Abstract: A deep fat fryer with a vat containing cooking oil for frying food including an integrated circulating pump housing below the oil level connected to a separate heat exchanger wherein the cooking oil is circulated from the cooking vat through the heat exchanger then back into the cooking vat. Circulating pump motor, pump inlet, and pump impeller assembly is mounted with the pump motor above the cooking oil level and the pump assembly is removable from the cooking vat and pump housing without the need to remove the oil from the cooking vat.

Abstract: A heating system for a fluid includes a double helical coil of continuous tube, a burner, and a containment structure. The double helical coil has an inlet and an outlet disposed at a bottom end and a plurality of external radial fins spaced apart along a length thereof. The burner is centered in the double helical coil and disposed above the inlet and the outlet. The containment structure has a closed bottom end and a flue opening at an upper end. The containment structure is positioned above the inlet and the outlet to enclose the double helical coil and the draft-type burner. The burner heats the continuous tube to evenly transfer heat to the fluid while the fluid flows through the continuous tube from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: A whipped cream machine includes a source of whipping cream, a source of gas, a mixing portion connected to the source of whipping cream and the source of gas to form a whipping cream and gas mixture at an elevated pressure that is a whipped cream, an expansion device to relieve the pressure and expand the gas in the whipped cream to form expanded whipped cream that has been expanded to the desired overrun, and a dispenser to dispense the expanded whipped cream.

Abstract: The use of the following techniques to clean air: (1) inlet air filtration, (2) continuous recirculation air filtration, (3) water filtration and disinfection, (4) use of an air curtain in the ice bin opening, and (5) provision of clean air to the air assist pump during the harvest cycle.

Abstract: A method of making ice in an ice making machine comprising: (a) compressing vaporized refrigerant, cooling the compressed refrigerant to condense it into a liquid, feeding the condensed refrigerant through an expansion device and vaporizing the refrigerant in an evaporator to create freezing temperatures in an ice-forming mold to freeze water into ice in the shape of mold cavities during an ice making mode; (b) heating the ice making mold to release the ice therefrom in a harvest mode by separating vaporous and liquid refrigerant within a receiver interconnected between the condenser and the expansion device and feeding vapor from the receiver to the evaporator, wherein the ice-forming mold, evaporator and receiver are disposed in an ice machine unit, and the compressor and condenser are disposed in a condensing unit; (c) determining if the ice making machine is on and if an ice bin switch is closed: if the ice machine is on and the bin switch is closed, then check a low pressure switch: if the low pressure s

Abstract: A system and methods for sanitation of ice storage equipment. An ozone generator provides a sanitizing agent comprised of a mixture of ambient air and ozone. The sanitizing agent is circulated through an ice storage bin. The sanitizing agent cleanses interior surfaces of the ice storage bin and also cleanses surfaces of an ice dispenser that dispenses ice from the ice storage bin.

Abstract: An ice making system includes a flavored liquid, an ice machine and a refrigerated storage bin. The ice making system continuously produces flavored ice pieces for storage in an ice storage bin. A refrigeration system cools the ice storage bin.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for sealing components and areas of the food zone of an ice machine, including systems that transport fluids and devices used for the production and harvest of ice. Due to the form, fit, and function of food zone components, gaps or pathways may exist in that unwanted fluids or solids may enter the food zone. Pathways for contamination to enter a food zone include: refrigeration tubing, water supply, drain tubing, electrical connections, and devices for antimicrobial protection, automatic cleaning systems, ice harvest assist, and transportation of ice from the ice making surface to the storage bin. Methods and devices of creating contaminant-proof barriers are disclosed, including: sealing, trapping, gasketing and/or creating a positive pressure within the food zone, alone or in combination. The methods and devices can be used in a systematic arrangement to create an essentially contaminant-proof ice machine food zone.

Abstract: A system and methods for sanitation of ice storage equipment. An ozone generator provides a sanitizing agent comprised of a mixture of ambient air and ozone. The sanitizing agent is circulated through an ice storage bin. The sanitizing agent cleanses interior surfaces of the ice storage bin and also cleanses surfaces of an ice dispenser that dispenses ice from the ice storage bin.

Abstract: The use of the following techniques to clean air: (1) inlet air filtration, (2) continuous recirculation air filtration, (3) water filtration and disinfection, (4) use of an air curtain in the ice bin opening, and (5) provision of clean air to the air assist pump during the harvest cycle.

