US3465537A - Icemaker using condenser cooling water as thawing medium - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 9, 1969 I M. L. NELSON 3,465,537

ICEMAKER USING CONDENSER COOLING WATER AS THAWING MEDIUM Filed Sept. 12, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I .P i J IL... w m INVENTOR;

E BY

M- L. NELSON Sept. 9, 1969 IGEMAKER USING CONDENSER COOLING WATER AS THAWING MEDIUM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 12, 1967 INVENTORQ /Vc= 7.9071

M. L. NELSON Sept. 9,1969

ICEMAKER USING CONDENSER COOLING WATER AS THAWING MEDIUM 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed Sept. 12, 1967 TO DRAIN R M W, we 6 mm 7 4 4v 4 y United States Patent "ice 3,465,537 ICEMAKER USING CONDENSER COOLING WATER AS THAWING MEDIUM Marcus L. Nelson, Albert Lea, Minn., assignor to King- Seeley Thermos Co., Ann Arbor, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Sept. 12, 1967, Ser. No. 667,117 Int. Cl. F25d 17/02; F25c 5/10, N00 US. Cl. 62-181 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An icemaking apparatus comprising an inverted ice forming mold; a refrigeration system including an evaporator and a condenser comprising a tank containing thawing water in heat transfer relation with the hot gaseous refrigerant line of the refrigeration system; a thawing water retaining compartment adjacent the mold and adapted to contain water in heat transfer relation with respect to the evaporator; a. water reservoir disposed below the form; spraying means for directing water wtihin the reservoir toward the form; a water inlet and a water outlet and fluid circuit means communicating the inlet with the tank and the outlet with the reservoir; a pump for pumping water from the reservoir to the fluid s raying means and a motor for driving the pump; conduit means disposed between the motor and the reservoir for communicating water from around the pump shaft back to the reservoir; an auxiliary water circulating system communicable with the water inlet and the condenser for supplying additional cooling effect, and means responsive to the refrigerant pressure within the refrigeration system for selectively controlling the flow of water through the auxiliary circuit, the above system being adapted to use a quantity of water as a cooling medium for the condenser during the freezing cycle, wherein such water is heated a predetermined amount, thereafter using that heated water to release the ice from the ice form, and finally use the same water to make up the ice during the next successive freezing cycle.

Background of the invention In Patent No. Re. 26,101, reissued Oct. 11, 1966, for Ice Making Apparatus, and assigned to the assignee of this application, an apparatus is shown for producing ice cubes or the like and comprising a plurality of inverted ice cube molds or forms adapted to have water sprayed therewithin by means of a water spraying device located below the forms. Surrounding the ice cube forms is a Warm water basin or platen which is adapted to be filled with thawing Water after the freezing portion of the cycle has been completed, whereupon the ice cubes which were formed within the molds will drop therefrom into a chute or storage bin during a subsequent harvest portion of the operational cycle. After the ice cubes have thus been formed and released, the thawing water is transferred to a sump tank to be used for supplying water to the spraying device during the next freezing portion of the cycle. The condenser comprises a tank filled with water in heat transfer relation with the hot refrigerant line of the refrigeration system. During the freezing cycle this water serves as the primary cooling medium for the condenser and is thereby warmed. At the conclusion of the freezing cycle water from this tank is delivered to the basin or platen and serves as the thawing medium during the harvest cycle. During the freezing cycle, valve mechanism which senses the hot gaseous refrigerant pressure provides for a modulated or controlled flow of water through the tank to thereby control the cooling effect of the condenser.

3,465,537 Patented Sept. 9, 1969 The present invention is generally related to an icemaking apparatus of the above described character; however, the apparatus of the present invention incorporates several new and improved features. In particular, the icemaking apparatus of the present invention incorporates a novel arrangement of component parts wherein the water not used in making cubes during one freezing cycle is automatically carried away from a water reservoir by means of an overflow arrangement, thereby obviating the need for any valve mechanism or the like. Additionally, in the aforementioned patent, during the freezing portion of the cycle, the aforementioned valve mechanism provides for a controlled flow of water through the thawing water tank to cool the condenser. In the instant invention, no flow of water through the thawing water tank occurs during the freezing cycle. In the event additional cooling of the condenser is need, an auxiliary water circuit is called upon to supply such additional cooling effect suitable means responsive to the refrigerant pressure within the refrigeration system being utilized to selectively communicate fresh water to the auxiliary water circuit. With the subject construction, effective operation of the icemaking apparatus may be achieved by using considerably less water than was heretofore necessary in the aforementioned type of ice cube producing device, whereby to substantially enhance the economies of operation.

The icemaking apparatus of the present invention is further characterized by unique arrangement of the water pump and drive motor for the pump with respect to the water reservoir, which arrangement obviates the need for any expensive water tight seals, packings or the like on the drive shaft operatively connecting the motor with the pump. Such a construction is accomplished by a particular arrangement of the pump motor and through the provision of a specially located conduit or pipe which interconnects the shaft housing for the pump with the water reservoir, which conduit is adapted to communicate any excess water, which might ordinarily tend to move upwardly along the pump drive shaft toward the motor, back to the reservoir, thereby preventing any damage to the pump motor.

Summary of the invention This invention relates generally to icemaking apparatus and, more particularly, to a new and improved apparatus for forming ice cubes by means of spraying water into a plurality of inverted molds, wherein the same water that is used for making the cubes is used as a condensing medium and means for releasing the cubes from the ice forming molds.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved icemaking apparatus.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an icemaking apparatus which utilizes the same water as a condensing medium, as a means for releasing the cubes from their associated forming molds, and for the water used in making the cubes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved icemaking apparatus of the above character which obviates the need for any drain valves or the like for releasing water not used in forming the cubes during the freezing portion of the operational cycle.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved icemaking apparatus of the above character which incorporates an independent water circuit for an auxiliary cooling means for the refrigerator condenser.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved icemaking apparatus of the above type which includes pressure responsive valve means for permitting cold water to supply additional cooling effect to the condenser of the refrigeration system.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved icemaking apparatus of the above character which is of an arrangement wherein the drive motor for the water pump is located above the water level of the water reservoir and is provided with conduit means for communicating water away from the drive shaft of the motor, whereby to obviate the need for any special pump packings, seals or the like.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an icemaking apparatus of the above character wherein water which is heating as a result of cooling the refrigerator condenser is adapted to be forced to a position adjacent the ice cube forming molds solely by means of fresh cold potable water that is communicated to the apparatus.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of an icemaking apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1, as seen in the direction of the arrow 2 thereof;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1, as seen in the direction of the arrow 5 thereof;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 77 of FIGURE 6.

Description of a preferred embodiment Referring now to the drawings, an icemaking apparatus 10, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown as comprising an exterior enclosure or cabinet, generally designated 12, that is preferably provided with insulation 14 along the exterior walls thereof and includes a lower compartment 16 and an upper compartment 18. Generally speaking, the lower compartment 16 contains a refrigeration system consisting, except as hereinafter stated, of substantially conventional elements, and the upper compartment 18 comprises means for producing a supply of ice in cubed form, as will hereinafter be described in detail.

As best seen in FIGURES 1, 6 and 7, the refrigeration system incorporated in the icemaking apparatus of the present invention comprises a usual compressor 20 that is supported by means of suitable support brackets or the like 22 that are rigidly secured to the lower end of the cabinet 12 by means of suitable screws, bolts or the like 24. The compressor 20 is provided with an inlet conduit 26 and an outlet conduit 28, the latter of which leads to a condenser, generally designated 30. Condenser 30 comprises a closed tank 34, which houses a pair of interleaved helically formed coils 32 and 33 which are soldered or otherwise bonded to each other in continuous surface engagement throughout their lengths so as to provide for efficient heat transfer therebetween. The inlet of coil 32 is directly and continuously connected to the high pressure line 28 leading from the compressor. The outlet 94 of coil 32 leads to the evaporator, as described below. Tank 34 contains a body of water which, during one freezing cycle, serves as a primary cooling medium for the condenser; during the next harvest cycle serves as thawing water for the ice cubes; and provides the make-up water for the next freezing cycle.

