Nartron Corporation

Narton Corporation

Natron Corporation

W. N. Phillips, Inc.

Robert E Taylor

David W Shank

Todd R Newman

Darrel A Dolph

Leonard W Demski

Gerald K Miller

Norman A Rautiola

Arthur R McKendry

Jean-Marie Loisel

David W Bull

Paul J Lee

A method and system for electronically controlling the location of the formation of ice within a closed loop water circulating unit. A method and system is provided for making ice using supercooled water. When a desired degree of supercooling is reached in the closed loop water circulating unit, a pump associated with the ice-making machine is stopped so as to initiate ice seeding on the ice mold. After the pump is restarted, the supercooled water flows over the seeded molds to rapidly form ice on the ice molds. A method and system is also provided for improving the clarity of the ice. Water is preheated prior to introducing the water to the closed loop water circulating unit. Furthermore, in an ice-making machine having two or more ice molds, a method and system is provided for allowing one mold to act as a condenser in a harvest mode, while simultaneously allowing the remaining molds to act as evaporators in the freezing mode. Another ice-making apparatus is provided for decreasing the cycle time for forming ice. A fine spray of supercooled water is sprayed onto a chilled ice mold resulting in little or no run off water to recirculate.

Method and system for electronically controlling the location of the

A method and system for electronically controlling the location of the formation of ice within a closed loop water circulating unit and efficiently harvesting ice includes a method and system for making ice using supercooled water. When a desired degree of supercooling is reached in the closed loop water circulating unit, a pump associated with the ice-making machine is stopped so as to initiate ice seeding on the ice mold. After the pump is restarted, the supercooled water flows over the seeded molds to rapidly form ice on the ice molds. The completion of ice formation in the mold is sensed by reservoir water temperature, water level, timing or other inputs to enable a controller to automatically control a harvest cycle timely. A method and system is also provided for improving the clarity of the ice. Furthermore, in an ice-making machine having two or more ice molds, a method and system is provided for allowing one mold to act as a condenser in a harvest mode, while simultaneously allowing the remaining molds to act as evaporators in the freezing mode. The ice-making method and apparatus decreases the cycle time for forming ice.

A method and system for controlling a solid product release mechanism to control the level of solid products in a storage bin. An acoustical wave is transmitted across either a passage of a delivery chute or a cavity of the storage bin. The strength of the transmitted acoustical wave is sensed. As the solid products fall from the release mechanism into the delivery chute or storage bin, a change in the strength of the acoustical wave signal is sensed. A control signal is generated to control the release mechanism when the change in the strength of the transmitted acoustical wave exceeds a predetermined threshold for more than a predetermined amount of time. A method and system is also provided for controlling an ice release mechanism in an automatic ice-making machine. A method and system is provided for automatically calibrating an ultrasonic ranging sensor used in determining the level of solid products in a storage bin. An apparatus is also provided for controlling a solid product release mechanism to control the level of solid products in a storage bin.

Method and system for controlling a solid product release mechanism

A first method of harvesting ice in an ice making apparatus comprises steps of initiating a harvest operation, monitoring a parameter of the harvest operation, and terminating the harvest operation based upon the parameter and a parameter from a previous harvest operation. A second method of harvesting ice comprises steps of determining a parameter of a first harvest operation and performing a second harvest operation for a duration based upon the parameter. The first method and the second method can be performed in combination. Systems which perform the above-described methods are disclosed.

Methods and systems for harvesting ice in an ice making apparatus

A fluid turbidity or filter clog sensor comprises a light source and a detector having at least one sensor position to cross a flow path or a filter element in order to improve the correspondence of the light intensity received at the receiver in correspondence with the turbidity level or clogging level occurring in the test cell. The detector preferably includes a direct path sensor, a scattered path sensor positioned to cross the flow path from the transmitter, and the reference light sensor communicating with the source outside of the test chamber. Moreover, the direct path may be a straight line path or a reflected path through the flow path when a fluid having a low level of turbidity is passed through the test cell. Likewise, the sensor includes means for compensating for changes in the illuminating source, changes for temperature variations occurring at the test cell, and compact packaging for convenient installation and improved production capacity.

Turbidity sensor

A method and system for automatically controlling a solid product delivery mechanism for replenishing the level of solid products in a storage bin which receives and stores the solid products. A mechanical vibration in the storage bin is generated and sensed. Based on the sensed mechanical vibration, an electrical signal is generated and processed to obtain a level signal. The level signal is representative of the fill level of the storage bin. Finally, a control signal is generated based on the level signal to control the delivery of the solid products.

