Ice making machine and control method therefor

摘要

An ice making machine (10) comprises a refrigerant system having a compressor (22), a condenser (28), an expansion device (26), an evaporator (24) and interconnecting refrigerant lines; a water system having a fresh water inlet (41), a water circulation mechanism (44), an ice-forming device (48) in thermal contact with the evaporator and interconnecting water lines; and a control system comprising a termperature sensing device (62) in thermal contact with the outlet of the condenser, and a microprocessor (64) programmed to use input from the temperature sensing device either i) at a predetermined time after initiation of a freeze cycle to determine the desired duration of the freeze cycle or ii) at a predetermined time prior to the end of the freeze cycle to determine the desired duration of the harvest cycle, or iii) both i) and ii), to control the refrigeration and water systems to operate in a freeze cycle and/or the harvest cycle until the end of the desired duration(s). <IMAGE>