Abstract: An automatic device for producing a cooled semi-liquid food product includes a pump, a suction conduit connected to the pump and provided with a connection piece which is connected during operation to a reservoir, a pressure conduit connected to the pump which defines a draught end, and a cooling element. The cooling element includes a cooled part which is located in the pressure conduit. The device further incorporates a cleaning device having a cleaning conduit which is provided with a connection piece that fits on a closeable opening of the pressure conduit and with a connection piece removably attached to the connection piece of the suction conduit, a closeable drain conduit connected to the cleaning conduit, a closeable supply conduit for liquid under pressure for cleaning or rinsing that is connected to the cleaning conduit, an arrangement for blocking the drain conduit and an assembly for blocking the liquid supply conduit.

Abstract: An ice bagger includes a sanitizing system which periodically activates to sanitize the ice hopper. In operation, a flow of water is directed to the hopper to melt the ice in the hopper and to flush the melt water to a reservoir. A sanitizing agent is added to the water in the reservoir to form a sanitizing solution which is circulated throughout the hopper. After the sanitizing process, the sanitizing solution is drained from the reservoir and the reservoir is refilled with fresh water for rinsing the hopper.

Abstract: An air treatment plant, e.g. a freezing plant for foodstuffs, comprises a housing (1), an elongate trough (12) provided therein for receiving the foodstuff to be treated, a heat exchanger (13), and a fan assembly (14) for producing an air flow circulating through the heat exchanger, up through the trough and back to the heat exchanger. The bottom of the trough comprises a foraminated conveyor belt (16). The conveyor belt (16) is driven by an electric motor having a control unit for at least periodically driving the conveyor belt in a direction opposite to the throughfeed direction of the foodstuff in the trough (12).

Abstract: A method for recovering original type oil from a system that has been charged with an original type refrigerant eliminates the need for removing and cleaning individual components. A separate oil separator is connected to the compressor suction of the air conditioning system. The air conditioning system is operated to collect oil in the oil separator. Then the oil separator is bypassed and the system is injected with a replacement oil. The system is again operated, with the replacement oil mixing with the original type oil. The oil separator is again reconnected into the system at the suction port of the compressor. The air conditioning system operates again, with the oil being collected a second time. The system is then ready for recovery of refrigerant by a recovery unit.

Abstract: The frozen dessert machine of the present invention has an automated dispenser for controlling the portion size.

Abstract: An automatic ice making machine is disclosed having a coolant/refrigerant system, a water/ice system, a cleaning/sterilizing system and a microprocessor operated control system interconnecting the above systems. Methods for automatically cleaning the ice maker's water/ice systems and establishing safeguards and monitoring of system readiness and operation are also provided.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus is contained within the potable water collection apparatus, to selectively clean the cooling coil and the collection pan, when the collection apparatus is not collecting potable water. The potable water collection apparatus comprises an enclosure having an air mover to provide a dynamic airflow path between an inlet port and an outlet port; a compressor; a condensing coil in fluid communication with the compressor; a cooling coil in fluid communication with the condensing coil, thus forming a closed loop circulation system for the circulation of a refrigerant fluid. The cooling coil is in the dynamic airflow path. A collection tray is disposed below the cooling coil, and a collection container receives collected water from the collection tray. The cleaning apparatus comprises a hood enclosure for substantially enclosing the cooling coil and the inner surface of the collection tray. The hood enclosure is movable between a first closed cleaning position and a second opened position.

Abstract: A method of cleaning an air conditioning system utilizes a maintenance unit. The maintenance unit has a recovery compressor, recovery condenser, a recovery evaporator, and recovery expansion valve. Operating the recovery compressor draws refrigerant from the air conditioning system, filters it, and passes it into a storage container. To clean, a control valve leading from the storage container is opened to flow refrigerant from the storage container into both the high pressure and low pressure sides of the air conditioning system compressor. The recovery compressor continues to operate to apply a pressure to the air conditioning system up to a maximum level. Once this is reached, or a selected time interval elapses, the pressure in the air conditioning system is again reduced and brought to a vacuum, causing refrigerant to flow back out of the air conditioning system, bringing with it foreign matter.

