Equipment for producing clear ice products

Abstract

A system and method for creating clear ice is described. The system may include a housing including a plurality of elongated troughs. Each of the plurality of elongated troughs may have at least one flume surface wall in thermal communication with a cooling source while the housing is immersed in a fluid bath. The system may further include at least one fluid inlet positioned to provide a fluid flow to the housing, and means for distributing the fluid flow from the at least one fluid inlet into the plurality of elongated troughs while the housing is immersed in the fluid bath and during freezing operation of the device, while maintaining substantially laminar fluid flow and substantially equal fluid pressures along the plurality of elongated troughs.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 514,463, filed November 20, 2023, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 384,595, filed November 21, 2022, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Incorporation by Reference

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

[0003] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to the field of making ice, and more particularly to the field of making clear ice. An apparatus and method for producing is described. [Background technology]

[0004] From the end of Prohibition to the present day, craft cocktails have been a mainstay at most restaurants and bars. To enhance the overall experience, some restaurants and bars add garnishes and / or specialty ice to cocktails. Currently, these restaurants and bars purchase large blocks of ice and cut them in-house to the appropriate size for each drink. While some companies in this industry claim to produce clear ice using directional freezing, ice clarity and the scalability of the technique remain questionable, and many techniques often require the use of dangerous saws to cut larger blocks of ice. Additionally, issues with standard ice makers include cracks, trapped air bubbles, and water impurities, resulting in ice that lacks the desired appeal and appearance.

[0005] Ice can crack under a variety of conditions experienced during or after the freezing process. Sometimes, during the freezing process, the outside of the ice freezes first, and as it cools further during subsequent freezing, internal tension can develop. This internal tension causes the ice to crack when a certain threshold (e.g., approximately 1 MPa) is exceeded. Opaque ice can also result from supercooling. Water crystallizes around nucleation sites. Given the right environment, ice can grow from this point to form a nearly perfect lattice structure. For example, some ice makers slightly supercool water before freezing it. This can result in small, rapid crystallization, uneven pressure, and increased cloudiness. Finally, impurities in the water used for freezing can create opaque ice. While impurities contribute to ice defects, they are often not the primary cause. Filtered water has an average of 30 ppm impurities.

[0006] In other cases, some ice makers create cloudy ice because the water contains dissolved air, whereas clear ice contains very little dissolved air. During the freezing process, as water turns to ice, the dissolved gas comes out of solution when the remaining water reaches a saturation level for the dissolved gas. Gas bubbles attach to the ice-water interface through surface adhesion. If these bubbles are not released, they freeze into the ice, creating optical defects (i.e., "cloudiness") that affect the linear path of light.

[0007] Taken together, improper ice freezing techniques and equipment result in less than ideal ice for the booming craft cocktail industry. Thus, there is a need for new and useful devices and methods for creating clear ice. Summary of the Invention

[0008] There is a need for new and useful devices and methods for producing clear ice, particularly for use in beverages. In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus for making clear ice. The apparatus may include a housing including a plurality of elongated troughs, each of the plurality of elongated troughs having at least one channel surface wall in thermal communication with a cooling source while the housing is immersed in a fluid bath; at least one fluid inlet positioned to provide a fluid flow to the housing; and means for distributing the fluid flow from the at least one fluid inlet into the plurality of elongated troughs while the housing is immersed in the fluid bath and during a freezing operation of the apparatus, while maintaining substantially laminar fluid flow and substantially equal fluid pressures along the plurality of elongated troughs.

[0009] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus, wherein at least one fluid intake is coupled to a venturi nozzle, and wherein increasing fluid flow into one or more elongated troughs in a plurality of elongated troughs occurs in response to determining that the one or more elongated troughs exhibit a fluid pressure drop below a predetermined threshold pressure.

[0010] In some embodiments, the technology described herein relates to a device in which each of a plurality of elongated troughs is arranged substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the device and modularly connects to at least one other elongated trough in the plurality of elongated troughs. In some embodiments, the technology described herein relates to a device in which the fluid bath provides a fluid level between 2.5 centimeters and about 10.1 centimeters above the top surface of the submerged housing.

[0011] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus wherein at least one flume surface wall is further configured to be in thermal communication with a heating source, the heating source configured to heat transparent ice formed within at least one of the plurality of elongated troughs after a freezing operation of the apparatus.

[0012] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus further including a plurality of pneumatic actuators operatively connected between the housing and a frame structure attached to and supporting the housing, the frame structure coupled to a first support arm that mates with the first slide structure, a second support arm that mates with the second slide structure, a third support arm that mates with the third slide structure, and a fourth support arm that mates with the fourth slide structure.

[0013] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus in which a plurality of pneumatic actuators are operable to lift a housing on a first sliding structure in translation along an inclination angle from an initial position of the housing to a predetermined elevated position, while lifting the housing on a second sliding structure in translation along an inclination angle, and subsequently tilt the housing on the first and second support arms when in the predetermined elevated position to a first preselected inclination position to release clear ice formed in a plurality of elongated troughs.

[0014] In some embodiments, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus having an inclination angle of about 15 degrees to about 20 degrees from parallel to the surface of the fluid bath. In some embodiments, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus further including a first pair of pneumatic lift cylinders operably connected between the housing and the frame structure in spaced apart relationship to the first and second support arms, and a second pair of pneumatic lift cylinders operably connected between the housing and the frame structure in spaced apart relationship to the third and second support arms.

[0015] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus in which two or more of a plurality of pneumatic actuators are operable to generate waves in a fluid bath by vibrating a frame structure according to a predetermined recipe.

[0016] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus in which a pneumatic actuator is operable to vibrate a frame structure by sequentially and repeatedly executing the following cycles during a freezing operation of the apparatus according to a predetermined recipe: a first cycle including raising a front side of the housing along both the first and second sliding structures from an initial position to a first raised position; a second cycle including lowering a rear side of the housing along both the third and fourth sliding structures from the initial position to a first lowered position; a third cycle including lowering the front side of the housing along both the first and second sliding structures 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 and fourth sliding structures from the first lowered position to the second raised position.

[0017] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus in which a predetermined recipe is programmed into a processor and memory communicatively coupled to the apparatus, the predetermined recipe including instructions for at least a time to pause operation of the frame structure between one or more of the first cycle, the second cycle, the third cycle, the fourth cycle, and any repeated cycles, and an elapsed time for performing each of the first cycle, the second cycle, the third cycle, and the fourth cycle.

[0018] In some embodiments, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus in which a predetermined recipe includes instructions to cause the apparatus to pause operation 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, perform the first cycle for about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the second cycle for about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the third cycle for about 1 second to about 2 seconds, and perform the fourth cycle for about 1 second to about 2 seconds.

[0019] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus in which the means for distributing the fluid flow is a manifold coupled to at least one fluid inlet, the manifold defining an intake manifold cavity fluidly connected to the plurality of elongated troughs via respective fluid inlet portals corresponding to each elongated trough in the plurality of elongated troughs.

[0020] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus further including at least one drain having a drain manifold defining a single drain manifold cavity fluidly connected to the plurality of elongated troughs via a fluid outlet portal corresponding to each elongated trough in the plurality of elongated troughs.

[0021] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus in which the fluid bath is a water bath configured to be maintained at a temperature of about 0.1°C to about 5°C.

[0022] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus in which the flow of fluid is substantially constant along the plurality of elongated troughs and has a velocity through the plurality of elongated troughs of at least about 0.09 meters / second.

[0023] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus including: a cooling source coupled to a plurality of pressurized cooling cavities configured to control a temperature to facilitate ice formation within a plurality of elongated troughs by flowing a coolant through the plurality of cooling cavities, each of the cooling cavities forming a coolant inlet valve for receiving the coolant from the cooling source and a coolant outlet valve positioned to remove the coolant from the cooling cavity; the cooling source coupled to a manifold having at least one inlet for each of the plurality of cooling cavities; and the manifold configured to select a flow rate for the coolant flowing through each coolant inlet valve associated with a respective cooling cavity within the plurality of cooling cavities to induce laminar flow of the coolant through the plurality of cooling cavities or turbulent flow of the coolant through the plurality of cooling cavities.

[0024] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus in which both a coolant intake valve and a coolant removal valve are located at a first end of each respective elongated trough within a plurality of elongated troughs. In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus in which each of a plurality of pressurized cooling cavities extends along a substantially tubular path from a coolant intake valve at a first end of each respective elongated trough within a plurality of elongated troughs to a second end of the respective elongated trough, curves at a first radius at a first side of the second end, curves at a second radius at a second side of the second end, and extends substantially the length of the respective elongated trough to a coolant removal valve at the first end of the respective elongated trough.

[0025] In some embodiments, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus in which coolant is supplied at a rate of about 1.5 gallons to about 3 gallons per minute from a coolant source coupled to each elongated trough. In some embodiments, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus for making clear ice, the apparatus including: a housing including a plurality of elongated troughs, each of the plurality of elongated troughs having at least one channel surface wall in thermal communication with a coolant source while the housing is immersed in a fluid bath; at least one fluid inlet positioned to provide a fluid flow to the housing; means for distributing the fluid flow from the at least one fluid inlet among the plurality of elongated troughs; and a plurality of pneumatic actuators operably connected between the housing and a frame structure attached to and supporting the housing, the plurality of pneumatic actuators operable to vibrate the frame structure to generate waves in the fluid bath while the housing is immersed in the fluid bath during a freezing operation of the apparatus according to a predetermined recipe.

[0026] In some embodiments, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus in which two or more of a plurality of pneumatic actuators are operable to generate waves in a fluid bath by vibrating a frame structure according to a predetermined recipe. In some embodiments, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus in which the frame structure is coupled to a first support arm that mates with a first slide structure, a second support arm that mates with a second slide structure, a third support arm that mates with a third slide structure, and a fourth support arm that mates with a fourth slide structure.

[0027] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus in which a pneumatic actuator is operable to vibrate a frame structure by sequentially and repeatedly executing the following cycles during a freezing operation of the apparatus according to a predetermined recipe: a first cycle including raising a front side of the housing along both the first and second sliding structures from an initial position to a first raised position; a second cycle including lowering a rear side of the housing along both the third and fourth sliding structures from the initial position to a first lowered position; a third cycle including lowering the front side of the housing along both the first and second sliding structures 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 and fourth sliding structures from the first lowered position to the second raised position.

[0028] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus in which a predetermined recipe is programmed into a processor and memory communicatively coupled to the apparatus, the predetermined recipe including instructions for at least a time to pause operation of the frame structure between one or more of the first cycle, the second cycle, the third cycle, the fourth cycle, and any repeated cycles, and an elapsed time for performing each of the first cycle, the second cycle, the third cycle, and the fourth cycle.

[0029] In some embodiments, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus in which a predetermined recipe includes instructions to cause the apparatus to pause operation 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, perform the first cycle for about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the second cycle for about 1 second to about 2 seconds, perform the third cycle for about 1 second to about 2 seconds, and perform the fourth cycle for about 1 second to about 2 seconds. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] The foregoing is a summary and is therefore necessarily limited in detail. The foregoing aspects, as well as other aspects, features, and advantages of the present technology, are described below in connection with various embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] [Figure 1A] 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary elongated trough for installation in an apparatus for making clear ice. FIG. [Figure 1B] 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary elongated trough for installation in an apparatus for making clear ice. FIG.

[0032] [Figure 2A] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary elongated trough for creating clear ice during a freezing operation.

[0033] [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary modularly connected elongated trough.

[0034] [Figure 2C] 1A-1C illustrate an exemplary elongated trough that may be modularly connectable to at least one other elongated trough.

[0035] [Figure 2D] FIG. 2C is a front view of the elongated trough of FIG. 2B.

[0036] [Figure 2E] FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary elongated trough.

[0037] [Figure 2F] "FIG. 1 illustrates a right perspective view of an exemplary elongated trough.

[0038] [Figure 2G] 1 illustrates a bottom view of an exemplary elongated trough.

[0039] [Figure 2H] FIG. 2C is a bottom view of the elongated trough of FIG. 2B.

[0040] [Figure 2I] FIG. 2 is a left side view of an exemplary elongated trough.

[0041] [Figure 2J] 1 illustrates a left perspective view of an exemplary elongated trough.

[0042] [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an elongated trough in an apparatus for making clear ice.

[0043] [Figure 4A] 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for making clear ice. [Figure 4B] 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for making clear ice.

[0044] [Figure 5A] 1A-1C are perspective views of an apparatus for making clear ice at various positions during the process of making clear ice. [Figure 5B] 1A-1C are perspective views of an apparatus for making clear ice at various positions during the process of making clear ice.

[0045] [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for producing and releasing clear ice from one or more waterways. FIG.

[0046] [Figure 7A] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary fluid system mounted within an apparatus for making clear ice.

[0047] [Figure 7B] FIG. 1 illustrates fluidics components for maintaining flow and pressure through multiple elongated troughs.

[0048] [Figure 8A]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary apparatus for making clear ice.

[0049] [Figure 8B] 1 illustrates a top perspective view of an exemplary apparatus for making and dispensing clear ice.

[0050] [Figure 8C] FIG. 10 illustrates a manifold for circulating coolant within multiple cooling cavities associated with multiple elongated troughs.

[0051] [Figure 8D] A set of equations and variables is presented to determine the ratio of inertial and viscous forces in a fluid undergoing relative internal motion.

[0052] [Figure 9] 1 shows a cross section of a trough for producing clear ice.

[0053] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a flow straightener in place within a trough.

[0054] [Figure 11] 1A-1C are cross-sectional views of various embodiments of elongated troughs having different cross-sectional shapes.

[0055] [Figure 12] 1A-C are cross-sectional views of various embodiments of elongated troughs having different cross-sectional shapes.

[0056] [Figure 13] 1A-1C show cross-sectional views of various embodiments of elongated troughs having different cross-sectional shapes.

[0057] [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is an exemplary flow diagram of a method for producing clear ice.

[0058] The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The schematic drawings are drawn to illustrate features and concepts and are not necessarily drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0059] This disclosure describes apparatus, systems, and methods for producing clear ice. For example, the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein can be configured to produce clear ice of various shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, the clear ice can be generated and shaped in an ice mold or ice trough. In some embodiments, the clear ice can be generated using an ice mold or ice trough and later molded, cut, or otherwise formed into a size and / or shape. The shape and / or size of a particular ice mold or ice trough may differ from that shown in the figures. One skilled in the art will understand how these apparatus and methods can be adapted to such different shapes and / or sizes.

[0060] Generally, each of the devices and / or assemblies described herein may be used to produce clear ice in any situation where clear ice is desired, for example, to produce ice ingots that can 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 in any suitable application in which a liquid material is frozen. The devices and / or assemblies described herein may produce clear ice according to user input, recipe input, automatic input, or any combination thereof.

[0061] Disclosed herein are devices and methods for making clear ice. In particular, the disclosure herein provides devices and methods that allow for the rapid production of clear ice of improved quality over conventional devices and methods. In some embodiments, the devices and methods disclosed herein are adapted for freezing water into clear ice, although one skilled in the art will understand how these devices and methods can be adapted to allow freezing of other liquids (e.g., ethanol, food-based liquids, etc.) in situations where removal of air bubbles and dissolved impurities is desired.

[0062] As used herein, the terms "fluid" and "liquid" are used interchangeably to refer to the material that is flowed through the device and frozen into the food. In some embodiments, the term "water" is also frequently used, however, such use of the term "water" should not be considered limiting for reasons set forth herein. For similar reasons, the use of the term "ice" to refer to a selected liquid when frozen should not be considered limiting. As used herein, the terms "elongated trough" and "trough" and "flume" are considered synonymous and are used interchangeably throughout this disclosure.

