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EP 3 431 905 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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25.03.2020 Bulletin 2020/13 |
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Date of filing: 19.07.2017 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC):
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AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING FREEZING OF A SUBSTANCE
VORRICHTUNG UND VERFAHREN ZUR DETEKTION DES GEFRIERENS EINER SUBSTANZ
APPAREIL ET PROCÉDÉ POUR DÉTECTER LE GEL D'UNE SUBSTANCE
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL
NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
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Date of publication of application: |
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23.01.2019 Bulletin 2019/04 |
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Proprietor: Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. |
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45030 Manisa (TR) |
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Inventor: |
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- ÜNVER,, Burak
45030 Manisa (TR)
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Representative: Flint, Adam |
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Page White & Farrer
Bedford House
John Street London WC1N 2BF London WC1N 2BF (GB) |
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References cited: :
DE-C- 656 208
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US-A- 2 622 923
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for detecting freezing
of a substance.
Background
[0002] So-called frost-free refrigeration apparatus, such as freezers and refrigerators
and the like, employ various complex methods for preventing a build up of ice. One
example of such a method is periodically heating the freezer or refrigerator to melt
any ice that may have formed inside. This process can be wasteful and inefficient.
[0003] US2622923A discloses control devices for controlling the thickness of ice formation in refrigerators
or ice makers or the like, in which the expansion of a freezing liquid is used as
an actuating force.
[0004] DE656208C discloses a method and a device for defrosting the ice covering on the evaporator
or heat sink of a refrigerating apparatus. The defrost can either be done completely
automatically, for example the defrosting process is initiated automatically in the
presence of an ice coating of certain thickness and automatically terminated after
defrosting, or the initiation can also be arbitrary.
Summary
[0005] According to a first aspect disclosed herein, there is provided an apparatus for
detecting freezing of a substance, the apparatus comprising:
a first member comprising at least one container, the container having flexible walls
and containing the substance which has a freezing temperature below which the substance
is solid and above which the substance is fluid; and
a second member;
the first and second members being arranged such that the container of the first member
can be brought into contact with the second member;
the arrangement being such that engagement between the first and second members is
detected when the substance in the container is solid at the time that the container
of the first member is brought into contact with the second member.
[0006] In an example, the first member is rotatable such that rotation of the first member
brings the container of the first member into contact with the second member.
[0007] In an example, the apparatus comprises an electric motor for driving the first member
to bring the container of the first member into contact with the second member.
[0008] In an example, the apparatus comprises a current monitor for detecting a surge in
the motor drive current at the time that the container is brought into contact with
the second member when the substance in the container is solid.
[0009] In an example, the second member is arranged to be driven to move when the container
is brought into contact with the second member when the substance in the container
is solid, the apparatus comprising a generator which is drivable by the second member
and which produces a current when driven by the second member.
[0010] In an example, the second member comprises at least one container, the container
having flexible walls and containing the substance which has a freezing temperature
below which the substance is solid and above which the substance is fluid.
[0011] In an example, the first member comprises plural containers, each container having
flexible walls and containing the substance which has a freezing temperature below
which the substance is solid and above which the substance is fluid.
[0012] In an example, the substance is water which in its fluid state is water or steam
and in its solid state is ice.
[0013] In an example, there is provided refrigeration apparatus comprising apparatus as
described above. The refrigeration apparatus may be for example a refrigerator or
a freezer.
[0014] According to a second aspect disclosed herein, there is provided a method for detecting
freezing of a substance, the method comprising:
moving a first member, the first member comprising at least one container, the container
having flexible walls and containing the substance which has a freezing temperature
below which the substance is solid and above which the substance is fluid;
bringing the container of the first member into contact with a second member; and
receiving an indication that the substance in the container is solid at the time that
the container of the first member is brought into contact with the second member.
[0015] In an example, the method comprises rotating the first member such that the rotation
of the first member brings the container of the first member into contact with the
second member.
