Ice formation

Abstract

The seed crystal chamber 142 may be located closer to the cold plate 112 than the mold chamber 137. The seed crystal chamber 142 may facilitate formation of a seed ice crystal from which the clear ice may form. By taking advantage of the lower thermal conductivity of water as compared to ice or aluminum, the seed crystal chamber 142 may further discourage the water in the mold chamber 137 from sub cooling and flash freezing as the seed crystal is being formed. Flash freezing occurs when water is subcooled below its freezing point and then exposed to an ice crystal, which causes the subcooled water to rapidly freeze. The seed crystal chamber 142 may promote directional freezing in the mold chamber 137, which promotes clear ice. Thermal conductivity of ice is higher than that of water, which may facilitate freezing from the seed crystal chamber 142 up through the mold chamber 137 once the seed crystal is formed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.