Ice making machine and method of controlling an ice making machine

Abstract

An ice forming apparatus capable of forming ice pieces is provided, including, a transfer zone between the ice forming apparatus and a storage area, and an ice sensing apparatus configured to both detect migration of the ice pieces through the transfer zone and to detect build-up of the ice pieces in the transfer zone. The ice forming apparatus is preferably an auger-type device, such as a flaker-type or a nugget-type device.

1 . An ice making machine, comprising: 
 a) an ice forming apparatus capable of forming ice pieces;    b) a transfer zone connecting the ice forming apparatus with a storage area so as to permit migration of ice pieces from the ice forming apparatus to the storage area; and    c) an ice sensing apparatus configured to detect at least some of the ice pieces during the migration of the ice pieces through the transfer zone.    
   
   
       2 . The ice making machine of  claim 1  wherein the transfer zone is located with respect to the storage area so that a build-up of ice pieces occurs in the transfer zone when the storage area is full.  
   
   
       3 . The ice making machine of  claim 2  wherein the ice sensing apparatus is configured to detect at least some of the ice pieces during the build-up of the ice pieces in the transfer zone.  
   
   
       4 . The ice making machine of  claim 3  wherein the ice sensing apparatus includes a movable portion having a first position corresponding to the migration of the ice pieces and a second position corresponding to the build-up of the ice pieces in the transfer zone.  
   
   
       5 . The ice making machine of  claim 4  wherein the ice sensing apparatus includes a first sensor to detect the first position of the movable portion and a second sensor to detect the second position of the movable portion.  
   
   
       6 . The ice making machine of  claim 4  wherein the movable portion comprises a contact plate positioned along a path of the migration of the ice pieces in the transfer zone.  
   
   
       7 . The ice making machine of  claim 6  wherein the ice sensing apparatus further includes a rod coupled with the contact plate and a signal member coupled with the rod, and wherein the contact plate and the signal member are configured to pivot in unison between a neutral position, said first position, and said second position.  
   
   
       8 . The ice making machine of  claim 3  further comprising a controller in electrical connection with the ice sensing apparatus and the ice forming apparatus, wherein the controller is configured to deactivate the ice forming apparatus if the ice sensing apparatus fails to detect the migration of the ice pieces through the transfer zone during a predetermined time period.  
   
   
       9 . The ice making machine of  claim 8  wherein the predetermined time period is equal to a first duration during an initial start-up operation of the ice making machine and is equal to a second duration shorter than the first duration after the initial start-up operation of the ice making machine.  
   
   
       10 . The ice making machine of  claim 9  wherein the controller is configured to deactivate the ice forming apparatus if the build-up of the ice pieces in the transfer zone is detected.  
   
   
       11 . The ice making machine of  claim 10  wherein the controller is configured to immediately deactivate the ice forming apparatus if the build-up of the ice pieces in the transfer zone is detected.  
   
   
       12 . The ice making machine of  claim 1 , the ice making apparatus further comprising an auger.  
   
   
       13 . A combination of the ice making machine of  claim 1  and an ice storage bin, the ice storage bin providing at least a portion of said storage area.  
   
   
       14 . An ice making machine, comprising: 
 a) an ice forming apparatus having an outlet section and being configured to form ice pieces and;    b) a transfer zone connecting the outlet section of the ice forming apparatus with a storage area so as to permit migration of ice pieces from the ice forming apparatus to the storage area; the outlet section of the ice forming apparatus and the transfer zone together comprising a clean zone; and    c) an ice sensing apparatus configured to detect the presence of ice pieces within the transfer zone, wherein the ice sensing apparatus includes a first portion located within the clean zone and a second portion positioned outside the clean zone.    
   
   
       15 . The ice making machine of  claim 14  wherein the first portion of the ice sensing apparatus comprises a contact plate positioned along a path of the migration of the ice pieces through the transfer zone.  
   
   
       16 . The ice making machine of  claim 15  wherein the second portion of the ice sensing apparatus includes a signal member coupled with the contact plate such that the contact plate and the signal member are configured to pivot in unison between a first position and a second position.  
   
   
       17 . The ice making machine of  claim 16  wherein the ice sensing apparatus includes a sensor for sensing whether the signal member is in the first position.  
   
   
       18 . The ice making machine of  claim 17  wherein the sensor is substantially separated from moisture in the clean zone.  
   
   
       19 . The ice making machine of  claim 14  wherein the ice forming apparatus includes an auger rotating about an axis within a cooling chamber.  
   
   
       20 . The ice making machine of  claim 14  wherein the ice sensing apparatus is configured to detect at least some of the ice pieces during the migration of the ice pieces through the transfer zone.  
   
   
       21 . The ice making machine of  claim 20  wherein the transfer zone is located with respect to the storage area so that a build-up of ice pieces occurs in the transfer zone when the storage area is full and wherein the ice sensing apparatus is configured to detect at least some of the ice pieces during the build-up of the ice pieces in the transfer zone.  
   
   
       22 . The ice making machine of  claim 21  wherein the first portion of the ice sensing apparatus is a contact portion located within the clean zone and the second portion of the ice sensing apparatus is a non-contact portion separated from the clean zone by a generally fluid-tight seal.  
   
   
       23 . A method of controlling an ice making machine, comprising: 
 a) forming ice pieces with an ice forming apparatus;    b) permitting migration of the ice pieces from the ice forming apparatus through a transfer zone to a storage area;    c) detecting at least some of the ice pieces migrating through the transfer zone; and    d) deactivating the ice forming apparatus if no migrating ice pieces are detected within a predetermined time period.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising calculating the predetermined time period based on a frequency at which the ice pieces are formed.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the step of forming ice pieces includes rotating an auger about an axis within a cooling chamber.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the predetermined time limit is equal to a first time during an initial start-up operation of the ice making machine and is equal to a second time shorter than the first time after the initial start-up operation of the ice making machine.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising, after the step of deactivating the ice forming apparatus, reactivating the ice forming apparatus after a delay time period.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the step of reactivating the ice forming apparatus includes randomly selecting the delay time period from a database of potential delay time periods.  
   
   
       29 . A combination of the ice making machine of  claim 1  and an ice dispenser configured to dispense at least a portion of the ice pieces formed by the ice forming apparatus.