Abstract: Energy and water consumption of a commercial icemaker are greatly reduced by capturing the excess water running off the freezer plates and mixing it with new water to provide a pre-chilled water supply to the freezer plates. The resulting decrease in water demand makes practical the filtration of the new water by reverse osmosis to keep the recirculating water free of pathogens, and to reduce maintenance of the freezer plates by largely eliminating dissolved mineral contaminants from the new water.

Abstract: A freezing system for processing frozen edible product includes a freezing section, an inlet section, a product discharge section, and a recirculation section that selectively recycles processed product through at least a portion of the outlet section back to the freezing section.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for exchanging heat between one fluid and another fluid by using a heat exchanger, and circulating at least the one fluid through a fluid flow channel within a body made of a material which is a good heat conductor as well as a good conductor of electric current, so that the fluids become in heat exchange relationship through the walls of the body. The improvement includes insulating the body from electric current flow therethrough, so that, in use, the tendency for progressive precipitation of solid particles from the fluids onto the wetted surfaces of the body is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and controlling water quality in a water phase changing device, such as an ice maker, having a water inlet, a water outlet, a reservoir configured for retaining a supply of water and being in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, and a flow controller for controlling the flow of water into the device, such as an ice maker, includes the steps of monitoring TDS concentration of water retained in said reservoir, and actuating at least one of a water input controller and a water dump controller to adjust the composition of the water in the reservoir when the monitored TDS concentration exceeds a preset TDS target concentration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an ice making machine by monitoring water level in a sump used for water recirculation over an evaporator plate. Self-diagnostic means are also provided for automatic shutdown upon detection of malfunction during various cycles.

Abstract: Prechilling the tap water with the cold waste water from an ice machine is achieved by using an insulated, elongated casing, which encloses a reservoir housing a heat exchanger made of a relatively long tubing of copper to provide a relatively long path of travel for the tap water. The heat exchanger is in the form of a coil followed by a substantially straight tube within and surrounded by the coil's turns. A hollow member, closed at one end, is spaced from the straight tube. The coil's turns surround the hollow member and the straight tube. Preferably, the hollow member is mounted over and is spaced from the straight tube to form there between an elongated chamber. In use, the tap water flows downwardly in the coil and upwardly through the straight tube. The cold waste water flows through the elongated chamber into the reservoir, thereby progressively and continuously increasing the temperature of the waste water and correspondingly decreasing the tap water's temperature.

Abstract: An electric control apparatus for an ice making machine having an upright ice making plate arranged above a water tank, a water valve arranged to be opened during the defrost cycle of operation for supplying fresh water into the water tank through the ice making plate, a refrigeration circuit including an evaporator arranged for thermal exchange with the ice making plate, a water pump arranged to circulate the fresh water from the water tank to the upright ice making plate during the ice making cycle of operation and to discharge the water remained in the water tank after the ice making cycle of operation during the drain cycle of operation.

Abstract: A pre-chiller for an incoming fresh water supply of an ice maker. The device is connectable onto an upright surface of the existing ice maker, a separate wall surface or the like and includes a chamber for receiving and holding cold waste water discharged from the ice maker during each ice making cycle. A standpipe connected within the chamber drains the waste water while automatically maintaining waste water level within the chamber. A fresh water cooling conduit, preferably comprised of a plurality of enlarged hollow stainless steel cylinders connected for series flow of fresh water therethrough, is positioned submersed in the cold waste water within the chamber. During each ice maker cycle, cold waste water is delivered into the chamber and fresh water being held for chilling within the cooling conduit by the surrounding waste water is moved into the ice maker water inlet.

Abstract: The efficiency of the system disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,099, wherein purified ice pieces and purified liquid water are derived from tap water, is improved by transferring heat from the tap water to the collected ice pieces. The transferred heat warms the ice pieces to decrease the energy required to melt the ice pieces and form the purified liquid water. The heat transfer also pre-chills the tap water to assist in forming the ice pieces.

