Principle Of Operation - Vogt BP360 Service Manual

Principle of Operation

Ensure that operator access to the ice hopper is not possible during operation
The BP360 is designed to produce solid ice blocks continuously at the rate of 360 blocks per hour, provided that a
sufficient supply of ice fragments are available. The machine assembly includes a hydraulic pump that operates two (2)
horizontally mounted hydraulic cylinders. The actions of these cylinders are directionally opposed.
When the machine power switch is turned on, the hydraulic pump starts and begins to build hydraulic pressure in the
system until it reaches operational condition. The photovoltaic sensor will detect the amount of light present in the ice
hopper and send a start or stop signal through the control panel terminal set to the ice supply system, depending on
whether or not ice is present in the hopper. Once the photovoltaic registers that ice is in the hopper, the ice supply
system to the machine will stop, the main cylinder will retract, and the opposing cylinder will extend. All of these actions
occur simultaneously.
As the opposing cylinder extends, the ice cut-off slide cuts through the top of the ice in the ice hopper. This allows for
consistency in the size of block produced. When the opposing cylinder is at full extension, the ice cut-off slide will fully
close off the ice hopper. The cylinder remains in the extended position to close off one end of the compacting chamber.
The ice cut-off slide is directly connected to the opposing cylinder.
When the main cylinder is fully retracted, the ice contained in the hopper beneath the ice cut-off slide drops into the
compacting chamber. The main cylinder trips a limit switch (LS-4) at full retraction that sends a signal to the control
panel to reverse the direction of the cylinder. This allows the cylinder to extend. LS-4 also energizes the time delay relay
(TDR-2) that activates the water injection solenoid valve. The water injection solenoid valve will remain open for the
length of time determined by the knob position on the relay inside of the control panel.
The extending main cylinder pushes the ice from underneath the hopper towards the now stationary opposing cylinder.
The ice block begins to form as the ice fragments are trapped between the pads on the cylinders. Hydraulic line
pressures will rise as the forming ice block creates resistance for cylinders until the pressure switch set point is reached.
The set point on the switch is factory set at 2000 PSI. By loosening the set screw and using a hex key, the switch can be
adjusted. The switch should always be set between 1500 PSI and 2000 PSI. Activation of the pressure switch energizes
the compact hold delay, TDR-1. After the timer stops, the opposing cylinder will retract.
By the retraction of the opposing cylinder, the end of the compacting chamber is exposed to allow the main cylinder to
push the ice block out of the machine. Additionally, it will cause the ice cut-off slide to open up the ice hopper and allow
the next batch of ice fragments to fall into the hopper to form the next ice block. As the ice drops into the ice hopper,
the photovoltaic sensor will detect the need for more ice to be sent to the machine. It will then turn on the ice supply
system to provide additional ice to the machine.
The main cylinder will continue to extend, pushing the newly formed ice block out of the machine, and down onto the
exit slide provided. When the main cylinder reaches full extension, it contacts limit switch (LS-2) to signal the start of the
next forming cycle. As the ice block exits the machine, it contacts limit switch (LS-5) to signal the control system that the
block is free from the machine. When the photovoltaic sends a "stop ice feed" signal, and when LS-1, LS-2, and LS-5 are
activated, the next forming cycle will start.
! DANGER
This machine contains moving hydraulic cylinders
Serious injury can result
! DANGER
!
!
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