Evaporator with Helical Grooves for Reduced Ice-Ejection Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing evaporators for ice machines lack efficient heat exchange and energy efficiency, leading to suboptimal cooling performance and increased noise during ice production.
Innovation Solution
The evaporator design incorporates mechanized grooves for improved ice vertical outlet and a steel spring creating a helical circuit for forced refrigerant liquid circulation, enhancing turbulence and heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a conventional evaporator design is used with simple refrigerant circulation, then the device complexity is low, but the heat exchange efficiency and energy efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a helical circuit configuration for the refrigerant circulation path, replacing conventional straight or simple curved channels. This helical geometry creates turbulent flow patterns that enhance heat exchange efficiency between the refrigerant and the ice-making chamber, directly improving energy efficiency without requiring additional active components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible element that can deform under refrigerant flow pressure to create dynamic turbulence in the flow path. This dynamic adjustment of the flow channel geometry optimizes mixing and heat transfer characteristics, improving energy efficiency while using a passive, simple mechanical structure
2Ease of operation
If ice is removed from the evaporator surface without assistance, then the device complexity is low, but the effort and noise during ice outlet operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a helical groove pattern on the evaporator surface where ice forms. This curved geometry facilitates natural shedding of ice pieces along the spiral path, reducing the force needed for ice removal and enabling easier manual or automated ejection without complex mechanical systems
Solution Approach 2:
The helical groove structure naturally segments the ice formation into discrete sections along the spiral path. This segmentation allows ice to break into smaller, more manageable pieces that can be easily removed, reducing operational effort and noise while maintaining a relatively simple evaporator design
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 design improves heat exchange and energy efficiency, reducing noise and effort required for ice production by creating a more efficient thermal exchange process.
Implementation Method 1
creating turbulence on the surface thereof which improves the heat exchange
Implementation Method 2
a thermal exchange is carried out between the primary liquid (refrigerant) and the secondary liquid (water)
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant will evaporate with the thermal exchange of the inner tube
Implementation Method 4
The presence of a steel spring inside the evaporator enables a helical circuit to be configured
Data Source
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AI summary
An evaporator for an ice machine comprising a tube (1) on which a second outer tube (2) with a larger diameter is placed, creating a cylindrical chamber, and wherein supplementary rings (3) are located on the upper and lower ends thereof which seal the assembly; and that is characterized in that the tube (1) incorporates therein a plurality of mechanized grooves (1a), favoring the outlet of the ice, decreasing the effort necessary for said operation and therefore the noise generated.