Abstract: An automatic device for producing ice cubes has separate probes for measuring the temperature of the environment, and, for measuring the temperature of water supplied to an input of the device, the probes being connected to a monitoring device operative to calculate the optimum operation of the device under any particular climatic conditions.

Abstract: An ice maker including freeze and harvest controls is disclosed. The evaporator includes a unitary evaporator and ice mold. A compressor and condenser cool the evaporator to freeze ice on the mold in a normal refrigeration cycle and the mold is defrosted by hot gas to harvest ice from the ice mold. The temperature of the ice mold and the liquid line temperature of the condenser are sensed to control the length of time of the ice forming cycle.

Abstract: An ice cube makes has a generally upright gridded evaporator, a hot gas defrost for harvest of cubes, a storage bin below the evaporator, a hinged cube and water curtain between the evaporator and the bin, a new and improved control for the freeze cycle, and a new and improved control for the harvest cycle.

Abstract: In an ice making machine having an evaporator unit formed therein with a multiplicity of individual freezing cells and provided thereon with an evaporator in thermal exchange relationship with the freezing cells to freeze water circulated into the freezing cells during a freezing cycle, an electric control apparatus for the ice making machine is arranged to ascertain a frequency of an electric power supplied to the machine, to detect an actual freezing temperature of the evaporator unit, to determine an optimum freezing temperature necessary for complete freezing of all the water in the freezing cells in operation under the power supply of the ascertained frequency, to maintain the freezing cycle until the actual freezing temperature becomes lower than or equal to the optimum freezing temperature and to terminate the freezing cycle and initiate a harvest cycle for discharge of formed ice cubes from the freezing cells when the actual freezing temperature has become lower than or equal to the optimum freezing t

Abstract: Ice making apparatus includes a plate forming a plurality of through openings, the plate having an under surface facing downwardly, a plurality of evaporator tips projecting downwardly from said openings, said tips consisting of heat conductive metal; there being downwardly tapering thermal isolators surrounding the tips proximate the plate, first means for supplying refrigerant fluid to extract heat upwardly from at least some of the tips and thereby cool them to ice forming temperature, and second means to spray water onto the under surface of the plate to drain down said isolators onto the tips, whereby ice progressively forms on the tips, and the tips may be subsequently heated to effect release of the ice from the tips to drop downwardly, for harvesting.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating falling snow and having an upright inner cylinder, a cloud vapor machine and a snow seed feeder connected to the cylinder near the lower end thereof, an air velocity adjustment pipe connected between the upper and lower ends thereof and a blower in the pipe for adjusting the flow velocity of air inside the pipe to adjust the flow of air in the inner cylinder, and a cooling tower surrounding the inner cylinder and a cooler for cooling the air in the cooling tower for cooling the inner cylinder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making ice wherein an ice cube maker has a generally upright gridded evaporator, a hot gas defrost for harvest of cubes, a storage bin below the evaporator, a hinged cube and water curtain between the evaporator and the bin, a new and improved control for the freeze cycle, and a new and improved control for the harvest cycle.

Abstract: An under the counter ice making machine has a refrigerator for producing ice cube bearing slabs. A freezer compartment support means includes a bottom compartment having a rear panel extending upwardly to a top panel. The evaporator of the refrigerator is attached to the rear panel adjacent to the top panel and the remainder of the refrigerator components are supported in the bottom compartment which has an open top. A separate unitary freezer compartment includes an integrally formed ice bin portion and a top portion. When the freezer compartment is resting on the bottom compartment of the support means the top portion coacts with the evaporator bearing rear wall end to enclose the top portion. Thus, the freezer compartment is slidably mounted on the bottom compartment so that the bottom of the ice bin portion closes the bottom compartment.

Abstract: An ice machine is provided for producing cracked ice in which an ice thickness sensor is located within a freezing chamber adjacent to the surface upon which a layer of ice forms during operation. When the thickness sensor is actuated, the layer of ice is harvested. The ice sheet may be removed with a plunger operatively connected to a motor by means of a screw drive.

Abstract: A unit for sensing the complete freezing and depletion of water, associated with an ice product making machine or apparatus which is comprised of a freezing plate formed of a lower heat conducting material and arranged vertically with a plurality of vertically extending and being transversely spaced apart partitions on its front surface and with surface portions between the adjoining partitions defining freezing sections, and a freezing system including a compressor adapted for supplying the cooling medium in circulation through a cooling coil placed on the back surface of the freezing plate. The sensing unit has a thermostatic temperature sensor mounted in direct contact with the foremost part of at least one of the partitions. The thermostat contact and the cooling system are so constructed and arranged that termination of ice making, is sensed by the thermostat temperature sensor sensing the temperature of the ice-making water approaching 0.degree. C.

