Ice cube shape manipulation via heat

摘要

An ice making device includes heating and cooling elements that control the formation of ice within a cavity. The ice making device may include one or more fluid inlets that supply liquid water to the cavity, and one or more fluid outlets that drain water from the cavity after formation of ice having a desired shape.

主权项

1. A method of freezing water to form a piece of ice having a predefined shape, the method comprising:
providing a container having an inner surface defining a cavity, wherein the inner surface has a first portion and a second portion; at least partially filling the cavity with liquid water; cooling the first portion of the inner surface to a temperature that is below the freezing point of water to thereby cause water adjacent to the first portion of the inner surface to freeze; heating the second portion of the inner surface to a temperature that is above the freezing point of water to thereby prevent freezing of water adjacent to the second portion of the inner surface; freezing the liquid water to form the predefined shape by controlling cooling of the first portion of the inner surface and the heating of the second portion of the inner surface.