A water inlet lines 36 which is adapted to be connected with a suitable source of fresh potable water leads through a T-connection 46 and a solenoid valve mechanism, generally designated 38, to the inlet 40 of tank 34. Valve 38 is mounted on the top of the tank 34 by a suitable fitting 42. The valve mechanism 38 may be of any conventional construction adapted to be actuated in response to an electrical signal communicated thereto by means of suitable electrical conductors, generally designated 43, whereby the valve mechanism 38 will selectively communicate water flowing through the water inlet conduit 36 to the standpipe 40, with the result that such water will flow into the tank 34. The water outlet conduit 96 extends upwardly from the lower compartment 16 to the icemaking mechanism located in the upper compartment 18, as will hereinafter be described.

As best illustrated in FIGURE 6, the T-fitting 46 functions to connect one end of an auxiliary water conduit 48 to the supply conduit 36. The opposite end of the conduit 48 is connected to a usual pressure responsive modulating type valve mechanism, generally designated by the numeral 50, the sensing chamber whereof is also connected by means of a suitable pressure line 52 and T- fitting 54 with the outlet conduit 28 of the compressor 20. Thus, valve mechanism responds to the refrigerant pressure within the conduit 28 of the compressor 20. Increases in this pressure above a predetermined minimum cause valve 50 to proportionately and progressively move from the closed position toward the open position and decreases below a predetermined maximum, cause a progressive and proportional movement toward the closed position. When the valve mechanism 50 is fully or partially open, the auxiliary water conduit 48 is connected to another auxiliary conduit 56 which opens into the previously mentioned second coil 33 in the condenser 30. The outlet 44 of coil 33 may lead directly to drain. Thus, in accordance with one feature of the present invention, the water in tank 34 constitutes the primary cooling medium for condenser 30, but additional cooling effect is produced by a progressively controlled fiow of Water through the auxiliary coil 33. In the event the internal pressure of the refrigerant in the compressor 20 exceeds a predetermined level this minimizes the water consumed by the apparatus 10.

Referring now to the contents of the upper compartment 18 of the cabinet 12, as best seen in FIGURES 1 through 3, the upper compartment 18 is provided with a generally vertically extending ice conveying chute 60 which defines a horizontally disposed shoulder or ledge 62 around the upper end thereof. Fixedly mounted on the shoulder 62 is a generally rectangular shaped water containing vessel or platen, generally designated 64, which comprises a bottom wall section 66 and four vertically extending wall sections 68. As shown in FIGURE 3, the sections 66 and 68 of the platen 64 define a central cavity 70 within which a usual refrigeration coil or evaporator 72 is located, the evaporator 72 comprising inlet and outlet lines 74 and 76, as illustrated in FIGURE 2.

The platen 64 is preferably fabricated of a molded rubber material or the like and is formed with a plurality of symmetrically oriented openings, generally designated 78, in the lower end thereof, which openings 78 are defined by upwardly extending tapered flange portions 80 integrally formed on the upper side of the bottom wall section 66. The flange sections 80 define radially outwardly extending annular grooves or recesses 82 which are adapted to removably receive radially outwardly extending shoulder portions 84 formed around the lower ends of a plurality of circular ice-forming molds or cups 86, as seen in FIGURE 3. The platen 64 is also formed with an overflow passage 88 which is adapted to automatically communicate water out of the cavity 70 in the event the level or upper surface thereof rises above a position indicated by the line 90 in FIGURE 3, the overflow passage 88 being adapted to communicate such water downwardly to a water reservoir disposed directly below the platen 64, as will hereinafter be described. The platen 64 is further provided with a relatively small passage 92 which is formed in the bottom wall section 66 thereof. The passage 92 is adapted to release or dribble any water that may be contained within the cavity 70 of the platen 64 to the aforementioned reservoir at a controlled rate, whereby to obviate the need for any drain valve or the like on the platen 64, as will later be described.

