EP0380502B1 - Ice making apparatus - Google Patents
Ice making apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0380502B1 EP0380502B1 EP88907150A EP88907150A EP0380502B1 EP 0380502 B1 EP0380502 B1 EP 0380502B1 EP 88907150 A EP88907150 A EP 88907150A EP 88907150 A EP88907150 A EP 88907150A EP 0380502 B1 EP0380502 B1 EP 0380502B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- disc
- channels
- disc member
- ice making
- making apparatus
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F5/00—Elements specially adapted for movement
- F28F5/02—Rotary drums or rollers
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C1/00—Producing ice
- F25C1/12—Producing ice by freezing water on cooled surfaces, e.g. to form slabs
- F25C1/14—Producing ice by freezing water on cooled surfaces, e.g. to form slabs to form thin sheets which are removed by scraping or wedging, e.g. in the form of flakes
- F25C1/142—Producing ice by freezing water on cooled surfaces, e.g. to form slabs to form thin sheets which are removed by scraping or wedging, e.g. in the form of flakes from the outer walls of cooled bodies
Definitions
- the present invention relates to ice making apparatus.
- the invention is directed to a machine for making flake ice.
- Flake ice is made in this sheets approximately 1.5-6.0 mm thick.
- the sheets may be curved or flat and the thin ice is generally broken into random-sized flakes when harvested.
- Flake ice is particularly suitable for packing products such as fish or frozen foods as the ice flakes can be packed close to the products.
- flake ice is ideal because the flakes present the maximum amount of cooling surface for a given amount of ice.
- Flake ice is commonly produced by the application of water to the inside or outside of a refrigerated cylindrical drum.
- the water is applied at a first angular location on the drum and adheres thereto in a thin layer by surface tension.
- the water freezes into a thin layer of ice, which is fractured by an ice removal device at a second angular location downstream from the first angular location in the direction of rotation.
- the thickness of the flake ice can be varied by adjusting the speed of the rotating drum, varying the evaporator temperature, and regulating the water flow on to the freezing surface. Since flake ice can be made in a continuous operation without being interrupted for a harvest cycle, less refrigeration tonnage is required to produce a tonne of ice than any other type of manufactured ice when similar make up water and evaporating temperatures are compared.
- the ice removal device is located only on the side of the drum on which ice is formed, the continual unbalanced force applied to that side of the drum to fracture the ice from the freezing surface accelerates the wear on the drum bearings.
- a further disadvantage of known ice making machines of the drum type is that their capacity cannot be readily increased. If increased capacity is desired, it is usually necessary to install a whole new machine. That is, in addition to installing an extra refrigerated drum, it is also necessary to install another refrigeration unit including motor, compressor and condensor, and a new drive unit. Any upgrading in capacity will therefore involve considerable expense.
- GBA-1460095 (and equivalent US-A-3863462) describes a large scale flake ice producing machine which comprises one or more upright refrigerated discs rotatable on a horizontal shaft. Water or other congealable liquid is applied to both surfaces of the disc and frozen into sheets of ice as the disc rotates. Thereafter, the sheets are removed from the disc in ice flakes.
- Each disc is approximately 1.8m in diameter and comprises a pair of large round aluminium plates spaced apart about 20mm and sealed at their periphery to form an enclosed space. Baffles are placed within the interior of the space to form rudimentary passages through which a coolant is pumped in order to refrigerate the disc surfaces.
- the liquid applied to the disc member is water which is frozen to form ice.
- the ice is removed in the form of flake ice as hereinbefore described.
- the water may be applied to the surface of the disc by rotating the disc through a water trough or the like. Alternatively, the water may be sprayed onto the disc.
- the ice removal means comprises a pair of harvesting blades juxtaposed with, and extending radially along respective opposite sides of the disc.
- Each harvesting blade does not contact the disc but is spaced therefrom by a small clearance, typically 0.05 - 1.0mm. The ice is removed without introduced heat.
- each point on the operative surfaces of the disc wil undergo the following steps in sequence: (1) water will be applied to the disc surface, (2) the water will freeze into ice as the disc rotates with time, (3) the ice will be removed by the ice removal means, and the above sequence is repeated with each revolution of the disc in a continuous process.
- the ice making apparatus is able to utilize direct expansion refrigeration with a "boiling" or evaporative refrigerant thereby enabling higher efficiency and freezing capacity to be achieved. Only one refrigeration system is required, the disc(s) constituting the evaporator of the refrigeration system.
- the disc is of sandwich or laminate construction comprising two halves in which open channels have been etched or machined in patterns which are mirror images of each other.
- opposed open channels form closed internal channels.
- the pattern of the channels is such that they extend over substantially all of the plane of the disc and are substantially of equal length so that the disc is cooled evenly.
- the refrigerated disc has a central aperture having a collar fitted therein. On one side, the collar receives a hollow shaft delivering the compressed refrigerant.
- the collar has a series of radial bores, communicating at their inner ends with the hollow shaft. At their outer ends, the radial bores communicate with respective inlets to the channels extending through the disc, the channel inlets being located on the cylindrical surface of the disc aperture.
- the liquid refrigerant passes through the hollow shaft and into the internal channels of the disc whereat it evaporates to thereby cool the disc.
