Dry harvesting ice machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice making machines rely on wet ejecting methods, which are time-consuming and energy-intensive, and often require moving parts that can be complex and prone to maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dry harvesting method using a pressure source to inject gas above ambient pressure into an evaporator grid with an elastic substrate, facilitating the separation and ejection of ice blocks without the need for heating the grid, thereby reducing energy consumption and simplifying the ejection process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wet ejecting method is used to remove ice from evaporator surface, then ice can be effectively released, but the process becomes time-consuming and energy-intensive due to heating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal field (heating) with a mechanical field (compressed gas injection). Instead of heating the evaporator surface to melt ice, compressed gas is injected through channels to mechanically fracture and separate the ice from the evaporator surface, eliminating the need for energy-intensive heating while maintaining effective ice release
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic pressure from compressed gas injected through channels in the evaporator surface to fracture and eject ice. The gas pressure creates mechanical stress that breaks the bond between ice and evaporator, providing a non-thermal method for ice removal that is both faster and more energy-efficient
2Productivity
If conventional ejection mechanisms with moving parts are used, then ice can be removed from the evaporator, but the device becomes complex and prone to maintenance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator surface itself serves the dual function of heat exchange and ice ejection. The compressed gas channels are integrated directly into the evaporator structure, allowing the evaporator to self-eject ice without requiring separate mechanical ejection mechanisms. This eliminates complex moving parts while maintaining effective ice removal
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the evaporator function with the ejection function by integrating compressed gas channels directly into the evaporator surface. This combination eliminates the need for separate ejection mechanisms with moving parts, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining ice removal capability
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 method enables faster and more energy-efficient ice ejection with reduced maintenance requirements, as it eliminates the need for heating the grid and minimizes the use of moving parts, enhancing the operational efficiency and reliability of ice machines.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic substrate disposed over the evaporator back board, configured to elastically contract in thickness towards the evaporator back board by at least 10 micrometers
Implementation Method 2
a gas valve in fluid communication with the pressure source. The gas valve is configured to initiate separation between the elastic substrate and an ice block that is formed in the evaporator grid. The ice machine comprises one or more controllers configured to inject the gas into a space formed by the separation, where the gas has a pressure above ambient pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An ice machine, comprising a pressure source configured to provide a gas above ambient pressure. The ice machine comprises an evaporator grid comprising a evaporator back board and an elastic substrate disposed over the evaporator back board, configured to elastically contract in thickness towards the evaporator back board. The evaporator grid comprises a gas valve in fluid communication with the pressure source. The ice machine comprises one or more controllers configured to initiate separation between the elastic substrate and an ice block that is formed in the evaporator grid. The gas valve is configured to inject the gas into a space formed by the separation, where the gas has a pressure above ambient pressure.