US3159986A

US3159986A - Flake ice making machine

Info

Publication number: US3159986A
Application number: US231069A
Authority: US
Inventors: King Arthur Shelley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-10-17
Filing date: 1962-10-17
Publication date: 1964-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 1981-12-08

Description

Dec. 8, 1964 A. s. KING 3,159,935

FLAKE ICE MAKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 17, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 Emma u INVENTOR.

ARTHUR Sflfllil' KING BY i/M- A T TOPNEVS A. 5. KING 3,159,986

FLAKE ICE MAKING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 8, 1964 Filed Oct. 17, 1962 3 3 W 4 6 W R I 0 K H B A I T Y 2 W E J 9 7 V I. I n 7 7 m PM 7 l 6 Q 3 H m a 3 w a s M a n m r I T l A 2 3 9 0 7 I 4 p W K I 3 E 5 4 NJ I n 7 I. 7 6 2 2 7 I x llllllllllllllllll II 6 6 Q. a 9 u W I N, H X 1 9 9 N W mu @M O 2 vb L 5 z 8 8 Z 8 2 5 M 9. 7 8 z 2 I I 7 6 6 w u 5 I. 4 3 4 4 I 6' H u I I G 4 z e 4 fl 9 1 3 x H M 8 Z HA l 8 v I 5$ 6 9 8 K A x M Ill 9 4 Dec. 8, 1964 A. s. KING FLAKE ICE MAKING MACHINE 3 t w a I h s H H; q t 7 H. W h 2 H r/ 5 l r I "W v v I I H H L I I 1 M I /I| l J I V I O W I I I I 1 W I I ,u 2 H H l y I I I 7 M 1 I r 1 H C O I I I I w u BW N HAW R v F INVENTOR. A PTIIUR SHEl-[EY KING- ATTQPMEYJ United States Patent 3,159,986 FLARE ICE MAKHNG MACHINE Arthur Shelley King, 5336 Fontana, Prairie Village, Kilns. Filed Get. 17, 1962, Ser. No. 231,069 7 Claims. (ill. 62-654) This invention relates to ice making machines and more particularly to such apparatus of small size for continuously making ice in flakes or small pieces.

Flake ice making machines which continuously freeze a liquid on a surface and scrape the resultant ice therefrom are known. However, such apparatus heretofore have been relatively large complex structures difficult to fabricate and have exhibited a tendency to jam due to ice build-up on the freezing surface blocking the scraping blade.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a relatively simple apparatus for making flake ice wherein build-up may occur on the freezing surface without jamming the scraping blade; to provide such an apparatus wherein circumferentially and radially spaced groove-like scoring or depressions are made in a sheet of ice to cause it to break more easily and uniformly; to provide such an apparatus wherein an ice breaking or scraping blade is permitted to resiliently move over ice stubbornly adhering to the freezing surface so as to continue its cycle; to provide a ratchet cam operation betwen an ice breaking blade and the freezing surface whereby the blade is allowed to periodically lift and strike a blow against the ice to assist in breaking same from the freezing surface; to provide such a machine wherein an ice breaker blade is supported in a position tangential to a central shaft extending through the freezing surface for acting as a plow to urge broken ice into a receiving trough; to provide such an apparatus which automatically suspends operation of the freezing cycle in case of an excess build-up of ice on the freezing surface and automatically re-establishes the freezing cycle when a normal condition of iceron the freezing surface is again reached; and to provide such a device which minimizes the possibility of mechanical failure.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain em bodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ice making apparatus embodying this invention and particularly illustrating the external configuration thereof.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view on a larger scale through the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the relationship between operating parts of the ice forming and breaking mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the apparatus taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2 particularly showing the freezing surface or pan and with a portion of the pan broken away showing a refrigerant passageway therebeneath.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view on a larger scale than that of FIG. 2 showing a worm gear drive for rotatable ice contacting blades.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view on a larger scale than that of FIG. 2 particularly illustrating cooperating ratchet cam rings for imparting a vertical reciprocatory motion to the ice contacting blades.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale through one type of ice contacting blade showing the shape of ice scoring teeth spaced therealong.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional View taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale through another type of 3,159,986 Fatented Dec. 8, 1964 ice contacting blade showing a continuous ice breaking and ploughing edge thereon.

FIG. 8 is a perspective cut away view of the ice scraper blade and a perspective view of an individual ice scoring tooth particularly showing the blade in the ice scraping operation.