- the channel outlets communicate with another hollow shaft on the opposite side of the collar via a second set of radial bores in the collar.
- the evaporated refrigerant is extracted through this hollow shaft to the compressor.
- the disc, collar and shifts form a single assembly which is rotated by a motor using a belt or chain drive to a pulley or sprocket on one of the shafts.
- the disc can be rotated in any other suitable manner.
- the disc can be provided with a toothed perimeter so that the disc can be driven by a cog-wheel gear, either directly or chain-driven.
- a number of discs are mounted on a common shaft and refrigerant is fed to the channels in each disc via a distributer and pipe lead system.
- the discs are fed in parallel, and the lengths of the pipe leads are made substantially equal to ensure equal pressure drop in the refrigerant feed to the discs.
- the evaporated refrigerant can be extracted via the common hollow shaft.
- the ice making machine 10 of a first embodiment of the invention comprises a frame 12 on which are mounted a water reservoir 11 and a pump 13. Water from the reservoir 11 is pumped by pump 13 through upwardly extending pipe 14 to a pair of water sprays 15 located above and on respective sides of a rotating refrigerated disc 20. The water sprays are oriented to direct water onto both surfaces of the disc to thereby leave a film of water adhering to both disc surfaces.
- the disc 20 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 and is driven by motor 16 via a belt or chain 17 and pulley 8. However, the disc 20 may be rotated by any other suitable means.
- the disc 20 may be provided with a toothed perimeter and driven by a cog-wheel gear either directly or by chain.
- the refrigerated disc 20 has a plurality of channels therein and constitutes the evaporator in a refrigeration circuit.
- the mounting of the refrigerated disc 20 is shown in more detail in Fig. 3.
- the disc 20 has a central circular aperture having a circular collar 22 inserted therein.
- the collar 22 receives a hollow shaft 18 delivering refrigerant while on its other side, the collar 22 receives another hollow shaft 21 for removing the evaporated refrigerant.
- the shafts 18, 21, collar 22 and disc 20 are fixed relative to each other and rotate as a single assembly. To enable rotation, shaft 18 is mounted in bearing 25 while shaft 21 is mounted in bearing 23.
- the bearings 23, 25 are located in respective bearing blocks which preferably are adjustably and removably mounted within the frame 12 of the ice making machine.
- Hollow shafts 18 and 21 communicate respectively with the condensor and compressor (not shown) of a refrigeration circuit.
- O-rings 26, 24 are provided to seal the connections to the shafts 18, 21 respectively.
- Shaft 21 has attached thereto a pulley, sprocket or cog which is rotated by motor 16 via belt or chain 17. Rotation of the pulley 8 in turn rotates the disc/collar/pipe assembly.
- the refrigerated disc 20 is shown in more detail in Figs. 4-6.
- the disc 20 is of laminated construction and comprises two discs 20A and 20B sandwiched together.
- Each disc 20A, 20B has a pattern of open channels 30A formed in a surface thereof, for example by etching or machining.
- the channel patterns are mirror images of each other so that when the discs 20A and 20B are bonded together, closed channels 30 are formed.
- the disc is typically 4-10 mm thick, and the channels are typically 3.5 mm wide x 2.5 mm high.
- the channel pattern for a quadrant of the disc 20 is shown in Fig. 4.
- the pattern for the bottom right quadrant is the inverse to the illustrated pattern for the top right quadrant, and the patterns for the top and bottom left quadrants are mirror images of the patterns for the top and bottom right quadrants, respectively.
- the channel pattern is so designed that
- the illustrated disc is composed of two layers, more than two layers can be used to form the laminated disc if desired.
- Each channel 30 has an inlet 31 communicating with the central aperture in the disc.
- the outlets of the channels 30 are also located on the inner cylindrical surface of the disc, on the opposite side to the inlets.
- the collar 22 has a plurality of radial bores 27 on one half which communicate at their inner ends 32 with the hollow shaft 18 and at their outer ends with the inlets 31 of the channels 30 in the disc 20.
- the collar 22 is provided with a plurality of radial bores 29 having outer ends communicating with the outlets 33 of channels 30 and inner ends communicating with axial bores 28 which, in turn, communicate with the hollow shaft 21.
- Condensed liquid refrigerant is fed via shaft 18 through radial bores 27 in the collar 22 and into the channels 30 in the disc 20 where it evaporates to cool the disc.
- the evaporated refrigerant is drawn from the channel outlets 33 through bores 20 and 28 and out through the hollow shaft 21 to the compressor (not shown) in the refrigeration circuit. In this manner, the disc acts as the evaporator in the refrigeration circuit.
- ice removal means 40 are mounted on frame 12 for fracturing the ice formed on the disc from the refrigerated surfaces. After being broken off the disc, the ice falls down chute 50 to be collected in ice bin 51.
- harvesting blades 52 are fixed to the bottom edge of a respective one of a pair of radial arm members 53 which in turn are fixed to support plate 51 which is fastened by bolt 59 to cross beam 56 in the frame 12 of the ice making machine.
- the inner ends of arms 53 are supported by pendant arm 54 which is pivotally attached to bracket 55 on the machine frame.
- the harvesting blade assembly shown in Figs. 9 - 11 also comprises a bearing block 58 held between a pair of brackets 57 to maintain correct relative alignment between the disc 20 and the working edges of the harvesting blades 52.
- the harvesting blade assembly is of simple economic construction yet is easy to adjust and to maintain. Moreover, the harvesting blade assembly harvests the ice on both sides of the disc 20 at the same angular location so that the forces on the disc are balanced.
- the ice making machine of the present invention can be made more compact than known drum machines in which ice is formed on only one side of the drum. Moreover, as the freezing surfaces of the disc are in close proximity to the refrigerant, greater efficiency is achieved. The ice making machine has few moving parts, thereby requiring less maintenance than existing machines. In the event that maintenance is required, the disc/shaft/bearing assembly shown in Fig. 3 can easily be removed from the bearing mounts in the machine.
- the machine can be started and stopped intermittently and the speed of the disc can be varied to produce products of different clarity and consistency.
- a single 500 mm diameter disc can produce over half a tonne of ice in a twenty-four hour period.
- the multi-disc ice making machine of the invention comprises a number of refrigerated discs 70 mounted on a common hollow shaft 71.
- the shaft 71 is mounted at its ends on combined bearing and seal assemblies 65.
- An inlet port 68 is provided at one end of the hollow shaft 71 for connection to a source of condensed liquid refrigerant, while the opposite end of the shaft 71 has an outlet port 67 for a suction connection for the evaporated refrigerant.
- the discs 70 constitute the evaporator of a refrigeration circuit in a similar manner to the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 11.
- the discs 70 are mounted in a water tank 69, which typically is made of stainless steel or glass reinforced plastic.
- the tank 69 is mounted on a base 61, which is suitably made of cast aluminium alloy.
- Spaced pairs of flanges 72 are formed on the tank 69, each disc 70 passing between a respective pair of flanges 72.
- Scraper blades 75 are provided at the top of respective flanges 72 for fracturing the ice sheet formed on the discs 70 as the discs rotate past the blades.
- the discs 70 and shaft 71 are rotated by a pulley or sprocket 64 coaxially mounted on the shaft 71 and driven, by chain or belt, by a drive motor 63 via a reduction gear box 62.
- a pulley or sprocket 64 coaxially mounted on the shaft 71 and driven, by chain or belt, by a drive motor 63 via a reduction gear box 62.
- the pulley or sprocket 64, or one or more of the discs 70 may be provided with a toothed circumference and driven directly by a cog-wheel gear.
- the tank 69 is filled with water to the level 80 as indicated in Fig. 13. As the disc 70 moves through the water in tank 69, a film of water will adhere to both surfaces of the disc due to surface tension. As the refrigerated disc 70 rotates in the clockwise direction as shown, the water adhering to the refrigerated surfaces of the disc will freeze to form a thin sheet of ice which is subsequently fractured from the disc surface by scraper blades 75 positioned as shown. Any water not adhering to the surface of the disc 70 or not being frozen will simply trickle back into the tank 69. Accordingly, there is little wastage of the liquid to be frozen.
- Ice production can be increased by reducing the temperature of water in tank 69 to close to freezing point, increasing the speed of rotation of disc 70 and increasing the flow of refrigerant through the disc 70.
- each refrigerated disc is substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 4-6.
- Each scraper blade 75 is removably mounted on top of its respective flange 72 by suitable fasteners through holes 77.
- Each scraper blade 75 comprises a series of teeth 76 for fracturing the sheet ice from the refrigerated surfaces of the discs 70.
- the scraper blades are hardened and tempered to resist wear. The only substantial wear in the machine is the abrasion of the ice against the scraper blades, and the scraper blades 75 can easily be removed for replacement and/or resharpening.
- a four-way liquid refrigerant distributor is provided at the inlet port 68 of the hollow shaft 71.
- the four-way distributor comprises four copper distributor tubes 81-84 which communicate with the channels in respective discs 70.
- the lengths of the distributor tubes 81-84 from the inlet port 68 to their respective discs ?0 are made equal in order to obtain equal pressure drop in the refrigerant feed to each disc.
- each distributor tube 81-84 is received in a radial bore in a respective collared portion of the hollow shaft 71 on which an associated disc 70 is mounted.
- Each disc 70 is mounted to a collared portion by means of a clamping ring-nut 78.
- An internal elliptical bore is formed in the centre of each clamping ring-nut 78 to provide an inlet chamber 73 between the delivery end of the respective delivery tube 81-84 and the channels in the associated disk.
- Refrigerant delivered through tubes 81-84 fills the receptive chambers 73 which communicate with the channel openings 31 of each respective disc 70. Refrigerant flows through the channels 30 of each respective disc whereat it is evaporated to cool the discs.
- the evaporated refrigerant is extracted via the channel outlets which communicate with a suction chamber 74 formed between the shafts 71 and the disc 70 by the elliptical aperture in the clamping ring-nut 78.
- the suction chamber 74 communicates with the interior of the hollow shaft 71 via slots 79 cut into the shaft 71.
- the refrigerant is extracted from the interior 80 of the hollow shaft 71 via the outlet port 67 for delivery to the compressor of the refrigeration circuit.
- the ice making machine may use a disc of other shape such as hexagonal or octagonal.
- the construction of the disc can be varied to include more than two layers bonded or brazed together.
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- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to ice making apparatus. In particular, the invention is directed to a machine for making flake ice.
- Flake ice is made in this sheets approximately 1.5-6.0 mm thick. The sheets may be curved or flat and the thin ice is generally broken into random-sized flakes when harvested.
- Flake ice is particularly suitable for packing products such as fish or frozen foods as the ice flakes can be packed close to the products. In other applications such as chemical processing and concrete cooling, where rapid cooling is important, flake ice is ideal because the flakes present the maximum amount of cooling surface for a given amount of ice.
- Flake ice is commonly produced by the application of water to the inside or outside of a refrigerated cylindrical drum. The water is applied at a first angular location on the drum and adheres thereto in a thin layer by surface tension. As the drum rotates, the water freezes into a thin layer of ice, which is fractured by an ice removal device at a second angular location downstream from the first angular location in the direction of rotation.
- The thickness of the flake ice can be varied by adjusting the speed of the rotating drum, varying the evaporator temperature, and regulating the water flow on to the freezing surface. Since flake ice can be made in a continuous operation without being interrupted for a harvest cycle, less refrigeration tonnage is required to produce a tonne of ice than any other type of manufactured ice when similar make up water and evaporating temperatures are compared.
- In known machines, water is applied to only one side of the drum, i.e. either the outside or inside, but not both. As a result, the refrigerated surface on the other side of the drum is unused, and the ice making operation represents an inefficient use of the refrigeration capacity of the machine.
- Furthermore, as the ice removal device is located only on the side of the drum on which ice is formed, the continual unbalanced force applied to that side of the drum to fracture the ice from the freezing surface accelerates the wear on the drum bearings.
- A further disadvantage of known ice making machines of the drum type is that their capacity cannot be readily increased. If increased capacity is desired, it is usually necessary to install a whole new machine. That is, in addition to installing an extra refrigerated drum, it is also necessary to install another refrigeration unit including motor, compressor and condensor, and a new drive unit. Any upgrading in capacity will therefore involve considerable expense.
- With a view to overcoming the above described problems and increasing the production capacity of ice making machines, it has been proposed to use refrigerated discs. GBA-1460095 (and equivalent US-A-3863462) describes a large scale flake ice producing machine which comprises one or more upright refrigerated discs rotatable on a horizontal shaft. Water or other congealable liquid is applied to both surfaces of the disc and frozen into sheets of ice as the disc rotates. Thereafter, the sheets are removed from the disc in ice flakes. Each disc is approximately 1.8m in diameter and comprises a pair of large round aluminium plates spaced apart about 20mm and sealed at their periphery to form an enclosed space. Baffles are placed within the interior of the space to form rudimentary passages through which a coolant is pumped in order to refrigerate the disc surfaces.
- However, the flake ice producing machine of GB-A-14600095 possesses several inherent disadvantages, including:
- (a) Due to the large flow passages inside the disc, it is necessary to use a non-evaporative coolant such as brine or glycol. That is, a "boiling" or evaporative refrigerant which cools by direct expansion is not suitable for use in the disc of GB-A-1460095. Brine and glycol have low cooling capacity and large amounts of such coolants must be pumped through the disc in order to achieve the required cooling.
- (b) Since a coolant such as brine or glycol must be used, a separate refrigeration plant is required in order to chill the brine or glycol.
- (c) The discs are difficult to manufacture according to the tolerances required. The 1.8m diameter discs must be cast and machined, and welded at their periphery, yet the flat outer surfaces of the discs must not vary from the plane in which they rotate by more than 1/8 mm.
- For the foregoing reasons, the ice making machine of GB-A-1460095 is not considered to be commerically acceptable.
- It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least some of the above described disadvantages of the prior art by providing a more compact ice making machine capable of operating more efficiently.
- This object is achieved by the ice making apparatus according to Claim 1.
- Typically, the liquid applied to the disc member is water which is frozen to form ice. The ice is removed in the form of flake ice as hereinbefore described.
- The water may be applied to the surface of the disc by rotating the disc through a water trough or the like. Alternatively, the water may be sprayed onto the disc.
- Preferably, the ice removal means comprises a pair of harvesting blades juxtaposed with, and extending radially along respective opposite sides of the disc. Each harvesting blade does not contact the disc but is spaced therefrom by a small clearance, typically 0.05 - 1.0mm. The ice is removed without introduced heat.
- As the disc rotates, each point on the operative surfaces of the disc wil undergo the following steps in sequence: (1) water will be applied to the disc surface, (2) the water will freeze into ice as the disc rotates with time, (3) the ice will be removed by the ice removal means, and the above sequence is repeated with each revolution of the disc in a continuous process.
- It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that ice making apparatus of the present invention has few moving parts and is relatively economical to manufacture.
- Furthermore, the ice making apparatus is able to utilize direct expansion refrigeration with a "boiling" or evaporative refrigerant thereby enabling higher efficiency and freezing capacity to be achieved. Only one refrigeration system is required, the disc(s) constituting the evaporator of the refrigeration system.
- Preferably, the disc is of sandwich or laminate construction comprising two halves in which open channels have been etched or machined in patterns which are mirror images of each other. When the two halves are sandwiched together to form the composite disc, opposed open channels form closed internal channels. The pattern of the channels is such that they extend over substantially all of the plane of the disc and are substantially of equal length so that the disc is cooled evenly.
- In a single disc machine, the refrigerated disc has a central aperture having a collar fitted therein. On one side, the collar receives a hollow shaft delivering the compressed refrigerant. The collar has a series of radial bores, communicating at their inner ends with the hollow shaft. At their outer ends, the radial bores communicate with respective inlets to the channels extending through the disc, the channel inlets being located on the cylindrical surface of the disc aperture. The liquid refrigerant passes through the hollow shaft and into the internal channels of the disc whereat it evaporates to thereby cool the disc.
- The channel outlets communicate with another hollow shaft on the opposite side of the collar via a second set of radial bores in the collar. The evaporated refrigerant is extracted through this hollow shaft to the compressor. The disc, collar and shifts form a single assembly which is rotated by a motor using a belt or chain drive to a pulley or sprocket on one of the shafts.
- However, the disc can be rotated in any other suitable manner. For example, the disc can be provided with a toothed perimeter so that the disc can be driven by a cog-wheel gear, either directly or chain-driven.
- In a multiple disc machine, a number of discs are mounted on a common shaft and refrigerant is fed to the channels in each disc via a distributer and pipe lead system. The discs are fed in parallel, and the lengths of the pipe leads are made substantially equal to ensure equal pressure drop in the refrigerant feed to the discs. The evaporated refrigerant can be extracted via the common hollow shaft.
- Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the ice making apparatus of one embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 2 is a sectional elevational view along A-A of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevational view of the disc mounting arrangement of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a quadrant of the disc of the ice making apparatus of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 5 is a sectional view of part of the disc of Fig. 4;
- Fig. 6 is a sectional view of part of one half disc of Fig. 4;
- Fig. 7 is a sectional elevational view along B-B of Fig. 3;
- Fig. 8 is a sectional elevational view along C-C of Fig. 3;
- Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the ice removal means of Fig. 2;
- Fig. 10 is an end elevational view of the ice removal means of Fig. 9;
- Fig. 11 is a plan view of the ice removal means of Fig. 9;
- Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a multiple disc ice making apparatus according to another embodiment;
- Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the multiple disc machine of Fig. 12;
- Fig. 14 is a plan view of the ice removal means of Fig. 12;
- Fig. 15 is a side view of the ice removal means of Fig. 14;
- Fig. 16 is a sectional view of the shaft of Fig. 12; and
- Fig. 17 is a sectional view of the disc mounting on the shaft of Fig. 16.
- As shown in the Figs. 1 and 2, the
ice making machine 10 of a first embodiment of the invention comprises aframe 12 on which are mounted awater reservoir 11 and apump 13. Water from thereservoir 11 is pumped bypump 13 through upwardly extendingpipe 14 to a pair ofwater sprays 15 located above and on respective sides of a rotatingrefrigerated disc 20. The water sprays are oriented to direct water onto both surfaces of the disc to thereby leave a film of water adhering to both disc surfaces. Thedisc 20 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 and is driven bymotor 16 via a belt orchain 17 andpulley 8. However, thedisc 20 may be rotated by any other suitable means. For example, thedisc 20 may be provided with a toothed perimeter and driven by a cog-wheel gear either directly or by chain. - The
refrigerated disc 20 has a plurality of channels therein and constitutes the evaporator in a refrigeration circuit. The mounting of therefrigerated disc 20 is shown in more detail in Fig. 3. As can be seen in that drawing, thedisc 20 has a central circular aperture having acircular collar 22 inserted therein. On one side, thecollar 22 receives ahollow shaft 18 delivering refrigerant while on its other side, thecollar 22 receives anotherhollow shaft 21 for removing the evaporated refrigerant. Theshafts collar 22 anddisc 20 are fixed relative to each other and rotate as a single assembly. To enable rotation,shaft 18 is mounted in bearing 25 whileshaft 21 is mounted inbearing 23. Thebearings frame 12 of the ice making machine.Hollow shafts rings shafts -
Shaft 21 has attached thereto a pulley, sprocket or cog which is rotated bymotor 16 via belt orchain 17. Rotation of thepulley 8 in turn rotates the disc/collar/pipe assembly. - The
refrigerated disc 20 is shown in more detail in Figs. 4-6. Thedisc 20 is of laminated construction and comprises two discs 20A and 20B sandwiched together. Each disc 20A, 20B has a pattern of open channels 30A formed in a surface thereof, for example by etching or machining. The channel patterns are mirror images of each other so that when the discs 20A and 20B are bonded together,closed channels 30 are formed. The disc is typically 4-10 mm thick, and the channels are typically 3.5 mm wide x 2.5 mm high. - The channel pattern for a quadrant of the
disc 20 is shown in Fig. 4. The pattern for the bottom right quadrant is the inverse to the illustrated pattern for the top right quadrant, and the patterns for the top and bottom left quadrants are mirror images of the patterns for the top and bottom right quadrants, respectively. The channel pattern is so designed that - (a) the channels are spread over substantially the whole operative surface of the disc so that all points on the surface are close to the refrigerant, and
- (b) the channels are of substantially equal length so that there is uniform pressure drop in the refrigerant in all the channels.
