EP2400243A1 - Ice producer in sheets and method for assisting the detachment of the sheet from the evaporator of an ice producer - Google Patents
Ice producer in sheets and method for assisting the detachment of the sheet from the evaporator of an ice producer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2400243A1 EP2400243A1 EP11153715A EP11153715A EP2400243A1 EP 2400243 A1 EP2400243 A1 EP 2400243A1 EP 11153715 A EP11153715 A EP 11153715A EP 11153715 A EP11153715 A EP 11153715A EP 2400243 A1 EP2400243 A1 EP 2400243A1
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- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- ice
- evaporator
- sheet
- detachment
- fluid
- 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.)
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Classifications
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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
- F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
- F25C5/02—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice
- F25C5/04—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws
- F25C5/06—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws by deforming bodies with which the ice is in contact, e.g. using inflatable members
Definitions
- the present invention refers to an ice producer on sheet and to a method for assisting the detachment of the sheet from the evaporator of an ice producer.
- the field of application concerns a type of ice producing machines, which provides for the formation of a sheet of ice on an evaporating surface, (called evaporator), normally disposed in a vertical position.
- evaporator evaporating surface
- the detachment of the sheet occurs through a defrosting cycle, which provides for the heating of the evaporating surface. This heating causes the subsequent detachment of the ice sheet.
- the rate of detachment of the ice sheet is relevant for the hourly production of the ice, as in fact the defrosting time (hot phase) subtracts time for the formation of the ice (cold phase). Furthermore in the defrosting phase part of the ice having been formed is melted, and this goes to detriment of the finale quantity of ice produced.
- Technical task of the present invention is therefore to provide an ice producer in sheet and a method for assisting the detachment of the sheet of ice from the evaporator of an ice producer in sheet, permitting to eliminate the technical drawbacks lamented of the known art.
- an aim of the invention is to realize an ice producer in sheet having an improved productivity deriving both from the acceleration of the detachment process of the sheet of ice from the evaporator and from the reduction of the ice melting during the detachment from the evaporator.
- Another aim of the invention is to realize a method for assisting the detachment of the sheet of ice from the evaporator of an ice producer in sheet that is extremely efficient, constructively simple and which does not require a distortion of the currently used technology for the realization of an ice producer in sheet.
- the technical task, and also these and other aims according to the present invention are reached by realizing an ice producer of the type having a frigorific circuit, an evaporator on which a sheet of ice is able to be formed, and providing a production phase of a sheet of ice on said evaporator, in which in the suction line feeding the evaporator a low pressure of the frigorific liquid is present, and with a defrosting phase for heating the evaporator in order to permit the detachment of the sheet of ice, in which in the suction line feeding the evaporator a high pressure of the frigorific liquid is present, characterized in that it comprises actuation means which can be activated by a fluid for the generation on said sheet of ice of a force able to assist the detachment from said evaporator during said defrosting phase.
- the actuation means comprise at least a pusher piloted by the variation of pressure of said actuation fluid, for the reversible commutation between an inactive state in which it does not exert said force and an active state in which it exerts said force.
- said pusher commutates from said inactive state to said active state following a positive variation of the pressure of said actuation fluid and from said active to said inactive state following a negative variation of the pressure of said actuation fluid.
- said pusher is positioned behind the rear side of the evaporator which in turn has a hole from which the pusher protrudes in order to reach its own active state in which it presses directly against rear side of the sheet of ice, and from which the pusher retracts in order to reach its own inactive state in which it is far from the rear side of the sheet of ice.
- Preferably means for detecting the detachment of the sheet of ice are present, for habilitating a new production cycle of a new sheet of ice.
- the actuation fluid in a first preferred embodiment of the invention, is made by said frigorific fluid.
- the actuation fluid in a second preferred embodiment of the invention, is a part of a pressurized hydraulic circuit having an inlet electro-valve and an outlet electro-valve.
