Ice level sensing system

• Main Authors: AUSTIN MARTIN NICHOLAS, SNIDER BRYAN W
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 23.04.2013
• Subjects: BLASTING; COLORIMETRY; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; HEATING; LIGHTING; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT,POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRA-RED,VISIBLE OR ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHT; MEASURING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PHYSICS; PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE; RADIATION PYROMETRY; REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; TESTING; WEAPONS

An ice level sensing system for an appliance having a cavity with a cavity wall. An ice storage bin and an ice maker are disposed within the cavity. The ice storage bin is configured to hold ice discharged from the ice maker. The ice level sensing system includes a transmitter for transmitting a light beam and a detector for detecting the light beam. The transmitter and the detector are disposed on the cavity wall. A reflector is disposed relatively remote from the transmitter. The transmitter is operative to project the light beam toward the reflector. The transmitter and the detector are angled relative to each other so that the light beam reflected by the reflector is directed toward the detector.