System and Method for Detecting Ice

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.

1 . A system for detecting ice of a particular thickness, comprising:
 a structure from which ice forms; and   an ice detection assembly movably secured to said structure, said ice detection assembly comprising a transducer operatively connected to a sensing medium, said transducer generating a trapped acoustic wave in said sensing medium, wherein ice of a particular thickness is detected when the ice that forms from said structure contacts said sensing medium and dampens the trapped acoustic wave within said sensing medium.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensing medium comprises a substrate having an acoustic wave cavity. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensing medium comprises a sensor strip. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a support plate that supports said sensor strip, said support plate shielding said transducer from said structure. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor strip comprises an extension beam integrally connected to an ice contacting portion through a curved intermediate portion. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a heating element configured to heat said sensing medium. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said structure is an ice grid having a plurality of ice forming compartments. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising an ice collection bin, wherein said ice grid is heated to form ice cubes when the ice contacts said sensing medium, the ice cubes being collected in said ice collection bin. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a bracket that pivotally connects said ice detection assembly to said structure. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said bracket is configured to adjustably position said ice detection assembly with respect to said structure. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a control unit operatively connected to said ice detection assembly. 
   
   
       12 . An ice forming system, comprising:
 an ice grid having a plurality of forming compartments configured to form ice cubes, wherein water flows over said ice grid and into said plurality of forming compartments to form outwardly growing ice; and   an ice detection assembly movably secured to said ice grid, said ice detection assembly comprising a transducer operatively connected to a sensing medium, said transducer generating a trapped acoustic wave in said sensing medium, wherein ice of a particular thickness is detected when the outwardly growing ice from said ice grid contacts said sensing medium and dampens the trapped acoustic wave within said sensing medium.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said sensing medium comprises a substrate having an acoustic wave cavity. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said sensing medium comprises a sensor strip having an extension beam integrally connected to an ice contacting portion through a curved intermediate portion. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a support plate that supports said sensor strip, said support plate shielding said transducer from said ice grid, wherein said ice contacting portion is exposed to said ice grid. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a heating element configured to heat said sensing medium. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a bracket that pivotally connects said ice detection assembly to said ice grid, wherein said bracket is configured to adjustably position said ice detection assembly with respect to said ice grid. 
   
   
       18 . An ice forming system, comprising:
 an ice grid having a plurality of forming compartments configured to form ice cubes, wherein water flows over said ice grid and into said plurality of forming compartments to form outwardly growing ice;   an ice detection assembly pivotally secured to said ice grid, said ice detection assembly comprising a transducer operatively connected to a sensing medium, said transducer generating a trapped acoustic wave in said sensing medium, wherein ice of a particular thickness is detected when the outwardly growing ice from said ice grid contacts said sensing medium and dampens the trapped acoustic wave within said sensing medium;   an ice collection bin, wherein said ice grid is heated to detach the ice cubes from said compartments when the outwardly growing ice contacts said sensing medium, said ice detection assembly pivoting away from said ice grid as falling ice cubes contact said ice detection assembly, the ice cubes being collected in said ice collection bin; and   one or both of a processing unit and/or a detection circuit operatively connected to said ice detection assembly.   
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said sensing medium comprises a substrate having an acoustic wave cavity, said acoustic wave cavity having a greater mass per unit surface area than that of said substrate adjacent said acoustic wave cavity. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said sensing medium comprises a sensor strip having an extension beam integrally connected to an ice contacting portion through a curved intermediate portion. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a support plate that supports said sensor strip, said support plate shielding said transducer from said ice grid, wherein said ice contacting portion is exposed to said ice grid. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising a heating element configured to heat said sensing medium. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising a bracket that pivotally connects said ice detection assembly to said ice grid, wherein said bracket is configured to adjustably position said ice detection assembly with respect to said ice grid.