US2545558A

US2545558A - Ice making machine

Info

Publication number: US2545558A
Application number: US757250A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert D Russell; Ihly William Le Roy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-06-26
Filing date: 1947-06-26
Publication date: 1951-03-20
Anticipated expiration: 1968-03-20

Description

March 20, 1951 R. D. RUSSELL ET A1. 2,545,558

ICE MAKING MACHINE Filed June 26, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I l a Q tw i g u, ,Y m rs f f 2 Il 8 "I, N

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C) 3 o 1 8 m g' m o s 1 q. g a gala 1 l I l* I F E '3 INVENTORS g 9 N R. D. RUSSELL W. L. IHLY ATTORNEYS Malh Z0, 1951 R. D. RUSSELL ET AL 2,545,558

I ICE MAKING MACHINE Filed June 26, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E @uw Il l".

O 'o INVENTORS DN Ww R. o. R ELL' W. L.

ATTORNEYS Patented `Mar. 20, 1951 UNITED ICE MAKING MACHINE Robert D. Russell and William Le Roy lIhly,

c St. Petersburg, Fla. f

Application June 26, 1947, Serial No. 757,250

An object of the present invention is the provision of a novel device capable of Yproducing ice cubes of desired size and shape continuously.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel device capable of continuously producing ice cubes and automatically discharging the ice cubes when frozen.

V.Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel automatic ice making machine characterized by greater economy of operation and fully automatic control of the functioning cycle.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will become apparent from the fol-v lowing description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing only a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which: i

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an ice making machine embodying the present invention, shown partially in section and partially in elevation;

Figure 2 is a detail elevation ofthe control mechanism automatically effecting the refilling of the water receptacles;

Figure 3 is a perspective .view of the centering disk and associated following mechanism Vcontrolling relling of the receptacles and inversion of the receptacle housing member;

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control circuit for controlling the continuous automatic operation of the device.

The invention in general comprises a receptacle housing member mounted for movement about a horizontal axis through its center, a plurality of water receptacles disposed in the upper and lower surfaces of the receptacle housing member and opening in opposite directions, separate means associated with the receptacles in the .upper and lower surfaces of the housing member for circulating a refrigerant about the receptacles, a conventional refrigerant compressor and condenser means supplying condensed refrigerant to the circulating means associated with the lower receptacles, the refrigerant in this circulating i means being cooled by ice disposed in the lower receptacles while defrosting the receptacles sufcient to permitthe ice to drop out of these receptacles, means conveying the refrigerant from the circulating means associated with the lower receptacles through expansion means into the circulating means associated with the upper ref ceptacles, effecting freezing of water in the upper receptacles, and means conveying the refrigerant from the circulating means associated with the upper receptacles back to the compressor. Pressure control means are associated with the 7 claims. (c1. las-2) 2 i i compressor and with drive means coupled to the receptacle housing member operative to invert the housing member when suiicient refrigerant has been circulated through the system to freeze the water in the upper receptacles, and reverse the coupling of the refrigerant to and from the housing, to convey the refrigerant from the condenser to the circulating means associated with the receptacles newly positioned in lower position and the expanded refrigerant to the upper receptacles. Means for controlling a source of water is likewise provided to rell the upper receptacles immediately upon inversion/of the housing. By these means, water is continuously being frozen into ice cubes in the upper receptacles and ice cubes frozen during the previous cycle of operation are being defrosted in the downwardly opening lower receptacles to permit these cubes to free them selves from the receptacles.