Abstract: Ice making apparatus includes surfaces on which ice pieces form when water is sprayed on those surfaces, a water reservoir and a pump to pump water from the reservoir for spraying onto those surfaces, and a pressure sensitive control which responds to pressure of water in the reservoir, communicated via an air duct to a pressure switch, to control operation of the pump, the switch being adjustable to adjust the sizes of ice pieces formed on the surfaces.

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: An ice making machine of the type in which an ice mold is refrigerated and water recirculated from a water receiver over the refrigerated ice mold and back to the water receiver during an ice making cycle, to freeze ice forms on the ice mold, and the ice mold is heated and water recirculation stopped during an ice harvest cycle, to release the ice forms from the ice mold. A temperature sensor senses when the water temperature in the receiver initially drops during an ice making cycle to about water freezing temperature and operates a water supply valve to supply additional water to the receiver to prevent the formation of ice slush in the water recirculation system. The amount of water added to the receiver during an ice making cycle is preferably controlled by volume. The amount of water added during the ice making cycle can also be controlled by temperature of the water in the receiver or by timing the addition of water to the receiver.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing the temperature of tap water enroute to the ice making section of a commercial ice cube maker. Precooling is accomplished by coiled tubing immersed in residual ice water recovered from the interior of the storage bin by a reservoir mounted beneath the drain of the storage bin of the commercial ice cube maker. Additional cooling of held water is accomplished by coiled tubing inserted in the flow line and located on the floor of the storage bin beneath the stored ice cubes. In both cases, the cooling energy which would otherwise be wasted is utilized to remove BTU's of heat from the tap water prior to injection of the tap water into the ice cube making section of the commercial ice cube maker. Requiring no additional energy to operate, the apparatus dramatically increases the production and efficiency of the commercial ice cube maker, especially in warmer climates.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus is disclosed. The ice making apparatus includes a compartment enclosing an ice cube freezing form and a refrigeration system. A fresh water reservoir within the compartment is utilized to provide water for the ice cube freezing form and a drain within the compartment removes excess fluid which results from overflow and ice melting during ice removal. An ice cube storage bin is also provided with a drain for removal of fluid from melting ice. Waste fluid from both drains is coupled to one end of one of a pair of helical concentric conduits and a source of fresh water is coupled through the other concentric conduit to the fresh water reservoir, in order that the fresh water may be substantially precooled prior to ice making. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an overflow reservoir is provided so that excess fluid from each drain is coupled to a waste drain.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing the ice production of current ice makers. The apparatus is used in conjunction with a pre-existing beverage system to cool the water input to an existing ice maker. In this apparatus and method, an electrically-driven pump circulates water through tubing immersed in the ice bank of the beverage system to supply cool water to the input line to the ice maker. In this manner, by pre-cooling the water supplied to the ice maker, the poundage of ice output per day of an existing ice maker can be increased substantially without additional cost, thereby reducing the need to purchase supplementary crushed ice or additional ice makers to meet requirements for additional ice. This apparatus and method is especially useful in fast-food restaurants during summer months when the output of ice machines is acutely insufficient to meet demand.

Abstract: Apparatus for bulk ice making, storage and dispensing is described. The apparatus comprises an insulated horizontal container with an internal storage chamber having a blower mounted below the ceiling thereof in a position such that ice falling from ice making equipment on the top of the container into the chamber is blown throughout the chamber. Means are provided to move the settled ice into breakers and to dispense it from the chamber to the exterior of the container. Means are also provided to precool the feed water to the ice making equipment and to use chilled air from the storage chamber to maintain a low temperature atmosphere surrounding the ice making equipment to improve efficiency. Preferable the container is an insulated ocean cargo container.

Abstract: An ice body maker having a storage bin into which ice bodies are delivered from ice slab cutting structure. The ice bodies in the storage bin are illuminated from a lamp which utilizes the grid wires of the cutting structure as a diffusion structure for minimizing glare, facilitating observation of the ice bodies and removal thereof by the user. The lamp is located so as to direct the light therefrom primarily away from the access opening for further improved illumination of the ice bodies. The lamp is preselected to provide sufficient illumination to illuminate the ice bodies through an ice slab carried on the grid structure as during a slab cutting operation and utilizes the ice slab itself as a further light diffusion element. Still further diffusion of the light for improved uniformity on the ice bodies is effected by the reticulation of the ice slab effected by the grid wires in cutting through the slab during the slab cutting operation.