[0016] In an example, the method comprises an electric motor which drives the first member
to move to bring the container of the first member into contact with the second member.
[0017] In an example, the method comprises an indication received by a current monitor,
wherein the indication is a surge in the motor drive current at the time that the
container is brought into contact with the second member when the substance in the
container is solid.
[0018] In an example, the second member is driven to move when the container is brought
into contact with the second member when the substance in the container is solid,
and wherein the second member is able to drive a generator, the generator being arranged
to produce a current when driven by the second member.
[0019] In an example, the second member comprises at least one container, the container
having flexible walls and containing the substance which has a freezing temperature
below which the substance is solid and above which the substance is fluid.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0020] To assist understanding of the present disclosure and to show how embodiments may
be put into effect, reference is made by way of example to the accompanying drawings
in which:
Figure 1 shows schematically a first example of apparatus for detecting freezing of
a substance; and
Figure 2 shows schematically a second example of apparatus for detecting freezing
of a substance.
Detailed Description
[0021] As mentioned previously, refrigeration apparatus, such as for example frost-free
freezers and refrigerators and the like, prevent a build-up of ice, particularly on
for example the heat exchanger, using relatively complex or inefficient methods. One
such method is periodically heating a heater that is located on or near the heat exchanger
to melt any ice that may have formed. Often these methods are wasteful, particularly
if heaters are used excessively, and inefficient. These methods have no regard for
whether ice has actually formed, and simply periodically heat the heat exchanger regardless.
[0022] According to examples described herein, an apparatus is arranged to detect the freezing
of a substance, which may be for example water/ice. The apparatus has a first member
comprising a container. The container has flexible walls. The container contains a
substance which has a freezing temperature below which the substance is solid, and
above which the substance is a fluid. The apparatus also has a second member. The
first member and second member are arranged such that when the substance in the container
of the first member is solid at a time that the container makes contact with the second
member, an engagement between the first and second members is detected. Such apparatus
may be used in a refrigeration apparatus, such as a refrigerator or a freezer or the
like. Such apparatus may also be used in other applications where it may be useful
to determine or detect that a substance has solidified.
[0023] Figure 1 shows a first example of an apparatus 100 for detecting that a substance
has solidified. A first member 102 has one or more containers 104 attached to it or
integrally formed with it. The or each container 102 contains a substance for which
it is desired to detect that it has frozen. The or each container 102 has flexible
walls. The or each container 102 may be in the form of a balloon, and may be made
of for example a synthetic or natural rubber or other elastomeric or plastics material.
[0024] The first member 102 is movable to bring the one or more containers 104 into contact
with a second member 106. The first member 102 may be rotatable to bring the containers
104 in contact with the second member 106. In the example shown, the first member
106 is a wheel. However, in other examples, other shapes may be used. For example,
the first member 102 may be a rod, an example of which will be discussed further below.
[0025] The first member 102 may be driven to move by an electric motor 108. In this example,
the second member 106 is static. The second member 106 may be for example a wall or
the like against which the container 104 can strike. The second member 106 may have
a protrusion 110 against which the container 104 can strike.
[0026] The first member 102 and the second member 106 are arranged such that when the substance
in a container 104 of the first member 102 is solid. i.e. has frozen, the contact
between the container 104 and the second member 106 can be detected, whereas when
the substance in a container 104 of the first member 102 is not solid, any contact
between the container 104 and the second member 106 is not detected. This can be done
in a number of ways. In one example, a sharp increase in the current that is driving
the motor 108 may be observed when movement of the motor 108 is inhibited, i.e. when
a container 104 containing the substance in solid form strikes the second member 106.
In particular, when a container 104 of the first member 102 is brought into contact
with the second member 106 and the substance in the container 104 is solid, the motion
of the first member 102 is dampened or supressed. As is known per se, this has the
effect of causing the drive current in the motor 108 to rise sharply, which can be
detected by a current monitoring circuit.