- the actuation means in a first preferred embodiment of the invention, comprise a cylinder inside which a piston is positioned, connected directly or through a force multiplier leverage, to said pusher, said piston delimiting in said cylinder an expansion chamber having an inlet of said actuation fluid.
- the actuation means in a second preferred embodiment of the invention, comprise a bellows connected, directly or through a force multiplier leverage, to said pusher, and having an inlet for said actuation fluid.
- said pusher and said inlet are present at the opposite bases of said bellows and are mutually aligned in the direction of deformation of said bellows.
- the present invention reveals also a method for assisting the detachment of a sheet of ice from the evaporator o fan ice producer providing a production phase of a sheet of ice on said evaporator, in which in the suction line feeding the evaporator a low pressure of the frigorific fluid is present, and a defrosting phase for heating the evaporator in order to permit the detachment of the sheet of ice, in which in the suction line feeding the evaporator a high pressure of the frigorific fluid is present, characterized in that it exploits the pressure variation of a fluid for generating on said sheet of ice a force able to assist its detachment from said evaporator during said defrosting phase.
- the pressure variation is exploited to which the frigorific fluid is subjected in the suction line feeding the evaporator between the production phase of the sheet of ice and the defrosting phase for the generation of said force.
- an actuation which in the defrosting phase (hot phase), by acting on the sheet of ice, accelerates its detachment and so shortens the defrosting time, so increasing the hourly production of ice.
- the actuation is controlled by means of the pressure of an actuation fluid, in the shape of a liquid or gas. Therefore an actuation is not used employing an energy source of electrical kind, more complex and expensive.
- the actuation means can assume two states/position according to the pressure level of the actuation fluid. In the active state the actuation means are therefore able to apply a force to the sheet of ice, accelerating its detachment from the evaporator.
- the ice producer has a frigorific circuit, having an evaporator 1 on which a sheet of ice 2 is able to be formed.
- the ice producer has a production phase of the sheet of ice 2 on the evaporator 1, in which in the suction line feeding the evaporator 1 a low pressure of the frigorific fluid is present, and a defrosting phase for heating the evaporator 1 in order to permit the detachment of the sheet of ice 2, in which in the suction line feeding the evaporator 2 a high pressure of the frigorific fluid is present.
- the ice producer advantageously comprises actuation means which can be actuated by a fluid for the generation on the sheet of ice 2 of a force able to assist its detachment from the evaporator 1 during the defrosting phase.
- the actuation means can comprise a cylinder 3, inside which a piston 4 is inserted, which is contrasted by a spring 5.
- the piston 4 is firmly connected with a rod-shaped pusher 6 which slides through a hole 7 provided centrally of a base 8 of the cylinder 3.
- the piston 4 delimits in the cylinder 3, from the opposite side with respect to the rod 6, an expansion chamber 9 having an inlet 10 of the actuation fluid 11.
- the inlet 10 is centrally positioned in the other base 12 of the cylinder 3.
- the rod 6 has an inactive or resting position ( figure 1 ), and proceeds at the outside of the hole 7 when the pressure of the actuation fluid exceeds the determined value from the resistances of the piston 4 and of the spring 5. Such value can vary according to the application.
- the cylinder 3 assures the tightness with respect to the losses of fluid 11 through the hole 7 by means of at least one seal 13.
- the actuation means comprise a bellows 14, with on base 16 thereof a rod-shaped pusher 15 is centrally firmly connected.
- the opposite base 17 of the bellows 14 has centrally an inlet 18 for the actuation fluid 19.
- the rod 15 and the inlet 18 are mutually aligned in the direction of deformation of the bellows 14.
- the control solution adopted, by means of a fluid, is different depending on whether the actuation means are controlled with a gas, or with a liquid.
- the solution advantageously makes use directly of the frigorific fluid of the ice producer being in the state of a gas in the defrosting phase of the evaporator 1.
- the frigorific circuit as said has, in the suction line feeding the evaporator 1, during the cold phase a low pressure, whereas the hot defrosting phase has a high pressure.
