This invention relates to an ice cube-making machine that is quiet at the location where ice is dispensed. This application is also related to integrated ice and beverage dispensers.
Ice cube-making machines generally comprise an evaporator, a water supply and a refrigerant/warm gas circuit that includes a condenser and a compressor. The evaporator is connected to the water supply and to a circuit that includes the condenser and the compressor. Valves and other controls control the evaporator to operate cyclically in a freeze mode and a harvest mode. During the freeze mode, the water supply provides water to the evaporator and the circuit supplies refrigerant to the evaporator to cool the water and form ice cubes. During the harvest mode, the circuit diverts warm compressor discharge gas to the evaporator, thereby warming the evaporator and causing the ice cubes to loosen and fall from the evaporator into an ice bin or hopper.
When installed in a location, such as a restaurant, where a small footprint is needed, ice making machines have been separated into two separate packages or assemblies. One of the packages contains the evaporator and the ice bin and is located within the restaurant. The other package contains the compressor and condenser, which are rather noisy. This package is located remotely from the evaporator, for example, outside the restaurant on the roof. The evaporator package is relatively quiet as the condenser and compressor are remotely located.
This two package ice cube-making machine has some drawbacks. It is limited to a maximum height distance of about 35 feet between the two packages because of refrigerant circuit routing constraints. Additionally, the compressor/condenser package weighs in excess of about 250 pounds and requires a crane for installation. Furthermore, service calls require the mechanic to inspect and repair the compressor/condenser package in the open elements, since it is typically located on the roof of a building. Due to inclement weather, it would be highly desirable to be able to work on the compressor in doors, since it is only the condenser that requires venting to the atmosphere.
During harvest mode, the condenser is bypassed so that refrigerant is supplied from the compressor in vapor phase to the evaporator. When the compressor is located a distance from the evaporator, the refrigerant tends to partially change to liquid phase as it traverses the distance, thereby affecting the efficiency warming or defrosting the evaporator. One prior art solution to this problem uses a heater to heat the vapor supply line. Another prior art solution locates a receiver in the same package as the evaporator and uses the vapor ullage of the receiver to supply vapor to the evaporator. Both of these solutions increase the size of the package and, hence, its footprint in a commercial establishment.
Beverage dispensing machines generally have one or more valves for the dispensing of the beverage. The beverage dispenser may have an ice storage bin for supplying the ice or may have an ice storage structure disposed nearby. Such methods of storage of ice may require time-consuming and labor-intensive manual loading of the ice storage bin. Additionally, such separated systems suffer from the drawback of interface issues, including ice level shut-off, fit, appearance, and condensation on exterior surfaces. Also, any resulting system breakdowns can result in confusion and disagreement as to whether the source of the problem is from the beverage dispenser or the ice dispenser. This can further create problems where separate entities are servicing and/or installing the beverage and ice systems.
Thus, there is a need for a quiet ice cube-making machine that has a larger height distance between the evaporator and the condenser and a lighter weight for installation without the need for a crane. There is also a need for an efficient way of providing vapor to an evaporator during harvest mode. There is a continuing need for a low profile ice making apparatus, which overcomes known installation problems. There is also a need for an ice cube-making machine that has a compact configuration of multiple condensers and a lighter weight for installation. There is a further need for facilitating the dispensing of ice and beverages.
The ice cube-making machine of the present invention satisfies the first need with a three package system. The condenser, compressor and evaporator are located in separate ones of the packages, thereby reducing the weight per package and eliminating the need for a crane during installation. The compressor package can be located up to 35 feet in height from the evaporator package. For example, the evaporator package can be located in a restaurant room where the ice cubes are dispensed and the compressor package can be located in a separate room on another floor of the building, such as a utility room. This allows for service thereof to be made indoors, rather than outdoors as required by prior two package systems. The condenser package can be located up to 35 feet in height from the compressor package. For example, the condenser package can be located on the roof of a multistory building.
The evaporator package has a support structure that supports the evaporator. The compressor package has a support structure that supports the compressor. The condenser package has a support structure that supports the condenser.
The present invention satisfies the need for providing vapor to the evaporator during harvest mode by increasing the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator. This is accomplished by connecting a pressure regulator in circuit with the return line between the evaporator and the compressor. The pressure regulator limits flow, which increases pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator. To achieve a small footprint of the evaporator package, the pressure regulator can be located in the compressor package.
In one aspect, an integrated ice and beverage (drink) dispensing system is provided that is for use with a compressor, a condenser, a water supply and a beverage source. The system comprises a support structure, a beverage dispenser, and an evaporator. The beverage dispenser is in fluid communication with the beverage source. The evaporator is in fluid communication with the compressor and the condenser for the circulation of refrigerant. The beverage dispenser and the evaporator are connected to the support structure. The support structure is located remotely from the compressor and the condenser. The evaporator is operably connected to the water supply for the formation of ice at the evaporator.
