초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for adjustably controlling the growth of the solid phase of a substance from around a cooling mechanism, such as the growth of an ice bank around cooling coils, while also minimizing chances of inaccurate control by referencing the apparent resistance of the liquid that is act

A method and apparatus for adjustably controlling the growth of the solid phase of a substance from around a cooling mechanism, such as the growth of an ice bank around cooling coils, while also minimizing chances of inaccurate control by referencing the apparent resistance of the liquid that is actually in the system rather than a standard value for the same. The invention uses four springs as probes that are positioned relative to one another and are linked with a detachable control circuit in a manner which provides a dead-band in the unit\s operation by monitoring the resistance of the liquid at two different distances from the cooling mechanism while the reference resistance is monitored at an even greater distance. A mounting means for the probes advantageously positions the probes relative to cooling coils but allows for adjustment of the size of an ice bank formed around those coils while also protecting the probes and their electrical connections, and a detachable housing for a printed control circuit board is also provided with other advantageous features such as environmental protection.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for adjustably controlling the size of an ice bank around a cooling coil immersed in a water bath as part of a refrigeration system comprising: a first controlling probe immersed in said water bath located at a distance from said cooling coil representing the minimum desired size of the

An apparatus for adjustably controlling the size of an ice bank around a cooling coil immersed in a water bath as part of a refrigeration system comprising: a first controlling probe immersed in said water bath located at a distance from said cooling coil representing the minimum desired size of the ice bank; a second controlling probe immersed in said water bath and located at a distance from said cooling coil representing the maximum desired size of the ice bank; a ground probe immersed in said water bath and located at a greater distance from said cooling coil than either of said first or second controlling probes; a reference probe immersed in said water bath and located at a greater distance from said cooling coil than either of said first or second controlling probes; means for producing a constant current between said first controlling probe and said ground probe, between said second controlling probe and said ground probe, and between said reference probe and said ground probe. means for measuring the voltage potentials of said first controlling probe, said second controlling probe, and said reference probe as constant current flows from each of said probes to said ground probe; means for turning said refrigeration system on when the potential of said first controlling probe is equal to the potential of said reference probe; means for maintaining the refrigeration system in an on condition even as the potential of said first controlling probe becomes greater than the potential of said reference probe due to ice formation around said first controlling probe and for turning off the refrigeration system when the potential of said second controlling probe becomes greater than the potential of said reference probe due to ice formation around said second controlling probe; and means for adjusting the distance at which said first controlling probe is located from said cooling coil, thereby adjusting the minimum desired size of the ice bank.