Abstract: A process for removing lubricant, hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof from a vapor compression mechanical refrigeration system by using carbon dioxide as a solvent is disclosed. The process is carried out using supercritical, liquified or gaseous carbon dioxide and removes lubricant to a level below about 5% so as to be compatible with environmentally acceptable refrigerants.

Abstract: A freezer having a freezing compartment and a porous conveyor belt for conveying articles through the freezing compartment. A vaporizer is provided to vaporize a stream of liquid cryogen. Vaporized cryogen is directed against the belt as a plurality of jets to blow accumulated ice off the belt. The vaporizer is located within the freezing compartment so that the cooling potential of the cryogen is not wasted and the vaporizer can serve as a preferential condensation site for the moisture.

Abstract: A device for transmitting a heating or cooling medium to a moving substrate which includes at least one continuous channel traversing at least a major portion of the width of the moving substrate for converting a multidirectional flow of the heating or cooling medium into a unidirectional flow, a device for removing and/or preventing the presence of foreign matter within the channel, and ovens and freezers employing the same.

Abstract: Portable, hand carryable acid purification and flushing and transfer systems are provided for use in various refrigerant recovery, recycling and flushing operations performed in conjunction with an air conditioning circuit. The acid purification system is disposed within a carrying housing and includes an accumulation/distillation type acid separator piped in series with a pair of cylindrical dual core filter assemblies. A pair of refrigerant inlet and outlet fittings are externally mounted on the housing. By connecting these fittings in a forced flow refrigerant circuit the refrigerant is passed sequentially through the acid separator and the first and second filter assemblies to cleanse the refrigerant of acid and particulate impurities therein. The portable flushing and transfer system is also disposed in a carrying housing and includes a high capacity liquid refrigerant transfer pump piped in series with a check valve and a relief valve.

Abstract: An automatic self-cleaning self-sterilizing ice making machine is having a coolant/refrigerant system, a water-ice system, a cleaning/sterilizing system and a microprocessor operated control system interconnecting the above systems. Methods for automatically cleaning ice maker water-ice systems and establishing safeguards and monitoring of system readiness and operation are also provided.

Abstract: In an ice making machine the ice forming unit of which includes an upright ice forming plate located above a water tank and having a cooling surface in heat exchange relationship with an evaporator attached thereto and an ice forming surface to be supplied with water from the water tank by means of a water pump for forming the water into ice cubes, a first water supply conduit is connected to the water pump to supply the water from the water tank toward the ice forming surface of the upright plate when an ice making mode or a washing mode is selected at the ice making machine, and a second water supply conduit is arranged to introduce a portion of the water supplied from the water tank into a space above the evaporator only when the washing mode is selected at the ice making machine.

Abstract: Portable, hand carryable acid purification and flushing and transfer systems are provided for use in various refrigerant recovery, recycling and flushing operations performed in conjunction with an air conditioning circuit. The acid purification system is disposed within a carrying housing and includes an accumulation/distillation type acid separator piped in series with a pair of cylindrical dual core filter assemblies. A pair of refrigerant inlet and outlet fittings are externally mounted on the housing. By connecting these fittings in a forced flow refrigerant circuit the refrigerant is passed sequentially through the acid separator and the first and second filter assemblies to cleanse the refrigerant of acid and particulate impurities therein. The portable flushing and transfer system is also disposed in a carrying housing and includes a high capacity liquid refrigerant transfer pump piped in series with a check valve and a relief valve.

Abstract: A self-cleaning heat exchanger (10) has a reversible fan (12) located between two tube banks (14, 16) with a pressure switch (24) connected thereto. The fan (12) rotates in one direction blowing across the first tube bank (14) and drawing air over the second tube bank (16). The pressure switch and fan are interconnected by two relays (28, 30). When the refrigerant pressure in the tube banks exceeds the threshold pressure, the relay (28) is closed and grounded and electric current flows through the relay (30). The change in direction of current flow will reverse the polarity of the windings in motor (13) and thus the rotation of the motor (13) and the fan (12) thereby reversing air flow to remove debris from one tube bank while withdrawing heat from the other without loss of cooling efficiency.