The invention will be more fully understood from the following detail description of the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, in which like reference characters y'refer to corresponding parts throughout the drawings. Referring particularly to Figure 1 showingA aside elevation of the ice making machine, a housing l0 is provided with a base II and a horizontal supporting plate l2disposed above the Ybase Il. A receptacle housing member I3, provided with a plurality of ice forming water receptacles I4 in one surface thereof and a secondgroup of receptacles I5 mounted in the opposite surface of the housing member I3 and opening in the opposite direction, is mounted on a horizontal shaft I6 journalled at one end Il in a side of the housing I0 and at the other in a supporting arm I8 mounted on supporting plate I2, such that the two groups of receptacles I4 and I5 are diametrically disposed relative to the shaft I6. The shaft I6 is mounted for rotation through progressive half-cycles to position the groups of receptacles Irland I5 alternately in an upwardly opening position, bymeans later to be described. The receptacles of each group, as the receptacles I4, are intercoupled for the conveyance of water from each of the receptacles into its adjacent receptacle by a plurality of tubular channels I9 of relatively small diameter with their axes disposed mutually parallel in a horizontal plane. Associated with the groups of receptacles I4 and I5 are chambers 20 and 2I, respectively, adaptedV to circulate a liquid refrigerant coupled thereto about the walls of the receptacles to effect cooling or defrosting of the wateror ice in the receptacles. Insulation 22 is provided in they receptacle housing disposed between the inner walls of the circulating chambers 20, 2l and the shaft I6 and surrounding the shaft to prevent heat losses from the refrigerant to the shaft I6.

Laterallydisposed from the receptacle housing I3 in coaxial relation with the shaft I6 is a double port reversible coupling means 24 comprising a substantially cylindrical shaped member 25 xed to the shaft I to rotate in conjunction w-iththe receptacle housing I3 and having a. pair of di ametrically opposed ports 25, 26 therein each associated with one group of receptacles I4, I. Coaxially disposed within the recess formed by the cylindrical member 25 is a stationary substantially ring shaped member 2:7:y having a. of diametrically opposed apertures or duets 285, 28 formed therein, the apertures 28,` 28 being positioned to communicate alternately with the openings 26, 25' in the member 25 on rotatie-na of the member 25 with the receptacle housing I3. Resilient/means such as. spring 29- is disposed against a surface of the stationary ring shaped member'Z'L tocontinuously urgethe mouthof the apertures 28.-, 28 against the adv-jacent` mouth of the ports 2.6, 251", and bellows-type sealing means 3G; disposed betweeny the adjacent sides of the ring memberA 2 1 and cylindrical member 25, to prevent escape of uid from'A the. coupling means` 'lhe arrangement described abovegives plate 21 somewhat of a floating action, the spring 25) yieldinglyholding the plate against the member 25.. If, particularlyduring the rotation of the receptacle housing |23- between freezing cycles, the. pressure dierentia-l between input and: outlet lines becomesv tool great. the plate will yield, compressing spring 29\ and permit anequalization of pressures, the refrigerant passing from one line to the other through the1 annular passageway between the sealing: bellows 3G. Immediately upon loweringE the diferentiat pressures the spring will forcethe plata backl upon. itsA seat on: the member. 25.

Coupled between each` of, the ports: 26,r 23 in theY cylindrical member 25 and the circulating chamber adjacent the: group of receptacles with which the port is: associa-ted, for example` port 2liv and circulating chamber 2I1- associa-ted with receptacles I4, are expansion; valves or capillary tubes 3L: 34; of conventional: type employed in refrigeration units,` and by-pass or check` valves 32,` 32 adaptedto' by-pass the.f refrigerant past the expansion valves 3l, 3I- when the direction of. flowy of the refrigerant isfrom` thecirculating chamber 2a'l`-, 2I3 tothe-coupling means 24.. The apertures 28,; 278 are coupled together through al pipe 3.3.- coupling aperture,- 28! toa refrigerant collecting receptacle 34. mounted on the' base II, aV receiver valve: 35 and; feedline 36 coupled to aperture 28, the receiver valve 35l being employedY to. control: the. flow of. refrigerant through the system.

