Clear Ice Tray Freezing With a Heat Pipe and Heat Block
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ice making methods in home freezers result in cloudy ice cubes due to trapped air and impurities, as freezing begins at the outer surfaces of ice cube trays, leading to inefficient ice formation.
Innovation Solution
A clear ice making machine utilizing a heat pipe system where a heat exchanger in the freezer compartment and a heat block in the refrigerator compartment allow ice to form laterally within an ice cube tray, enabling air and impurities to escape, thus producing clear ice without the need for a heat source to harvest the ice.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If water freezes in traditional freezer compartments, then ice cubes are formed, but air and impurities are trapped resulting in cloudy ice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional freezing approach by using a heat pipe system that allows ice to form from the bottom up rather than freezing from the outside in. The heat block at the bottom of the tray, connected to the freezer compartment via heat pipe, creates a temperature gradient that promotes clear ice formation while allowing air and impurities to escape during the phase change process.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe acts as an intermediary thermal management device between the freezer compartment and the ice tray. It selectively transfers heat to the bottom surface of the tray, creating controlled freezing conditions that prevent air trapping while maintaining efficiency. The heat pipe mediates the thermal interaction to achieve both energy efficiency and ice clarity.
2Manufacturing precision
If clear ice making systems use cold surfaces for ice formation, then air and gases are not trapped, but a heat source is necessary to harvest the ice
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the refrigerator's existing freezer compartment as the heat source for harvesting ice. The heat pipe passive thermal management system automatically transfers heat from the freezer to the heat block when needed, eliminating the need for an active heating element or additional energy-consuming components. The system serves itself by leveraging the ambient temperature differential already present in the refrigerator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces active mechanical heating systems with a passive heat pipe-based thermal management system. Instead of using electric heaters or active thermal control mechanisms, the system relies on the heat pipe's capillary action and phase change properties to automatically regulate heat flow, simplifying the device while maintaining clear ice production and harvest capabilities.
3Productivity
If traditional ice cube trays are placed in freezers, then ice forms, but the process is inefficient and traps impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform temperature distribution within the ice tray through the heat pipe system. The bottom surface (heat block) and side walls are selectively heated relative to the top surface, creating localized temperature zones that promote efficient freezing from the bottom up while maintaining overall energy efficiency. This localized thermal control optimizes both production rate and ice quality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively produces clear ice cubes by allowing air and impurities to escape during formation, reducing cloudiness and purity issues, and can be integrated into existing refrigerators or manufactured as a standalone unit.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pipe that extends between a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment
Implementation Method 2
A heat exchanger is located in the freezer compartment and is in contact with the first end of the heat pipe
Implementation Method 3
A heat block is located in the refrigerator compartment and is in contact with the second end of the heat pipe
Implementation Method 4
ice forms from the surface of the removable ice cube tray in contact with the block
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making machine includes a heat pipe that extends between a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment. The heat pipe has a first end in the freezer compartment and a second end in the refrigerator compartment. A heat exchanger is located in the freezer compartment and is in contact with the first end of the heat pipe. A heat block is located in the refrigerator compartment and is in contact with the second end of the heat pipe. A removable ice cube tray is mounted on the heat block with a surface in contact with the heat block such that when the removable ice cube tray is filled with water, ice forms from the surface of the removable ice cube tray in contact with the block.