Abstract: Portable, hand carryable acid purification and flushing and transfer systems are provided for use in various refrigerant recovery, recycling and flushing operations performed in conjunction with an air conditioning circuit. The acid purification system is disposed within a carrying housing and includes an accumulation/distillation type acid separator piped in series with a pair of cylindrical dual core filter assemblies. A pair of refrigerant inlet and outlet fittings are externally mounted on the housing. By connecting these fittings in a forced flow refrigerant circuit the refrigerant is passed sequentially through the acid separator and the first and second filter assemblies to cleanse the refrigerant of acid and particulate impurities therein. The portable flushing and transfer system is also disposed in a carrying housing and includes a high capacity liquid refrigerant transfer pump piped in series with a check valve and a relief valve.

Abstract: The cleaning of the condensor of a refrigerating or conditioning unit or plant including a condensor of the refrigerant fluid, with a coil, a finning, and an exhaust fan are performed by a brush horizontal mounted on a support that slides vertically in front of the condensor, in its entire height, from the opposed side respect the aspirator, in two corresponding guides and in the way that the bristles can pass in the interstices of the finning skimming this and the coil; and a driving lever or motor for the movement of the above mentioned support with an alternative motion in the above mentioned vertical guides.

Abstract: Heat exchange apparatus for food freezer refrigeration units including evaporator coils having liquid santizing spray apparatus mounted for reciprocatory movement across the upstream and downstream faces of the evaporator coils.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery apparatus has a feature for purging an air conditioning system component for cleaning. The air conditioning component will be connected into the recovery unit at a point where it will receive liquid refrigerant from the recovery unit. This liquid refrigerant comes from the storage container, with pressure being maintained by the use of the compressor. The air conditioning component connects to a purge container, which is separate from the storage container. The purge container has an outlet leading to an expansion valve for converting the purged refrigerant into a vapor. The vapor refrigerant leads back to a suction end of the recovery unit.

Abstract: A solvent selected from the terpene hydrocarbon group and terpene alcohol group as a cleaning agent can provide effective cleaning of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems which use hydrofluorocarbon or hydrochlorofluorocarbon or Freon refrigerants by using a solvent as described. Flushing through the refrigerant system condenser coils and evaporation coils removes any trace of excessive compressor lubricant which will be carried out with the solvent. The flushed materials carried out are biodegradable, thus are desirable from an environmental standpoint.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery system is operative in a recovery mode to recover refrigerant from an air conditioning circuit, and in a cleaning mode to cleanse the recovered refrigerant of impurities therein. In the recovery mode the refrigerant is withdrawn from the air conditioning circuit and flowed through a filter dryer by a compressor which then forces the refrigerant through a condenser into a storage container. In the cleaning mode, liquid refrigerant from within the storage container is continuously flowed through the filter dryer and then back into the storage container. To remove impurities from within the air conditioning circuit, the recovery system is also operative in a closed loop flushing mode in which liquid refrigerant from within the storage container is continuously pumped through a portion of the air conditioning circuit, filtered, and then returned to the storage container without any appreciable quantity of refrigerant being vented to atmosphere during the flushing process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cryogenic removal of solid materials includes a wand connected in fluid communication with a cryogen fluid source. The wand directs the cryogen against a selected portion of solid material. The wand has a spray nozzle to direct the spray against an inner exposed surface of energetic material typically contained within a munition casing. The wand is connected to a mounting element to allow movement of the wand within the munition body. The munition is mounted on a rotatable base for rotating the munition and to expose the material to the cryogenic fluid spray. The cyrogenic fluid spray, such as liquid nitrogen, is utilized in a dry washout process to freeze and embrittle the surface layer either by precooling and fluid spray, or by spray alone. The embrittle layer is then eroded away by the spray into small particles for removal by pneumatic transport, vacuum, or other collection and removal system. A mechanism may be provided for vibrating the material to loosen the particles.