Positioned,` coaxiallyony the shaft Iv6'- and later.- ally disposed from theirevceptacle housing I3 op posite the coupling meansA 24. isa second double port reversible. coupling means 38 of identical construction to the coupling member 24 ccmprising,` a rotatable.V cylindricalY shapedmember 39 having a pair of diametrically opposedY ports 45', 40! therein, eachv coupled through a. pipe 4l tothe circulating chamber 2li;l 2 I: adjacent its associated group of` receptacles I4, I5., a stationary ring shaped member 42l having a. diametrically opposedpai'r` of aperturee or duct's43gr43f positioned tobe: reversiblyJ coupled with. the ports 4B, 40" in cylindrical member 3,9, and springy 44 and'- belilows-type, sealing: means: 45, disposed to insure sealing. of the openings; surroundingV the adj' acent portions. of the; portszw, 40 andlaperturesi?, 43( to prevent'. leakage of refrigerant therefrom;

The upper aperture 4'3- in shaped member stopvalve: 47u

42 is coupled through a suction line 46 and stop valve 4l to a reciprocating compressor 48 driven by an electric motor 45, both being mounted 0n the base II. The compressed refrigerant is coupled. from the cylinder of the compressor 48 through a compressor discharge stop valve 53, condenser coils 5I, adapted to be cooled by either water or air, and discharge line 52 to the lower aperture 43 in the ring shaped coupling element 42... rEhe. compressor 48, stop valves 4l and 53, andi condenser coils 5| may be of the type con- Ventionally employed in domestic refrigerating units.

The path of the refrigerant through the abovedescribed system is as` follows. Starting from the collecting receptacle 34 containing a sufficient quanti-ty of condensed and cooled liquid. refrigerant to continuously supply the system, liquid refrigerant is forced, during operation of the compressor 48', through: a receiver valve 35,. known commercially as a Ki-ng valve and controlling or regulating. the normal rate of flow of refrigerant fromy the receptacle Se, intol feed line 38 through which. the refrigerant is conveyed into the upper aperture 28, of ring shaped element 2.1 of the reversible coupling. means 24, The liquid refrigerantV supplied to the upper aperture 28 is then coupled through. the porty 26- iny cylindrical rotatableelement-25 of reversible coupling means 24.1,. when thel receptacle housing I3' and associated reversible coupling means 24.- and 38 are in the positionA shownin Figure l,- and expansion valve 3l associa-ted. therewith,u by by-pass valve 32 andy into the circulatingy chamber 25 .ad-jacent the: upward-ly disposed receptacles I4, the expansion' valve 3l being operative to check the flow of refrigerant.- through the feed linev 35 sufficient tov enable the' compressor pump 48 to maintain sufficient pressure in the refrigerating system to keep the refrigerant in liquid form on the way to the expansionl valve 3L andto produce expansion of therefrigerant as it is introduced into the circulating chamber 20- to absorbthe large quantity of heat from' the water in the receptacles I-Ils proportional tothe heat of vaporizationk of the refrigerant employed.` The expanded refrigerant inthe circulating chamber 20, now* substantially ink gaseous state, isv drawn through. the suction line 4I and port 4Ql of cyline drical element-33f irr reversible coupling means 38, aperture. 43 ofY ring shaped,k element 421- aligned wit-h'theport tlpandinto suction 1ine45 through which thefrefrigerant is conveyed into the cylinder of the compressor @8i through suction; line The relatively' warm. and' gaseous refrigerant is.Y compressed by the: con'lpressor` 43 and pumpedthrough' compressrn'y discharge stop valve-5 intoF condenser' coils*y 5h. the refrigerant being converted again: intoY liquidi stateV by the combined action ofv the compressor 48. and" con'- denser 5I: The? liquid refrigerant is' then; conveyed from the condenser coils 5t through: pipe 5?. and; associated lower aperture. 43 inthe ring shapedl elementi 42:. of coupling: means 3,3; the port 4B? alignedtherewith,-l andv coupling line lili secured: toi the. port 49', into the circulating chamber 22|` adjacent the downwardly disposed receptacles I5'. Alfte'r the fl-'rstv half: cycle, the downwardly disposed receptacles I5 immediately after inversion ofT theJ receptacle# housing member I?, conta-inL freshly frozen: i'cev cubes, and passing the condensedliquid: refrigerant through the circulatih'gchamber 21' adjacent' the ice' cubes serves to-defiost the'receptacles f5' and ice cubes therein suiicientto permitv the ice cubes to" drop' .switch .55 on the .compressor 48.

