Patent Abstract:
Systems, methods and devices for converting existing ice resurfacers to reuse collected ice and snow for further ice resurfacing. The systems, methods and devices allows for efficient, clean and environmental friendly ice resurfacing. The conversion includes the modification and/or replacement of the snow dump tank, main water tank and the installing of heating and power systems. This invention is designed for present machines and for incorporation into future manufacturing of ice resurfacers. While reducing the requirement for large amounts of fresh water, the surface water being pre-heated by two commercial hot water tanks, it also reduces the amount of labor and costs associated with ice resurfacing.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a national stage of International Application No. PCT/CA2013/000434, filed on 1 May 2013. International Application No. PCT/CA2013/000434 cites the priority of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/642,585, filed on 4 May 2012. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to ice resurfacers. More specifically, the present invention relates to systems, methods and devices for recycling snow and ice shavings from an ice rink for ice resurfacing. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     To maintain their optimum usefulness, all ice rinks require maintenance. Ice skates, by their very nature, are destructive to ice rinks as skates will score, scratch, and cut the ice on an ice rink. In addition to this, continued use of ice skates on an ice rink will cause the accumulation of slush, snow and dirt. It is, therefore, necessary to quickly and effectively resurface the used ice using minimal energy and resources. During rink maintenance, an ice resurfacer shaves a relatively thin layer ( 1/16-inch to ⅛-inch) of ice from the ice surface. The resulting ice shavings and snow is then collected and directed through a series of horizontal and vertical augers into the snow dump tank receptacle. As this is occurring, the ice resurfacer deposits on the surface of the rink a layer of fresh hot water which fills cracks and imperfections on the ice surface. Currently, after the ice resurfacer finishes its operation, the contents of the snow dump tank is disposed of inside or outside of the rink (for example, the content of the snow dump tank is often dumped outside of the ice rink building). 
     During the above operation cycle, a substantial amount of energy, labour, material and fresh water are used. For example, every time an average sized ice rink is flooded, it requires the use of approximately 200 to 700 liters of fresh water heated to a temperature of between 50 and 60 degrees Celsius. This large quantity of water must first be heated in a large commercial external hot water tank and, once heated, the water is then sent to another large commercial hot water holding tank. The heated water is stored so that it remains heated between resurfacing periods. The ice resurfacing and cleaning machine is manually filled with the hot water by a worker using a hose before ice resurfacing. The process thus requires material, labor, fresh water and additional energy before each ice resurfacing cycle. 
     Zamboni® and Olympia® are well-known brands of ice resurfacers. 
     Various machines have been proposed which use different heat sources to melt snow and ice shavings for water re-use. Examples of these machines include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,380,355, 5,536,411, and 3,705,746. Different approaches include utilizing heat from the burning of a combustible fuel material, recovering heat from a refrigeration unit, or rejecting heat from the machine drive engine. While some of these approaches have advantages, most have not been adopted for use by ice resurfacers. As well, none of these approaches have been truly economical as they would require redesign and replacement of current ice resurfacers. 
     Based on the above, there is therefore a need for methods, systems, or devices which would mitigate if not overcome the deficiencies of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention provides methods, systems, and devices relating to ice resurfacers. A retrofitted ice resurfacer has a snow tank for storing ice shavings, an active heating system for melting the ice shavings, a filtration subsystem for filtering the melted ice shavings, a main water tank for storing the filtered water from the melted ice shavings, and a water tank heating subsystem for heating the main water tank. The ice resurfacer scrapes a layer of ice from the ice rink and the resulting ice shavings are dumped into the snow tank. The ice shavings are then melted using the active heating subsystem. The melted ice is then stored in the main water tank. In a preferred embodiment, the water is filtered and purified prior to being stored in the main water tank. While in the main water tank, the filtered and purified water is heated to a specific temperature. The heated filtered water is then re-used by the ice resurfacer when resurfacing the ice surface. Alternatively, the heated water in the main water tank can be filtered and purified prior to re-use. 
     In one aspect, the present invention provides a system for recycling water derived from ice from an ice rink, the system comprising:
         a snow tank for ice shavings removed from said ice rink by an ice resurfacing machine;   a heating subsystem for heating said ice shavings to thereby melt said ice shavings and produce water;   a filtration subsystem for filtering water resulting from melted ice shavings and to thereby produce filtered water;   a main water tank for receiving and storing filtered water from said filtration subsystem;   a water tank heating subsystem for heating stored filtered water in said main water tank to produce heated water;   a conduit system for routing heated water from said main water tank for use in resurfacing said ice rink;
 
wherein said system is located on said ice resurfacing machine.
