System and Method for Detecting Ice

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-08-28
TEXZEC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for detecting ice of a particular thickness. The system includes a structure from which ice forms, and an ice detection assembly movably secured to the structure. The ice detection assembly includes a transducer operatively connected to a sensing medium. The transducer generates a trapped acoustic wave in the sensing medium, wherein ice of a particular thickness is detected when the ice that forms from the structure contacts the sensing medium and dampens the trapped acoustic wave within the sensing medium.

Problems solved by technology

As water flows over the grid, the water freezes.
Conventional ice forming machines, however, are susceptible to detrimental effects caused by “scale” build-up on the electrode and / or spurious conducting paths to ground due to contaminants, fluids and the like.

Method used

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  • System and Method for Detecting Ice
  • System and Method for Detecting Ice
  • System and Method for Detecting Ice

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0021]FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an ice forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ice forming system 10 includes an ice grid 12, an ice detection assembly 14 and an ice collection bin 16. The ice grid 12 and the ice detection assembly 14 are connected to a source of power (not shown). Additionally, the ice detection assembly 14 and the ice grid 12 may also be in electrical communication with a control system, such as a processing unit (not shown in FIG. 1).

[0022]The ice grid 12 includes a main housing 18 having a top surface 20 integrally connected to side walls (not shown in FIG. 1), which are, in turn, integrally connected to a base (not shown in FIG. 1). An ice forming chamber 22 is defined between the top surface 20, the side walls and the base. A plurality of forming compartments 24 are positioned with the ice forming chamber 22. The plurality of forming compartments 24 are configured to form ice cubes.

[0023]The ice detection assemb...

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Abstract

A system for detecting ice of a particular thickness includes a structure from which ice forms, and an ice detection assembly movably secured to the structure. The ice detection assembly includes a transducer operatively connected to a sensing medium. The transducer generates a trapped acoustic wave in the sensing medium, wherein ice of a particular thickness is detected when the ice that forms from the structure contacts the sensing medium and dampens the trapped acoustic wave within the sensing medium.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application relates to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 902,797 entitled “System And Method For Detecting The Presence Of Ice,” filed Feb. 22, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system and method for detecting the presence of ice, and more particularly to a system and method of detecting the presence and thickness of ice through the use of trapped acoustic waves.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Typical systems for detecting the presence of ice use capacitive sensing systems that determine impedance from a sensor electrode to ground. A conventional ice forming machine includes an ice grid. As water flows over the grid, the water freezes. With continued freezing, the layer of ice continues to grow outward. When the ice layer grows far enough, the water cascading over the ice layer contacts the cap...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): F25C1/00F25C1/04
CPCB64D15/20F25C1/22F25C5/08F25C5/185F25C2700/02G01N2291/0422G01N29/225G01N2291/023G01N2291/0251G01N2291/02881G01N29/11
InventorKNOWLES, TERRENCE J.TRUESDALE, BRIAN J.
OwnerTEXZEC