Ice harvesting storage vessel

Abstract

An ice harvesting storage vessel ( 10 ) having an outer structural shell and insulated to maintain a frozen environment for ice filled containers ( 11 ) in a subterranean environment. The intake vent damper ( 16 ) opens during natural climatic sub-zero temperatures via temperature sensors ( 24,25 ) allowing cold air to flow into said vessel. The exhaust vent damper ( 17 ) operates in conjunction with the intake damper to allow warmer internal air to exit the vessel. Thermal sensors in conjunction with a thermostat control module close the vent dampers when external atmospheric temperatures exceed internal vessel temperatures. In addition, refrigerant line ( 22,23 ) circulate an antifreeze fluid via pump ( 30 ) throughout the vessel transferring cold temperatures to a heat transfer medium or antifreeze fluid for transfer to an adjacent facility or point of use.

1 . An insulated ice harvesting storage vessel having a plurality of water filled containers therein subjected to atmospheric freezing temperatures through a thermally coupled ventilation means comprising:
 (a) a plurality of water filled containers subjected to a timed flow of freezing atmospheric temperatures through said vessel to freeze water to ice;   (b) a thermal sensor wherein said sensor is for measuring air temperature;   (c) a damper-fan comprising a motor coupleable to rotating vanes for movement of air within said ventilation means;   (d) a damper-fan further comprising a cover springably mounted to said ventilation means to open and close said timed flow of freezing atmospheric temperatures through said vessel;   (e) a thermostat controller associated with said thermal sensors electrically connected for measuring atmospheric and vessel temperatures whereby thermal switch positions are selected in response to a calculated difference between inside and outside air temperatures, said controller actuating said damper-fan in response to said calculated difference.   
   
   
       2 . The ventilation means of  claim 1 , wherein said ventilation means is electrically connected to said thermostat controller to activate said damper-fan means to open and close intake timed flow of freezing temperatures within said vessel. 
   
   
       3 . The ventilation means of  claim 1 , wherein said ventilation means is electrically connected to said thermostat controller to activate said damper-fan means to open and close exhaust timed flow of warm temperatures within said vessel. 
   
   
       4 . A heat exchanger comprising a pipe-shaped heat transfer tube coupled with a plurality of plate-shaped fins connected to said heat transfer tube allowing passive thermal transfer to a conductor medium. 
   
   
       5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 4 , wherein said thermal transfer conductor medium is an inorganic heat transfer medium sealed in said heat transfer tube. 
   
   
       6 . The vessel of  claim 1  wherein said vessel is insulated to maintain frozen temperatures of said water filled containers. 
   
   
       7 . The vessel of  claim 6  wherein said vessel is constructed of materials sufficient to oppose stresses imposed by earth pressures in a subterranean environment such as reinforced concrete, metal or plastic materials. 
   
   
       5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 4 , whereby a external controller associated with thermal sensors at the point of use activates the movement of said heat transfer medium to said vessel. 
   
   
       6 . The water filled containers of  claim 1 , wherein said containers are of a truncated conical shape wherein horizontal expansion forces within said containers are relieved by the vertical component of resultant forces thereby lifting the volume of ice vertically. 
   
   
       7 . The truncated conical containers of  claim 6  further subjected to a flow of freezing temperatures first directed to the bottom of said vessel and the narrow end of said truncated container to initiate freezing resulting in the upward expansion of ice along the truncated container envelope such that the total expansion of ice is displaced along the top of said container. 
   
   
       8 . The containers of  claim 6  whereby said container is constructed of an inorganic material subjected to repeated cycles of freezing and thawing. 
   
   
       9 . A heat exchanger at the point of use comprising a blower means positioned proximal to said heat exchanger and electrically connected to a thermostat controller such that said blower is actuated in response to calculated differences between said temperature measurements and associated set point temperatures. 
   
   
       10 . The thermostat controller of  claim 9  electrically connected for measuring point of use and said vessel temperatures whereby thermal switch positions are selected in response to a calculated difference between point of use temperatures and said vessel temperatures, said controller actuating said heat exchanger in response to said calculated difference. 
   
   
       11 . The vessel in  claim 1  wherein said vessel is located beneath parking areas or roadway surfaces, said vessel constructed of materials sufficient to support stresses imposed by vehicular traffic. 
   
   
       12 . The vessel in  claim 1  wherein a refrigeration means provides freezing temperatures to maintain stored ice within said vessel. 
   
   
       13 . The vessel in  claim 1  wherein said damper-fan, sensors, controller, and heat exchanger are electrically operable, further comprising a power adapter converter coupleable to an alternative energy source selected from a photovoltaic array or wind generator means.