[0027] In another example (not shown), the first member may be in the shape or a rod, which
can be brought into engagement with a second member, such as the second member 106
described above. The rod may carry at least one container, such as a container 104
described above, wherein the container has flexible walls and contains a substance.
The rod may be arranged to move in a rotating or reciprocating or translational movement
so as to bring the container(s) into contact with a static second member.
[0028] A second example of apparatus 200 for detecting freezing of a substance is shown
in Figure 2. In this example, similarly to the first example, a first member 202 has
one or more containers 204 attached to it or integrally formed with it. The or each
container 204 contains a substance for which it is desired to detect that it has frozen.
The or each container 204 has flexible walls. The or each container 204 may be in
the form of a balloon, and may be made of for example a synthetic or natural rubber
or other elastomeric or plastics material. The first member 202 is movable to bring
the one or more containers 204 into contact with a second member 206, in particular
in contact with the containers 204 of the second member 206. In the example shown,
the first member 206 is a wheel. The first member 202 may be driven to move by an
electric motor 208. A first member is connected to a motor 208.
[0029] In this example, the second member 206 is also rotatable and is in the form of a
wheel. However, in other examples, other shapes may be used. The second member 206
has the one or more containers 204 attached to it or integrally formed with it. The
containers 204 have flexible walls. The containers 204 of the second member 206 contain
a substance which has a freezing temperature below which the substance is solid, and
above which the substance is a fluid.
[0030] The first member 202 and the second member 206 are arranged such that when a substance
in a container 204 of the first member 202 is solid, the contact between the container(s)
204 of the first member 202 and the container(s) 204 of the second member 206 can
be detected. To achieve this, in this example the second member 206 is connected to
a generator 212.
[0031] In the example shown in Figure 2, the first member 202 is driven to rotate by the
motor 208. A power supply unit 210 drives the motor 208. When the substance in the
containers 204 is fluid, the containers 204 of the first member 202 are not stiff
or rigid enough to connect with the containers 204 of the second member 206 in a manner
that causes the second member 206 to move. When the substance in the containers 204
is solid, the first member 202 causes the second member 206 to move.
[0032] In this example, the movement of the second member 206 is a rotational movement.
The movement of the second member may drive a generator 212. The output of the generator
is connected to an ADC (analogue to digital conversion) unit 214. An output of the
ADC unit 204 is passed to a microcontroller unit 216. In use, the microcontroller
unit 216 receives an indication that the second member 206 has driven the generator
212 to move. The microcontroller unit 216 in this example is connected to the power
supply unit 210 which drives the motor 208 for the first member 202.
[0033] Additionally, the frictional force associated with movement of the generator 212
may be relatively high. This may help to ensure that movement of the second member
208 is minimized or prevented altogether when the substance in the containers 204
of the first member 202 is a fluid. The frictional force associated with movement
of the motor 208 may be low.
[0034] In an example embodiment, the microcontroller unit 216 may be arranged to control
a component to heat the environment in which the first member and second member reside.
The microcontroller unit may be arranged to continue to provide this control signal
until the generator stops generating a current. Additionally or alternatively, the
heating component may be arranged to heat the environment until the substance in the
container returns to a fluid state. Additionally or alternatively, the heating component
may be arranged to heat the environment up to a maximum period of time. Additionally
or alternatively the heating component may be arrange to heat the environment for
a fixed period of time. In the specific example here, the microcontroller unit 216
may trigger an environmental change to cause the substance in the containers 206 to
return to a fluid state.
