Devices for producing clear ice products

Abstract

Systems and methods for making clear ice are described. The system may include a housing comprising a plurality of elongate troughs. Each of the plurality of elongate troughs may have at least one flume surface wall in thermal communication with a cooling source while the housing is submerged in a fluid bath. The system may further include at least one intake disposed to provide a flow of fluid to the housing and a means for distributing the flow of fluid from the at least one intake into the plurality of elongate troughs.

Description

DEVICES FOR PRODUCING CLEAR ICE PRODUCTSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 486,102, filed on February 21, 2023, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0002] All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety, as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] This disclosure relates generally to the field of ice manufacturing, and more specifically to the field of clear ice manufacturing. Described herein are devices and methods for producing clear ice.BACKGROUND

[0004] Ice can crack under a variety of circumstances experienced during or after a freezing process. Sometimes, during the freezing process, when the exterior of the ice freezes first and then further cools during subsequent freezing, interior tension in the ice is created. This interior tension causes cracking of the ice when the tension exceeds a certain threshold (e.g., about IMPa). Unclear ice may result from this super cooling. For example, some ice machines slightly super cool water before freezing occurs. This causes smaller, faster crystallization, which can lead to uneven pressure and greater cloudiness. Taken together, improper ice freezing techniques and equipment result in less-than-ideal iceSUMMARY

[0005] There is a need for new and useful device and method for producing clear ice specifically for use in beverages. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device for making clear ice including: a housing including a plurality of elongate troughs, each of the plurality of elongate troughs having at least one flume surface wall in thermalcommunication with a cooling source while the housing is submerged in a fluid bath; at least one fluid intake disposed to provide a flow of fluid to the housing; and a means for distributing the flow of fluid from the at least one fluid intake into the plurality of elongate troughs while maintaining a substantially laminar fluid flow and substantially equal fluid pressure along the plurality of elongate troughs while the housing is submerged in the fluid bath and during a freezing operation of the device.

[0006] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the at least one fluid intake is coupled to a venturi nozzle to increase fluid flow into one or more elongate troughs in the plurality of elongate troughs, in response to determining that the one or more elongate troughs exhibit a fluid pressure drop below a predefined threshold pressure. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein each of the plurality of elongate troughs are arranged substantially in parallel to a longitudinal axis of the device, and modularly coupled to at least one other elongate trough in the plurality of elongate troughs.

[0007] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the plurality of elongate troughs include: a first elongate trough including: a first sidewall having a first notched portion formed at a top outer portion of the first sidewall and a first keyholeshaped slot formed within a middle outer portion of the first sidewall, the first notched portion and the first keyhole-shaped slot extending along a length of the first sidewall; and a second sidewall having a second notched portion formed at a top outer portion of the second sidewall and a second keyhole-shaped slot formed within a middle outer portion of the second sidewall, the second notched portion and the second keyhole-shaped slot extending along a length of an outer wall of the second sidewall, a second elongate trough including: a third sidewall having a third notched portion formed at a top outer portion of the third sidewall and a third keyholeshaped slot formed within a middle outer portion of the third sidewall, the third notched portion and the third keyhole-shaped slot extending along a length of an outer wall of the third sidewall; and a fourth sidewall having a fourth notched portion formed at a top outer portion of the fourth sidewall and a fourth keyhole-shaped slot formed within a middle outer portion of the fourth sidewall, the fourth notched portion and the fourth keyhole-shaped slot extending along a length of an outer wall of the fourth sidewall, wherein the second notched portion is configured to align with the third notched portion and the second keyhole-shaped slot is configured to removably fasten to the third keyhole-shaped slot.

[0008] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, further including a third elongate trough in the plurality of elongate troughs, the third elongate trough including:a fifth sidewall having a fifth notched portion formed at a top outer portion of the fifth sidewall and a fifth keyhole-shaped slot formed within a middle outer portion of the fifth sidewall, the fifth notched portion and the fifth keyhole-shaped slot extending along a length of an outer wall of the fifth sidewall, wherein the fourth notched portion is configured to align with the fifth notched portion and the fourth keyhole-shaped slot is configured to removably fasten to the fifth keyhole-shaped slot.

[0009] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the fluid bath provides a fluid level that is between 2.5 centimeters to about 10.1 centimeters above a top surface of the submerged housing. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, further including: an ejection assembly including at least a lead screw coupled to a drive mechanism, the ejection assembly being coupled to a portion of the housing and to a frame structure coupled to the housing; a paddle assembly including a plurality of prongs and a guide, the guide being configured to receive the lead screw threaded therethrough.

[0010] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the housing further includes a first end and a second end that are configured to be raised from a first position to a second position to release the clear ice formed within at least one of the plurality of elongate troughs, wherein the first position includes both the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing being substantially parallel to and beneath a surface of the fluid bath and the second position includes the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing being raised from the first position to substantially parallel to and above the surface of the fluid bath.

[0011] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein at least a portion of the housing is further configured to vibrate during the raising from the first position to the second position to release the clear ice formed within at least one of the plurality of elongate troughs. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, further including, an ejection assembly including a plurality of knurled wheels, each of the plurality of knurled wheels being rotatably mounted to an axle that is radially mounted to a support, the support being movably mounted to a portion of the housing, wherein each knurled wheel is: in resilient contact with a portion of at least one clear ice formed within the plurality of elongate troughs, and configured to rotate on the axle to grip the at least one clear ice to move the at least one clear ice along the plurality of elongate troughs.

[0012] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the at least one flume surface wall is further configured to be in thermal communication with aheating source, the heating source being configured to heat the at least one flume surface wall after the freezing operation of the device. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, further including: a plurality of pneumatic actuators operatively connected between the housing and a frame structure affixed to and supporting the housing, the frame structure being coupled to: a first support arm engaged with a first slide structure; a second support arm engaged with a second slide structure; a third support arm engaged with a third slide structure; and a fourth support arm engaged with a fourth slide structure.

[0013] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the plurality of pneumatic actuators are actuatable to cause lifting of the housing in translation along the first slide structure, the second slide structure, the third slide structure, and the fourth slide structure from an initial position of the housing to a predetermined raised position to subsequently lift the housing at the first support arm, the second support arm, the third support arm, and the fourth support arm to permit release of the clear ice formed within the plurality of elongate troughs.

[0014] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, further including: a first pair of pneumatic lift cylinders operatively connected between the housing and the frame structure in spaced relationship to the first support arm and the second support arm; and a second pair of pneumatic lift cylinders operatively connected between the housing the frame structure in spaced relationship to the third support arm and the second support arm.

[0015] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the first pair of pneumatic lift cylinders and the second pair of pneumatic lift cylinders are actuatable to lift the housing from a submerged position to a predetermined raised position. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein two or more of the plurality of pneumatic actuators are actuatable to generate waves within the fluid bath by oscillating the frame structure according to a predefined recipe.

[0016] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the plurality of pneumatic actuators are actuatable to oscillate the frame according to the predefined recipe and during the freezing operation of the device by sequentially and repeatedly performing: a first cycle including raising a front side of the housing along both the first slide structure and the second slide structure from an initial position of the housing to a first raised position; a second cycle including lowering a rear side of the housing along both the third slide structure and the fourth slide structure from the initial position of the housing to a first lowered position; a third cycle including lowering the front side of the housing alongboth the first slide structure and the second slide structure from the first raised position to a second lowered position; and a fourth cycle including raising the rear side of the housing along both the third slide structure and the fourth slide structure from the first lowered position to a second raised position.

[0017] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the predefined recipe is programmed into a processor and memory communicatively coupled to the device, the predefined recipe including instructions for at least: an amount of time to pause actuations of the frame structure between one or more of the first cycle, the second cycle, the third cycle, the fourth cycle and any repeated cycle; and an amount of elapsed time in which to perform each of the first cycle, the second cycle, the third cycle, and the fourth cycle.

[0018] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the predefined recipe includes instructions to cause the device to: pause the actuations of the frame structure for about 1 second to about 2 seconds after performing the second cycle and for about 1 second to about 2 seconds after performing the fourth cycle; and perform the first cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the second cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the third cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the fourth cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds.

[0019] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein each of the plurality of elongate troughs further include at least one drain disposed to drain fluid from a respective elongate trough in the plurality of elongate troughs. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the means for distributing a flow of fluid is a manifold coupled to the at least one fluid intake, the manifold defining an intake manifold cavity that is fluidly connected to the plurality of elongate troughs through a respective entry portal corresponding to a respective elongate trough in the plurality of elongate troughs.

[0020] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, further including at least one drain with a drain manifold that defines a single drain manifold cavity that is fluidly connected to the plurality of elongate troughs through a exit portal corresponding to each elongate trough in the plurality of elongate troughs. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the fluid bath is a water bath configured to be maintained at a temperature of about 0.1 degrees Celsius to about 5 degrees Celsius.

[0021] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the flow of fluid is substantially constant down the plurality of elongate troughs and has a velocity of at least about 0.09 meters per second through the plurality of elongate troughs. In some aspects,the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the cooling source is coupled to a plurality of cooling cavities configured to control temperature for facilitating ice formation within the plurality of elongate troughs by flowing a coolant through the plurality of cooling cavities, each of the plurality of cooling cavities forming a coolant intake valve for receiving coolant from the cooling source and forming a coolant outtake valve disposed to remove the coolant from the cooling cavity.

[0022] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the cooling source is coupled to a manifold having at least one inlet for each of the plurality of cooling cavities, the manifold being configured to select a flow rate for the coolant flowing through each coolant intake valve associated with a respective cooling cavity in the plurality of cooling cavities to cause laminar flow of coolant through the plurality of cooling cavities or turbulent flow of coolant through the plurality of cooling cavities.

[0023] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the coolant intake valve and the coolant outtake valve are both disposed on a first end of each respective elongate trough in the plurality of elongate troughs. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein each of the plurality of cooling cavities extends along a substantially tubular path from the coolant intake valve at the first end of a respective elongate trough in the plurality of elongate troughs to a second end of the respective elongate trough, bending at a first radius at a first side of the second end, bending at a second radius at a second side of the second end, and extending substantially a length of the respective elongate trough to the coolant outtake valve at the first end of the respective elongate trough.

[0024] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the substantially tubular path includes substantially equiangular polygon-shaped channel. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the coolant is circulated from the cooling source through the plurality of cooling cavities with a turbulent flow. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the coolant is a glycol based coolant cooled from about -7 degrees Celsius to about -13 degrees Celsius. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the coolant is provided from the coolant source to each elongate trough at a rate of about 1.5 gallons to about 3 gallons per minute.

[0025] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device for making clear ice including: a housing including a plurality of elongate troughs, each of the plurality of elongate troughs having at least one flume surface wall in thermal communication with acooling source while the housing is submerged in a fluid bath; at least one intake disposed to provide a flow of fluid to the housing; and a means for distributing the flow of fluid from the at least one intake into the plurality of elongate troughs; and a plurality of pneumatic actuators operatively connected between the housing and a frame structure affixed to and supporting the housing, wherein the plurality of pneumatic actuators are actuatable to generate waves within the fluid bath by oscillating the frame structure, during a freezing operation of the device and while the housing is submerged in the fluid bath, according to a predefined recipe.

[0026] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein two or more of the plurality of pneumatic actuators are actuatable to generate waves within the fluid bath by oscillating the frame structure according to a predefined recipe. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the frame structure is coupled to: a first support arm engaged with a first slide structure; a second support arm engaged with a second slide structure; a third support arm engaged with a third slide structure; and a fourth support arm engaged with a fourth slide structure.

[0027] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the pneumatic actuators are actuatable to oscillate the frame structure according to the predefined recipe and during the freezing operation of the device by sequentially and repeatedly performing: a first cycle including raising a front side of the housing along both the first slide structure and the second slide structure from an initial position of the housing to a first raised position; a second cycle including lowering a rear side of the housing along both the third slide structure and the fourth slide structure from the initial position of the housing to a first lowered position; a third cycle including lowering the front side of the housing along both the first slide structure and the second slide structure from the first raised position to a second lowered position; and a fourth cycle including raising the rear side of the housing along both the third slide structure and the fourth slide structure from the first lowered position to a second raised position.

[0028] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the predefined recipe is programmed into a processor and memory communicatively coupled to the device, the predefined recipe including instructions for at least: an amount of time to pause the actuations of the frame structure between one or more of the first cycle, the second cycle, the third cycle, the fourth cycle and any repeated cycle; and an amount of elapsed time in which to perform each of the first cycle, the second cycle, the third cycle, and the fourth cycle.

[0029] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the predefined recipe includes instructions to cause the device to: pause the actuations of the frame structure for about 1 second to about 2 seconds after performing the second cycle and for about 1 second to about 2 seconds after performing the fourth cycle; and perform the first cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the second cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the third cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the fourth cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds.

[0030] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device for making clear ice including: a housing including at least one elongate trough having at least three flume surface walls in thermal communication with a cooling source while the housing is submerged in a fluid bath; at least one intake disposed to provide a flow of fluid to the housing via a manifold that provides the flow of fluid into the at least one elongate trough with a substantially laminar flow of fluid along the at least one elongate trough during a freezing operation of the device; and a support means mounted to the housing, the support means including a movable support member and a fixed guide structure for supporting and guiding the movable support member and the housing to raise to a preselected height after the freezing operation of the device.

[0031] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the freezing operation is configured to cool the at least three surfaces of the at least one elongate trough to a temperature of less than or equal to about zero degrees Celsius at the at least one flume surface wall. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the cooling source is selected from the group consisting of: an internal cooling cavity defined by the housing, an evaporator, a cold plate, and a condenser.

[0032] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method for manufacturing clear ice including: providing a device for making clear ice including: a housing including at least one elongate trough, the at least one elongate trough having at least one flume surface wall in thermal communication with a cooling source while the housing is submerged in a fluid bath; at least one intake disposed to provide a flow of fluid to a first end of the housing; and a means for distributing the flow of fluid from the at least one intake into the at least one elongate trough, wherein distributing the flow of fluid with a substantially laminar flow and substantially equal pressure along the at least one elongate trough while the housing is submerged and during a freezing operation of the device; providing a substantially constant flow of fluid via the intake and down the at least one elongate trough from the first end of the housing to a second end ofthe housing opposite the first end of the housing; and cooling the at least one flume surface wall to a temperature of less than or equal to about zero degrees Celsius at the at least one flume surface wall.

[0033] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, further including: ejecting, after the freezing operation including the cooling, an elongate ice structure formed in the at least one elongate trough, the ejecting including: lifting the first end of the housing to a preselected height to discharge the elongate ice structure from the second end of the housing.

[0034] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the device for making clear ice further includes: at least one processor; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to execute instructions including: receiving a recipe program, the recipe program defining a cooling source temperature protocol, a cooling time protocol, and a velocity for the flow of fluid; and executing the recipe program to cause the device to generate clear ice in the at least one elongate trough according to the recipe program.

[0035] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the cooling source temperature protocol indicates a plurality of settings to configure for a duration of cooling time associated with the cooling time protocol, the plurality of settings including two or more of: a temperature in which to cool the fluid bath; an initial cooling temperature in which to cool the at least one flume surface wall; a mid-cycle plateau flow or temperature in which to cool the at least one flume surface wall; an end plateau flow or temperature; and an annealing time.

[0036] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the cooling source is selected from the group consisting of: an internal cooling cavity defined by the housing, an evaporator, a cold plate, and a condenser. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the substantially constant flow of fluid down the at least one elongate trough has a velocity of at least about 0.09 meters per second through the at least one elongate trough.

[0037] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method making clear ice, including: providing a housing including: at least one elongate trough being formed with at least one surface flume wall defining a cavity, the at least one elongate trough having at least one coolant inlet valve and at least one coolant outlet valve; a coolant source in thermal communication with the at least one surface flume wall to circulate coolant in the housing via the at least one coolant inlet valve and the at least one coolant outlet valve; and varying overtime one or more of: a temperature of the coolant source, a coolant flow rate, and a motion profile of the housing; and causing the housing to be lifted to a predetermined height at a predetermined time to eject ice formed in the at least one elongate trough. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the predetermined time is selected based on an amount of increase or an amount of decrease in the temperature of the coolant source, the coolant flow rate, or the motion profile of the housing.

[0038] The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The foregoing is a summary, and thus, necessarily limited in detail. The above- mentioned aspects, as well as other aspects, features, and advantages of the present technology are described below in connection with various embodiments, with reference made to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] FIGs. 1 A-1B illustrate a perspective view of example elongate troughs for installation in a device for making clear ice.

[0041] FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example elongate trough for making clear ice midway through a freezing operation.

[0042] FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of example elongate troughs modularly connected.

[0043] FIG. 2C illustrates an example elongate trough that may be modularly coupled to at least one other elongate trough.

[0044] FIG. 2D illustrates a front view of the elongate troughs of FIG. 2B.

[0045] FIG. 2E illustrates a front view of an example elongate trough.

[0046] FIG. 2F illustrates a right perspective view of an example elongate trough.

[0047] FIG. 2G illustrates a bottom up view of an example elongate trough.

[0048] FIG. 2H illustrates a bottom up view of the elongate troughs of FIG. 2B.

[0049] FIG. 21 illustrates a left side view of an example elongate trough.

[0050] FIG. 2J illustrates a left perspective view of an example elongate trough.

[0051] FIG. 2K illustrates a left perspective view of another example elongate trough.

[0052] FIG. 2L illustrates a front view of the elongate troughs of FIG. 2K.

[0053] FIG. 2M illustrates a zoomed in view of a slot formed when coupling the elongate troughs of FIG. 2K.

[0054] FIG. 2N illustrates an example insert for filling a slot formed when coupling the elongate troughs of FIG. 2K.

[0055] FIG. 20 illustrates another example insert for filling a slot formed when coupling the elongate troughs of FIG. 2K.

[0056] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of an elongate trough in a device for making clear ice.

[0057] FIGs. 4A-4B illustrate perspective views of an example embodiment of a device for making clear ice.

[0058] FIGs. 5 A-5B illustrate perspective views of a device for making clear ice in various positions during a process for making the clear ice.

[0059] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an example embodiment of a device for making and releasing clear ice from one or more troughs.

[0060] FIG. 7A illustrates a top down perspective view of an example fluidics system installed in a device for making clear ice.

[0061] FIG. 7B illustrates a fluidics component for maintaining flow and pressure through one or more elongate troughs.

[0062] FIG. 8A illustrates a top down perspective view of an example device for making clear ice.

[0063] FIG. 8B illustrates a top down perspective view of an example device for making and removing clear ice.

[0064] FIG. 8C illustrates a manifold for circulating coolant within a plurality of cooling cavities associated with a plurality of elongate troughs.

[0065] FIG. 8D illustrates a set of equations to determine a ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces within a coolant subjected to relative internal movement.

[0066] FIG. 8E illustrates an example table that may be configured to receive ice ingots after an ice making operation.

[0067] FIG. 8F illustrates an example springboard assembly for use with the tables described herein.

[0068] FIG. 8G illustrates a zoomed in view of the example table of FIG. 8E.

[0069] FIG. 9 illustrates an example alignment element that may be used with the trough assemblies and tables described herein.

[0070] FIG. 10 illustrates a top down perspective view of an example device for making clear ice.

[0071] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an example assembly for ejecting ice from one or more elongate troughs.

[0072] FIG. 12 illustrates the example assembly of FIG. 10 arranged within one or more elongate troughs.

[0073] FIG. 13 illustrates an example paddle for ejecting ice from one or more elongate troughs.

[0074] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of the assembly of FIG. 10 in a raised position.

[0075] FIG. 15 illustrates an example of ejecting ice ingots after completion of an ice making operation.

[0076] FIG. 16 is an example flow diagram of a method for manufacturing clear ice.

[0077] FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-section of a trough for making clear ice.

[0078] FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a flow straightener in position within a trough.

[0079] FIGs. 19A-19C illustrate cross-sections of various embodiments of the elongate trough having different cross-sectional shapes.

[0080] FIGs. 20A-20C illustrate cross-sections of various embodiments of the elongate trough having different cross-sectional shapes.

[0081] FIGs. 21A-21C illustrate cross-sections of various embodiments of the elongate trough having different cross-sectional shapes.

[0082] The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the disclosure. The schematics are drawn to illustrate features and concepts and are not necessarily drawn to scale.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0083] The present disclosure describes devices, systems, and methods for producing clear ice. For example, the devices, systems and methods described herein may be configured to produce clear ice in a variety of shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, the clear ice may be generated and shaped within an ice mold or ice trough. In some embodiments, the clear ice may be generated using an ice mold or ice trough and may later be shaped, cut, or otherwise formed into a size and / or shape. Particular ice mold or ice trough shapes and / or sizes may differfrom those depicted in the figures. One of skill in the art will appreciate how these devices and methods can be adapted to such different shapes and / or sizes.

[0084] In general, each of the devices and / or assemblies described herein may be used to produce clear ice in any circumstance in which transparent ice is desired, such as to produce ice ingots that may be cut and / or formed into smaller shapes and / or sizes of clear ice. The devices and / or assemblies described herein may additionally or alternatively be used for any suitable applications where a liquid material is frozen. The devices and / or assemblies described herein may generate clear ice according to user input, recipe input, automated input, or any combination of the same.

[0085] Disclosed herein are devices and methods for making clear ice. In particular, the disclosure herein provides for devices and methods allowing for the expedited production of clear ice having an improved quality over conventional apparatuses and methods. In some embodiments, the devices and methods disclosed herein are adapted for the freezing of water into clear ice; however, one of skill in the art will appreciate how these devices and methods can be adapted to allow for the freezing of other liquids (e.g., ethanol, food-based liquids, etc.) in situations where the removal of air bubbles and dissolved impurities is desired.