Abstract: An automatic ice-making system for use with a bottled water supply includes a refrigeration unit having a freezer section for receiving and freezing water. An enclosed reservoir for bottled water is provided with the refrigeration unit, a feed line being established between the reservoir and the freezer section. A valve is interposed in the feed line for controlling the flow of water through the feed line between the reservoir and the freezer. A pump is provided with the reservoir for pumping water through the feed line. A specific electrical contact configuration provides means for simultaneously energizing the pump and commencing the opening of the valve, responsive to a sensed condition in the freezer. The preferred configuration of the reservoir is a flat, generally U-shaped container, with the pump being positioned within an enclosure located within the confines of the U-shaped container.

Abstract: An ice machine control having an on-delay timer in the circuit controlling the circulating water pump so that, at the start of an ice making cycle, the evaporator-ice mold is allowed to cool well below freezing before water begins to circulate to the mold.

Abstract: An ice cube making machine having a vertical, open-faced freezing mold over which water is circulated from an underlying trough to build up ice. When the mold is full, the pump circulating the water is stopped and the ice is harvested. Harvesting is facilitated by a plunger that is biased to push ice from the mold. Water pressure from the pump holds the plunger against its bias until the pressure is released for the harvest cycle. The mold open face is covered by a water curtain having a lower lip underlying the mold open face so that the underlying trough need not extend substantially out from the mold, thereby permitting similar such units to be vertically stacked.

Abstract: A vertical ice cube mold chilled by a refrigeration system has a water stream pumped into its open vertical face to build up ice cubes in the mold. A probe hangs over the open mold face at an adjustable spacing. When the mold fills with ice and the water stream contacts the probe, an electrical circuit is completed to cause a control to stop the water pump and heat the mold, thus harvesting the ice cubes. A timer restarts the icemaking cycle in case ice is not delivered for some reason. Casual water contact with the probe is prevented from tripping the control through the use of a simple integrator device.

Abstract: An ice making machine selectively produces both white and clear ice. Water is frozen in a tube 14 which has disposed thereabout in heat exchange relation a refrigerant evaporator tube 92. During a freezing cycle a reversing valve 84 directs cold refrigerant through the evaporator tube 92 in a first direction FC. During a harvest cycle the reversing valve 84 directs hot refrigerant through the evaporator in a reverse direction HC. After thawing ice is discharged from the tube 14 by pressurized gas.

Abstract: A beverage cooling device which mounts on top of a cabinet so that a warm beverage, such as beer carried in a keg is cooled prior to flowing out of a faucet. The apparatus includes a cylindrical container having an evaporator coil positioned closely adjacent an inner wall and a beverage dispensing coil centrally positioned within the container. A space is provided between the inner wall of the container and the beverage dispensing coil so as to permit ice to build up on the wall of the container. A power-operated propellor is centrally located within the container for circulating water over the layer of ice and around the beverage dispensing coil to enhance the cooling of the beer flowing through the coil. A temperature sensor is carried in the water between the ice layer and the beverage cooling coil for controlling the operation of a compressor for maintaining the proper temperature of water in the container.

Abstract: Ice making apparatus having one or more corrugated freezing plates with substantially vertical channels in which water flows to form ice cubes. Angled penetration lugs are secured to one surface of each freezing plate at vertically spaced intervals along the bent portions of the freezing plate defining the channels, and the refrigeration line is in contact with each of the penetration lugs so that ice cubes are formed evenly in vertically spaced relation along each of the channels defined by the bent portions of the freezing plate. The penetration lugs are bent at substantially the same angle as the bent portions of the freezing plate, and the lugs are bent or wrapped around the refrigeration line to maximize penetration. A thermostat is positioned at an angle adjacent one of the channels and near a cube to be formed that is below the uppermost cube.

Abstract: An automatic ice making machine employing a compression refrigeration system permitting utilization of a single compressor and condenser coil to provide cooled liquid refrigerant for one or more remote evaporator coils, each evaporator coil arranged in heat exchange relationship with a separate group of ice forming cells. A pressure responsive timer terminated control system is employed to control the cycle of operation of the ice making machine. The control system is relatively inexpensive in production and maintenance and acts to implement the operation of the evaporators in a desired flooded condition insuring the attainment of a relatively uniform cooling gradient across the ice forming cells.

Abstract: A slab-type ice maker apparatus wherein a slab of ice is formed on an inclined evaporator plate by the flowing of water over the upper surface of the refrigerated plate. A control is provided for sensing the temperature of the evaporator plate so as to determine when the thickness of the ice slab reaches a minimal preliminary thickness and continuing the ice slab formation for a preselected period of time subsequent to that determination to provide the completed final thickness slab. The thermally responsive sensing structure is mounted to the underside of the evaporator plate for improved sensing operation. The rate of flow of the water is reduced subsequent to the determination of the formation of the minimal thickness slab for improved efficiency in completing the formation of the final slab. Sensing structure is provided for determining the transfer of the ice slab to a slab dividing grid from the refrigerated plate.

