Machine for the production of ice particles

Abstract

Machine (1) for the production of ice particles comprising at least: a refrigeration circuit (2) including a compressor (3), a condenser (4), and an evaporator (5) where the ice particles are formed; a hydraulic circuit (6) supplying liquid water to the evaporator (5); a drainage circuit (7) for liquid water from the hydraulic circuit (6), connected to the hydraulic circuit (6) via a liquid water drainage valve (8); sensor means (9) for detecting the hardness of the liquid water present in the hydraulic circuit (6); and an electronic controller (10); the electronic controller (10) presenting at least a first drainage program and being configured to: store a correspondence between reference values of cumulative activation time durations of the compressor (3) and values of the hardness of the liquid water; acquire from the sensor means (9) the value of the hardness of the liquid water present in the hydraulic circuit (6); select the reference value for the cumulative activation time duration of the compressor (3) corresponding to the acquired hardness value of the liquid water; execute the first drainage program, which provides for the opening of the drainage valve (8) only after reaching the selected reference value of cumulative activation time duration of the compressor (3).

Description

[0001] MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ICE PARTICLES

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a machine for producing ice particles, particularly flakes or cubes.

[0004] It is known that to obtain ice, it is sufficient to cool water, and machines that produce ice have long been available on the market.

[0005] The main differences between the machines on the market concern the final shape of the ice, which can be in flakes, cubes, or other forms, each with widely varying sizes, and the management of the water to be transformed into ice.

[0006] It is also known that the water used can contain various salts, which can lead to limescale or other issues if the water stagnates for too long and is not properly treated.

[0007] It is advisable to avoid such problems, as the ice produced is almost exclusively used for food purposes, or at least comes into contact with food, with possible negative consequences on the appearance of the produced ice particles and the organoleptic properties of the edible product in contact with the ice particles.

[0008] Some solutions to address these issues involve changing the water contained in the machine after a certain period when the machine is turned off, as taught by patent EP3789698B1. However, this solution results in an unexplained waste of water in cases of prolonged machine inactivity due to various possible reasons, such as the filling of the ice collection container, lack of ice demand by the user, or a simple malfunction of the machine or one of its subsystems that blocks its operation.

[0009] To avoid wasting water in the above-mentioned cases, the operator should frequently check the machine's status and possibly turn it off using a main switch or unplug it if necessary, and then turn it back on at the appropriate time. However, this solution is not suitable for an ice machine designed for automatic operation without user interaction.

[0010] Moreover, the opposite case, where the machine continues to operate without ever stopping, is not even considered, which could result in water stagnating in certain internal areas of the machine without being replaced.

[0011] The technical task of this invention, therefore, is to create a machine for producing ice particles that eliminates the technical drawbacks of the known art.

[0012] Within this technical task, one aim of the invention is to create a machine for producing ice particles that allows for a constant replacement of water inside the machine to prevent the formation of limescale, thus maintaining the quality of the water and ice at a high level while avoiding excessive water waste at the same time.

[0013] The technical task, as well as these and other objectives, according to the present invention, are achieved by creating a machine for producing ice particles comprising at least:

[0014] - a refrigeration circuit including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator where the ice particles are formed;

[0015] - a hydraulic circuit for supplying liquid water to said evaporator;

[0016] - a liquid water drainage circuit from said hydraulic circuit, connected to said hydraulic circuit via a liquid water drain valve;

[0017] - sensors for detecting the hardness of the liquid water present in the hydraulic circuit; and

[0018] - an electronic controller; characterized by the fact that said electronic controller has at least one drainage program and is configured to: store a correspondence between reference values of cumulative compressor activation time and values of the hardness of the liquid water; acquire the value of the hardness of the liquid water present in the hydraulic circuit from said sensors; select the reference value of cumulative compressor activation time corresponding to the acquired value of the hardness of the liquid water; execute said at least one drainage program, which provides for the opening of said drain valve only after reaching the selected reference value of cumulative compressor activation time. Other characteristics of the present invention are also defined in the subsequent claims. Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the machine for producing ice particles according to the invention, illustrated for illustrative and non-limiting purposes in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 schematically shows a machine for the production of flake ice;

[0020] Figure 2 schematically shows a machine for the production of cube ice.

[0021] With reference to the cited figures, a machine for producing ice particles is shown overall with reference number 1.

[0022] The machine 1 for producing ice particles comprises a main power switch 27, an electronic controller 10, and at least one refrigeration circuit 2 that includes a compressor 3, a condenser 4, an expansion valve 26, and an evaporator 5 where the ice particles are formed.