Abstract: A sediment alert and purging unit for a condensate drain pan and removal return line of a refrigeration system includes an element for monitoring the level of condensate within the condensate drain pan and removal line of a refrigeration system. The unit further includes a switch element in electrical communication with the monitoring element for disabling at least a compressor and air handler of the refrigeration system responsive to an unacceptable level of condensate within the drain pan and removal line. The inventive unit yet further includes an annunciation element in electrical communication with the switch element to alert a user when a disabling of the compressor and air handler has occurred. The unit also includes a purge port within the condensate removal line and a first condensate line closure valve disposed upstream of the purge port. Further provided is a second condensate line closure valve disposed downstream of the purge port.

Abstract: Liquid carbon dioxide substantially free of particles is prepared by evaporating liquid carbon dioxide, passing the resulting gaseous carbon dioxide through a suitable filter to remove particles therefrom and cooling the particle-free gas to reliquefy it.

Abstract: When a refrigerator unit is removed, inner surfaces of a refrigeration unit housing extending into a cryogenically cooled system are heated. The method is performed in such a way as to prevent the external atmosphere from coming in contact with the housing inner surfaces, thus avoiding the problem of ice formation within the housing. A heat gun is used in conjunction with an apparatus which fits into the housing and distributes heated gas, such as nitrogen, from the heat gun to different parts of the housing in relative quantities. The inner surfaces are brought to the same temperature in the same time allowing the housing to be cleaned before the refrigeration unit is replaced. The apparatus guiding the heated gas is mounted on the outside of the housing and includes stops on its supports to keep the apparatus from making contact with the inner surfaces of the housing.

Abstract: A pressure building circuit for a double-walled tank containing a low temperature fluid, including a settling ring and an orifice between the tank outlet and the pressure building coil for maintaining a minimum pressure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning refrigeration equipment by flushing all refrigerant paths with high pressure refrigerant, following an initial evacuation to prevent air contamination of the refrigerant. Highly effective leak tests may be simultaneously performed. A pump down procedure at the termination of the cleaning process returns all refrigerant to a first tank of the cleaning apparatus, and a contaminant removal procedure removes contaminants from the refrigerant in a second tank.

Abstract: A milk cooler including a water tank having water therein and mechanism for cooling the water, a pipe system for transferring fresh milk to a storage tank, and mechanism for cooling the milk before it arrives at the storage tank including apparatus for passing the water over the pipe to extract heat from the pipe. The system contemplates a new and novel evaporator which is disposed in the water for cooling the water and a new and novel cooling chamber disposed above the cooling tank which receives water from the cooling tank to cool the milk.

Abstract: When a refrigerator unit is removed, inner surfaces of a refrigeration unit housing extending into a cryogenically cooled system are heated. The method is performed in such a way as to prevent the external atmosphere from coming in contact with the housing inner surfaces, thus avoiding the problem of ice formation within the housing. A heat gun is used in conjunction with an apparatus which fits into the housing and distributes heated gas, such as nitrogen, from the heat gun to different parts of the housing in relative quantities. The inner surfaces are brought to the same temperature in the same time allowing the housing to be cleaned before the refrigeration unit is replaced. The apparatus guiding the heated gas is mounted on the outside of the housing and includes stops on its supports to keep the apparatus from making contact with the inner surfaces of the housing.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes an inside air cleaner provided in a front portion of the air conditioner for cleaning air inside a room circulated through the evaporator, and an outside air dust remover provided in a rear portion of the conditioner for precluding the entrance of dust laden in the air into the rear portion of the conditioner and for washing the condenser by spraying condensate water onto the condenser as collected from the conditioner bottom plate.

Abstract: Apparatus to provide a flexible thermal link between a laser diode mounting structure and a cold finger of a helium refrigerator. The thermal link employs a heat transfer means which substantially reduces vibration experienced by a laser mount in the several directions of motion, reduces thermally caused stresses from large temperature variations, and provides good thermal conductivity between the helium refrigerator and the mounting structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing ice creams, wherein a freezing cylinder is constituted such that a liquid mix supplied from a mix tank is stirred in a stirring apparatus that is installed in the inside of the freezing cylinder, and refrigerated so as to complete ice creams, any amount of which can be dispensed through a dispensing port. For the cleaning and sterilization of the inside of the cylinder, the inside is heated by reversing the flow of heat media which are to be circulated through the refrigerating part of the cylinder to dissolve and automatically withdraw the ice creams in the cylinder, then cleaned several times by supplying and discharging hot water, to and from the inside, and after that sterilized by supplying hot water to the inside, and discharging the water from it.