[0086] As used herein, the terms “fluid” and “liquid” will be used interchangeably to refer to the material being flowed through the device and being frozen into comestibles. In some embodiments, the term “water” will be frequently used also; however, this use of the term “water” should not be considered limiting for the reasons stated herein. For similar reasons, the use of the term “ice” to refer to the chosen liquid when frozen should also not be considered limiting either. As used herein, the terms “elongate trough” and “trough” and “flume” are considered synonymous and will be used interchangeably throughout this disclosure.

[0087] In some embodiments, the ice produced (e.g., made, created, manufactured, generated etc.) by the systems and devices described herein may have one or more of the following characteristics: clear, relatively free of impurities, relatively free of gas bubbles, relatively free of dissolved gasses, and / or cracking, may or may not have inclusions (e.g., flowers, liquor, food, etc.), etc. Such characteristics shall not be viewed as limiting in any way.

[0088] In some embodiments, water or liquid used to make the clear ice may be de-aerated (e.g., gas sweeps, via vacuum, etc.), degassed, purified (e.g., sediment filtered, activated carbon block filtered, granular activated carbon filtered, reverse osmosis filtered, distilled, passed over an ion exchange column, treated with ultraviolet light, ultrafiltered, activated alumina filtered,ionized, etc.), or otherwise treated before being used to make clear ice. The water or liquid may be from a private well, a municipality, groundwater source, reservoir, etc.

[0089] In general, each of the elongate troughs described here may receive fluid (e.g., water) from an intake (e.g., a fluid / water intake) aligned with each respective elongate trough. Each intake described throughout this disclosure may receive water from a manifold or other fluid flow system configured to distribute fluid flow. The manifold may distribute the flow of water for purposes of maintaining substantially laminar flow and substantially equal pressure along each respective elongate trough. In some embodiments, the laminar flow and pressure may be provided during a freezing operation of the ice-making device and may be maintained while the housing assembly that includes the elongate troughs submerged or partially submerged in a water bath.

[0090] In particular, the devices and / or assemblies described herein solve a technical problem of mitigating air bubble entrapment within ice structures during the freezing process, which provides a technical effect of generating clear ice. The technical solution to the technical problem may lie in the ability of the devices described herein to generate and perpetuate a substantially constant flow of water at a particular pressure and Reynolds number. Such a flow of water can be accomplished using one or more manifold devices or components (or other fluid flow system) to maintain even pressure in each flow path intended for an elongate trough. For example, the manifold devices described herein (or equivalent flow system) may function with a fluidics system to distribute a flow of fluid evenly to each trough by balancing the pressure drop between each trough (e.g., and in pipe paths leading up to a trough, see piping 438, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, and 714 of FIG. 7A). Pressure drop may be balanced by inducing a larger pressure drop on the pipe paths that have the least innate resistance (e.g., straightaways), and by inducing less pressure drop on the pipe paths with higher innate resistance (e.g., at valves, elbows, reductions). Thus, the manifold may result in higher or lower relative friction for the water depending on a path of water flow in a particular pipe or intake leading to a trough.

[0091] A further technical problem solved by the devices described herein includes ejecting (e.g., releasing, expelling, discharging, sliding, etc.) relatively large ingots of ice with little to no ice breakage and / or little to no manual intervention in harvesting such ice ingots. For example, the systems and devices described herein may provide a technical solution to the above-recited technical problem by being adapted to eject, discharge, slide, release, and / or otherwise remove or expel ice ingots from particular ice troughs and / or ice molds. For example,the systems and devices described herein may include ice troughs and / or ice molds adapted to be installed on a support system that allows tilting the troughs and / or molds to facilitate ice removal. In some embodiments, the ice troughs and / or ice molds may be shaped to allow gravity-assisted or gravity-induced ice removal after a freezing cycle, as described in detail below. In some embodiments, the ice troughs and / or ice molds may be shaped to allow a mechanically assisted removal of ice after a freezing cycle, as described in detail below.

[0092] Example ice ingots may range in size according to a size of flume / trough modularly installed (e.g., coupled together) within the ice-producing devices described herein. The generated and harvested ice ingots described herein can be subsequently modified to produce a variety of aesthetically pleasing comestibles. In some embodiments, the generated and collected ice ingots described herein may be subsequently shaped, cut, or otherwise formed into a selectable size and / or shape.SYSTEMS AND DEVICES

[0093] The devices described herein function to produce clear ice. The devices may be used to produce clear ice in any situations where transparent ice is desired, such as for consumption in cocktails and other beverages but can additionally, or alternatively, be used for any suitable applications where a liquid material is frozen. In some embodiments, the devices generally include at least one elongate trough or flume in thermal communication with one or more reservoirs or lines of circulating coolant over one or more cooling apparatuses (e.g., cooling plate, cooling element, etc.). A flow of fluid (e.g., water) is provided down at least a portion of the length of the elongate trough during a freezing operation of the device. During such a freezing operation, clear ice may be formed on one or more surface walls of the trough, growing in thickness, and filling up to a certain height in the elongate trough, according to various predetermined parameters described herein. In some embodiments, the speed of water (as either laminar or turbulent flow) through the elongate trough can be provided to ensure formation of clear ice. For example, the laminar or turbulent flow through and / or around the elongate trough may drive out air bubbles from any or all of the ice forming surface. In some embodiments, the device provides a flow of water having a velocity of at least about 0.09 meters per second (about 0.3 feet per second) throughout the length of the elongate trough. In some embodiments, the velocity of the water is at least about 0.15 meters per second (about 0.5 feet per second). In some embodiments, the velocity of the water is at least about 0.21 meters per second (about 0.7 feet per second).

[0094] The elongate troughs described herein may be submerged in a water bath during a freezing operation. The water bath may be a water bath that is deep enough to either partially or entirely submerge the housing assemblies (e.g., of elongate troughs) described herein. For example, the water bath may be about 1 centimeter to about 30 centimeters above a surface of the elongate troughs submerged within the water bath. In some embodiments, the water bath may have a water level that is between about 2.5 centimeters and about 10.2 centimeters above a top surface of a submerged housing (e.g., a plurality of elongate troughs). In some embodiments, the water bath may have a water level that is between about zero centimeters and about 10.2 centimeters above a top surface of a submerged housing (e.g., the plurality of elongate troughs).

[0095] The devices, and / or assemblies described herein may allow water to flow along and / or through and / or over each elongate trough while portions of the trough are cooled or supercooled. The elongate trough may be adapted to have two or more surfaces. If multiple troughs are present, each trough may be arranged side by side to receive water along and / or through each trough as well as through one or more cavities associated with a surface of the respective trough. In some embodiments, the water received through the one or more cavities may be a coolant that is not part of the water being used to generate ice.

[0096] For each elongate trough within the devices / assemblies described herein, a flow of fluid (e.g., water) is provided down at least a portion of the length of each trough during a freezing operation of the device and / or assembly. The freezing operation includes at least one cooling cavity receiving coolant therethrough when the cooling cavity is in thermal communication with at least a portion of each trough.

[0097] For example, the coolant may be distributed from the cooling source (e.g., cooling source 423 of FIG. 4B) through a plurality of cooling cavities that are at least partially in thermal communication with one or more portions of each elongate trough. For example, each ice generating device described herein may include a plurality of elongate troughs, each having a cooling cavity for circulating coolant from the cooling source. In some embodiments, the flow of coolant may be a substantially turbulent flow with substantially equal pressure within the cooling cavity and while the housing of the device, for example, is submerged during a freezing operation of the device. The turbulent flow of coolant through the cooling cavities of each of the elongate troughs may result in a reduced time to ice generation and harvest. In some embodiments, the flow of coolant may instead be a substantially laminar flow withsubstantially equal pressure along the cooling cavities of each of the plurality of elongate troughs.

[0098] During the freezing operation, clear ice forms on one or more surface walls of the trough(s), growing in thickness and filling up to a certain thickness in the elongate trough(s), according to various predetermined parameters described herein. In some embodiments, the speed of water (as either laminar or turbulent flow) through the elongate trough can be varied to configure the devices and / or assemblies described herein to form clear ice at a particular rate and / or clarity. In general, the flow of the water may be configured to drive out air bubbles from an ice forming surface within the elongate trough.

[0099] Once an ingot of ice has been generated within a particular elongate trough, the freezing operation can be stopped, allowing for collection of the ice ingot. In some embodiments, a heating process may occur using a heating source to heat portions of the elongate trough before collection of the ice ingot. The heating process may function to melt a portion of one or more outer walls of the ice ingot to assist in removal of the ice ingot. For example, one or more flume surface walls may be in thermal communication with a heating source configured to heat the clear ice formed within at least one of the plurality of elongate troughs after the freezing operation of the device. In some embodiments, there is no heating process after generation of the ice ingot.

[0100] The devices / assemblies described herein may ensure that an appropriate velocity of water is flowing through one or more elongate trough to ensure the formation of clear ice as opposed to cloudy or opaque ice. In some circumstances, quickly freezing a volume of still or slow-moving water can trap air bubbles and impurities within the ice, resulting in a hazy appearance. However, the devices described herein may ensure that a flow of water occurs with a particular pressure and laminarity to mitigate the trapping of air bubbles within the ice during the freezing process, even at high rates of freezing. In some embodiments, the flow of water can also be a turbulent flow. Therefore, the devices described herein are capable of producing a solid ingot of clear ice, of sufficient quality, faster than other conventional devices and methods.

[0101] In some embodiments, a flow rate of water through the elongate troughs remains constant over the entire duration of a freezing operation of the device. In some embodiments, the flow rate of the water varies over a freezing operation. In some embodiments, periods of water flow reversal may occur in which intakes and / or outlets / drains are reversed.

[0102] FIGs. 1A-1B illustrates a perspective view of example elongate troughs 102 for installation in a device for making clear ice. Each elongate trough 102 described herein may be arranged adjacent and substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis (Ldevice), which is parallel to at least one other elongate trough to produce an assembly of multiple elongate troughs that may be installed into a housing capable of interfacing the troughs with fluidics controls, power, water, and / or other fluid.

[0103] Each elongate trough may have a similar to shape to another elongate trough in the assembly to ensure that substantially similar ice ingots are generated during a freezing process. Although a plurality of elongate troughs are shown, a device or system may include one elongate trough, one or more elongate troughs, or a plurality of elongate troughs.

[0104] In some embodiments, the shape of a trough may be a continuous arcuate shape with a single flowing surface from end to end. Such a shape may be considered to be defined by a singular flume surface wall. However, in some embodiments, an elongate trough can be defined by three flume surface walls (e.g., two side flume surface walls and one base flume surface wall). In some embodiments, the shape of a trough may be a continuous rectangular shape with a bottom surface coupled to a first side surface along a length of the first side surface and coupled to a second side surface along a length of the second side surface. Other shapes are of course possible.

[0105] The particular shape and contour of the one or more flume surface walls of each elongate trough define a cross-sectional shape or profile for that elongate trough. In some embodiments wherein the housing defines more than one elongate trough, each elongate trough can have the same cross-sectional profile or a different cross-sectional profile than another elongate trough of the same device / assembly. In some embodiments, a single elongate trough can be shaped such that its cross-sectional shape changes over the length of the elongate trough. For example, a beginning, middle, or end of an elongate trough may have a different cross- sectional profile. In some of these embodiments, having such a variable shape could assist with the removal of the produced ingot of ice from the trough.

[0106] FIG. 1 A illustrates a perspective view of an example assembly 100 that includes three elongate troughs 102. Each elongate trough 102 may include one or more surface walls 103. The assembly 100 may be installed in a device for making clear ice (e.g., shown in FIGs. 4A- 8B). The assembly 100 provides three elongate troughs (e.g., flumes) that are in thermal communication with at least one reservoir (e.g., cooling cavity inlet 212a and cooling cavity outlet 212b, shown in FIG. 2 A) of circulating coolant. The reservoir may be a cooling line, acooling pipe, a cooling tube, a cooling cavity, or the like. In some embodiments, the circulating coolant may be pressurized within a cavity (e.g., cavities 104) associated with one or more surfaces of the assembly 100 and / or of a surface of particular troughs 102. In some embodiments, a coolant may flow through a portion of the assembly 100 at a relatively constant flow and pressure to maintain a particular cooling rate and / or temperature, for example, and to consistently continue to cool structures adjacent to a cooling portion of each elongate trough 102. In some embodiments, additional cooling may be applied to the troughs described herein via one or more additional cooling apparatuses (e.g., cooling plates, cooling elements, etc.).

[0107] The elongate trough(s) 102 may be substantially similar in dimension and crosssection. Each elongate trough 102 may have a length 106, a depth or height 108, and a width 110. As used herein, the terms “depth” 108 and “height” in reference to an elongate trough (e.g., 102) will be considered synonymous and will be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, the elongate trough(s) 102 may have a depth 108 measured from a lowest point of the trough 102 to the highest point of one of the surface walls 103 ranging from about 2.5 centimeters to about 25.40 centimeters (about 1 to about 10 inches). In some embodiments, the elongate trough 102 may have a depth 108 of about 3.81 centimeters to about 12.70 centimeters (about 1.5 inches to about 5 inches). In some embodiments, the elongate trough 102 may have a depth 108 of about 5.08 centimeters to about 12.70 centimeters (about 2 inches to about 5 inches). In some embodiments, the elongate trough 102 may have a depth 108 of about 8.89 centimeters (about 3.5 inches).

[0108] In some embodiments, the depth 108 of the elongate trough 102 can be divided into an ice-forming zone and a water overflow zone. In these embodiments, a total depth 108 of the elongate trough 102 can be subdivided between these zones in various proportions without deviating from the scope of this disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the elongate trough 102 can have a total depth 108 of about 12.70 centimeters (about 5 inches) divided into an ice-forming zone of about 8.89 centimeters (about 3.5 inches) and a water overflow zone of about 3.81 centimeters (about 1.5 inches). In some embodiments, the water flows over the entire assembly 100, for example, when assembly 100 is submerged in a water or water bath. In such examples, ice may be formed up to a top edge of defined surface wall(s). In some embodiments, the water bath may surround assembly 100 and one or more top surfaces (top surface 112 and / or top surface 114) may be part of assembly 100 to allow an edge to be defined for a top surface of any ice ingot formed during a freezing operation.

[0109] The elongate trough(s) 102 may have a width 110 measured from between two closest points of opposite side surface walls 103 of about 2.54 centimeters to about 30.48 centimeters (about 1 inch to about 12 inches). In some embodiments, the elongate trough 102 may have a width 110 of about 2.54 centimeters to about 25.4 centimeters (1 inch to about 10 inches). In some embodiments, the elongate trough 102 may have a width 110 of about 2.54 centimeters to about 12.70 centimeters (about 1 inch to about 5 inches). In some embodiments, the elongate trough 102 may have a width 110 of about 7.62 centimeters (about 3 inches).

[0110] In some embodiments, the elongate trough(s) 102 may have a length 106 of at least about 45.72 centimeters (about 18 inches). In some embodiments, the elongate trough 102 may have a length 106 of at least about 91.44 centimeters (about 3 feet). In some embodiments, the elongate trough 102 may have a length 106 of about 1.22 meters to about 3.66 meters (about 4 feet to about 12 feet). In some embodiments, the elongate trough 102 may have a length 106 of about 1.22 meters to about 2.44 meters (about 4 feet to about 8 feet). In some embodiments, the elongate trough 102 may have a length 106 of about 91.44 centimeters to about 2.13 meters (about 3 feet to about 7 feet). In some embodiments, the elongate trough 102 may have a length 106 of about 1.83 meters (about 6 feet). In some embodiments, the elongate trough 102 may have a length 106 of about 2.03 meters (about 80 inches). In some embodiments, the elongate trough 102 may have a length 106 of about 45.72 centimeters to about 3.66 meters (about 18 inches to about 12 feet). In various embodiments wherein the housing / assembly defines a plurality of elongate troughs 102, each trough can have the same or different length than another elongate trough.

[0111] The elongate troughs described herein may be modular and interchangeable to produced different sizes and or shapes of ice. For example, four elongate troughs with a width 110 of about 4 inches may be installed within one of the ice-making devices described herein to substitute for 8 elongate troughs with a width 110 of about 2 inches. Further, each of the single elongate troughs described herein may be modularly replaceable to configure the icemaking devices with any number of troughs.

[0112] Trough modularity in the design and construction of the ice-making assemblies / devices described herein may facilitate both manufacturing ease and shipping / transfer, thus reducing transportation costs and facilitating changeable ice sizes and shapes. Having such trough modularity may also facilitate alterations, repairs, and / or improvements in a single component without having to redesign or replace the entire icemaking assembly.

[0113] FIG. IB illustrates a perspective view of an example assembly 150 that includes six elongate troughs. For example, an elongate trough 152 may be part of an assembly of the assembly 150 as well as five additional elongate troughs. Any number of troughs may be possible. Each elongate trough 152 may include one or more surface walls / surface portions 154, 156, and / or 158. In some embodiments, the trough 152 may be formed of a single material shaped into a plurality of troughs to produce a width of troughs spanning from a first end A of the assembly 150 to a second end C of the assembly. In addition, the assembly 150 may have substantially similar length options, width options, and depth options as described in FIG. 1 A above.

[0114] In general, the assembly 150 may be installed in a device for making clear ice (e.g., shown in FIGs. 4A-8B). The assembly 150 may represent a housing that includes a plurality of elongate troughs (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, twelve, sixteen, eighteen, twenty-four, thirty -two, etc.) elongate troughs substantially similar to trough 152) that are in thermal communication with at least one reservoir (not shown) of circulating coolant. The reservoir may be a cooling line, a cooling pipe, a cooling tube, a cooling cavity, or the like. In some embodiments, the circulating coolant may be pressurized within a cavity (e.g., cavity 160 and cavity 162 associated with trough 152) that function to cool one or more surface or surface portions (e.g., 154, 156, and / or 158) of the assembly 150 and / or another surface of trough 152. In some embodiments, a coolant may flow through a portion of the assembly 150 at a relatively constant flow and pressure to maintain a particular cooling rate and / or temperature, for example, and to consistently continue to cool structures adjacent to a cooling portion of each elongate trough of assembly 150. In some embodiments, additional cooling may be applied to the troughs described herein via one or more additional cooling apparatuses (e.g., cooling plates, cooling elements, etc.).

[0115] Each elongate trough of assembly 150 may be substantially similar in dimension and cross-section. In some embodiments, a width 164 of a front end of a trough (e.g., end A) may be formed to be narrower than a width 166 of a back end (e.g., end B) of the trough. In some embodiments, a width 166 of the back end of a trough (e.g., end B) may be formed to be narrower than the width 164 of the front end (e.g., end A) of the trough.

[0116] In some embodiments, the housing assembly 150 may be actuatable to allow the first end (defined by the width from end A to end C) to be tilted from a first position (e.g., substantially parallel to a floor surface associated with the device holding assembly 150) to a second position to release the clear ice formed within at least one of the elongate troughs. Ingeneral, the first position represents a location of both the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing being parallel to and above a surface of a water bath associated with the device holding the assembly 150. The second position represents the first end of the housing (e.g., end A to end C) being raised from the first position to an angle of inclination from the first position. The angle of inclination may be about 20 to about 90 degrees from the first position, as described in detail below.

[0117] In some embodiments, a base of a trough (e.g., surface 156) may be narrower in width than a width of a top of the trough to generate an inverted trapezoid-shaped ice ingot generated in such a trough during a freezing operation. In some embodiments, the base of a trough (e.g., surface 156) may be wider in width than a width of the base of the trough to generate a trapezoid-shaped ice ingot generated in such a trough during a freezing operation.

[0118] In general, each trough (e.g., 152, etc.) of assembly 150 is defined in such a manner to allow for the flow of water (or another liquid, in various embodiments) down at least a portion of the length of the elongate troughs from at least one intake source to at least one drain source. In some embodiments, it can be understood that water flows down the elongate trough 152 from the intake to the drain in the housing holding the elongate trough(s). In some embodiments, the drain leads back to the intake source to cycle the water through and over the elongate troughs (e.g., 152, etc.).

[0119] Each elongate trough (e.g., trough 152, etc.) can be fed by a single intake (e.g., a partial or full opening at an end of an elongate trough for receiving water) and can be drained by a single drain (at or near an opposite end of the elongate trough). However, different numbers, arrangements and placements of these valves are possible without deviating from the scope of this disclosure. Because ice forms and grows upon at least a portion of the flume surface walls (e.g., surface portions 154-158 of trough 152) during a freezing operation of the device (e.g., housing the assembly 150), the one or more intake and drain can be positioned to allow for the free passage of water over the growing ice ingot (i.e., in the water overflow zone and / or water bath) regardless of the ingot height or at least up to a predetermined height of ice.

[0120] Each intake (see FIG. 7 A at intakes 436, 716-728) may include a pipe, tube, hose, or other holding mechanism designed to provide a flow of water (e.g., water) to at least one elongate trough based on water flow received from a manifold (or other water flow system) configured to provide and / or regulate the flow of water to each of the troughs described herein.

[0121] In some embodiments, each trough of assembly 150 does not include a drain because the assembly 150 may be adapted to be submerged in a water bath during freezing operations.The water bath may include a drain source that may drain water during the freezing process to maintain the water bath at a particular temperature. For example, the water bath may be maintained at a temperature of about 0.1 degrees Celsius to about 5 degrees Celsius. Such a water bath may have a water level / depth that is between about 1 centimeter to about 30 centimeters above a top surface of the submerged assembly 150. In some embodiments, the water bath may have a water level / depth that is about zero centimeters to about 30 centimeters above a top surface of a partially submerged assembly 150.

[0122] In some embodiments, each intake described throughout this disclosure may be provided water from a manifold or other fluid flow system configured to distribute a flow of water from an intake into a plurality of elongate troughs. Such distribution of the flow of water may be performed to maintain a substantially laminar flow and to maintain a substantially equal pressure along the plurality of elongate troughs. In some embodiments, the laminar flow and pressure may be maintained while the housing including the plurality of elongate troughs is submerged and during a freezing operation of the ice-making device.