[0023] The machine 1 also includes a hydraulic circuit 6 for supplying water to the evaporator 5 and a drainage circuit 7 for draining water from the hydraulic circuit 6.

[0024] The drainage circuit 7 includes a water drain valve 8, which is present in the hydraulic circuit 6 itself.

[0025] The drainage circuit 7 also includes a water discharge pipe 11 for disposing of the water outside the machine 1, particularly into domestic or industrial drain systems. In the hydraulic circuit 6, there are dedicated sensors 9 for detecting the hardness of the water present in the hydraulic circuit 6 itself.

[0026] Particularly, the evaporator 5 is configured for the production of ice particles in the form of cubes or flakes for food use.

[0027] The electronic controller 10 is advantageously configured to store a correspondence between reference values of cumulative compressor 3 activation time and water hardness values. This correspondence can take the form of a table programmed before the machine's first use and reprogrammable at any time during the machine's life.

[0028] The electronic controller 10 is also advantageously configured to acquire the hardness value of the water present in the hydraulic circuit 6 from the sensor means 9, and to select the reference value of cumulative compressor 3 activation time corresponding to the water hardness value acquired by the sensor means 9.

[0029] Finally, the electronic controller 10 has at least one drainage program and is configured to execute the first drainage program, which involves opening the drain valve 8 only after reaching the selected reference value of cumulative compressor 3 activation time.

[0030] In particular, for the drain valve 8 to open, the machine 1 will wait until the first interruption of its operation.

[0031] Consequently, upon reaching the selected reference value of cumulative compressor 3 activation time, the operation of machine 1 will not be instantly interrupted to allow the opening of the drain valve 8, but will continue to function until the interruption is imposed by other factors.

[0032] At this point, with the machine 1 stopped, the drain valve 8 will open.

[0033] The reference value of cumulative compressor 3 activation time varies inversely with the acquired water hardness value.

[0034] This is due to the correlation between water hardness and the content of salts and minerals in the water: harder water contains more salts and minerals. Harder water is, therefore, more prone to creating limescale and salt deposits in the hydraulic circuit 6.

[0035] Thus, harder water requires more frequent replacement to ensure higher quality.

[0036] Less hard and therefore purer water, on the other hand, does not need frequent replacement, which is why the reference value of cumulative compressor 3 activation time increases as the water hardness decreases.

[0037] By operating in this way, i.e., varying the reference value of cumulative compressor 3 activation time for opening the drain valve 8 based on the water hardness, it is possible to significantly reduce water waste while maintaining high ice quality.

[0038] The hardness reading, and consequently the selection of the reference value of cumulative compressor 3 activation time for opening the drain valve 8, can be done at each machine startup, at a set number of pre-established sampling times, or even continuously.

[0039] The electronic controller 10 also has a second drainage program in addition to the first drainage program.

[0040] The electronic controller 10 is thus configured to execute the second drainage program, which provides for the opening of the drain valve 8 at least every time the machine 1 for producing ice particles is started.

[0041] This ensures even higher ice quality: in addition to the timed opening of the drain valve 8, an additional opening is provided each time the machine is started, to eliminate any limescale or impurities that may have accumulated in the hydraulic circuit 6.

[0042] The hydraulic circuit 6 includes a basin 12 for collecting water to be turned into ice, a water inlet pipe 13 connected to the basin 12, and an inlet valve 14 for controlling the water passing through the inlet pipe 13.

[0043] Typically, the sensor means 9 for detecting the hardness of the water present in the hydraulic circuit 6 are housed in the basin 12. The discharge pipe 11 is connected to the basin 12 to drain the water contained inside it. The electronic controller 10 is configured to keep the inlet valve 14 in the closed position when the drain valve 8 is in the open position.

[0044] This is to limit water waste: simultaneous opening of the two valves 8 and 14 would create a continuous water flow from the inlet pipe 13 to the discharge pipe 11, with all the water being drained without being used first to form ice.

[0045] The basin 12 includes a water level sensor 15 to detect when the maximum reference water level in the basin 12 is reached.

[0046] The electronic controller 10 is configured to close the inlet valve 14 when the water level sensor 15 detects that the maximum reference water level has been reached in the basin 12. Therefore, as soon as the water in the basin 12 reaches a preset maximum level, the inlet valve 14 is closed by the electronic controller 10, preventing water from flowing into the supply pipe 13.