Method and system for automatically controlling a solid product delivery

A power steering control unit for use with an electric motor assisted vehicle power steering system. The control unit includes two microprocessor controllers that monitor vehicle speed and a torque applied through a vehicle steering column in calculating a duty cycle for the assist motor. The response to the speeed and torque inputs can be adjusted by setting a group of four control switches on the vehicle dashboard. Each microprocessor not only calculates an optimum motor energization but also monitors motor performance. In the event this performance deviates from an expected range the assist is removed and in some cases corrective steps taken to correct the unit's performance. An electrically erasable read only memory coupled to the microprocessors stores constants needed in calculating an energization sequence. The EEROM also stores indicators of the control unit performance to aid in diagnosing difficulties.

Analog-to-digital converter

A speech synthesizer circuit for use in an automobile. The circuit includes a dedicated microprocessor and a speech synthesizer integrated circuit which has an output couplable to the speakers of the automobile's radio. The microprocessor monitors various automobile status condition and, based upon these conditions, causes various preprogrammed voice messages to be transmitted to the motorist. The circuit includes various novel features. These features includes novel circuit energization, conditions sensing, failure detection, and voice activation mechanisms.

Speech processor method and apparatus

A speech synthesizer circuit for use in an automobile. The circuit includes a dedicated microprocessor and a speech synthesizer integrated circuit which has an output couplable to the speakers of the automobile's radio. The microprocessor monitors various automobile status conditions and, based upon these conditions, causes various preprogrammed voice messages to be transmitted to the motorist. The circuit includes various novel speech synthesizer features. These features includes novel circuit energization, condition sensing, failure detection, and voice activation mechanisms.

Motor vehicle speech processor method and apparatus

A power steering control unit for use with an electric motor assisted vehicle power steering system. The control unit includes two microprocessor controllers that monitor vehicle speed and a torque applied through a vehicle steering column in calculating a duty cycle for the assist motor. The response to the speed and torque inputs can be adjusted by setting a group of four control switches on the vehicle dashboard. Each microprocessor not only calculates an optimum motor energization but also monitors motor performance. In the event this performance deviates from an expected range the assist is removed and in some cases corrective steps taken to correct the unit's performance. An electrically erasable read only memory coupled to the microprocessors stores constants needed in calculating an energization sequence. The EEROM also stores indicators of the control unit performance to aid in diagnosing difficulties.

Electronic power steering method and apparatus

A monitoring circuit for monitoring the condition of, for example, a remotely situated structure is shown as having a transducer responsive to the occurrence of a preselected condition in the remotely situated structure and effective for causing a signal indicative thereof; timing apparatus actuated upon the occurrence of the signal effective to establish the validity thereof; a power circuit electrically closed upon the expiration of a time span established by the timing apparatus, and sensory warning apparatus actuated upon electrical closure of the power circuit.

Condition monitoring means

Disclosed, in combination, are a combustion engine, an electric storage battery, an electrically powered starter motor for at times driving the engine in order to start the engine, and an electrical system monitor; the electrical system monitor has a first monitoring portion which senses the actual voltage across the battery and a second monitoring portion which monitors the current through the battery; an electrical switch controls associated circuitry and is actuatable into open or closed conditions; whenever the first monitoring portion senses a preselected magnitude of the actual voltage across the battery or the second monitoring portion senses a preselected magnitude of the current flow through the battery, the electrical switch is actuated.

Monitoring means for combustion engine electric storage battery means

An electrical switching and timing assembly is shown having a manually actuatable switch selectively closable and openable, an associated electrical circuit has an input end and an output end, the input end is intended for connection to a source of electrical potential while the output end is intended for connection to an electrical load, the associated circuit has a timing circuit effective for opening the associated circuit within a preselected span of time after the associated circuit has been closed by the manually actuatable switch, the manually actuatable switch being effective for opening the associated circuit even before the expiration of the preselected span of time.

Automotive backlight heater and timing control means

An electrical system monitor is shown as employing a quad-chip C-MOS integrated circuit for sensing when the voltage of a monitored circuit, monitored sub-circuit, monitored branch circuit or monitored circuit portion deviates, by a preselected magnitude, from a selected magnitude of voltage; upon such deviation occurring, a related switch is actuated causing energization of sensory warning apparatus and, in another aspect of the invention, a switching device is actuated to open a related load circuit. In a further embodiment the quad-chip C-MOS integrated circuit is, in the same general manner, responsive to sensing preselected deviations from a selected magnitude of current and, upon the occurrence thereof causing actuation of related switch means.

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Cadillac, MI, United States of America

Robert E Taylor