Water cooler

Abstract

A water cooler having a container with a reservoir for storing water has a thermoelectric module operable to cool a conductor plate and form ice in the reservoir. A temperature sensor connected to the plate senses the temperature of the plate and activates a timer when the temperature is below the temperature at which water freezes. The timer operates a selected period of time to allow a block of ice to be formed on the plate. A photoelectric sensor operable to sense a selected size of the block of ice functions to actuate a switching device that changes the polarity of the electric power supplied to the thermoelectric module to supply heat energy to the plate to release the block of ice from the plate. The released block of ice floats in the water in the reservoir and cools the water.

I claim:  
     
       1. A water cooler for producing ice to cool water comprising: a container having a side wall and bottom wall providing a reservoir for storing water, a cup-shaped member mounted on the bottom wall, said cup-shaped member having a bottom wall and an upper end open to the reservoir whereby the cup-shaped member accommodates water, a heat conducting member mounted on the bottom wall of the cup-shaped member, said heat conducting member having a top surface exposed to the water in the cup-shaped member and a bottom surface spaced from the top surface, a thermoelectric module having a first surface located in engagement with the bottom surface of the heat conducting member and a second surface spaced from the first surface, control means operably connected to the thermoelectric module for reversing the polarity of electric power supplied to the thermoelectric module whereby when a first polarity of electric power is supplied to the thermoelectric module the first surface is cooled, thereby cooling the heat conducting member to form ice adjacent the top surface of the heat conducting member and when a second polarity opposite the first polarity is supplied to the thermoelectric module the first surface is heated thereby heating the heat conducting member to melt ice adjacent the top surface of the heat conducting member to allow the remaining ice to float in the water in the reservoir, said control means including means for sensing the temperature of the heat conducting member and causing a signal when the heat conducting member has attained a selected temperature for forming ice, timer means responsive to said signal causing the electric power supplied to the thermoelectric modules to have a first polarity for a selected period of time whereby a block of ice is produced adjacent the top surface of the heat conducting member said timer means being operable after a selected period of time to change the polarity of the electric power to the second polarity thereby heating the heat conducting member to partly melt the ice adjacent the heat conducting member allowing the remaining ice to float in the water in the reservoir and cool the water in the reservoir, sensing means for sensing the size of the block of ice formed on the heat conducting member, said sensing means including a photo optical sensor mounted on the cup-shaped member for generating a light beam located above the heat conducting member and projected across the water in the cup-shaped member, said light beam being broken by a block of ice of a selected size, said control means including means responsive to the broken light beam to change the polarity of the electric power to the second polarity prior to the selected period of time established by the timer means thereby heating the heat conducting member allowing the remaining ice to float in the water in the reservoir and cool the water in the reservoir. 
     
     
       2. The water cooler of  claim 1  including a heat sink located adjacent the second surface of the thermoelectric module. 
     
     
       3. The water cooler of  claim 1  wherein: the means for sensing the temperature of the heat conducting member includes a thermocouple mounted on the heat conducting member, said thermocouple being operable to cause said signal when the heat conducting member is at a temperature that is below the freezing temperature of water. 
     
     
       4. A water cooler for producing ice to cool water comprising: a container having a reservoir for storing water, means mounted on the container for removing water from the reservoir, a thermoelectric module having a first surface and a second surface, plate means of heat conductive material mounted on the container for transferring heat energy between the water in the reservoir and the first surface of the thermoelectric module, said plate means having a top surface in communication with the bottom of the reservoir and the water therein and a bottom surface located in engagement with the first surface of the thermoelectric module, a heat sink located adjacent the second surface of the thermoelectric module for transferring heat to the surrounding environment, control means connecting the thermoelectric module to a source of electric power having a first and second polarity whereby the thermoelectric module cools the plate means when connected to the source of electric power having the first polarity thereby causing a block of ice to form adjacent the surface of the plate means, means for sensing the temperature of the plate means and causing a signal when the plate means has attained a selected temperature for forming ice, timer means responsive to said signal for maintaining the supply of electric power having said first polarity to the thermoelectric module for a selected period of time whereby a block of ice is formed adjacent the plate means, said timer means being operable after the selected period of time to change the polarity of the electric power from the first polarity to the second polarity whereby heat energy is transferred from the thermoelectric module to the plate means causing a part of the block of ice to melt adjacent the plate means so that the remaining block of ice floats in the water in the reservoir, sensing means located above the plate means for detecting the presence of the block of the ice when the block of ice reaches a selected size, and control means for reversing the polarity of the electric power from the first polarity to the second polarity to the thermoelectric module prior to the end of the selected period of time of the timer means when the sensing means detects the presence of the selected size of the block of ice whereby heat energy is transferred to the plate means causing a part of said block of ice to melt adjacent the plate means thereby allowing the remaining block of ice to float in the water in said reservoir and cool the water. 
     
     
       5. The water cooler of  claim 4  wherein: the plate means is a metal member, said means for sensing the temperature of the plate means being mounted on the metal member. 
     
