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WO2003058139A1 - Appareil a glacons et procede de fabrication de glacons - Google Patents

Appareil a glacons et procede de fabrication de glacons Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003058139A1
WO2003058139A1 PCT/US2001/049902 US0149902W WO03058139A1 WO 2003058139 A1 WO2003058139 A1 WO 2003058139A1 US 0149902 W US0149902 W US 0149902W WO 03058139 A1 WO03058139 A1 WO 03058139A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
temperature
mold
controller
sensor
ice
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2001/049902
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Andrei Tchougounov
Robert G. Cox
Donald E. Dewitt
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Dekko Heating Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Dekko Heating Technologies Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dekko Heating Technologies Inc filed Critical Dekko Heating Technologies Inc
Priority to CA2433371A priority Critical patent/CA2433371C/fr
Priority to AU2002234090A priority patent/AU2002234090A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Publication of WO2003058139A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003058139A1/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C1/00—Producing ice
    • F25C1/12—Producing ice by freezing water on cooled surfaces, e.g. to form slabs
    • F25C1/14—Producing ice by freezing water on cooled surfaces, e.g. to form slabs to form thin sheets which are removed by scraping or wedging, e.g. in the form of flakes
    • F25C1/145—Producing ice by freezing water on cooled surfaces, e.g. to form slabs to form thin sheets which are removed by scraping or wedging, e.g. in the form of flakes from the inner walls of cooled bodies
    • F25C1/147—Producing ice by freezing water on cooled surfaces, e.g. to form slabs to form thin sheets which are removed by scraping or wedging, e.g. in the form of flakes from the inner walls of cooled bodies by using augers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C2400/00—Auxiliary features or devices for producing, working or handling ice
    • F25C2400/14—Water supply

