Variable rate and clarity ice making apparatus
AssigneeJoseph R. Adamski
InventorJoseph Adamski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The icemaker presented here may use a microcontroller, and solid state refrigeration and heat transfer elements to create ice cube qualities ranging from “clear ice” to “fast ice” in a smooth, user selectable continuum. In one embodiment, this may be accomplished by fitting a standard, high production volume icemaker mold with (1) thermoelectric coolers operated in a controlled fashion to heat or cool the mold, (2) a mold temperature sensor (such as a thermistor), and (3) a microcontroller to monitor the process and to adjust the growth rate of ice forming in the mold by adjusting heat transfer rates to optimize particular cooling phases.
Claims43
An ice making apparatus comprising:
- a. A mold for holding water and shaping the water as it turns to ice;
- b. A heat transfer device in thermal contact with the mold for cooling the mold at a selective rate;
- c. A processor for controlling the heat transfer device, the processor causing the heat transfer device to perform the steps of:
- i. Cooling the mold at a high rate, until the water substantially reaches its freezing temperature;
- ii. As the water freezes, cooling the mold at a lower rate;
- and
- iii. After the water freezes to ice, cooling the mold at a high rate, until a predefined temperature of the ice is reached.
An ice making apparatus comprising:
- a. A mold for holding water and shaping the water as it turns to ice;
- b. A heat transfer device in thermal contact with the mold for selectively heating or cooling the mold;
- c. A cooling source for cooling the water in the mold;
- and
- d. A processor for controlling the heat transfer device as the cooling source cools the water in the mold, the processor causing the heat transfer device to perform the steps of:
- i. Cooling the mold in combination with the cooling source, until the water substantially reaches its freezing temperature;
- ii. As the water freezes, heating the mold to slow down the cooling of the water by the cooling source;
- and
- iii. After the water freezes to ice, cooling the mold in combination with the cooling source, until a predefined temperature of the ice is reached.
An ice making apparatus comprising:
- a. A mold for holding water and shaping the water as it turns to ice;
- b. A heat transfer device in thermal contact with the mold for heating the mold at a selectable rate;
- c. A cooling source for cooling the water in the mold;
- and
- d. A processor for controlling the heat transfer device as the cooling source cools the water in the mold, the processor performing the steps of:
- i. Once the cooling source causes the water to substantially reach its freezing temperature, activating the heat transfer device to slow down the cooling of the water by the cooling source;
- and
- ii. After the water freezes to ice, deactivating the heat transfer device.
A process for making ice within a mold coupled to a heat transfer device, the process comprising the steps of:
- a. Filling the mold with water;
- b. Cooling the mold with the heat transfer device at a high rate, until the water substantially reaches its freezing temperature;
- c. As the water freezes, cooling the mold with the heat transfer device at a lower rate;
- d. After the water freezes to ice, cooling the mold with the heat transfer device at a high rate, until a predefined temperature of the ice is reached.
A process for making ice within a mold coupled to a heat transfer device, wherein water within the mold is cooled by a cooling source, the process comprising the steps of:
- a. Filling the mold with water;
- b. Cooling the mold with the heat transfer device in combination with the cooling source, until the water substantially reaches its freezing temperature;
- c. As the water freezes, heating the mold with the heat transfer device, to slow down the cooling of the water by the cooling source;
- d. After the water freezes to ice, cooling the mold in combination with the cooling source, until a predefined temperature of the ice is reached.
A process for making ice within a mold coupled to a heat transfer device, wherein water within the mold is cooled by a cooling source, the process comprising the steps of:
- a. Filling the mold with water;
- b. Once the cooling source causes the water to substantially reach its freezing temperature, activating the heat transfer device to slow down the cooling of the water by the cooling source;
- c. After the water freezes to ice, deactivating the heat transfer device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.