Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a camshaft, a valve, a cam follower and a rocker arm. The cam follower is coupled between the camshaft and the valve. The rocker arm is coupled between the cam follower and the valve. At least one of the cam follower and the rocker arm is configured so as to move through an adjustable distance prior to transmitting motion for moving the valve.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a camshaft, a valve, a cam follower and a rocker arm. The cam follower is coupled between the camshaft and the valve. The rocker arm is coupled between the cam follower and the valve. At least one of the cam follower and the rocker arm is configured so as to move through an adjustable distance prior to transmitting motion for moving the valve.

Abstract: A softserve product refrigeration and dispensing machine having numerous novel features, including a beater of dasher which allows for increased strength, efficiency, and consistency of mixing of the food stuffs.

Abstract: An improved evaporator for a refrigeration system to reduce the temperature of a medium therein in which a first tube composed of a first material having a first thermal conductivity is surrounded by a body of a second material disposed in intimate contact therewith, the second material having a different thermal conductivity than the thermal conductivity of the first material. An evaporator refrigerator inlet and outlet are disposed in the body and a refrigeration path intermediate the inlet and outlet includes a plurality of fins in the path to increase the surface area of the second material in the path. A refrigeration system using the improved evaporator and including a subcooler, is described and a method of manufacturing the evaporator is disclosed.

Abstract: A flavor mixing and dispensing device for a frozen confection machine including an upright valve cylinder having a discharge outlet at its lower end and a frozen confection inlet port and a plurality of flavoring inlet ports spaced above its lower end. A rotary mixer is provided in the lower portion of the cylinder and a valve piston is slidable in the valve cylinder. The valve piston is formed with a downwardly opening cavity means for receiving the rotary mixer, and the rotary mixer and valve piston are constructed and arranged so that the mixer telescopes into the cavity means in the valve piston when the piston is moved to its lower position, and the mixer and valve piston substantially fill the mixing chamber in the lower portion of the valve cylinder to displace substantially all material from the valve cylinder at the end of a dispensing operation.

Abstract: A method and refrigeration apparatus for producing a sterile slush ice from a sterile liquid for use in surgical procedures. The refrigeration apparatus includes a cabinet having a heat transfer basin at the top and refrigeration mechanism in the cabinet for cooling the heat transfer basin. A separate sterile product basin is positioned in the heat transfer basin and cooled through a heat transfer medium in the product basin. A sterile liquid is deposited in the product basin and ice is scraped off the walls of the product basin with a sterile scraper. A sterile cover including a liquid impervious cover sheet is provided for covering the heat transfer basin and the heat exchange medium therein and the upper portion of the refrigeration apparatus.

Abstract: A conductivity type in-line liquid sensing apparatus adapted for connection in a liquid supply line to sense interruption of the liquid supply in the line. The sensing apparatus includes a trap chamber having a liquid inlet tube and a liquid outlet tube and the outlet tube forms one electrode of an electrode pair. The outlet tube electrode has a gas vent opening at a level above the lower end of the other electrode of the electrode pair, to vent gas from the trap chamber and maintain the liquid level in the chamber above the lower ends of the electrodes, until the liquid supply is interrupted. A sensing circuit is connected to the electrode pair to apply a low voltage to the electrodes and cause a low current to pass between the electrodes when they are bridged by liquid in the trap chamber. The sensing circuit is arranged to actuate an output device in response to the change in conductivity that occurs when the liquid supply is interrupted and does not form a conductive bridge between the electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing measured quantities of viscous material from a pressurized supply source including a measuring cylinder having a spring loaded piston therein and a rotary valve for alternately communicating the measuring cylinder with the supply source and with a discharge outlet. The rotary valve member has axially spaced O-ring seals to inhibit leakage from the ends of the valve member and an inlet seal for sealing against leakage from the pressurized inlet passage in a direction circumferentially of the rotary valve member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling operation of a semi-frozen product dispensing machine. The control system includes a viscosity sensing mechanism for sensing the viscosity of the product in the freezing chamber and for shutting off flow of refrigerant to the freezing chamber evaporator when the product reaches the desired viscosity. The control system also includes a refrigerant pressure sensing mechanism for sensing the pressure on the refrigerant in the freezing chamber evaporator when the supply of refrigerant is shut off and for restarting the refrigerating mechanism when the refrigerant pressure in the evaporator rises to a preselected value. The control system also includes circuitry for restarting the refrigerating mechanism when the dispensing valve is opened.

Abstract: A freezer door for a soft-serve freezer in which the door has a valve cylinder and a valve member slidable in the cylinder. A valve actuator is pivotally supported in a pair of bearings at the front of the door and the valve actuator is formed in two parts, with a first actuator part comprising a first shaft member rotatably supported in one of the bearings and having an internally splined socket and a lateral valve engaging member at one end, and a second actuator part comprising a second shaft member rotatably supported in the other of the bearings and having an externally splined end portion at one end non-rotatably received in the socket in the first shaft member and a lateral handle at its other end. The first and second actuator parts can be reversibly mounted on the door for left or right hand operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing and dispensing a semi-frozen food product containing liquid and gaseous ingredients including a refrigerated freezing chamber and volumetric type gas and liquid pumps operable when driven to pump gas and liquid in preselected proportions and under pressure to the freezing chamber. The gas and liquid pumps are motor driven under the control of a pressure responsive control which starts the pumps when the pressure in the freezing chamber falls below a predetermined super-atmospheric pressure range and stops the pumps when it rises above that predetermined super-atmospheric pressure range.