[0063] In some embodiments, 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 bubbles, relatively free of dissolved gases, and / or relatively free of cracks, with or without inclusions (e.g., flowers, alcohol, food, etc.), etc. Such characteristics should in no way be considered limiting.

[0064] In some embodiments, the water or liquid used to make clear ice may be degassed (e.g., via gas sweep, vacuum, etc.), degassed, purified (e.g., sediment filtration, activated carbon block filtration, granular activated carbon filtration, reverse osmosis filtration, distillation, passage through an ion exchange column, treatment with ultraviolet light, ultrafiltration, activated alumina filtration, ionization, etc.), or otherwise treated before being used to make clear ice. The water or liquid may be from a private well, a municipal or groundwater source, a reservoir, etc.

[0065] Generally, each of the elongated troughs described herein may receive fluid from a fluid inlet aligned with each respective elongated trough. Each of the fluid inlets described throughout this disclosure may receive fluid from a manifold or other fluid flow system configured to distribute the fluid flow. The manifold may distribute the fluid flow with the objective of maintaining a substantially laminar flow and a substantially equal pressure along each respective elongated 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 including the elongated trough is immersed or partially immersed in a fluid bath.

[0066] In particular, the devices and / or assemblies described herein solve the technical problem of mitigating air bubble entrapment within ice structures during the freezing process, resulting in the technical effect of producing clear ice. The technical solution to the technical problem may lie in the ability of the devices described herein to generate and sustain a substantially constant flow of water at a specific pressure and Reynolds number. Such a flow of water may be achieved using one or more manifold devices or components (or other fluid flow systems) to maintain equal pressure within each intended flow path for the elongated troughs. For example, the manifold devices (or equal flow systems) described herein may work in conjunction with the fluid system to evenly distribute the fluid flow to each trough by balancing the pressure drop between each trough (e.g., and in the pipe paths leading to the troughs, see piping 438, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, and 714 in FIG. 7A ). The pressure drop can be balanced by inducing a larger pressure drop along the pipe path with the least inherent resistance (e.g., a straight run) and a smaller pressure drop along the pipe path with more inherent resistance (e.g., at valves, elbows, pressure reductions). Thus, the manifold can have a high or low relative friction for the fluid, depending on the path of the water flow in the particular pipe or intake leading to the trough.

[0067] Additional technical problems solved by the devices described herein include removing (e.g., ejecting, discharging, releasing, sliding, etc.) relatively large ice ingots with little or no ice breakage and / or little or no manual intervention in harvesting such ice ingots. For example, the systems and devices described herein may provide technical solutions to the aforementioned technical problems by being adapted to remove, release, slide, eject, and / or otherwise remove or eject 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 mounted on a support system that can tilt the troughs and / or molds to facilitate ice removal. In some embodiments, the ice troughs and / or ice molds may be shaped to allow for gravity-assisted or gravity-induced ice removal after a freeze cycle, as described in more detail below. In some embodiments, the ice troughs and / or ice molds may be shaped to allow for mechanically assisted ice removal after a freeze cycle, as described in more detail below.

[0068] Exemplary ice ingot sizes may vary depending on the size of the channels / troughs modularly installed within the ice-making devices described herein. The ice ingots produced and harvested as described herein may then be modified to produce a variety of aesthetically pleasing food products. In some embodiments, the ice ingots produced and harvested as described herein may then be molded, cut, or otherwise formed into selectable sizes and / or shapes.

[0069] Systems and Devices The apparatus described herein functions to produce clear ice. The apparatus may be used to produce clear ice in any situation where clear ice is desired (e.g., for consumption in cocktails and other beverages), but may also or alternatively be used in any suitable application where a liquid material is frozen. In some embodiments, the apparatus generally includes at least one elongated trough or water channel in thermal communication with one or more reservoirs or lines of circulating coolant or one or more cooling devices (e.g., cooling plates, cooling elements, etc.). A flow of fluid (e.g., water) is provided along at least a portion of the length of the elongated trough during the freezing operation of the apparatus. During such freezing operation, clear ice forms on one or more surface walls of the trough, grows in thickness according to various predetermined parameters described herein, and may fill to a certain height within the elongated trough. In some embodiments, the velocity of the water through the elongated trough (either as laminar or turbulent flow) can be provided to ensure the formation of clear ice. For example, laminar or turbulent flow through and / or around the elongated trough can dislodge air bubbles from part 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 / second (about 0.3 feet / second) throughout the length of the elongated trough. In some embodiments, the water velocity is at least about 0.15 meters / second (about 0.5 feet / second). In some embodiments, the water velocity is at least about 0.21 meters / second (about 0.7 feet / second).

[0070] The elongated troughs described herein can be immersed in a fluid bath during the freezing operation. The fluid bath can be a water bath deep enough to partially or completely submerge the housing assemblies (e.g., of the elongated troughs) described herein. For example, the fluid bath can be about 1 centimeter to about 30 centimeters above the surface of the elongated troughs immersed in the fluid bath. In some embodiments, the fluid level of the fluid bath can be about 2.5 centimeters to about 10.2 centimeters above the top surface of the immersed housing (e.g., multiple elongated troughs). In some embodiments, the fluid level of the fluid bath can be about zero centimeters to about 10.2 centimeters above the top surface of the immersed housing (e.g., multiple elongated troughs).

[0071] The devices and / or assemblies described herein may allow water or other fluid to flow along, through, and / or over each elongated trough while a portion of the trough is cooled or subcooled. The elongated troughs may be adapted to have two or more surfaces. When multiple troughs are present, the troughs may be arranged side-by-side to receive fluid along and / or through each trough and through one or more cavities associated with the respective trough surface. In some embodiments, the fluid received through the one or more cavities may be a coolant that is not part of the fluid (e.g., water) used to generate ice.

[0072] For each elongated trough in the devices / assemblies described herein, a flow of fluid (e.g., water) is provided along at least a portion of the length of each trough during a freezing operation of the device and / or assembly, which includes receiving coolant through at least one cooling cavity when the cooling cavity is in thermal communication with at least a portion of each trough.

[0073] For example, coolant can be distributed from a cooling source (e.g., cooling source 423 in FIG. 4B ) through multiple cooling cavities in at least partial thermal communication with one or more portions of each elongated trough. For example, coolant can be distributed from a cooling source (e.g., cooling source 423 in FIG. 4B ) through multiple cooling cavities in at least partial thermal communication with one or more portions of each elongated trough. For example, each ice generating device described herein can include multiple elongated troughs. Each trough has a cooling cavity for circulating coolant from the cooling source. In some embodiments, the flow of coolant can be substantially isobaric and substantially turbulent within the cooling cavity, for example, while the housing of the device is immersed during the freezing operation of the device. The turbulent flow of coolant through the cooling cavity of each elongated trough can shorten the time to ice generation and harvest. In some embodiments, the flow of coolant can instead be substantially isobaric and substantially laminar along the cooling cavity of each of the multiple elongated troughs.

[0074] During the freezing operation, clear ice forms on one or more surface walls of the trough(s) and grows in thickness according to various predetermined parameters described herein, filling to a certain depth within the elongated trough(s). In some embodiments, the apparatus and / or assemblies described herein can be configured to vary the velocity of water through the elongated trough (either as laminar or turbulent flow) to form clear ice at a particular velocity and / or clarity. Generally, the fluid flow can be configured to displace air bubbles from the ice-forming surface within the elongated trough.

[0075] Once ice ingots are produced in a particular elongated trough, the freezing operation can be stopped and the ice ingots can be collected. In some embodiments, a heating process can occur using a heating source to heat a portion of the elongated trough prior to collecting the ice ingots. The heating process can function to melt a portion of one or more outer walls of the ice ingots to aid in removal of the ice ingots. For example, one or more flume surface walls can be in thermal communication with a heating source configured to heat the clear ice formed in at least one of the plurality of elongated troughs after the freezing operation of the apparatus. In some embodiments, there is no heating process after the ice ingots are produced.

[0076] The apparatus / assembly described herein can ensure that fluid flows at an appropriate velocity through one or more elongated troughs, ensuring the formation of clear ice as opposed to cloudy or opaque ice. In some circumstances, rapidly freezing a volume of still or slow-moving water can trap air bubbles and impurities in the ice, resulting in a hazy appearance. However, the apparatus described herein can ensure that even at high freezing rates, water flows with a certain pressure and laminar flow to mitigate the trapping of air bubbles in the ice during the freezing process. In some embodiments, the water flow can also be turbulent. Therefore, the apparatus described herein can produce solid ingots of clear ice of sufficient quality faster than other conventional apparatus and methods.

[0077] In some embodiments, the fluid flow rate through the elongated trough remains constant throughout the entire freezing operation of the device. In some embodiments, the fluid flow rate varies throughout the freezing operation. In some embodiments, periods of fluid flow reversal may occur where the fluid inlets and / or fluid outlets / drains are reversed.

[0078] 1A-1B show perspective views of an exemplary elongated trough 102 for installation within an apparatus for making clear ice. Each elongated trough 102 described herein can be positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis (L) that is parallel to at least one other elongated trough to form an assembly of multiple elongated troughs that can be installed within a housing that can couple the troughs with fluid control, power, water, and / or other fluids.

[0079] Each elongated trough may have a similar shape to another elongated trough in the assembly to ensure that substantially similar ice ingots are produced during the freezing process. Although multiple elongated troughs are shown, the apparatus or system may include one elongated trough, one or more elongated troughs, or multiple elongated troughs.

[0080] In some embodiments, the trough shape may be a continuous arcuate shape having a single flow surface from end to end. Such a shape may be considered to be defined by a single channel surface wall. However, in some embodiments, an elongated trough may be defined by three channel surface walls (e.g., two side channel surface walls and one bottom channel surface wall). In some embodiments, the trough shape may be a continuous rectangular shape whose bottom is joined to a first side along its length and to a second side along its length. Of course, other shapes are possible.

[0081] The particular shape and contour of one or more flume surface walls of each elongated trough defines a cross-sectional shape or profile for that elongated trough. In some embodiments in which the housing defines two or more elongated troughs, each elongated trough can have the same or a different cross-sectional profile as another elongated trough of the same apparatus / assembly. In some embodiments, the shape of a single elongated trough can be such that its cross-sectional shape varies over the length of the elongated trough. For example, the beginning, middle, or end of the elongated trough can have different cross-sectional profiles. In some of these embodiments, having such a variable shape can aid in removing the produced ice ingots from the trough.

[0082] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an exemplary assembly 100 including three elongated troughs 102. Each elongated trough 102 may include one or more surface walls 103. Assembly 100 may be installed in an apparatus for making clear ice, as described elsewhere herein. Assembly 100 provides three elongated troughs (e.g., channels) in thermal communication with at least one reservoir of circulating coolant (e.g., cooling cavity inlet 212a and cooling cavity outlet 212b shown in FIG. 2A ). The reservoir may be a cooling line, cooling pipe, cooling tube, cooling cavity, or the like. In some embodiments, the circulating coolant may be pressurized within one or more surfaces of assembly 100 and / or a cavity associated with the surface of a particular trough 102 (e.g., cavity 104). In some embodiments, the coolant may flow through a portion of the assembly 100 at a relatively constant flow rate and pressure, for example, to maintain a particular cooling rate and / or temperature and to keep the structure adjacent the cooling portion of each elongated trough 102 consistently cooled. In some embodiments, additional cooling may be applied to the troughs described herein via one or more additional cooling devices (e.g., cooling plates, cooling elements, etc.).

[0083] The elongated trough(s) 102 may be substantially similar in dimensions and cross-section. Each elongated trough 102 may have a length 106, a depth or height 108, and a width 110. As used herein, the terms "depth" and "height" 108 in reference to an elongated trough (e.g., 102) are considered synonymous and are used interchangeably. In some embodiments, the elongated trough(s) 102 may have a depth 108 measured from its lowest point to its highest point on one of its surface walls 103, ranging from about 2.5 centimeters to about 25.40 centimeters (about 1 to about 10 inches). In some embodiments, the elongated 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 elongated 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 elongated trough 102 may have a depth 108 of about 8.89 centimeters (about 3.5 inches).

[0084] In some embodiments, the depth 108 of the elongated trough 102 can be divided into an ice formation zone and a fluid overflow zone. In these embodiments, the total depth 108 of the elongated trough 102 can be subdivided between these zones in various proportions without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the elongated trough 102 can have a total depth 108 of approximately 5 inches, which can be divided into an ice formation zone of approximately 3.5 inches and a fluid overflow zone of approximately 1.5 inches. In some embodiments, fluid flows throughout the entire assembly 100, for example, when the assembly 100 is immersed in a water or fluid bath. In such instances, ice can form up to the top of the defined surface wall(s). In some embodiments, a water bath may surround assembly 100, and one or more upper surfaces (upper surface 112 and / or upper surface 114) may become part of assembly 100 and define an edge for the upper surface of any ice ingots formed during the freezing operation.

[0085] The elongated trough(s) 102 can have a width 110 measured between the two closest points of the opposing surface walls 103 of about 1 inch to about 12 inches. In some embodiments, the width 110 of the elongated trough 102 can be about 1 inch to about 10 inches. In some embodiments, the width 110 of the elongated trough 102 can be about 1 inch to about 5 inches. In some embodiments, the width 110 of the elongated trough 102 can be about 3 inches.

[0086] In some embodiments, the length 106 of the elongated trough(s) 102 can be at least about 18 inches (45.72 centimeters). In some embodiments, the length 106 of the elongated trough 102 can be at least about 3 feet (91.44 centimeters). In some embodiments, the length 106 of the elongated trough 102 can be about 4 feet to about 12 feet (1.22 meters to about 3.66 meters). In some embodiments, the length 106 of the elongated trough 102 can be about 4 feet to about 8 feet (1.22 meters to about 2.44 meters). In some embodiments, the length 106 of the elongated trough 102 can be about 3 feet to about 7 feet (91.44 centimeters to about 2.13 meters). In some embodiments, the length 106 of the elongated trough 102 can be about 6 feet (1.83 meters). In some embodiments, the length 106 of the elongated trough 102 can be about 80 inches (2.03 meters). In some embodiments, the length 106 of the elongated trough 102 can be about 18 inches to about 12 feet (45.72 centimeters to about 3.66 meters). In various embodiments in which the housing / assembly defines multiple elongated troughs 102, each trough can have the same length or a different length from another elongated trough.

[0087] The elongated troughs described herein may be modular and interchangeable to produce ice of different sizes and / or shapes. For example, four elongated troughs with a width 110 of approximately 4 inches may be installed in one of the ice-making devices described herein instead of eight elongated troughs with a width 110 of approximately 2 inches. Furthermore, each single elongated trough described herein may be modularly interchangeable to configure ice-making devices with any number of troughs.

[0088] The trough modularity in the design and construction of the ice-making assemblies / apparatus described herein may facilitate both ease of manufacturing and shipping / movement, thereby reducing transportation costs and facilitating variable ice sizes and shapes. Having such trough modularity may also facilitate modification, repair, and / or improvement in a single component without having to redesign or replace the entire ice-making assembly.

[0089] FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of an exemplary assembly 150 including six elongated troughs. For example, elongated trough 152, like five other elongated troughs, can be part of assembly 150. Any number of troughs is possible. Each elongated trough 152 can include one or more surface walls / surface portions 154, 156, and / or 158. In some embodiments, trough 152 can be formed from a single material that is molded into multiple troughs to form a width of the trough that extends from a first end A of assembly 150 to a second end C of the assembly. Additionally, assembly 150 can have length, width, and depth options substantially similar to those described in FIG. 1A above.