- the pressure value can be identified above which the rod 6 extends, in order to contact a sheet of ice 2, and under which the rod 6 is retracted 6.
- the actuation means have a minimal hysteresis, so the rod 6 extends when the pressure during the transient rise, reaches a pressure value indicated by the upper dotted line in figure 5 and is retracted when, during the transient downwards, reaches a pressure value indicated by the lower dotted line in figure 5 .
- the rod 6 is placed in the rear portion 20 of the evaporator 1, and is slidable through an aperture 21 provided in the rear portion 20 of the evaporator 1.
- the excursion of the rod 6 has a length greater than the distance existing between the tip of the rod 6 at rest and the rear side of the sheet of ice 2. In this way, in the ouput phase of the rod 6, a sufficient force is applied in the rear portion of the sheet of ice 2, so facilitating and accelerating its detachment ( figure 7 ).
- the ice producer has also means for the detection of the fall of the ice, in order to habilitate a new cold cycle.
- a hydraulic circuit 24 is provided (which arrives from the mains or a circuit connected with a pump) connected with the inlet 10 of the cylinder 3 and able to supply water with a pressure sufficient to act on the piston 4.
- the circuit 24 comprises a first electro-valve 22 at the inlet of the pressurized water and a second electro-valve 23 for discharging the water.
- the first electro-valve 22 once open pressurizes the piston 4, advancing the rod 6.
- the second electro-valve 23 conversely opens for discharging the water from the piston 4, by lowering its pressure, in order to retract the rod 6 in its resting position.
- the two electro-valves 22 and 23 naturally are never actuated/opened at the same time.
- the rod 6 advances when the pressure, in the transient rise, reaches a pressure value indicated by the upper dotted line in figure 9 and retracts when, in the transient fall, it reaches a pressure value indicated by the lower dotted line in figure 9 .
- the defrosting phase in which the water pressure exceeds the actuation threshold of the rod 6, occurs with the electro-valve of the water inlet 22 open, the discharge electro-valve 23 being closed and the rod 6 in an active position.
- the production phase of the ice conversely occurs with the electro-valve of the water inlet 22 closed, the discharge electro-valve 23 being open (at least for the time necessary for discharging the expansion chamber 9), and the rod 6 being in an inactive position.
- the mechanical dynamics of actuation towards the evaporator 1 repeat those of the gas version, and therefore they will not be repeated.
- a force multiplier leverage 25 is present, interposed between the piston 4 and the pusher 6, in order to assure in any pressure conditions the correct value of the force.
- the leverage 25 for example comprises a first connecting rod 26 hinged to a rod 27 movable together with the piston 4, and a second connecting rod 28 hinged from one side to the first connecting rod 26 and from the other side to the rod-shaped pusher 6, which in turn is bound during its axial translation between the inactive position and the active position.
- actuation means of the present invention are independent from the evaporator, in particular both for structure and functioning, and are provided as supplement of the ice producer to accelerate the detachment of the ice sheet when the evaporator itself is heated at the defrosting phase.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Production, Working, Storing, Or Distribution Of Ice (AREA)
- Continuous Casting (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention refers to an ice producer on sheet and to a method for assisting the detachment of the sheet from the evaporator of an ice producer.
- The field of application concerns a type of ice producing machines, which provides for the formation of a sheet of ice on an evaporating surface, (called evaporator), normally disposed in a vertical position.
- Currently, once having finished the cycle of formation of the sheet of ice, the detachment of the sheet occurs through a defrosting cycle, which provides for the heating of the evaporating surface. This heating causes the subsequent detachment of the ice sheet. The rate of detachment of the ice sheet is relevant for the hourly production of the ice, as in fact the defrosting time (hot phase) subtracts time for the formation of the ice (cold phase). Furthermore in the defrosting phase part of the ice having been formed is melted, and this goes to detriment of the finale quantity of ice produced.
