METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING ICE SLAB BRIDGE THICKNESS AND INITIATE ICE HARVEST FOLLOWING THE FREEZE CYCLE

• US 20140013781A1
• Filed: 05/23/2013
• Published: 01/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pentair Flow Services AG (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies LLC (Manitowoc Foodservice Companies)
• Inventors: ANTOINE, Thomas H., CAYEMBERG, Curt R., PETERSEN, Dean M., GIEBEL, Mark P.
• Granted Patent: US 9,625,199 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/66
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 1/00 Producing ice F25C3/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 1/12 by freezing water on cooled surfaces, e.g. to form slabs
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 1/22 Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 2400/14 Water supply
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 2700/04 Level of water

Abstract

A method and apparatus for adjusting and controlling ice bridge slab thickness and/or initiation of ice harvest following a freeze cycle. This adjusting and controlling is performed through the use of adjustable float clip assemblies which set the amount of water available for ice making in a batch process. The adjustable float clip assemblies provide an ice machine user with the ability to easily adjust the ice slab bridge thickness to a single or plurality of settings, and allow for changes in ice bridge slab thickness at the site of installation.

Claims

1. An ice bridge thickness control for an ice making machine, said control comprising:

at least two floats for controlling the level of water in a water supply for the ice making machine, a first float that sets a maximum water level for producing ice, and a second float that sets a minimum water level for initiating ice harvesting, wherein said first and second floats control said ice bridge thickness.

2. An ice bridge thickness control according to claim 1, wherein said second float further controls the start of said ice harvesting.

3. An ice bridge thickness control according to claim 1, wherein said first and second floats are each retained by first and second float clips, respectively, wherein said first float clip is adjustable and said second float clip is not adjustable.

4. An ice bridge thickness control according to claim 3, wherein said first float clip is adjustable to at least three (3) different positions, wherein each position corresponds to a different maximum water level.

5. An ice bridge thickness control according to claim 3, wherein said first and second float clips are disposed in a retaining opening, thereby allowing for the removal of said first and second floats without disconnecting said floats from the control.

6. A method of controlling ice bridge thickness in an ice making machine, said method comprising:

controlling the level of water in a water supply for the ice machine using a first and second float;

setting a maximum water level for producing ice by said first float;

setting a minimum water level for initiating harvesting ice by said second float; and

producing ice until the amount of water between the levels set by said first and second floats is consumed.

7. A method of controlling ice bridge thickness in an ice making machine according to claim 6, further comprises:

controlling the initiation of harvesting of ice by the position of said second float in said water supply.

8. A method of controlling ice bridge thickness in an ice making machine according to claim 6, further comprising:

holding said first and second floats by first and second float clips, respectively, wherein said first float clip is associated with said first float and is not adjustable and said second float clip is associated with said second float and is adjustable.

9. A method of controlling ice bridge thickness in an ice making machine according to claim 8, further comprising:

providing that said first float clip is adjustable to at least three (3) different positions, wherein each position corresponds to a different maximum water level.

10. A method of controlling ice bridge thickness in an ice making machine according to claim 8, wherein said first and second float clips are disposed in a retaining opening, thereby allowing for the removal of said first and second floats without disconnecting said floats from the control.