[0090] Generally, assembly 150 may be installed in an apparatus for making clear ice, as described elsewhere herein. Assembly 150 may represent a housing including a plurality of elongated troughs (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, twelve, sixteen, eighteen, twenty-four, thirty-two, etc., elongated troughs substantially similar to trough 152) in thermal communication with at least one reservoir (not shown) of circulating coolant. The reservoir may be a cooling line, cooling pipe, cooling tube, cooling cavity, or the like. In some embodiments, the circulating coolant may be pressurized within one or more surfaces or surface portions (e.g., 154, 156, and / or 158) of assembly 150 and / or a cavity (e.g., cavity 160 and cavity 162 associated with trough 152) that functions to cool another surface of trough 152. In some embodiments, the coolant may flow through a portion of assembly 150 at a relatively constant flow rate and pressure, for example, to maintain a particular cooling rate and / or temperature and to keep the structure adjacent the cooling portion of each elongated trough of assembly 150 consistently cooled. In some embodiments, additional cooling may be applied to the troughs described herein via one or more additional cooling devices (e.g., cooling plates, cooling elements, etc.).

[0091] Each elongated trough of assembly 150 may be substantially similar in size and cross-section. In some embodiments, width 164 of the front end (e.g., end A) of the trough may be formed to be narrower than width 166 of the rear end (e.g., end B) of the trough. In some embodiments, width 166 of the rear end (e.g., end B) of the trough may be formed to be narrower than width 164 of the front end (e.g., end A) of the trough.

[0092] In some embodiments, the housing assembly 150 may be operable to tilt the first end (defined by a width from end A to end C) from a first position (e.g., substantially parallel to a floor surface associated with the device holding the assembly 150) to a second position to expel clear ice formed within at least one of the elongated troughs. Generally, the first position refers to a position in which both the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing are parallel to and above the surface of a fluid bath associated with the device holding the assembly 150. The second position refers to the first end of the housing (e.g., from 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 from about 20 to about 90 degrees from the first position, as described in more detail below.

[0093] In some embodiments, the width of the bottom of the trough (e.g., surface 156) may be narrower than the width of the top of the trough to produce an inverted trapezoidal shaped ice ingot produced within such trough during a freezing operation. In some embodiments, the width of the bottom of the trough (e.g., surface 156) may be wider than the width of the bottom of the trough to produce a trapezoidal shaped ice ingot produced within such trough during a freezing operation.

[0094] Generally, each trough (e.g., 152, etc.) of assembly 150 is defined to allow the flow of water (or another liquid, in various embodiments) along at least a portion of the length of the elongated trough from at least one fluid intake source to at least one drain source. In some embodiments, it can be seen that the fluid (e.g., water) flows along elongated trough 152 from a fluid intake in a housing that holds the elongated trough(s) to a drain. In some embodiments, the drain returns to the fluid intake source, circulating the water through the elongated trough (e.g., 152, etc.).

[0095] Each elongated trough (e.g., trough 152) can be fed by a single fluid inlet (e.g., a partial or complete opening at one end of the elongated trough) and discharged by a single drain (at or near the opposite end of the elongated trough). However, different numbers, arrangements, and placements of these valves are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Because ice forms and grows on at least a portion of the channel surface walls (e.g., surface portions 154-158 of trough 152) during the freezing operation of the apparatus (e.g., housing assembly 150), one or more fluid inlets and drains can be positioned to allow free passage of water over the growing ice ingot (i.e., within the fluid overflow zone and / or fluid bath) regardless of the height of the ingot, or at least up to a predetermined height of the ice.

[0096] Each fluid intake (see fluid intakes 436, 716-728 in FIG. 7A) may include a pipe, tube, hose, or other retaining mechanism designed to provide a flow of fluid (e.g., water) to at least one elongated trough based on fluid flow received from a manifold (or other fluid flow system) configured to provide and / or regulate fluid flow to each of the troughs described herein.

[0097] In some embodiments, each trough of assembly 150 does not include a drain because assembly 150 may be adapted to be immersed in a water bath during the freezing operation. The water bath may include a drain source that can drain water during the freezing process to maintain the fluid bath at a particular temperature. For example, the fluid bath may be maintained at a temperature of about 0.1°C to about 5°C. The fluid level / depth of such a fluid bath may be about 1 centimeter to about 30 centimeters above the top surface of the immersed assembly 150. In some embodiments, the fluid level / depth of the fluid bath may be about zero centimeters to about 30 centimeters above the top surface of the partially immersed assembly 150.

[0098] In some embodiments, each fluid inlet described throughout this disclosure may be provided with fluid from a manifold or other fluid flow system configured to distribute the fluid flow from the fluid inlet into the multiple elongated troughs. Such distribution of fluid flow may be performed to maintain substantially laminar flow and substantially equal pressure along the multiple elongated troughs. In some embodiments, the laminar flow and pressure may be maintained while the housing containing the multiple elongated troughs is submerged and during freezing operations of the ice-making device.

[0099] In some embodiments, each fluid inlet (for each elongated trough) may be coupled to a venturi nozzle to increase fluid flow into the trough. The increase in fluid flow may be automatically triggered by the ice making device when the device detects that one or more fluid inlets or pipes / troughs exhibit a fluid pressure drop below a predetermined threshold pressure.

[0100] In some embodiments, each fluid inlet (in combination with a manifold) may provide a flow of water such that the entire volume defined within each elongated trough (e.g., trough 152) is filled with moving water, except for the portion occupied by the clear ice mass that grows during the freezing operation of assembly 150. In some embodiments, the fluid inlets and manifolds (and / or valves), in combination with a drain, may provide a fluid (e.g., water) throughout the length of elongated trough 152 at a velocity of at least about 0.09 meters / second (about 0.3 feet / second). In some embodiments, the water velocity is at least about 0.15 meters / second (about 0.5 feet / second). In some embodiments, the water velocity is at least about 0.21 meters / second (about 0.7 feet / second). In some embodiments, the fluid intake and / or manifold and / or drain are adapted to provide a flow of water such that the entire volume defined within the troughs and a portion of the space above the housing (which holds the multiple elongated troughs) is filled with moving water, except for the portion occupied by the clear ice mass that grows during the freezing operation of assembly 150.

[0101] During operation of assembly 150, each fluid inlet and / or manifold is fluidly connected to a fluid supply, e.g., a water supply (not shown), and any other additional equipment understood by those skilled in the art, to enable a substantially continuous flow of fluid to one or more elongated troughs during the freezing operation of assembly 150. In some embodiments, the fluid supply provides a substantially continuous stream of fresh fluid to assembly 150 throughout the freezing operation. In some embodiments, the fluid supply can recirculate at least a portion of the starting volume of fluid throughout the freezing operation. In some embodiments, degassed water can be supplied or recirculated to assembly 150 from the fluid supply.

[0102] Cooling cavity 160 and 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 heat transfer for forming transparent ice within at least one elongated trough 152. In some embodiments, cooling cavity 160 and cooling cavity 162 represent a cooling source. In some embodiments, cooling cavity 160 and cooling cavity 162 represent a respective single internal cooling cavity / source. In some embodiments, the cooling cavities described herein represent multiple cooling cavities in thermal communication with various subsets of flume surface walls 154, 156, and / or 158 and / or portions of the flume surface walls. In some embodiments for the elongated trough 152 having a bottom channel surface wall 156 and two side channel surface walls 154 and 158, each channel surface wall 154, 156, and 158 is in thermal communication with a unique internal cooling cavity (not shown) defined by the housing 150. Across various embodiments, the cooling cavities described herein (e.g., cooling cavities 160, 162, 244, 246, etc.) may include various internal structures and architectural features to facilitate uniform flow and distribution of coolant therein. In some embodiments, these structures may include, without limitation, a mesh grid.

[0103] During a freezing operation of assembly 150, cooling cavity 160 and / or cooling cavity 162 can be at least partially filled with circulating coolant sufficient to reduce the temperature of at least a portion of one or more flume surface walls 154, 156, and / or 158 to about 0° C. or below. In some embodiments, cooling cavity 160 and / or cooling cavity 162 can be at least partially filled with circulating coolant sufficient to reduce the temperature of at least a portion of one or more flume surface walls 154, 156, and / or 158 to about −45° C. In some embodiments, cooling cavity 160 and / or cooling cavity 162 can be at least partially filled with circulating coolant sufficient to reduce the temperature of at least a portion of one or more flume surface walls 154, 156, and / or 158 to about 0° C. to about −20° C. In some embodiments, cooling cavity 160 and / or cooling cavity 162 can be at least partially filled with circulating coolant sufficient to reduce the temperature of at least a portion of one or more of flume surface walls 154, 156, and / or 158 to between about −2° C. and about −20° C. In some embodiments, cooling cavity 160 and / or cooling cavity 162 can be at least partially filled with circulating coolant sufficient to reduce the temperature of at least a portion of one or more of flume surface walls 154, 156, and / or 158 to between about −2° C. and about −35° C.

[0104] In some embodiments, cooling cavity 160 and / or cooling cavity 162 and its contained circulating coolant are adapted to maintain at least a portion of one or more flume surface walls 154, 156, and / or 158 at a substantially constant temperature during a freezing operation of assembly 150. In some embodiments, 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 assembly 150 that varies according to a predetermined temperature schedule.

[0105] In some embodiments, the cooling cavities described herein may be minimized in volume and / or insulated from portions of assembly 150 that are not the flume surface walls in order to minimize the amount of coolant used to sufficiently cool the flume surface walls for ice production. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, one or more cooling cavities may be replaced with other cooling devices (e.g., cooling plates, cooling elements, etc.) without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0106] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a variety of coolants can be used (e.g., without limitation, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and brine). To circulate the coolant, each cooling cavity can be fluidly connected to a coolant circulation system (not shown) via at least one coolant inlet and at least one coolant outlet. Particularly in embodiments in which the housing of assembly 150 encloses multiple internal cooling cavities, there can be various numbers, arrangements, mountings, and fluid connectivity of the internal cooling cavities, coolant inlet, and / or coolant outlet valves without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the coolant circulation system can include any number of pumps, compressors, evaporators, etc. necessary to provide sufficient circulation of the coolant for the features of the present disclosure described herein.

[0107] 2A-2J show exemplary diagrams of elongated troughs for use with the ice-making apparatus described herein. FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary elongated trough 200 for producing clear ice during a freezing operation. The elongated trough 200 may be modularly arranged within the ice-making apparatus with two or more additional elongated troughs, each assembled in a side-by-side manner with each longitudinal axis (L) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of another elongated trough in the assembly.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 2A , the housing 202 of an ice-making apparatus described herein defines a single elongated trough 200 having a rectangular / square bottom channel surface wall 206 and first and second side channel surface walls 208 and 210. The surface channel walls 206, 208, and 210 are in thermal communication with an interior cooling cavity 212 (and / or other cooling apparatus enclosed by the housing 202). The interior cooling cavity 212, in this illustration, refers to the cavity formed between an inlet 212 a and an outlet 212 b. During a freezing operation of the ice-making apparatus described herein, sufficient coolant is circulated through the interior cooling cavity 212 to allow water 214 flowing along the length of the elongated trough 200 within its ice formation zone 204 b, divided by line A, to freeze onto the surface channel walls 206, 208, and 210 to form clear ice ingots. 2A shows a midpoint during the freezing operation where clear ice 216 (shaded area) has begun to form on the flume surface walls 206, 208, 210, but has not yet frozen enough water to form a solid ingot of clear ice. Arrow 218 indicates the general direction of ice formation during this process. Once a solid ingot of clear ice has formed, any remaining flowing water can traverse the elongated trough 200 in a fluid overflow zone 204a, which may indicate the level of a fluid (e.g., a water bath) described herein.

[0109] In some embodiments, the elongated troughs 102 may be modularly connected. For example, FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of an exemplary elongated trough 240 and an exemplary trough 242 modularly connected. The elongated trough 240 or the elongated trough 242 may represent any of the troughs described herein. For example, the elongated trough 240 may replace or be a substitute for any of the elongated troughs described herein. The elongated trough 240 may be modularly arranged within the ice-making device together with the elongated trough 242 and one or more additional elongated troughs (e.g., 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 16, 24, etc.), with each elongated trough assembled in a side-by-side manner. For example, the elongated trough 240 is arranged side-by-side with the elongated trough 242, with the longitudinal axis (L1) of the trough 240 substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (L2) of the trough 242. Additionally, each trough 240, 242, etc. may be positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ice-making apparatus. For example, trough 240, etc. may be modularly connected to at least one other elongated trough (e.g., trough 242), which may be parallel to the longitudinal axis associated with each trough and parallel to the longitudinal axis associated with the ice-making apparatus.

[0110] Each elongated trough may include a cooling cavity similar to cooling cavity 212. For example, elongated trough 240 includes cooling cavity 244. Cooling cavity 244 has an inlet 244a in fluid communication with an outlet 244b (e.g., interconnected via cooling cavity 244). Similarly, elongated trough 242 includes cooling cavity 246. Cooling cavity 246 has an inlet 246a in fluid communication with an outlet 246b (e.g., interconnected via cooling cavity 246). Cooling cavities 244 and 246 may be configured to have a fluid circulate therethrough.

[0111] For example, one of the ice-making devices described herein may contain elongated troughs 240 and 242 (in addition to any number of other elongated troughs). The device may include a cooling source (e.g., cooling source 423 in FIG. 4B ). The cooling source is coupled to a plurality of pressurized cooling cavities (e.g., cooling cavity 244, cooling cavity 246, etc.) configured to control temperature to promote ice formation within elongated troughs 240, 242, etc. by flowing coolant through each of the cooling cavities. For example, the pressurized 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 define a coolant intake valve (e.g., at inlet 244a) for receiving coolant from the cooling source. Additionally, each of the cooling cavities (e.g., cavity 244, etc.) may define a coolant removal valve (e.g., at outlet 244b) positioned to remove coolant from the cooling cavity.

[0112] In some embodiments, both the coolant intake valve (at inlet 244 a) and the coolant outlet valve (e.g., at outlet 244 b) are located at the first end 250 of each respective elongated trough. Generally, the pressurized cooling cavity may extend through a portion of the elongated trough separate from any water flowing through a mold portion (e.g., a water channel / trough cutout) of the elongated trough. For example, each pressurized cooling cavity may be formed along a substantially tubular path 254 from the coolant intake valve (e.g., at inlet 244 a) at the first end 250 of the elongated trough 240 to the second end 252 of the elongated trough 240. The cavity defined by the path 254 may curve at a first radius 255 at a first side 256 of the second end 252. Additionally, the cavity defined by the passage 254 may curve at a second radius 257 at a second side 258 of the second end 252. Generally, the cavity formed by the passage 254 may extend from the inlet 244a over a substantial length of each elongated trough to the coolant removal valve (at the outlet 244b) at the first end 250 of the elongated trough 240. Each trough in the ice-making apparatus may include such a cavity.

[0113] During operation, turbulators may be used within each elongated trough to generate turbulence in the coolant. The turbulators may include coils or other shapes of metal located within the coolant flow field (upstream of the elongated troughs or within each trough). For example, the turbulators may be configured to partially block a portion of the coolant flow field and / or a portion of the inlet in each elongated trough to stir the coolant flow through the elongated troughs and thereby generate turbulence.

[0114] In some embodiments, the coolant flow is a substantially constant fluid flow through the multiple elongated troughs and may flow through the multiple elongated troughs at a velocity of at least about 0.09 meters per second. In some embodiments, each trough may receive a turbulent flow of coolant (e.g., glycol) at about 1.5 gallons to about 3 gallons per minute. For example, the multiple troughs may be coupled to the coolant source 763 (FIG. 8C) by at least one of multiple pipes 770 (FIG. 8C) coupled to multiple controllers 764 (FIG. 8C). For example, the multiple troughs may be coupled to the coolant source 763 (FIG. 8C) by at least one of multiple pipes 770 (FIG. 8C) coupled to multiple controllers 764 (FIG. 8C). The coolant may be maintained at a temperature range of about -7°C to about -13°C. In some embodiments, when the coolant is circulating turbulently, the temperature of the coolant may be maintained at about zero degrees Celsius to about 10°C.

[0115] Figure 2C shows an exemplary elongated trough 240 that may be modularly connectable to at least one other elongated trough 242. Although two troughs 240, 242 are shown in Figure 2C, any number of troughs may be modularly and removably interlocked to create an array of elongated troughs for use in the ice-making devices described herein.

[0116] Each interlocking trough may include multiple sidewalls and interlocking / slidably connectable components. For example, elongated trough 240 includes a first sidewall 259. First sidewall 259 has a first cutout portion 260 formed on an upper inner edge 261 of first sidewall 259 and a first keyhole-shaped tab 262 formed on an outer edge 263 of first sidewall 259. First cutout portion 260 and first keyhole-shaped tab 262 may extend along a length 264 of first sidewall 259. Elongated trough 240 also includes a second sidewall 265. Second sidewall 265 has a first grooved ledge 266 formed on an upper outer edge 267 of second sidewall 265 and a first keyhole-shaped slot 268 formed in the outer edge 269 of second sidewall 265. The first grooved ledge 266 and the first keyhole slot 268 may extend along a length 270 of the second sidewall 265 .

[0117] The elongated trough 242 includes a third sidewall 271. The third sidewall 271 has a second cutout portion 272 formed on an upper 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 cutout portion 272 and the second keyhole-shaped tab 273 may extend along a length (not shown) of the third sidewall 271. The elongated trough 242 includes a fourth sidewall 274. The fourth sidewall 274 has a second grooved ridge 275 formed on an upper outer edge of the fourth sidewall 274 and a second keyhole-shaped slot 276 formed in the outer edge of the fourth sidewall 274. The second grooved ridge 275 and the second keyhole-shaped slot 276 may extend along a length 277 of the fourth sidewall 274. First grooved ledge 266 is configured to removably mate with second cutout portion 272. Second keyhole tab 273 is configured to slidably mate with first keyhole slot 268. In some embodiments, the height of first sidewall 259 can be about 80 percent to about 90 percent of the height of second sidewall 265.

[0118] In some embodiments, additional troughs may be coupled to trough 240 or trough 242. For example, similar to trough 240, a third elongated trough may include a fifth sidewall. The fifth sidewall has a third grooved ridge formed on an upper outer edge thereof and a third keyhole slot formed within the outer edge thereof. The third grooved ridge and the third keyhole slot may extend along the length of the fifth sidewall. In this example, the third grooved ridge may be configured to removably mate with first cutout portion 260, and the third keyhole slot may be configured to slidably mate with first keyhole tab 162.

[0119] 2C and 2D illustrate an exemplary elongated trough 240 that may be modularly connectable / couplable to at least one other elongated trough 242. While two troughs 240, 242 are shown in FIG. 2C, any number of troughs may be modularly and removably interlocked to create an array of elongated troughs for use in the ice-making devices described herein. Each trough 240, 242, etc. may include at least one groove 243 along the bottom wall of the respective trough 240, 242, etc. The groove 243, in combination with fasteners (not shown), may be used to couple the troughs 242 together to secure end caps (not shown) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L2 onto the troughs 242 to prevent ice from forming outside the ice formation zone defined by the troughs 242. An end cap may be disposed at each end of a particular trough. For example, each trough described herein (e.g., troughs 240, 242, 278, 279, each trough of assemblies 100, 150, 602, etc.) may include end caps that may be secured to grooves (e.g., groove 243) to prevent ice from forming outside of a predetermined ice formation zone. In some embodiments, the end caps may be a single end cap for each end of the trough. In some embodiments, the end caps may instead be a single assembly for multiple troughs. Each trough assembly may be secured to a first end assembly (not shown) and a second end assembly (not shown), the first end assembly facing the second end assembly.

[0120] Each interlocking trough may include multiple sidewalls and interlocking / slidably connectable components. For example, elongated trough 240 includes a first sidewall 259. First sidewall 259 has a first cutout portion 260 formed on an upper inner edge 261 of first sidewall 259 and a first keyhole-shaped tab 262 formed on an outer edge 263 of first sidewall 259. First cutout portion 260 and first keyhole-shaped tab 262 may extend along a length 264 of first sidewall 259. Elongated trough 240 also includes a second sidewall 265. Second sidewall 265 has a first grooved ledge 266 formed on an upper outer edge 267 of second sidewall 265 and a first keyhole-shaped slot 268 formed in the outer edge 269 of second sidewall 265. The first grooved ledge 266 and the first keyhole slot 268 may extend along a length 270 of the second sidewall 265 .

[0121] The elongated trough 242 includes a third sidewall 271. The third sidewall 271 has a second cutout portion 272 formed on an upper 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 cutout portion 272 and the second keyhole-shaped tab 273 may extend along a length (not shown) of the third sidewall 271. The elongated trough 242 includes a fourth sidewall 274. The fourth sidewall 274 has a second grooved ridge 275 formed on an upper outer edge of the fourth sidewall 274 and a second keyhole-shaped slot 276 formed in the outer edge of the fourth sidewall 274. The second grooved ridge 275 and the second keyhole-shaped slot 276 may extend along a length 277 of the fourth sidewall 274. 2C, 2D, 2E). First grooved overhang 266 is configured to removably mate with second cutout portion 272. Second keyhole tab 273 is configured to slidably mate with first keyhole slot 268. In some embodiments, the height of first sidewall 259 can be about 80 percent to about 90 percent of the height of second sidewall 265.

[0122] In some embodiments, additional troughs may be coupled to trough 240 or trough 242. For example, similar to trough 240, a third elongated trough may include a fifth sidewall. The fifth sidewall has a third grooved ridge formed on an upper outer edge of the fifth sidewall and a third keyhole slot formed within the outer edge of the fifth sidewall. The third grooved ridge and the third keyhole slot may extend along the length of the fifth sidewall. In this example, the third grooved ridge may be configured to removably mate with first cutout portion 260, and the third keyhole slot may be configured to slidably mate with first keyhole tab 262.

[0123] FIG. 2F shows a right perspective view of an exemplary elongated trough. FIG. 2G shows a bottom view of an exemplary elongated trough. Groove 243 spans the length of the bottom of trough 240. FIG. 2H shows a bottom view of elongated troughs 240, 242 of FIG. 2B. FIG. 2I shows a left side view of exemplary elongated trough 242. FIG. 2J shows a left perspective view of an exemplary elongated trough.

[0124] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an elongated trough 300 in an apparatus for creating clear ice. In this embodiment, the elongated trough 304 is defined by three channel surface walls 324a, 324b, and 324c. Channel surface walls 324a, 324b, and 324c are in thermal communication with corresponding internal cooling cavities 326a, 326b, and 326c, respectively. Each internal cooling cavity 326a, 326b, and 326c can be supplied by a coolant inlet and outlet 328a, 328b, and 328c. The compartmentalized arrangement of cooling cavities 326a, 326b, and 326c in this embodiment allows for more specific control of the temperature experienced at each channel surface wall 324a, 324b, and 324c during the freezing operation of the trough 300.

[0125] 4A-4B show perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 400 for making clear ice. Apparatus 400 may be sized to accommodate one of the elongated flume assemblies / apparatuses described herein (e.g., assembly 100, assembly 150, etc.). Generally, apparatus 400 may include a support, a frame, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, air pressure, and / or electronics for producing and extracting / discharging clear ice.

[0126] 4A, assembly 150 is shown installed within a fluid bath 402 of apparatus 400. Fluid bath 402 may be supported by a frame 404. Assembly 150 may be immersed in a fluid 406 disposed within fluid bath 402. Assembly 150 may also be connected to a fluid port (e.g., connected via a manifold 430, not shown), a fluid pump 408, a trough lift mechanism, and electronics (not shown) (to operate the ice generation, the trough lift mechanism, and / or a user interface associated with apparatus 400).

[0127] The apparatus 400 may include a trough lift mechanism (e.g., an arm, a slide structure, a pneumatic lift cylinder, etc.) to lift the assembly 150 from the fluid bath 402. For example, the apparatus 400 shown in FIG. 4A also includes a slidable support arm 410 coupled within a slide structure 412 to assist in raising, lowering, and / or tilting a portion of the assembly 150. The apparatus 400 also includes a slidable support arm 414 coupled within a slide structure 416 to assist in raising, lowering, and / or tilting a portion of the assembly 150. The apparatus 400 also includes a slidable support arm 418 coupled within a slide structure 420 to assist in raising, lowering, and / or tilting a portion of the assembly 150. The apparatus 400 also includes a slidable support arm 422 coupled within a slide structure (not shown) to assist in raising, lowering, and / or tilting a portion of the assembly 150. Each support arm pair (e.g., arms 410, 414 and 418, 422) may also be connected by a connecting beam (connecting beam 424 and connecting beam 426, respectively). Connecting beams 424 and 426 function to provide support and stability across assembly 150 during lifting and tilting operations. For example, while support arms 410, 414 move assembly 150 upward along the y-axis, connecting beam 424 may restrain angular motion along the x-axis. This may or may not result in angular rotation about the x-axis along the z-axis, as shown in FIG. 4A. Similarly, connecting beam 426 may restrain angular motion along the x-axis while support arms 418, 422 move assembly 150 upward along the y-axis or tilt in the zy-plane.

[0128] In some embodiments, support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and or associated slide structures may represent pneumatic actuators that may raise or lower part or all of housing assembly 150 from fluid 406 in fluid bath 402. In some embodiments, support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and or associated slide structures may represent electromechanical actuators that may raise or lower part or all of housing assembly 150 from fluid 406 in fluid bath 402.

[0129] Referring to FIG. 4B, the apparatus 400 is shown with a panel of the fluid reservoir 402 removed so that a portion of the fluid system can be seen. The fluid system shown here includes a fluid pump 408 connected to an inlet 432. The inlet 432 is connected to a manifold 430. The manifold 430 is connected to at least one fluid inlet 436 via a valve and an inlet manifold cavity (e.g., intake manifold cavity 434). The fluid inlet 436 is coupled to tubing 438 and is positioned to provide fluid flow to the housing assembly 150. For example, for each elongated trough of the assembly 150, the manifold 430 can provide fluid flow to the inlet 432 via the pump 408 to the manifold 430 and tubing 438. The manifold 430 can provide a fluid inlet (e.g., fluid inlet 436) for each elongated trough of the assembly 150. Manifold 430 can ensure that fluid flows through the fluid system of apparatus 400 in a substantially laminar flow while maintaining a substantially equal pressure along each respective elongated trough during freezing operations of apparatus 400. In some embodiments, the fluid flow is substantially constant along each trough and flows through each trough at a velocity of at least about 0.09 meters / second.

[0130] 5A-5B show perspective views of apparatus 500 for making clear ice at various positions during the process of making clear ice. For example, apparatus 500 may represent apparatus 400 with housing assembly 100 or 150 installed therein.

[0131] 5A, device 500 is coupled to housing assembly 100 having three elongated channels. Assembly 100 is shown connected to support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and suspended over a fluid bath (e.g., fluid reservoir 402). Assembly 100 is shown connected to multiple coolant ports 502.

[0132] Apparatus 500 may include a trough lift mechanism (e.g., an arm, a slide structure, a pneumatic lift cylinder, etc.) to lift assembly 100 from fluid bath 402. Apparatus 500 also includes a slidable support arm 410 coupled within slide structure 412 to assist in raising, lowering, and / or tilting a portion of assembly 100. Apparatus 500 also includes a slidable support arm 414 coupled within slide structure 416 to assist in raising, lowering, and / or tilting a portion of assembly 100. Apparatus 500 also includes a slidable support arm 418 coupled within slide structure 420 to assist in raising, lowering, and / or tilting a portion of assembly 100. Apparatus 500 also includes a slidable support arm 422 coupled within slide structure (not shown) to assist in raising, lowering, and / or tilting a portion of assembly 100. Each pair of support arms (eg, arms 410, 414 and 418, 422) may also be connected by a connecting beam (connecting beam 424 and connecting beam 426, respectively), similar to device 400.

[0133] In some embodiments, support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and / or associated sliding structures 412, 416, 420, etc. may represent pneumatic actuators that may raise or lower part or all of housing assembly 100 from fluid bath 402. In the example shown in FIG. 5A , the support system, including support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and sliding structures 412, 416, 420, etc., receives a signal to raise assembly 100 from bath 402. For example, upon completion of a freezing operation to produce clear ice, a processor in communication with components of apparatus 500 may receive instructions (e.g., automatic based on a recipe for making the ice, based on user input via a user input device, etc.) to raise assembly 100 and begin harvesting clear ice ingots from elongated troughs 504, 506, and 508. In some embodiments, assembly 100 can be elevated by a plurality of pneumatic actuators operatively connected between housing assembly 100 and a frame structure (e.g., frame structure 404). The frame structure is secured to and supports housing assembly 100 and tub 402. Frame structure 404 can also be coupled to a first support arm (e.g., support arm 410) that mates with a first slide structure (e.g., slide structure 412), a second support arm (e.g., support arm 414) that mates with a second slide structure (e.g., slide structure 416), a third support arm (e.g., support arm 418) that mates with a third slide structure (e.g., slide structure 420), and a fourth support arm (e.g., support arm 422) that mates with a fourth slide structure (not shown, but connected to support arm 422).

[0134] 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., slide structure 420 and a slide structure associated with fourth support arm 422). The first pair of pneumatic lift cylinders may be operably connected between housing assembly 100 and frame structure 404 in spaced-apart relationship to first support arm 410 and second support arm 414. The second pair of pneumatic lift cylinders may be operably connected between housing assembly 100 and frame structure 404 in spaced-apart relationship to third support arm 418 and second support arm 422. The first pair of pneumatic lift cylinders and the second pair of pneumatic lift cylinders may be operable to lift housing assembly 100 from a submerged position to a predetermined raised position. For example, assembly 100 may be initially immersed in a fluid (e.g., water) bath within tank 402. Assembly 100 may then be lifted from tank 402 by multiple actuators in combination with first and second pairs of lift cylinders (and / or support arms) while ensuring that the top surface of assembly 100 (the surface of assembly 100 facing connecting beams 424, 426) remains substantially parallel to the fluid surface (i.e., the z-axis in FIG. 5A ) within tank 402. Lifting assembly 100 may ensure that the assembly is removed from the fluid bath, and may allow fluid to be drained from assembly 100 before the ice ingot is ejected from the elongated trough of assembly 100.

[0135] In some embodiments, devices described herein (e.g., devices 400, 500, 600, 755, etc.) can be configured to vibrate, oscillate, or otherwise move to create fluid movement within the elongated trough. For example, a device described herein can include a frame structure (e.g., frame structure 404) coupled to two or more of: (1) a first support arm (e.g., support arm 410) that mates with a first slide structure (e.g., slide structure 412), (2) a second support arm (e.g., support arm 414) that mates with a second slide structure (e.g., slide structure 416), (3) a third support arm (e.g., support arm 418) that mates with a third slide structure (e.g., slide structure 420), and (4) a fourth support arm (e.g., support arm 422) that mates 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., slide structure 420 and a slide structure associated with fourth support arm 422). Pneumatic actuators may move the pneumatic lift cylinders singly or in pairs. For example, slide structures 412 and 416 may be actuated to move (e.g., articulate) as a whole in unison. Similarly, slide structures 420, 422 may be actuated to move as a whole in unison. Such actuation may be triggered by one or more pneumatic actuators.

