ICE MAKER HARVEST CONTROL AND METHOD

The present invention comprises an ice harvest system for use in an ice make r. The ice maker herein includes a refrigeration system for cooling of an evaporator. I ce is formed thereon as water is pumped by a re-circulating pump to flow from a water distribution tube over the evaporator surface. Water that is not immediately frozen there on flows into a water pan positioned there below. A pressure fitting is positioned in the pan at the bottom thereof and connected to a pneumatic tube. The pneumatic tube is connected to a pressure sensor located on a control board at a position remote from the wat er pan. Pressure is communicated through the tube to the pressure sensor as a functi on of the depth of the water in the pan. This pressure is converted by a microprocesso r of the control board for interpretation as a water level in the pan. As the water level in the tray lowers due to the formation of ice, the pressure transmitted to the pressure sensor reduces from a predetermined high or full water level. A harvest point occurs which corresponds to the sensing of a predetermined low water level/low pressure point indicating sufficient ice has formed on the evaporator.