As best illustrated in FIGURES l and 6, the inlet and outlet lines 74 and 76 of the evaporator 72 are connected with the high and low pressure refrigerant conduits 94 and 26, respectively, which extend upwardly from the lower compartment 16 to the upper compartment 18, whereby to complete a usual circuit between the condenser 30, compressor 20 and evaporator 72, it being understood that the connection between lines 94 and 74 includes a usual pressure reducing device such as a capillary tube or expansion valve (not shown). Thus, it will be seen that gaseous refrigerant at relatively high pressure supplied by compressor 20 to condenser 30 is cooled and liquified as it passes through condenser 30. The thus cooled and liquified refrigerant flows from the condenser 30 upwardly through the conduit 94 and the pressure reducing device (not shown) to the inlet line 74 of the evaporator, wherein it is vaporized by the transfer of heat thereto from the water being formed into cubes. The gaseous refrigerant fiows from the evaporator through the outlet line 76, which is joined to the inlet or suction side of the compressor. As illustrated in FIGURE 1, the upper end of the conduit 94 communicating refrigerant to the evaporator 72 may be provided with suitable insulation means 95. The previously mentioned outlet conduit 96 from tank 34 leads directly into the cavity 70 of the platen 64 and delivers water thereto during the harvest portion of the operational cycle, as will hereinafter be described.

The lower end of the ice chute 60 is formed with a converging wall portion 98 which defines a recessed shoulder portion 100 and terminates at the lower end thereof in a generally vertically extending wall section 102 of a water reservoir, generally designated 104. The reservoir 104 is also defined by upwardly extending wall sections 106 and 108. The lower end of the chute 60 and the upper end of the reservoir 104 are separated by a suitable downwardly inclined screen, or the like, 110 which is adapted to allow water to drop downwardly from the lower side of the platen 64 into the reservoir 104 but prevents any ice cubes which are produced during operation of the apparatus from falling into the reservoir 104. The ice cubes which are produced by the apparatus 10 pass down the chute 60 and along screen 110 and through door 112 to a suitable storage bin or ice cube reservoir (not shown) located within the cabinet 12. Door 112 is hingedly or pivotally mounted at 114 to the chute 60. The force of cubes falling against the inner side of the curtain 112 will effect opening thereof, whereby the cubes will drop downwardly into the aforementioned ice cube storage bin or reservoir.

As best seen in FIGURES 1 and 4, means for spraying water into the plurality of inverted cups 86 mounted on the platen 64 is provided by a generally U-shaped water supply conduit 116 having upwardly extending sections 118 and 120' which project through suitable sealed openings 122 and 124, respectively, in the recessed portion 100 of the inclined wall section 98. The upper ends of the conduit sections 118 and 120 are provided by suitable spray nozzles or the like, 126 and 128, respectively, which are located centrally of the platen 64, whereby the nozzles 126, 128 are adapted to concomitantly spray water upwardly into all of the inverted cups 86.