- Technical task of the present invention is therefore to provide an ice producer in sheet and a method for assisting the detachment of the sheet of ice from the evaporator of an ice producer in sheet, permitting to eliminate the technical drawbacks lamented of the known art.
- Within this technical task, an aim of the invention is to realize an ice producer in sheet having an improved productivity deriving both from the acceleration of the detachment process of the sheet of ice from the evaporator and from the reduction of the ice melting during the detachment from the evaporator.
- Another aim of the invention is to realize a method for assisting the detachment of the sheet of ice from the evaporator of an ice producer in sheet that is extremely efficient, constructively simple and which does not require a distortion of the currently used technology for the realization of an ice producer in sheet.
- The technical task, and also these and other aims according to the present invention are reached by realizing an ice producer of the type having a frigorific circuit, an evaporator on which a sheet of ice is able to be formed, and providing a production phase of a sheet of ice on said evaporator, in which in the suction line feeding the evaporator a low pressure of the frigorific liquid is present, and with a defrosting phase for heating the evaporator in order to permit the detachment of the sheet of ice, in which in the suction line feeding the evaporator a high pressure of the frigorific liquid is present, characterized in that it comprises actuation means which can be activated by a fluid for the generation on said sheet of ice of a force able to assist the detachment from said evaporator during said defrosting phase.
- Preferably the actuation means comprise at least a pusher piloted by the variation of pressure of said actuation fluid, for the reversible commutation between an inactive state in which it does not exert said force and an active state in which it exerts said force. Preferably said pusher commutates from said inactive state to said active state following a positive variation of the pressure of said actuation fluid and from said active to said inactive state following a negative variation of the pressure of said actuation fluid. Preferably said pusher is positioned behind the rear side of the evaporator which in turn has a hole from which the pusher protrudes in order to reach its own active state in which it presses directly against rear side of the sheet of ice, and from which the pusher retracts in order to reach its own inactive state in which it is far from the rear side of the sheet of ice.
- Preferably means for detecting the detachment of the sheet of ice are present, for habilitating a new production cycle of a new sheet of ice.
- The actuation fluid, in a first preferred embodiment of the invention, is made by said frigorific fluid.
- The actuation fluid, in a second preferred embodiment of the invention, is a part of a pressurized hydraulic circuit having an inlet electro-valve and an outlet electro-valve.
- The actuation means, in a first preferred embodiment of the invention, comprise a cylinder inside which a piston is positioned, connected directly or through a force multiplier leverage, to said pusher, said piston delimiting in said cylinder an expansion chamber having an inlet of said actuation fluid.
- The actuation means, in a second preferred embodiment of the invention, comprise a bellows connected, directly or through a force multiplier leverage, to said pusher, and having an inlet for said actuation fluid.
- Preferably in this case said pusher and said inlet are present at the opposite bases of said bellows and are mutually aligned in the direction of deformation of said bellows.
- The present invention reveals also a method for assisting the detachment of a sheet of ice from the evaporator o fan ice producer providing a production phase of a sheet of ice on said evaporator, in which in the suction line feeding the evaporator a low pressure of the frigorific fluid is present, and a defrosting phase for heating the evaporator in order to permit the detachment of the sheet of ice, in which in the suction line feeding the evaporator a high pressure of the frigorific fluid is present, characterized in that it exploits the pressure variation of a fluid for generating on said sheet of ice a force able to assist its detachment from said evaporator during said defrosting phase.
- In a preferred embodiment of such method, the pressure variation is exploited to which the frigorific fluid is subjected in the suction line feeding the evaporator between the production phase of the sheet of ice and the defrosting phase for the generation of said force.
- With such invention an actuation is proposed, which in the defrosting phase (hot phase), by acting on the sheet of ice, accelerates its detachment and so shortens the defrosting time, so increasing the hourly production of ice. The actuation is controlled by means of the pressure of an actuation fluid, in the shape of a liquid or gas. Therefore an actuation is not used employing an energy source of electrical kind, more complex and expensive.