Abstract: An auger-type ice making machine has a refrigerating cylinder having upper and lower bearings, an auger supported rotatably within the refrigerating cylinder by the upper and lower bearings, a water supply valve for supplying water to the refrigerating cylinder, a drain valve in fluid communication with the refrigerating cylinder for discharging water therefrom, an electric detector assembly including an electrode member having its one end extending into the refrigerating cylinder, and an electric control circuit electrically connected to the electrode member to receive a detection signal from the electric detector assembly. The electric control circuit determines on the basis of the detection signal that the impurity concentration of the water has increased beyond a predetermined level.

Abstract: A conveyor line system for carrying frozen comestibles in which the conveyor line support rail is formed of an elongated aluminum extrusion having incorporated within it a fluid passage extending along its length with radially and longitudinally spaced orifices for washing the conveyor line assembly during a cleaning cycle.

Abstract: The deriming of the interior surfaces of cryogenic heat exchangers employed in the liquefaction of mercury-containing gases, in particular, natural gas, is accomplished by contacting the solids present upon the interior surfaces of the heat exchanger, usually as ice and hydrocarbonaceous materials, with a solvent or mixture of solvents at a temperature which is at or below the freezing point of mercury whereby solids will dissolve in the solvent and be removed from the interior surfaces of the heat exchanger and a substantial part of the mercury present within the heat exchanger will be in the solid state. In this way, the corrosive effects of elemental mercury vapor upon the heat exchanger, especially in the cases where aluminum is the material of construction, can be greatly lessened or minimized.

Abstract: The opportunity for mercury vapor, a common component of natural gas, to form a corrosive amalgam with the aluminum construction material of a cryogenic heat exchanger used in natural gas liquefaction operations is greatly minimized by cooling the mercury-containing gas to a temperature at or below the freezing point of mercury prior to introducing the gas to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for removing submicron sized particles from the surface of a silicon semiconductor wafer (38). Conventional cleaning methods are capable of only removing particles that are about 1 micron or larger in size. The present invention provides a way to increase the submicron particles in size so that they are removable by the known methods. The silicon semiconductor wafer (38) is cooled by a refrigeration unit (36) or by exposure to liquid nitrogen (74). The cooled wafer (38) is then exposed to a condensable material (42) which is allowed to condense on the surface of the wafer (38). The condensable material will surround any particles that are on the surface and cause them to grow in size due to the formation of frozen crystals. Without allowing the crystals to melt, the enlarged particles then are removed by any of the known methods.

Abstract: A device for cooling rubber-coated large containers with liquid nitrogen to crack and remove the rubber coating includes at least one annular duct with sprayers for directing the liquid nitrogen against the inside of the container. At least one axially disposed duct is in the container extending from the bottom to the top with a ventilator causing rotation of the evaporated nitrogen from the bottom through the axial duct and to the upper part of the container.

Abstract: A refrigerant expansion device such as a Joule-Thomson expander has a surface with grooves or recesses which capture contaminants that condense from the refrigerant flow in the device, thereby avoiding blockage of the device by the condensed contaminants.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing frozen products having a mix tank, a freezing chamber, a liquid mix supply means, a dispensing device, a freezing means for the freezing chamber comprising independent first and second freezing systems, and a frozen control means comprising a first and second frozen control means for said first and second freezing systems respectively, and making it possible that liquid mix in the freezing chamber may be always frozen in good condition. Further an apparatus for preparing frozen products having a frozen and chilled control means for the freezing means independently, and making it possible that liquid mix is stored in the freezing chamber when the freezing operation does not occur.

Abstract: An auger type ice making apparatus adapted for effectively flushing and removing deepended water and precipitates in the water supply pipe and the freezing cylinder during ice making.