In order to communicate water from within the reservoir 104 to the water supply conduit 116, a pumping assembly, generally designated 130, is provided in the upper compartment 18 of the cabinet 12. More particularly, the assembly 130 comprises a pump unit 132 which includes a pump housing 134 having water inlet and outlet sections 136 and 138, respectively. The inlet section 136 of the pump housing 134 is communicable with the lowermost portion of the reservoir 104 by means of a suitable water conduit 140, while the outlet section 138 of the pump housing 134 is communicable with the lower end of the water supply conduit 116 through a suitable conduit 142. The pump unit 132 includes a suitable impeller 144 which is drivingly connected through a suitable vertically extending drive shaft 146 with a suitable electric pump motor, generally designated 148, mounted directly above the pump unit 132. The shaft 146 extends through a generally vertically disposed shaft housing 150, the interior of which is communicable through a suitable conduit 152 with the interior of the reservoir 104. In accordance with one of the features of the present invention, the conduit 152 is located below the motor 148 and is thereby adapted to function in communicating any water which may tend to rise along the drive shaft 146 during operation of the pumping assembly 130 back to the reservoir 104, thereby obviating the necessity of providing any packing, seals or the like around the upper end of the shaft 146 to prevent water from being transmitted to the pump motor 148. In order to assure that such sealing means is not required on the drive shaft 146, the motor 148 is positioned well above the water level ever attained within the reservoir 104, which water level is controlled by means of an overflow conduit 154 that may lead directly from reservoir 104 to drain. The overflow conduit 154 is positioned relative to the reservoir 104 such that it is adapted to automatically maintain a predetermined volume of water within the reservoir 104, i.e., approximately that quantity of water which is required to make up the next batch of ice cubes during the subsequent operational cycle. By virtue of the provision of the conduit 154, any water transmitted to the reservoir 104 in excess of the aforesaid amount will be automatically communicated to the drain conduit without requiring any drain valves or similar complex and expensive devices to be opened and closed at predetermined times during the operational cycle. Thus, it will be seen that any water which might tend to rise along the shaft 146 will be communicated back to the reservoir 104 through the conduit 152, and that the water level within the reservoir 104 will always be lower than the pump motor 148 through the provision of the overflow conduit 154.

In operation of the icemaking apparatus 10 of the present invention, assuming the initial conditions that the plurality of inverted ice forming molds 86 are empty, that the tank 34 and reservoir 104 are filled with water, that the valve mechanism 38 is closed and that the water inlet line 36 is connected to a suitable source of water, the freezing cycle of the apparatus 10 is initiated by starting operation of the compressor 20, for example, by means of energizing in any usual manual or automatic (such as a bin control) manner a suitable control system which is representatively shown in FIGURES 1 and 6 and generally designated by the numeral 158. As the compressor 20 is started, refrigerant will be forced through the conduit 28 to the condenser 30, and thereafter through the condenser 30 and the conduit 94 and the pressure reducing device (not shown) to the evaporator 72. The refrigerant will thereafter flow through and be vaporized within the evaporator 72 and then be returned to the compressor 20 through the outlet line 76 and compressor inlet conduit 26. Simultaneously, the pump motor 148 will be energized by means of the aforemen tioned control system 158 which is operatively connected to the motor 148 by means of suitable electrical conductors 160, whereby water within the reservoir 104 will be pumped to the water supply conduit 116 and thereafter be sprayed upwardly through the nozzles 126, 128

7 into the inverted cups 86 supported on the lower side of the platen 64.

As a result of the water being sprayed into the cups 86, ice cubes will begin to form therewithin, with any excess water dropping downwardly through the chute 60 into the reservoir 104. During this time, the water within the tank 34 functions to cool the condenser 30, whereby to condense the hot gaseous refrigerant into a liquid, with the result that the water within the tank 34 simultaneously becomes heated preparatory to the harvest portion of the operational cycle. In the event that and if at any time during the freezing cycle the pressure in the line 28 exceeds a predetermined value, indicating a need for more cooling of the condenser than is being accomplished by the water in tank 94, the pressure responsive valve mechanism 50 will be partially or fully opened to allow a corresponding quantity of water to circulate through the auxiliary water coil 33, which water will thereby flow in intimate heat transfer relation with respect to the refrigerant coil 32 of the condenser 30, resulting in a prompt reduction of the refrigerant pressure to within acceptable limits. The water thus transmitted through coil 33 will be communicated to the drain, as above described.