     
       6. The water cooler of  claim 5  wherein: the means for sensing the temperature of the plate means includes a thermocouple mounted on the metal member, said thermocouple being operable to cause said signal when the metal member is at a temperature that is below the freezing temperature of water. 
     
     
       7. The water cooler of  claim 4  wherein: the sensing means is a photo optical sensor generating a light beam above the plate means, said light beam being broken by the selected size of the block of ice, and said control means being responsive to said broken light beam to reverse the polarity of the electric power to the thermoelectric module from the first polarity to the second polarity and change the polarity of the electric power from the second polarity to the first polarity when the light beam is continuous. 
     
     
       8. The water cooler of  claim 4  including: a cup member located at the bottom of the reservoir having a pocket for accommodating water, said plate means being located in the bottom of the cup member whereby ice is formed in said pocket, said means for sensing the temperature of the plate means being connected to the plate means, and said sensing means for detecting the presence of the block of ice being operable to detect the level of ice formed in said pocket. 
     
     
       9. The water cooler of  claim 8  wherein: the means for sensing the temperature of the plate means includes a thermocouple being operable to cause said signal when the plate means is at a temperature that is below the freezing temperature of the water. 
     
     
       10. A method of cooling water in a container having a reservoir for storing water with a thermoelectric module located adjacent a member for conducting heat energy between the water in the reservoir and the thermoelectric module comprising: storing water in the reservoir, cooling the member with the thermoelectric module by supplying electric power having a first polarity to the thermoelectric module, sensing the temperature of the member, maintaining the supply of electric power having the first polarity to the thermoelectric module to maintain the sensed temperature of the member at a temperature below the temperature at which water freezes for a selected period of time to form a block of ice adjacent the member from the water in the reservoir, sensing the size of the block of ice in the reservoir formed adjacent the member, reversing the polarity of the electric power supplied to the thermoelectric module to a second polarity when a selected size of the block of ice is sensed before the end of the selected period of time that the supply of electric power is maintained having the first polarity to the thermoelectric modular thereby causing the thermoelectric module to heat the member to a temperature that melts a portion of the block of ice adjacent the member so as to allow the remaining block of ice to float in the water in the reservoir, and changing the polarity of the electric power supplied to the thermoelectric module from the second polarity back to the first polarity when a block of ice is not sensed in the reservoir whereby the thermoelectric module operates to cool the member to form another block of ice. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  wherein: the supply of electric power having the first polarity to the thermoelectric module is commenced for the selected period of time when the sensed temperature is at least minus 8 degrees C. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  wherein: the electric power supplied to the thermoelectric module is maintained for at least 40 minutes. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10  wherein: the maintaining of the electric power supply having the first polarity to the thermoelectric module is achieved with a timer which commences operation for the selected period of time in response to sensed temperatures below the temperature at which water freezes. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10  wherein: the sensing of the temperature of the member is accomplished with a temperature sensing device secured to the member. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 10  wherein: the maintaining of the electric power supply having the first polarity of the thermoelectric module is achieved with a timer which commences operation for the selected period of time in response to a sensed temperature which is below the temperature at which water freezes, and the sensing of the temperature of the member is accomplished with a temperature sensing device. 
     
     
       16. The water cooler of  claim 4  wherein: the means for sensing the temperature of the plate means is set to sense a temperature of about minus 8 degrees C. on the plate means. 
     
     
       17. A water cooler comprising: a container having a reservoir for storing water, heat conductor means mounted on the container having a first surface in contact with the water located in the reservoir and a second surface spaced from the first surface, a thermoelectric module engageable with the second surface for selectively cooling and heating the heat conductor means to form ice adjacent the first surface of the thermoelectric module and melt part of the ice adjacent the first surface of the thermoelectric to allow the remaining ice to float in the water in the reservoir, control means connecting the thermoelectric module to a source of electric power having a first and second polarity whereby the thermoelectric module cools the heat conductor means when the electric power has the first polarity, timer means for maintaining the supply of electric power having said first polarity to the thermoelectric module for a selected period of time whereby a block of ice is formed adjacent the first surface of the heat conductor means, said timer means being operable after the selected period of time to change the polarity of the electric power from the first polarity to the second polarity whereby heat energy is transferred from the thermoelectric module to the heat conductor means causing part of the block of ice to melt adjacent the first surface of the heat conductor means so that the remaining block of ice floats in the water in the reservoir, sensing means spaced from the conductor means for detecting the presence of the block of ice when the block of ice reaches a selected size, and control means for reversing the polarity of the electric power from the first polarity to the second polarity to the thermoelectric module prior to the end of the selected period of time of the timer means when the sensing means detects the presence of the selected size of the block of ice whereby heat energy is transferred to the heat conductor means causing a part of said block of ice to melt adjacent the heat conductor means thereby allowing the remaining block of ice to float in the water in said reservoir and cool the water. 
     
     
       18. The water cooler of  claim 17  including: means for sensing the temperature of the heat conductor means and causing a signal when the heat conductor means has attained a selected temperature for forming ice adjacent the heat conductor means, said signal being operable to actuate the timer means to connect the source of electric power having the first polarity to the thermoelectric module thereby commencing the selected period of time of operation of the timer means. 
     
