초록 ▼

A differential ice sensing system and method for a cold drink beverage dispenser or the like is disclosed. The beverage dispenser has an ice bath cooling tank containing a supply of water. A refrigerated cooling surface is provided within the tank so as to freeze a portion of the water into a body o

A differential ice sensing system and method for a cold drink beverage dispenser or the like is disclosed. The beverage dispenser has an ice bath cooling tank containing a supply of water. A refrigerated cooling surface is provided within the tank so as to freeze a portion of the water into a body of ice. The beverage dispenser has a beverage flow path which is cooled by the liquid in the ice bath. The differential ice sensing system comprises a first conductivity (or impedance) probe which is disposed in the water of the ice bath at a position where it will sense the conductivity of the ice when the body of ice formed on the refrigerated surface attains a predetermined size. A second conductivity probe is disposed within the liquid so that it is maintained in conductivity sensing relationship with the liquid. Each of the probes is responsive to an electric current supplied thereto to measure the electrical conductivity in its vicinity A system is provided for detecting conductivity differences between the first and second probes indicative of the presence of ice at the first probe and for generating a signal indicating presence of ice at the first probe This signal may be utilized to block the flow of refrigerant to the refrigerated surface when the body of ice formed has reached a pre-determined size and to initiate the flow of refrigerant when the body of ice is less than a desired size.

대표청구항 ▼

An ice sensing system in a beverage dispenser or the like, said beverage dispenser including a cooling tank having a heat transfer liquid therein, a refrigerating surface for cooling said liquid in the cooling tank, and a beverage flowpath in heat transfer relation with the liquid in said tank so th

An ice sensing system in a beverage dispenser or the like, said beverage dispenser including a cooling tank having a heat transfer liquid therein, a refrigerating surface for cooling said liquid in the cooling tank, and a beverage flowpath in heat transfer relation with the liquid in said tank so that beverage dispensed through the beverage flow path is cooled by said liquid, said liquid in the cooling tank being capable of being frozen into ice by said refrigerating surface, said ice sensing system comprising: a first conductivity probe disposed in said liquid in said cooling tank at a first predetermined position; a second conductivity probe disposed in said liquid at a second predetermined position; the relative positions of said first and second probes with respect to said refrigerating surface being such that said first probe is disposed at a location where said liquid is frozen into ice by said refrigerating surface when the ice attains a predetermined size while said second probe remains a liquid; means for supplying electric current to said first and second probes, each probe being responsive to the electric current to measure the electrical conductivity in its vicinity, the liquid in he cooling tank being such that its conductivity as a liquid is significantly different from its conductivity as an ice; and means for detecting conductivity differences between said first and second probes indicative of the presence of ice at the first probe and for signalling the presence thereof.