- These two features ensure that the disc is refrigerated as uniformly and evenly as possible. Moreover, the provision of a pattern of thin channels enables the disc to be refrigerated using an evaporative or "boiling" refrigerant as opposed to brine. Faster and more efficient cooling of the disc is therefore obtained.
- Although the illustrated disc is composed of two layers, more than two layers can be used to form the laminated disc if desired.
- Each
channel 30 has aninlet 31 communicating with the central aperture in the disc. The outlets of thechannels 30 are also located on the inner cylindrical surface of the disc, on the opposite side to the inlets. - As shown in Figs. 3, 7 and 8, the
collar 22 has a plurality of radial bores 27 on one half which communicate at their inner ends 32 with thehollow shaft 18 and at their outer ends with theinlets 31 of thechannels 30 in thedisc 20. On the opposite half, thecollar 22 is provided with a plurality of radial bores 29 having outer ends communicating with the outlets 33 ofchannels 30 and inner ends communicating withaxial bores 28 which, in turn, communicate with thehollow shaft 21. - Condensed liquid refrigerant is fed via
shaft 18 through radial bores 27 in thecollar 22 and into thechannels 30 in thedisc 20 where it evaporates to cool the disc. The evaporated refrigerant is drawn from the channel outlets 33 throughbores hollow shaft 21 to the compressor (not shown) in the refrigeration circuit. In this manner, the disc acts as the evaporator in the refrigeration circuit. - As shown in Fig. 2, ice removal means 40 are mounted on
frame 12 for fracturing the ice formed on the disc from the refrigerated surfaces. After being broken off the disc, the ice falls downchute 50 to be collected inice bin 51. - An embodiment of a harvesting blade assembly is shown in Figs. 9 - 11. In this embodiment,
harvesting blades 52 are fixed to the bottom edge of a respective one of a pair ofradial arm members 53 which in turn are fixed to supportplate 51 which is fastened bybolt 59 to crossbeam 56 in theframe 12 of the ice making machine. The inner ends ofarms 53 are supported by pendant arm 54 which is pivotally attached tobracket 55 on the machine frame. As this mounting arrangement is supported by the main frame rather than theshafts bearings 23 and 25.and prolongs the life of such bearings. - The harvesting blade assembly shown in Figs. 9 - 11 also comprises a
bearing block 58 held between a pair ofbrackets 57 to maintain correct relative alignment between thedisc 20 and the working edges of theharvesting blades 52. - The harvesting blade assembly is of simple economic construction yet is easy to adjust and to maintain. Moreover, the harvesting blade assembly harvests the ice on both sides of the
disc 20 at the same angular location so that the forces on the disc are balanced. - Since ice is formed on both sides of the
disc 20, the ice making machine of the present invention can be made more compact than known drum machines in which ice is formed on only one side of the drum. Moreover, as the freezing surfaces of the disc are in close proximity to the refrigerant, greater efficiency is achieved. The ice making machine has few moving parts, thereby requiring less maintenance than existing machines. In the event that maintenance is required, the disc/shaft/bearing assembly shown in Fig. 3 can easily be removed from the bearing mounts in the machine. - The machine can be started and stopped intermittently and the speed of the disc can be varied to produce products of different clarity and consistency. A single 500 mm diameter disc can produce over half a tonne of ice in a twenty-four hour period.
- Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 12 to 17, this embodiment utilising a plurality of refrigerated discs. As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the multi-disc ice making machine of the invention comprises a number of
refrigerated discs 70 mounted on a commonhollow shaft 71. Theshaft 71 is mounted at its ends on combined bearing andseal assemblies 65. Aninlet port 68 is provided at one end of thehollow shaft 71 for connection to a source of condensed liquid refrigerant, while the opposite end of theshaft 71 has anoutlet port 67 for a suction connection for the evaporated refrigerant. Thediscs 70 constitute the evaporator of a refrigeration circuit in a similar manner to the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 11. - The
discs 70 are mounted in awater tank 69, which typically is made of stainless steel or glass reinforced plastic. Thetank 69 is mounted on abase 61, which is suitably made of cast aluminium alloy. Spaced pairs offlanges 72 are formed on thetank 69, eachdisc 70 passing between a respective pair offlanges 72.Scraper blades 75 are provided at the top ofrespective flanges 72 for fracturing the ice sheet formed on thediscs 70 as the discs rotate past the blades. - The
discs 70 andshaft 71 are rotated by a pulley orsprocket 64 coaxially mounted on theshaft 71 and driven, by chain or belt, by adrive motor 63 via areduction gear box 62. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other means of rotating thediscs 70 may be provided. For example, the pulley orsprocket 64, or one or more of thediscs 70, may be provided with a toothed circumference and driven directly by a cog-wheel gear. - The
tank 69 is filled with water to thelevel 80 as indicated in Fig. 13. As thedisc 70 moves through the water intank 69, a film of water will adhere to both surfaces of the disc due to surface tension. As therefrigerated disc 70 rotates in the clockwise direction as shown, the water adhering to the refrigerated surfaces of the disc will freeze to form a thin sheet of ice which is subsequently fractured from the disc surface byscraper blades 75 positioned as shown. Any water not adhering to the surface of thedisc 70 or not being frozen will simply trickle back into thetank 69. Accordingly, there is little wastage of the liquid to be frozen. - Ice production can be increased by reducing the temperature of water in
tank 69 to close to freezing point, increasing the speed of rotation ofdisc 70 and increasing the flow of refrigerant through thedisc 70. - The design and construction of each refrigerated disc is substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 4-6.
