Systems, devices and methods for ice detection

Abstract

A system, apparatus, and method are set forth for determining when an amount of ice forming on an evaporator or evaporator grid reaches a predetermined size. An acoustic transmitter positioned proximate to the evaporator transmits an acoustic signal emanating from the evaporator or evaporator grid to an acoustic sensor which generates an electrical signal indicative of the acoustic signal. A receiver module coupled to the acoustic sensor is configured to receive the electrical signal and determine based on the electrical signal that ice forming on the evaporator has reached a predetermined size.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Utility Application No. 13 / 368,814, filed February 8, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 441,157, filed February 9, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference . technical field [0003] The present disclosure relates to systems, devices and methods for detecting objects or detecting the absence of objects, including detecting ice in ice forming devices or refrigeration cabinets or refrigeration systems. Background technique [0004] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. [0005] In some ice forming devices, ice is formed from evaporator grids. The ice grows on the evaporator grid until it reaches the desired size or thickness. Once the ice has reached the desired size or thickness, it is harvested from the evaporator grid, thereby separating the ice cubes from the eva...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The disadvantage of this technique is that the ice thickness can vary due to factors such as environmental conditions (temperature, humidity), the level of total dissolved solids in the water (only water freezes and not including minerals), and the loss of water in the sump ( such as a leaky drain valve) vary

Therefore, batch system technology may not produce ice cubes of uniform size from batch to batch

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