[0136] In some embodiments, two or more of the pneumatic actuators may be operable to generate waves in the fluid bath by vibrating the frame structure 404 according to a predetermined recipe. For example, the pneumatic actuators may utilize two or more pneumatic lift cylinders to vibrate the frame structure 404 according to a predetermined recipe by sequentially and repeatedly performing one or more cycles during the freezing operation of the apparatus. For example, a first cycle may include raising the front side of the housing along both the first sliding structure 412 and the second sliding structure 416 from the initial position of the housing to a first raised position. A second cycle may include lowering the rear side of the housing along both the third sliding structure 420 and the fourth sliding 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 sliding structure 412 and the second sliding 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 the second raised position. The cycle may be repeated to create a wave pool within the tank 760 and continuously move the fluid (e.g., water) over the ice / fluid interface while keeping the housing submerged in the fluid of the tank 760.

[0137] In some embodiments, a predetermined recipe can be programmed into a processor and memory communicatively coupled to the ice making apparatus. The predetermined recipe can include instructions indicating the time to pause operation of the frame structure 404 between one or more of the first, second, third, fourth, and any repeated cycles, and can also indicate the elapsed time for performing each of the first, second, third, and fourth cycles. For example, the predetermined recipe can include instructions to cause the ice making apparatus to pause operation of the frame structure 404 for about 1 to about 2 seconds after performing the second cycle and for about 1 to about 2 seconds after performing the fourth cycle. In some embodiments, the predetermined recipe can also include instructions to cause the ice making apparatus to perform the first cycle for about 1 to about 2 seconds, the second cycle for about 1 to about 2 seconds, the third cycle for about 1 to about 2 seconds, and the fourth cycle for about 1 to about 2 seconds. Other recipe configurations are, of course, possible.

[0138] In some embodiments, two of the pneumatic actuators may be operable to generate waves in the fluid bath by vibrating the frame structure 404 according to a predetermined recipe. For example, the pneumatic actuators may utilize two pneumatic lift cylinders while not using any additional pneumatic lift cylinders to vibrate the frame structure 404 according to a predetermined recipe by sequentially performing one or more cycles during the freezing operation of the apparatus. For example, a first cycle may include raising the front side of the housing along both the first sliding structure 412 and the second sliding structure 416 from the housing's initial position to a first raised position. A second cycle may include lowering the front side of the housing along both the first sliding structure 412 and the second sliding structure 416 from the housing's first raised position to a first lowered position. A third cycle may include raising the front side of the housing along both the first sliding structure 412 and the second sliding structure 416 again from the housing's first lowered position to the first raised position. The 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 cycle may be repeated to generate a wave pool within the bath 760, keeping the housing submerged in the fluid within the bath 760 and continuously moving the fluid (e.g., water) across the ice / fluid interface for the duration of the freezing operation of the apparatus 400. For example, all of the cycles may be completed within a time period of about 4 seconds to about 6 seconds. In some embodiments, all of the aforementioned four cycles may be repeated and completed within a time period of about 5 seconds to about 7 seconds. In some embodiments, all of the aforementioned four cycles may be repeated and completed within a time period of about 6 seconds to about 8 seconds. In some embodiments, all of the aforementioned four cycles may be repeated and completed within a time period of about 9 seconds to about 12 seconds. The four-cycle process may be repeated for the duration of the freezing operation of the apparatus 400.

[0139] In some embodiments, the oscillation of the frame structure 404 may be performed for any number of cycles of moving 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 toward or away from the y-axis. In some embodiments, the oscillation of the frame structure 404 may be performed for any number of cycles of moving 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 toward or away from the y-axis.

[0140] In some embodiments, ice ingots produced by the apparatus described herein can be clear slabs of ice about 5.1 centimeters (e.g., 2 inches) to about 10.2 centimeters (e.g., 4 inches) in height. The slabs can occur in a single elongated trough or multiple elongated troughs. Such slabs can be produced using variations in the coolant source temperature, coolant flow rate, and / or housing motion profile.

[0141] Referring to FIG. 5B , apparatus 500 is provided with assembly 100 shown tilted from the substantially parallel position shown in FIG. 5A to a prone or tilted position angled toward the y-axis at an angle from the z-axis, with the tilt occurring at an origin defined by line A. Line A is shown parallel to connecting beam 426 associated with third support arm 418 and fourth support arm 422. Line A may represent an axis of rotation for assembly 100. Assembly 100 may be tilted from about z=0 to about z=90, as shown in FIG. 5B . For example, assembly 100 may be tilted from about z=0 to a tilt angle, with the tilt occurring about the axis of rotation defined by line A. In other words, the tilt may occur from a surface defined parallel to the surface of the fluid bath to a tilt angle in the zy-plane.

[0142] In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 10 degrees to about 15 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 15 degrees to about 20 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 20 degrees to about 25 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 20 degrees to about 25 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 25 degrees to about 30 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 30 degrees to about 35 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 35 degrees to about 40 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 40 degrees to about 45 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 45 degrees to about 50 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 50 degrees to about 55 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 55 degrees to about 60 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 60 degrees to about 70 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can 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.

[0143] The tilt to a particular tilt angle may be predetermined by a recipe associated with creating clear ice on the devices described herein, and in some embodiments, the tilt to a particular tilt angle may be performed according to a user, a programmed device, a switch, or other manual or automated method of tilting a part.

[0144] The tilting, pivoting, translation, or other movement of assembly 100 may be preceded by one or more cycles of producing clear ice. For example, once the freezing operation to produce clear ice is complete, a processor in communication with components of apparatus 500 may receive instructions to lift assembly 100 to begin harvesting clear ice ingots 510, 512, 514 (FIG. 5B) from elongated troughs 504, 506, and 508 (FIG. 5A). In the illustrated example, assembly 602 includes three elongated troughs 604, 606, and 508. 5A). In operation, the multiple pneumatic actuators may be operable to lift the housing assembly (e.g., assembly 100) from an initial position of the housing assembly 100 (e.g., z=0 or parallel to the surface of the fluid in the tank 402) to a predetermined elevated position associated with the first sliding structure 412 (and along the shaft / support arm) in a translational manner along an inclination angle using the first sliding structure 412, while lifting the housing assembly 100 in a translational manner along an inclination angle using the second sliding structure 416, and subsequently tilting the housing on the third support arm 418 and fourth support arm 422, when in the predetermined elevated position, to a first preselected inclination position (e.g., about 20 degrees to about 90 degrees) to remove / eject the clear ice 510, 512, and 514 formed within the multiple elongated troughs. In some embodiments, lifting the housing assembly 100 translationally 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)) the entire assembly 100 the same distance from a non-tilted (e.g., parallel to about z=0) position to a position tilted about the y-axis and / or yz-axis around line A.In some embodiments, lifting the housing assembly 100 translationally 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)) the entire assembly 100 the same distance from a non-tilted (e.g., parallel to about z=0) position to a position tilted about the y-axis and / or yz-axis around line A.

[0145] In some embodiments, the support arms, slide structures, actuators, and / or lift cylinders described herein may function in combination to move assembly 100 to a position / angle that allows ice ingots to be retained within or removed from the elongated troughs. For example, once the freezing operation to produce clear ice is complete, the first pair of pneumatic lift cylinders (e.g., slide structures 412 and 416) may be operable to tilt housing assembly 100 on third support arm 418 and fourth support arm 422 to a preselected tilted position (e.g., the tilted position of assembly 100 shown in FIG. 5B ) when housing assembly 100 is in a predetermined elevated position (e.g., the parallel position of assembly 100 shown in FIG. 5B ). The pair of pneumatic lift cylinders may allow clear ice formed within at least one of the multiple elongated troughs to be removed / discharged using gravity.

[0146] In some embodiments, the ice troughs and / or ice making machines described herein (e.g., apparatus 400, apparatus 500, apparatus 600, apparatus 755, etc.) can be configured to allow for mechanically assisted removal of ice after a freeze cycle. For example, assembly 100 can include a pusher arm with an end effector having a gripper portion that can grasp an ice ingot and push or pull the ingot. In some embodiments, the gripper portion can be a metal ice pick or tongs. In some embodiments, the pusher arm has a substantially flat end that can be pushed into one or more ice ingots to slide the ingots along one or more elongated troughs and onto a table or other surface.

[0147] In some embodiments, the assembly 100 may include a pusher arm in addition to a gravity-assisted ice removal system that utilizes the tilt of the ice ingot to mechanically assist in the removal of the ice ingot while allowing gravity to assist in the removal of the ice ingot.

[0148] The "pusher arm" has an end that can grip the ice and force it to move. The gripper end can be some kind of jagged metal or an ice pick. If such an addition is possible,

[0149] In some embodiments, the housing assembly 100 may include a vibrating component to assist in the removal of the ice ingots. For example, the assembly 100 may include a vibrating member that micro-vibrates a portion of the elongated trough to vibrate the clear ice out of the elongated trough. The vibrating member may include a piezoelectric vibrating element, an ultrasonic transducer, or other vibrating element to generate sonic motion. In some embodiments, a portion of the elongated trough may also be heated after the freeze cycle to detach the ice surface from the elongated trough and assist in the removal of the ice.

[0150] In some embodiments, apparatus 400 or apparatus 500 can be an apparatus for making clear ice that includes a housing assembly (e.g., assembly 100, assembly 150, or other assembly) having at least one elongated trough. The at least one elongated trough can include at least three channel surface walls that are in thermal communication with a cooling source (e.g., cooling source 423 in FIG. 4B ) while the housing assembly (e.g., assembly 100, assembly 150, or other assembly) is immersed in a fluid bath. Cooling source 423 can be selected from an internal cooling cavity defined by the housing, an evaporator, a cold plate, and / or a condenser.

[0151] Assembly 100 (FIG. 1A) includes three elongated troughs 102, but may instead include a single elongated trough 102 that includes one or more flume surface walls 103. For example, surface wall 103 may include a bottom wall and two side walls. In some embodiments, assembly 100 may include two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, or twelve elongated troughs 102, and in such instances, each trough may include any number of flume surface walls.

[0152] Apparatus 400 or apparatus 500 may provide at least one fluid inlet (e.g., fluid inlet 436) positioned to provide a flow of fluid (e.g., water) to the housing assembly (e.g., assembly 100) via a manifold that provides the fluid flow into the single elongated trough 102. The manifold may ensure a substantially laminar flow of fluid along the elongated trough 102 during a freezing operation of the ice-making apparatus (e.g., apparatus 400 or apparatus 500).

[0153] Apparatus 400 or apparatus 500 may also include a support means attached to the housing assembly (e.g., assembly 100 or assembly 150). The support means may include movable support members (e.g., support arms 410, 414, 418, and / or 422) and fixed guide structures (e.g., slide structures 412, 416, and / or 420) for supporting and guiding the movable support members and housing (e.g., assembly 100 or housing assembly 150) to tilt to a preselected tilt angle after the freezing operation of the apparatus. The support means may represent the support arms and slide structures described herein, as previously described. In some embodiments, the support means instead includes a single support arm and a single slide structure to raise, lower, tilt, rotate, or otherwise maneuver the assembly described herein to process or remove ice ingots.

[0154] The preselected tilt angle may be about 15 degrees to about 20 degrees from parallel to the surface of the fluid bath to allow for removal / ejection of clear ice formed during the freezing operation within the at least one elongated trough.

[0155] In some embodiments, the freezing operation may be computer program instructions that trigger cooling of at least three surfaces of at least one elongated trough of assembly 100 or 150 to a temperature of about zero degrees Celsius or below at one or more of the flume surface walls defined by the at least one elongated trough.

[0156] In some embodiments, support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and / or associated slide structures described herein may represent electromechanical actuators that may raise or lower part or all of housing assembly 150 from fluid 406 in fluid bath 402. In some embodiments, support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and / or associated slide structures may represent pneumatic actuators that may raise or lower part or all of housing assembly 150 from fluid 406 in fluid bath 402.

[0157] Although support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and sliding structures 412, 416, 420, etc. are shown in the figures, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other lifting and support mechanisms may be possible (e.g., without limitation, a ram / piston configuration, a cable / pulley configuration, etc.).

[0158] Ice harvesting equipment may be utilized when harvesting / discharging the ice ingots described herein. For example, apparatus 500 shows table 520 for receiving ice from multiple elongated troughs. Table 520 may be lined and / or coated with a material that allows the ice ingots to slide while in motion, but protects the ingots during harvesting and / or transport. For example, table 520 may be made of food-grade rubber or other material that may dampen the movement of the ice ingots as they are harvested / discharged onto table 520.

[0159] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 600 for creating and releasing clear ice from one or more waterways. The apparatus 600 includes a housing assembly 602 that can include at least one elongated trough. In the illustrated example, the assembly 602 includes three elongated troughs 604, 606, and 608. Each elongated trough can include one or more waterway surface walls. Each of the elongated troughs 604-608 can include a single waterway surface wall that defines the trough. In some embodiments, the troughs 604-608 can instead include multiple waterway surface walls. For example, a waterway surface wall can include a bottom wall and two side walls. In some embodiments, the assembly 602 can include two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, or twelve elongated troughs, and in such examples, each trough can include any number of waterway surface walls.

[0160] One or more channel surface walls of each elongated trough of assembly 602 may be in thermal communication with a cooling source (e.g., cooling source 423 in FIG. 4B) while housing assembly 602 is immersed in a fluid 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.

[0161] Apparatus 600 may provide at least one fluid intake (not shown) positioned to provide a flow of fluid (e.g., water) to a housing assembly (e.g., assembly 602) via a manifold (not shown) that provides the fluid flow into one or more troughs 604-608. The manifold may ensure a substantially laminar flow of the fluid along one or more troughs 604-608 during a freezing operation of ice-making apparatus 600.

[0162] Apparatus 600 may also include a support means attached to housing assembly 602. The support means may include movable support members (e.g., support arms 610, 612, 614, and / or 616) and fixed guide structures (e.g., slide structures 618, 620, 622, and / or 624) to support and guide the movable support member(s) to tilt housing assembly 602 to a preselected tilt angle after the freezing operation of the apparatus. The support means may be coupled to assembly 602 via an assembly carrier component (e.g., without limitation, a mounting structure, such as arms 630, 632, 634, and / or 636). Each arm 630-636 may be further coupled to each other and to one or more of support arms 610, 612, 614, and 616. The preselected tilt angle may be about 15 degrees to about 20 degrees from parallel to the surface of the fluid bath 638 to allow for removal / release of the clear ice 640 formed during the freezing operation within the at least one elongated trough 604-608.

[0163] In some embodiments, the support means may instead include a single support arm and a single slide structure to raise, lower, tilt, rotate, or otherwise maneuver the assembly described herein to process or remove / eject ice ingots. Such a single support arm, when attached to the apparatus 600, may be centered underneath the assembly 602 facing the fluid bath 638 in the fluid reservoir 642.

[0164] In some embodiments, the freezing operation can be computer program instructions that trigger cooling of at least three surfaces of at least one elongated trough of assembly 602 to a temperature of about zero degrees Celsius or below at one or more of the flume surface walls defined by at least one elongated trough 604-608.

[0165] FIG. 7A shows a top perspective view of an exemplary fluid system installed in apparatus 400 for making clear ice. The view shown in FIG. 7A shows a top view of apparatus 400 with the fluid bath removed and assembly 150 removed. Apparatus 400 includes a fluid pump 408 connected to an inlet 432. Fluid pump 408 is also connected to a pipe 433 that flows from pump 408 to a fluid bath (not shown). Inlet 432 is connected to a manifold 430. Manifold 430 is connected to at least one fluid inlet 436 via a valve and / or inlet 432 and an intake manifold cavity (e.g., intake manifold cavity 434). Fluid inlet 436 is coupled to piping 438 and is positioned to provide a fluid flow to a housing assembly (e.g., assembly 100 or 150). Similarly, the manifold may provide fluid to tubing 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, and 714, which are connected to fluid intakes 716, 718, 720, 722, 724, 726, and 728, respectively, via respective intake manifold cavities.

