High-frequency melting of ice between freezer packages
First Claim
1. A system for melting and preventing ice on a freezer package, comprising:
- a first electrode;
a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode defining an interelectrode space between the first electrode and the second electrode for accommodating the freezer package; and
an AC power source for providing an AC voltage across the first and second electrodes with a frequency not less than about 1000 Hz, which AC voltage does not significantly heat contents of the freezer package.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An alternating electric field at an ice interface generates conductivity AC with a frequency greater than 1000 Hz in interfacial ice. Typically, a first electrode and a second electrode define an interelectrode space containing a stack of freezer packages. Each freezer package has an outer dielectric film and a continuous inner conductive layer coating the inside of the dielectric film. An AC power source provides a voltage of about 10 to 500 volts across the electrodes. The first and last freezer packages in the stack are proximate to the first and second electrodes, respectively. The AC voltage generates conductivity AC in the inner conductive layers. An alternating electric field between adjacent conductive layers generates conductivity current in the ice, resulting in Joule heat, which melts the ice.
4 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system for melting and preventing ice on a freezer package, comprising:
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a first electrode;
a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode defining an interelectrode space between the first electrode and the second electrode for accommodating the freezer package; and
an AC power source for providing an AC voltage across the first and second electrodes with a frequency not less than about 1000 Hz, which AC voltage does not significantly heat contents of the freezer package. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A freezer system for melting and preventing ice in a freezer, comprising:
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a freezer comprising a housing;
a first movable electrode;
a second electrode, the first movable electrode configured to be movable within the housing for forming an interelectrode space in the housing to accommodate a freezer package between the first movable electrode and the second electrode; and
an AC power source for providing an AC voltage across the first and second electrodes with a frequency not less than about 1000 Hz, which AC voltage does not significantly heat contents of a freezer package. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28)
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17. A system for melting and preventing ice, comprising:
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a first electrode;
a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode defining an interelectrode space between the first electrode and the second electrode;
an AC power source for providing an AC voltage across the first and second electrodes with a frequency not less than about 1000 Hz.
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24. A method for melting and preventing ice on a freezer package, comprising:
generating a high-frequency alternating electric field without significantly heating contents of the freezer package located in the alternating electric field.
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27. A method for melting and preventing ice, comprising:
generating a high-frequency alternating electric field without significantly heating bulk dielectric material subject to the alternating electric field.
Specification