# US 10,306,906 B2 · Chilled food product dispenser and method with adaptive control of refrigeration system

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,306,906 B2
- Document ID: US10306906B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/820,148
- Filed: 2015-08-06
- Published: 2015-12-03
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2013-02-06
- Assignees: H. C. Duke & Son LLC
- Applicants: H. C. Duke & Son LLC
- Inventors: Kyle B. Elsom; James A. Quandt
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10306906B2

## CPC

- A23G 9/228: {Arrangement and mounting of control or safety devices}
- F25B 49/022: {Compressor control arrangements}
- F25D 29/00: Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F25B 2600/0251: with on-off operation
- F25B 2700/2117: of an evaporator
- A23G: COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
- F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B)

## Abstract

An improved refrigeration compressor actuator is described for a chilled food dispensing apparatus. The actuator is connected to a temperature sensor located near or at the evaporator unit of the apparatus. The temperature of the apparatus is controlled by a compressor actuator that measures the temperature from the temperature sensor and is responsive to the rate of change in temperature per unit time.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A chilled food product dispensing apparatus comprising:
a. a compressor having an input and an output and an ON and OFF state;
b. a condenser having an input connected to said compressor output and having and a condenser output;
c. a chilled food product container;
d. a dispensing member on said chilled food product container;
e. an evaporator unit associated with said chilled food product container having an input coupled to said condenser output and an output connected to said compressor input;
f. a temperature sensor near or at said evaporator unit measuring a first temperature at a first time and a second temperature at a second time; and
g. a compressor actuator coupled to said temperature sensor where the rate of change in temperature between the first temperature and second temperature and the first time and second time is used calculate the rate of change in temperature per unit time and to change the compressor from an ON state to an OFF state in response to the rate of change in temperature per unit time as sensed by said temperature sensor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The chilled food product dispensing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a reservoir having an output wherein said chilled food product container further comprises an input wherein said reservoir output is fluidly connected to said chilled food product container input.

### Claim 3

The chilled food product dispensing apparatus of any prior claim wherein said compressor actuator comprises a microprocessor unit.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The chilled food product dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said compressor actuator comprises a relay.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The chilled food product dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said temperature sensor is a thermistor.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The chilled food product dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said temperature sensor is a thermocouple.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The chilled food product dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said temperature sensor is a bimetallic strip.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The chilled food product dispensing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a sensor mechanically connected to said dispensing member and electrically connected to said compressor actuator.