[0123] In some embodiments, each intake (for water to each elongate trough) may be coupled to a venturi nozzle to increase water flow into the trough. The increase of water flow may be automatically triggered by the ice-making device when the device detects that the one or more intakes or pipes / troughs is exhibiting a water pressure drop below a predefined threshold pressure.

[0124] In some embodiments, each intake (in combination with a manifold) may provide a flow of water such that the entire volume defined within each elongate trough (e.g., trough 152) is filled with moving water except for the portion occupied by the growing mass of clear ice during a freezing operation of the assembly 150. In some embodiments, the intake and manifold (and / or valves) in combination with a drain may provide water having a velocity of at least about 0.09 meters per second (about 0.3 feet per second) throughout the length of the elongate trough 152. In some embodiments, the velocity of the water is at least about 0.15 meters per second (about 0.5 feet per second). In some embodiments, the velocity of the water is at least about 0.21 meters per second (about 0.7 feet per second). In some embodiments, the intake and / or manifold and / or the drain are adapted to provide a flow of water such that the entire volume defined within the trough and a portion of the space above the housing (holding the plurality of elongate troughs) is filled with moving water except for the portion occupied by the growing mass of clear ice during a freezing operation of the assembly 150.

[0125] In operation of assembly 150, each intake and / or manifold is fluidly connected to a water supply such as a water supply (not shown) and any other additional equipment appreciated by those of skill in the art to allow for a substantially continuous flow of water to one or more elongate troughs during a freezing operation of the assembly 150. In some embodiments, the water supply provides a substantially continuous stream of new water to the assembly 150 throughout the entire freezing operation. In some embodiments, the water supply can recirculate at least a portion of a starting volume of water throughout the freezing operation. In some embodiments, de-aerated water can be supplied or recirculated to the assembly 150 from the water supply.

[0126] The cooling cavity 160 and the cooling cavity 162 may be in thermal communication with the flume surface walls (e.g., wall portion 154 and wall portion 158, respectively) to establish a heat transfer for the formation of clear ice in the at least one elongate trough 152. In some embodiments, the cooling cavity 160 and cooling cavity 162 represent cooling sources. In some embodiments, the cooling cavity 160 and cooling cavity 162 represent respective, singular internal cooling cavities / sources. In some embodiments, the cooling cavities described herein represent a plurality of cooling cavities that are in thermal communication with various subsets of flume surface walls 154, 156, and / or 158 and / or portions of flume surface walls. In some embodiments for the elongate trough 152 having a base flume surface wall 156 and two side flume surface walls 154 and 158, each flume surface wall 154, 156, and 158 are each in thermal communication with a unique internal cooling cavity (not shown) defined by the housing assembly 150. Across various embodiments, the cooling cavities described herein (e.g., cooling cavities 160, 162, 244, 246, etc.) may include various structures and architectural features within to facilitate an even flow and distribution of coolant within. In some embodiments, these structures can include, but are not limited to, mesh grates.

[0127] During a freezing operation of the assembly 150, the cooling cavity 160 and / or cooling cavity 162 can be at least partially filled by a circulating coolant sufficient to lower the temperature of at least a portion of one or more flume surface walls 154, 156, and / or 158 to about zero degrees Celsius or colder. In some embodiments, the cooling cavity 160 and / or cooling cavity 162 can be at least partially filled by a circulating coolant sufficient to lower the temperature of at least a portion of one or more flume surface walls 154, 156, and / or 158 to about -45 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the cooling cavity 160 and / or cooling cavity 162 can be at least partially filled by a circulating coolant sufficient to lower the temperature of at least a portion of one or more flume surface walls 154, 156, and / or 158 to about zerodegrees Celsius to about -20 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the cooling cavity 160 and / or cooling cavity 162 can be at least partially filled by a circulating coolant sufficient to lower the temperature of at least a portion of one or more flume surface walls 154, 156, and / or 158 to about -2 degrees Celsius to about -20 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the cooling cavity 160 and / or cooing cavity 162 can be at least partially filled by a circulating coolant sufficient to lower the temperature of at least a portion of one or more flume surface walls 154, 156, and / or 158 to about -2 degrees Celsius to about -35 degrees Celsius.

[0128] In some embodiments, the cooling cavity 160 and / or cooling cavity 162 and its contained circulating coolant are adapted to hold at least a portion of one or more flume surface walls 154, 156, and / or 158 to a substantially constant temperature during a freezing operation of the assembly 150. In some embodiments, the cooling cavity 160 and / or cooling cavity 162 and its contained circulating coolant are adapted to provide a variable temperature to at least a portion of one or more flume surface walls 154, 156, and / or 158 during a freezing operation of the assembly 150 that changes according to a predetermined temperature schedule.

[0129] In some embodiments, the volume of the cooling cavities described herein can be minimized and / or insulated from portions of the assembly 150 that are not flume surface walls to minimize the amount of coolant used to sufficiently cool the flume surface walls for the generation of ice. As one of skill in the art will appreciate, the one or more cooling cavities may be replaced with other cooling apparatuses (e.g., cooling plate, cooling elements, etc.), without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0130] One of skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of coolants can be used including, but not limited to, water, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, coolant gas, brine, and any combination thereof. For the circulation of coolant, each cooling cavity may be fluidly connected to a coolant circulation system (not shown) via at least one coolant intake and at least one coolant outtake. In particular, embodiments wherein the housing of assembly 150 encloses a plurality of internal cooling cavities, various numbers, arrangements, placements, and fluid connectivities of internal cooling cavities, coolant intakes, and / or coolant outtakes valve, without deviating from the scope of this disclosure. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the coolant circulation system can comprise any number of pumps, compressors, evaporators, etc. that are needed to provide a sufficient circulation of coolant for the features of the disclosure as described herein.

[0131] FIGs. 2A-2O illustrate example views of elongate troughs for use with the ice-making devices described herein. FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example elongatetrough 200 for making clear ice midway through a freezing operation. The elongate trough 200 may be arranged and / or coupled modularly in an ice-making device with two or more additional elongate troughs such that each elongate trough is assembled in a side-by-side fashion and each longitudinal axis (LI, L2, etc.) is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of another elongate trough in the assembly.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 2A, a housing 202 of the ice-making devices described herein defines a single elongate trough 200 with a rectangular / square base flume surface wall 206 and a first and second side flume surface wall 208 and 210. The surface flume walls 206, 208, 210 are in thermal communication with an internal cooling cavity 212 (and / or other cooling apparatus enclosed by the housing 202). The internal cooling cavity 212 is shown here pointing to the cavity formed between an inlet 212a and an outlet 212b. During a freezing operation of the ice-making devices described herein, sufficient coolant is circulated through the internal cooling cavity 212 such that water 214 flowing down the length of the elongate trough 200 in its ice-forming zone 204b as divided by Line A can freeze on the surface flume walls 206, 208, 210 to form an ingot of clear ice. FIG. 2 A depicts a midway point during a freezing operation in which clear ice 216 (shaded area) has begun to form on the flume surface walls 206, 208, 210 but has not yet frozen sufficient water to form a solid ingot of clear ice. Arrows 218 illustrate the general direction of ice formation during this process. When a solid ingot of clear ice has formed, any remaining flowing water can traverse the elongate trough 200 in a water overflow zone 204a, which may represent a level of the water bath described herein.

[0133] In some embodiments, the elongate troughs 102 may be modularly coupled (e.g., connected, attached, interlocked, fastened together, etc.). For example, FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of an example elongate trough 240 and an example trough 242 modularly coupled. The elongate trough 240 or elongate trough 242 may represent any of the troughs described herein. For example, elongate trough 240 may replace or be substituted for any of the elongate troughs described herein. The elongate trough 240 may be arranged modularly in an ice-making device with elongate trough 242 and one or more additional elongate troughs (e.g., four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, twelve, sixteen, twenty-four, etc.) such that each elongate trough is assembled in a side-by-side fashion. For example, elongate trough 240 is arranged side-by-side to elongate trough 242 such that a longitudinal axis (LI) of trough 240 is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis (L2) of trough 242. In addition, each trough 240, 242, etc. may be arranged substantially in parallel to a longitudinal axis (Ldevice) of the icemaking device. For example, the trough 240, etc. may be modularly coupled to at least oneother elongate trough (e.g., trough 242) and may be parallel to a longitudinal axis (LI, L2, etc.) associated with each trough as well as parallel to a longitudinal axis Ldevice associated with the ice-making device.

[0134] Each elongate trough may include a cooling cavity, similar to cooling cavity 212. For example, elongate trough 240 includes a cooling cavity 244 with an inlet 244a in fluid communication with an outlet 244b (e.g., interconnected via the cooling cavity 244). Similarly, the elongate trough 242 includes a cooling cavity 246 with an inlet 246a in fluid communication with an outlet 246b (e.g., interconnected via the cooling cavity 246). The cooling cavities 244 and 246 may be configured to circulate coolant therethrough.

[0135] For example, one of the ice-making devices described herein may house elongate troughs 240 and 242 (in addition to any number of other elongate troughs). The devices may include a cooling source (e.g., cooling source 423 of FIG. 4B) coupled to a plurality of cooling cavities (e.g., cooling cavity 244, cooling cavity 246, etc.) configured to control temperature for facilitating ice formation within the elongate troughs 240, 242, etc. by flowing a coolant through each of the cooling cavities. For example, the cooling cavities may be cooled via an evaporator, a cooling plate, and / or a condenser). Each of the cooling cavities (e.g., cavity 244, etc.) may form a coolant intake valve (e.g., at inlet 244a for receiving coolant from the cooling source. In addition, each of the cooling cavities (e.g., cavity 244, etc.) may form a coolant outtake valve (e.g., at outlet 244b) disposed to remove the coolant from the cooling cavity.

[0136] In some embodiments, the coolant intake valve (at inlet 244a) and the coolant outtake valve (e.g., at outlet 244b) are both disposed on a first end 250 of each respective elongate trough. In general, the cooling cavities may extend through a portion of the elongate trough separate from any water flowing through a mold portion (e.g., flume / trough cutout) of the elongate trough. For example, each cooling cavity may be formed along a substantially tubular path 254 from the coolant intake valve (e.g., at inlet 244a) at the first end 250 of elongate trough 240 to a second end 252 of the elongate trough 240. The cavity defined by path 254 may bend at a first radius 255 at a first side 256 of the second end 252. In addition, the cavity defined by path 254 may bend at a second radius 257 at a second side 258 of the second end 252. In general, the cavity formed by path 254 may extend from inlet 244a substantially a length of the respective elongate trough to the coolant outtake valve (at outlet 244b) at the first end 250 of the elongate trough 240. Each trough in an ice-making device may include such cavities. The cavities may form other shapes, such as a substantially equiangular polygon-shaped channelsuch as a star, an asterisk, a square, a triangle, a rectangle, a square, etc. In some embodiments, the cavities may form other polygon-shaped channel, such as an oval, a circle, a hexagon, etc.

[0137] In operation, a turbulent flow of coolant may be generated using a turbulent flow generator in each elongate trough. The turbulent flow generator may be comprised of metal shaped like a coil or other shape installed within a coolant flow field (either upstream from the elongate troughs or within each trough). For example, the turbulent flow generator may be configured to partially occlude a portion of coolant flow field and / or a portion of an inlet at each elongate trough to generate a turbulent flow by agitating coolant flow through the elongate troughs.

[0138] In some embodiments, the flow of coolant may be a substantially constant flow through the plurality of elongate troughs flowing at a velocity of at least about 0.09 meters per second through the plurality of elongate troughs. In some embodiments, each trough may receive a turbulent flow of about 1.5 gallons to about 3 gallons of coolant (e.g., glycol) per minute. The coolant may be maintained in a temperature range of about -7 degrees Celsius and about -13 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, when the coolant is circulating in a turbulent flow, then the temperature of the coolant may be maintained between about zero degrees Celsius and about 10 degrees Celsius.

[0139] FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D illustrate example elongate trough 240 that may be modularly connectable / coupleable to at least one other elongate trough 242. Although two troughs 240, 242 are depicted in FIG. 2C, any number of troughs may be modularly and removably interlocked together to make a row of elongate troughs for use in the ice-making devices described herein. Each trough 240, 242, etc. may include at least one groove 243 along a bottom wall of the respective trough 240, 242, etc. The groove 243, in combination with a fastener (not shown), may be used to couple the trough 242 to secure an end cap (not shown) that is substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis L2 onto the trough 242 to prevent ice from forming outside of the ice formation zone defined by the trough 242, as described in detail in FIG. 17 below. The end cap may be placed at each end of a particular trough. For example, each trough described herein (e.g., trough 240, 242, 278, 279, each trough of assembly 100, 150, 602, etc.) may include end caps that may be fastened to grooves, such as grove 243 to prevent ice from forming outside of a predefined ice formation zone. In some embodiments, the end caps may be a single end cap per end of each trough. In some embodiments, the end caps may instead be a single assembly for a plurality of troughs where each assembly of troughsmay be fastened to a first end assembly (not shown) and a second end assembly (not shown) where the first end assembly is opposite the second end assembly.

[0140] Each interlocked trough may include a number of sidewalls and interlocking / slidably connectable components. For example, the elongate trough 240 includes a first sidewall 259 having a first notched portion 260 formed at a top inner edge 261 of the first sidewall 259 and a first keyhole-shaped tab 262 formed on an outer edge 263 of the first sidewall 259. The first notched portion 260 and the first keyhole-shaped tab 262 may extend along a length 264 of the first sidewall 259. The elongate trough 240 also includes a second sidewall 265 having a first grooved overhang 266 formed at a top outer edge 267 of the second sidewall 265 and a first keyhole-shaped slot 268 formed within an outer edge 269 of the second sidewall 265. The first grooved overhang 266 and the first keyhole-shaped slot 268 may extend along a length 270 of the second sidewall 265.

[0141] The elongate trough 242 includes a third sidewall 271 with a second notched portion 272 formed at a top inner edge of the third sidewall 271 and a second keyhole-shaped tab 273 formed on an outer edge of the third sidewall 271. The second notched portion 272 and the second keyhole-shaped tab 273 may extend along a length (not shown) of the third sidewall 271. The elongate trough 242 includes a fourth sidewall 274 with a second grooved overhang275 formed at a top outer edge of the fourth sidewall 274 and a second keyhole-shaped slot276 formed within an outer edge of the fourth sidewall 274. The second grooved overhang 275 and the second keyhole-shaped slot 276 may extend along a length 277 of the fourth sidewall 274 (FIG. 2C, FIG. 2D, FIG. 2E). The first grooved overhang 266 is configured to removably interlock with the second notched portion 272. The second keyhole-shaped tab 273 is configured to slideably engage with the first keyhole-shaped slot 268. In some embodiments, the first sidewall 259 may have a height of about 80 percent to about 90 percent of a height of the second sidewall 265.

[0142] In some embodiments, additional troughs may be coupled to trough 240 or trough 242. For example, similar to trough 240, a third elongate trough may include a fifth sidewall having a third grooved overhang formed at a top outer edge of the fifth sidewall and a third keyhole-shaped slot formed within an outer edge of the fifth sidewall. The third grooved overhang and the third keyhole-shaped slot may extend along a length of the fifth sidewall. In this example, the third grooved overhang may be configured to removably interlock with the first notched portion 260 and the third keyhole-shaped slot may be configured to slideably engage with the first keyhole-shaped tab 262.

[0143] FIG. 2F illustrates a right perspective view of an example elongate trough. FIG. 2G illustrates a bottom up view of an example elongate trough. The groove 243 spans the length of the bottom of trough 240. FIG. 2H illustrates a bottom up view of the elongate troughs 240, 242 of FIG. 2B. FIG. 21 illustrates a left side view of the example elongate trough 242. FIG. 2J illustrates a left perspective view of an example elongate trough.

[0144] FIG. 2K illustrates a left perspective view of another example elongate trough assembly 350 with a first trough 278 and a second trough 279. The first trough 279 includes a sidewall 280 that abuts a sidewall 281 of trough 279. In some embodiments, the troughs 278, 279 may be modularly coupled (e.g., connected, attached, interlocked, fastened together, etc.). For example, the sidewall 280 and the sidewall 281 are shown coupled along an exterior wall of each sidewall 280, 281 from a first end A to a second end B. The troughs 278, 279 may be coupled together by a fastener (not shown) at slot 282a and 282b and similarly coupled together by a fastener (not shown) at another slot or pair of slots (not shown) at end B. If additional troughs are to be part of assembly 350, additional fasteners may function to couple the additional troughs at slot 283 and / or slot 284 and similar respective slots (not shown) at end B. In some embodiments, the troughs described herein may be coupled together via a weld along a shared outer wall. In some embodiments, the troughs described herein may be coupled together via a food safe resin or epoxy along a shared outer wall. In some embodiments, the troughs described herein may be held together via a mechanical cage surrounding the trough assembly, for example.

[0145] The troughs 278, 279 may represent any of the troughs described herein. For example, elongate trough 278 may replace or be substituted for any of the elongate troughs described herein. The elongate trough 278 may be arranged modularly in an ice-making device with elongate trough 279 and one or more additional elongate troughs (e.g., four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, twelve, sixteen, twenty-four, etc.) such that each elongate trough is assembled in a side-by-side fashion. For example, elongate trough 278 is arranged side-by-side to elongate trough 279 such that a longitudinal axis (LI) of trough 278 is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis (L2) of trough 279. In addition, each trough 278, 279, etc. may be arranged substantially in parallel to a longitudinal axis Ldevice of the ice-making device (e.g., device 400, 500, 600, 755, 1000, etc.)

[0146] An insert 293 or insert 294 (see FIGs. 2N and 20) may be placed within a slot (e.g., slot 285) that is formed when coupling trough 278 to trough 279. The slot may span the length of assembly 350 from end A to end B. Thus, the inserts described herein may be about thelength of the assembly 350 from end A to end B. Such inserts may function to ensure that ice does not grow beyond a height of a sidewall of the flume / trough surface wall (e.g., surface wall286). In some embodiments, the inserts described herein may further functions as a divider between troughs, for example, to ensure that an ice ingot formed in trough 278 does not contact an ice ingot formed in trough 279.

[0147] The trough 278 further includes a cooling cavity 287 with at least one inlet 287a in fluid communication with at least one outlet 287b (e.g., interconnected via the cooling cavity287). Similarly, the trough 278 includes a cooling cavity 288 with at least one inlet 288a in fluid communication with at least one outlet 288b (e.g., interconnected via the cooling cavity288). The cooling cavities 287 and 288 may be configured to circulate coolant therethrough.

[0148] For example, one of the ice-making devices described herein may house an elongate trough or more than one elongate trough, for example elongate troughs 278 and 279. The devices may include a cooling source (e.g., cooling source 423 of FIG. 4B) coupled to a plurality of cooling cavities (e.g., cooling cavity 287, cooling cavity 288, etc.) configured to control temperature for facilitating ice formation within the elongate troughs 278, 279, etc. by flowing a coolant through each of the cooling cavities 287, 288. For example, the cooling cavities 287, 288 may be cooled via an evaporator, a cooling plate, and / or a condenser. Each of the cooling cavities (e.g., cavity 287, 288, etc.) may form a coolant intake valve (e.g., at each inlet 287a, 288a, etc.) for receiving coolant from the cooling source. In addition, each of the cooling cavities (e.g., cavity 287, 288, etc.) may form a coolant outtake valve (e.g., at each outlet 287b, 288b, etc.) disposed to remove the coolant from the cooling cavity 287, 288, etc. In general, the term coolant may include, but is not limited to, water, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, cooling gas, brine, and / or any combination thereof.

[0149] In some embodiments, the coolant intake valve (at each inlet 287a, 288a, etc.) and the coolant outtake valves (e.g., at each outlet 287b, 288b, etc.) are both disposed on the first end A of each respective elongate trough 278, 279, etc. In general, the cooling cavities may extend through a portion of the elongate troughs separate from any water flowing through a mold portion (e.g., flume / trough cutout) of the elongate troughs 278, 279, etc. For example, each cooling cavity 287, 288, etc. may be formed along a substantially tubular path (shown here in FIG. 2K as an asterisk (e.g., an equiangular polygon), but may be shaped as a star, an asterisk, a square, a triangle, a rectangle, a square, an oval, a circle, a hexagon, etc., that may traverse from the coolant intake valve (e.g., at inlet 287a, 288a, etc.) at the first end A of elongate troughs 278, 279 to a second end B of the elongate troughs 278, 279, arc or traverse along thesecond end B and traverse back to an outlet 287b, 288b. Each trough in an ice-making device (e.g., device 400, 500, 600, 755, 1000, etc.) may include such cavities.

[0150] The path fluidly connecting the cooling cavities from inlets 287a, 288a to outlets 287b, 288b may be fluidly connected along a shaped channel. The asterisk-like shape shown here may provide an increased surface area along the channel / path (in contrast to a circular shape or square shape) to allow for added thermal transfer between the coolant in the channel and the material of the troughs 278, 279. In addition, manufacturability / extrusion of such cooling cavities 287, 288, etc. may be assessed when selecting a particular shape for the cavities 287, 288. The cavities 287, 288 may be formed in a number of different shapes, including, but not limited to, an asterisk shape (e.g., star, snowflake, etc.), a substantially equiangular polygon shape, a square shape, a rectangle shape, a triangle shape, a circle shape, an oval shape, a hexagon shape, etc.