Referring to the drawings in more detail:

, The reference numeral 1 generally indicates a box-like container enclosing apparatus embodying this invention. The container 1 has

side walls

2 and 3, end walls 4 and 5, a top Wall 6 and an intermediate Wall 7 forming an upper enclosure 8. Suitable sheet insulation 9 such as fiber glass mats are adhesively secured to the walls surrounding the enclosure 8 to limit heat transfer thereinto from the outside environment. The

walls

2, 3, 4 and 5 extend downwardly from the intermediate wall 7 forming a lower enclosure 10 containing suitable refrigeration compressor and condenser apparatus 11 described more fully hereinafter. The apparatus 11 is preferably enclosed in an insulated box-like structure 12 having a ventilator portion 13 communicating with the outside through a side Wall to dissipate heat generated therein.

The intermediate wall 7 has a supporting member 14 bolted thereto and extending centrally upwardly into the upper enclosure 8. The member 14 includes ball

hearing receiving portions

15 and 16 for supporting upper and lower ball bearings 17 and 18 on opposite sides of a worm gear 19 permitting said worm gear to rotate within the supporting member 14 about a verticall extending axis, FIG. 2. The supporting member 14 also includes mounting structure for

suitable bearings

20 and 21 which, in turn, support a shaft 22 upon which is mounted a worm 23 in mesh with the worm gear 19. The shaft 22, in the illustrated example, extends through the side wall 2 and a pulley 24 is secured thereto externally of the container 1, FIG. 1. A suitable electric motor 25 is mounted on the side wall 2 by means of a suitable bracket 26 and is adapted to drive the pulley 24 by means of a belt 27. The rotation of the worm 23 drives the worm gear 19 for rotating a vertically extending shaft 28. The vertically extending shaft 28 extends axially into the worm gear 19 and is fixed thereto by means of suitable keys 29 and 30.

An annular disc-like refrigerating element 31 is secured by means of bolts 32 to the supporting member 14 and includes a body portion 33 and a plate portion 34. The plate portion 34 presents a smooth horizontally extending ring-like upper surface 35 and forms an upwardly extending lip portion 36 at the outer periphery of the,

upper surface 35. The body portion 33 has an upwardly extending sleeve 37 forming an upwardly extending wall or lip portion 38 at the inner periphery of said upper surface 35. The upper surface 35, together with the

lip portions

36 and 38, takes the shape of a pan-like container 39 for containing a shallow depth of Water thereon for a purpose described hereinafter.

The body portion 33 has a horizontally spiralling continuous groove 40 extending into the upper surface thereof. The plate portion 34 rests upon the body portion 33 supported by intermediate wall portions 41 formed between the respective spirals of the grooves 40. The plate portion 34 is suitably soldered or Welded or otherwise secured to the body portion 33 for enclosing the spirals of the groove 49 and forming a continuous spiralling refrigerant passageway 42 extending immediately beneath the upper surface 35 between the inner and 'outer peripheries thereof.

The compressor and condenser apparatus 11 includes a high pressure refrigerant capillary tube 43 extending through the intermediate wall 7 and connected to the innermost spiral 44 of the passageway 42 through an expansion valve 44 for carrying refrigerant thereinto; The

high pressure line 43 includes a solenoid valve 45 in series therewith for cutting off flow to the passageway 42 for reasons later described, Suitable conventional bypass members (not shown) permit the compressor and condenser apparatus 11 to continue operation in the event, of a flow blockage into the tube 43 by the solenoid valve 45. A suitable low pressure refrigerant return tube 46 is connected between the outer spiral 47 of the passageway 42 and the compressor and condenser apparatus 11 to provide a return for refrigerant gas in the passageway 42. The tube 46 and expansion valve 44 communicate with the passageway 42 through respective ducts 46' and 47' extending through the body portion 33.

A passageway 48 extends upwardly through the body portion 33 and plate portion 34 of the refrigerating element adjacent the inner periphery lip portion 38 and opens onto the upper surface 35. A suitable water inlet tube 49 communicates with the passageway 48 at the lower surface of the body portion 33 for delivering water at a desired rate into the pan-like container 39. A suitable solenoid controlled valve 50 discussed'hereinafter is connected into the water inlet tube 49 to control the flow of water therethrough; Water level in the pan-like container 39 is maintained by a suitable float mechanism 48 mounted in a tank 49"located at the same level as the container 39 on the wall 4 and communicating with a valve 50' through a tube 51. The tube 51 leads to a valve. 51' controlled by the float mechanism 48. The valve 51 controls flow through the water inlet tube 49.