       

     In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for modifying an existing ice resurfacing machine, the method comprising:
         replacing and/or modifying an existing snow tank by (for example, by cutting out a hole for hopper and couplers to allow said snow tank to be in flow communication with a main water tank);   installing a heating subsystem for heating ice shavings in said snow tank;   installing a filtering subsystem, said filtering subsystem being for filtering water produced when said ice shavings are heated by said heating subsystem to produce filtered water and for directing the filtered water to a main water tank;   replacing and/or modifying a main water tank, for example, by creating a hole in the top of the tank to fit the hopper assembly, creating one or more holes for the couplers, and removing and/or modifying the baffle to accommodate the piping;   installing a water tank heating subsystem, said water tank heating subsystem suitable for heating filtered water in said main water tank.       

     In an additional aspect, the present invention provides a method for recycling water derived from ice shavings from an ice rink, the method comprising: 
     a) scraping ice shavings from a surface of an ice rink; 
     b) placing said ice shavings in a snow tank; 
     c) applying heat to said ice shavings to thereby melt said ice shavings and produce water; 
     d) directing water produced in step c) to a filtering subsystem; 
     e) filtering and purifying said water in said filtering subsystem to produce filtered water; 
     f) directing said filtered/purified water to a main water tank; 
     g) heating said filtered water to a predetermined temperature to produce heated filtered water; and 
     h) using said heated filtered water to resurface said surface of said ice rink. 
     In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a kit of parts for converting an existing ice resurfacing machine, the kit comprising:
         a heating subsystem for heating an existing snow dump tank on said ice resurfacing machine, said heating subsystem suitable for melting ice and snow collected from an ice rink being resurfaced and stored in said snow dump tank;   preferably a filtration and purification subsystem for filtering and purifying water resulting from melted ice and snow;   a main water tank heating subsystem for heating a main water tank, said main water tank storing filtered water from said filter subsystem;   a power system for providing power to said heating subsystem and said main water tank heating subsystem;
 
wherein a converted ice resurfacing machine resulting from installing said kit of parts on said ice resurfacing machine uses water recycled from said collected ice and snow to resurface said ice rink.
       

     The present invention is suitable for use in the conversion of existing ice resurfacing and cleaning machines. This potentially reduces the ongoing cost required to maintain and operate such machines. As an example, the majority of ice and skating rinks already utilizes one or more ice resurfacing machines. By converting or retrofitting these machines to recycle the ice gathered during ice resurfacing, the energy, material and labour savings may be significant. These savings may amount to $50,000 to 60,000 USD a year. 
     The present invention has the potential to provide for a drastic reduction in the fresh water normally required by the ice resurfacing machines between ice rink maintenance periods. As well, converted ice resurfacing machines require less energy and manpower to operate, thereby leading to more savings. 
     Another advantage of the present invention stems from eliminating the need for two external hot water heating tanks. Currently, one tank is used to heat the fresh water while another tank is used to hold the heated water. The storage tank is kept at a temperature high enough to ensure that sufficient hot water is available for the ice resurfacing machines. Not only does the present invention only use a single tank, but in doing so, it also eliminates the wasted energy that would have been used by the two external hot water tanks. 
     The foregoing advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following description of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments of the present invention will now be described by reference to the following figures, in which identical reference numerals in different figures indicate identical elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  represents a basic overview of the retrofitted ice resurfacing system. 
         FIG. 2  represents a detailed overview of the retrofitted system. 
         FIG. 3  represents the metal grate system installed in the snow dump tank receptacle for melting the collected ice and snow shavings. 
         FIG. 4  represents the hopper device for connecting the snow dump tank to the main water tank, and the main water tank that has been insulated and retrofitted with a heating device. 
         FIG. 5  represents of a schematic of the power system used to operate the heating devices in the retrofitted snow resurfacing machine. 
     
    
    
     The Figures are not to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular elements while related elements may have been eliminated to prevent obscuring novel aspects. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The terms “coupled” and “connected”, along with their derivatives, may be used herein. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. “Coupled” may be used to indicated that two or more elements are in either direct or indirect (with other intervening elements between them) physical or electrical contact with each other, or that the two or more elements co-operate or interact with each other (e.g. as in a cause and effect relationship). 