[0151] In operation, a turbulent flow of coolant may be generated using a turbulent flow generator in each elongate trough 278, 279, etc. The turbulent flow generator may be formed from metal or alloys thereof that may be shaped like a coil or other shape installed within a coolant flow field (either upstream from the troughs or within each trough). For example, the turbulent flow generator may be configured to partially occlude a portion of coolant flow field and / or a portion of an inlet at each elongate trough to generate a turbulent flow by agitating coolant flow through the troughs. In some embodiments, the turbulent flow within the troughs 278, 279, etc. may be caused by one or more of the pneumatic lifts (described herein) rocking, vibrating, or otherwise agitating the trough assembly during freezing operations / ice formation.

[0152] In some embodiments, the flow of coolant may be a substantially constant flow of coolant through a plurality of troughs flowing at a velocity of at least about 0.09 meters per second through the troughs. In some embodiments, each trough may receive a turbulent flow of about 1.5 gallons to about 3 gallons of coolant (e.g., glycol, brine, etc.) per minute. The coolant may be maintained in a temperature range of about -7 degrees Celsius to about -13 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, when the coolant is circulating in a turbulent flow, then the temperature of the coolant may be maintained between about zero degrees Celsius and about 10 degrees Celsius.

[0153] FIG. 2L illustrates a front view of the elongate troughs of FIG. 2K. Here, the slots 282a, 282b, 283, and 284 may receive fasteners to connect / couple troughs together. The end slots 283, 284 are shown open because a trough is not connected to either slot 283, 284. In such examples, the end slots 283, 284 may function as end plates for trough assemblies that may beused to fasten to inserts (e.g., insert 293 or insert 294) to stop ice from growing beyond an interior of a trough 278. For example, the insert (not shown) may be fastened to end slots 283 such that the insert extends upward beyond a top surface SI of the trough 278, which may stop ice from growing on rear surface S2 of the trough 278. In some embodiments, the end slot 283 may instead be used to fasten an additional trough to trough 278 such that the additional trough is substantially parallel to troughs 278, 279. Further, the troughs 278 may include additional slot 289a, 289b, 289c that may be used to fasten troughs to the ice generating devices described herein. Similarly, trough 279 includes slots 290a, 290b, and 290c for the same purpose.

[0154] The first trough 278 may include a first sidewall S2 with a first notched portion N1 formed at a top outer portion of the first sidewall and a first keyhole-shaped slot 283 formed within a middle outer portion of the first sidewall. The first notched portion N1 and the first keyhole-shaped slot 283 may extend along a length of the first sidewall S2. The first trough 278 may also include a second sidewall S3 with a second notched portion N2 formed at a top outer portion of the second sidewall S3 and a second keyhole-shaped slot 282a formed within a middle outer portion of the second sidewall S2. The second notched portion N2 and the second keyhole-shaped slot 282a may extend along a length of the second sidewall S2.

[0155] The second elongate trough 279 may include a third sidewall S3 with a third notched portion N3 formed at a top outer portion of the third sidewall S3 and a third keyhole-shaped slot 282b formed within a middle outer portion of the third sidewall S3. The third notched portion N3 and the third keyhole-shaped slot 282b may extend along a length of an outer wall of the third sidewall S3.

[0156] A fourth sidewall S5 may include a fourth notched portion N4 formed at a top outer portion of the fourth sidewall S5 and a fourth keyhole-shaped slot 284 may be formed within a middle outer portion of the fourth sidewall S5. The fourth notched portion N4 and the fourth keyhole-shaped slot 284 may extend along a length of an outer wall of the fourth sidewall S5. The second notched portion N2 is configured to align with the third notched portion N3 and the second keyhole-shaped slot 282a is configured to removably fasten to the third keyholeshaped slot 282b.

[0157] Each elongate trough (e.g., elongate troughs 278, 279, etc.) may have an inner sidewall S6 opposite an inner sidewall S7 connected by a base wall S8. The height (e.g., depth) of the inner sidewalls S6, S7 may be about 1.25 centimeters to about 4 centimeters; about 1.25 centimeters to about 1.5 centimeters, about 1.5 centimeters to about 2 centimeters; about 2 centimeters to about 2.5 centimeters; about 2.5 centimeters to about 3 centimeters; about 3centimeters to about 3.5 centimeters; about 3.5 centimeters to about 4 centimeters. The length Is of the sidewalls S6, S7 and base S8 may be about 45.72 centimeters to about 91.44 centimeters; about 1.22 meters to about 3.66 meters; about 1.22 meters to about 2.44 meters (about 4 feet to about 8 feet); about 2.03 meters to about 3.66 meters. In various embodiments wherein the housing / assembly defines a plurality of elongate troughs 102, each trough can have the same or different length than another elongate trough.

[0158] Additional elongate troughs may be coupled in series on either slot 283 of trough 278 or slot 284 of trough 279. Such a trough may include a third elongate trough that includes a fifth sidewall (not shown) having a fifth notched portion (not shown) formed at a top outer portion of the fifth sidewall (not shown) and a fifth keyhole-shaped slot (not shown) formed within a middle outer portion of the fifth sidewall. The fifth notched portion (not shown) and the fifth keyhole-shaped slot (not shown) may extend along a length of an outer wall of the fifth sidewall (not shown). The fourth notched portion N4 (or alternatively the first noticed portion Nl) may be configured to align with the fifth notched portion and the fourth keyholeshaped slot (or alternatively the first slot 283) may be configured to removably fasten to the fifth keyhole-shaped slot (not shown).

[0159] FIG. 2M illustrates a zoomed in view of a slot 285 (e.g., a well) formed when coupling the elongate troughs of FIG. 2K. for example, when trough 278 is fastened to trough 279, the slot 285 is formed from abutting the trough walls together. The outside walls of the troughs 278, 279 are textured, as shown by overhangs 291 and grooves 292. The overhangs 291 and grooves may be configured to receive the insert 293 or the insert 294. Any number of overhangs 291 and grooves 292 may form an outside wall of the troughs described herein. In general, the slot 285 may be textured (e.g., ridges, fins, grooves, overhangs, or the like) to provide a fit for an insert 293 or insert 294 that may function as an ice stop to prevent ice from forming on an outside wall of the troughs described herein. The insert 293 or 294 may be installed within a slot 285 and the texture may prevent the insert from being displaced during an ice generation process.

[0160] FIG. 2N illustrates an example insert 293 for filling a slot (e.g., slot 285) formed when coupling the elongate troughs of FIG. 2K. The insert 293 may be an injection molded plate that may be about 2 millimeters to about 4 millimeters in width. The insert 293 may have a length that spans a length of the sidewalls of troughs 278, 279, for example. The insert 293 may have a height of about 7.5 centimeters to about 9 centimeters. In some embodiments, the insert 293 may be placed within a slot (e.g., slot 285) such that the insert 293 extends above the sidewallS7, for example about 1.3 centimeters below a top level of the ice formed within the trough 278 or trough 279 to about 2.5 centimeters above the top level of the ice formed within the trough 278 or trough 279. The insert 293 may be formed from one or more thermally insulating materials or materials with low thermal conductivity, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), expanded polystyrene (EPS), Ultra High Molecular Weight (UHMW) Polyethylene, Syneffex™, or the like.

[0161] FIG. 20 illustrates another example insert 294 for filling a slot formed when coupling the elongate troughs of FIG. 2K. The insert 294 may be an injection molded T-shaped piece. A first portion 294a may be substantially perpendicular to a second portion 294b. The portion 294a may be about 2 millimeters to about 4 millimeters in width. The portion 294a may have a length that spans a length of the sidewalls of troughs 278, 279, for example. The portion 294a may have a height of about 7.5 centimeters to about 9 centimeters. In some embodiments, the portion 294a may be the same length, width, and height of portion 294b. In some embodiments, the portion 294a may extend across a sidewall of trough 278 and a sidewall of trough 279, but may not extend beyond. Thus, the portion 294a may have a width of about 8 millimeters to about 12 millimeters.

[0162] The insert 294 may be formed from one or more thermally insulating materials or materials with low thermal conductivity, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), expanded polystyrene (EPS), Ultra High Molecular Weight (UHMW) Polyethylene, Syneffex™, or the like.

[0163] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of an elongate trough 300 in a device for making clear ice. In this embodiment, an elongate trough 304 is defined by three flume surface walls 324a, 324b, and 324c that are each in thermal communication with a corresponding internal cooling cavity 326a, 326b, and 326c. Each internal cooling cavity 326a, 326b, and 326c can be supplied by coolant inlets and outlets 328a, 328b, and 328c. The compartmentalized arrangement of the cooling cavities 326a, 326b, and 326c in this embodiment allow for a more specific control of the temperatures experienced at each flume surface wall 324a, 324b, and 324c during a freezing operation of the trough 300.

[0164] FIGs. 4A-4B illustrate perspective views of an example embodiment of a device 400 for making clear ice. The device 400 may be sized to receive therein one of the elongate trough assemblies / devices described herein (e.g., assembly 100, assembly 150, etc.). In general, the device 400 may include supports, frames, inlets, outlets, pneumatics, and / or electronics for manufacturing and ejecting / releasing clear ice.

[0165] Referring to FIG. 4A, the assembly 150 is shown seated within a water basin 402 of device 400. The water basin 402 may be supported by a frame 404. The assembly 150 may be submerged in water 406 that is placed within the water basin 402. The assembly 150 may also be connected to water ports (e.g., not shown, but connected via manifold 430) a water pump 408, trough lift mechanisms, electronics (not shown) for operating ice generation, the trough lift mechanisms, and / or user interfaces associated with device 400.

[0166] The device 400 may include trough lift mechanisms such as arms, slide structures, pneumatic lift cylinders, or the like to lift assembly 150 from the water basin 402. For example, the device 400 shown in FIG. 4 A includes a support arm 410 coupled and slidable within a slide structure 412 to assist in raising, lowering, and / or tilting a portion of assembly 150. The device 400 also includes a support arm 414 coupled and slidable within a slide structure 416 to assist in raising, lowering, and / or tilting a portion of assembly 150. The device 400 also includes a support arm 418 coupled and slidable within a slide structure 420 to assist in raising, lowering, and / or tilting a portion of assembly 150. The device 400 also includes a support arm 422 coupled and slidable within a slide structure (not shown) to assist in raising, lowering, and / or tilting a portion of assembly 150. Each pair of support arms (e.g., arms 410, 414 and 418, 422) may also be connected by a connecting beam, respectively connecting beam 424 and connecting beam 426. The connecting beams 424, and 426 function to provide support and stability across assembly 150 during lifting and tilting operations. For example, the connecting beam 424 may constrain angular motion along the x-axis while the support arms 410, 414 move the assembly 150 upward along the y-axis, which may or may not cause angular rotation about the x-axis, along the z-axis, as shown in FIG. 4A. Similarly, connecting beam 426 may constrain angular motion along the x-axis while the support arms 418, 422 move the assembly 150 upward along the y-axis or tilted in the z-y plane.

[0167] In some embodiments, the support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and or associated slide structures may represent pneumatic actuators that may raise and lower some or all of the housing assembly 150 from the water 406 in the water basin 402. In some embodiments, the support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and or associated slide structures may represent electromechanical actuators that may raise and lower some or all of the housing assembly 150 from the water 406 in the water basin 402.

[0168] Referring to FIG. 4B, the device 400 is shown with a panel of the water basin 402 removed to provide a view of a portion of the fluidics system. The fluidics system shown here includes the water pump 408 connected to an intake 432. The intake 432 is connected to themanifold 430. The manifold 430 is connected via valving and intake manifold cavities (e.g., intake manifold cavity 434) to at least one intake 436 coupled to piping 438 and disposed to provide a flow of water to the housing assembly 150. For example, for each elongate trough of assembly 150, the manifold 430 may provide a flow of water via the pump 408 to the intake 432 into the manifold 430 and piping 438. The manifold 430 may provide an intake (e.g., intake 436) for each elongate trough of assembly 150. The manifold 430 may ensure that water flows through the fluidics system of device 400 with a substantially laminar flow while maintaining a substantially equal pressure along each respective elongate trough during a freezing operation of the device 400. In some embodiments, the flow of water is substantially constant down each trough and flows with a velocity of at least about 0.09 meters / second through each trough.

[0169] FIGs. 5A-5B illustrate perspective views of a device 500 for making clear ice in various positions during a process for making the clear ice. For example, the device 500 may represent device 400 with housing assembly 100 or 150 installed therein.

[0170] As shown in FIG. 5 A, the device 500 is coupled to housing assembly 100 having three elongate troughs. The assembly 100 is shown connected to support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and suspended over the water bath (e.g., water basin 402). The assembly 100 is shown connected to a plurality of coolant ports 502.

[0171] The device 500 may include trough lift mechanisms such as arms, slide structures, pneumatic lift cylinders, or the like to lift assembly 100 from the water basin 402. For example, the device 500 shown in FIG. 5 A includes a support arm 410 coupled and slidable within a slide structure 412 to assist in raising, lowering, and / or tilting a portion of assembly 100. The device 500 also includes a support arm 414 coupled and slidable within a slide structure 416 to assist in raising, lowering, and / or tilting a portion of assembly 100. The device 500 also includes a support arm 418 coupled and slidable within a slide structure 420 to assist in raising, lowering, and / or tilting a portion of assembly 100. The device 500 also includes a support arm 422 coupled and slidable within a slide structure (not shown) to assist in raising, lowering, and / or tilting a portion of assembly 100. Each pair of support arms (e.g., arms 410, 414 and 418, 422) may also be connected by a connecting beam, respectively connecting beam 424 and connecting beam 426, similar to device 400.

[0172] In some embodiments, the support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and or associated slide structures 412, 416, 420, etc. may represent pneumatic actuators that may raise and lower some or all of the housing assembly 100 from the water basin 402. In the depicted example of FIG. 5 A, the support system including support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and slide structures412, 416, 420, etc. have received signals to raise the assembly 100 out of the basin 402. For example, upon completing a freezing operation to generate clear ice, a processor in communication with components of device 500 may receive instructions (e.g., automatic based on a recipe for making the ice, based on user input via a user input device, or the like) to lift the assembly 100 to begin harvesting the clear ice ingots from the elongate troughs 504, 506, and 508. In some embodiments, the assembly 100 may be raised by the plurality of pneumatic actuators operatively connected between the housing assembly 100 and a frame structure (e.g., frame structure 404) affixed to and supporting the housing assembly and the basin 402. The frame structure 404 may also be coupled to a first support arm (e.g., support arm 410) engaged with a first slide structure (e.g., slide structure 412), a second support arm (e.g., support arm 414) engaged with a second slide structure (e.g., slide structure 416), a third support arm (e.g., support arm 418 engaged with a third slide structure (e.g., slide structure 420), and a fourth support arm (e.g., support arm 422) engaged with a fourth slide structure (not shown but connected to support arm 422).

[0173] In some embodiments, the plurality of actuators may include and / or control a first pair of pneumatic lift cylinders (e.g., slide structure 412 and slide structure 416) and a second pair of pneumatic lift cylinders (e.g., slides structure 420 and a slide structure associated with fourths support arm 422). The first pair of pneumatic lift cylinders may be operatively connected between the housing assembly 100 and the frame structure 404 in spaced relationship to the first support arm 410 and the second support arm 414. The second pair of pneumatic lift cylinders may be operatively connected between the housing assembly 100 and the frame structure 404 in spaced relationship to the third support arm 418 and the second support arm 422. The first pair of pneumatic lift cylinders and the second pair of pneumatic lift cylinders may be actuatable to lift the housing assembly 100 from a submerged position to a predetermined raised position. For example, the assembly 100 may be initially submerged in a water bath in basin 402. The assembly 100 may then be lifted by the plurality of actuators in combination with the first and second pairs of lift cylinders (and / or support arms) from the basin 402 while ensuring that a top surface of the assembly 100 (the surface of assembly 100 facing the connecting beams 424, 426) remains substantially parallel to a water surface in the basin 402 (i.e., the z-axis of FIG. 5A). Lifting the assembly 100 may ensure that the assembly is removed from the water bath, which may allow water to drain from the assembly 100 before expelling the ice ingots from the elongate troughs of assembly 100.

[0174] In some embodiments, the devices described herein (e.g., device 400, 500, 600, 755, 1000, etc.) may be configured to move to vibrate, oscillate, or otherwise create water movement within elongate troughs. For example, the devices described herein may include a frame structure (e.g., frame structure 404) that is coupled to two or more of (1) a first support arm (e.g., support arm 410) and engaged with a first slide structure (e.g., slide structure 412), (2) a second support arm (e.g., support arm 414) engaged with a second slide structure (e.g., slide structure 416), (3) a third support arm (e.g., support arm 418 engaged with a third slide structure (e.g., slide structure 420), and (4) a fourth support arm (e.g., support arm 422) engaged with a fourth slide structure (not shown but connected to support arm 422). In particular, such components may form a first pair of pneumatic lift cylinders (e.g., slide structure 412 and slide structure 416) and a second pair of pneumatic lift cylinders (e.g., slides structure 420 and a slide structure associated with fourths support arm 422). Pneumatic actuators may cause the pneumatic lift cylinders to move either alone or in pairs. For example, slide structure 412 and 416 may be actuated to move (e.g., articulate) together in unison. Similarly, slide structures 420, 422 may be actuated to move together in unison. Such actuations may be triggered by one or more pneumatic actuators.

[0175] In some embodiments, two or more of the pneumatic actuators may be actuatable to generate waves within the water bath by oscillating the frame structure 404 according to a predefined recipe. For example, the pneumatic actuators may utilize two or more pneumatic lift cylinders to oscillate the frame structure 404 according to the predefined recipe by sequentially and repeatedly performing one or more cycles during a freezing operation of the device. For example, a first cycle may include raising a front side of the housing along both the first slide structure 412 and the second slide structure 416 from an initial position of the housing to a first raised position. A second cycle may include lowering a rear side of the housing along both the third slide structure 420 and the fourth slide structure from the initial position of the housing to a first lowered position. A third cycle may include lowering the front side of the housing along both the first slide structure 412 and the second slide structure 416 from the first raised position to a second lowered position. A fourth cycle may include raising the rear side of the housing along both the third slide structure 420 and the fourth slide structure from the first lowered position to a second raised position. The cycles may be repeated to generate a wave pool within the basin 760 to continually move the water over an ice / water boundary while keeping the housing submerged in the water of the basin 760.

[0176] In some embodiments, the predefined recipe may be programmed into a processor and memory communicatively coupled to the ice-making device. The predefined recipe may include instructions indicating an amount of time to pause the actuations of the frame structure 404 between one or more of the first cycle, the second cycle, the third cycle, the fourth cycle and any repeated cycle and may also indicate an amount of elapsed time in which to perform each of the first cycle, the second cycle, the third cycle, and the fourth cycle. For example, the predefined recipe may include instructions to cause the ice-making device to pause the actuations of the frame structure 404 for about 1 second to about 2 seconds after performing the second cycle and for about 1 second to about 2 seconds after performing the fourth cycle. In some embodiments, the predefined recipe may also include instructions to cause the icemaking device to perform the first cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the second cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the third cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the fourth cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds. Other recipe configurations are of course possible.

[0177] In some embodiments, two of the pneumatic actuators may be actuatable to generate waves within the water bath by oscillating the frame structure 404 according to a predefined recipe. For example, the pneumatic actuators may utilize two pneumatic lift cylinders while not using any additional pneumatic lift cylinders to oscillate the frame structure 404 according to the predefined recipe by sequentially and repeatedly performing one or more cycles during a freezing operation of the device. For example, a first cycle may include raising a front side of the housing along both the first slide structure 412 and the second slide structure 416 from an initial position of the housing to a first raised position. A second cycle may include lowering the front side of the housing along both the first slide structure 412 and the second slide structure 416 from the first raised position to a first lowered position of the housing. A third cycle may include again raising the front side of the housing along both the first slide structure 412 and the second slide structure 416 from the first lowered position of the housing to the first raised position. A fourth cycle may include lowering the front side of the housing along both the first slide structure 412 and the second slide structure 416 from the first raised position to the first lowered position of the housing. The cycles may be repeated to generate a wave pool within the basin 760 to continually move the water over an ice / water boundary while keeping the housing submerged in the water of the basin 760 and for a duration of a freezing operation of the device 400. For example, all of the cycles may be completed within about a 4 second to about a 6 second time period. In some embodiments, all of four cycles described above may berepeated completed within about a 5 second to about a 7 second time period. In some embodiments, all of four cycles described above may be repeated completed within about a 6 second to about an 8 second time period. In some embodiments, all of four cycles described above may be repeated completed within about a 9 second to about a 12 second time period. The four cycle process can be repeated for a duration of a freezing operation of the device 400.

[0178] In some embodiments, the oscillating of the frame structure 404 may be performed over any number of cycles that tilt the frame structure 404 from a position parallel to the z-axis (as shown in FIG. 4B) to a prone or tilted position at an angle from the z-axis and toward or away from the y-axis to move the frame structure.

[0179] In some embodiments, the ingots of ice generated by the devices described herein may be slabs of clear ice that are about 5.1 centimeters (e.g., 2 inches) to about 10. 2 centimeters (e.g., 4 inches) in height. The slabs may be generated in a single elongate trough or multiple elongate troughs. Such slabs may be generated utilizing a variation of a temperature of the coolant source, a coolant flow rate, and / or a motion profile of the housing.

[0180] Referring to FIG. 5B, device 500 is provided with the assembly 100 depicted tilted from the substantially parallel position shown in FIG. 5A to a prone or tilted position at an angle from the z-axis and toward the y-axis where the tilt occurs at an origin defined by line A. The line A is shown in parallel with the connecting beam 426 associated with third support arm 418 and fourth support arm 422. The line A may represent an axis of rotation for the assembly 100. The assembly 100 may be tilted from about z=0 to about z= 90, as shown in FIG. 5B. For example, the assembly 100 may be tilted from about z=0 to an angle of inclination and the tilt may occur about the axis of rotation defined by line A. Put another way, the tilt may occur from a surface defined parallel to a surface of the water bath to the angle of inclination in the z-y plane.