[0035] In one specific application of the examples of the apparatus 100, 200 described herein,
the apparatus may be used in a refrigerator or freezer. The apparatus may be used
to detect a build up of ice, especially in heat exchangers. In this example, the substance
in the container(s) will be water or steam in the fluid state and ice when in the
solid state. The apparatus 100, 200 may trigger heating of one or more components
of the refrigerator or freezer, or the region near the one or more components of the
refrigerator or freezer, so as to melt any ice that has built up on the one or more
components. This includes particularly heating the heat exchanger or the region near
the heat exchanger of the refrigerator or freezer so as to melt any ice that has built
up on the heat exchanger. Known apparatus that is designed to reduce the build up
of ice in refrigerators and freezers heat the environment regardless of whether ice
is actually present or not in the appliance. The apparatus described herein allows
the build up of ice to be detected first, thereby allowing heating to occur only when
necessary. Therefore the solution presented by this apparatus to the problem of ice
build up is more efficient than prior art techniques that periodically heat the appliance,
or other such environment in which the apparatus can be used.
[0036] The examples described herein are to be understood as illustrative examples of embodiments
of the invention. Further embodiments and examples are envisaged. Any feature described
in relation to any one example or embodiment may be used alone or in combination with
other features. In addition, any feature described in relation to any one example
or embodiment may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other
of the examples or embodiments, or any combination of any other of the examples or
embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described herein may also
be employed within the scope of the invention, which is defined in the claims.
1. An apparatus for detecting freezing of a substance, the apparatus comprising:
a first member (102, 202) comprising at least one container (104, 204), the container
(104, 204) having flexible walls and containing the substance which has a freezing
temperature below which the substance is solid and above which the substance is fluid;
and
a second member (106, 206);
characterised in that:
the first and second members (102, 202, 106, 206) being arranged such that the container
(104, 204) of the first member (102, 202) can be brought into contact with the second
member (106, 206);
the arrangement being such that engagement between the first (102, 202) and second
members (106, 206) is detected when the substance in the container (104, 204) is solid
at the time that the container (104, 204) of the first member (102, 202) is brought
into contact with the second member (106, 206).
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first member (102, 202) is rotatable
such that rotation of the first member (102, 202) brings the container (104, 204)
of the first member (102, 202) into contact with the second member (106, 206).
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising an electric motor (108, 208)
for driving the first member (102, 202) to bring the container (104, 204) of the first
member (102, 202) into contact with the second member (106, 206).
4. An apparatus according to claim 3, comprising a current monitor for detecting a surge
in the motor (108, 208) drive current at the time that the container (104, 204) is
brought into contact with the second member (106, 206) when the substance in the container
(104, 204) is solid.
5. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second member (106, 206)
is arranged to be driven to move when the container (104, 204) is brought into contact
with the second member (106, 206) when the substance in the container (104, 204) is
solid, the apparatus comprising a generator which is drivable by the second member
(106, 206) and which produces a current when driven by the second member (106, 206).
6. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second member (206) comprises
at least one container (204), the container (204) having flexible walls and containing
the substance which has a freezing temperature below which the substance is solid
and above which the substance is fluid.
7. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first member (102, 202)
comprises plural containers (104, 204), each container (104, 204) having flexible
walls and containing the substance which has a freezing temperature below which the
substance is solid and above which the substance is fluid.
8. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the substance is water which
in its fluid state is water or steam and in its solid state is ice.
9. A refrigeration apparatus characterised in that it comprises an apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8.
10. A method for detecting freezing of a substance, the method comprising:
moving a first member (102, 202), the first member (102, 202) comprising at least
one container (104, 204), the container (104, 204) having flexible walls and containing
the substance which has a freezing temperature below which the substance is solid
and above which the substance is fluid;
characterised in that the method further comprises:
bringing the container (104, 204) of the first member (102, 202) into contact with
a second member (106, 206); and
receiving an indication that the substance in the container (104, 204) is solid at
the time that the container (104, 204) of the first member (102, 202) is brought into
contact with the second member (106, 206).
11. A method according to claim 10, comprising rotating the first member (102, 202) such
that the rotation of the first member (102, 202) brings the container (104, 204) of
the first member (102, 202) into contact with the second member (106, 206).
12. A method according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein an electric motor (108, 208) drives
the first member (102, 202) to move to bring the container (104, 204) of the first
member (102, 202) into contact with the second member (106, 206).
