Patent ID: 6449966
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: F25C,F25D,Y10T

Abstract:
A device for regulating the size of an ice bank in a beverage dispenser, the dispenser having a tank for holding a volume of water and an evaporator coil, the evaporator coil connected to refrigeration system for providing cooling thereof for forming the ice bank thereon, the device comprising:an electronic control, a pair of probes, the probes held at a predetermined position relative to the evaporator coil, the probes connected to the electronic control and the electronic control providing for a flow of electrical current between the probes and the electronic control including a sensor for determining the magnitude of the resistance to the flow of the electrical current between the probes whereby the electronic control provides for determining the presence of ice at the predetermined position as a function of the magnitude of said resistance to flow, and the electronic control providing for no electrical potential between the probes except when periodically directing the electrical flow there between, and the electronic control alternating the direction of the flow of a DC electrical current between the probes.