When ice cubes have been formed within the cups 86, after a time which may be controlled by any suitable temperature-sensitive or timing device, the freezing portion of the cycle will be completed and the harvest portion of the cycle will begin. During the harvest portion, the valve mechanism 38 will be opened, with the result that fresh potable water will flow into the tank 34, which incoming water will force the water within the tank 34 that was heated during the freezing portion of the cycle, upwardly through the water outlet conduit 96 which communicates this warm water into the cavity 70 defined by the platen 64. Any excess water conveyed to the cavity 70 will be discharged to the reservoir 104 through the overflow passage 88. The warm water thus transmitted to the platen 64 will flow around the upper sides of the cups 86, thereby thawing the outer surfaces of the ice cubes formed therewithin and releasing such cubes from the platen 64, whereby the cubes will drop downwardly through the chute 60 and force the curtain 112 open to permit the cubes to fall into the ice cube storage bin within the cabinet 12. The warm water which is conveyed to the cavity 70 will be slowly released (during the harvest cycle and the initial part of the next freezing cycle) through the dribble opening 92, wherein such water will drop downwardly into the reservoir 104 to be used during the freezing portion of the next successive cycle, the overflow conduit 154 assuring that the water level in the reservoir 104 will not rise above a preselected position.

After the harvest portion of the cycle has been completed, the valve mechanism 38 will be closed to prevent any further water from entering the tank 34, and any of the water still remaining in the platen 64 will pass through the dribbler opening 92 to the reservoir 104, which water will thereafter be sprayed into the inverted cups 86 to form the batch of ice cubes produced during the next successive operational cycle which would be identical to that hereinabove described.

It will be seen from the above described construction of the present invention that the icemaking apparatus provides a novel and efficient arrangement for producing ice cubes in an extremely rapid, sanitary and economical manner. By virtue of the fact that the same water is used in each operational cycle to cool the condenser 30, to release the cubes previously formed in the platen 64, and to subsequently make up the next batch of cubes, the quantity of water used during each operational cycle is minimized to the extreme. Moreover, it will be seen that any water not used in making cubes during one freezing cycle will be saved until the next freezing cycle in the reservoir 104, and that any excess water will be automatically carried away by means of the overflow conduit 154, thereby obviating the need for any drain valves and associated actuating mechanisms for such valves. Furthermore, the water consumption of the apparatus 10 is maintained at a minimum level since the flow of water through the condenser during the freezing cycle occurs only in the event additional cooling of the condenser 30 is needed. Additionally, the above described embodiment of the present invention is characterized by a unique arrangement of the pump unit 132 and pump motor 148, wherein the pump motor 148 is positioned well above the water level ever attained within the reservoir 104 which, together with the provision of the conduit 142 communicating the shaft housing 150 with the reservoir 104, obviates the necessity of any pump packing or the like between the pump unit 132 and the pump motor 148. Also, it will be noted that by virtue of the closed nature of the water system embodied in the present invention, ordinary city water pressure is sufficient to raise the cooling water from the tank 34 to the platen 64 where such water is used to release the cubes from the cups 86, thereby obviating the need for any secondary pumping arrangement.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment illustrated herein is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In an icemaking apparatus,

a form for receiving water to be frozen,

thawing water retaining means adjacent said form,

a refrigeration system including a condenser,

a water inlet,

first water circulating means in direct heat transfer relation with said condenser and communicable with said thawing water retaining means,