[0181] In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 10 degrees to about 15 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 15 degrees to about 20 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 20 degrees to about 25 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 20 degrees to about 25 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 25 degrees to about 30 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 30 degrees to about 35 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 35 degrees to about 40degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 40 degrees to about 45 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 45 degrees to about 50 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 50 degrees to about 55 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 55 degrees to about 60 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 60 degrees to about 70 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 70 degrees to about 80 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 80 degrees to about 90 degrees.

[0182] The tilting to a particular angle of inclination may be predefined by a recipe associated with making clear ice on the devices described herein. In some embodiments, the tilting to a particular angle of inclination may be performed according to a user, a programmed device, a switch, or other manual or automated method of causing components to tilt.

[0183] The tilting, pivoting, translation, or other movement of assembly 100 may be prefaced by one or more cycles of generating clear ice. For example, upon completing a freezing operation to generate clear ice, a processor in communication with components of device 500 may receive instructions to lift the assembly 100 to begin harvesting the clear ice ingots 510, 512, 514 (FIG. 5B) from the elongate troughs 504, 506, and 508 (FIG. 5 A). In operation, a plurality of pneumatic actuators may be actuatable to lift the housing assembly (e.g., assembly 100) in translation using the first slide structure 412 along an angle of inclination from an initial position (e.g., z=0 or parallel to a surface of water in the basin 402) of the housing assembly 100 to a predetermined raised position (and along a shaft / support arm) associated with the first slide structure 412 while lifting the housing assembly 100 in translation using the second slide structure 416 along the angle of inclination to subsequently tilt the housing at the third support arm 418 and the fourth support arm 422 when in the predetermined raised position to a first preselected tilted position (e.g., about 20 degrees to about 90 degrees) to permit ejection / release of the clear ice 510, 512, and 514 formed within the plurality of elongate troughs. In some embodiments, lifting the housing assembly 100 in translation using the first slide structure 412 and the second slide structure 416 may result in lifting and tilting (e.g., pivoting about line A (FIG. 5B) to move the entire assembly 100 the same distance from a non-tilted (e.g., parallel to about z=0) position to a tilted position about the line A and in the y-axis and / or the y-z axis. In some embodiments, the housing assembly 100 is not configured to tilt, but is instead configured to be lifted to a preselected height. Additional mechanisms may be used to assist inremoving ice ingots from the troughs of the housing assembly 100, as described in detail in FIGs. 10-15.

[0184] In some embodiments, the support arms, slide structures, actuators, and / or lift cylinders described herein may function in combination to move the assembly 100 into positions / angles that allow for holding or removing ice ingots from within the elongate troughs. For example, upon completion of a freezing operation to generate clear ice, the first pair of pneumatic lift cylinders (e.g., slide structure 412 and slide structure 416) may be actuatable to tilt the housing assembly 100 at the third support arm 418 and the fourth support arm 422, when the housing assembly 100 is in the predetermined raised position (e.g., a parallel position of assembly 100 shown in FIG. 5B), to a preselected tilted position (e.g., a tilted position of assembly 100 shown in FIG. 5B). The pair of pneumatic lift cylinders may permit ejection / release of the clear ice formed within at least one of the plurality of elongate troughs using gravity.

[0185] In some embodiments, the ice troughs and / or ice-making machines described herein (e.g., device 400, device 500, device 600, device 755, etc.) may be shaped to allow a mechanically assisted removal of ice after a freezing cycle. For example, the assembly 100 may include a pusher arm with an end effector having a gripper portion that may grip an ice ingot and push or pull the ingot. In some embodiments, the gripper portion may be a metal ice pick or tongs. In some embodiments, the pusher arm has a substantially flat end portion that may be pushed into one or more ice ingots to slide the ingots along the one or more elongate troughs and onto a table or other surface. In some embodiments, the assembly 100 may include a pusher arm in addition to a gravity-assisted ice removal system to both mechanically assist ice ingot removal while utilizing a tilting of the ice ingot to allow gravity to assist in ice ingot removal.

[0186] In some embodiments, the housing assembly 100 may include vibratory components to assist in ice ingot removal. For example, the assembly 100 may include vibrating members to minutely vibrate portions of the elongate troughs so as to make the clear ice vibrate out of the elongate troughs. The vibrating members may include a piezoelectric vibrating elements, ultrasonic transducers, or other vibratory element for generating sonic movements. In some embodiments, portions of the elongate troughs may also be heated after a freezing cycle to decouple ice surfaces from the elongate troughs to assist in ice removal.

[0187] In some embodiments, device 400 or device 500 may be a device for making clear ice that includes a housing assembly (e.g., assembly 100, assembly 150, or other assembly)having at least one elongate trough. The at least one elongate trough may include at least three flume surface walls in thermal communication with a cooling source (e.g., cooling source 423 of FIG. 4B) while the housing assembly (e.g., assembly 100, assembly 150, or other assembly) is submerged in a water bath. The cooling source 423 may be selected from an internal cooling cavity defined by the housing, an evaporator, a cold plate, and / or a condenser.

[0188] The assembly 100 (FIG. 1A) includes three elongate troughs 102, but may instead include a single elongate trough 102 that includes one or more flume surface walls 103. For example, the surface walls 103 may include a base wall and two side walls. In some embodiments, the assembly 100 may include two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, or twelve elongate troughs 102 and in such examples, each trough may include any number of flume surface walls.

[0189] The device 400 or device 500 may provide for at least one intake (e.g., intake 436) disposed to provide a flow of water to the housing assembly (e.g., assembly 100) via a manifold that provides the flow of water into the single elongate trough 102. The manifold may ensure a substantially laminar flow of water along the elongate trough 102 during a freezing operation of the ice-making device (e.g., device 400 or device 500).

[0190] The device 400 or device 500 may also include a support means mounted to the housing assembly (e.g., assembly 100 or assembly 150). The support means may include a movable support member (e.g., support arms 410, 414, 418, and / or 422) and a fixed guide structure (e.g., slide structures 412, 416, and / or 420) for supporting and guiding the movable support member and the housing (e.g., assembly 100 or housing assembly 150) to tilt to a preselected angle of inclination after the freezing operation of the device. The support means may represent the support arms and slide structures described herein, as indicated above. In some embodiments, the support means may instead include a single support arm and a single slide structure to raise, lower, tilt, spin, or otherwise maneuver the assemblies described herein to process or eject ice ingots.

[0191] The preselected angle of inclination may be about 15 degrees to about 20 degrees from a parallel to a surface of the water bath to permit ejection / release of the clear ice formed during the freezing operation in the at least one elongate trough.

[0192] In some embodiments, the freezing operation may be computer program instructions that trigger cooling of at least three surfaces of at least one elongate trough of the assembly 100 or 150 to a temperature of less than or equal to about zero degrees Celsius at one or more of the flume surface walls defined by the at least one elongate trough.

[0193] In some embodiments, the support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and / or associated slide structures described herein may represent electromechanical actuators that may raise and lower some or all of the housing assembly 150 from the water 406 in the water basin 402. In some embodiments, the support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and or associated slide structures may represent pneumatic actuators that may raise and lower some or all of the housing assembly 150 from the water 406 in the water basin 402.

[0194] Although support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and slide structures 412, 416, 420, and the like are depicted in the figures, one of skill in the art would appreciate that other lifting mechanisms and support mechanisms may be possible including, but not limited to ram / piston configurations, cable / pulley configurations, or the like.

[0195] When ejecting / releasing the ice ingots described herein, ice harvesting equipment may be utilized. For example, the device 500 depicts a table 520 for receiving ice from a plurality of elongate troughs. The table 520 may be lined and / or coated with materials to allow ice ingots to slide while in motion, but to protect the ingots during harvest and / or transport. For example, the table 520 may be composed of food grade rubber or other material that may dampen the movement of ice ingots when ejected / released onto the table 520.

[0196] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an example embodiment of a device 600 for making and releasing clear ice from one or more elongate troughs. The device 600 includes a housing assembly 602 that may include at least one elongate trough. In the depicted example, the assembly 602 includes three elongate troughs 604, 606, and 608. Each elongate trough may include one or more flume surface walls. The elongate troughs 604-608 may each include a single shaped flume surface wall that makes up the trough. In some embodiments, the troughs 604-608 may instead include multiple flume surface walls. For example, the flume surface walls may include a base wall and two side walls. In some embodiments, the assembly 602 may include two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, or twelve elongate troughs and in such examples, each trough may include any number of flume surface walls.

[0197] One or more flume surface walls of each elongate trough of assembly 602 may be in thermal communication with a cooling source (e.g., cooling source 423 of FIG. 4B) while the housing assembly 602 is submerged in a water bath. The cooling source may be selected from an internal cooling cavity defined by the housing, an evaporator, a cold plate, and / or a condenser.

[0198] The device 600 may provide for at least one intake (not shown) disposed to provide a flow of water to the housing assembly (e.g., assembly 602) via a manifold (not shown) thatprovides the flow of water into one or more troughs 604-608. The manifold may ensure a substantially laminar flow of water along the one or more troughs 604-608 during a freezing operation of the ice-making device 600.

[0199] The device 600 may also include a support means mounted to the housing assembly 602. The support means may include a movable support member (e.g., support arms 610, 612, 614, and / or 616) and a fixed guide structure (e.g., slide structures 618, 620, 622, and / or 624) for supporting and guiding the movable support member(s) to cause the housing assembly 602 to tilt to a preselected angle of inclination after the freezing operation of the device. The support means may be coupled to the assembly 602 through assembly carrier components including, but not limited to mounting structures, such as arms 630, 632, 634, and / or 636. Each arm 630- 636 may be further coupled to one another and one or more support arms 610, 612, 614, and 616. The preselected angle of inclination may be about 15 degrees to about 20 degrees from a parallel to a surface of a water bath 638 to permit ejection / release of the clear ice 640 formed during the freezing operation in the at least one elongate trough 604-608.

[0200] In some embodiments, the support means may instead include a single support arm and a single slide structure to raise, lower, tilt, spin, or otherwise maneuver the assemblies described herein to process or eject / release ice ingots. Such a single support arm may be centered and located on an underside of the assembly 602 that, when mounted to device 600, faces the water bath 638 in a water basin 642.

[0201] In some embodiments, the freezing operation may be computer program instructions that trigger cooling of at least three surfaces of at least one elongate trough of the assembly 602 to a temperature of less than or equal to about zero degrees Celsius at one or more of the flume surface walls defined by the at least one elongate trough 604-608.

[0202] FIG. 7A illustrates a top perspective view of an example fluidics system installed in a device 400 for making clear ice. The view depicted in FIG. 7A illustrates a top down view of device 400 with the water basin removed and the assembly 150 removed. The device 400 includes the water pump 408 connected to an intake 432. The water pump 408 is also connected to a pipe 433 that flows from the pump 408 into the water bath (not shown). The intake 432 is connected to the manifold 430. The manifold 430 is connected via valving and / or intake 432 and intake manifold cavities (e.g., intake manifold cavity 434) to at least one intake 436 coupled to piping 438 and disposed to provide a flow of water to the housing assembly (e.g., assembly 100 or 150). Similarly, the manifold may provide water via respective intakemanifold cavities to piping 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, and 714, each respectively connected to a intake 716, 718, 720, 722, 724, 726, and 728, respectively.

[0203] In general, a single intake is provided for each elongate trough. Since device 500 includes eight intakes 436, 716-728, assembly 150 includes eight elongate troughs for generating clear ice. For each elongate trough of assembly 150, the manifold 430 may provide a flow of water via the pump 408 and intake 432. The water may flow from the manifold 430 at a substantially constant flow and pressure into piping 438, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, and 714 and through the respective intakes for each elongate trough of assembly 150 (e.g., intakes 436, 716-728). For example, the manifold 430 may ensure that water flows through the fluidics system of device 400 with a substantially laminar flow while maintaining a substantially equal pressure along each respective elongate trough during a freezing operation of the device 400. In some embodiments, the flow of water is substantially constant down each trough and flows with a velocity of at least about 0.09 meters / second through each trough.

[0204] FIG. 7B illustrates a fluidics component 750 for maintain flow and pressure through the plurality of elongate troughs. The fluidics component 750 includes a pump 408 connected to an intake 432, shown here as pipe section 432a and pipe section 432b. The pump 408 is also connected to a pipe 433 that flows from the pump 408 into the water bath (not shown). The intake portion 432a is connected to the manifold 430. The manifold 430 is connected via valving and / or intake 432a and intake manifold cavities (e.g., intake manifold cavity 434) to at least one intake 436 coupled to piping 438 (FIG. 7A), which is disposed to provide a flow of water to the housing assembly (e.g., including elongate troughs). Any number of intake manifold cavities 434 may receive flow from the manifold 430.

[0205] The manifold 430 may work with the fluidics system to distribute a flow of water evenly by balancing the pressure drop between each pipe path leading up to each trough (e.g., piping 438, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, and 714 of FIG. 7A). Pressure drop may be balanced by inducing a larger pressure drop on the pipe paths that have the least innate resistance (e.g., straightaways), and less pressure drop on the more challenging pipe paths (e.g., at valves, elbows). Thus, the manifold 430 may increase friction or decrease friction depending on the path of water flow in a particular pipe or intake.

[0206] In some embodiments, the devices described herein may not utilize pumped water or valves that provide water to the elongate troughs. For example, the devices described herein may use movement of water in a water bath rather than use a flow of water provided directlyto each elongate trough. Such an arrangement ensures ice formation without the use of pumps, nozzles, valves, etc. to pump and / or circulate water within the elongate troughs.

[0207] FIG. 8 A illustrates a top perspective view of an example device 755 for making clear ice. The device 755 includes an assembly 756 with a plurality of elongate troughs 758. As shown, device 755 includes 16 elongate troughs. However, any number of troughs may be contemplated for device 755. Each trough may include at least three flume surface walls in thermal communication with a cooling source (e.g., cooling source 423 of FIG. 4B) while the assembly 757 of troughs 758 is submerged in a water bath. The cooling source may be selected from an internal cooling cavity defined by the housing, an evaporator, a cold plate, and / or a condenser as described in detail throughout this disclosure.

[0208] The device 757 may be configured to receive a flow of water to the housing assembly (e.g., assembly 100) to substantially cover elongate troughs 758 within basin 760 and during a freezing operation of the ice-making device 755. For example, the basin 760 may be sized to receive a particular assembly 757 of elongate troughs 758. For example, the basin 760 may have a length of about 2.4 meters (e.g., 8 feet), a width of about 1.2 meters (e.g., 4 feet wide), and a height of about 40.6 centimeters (e.g., 16 inches). Other basin sizes are possible based on a number and size of elongate troughs utilized during a freezing operation.

[0209] The device 755 may also include a support means mounted to the assembly 757. The support means may include one or more movable support members (e.g., support arms 410, 414, 418, and / or 422) and a fixed guide structure (e.g., slide structures 412, 416, and / or 420) for supporting and guiding the movable support member and the housing (e.g., assembly 757) to tilt back and forth to oscillate water within the basin 760 during a freezing operation of the device 755 and to tilt the assembly 757 to a preselected angle of inclination after the freezing operation of the device 755. The support means may represent the support arms and slide structures described herein, as indicated above. In some embodiments, the support means may instead include a single support arm and a single slide structure to raise, lower, tilt, spin, or otherwise maneuver the assemblies described herein to process, generate, and / or eject ice ingots. The preselected angle of inclination may be about 15 degrees to about 20 degrees from a parallel to a surface of the water bath to permit ejection / release of the clear ice formed during the freezing operation in the at least one elongate trough.

[0210] Upon completing a recipe or an ice-making process, the device 755 may be configured to be tilted to remove the generated ice. FIG. 8B illustrates a top perspective view of an example device for making and removing clear ice. The assembly 757 of elongate troughs758 is shown tilted from a substantially parallel position (similar to FIG. 5A) to a prone or tilted position at an angle from the z-axis and toward the y-axis where the tilt occurs at an origin defined by line D. The line D is shown in parallel with the connecting beam 426 associated with third support arm 418 (FIG. 8 A) and fourth support arm 422 (FIG. 8 A). The line D may represent an axis of rotation for the assembly 757. The assembly 757 may be tilted from about z=0 to about z= 90. For example, the assembly 757 may be tilted from about z=0 to an angle of inclination and the tilt may occur about the axis of rotation defined by line D. Put another way, the tilt may occur from a surface defined parallel to a surface of the water bath to the angle of inclination in the z-y plane.

[0211] In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 10 degrees to about 15 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 15 degrees to about 20 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 20 degrees to about 25 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 20 degrees to about 25 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 25 degrees to about 30 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 30 degrees to about 35 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 35 degrees to about 40 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 40 degrees to about 45 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 45 degrees to about 50 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 50 degrees to about 55 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 55 degrees to about 60 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 60 degrees to about 70 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 70 degrees to about 80 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination may range from about 80 degrees to about 90 degrees.

[0212] The tilting to a particular angle of inclination may be predefined by a recipe associated with making clear ice on the devices described herein. In some embodiments, tilting the assembly 757 to a particular angle of inclination may be performed according to a user, a programmed device, a switch, or other manual or automated method of causing components to tilt.

[0213] The tilting, pivoting, translation, or other movement of assembly 757 may be prefaced by one or more cycles of generating clear ice. For example, upon completing a freezingoperation to generate clear ice, a processor in communication with components of device 755 may receive instructions to lift the assembly 757 to begin harvesting the clear ice ingots (not shown) from the elongate troughs 758. In operation, a plurality of pneumatic actuators may be actuatable to lift the housing assembly 757 in translation using the first slide structure 412 along an angle of inclination from an initial position (e.g., z=0 or parallel to a surface of water in the basin 760) of the housing assembly 757 to a predetermined raised position (and along a shaft / support arm) associated with the first slide structure 412 while lifting the housing assembly 757 in translation using the second slide structure 416 along the angle of inclination to subsequently tilt the housing at the third support arm 418 and the fourth support arm 422 when in the predetermined raised position to a first preselected tilted position (e.g., about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees) to permit ejection / release of the clear ice (not shown) formed within the plurality of elongate troughs 758. In some embodiments, lifting the housing assembly 757 in translation using the first slide structure 412 and the second slide structure 416 may result in lifting and tilting (e.g., pivoting about line D) to move the entire assembly 757 the same distance from a non-tilted (e.g., parallel to about z=0) position to a tilted position about the line B and in the y-axis and / or the y-z axis.

[0214] In some embodiments, the support arms, slide structures, actuators, and / or lift cylinders described herein may function in combination to move the assembly 757 into positions / angles that allow for holding or removing ice ingots from within the elongate troughs 758. For example, upon completion of a freezing operation to generate clear ice, the first pair of pneumatic lift cylinders (e.g., slide structure 412 and slide structure 416) may be actuatable to tilt the housing assembly 757 at the third support arm 418 and the fourth support arm 422, when the housing assembly 757 is in the predetermined raised position (e.g., a parallel position of assembly 757 similar to assembly 100 in FIG. 5A), to a preselected tilted position (e.g., a tilted position of assembly 757 shown here in FIG. 8B). The pair of pneumatic lift cylinders may permit ejection / release of the clear ice formed within at least one of the plurality of elongate troughs 758 using gravity.

[0215] In some embodiments, the housing assembly 757 may include vibratory components to assist in ice ingot removal. For example, the assembly 757 may include vibrating members to minutely vibrate portions of the elongate troughs to make the clear ice vibrate out of the elongate troughs and onto table 520. The vibrating members may include a piezoelectric vibrating elements, ultrasonic transducers, or other vibratory element for generating sonicmovements. In some embodiments, portions of the elongate troughs 758 may also be heated after a freezing cycle to decouple ice surfaces from the elongate troughs to assist in ice removal.

[0216] In some embodiments, the support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and / or associated slide structures described herein may represent electromechanical actuators that may raise and lower some or all of the housing assembly 757 from the water in the water basin 760. In some embodiments, the support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and or associated slide structures may represent pneumatic actuators that may raise and lower some or all of the housing assembly 757 from the water in the water basin 760.

[0217] Although support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and slide structures 412, 416, 420, and the like are depicted in the figures, one of skill in the art would appreciate that other lifting mechanisms and support mechanisms may be possible including, but not limited to ram / piston configurations, cable / pulley configurations, or the like.

[0218] When ejecting / releasing the ice ingots described herein, ice harvesting equipment may be utilized. For example, the device 755 depicts the table 520 for receiving ice from a plurality of elongate troughs. The table 520 may be lined and / or coated with materials to allow ice ingots to slide while in motion, but to protect the ingots during harvest and / or transport. For example, the table 520 may be composed of food grade rubber or other material that may dampen the movement of ice ingots when ejected / released onto the table 520.

[0219] FIG. 8C illustrates a manifold 762 for circulating coolant within a plurality of cooling cavities associated with a plurality of elongate troughs. As shown, the manifold 762 includes a number of controls 764 and 766 for controlling a turbulent flow or a laminar flow of coolant in a plurality of pipes 768, 770 flowing to one or more cooling cavities associated with the elongate troughs. The controls 764 and 766 may also be used for controlling temperature of the flow of coolant in the plurality of pipes 768 and 770 flowing to one or more cooling cavities associated with the elongate troughs. In some embodiments, the controls 764, 766 may include manual dials or knobs to adjust the flow or temperature of coolant manually. In some embodiments, the controls 764, 766 may be adjusted in an automated fashion to adjust the flow or temperature of coolant electronically according to a recipe, sensor input, and / or user request.

[0220] In some embodiments, the water basins described herein may include a lid (not shown) to maintain a particular temperature within the basin. The lid may be attached to a portion of the basin to ensure that the lid remains in place during a freezing operation. For example, the lid may have a supporting ring having a snap fit to a portion of the basin. In some embodiments, the lid may have a supporting ring having a friction fit within a rim of the basin.In some embodiments, the lid may have an opening it a center region for viewing contents of the basin.