out of the downwardly disposed receptacles from their own weight, the liquidA refrigerant being operative, in the absence of expansion of the refrigerant into the circulating chamber through an expansion valve, to impart sufficient heat to the receptacles I5 to release the ice therefrom, and the refrigerant being further cooled by the ice in the receptacles I5. This cooled liquid refrigerant is conveyed from the lower circulating chamber through the by-pass valve 32 associated therewith to the port 26 of reversible coupling means 24, the by-pass valves 32, 32 as before described, being operative to convey the refrigerant past the expansion valves 3I, 3I when the direction of ow of the refrigerant through this section is from the circulating chamber to the reversible coupling means. From the port 26 the refrigerant is conveyed through the aperture 28' of coupling means 24 aligned therewith and pipe 33 back tc the collecting receptacle 34, thus completing the cycle of the refrigerant through the system.

Means are provided, controlled by a low pressure control switch coupled to the compressor 48 and actuated by reduction of pressure in the return line 46 after sufncient refrigerant has been forced through the upper circulating chamber 26 to freeze the water in the upwardly disposed receptacles I4, to invert the receptacle housing member I3 and the rotatable cylindrical elements 25 and 39 of the reversible coupling means 24 and 38, and dispose the receptacles I4 containing the newly frozen ice cubes in a downwardly disposed relation, while the receptacles I5 from which the ice cubes frozen on the previous half-cycle have been Vreleased are disposed upwardly. This means comprises an electric motor 56 mounted on a supporting stand 51 on the supporting plate I2, the shaft 58 of theelectric `motor 56 having a worm 59 thereon engaging a worm gear 66a secured to the shaft I6 to drive the shaft I6 and the rotatable elements of the coupling means 24 and l38 and the receptacle housing member I3 through' a half-cycle vof rotation, on energizing of the electric control circuit shown in Figure 4 by the pressure control switch 55.

The preferred arrangement of the electric control circuit and ancillary control devices is shown in Figure e, to which reference will be had toi gether with Figure 1, in the following description. Terminals 66 and 66', coupled to a source of alternating current voltage, are provided, one ofthe terminals 66 being 4coupled directly to a terminal 6I on the control box 62 of compressor ldriving motor 46. The Aother terminal 63 of the control box 62 of compressor driving motor 49 is coupled to a contact 64 of the .pressure control The contact arm 65 of the switch 55 is electrically coupled with the other .terminal of the alternating ycurrent voltage source, and is normally maintained bythe Vpressure at the low side ofthe com- "pressor 48 in electrical contact with the contact and the other side to the pressure under `test opposing the force of the biasing means, in this in.;- .stance .the contact arm 'being normally biased .into electrical' contact with the contact 66 and thebiasing force being overcome by normal presseres in th return une 4s until the 'pressure drops due to decreased rate of evaporation of the/ refrigerant when the water in the upper receptacles becomes frozen. Contact 66 of the pressure control switch .55 is coupled -to terminal 6'I on control box 68 of electric motor 56 controlling the rotation of the shaft I6, vwhile the yother terminal 69 of the control box 68 is coupled directly to the terminal 60 of the alternating current voltage source. The terminal tI of the vcontrol box 68 for electric motor 56 is also coupled to the terminal 60' `of the voltage source through a centering switch 10 of the micro switch type, the switch 'I6 being normally maintained in open position. This is eilected `by means of a cam centering ring II mounted .on the rotatable cylindrical element 39 of the reversible coupling means 38, shown in detail in `Figure 3, .and fa cam follower, such as `roller "I2 mounted on a plunger 'I3 mechanically .coupled vto .the contact .arm 'I4 `.of the centering switch 16, the plunger being resiliently urged into extended position by suitable resilient means, such as coil spring 15. The centering ring 1I is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed,

recesses 1.6, I6 disposed so as to permit the plung- .er 1 3 to :be urged outwardly of the switch I6 when `the ports -in the rotatable elements of the reversi- :ble coupling means v24 and `33 are accurately .aligned with the apertures in the stationary elements of the coupling means 24 `and 38, thus openingr the switch 1.0.

