Ice-making machine

Abstract

The present invention refers to an ice-making machine provided with an ice formation reservoir ( 2 ), an auxiliary tank ( 6 ) and an ice storage region ( 5 ). Inner part of reservoir ( 2 ) is provided with a transport element ( 16 ), a shovel ( 4 ) with angular movement and a finger-type evaporator ( 3 ) forming ice pieces. During ice manufacturing process, shovel ( 4 ) moves periodically at low frequencies so as to attract impurity particles and water salts, leaving them far from ice piece formation regions. Through the machine of the present invention, impurity-free ice pieces are produced.

1 . An ice-making machine ( 1 ) comprising:
 an auxiliary tank ( 6 ) for storage of a water volume;   an ice formation reservoir ( 2 ), comprising at least one evaporator ( 3 ) associated to a machine cooling system;   an auxiliary tank ( 6 ) provided of means to transport water to reservoir ( 2 );   at least one region ( 5 ) for deposit of ice pieces produced in the reservoir ( 2 ),   characterized in that the reservoir ( 2 ) further comprises at least one shovel ( 4 ) which moves angularly to agitate water inside reservoir ( 2 ) during ice production process.   
     
     
         2 . An ice-making machine, according to  claim 1 , wherein the shovel ( 4 ) comprises a pivoted support ( 17 ) and a crosspiece ( 18 ), the ends of support ( 17 ) being supported in holes arranged in opposite side walls of the reservoir ( 2 ), the crosspiece ( 18 ) being associated to said support ( 17 ). 
     
     
         3 . An ice-making machine, according to  claim 2 , wherein the crosspiece ( 18 ) comprises a plurality of oblong holes ( 19 ), perpendicular to their longitudinal axis, lengthwise arranged in sequence and parallel with each other and convex ends ( 20 ), forming a substantially obtuse angle to the face of crosspiece ( 18 ) in which holes ( 19 ) are provided. 
     
     
         4 . An ice-making machine, according to  claim 1 , wherein the shovel ( 4 ) moves around longitudinal axis of evaporator ( 3 ). 
     
     
         5 . An ice-making machine, according to  claim 1 , wherein a supply system supplies water to auxiliary tank ( 6 ) by means of a supply valve ( 7 ) on each ice formation cycle. 
     
     
         6 . An ice-making machine, according to  claim 1 , wherein the means to transport water from the auxiliary tank ( 6 ) to reservoir ( 2 ) comprises at least one transfer pump ( 11 ). 
     
     
         7 . An ice-making machine, according to  claim 1  wherein the transfer pump ( 11 ) supplies to the ice formation reservoir ( 2 ) a water volume sufficient to reach a work level (A) prior to the ice making process. 
     
     
         8 . An ice-making machine, according to  claim 1  wherein the transfer pump ( 11 ) stops water supplying to reservoir ( 2 ) during the ice making process. 
     
     
         9 . An ice-making machine, according to  claim 1  wherein the ice making process occurs when the water in the reservoir ( 2 ) reaches work level (A) and when transfer of pump ( 11 ) ceases. 
     
     
         10 . An ice-making machine, according to  claim 1 , wherein the evaporator ( 3 ) is a finger-type evaporator. 
     
     
         11 . An ice-making machine, according to  claim 1  wherein the transfer pump ( 11 ) supplies an additional water volume to the ice formation reservoir ( 2 ) until reaches a saturation level (B) higher than work level (A) after completion of ice making. 
     
     
         12 . An ice-making machine, according to  claim 1  wherein the ice formation reservoir ( 2 ) further comprises a transport element ( 16 ) able to transfer water contained inside of it back to the auxiliary tank ( 6 ) when saturation level (B) is reached. 
     
     
         13 . An ice-making machine, according to  claim 9 , wherein the transport element ( 16 ) is a trap. 
     
     
         14 . An ice-making machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the transport element ( 16 ) is a reversible pump. 
     
     
         15 . An ice-making machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the transport element ( 16 ) is an electromechanical valve. 
     
     
         16 . An ice-making machine according to  claim 1  wherein the shovel ( 4 ) adopts a rest position and ice pieces are detached from evaporator ( 3 ) after transferring water of the ice formation reservoir ( 2 ) to the auxiliary tank ( 6 ). 
     
     
         17 . An ice-making machine according to  claim 16 , wherein the ice pieces detached is pushed by shovel ( 4 ) up to the ice storage region ( 5 ). 
     
     
         18 . An ice-making machine according to  claim 1  wherein a water volume derived from water supply system is added and mixed to the water returning to tank ( 6 ) derived from reservoir ( 2 ). 
     
     
         19 . An ice-making machine according to  claim 1 , further comprises a drainage tank ( 8 ) which can store the water volume exceeding a limit level (C) inside auxiliary tank ( 6 ). 
     
     
         20 . An ice-making machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the drainage tank ( 8 ) further comprises an exhaust pump ( 9 ) and a water output piping ( 12 ) associated therewith.