High pressure ice making device

Abstract

An ice making device and a method of making ice. A stream of water is pressurized by a water supply device so that a high pressure water can be supplied to a freezing surface in a housing. The housing is operated at a pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure. The water supply device may comprise a pump, a pressurized water tank, or a chamber with two or more valves.

1 . An ice producing device comprising:
 a housing configured to be pressurized;   at least one freezing surface disposed inside of the housing configured to produce ice;   a refrigerant zone in thermal contact with the at least one freezing surface and disposed between an inlet and an outlet, the refrigerant zone configured to receive, via the inlet, a refrigerant so as to absorb heat from the at least one surface;   a water supply device configured to receive water at a first pressure and provide a high pressure water at a second pressure, the second pressure being greater than the first;   a water supply line configured to supply a stream of the high pressure water into the housing; and,   a flaker disposed inside of the housing and configured to remove ice from the freezing surface.   
     
     
         2 . The ice producing device of  claim 1  wherein the water supply device comprises a water pump. 
     
     
         3 . The ice producing device of  claim 1  wherein the water supply device comprises a pressurized water tank. 
     
     
         4 . The ice producing device of  claim 1  wherein the water supply device comprises a chamber having two or more valves. 
     
     
         5 . The ice producing device of  claim 1  wherein the water supply device comprises a chamber having three or more valves. 
     
     
         6 . The ice producing device of  claim 1  wherein the water supply device comprises a chamber having at least four valves. 
     
     
         7 . The ice producing device of  claim 1  wherein the water supply device comprises a controller for controlling one or more valves associated with the water supply device, wherein the controller is in communication with the one or more valves associated with the water supply device. 
     
     
         8 . The ice producing device of  claim 1  further comprising a controller and at least one sensor in communication with the controller. 
     
     
         9 . The ice producing device of  claim 8  wherein the controller is in communication with the water supply device and configured to adjust the second pressure. 
     
     
         10 . A process of producing ice, the process comprising:
 pressurizing a chamber in a housing;   increasing a pressure of water from a water supply line to provide a high pressure water, the high pressure water having a pressure that is greater than the pressure of water in the water supply line;   passing the high pressure water to the chamber in the housing;   absorbing heat from the water in the chamber of the housing along a freezing surface to provide ice; and,   removing the ice from the freezing surface.   
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 10  wherein the pressure of the water is increased with a water supply device. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 11  wherein the water supply device comprises a water pump. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 11  wherein the water supply device comprises a pressurized water tank. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 11  wherein the water supply device comprises a chamber having two or more valves. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 11  wherein the water supply device comprises a chamber having three or more valves. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 11  wherein the water supply device comprises a chamber having at least four valves. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 10  further comprising:
 adjusting the pressure of the high pressure water. 
 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17  further comprising:
 obtaining a process condition, wherein the pressure of the high pressure water is adjusted based upon the process condition. 
 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 18  wherein the process condition comprises at least one of: a pressure within the housing; a level of ice within the housing; and, a pressure within a vessel for high pressure water. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 19  wherein the process condition is obtained by at least one sensor in communication with a controller configured to adjust the pressure of the high pressure water.