Method and apparatus for sensing and controlling the level of ice in an ice dispenser
AssigneeLancer Corporation
InventorsAlfred A. Schroeder, Bennet G. Credle, Richard L. Laughlin, Thomas J. Chadwell
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Abstract
An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the level of ice in an ice storage container includes an emitter mounted within the ice storage container and a detector mounted directly opposite from the emitter. A pulse circuit drives the emitter such that it outputs a pulse train that triggers the detector. A receiver circuit outputs a signal responsive to the detection of the pulse train by the detector. A controller activates an ice maker responsive to the output of the receiver circuit.
Claims10
An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the level of ice in an ice storage container, comprising:
- an emitter mounted within the ice storage container;
- a detector mounted within the ice storage container directly opposite from said emitter;
- a pulse circuit for applying a duty cycle signal to said emitter wherein said duty cycle signal permits the application of increased power to said emitter to increase the signal level of a pulse train output by said emitter, said pulse circuit comprising:
- a timer configured to generate a pulse train signal,
- an invertor for amplifying the pulse train signal, and
- a power transistor for amplifying the pulse train signal;
- and
- a receiver circuit for outputting a signal responsive to the pulse train detected by said detector.
An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the level of ice in an ice storage container, comprising:
- an emitter mounted within the ice storage container;
- a detector mounted within the ice storage container directly opposite from said emitter;
- a pulse circuit for applying a duty cycle signal to said emitter wherein said duty cycle signal permits the application of increased power to said emitter to increase the signal level of a pulse train output by said emitter;
- and
- a receiver circuit for outputting a signal responsive to the pulse train detected by said detector, said receiver circuit comprising:
- an amplifier for amplifying the pulse train signal detected by said detector,
- a multivibrator configured to output a first signal responsive to the input of the pulse train wherein, when said multivibrator fails to detect the pulse train for a predetermined time period, said multivibrator outputs a second signal, and
- a switch responsive to the first and second signals output by said multivibrator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.