Abstract: A rotating disc for cutting ice in an industrial ice maker includes a center mounting hole for rotatably mounting the disc in the ice maker. The round flat top surface having a plurality of triangularly shaped through holes. The base of the triangularly shaped through holes being equally spaced from the mounting hole. The base is also positioned near the outer edge. The disc has plurality of cutter knives with triangular shapes. Each of the plurality of cutter knives are securely fastened to the round flat top surface and fixedly positioned to nearly cover each of the triangularly shaped through holes. A slot remains and extends nearly from the mounting hole to the outer edge. There is a raised portion which forms a cutting edge and is positioned over the triangularly shaped hole and parallel with the slot. The cutting edge extends nearly from the mounting hole to the outer edge of the rotating disc.

Abstract: A reverse cycle defrost or water defrost type ice-maker refrigeration system includes a programmable controller which initiates a freezing cycle in which water is pumped for application to the chilled surface of an evaporator for freezing. All water that fails to be frozen absorbs minerals from the frozen water and is returned to the sump. The programmable controller terminates replenishment of water removed from the sump substantially prior to completion of the freezing cycle so that the sump level falls and the mineral content of water in the sump increases substantially. The ice is harvested at the end of the freezing cycle by hot refrigerant gas from the compressor directed to the evaporator or warm water while the sump is being drained and subsequently refilled prior to the initiation of a subsequent cycle of operation. The operation is energy efficient since water is saved and a reduced amount of water is used and a reduced amount of previously refrigerated water is disposed of by drainage of the sump.

Abstract: In an auger-type product chiller having an auger including a series of successive flights that form a generally helical structure that, when rotated, moves product through cold water for chilling the product, control elements extending from faces of the flights at a non-zero angle. The control structures prevent "clumping" and packing of poultry product, break up any "clumps" and packs of the product that may develop, and improve product uniformity. In this manner, the advantages of proper agitation, as well as rapid, predictable and even product cooling and moisture introduction, are achieved. Implementations of the control elements include sets of rods extending from the flights at 30.degree. angles from radial lines of affixation to the flights, flat plates extending from the flights at 30.degree. angles from radial lines of affixation to the flights, and sets of rods extending between successive flights near peripheries of the flights.

Abstract: A U-shaped tube end connector for use on a horizontal shell and tube heat exchanger with the U-shaped tube end connector having close centerline-to-centerline capability and being molded from transparent plastic or cast stainless steel with built in O-ring type sealing gasket that eliminates the need for cumbersome space consuming special clamps by allowing for the bolting of the molded U-shaped tube end connector directly onto the face of a tube sheet on the heat exchanger vessel.