Patent ID: 6145324
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: F25C

Abstract:
An ice melting and harvesting system comprising:a refrigerant system comprising:a refrigerant compressor;a condenser having an outlet;an expansion valve to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser;at least one ice making plate;a harvest gas generator plate;a valve to selectively direct gaseous refrigerant from the compressor towards the condenser during an ice making cycle and a valve to selectively direct said gaseous refrigerant towards said ice making plate during a harvest cycle;a suction accumulator;a heat exchanger having one side associated with said suction accumulator and one side associated with an outlet of said condenser;a valve on the downstream side of said ice making plate to selectively direct refrigerant from the ice making plate to the suction accumulator during an ice making cycle and from the harvest gas generator plate to the suction accumulator during a harvest cycle;a water supply circuit comprising;a first upper water source for said ice making plate;a second upper water source for said harvest gas generator plate;a lower water tank;a pump for pumping water from said lower water tank to said first and second upper water sources;a source of make-up water; anda water supply valve for selectively directing water to said first upper water source to flow over said ice making plate during an ice making cycle and a water supply valve for selectively directing water to said second upper water source to flow over said harvest gas generator plate during a harvest cycle.