Technology Licensing Corporation

Sam O Sman

Leonard I Horey

Dennis W Norwich

Mario G Ceste

The present invention provides an improved system and method for sensing the presence of ice, particularly applicable in the control of ice thickness in machines employing an ice bank such as a commercial beverage chiller. The chiller may be of the conventional type having a water bath with a cold element at least partially submerged therein. The cold element is cooled by a refrigerant such as freon to the point where ice forms and grows on the element, thereby forming an ice bank in the water bath. A temperature sensor, which preferably is a thermistor-type sensor comprising a bead disposed in a metal housing, is mounted on a carrier to allow the position of the sensor to be adjustable relative to the cold element. Circuitry is provided which is operative to detect the presence of ice by sensing a temperature signal from the temperature sensor and to control the thickness of the ice bank. A method of controlling the thickness of an ice bank is also disclosed. The invention has broad applicability to all types of machines wherein an ice bank is used.

Ice thickness control system and sensor probe

The present invention provides an improved system and method for sensing of ice, particularly applicable in the control of ice thickness in automatic ice-making machines. The ice-making machine may be of the conventional type using a cold plate with water flowing over it. A thermistor bead temperature sensor is encapsulated in a metal housing, which is in turn mounted on a carrier. The position of the carrier is adjustable relative to the cold plate. The control system has several variable delays or time durations which optimize system performance: 1. Minimum harvest time delay, relative to the start of the ice-making cycle; 2. Threshold persistence time delay, requires that the signal sensor persists above the harvest threshold value for a certain amount of time (referenced to when the threshold is first exceeded), before harvesting may begin; 3. Harvesting delay is an optional delay provided give the option of making sure the ice is sufficiently &ldquo;cured.&rdquo; These delay times may be implemented in hardware (by being built into the control logic), software, or by a combination of both hardware and software. The improved sensor and control concepts offer their own benefits and may be used separately or together.

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West Haven, CT, United States of America

Sam O Sman