ICE CUBE RELEASE AND RAPID FREEZE USING FLUID EXCHANGE APPARATUS AND METHODS

摘要

An ice piece release system that includes a chilled compartment set at a temperature below 0° C., a warm section at a temperature above 0° C., and a tray in thermal communication with the chilled compartment. The tray includes a plurality of ice piece-forming receptacles and a cavity in thermal communication with the receptacles. The ice piece release system also includes a primary reservoir assembly in thermal communication with the warm section and fluid communication with the cavity of the tray. The ice piece release system further includes a heat-exchanging fluid having a freezing point below that of water, and the fluid resides in the primary reservoir assembly and the cavity of the tray. The primary reservoir assembly is further adapted to move at least a portion of the heat-exchanging fluid in the reservoir assembly into the cavity.

主权项

1. An ice piece release system, comprising:
a chilled compartment set at a temperature below 0° C.; a warm section at a temperature above 0° C.; a tray in thermal communication with the chilled compartment, the tray having a plurality of ice piece-forming receptacles and a cavity in thermal communication with the receptacles; a primary reservoir assembly in thermal communication with the warm section and fluid communication with the cavity of the tray; and a heat-exchanging fluid having a freezing point below that of water, the fluid residing in the primary reservoir assembly and the cavity of the tray, wherein the primary reservoir assembly is further adapted to move at least a portion of the heat-exchanging fluid in the reservoir assembly into the cavity.