     An overview of a retrofitted ice resurfacing machine system for reusing collected snow and ice shavings for further ice resurfacing is shown in  FIG. 1 . The system includes an existing ice resurfacing machine  100 . Inside the ice resurfacing machine is a snow dump tank  110 , a snow tank heating subsystem, a filtering assembly  130  (which connects to and allows flow communication between the snow dump tank and a main water tank  140 ), the main water tank  140 , a main water tank heating subsystem  150 , and a power system  160 . 
     An explanation of the ice resurfacing machine  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  can be better understood in conjunction with the details illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the ice resurfacing machine  100  is equipped with a conditioner  170 . As the ice resurfacing machine  100  moves in a forward direction across an ice surface, the conditioner  170  is lowered to the ice surface (usually hydraulically lowered). Within the conditioner  170  is a blade  180  which is lowered to an industry standard height from the ice surface (usually manually lowered). The blade  180  shaves a thin slice off the ice surface. A series of coupled augers (horizontal augers  190  and vertical augers  200 ) collect the ice and snow shavings  210  and convey and deposit these to the snow dump tank receptacle  110  mounted on the ice resurfacing machine  100 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention the snow dump tank  110  in the ice resurfacing machine  100  has been modified from that of a conventional ice resurfacing machine. The snow dump tank  110  is angled downwardly towards the back of the tank and incorporates a snow tank heating subsystem for melting the ice and snow shavings. The snow dump tank is replaced and/or modified to include holes for the hopper and couplers. Preferably, the snow tank heating subsystem is able to provide enough heat to melt the collected ice and snow shavings  210  into water. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the snow tank heating subsystem includes a heated metal filter screen  220 , a heated metal grate  230  and at least one heating pipe  240  (the heating pipe or tube may be constructed from any suitable material, including stainless steel, nickel alloys, as well as iron-chromium-aluminium alloys that can be used at temperatures up to 1250° C. (2280° F.)). These various parts are attached to or embedded in the snow dump tank  110  using metal clips, ties or pins. It would be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that the snow dump tank on an ice resurfacing machine can be modified, as described above, or simply replaced with a snow dump tank adapted to function in accordance with the present invention. 
     Regarding the snow tank heating subsystem, the various components may be designed for ease of use. For portability and to facilitate easy cleaning and maintenance of the snow dump tank  110 , the heated metal grate  230  may ride on rollers or casters  250  spaced on each side of the heated metal grate  230  to allow it to be easily removed from the snow dump tank  110 . This arrangement is illustrated in  FIG. 3 a   , a plan view of the grate  230  showing the heating pipes  240 , the casters  250 , and the grate  230 . 
     Regarding construction, the removable heated metal grate  230  may be made by stitching or welding stainless steel grate pieces together and cutting off the extra pieces depending on the dimensions of the snow dump tank  110 . A person skilled in the art would be well aware that the grate  230  could be constructed from other materials that is heat resistant. 
     As noted above, in the illustrated embodiment the snow tank heating subsystem includes a removable heated metal filter screen  220 . This may be fastened to the stainless steel circulation heater pipes  240  with metal clips, ties or pins. A plan view of the metal filter screen is provided in  FIG. 3( b ) . The removable heated metal filter screen  220  may be constructed from flat stainless steel sheets and is preferably positioned above the stainless steel circulation heater pipes  240 . The filter screen can be removed and cleaned by pulling it out from the front of the ice resurfacing device  100 . This is done by removing the stainless steel straps that are attached the stainless steel circulation heater pipes  240 . The metal filter screen  220  protects the stainless steel circulation heater pipes  240  and also may serve as a first filter to catch large debris such as hockey pucks that may be picked up along with the shaved snow and ice. 