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 ice maker in which water runs over a vertical evaporator to form ice cubes formed between vertical and horizontally mounted plates. The cubes are released from the evaporator by simultaneously applying a horizontal force to the plates while heating the evaporator.

Abstract: Water from a water tank is sprayed through spraying openings against a plate and ends, projecting underneath the plate, of metal rods. These rods are clamped between line portions through which cooling liquid flows in opposite directions. The excess water returns to water tank over a collecting tray provided with an outlet. A movable water-guiding member is mounted underneath this outlet and is connected to a float in the water tank. When nearly enough ice has been formed, the water level in the tank has so fallen that the float brings the movable member in a position whereby it diverts water to a discharge pipe. The minimum level in tank, with which the cooling cycle is stopped and fresh water is supplied to tank over the first mentioned plate, is then quickly reached.

Abstract: An icemaker having a thermally conductive tube with a coolant inlet and outlet and at least one substantially flat ice-forming elongated surface. An elongated thermally non-conducting strip of material on each long side edge of the tube with an outer surface continuous with the ice-forming surface and a plurality of spacers, each extending across the elongated surface at spaced apart intervals with a means for releasably holding the spacers against the elongated surface, also including a means for passing a curtain of water over said elongated surface.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing ice including a plurality of elongated vertical tubes of uniform internal cross-sectional dimensions, a cylindrical shell for each tube of length less than the tube and surrounding a substantial portion of the length of the tube, the internal nominal diameter of the shell being greater than the maximum external cross-section dimensions of the tube, the shell having a spiral groove formed in the cylindrical wall thereof, the depth of the groove being such that the interior surface of the shell at the groove contacts at least part of the exterior surface of the tube thereby forming a flow path in the annular area between the exterior of the tube and the interior of the shell which is, at least in part, spiraled. Refrigerant gas is expanded in the tube-shell annular areas to chill the tubes. Water is introduced into the upper end of the tubes to flow downwardly through them and form in each tube a rod of ice.

Abstract: The ice making machine constructed in accordance with the invention has an ice making mold with a plurality of ice making cells opened at the bottom, a water tank, water spray nozzles adapted for spraying the water contained in the water tank towards said ice making cells, an ice stocker adapted for storage of ice cubes formed in and harvested from said ice making cells, and an inclined plate having water spray openings and recovery openings and mounted between said ice making mold and the water spray nozzles.The inclined plate comprises a corrugated upper section, a similarly corrugated lower section and a transition section having a flat surface and interconnecting said upper and lower sections. The recesses and projections of the upper section are aligned respectively with projections and recesses of said lower section in the direction in which the water and ice cubes are moved on the inclined plate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing frozen product characterized by flowing liquid substantially uniformly over a substantially vertically oriented freezing mold; supplying liquid refrigerant to a conductive surface in the freezing mold for freezing the liquid into predetermined shapes; collecting the excess liquid into a reservoir and circulating the excess liquid back over the top of the freezing mold, the liquid being at its freezing point; stopping the circulation of the liquid over the freezing mold and initiating a dump mode in which the freezing mold is heated and tilted to dump the frozen product into a receiving bin; detecting when the receiving bin has sufficient frozen product therein and stopping the production of more frozen product until some has been used; repeating the cycle orienting the freezing mold substantially vertically and starting the refrigeration equipment to freeze the product and repeat the cycle.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a freeze crystallization subassembly having means for continuously removing crystals formed on a heat transfer surface from the surface. A scraper shuttle is moved across the heat transfer surface by a fluid being refrigerated to remove crystals from the surface. The crystals are carried to a mixer where they are mixed with incoming feed until a circulating slurry is produced. Means is provided to remove slurry from the mixer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly chilling a cool pack associated with a refrigeration system wherein slush-like medium is introduced into the pack in a first step and frozen to a substantially solid state in a second step.

