Method and an arrangement for measuring and adjusting the ice temperature of artificial ice rinks
First Claim
1. A method for measuring and adjusting the temperature of ice of artificial ice rinks, in which water is frozen to ice with the aid of refrigerating channels disposed in the rink and in which refrigerant is passed through the refrigerating channels by means of a refrigerating system, and in which the temperature of the ice is adjusted by adjusting the refrigerating effect of the refrigerating system, characterized by measuring the surface temperature of the ice with the aid of at least one sensor which functions to measure infrared radiation from the surface ice, and by processing the signals produced by said sensor in a control unit which controls the refrigerating system in a manner to bring the surface ice to a predetermined temperature;
- and by calibrating the sensor in conjunction with rinsing or washing the rink with water, the water being assumed to take a temperature of 0°
C. after a short transition period.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for measuring and adjusting the temperature of surface ice in artificial ice rinks, in which water is frozen to ice with the aid of refrigerating channels arranged in the rink and through which refrigerant is passed a by means of a refrigerating system and wherein the temperature of the ice is controlled by controlling the refrigerating power of the refrigerating system. The method is mainly characterized in that the surface ice temperature is measured with the aid of at least one sensor, which functions to measure infrared radiation from the surface ice. The signals produced by the sensor are processed in a control unit which controls the refrigeration system in a manner to bring the surface ice to a predetermined temperature. The invention also related to an arrangement for carrying out the method.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for measuring and adjusting the temperature of ice of artificial ice rinks, in which water is frozen to ice with the aid of refrigerating channels disposed in the rink and in which refrigerant is passed through the refrigerating channels by means of a refrigerating system, and in which the temperature of the ice is adjusted by adjusting the refrigerating effect of the refrigerating system, characterized by measuring the surface temperature of the ice with the aid of at least one sensor which functions to measure infrared radiation from the surface ice, and by processing the signals produced by said sensor in a control unit which controls the refrigerating system in a manner to bring the surface ice to a predetermined temperature;
- and by calibrating the sensor in conjunction with rinsing or washing the rink with water, the water being assumed to take a temperature of 0°
C. after a short transition period. - View Dependent Claims (2)
- and by calibrating the sensor in conjunction with rinsing or washing the rink with water, the water being assumed to take a temperature of 0°
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3. A method of controlling the temperature of ice in an artificial ice rink having refrigeration channels through which refrigerant is passed using a refrigerating system, comprising the steps of:
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(a) passing refrigerant through the refrigeration channels to cause ice to form in the artificial ice rink, the ice including an ice surface which contacts the blades of skates of skaters using the ice rink; (b) sensing the temperature of the ice surface from a location above the ice surface; and (c) in response to the sensing from step (b), controlling the refrigerating system so as to maintain the ice surface temperature at an optimum value for a specific use to which the ice rink is put. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An artificial ice rink assembly, comprising:
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a refrigeration system, including a plurality of refrigeration channels through which refrigerant is passed by the refrigeration system; a control unit for controlling the refrigeration system for controlling passage of refrigerant through the refrigeration channels to control the formation and temperature of ice in the artificial ice rink, the ice having an ice surface which contacts the blades of skaters using the ice rink; and an infrared sensor for sensing infrared radiation emanating from the ice surface, and thus the temperature of the ice surface, and sending signals to said control unit in response to said ice surface temperature sensing, so that said control unit controls said refrigeration system to maintain the temperature of the ice surface at a desired value. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 17)
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16. An artificial ice rink assembly as recited 11 further comprising means for giving the temperature which is measured at a predetermined time after a rapid increase in temperature of given amplitude and a subsequent relatively rapid drop in temperature the value of 0°
- C. for calibration purposes.
Specification