     Regarding the snow tank heating subsystem shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3   a , the removable heated metal grate  230  is heated by the heater pipes  240 . The pipes  240  may be filled with a heated solvent that would flow through the pipes  240  and which would, in turn, heat the pipes  240 , the metal grate  230  and the metal filter screen  220 . This heat will melt the collected ice and snow shavings into water. In one embodiment, the heater pipes  240  are filled with Therminol 75 oil, heated to 200° C. by a circulation heater  245 . Referring to  FIG. 3( a ) , the heater pipes  240  are placed and tied down with metal clips, ties, or pins on top of the removable heated metal grate  230 . The heater pipes  240  are vertically spaced from the metal grate  230  and the filter screen  220 . The heater pipes  240  horizontally span from the front of the snow dump tank  110  to the back of the snow dump tank  110 . The number of pipes used can be varied to accommodate different temperatures outside the ice resurfacing device  100 , the amount of ice scraped off the blade, and the industry standard temperature required to clean the ice. The addition of more pipes and spacing the pipes closer to one another on the metal grate  230  would allow for quicker melting of the shaved ice and snow. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the stainless steel circulation heater pipes  240  are heated when the circulation heater  245 , heats the Therminol® 75 oil to 200° C. The heated oil is continuously pumped and circulated through the circulation heater pipes  240  by pump  265 . The circulation heater  245  used in one implementation is a 5 kilowatt Wattco circulation heater model # MFLS605X2421-TM. A person skilled in the art would be well aware that other suitable heaters can be used. A circulation heater pump  330  is used to pump and circulate the oil throughout the system. Preferably, the circulation pump is one which is designed specifically for handling hot thermal fluids. As well, it is preferred that the circulation pump be engineered to allow ambient air cooling while minimizing thermal transfer along the shaft eliminating any need for liquid cooling through their operating range. In one implementation, the circulation pump used is a ZTND model from SIHI Pumps Americas. 
     The Therminol 75 synthetic heat transfer fluid used in one implementation is composed of Terphenyl/quaterphenyl. This fluid is a high temperature liquid phase heat transfer fluid having excellent thermal stability. In one implementation, the Therminol 75 oil is used in the 5 kilowatt Wattco circulation heaters. Furthermore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would be well aware that other suitable heat transfer fluids may be used, for example, Dowtherm A or G/Therminol 59, 60, LT and VP1. Furthermore, in the event oil is not preferred as the fluid for use in the heating system, an ethylene glycol and water mix may be used. 
     It should be noted that the snow tank heating subsystem may include components and parts which have not been mentioned. It is to be understood that a skilled artisan will know of other commonly known alternatives and devices which may be incorporated into the present invention. 
     Once the shaved ice has been melted by the snow tank heating subsystem, the resulting water flows towards the filtering assembly  130 . The water from the melted shaved ice and snow flows into the filtering assembly  130  where the water is filtered and then funneled to the main water tank  140 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , these diagrams detail the various features and components of subsystems which comprise part of the present invention.  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b    show parts of the snow tank heating subsystem which melts the ice and snow shavings to result in water.  FIG. 4  illustrates the main water tank and the filtering subsystem which filters the melted ice to result in the filtered water that is stored in the main water tank. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , includes a side view of the main water tank  140 , the main water tank heating subsystem  150  and the filtering assembly  130  is illustrated. The filtering assembly  130  has a filter  270  and a pull out filter casing  280 . The filter  270  may be any filter suitable for filtering the melted water, such as a charcoal filter. The filtering assembly  130  is preferably constructed of a stainless steel frame angled to form a downward pointing funnel shape such that filtered water is directed towards the main water tank  140 . The filter  270  may be placed inside the pull out filter casing  280 . This allows for the easy removal and replacement of the filter  270  from the filter casing  280 . The pull out filter casing  280  is constructed of a stainless steel frame with a pull handle attached to it. Preferably, the junction  290  between the filtering assembly  130  and the main water tank  140  is sealed using a rubber seal, silicone seal, or cork such that the junction is water-tight. The seal can be installed using glue, epoxy, strapping, or any other suitable means for attaching the seal to the main water tank and the filter assembly. 
     As the melted ice and snow flows as water to the filtering assembly  130 , the melted water is cleaned when it flows through the filter  270 . The filtered water is then gravity fed into the main water tank  140 . The downwardly pointed funnel shape of the filtering assembly assists in the melting of the shaved ice and snow as the large opening of the filter assembly will allow heated air from the heated main water tank  140  to rise into the snow dump tank  110 . 
     Regarding the main water tank  140 , this may be made of stainless steel. The main water tank  140  of the present invention is equipped to heat the collected melted snow and ice and to keep the filtered water at a specific temperature range. The present invention works with existing, modified and/or re-designed main water tanks. These main water tanks are, invariably, equipped with a water top-up pipe (not shown) should there be a need to use additional water or to top-up any evaporated water as needed. 
     The main water tank  140  is preferably insulated in order to minimize heat loss so that the water, once heated, stays heated longer in the main water tank  140 . In the illustrated embodiment, the main water tank  140  has insulation  300 . For example, the main water tank  140  can be insulated by first applying a gasoline sealant, such as Red Kote™, and then using a suitable insulator. Preferably, the insulator is a spray foam insulation with an insulation rating between R-12 and R-20. The main water tank is covered with a tank cover  305  made of stainless steel sheet with a cut-out to accommodate the filtering assembly  130  and may be secured to the main water tank  140  with the use of stainless steel self-tapping screws. 
     The main water tank  140  is equipped with a main water tank heating subsystem  150  to heat the water collected in the main water tank. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , one implementation of the main water tank heating subsystem includes stainless steel circulation heater pipes  310 . These pipes  310  are mounted on stainless steel brackets and are elevated at about 1 inch off the bottom of the main water tank  140  in order to keep the pipes from losing heat to the main water tank  140 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , this implementation of the main water tank heating subsystem  150  includes two couplers  325  for the incoming and outgoing circulation pipes  310 . The couplers are welded onto the main water tank  140  to ensure the main water tank  140  is fully sealed. The number of pipes and the spacing can be varied to accommodate the temperature outside the ice resurfacing machine as well as the industry standard temperature required to clean the ice. 
     In one implementation, the pipes  310  are connected to a 5 kilowatt main water tank circulation heater  320 . The circulation heater can be adjusted to heat the filtered water to any suitable temperature which may be dictated by industry standards. The circulation heater heats the Thermal 75 oil to 400° C. and the heated oil is pumped (using pump  330 ) through the stainless steel circulation heater pipes  310 . The heated oil heats the filtered water in the main water tank  140  to the industry standard temperature of 140° C. (though a person skilled in the art would be well aware that the water in the main water tank can be heated to any desired temperature). 
     To further clean the filtered water, a water purification subsystem may be used. One such subsystem may use one or more submersible ultraviolet filters. These filters, each of which exposes the filtered water to ultra-violet light to purify the water, may be placed in the main water tank  140 . A person skilled in the art would understand that other suitable purification subsystems could be used in addition to or as an alternative to ultraviolet light, including purification tablets, chemicals and combinations thereof. 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , a control panel  340  is installed to control the 5 kilowatt heaters  320  and  245 . The control panel may be customized to monitor and adjust the temperature of the heated flowable substance in the pipes  240 ,  310 . As noted above, the heated flowable substance may be Therminol 75 oil. The control panel  340  may include individual temperature and high limit controllers for each of the heaters. In one implementation, the Wattco Control Panel Terminal box NEMA 4 model # WT-6272 was used. This device has a moisture resistant enclosure and includes a main  30 A disconnect, 2 digital temperature controllers, 2 high limit controllers, 2 selector switches to be able to manually turn the heaters on-off, 2 red pilot lights which indicate when heater is on, a 240 v/120 v control circuit transformer, and 2 contactors and fuses for 2 loads of 5 kw, 240 v, 3 ph. 
     Shut off valves may be used to isolate the water for maintenance use. 
     A separate power system  160  may be required to power the snow tank heating subsystem and the main water tank heating subsystem  150 . The power systems of current ice resurfacing machines use batteries which will not be able to power the heating subsystems. The power system  160  would power the circulation heaters  320 ,  245  as well as the pumps  265 ,  330 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a block diagram of the power system  160  is illustrated. In one implementation, the power system  160  includes eight 12V deep cycle batteries  360 . These batteries  360  are connected to two 6000 watt inverters  370  and two 2500 watt inverters  380 . The batteries  360  are also connected to a  300 A alternator  390  which would be used to charge the batteries  360 . 
     Each of the circulation heaters  320 ,  245  is connected in series to a deep cycle battery  360  and by way of one of the 6000 watt inverters  370 . 
     Each of the pumps  330 ,  265  is connected in series to one of the deep cycle batteries  360  by way of one of the 2500 watt inverters  380 . 
     When the water temperature in the main water tank  140  falls below a specified temperature, a temperature sensor will activate the two 12 volt deep cycle batteries  360  to power up the 6000 watt main water tank circulation heater  320 . The main water tank circulation heater  320  would then heat up the thermal oil. This, in turn, would heat the water in the main water tank  140  to the required industry standard temperature. 
     In one implementation, the system includes a means for maintaining the temperature of the heated water in the main water tank  140 . When the ice resurfacing machine  100  is parked and shut down, power system  160  can be plugged into an external 220V power source from the arena. A transfer switch  400  and plug  410  can be used as a back up when the ice resurfacing machine  100  is parked and shut down overnight. 
     If the power output from deep cycle batteries  360  drops below a nominal operating condition, and if the alternator of the ice resurfacer is unavailable because the ice resurfacing machine is not turned on, the transfer switch  400  would engage the external power source by way of the plug  410  to charge the batteries  360  while the water is being heated up. 