The shaft 28 extends coaxially upwardly through the refrigerating element 31 and rotates with respect thereto within the sleeve 37. A sleeve member 52 is coaxially slidably mounted on the shaft 28 and includes a radial disc portion 52' spaced above the surface 35. The sleeve member 52 is axially slidable with respect to the shaft 28 but rotates therewith by means of a pin 53 which extends through the shaft 28 into a vertically extending slot 54 in the sleeve member52, FIG. -2.

An upwardly facing ratchet cam ring 55 surrounds the ample, by means of nuts 61; The blades 59 and 60 extend in opposite directions and generally radially traverse the upper surface 35. The blades 59 and 60 have downwardly extending radially spaced teeth 62 depending therefrom for scoring the ice in a manner more apparent hereinafter. A further set of

blades

63 and 64 extend in opposite directions tangentially from the sleeve 37 and generally radially traverse or plough the surface 35 intermediate the blades 59 and 60. The

blades

63 and 64 are respectively supported by the radial disc portion 52', in the illustrated example, bywelding at 65. The

blades

63 and 64 have adepending straight inwardly tapered lower edge 66 for contacting the upper surface'35. The outer ends 63' and 64' of the

respective blades

63 and 64 curve tangentially rearwardly in order to produce an outward wedging action against circumferentially spaced bars 65 to aid in breaking up the ice. as described here inafter.

A helical compression spring 67 resiliently urges against the sleeve member 51 at one end' thereof and at the other end thereof against a cap 68 secured by means of a bolt 69 to the shaft 28. The compression spring 67 urges the sleeve member 52 resiliently downwardly with respect to the 75 communicates with the opening 74 for directing pieces of ice therefrom into a storage chamber 76 preferably fixed against one of the container, end walls. The storage chamber 76 and the upper enclosure 8 each have suitable hinged doors 77 and 78 respectively to obtain easy access thereinto.

A ring member 79 is secured to and extends radially outwardly from the disc portion 52' and revolves therewith. A suitable push-button operated switch 89 is secured to the outer wall of the trough71 and has an actuating arm 81 adapted to contact the ring member 79 for actuating the switch Si? in the even-t that the disc portion 52' is raised a predetermined amount above its normal position. The normal position of the disc portion 52'pis obtained when the blades 59 and 60 are closely spaced to V the upper surface 35 of the refrigerant element 31. It is shaft 28 for maintaining a downward forceon the blades noted that the lower edge 66 of the

blades

63 and 64 is slightlyabove the lower terminus of the teeth 62. A suitable source of electricity powers the solenoidoperated switches 45 and 50' when called for by the switch 80.

A secondary trough 82 is located immediately beneath the trough 71 and communicates therewith trough drainage openings 83. The trough 82 is adapted to collect. any water overflow from the pan-like container 39 and/or water melted from ice in the trough 72 for directing same through a suitable drain tube 84 to a place of disposal.

In operation, refrigerant is expanded or urged through the passageway 42 for rapidly cooling the upper surface 35. Water is continually discharged through the inlet tube 49 onto the upper surface 35 where it freezes quickly. The electric motor 25 rotates the Worm 23 which, through the worm gear 19, causes a rotation of the shaft 28. The shaft 28 in turn rotates the sleeve member 52 through contact with the pin 53 for rotating the

blades

59, 60, 63 and 64 over the uppersurface 35 in the direction indicated by thearrow85, The rotation of the sleeve member 52 with respect to the refrigerating element 31 causes a relative rotary motion between the ratchet cam rings 55 and 57 which causes the

blades

59, 60, 63 and' 64 to be periodically lifted and dropped as they progress circumferentially over the surface 35' for breaking, scraping and plowing ice formed on the surface. The

blades

59 and 69,. due to the teeth 62, induce radially and circumferentially spaced scoring marks 85 in the sheet of ice 86 being continually formed on the surface 35. The

blades

63 and 64, however, having the continuous ice contacting lower edge 66, when striking the ice, produce a generally radially extending break line thereacross which cooperates with the scoring marks 65 to cause the sheet of ice '86 to shatter into the flakes or pieces 72. The pieces 72 are subsequently scraped and urged outwardly by both sets of blades but particularly the somewhat canted .or

tangential ploughing blades

63 and 64. The curved ends-63' and 64' wedge the pieces 72 between the bars 65' to insure a desired maximum size and the pieces 72 then fall into the trough 71 whereupon the paddle 73 urges same into the chute 75. e

In case of an ice build-up, the

blades

59, 60, 63 and 64, instead of jamming, ride over the hard surface of the ice, causing the radial disc portion 52 and, therefore, the ring member 79, to raise whereupon the switch 80 is actuated for energizing the

solenoid valves

45 and 50 to prevent further refrigerant from entering the passageway 4-2 and water flow onto the surface 35. The blades continue to rotate until the ice softens and the surface 35 is again swept clean which permits the radial disc portion 52 to again drop and initiate the freezing cycle.