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to freezers, and, more particularly, to ice makers within freezers.
  • the freezer portion of a refrigeration/freezer appliance often includes an ice cube maker which dispenses the ice cubes into a dispenser tray.
  • a mold has a series of cavities, each of which is filled with water. The air surrounding the mold is cooled to a temperature below freezing so that each cavity forms an individual ice cube. As the water freezes, the ice cubes become bonded to the inner surfaces of the mold cavities.
  • the present invention provides a control system and corresponding method of operation which allows ice cubes to be automatically harvested in an efficient manor.
  • the invention comprises, in one form thereof, an ice maker including a mold with least one cavity for containing water therein for freezing into ice.
  • a temperature sensor is positioned in association with the mold and provides an output signal.
  • An auger is positioned partly within the at least one mold cavity.
  • a mechanical drive roatably drives the auger.
  • a controller is coupled with the sensor and the drive, and controls operation of the drive depending upon the output signal from the sensor.
  • the invention comprises, in another form thereof, a method of making ice in an automatic ice maker, including the steps of: providing a mold in at least one cavity; filling at least one mold cavity at least partially with water; providing an auger at least partly within the at least one mold cavity; coupling a mechanical drive with the auger for rotatably driving the auger; coupling a controller with the drive; measuring a temperature of the mold; and controlling operation of the drive using the controller, depending upon the measured temperature of the mold.
  • An advantage of the present invention is that ice cubes may automatically be harvested depending upon the temperature of the mold over time, thereby increasing the throughput rate of the ice maker. Another advantage is that a frozen or blocked fill tube may be sensed and heat applied thereto for the purpose of clearing the fill tube BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a freezer including an embodiment of an ice maker of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a method of making ice of the present invention.
  • Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
  • the exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
  • a freezer 10 including an ice maker 12 disposed within a freezer unit 14.
  • Freezer unit 14 may be, e.g., a side-by-side arranged or vertically stacked freezer unit in a household freezer appliance.
  • Ice maker 12 generally includes a mold 16, an auger 18, a mechanical drive 20, a controller 22, a fill tube 24, a first temperature sensor 26 and a second temperature sensor 28.
  • Mold 16 includes at least one mold cavity 30 for containing water therein for freezing into ice.
  • mold 16 includes a single mold cavity 30 with interior walls having a slight draft to allow the ice to be more easily removed therefrom.
  • Auger 18 includes an auger shaft 32 about which a continuous flighting 36 extends from one end to the other. Auger 18 is tapered in a discharge direction to allow easier decoupling from the at least partially frozen ice cube which is formed within mold 16.
  • Drive 20 rotatably drives auger 18 within mold 16.
  • drive 20 is in the form of an electric motor, such as an alternating current or direct current motor, having an output shaft 38 which is coupled with and drives auger 18.
  • Drive 20 is electrically coupled with controller 22 via line 40.
  • Fill tube 24 is coupled with a water line 42 and receives water from a water source (not shown), such as a common pressurized household water supply line. Fill tube 24 selectively receives water such as by using a control valve 52 for supplying water to cavity 30 within mold 16. Fill tube 24 includes a heater 44 therein which is selectively energized to melt any accumulation of ice which may build up in fill tube 24 during operation. In the embodiment shown, heater 44 is in the form of an electrical wire which is over molded within fill tube 24, and electric controller 22 via line 46. For more details for a heated fill tube 24 which may be utilized with the present invention, reference is hereby made to co-pending U.S Patent application Serial No.
  • First temperature sensor 26 is positioned in association with mold 16 to sense a temperature of mold 16.
  • first temperature sensor 26 is embedded within or carried by a sidewall of mold 16 to thereby sense a temperature of the sidewall and provide an output signal to controller 22 via line 48.
  • Second temperature sensor 28 is positioned in association with fill tube 24 for sensing a temperature of fill tube 24. The primary functionality of second temperature sensor 28 is to determine whether fill tube 24 has become clogged with ice, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Second temperature sensor 28 provides an output signal to controller 22 via line 50 indicative of the temperature of fill tube 24 at a selected point in time.
  • Sensor 29 is used to detect whether or not ice is present within an ice holding tray or bin in freezer unit 14. Sensor 29 provides an output signal to controller 22 indication whether the ice tray is already full.
  • Compressor 31 is also coupled with controller 22 and provides an output signal to controller 22.
  • compressor 31 provides a signal to controller 22 indicating whether compressor 31 is running or not running.
  • Controller 22 is used to selectively accuate drive 20, heater 44 and/or valve 52.
  • the control of drive 20, heater 44 and valve 52 is at least in part dependent upon one or more output signals which are outputted from first temperature sensor 26, second temperature sensor 28 and/or sensor 29 to controller 22.
  • FIG. 2 there is shown a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method of the present invention for making ice in automatic ice maker 12 shown in Fig. 1.
  • Ice maker 12 generally freezes ice cubes in a batch manner such that ice cubes are sequentially frozen and discharged into a suitable holding tray (not shown).
  • the method described hereinafter corresponds to the logic processes for forming a single ice cube within ice maker 12. It will be appreciated that the method continues in a looped fashion for making additional ice cubes within ice maker 12.
  • the embodiment of the present invention for making ice cubes described hereinafter is assumed to be carried out in software within suitable electronics, and thus may be easily implemented by a person of ordinary skill in the art.
  • second temperature sensor 28 provides an output signal to controller 22 via line 50 corresponding to a first temperature Tl (block 54). Controller 22 then actuates valve 52 to fill cavity 30 within mold 16 for a predetermined period of time using assumed flow characteristics of the water flowing through fill tube 24 (block 56). Alternatively, a sensor may be provided within mold 16 to detect a "full" position of the water within cavity 30. After cavity 30 is filled with water, a wait state occurs during which the thermal inertia of mold 16 caused by the warmer water flowing therein is allowed to stabilize (block 58).
  • second temperature sensor 28 senses a second temperature T2 of fill tube 24 (block 60). It will be appreciated that at the beginning of an initial fill cycle within freezer unit 14, the temperature of fill tube 24 generally corresponds to the internal temperature within freezer unit 14. As the warmer water is injected through fill tube 24, the temperature of fill tube 24 rises. Thus, at the end of a fill cycle the second temperature T2 should be greater than the first temperature Tl, assuming that fill tube 24 is unclogged and water flowed therethrough during the fill cycle. If the second temperature T2 is not greater than the first temperature Tl, ice has accumulated in fill tube 24 (decision line 62 at decision block 64).
  • Controller 22 then actuates heater 44 for a predetermined period of time to melt the ice within fill tube 24 and thereby unclog fill tube 24 (block 66). After fill tube 24 is thawed, mold cavity 30 must be filled with water to restart the fill cycle. Accordingly, control loops back to block 54 from block 66 via line 68.
  • mold 16 After mold cavity 30 is filled with water (decision line 70 from decision block 64), it is necessary to determine the maximum temperature reached by mold 16 after being filled with water (blocks 72, 74, 76 and 80). To wit, mold 16 is generally at the temperature corresponding to the internal temperature within freezer unit 14 prior to an initial fill cycle. The water which is injected into mold 16 is at an elevated temperature (e.g., 60° F). After mold cavity 30 is filled with water from fill tube 24, the elevated temperature of the water within mold cavity 30 causes the temperature of mold 16 to increase according to a corresponding temperature gradient curve. At some point in time, however, the temperature of mold 16 reaches a maximum level and again descends as a result of the colder temperature within freezer unit 14. Blocks 72-80 detect the maximum temperature of mold 16 after being filled with water and uses a maximum temperature to determine when an ice cube is to be harvested.
  • Blocks 72-80 detect the maximum temperature of mold 16 after being filled with water and uses a maximum temperature to determine when an ice cube is to be harvested.
  • first temperature sensor 26 provides an output signal to controller 22 via line 48 indicative of a first temperature Tl immediately after mold cavity 30 is filled with water (block 72). Thereafter, a wait state occurs for a predetermined period of time to allow the temperature of mold 16 to change (block 74). First temperature sensor 26 then provides an additional signal to controller 22 via line 48 indicative of a second temperature T2 at the point in time of the wait state (block 76). If the first temperature Tl is less than the second temperature T2 measured at the discrete point in time (decision line 82 from decision block 78), then the thermal inertia of the water within mold cavity 30 is causing the temperature of mold 16 to continue to rise and mold 16 has not yet reached a maximum temperature. Thus, the first temperature Tl is reset to the maximum temperature T2 (block 80) and the control process loops back to the input side of block 74.
  • Blocks 86, 88, 90, 92 and 94 are used to perform a numerical analysis of the temperature of mold 16 over time to determine when the ice cube may be harvested. It will be appreciated that the colder temperature in freezer unit 14 causes the temperature of mold 16 and the water therein to drop. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the temperature of the water within mold cavity 30 drops over time. Thus, freezing of ice within mold cavity 30 may be determined as a function of the temperature of mold 16 over time.
  • the variable K is set to zero.
  • the constant K0 is set dependent upon anticipated cooling conditions within freezer unit 14. More particularly, the cooling rate of mold 16 differs, depending upon whether the compressor is running or not running within freezer 10. A determination is made as to whether the compressor is running or not running and the value of the constant K0 is set accordingly to determine whether an ice cube is to be harvested from ice maker 12.
  • a wait state occurs for a predetermined period of time (e.g. a few seconds) which allows the temperature of mold 16 to drop (block 88).
  • the temperature TO of the mold is then measured using first temperature sensor 26 (block 90).
  • Tl the maximum mold temperature
  • the ice cube may be harvested by actuating drive 20 using controller 22 to rotatably drive auger 18 (block 98). Control then loops to the input side of block side of block 54 via line 100 for the beginning of a new fill cycle. On the other hand, if the value of K is less than the value of the constant K0 (decision line 100 from decision block 94), the ice cube is not yet ready for harvesting and control loops to the input side of block 88 via return line 102.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Production, Working, Storing, Or Distribution Of Ice (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil (10) à glaçons comprenant un moule (12) avec au moins une cavité (30) servant à contenir de l'eau destinée à être convertie en glace. Un capteur (26) de température est positionné en association avec le moule et génère un signal de sortie. Une vis sans fin (18) est positionnée en partie dans ladite cavité du moule. Un dispositif d'entraînement mécanique (20, 38) entraîne de manière rotative la vis sans fin. Une unité (22) de commande est couplée au capteur et au dispositif d'entraînement, et commande le fonctionnement du dispositif d'entraînement en fonction du signal de sortie du capteur.
PCT/US2001/049902 2000-12-26 2001-12-21 Appareil a glacons et procede de fabrication de glacons Ceased WO2003058139A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2433371A CA2433371C (fr) 2000-12-26 2001-12-21 Appareil a glacons et procede de fabrication de glacons
AU2002234090A AU2002234090A1 (en) 2000-12-26 2001-12-21 Ice maker and method of making ice

