Inventors:
Thomas E. Yingst - Aurora CO
Frederick A. Weis - Chattanooga TN
Assignee:
Mile High Equipment Company - Denver CO
International Classification:
F25C 510
Abstract:
A self-contained ice making machine includes a programmable controller connected to control operation of the machine which includes monitoring the operation of the machine for producing diagnostic type error signals for display, and issuing operating instructions to the refrigeration unit. The refrigerator unit has a condenser with cooling fans, evaporator, a water supply means, and an ice harvest probe assembly. The evaporator includes a coil, and an array of ice cube molds. The water supply means includes a water tank for flowing water over the evaporator, a pump for pumping water to the evaporator and from the tank and a solenoid controlled valve for controlling the flow of water to and from the tank. The ice harvest probe assembly includes a probe driven by a slip clutch motor for pushing against an ice cube bearing slab formed on the evaporator during ice cube harvest. The programmable controller is programmed to control the ice making operation of the unit including refrigerator initialization, sensing the end temperature of an ice cube freezing cycle for determining when ice cubes have been formed, initiating first a timed freezing cycle to bridge the ice cubes within a thin (1/8 inch) ice slab and then a harvest anticipation feature which includes turning off the condenser fans in advance of harvest for increasing the temperature of high pressure gas out of the compressor for harvest.