Abstract: An ice cube maker in which a generally vertically disposed array of fins including first fins extending laterally outwardly from one side of a central vertical plane and second fins extending outwardly from the other side of the plane is disposed over an open top tank to which a predetermined volume of water supplied at the beginning of an ice-making operation in the course of which water from the tank is fed to a distributor over the tank so as to fall downwardly into the fins which are cooled to form ice. When water in the tank reaches a predetermined low level the ice is harvested by heating the fins to permit the ice to falls into a bin below the array. In response to movement of ice into the bin a new cycle is initiated.

Abstract: An ice-maker for making generally half-round pieces which includes a pair of evaporator assemblies, a compressor, a condenser and a receiver for liquid refrigerant. The ice-maker is operated so that a film of water is supplied to one evaporator which is being cooled to form ice cubes while ice cubes are being harvested from the other evaporator. The evaporator assembly includes a stainless steel evaporator coil formed to provide parallel segments, plus support means of injection-molded plastic, which provides a central, planar web aligned with said tubing segments, plus transverse dividers which define the individual cube-forming regions. Low voltage power can be selectively applied to the evaporator coil to harvest the ice pieces via resistance heating, or warm water can be pumped through hollow passageways in the dividers.

Abstract: A shell and tube ice-maker has a bottom compartment in which trapped refrigerant gas is present to prevent entry of liquid refrigerant into the compartment during ice-making and from which, during defrosting, hot gaseous refrigerant flows upwardly into the liquid refrigerant which remains in flooded condition around the tubes, whereby delay in initiating further ice-making is minimized.

Abstract: An ice making and crushing machine includes upright freezing plates for producing sheets of ice and and a pair of oppositely rotating ice breaking members below the plates for receiving the ice upon release by defrosting. The breaking members comprise sets of equally spaced disks each having equally spaced radial arms longitudinally aligned on the members. When rotating the disks form longitudinal pockets which receive and separate the ice in portions and crush it in successive batches. Substantially the entire area of the freezing plates is exposed to water on one side and refrigerant on the other for speeding the production of ice and the refrigerant circulating system affords equal cooling and the forming of ice of the same thickness on both plates.

Abstract: The waste water from an ice cube making machine, both from the cube unit itself and from the bin where the ice cubes are stored is supplied to an insulated heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is divided into two sections with a first cold input section being separated from the remaining portion of the unit by a baffle to avoid undue mixing of the water, and to maintain the water at the input section at a low temperature, near freezing. A heat exchange coil is located in the first section of the heat exchanger and water to be formed into ice is precooled by circulation through this coil. Additional coils are located in the remaining portion of the heat exchanger to further cool refrigerant liquid which has been condensed and is under pressure ready for return to the ice-making units. The temperature in the input section of the heat exchanger is in the order of 34 degrees F.

Abstract: A process comprises steps of circulating raw water into an ice making mechanism for freezing the water into the ice, harvesting with wash the formed ice and transferring the ice to a receptacle having a heating means for entirely or partially melting the ice to obtain pure water and catalyzing the resulting pure water with a selected nutritious substance before, during or after storing of the pure water. The apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A portable ice cube making machine comprising a plurality of inverted ice forming cups disposed above a water spraying mechanism. The water source for the machine consists of a water reservoir consisting of first and second chambers, the first of which is provided with a pump for transferring water therefrom to the spray mechanism, with the first chamber being supplied with water from the second chamber which is substantially larger than the first chamber so as to contain sufficient water for several ice producing cycles and obviate the need for the machine to be connected to a conventional source of water via conventional plumbing. The spray mechanism is in the form of at least two semi-spherical enclosures to which water is supplied by the pump and is therein caused to circulate in a circular fashion to produce the desired water spray.

Abstract: An evaporator unit for an ice making machine is formed of two vertical series of semi-cylindrical ice-forming molds joined tangentially back-to-back creating a cascade of fluid conduits between them through which refrigerant is passed. Water flows from a weir down over the exposed surfaces of the ice-forming molds until they become filled with ice whereupon hot gas is momentarily passed through the fluid conduits to release an assembly of ice pieces from the evaporator unit. Thereafter, the ice making cycle is repeated by continuing the water and refrigerant flow to produce another assembly of ice pieces.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for making ice are disclosed wherein ice forms on two sides of a plurality of freezing plates which are vertically arranged within a housing. A water distribution chamber positioned immediately above the freezing plates includes a plurality of inverted "V" shaped ridges in a bottom portion thereof. Each ridge corresponds to one of the plurality of freezing plates and includes a series of orifices arranged to direct water onto each side of the corresponding freezing plate. At the bottom of each freezing plate is a plastic strip which prevents ice slabs from the two sides of the plate from joining together at the bottom. Beneath the ice plates is a rotating sizer which fractures the ice slabs from the plates into pieces having a predetermined maximum size. The pieces fall through the sizer onto a screw conveyor which cooperates with a perforated lower housing to remove small undesirable ice pieces from the fractured ice.

Abstract: A vertical shell and tube icemaker wherein the refrigerant surrounds tubes within which ice is made, and the freezing refrigerant outlet is positioned below the defrost refrigerant outlet to expedite release of ice during defrosting, the system employing liquid refrigerant obtained by continuous flow from the receiver for defrosting. Water is supplied around the upper ends of the tubes for maintaining a vertical stream flow which is distributed around the inner circumference of each tube.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for cleaning the icemaker of a beverage dispensing machine having a carbonator in which carbonated water is introduced into the icemaker and into the water feeder tank and is allowed to stand for a period of time sufficient to dissolve or loosen bacterial slime and accumulated lime, after which time the carbonated water is drained and the system is flushed with still water. In one embodiment of the invention the feeder tank and icemaker are drained and carbonated water is introduced. In another embodiment carbon dioxide from the carbonator is introduced directly into the water in the icemaker and water feeder tank.

Abstract: In an ice-making machine comprising an array of freezing members dipped in a tiltable ice-forming tray, the combination of an ice-cube deflecting and lifting baffle, concurrently tiltable with the tray, and a partition wall in the interior of the tub to collect unfrozen water, said partition wall defining a water-collecting chamber wherefrom the water can be discharged through a specially provided channel.

Abstract: A slab-type ice maker having a cabinet provided with an inner liner, an ice slab-forming evaporator structure, a slab-cutting grid structure, and a water pan structure. Improved structure is provided for mounting the evaporator, cutting grid, and water pan structures in the cabinet.

Abstract: A water pump assembly for use with a slab type commercial ice maker of the type having an ice storage bin cavity at the bottom thereof and further having an inclined refrigerated plate and water recirculation pump system located within an ice maker compartment wherein the pump is submerged in the low point of a reservoir having a water surface therein directly exposed to the bin storage cavity to collect water recirculated across the refrigerated plate, the pump supplying water to the refrigerated plate and including an impeller shaft directed vertically therefrom through a shaft seal assembly coaxially located with respect to a bearing assembly in a motor for driving the impeller; a cup shaped deflector having an open end is supported on the pump housing and a cover thereon has an opening for the impeller shaft at a point interposed between the seal assembly and the bearing assembly so as to intercept spray from a pump shaft seal leak to prevent impingement thereof against the bearing assembly and to restric

Abstract: A control for use in a slab-type ice maker wherein slabs of ice are formed on refrigerated plates by the circulation of water thereover. The control includes sensors for detecting the thickness of the slabs on the plates and causing termination of the ice forming cycle and initiation of an ice transfer or harvest cycle wherein the plates are heated, permitting the slabs of ice to pass downwardly therefrom onto cutting grids for cutting of the ice slabs into a plurality of smaller ice bodies. The sensors utilize a small current detected when the ice slab reaches a preselected thickness as a signal for effecting the automatic operation. Further sensors are associated with the cutting grids for detecting the presence of ice slabs thereon. The control functions to prevent termination of the ice making cycle until such time as at least one of the cutting grids has no ice thereon.

Abstract: An ice maker in which water runs over a vertical evaporator to form ice cubes formed between vertical and horizontally mounted plates. The cubes are released from the evaporator by simultaneously applying a horizontal force to the plates while heating the evaporator.