- An exemplary form of the scraper blade is illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15. Each
scraper blade 75 is removably mounted on top of itsrespective flange 72 by suitable fasteners through holes 77. Eachscraper blade 75 comprises a series ofteeth 76 for fracturing the sheet ice from the refrigerated surfaces of thediscs 70. The scraper blades are hardened and tempered to resist wear. The only substantial wear in the machine is the abrasion of the ice against the scraper blades, and thescraper blades 75 can easily be removed for replacement and/or resharpening. - The feeding of refrigerant to the
discs 70 is illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17. A four-way liquid refrigerant distributor is provided at theinlet port 68 of thehollow shaft 71. The four-way distributor comprises four copper distributor tubes 81-84 which communicate with the channels inrespective discs 70. The lengths of the distributor tubes 81-84 from theinlet port 68 to their respective discs ?0 are made equal in order to obtain equal pressure drop in the refrigerant feed to each disc. - The delivery end of each distributor tube 81-84 is received in a radial bore in a respective collared portion of the
hollow shaft 71 on which an associateddisc 70 is mounted. Eachdisc 70 is mounted to a collared portion by means of a clamping ring-nut 78. An internal elliptical bore is formed in the centre of each clamping ring-nut 78 to provide aninlet chamber 73 between the delivery end of the respective delivery tube 81-84 and the channels in the associated disk. Refrigerant delivered through tubes 81-84 fills thereceptive chambers 73 which communicate with thechannel openings 31 of eachrespective disc 70. Refrigerant flows through thechannels 30 of each respective disc whereat it is evaporated to cool the discs. The evaporated refrigerant is extracted via the channel outlets which communicate with asuction chamber 74 formed between theshafts 71 and thedisc 70 by the elliptical aperture in the clamping ring-nut 78. Thesuction chamber 74, in turn, communicates with the interior of thehollow shaft 71 viaslots 79 cut into theshaft 71. The refrigerant is extracted from theinterior 80 of thehollow shaft 71 via theoutlet port 67 for delivery to the compressor of the refrigeration circuit. - The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications which are obvious to those skilled in the art may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, although a circular disc is preferred, the ice making machine may use a disc of other shape such as hexagonal or octagonal. The construction of the disc can be varied to include more than two layers bonded or brazed together.
Claims (9)
- Ice making apparatus comprising at least one rotatable disc member (20) having internal channels (30) extending over substantially all of the operative portion of the disc member, inlet means to said channels and outlet means from said channels; means for connecting the inlet and outlet means of the disc member in a supply of coolant for flow of coolant through the channels in the disc member to cool the disc member; means (16, 17), to rotate the disc member; means (15) to apply liquid to both sides of said disc member at a first location, whereby liquid adheres to the sides of the disc member and is frozen thereto as the disc member rotates; and means (40) for removing the frozen liquid from the sides of the disc member at a second location angularly displaced from said first location in the direction of rotation of the disc member; characterised in that the disc member is connected in a refrigeration system and forms an evaporator for the system to receive an evaporative refrigerant flowing in the system; and in that said disc member has a multiplicity of relatively narrow internal channels (30) for flow of the evaporative refrigerant through the channels so that the refrigerant is vaporised in the channels thereby cooling the disc member.
- Ice making apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that said channels (30) are of substantially equal length so that there is a uniform pressure drop in the refrigerant in all the channels.
- Ice making apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that each said disc member (20) is of laminate construction and comprises at least two disc portions (20A, 20B) in which open channels (30A) have been formed in respective patterns which are mirror images of each other, said disc portions (20A, 20B) being bonded together to form said disc member (20), and said internal channels (30) being formed by opposed open channels (30A).
- Ice making apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that said liquid applying means comprises a pump (13) and sprays (15) connected to the pump and disposed on either side of the disc to spray liquid to be frozen onto the sides of the disc.
- Ice making apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that said means for applying liquid comprises a reservoir (69) of said liquid in which said disc member is partially immersed.
- Ice making apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the means for removing the frozen liquid comprises a pair of blade members (52) juxtaposed with the disc member on respective opposite sides thereof.
- Ice making apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that said disc member (20) is a single refrigerated disc, said disc having a central aperture in which a collar member (22) is fitted, said collar member (22) having-a first plurality of radial bores (27) which communicate at their inner ends (32) with a hollow shaft (18) fitted to one side of said collar member (22) and at their outer ends with respective inlets (31) to the channels (30) in the disc member, and a second plurality of radial bores (29) having outer ends communicating with respective outlets (33) of the channels (30) in said disc member (20) and having inner ends communicating with a second hollow shaft (21) inserted on the opposite side of said collar member.
- Ice making apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, characterised in that said internal channels (30) in the disc member extend from said inlets (31) outwardly towards the perimeter of the disc and thence inwardly towards said outlets (33).