[0047] In this way, water overflow from the basin 12 is prevented.

[0048] As soon as the water level drops below a certain preset level, the electronic controller 10 reopens the inlet valve 14, restoring the normal operation of the machine 1.

[0049] The ice particle production machine 1 also includes a container 16 for collecting the produced ice, featuring an ice level sensor 17 to stop machine 1 when the ice level exceeds a maximum level detected by the ice level sensor 17.

[0050] Depending on the type of ice required, the evaporator 5 may include an extruder 18 for producing ice flakes or a freezing plate 19 for forming ice cubes.

[0051] The extruder 18, as is known, consists of a powered screw positioned inside a cylinder cooled by the refrigeration circuit 2.

[0052] The freezing plate 19 typically includes one or more cells for forming ice cubes, also cooled by the refrigeration circuit 2. In the case where the evaporator 5 includes the extruder 18 for ice flake production, the discharge pipe 11 is connected to the evaporator 5 to drain the water not turned into ice and any melted ice, and the hydraulic circuit 6 includes a "T" connector 20, a first connection pipe 21 for the flow of liquid water between the basin 12 and the "T" connector 20, a second connection pipe 22 for the flow of liquid water between the "T" connector 20 and the evaporator 5, and a third connection pipe 23 for the flow of liquid water between the "T" connector 20 and the drain valve 8.

[0053] Still, in the case of the evaporator 5 including the extruder 18, opening the drain valve 8 also causes the "T" connector 20 and the first, second, and third connection pipes 21, 22, 23 to be emptied.

[0054] However, in the case where the evaporator 5 includes the freezing plate 19 for ice cube production, the hydraulic circuit 6 also includes a water spraying system 24 for spraying water into the cells of the freezing plate 19, allowing it to freeze and form ice, and a connection pipe 25 between the basin 12 and the water spraying system 24.

[0055] Still, in the case of the evaporator 5 for ice cubes, a recirculation pump 28 is mounted in the basin 12 positioned below the freezing plate 19 to recirculate the water that has not been turned into ice and the melted ice that falls by gravity into the basin 12 from the freezing plate 19 above. In this case, the hydraulic circuit 6 also includes a "T" connector 29 that connects the discharge pipe 11 on one side to the basin 12 and on the other side to the connection pipe 25.

[0056] The operation of the ice particle production machine according to the invention is evident from the description and illustrations, and in particular, is essentially as follows.

[0057] The water entering the supply pipe 13 typically comes from a domestic or industrial hydraulic line.

[0058] The inlet valve 14 controls the water flow into the supply pipe 13, and its open or closed position is controlled by the electronic controller 10.

[0059] The water passing through the supply pipe flows into the collection basin 12. In the basin 12, the water is accumulated until the water level sensor 15 detects that the maximum reference water level has been reached in the basin 12.

[0060] At that point, the electronic controller 10 closes the inlet valve 14, preventing the basin 12 from overflowing.

[0061] When the water level in the basin 12 drops to the predetermined level, the electronic controller 10 reopens the inlet valve 14, restarting the water accumulation cycle in the basin 12. In the case of an evaporator for ice flakes, the water contained in the basin 12 then flows through the first connection pipe 21, the "T" connector 20, the second connection pipe 22, and into the extruder 18, where it solidifies.

[0062] The ice then falls into the collection container 16, and production continues until the ice level sensor 17 detects that the ice level has exceeded the maximum level, stopping the ice production. Upon reaching the selected reference value of cumulative activation time of the compressor 3 of the refrigeration circuit 2, and in addition to each startup of the machine, the electronic controller 10 opens the drain valve 8, and simultaneously, if open, closes and keeps closed the inlet valve 14, or if the inlet valve 14 is already closed, it keeps it closed until the drain valve 8 is closed.

[0063] Opening the drain valve 8 causes the water contained in the third connection pipe 23 to be emptied, and consequently, the "T" connector 20, the first and second connection pipes 21, 22, and the basin 12.

[0064] The extruder 18 also empties the water at its bottom due to melted ice, which happens, for example, after prolonged inactivity of machine 1 ; if it remains idle for a long time, all the ice contained in the extruder 18 at the time of machine l's shutdown melts and accumulates in the extruder 18.

[0065] Before restarting machine 1, it is advisable to completely empty the extruder 18 of water, as refreezing melted ice could result in lower quality ice due to hygiene reasons related to limescale and salt buildup previously mentioned. In the case of the evaporator 5 for ice cubes, however, the water spraying system 24 sprays the water from the connection pipe 25 directly onto the freezing plate 19.