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US47841100 2000-12-26
US09/478,411 2000-12-26

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003058139A1 true WO2003058139A1 (fr) 2003-07-17

Family

ID=28042183

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2001/049902 Ceased WO2003058139A1 (fr) 2000-12-26 2001-12-21 Appareil a glacons et procede de fabrication de glacons

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2002234090A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2433371C (fr)
WO (1) WO2003058139A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101782306A (zh) * 2008-12-31 2010-07-21 曼尼托沃食品服务有限公司 带有进水温度检测的制冰机及其控制方法
US20240247852A1 (en) * 2023-01-23 2024-07-25 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Refrigerator and ice-making assembly and methods for reliably forming clear ice

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3300998A (en) * 1965-12-09 1967-01-31 Gen Electric Hydraulic ice maker
US3306072A (en) * 1966-08-26 1967-02-28 Gen Electric Hydraulic ice maker
US3367127A (en) * 1965-12-07 1968-02-06 H & W Ind Inc Hydraulic icemaker
US3850008A (en) * 1972-12-27 1974-11-26 Gen Electric Ice maker
US4833894A (en) * 1988-05-02 1989-05-30 Whirlpool Corporation Ice maker with overtemperature protection

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3367127A (en) * 1965-12-07 1968-02-06 H & W Ind Inc Hydraulic icemaker
US3300998A (en) * 1965-12-09 1967-01-31 Gen Electric Hydraulic ice maker
US3306072A (en) * 1966-08-26 1967-02-28 Gen Electric Hydraulic ice maker
US3850008A (en) * 1972-12-27 1974-11-26 Gen Electric Ice maker
US4833894A (en) * 1988-05-02 1989-05-30 Whirlpool Corporation Ice maker with overtemperature protection

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101782306A (zh) * 2008-12-31 2010-07-21 曼尼托沃食品服务有限公司 带有进水温度检测的制冰机及其控制方法
US20240247852A1 (en) * 2023-01-23 2024-07-25 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Refrigerator and ice-making assembly and methods for reliably forming clear ice

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2433371A1 (fr) 2003-07-17
AU2002234090A1 (en) 2003-07-24
CA2433371C (fr) 2010-09-21

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