Operation of the electrical control circuit is as follows: Assuming water in the upper receptacles I4 is in process of being frozen, thus that the pressure .switch 5.5 is vmaintained in position with the .contact arm 65 engaging contact 64, current yfrom vthe terminals 66, 66 .of the voltage source Y is supp-lied to the terminals .6I and 63 of electric motor 49, driving the compressor 48 .and forcing .the refrigerant through the system. The contact fit of pressure switch being open, and the centering switch '16 in open position with the plunger .i3 in extended position .in the recess 'I6 of the .centering ring 'II, no current is supplied the and 'at lthe low side of the compressor 48 is reduced due to the reduced evaporation of refrigerant and the contact ar-m 65 of the switch is -moved into its lnormally biased position in contact w-ith ythe contact 66 Vby the ,resilient `means therein overcoming the refrigerant pressure c oulpled thereto,breaking the supply circuit to the compressor driving -motor 49 and energizing the motor 55, to begin driving the `shaft I6 and rotatf -ing the rotatable elements of the reversible coupling means 24 Iand 33 and the receptacle housing I3 through 180, bringing the receptaclesl I5 in upwardly disposed position, and coupling'cir- -culating chamber 2| with the feed line 36 and suction line 46 previously A coupled to the circulating chamber 26. To insure ,proper centering of Ithe Jports and apertures, since the pressure control switch 55 may `be shifted prematurely andA break 4thesupply circuit ofthe shaft driving motor 56, 'the raised portion of centering `ring 'I I cams `the plunger I3 of -the micro switch 'i6 inwardly,

closing .themicro-switch 'I0 and thus the by-pass circuit therethrough to the supply lsource termifnal 66', A`by-passing the switch 55 vand insuring that 1thesupply-circuit to the Ymotor 56 is maintained closed until the ports and apertures in the coupling means 24 and 38 are properly aligned, as determined by the position of the

recesses

16, 16 in the centering ring 1|. During this inversion of the receptacle housing I5, the pressure at the low side of the compressor 48 again increases suiiiciently for the contact arm 65 to overcome the bias normally urging it into contact with the contact 55, and again engages contact 64 to reenergize the compressor motor 49 to start another cycle of operation.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, means are provided to refill the upwardly disposed receptacles immediately upon inversion of the receptacle housing I3, comprising, a cam centering ring 80 mounted on the rotatable cylindrical element of the reversible coupling means 24, substantially identical to the centering ring 1I on coupling means 38, having a pair o f recesses SI, Si correspondingly positioned in the centering ring 85. A plunger 82 having a follower roller 83 riding on the centering ring 8), and resiliently urged thereagainst by spring 84, controls a valve S in the water supply line B coupled to a suitable supply of water and a receptacle tank 81 disposed on a side of the housing Il! and above the receptacle housing I3, the plunger 82 being operative on being cammed inwardly toward the valve 85 by the raisedportion of the centering ring SE] during rotation of the shaft I5 in inverting the receptacle housing i3 to open the valve S5. Pivoted to a lug 8S on the plunger B2 is one end of a lever member SS, pivoted intermediate of its length to the tank 81, as at 95, and at its other end to a wire link 9 l, the wire link SI being loosely secured to lever member 89 to provide some freedom of movement of the wire link 9| vertically as well as complete freedom of rotation of the wire link 9| in the horizontal plane. The other end of the wire link @lis secured to an arm 92 controlling opening and closing of the valve of a faucet 93 mounted on the tank 81 and disposed above the receptacle housing I3 to direct water into one of the receptacles I4, I5 when disposed upwardly. The faucet valve and link are so related as to effect opening of the valve of the faucet 93 when the wire link 9| is drawn to the left, as shown in Figure 2, by counterclockwise rotation of the lever B9 on projection of the plunger 82 into one of the recesses BI, 8i Thus, during rotation of the shaft i5, the plunger is camined inwardly of the valve by the raised portion of the centering ring 80, opening the valve 85 in the water supply line S5 to admit a suitable quantity of water to the tank 81, the amount admitted being adjusted by a manual control valve ed inserted in the supply line 85 between the valve 85 and tank 81 to just ll the upwardly disposed group of receptacles I4, I5. This movement of the plunger likewise pivots the lever 8a to close the valve on the faucet 93 through link SI and arm 92, and prevent escape of Water through the faucet S3 during rotation of the shaft I6. When the plunger S2 enters the recess BI, 8| on centering ring 8G on proper positioning of the receptacle housing i3, the valve 35 in the supply line B6 is again closed, and the valve of faucet 93 opened to direct the Water metered into the tank 81 during rotation of the shaft i6 into the receptacle in receptacle housing I3 disposed therebelow.

In the cyclic operation of the device, starting from a point in time at which the group of receptacles I4 have just been brought into the upwardly disposed position shown in Figure 1 by rotation of the shaft I5 by the motor 56, the faucet Valve at 93 is opened by the plunger 83 entering one of the recesses 8|, 8i' in the centering ring 8D, allowing the water metered into the tank 81 through

valves

85 and 94 to flow into one of the receptacles I4 and through the interconnecting channels i9 into the other receptacles I4. At the same time, the motor 49 for the compressor 48 is re-energized, driving the compressor and forcing refrigerant through the circulating channel 2l, where the ice cubes in the receptacles I5 frozen on the previous cycle are released from the receptacles I5 by the defrosting action of the refrigerant, while the refrigerant is cooled by the ice. The cooled refrigerant is conveyed through f the collecting receptacle 34, receiver valve 35 and feed line B to the expansion valve 3l, 3l' coupled to the upper aperture 28 in the stationary ring element 21 of the double port coupling means 24, where the refrigerant is expanded through the circulating chamber 2G adjacent the receptacles I4 for a suflicient time to freeze the water in the receptacles i4, from whence it is conveyed through the suction line 45 back to the compressor 48. When the water in the receptacles I4 is frozen, the pressure control switch 55 coupled to the compressor is actuated, opening the supply circuit to the compressor driving motor 49, as above described, and closing the supply circuit to the shaft driving motor 55, energizing the shaft driving motor 55 to rotate the shaft I6 through 189", this through the camming of the plunger 'I3 coupled to the Contact arm 14 of the micro switch 'Iii by-passing the switch 55 closing the supply circuit of the motor 5S until the plunger 13 again contacts a recess 15, 15' in the centering ring 1I, again opening the supply circuit to the motor 56. In the meantime, pressure control switch 55 has again been actuated to reenergize 'the compressor motor 49 and begin pumping the refrigerant through the refrigerating system. During the rotation of the shaft, the valve in the water supply line 86 is opened by the camming of the plunger 82 by centering ring SQ, permitting a metered amount of water to flow into the tank 81 suficient to fill the receptacles I5 when brought into upwardly disposed position.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that a novel ice making machine has been provided which is fullyautomatic in operation, capable of continuously producing ice cubes of desired size and shape, and characterized by very economical operation by producing a marked cooling of the compressed and condensed refrigerant in passing the refrigerant past the receptacles in which ice remains from the previous cycle of operation, and by the same operation defrosting the downwardly disposed receptacles containing ice sucient to release the ice cubes therefrom.

While I have particularly shown and described one particular embodiment of the invention, it is distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and are set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. An automatic ice making machine comprising, a rotatable support provided with a plurality of circulation chambers, ice cube forming cells in heat exchange relation with each of said circulation chambers, the cells being arranged in oppositely opening pairs relative to the axis of rotation of said support, means for rotating said' support to bring said cells into upwardly opening position, refrigeration means, means for coupling warm liquid refrigerant therefrom to each chamber when the cells in heat exchange relation therewith open downwardly, means for conducting refrigerant from the chamber associated with the downwardly opening ice cube cells through expansion means to the chamber associated with upwardly opening cells.

2. An automatic ice making machine comprising, a rotatable support provided with a pair of chambers, an independent set of ice cube forming cells in heat exchange relation with each of said chambers, the cells of the rst set opening in one direction and the cells of the other set opening in an opposite direction, means for rotating said support to dispose said sets of cells successively in upwardly opening position, means for coupling warm liquid refrigerant to each chamber when the cells in heat exchange relation therewith open downwardly, means for conducting refrigerant from the chamber associated with the downwardly opening ice cube cells through expansion means to the chamber associated with upwardly opening cells.