- In particular, the actuation means can assume two states/position according to the pressure level of the actuation fluid. In the active state the actuation means are therefore able to apply a force to the sheet of ice, accelerating its detachment from the evaporator. Further features and advantages of the invention will be more evident from the description of a preferred but non exclusive embodiment of the ice producer in sheets according to the invention, which are illustrated in an indicative and non limitative way in the annexed drawings, in which:
-
figure 1 shows a sectional view along a diametral plane of the actuation means according to a first embodiment, in the inactive or resting position; -
figure 2 shows the actuation means offigure 1 in an active position; -
figure 3 shows a sectional view along a diametral plane of the actuation means according to a second embodiment, in the inactive or resting position; -
figure 4 shows the actuation means offigure 3 in an active position; -
figure 5 shows the time course of the pressure of the frigorific fluid and the temporal correlation of the pressure of the frigorific fluid with the state of the actuation means offigures 1 and 2 ; -
figures 6 and respectively 7 show the actuation means offigures 1 and respectively 2 applied to the evaporator; -
figure 8 shows the actuation means offigure 1 , in the case in which the actuation fluid is not the frigorific fluid but it is a part of a suitable pressure hydraulic circuit; -
figure 9 shows the time course of the pressure of the actuation fluid and the temporal correlation between the pressure of the actuation fluid, the aperture of the inlet valve and of the discharge valve of the hydraulic circuit offigure 8 , and the state of the actuation means offigures 1 and 2 ; -
figures 10 and respectively 11 show the variation in which, between the pusher and the piston of the embodiments offigures 1 and respectively 2, a force multiplier leverage is interposed. - With reference to the cited figures, the ice producer has a frigorific circuit, having an
evaporator 1 on which a sheet ofice 2 is able to be formed. - The ice producer has a production phase of the sheet of
ice 2 on theevaporator 1, in which in the suction line feeding the evaporator 1 a low pressure of the frigorific fluid is present, and a defrosting phase for heating theevaporator 1 in order to permit the detachment of the sheet ofice 2, in which in the suction line feeding the evaporator 2 a high pressure of the frigorific fluid is present. - The ice producer advantageously comprises actuation means which can be actuated by a fluid for the generation on the sheet of
ice 2 of a force able to assist its detachment from theevaporator 1 during the defrosting phase. - The actuation means, as illustrated in
figures 1 and 2 , can comprise acylinder 3, inside which apiston 4 is inserted, which is contrasted by aspring 5. - The
piston 4 is firmly connected with a rod-shaped pusher 6 which slides through ahole 7 provided centrally of abase 8 of thecylinder 3. - The
piston 4 delimits in thecylinder 3, from the opposite side with respect to therod 6, anexpansion chamber 9 having aninlet 10 of theactuation fluid 11. - The
inlet 10 is centrally positioned in theother base 12 of thecylinder 3. - The
rod 6 has an inactive or resting position (figure 1 ), and proceeds at the outside of thehole 7 when the pressure of the actuation fluid exceeds the determined value from the resistances of thepiston 4 and of thespring 5. Such value can vary according to the application. Thecylinder 3 assures the tightness with respect to the losses offluid 11 through thehole 7 by means of at least oneseal 13. - With reference now to
figures 3 and 4 , the actuation means comprise abellows 14, with onbase 16 thereof a rod-shaped pusher 15 is centrally firmly connected. - The
opposite base 17 of thebellows 14 has centrally aninlet 18 for theactuation fluid 19. - The
rod 15 and theinlet 18 are mutually aligned in the direction of deformation of thebellows 14. - The
bellows 14, similarly to the solution withpiston 4 illustrated before, under the action of the pressure of theactuation fluid 19 is deformed, so causing the extension of therod 15 which, from its resting position (figure 3 ), will extend (figure 4 ) until pushing the sheet of ice. Once having ceased the pressure of theactuation fluid 19, also in this case therod 15 is retracted in its resting position. The control solution adopted, by means of a fluid, is different depending on whether the actuation means are controlled with a gas, or with a liquid. - The two cases will be exemplified by considering the solution with a piston actuation (
figures 1 and 2 ), but the considerations will be the same by adopting the bellows solution (figures 3 and 4 ). - First of all the control solution with a gas will be analyzed.
- The solution advantageously makes use directly of the frigorific fluid of the ice producer being in the state of a gas in the defrosting phase of the
evaporator 1. - The frigorific circuit as said has, in the suction line feeding the
evaporator 1, during the cold phase a low pressure, whereas the hot defrosting phase has a high pressure. - Therefore a point of the suction line is connected at the
inlet 10 of thecylinder 3. - By determining, at the various ambient temperatures , the average value of the high and low pressures, the pressure value can be identified above which the
rod 6 extends, in order to contact a sheet ofice 2, and under which therod 6 is retracted 6. - For the mechanical dynamics, the actuation means have a minimal hysteresis, so the
rod 6 extends when the pressure during the transient rise, reaches a pressure value indicated by the upper dotted line infigure 5 and is retracted when, during the transient downwards, reaches a pressure value indicated by the lower dotted line infigure 5 . - The operation of the actuation means is illustrated in
figures 6 and 7 . - The
rod 6 is placed in therear portion 20 of theevaporator 1, and is slidable through anaperture 21 provided in therear portion 20 of theevaporator 1. The excursion of therod 6 has a length greater than the distance existing between the tip of therod 6 at rest and the rear side of the sheet ofice 2. In this way, in the ouput phase of therod 6, a sufficient force is applied in the rear portion of the sheet ofice 2, so facilitating and accelerating its detachment (figure 7 ). - The ice producer has also means for the detection of the fall of the ice, in order to habilitate a new cold cycle.
- The consequent lowering of the pressure permits the
rod 6 be retracted in the resting position. Such cycle traditionally is repetitive and periodic, with times depending on the ice producer. Let us now analyze the control solution with a liquid (figure 8 ). The solution making use of the action of the pressure of a liquid in order to actuate thepiston 4, is applied to machines in which one does not want to connect the piston actuation with the frigorific circuit. - In this case a
hydraulic circuit 24 is provided (which arrives from the mains or a circuit connected with a pump) connected with theinlet 10 of thecylinder 3 and able to supply water with a pressure sufficient to act on thepiston 4. - In practice the
circuit 24 comprises a first electro-valve 22 at the inlet of the pressurized water and a second electro-valve 23 for discharging the water. - The first electro-
valve 22 once open pressurizes thepiston 4, advancing therod 6. - The second electro-
valve 23 conversely opens for discharging the water from thepiston 4, by lowering its pressure, in order to retract therod 6 in its resting position. - The two electro-
valves - The graphical representation of the operation phases of the liquid actuation means is shown in
figure 9 . - Also in this case the
rod 6 advances when the pressure, in the transient rise, reaches a pressure value indicated by the upper dotted line infigure 9 and retracts when, in the transient fall, it reaches a pressure value indicated by the lower dotted line infigure 9 . - The defrosting phase in which the water pressure exceeds the actuation threshold of the
rod 6, occurs with the electro-valve of thewater inlet 22 open, the discharge electro-valve 23 being closed and therod 6 in an active position. - The production phase of the ice conversely occurs with the electro-valve of the
water inlet 22 closed, the discharge electro-valve 23 being open (at least for the time necessary for discharging the expansion chamber 9), and therod 6 being in an inactive position. The mechanical dynamics of actuation towards theevaporator 1 repeat those of the gas version, and therefore they will not be repeated. - With reference to
figures 10 and 11 a variation of the invention is shown, in which equivalent parts with respect to those evidenced in thefigures 1 and 2 are indicated with the same numerical reference. In this case, differently from the realization offigures 1 and 2 , aforce multiplier leverage 25 is present, interposed between thepiston 4 and thepusher 6, in order to assure in any pressure conditions the correct value of the force. - The
leverage 25 for example comprises a first connectingrod 26 hinged to arod 27 movable together with thepiston 4, and a second connectingrod 28 hinged from one side to the first connectingrod 26 and from the other side to the rod-shapedpusher 6, which in turn is bound during its axial translation between the inactive position and the active position. - It has to be stressed that the actuation means of the present invention are independent from the evaporator, in particular both for structure and functioning, and are provided as supplement of the ice producer to accelerate the detachment of the ice sheet when the evaporator itself is heated at the defrosting phase.