It is to be understood that although one form of this invention has been illustrated and described, it is not to be limited to the specific arrangement of parts herein described and shown except insofar as such limitations are included in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for making flake ice comprising:

(a) an insulated container having a fixed central supporting member therein,

(b) an annular disc-like refrigerating element secured to said supporting member and presenting a smooth horizontally extending upper surface having an inner and an outer periphery, said element forming an upwardly extending lip portion at said inner and outer P p y,

(0) means forming a horizontally spiralling refrigerant passageway in said element and extending between said inner and outer periphery beneath said upper surface, I

(a') inlet and outlet tubes communicating with said passageway respectively at said inner and outer periphery for delivering refrigerant to and removing refrigerant from said passageway for reducing the temperature of said surface, a source of refrigerant connected to said inlet and outlet tubes,

(e) means communicating with said surface at said inner periphery for delivering water thereto to be frozen into ice thereon,

(f) a central shaft supported in said container, said shaft extending coaxially upwardly through said element and being rotatably mounted with respect thereto,

(g) a sleeve member on said shaft spaced above said surface, said sleeve member being axially slidable with respect to said shaft and rotatable therewith,

(h) an upwardly facing ratchet cam ring surrounding said shaft and fixed with respect to said supporting member,

(i) a downwardly facing ratchet cam ring fixed with respect to said sleeve member and engaging said first-named ratchet ring,

(j) a generally radially extending depending ice breaking blade supported by said sleeve member and generally radially traversing said surface,

(k) means for resiliently urging said sleeve member downwardly with respect to said shaft, and

(1) driving means for rotating said shaft whereby said blade is periodically lifted and dropped as it progresses circumferentially over said surface for breaking and scraping ice formed on said surface.

2. Apparatus for making flake ice comprising,

(a) a support member,

(b) an annular disc-like refrigerating element secured to said support member and having a refrigerated horizontal upper freezing surface with an inner and outer periphery, said element forming an upwardly extending lip portion at said inner and outer periphy,

(c) means communicating with said upper freezing surface for delivering water thereto to be frozen into ice thereon,

(d) a central shaft extending coaxially upwardly of said element and rotatably mounted relative thereto,

(e) a sleeve member mounted on said shaft above said freezing surface, said sleeve member being rotatable with said shaft and axially slidable thereon,

(1) an upwardly facing cam ring having a plurality of lobes spaced around said shaft and fixed with respect to said support member,

(g) means on said sleeve engaging said cam ring lobes in response to rotation of said shaft for effecting upward movement of said sleeve relative to said freezing surface, (h) means biasing said sleeve downwardly on said shaft,

(i) a blade carrier fixed to said sleeve and extending outwardlytherefrom in upwardly spaced relation to said freezing surface,

(j) blades fixed to said blade carrier and depending therefrom to substantially penetnate water frozen on said freezing surface when the sleeve is in its lowermost position,

(k) means extending outwardly generally tangentially of said sleeve with an outer end portion adjacent the lip portion at the outer periphery of the freezing surface and in trailing relation to an inner portion thereof to scrape ice and urge same outwardly toward theouter periphery of the freezing surface for discharge therefrom,

(Z) and driving means for rotating said shaft and blades whereby the sleeve and blade carrier are periodically lifted and dropped and the blades impart impacts on said ice to break same.

3. Apparatus for'making flake ice as set forth in claim 2 wherein the means for delivering water to the freezing surface includes a flow control means responsive to water level on said freezing surface for stopping the delivery of water thereto when the water on said freezing surface reaches a predetermined level;

4. Apparatus for making flake ice as set forth in claim 2 including,

surface cooperating with said spaced bars to breaklarge pieces wedged therebetween whereby the broken ice will pass between said bars.

