Pulse systems and methods for detaching ice
First Claim
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1. An ice making system, comprising:
- a cold plate;
a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer comprising varying thickness such that the ice is thinner where the dielectric layer is thicker;
a thin metal foil cooled by the cold plate through the dielectric layer, such that water adjacent the metal foil forms ice thereon;
a power supply; and
a switch operable to couple current from the power supply to the thin metal foil, to generate a heating pulse that melts an interfacial layer of the ice at the thin metal foil and release the ice.
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Abstract
A pulse system for detaching ice includes a power supply for applying a high-power heating pulse to the interface between ice and an object such as a cold plate of an ice making system, an ice-container, a heat-exchanger, a refrigerator surface or an airplane wing. Pulse heating may be generated within a metal foil or resistive film disposed upon an object to be deiced, or a capillary tube proximate the object to be deiced. An interfacial layer of ice is melted and the ice is released from the object. A force, for example gravity, pressure of vaporization or mechanical scraping, removes the ice from the object.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An ice making system, comprising:
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a cold plate; a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer comprising varying thickness such that the ice is thinner where the dielectric layer is thicker; a thin metal foil cooled by the cold plate through the dielectric layer, such that water adjacent the metal foil forms ice thereon; a power supply; and a switch operable to couple current from the power supply to the thin metal foil, to generate a heating pulse that melts an interfacial layer of the ice at the thin metal foil and release the ice. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An ice making system, comprising:
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a cold plate; a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer comprising varying thickness such that the ice is thinner where the dielectric layer is thicker; a thin metal foil cooled by the cold plate through the dielectric layer, such that water adjacent the metal foil forms ice thereon; a power supply; and a switch operable to couple current from the power supply to the thin metal foil, to generate a heating pulse that melts an interfacial layer of the ice at the thin metal foil and release the ice, and wherein the switch is a switching device selected from the group of devices consisting of a power-MOSFET, IGBT, thyristor, mechanical switch, an electromagnetic switch, and combinations thereof; and wherein applied voltage and current of the heating pulse provides density of heating power in an approximate range of one thousand to five hundred thousand watts per square meter of the metal foil. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification