An evaporator assembly for a horizontal type ice making machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice making machines are inefficient and result in non-uniformity in ice shape and density, requiring human intervention and leading to thermal losses.
Innovation Solution
An evaporator assembly for a horizontal type ice making machine comprising a plurality of tubes with conductive protrusions and a non-conductive plate with hemispherical moulds, facilitating efficient and uniform ice formation by circulating refrigerant and distributing liquid effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional manual ice making with moulds is used, then ice can be formed in specific shapes, but the process is time-consuming and requires continuous human intervention for topping up water
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator assembly automatically distributes water onto the conductive protrusions through capillary action and gravity, eliminating the need for manual water topping up. The system self-regulates water distribution and ice formation without continuous human intervention, achieving automated self-service ice making
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive protrusions are pre-cooled by refrigerant circulation before water is introduced, preparing the nucleation sites in advance. This preliminary cooling action enables rapid ice formation when water is supplied, reducing overall ice making time while maintaining automation
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional manual ice making is used, then ice blocks can be formed, but there is non-uniformity in shape and size due to varying water amounts in each mould
Solution Approach 1:
Each conductive protrusion serves as a localized nucleation site with specific geometric characteristics (spherical, cylindrical, or conical). The water distribution is locally controlled to ensure uniform coverage on each protrusion, guaranteeing consistent ice shape and size across all ice blocks without requiring complex manual measurement or pouring control
Solution Approach 2:
The array of identical conductive protrusions provides homogeneous nucleation conditions for water freezing. By using multiple uniform protrusions with consistent dimensions and thermal properties, the system produces ice blocks with homogeneous shape and size characteristics, eliminating the non-uniformity problem of manual pouring
3Productivity
If plate forming evaporators with multiple tips are used, then ice can be formed automatically, but the ice making process is slow and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is segmented into multiple independent conductive protrusions (spherical, cylindrical, or conical) arranged in an array pattern. Each protrusion acts as an independent ice formation unit, allowing simultaneous production of multiple ice blocks. This segmentation increases productivity while maintaining relatively simple structural design compared to traditional plate evaporators
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional plate surface with embedded tips to a three-dimensional array of protruding conductive elements. This dimensional change increases the surface area available for heat transfer and ice nucleation without significantly increasing device complexity, thereby improving ice making speed and productivity
4Loss of energy
If refrigerant is circulated through tubes to cool conductive protrusions, then ice formation is efficient, but thermal losses occur in conventional systems
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive protrusions are positioned within or adjacent to the refrigerant circulation tubes, creating a nested configuration where the cooling medium directly surrounds the heat transfer elements. This nesting minimizes thermal resistance and reduces energy losses during heat transfer from refrigerant to water, improving both energy efficiency and ice production rate
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive protrusions have asymmetric geometries (spherical, cylindrical, or conical shapes) that optimize heat transfer surfaces and refrigerant flow patterns. The asymmetric design enhances convective heat transfer efficiency and reduces thermal boundary layer effects, minimizing energy losses while maximizing ice formation productivity
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 solution enables fast and efficient formation of ice with consistent shape and density, minimizing thermal losses and human intervention, thereby improving the efficiency and production of ice making machines.
Implementation Method 1
The tips are tapered downwardly are surrounded by thermal material at a distal tip. Further, the device comprises a means for supplying a refrigerant fluid, on to the tips, to extract heat from at least some of the tips and thereby cool them to ice forming temperature.
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of conductive protrusions, which are thermally coupled to and extending from each of the plurality of tubes
Implementation Method 3
A second means is configured to spray water onto an under surface of the plate to drain down said isolators onto the tips, whereby ice progressively forms on the tips
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
The present disclosure disclose an evaporator assembly for a horizontal type ice making machine. The evaporator assembly comprises a plurality of tubes for circulating a refrigerant. Further, the evaporator assembly comprises a plurality of conductive protrusions, which are thermally coupled to and extending from each of the plurality of tubes. Furthermore, the evaporator assembly comprises a non-conductive plate, which is arranged adjacent to the plurality of tubes. The non-conductive plate is defined with a plurality of moulds, wherein each of the plurality of moulds is defined with a provision to receive one of the plurality of conductive protrusions. Each of the plurality of tubes comprises a hemispherical structure, configured to enclose a top portion of the mould. The configuration of the evaporator assembly, facilitates in fast and efficient formation of ice, and thereby improves the efficiency of the ice making machine.