water receiving pan indicating a predetermined volume of water has been formed into ice so that ice can then be harvested from the evaporator.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/930,420 US6405546B1 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2001-08-15 | Ice maker harvest control and method |
US10/123,623 US6705090B2 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2002-04-15 | Ice maker harvest control and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US22566300P | 2000-08-16 | 2000-08-16 | |
US09/930,420 US6405546B1 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2001-08-15 | Ice maker harvest control and method |
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US10/123,623 Continuation US6705090B2 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2002-04-15 | Ice maker harvest control and method |
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US20020020177A1 true US20020020177A1 (en) | 2002-02-21 |
US6405546B1 US6405546B1 (en) | 2002-06-18 |
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US10/123,623 Expired - Fee Related US6705090B2 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2002-04-15 | Ice maker harvest control and method |
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AU (1) | AU783690B2 (en) |
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- 2001-08-15 CA CA002355392A patent/CA2355392C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-08-15 AU AU59900/01A patent/AU783690B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2001-08-15 US US09/930,420 patent/US6405546B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-08-16 MX MXPA01008313A patent/MXPA01008313A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2001-08-16 GB GB0119973A patent/GB2370875B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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2002
- 2002-04-15 US US10/123,623 patent/US6705090B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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JP2017525921A (en) * | 2014-08-22 | 2017-09-07 | トゥルー・マニュファクチュアリング・カンパニー・インコーポレイテッドTrue Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Draining ice maker water reservoirs to prevent the growth of harmful biological materials |
US10495366B2 (en) * | 2014-08-22 | 2019-12-03 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Ice storage apparatus and method of use |
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US11802727B2 (en) | 2020-01-18 | 2023-10-31 | True Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Ice maker |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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AU783690B2 (en) | 2005-11-24 |
US6705090B2 (en) | 2004-03-16 |
GB0119973D0 (en) | 2001-10-10 |
GB2370875A (en) | 2002-07-10 |
CA2355392C (en) | 2007-10-23 |
AU5990001A (en) | 2002-02-21 |
US6405546B1 (en) | 2002-06-18 |
GB2370875B (en) | 2002-12-24 |
MXPA01008313A (en) | 2003-05-19 |
US20020157406A1 (en) | 2002-10-31 |
CA2355392A1 (en) | 2002-02-16 |
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