- The ice producer so conceived is subject to numerous modifications and variations, all coming within the inventive concept; furthermore, all details can be substituted by technically equivalent elements.
- In practice the used materials, and also the dimensions, can be of any kind according to the needs and the state of the art.
Claims (14)
- An ice producer of a type having a frigorific circuit, an evaporator (1) on which a sheet of ice (2) is able to be formed, and providing a production phase of a sheet of ice (2) on said evaporator (1), in which in the suction line feeding the evaporator (1) a low pressure of the frigorific liquid is present, and with a defrosting phase for heating the evaporator (1) in order to permit the detachment of the sheet of ice (2), in which in the suction line feeding the evaporator (1) a high pressure of the frigorific liquid is present, characterized in that it comprises actuation means which can be activated by a fluid (11, 19) for the generation on said sheet of ice (2) of a force able to assist its detachment from said evaporator (1) during said defrosting phase.
- The ice producer according to preceding claim, characterized in that said actuation means are independent from the evaporator (1).
- The ice producer according to preceding claim, characterized in that said actuation means comprise at least a pusher (6, 15) piloted by a variation of pressure of said actuation fluid (11, 19) for the reversible commutation between an inactive state in which it does not exert any force and an active state in which it exerts such force.
- The ice producer according to preceding claim, characterized in that said pusher (6, 15) commutates from said inactive state to said active state following a positive variation of the pressure of said actuation fluid (11, 19) and from said active to said inactive state following a negative variation of the pressure of said actuation fluid (11, 19).
- The ice producer according to any of preceding claims, characterized in that said pusher (6, 15) is positioned behind the rear side (20) of the evaporator (1) which in turn has a hole (21) from which the pusher (6, 15) protrudes in order to reach its active state in which it presses directly against the rear side of the sheet of ice (2), and from which the pusher (6, 15) retracts in order to reach its inactive state in which it is far from the rear side of the sheet of ice (2).
- The ice producer according to any of preceding claims, characterized in that it presents means for detecting the detachment of the sheet of ice (2) for habilitating a new production cycle of a new sheet of ice (2).
- The ice producer according to any of preceding claims, characterized in that said actuation fluid (11, 19) is made by said frigorific fluid.
- The ice producer according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said actuation fluid (11, 19) is a part of a pressure hydraulic circuit (24) having an inlet electro-valve (22) and an outlet electro-valve (23).
- The ice producer according to any of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that said actuation means comprise a cylinder (3) inside which a piston (4) is positioned, connected directly or through a force multiplier leverage, to said pusher (6), said piston (4) delimiting in said cylinder (3) an expansion chamber (9) having an inlet (10) of said actuation fluid (11).
- The ice producer according to claim 7 and 8, characterized in that said actuation means comprise a bellows (14) connected, directly or through a force multiplier leverage, to said pusher (15), and having an inlet (18) for said actuation fluid (19).
- The ice producer according to preceding claim, characterized in that said pusher (15) and said inlet (18) are present at the opposite bases (16, 17) of said bellows (14) and are mutually aligned in the direction of deformation of said bellows (14).
- A method for assisting the detachment of a sheet of ice (2) from the evaporator (1) of an ice producer providing a production phase of a sheet of ice (2) on said evaporator (1), in which in the suction line feeding the evaporator (1) a low pressure of the frigorific fuel is present, and a defrosting phase for heating the evaporator (1) in order to permit the detachment of the sheet of ice (2), in which in the suction line feeding the evaporator (1) a high pressure of the frigorific fluid is present, characterized in that it exploits the pressure variation of a fluid (11, 19) for generating on said sheet of ice (2) a force able to assist its detachment from said evaporator (1) during said defrosting phase.
- The method for assisting the detachment of a sheet of ice (2) from the evaporator (1) of an ice producer according to preceding claim, characterized in that it exploits the pressure variation to which the frigorific fluid (11, 19) is subjected in the suction line feeding the evaporator (1) between the production phase of the sheet of ice (2) and the defrosting phase for the generation of said force.
- The method for assisting the detachment of a sheet of ice (2) from the evaporator (1) of an ice producer according to any preceding claims 12 and 13, characterized in that said force is generated by actuating means independent from the evaporator.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITMI2010A001143A IT1400704B1 (en) | 2010-06-24 | 2010-06-24 | ICE MAKER IN SLAB AND METHOD TO SUPPORT THE REMOVAL OF THE SLAB FROM THE ICE MAKER EVAPORATOR |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2400243A1 true EP2400243A1 (en) | 2011-12-28 |
EP2400243B1 EP2400243B1 (en) | 2017-11-29 |
Family
ID=43085787
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP11153715.5A Not-in-force EP2400243B1 (en) | 2010-06-24 | 2011-02-08 | Ice producer in sheets and method for assisting the detachment of the sheet from the evaporator of an ice producer |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2400243B1 (en) |
IT (1) | IT1400704B1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10107538B2 (en) | 2012-09-10 | 2018-10-23 | Hoshizaki America, Inc. | Ice cube evaporator plate assembly |
US11506438B2 (en) | 2018-08-03 | 2022-11-22 | Hoshizaki America, Inc. | Ice machine |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3318106A (en) * | 1965-10-29 | 1967-05-09 | Alan L Litman | Bellows type liquid solidifying apparatus |
US4412429A (en) * | 1981-11-27 | 1983-11-01 | Mcquay Inc. | Ice cube making |
US5329780A (en) * | 1988-11-14 | 1994-07-19 | Broad Research | Ice making method and apparatus |
-
2010
- 2010-06-24 IT ITMI2010A001143A patent/IT1400704B1/en active
-
2011
- 2011-02-08 EP EP11153715.5A patent/EP2400243B1/en not_active Not-in-force
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3318106A (en) * | 1965-10-29 | 1967-05-09 | Alan L Litman | Bellows type liquid solidifying apparatus |
US4412429A (en) * | 1981-11-27 | 1983-11-01 | Mcquay Inc. | Ice cube making |
US5329780A (en) * | 1988-11-14 | 1994-07-19 | Broad Research | Ice making method and apparatus |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10107538B2 (en) | 2012-09-10 | 2018-10-23 | Hoshizaki America, Inc. | Ice cube evaporator plate assembly |
US10113785B2 (en) | 2012-09-10 | 2018-10-30 | Hoshizaki America, Inc. | Ice making machine and ice cube evaporator |
US10458692B2 (en) | 2012-09-10 | 2019-10-29 | Hoshizaki America, Inc. | Ice making machine and ice cube evaporator |
US10866020B2 (en) | 2012-09-10 | 2020-12-15 | Hoshizaki America, Inc. | Ice cube evaporator plate assembly |
US11506438B2 (en) | 2018-08-03 | 2022-11-22 | Hoshizaki America, Inc. | Ice machine |
US11953250B2 (en) | 2018-08-03 | 2024-04-09 | Hoshizaki America, Inc. | Ice machine |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ITMI20101143A1 (en) | 2011-12-25 |
IT1400704B1 (en) | 2013-06-28 |
EP2400243B1 (en) | 2017-11-29 |
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