- Ice making apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that said apparatus comprises a plurality of disc members (70) connected in said refrigeration circuit mounted on a common hollow shaft (71) having an inlet (68) and outlet end (67), said apparatus further comprising coolant delivery tubes (81-84) extending between the inlet end (68) of said hollow shaft (71) and the respective mounting of each said disc member (70) on said shaft (71) said delivery tubes (81-84) being substantially of equal length, and at least one aperture in said shaft (71) at the mounting of each respective disc member (70) on said shaft to provide fluid communication between the outlets of the channels in the respective disc members and the interior of said shaft (71).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AUPI345887 | 1987-07-31 | ||
AU3458/87 | 1987-07-31 | ||
PCT/AU1988/000268 WO1989001120A1 (en) | 1987-07-31 | 1988-07-27 | Ice making apparatus |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0380502A1 EP0380502A1 (en) | 1990-08-08 |
EP0380502A4 EP0380502A4 (en) | 1991-07-03 |
EP0380502B1 true EP0380502B1 (en) | 1996-09-18 |
Family
ID=3772358
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP88907150A Expired - Lifetime EP0380502B1 (en) | 1987-07-31 | 1988-07-27 | Ice making apparatus |
Country Status (10)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0380502B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2927439B2 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE143126T1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA1331287C (en) |
DE (1) | DE3855557T2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK172831B1 (en) |
FI (1) | FI92758C (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ225627A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1989001120A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA885628B (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5307646A (en) * | 1991-06-25 | 1994-05-03 | North Star Ice Equipment Corporation | Flake ice machine |
US5448894A (en) * | 1994-09-21 | 1995-09-12 | North Star Ice Equipment Corporation | Disk flake ice machine |
US5632159A (en) * | 1996-03-29 | 1997-05-27 | North Star Ice Equipment Corporation | Cooling disk for flake ice machine |
US7908871B2 (en) | 2002-07-31 | 2011-03-22 | Moobella, Inc. | Systems and methods for dispensing product |
CA2471969A1 (en) * | 2004-06-23 | 2005-12-23 | Lionel Gerber | Heat exchanger for use in an ice machine |
AU2017378448B2 (en) * | 2016-12-15 | 2022-03-03 | Solo Gelato Ltd. | Cooling system and appliance for producing cooled edible products |
KR102486682B1 (en) * | 2020-02-27 | 2023-01-09 | 구하서 | Snowflake shaved ice manufacturing device |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE163207C (en) * | ||||
CH344744A (en) * | 1956-05-07 | 1960-02-29 | Vyzk Ustav Stroju Chladicich A | Ice cream maker |
GB1179586A (en) * | 1967-05-16 | 1970-01-28 | Norbert James Stevens | Thermal Processor |
JPS5618865B2 (en) * | 1973-02-13 | 1981-05-01 | ||
JPS5115257A (en) * | 1974-07-26 | 1976-02-06 | Sugyama Kogyo Kk | |
GB1460095A (en) * | 1974-08-29 | 1976-12-31 | Treuer A J | Flake ice production |
JPS5135146A (en) * | 1974-09-12 | 1976-03-25 | Jei Toroiaa Aran | |
SU552949A1 (en) * | 1975-12-29 | 1977-04-05 | Московский технологический институт мясной и молочной промышленности | Installation for the concentration of biological solutions |
DE3300013A1 (en) * | 1983-01-03 | 1984-07-12 | Friedrich 2000 Oststeinbek Horwarth | Apparatus and process for the production of flake ice |
GB8405221D0 (en) * | 1984-02-29 | 1984-04-04 | Solmecs Corp Nv | Making ice |
-
1988
- 1988-07-27 JP JP63506163A patent/JP2927439B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-07-27 DE DE3855557T patent/DE3855557T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1988-07-27 AT AT88907150T patent/ATE143126T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1988-07-27 WO PCT/AU1988/000268 patent/WO1989001120A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1988-07-27 EP EP88907150A patent/EP0380502B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-07-29 CA CA000573478A patent/CA1331287C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1988-07-29 NZ NZ225627A patent/NZ225627A/en unknown
- 1988-08-01 ZA ZA885628A patent/ZA885628B/en unknown
-
1990
- 1990-01-31 DK DK199000262A patent/DK172831B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1990-01-31 FI FI900484A patent/FI92758C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ZA885628B (en) | 1989-04-26 |
DK26290A (en) | 1990-01-31 |
EP0380502A1 (en) | 1990-08-08 |
FI92758B (en) | 1994-09-15 |
DK172831B1 (en) | 1999-08-02 |
DE3855557T2 (en) | 1997-08-07 |
WO1989001120A1 (en) | 1989-02-09 |
FI92758C (en) | 1994-12-27 |
DK26290D0 (en) | 1990-01-31 |
CA1331287C (en) | 1994-08-09 |
EP0380502A4 (en) | 1991-07-03 |
JP2927439B2 (en) | 1999-07-28 |
DE3855557D1 (en) | 1996-10-24 |
NZ225627A (en) | 1991-11-26 |
ATE143126T1 (en) | 1996-10-15 |
FI900484A0 (en) | 1990-01-31 |
JPH02504423A (en) | 1990-12-13 |
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