Abstract: A system and method for freezing large quantities of a liquid or slurry are disclosed. The system includes a product containment apparatus for containing the liquid to be frozen, a freeze station for freezing the liquid, and a lift for raising the product containment apparatus to the freeze station for freezing. Freezing members extending from the freeze station include a pair of plate carriers mounted in a V configuration mounted within a V shaped casing. The shape of the casing and sloping walls of the product containment apparatus facilitate the removal of the ice block from the freeze station and the product containment apparatus from the frozen block, respectively. Preferably, the freezing members are provided with a baffle mounted at the open ends of the plate carriers to facilitate the sweeping of lubricating oil entrained in a refrigerant into a suction path within the freezing member so it may be removed. Alternative embodiments and processes are disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 6, 1995
Date of Patent:
March 11, 1997
Assignee:
Uni-Temp Refrigeration, Inc.
Inventors:
Billy Cothern, Joseph A. Ramsey, Clifford L. Stapler
Abstract: A system and method for freezing large quantities of a liquid or slurry are disclosed. The system includes a product containment apparatus for containing the liquid to be frozen, a freeze station for freezing the liquid, and a lift for raising the product containment apparatus to the freeze station for freezing. Freezing members extending from the freeze station include a pair of plate carriers mounted in a V configuration mounted within a V shaped casing. The shape of the casing and sloping walls of the product containment apparatus facilitate the removal of the ice block from the freeze station and the product containment apparatus from the frozen block, respectively. Preferably, the freezing members are provided with a baffle mounted at the open ends of the plate carriers to facilitate the sweeping of lubricating oil entrained in a refrigerant into a suction path within the freezing member so it may be removed. Alternative embodiments and processes are disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 4, 1994
Date of Patent:
July 16, 1996
Assignee:
Uni. Temp Refrigeration, Inc.
Inventors:
Billy Cothern, Joseph A. Ramsey, Clifford L. Stapler