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the indication is received by a current monitor,
wherein the indication is a surge in the motor (108, 208) drive current at the time
that the container (104, 204) is brought into contact with the second member (106,
206) when the substance in the container (104, 204) is solid.
14. A method according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the second member (106, 206)
is driven to move when the container (104, 204) is brought into contact with the second
member (106, 206) when the substance in the container (104, 204) is solid, and wherein
the second member (106, 206) is able to drive a generator (212), the generator (212)
being arranged to produce a current when driven by the second member (106, 206).
15. A method according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the second member (206) comprises
at least one container (204), the container (204) having flexible walls and containing
the substance which has a freezing temperature below which the substance is solid
and above which the substance is fluid.
1. Vorrichtung zum Erkennen des Gefrierens einer Substanz, wobei die Vorrichtung Folgendes
umfasst:
ein erstes Element (102, 202), das mindestens einen Behälter (104, 204) umfasst, wobei
der Behälter (104, 204) flexible Wände aufweist und die Substanz enthält, die einen
Gefrierpunkt aufweist, unterhalb dem die Substanz fest ist und oberhalb dem die Substanz
ein Fluid ist; und
ein zweites Element (106, 206);
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das erste und das zweite Element (102, 202, 106, 206) derart angeordnet sind, dass
der Behälter (104, 204) des ersten Elements (102, 202) mit dem zweiten Element (106,
206) in Kontakt gebracht werden kann;
wobei die Anordnung derart ist, dass ein Eingriff zwischen dem ersten (102, 202) und
dem zweiten Element (106, 206) erkannt wird, wenn die Substanz in dem Behälter (104,
204) zu der Zeit fest ist, zu der der Behälter (104, 204) des ersten Elements (102,
202) mit dem zweiten Element (106, 206) in Kontakt gebracht wird.
2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das erste Element (102, 202) derart drehbar ist,
dass eine Drehung des ersten Elements (102, 202) den Behälter (104, 204) des ersten
Elements (102, 202) mit dem zweiten Element (106, 206) in Kontakt bringt.
3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, umfassend einen Elektromotor (108, 208) zum Antreiben
des ersten Elements (102, 202), um den Behälter (104, 204) des ersten Elements (102,
202) mit dem zweiten Element (106, 206) in Kontakt zu bringen.
4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, umfassend einen Strommonitor zum Erkennen eines Stromstoßes
des Antriebsstroms des Motors (108, 208) zu der Zeit, zu der der Behälter (104, 204)
mit dem zweiten Element (106, 206) in Kontakt gebracht wird, wenn die Substanz in
dem Behälter (104, 204) fest ist.
5. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei das zweite Element (106, 206)
dazu angeordnet ist, zur Bewegung angetrieben zu werden, wenn der Behälter (104, 204)
mit dem zweiten Element (106, 206) in Kontakt gebracht wird, wenn die Substanz in
dem Behälter (104, 204) fest ist, wobei die Vorrichtung einen Generator umfasst, der
durch das zweite Element (106, 206) antreibbar ist und der einen Strom produziert,
wenn er von dem zweiten Element (106, 206) angetrieben wird.
6. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei das zweite Element (206) mindestens
einen Behälter (204) umfasst, wobei der Behälter (204) flexible Wände aufweist und
die Substanz enthält, die einen Gefrierpunkt aufweist, unterhalb dem die Substanz
fest ist und oberhalb dem die Substanz ein Fluid ist.
7. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei das erste Element (102, 202) mehrere
Behälter (104, 204) umfasst, wobei jeder Behälter (104, 204) flexible Wände aufweist
und die Substanz enthält, die einen Gefrierpunkt aufweist, unterhalb dem die Substanz
fest ist und oberhalb dem die Substanz ein Fluid ist.
8. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei die Substanz Wasser ist, das in
seinem Fluidzustand Wasser oder Wasserdampf ist und in seinem festen Zustand Eis ist.
9. Kühlvorrichtung, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie eine Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8 umfasst.