     The inverters  370 ,  380 , batteries  360 , transfer switch  400 , control panel  340 , heaters  320 ,  245 , and pumps  330 ,  265  are all connected to a fuse box (not shown). As would be clear to a person skilled in the art, the power system is interconnected with wires (not shown) in order for the electronic devices to communicate with each other. 
     As an alternative, an inverter could be used. For this alternative, two batteries would be connected in series to the inverter which would connect to a heater and pump set. As an example two batteries and a larger inverter would connect to heater  320  and pump  330 . Similarly, two batteries and an inverter would connect to heater  245  and pump  265 . 
     A float and alarm system may also be used with the main water tank  140  to ensure that the water level in the main water tank does not drop below a certain level. 
     Alternatives and variants to the system described above are, of course, possible. In one variant, a blower or heater may be used either as a substitute or in conjunction with the snow tank heating subsystem. Another variant may use a tankless water heater system in place of installing a main water tank heating system for the main water tank  140 . A further variant may use an extra water tank in the event evaporation or water loss causes the main water tank  140  to have insufficient water to resurface the ice rink. 
     The system described above can be operated according to one aspect of the invention. As the ice resurfacing machine  100  moves in forward direction along the ice surface, the blade  180  shaves a thin slice off the ice surface. This thin slice is then collected by a series of coupled horizontal augers  190  and vertical augers  200 . The ice and snow shavings  210  are then deposited at the snow dump tank receptacle  110 . Inside the snow dump tank  110 , the collected ice and snow shavings are melted by the snow tank heating subsystem. The water resulting from the melted ice and snow shavings then flows through the filtering subsystem  130  where the water is filtered. After filtering, the filtered water flows into the main water tank  140 . Inside the main water tank  140 , the water is heated to an industry standard by the main water tank heating subsystem  150 . The heated water from within the main water tank  140  is directed to the conditioner  170  through the existing water distribution system. The heated and purified water is then poured on to the ice surface and spread evenly across the conditioner width by a towel  20  to leave a smooth clean ice surface. 
     One aspect of the invention provides a kit of parts for retrofitting an existing ice resurfacing machine so that snow and ice shavings from an ice rink can be recycled for further ice resurfacing. The kit of parts may include the heating subsystems  120 / 150 , the insulation for the snow dump tank  110 , the filter subsystem  130 , and the power system  160 . 
     It should be noted that another aspect of the invention involves the maintenance and servicing of retrofitted ice resurfacing machines. Once an ice resurfacing machine has been retrofitted to recycle ice shavings, on-going maintenance and service may be provided to the operator of the retrofitted ice resurfacing machine. The maintenance and service may include providing a qualified maintenance worker to inspect the various components which were installed on the ice resurfacing machine. Specifically, the maintenance worker would check and clean the heated metal grate  230  in the snow dump tank  110 , and replace the filter  270  in the filtering subsystem  130 . The maintenance and service would also include draining and replacing the heating oil used in the heating pipes  310 ,  240 . Finally, the maintenance and service would include the replacement of any component which may be defective or which may not be working properly. The entity providing the maintenance and upkeep service to the ice resurfacing machine may do so under a suitable contract. The sale of a retrofit kit, installation of the retrofit kit to the ice resurfacing machine, and the service and maintenance of the retrofitted machine may all be provided under a single contract and price point. 
     As an extra service to the operators of the converted ice resurfacing machines, the water derived from the ice and snow scraped from the ice rink can also be disposed of in a safe manner. The water from the melted ice may be tainted with contaminants such as those from the paint used to color the ice surface, the logos on the surface, as well as the lines on the ice. While the ice scraped from the ice surface can be recycled, disposing of the waste water is not as simple as dumping the ice and the contaminated water outside the arena. The safe and proper disposal of this material can be provided as a further service to the operators of the converted ice resurfacing machines. The safe disposal may, of course, take different forms as the disposal should conform to the standards and rules in the area where the ice resurfacing machines are being used. 
     In one embodiment, the disposal of the contaminated water may involve pumping the contaminated water resulting from the scraped ice from the ice resurfacing machine&#39;s main water tank into a qualified disposal tank. Any remaining contaminated water is then cleaned from the main water tank. The contaminated water is then disposed of in accordance with existing relevant government regulations. This final step may involve transporting the contaminated water to an environmental hazard waste depot and disposing of the contaminated water at the facility. 
     A person understanding this invention may now conceive of alternative structures and embodiments or variations of the above all of which are intended to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.

Technology Classification (CPC): 2