Abstract: The apparatus for making ice blocks comprises a hollow body containing projecting parts faced downwards. Referigerating fluid and heating fluid are circulated separately through this body. A tray is around the projecting parts in its uppermost position. This tray is supported by a mechanism between an uppermost and a lowermost position and a water supply line comprising a cock opens into said tray. When ice has formed on the projecting parts, an electric circuit is closed and the cock opens for some time. Thus the tray falls. In the lowermost position water flows away out of the tray and therefore the tray rises up to its uppermost position.

Abstract: An ice cube making machine includes agitator paddles which oscillate or reciprocate in a horizontal path between freezing elements to agitate the water to provide clear ice cubes. An ice cube thickness sensor is carried by the agitating paddle assembly and moves in a path toward and away from the cube. When the desired ice cube thickness has been attained, the sensor actuates circuitry to interrupt the freezing cycle and initiate the harvest cycle. Control of the various functions of the machine is afforded by a compact control module which contains proximity switches located adjacent exterior faces of the module and eliminates the need for limit switches. Feelers or links containing switch actuating magnets swing past the proximity switches to initiate or trigger or discontinue the various cycles.

Abstract: In an apparatus for producing ice a compressor which via a liquid separator is supplied with cooling medium from an evaporator, transfers compressed medium to a condenser, the condenser being connected to a liquid collector which in turn is connected to the evaporator. A first controllable valve is connected in the communication path between the liquid collector and the evaporator, and a second controllable valve is connected in the return path between the liquid separator and the evaporator.

Abstract: An ice-making heat pump system is disclosed which includes a number of evaporator freezing plates, each of the plates having two fluid passageways therein. One of the passageways is arranged to conduct boiling refrigerant fluid for freezing water on the surfaces of the plate. The other passageway is arranged to conduct warm condensed refrigerant for harvesting ice formed on the plate surface. A fluid valve arrangement is also provided to connect the plates with the rest of the system so that ice can be selectively formed and released from the outer surfaces of the freezing plates.

Abstract: An ice forming plate member pivots upon formation of a slab of ice of predetermined weight thereon and upon pivoting, a switch senses the pivoting and controls a refrigeration system for harvesting the ice slab by conducting heat to the ice forming plate member to release the slab of ice formed. Biasing means counterweight the ice forming plate member to prevent pivoting prior to the formation of an ice slab of predetermined weight, with the weight being approximately correlated with the thickness of the ice slab. Two or more ice forming plate members may be mechanically connected in parallel for forming two ice slabs approximately simultaneously. Heat for defrosting the two ice slabs is supplied at different rates to the two ice forming plate members to release one of the ice slabs at a different time than the other ice slab is released.

Abstract: An automatic ice maker control circuit having an improved tolerance to sense the presence of stuck ice pieces in a predetermined pocket of an ice tray. A solid state temperature sensor and time delay circuit includes an operational amplifier controlled by a temperature sensor in one portion of a bridge network for sensing above or below freezing temperatures in the pocket, depending upon the presence of liquid or a stuck cube respectively, in said sensing pocket. The ice maker is conditioned for immediate harvest after the below freezing temperature is effected in the tray pocket when the sensor senses an above-freezing temperature. The time delay circuit conditions the ice maker for a delayed harvest until the predetermined temperature is effected in the tray sensing pocket if the sensor senses a below-freezing temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automatic production of ice from water filled stalls and comprised of means applying heat absorption thereto until an iced condition is reached, followed by the simultaneous application of heat thereto to thaw the stall-to-ice interfaces and of refill water thereto to eject the ice by means of floatation; and comprised of one or a series of stalls embraced by the evaporator of a refrigeration system having a hot gas bypass that is intermittently discharged through the evaporator simultaneously with refill water applied to the stall or stalls to eject the ice, a temperature sensor and refrigerant control alternately reacting to effect the iced and thaw conditions of the stall, thereby automatically cycling the apparatus for continued operation.