[0166] Generally, a single fluid inlet is provided for each elongated trough. Because apparatus 500 includes eight fluid inlets 436, 716-728, assembly 150 includes eight elongated troughs for producing clear ice. For each elongated trough of assembly 150, manifold 430 may provide fluid flow via pump 408 and inlet 432. From manifold 430, fluid may flow at a substantially constant flow rate and pressure into piping 438, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, and 714 and through a fluid inlet (e.g., fluid inlets 436, 716-728) for each elongated trough of assembly 150. For example, manifold 430 may ensure that fluid flows through the fluid system of apparatus 400 in a substantially laminar flow while maintaining a substantially equal pressure along each respective elongated trough during a freezing operation of apparatus 400. In some embodiments, the fluid flow is substantially constant along each trough and flows through each trough at a velocity of at least about 0.09 meters / second.

[0167] FIG. 7B illustrates a fluidics component 750 for maintaining flow rate and pressure through multiple elongated troughs. Fluidics component 750 includes a pump 408 connected to an inlet 432 (shown here as pipe sections 432a and 432b). Pump 408 is also connected to a pipe 433 that flows from pump 408 to a fluid bath (not shown). Inlet section 432a is connected to a manifold 430. Manifold 430 is connected via a valve and / or inlet 432a and an intake manifold cavity (e.g., intake manifold cavity 434) to at least one fluid inlet 436 coupled to piping 438 ( FIG. 7A ), which is arranged to provide fluid flow to a housing assembly (e.g., including the elongated troughs). Any number of intake manifold cavities 434 may receive flow from manifold 430.

[0168] Manifold 430, in conjunction with the fluid system, may evenly distribute fluid flow by balancing the pressure drop between each pipe path leading to each trough (e.g., piping 438, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, and 714 in FIG. 7A). Pressure drops may be balanced by inducing larger pressure drops along pipe paths with least inherent resistance (e.g., straight runs) and smaller pressure drops along more difficult pipe paths (e.g., at valves, elbows). Thus, manifold 430 may increase or decrease friction depending on the path of water flow in a particular pipe or intake.

[0169] In some embodiments, the devices described herein may not utilize pumped fluid or valves to provide fluid (e.g., water) to the elongated troughs. For example, the devices described herein may use fluid movement within a fluid bath (e.g., a water bath) rather than using a flow of water provided directly to each elongated trough. Such an arrangement ensures ice formation without the use of pumps, nozzles, valves, etc. to pump and / or circulate water within the elongated troughs.

[0170] FIG. 8A shows a top perspective view of an exemplary apparatus 755 for making clear ice. The apparatus 755 includes an assembly 756 having a plurality of elongated troughs 758. As shown, the apparatus 755 includes 16 elongated troughs. However, any number of troughs is contemplated for the apparatus 755. Each trough may include at least three channel surface walls that are in thermal communication with a cooling source (e.g., cooling source 423 in FIG. 4B ) while the assembly 757 of troughs 758 is immersed in a fluid bath. Each trough may include at least three channel surface walls that are in thermal communication with a cooling source (e.g., cooling source 423 in FIG. 4B ) while the assembly 757 of troughs 758 is immersed in a fluid bath. The cooling source may be selected from an internal cooling cavity defined by a housing, an evaporator, a cold plate, and / or a condenser, as described in detail throughout this disclosure.

[0171] The device 757 may be configured to substantially cover the elongated troughs 758 within the tub 760 and to receive a flow of fluid (e.g., water) into the housing assembly (e.g., assembly 100) during a freezing operation of the ice-making device 755. For example, the tub 760 may be sized to accommodate a particular assembly 757 of elongated troughs 758. For example, the tub 760 may be approximately 2.4 meters (e.g., 8 feet) long, approximately 1.2 meters wide (e.g., 4 feet wide), and approximately 40.6 centimeters (e.g., 16 inches) high. Other tub sizes are possible based on the number and size of the elongated troughs utilized during the freezing operation.

[0172] Apparatus 755 may also include support means attached to assembly 757. The support means may include one or more movable support members (e.g., support arms 410, 414, 418, and / or 422) and fixed guide structures (e.g., slide structures 412, 416, and / or 420) for supporting and guiding the movable support member and housing (e.g., assembly 757) to tilt back and forth to vibrate the water in tub 760 during the freezing operation of apparatus 755 and to tilt assembly 757 to a preselected tilt angle after the freezing operation of apparatus 755. The support means may represent the support arms and slide structures described herein, as previously described. In some embodiments, the support means instead includes a single support arm and a single slide structure to raise, lower, tilt, rotate, or otherwise maneuver the assembly described herein to process, produce, and / or remove ice ingots. The preselected tilt angle may be about 15 degrees to about 20 degrees from parallel to the surface of the fluid bath to allow for removal / ejection of clear ice formed during the freezing operation within the at least one elongated trough.

[0173] Once the recipe or ice-making process is complete, the apparatus 755 may be configured to tilt to remove the produced ice. FIG. 8B shows a top perspective view of an exemplary apparatus for creating and removing clear ice. An assembly 757 of elongated troughs 758 is shown tilted from a substantially parallel position (similar to FIG. 5A ) to a prone or tilted position angled toward the y-axis from the z-axis, with the tilt occurring at an origin defined by line D. Line D is shown parallel to the connecting beam 426 associated with the third support arm 418 ( FIG. 8A ) and the fourth support arm 422 ( FIG. 8A ). Line D may indicate 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 a tilt angle, with the tilt occurring about the axis of rotation defined by line D. In other words, the tilt can occur from a surface defined parallel to the surface of the fluid bath to a tilt angle in the zy plane.

[0174] In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 10 degrees to about 15 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 15 degrees to about 20 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 20 degrees to about 25 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 20 degrees to about 25 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 25 degrees to about 30 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 30 degrees to about 35 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 35 degrees to about 40 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 40 degrees to about 45 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 45 degrees to about 50 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 50 degrees to about 55 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 55 degrees to about 60 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can range from about 60 degrees to about 70 degrees. In some embodiments, the tilt angle can 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.

[0175] The tilt to a particular tilt angle may be predetermined by a recipe associated with creating clear ice on the apparatus described herein. In some embodiments, tilting assembly 757 to a particular tilt angle may be performed according to a user, a programmed device, a switch, or other manual or automated method of tilting a component.

[0176] The tilting, pivoting, translating, or other movement of assembly 757 may be preceded by one or more cycles of producing clear ice. For example, upon completion of the freezing operation to produce clear ice, a processor in communication with components of apparatus 755 may receive instructions to lift assembly 757 to begin harvesting clear ice ingots (not shown) from elongated trough 758. In operation, the multiple pneumatic actuators may be operable to lift the housing assembly 757 translationally along an inclination angle using the first slide structure 412 from an initial position of the housing assembly 757 (e.g., z=0 or parallel to the surface of the fluid in the tank 760) to a predetermined elevated position associated with the first slide structure 412 (and along the shaft / support arm), while lifting the housing assembly 757 translationally along an inclination angle using the second slide structure 416, and subsequently tilting the housing on the third support arm 418 and fourth support arm 422, when in the predetermined elevated position, to a first preselected inclination position (e.g., about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees) to remove / eject clear ice (not shown) formed within the multiple elongated troughs 758. In some embodiments, lifting the housing assembly 757 translationally using the first slide structure 412 and the second slide structure 416 may result in lifting and tilting (e.g., pivoting about line D) the entire assembly 757 the same distance from a non-tilted (e.g., parallel to about z=0) position to a position tilted about the y-axis and / or yz-axis around line B.

[0177] In some embodiments, the support arms, slide structures, actuators, and / or lift cylinders described herein may function in combination to move assembly 757 to a position / angle that allows ice ingots to be retained within or removed from elongated troughs 758. For example, once the freezing operation to produce clear ice is complete, the first pair of pneumatic lift cylinders (e.g., slide structures 412 and 416) may be operable to tilt housing assembly 757 on third support arm 418 and fourth support arm 422 to a preselected tilted position (e.g., the tilted position of assembly 757 shown here in FIG. 8B ) when housing assembly 757 is in a predetermined elevated position (e.g., a parallel position of assembly 757 similar to assembly 100 in FIG. 5A ). The pair of pneumatic lift cylinders may allow clear ice formed within at least one of the plurality of elongated troughs 758 to be removed / discharged using gravity.

[0178] In some embodiments, housing assembly 757 may include a vibrating component to assist in the removal of the ice ingots. For example, assembly 757 may include a vibrating member that micro-vibrates a portion of the elongated trough to vibrate the clear ice out of the elongated trough and onto table 520. The vibrating member may include a piezoelectric vibrating element, an ultrasonic transducer, or other vibrating element to generate sonic motion. In some embodiments, a portion of elongated trough 758 may also be heated after the freeze cycle to detach a surface of the ice from the elongated trough and assist in the removal of the ice.

[0179] In some embodiments, support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and / or associated slide structures described herein may represent electromechanical actuators that may raise or lower part or all of housing assembly 757 from fluid in fluid bath 760. In some embodiments, support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and / or associated slide structures may represent pneumatic actuators that may raise or lower part or all of housing assembly 757 from fluid in fluid bath 760.

[0180] Although support arms 410, 414, 418, and 422 and sliding structures 412, 416, 420, etc. are shown in the figures, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other lifting and support mechanisms may be possible (e.g., without limitation, a ram / piston configuration, a cable / pulley configuration, etc.).

[0181] Ice harvesting equipment may be utilized when removing / discharging the ice ingots described herein. For example, apparatus 755 shows a table 520 for receiving ice from a plurality of elongated troughs. Table 520 may be lined and / or coated with a material that allows the ice ingots to slide while in motion, but protects the ingots during collection and / or transport. For example, table 520 may be made of food-grade rubber or other material that may dampen the movement of the ice ingots as they are removed / discharged onto table 520.

[0182] 8C illustrates a manifold 762 for circulating coolant through multiple cooling cavities associated with multiple elongated troughs. As illustrated, the manifold 762 includes multiple controllers 764 and 766 for controlling the turbulent or laminar flow of coolant through multiple pipes 768 and 770 that flow to one or more cooling cavities associated with the elongated troughs. The controllers 764 and 766 may also be used to control the temperature of the coolant flow through the multiple pipes 768 and 770 that flow to one or more cooling cavities associated with the elongated troughs. In some embodiments, the controllers 764 and 766 may include manual dials or knobs for manually adjusting the coolant flow or temperature. In some embodiments, the controllers 764 and 766 may be adjusted in an automated manner to electronically adjust the coolant flow or temperature according to a recipe, sensor input, and / or user request.

[0183] In some embodiments, the fluid baths described herein may include a lid (not shown) for maintaining a particular temperature within the bath. The lid may be attached to a portion of the bath to ensure that the lid remains in place during the freezing operation. For example, the lid may have a support ring that snaps onto a portion of the bath. In some embodiments, the lid may have a support ring that friction-fits within the rim of the bath. In some embodiments, the lid may have an opening in a central region for viewing the contents of the bath.

[0184] 8D shows a set of equations and variables for determining the ratio of inertial and viscous forces within a fluid undergoing relative internal motion. Such ratios can be varied based on varying the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the elongated troughs used in the ice-making process performed by the ice-making apparatus described herein.

[0185] In some embodiments, the devices and / or assemblies described herein are configured to produce clear ice using a sealed, pressurized environment. For example, the devices and / or assemblies described herein may include at least one sealed, pressurized elongated structure (e.g., a housing, tube, pipe, or other elongated reservoir) adapted to receive water or other fluid therein and / or therethrough. The elongated structure may also be configured to receive a coolant therethrough in a portion of the elongated structure separate from the portion receiving the water or fluid. For example, the devices described herein may allow water (or other fluid) to flow along one or more elongated troughs (e.g., channels, ice molds, etc.) within the elongated structure, each of which is cooled on two or more sides (via thermal conduction through the trough lateral / sidewalls) to form clear ice. The elongated troughs may be arranged around a central core (e.g., a cooling cavity) such that each trough can be inserted into an insulated housing. In some embodiments, the troughs may be inserted into the elongated structure as a single piece with multiple troughs formed within the single piece. In some embodiments, the troughs may be combined with a central core in a single composite part such that the cooling cavities (e.g., central core) and troughs are formed as a single composite part with multiple troughs surrounding the cooling cavities. The entire composite part may be inserted into an elongated structure (e.g., a housing, a tube, a pipe, or other elongated reservoir). As used herein, the terms "elongated trough," "trough," and "channel" are considered synonymous and may be used interchangeably throughout this disclosure.

[0186] In some embodiments, the devices and / or assemblies described herein may be configured to allow water or other fluids to flow along a pressurized elongated structure while a portion of the structure is cooled or subcooled. The elongated structure may be adapted to have two or more elongated troughs within the structure. Each trough may be disposed around a cooling cavity (e.g., a central core) through which the cooling fluid may flow. Broadly described for many embodiments, the device generally provides one or more elongated troughs (e.g., water channels) configured to be in thermal communication with at least one reservoir of circulating coolant (e.g., cooling lines, cooling pipes, cooling tubes, cooling cavities, etc.). The circulating coolant may be pressurized within the tubes, pipes, or other reservoirs of the elongated structure. In some embodiments, the coolant may flow through portions of the devices and / or assemblies described herein at a relatively constant flow rate and pressure, for example, to maintain a particular cooling rate and / or temperature and to consistently cool the structure adjacent to the cooling portion of the elongated structure. In some embodiments, additional cooling may be applied to the troughs described herein via one or more additional cooling devices (eg, cooling plates, cooling elements, etc.).

[0187] For each elongated trough in the devices and / or assemblies described herein, a flow of fluid (e.g., water) can be provided along at least a portion of the length of each trough during a freezing operation of the device and / or assembly. The freezing operation includes receiving coolant through at least one cooling cavity 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) and grows in thickness according to various predetermined parameters described herein, filling to a certain depth within the elongated trough(s). In some embodiments, the devices and / or assemblies described herein can be configured to vary the velocity of water through the elongated trough (either as laminar or turbulent flow) to form clear ice at a particular velocity and / or clarity. Generally, the fluid flow can be configured to expel air bubbles from the ice-forming surface within the elongated trough.

[0188] Once ice ingots are produced within a particular elongated trough, the freezing operation can be stopped and the ice ingots can be collected. In some embodiments, a heating process can occur prior to collecting the ice ingots. The heating process can function to melt a portion of one or more outer walls of the ice ingots to aid in their removal. The produced ice ingots can then be modified to produce a variety of aesthetically pleasing foods.

[0189] In some embodiments, the devices, housings, and / or assemblies described herein may be positioned substantially horizontally (e.g., from about -15 degrees to about 15 degrees from parallel to a horizontal surface such as a floor). Such a substantially horizontal positioning of the devices, housings, and / or assemblies may provide advantages, such as facilitating removal of ice ingots onto a conveyor for subsequent processing.

[0190] In some embodiments, the apparatus and methods described herein can produce clear ice at a rate of at least about 7 millimeters per hour to about 26 millimeters per hour, measured as the linear height of clear ice accumulated on any given point on the surface wall of an elongated trough per unit time. Furthermore, because the apparatus and methods described herein grow ice in multiple directions, the thickness of ice through which heat must flow to produce new ice is essentially halved. This provides a dramatic speed advantage over conventional ice production technologies, which typically only allow ice to grow in a single direction.

[0191] Generally, the devices and / or assemblies described herein may be wall-mounted, mounted to a support structure, or installed in assembly with other similar devices. In some embodiments, the devices and / or assemblies described herein may be configured to couple to one or more water (or other fluid) supply lines. In some embodiments, the devices and / or assemblies described herein may be configured to couple to one or more coolant lines. In some embodiments, the devices and / or assemblies described herein may be configured to function with one or more automated devices for removing (e.g., harvesting) the elongated ice ingots upon completion of formation.

