Patent US3810386A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3810386A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ice distribution and level control
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-07-22
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Granted: 1974-05-14
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Expires: 1991-07-22
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for controlling filling of an ice bin from an ice refrigeration apparatus where the ice is added to the bin and distributed by a rotating slinger powered by an electric motor and including a switch in the refrigerator power supply. When ice accumulates in the bin, it drags the slinger and increases the power requirements to the motor. This is reflected as a current change. A level detector senses current flow outside a permitted range. The detected change opens the switch and turns off the refrigeration equipment.
Inventors
- 👤 Ashan R Mc
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:28
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25C; F25C5/00; F25C5/18; F25C5/182; F25C5/187
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus cooperative with an ice storage bin which is filled from an electrically powered ice refrigeration machine wherein the ice is stored in the bin by the present apparatus, comprising: an electric motor having a shaft; an ice distributing means operatively connected to said shaft; an electrical distribution system connected to said motor for providing current thereto for its operation; detector means cooperatively arranged relative to said electrical distribution system, said detector means detecting a change in the operative condition of said motor as will occur on accumulation of ice in the bin to a level to interfere with operation of said ice distributing means; said detector means comprising a reactive circuit element cooperatively connected relative to said motor and said electrical distribution system as to form a signal which varies with load on said motor; level means connected to said circuit element for rejecting varying signals outside a specified range and accepting signals in a specified range; and, switch means operated by the signal from the level means of said detector means and adapted to be wired to the ice refrigeration machine for turning it on to make ice, said switch means turning the ice refrigeration machine on and off by providing thereto a binary signal as determined by said level means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus cooperative with an ice storage bin which is filled from an electrically powered ice refrigeration machine wherein the ice is stored in the bin by the present apparatus, comprising: an electric motor having a shaft; an ice distributing means operatively connected to said shaft; an electrical distribution system connected to said motor for providing current thereto for its operation; detector means cooperatively arranged relative to said electrical distribution system, said detector means detecting a change in the operative condition of said motor as will occur on accumulation of ice in the bin to a level to interfere with operation of said ice distributing means; said detector means comprising a reactive circuit element cooperatively connected relative to said motor and said electrical distribution system as to form a signal which varies with load on said motor; level means connected to said circuit element for rejecting varying signals outside a specified range and accepting signals in a specified range; and, switch means operated by the signal from the level means of said detector means and adapted to be wired to the ice refrigeration machine for turning it on to make ice, said switch means turning the ice refrigeration machine on and off by providing thereto a binary signal as determined by said level means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said reactive circuit element is a capacitor serially connected to said motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a transformer connected as an input for said detector means, and said detector means is input to a rectifier circuit which forms a DC level input to said level means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said level means is a neon lamp which blocks its output and the output thereof is connected to a silicon controlled rectifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 4 including side by side rectifiers in an AC circuit which is adapted to be connected to the ice refrigeration machine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said rectifiers form a triac.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including in said switch means an electronically triggered component having a pair of terminals adapted to be connected in series to a voltage source and the electrically powered ice refrigeration machine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said distributing means comprises a disc shaped slinger mounted on a shaft below an opening means where ice is dropped onto said slinger and is thrown by the rotation thereof into the storage bin until said slinger encounters difficulty in rotating and then slows said motor to alter the current flow thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a disc mounted on said motor shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2708361A
Cited
US2961842A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-13 | 1977-11-12 | 1978-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-13 | 1981-11-12 | 1982-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-13 | 1985-11-12 | 1986-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |