Ice Making Assembly Flow Rate Control to Prevent Spray Dislodgment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice making appliances often trap impurities and gases within ice cubes, leading to uneven melting and undesirable flavors, and the spray method used to form large, clear ice billets can dislodge ice near the nozzle, causing imperfections.
Innovation Solution
An ice making assembly with a pump assembly and controller that adjusts the flow rate of the ice-building spray based on the thickness of the ice billet, switching from a first flow rate to a second flow rate once the billet exceeds a predetermined thickness, and includes a sealed refrigeration system for controlled temperature management to prevent cracking and improve harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a spray nozzle sprays water upwards into the mold cavity to form large ice billets, then impurities fall back into the water basin and pure water forms clear ice, but the spray has a tendency to bore a hole within the ice billet or dislodge portions of the ice near the nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow rate parameter of the spray nozzle dynamically during the ice making process. It operates at a first flow rate during initial ice formation and switches to a second, lower flow rate when the ice billet exceeds a predetermined thickness, preventing dislodgment while maintaining clarity
Solution Approach 2:
The spray nozzle flow rate is made dynamic rather than static. The system transitions from a constant high flow rate to a variable flow rate that decreases as the ice billet grows, adapting the spraying intensity to the current state of ice formation to avoid damage
2Productivity
If the spray flow rate is maintained at a high level throughout the ice formation process, then ice forms rapidly, but the spray may bore holes or dislodge ice portions near the nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The spray operation is divided into periodic stages with different flow rates. The system applies a high flow rate during the first period for rapid ice formation, then switches to a lower flow rate in the second period to maintain integrity, creating a periodic action pattern that balances speed and quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary ice formation at high flow rate to establish the ice billet structure quickly, then switches to a protective lower flow rate before dislodgment risk becomes critical, anticipating and preventing potential damage before it occurs
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 the production of large, clear ice billets with reduced impurities and improved melting uniformity, preventing dislodgment and cracking, while ensuring efficient and reliable ice formation and harvesting.
Implementation Method 1
a pump assembly for urging an ice-building spray into the ice mold
Implementation Method 2
a sealed refrigeration system comprising a condenser and an evaporator in serial flow communication with each other, the evaporator being in thermal communication with the ice mold
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making assembly includes an ice mold and a pump assembly for urging an ice-building spray into the ice mold to form an ice billet. A controller operates the pump assembly to provide the ice-building spray at a first flow rate until the ice billet reaches a predetermined thickness and then operates the pump assembly to provide the ice-building spray at a second flow rate that is less than the first flow rate.