Abstract: A controller continues to operate an ice making machine in a safe mode when a failure of a component is detected. While in the safe mode due to failure of an ice thickness probe, the freeze cycle freeze time is based on an average freeze time of a predetermined number of the most previous freeze cycles prior to the failure. While in the safe mode due to failure of a water level probe, the water valve on time is based on an average water valve on time of a predetermined number of the most previous freeze cycles prior to the failure. If the failure is uncured after a predetermined time, the controller causes the ice making machine to enter a standby mode or disables the ice making machine from making ice.

Abstract: A method of making ice in an ice making machine comprising: (a) compressing vaporized refrigerant, cooling the compressed refrigerant to condense it into a liquid, feeding the condensed refrigerant through an expansion device and vaporizing the refrigerant in an evaporator to create freezing temperatures in an ice-forming mold to freeze water into ice in the shape of mold cavities during an ice making mode; (b) heating the ice making mold to release the ice therefrom in a harvest mode by separating vaporous and liquid refrigerant within a receiver interconnected between the condenser and the expansion device and feeding vapor from the receiver to the evaporator, wherein the ice-forming mold, evaporator and receiver are disposed in an ice machine unit, and the compressor and condenser are disposed in a condensing unit; (c) determining if the ice making machine is on and if an ice bin switch is closed: if the ice machine is on and the bin switch is closed, then check a low pressure switch: if the low pressure s

Abstract: A method for making clear ice comprising: filling a water sump to a predetermined level; contacting a refrigerant to an evaporator; circulating water from the sump over the evaporator to form ice on the evaporator; monitoring the water level in the sump; and monitoring the conductivity of the water in the sump to determine if the conductivity of the water is equal to or greater than a predetermined conductivity valve, (i) if the conductivity is not equal to or greater than the predetermined conductivity valve and if the water level reaches a predetermined lower water level, then complete the ice making cycle and initiate the harvest cycle; or (ii) if the conductivity is equal to or greater than the predetermined conductivity valve and if the water level has not reached a predetermined lower water level, then add additional water to the water sump.

Abstract: An ice making system includes a flavored liquid, an ice machine and a refrigerated storage bin. The ice making system provides for the continuous production of flavored ice pieces with features to facilitate stabilization of the flavored ice and maintain the quality.

Abstract: A device for rinsing a container that dispenses a beverage includes the container that has a wall surrounding a volume that holds ingredients of the beverage and a magnet connected to the wall. A rinsing system includes a nozzle that sprays liquid and a switch that is attracted to the magnet so that when the magnet contacts the switch a rinse cycle is activated.

Abstract: A system for measuring an ingredient in a container of a beverage dispenser includes a scale having a base with the container supported on the base. The ingredient has a recipe weight equal to a weight of a total amount of the ingredient that will be dispensed into the container and an in-flight weight that is equal to a weight of the ingredient that has left the dispenser but is not yet supported within the container so that it is detected by the scale. A dispenser controller subtracts the in-flight weight parameter from the recipe weight to calculate a target weight of ingredient within the beverage container, thereby controlling the activation or deactivation of the ingredient dispenser(s).

Abstract: A crankcase heater control system for a refrigeration system includes a first temperature sensor for sensing the outdoor temperature, and, a second temperature sensor for sensing compressor discharge temperature. A controller is operatively connected to temperature sensors and the crankcase heater. When the ambient temperature falls below a first pre-determined temperature the controller compares the compressor discharge temperature to a second pre-determined temperature which is greater than the first pre-determined temperature and energizes the crankcase heater when the compressor discharge temperature falls below the second pre-determined temperature.

Abstract: A method for determining the relative humidity in an interior space without using a special humidity sensor, the method including passing a flow of air of known temperature and humidity through the cooling coil of a known air conditioning system for a pre-determined period of time. The temperature of the air exiting from the cooling coil after the pre-determined period of time is measured. A reference temperature differential is determined by subtracting the exiting temperature from the known temperature of the entering air. A flow of air for which it is desired to know the relative humidity is then passed through the cooling coil for the same pre-determined period of time. The temperature of the air entering the cooling coil and exiting from the cooling coil at the end of this pre-determined period of time is determined. The exit temperature is subtracted from the entering temperature to provide the temperature differential for the air of unknown relative humidity.

Abstract: An outdoor coil temperature detection scheme in a heat pump system effective for developing outdoor ambient temperature indications from outdoor coil temperature data, for use in heat pump control.

Abstract: An adaptive defrost system for a heat pump wherein the time-between-defrosts is continuously updated by multiplying the last time-between-defrosts by a ratio of the desired and actual differences between the pre-defrost and after-defrost saturated coil temperatures. A single thermistor is used for both pre and after-defrost measurements such that no calibration is required.