Clear Ice Maker Using Low Back-Pressure Compressor and Bypass Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clear ice makers require high back-pressure compressors due to the ice making process, which are costly and inefficient, and do not effectively separate dissolved solids from water, affecting ice purity and flavor.
Innovation Solution
The use of low or medium back-pressure compressors in combination with a bypass valve and evaporator configuration that allows refrigerant to bypass the condenser during the ice harvesting phase, reducing back-pressure and utilizing water to cool the evaporator, thereby forming clear ice without the need for high back-pressure compressors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high back-pressure compressor is used in clear ice makers, then the ice making process can be maintained, but the system becomes costly and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts compressor operation based on the ice making cycle phase. The compressor is turned off during the harvesting period when back-pressure would be highest, and operates only during the freezing period when lower back-pressure is acceptable. This dynamic operation allows the use of lower back-pressure compressors while maintaining reliable ice making process
Solution Approach 2:
The ice making process is divided into periodic phases: a freezing period where the compressor operates to maintain low temperatures, and a harvesting period where the compressor is turned off. This periodic action pattern allows the system to manage back-pressure requirements effectively, enabling the use of less expensive low or medium back-pressure compressors
2Reliability
If a high back-pressure compressor is used, then the ice making process can be maintained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic control of the compressor based on operational phase. A controller manages the compressor to operate only during the freezing period and remain off during the harvesting period. This dynamic operation reduces the required back-pressure capability of the compressor, allowing the use of simpler, less expensive low or medium back-pressure compressors while maintaining reliable ice making process stability
3Device complexity
If dissolved solids are not separated from water, then the ice formation process is simpler, but ice purity and flavor are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter over time to achieve solid separation. During the freezing period, the evaporator maintains low temperatures to freeze pure water. During the harvesting period, the compressor is turned off and the evaporator temperature rises, causing dissolved solids to separate and settle. This parameter change approach achieves high ice purity without requiring complex additional separation devices
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
This configuration enables the production of clear ice by reducing compressor load and energy consumption, while maintaining ice purity by separating dissolved solids, thus improving efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
Heating, by an evaporator, the refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
heat transfer between liquid water in the ice maker and refrigerant of the sealed system generates the ice
Implementation Method 3
Condensing, by a condenser, the refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
compressing, with the one of the low back-pressure compressor or the medium back-pressure compressor, a refrigerant
Implementation Method 5
the refrigerant draws heat from water in the ice mold
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making appliance includes an ice mold and a refrigeration system. The refrigeration system includes a pump that is in fluid connection with a water supply and a compressor that is in fluid communication with a bypass valve. The compressor is one of a low back-pressure compressor and a medium back-pressure compressor. A condenser and an evaporator are in fluid communication with the bypass valve. The evaporator is positioned proximate the ice mold. The pump is operable to flow liquid from the water supply over the evaporator. The compressor is configured to turn off during an ice harvesting period, after the ice harvesting period, or both.