     
       19. The water cooler of  claim 18  wherein: the means for sensing the temperature of the heat conductor means is set to sense a temperature of about minus 8 degrees C. on the heat conductor means. 
     
     
       20. The water cooler of  claim 18  wherein: the means for sensing the temperature of the heat conductor means includes a thermocouple mounted on the heat conductor means, said thermocouple being operable to cause said signal when the heat conductor means is at a temperature that is below the freezing temperature of water. 
     
     
       21. The water cooler of  claim 17  wherein: the sensing means is a photo optical sensor generating a light beam spaced from the heat conductor means, said light beam being broken by the selected size of the block of ice, and said control means being responsive to said broken light beam to reverse the polarity of the electric power to the thermoelectric module from the first polarity to the second polarity and change the polarity of the electric power from the second polarity to the first polarity when the light beam is continuous. 
     
     
       22. The water cooler of  claim 17  including: a cup member located at the bottom of the reservoir having a pocket for accommodating water, said heat conductor means being located in the bottom of the cup member whereby ice is formed in said pocket, and said sensing means for detecting the presence of the block of ice being operable to detect the level of the block of ice formed in said pocket. 
     
     
       23. A water cooler comprising: a container having a reservoir for storing water, heat conductor means mounted on the container having a first surface in contact with the water located in the reservoir and a second surface spaced from the first surface located outside of the resevoir, a thermoelectric module engageable with the heat conductor means for selectively cooling and heating the heat conductor means to selectively form ice adjacent the first surface of the thermoelectric module and melt part of the ice adjacent the first surface of the thermoelectric module to allow the remaining ice to float in the water in the reservoir, control means connecting the thermoelectric module to a source of electric power having a first and second polarity whereby the thermoelectric module cools the heat conductor means when the electric power has the first polarity, said control means being operable to reverse the polarity of the electric power from the first polarity to the second polarity and from the second polarity back to the first polarity, temperature sensing means mounted on the heat conductor means for providing a first signal indicating that the temperature of the first surface of the heat conducting means is below the freezing temperature of water, timer means actuated by the first signal for maintaining the supply of electric power having said first polarity to the thermoelectric module for a selected period of time whereby a block of ice is formed adjacent the first surface of the heat conductor means, said timer means being operably connected to the control means and temperature sensing means whereby the first signal from the temperature sensing means actuates the temperature sensing means and control means after the selected period of time to change the polarity of the electric power from the first polarity to the second polarity so that heat energy is transferred from the thermoelectric module to the heat conductor means causing part of the block of ice to melt adjacent the first surface of the heat conductor means so that the remaining block of ice floats in the water in the reservoir, sensing means spaced from the heat conductor means for detecting the presence of the block of ice in the reservoir when the block of ice reaches a selected size, said sensing means operative connected to the control means providing a second signal when there is no ice is detected to cause said control means to reset the electric power polarity from the second polarity back to the first polarity and the timer means. 
     
     
       24. The water cooler of  claim 23  wherein: the temperature sensing means includes a thermocouple mounted on the heat conductor means, said thermocouple being operable to cause said first signal when the heat conductor means is at a temperature that is below the freezing temperature of water. 
     
     
       25. A water cooler comprising: a container having a bottom wall and a reservoir for storing water, an ice forming unit mounted on the bottom wall for making ice in the reservoir, means for operating the ice forming unit, a temperature sensing device mounted on the ice forming unit causing a signal when the ice forming unit has attained a selected temperature for forming ice in said reservoir, timing means for actuating the means for operating the ice forming unit for a selected period of time whereby ice is formed in the reservoir adjacent the ice forming unit, said timing means being connected to the temperature sensing device and operable in response to said signal indicating that the ice forming unit has attained the selected temperature for forming ice in said reservoir. 
     
     
       26. The water cooler of  claim 25  wherein: the ice forming unit is a thermoelectric module and the temperature sensing device is a thermocouple. 
     
     
       27. The water cooler of  claim 25  including: a sensor to determine the presence of ice in the reservoir above a predetermined thickness, said sensor generating a signal when ice is not present adjacent the sensor, said signal activating the means for operating the ice forming unit and timing means actuated by the signal from the temperature sensing device. 
     
     
       28. The water cooler of  claim 27  wherein: the sensor is an electrical photo-optical device. 
     
     
       29. The water cooler of  claim 25  wherein: the ice forming unit is a thermoelectric module and the means for operating the ice forming unit includes an electric power supply having a polarity reversing a device operable connected to the thermoelectric module. 
     
     
       30. The water cooler of  claim 25  including: a sensor to determine the presence of ice in the reservoir above a predetermined thickness, said sensor generating a no ice signal when ice is not present adjacent the sensor, said no ice signal activating the means for operating the ice forming unit, the ice forming unit is a thermoelectric module and the means for operating the ice forming unit includes an electric power supply having a polarity reversing device operably connected to the thermoelectric module.