5. Apparatus for making flake ice comprising,

(a) a support member,

(b) an annular disc'like refrigerating element secured to said support member and having a refrigerated horizontal upper freezing surface with an inner and outer periphery, said element forming an upwardly extending lip portion at said inner and outer periph- (0) flow means connnunicating with said upper freezing surface adjacent said inner periphery for delivering water thereto to be frozen into ice thereon,

(d) control means in said flow means and responsive to water level on said freezing surface to stop the delivery of water thereto when the water reaches a predetermined level,

(2) a central shaft extending coaxially upwardly of said element and rotatably mounted relative thereto,

g (f) a sleeve member mounted on said shaft above said freezing surface, said sleeve member being rotatable with said shaft and axially slidable thereon,

(g) an upwardly facing cam ring having a plurality of lobes spaced around said shaft and fixed with respect to said support member,

(h) means on said sleeve engaging said cam ring lobes in response to rotation of said shaft for elfecting upward movement of said sleeve relative to said freezing surface,

(i )hmfrzans biasing said sleeve downwardly on said (j) a blade carrier fixed to said sleeve and extending outwardly therefrom in upwardly spaced relation to said freezing surface,

(k) a plurality of blade teeth fixed to said blade carrier and depending therefrom to substantially penetrate water frozen on said freezing surface when the sleeve is in its lowermost position, said blade teeth being in a row generally radially of said sleeve whereby when the shaft is rotated the teeth will describe concentric circles,

(l) a blade member fixed to and depending from said 7. a V t blade carrier in circumferential spaced relation to said blade teeth and having a lower edge, said blade member extending outwardly substantially tangentially of said sleeve with an outer end adjacent the lip portion at the outer periphery of the freezing surface and in trailing relation to an inner portion thereof, v

(m) and driving means for rotating said shaftand blades whereby ice formed on said freezing surface is scored and scraped and the sleeve and blade carrier are periodically lifted and dropped to impart impacts on said ice to break same and the trailing relation of the outer end of the blade member urging the broken ice outwardly, toward the outer periphery of the freezing surface for discharge therefrom.

Apparatus for making flake ice as setforth in claim 5 including,

(a) a plurality of circumferentially spaced upstanding bars adjacent to and outwardly of the lip portion at the outer periphery of the freezing surface,

(b) a broken ice receiving member adapted to receive pieces of ice passing between said bars,

(c) the trailing outer end portion of said blade member cooperating with said bars to break large ice pieces wedged therebetween whereby said ice pieces are broken and pass through the space between said bars.

7. Apparatus for making flake ice as set forth in claim 6 wherein,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Wagner -i. Feb. 13, 1917 Hamey May 3, 1927 Birdseye Jan. 14, 1941 Short Feb. 9, 1943 MacLeod Jan. 13, 1959 Michener June 6, 1961

Claims

2. APPARATUS FOR MAKING FLAKE ICE COMPRISING, (A) A SUPPORT MEMBER, (B) AN ANNULAR DISC-LIKE REFRIGERATING ELEMENT SECURED TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBER AND HAVING A REFRIGERATED HORIZONTAL UPPER FREEZING SURFACE WITH AN INNER AND OUTER PERIPHERY, SAID ELEMENT FORMING AN UPWARDLY EXTENDING LIP PORTION AT SAID INNER AND OUTER PERIPHERY, (C) MEANS COMMUNICATING WITH SAID UPPER FREEZING SURFACE FOR DELIVERING WATER THERETO TO BE FROZEN INTO ICE THEREON, (D) A CENTRAL SHAFT EXTENDING COAXIALLY UPWARDLY OF SAID ELEMENT AND ROTATABLY MOUNTED RELATIVE THERETO, (E) A SLEEVE MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT ABOVE SAID FREEZING SURFACE, SAID SLEEVE MEMBER BEING ROTATABLE WITH SAID SHAFT AND AXIALLY SLIDABLE THEREON, (F) AN UPWARDLY FACING CAM RING HAVING A PLURALITY OF LOBES SPACED AROUND SAID SHAFT AND FIXED WITH RESPECT TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBER, (G) MEANS ON SAID SLEEVE ENGAGING SAID CAM RING LOBES IN RESPONSE TO ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT FOR EFFECTING UPWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID SLEEVE RELATIVE TO SAID FREEZING SURFACE, (H) MEANS BIASING SAID SLEEVE DOWNWARDLY ON SAID SHAFT, (I) A BLADE CARRIER FIXED TO SAID SLEEVE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM IN UPWARDLY SPACED RELATION TO SAID FREEZING SURFACE,