In another aspect, an ice-making machine is provided for use with a water supply and a beverage source. The ice-making machine has an evaporator unit, a compressor unit, a condenser unit and an interconnection structure. The evaporator unit comprises an evaporator and a beverage dispenser. The evaporator is operably connected to the water supply. The beverage dispenser is in fluid communication with the beverage source. The compressor unit comprises a compressor. The condenser unit comprises a condenser. The interconnection structure comprises a plurality of conduits that connect the evaporator, the compressor, and the condenser in a circuit for circulation of refrigerant and forming of ice at the evaporator unit from the water Supply.
In yet another aspect, a method of dispensing ice and beverage from a water supply and a beverage source is provided. The method comprises:
The evaporator unit can be located remotely from the compressor unit and the condenser unit. The evaporator unit, the compressor unit and the condenser unit may also be located remotely from each other. The evaporator unit can also have an ice storage bin and an ice chute with the ice being dispensed from the ice storage bin through the ice chute. The beverage dispenser may be a plurality of beverage dispensers with each of the beverage dispensers being in fluid communication with the beverage source. The evaporator unit can also have a drain operably disposed with respect to the beverage dispenser.
The compressor unit may have a receiver that is connected in the circuit. The compressor unit can have a filter connected in the circuit. The compressor unit can also have an accumulator connected in the circuit. The condenser may be water-cooled, air-cooled or a combination of both. The ice-making machine can also have a pressure regulator disposed in the circuit between the evaporator and the compressor. The pressure regulator may limit the flow of the refrigerant through the evaporator during a harvest cycle. The interconnection structure can have a supply line and a return line. During a freeze cycle, the pressure regulator may operate so as not to impede the flow of the refrigerant through the return line. During the harvest cycle, the pressure regulator may operate so as to reduce the flow of the refrigerant through the return line as compared to the flow of the refrigerant during the freeze cycle, without stopping the flow.
The evaporator unit can also have the receiver connected in the circuit. The ice-making machine may additionally have a vapor circuit. The vapor circuit can have a vapor line and a defrost valve. The vapor line may connect the receiver to the evaporator. During a harvest cycle, the vapor circuit can operate so as to direct the refrigerant in vapor phase to the evaporator to harvest the ice. The ice-making machine can also have a drier disposed in the circuit between the receiver and the evaporator. The ice-making machine may also have the receiver connected in the circuit with the evaporator, the compressor and the condenser, wherein during the harvest cycle the interconnection structure selectively causes the refrigerant to flow to the receiver or causes the refrigerant to bypass the receiver.
The ice-making machine can have a fan, and the compressor unit can be first and second compressor units. The first compressor unit may have a first compressor, and the second compressor unit can have a second compressor. The condenser unit can be disposed in between the first and second compressor units. The fan, when operated, may draw in air to provide cooling to the condenser. The condenser can also be first and second condensers disposed in the condenser unit. The first and second condensers may be disposed in a substantially V-like configuration. The condenser unit can also have first and second apertures. The fan, when operated, may create an air flow path between the first and second apertures to cool the first and second condensers. The air flow path can substantially traverse the first and second condensers.
The interconnection structure can also have a head pressure valve and a bypass valve connected in the circuit with the compressor, the condenser, the evaporator and the receiver. During the harvest cycle, the receiver may be either operable wherein the head pressure valve causes refrigerant to bypass the condenser so as to direct the refrigerant in vapor phase from the compressor to the receiver or the receiver can be inoperable wherein the bypass valve causes the refrigerant to bypass the condenser and the receiver so as to direct the refrigerant from the compressor to the evaporator.
The ice-making machine can have a pressure switch that activates the bypass valve. The bypass valve may be a solenoid valve activated during the harvest cycle by the pressure switch. The ice-making machine can also have a controller. The bypass valve may be a solenoid valve activated during the harvest cycle by the controller.
The ice-making machine can also have an accumulator and a heat exchanger. The accumulator may be connected in the circuit between the evaporator and the compressor. The heat exchanger can be disposed in the circuit to optimize refrigerant in liquid phase in the accumulator during the freeze cycle. The heat exchanger may be a tube disposed in thermal relationship to an output line of the accumulator. The heat exchanger can be a tube disposed in thermal relationship with refrigerant inside the accumulator.
Other and further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters denote like elements of structure and:
Referring to
Compressor package 50 includes a support structure 52 upon which is disposed a compressor 54, an accumulator 56 and a receiver 40. Condenser package 70 includes a support structure 72 upon which is disposed a condenser 74 and a fan 76. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that support structures 32, 52 and 72 are separate from one another and may take on different forms and shapes as dictated by particular design requirements. It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that evaporator package 30, compressor package 50 and condenser package 70 suitably include various valves and other components of an ice cube-making machine.
Interconnection structure 80 connects evaporator 36, compressor 54 and condenser 74 in a circuit for the circulation of refrigerant and warm gas. Interconnection structure 80 may suitably include pipes or tubing and appropriate joining junctions.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that evaporator package 30, compressor package 50 and condenser package 70 may include other valves and controls for the operation of ice cube-making machine 20. For example, ice-making machine 20 includes a controller 193 that controls the operations thereof including the activation of bypass solenoid valve 153 during the harvest cycle. Alternatively, a pressure switch 192 during harvest mode can activate solenoid valve 153.
According to a feature of the present invention output pressure valve 157 operates to raise pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in evaporator 36 during ice harvesting.
During a freeze cycle, cool vapor valve 142 and bypass valve 153 are closed and expansion valve 144 is open. Refrigerant flows from an output 184 of compressor 54 via a line 185, condenser 74, head pressure control valve 158, a line 186, receiver 40. Flow continues via heat exchanger loop 187, a supply line 188, filter 151, expansion valve 144, evaporator 36, a return line 189, accumulator 56, output pressure regulator 157 to an input 190 of compressor 54. Output pressure regulator 157 is wide open during the freeze cycle such that the refrigerant passes without any impact on flow.
During a harvest cycle, cool vapor valve 142 and bypass valve 153 are open and expansion valve 144 is closed. Refrigerant in vapor phase flows from the output of compressor 54 via either or both of bypass valve 153 or head pressure valve 158 through line 186 to receiver 40. Flow continues via a vapor line 191, cool vapor valve 142, evaporator 36, return line 189, accumulator 56, output pressure regulator 157 to input 190 of compressor 54.
Output pressure regulator 157 operates during harvest to slow the flow and decrease pressure at input 190 to compressor 54. This results in a higher pressure in evaporator 36 and higher temperature of the vapor in evaporator 36. The higher temperature refrigerant in evaporator 36 enhances the harvest cycle.
Output pressure regulator 157 may be any suitable pressure regulator that is capable of operation at the pressure required in ice-making systems. For example, output pressure regulator may be Model No. OPR 10 available from Alco.
Referring to
Ice cube-making machines 20 and 25 of the present invention provide the advantage of lightweight packages for ease of installation. In most cases, a crane will not be needed. In addition, the evaporator package is rather quiet in operation, as the compressor and the condenser are remotely located. Finally, the distance between evaporator package 30 and condenser package 70 is greatly enhanced to approximately 70 feet in height from the 35 feet height constraint of the prior art two package system.
Referring to
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that evaporator package 30, compressor package 50 and condenser package 70 may include other valves and controls for the operation of ice cube-making machine 20. For example, ice-making machine 20 includes a controller 393 that controls the operations thereof including the activation of bypass solenoid valve 353 during the harvest cycle. Alternatively, a pressure switch 392 during harvest mode can activate solenoid valve 353.
According to a feature of the present invention output pressure valve 357 operates to raise pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in evaporator 36 during ice harvesting.
During a freeze cycle, cool vapor valve 342 and bypass valve 353 are closed and expansion valve 344 is open. Refrigerant flows from an output 384 of compressor 54 via a line 385, condenser 74, head pressure control valve 358 and a line 386 to receiver 40. Flow continues via heat exchanger loop 387, a supply line 388, filter 351, expansion valve 344, evaporator 36, a return line 389, accumulator 56, output pressure regulator 357 to an input 390 of compressor 54. Output pressure regulator 357 is wide open during the freeze cycle such that the refrigerant passes without any impact on flow.
During a harvest cycle, cool vapor valve 342 and bypass valve 353 are open and expansion valve 344 is closed. Refrigerant in vapor phase flows from the output of compressor 54 to a vapor line 391 via either or both of a first path that includes bypass valve 353 or a second path that includes head pressure valve 358 line 386 and receiver 40. Flow continues via vapor line 391, cool vapor valve 342, evaporator 36, return line 389, accumulator 56, output pressure regulator 357 to input 390 of compressor 54.
Output pressure regulator 357 operates during harvest to slow the flow and decrease pressure at input 390 to compressor 54. This results in a higher pressure in evaporator 36 and higher temperature of the vapor in evaporator 36. The higher temperature refrigerant in evaporator 36 enhances the harvest cycle.