[0192] The devices and / or assemblies described herein solve the technical problem of foreign material contamination that can occur in conventional open trough ice generating systems. The technical solution to the technical problem includes enclosing the trough on all sides to ensure that foreign material contamination cannot occur during ice formation.

[0193] The devices and / or assemblies described herein may solve the additional technical problem of receiving fluid flow from a recirculating water pump without overpressuring the water pump. For example, in conventional systems that use troughs for ice production, it can be difficult to return water to the recirculating water pump to achieve a flow rate high enough to produce clear ice free of inclusions and / or internal defects. Furthermore, as ice forms in the trough, the suction pressure is further limited due to the restricted opening of the outlet manifold. This makes it even more difficult to successfully complete the ice production cycle. The devices and / or assemblies described herein may solve the technical problem of overpressurizing the water pump by utilizing a sufficiently pressurized ice-making system to eliminate the pressure by maintaining pressure back to the suction of the water pump through the outlet of the trough(s). In this way, the systems and / or assemblies may function to reduce pump size and the electrical energy utilized by the system. Additionally, the devices and / or assemblies may be used in conjunction with a method of purging the system to ensure all voids are fully submerged and maintain a constant water level above the ice, thereby improving consistency in ice formation.

[0194] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross section of a trough for creating clear ice. As shown, the ice-creating process is in progress during a freezing operation. In this embodiment, a housing 902 of a single elongated trough 904 has a semicircular bottom channel surface wall 906 and first and second side channel surface walls 908 and 910. These surface channel walls 906, 908, 910 are in thermal communication with an internal cooling cavity 912 or other cooling device enclosed by the housing 902. During a freezing operation, sufficient coolant is circulated through the internal cooling cavity 912 so that fluid 914 (e.g., water) flowing along the length of the elongated trough 904 within the ice-forming zone 1005b of the elongated trough 904, divided by line A, can freeze onto the surface channel walls 906, 908, and / or 910 to form clear ice ingots. 9 shows a midpoint during the freezing operation where clear ice 916 (shaded area) has begun to form on the flume surface walls 906, 908, 910, but not yet enough water has frozen to form a solid ingot of clear ice. Arrows 918 indicate the general direction of ice formation during this process. Once a solid ingot of clear ice has formed, any remaining flowing water traverses the elongated trough 904 and can be removed via a fluid outlet (e.g., a fluid outlet valve, a drain, and / or an associated fluid line).

[0195] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a flow straightener 1000 (e.g., a flow straightener insert) disposed within an elongated trough 1050 attached to one of the elongated trough's 1050 fluid inlet portals. In some embodiments, the flow straightener 1000 includes a rigid or semi-rigid material insert or assembly defining one or more openings or apertures 1002. These openings 1002 can have various shapes, numbers, and arrangements in the flow straightener 1000 across multiple embodiments, but in many embodiments, the openings are all circular (except those adjacent the edges of the flow straightener 1000), have the same diameter, and are spaced apart in a series of packed rows, as shown in FIG. 10 . In some embodiments, the height of one or more openings 1102 a in the flow straightener 1000 is no greater than the maximum height of the corresponding fluid inlet portal. In some embodiments, the height of one or more openings 1102 a is no greater than line C (a predetermined height that is within the fluid overflow zone of the elongated trough 1050 but is less than the maximum height of the elongated trough 1050). In some embodiments, the flow straighteners 1000 of each trough 1050 are disposed at both its corresponding fluid inlet and outlet portals. In some embodiments, the flow straighteners 1000 of each elongated trough 1050 are disposed at only one of its fluid inlet or outlet portals. In some embodiments, the elongated trough 1050 can lack flow straighteners 1000 at both its fluid inlet and outlet portals. Across various embodiments, the flow straighteners 1000 can be coupled to the flow inlet portals, fluid outlet portals, or one or more flow blocking caps by various coupling means (e.g., without limitation, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, etc.). In some embodiments, the flow straighteners 1000 can be replicated on each trough in a circular pattern. The flow straighteners 1000 can consist of a single disk including a flow straightener portion and a flow blocking cap therebetween.

[0196] In many embodiments, the flow straightener 1000 serves to organize the flow of fluid into and out of the elongated trough 1050. The flow straightener 1000 can prevent or mitigate the formation of swirling vortices of fluid within the elongated trough 1050. Such vortices can create areas within the elongated trough 1050 where the fluid moves too slowly, potentially resulting in cloudiness in the clear ice ingots produced.

[0197] Figures 11A-11C, 12A-12C, and 13A-13C show various embodiments of possible cross-sectional shapes for the elongated trough. Any combination of trough shapes can be combined within a single elongated structure (e.g., housing 802) and / or housing assembly (e.g., assemblies 100, 150, 602). In Figures 11A-11C, the elongated trough is defined by semicircular bottom surface walls 1102a, 1102b, 1102c and first and second side surface walls 1104a, 1104b, 1104c and 1106a, 1106b, 1106c, respectively. In Figures 11A-11C, the side surface walls 1104a and 1106a are perpendicular to a plane tangent to the lowest point of bottom surface wall 1102a. 11A-11C, in FIG. 11B, the first side surface wall 1104b is angled an interior angle θ away from the vertical position defined in FIG. 11A. Across many embodiments, the angle θ can be any value greater than about 0 degrees and less than or equal to about 15 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle θ can be between about 0.25 degrees and about 10 degrees. In yet other embodiments, the angle θ can be between about 0.25 degrees and about 8 degrees. In further embodiments, the angle θ can be between about 0.25 degrees and about 5 degrees. In still other embodiments, the angle θ can be between about 1 degree and about 10 degrees.

[0198] In FIG. 11B, the first side surface wall 1104b is off-vertical, while the second side surface wall 1106b is upright, creating an asymmetric cross-sectional shape for the elongated trough. In FIG. 11C, the first side surface wall 1104c is off-vertical at an interior angle θ1, and the second side surface wall 1106c is off-vertical at an interior angle θ2. In some embodiments, both θ1 and θ2 can each be any value greater than about 0 degrees and less than or equal to about 15 degrees. In some embodiments, the angles θ1 and θ2 can each be between about 0.25 degrees and about 10 degrees. In still other embodiments, the angles θ1 and θ2 can each be between about 0.25 degrees and about 8 degrees. In further embodiments, the angles θ1 and θ2 can each be between about 0.25 degrees and about 5 degrees. In still other embodiments, the angles θ1 and θ2 can each be between about 1 degree and about 10 degrees. In some embodiments, θ1 and θ2 have the same value, creating a symmetric cross-sectional shape for the elongated trough. In some embodiments, θ1 and θ2 have different values, creating an asymmetric cross-sectional shape for the elongated trough. Thus, across many embodiments, at least one of the two side trough (e.g., channel) surface walls 1104a, 1104b, 1104c and 1106a, 1106b, 1106c can have an interior angle of about 0 degrees or more and about 15 degrees or less from upright.

[0199] Figures 12A-12C show a similar cross-sectional shape for an elongated trough where the bottom surface walls 1202a, 1202b, 1202c are semi-elliptical, and Figures 13A-13C further show a similar cross-sectional shape for an elongated trough where the bottom surface walls 1302a, 1302b, 1302c are flat, thereby resulting in a square bottom when the first and second side surface walls 1304a and 1306a are both perpendicular or plumb to the bottom surface wall 1302a (shown in Figure 13A).

[0200] In some embodiments of FIGS. 12A-12C, angles θ, θ1, and θ2 can each be any value greater than about 0 degrees and less than or equal to about 15 degrees. In some embodiments, angles θ, θ1, and θ2 can each be between about 0.25 degrees and about 10 degrees. In still other embodiments, angles θ, θ1, and θ2 can each be between about 0.25 degrees and about 8 degrees. In further embodiments, angles θ, θ1, and θ2 can each be between about 0.25 degrees and about 5 degrees. In still other embodiments, angles θ, θ1, and θ2 can each be between about 1 degree and about 10 degrees. In some embodiments, θ1 and θ2 have the same value, creating a symmetrical cross-sectional shape for the elongated trough. In some embodiments, θ1 and θ2 have different values, creating an asymmetrical cross-sectional shape for the elongated trough. Thus, across many embodiments, the interior angle of at least one of the two side walls 1204a, 1204b, 1204c and 1206a, 1206b, 1206c can be greater than about 0 degrees and less than about 15 degrees from upright.

[0201] In some embodiments of FIGS. 13A-13C, angles θ, θ1, and θ2 can each be any value greater than about 0 degrees and less than or equal to about 15 degrees. In some embodiments, angles θ, θ1, and θ2 can each be between about 0.25 degrees and about 10 degrees. In still other embodiments, angles θ, θ1, and θ2 can each be between about 0.25 degrees and about 8 degrees. In further embodiments, angles θ, θ1, and θ2 can each be between about 0.25 degrees and about 5 degrees. In still other embodiments, angles θ, θ1, and θ2 can each be between about 1 degree and about 10 degrees. In some embodiments, θ1 and θ2 have the same value, creating a symmetrical cross-sectional shape for the elongated trough. In some embodiments, θ1 and θ2 have different values, creating an asymmetrical cross-sectional shape for the elongated trough. Thus, across many embodiments, the interior angle of at least one of the two side walls 1304a, 1304b, 1304c and 1306a, 1306b, 1306c can be greater than about 0 degrees and less than about 15 degrees from upright. In some embodiments, the joints connecting the side surface walls 1304a, 1304b, 1304c, 1306a, 1306b, 1306c to the bottom surface walls 1302a, 1302b, 1302c are acute angles (i.e., as shown in 13A-13C). In some embodiments, the joints connecting the side surface walls 1304a, 1304b, 1304c, 1306a, 1306b, 1306c to the bottom surface walls 1302a, 1302b, 1302c are bent angles having some form of arcuate geometry that smooths the transition between the flat bottom surface walls 1302a, 1302b, 1302c and the side surface walls 1304a, 1304b, 1304c, 1306a, 1306b, 1306c. In some embodiments, the arcuate joint transitions occupy no more than about 30 percent of the total length of the bottom surface walls 1302a, 1302b, 1302c. In some embodiments, the arcuate joint transitions occupy no more than about 20 percent of the total width of the bottom surface walls 1302a, 1302b, 1302c.An acute angle, as used herein, may include a plane of a first side wall intersecting a plane of a second side wall at a point, while a bend angle, as used herein, may include a first side wall transitioning into a second side wall along a curved (e.g., arcuate) path.

[0202] The embodiments of possible cross-sectional shapes for elongated troughs shown in Figures 11A-11C, 12A-12C, and 13A-13C are intended to be illustrative and not limiting of the overall possible cross-sectional shapes available. For example, while the elongated structures described herein (e.g., assembly 100) are shown as tubular structures having a partial cylindrical shape, other shapes are certainly possible. For example, the elongated structures described herein may alternatively have cross-sections that are square, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal (or other polygonal), elliptical, etc., and any such structure may form a fully enclosed or partial shape with an opening in at least one sidewall or portion of the structure(s).

[0203] In some embodiments, θ, θ1, and θ2 greater than about 0 degrees can be valuable for producing clear ice during the freezing operation of the apparatus. In some embodiments of the apparatus, clear ice forms on at least a portion of the bottom trough (e.g., flume) wall and two side surface walls (as shown in FIG. 9). As previously mentioned, this arrangement can be considered “multidirectional freezing” in some embodiments. Multidirectional freezing can significantly speed up the production of clear ice because ice accumulates on multiple surfaces simultaneously to form a single piece of clear ice. However, when the portions of clear ice forming on opposing surface walls begin to approach each other, at least two situations can arise that can compromise the clarity of the ice. First, the space between the ice on the two side walls can fill with new ice too quickly, trapping air and other impurities within a narrow portion of the ice ingot. This can create a plane of cloudy ice that can penetrate part of the ingot's volume, thereby compromising the desirable clear ice characteristics. Second, ice bridges can develop between two opposing sheets of ice that build up on the side surface walls. These bridges disrupt the simple crystal lattice desired for clear ice, and if the space around the bridge also freezes, they can cause internal cracks (visible to the observer) in the final product, again compromising the desired transparency of the final product.

[0204] A method for producing clear ice using the apparatus described herein may include providing an apparatus for making clear ice, providing a flow of water along at least one elongated trough, and circulating a coolant through at least one internal cooling cavity. The methods described herein may function to produce clear ice (particularly elongated ingots of clear ice). The methods described herein may be used to produce clear ice for consumption in beverages, but may additionally or alternatively be used for any suitable application. The methods described herein may be configured and / or adapted to function for any suitable rapid freezing of a liquid to produce a frozen substance.

[0205] In some embodiments, the methods described herein may include providing a flow of water along a plurality of elongated troughs. In some embodiments, the flow of water may be provided to each elongated trough by at least one fluid inlet valve disposed within the housing of the apparatus and discharged by at least one drain valve as described above. In some embodiments, the flow of water may be provided by other means understood by those skilled in the art. During the freezing operation of the apparatus, a sufficient flow rate of water may be used to displace air bubbles and impurities from the clear ice growth layer on the bottom and / or walls of at least one trough surface.

[0206] In some embodiments, the methods described herein may further include cooling at least a portion of one or more bottom surfaces / walls of each trough to produce a clear ice growth layer on at least a portion of one or more bottom surfaces / walls of each trough. In some embodiments, this cooling may be performed by circulating a coolant through at least one internal cooling cavity, as described above. Also as described above, the coolant is provided to the apparatus by a coolant supply system via at least one coolant intake valve and circulated and discharged by at least one coolant outlet valve.

[0207] In some embodiments, at least a portion of one or more surface bottoms / walls of each trough is cooled to a temperature of about 0°C or below. In other embodiments, the bottoms / walls are cooled to about -45°C. In still other embodiments, the bottoms / walls are cooled to between about 0°C and about -20°C. In further embodiments, the bottoms / walls are cooled to between about -2°C and about -20°C. In still further embodiments, the bottoms / walls are cooled to between about -2°C and about -35°C.

[0208] In some embodiments, at least a portion of one or more surfaces / bottom walls of each trough is adapted to maintain a constant temperature during a freezing operation of the device. In some embodiments, at least a portion of one or more surfaces / bottom walls of each trough is adapted to provide a variable temperature during a freezing operation of the device that varies according to a predetermined temperature schedule.

[0209] In some embodiments, the cooling described throughout this disclosure may include gradually decreasing the temperature of the bottom / wall over time. In some embodiments, gradually decreasing the temperature allows the device to overcome the inherent insulating properties of ice as it forms. In some embodiments, the temperature of the bottom / wall decreases from about 0° C. to about −30° C. over the duration of the freezing operation of the device. In some embodiments, the temperature of the bottom / wall decreases from about −2° C. to about −20° C. over the duration of the freezing operation of the device. In some embodiments, the freezing operation of the device lasts for about 12 hours or less. In some embodiments, the freezing operation of the device lasts from about 30 minutes to about 10 hours. In yet other embodiments, the freezing operation of the device lasts from about 30 minutes to about 4 hours. In a further embodiment, the freezing operation of the device lasts for about 2 hours.

[0210] The methods described herein allow the flow of water and circulation of coolant until a desired amount of clear ice is formed in one or more of the elongated troughs. The length and cross-sectional shape of the resulting clear ice ingot are determined by or related to the length and cross-sectional shape of the corresponding elongated trough in which the clear ice ingot is formed. Once the ice ingot has formed to a predetermined or desired height or volume, the flow of water and circulation of coolant can be stopped, and the ice ingot can be removed by various means understood by those skilled in the art (e.g., without limitation, by slightly melting the ingot and removing it by mechanical means). In some embodiments, the slight melting can be provided by circulating a warmer coolant within at least one internal cooling cavity. In some embodiments, one or more side surface walls can further include one or more heating elements or heating means to melt the exterior surface of the ice ingot and facilitate removal of the ice from the apparatus. For example, one or more flume surface walls can be in thermal communication with a heating source configured to heat the clear ice formed in at least one of the plurality of elongated troughs after the freezing operation of the apparatus.

[0211] In some embodiments, the ice ingots can be removed vertically by lifting them out of the elongated trough, while in some embodiments, the ice ingots can be removed horizontally by sliding them out of the elongated trough through an openable or removable end wall. In some embodiments, the device is adapted so that the ice ingots adhere to a surface of the lid and are removed when the lid is removed.

[0212] As noted above, in some embodiments, the temperature of the trough surface wall (hereinafter "surface temperature") is varied (e.g., from 0°C to about -25°C, or any of the ice-making methods described elsewhere herein). In some embodiments, the water flow rate (hereinafter "water flow rate") is varied (e.g., from about 5 percent to about 100 percent of maximum water flow rate, or any of the ice-making methods described elsewhere herein). In some embodiments, both the surface temperature and the water flow rate are varied. In some embodiments, neither the temperature nor the flow rate is varied. In various other embodiments, the temperature of the water flowing through the elongated trough (hereinafter "water temperature") can be varied, either alone or in addition to the other parameters named above. method

[0213] 14 is an example flow diagram of a process 1400 for producing clear ice. Process 1400 includes providing an apparatus for making clear ice (e.g., apparatus 400, apparatus 500, apparatus 600, apparatus 755, etc.) (block S1402), receiving a fluid source (block S1404), providing a flow of water along at least one elongated trough (S1406), cooling at least a portion of at least one flume surface wall of the at least one elongated trough (block S1408), and removing / discharging at least one elongated ice structure formed in the at least one elongated trough (block S1410).

[0214] Process 1400 includes, via block S1402, providing an apparatus for making clear ice. The apparatus for making clear ice can be any of the apparatus embodiments described elsewhere herein and illustrated in the various figures above. In one example, the apparatus can include at least a housing having a plurality of elongated troughs, each of the plurality of elongated troughs including at least one channel surface wall in thermal communication with a cooling source while the housing is immersed in a fluid bath.

[0215] The apparatus may also include at least one fluid inlet positioned to provide a fluid flow from a fluid source to a first end of the housing assembly (e.g., assembly 100, 150, 602, etc.). The apparatus may also include means for distributing the fluid flow from the at least one fluid inlet into the multiple elongated troughs. Such means may include a manifold and / or a control device described herein, and / or associated piping, valves, etc. Generally, the fluid flow is distributed substantially laminarly and substantially isobarically along the multiple elongated troughs while the housing is submerged and during freezing operation of the apparatus. The fluid flow may be a substantially constant fluid flow along the multiple elongated troughs, flowing at a velocity of at least about 0.09 meters / second through the multiple elongated troughs.

[0216] In block S1404, the process 1400 includes receiving a fluid source at the apparatus for making clear ice. For example, a running water source can be connected to the apparatus pump or intake. In another example, the fluid source can be a reservoir of fluid that the apparatus pump can take in and provide to the manifolds, piping, and valves described herein.

[0217] In block S1406, process 1400 includes providing a substantially constant flow of fluid through the fluid inlets along the plurality of elongated troughs from a first end of a housing assembly (e.g., assembly 150 of FIG. 1B) to a second end of the housing assembly opposite the first end of the housing assembly. For example, the constant flow of fluid may be provided within a first end defined by widths A-C of housing 150 and may flow toward a second end of housing assembly B.

[0218] In some embodiments, fluid flow is provided to the elongated trough by at least one fluid intake valve disposed within a housing / assembly associated with the elongated trough. In some embodiments, fluid flow can be provided by other means understood by those skilled in the art. A sufficient flow rate of fluid (e.g., water) is utilized to exclude air bubbles and impurities from the transparent ice growth layer on the at least one flume surface wall during freezing operation of the device.

[0219] At block S1408, process 1400 includes cooling the at least one waterway surface wall to a temperature at the at least one waterway surface wall of about 0° C. or less, as described in detail above. The cooling may be performed by a cooling source (e.g., cooling source 423 of FIG. 4B) including one or more of an internal cooling cavity defined by a housing, an evaporator, a cold plate, or a condenser.

[0220] In block S1410, the process includes removing / discharging at least one elongated ice structure formed in the at least one elongated trough after the freezing operation, including cooling. The removing / discharging may include lifting a first end of the housing assembly to a preselected tilt angle to release the plurality of elongated ice structures from a second end of the housing assembly. The first end of the housing assembly may be defined by widths A-C (FIG. 1B) of the housing 150. The second end of the housing assembly may be defined by end B (FIG. 1B) of the assembly 150. The ice release may occur, for example, from an end opposite to where the fluid flows within the elongated trough of the assembly 150.

[0221] In some embodiments, the apparatus for making clear ice further includes at least one processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform instructions including receiving a recipe program defining a cooling source temperature protocol, a cooling time protocol, and a rate for a fluid flow, and executing the recipe program to cause the apparatus to produce clear ice in the plurality of elongated troughs in accordance with the recipe program.

[0222] The cooling time protocol may indicate the length of time for cooling according to the recipe program to produce a particular ice structure. The length of time may be based at least in part on a selected cooling source, a prescribed rate for fluid flow, an ambient temperature of the environment surrounding the device, a temperature of the surface walls of the water channels within the device, or a combination thereof. After the length of time has passed, the ice ingots produced by the device may be harvested.

[0223] The cooling source temperature protocol may indicate several settings configured for the duration of the cooling time, which may include two or more of the temperature to which the fluid bath of the device is cooled, the initial cooling temperature to which at least one channel surface wall is cooled, the mid-cycle plateau flow rate or temperature to which at least one channel surface wall is cooled, the end plateau flow rate or temperature, and the annealing time.

[0224] The various freezing operations and / or related methods may be controlled or implemented in software, and freezing cycles, flow rates, etc. may be programmed and controlled by software. In some embodiments, the various freezing operations and / or related methods and variations thereof may be embodied and / or implemented, at least in part, as a machine 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 a processor on a computing device in communication with various components of the apparatus for producing clear ice (e.g., without limitation, its various valves, inlets, and / or outlets). The computer-readable medium may be stored on any suitable computer-readable medium (e.g., RAM, ROM, flash memory, EEPROM, optical device (e.g., CD or DVD), hard drive, floppy drive, or any suitable device). The computer-executable component may be a general or application-specific processor, although any suitable dedicated hardware or hardware / firmware combination may alternatively or additionally execute the instructions.

[0225] The computer program product may be tangibly embodied in an information carrier. The computer program product may also include instructions that, when executed, perform one or more of the methods and / or computer-implemented methods described herein. The information carrier may be a computer-readable or machine-readable medium (e.g., memory) or other storage device associated with the ice-making device described herein.

[0226] As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include both singular and plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, the term "trough" can and is intended to include a plurality of troughs. At times, the claims and disclosure may include terms such as "plurality," "one or more," or "at least one," but the absence of such terms is not intended, and should not be construed, to imply that a plurality is not contemplated.

[0227] The terms "about" or "approximately," when used before a numerical designation or range (e.g., to define a length or pressure), indicate an approximation that may vary by (+) or (-) 5 percent, 1 percent, or 0.1 percent. All numerical ranges provided herein are inclusive of the beginning and ending numbers recited. The term "substantially" refers to the majority (i.e., greater than 50 percent) or substantially all of a device, substance, or composition.

[0228] As used herein, the terms "comprising" or "comprises" are intended to mean that the devices, systems, and methods include the recited elements and may further include any other elements. "Consisting essentially of" shall mean that the devices, systems, and methods include the recited elements and exclude other elements that are essential to the combination for the recited purpose. Thus, a system or method consisting essentially of the elements defined herein will not exclude other materials, features, or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed disclosure. "Consisting of" shall mean that the devices, systems, and methods include the recited elements and exclude anything more than insignificant or insignificant elements or steps. Embodiments defined by each of these transitional terms are within the scope of this disclosure.

[0229] The examples and figures included herein illustrate, by way of illustration and not 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 the present disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be individually or collectively referred to herein by the term "the present invention" merely for convenience, and where more than one is actually disclosed, without intending to intentionally limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept. Thus, while specific embodiments are illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment illustrated. The present disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of the various embodiments. Combinations of the foregoing embodiments with other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the above description.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for making clear ice, comprising: a housing including a plurality of elongated troughs, each of the plurality of elongated troughs having at least one water channel surface wall in thermal communication with a cooling source while the housing is immersed in a fluid bath; at least one fluid intake positioned to provide a fluid flow into the housing; means for distributing said fluid flow from said at least one fluid inlet into said plurality of elongated troughs; a plurality of pneumatic actuators operatively connected between the housing and a frame structure attached to and supporting the housing, the plurality of pneumatic actuators operable to vibrate the frame structure to generate waves in the fluid bath while the housing is immersed in the fluid bath during a freezing operation of the apparatus according to a predetermined recipe; 1. An apparatus comprising:

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein two or more of the plurality of pneumatic actuators are operable to generate waves in the fluid bath by vibrating the frame structure according to a predetermined recipe.

3. The frame structure is a first support arm that mates with the first slide structure; a second support arm that mates with the second slide structure; a third support arm that mates with the third slide structure; a fourth support arm that mates with the fourth slide structure; The device of claim 1 , coupled to

4. the plurality of pneumatic actuators, during the freezing operation of the apparatus according to the predetermined recipe, 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; 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; 4. The apparatus of claim 3, operable to vibrate the frame structure by repeatedly performing a sequence of:

5. The predetermined recipe is programmed into a processor and memory communicatively coupled to the device, the predetermined recipe comprising at least: a time for pausing the operation of the frame structure between one or more of the first cycle, the second cycle, the third cycle, the fourth cycle, and any repeated cycles; the elapsed time for performing each of the first cycle, the second cycle, the third cycle, and the fourth cycle; The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising instructions for:

6. The predetermined recipe is for the device to: pausing the operation 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; performing the first cycle for about 1 second to about 2 seconds, performing the second cycle for about 1 second to about 2 seconds, performing the third cycle for about 1 second to about 2 seconds, and performing the fourth cycle for about 1 second to about 2 seconds; 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising instructions to:

7. 1. An apparatus for making clear ice, comprising: a housing including a plurality of elongated troughs, each of the plurality of elongated troughs having at least one water channel surface wall in thermal communication with a cooling source while the housing is immersed in a fluid bath; at least one fluid intake positioned to provide a fluid flow into the housing; means for distributing the fluid flow from the at least one fluid inlet into the plurality of elongated troughs while maintaining substantially laminar fluid flow and substantially equal fluid pressure along the plurality of elongated troughs while the housing is immersed in the fluid bath and during freezing operation of the apparatus; 1. An apparatus comprising:

8. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one fluid intake is coupled to a venturi nozzle, and increasing fluid flow into one or more elongated troughs in the plurality of elongated troughs occurs in response to determining that the one or more elongated troughs exhibit a fluid pressure drop below a predetermined threshold pressure.

9. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of elongated troughs is disposed substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the apparatus and modularly connected to at least one other elongated trough in the plurality of elongated troughs.

10. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the fluid bath provides a fluid level between 2.5 centimeters and about 10.1 centimeters above the top surface of the submerged housing.

11. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one flume surface wall is further configured to be in thermal communication with a heating source, the heating source configured to heat the transparent ice formed within at least one of the plurality of elongated troughs after the freezing operation of the apparatus.

12. and a plurality of pneumatic actuators operatively connected between the housing and a frame structure attached to and supporting the housing, the frame structure including: a first support arm that mates with the first slide structure; a second support arm that mates with the second slide structure; a third support arm that mates with the third slide structure; a fourth support arm that mates with the fourth slide structure; 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the device is coupled to

13. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plurality of pneumatic actuators are operable to lift the housing on the first slide structure in translation along an inclination angle from an initial position of the housing to a predetermined elevated position, while lifting the housing on the second slide structure in translation along the inclination angle, and subsequently tilt the housing on the first support arm and the second support arm when in the predetermined elevated position to a first preselected inclination position to eject the transparent ice formed in the plurality of elongated troughs.

14. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the angle of inclination is about 15 degrees to about 20 degrees from parallel to the surface of the fluid bath.

15. a first pair of pneumatic lift cylinders operatively connected between the housing and the frame structure in spaced relation to the first and second support arms; a second pair of pneumatic lift cylinders operatively connected between the housing and the frame structure in spaced relation to the third support arm and the second support arm; The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising:

16. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein two or more of the plurality of pneumatic actuators are operable to generate waves in the fluid bath by vibrating the frame structure according to a predetermined recipe.

17. the pneumatic actuator operates during the freezing operation of the apparatus according to the predetermined recipe; 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; 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; 17. The apparatus of claim 16, operable to vibrate the frame structure by repeatedly performing a sequence of:

18. The predetermined recipe is programmed into a processor and memory communicatively coupled to the device, the predetermined recipe comprising at least: a time for pausing the operation of the frame structure between one or more of the first cycle, the second cycle, the third cycle, the fourth cycle, and any repeated cycles; the elapsed time for performing each of the first cycle, the second cycle, the third cycle, and the fourth cycle; 20. The apparatus of claim 17, comprising instructions for:

19. The predetermined recipe is for the device to: pausing the operation 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; performing the first cycle for about 1 second to about 2 seconds, performing the second cycle for about 1 second to about 2 seconds, performing the third cycle for about 1 second to about 2 seconds, and performing the fourth cycle for about 1 second to about 2 seconds; 20. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising instructions to:

20. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for distributing fluid flow is a manifold coupled to the at least one fluid inlet, the manifold defining an intake manifold cavity fluidly connected to the plurality of elongated troughs via a respective fluid inlet portal corresponding to each elongated trough in the plurality of elongated troughs.

21. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising at least one drain having a drain manifold defining a single drain manifold cavity fluidly connected to the plurality of elongated troughs via a fluid outlet portal corresponding to each elongated trough in the plurality of elongated troughs.

22. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the fluid bath is a water bath configured to be maintained at a temperature of about 0.1°C to about 5°C.

23. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the fluid flow is substantially constant along the plurality of elongated troughs and has a velocity through the plurality of elongated troughs of at least about 0.09 meters per second.

24. the cooling source is coupled to a plurality of pressurized cooling cavities configured to control a temperature to facilitate ice formation within the plurality of elongated troughs by flowing a coolant through the plurality of cooling cavities, each of the cooling cavities defining a coolant inlet valve for receiving coolant from the cooling source and a coolant outlet valve positioned to remove the coolant from the cooling cavity; 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 within the plurality of cooling cavities to induce laminar flow of the coolant through the plurality of cooling cavities or turbulent flow of the coolant through the plurality of cooling cavities.

8. The apparatus of claim 7.

25. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein both the coolant intake valve and the coolant outlet valve are disposed at a first end of each respective elongated trough within the plurality of elongated troughs.

26. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein each of the plurality of pressurized cooling cavities extends along a substantially tubular path from the coolant intake valve at the first end of a respective elongated trough in the plurality of elongated troughs to a second end of the respective elongated trough, curves at a first radius at a first side of the second end, curves at a second radius at a second side of the second end, and extends substantially the length of the respective elongated trough to the coolant outlet valve at the first end of the respective elongated trough.

27. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the coolant is supplied from a coolant source coupled to each elongated trough at a flow rate of about 1.5 gallons to about 3 gallons per minute.

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