10. Verfahren zum Erkennen des Gefrierens einer Substanz, wobei das Verfahren Folgendes
umfasst:
Bewegen eines ersten Elements (102, 202), wobei das erste Element (102, 202) mindestens
einen Behälter (104, 204) umfasst, wobei der Behälter (104, 204) flexible Wände aufweist
und die Substanz enthält, die einen Gefrierpunkt aufweist, unterhalb dem die Substanz
fest ist und oberhalb dem die Substanz ein Fluid ist; und
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Verfahren weiterhin Folgendes umfasst:
Inkontaktbringen des Behälters (104, 204) des ersten Elements (102, 202) mit einem
zweiten Element (106, 206) und
Empfangen einer Angabe, dass die Substanz in dem Behälter (104, 204) zu der Zeit fest
ist, zu der der Behälter (104, 204) des ersten Elements (102, 202) mit dem zweiten
Element (106, 206) in Kontakt gebracht wird.
11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, umfassend ein Drehen des ersten Elements (102, 202), so
dass die Drehung des ersten Elements (102, 202) den Behälter (104, 204) des ersten
Elements (102, 202) mit dem zweiten Element (106, 206) in Kontakt bringt.
12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10 oder 11, wobei ein Elektromotor (108, 208) das erste Element
(102, 202) antreibt, um den Behälter (104, 204) des ersten Elements (102, 202) mit
dem zweiten Element (106, 206) in Kontakt zu bringen.
13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Angabe von einem Strommonitor empfangen wird,
wobei die Angabe ein Stromstoß des Antriebsstroms des Motors (108, 208) zu der Zeit
ist, zu der der Behälter (104, 204) mit dem zweiten Element (106, 206) in Kontakt
gebracht wird, wenn die Substanz in dem Behälter (104, 204) fest ist.
14. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 10 bis 13, wobei das zweite Element (106, 206)
zur Bewegung angetrieben wird, wenn der Behälter (104, 204) mit dem zweiten Element
(106, 206) in Kontakt gebracht wird, wenn die Substanz in dem Behälter (104, 204)
fest ist, und wobei das zweite Element (106, 206) einen Generator (212) antreiben
kann, wobei der Generator (212) dazu eingerichtet ist, einen Strom zu produzieren,
wenn er von dem zweiten Element (106, 206) angetrieben wird.
15. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 10 bis 14, wobei das zweite Element (206) mindestens
einen Behälter (204) umfasst, wobei der Behälter (204) flexible Wände aufweist und
die Substanz enthält, die einen Gefrierpunkt aufweist, unterhalb dem die Substanz
fest ist und oberhalb dem die Substanz ein Fluid ist.
1. Appareil pour détecter du gel contenu dans une substance, l'appareil comprenant :
un premier élément (102, 202) comportant au moins un contenant (104, 204), le contenant
(104, 204) étant doté de parois souples et contenant la substance dont la température
de congélation se situe en deçà de laquelle la substance est solide et au-dessus de
laquelle la substance est fluide ; et
un deuxième élément (106, 206) ;
caractérisé en ce que
le premier et le deuxième éléments (102, 202, 106, 206) étant agencés de sorte que
le contenant (104, 204) du premier élément (102, 202) peut être mis en contact avec
le deuxième élément (106, 206) ;
l'agencement étant tel que la prise entre le premier (102, 202) et le deuxième (106,
206) éléments est détecté lorsque la substance contenue dans le contenant (104, 204)
est solide au moment où le contenant (104, 204) du premier élément (102, 202) entre
en contact avec le deuxième élément (106, 206) .
2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le premier élément (102, 202) peut
tourner de telle façon que la rotation du premier élément (102, 202) met en contact
le contenant (104, 204) du premier élément (102, 202) avec le deuxième élément (106,
206).
3. Appareil selon, soit la revendication 1, soit la revendication 2, comprenant un moteur
électrique (108, 208) pour entraîner le premier élément (102, 202) pour mettre en
contact le contenant (104, 204) du premier élément (102, 202) avec le deuxième élément
(106, 206).