Referring now to
Support structure 420 also includes a first support element 424 and a second support element 434. First support element 424 and second support element 434 are attached to one another. First support element 424 and second support element 434 are configured to be attached by any known method in the art for connecting the first support element 424 and the second support element 434 in a V configuration. The first condenser 414 and the second condenser 436 rest upon the respective first support element 424 and the second support element 434 within support structure 420.
First support element 424 is attached to the interior of support structure 420 to provide suitable structural support to first condenser 414. Second support element 434 is also attached to the interior of support structure 420 to provide suitable structural support to second condenser 436. An exemplary aspect of first support element 424 and second support element 434 is that first and second support elements are dimensioned to allow an air stream to circulate there through from the ambient via aperture 422. Support structure 420 also has a second aperture 438 disposed on the bottom of support structure 420. Aperture 438 extends the width of the support structure 420 to allow the interior of the support structure 420 to be exposed to the ambient and contribute to cooling of first condenser 414 and second condenser 434 and to contribute to the heat transfer to ambient.
First compressor 416 includes a first flange 426. The second compressor 418 also has a second flange 427. Support structure 420 is adapted to rest on first flange 426 disposed on the first compressor 416 and the second flange 427 on the second compressor 418. Preferably, first flange 426 and second flange 427 are suitable to hold the weight of the support structure 420 with the weight of the first condenser 416 and the second condenser 436 disposed within support structure 420. First compressor 416 and second compressor 418 are positioned such that support structure 420 rests on first flange 426 and second flange 427.
Support structure 420 also includes a first lateral side 428 and a second lateral side 429. Disposed in the first lateral side 428 and second lateral side 429 are a plurality of apertures for connecting the first condenser 414 and second condenser (not shown) to the respective first compressor 416 and second compressor 418.
It should be appreciated by one skilled in that art that although first support element 424 and second support element 434 are connected to the support structure 420 in a V configuration, first and second support elements 424, 434 may arranged in any configuration so as to create a compact configuration of multiple condensers. It should also be appreciated by one skilled in the art, that support structure 420 rests on first flange 426 and second flange 427 so as to provide suitable height, relative to the ground, to allow air to circulate through support structure 420 via aperture 422 and underneath the support structure 420 through second aperture 438 as shown in
Referring to
With reference to
With reference to
However, generally high rise buildings typically have an abundant supply of chilled water or fluid. These chilled water or fluid systems are circulating throughout the building. As such, the present exemplary embodiment, utilizes the abundant chilled water supply to provide the customer even greater installation flexibility of the compressor package 502. Referring to
Referring to
Evaporators 610 have interconnection structure 80, which may suitably include pipes or tubing and appropriate joining junctions, that places the evaporators in fluid communication with the compressor (not shown), the condenser (not shown) and other components of the ice-making machines described herein (not shown) for circulation of refrigerant. In this exemplary embodiment two evaporators 610 are shown, although any number of evaporators can be used. The integrated dispenser 600 allows formation of ice during the harvest cycle, as well as dispensing of the ice at the same location as the dispensing of the beverages through beverage dispenser 640. This avoids any time-consuming and labor-intensive manual loading of the ice storage bin 620, and provides easy access to both beverages and ice.
The evaporators 610 are operably connected to a water supply (not shown) to provide water for the formation of the ice at the evaporators to be stored in ice storage bin 620. Ice dispenser 630 can be a chute, or other type of dispenser, such as, for example gravity actuated or power actuated, which provides ice to the user upon demand. The integrated ice dispenser 600 includes a drain 650 for overflow of the beverages from the beverage dispenser 640, as well as for dispensed ice that goes unused. The beverage dispenser 640 can be a plurality of beverage dispensers, which are each in fluid communication with one or more different sources to provide a variety of beverages.
Integrated dispenser 600 is disposed in an area accessible to users and is remotely located from the compressor unit (not shown) and the condenser unit (not shown). In an exemplary embodiment, integrated dispenser 600 is part of a three package system where the dispenser (which has the evaporator), the compressor and the condenser are remotely located from each other for quiet operation. However, the present disclosure contemplates the use of the integrated dispenser 600 with a two package system, as well as with the other embodiments of the ice-making machines described herein.
While the instant disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary or preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
This Application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/147,441, filed on May 16, 2002, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/952,143 filed on Sep. 14, 2001, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/233,392, filed Sep. 15, 2000, the disclosures of which are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60233392 | Sep 2000 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 10147441 | May 2002 | US |
Child | 10683578 | Oct 2003 | US |
Parent | 09952143 | Sep 2001 | US |
Child | 10147441 | May 2002 | US |