[0221] FIG. 8D illustrates a set of equations to determine a ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces within a fluid subjected to relative internal movement. Such a ratio may vary based on varying the ratio of a cross-sectional area of the elongate trough used by the in an ice-making process performed by the ice-making devices described herein.

[0222] In some embodiments, the devices and / or assemblies described herein are configured to produce clear ice using a closed, pressurized environment. For example, the devices and / or assemblies described herein may include at least one closed and pressurized elongate structure (e.g., a housing, a tube, a pipe, or other elongated reservoir) adapted to receive water or other water therein and / or therethrough. The elongate structure may be configured to also receive coolant therethrough in a portion separate from the water receiving portion of the elongate structure. For example, the devices described herein allow for water to flow along one or more elongate troughs (e.g., flumes, ice molds, etc.) within the elongate structure, where each of the troughs are cooled on two or more sides (via conduction of heat through the trough sides / side walls) to form clear ice. The elongate troughs may be arranged around a central core (e.g., a cooling cavity) to allow each trough to be inserted into an insulated housing. In some embodiments, the troughs may be inserted into the elongate structure as a single component having multiple troughs formed within the single component. In some embodiments, the troughs may be combined with the central core in a single combined component such that the cooling cavity (e.g., central core) and the troughs are formed as the single combined component having multiple troughs surrounding the cooling cavity. The entire combined component may be inserted into the elongate structure (e.g., a housing, a tube, a pipe, or other elongated reservoir). As used herein, the terms “elongate trough”, “trough” and “flume” are considered synonymous and can be used interchangeably throughout this disclosure.

[0223] In some embodiments, the devices, and / or assemblies described herein may be configured to allow water to flow along the pressurized elongate structure while portions of the structure are cooled or supercooled. The elongate structure may be adapted to have two or more elongate troughs within the structure. Each trough may be arranged around the cooling cavity (e.g., central core) through which coolant may flow. Described broadly for many embodiments, the device generally provides one or more elongate troughs (e.g., flumes) configured in thermal communication with at least one reservoir (e.g., cooling line, cooling pipe, cooling tube, cooling cavity, etc.) of circulating coolant. In some embodiments, thecoolant may flow through a portion of the device and / or assemblies described herein at a relatively constant flow and pressure to maintain a particular cooling rate and / or temperature, for example, and to consistently continue to cool structures adjacent to a cooling portion of the elongate structure. In some embodiments, additional cooling may be applied to the troughs described herein via one or more additional cooling apparatuses (e.g., cooling plates, cooling elements, etc.).

[0224] For each elongate trough within the devices described herein, a flow of water may be provided down at least a portion of the length of each trough during a freezing operation of the device and / or assembly. The freezing operation includes at least one cooling cavity receiving coolant therethrough when the cooling cavity is in thermal communication with at least a portion of each trough. During the freezing operation, clear ice forms on one or more surface walls of the trough(s), growing in thickness and filling up to a certain thickness in the elongate trough(s), according to various predetermined parameters described herein. In some embodiments, the speed of water (as either laminar or turbulent flow) through the elongate trough can be varied to configure the devices and / or assemblies described herein to form clear ice at a particular rate and / or clarity. In general, the flow of the water may be configured to drive out air bubbles from an ice forming surface within the elongate trough.

[0225] Once an ingot of ice has been generated within a particular elongate trough, the freezing operation can be stopped, allowing for collection of the ice ingot. In some embodiments, a heating process may occur before collection of the ice ingot. The heating process may function to melt a portion of one or more outer walls of the ice ingot to assist in removal of the ice ingot. The generated ice ingot can be subsequently modified to produce a variety of aesthetically pleasing comestibles.

[0226] In some embodiments, the devices, housings, and / or assemblies described herein may be seated substantially horizontally (e.g., from about -15 degrees to about 15 degrees from a parallel to a horizontal surface, such as a floor). Such substantially horizontal seating of the devices, housings, and / or assemblies may provide an advantage of an ease of removal of the ice ingots to a conveyer for future processing, for example.

[0227] In some embodiments, the devices and methods described herein can generate clear ice at a speed of at least about 7 millimeters per hour to about 26 millimeters per hour measured as linear height of accumulated clear ice on any given point of a surface wall of an elongate trough per unit time. Furthermore, in the devices and methods described herein, ice grows in multiple directions, thereby effectively halving the thickness of ice through which heat flowsto generate new ice. This provides a dramatic advantage in speed over conventional ice generating technologies that can typically grow ice in a single direction.

[0228] In some embodiments, the ice making devices described herein (e.g., device 400, 500, 600, 755, 1000, etc.) may use a table (e.g., catch cart, conveyer table, or the like) to receive ice ingots from the trough assemblies described herein. In such examples, the trough assembly may be elevated out of a water bath and the ice within the assembly may be pushed onto a table, cart, or conveyer system. In some embodiments, the trough assembly may be elevated out of the water bath and additionally such trough assemblies may tilt to release ice ingots onto a table that may also tilt to receive the ice ingots.

[0229] FIG. 8E illustrates an example table 520 (e.g., catch cart, conveyer table, or the like) that may be configured to receive ice ingots after a freezing operation. The table 520 may include a base 451 coupled to a frame 453. The base 451 may include a number of individual pads 450 and / or bumper pads 478 to receive and damp ice ingots from the trough assemblies described herein. Each pad 450 or bumper pad 478 may be arranged at a base 453 of the table 520 and adjacent to a first end 455 of defined channels 479 in the table 520 that may be aligned with defined channels in the trough assembly.

[0230] A cross-section of the defined channels 479 of the table 520 may have dimensions approximately equal to, or slightly larger than, a cross-section of the defined channels of the assembly 757, or the like described herein, which includes a plurality of troughs / flumes 758.

[0231] Additionally, and referring to FIG. 8B, a length 782 of the channel s / troughs of table 520 may be approximately equal to, or slightly larger than, a length 780 of the defined assembly 757 channels. The length 780 of the assembly 757 may be about 1 meter to about 2 meters. The length 780 of the defined assembly 757 may also be the length of the produced ice ingots. Because the ice ingots are elongated in form, the table 520 may be connectable to ensure concentrical alignment of the defined channels of the assembly 757 and the channels of the table 520. Movable table 520 may be transportable upon wheels, rails, within guides, or any other suitable transport devices.

[0232] Elements of embodiments for ensuring alignment have been contemplated. For example, transportable tables 520 may include one or more alignment features at an interface with the assembly 757. The table 520 may include one or more pins, fasteners, aligners, or the like. The assembly 757 may include an equal number of defined apertures, fastener receivers, and / or receiving aligners approximately matching a diameter of the pins, fasteners, and / or aligners. The position of the defined apertures on the assembly 757 are such that, whenconcentrically aligned with the respective pins of the table 520, alignment of the channels of the assembly 757 and the channels of the table 520 is achieved.

[0233] In some embodiments, the pins may be conical as to improve the ease of inserting the pin into a respective aperture. In addition, spacing the table 520 from the assembly 757 may be facilitated with a bump-stop (not shown) either mounted to the table 520 or the assembly 757. The bump-stop (not shown) may be inserted at an interface between the table 520 and the assembly 757 and functions to stop the table 520 at a predetermined spacing. In some embodiments, removable pins may be used to lock the table 520 to the assembly 757.

[0234] Another example alignment element may include magnet-to-magnet coupling. For example, a magnetic alignment coupling may be used with embodiments in which the assembly 757 and the table 520 are made of a non-ferromagnetic material, for example, aluminum. In a magnet-to-magnet coupling, magnets may be placed on the table 520 that correspond in position to magnets placed on the assembly 757. When the table 520 is positioned near the assembly 757 within a threshold distance selected based on magnet strength, a magnetic force is generated between the magnets to adjust and hold the table 520 in alignment to receive ice ingots from assembly 757, for example. The magnet-to-magnet coupling can also be accomplished with replacing a magnet of each coupling set with a portion of ferromagnetic material.

[0235] Another example alignment element may include a temporary alignment-jig (not shown). The alignment-jig may include one or ridges, which approximately match the defined channels of the table 520 and channels of the assembly 757. The alignment-jig may fit in the defined channels of the table 520 and assembly 757 when the two channel sets are aligned. After a table 520 is positioned at the interface with the assembly 757, the alignment-jig may then be used as an indicator for performing fine adjustments to align the channels of assembly 757 with the channels of table 520. The alignment-jig may be removed prior to the transfer of ice ingots from the assembly 757.

[0236] FIG. 8F illustrates an example springboard assembly 401 for use with the tables described herein. The springboard assembly 401 includes at least a first pad 450, a second pad 452, a platform 454, an over spring 460, an inner spring 456, and a rod 458. The rod 458 may include a first rod portion 466, a second rod portion 464, and a rod head 462.

[0237] The springboard assembly 401 may be installed in a footboard 470 of the table 520 and may be positioned in the path of an ice ingot sliding down an inclined ice ingot channel 482 (shown in FIG. 8G). The springboard assembly 401 may function to arrest (e.g., slow to astop) the sliding ice ingot by damping the motion of the ice ingot and lowering the possibility of damaging the ice ingot.

[0238] FIG. 8G illustrates a zoomed in view of the example table of FIG. 8E. The view of table 520 shown here includes a footboard 470 that may define one or more apertures 472 in a foot plate 474 installed within the springboard assembly 401, for example. A diameter of the apertures 472 may be larger than a diameter of both the first rod portion 466 and the second rod portion 464, but smaller than the diameter of the rod head 462, the diameter of the over spring 460 and the diameter of the inner spring 456.

[0239] The springboard assembly 401 may be installed with the rod 458 within a defined aperture 472, and within the foot plate 474 between the over spring 460 and the rod head 462 (shown in FIGs. 8F and / or 8G). When a sliding ice ingot contacts the springboard assembly 401 at the first pad 450, the energy may be transferred through the first pad 450, the second pad 452, the platform 454, and into compressing the over spring 460 as the rod 458 is pressed into the defined aperture 472 (shown in FIGs. 8F and / or 8G). If the ice ingot kinetic energy is great enough to continue to compress the outer spring 460 until the second rod portion 464 enters the defined aperture 472, the inner spring 456 contacts the foot plate 474 and begins to compress (shown in FIGs. 8F and / or 8G). The spring rate of the over spring 460 generating the deceleration force of the springboard assembly 401 now added to by the spring rate of the inner spring 456, and the deceleration force of the dual springs now generates decelerative forces quicker in terms of compression distance. The added spring rate of the inner spring 456 helps stop the advance of the ice ingot. The use of the over spring 460 and the inner spring 456 in this way may decrease a shock applied to the ice ingot. For example, the ice ingot is decelerating before the increase in spring rate occurs when the inner spring 456 is engaged, thus a lower shock input would be experienced compared to a system with the sum spring rate experienced at initial contact of the ice ingot to the spring board assembly 401. Once the potential energy of the ice ingot is overbalanced by the potential energy of the springs 460, 456, the springs 460, 456 will begin to press the ice ingot back towards the assembly 490, and as such, the inner spring 456 will disengage earlier than the over spring 460. The ice ingot will bounce with decreasing oscillation amplitude. The damping of the bounce may be provided by the friction between the ice ingot and the ice ingot channel 482, and the materials used in the first pad 450 and the second pad 452. For example, if the first pad 450 and second pad 452 are composed of a compressible material, such as a foam, the rate of oscillation amplitude decrease may be increased. The materials used for the first pad 450 and the second pad 452 may be thesame or different. For example, the first pad 450 may be made of a first food safe foam and the second pad 452 may be made of a second food safe foam, where the first foam of the first pad 450 has a reduced density as compared to the second foam of the second pad 452. Furthermore, the springboard assembly 401 may include a hydraulic damper or mechanical damper used in conjunction with one or more of the elements described above. For example, the first pad 450, second pad 452, and the platform 454 may be assembled as shown in FIG. 8F, and a hydraulic damper may be coupled to the platform 454 to the footboard 470 (shown in FIG. 8G). When a moving ice ingot contacts the first pad 450, a portion of the kinetic energy of the ice ingot is absorbed by the hydraulic damper, reducing the shock of arresting the ice ingot, and increasing the rate of oscillation amplitude decrease.

[0240] The illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8G may include a springboard assembly 401 for each ice ingot channel 482. Alternative embodiments may include one springboard assembly 401 for multiple ice ingot channels. For example, a single springboard assembly 401 may be used to arrest any number less than the number of ice ingot channels 482. Further embodiments may include bumper pads 478, 476 instead of springboard assemblies 401. As shown in FIG. 8G, bumper pads 478, 476 may be placed in the ice ingot travel path and on the footboard 470. The first bumper pad 478 and the second pad 476 may be made out of the same material or differing materials. For example, the first bumper pad 478 may be made of a food safe foam and the second bumper pad 476 may be made of a food safe foam with an increased density than that of the first bumper pad 478. The less dense foam of the first bumper pad 478 may provide a cushioned interface for the ice ingot, while the stiffer foam of the second bumper pad 476 may provide for a rigid base. The first bumper pad 478 and second bumper pad 476 may extend across all ice ingot channels of the table or may be sectioned across any number less than the total number of ice ingot channels of the table.

[0241] In some embodiments, the arresting element may include flexible slings or bands strapped across one or more ice ingot channel exits 480 (shown if FIG. 8G). For example, a food safe rubber band may be strapped across the ice ingot exit 480 as to decelerate and arrest a sliding ice ingot. Once in contact with the rubber band, the ice ingots kinetic energy is transferred to potential energy of the stretching rubber band, until the kinetic energy is overcome and the ice ingot is pressed back up the ice ingot channel of the table. The ice ingot may bounce with decreasing oscillation amplitude due to the friction of the ice ingot on the ice ingot channel until motionless.

[0242] FIG. 9 illustrates an example alignment element (e.g., guide slot system 582) that may be used with the flume / trough assemblies and tables described herein. The alignment element may include track systems or guide slot systems. For example, one or more guide slots may be used to translate the table to and from the assembly 490.

[0243] As shown, the guide slot system 582 includes a first guide slot portion 496a, a second guide slot portion 496b, a third guide slot portion 494a, a fourth guide slot portion 494b, one or more tables 488, and one or more assembly 490. The table 488 may include a first portion 480, a second portion 482, a third portion 484, and a fourth portion 486 that engage the guide slot system 582. The first guide slot portion 496a may be parallel to the second guide slot portion 496b. The third guide slot portion 494a may be parallel to the fourth guide slot portion 494b, and the third guide slot portion 494a and fourth guide slot portion 494b may connect to the first guide slot portion 496a and second guide slot portion 496b (as shown in FIG. 9). In the illustrated example, the table 488 may engage the guide slot system 582 with the first portion 480, the second portion 482, the third portion 484, and the fourth portion 486. The portions 482, 484, 486, 488 may be roller assemblies. When translating the table 488 along the axis 498, the first portion 480 and the second portion 482 may be within the first guide slot portion 496a, and the third portion 484 and the fourth portion 486 may be within the second slot portion 496b. Positioned in this way, the table 488 can be translated along the first portion 496a and the second portion 496b while keeping the aligned orientation (with respect to axis 492, 498) for coupling to the assembly 490 to receive ice ingots. Translation along the first guide slot portion 496a and the second guide slot portion 496b may be performed when transporting the table 488 to the assembly 490 or away from the assembly 490 when loaded with ice ingots. If there are more than one assembly 490, the guide slot system 582 may be used to transport a table 488 to a particular assembly 490 for example, to a table with ice ingots ready to be harvested. When moving the table 488 into a position to receive ice ingots from the assembly 490, the third guide slot portion 494a and the fourth guide slot portion 494b may be utilized. The table 488 may be translated to the point where the first guide slot portion 496a and the second guide slot portion 496b meet the third guide slot portion 494a and the fourth guide slot portion 494b. At the junction of the first guide slot portion 496a and the second guide slot portion 496b meeting the third guide slot portion 494a and the fourth guide slot portion 494b, the table 488 may change translation direction from along the axis 498 to the axis 492. In changing translation direction, the first portion 480 and third portion 484 may engage the third guide slot portion 494a, and the second portion 482 and fourth portion 486 may engagethe fourth guide slot portion 494b. The third guide slot portion 494a and fourth guide slot portion 494b may lead to the aligned assembly 490, and tolerance at the portion 480, 482, 484, 486 interfaces, to ensure alignment of the table 488 to the assembly 490. In some embodiments, one or more tables 488 may be used with the guide slot system 582. It may be advantageous to translate a table 488 along the first guide slot portion 496a and the second guide slot portion 496b and past another table 488 engaged with an assembly 490. The portion length 580 of the third guide slot portion 494a and the fourth guide slot portion 494b may be larger than the length 584 of the table 488. Thus, when a table 488 is guided toward an interface with an assembly 490, another table 488, engaged with the first guide slot portion 496a and second guide slot portion 496b, may translate past.

[0244] Some examples of food safe materials used for the construction of device elements described herein may include Polyethylene, Polycarbonate, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Polypropylene, Silicone, Nylon, Acetal, Polyvinyl Chloride, Polyvinylidene Fluoride, Neoprene, Nitrile, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, Aluminum, Copper, Stainless Steel, or the like.

[0245] Tables may be used for receiving and transferring ice ingots as described in examples herein, but the tables may also include elements for controlling a temperature or temperatures proximal to the ice ingots. By controlling temperatures proximal to the ice ingots (e.g., lowering temperatures with respect to ambient temperature), the melting risk for the ice ingots while being transported or stored on the table is reduced. In some embodiments elements for controlling a temperature or temperature may be devices and methods that lower the thermal (e.g., heat) transfer rate of the environment proximal to the ice ingots. For example, a cover or lid that encompasses the top of the table may be used to lower the thermal transfer rate of the environment proximal to the ice ingots. The cover or lid may shield the ice ingots from convective heat transfer of air currents and traps air between the cover and the ice ingots that acts as thermal insulation around ice ingots. The effectiveness of the cover may be improved by constructing the ice ingot channels out of, or coating the ice ingot channels with, a material with high thermal resistivity. With the ice ingots resting on, and in contact with, a material with high thermally resistivity, heat transferred into the ice ingot through conduction is reduced. The cover or lid may be hingeably coupled to the table or removable. In addition, the cover or lid may fasten to the table with a gasketed or otherwise sealed interface. In embodiments with a sealed interface between the cover and the table, a vacuum pump may be employed to draw a vacuum on the interior of the cover. Drawing a vacuum on the interior of the cover mayeliminate heat transfer through the air molecules that would be otherwise within the interior of the cover. Radiation heat transfer through the cover may be reduced by constructing the cover out of, or coating the cover with, a material with thermally reflective properties. For example, the cover may be covered with a polished aluminum foil.

[0246] Another example of an element for controlling a temperature or temperatures proximal to the ice ingots on the table may be the use of thermoelectric modules. The thermoelectric modules may be Peltier modules which may be used for the transfer of heat energy. Peltier modules use the Peltier effect, such that, when electrical current is supplied to the module a “cold” side is created and a “hot” side, opposite the “cold” side, is created. Some embodiments may include one or more Peltier modules coupled to a portion of the table near the ice ingot channels 482 (shown in FIG. 9), such that the “cold” side is conductively coupled to the table portion. The “hot” side of the Peltier module may be conductively coupled to a heat sink. When electrical current is supplied to the one or more Peltier modules, heat energy may be transferred from any material in contact with the “cold” side of the Peltier module, transferred to the “hot” side, and transferred into the heat sink. One or more Peltier modules may be used in conjunction with cover devices described herein.

[0247] FIG. 10 illustrates a top down perspective view of an example device 1000 for making clear ice. The device 1000 includes a frame 1002 that supports a basin 1004 that may receive an assembly 1006 (e.g., a housing of two or more troughs / flumes 1008). The device 1000 also includes a support means mounted to the assembly 1006. The support means may include one or more movable support members (e.g., support arms 1010, 1014, 1018, and / or 1022) and a fixed guide structure (e.g., slide structures 1012, 1016, 1020, and / or 1023) for supporting and guiding the movable support member and the housing (e.g., assembly 1006) to tilt back and forth to oscillate water within the basin 1004 during a freezing operation of the device 1000 and to lift the assembly 1006 to a preselected height after the freezing operation of the device 1000. The support means may represent the support arms and slide structures described herein, as indicated above. In some embodiments, the support means may instead include a support arm and a slide structure to raise, lower, tilt, spin, or otherwise maneuver the assemblies described herein to process, generate, and / or eject ice ingots. In general, the device 1000 may also include or be in fluid and / or electrical communication with the water, pump, and electrical systems that are not shown here, but may be included, as described in FIGs. 7A-8D herein.

[0248] The assembly 1006 may be coupled to any number of connecting beams 1028, 1030 that may allow the movable support members (e.g., support arms 1010, 1014, 1018, and / or1022) and a fixed guide structure (e.g., slide structures 1012, 1016, 1020, and / or 1023) can move (raise, lower, tilt, etc.) the assembly 1006.

[0249] The device 1000 further includes at least one intake disposed to provide a flow of water to the housing (e.g., the troughs of assembly 1006), as described in detail with respect to FIGs. 7A-7B herein. The device 1000 may also include a means for distributing the flow of water from the at least one intake into the plurality of elongate troughs. Such a means may include the manifold and / or control described herein and / or associated piping, valving, etc. In general, the flow of water is distributed with a substantially laminar flow along the plurality of elongate troughs while the housing is submerged and during a freezing operation of the device. The flow of water may be a substantially constant flow of water down the plurality of elongate troughs flowing at a velocity of at least about 0.09 meters per second through the plurality of elongate troughs, as described in detail with respect to FIGs. 7A-7B herein.