3. An automatic icemaking machine comprising, a rotatable support provided with a pair of chambers, an independent set of ice cube forming cells in heat exchange relation with each of said chambers, the cells of the rst set opening in one direction and the cells of the other set opening in an opposite direction, means for rotating said support to dispose said sets of cells successively in upwardly opening position, water supplying means overlying said support and means intercoupled therebetween to actuate said water supplying means upon rotation of a set of cells into upwardly opening position, refrigeration means, means for coupling warm liquid refrigerant therefrom to each chamber when the cells in heat exchange relation therewith open downwardly, means for conducting refrigerant from the chamber associated with the downwardly opening ice cubeA cells through expansion means to the chamber associated with upwardly opening cells.

4. An automatic ice making machine comprising, a rotatable support provided with a pair of chambers, an independent set of ice cube forming cells in heat exchange relation with each of said chambers, the cells of the first set opening in one direction and the cells of the other set opening in an opposite direction, means for rotating said support to dispose said sets of cells successively in upwardly opening position, water supplying means overlying said support and means intercoupled therebetween to actuate said water supplying means upon rotation of a set of cells into upwardly opening position, a refrigeration circuit comprising a refrigerant liquefying unit, means for conducting warm liquid refrigerant therefrom to each chamber when the cells in heat exchange relationship therewith open downwardly, refrigerant expansion means, means to conduct refrigerant from the chamber associated with the downwardly opening ice cube cells, through the expansion means to the other chamber and a suction line for returning expanded refrigerant to the liquefying means.

5. An automatic ice making machine comprising, a rotatable support mounted for rotation 10 about a horizontal axis and provided with a pair of chambers, an independent set of ice cube forming cells in heat exchange relation with each of said chambers, the cells of the iirst set opening in one direction and the cells of the other` set opening in an opposite direction, means for notating said support to dispose each of said sets of cells in upwardly open position, reversible double-port coupling means coupled with said support rotating means operative to supply a liquid refrigerant to the chamber in heat exchange relationship with downwardly opening cells to defrost the cells and release ice therefrom, second reversible port coupling means coupled with said support rotating means operative to circulate refrigerant from the chamber associated with downwardly opening cells through expansion means and into the chamber in heat exchange relationship with upwardly opening cells to freeze water in the upwardly opening cells, said support rotating means having means responsive to refrigerant pressure to rotate said rotatable support and said reversible coupling means through a half cycle when sufl'lcient'refrigerant has been supplied the upwardly disposed cell to freeze water therein, and water supplying means overlying cells disposed in upwardly opening position and actuated by said rotating means to refill the upwardly open cells with water immediately upon disposition of a set of cells in upwardly open relation.

6. In an automatic ice making machine, the

combination recited in claim 5, wherein the reversible double port coupling means supplying said refrigerant comprises a stationary, vertically disposed pair of refrigerant conveying ducts, the lower of which is coupled to a source of liquid refrigerant and the upper to a refrigerant suction line, and a rotatable pair of vertically spaced ports each coupled with one of the chambers in heat exchange relation with a set of cells and rotated in conjunction with said support to be aligned with the stationary ducts.

'7. In an automatic ice making machine, the combination recited in claim 5 wherein the second reversible double port coupling means comprises a stationary, vertically disposed pair of refrigerant conveying ducts coupled together through refrigerant collecting means and flow regulation means, and a rotatable pair of vertically spaced ports each coupled with one of said chambers associated with said cells through expansion means and means operative to conduct refrigerant around said expansion means when the direction of ow of the refrigerant is away from said chambers, and means coupledl between said rotatable ports and said rotating means to rotate said ports in conjunction with said support and align said ports with said stationary ducts.

ROBERT D. RUSSELL. -WILLIAM LE ROY IHLY.

` REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,403,275 Gilliam July 2, 1946 2,407,058 Clum Sept. 3, 1946 2,414,264 Kirkpatrick Jan. 14, 1947 2,443,203 Smith June l5, 1948 2,493,900 Schaberg Jan. 10, 1950