4. Appareil selon la revendication 3, comprenant un contrôleur de courant pour détecter
une surintensité survenant dans le courant d'attaque du moteur (108, 208) au moment
où le contenant (104, 204) entre en contact avec le deuxième élément (106, 206) lorsque
la substance contenue dans le contenant (104, 204) est solide.
5. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel le deuxième
élément (106, 206) est agencé pour être entraîné de sorte à bouger quand le contenant
(104, 204) entre en contact avec le deuxième élément (106, 206), lorsque la substance
contenue dans le contenant (104, 204) est solide, l'appareil comportant un générateur
que peut être entraîné par le deuxième élément (106, 206) et qui produit du courant
lorsqu'il est entraîné par le deuxième élément (106, 206).
6. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel le deuxième
élément (206) comprend au moins un contenant (204), le contenant (204) étant doté
de parois souples et contenant la substance dont la température de congélation se
situe en deçà de laquelle la substance est solide et au-dessus de laquelle la substance
est fluide.
7. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel le premier élément
(102, 202) comprend une pluralité de contenants (104, 204), chaque contenant (104,
204) étant doté de parois souples et contenant la substance dont la température de
congélation se situe en deçà de laquelle la substance est solide et au-dessus de laquelle
la substance est fluide.
8. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans lequel la substance
est de l'eau qui, dans sont état fluide, est de l'eau ou de la vapeur et, dans son
état solide, est de la glace.
9. Appareil de réfrigération caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8.
10. Procédé pour détecter le gel d'une substance, le procédé consistant à :
déplacer un premier élément (102, 202), le premier élément (102, 202) comportant au
moins un contenant (104, 204), le contenant (104, 204) étant doté de parois souples
et contenant la substance dont la température de congélation se situe en deçà de laquelle
la substance est solide et au-dessus de laquelle la substance est fluide ;
caractérisé en ce que le procédé consiste en outre à :
mettre en contact le contenant (104, 204) du premier élément (102, 202) avec un deuxième
élément (106, 206) ; et
recevoir une indication que la substance contenu dans le contenant (104, 204) est
solide au moment où le contenant (104, 204) du premier élément (102, 202) entre en
contact avec le deuxième élément (106, 206).
11. Procédé selon la revendication 10, consistant à faire tourner le premier élément (102,
202) de sorte que la rotation du premier élément (102, 202) met en contact le contenant
(104, 204) du premier élément (102, 202) avec le deuxième élément (106, 206).
12. Procédé selon, soit la revendication 10, soit la revendication 11, dans lequel un
moteur électrique (108, 208) entraîne le premier élément (102, 202) pour se déplacer
et ainsi mettre en contact le contenant (104, 204) du premier élément (102, 202) avec
le deuxième élément (106, 206).
13. Procédé selon la revendication 12, dans lequel un contrôleur de courant reçoit une
indication, dans lequel l'indication est une surintensité du courant d'attaque du
moteur (108, 208) au moment où le contenant (104, 204) entre en contact avec le deuxième
élément (106, 206) lorsque la substance contenue dans le contenant (104, 204) est
solide.
14. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 à 13, dans lequel le deuxième
élément (106, 206) est entraîné de sorte à bouger quand le contenant (104, 204) entre
en contact avec le deuxième élément (106, 206) lorsque la substance contenue dans
le contenant (104, 204) est solide, et dans lequel le deuxième élément (106, 206)
est capable d'entraîner un générateur (212), le générateur (212) étant agencé de sorte
à produire un courant lorsque entraîné par le deuxième élément (106, 206).
15. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 à 14, dans lequel le deuxième
élément (206) comprend au moins un contenant (204), le contenant (204) étant doté
de parois souples et contenant la substance dont la température de congélation se
situe en deçà de laquelle la substance est solide et au-dessus de laquelle la substance
est fluide.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description