[0066] The water is pumped into the connection pipe 25 and the water spraying system 24 by the pump 28.

[0067] On the freezing plate 19, part of the sprayed water freezes to form cubes, while part of it falls back into the collection basin 12, from which it will flow again into the connection pipe 25 and the water spraying system 24, entering a cycle.

[0068] When the drain valve 8 is opened, the basin 12 is completely emptied of residual water, and the connection pipe 25 and the water spraying system 24 are also emptied.

[0069] In both cases, the water discharged through the discharge pipe 11 is finally released outside of machine 1, typically into a domestic or industrial sewer line.

[0070] Modifications and variants, in addition to those already mentioned, are naturally possible. For example, the water level sensor 15 could be replaced by a float, which would directly stop the water inflow into the basin 12 by blocking the supply pipe 13 when the water level exceeds a certain preset limit, thus eliminating the need for an electrical connection between the electronic controller 10 and the water level sensor 15.

[0071] It has been practically observed that the ice particle production machine 1 according to the invention proves to be particularly advantageous because it allows for significant water savings compared to the state of the art, while maintaining the same high quality of the produced ice.

[0072] The ice particle production machine 1, as conceived, is subject to numerous modifications and variations, all of which fall within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover, all details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

[0073] In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may vary depending on the needs and the state of the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Machine (1) for producing ice particles comprising at least: a refrigeration circuit (2) including a compressor (3), a condenser (4), and an evaporator (5) where the ice particles are formed; a hydraulic circuit (6) for supplying liquid water to said evaporator (5); a drainage circuit (7) for liquid water from said hydraulic circuit (6), connected to said hydraulic circuit (6) via a liquid water drainage valve (8); sensor means (9) for the hardness of the liquid water present in the hydraulic circuit (6); and an electronic controller (10); characterized in that said electronic controller (10) has at least a first drainage program and is configured to: store a correspondence between reference values of cumulative activation time durations of the compressor (3) and values of the hardness of the liquid water; acquire from said sensor means (9) the value of the hardness of the liquid water present in the hydraulic circuit (6); select the reference value of cumulative activation time duration of the compressor (3) corresponding to the acquired value of the hardness of the liquid water; execute said at least one first drainage program which involves the opening of said drainage valve (8) not before reaching the selected reference value of cumulative activation time duration of the compressor (3).

2. Machine (1) for producing ice particles according to the preceding claim characterized in that said reference value of cumulative activation time duration of the compressor (3) varies inversely with the value of the hardness of the acquired liquid water.

3. Machine (1) for producing ice particles according to any preceding claim characterized in that said drainage circuit (7) comprises a liquid water discharge pipe (11) for water disposal.

4. Machine (1) for producing ice particles according to any preceding claim characterized in that said electronic controller (10) has a second additional drainage program to the first drainage program and is configured to execute said second drainage program which involves the opening of drainage valve (8) every time the machine (1) for producing ice particles starts working.

5. Machine (1) for producing ice particles according to any preceding claim characterized in that said hydraulic circuit (6) comprises a water collection basin (12) for transforming water into ice, a water inlet pipe (1 ), and an inlet valve (14) for controlling the water passing through the inlet pipe (13).

6. Machine (1) for producing ice particles according to the preceding claim characterized in that said discharge pipe (11) connects said evaporator (5) for emptying melted ice and also connects said basin (12) for emptying liquid water.

7. Machine (1) for producing ice particles according to any of claims 5 or 6 characterized in that said electronic controller (10) is configured to keep said inlet valve (14) in the closed position when said drainage valve (8) is in the open position.

8. Machine (1) for producing ice particles according to any of claims 5, 6, or 7 characterized in that said basin (12) comprises a water level sensor (15).

9. Machine (1) for producing ice particles according to the preceding claim characterized in that said electronic controller (10) is configured to close said inlet valve (14) when said water level sensor (15) detects the reaching of a maximum reference level of water in said basin (12).

10. Machine (1) for producing ice particles according to any preceding claim characterized in that it also comprises a container (16) for collecting the produced ice, comprising an ice level sensor (17) for stopping the machine (1) for producing ice particles in case of exceeding a maximum ice level detected by said ice level sensor (17).

11. Machine (1) for producing ice particles according to any preceding claim characterized in that the evaporator (5) comprises an extruder (18) for forming flake ice or comprises a freezing plate (19), said plate (19) comprising one or more cells for forming cubed ice.

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