[0250] In some embodiments, the at least one intake is coupled to a venturi nozzle to increase water flow into one or more elongate troughs of assembly 1006 in response to determining that the one or more troughs exhibit a water pressure drop below a predefined threshold pressure, as described in detail herein.

[0251] As shown in FIG. 10, the assembly 1006 includes 16 elongate troughs that are modularly connected and arranged in parallel to one another. However, any number of troughs may be contemplated for use with device 1000. Each trough may include at least one flume surface wall in thermal communication with a cooling source (e.g., cooling source 423 of FIG. 4B) while the assembly 1006 of troughs is submerged in a water bath. The cooling source may be selected from an internal cooling cavity defined by the housing, an evaporator, a cold plate, and / or a condenser as described in detail throughout this disclosure. If coolants are used, the coolants may include, but are not limited to water, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, brine, and / or mixtures thereof.

[0252] In operation, a turbulent flow of coolant may be generated by adjusting a speed of coolant flowing in the internal cooling cavities within the elongate troughs. In some embodiments, a turbulent flow of coolant may be generated using a turbulent flow generator for each elongate trough. The turbulent flow generator may be comprised of metal shaped like a coil or other shape installed within a coolant flow field (either upstream from the elongate troughs or within each trough). For example, the turbulent flow generator may be configured to partially occlude a portion of a coolant flow field and / or a portion of an inlet at each elongate trough to generate a turbulent flow by agitating coolant flowing through the elongate troughs.

[0253] The device 1000 may also be configured to receive a flow of water to the housing assembly (e.g., assembly 1006) to substantially cover elongate troughs 1008 within basin 1004 and during a freezing operation of the ice-making device 1000. Upon completing a recipe or an ice-making process, the device 1000 may be configured to be lifted, agitated, vibrated, heated, and / or manipulated to remove the generated ice.

[0254] The device 1000 further includes an ejection assembly 1050 (FIG. 11). The ejection assembly 1050 may be configured to remove ice from the troughs of assembly 1006. The ejection assembly 1050 be coupled to a frame 1051 (and assembly 1006) that further couples to a lead screw 1052 (see FIG. 12). The lead screw 1052 may be coupled to a drive mechanism 1054 (e.g., a motor, a handwheel, etc.). The ejection assembly 1050 may be coupled to a portion of the housing assembly 1006 by connecting beams 1028, 1030.

[0255] In some embodiments, the ejection assembly 1050 may be replaced by an ejection assembly having a number of knurled wheels, each mounted to an axle that is radially mounted to a support. The support may be movably mounted to a portion of the housing. For example, the support may be spring-mounted to the knurled wheel to allow the wheel to resiliently contact the elongate ice ingots within the elongate flumes to allow for the wheel to rotate and cause movement of the ingots out of an end opening of the assembly 1006. For example, each knurled wheel may be placed in resilient contact with a portion of at least one clear ice ingot (formed within the plurality of elongate troughs). Each knurled wheel may be configured to rotate on the axle to grip the at least one clear ice ingot to move the ingot along the plurality of elongate troughs of assembly 1006.

[0256] The frame 1051 may be coupled to the housing assembly 1006 by connecting beams 1028, 1030. The frame 1051 may be further coupled to a paddle assembly 1056 for assisting with removal of ice ingots after a freezing operation. In some embodiments, the frame 1051 may instead be coupled to a support and axle for each trough. Each support and axle may receive a knurled wheel.

[0257] In operation, the drive mechanism 1054 (e.g., linear actuator, stepper motor, handwheel, etc.) may cause the lead screw 1052 to turn, which may cause the paddle assembly 1056 to push the ice ingots from the channels of the trough assembly 1006. For example, the trough assembly 1006 includes a first end Al and a second end A2 that are configured to be raised from a first position (in the water bath of basin 1004) to a second position (above the water bath / basin 1004) to release the clear ice formed within at least one of the plurality of elongate troughs. The first position includes both the first end A of the housing 1006 and thesecond end B of the housing 1006 being substantially parallel to and beneath a surface of the water bath in basin 1004. The second position includes the first end A of the housing 1006 and the second end B of the housing 1006 being raised via movable support members (e.g., support arms 1010, 1014, 1018, and / or 1022) and a fixed guide structure (e.g., slide structures 1012, 1016, 1020, and / or 1023) from the first position to substantially parallel to and above the surface of the water bath / basin 1004. For example, pneumatic actuators may be installed on device 1000 and may be actuatable to cause lifting of the housing assembly 1006 in translation along the first slide structure 1012, the second slide structure 1016, the third slide structure 1020, and the fourth slide structure 1023 from an initial position of the housing to a predetermined raised position to subsequently lift the housing assembly 1006 at the first support arm 1010, the second support arm 1014, the third support arm 1018, and the fourth support arm 1022.

[0258] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the housing assembly 1006 is further configured to vibrate during the raising / lifting from the first position to the second position to release and / or loosen the clear ice formed within at least one of the plurality of elongate troughs of assembly 1006. In some embodiments, at least one flume surface wall (e.g., trough wall) may be in thermal communication with a heating source. The heating source may be configured to heat the at least one flume surface wall after the freezing operation of the device to perform such loosening of the ice ingots. After the lifting of assembly 1006 and the heating of troughs 1008, etc., the paddle assembly 1056 may push the ice from the assembly 1006 onto a conveyer, a table, or the like.

[0259] FIG. 13 illustrates an example paddle assembly 1056 for ejecting ice from one or more troughs. The paddle assembly includes prongs 1302 that may be sized to fit within a trough to push ice from the trough. For example, each of the sixteen prongs 1302 may be sized to fit a single trough. The paddle assembly 1056 may be arranged at a first end A of device 1000 after an ice generating operation. The paddle assembly 1056 may then be triggered to push the ice ingots from each trough opening at the first end A and out of the trough openings at the second end B of the device 1000, such that each paddle of the paddle assembly 1056 translates along the length of each trough opening. Although paddles are shown, one of skill in the art will appreciate that any structure or surface can be translated along the length of the trough to dislodge, move, or otherwise push or guide an ingot through the trough.

[0260] The paddle assembly 1056 also includes a guide 1304 to receive the lead screw 1052. For example, the lead screw 052 may be threaded through the guide 1304. In someembodiments, a guide 1306 may be included on paddle assembly 1056 to hold a support shaft (not shown) for supporting the frame 1051 of the ejection assembly 1050.

[0261] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of the assembly 1006 of FIG. 10 in a raised position. For example, the ejection assembly 1050 is coupled to the trough assembly 1006. The combined assembly is raised out of the water bath (not shown) and above the surface of frame 1002 to begin an ice releasing / ejecting process. FIG. 15 illustrates an example of ejecting ice ingots 1502 onto a convey or / table 1504 after completion of an ice making operation.METHODS

[0262] FIG. 16 is an example flow diagram of a process 1600 for manufacturing clear ice. The process 1600 includes providing a device (e.g., device 400, device 500, device 600, device 755, etc.) for making clear ice at block S1602, receiving a source of water at block S1604, providing a flow of water down at least one elongate trough SI 606, cooling at least a portion of at least one flume surface wall of the at least one elongate trough at block SI 608, and ejecting / releasing at least one elongate ice structure formed in the at least one elongate trough at block S 1610.

[0263] The process 1600 includes providing a device for making clear ice according to block SI 602. The device for making clear ice can be any of the embodiments of devices described elsewhere herein and depicted in the various figures above. In an example, the device may include at least a housing having a plurality of elongate troughs where each of the plurality of elongate troughs include at least one flume surface wall in thermal communication with a cooling source while the housing is submerged in a water bath.

[0264] The device may also include at least one intake disposed to provide a flow of water from a water source and to a first end of the housing assembly (e.g., assemblies 100, 150, 602, etc.). The device may also include a means for distributing the flow of water from the at least one intake into the plurality of elongate troughs. Such a means may include the manifold and / or control described herein and / or associated piping, valving, etc. In general, the flow of water is distributed with a substantially laminar flow and substantially equal pressure along the plurality of elongate troughs while the housing is submerged and during a freezing operation of the device. The flow of water may be a substantially constant flow of water down the plurality of elongate troughs flowing at a velocity of at least about 0.09 meters per second through the plurality of elongate troughs.

[0265] At block SI 604, the process 1600 includes receiving, at the device for making clear ice, a source of water. For example, a flowing water source may be connected to the device pump or intakes. In another example, a water source may be a reservoir of water that a device pump may uptake and provide to the manifold, piping, and valving described herein.

[0266] At block S1606, the process 1600 includes providing a substantially constant flow of water via the intake and down the plurality of elongate troughs from the first end of the housing assembly (e.g., assembly 150 of FIG. IB) to a second end of the housing assembly opposite the first end of the housing assembly. For example, a constant flow of water may be provided into a first end defined by width A to C of housing 150 and may flow toward a second end of the housing assembly B.

[0267] In some embodiments, the flow of water is provided to the elongate troughs by at least one intake valve positioned in the housing / assembly associated with the elongate troughs. In some embodiments, the flow of water can be provided by other means appreciated by those of skill in the art. A sufficient flow rate of water is utilized to exclude air bubbles and impurities from the growing layer of clear ice on at least one flume surface wall during a freezing operation of the device.

[0268] At block SI 608, the process 1600 includes cooling the at least one flume surface wall to a temperature of less than or equal to about zero degrees Celsius at the at least one flume surface wall, as described in detail above. The cooling may be carried out by a cooling source (e.g. cooling source 423 of FIG. 4B) including one or more of an internal cooling cavity defined by the housing, an evaporator, a cold plate, or a condenser.

[0269] At block S 1610, the process includes ejecting / releasing, after the freezing operation including the cooling, at least one elongate ice structure formed in the at least one elongate trough. The ejecting / releasing may include lifting the first end of the housing assembly to a preselected angle of inclination to discharge the plurality of elongate ice structures from the second end of the housing assembly. The first end of the housing assembly may be defined by width A to C of housing 150 (FIG. IB). The second end of the housing assembly may be defined by end B of assembly 150 (FIG. IB). The discharge of ice may occur from an opposite end of where water flows in the elongate troughs of the assembly 150, for example.

[0270] In some embodiments, the device for making clear ice further includes at least one processor and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to execute instructions that include receiving a recipe program defining a cooling source temperature protocol, a cooling time protocol, and a velocity for the flow ofwater and executing the recipe program to cause the device to generate clear ice in the plurality of elongate troughs according to the recipe program.

[0271] The cooling time protocol may indicate a length of time to perform cooling according to the recipe program to produce particular ice structures. The length of time may be based at least in part on the selected cooling source, the defined velocity for the flow of water, the ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the device, the temperature of flume surface walls within the device, or a combination thereof. Upon cooling for the length of time, ice ingots produced by the device may be harvested.

[0272] The cooling source temperature protocol may indicate a number of settings to configure for a duration of the cooling time. The settings may include two or more of a temperature in which to cool the water bath of the device, an initial cooling temperature in which to cool at least one flume surface wall, a mid-cycle plateau flow or temperature in which to cool at least one flume surface wall, an end plateau flow or temperature, and an annealing time.

[0273] FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-section of a trough for making clear ice. As shown, the process of making the ice is underway during a freezing operation. In this embodiment, a housing 1702 of a single elongate trough 1704 has a semicircular base flume surface wall 1706 and a first and second side flume surface wall 1708 and 1710. These surface flume walls 1706, 1708, 1710 are in thermal communication with an internal cooling cavity 1712 or other cooling apparatus enclosed by the housing 1702. During a freezing operation, sufficient coolant is circulated through the internal cooling cavity 1712 such that coolant 1714 flowing down the length of the elongate trough 1704 in its ice-forming zone 1705b as divided by Line A can freeze on the surface flume walls 1706, 1708, and / or 1710 to form an ingot of clear ice. FIG. 17 depicts a midway point during a freezing operation in which clear ice 1716 (shaded area) has begun to form on the flume surface walls 1706, 1708, 1710 but has not yet frozen sufficient water to form a solid ingot of clear ice. Arrows 1718 illustrate the general direction of ice formation during this process. When a solid ingot of clear ice has formed, any remaining flowing water can traverse the elongate trough 1704 and be removed via an outlet (e.g., water outlet valve, drain, and / or associated fluid lines).

[0274] FIG. 18 depicts a perspective view of a flow straightener 1800 (e.g., a flow straightener insert) positioned within an elongate trough 1850 attached to either an entry portal of the elongate trough 1850. In some embodiments, a flow straightener 1800 comprises a rigid or semi-rigid material insert or assembly defining one or more apertures or openings 1802.These openings 1802 can have a variety of shapes, number, and arrangement in the flow straightener 1800 across multiple embodiments, but in many embodiments, the openings are all circular (except for those abutting against the edge of the flow straightener 1800), have the same diameter, and are spaced in series of packed columns as shown in FIG. 18. In some embodiments, the height of one or more openings 1102a of the flow straightener 1800 is no taller than the maximum height of the corresponding inlet portal. In some embodiments, the height of one or more openings 1102a is no taller than Line C, a predetermined height that is within the water overflow zone of the elongate trough 1850 but less than the maximum height of the elongate trough 1850. In some embodiments, each trough 1850 has a flow straightener 1800 positioned at both its corresponding entry portal and exit portal. In some embodiments, each elongate trough 1850 has a flow straightener 1800 positioned at only one of the entry portal or the exit portal. In some embodiments, an elongate trough 1850 can lack a flow straightener 1800 at both an entry portal and an exit portal. Across various embodiments, the flow straightener 1800 can be coupled to the flow entry portal, the exit portal, or by one or more flow blocking caps by a variety of coupling means, including, but not limited to adhesives, mechanical fasteners, etc. In some embodiments, the flow straightener 1800 may be duplicated for each trough in a circular pattern. The flow straightener 1800 may be composed of a single disc that includes the flow straightener portions and the flow blocking caps therebetween (see FIG. 16).

[0275] In many embodiments, the flow straightener 1800 serves to organize the flow of water into or out of an elongate trough 1850. The flow straightener 1800 can prevent or mitigate the formation of swirling vortexes of water within the elongate trough 1850. Such vortexes can generate areas within the elongate trough 1850 where water is moving too slowly, thus leading to cloudy sections within the generated ingot of clear ice.

[0276] FIGs. 19A-19C, 20A-20C, and 21A-21C depict various embodiments of possible cross-sectional shapes for an elongate trough. Any combination of trough shapes may be combined within a single elongate structure (e.g., housing 802) and / or housing assembly (e.g., assembly 100, 150, 602). In FIGs. 19A-19C, the elongate trough is defined by a semicircular base surface wall 1202a, 1202b, 1202c, and a first and second side surface walls 1204a, 1204b, 1204c and 1206a, 1206b, 1206c, respectively. In FIG. 19A, the side surface walls 1204a and 1206a are vertical in comparison to a plane tangent to the lowest point of the base surface wall 1202a. In FIG. 19B, the first side surface wall 1204b has an internal angle 0 away from a vertical position as defined in FIG. 19 A. Across many embodiments, the angle 0 can be anyvalue greater than about zero degrees but less than or equal to about 15 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle 0 can be about 0.25 degrees to about 10 degrees. In still other embodiments, the angle 0 can be about 0.25 degrees to about 8 degrees. In further embodiments, the angle 0 can be about 0.25 degrees to about 5 degrees. In still further embodiments, the angle 0 can be about 1 degree to about 10 degrees.

[0277] In FIG. 19B, despite the first side surface wall 1204b deviation from upright, the second side surface wall 1206b stands upright, creating an asymmetric cross-sectional shape for the elongate trough. In FIG. 19C, the first side surface wall 1204c has an internal angle 01 away from vertical and the second side surface wall 1206c has an internal angle 02 away from vertical. In some embodiments, both 01 and 02 can each be any value greater than about zero degrees but less than or equal to about 15 degrees. In some embodiments, the angles 01 and 02 can each be about 0.25 degrees to about 10 degrees. In still other embodiments, the angles 01 and 02 can each be about 0.25 degrees to about 8 degrees. In further embodiments, the angles 01 and 02 can each be about 0.25 degrees to about 5 degrees. In still further embodiments, the angles 01 and 02 can each be about 1 degree to about 10 degrees. In some embodiments, 01 and 02 have the same value, creating a symmetric cross-sectional shape for the elongate trough. In some embodiments, 01 and 02 have the different values, creating an asymmetric cross- sectional shape for the elongate trough. Therefore, across many embodiments, at least one of the two side trough (e.g., flume) surface walls 1204a, 1204b, 1204c and 1206a, 1206b, 1206c can have an interior angle greater than or equal to about zero degrees and less than or equal to about 15 degrees from upright.

[0278] FIGs. 20A-20C depict analogous cross-sectional shapes for an elongate trough wherein the base surface wall 1302a, 1302b, 1302c is semi-elliptical, and FIGs. 21A-21C further depict analogous cross-sectional shapes for an elongate trough wherein the base surface wall 1402a, 1402b, 1402c is flat, resulting in a square base when both the first and second side surface walls 1404a and 1406a are vertical or perpendicular to base surface wall 1402a (shown in FIG. 21 A).

[0279] In some embodiments of FIGs. 20A-20C, the angles 0, 01, and 02 can each be any value greater than about zero degrees but less than or equal to about 15 degrees. In some embodiments, the angles 0, 01, and 02 can each be about 0.25 degrees to about 10 degrees. In still other embodiments, the angles 0, 01, and 02 can each be about 0.25 degrees to about 8 degrees. In further embodiments, the angles 0, 01, and 02 can each be about 0.25 degrees toabout 5 degrees. In still further embodiments, the angles 6, 61, and 62 can each be about 1 degree to about 10 degrees. In some embodiments, 61 and 62 have the same value, creating a symmetric cross-sectional shape for the elongate trough. In some embodiments, 61 and 62 have the different values, creating an asymmetric cross-sectional shape for the elongate trough. Therefore, across many embodiments, at least one of the two side walls 1304a, 1304b, 1304c and 1306a, 1306b, 1306c can have an interior angle greater than or equal to about zero degrees and less than or equal to about 15 degrees from upright.

[0280] In some embodiments of FIGs. 21A-21C, the angles 6, 61, and 62 can each be any value greater than about zero degrees but less than or equal to about 15 degrees. In some embodiments, the angles 6, 61, and 62 can each be about 0.25 degrees to about 10 degrees. In still other embodiments, the angles 6, 61, and 62 can each be about 0.25 degrees to about 8 degrees. In further embodiments, the angles 6, 61, and 62 can each be about 0.25 degrees to about 5 degrees. In still further embodiments, the angles 6, 61, and 62 can each be about 1 degree to about 10 degrees. In some embodiments, 61 and 62 have the same value, creating a symmetric cross-sectional shape for the elongate trough. In some embodiments, 61 and 62 have the different values, creating an asymmetric cross-sectional shape for the elongate trough. Therefore, across many embodiments, at least one of the two side walls 1404a, 1404b, 1404c and 1406a, 1406b, 1406c can have an interior angle greater than or equal to about zero degrees and less than or equal to about 15 degrees from upright. In some embodiments, the joints connecting side surface walls 1404a, 1404b, 1404c, 1406a, 1406b, 1406c to the base surface wall 1402a, 1402b, 1402c, are sharp angles (i.e., as depicted in FIGs. 21A-21C). In some embodiments, the joints connecting side surface walls 1404a, 1404b, 1404c, 1406a, 1406b, 1406c to the base surface wall 1402a, 1402b, 1402c are bent angles having some form of arcuate geometry to smooth the transition between the flat base surface wall 1402a, 1402b, 1402c and the side surface walls 1404a, 1404b, 1404c, 1406a, 1406b, 1406c. In some embodiments, the arcuate joint transition accounts for about 30 percent or less of the total length of the base surface wall 1402a, 1402b, 1402c. In some embodiments, the arcuate joint transition accounts for about 20 percent or less of the total length of width the base surface wall 1402a, 1402b, 1402c. A sharp angle as used herein may comprise a plane of a first side wall intersecting with a plane of a second side wall at a point whereas a bent angle as used herein may comprise a first side wall transitioning to a second side wall along a curved (e.g., arcuate) path.

[0281] The embodiments of possible cross-sectional shapes for an elongate trough depicted in FIGs. 19A-19C, 20A-20C, and 21A-21C are intended to be illustrative and not limiting of the total possible cross-sectional shapes available.

[0282] For some embodiments, having a 0, 01, and 02 greater than about zero degrees can be valuable to the production of clear ice during a freezing operation of the device. In some embodiments of the device, clear ice forms on at least a portion of the base trough (e.g., flume) wall and the two side surface walls (as shown in FIG. 9). As discussed above, this arrangement can be considered “multi-directional freezing” In some embodiments. Multi-directional freezing can greatly expedite clear ice production since ice can accumulate on multiple surfaces simultaneously to form a single piece of clear ice. However, when the portions of clear ice that are forming on opposite side surface walls begin to approach each other, at least two situations can occur that can damage the clarity of the ice. First, the space between the ice of the two side walls can fill in too quickly with new ice, therefore trapping air and other impurities inside a narrow portion of the ingot of ice. This creates a plane of cloudy ice that can run through a portion of the volume of the ingot, thus ruining the desired clear ice properties. Second, ice bridges can develop between the two opposing ice sheets accumulating on the side surface walls. These ice bridges disrupt the desired simple crystal lattice for the clear ice and can yield internal cracks, visible to an observer, in the final product once the spaces around the bridges are similarly frozen. This, too, ruins the desired clarity of the final product.

[0283] Methods for producing clear ice using the devices described herein may include providing a device for making a clear ice, providing a flow of water down at least one elongate trough, circulating coolant (or other fluid) through the at least one internal cooling cavity. The methods described herein may function to produce clear ice, particularly elongate ingots of clear ice. The methods described herein may be used for the production of clear ice for consumption in beverages but can additionally, or alternatively, be used for any suitable applications. The methods described herein can be configured and / or adapted to function for any suitable rapid freezing of liquids to produce frozen substances.