Abstract: A beverage cooling bath includes a refrigeration evaporator immersed in water for growing ice thereon, there being a beverage cooling coil disposed elsewhere in such water. In order to turn the refrigeration system off when a sufficient amount of ice has built up on the evaporator, there is provided a control for doing so which includes a motor-driven impeller that directs a flow of water into a tube which divides, the one portion having an outlet through which such water normally flows along a freezing surface on the evaporator, and the other portion being a branch that leads to a sensing control which is responsive to an increase of water level or water pressure therein as a consequence of ice forming to block the other portion leading to the outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus for freezing a slug of water to form an ice plug in a section of a pipeline for hydrostatic testing purposes. The ice plug is formed by transferring thermal energy from the slug of water through the walls of the pipeline to a cryogenic cooling fluid such as liquid nitrogen. A section of the pipeline is filled with water and is enclosed by an insulated chamber. The chamber is filled with liquid nitrogen to form a pool around the pipeline. The liquid nitrogen is agitated by discharging a stream of nitrogen vapor through the pool. Heat exchange occurs as a result of heat transfer directly from the surface of the pipeline to the liquid nitrogen by the action of convection currents produced by the vigorous agitation of the liquid associated with the motion of the nitrogen vapor. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid nitrogen is diffused over the surface of the pipeline by means of a permeable layer of material which is easily wetted by the liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: An improved freeze-harvest cycle control system for use in tubular type refrigerated ice makers having a water level control pan wherein a drop in the control pan water level is detected and used to initiate the harvest cycle. Temperature controls on the water tube discharge are used in conjunction with the water level control means to insure completion of the harvest cycle before commencement of the freeze cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing one or more post-mix beverages is described. A gravity type dispenser having a plurality of valves which alternatively dispense syrup or concentrate with either carbonated or sweet water. The carbonated and sweet water are supplied from a carbonating and cooling assembly. Cooling of the sweet water is performed by passing the sweet water through a coil emersed in the carbonated water tank. The rate of carbonation of the water is assisted by a rotary agitator which is intermittently energized in synchronism with the beginning of the dispensing operation. The syrup storage tanks and carbonating assembly are in thermal contact to facilitate cooling of the syrup in the dispenser. Additional automatic controls are provided for maintaining the water level and ice bank thickness, and thus, the temperature of the carbonated water in the carbonating assembly within predetermined limits.

Abstract: A reversible cycle ice making machine provided with a tube-in-tube evaporator having disposed between the tubes thereof an annular chamber through which a refrigerant is adapted to flow and bond a hollow ice column upon the inside surface of the inner tube during the freezing cycle; and during the succeeding defrost cycle, to thaw the bond by a dual acting defrost system.One of the defrost actions of the system is effected by flowing a defrost fluid, such as hot gas, endwise through the annular chamber to cause the refrigerant remaining the chamber from the preceding freezing cycle to be progressively replaced by the defrost fluid while the ice column bond is progressively thawed in the endwise direction. Thus, the length of the chamber containing the defrosting fluid progressively increases as the complementary length containing the remaining refrigerant fluid decreases during the flow of both fluids in tandem and downstream through the chamber.

Abstract: A slab type ice maker including an inclined refrigerated plate assembly is associated with a mechanically driven refrigerant compressor to cool the plate below freezing during an ice making cycle of operation whereby water circulated thereover by means of a motor driven pump will produce an ice slab thickness on the plate which is removed therefrom during a hot gas defrost harvest cycle of operation to be directed onto a heated grid for separation into individual cubes which are collected in a storage bin having a bin level thermostat therein that operates when the bin is filled to terminate machine operation.

Abstract: An automatic ice making machine having a control combining a timer with a thermostat to insure the attainment of desired temperatures in an ice forming enclosure and the retention of water in the ice forming enclosure for sufficient time to produce desired freezing at which time the control acts to automatically terminate the ice forming cycle and to initiate an ice harvesting cycle over recurring cycles of freezing and harvesting.

Abstract: An ice maker control circuit for use with an ice maker of the type including an inclined refrigerated plate associated with means energized during an ice making cycle of operation to cause water to be continually circulated across the inclined plate as refrigerant is directed with respect thereto and wherein ice slabs built up on the plate are periodically released therefrom and directed to a cutting grid for separation into a plurality of cubes of ice; the control circuit including a bin ice accumulation switch responsive to a maximum build up of ice therein to terminate machine operation and an ice slab thickness control switch to selectively control circuit means for terminating the circulation of water over the plate and for initiating a hot gas defrost cycle of operation; the circuit further including a time delay thermal relay responsive to the bin ice accumulation switch sensing a maximum level of bin ice and operative to maintain an ice making cycle of operation until the ice slab reaches a desired th

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a soft food mix, such as soft ice cream, milk shakes, yogurt or the like whereby mix from a pressurized container passes through a heat exchanger and particularly passes in a line disposed within a hollow coil immediately adjacent to a second line which carries either a heating or cooling fluid to prevent formation of an ice plug and maintain the proper consistency. Thermisters disposed on the coil sense the temperature of the mix and provide electrical control signals to automatically control supply of the heating and cooling fluids.