second water circulating means in direct heat transfer relation with said condenser, and means responsive to the operative conditions of said refrigeration system for communicating one of said water circulating means with said water inlet.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said last mentioned means communicates said second water circulating means with said water inlet.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said refrigeration system includes a compressor, and wherein said last mentioned means is responsive to the internal pressure of said compressor.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes a drain means, and wherein said second water circulating means is communicable with said water inlet and said drain means.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes pressure sensitive valve means for communicating said second water circulating means with said water inlet, and wherein said second water circulating means is substantially coextensive of said condenser.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes holding means for said thawing water, said holding means adapted to maintain water in direct heat transfer relation with said condenser, which includes a first conduit for communicating said water inlet with the interior of said holding means, which includes a second conduit in direct heat transfer relation with said condenser and communicable with a drain located exteriorly of said holding means, and which includes valve means responsive to the internal pressure conditions of said refrigeration system selectively communicating said second conduit with said water inlet.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes a water reservoir disposed below said form, means located between said reservoir and said form for directing water toward said form, means for pumping water from said reservoir to said last mentioned means, motor means located above said means for directing water toward said form, and means disposed between said motor means and said pump means for communicating water from said pump means back to said reservoir. 8. In an icemaking apparatus, a form for receiving water to be frozen, a water reservoir disposed below said form, means located between said reservoir and said form for directing water toward said form, pumping means for pumping water from said reservoir to said last mentioned means, motor means for driving said pumping means and spaced vertically therefrom, a driving member for transmitting motive power from said motor means to said pump means, and conduit means having a first portion thereof disposed adjacent said driving member and a second portion thereof communicable with said reservoir, whereby any water accumulating adjacent said driving member upon operation of said motor means will be communicated back through said conduit means to said reservoir.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 8 which includes means for automatically controlling the water level in said reservoir.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 8 which includes overflow meansin said reservoir located below the position of said motor means for assuring the water level in said reserovir will never rise above said position of said motor means.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein said driving member comprises a drive shaft, which includes housing means at least partially enclosing said drive shaft, and wherein said conduit means is communicable with said housing means.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 8 which includes an overflow for said reservoir, and wherein said motor means is disposed above said overflow, whereby the maximum water level attained in said reservoir is below said motor means.

13. In an icemaking apparatus,

a form of receiving water to be frozen,

a water reservoir disposed below said form,

means located between said reservoir and said form for directing water toward said form,

means for pumping water from said reservoir to said last mentioned means,

motor means for driving said pumping means and located thereabove,

means disposed between said motor means and said pumping means for communicating water from said pump means back to said reservoir,

a refrigeration system having a condenser,

water holding means,

valve means for communicating fresh water from a source thereof to said water holding means,

means for retaining water adjacent said form,

conduit means for communicating water from said holding means to said retaining means,

means communicating water from said retaining means to said reservoir,

means for communicating water from said reservoir toward said form,

a water outlet,

means for communicating any water in said reservoir in excess of a predetermined amount to said water outlet,

water circulating means in direct heat transfer relation with said condenser, and

means responsive to the operative condition of said refrigeration system for communicating said water circulating means with said water source.

14. In an icemaking apparatus,

a form for receiving water to be frozen,

a refrigeration system including an evaporator adjacent said form,

means for retaining thawing water adjacent said form,

water holding means for said thawing Water,

valve means for communicating fresh water from a source thereof to said water holding means,

conduit means for communicating thawing water from said holding means to said retaining means,

a water reservoir,

means communicating water from said thawing water retaining means to said reservoir,

means for communicating water from said reservoir toward said form,

a water outlet,

means for communicating any water in said reservoir in excess of apredetermined amount to said water outlet,

a water inlet,

first water circulating means in direct heat transfer relation with said condenser and communicable with said thawing water retaining means,

second water circulating means in direct heat transfer relation with said condenser, and

means responsive to the operative conditions of said refrigeration system for communicating one of said water circulating means with said Water inlet.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,569,113 9/1951 Munshower 62344 X 2,729,070 l/1956 Ames 62352 X 2,921,447 1/ 1960 Gottschalk 62348 X 3,048,988 8/1962 Nelson 62347 3,218,824 11/ 1965 Nelson 62348 3,362,187 1/1968 Kloster et a1. 62347 WILLIAM E. WAYNER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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