[0284] In some embodiments, the methods described herein may include providing a flow of water down a plurality of elongate troughs. In some embodiments, the flow of water is provided to each elongate trough by at least one intake valve positioned in the housing of the device and may be drained by at least one drain valve as described above. In some embodiments, the flow of water can be provided by other means appreciated by those of skill in the art. A sufficient flow rate of water may be used in order to exclude air bubbles andimpurities from a growing layer of clear ice on at least one trough surface base and / or walls during a freezing operation of the device.

[0285] In some embodiments, the methods described herein may further include cooling at least a portion of one or more surface base / walls of each trough to produce a growing layer of clear ice on the at least a portion of the one or more surface base / walls of each trough. In some embodiments, this cooling can be performed by the circulation of coolant through at least one internal cooling cavity as described above. Also as discussed above, coolant is provided to the device by a coolant supply system via at least one coolant intake valve and is cycled out by at least one coolant outtake valve.

[0286] In some embodiments, the at least a portion of the one or more surface base / walls of each trough is cooled to a temperature of about zero degrees Celsius or less. In another embodiment, the base / walls are cooled to about -45 degrees Celsius. In still other embodiments, the base / walls are cooled to about zero degrees Celsius to about -20 degrees Celsius. In further embodiments, the base / walls are cooled to about -2 degrees Celsius to about -20 degrees Celsius. In further embodiments, the base / walls are cooled to about -2 degrees Celsius to about -35 degrees Celsius.

[0287] In some embodiments, the at least one portion of the one or more surface / base walls of each trough is adapted to hold a constant temperature during a freezing operation of the device. In some embodiments, the at least one portion of the one or more surface / base walls of each trough is adapted to provide a variable temperature during a freezing operation of the device that changes according to a predetermined temperature schedule.

[0288] In some embodiments, the cooling described throughout this disclosure may include gradually decreasing the temperature of the base / walls over time. In some embodiments, a gradual decrease in temperature allows the device to overcome the inherent insulating properties of the ice as it forms. In some embodiments, the temperature of the base / walls decreases from about zero degrees Celsius to about -30 degrees Celsius over the duration of a freezing operation of the device. In some embodiments, the temperature of the base / walls decreases from about -2 degrees Celsius to about -20 degrees Celsius over the duration of a freezing operation of the device. In some embodiments, a freezing operation of the device lasts about 12 hours or less. In some embodiments, a freezing operation of the device lasts about 30 minutes to about 10 hours. In still further embodiments, a freezing operation of the device lasts about 30 minutes to about 4 hours. In additional embodiments, a freezing operation of the device lasts about 2 hours.

[0289] The methods described herein allow for the flow of water and the circulation of coolant until a desired quantity of clear has formed within one or more of the elongate troughs. The resulting ingot of clear ice will have a length and cross-sectional shape determined by or related to those of the corresponding elongate trough in which it formed. Once the ingot of ice has formed to a predetermined or desired height or volume, the flow of water and circulation of coolant can be ceased, and the ingot of ice can be removed by a variety of means appreciated by those of skill in the art, including but not limited to letting the ingot slightly melt and removing it by mechanical means. In some embodiment, the slight melting can be provided by a circulation of warmer coolant in the at least one internal cooling cavities. In some embodiments, one or more side surface walls may further include one or more heating elements or heating means, such that an external surface of the ice ingot may be melted to facilitate ice removal from the device. For example, one or more flume surface walls may be in thermal communication with a heating source configured to heat the clear ice formed within at least one of the plurality of elongate troughs after the freezing operation of the device.

[0290] In some embodiments, the ingot of ice can be removed vertically by lifting it out of an elongate trough, but in some embodiments, the ingot of ice can be removed horizontally by sliding it out of the elongate trough through an openable or removable end wall. In some embodiments, the device is adapted such that the ingot of ice adheres to a surface of a lid such that removing the lid additionally removes the ingot of ice with it.

[0291] As shown above, in some embodiments, temperature of the trough surface walls (hereinafter, “surface temperature”) is varied (e.g., zero degrees Celsius and about -25 degrees Celsius or any of the ice-making methods described elsewhere herein); In some embodiments, the flow rate of water (hereinafter, “water flow rate”) is varied (e.g., percentage of max water flow between about 5 percent and about 100 percent or any of the ice-making methods described elsewhere herein). In some embodiments, both surface temperature and water flow rate are varied. In some embodiments, neither temperature nor flow rate are varied. In various other embodiments, the temperature of the water flowing through the elongate troughs (hereinafter “water temperature”) can be varied solely or in addition to the other parameters named above.

[0292] The various freezing operations and / or related methods may be software controlled or implemented such that freezing cycles, flow rates, and the like may be programmed and controlled by software. In some embodiments, the various freezing operations and / or related methods and variations thereof can be embodied and / or implemented at least in part as amachine configured to receive a computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions. The instructions are executed by computer-executable components integrated with the system and one or more portions of the processor on a computing device in communication with various components of the device for producing clear ice, such as but not limited to its various valves, intakes, and / or outtakes. The computer-readable medium can be stored on any suitable computer-readable media such as RAMs, ROMs, flash memory, EEPROMs, optical devices (e.g., CD or DVD), hard drives, floppy drives, or any suitable device. The computer-executable component may be a general or application-specific processor, but any suitable dedicated hardware or hardware / firmware combination can alternatively or additionally execute the instructions.

[0293] A computer program product can be tangibly embodied in an information carrier. The computer program product may also contain instructions that, when executed, perform one or more methods and / or computer-implemented methods described herein. The information carrier may be a computer- or machine-readable medium, such as memory, or other storage associated with the ice-making devices described herein.

[0294] As used in the description and claims, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include both singular and plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “trough” may include, and is contemplated to include, a plurality of troughs. At times, the claims and disclosure may include terms such as “a plurality,” “one or more,” or “at least one;” however, the absence of such terms is not intended to mean, and should not be interpreted to mean, that a plurality is not conceived.

[0295] The term “about” or “approximately,” when used before a numerical designation or range (e.g., to define a length or pressure), indicates approximations which may vary by ( + ) or ( - ) 5 percent, 1 percent or 0.1 percent. All numerical ranges provided herein are inclusive of the stated start and end numbers. The term “substantially” indicates mostly (i.e., greater than 50 percent) or essentially all of a device, substance, or composition.

[0296] As used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is intended to mean that the devices, systems, and methods include the recited elements, and may additionally include any other elements. “Consisting essentially of’ shall mean that the devices, systems, and methods include the recited elements and exclude other elements of essential significance to the combination for the stated purpose. Thus, a system or method consisting essentially of the elements as defined herein would not exclude other materials, features, or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed disclosure. “Consistingof’ shall mean that the devices, systems, and methods include the recited elements and exclude anything more than a trivial or inconsequential element or step. Embodiments defined by each of these transitional terms are within the scope of this disclosure.

[0297] The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A device for making clear ice comprising: a housing comprising a plurality of elongate troughs, each of the plurality of elongate troughs having at least one flume surface wall in thermal communication with a cooling source while the housing is submerged in a fluid bath; at least one fluid intake disposed to provide a flow of fluid to the housing; and a means for distributing the flow of fluid from the at least one fluid intake into the plurality of elongate troughs while maintaining a substantially laminar fluid flow and substantially equal fluid pressure along the plurality of elongate troughs while the housing is submerged in the fluid bath and during a freezing operation of the device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid intake is coupled to a venturi nozzle to increase fluid flow into one or more elongate troughs in the plurality of elongate troughs, in response to determining that the one or more elongate troughs exhibit a fluid pressure drop below a predefined threshold pressure.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of elongate troughs are arranged substantially in parallel to a longitudinal axis of the device, and modularly coupled to at least one other elongate trough in the plurality of elongate troughs.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of elongate troughs comprise: a first elongate trough including: a first sidewall having a first notched portion formed at a top outer portion of the first sidewall and a first keyhole-shaped slot formed within a middle outer portion of the first sidewall, the first notched portion and the first keyhole-shaped slot extending along a length of the first sidewall; and a second sidewall having a second notched portion formed at a top outer portion of the second sidewall and a second keyhole-shaped slot formed within a middle outer portion of the second sidewall, the second notched portion and the second keyholeshaped slot extending along a length of an outer wall of the second sidewall, a second elongate trough including: a third sidewall having a third notched portion formed at a top outer portion ofthe third sidewall and a third keyhole-shaped slot formed within a middle outer portion of the third sidewall, the third notched portion and the third keyhole-shaped slot extending along a length of an outer wall of the third sidewall; and a fourth sidewall having a fourth notched portion formed at a top outer portion of the fourth sidewall and a fourth keyhole-shaped slot formed within a middle outer portion of the fourth sidewall, the fourth notched portion and the fourth keyhole-shaped slot extending along a length of an outer wall of the fourth sidewall, wherein the second notched portion is configured to align with the third notched portion and the second keyhole-shaped slot is configured to removably fasten to the third keyhole-shaped slot.

5. The device of claim 4, further comprising a third elongate trough in the plurality of elongate troughs, the third elongate trough comprising: a fifth sidewall having a fifth notched portion formed at a top outer portion of the fifth sidewall and a fifth keyhole-shaped slot formed within a middle outer portion of the fifth sidewall, the fifth notched portion and the fifth keyhole-shaped slot extending along a length of an outer wall of the fifth sidewall, wherein the fourth notched portion is configured to align with the fifth notched portion and the fourth keyhole-shaped slot is configured to removably fasten to the fifth keyhole-shaped slot.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the fluid bath provides a fluid level that is between 2.5 centimeters to about 10.1 centimeters above a top surface of the submerged housing.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising: an ejection assembly including at least a lead screw coupled to a drive mechanism, the ejection assembly being coupled to a portion of the housing and to a frame structure coupled to the housing; a paddle assembly comprising a plurality of prongs and a guide, the guide being configured to receive the lead screw threaded therethrough.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a first end and a second end that are configured to be raised from a first position to a second position to release the clear ice formed within at least one of the plurality of elongate troughs, wherein the first position comprises both the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing beingsubstantially parallel to and beneath a surface of the fluid bath and the second position comprises the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing being raised from the first position to substantially parallel to and above the surface of the fluid bath.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the housing is further configured to vibrate during the raising from the first position to the second position to release the clear ice formed within at least one of the plurality of elongate troughs.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising, an ejection assembly including a plurality of knurled wheels, each of the plurality of knurled wheels being rotatably mounted to an axle that is radially mounted to a support, the support being movably mounted to a portion of the housing, wherein each knurled wheel is: in resilient contact with a portion of at least one clear ice formed within the plurality of elongate troughs, and configured to rotate on the axle to grip the at least one clear ice to move the at least one clear ice along the plurality of elongate troughs.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one flume surface wall is further configured to be in thermal communication with a heating source, the heating source being configured to heat the at least one flume surface wall after the freezing operation of the device.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of pneumatic actuators operatively connected between the housing and a frame structure affixed to and supporting the housing, the frame structure being coupled to: a first support arm engaged with a first slide structure; a second support arm engaged with a second slide structure; a third support arm engaged with a third slide structure; and a fourth support arm engaged with a fourth slide structure.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of pneumatic actuators are actuatable to cause lifting of the housing in translation along the first slide structure, the second slide structure, the third slide structure, and the fourth slide structure from an initial position of thehousing to a predetermined raised position to subsequently lift the housing at the first support arm, the second support arm, the third support arm, and the fourth support arm to permit release of the clear ice formed within the plurality of elongate troughs.

14. The device of claim 12, further comprising: a first pair of pneumatic lift cylinders operatively connected between the housing and the frame structure in spaced relationship to the first support arm and the second support arm; and a second pair of pneumatic lift cylinders operatively connected between the housing the frame structure in spaced relationship to the third support arm and the second support arm.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the first pair of pneumatic lift cylinders and the second pair of pneumatic lift cylinders are actuatable to lift the housing from a submerged position to a predetermined raised position.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein two or more of the plurality of pneumatic actuators are actuatable to generate waves within the fluid bath by oscillating the frame structure according to a predefined recipe.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the plurality of pneumatic actuators are actuatable to oscillate the frame according to the predefined recipe and during the freezing operation of the device by sequentially and repeatedly performing: a first cycle comprising raising a front side of the housing along both the first slide structure and the second slide structure from an initial position of the housing to a first raised position; a second cycle comprising lowering a rear side of the housing along both the third slide structure and the fourth slide structure from the initial position of the housing to a first lowered position; a third cycle comprising lowering the front side of the housing along both the first slide structure and the second slide structure from the first raised position to a second lowered position; and a fourth cycle comprising raising the rear side of the housing along both the third slidestructure and the fourth slide structure from the first lowered position to a second raised position.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the predefined recipe is programmed into a processor and memory communicatively coupled to the device, the predefined recipe including instructions for at least: an amount of time to pause actuations of the frame structure between one or more of the first cycle, the second cycle, the third cycle, the fourth cycle and any repeated cycle; and an amount of elapsed time in which to perform each of the first cycle, the second cycle, the third cycle, and the fourth cycle.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the predefined recipe comprises instructions to cause the device to: pause the actuations of the frame structure for about 1 second to about 2 seconds after performing the second cycle and for about 1 second to about 2 seconds after performing the fourth cycle; and perform the first cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the second cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the third cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the fourth cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of elongate troughs further comprise at least one drain disposed to drain fluid from a respective elongate trough in the plurality of elongate troughs.

21. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for distributing a flow of fluid is a manifold coupled to the at least one fluid intake, the manifold defining an intake manifold cavity that is fluidly connected to the plurality of elongate troughs through a respective entry portal corresponding to a respective elongate trough in the plurality of elongate troughs.

22. The device of claim 21, further comprising at least one drain with a drain manifold that defines a single drain manifold cavity that is fluidly connected to the plurality of elongate troughs through a exit portal corresponding to each elongate trough in the plurality ofelongate troughs.

23. The device of claim 1, wherein the fluid bath is a water bath configured to be maintained at a temperature of about 0.1 degrees Celsius to about 5 degrees Celsius.

24. The device of claim 1, wherein the flow of fluid is substantially constant down the plurality of elongate troughs and has a velocity of at least about 0.09 meters per second through the plurality of elongate troughs.

25. The device of claim 1, wherein the cooling source is coupled to a plurality of cooling cavities configured to control temperature for facilitating ice formation within the plurality of elongate troughs by flowing a coolant through the plurality of cooling cavities, each of the plurality of cooling cavities forming a coolant intake valve for receiving coolant from the cooling source and forming a coolant outtake valve disposed to remove the coolant from the cooling cavity.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the cooling source is coupled to a manifold having at least one inlet for each of the plurality of cooling cavities, the manifold being configured to select a flow rate for the coolant flowing through each coolant intake valve associated with a respective cooling cavity in the plurality of cooling cavities to cause laminar flow of coolant through the plurality of cooling cavities or turbulent flow of coolant through the plurality of cooling cavities.

27. The device of claim 25, wherein the coolant intake valve and the coolant outtake valve are both disposed on a first end of each respective elongate trough in the plurality of elongate troughs.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein each of the plurality of cooling cavities extends along a substantially tubular path from the coolant intake valve at the first end of a respective elongate trough in the plurality of elongate troughs to a second end of the respective elongate trough, bending at a first radius at a first side of the second end, bending at a second radius at a second side of the second end, and extending substantially a length of the respectiveelongate trough to the coolant outtake valve at the first end of the respective elongate trough.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the substantially tubular path comprises substantially equiangular polygon-shaped channel.

30. The device of claim 25, wherein the coolant is circulated from the cooling source through the plurality of cooling cavities with a turbulent flow.

31. The device of claim 25, wherein the coolant is a glycol based coolant cooled from about -7 degrees Celsius to about -13 degrees Celsius.

32. The device of claim 25, wherein the coolant is provided from the coolant source to each elongate trough at a rate of about 1.5 gallons to about 3 gallons per minute.

33. A device for making clear ice comprising: a housing comprising a plurality of elongate troughs, each of the plurality of elongate troughs having at least one flume surface wall in thermal communication with a cooling source while the housing is submerged in a fluid bath; at least one intake disposed to provide a flow of fluid to the housing; and a means for distributing the flow of fluid from the at least one intake into the plurality of elongate troughs; and a plurality of pneumatic actuators operatively connected between the housing and a frame structure affixed to and supporting the housing, wherein the plurality of pneumatic actuators are actuatable to generate waves within the fluid bath by oscillating the frame structure, during a freezing operation of the device and while the housing is submerged in the fluid bath, according to a predefined recipe.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein two or more of the plurality of pneumatic actuators are actuatable to generate waves within the fluid bath by oscillating the frame structure according to a predefined recipe.

35. The device of claim 33, wherein the frame structure is coupled to: a first support arm engaged with a first slide structure; a second support arm engaged with a second slide structure; a third support arm engaged with a third slide structure; and a fourth support arm engaged with a fourth slide structure.

36. The device of claim 35, wherein the pneumatic actuators are actuatable to oscillate the frame structure according to the predefined recipe and during the freezing operation of the device by sequentially and repeatedly performing: a first cycle comprising raising a front side of the housing along both the first slide structure and the second slide structure from an initial position of the housing to a first raised position; a second cycle comprising lowering a rear side of the housing along both the third slide structure and the fourth slide structure from the initial position of the housing to a first lowered position; a third cycle comprising lowering the front side of the housing along both the first slide structure and the second slide structure from the first raised position to a second lowered position; and a fourth cycle comprising raising the rear side of the housing along both the third slide structure and the fourth slide structure from the first lowered position to a second raised position.

37. The device of claim 36, wherein the predefined recipe is programmed into a processor and memory communicatively coupled to the device, the predefined recipe including instructions for at least: an amount of time to pause the actuations of the frame structure between one or more of the first cycle, the second cycle, the third cycle, the fourth cycle and any repeated cycle; and an amount of elapsed time in which to perform each of the first cycle, the second cycle, the third cycle, and the fourth cycle.

38. The device of claim 37, wherein the predefined recipe comprises instructions to cause the device to:pause the actuations of the frame structure for about 1 second to about 2 seconds after performing the second cycle and for about 1 second to about 2 seconds after performing the fourth cycle; and perform the first cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the second cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the third cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the fourth cycle in about 1 second to about 2 seconds.

39. A device for making clear ice comprising: a housing comprising at least one elongate trough having at least three flume surface walls in thermal communication with a cooling source while the housing is submerged in a fluid bath; at least one intake disposed to provide a flow of fluid to the housing via a manifold that provides the flow of fluid into the at least one elongate trough with a substantially laminar flow of fluid along the at least one elongate trough during a freezing operation of the device; and a support means mounted to the housing, the support means comprising a movable support member and a fixed guide structure for supporting and guiding the movable support member and the housing to raise to a preselected height after the freezing operation of the device.

40. The device of claim 39, wherein the freezing operation is configured to cool the at least three surfaces of the at least one elongate trough to a temperature of less than or equal to about zero degrees Celsius at the at least one flume surface wall.

41. The device of claim 39, wherein the cooling source is selected from the group consisting of: an internal cooling cavity defined by the housing, an evaporator, a cold plate, and a condenser.

42. A method for manufacturing clear ice comprising: providing a device for making clear ice comprising: a housing comprising at least one elongate trough, the at least one elongate trough having at least one flume surface wall in thermal communication with a cooling source while the housing is submerged in a fluid bath;at least one intake disposed to provide a flow of fluid to a first end of the housing; and a means for distributing the flow of fluid from the at least one intake into the at least one elongate trough, wherein distributing the flow of fluid with a substantially laminar flow and substantially equal pressure along the at least one elongate trough while the housing is submerged and during a freezing operation of the device; providing a substantially constant flow of fluid via the intake and down the at least one elongate trough from the first end of the housing to a second end of the housing opposite the first end of the housing; and cooling the at least one flume surface wall to a temperature of less than or equal to about zero degrees Celsius at the at least one flume surface wall.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising: ejecting, after the freezing operation including the cooling, an elongate ice structure formed in the at least one elongate trough, the ejecting comprising: lifting the first end of the housing to a preselected height to discharge the elongate ice structure from the second end of the housing.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the device for making clear ice further comprises: at least one processor; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to execute instructions comprising: receiving a recipe program, the recipe program defining a cooling source temperature protocol, a cooling time protocol, and a velocity for the flow of fluid; and executing the recipe program to cause the device to generate clear ice in the at least one elongate trough according to the recipe program.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the cooling source temperature protocol indicates a plurality of settings to configure for a duration of cooling time associated with the cooling time protocol, the plurality of settings including two or more of: a temperature in which to cool the fluid bath; an initial cooling temperature in which to cool the at least one flume surface wall; a mid-cycle plateau flow or temperature in which to cool the at least one flumesurface wall; an end plateau flow or temperature; and an annealing time.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein the cooling source is selected from the group consisting of: an internal cooling cavity defined by the housing, an evaporator, a cold plate, and a condenser.

47. The method of claim 42, wherein the substantially constant flow of fluid down the at least one elongate trough has a velocity of at least about 0.09 meters per second through the at least one elongate trough.

48. A method making clear ice, comprising: providing a housing comprising: at least one elongate trough being formed with at least one surface flume wall defining a cavity, the at least one elongate trough having at least one coolant inlet valve and at least one coolant outlet valve; a coolant source in thermal communication with the at least one surface flume wall to circulate coolant in the housing via the at least one coolant inlet valve and the at least one coolant outlet valve; and varying over time one or more of: a temperature of the coolant source, a coolant flow rate, and a motion profile of the housing; and causing the housing to be lifted to a predetermined height at a predetermined time to eject ice formed in the at least one elongate trough.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the predetermined time is selected based on an amount of increase or an amount of decrease in the temperature of the coolant source, the coolant flow rate, or the motion profile of the housing.

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