Abstract: An apparatus for the air treating of articles such as comestibles carried on a spiral conveyor has air deflecting baffles, and the housing in which the conveyor is mounted has air reentrant chambers associated with the baffles so that the flow of air through the housing traverses the belt when impeded from flowing directly through the belt by large articles to be cooled or frozen lying thereon.

Abstract: A cleaning tool connectable to a pressurized fluid source and forming a plurality of fluidic cleansing jets, comprising an elongated tubular wand having a fluid inlet end and a closed end with a plurality of jet ports formed in an adjacent side wall and constructed and arranged for fluidic discharge in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: In an improved food freezing tunnel, a freezing airflow apparatus, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,398, is further improved and rearranged in respect to the vertical in-line alignment of the freezing coils, the fans, and the food product porous conveyor, all of which are positioned in the upwardly flowing airflow. The air to be cooled enters at the bottom of the tunnel via an inlet air chamber, as before, and then is first drawn through the freezing coils of the freezing chamber before passing upwardly through the fan intakes into the fan chamber. Upon leaving the fans rotating about vertical axes, the freezing air flows radially and horizontally, as before. Then, vertical baffles spaced about each fan, modify this discharging airflow to prevent any excessive swirling or vortexing of the freezing airflow passing upwardly from the fan chamber through the moving food product porous conveyor.

Abstract: A cooling and or freezing tunnel is described having a toggle linkage and a pressurized fluid drive to open and close a plurality of openable sections of the tunnel for access and cleaning of the interior. The toggle linkages provide more accurate and reliable movement than the prior art means for opening such tunnels.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously freezing liver pieces which comprises a freezing box having an inlet and an outlet, a conveyor movable from the inlet to the outlet of the freezing box and having a mesh belt, a number of nozzles provided laterally through the box at the upside of the mesh belt of the conveyor for blowing gaseous helium, a supplying guide portion formed at the head of the inlet at the upside of the mesh belt for supplying and placing the liver pieces, a rotatable roller journaled at the striking-off and exhausting portion disposed inside the striking-off and exhausting portion at the head of the outlet at the upside of the mesh belt in an outside contacting state laterally of the mesh belt, the roller having a number of striking-off projections projected from the surface thereof for striking-off the frozen liver pieces on the mesh belt by the insertion of the projections into the mesh belt.

Abstract: A spray assembly for a refrigerated display case has inclined bottom plates defining a first chamber below the bottom plates and a spray chamber above the bottom plates. Pressurized water is delivered into the first chamber through a water pipe having a normally closed control valve connected thereto for pressure delivery of water to a spray support pipe which extends from the first chamber into the spray chamber centrally thereof. A spray pipe is mounted on and communicates with the spray support pipe and has a plurality of opposed rows of water outlets for delivering a pattern of pressurized streams of water onto interior surfaces of the case and the undersurfaces of the grates and tubing of the cooling system for washing them down and for successive disposal through a drain pipe depending from the bottom plates.

Abstract: A post mix fruit juice dispenser having a refrigerated cabinet at the top which houses separate containers for different juice concentrates. The machine mixes potable water with the concentrate on demand. The potable water is cooled in an ice bath at the rear of the cabinet, and the same refrigeration system which cools the ice bath provides a source for cooling air circulated in the cabinet about the concentrate containers. The concentrate containers and their discharge assemblies may be removed from the machine for cleaning, but the containers may be replenished through filling assemblies at the top of the cabinet without removing them.

Abstract: A portable refrigeration system and process for flushing and cleaning an installed refrigeration system including disconnecting the compressor from the installed system and connecting the disconnected lines to a portable refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a receiver, an evaporator, a filter, and a dehydrator so as to form a closed circuit of the installed system and the portable system; operating the portable system to flush refrigerant through the installed system alternately as a liquid and as a gas, and alternately in the normal and reverse directions of flow; passing the flushing refrigerant through a filter for removing particulate matter and through a dehydrator for removing aqueous contaminants; and returning the installed system to its separate operating circuit when all parts and when the refrigerant is judged to be cleaned.