| 摘要 |
A differential ice sensing system and method for a cold drink beverage dispenser or the like is disclosed. The beverage dispenser has an ice bath cooling tank containing a supply of water. A refrigerated cooling surface is provided within the tank so as to freeze a portion of the water into a body of ice. The beverage dispenser has a beverage flow path which is cooled by the liquid in the ice bath. The differential ice sensing system comprises a first conductivity (or impedance) probe which is disposed in the water of the ice bath at a position where it will sense the conductivity of the ice when the body of ice formed on the refrigerated surface attains a predetermined size. A second conductivity probe is disposed within the liquid so that it is maintained in conductivity sensing relationship with the liquid. Each of the probes is responsive to an electric current supplied thereto to measure the electrical conductivity in its vicinity A system is provided for detecting conductivity differences between the first and second probes indicative of the presence of ice at the first probe and for generating a signal indicating presence of ice at the first probe This signal may be utilized to block the flow of refrigerant to the refrigerated surface when the body of ice formed has reached a pre-determined size and to initiate the flow of refrigerant when the body of ice is less than a desired size.
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