A method efficiently changes the state of an object at low cost and in a short time, in which a state change control device changes the state of an object by bringing the object into contact with an ice slurry to cause a temperature change to the object. The device includes an ice slurry contact part that brings the object and the ice slurry into contact with each other at a predetermined relative speed and changes the temperature of the object, and an ice slurry supply part that supplies the ice slurry to the ice slurry contact part.

A method efficiently changes the state of an object at low cost and in a short time, in which a state change control device changes the state of an object by bringing the object into contact with an ice slurry to cause a temperature change to the object. The device includes an ice slurry contact part that brings the object and the ice slurry into contact with each other at a predetermined relative speed and changes the temperature of the object, and an ice slurry supply part that supplies the ice slurry to the ice slurry contact part.

An ice machine includes: an ice maker including: an ultrasonic bin sensor mounted to a body; and a controller in electrical communication with the ultrasonic bin sensor and configured to control the ultrasonic bin sensor; and a storage bin coupled to the ice maker and sized to receive a mound of ice, a lens of the ultrasonic bin sensor facing a bottom of an interior cavity of the storage bin, the controller configured to process a return signal of the ultrasonic bin sensor to control a level of ice stored inside the storage bin, the controller further configured to apply a predetermined time delay to filter out a portion of the return signal that exceeds a threshold voltage but does not exceed the time delay.

An ice machine includes: an ice maker including: an ultrasonic bin sensor mounted to a body; and a controller in electrical communication with the ultrasonic bin sensor and configured to control the ultrasonic bin sensor; and a storage bin coupled to the ice maker and sized to receive a mound of ice, a lens of the ultrasonic bin sensor facing a bottom of an interior cavity of the storage bin, the controller configured to process a return signal of the ultrasonic bin sensor to control a level of ice stored inside the storage bin, the controller further configured to apply a predetermined time delay to filter out a portion of the return signal that exceeds a threshold voltage but does not exceed the time delay.

A batch ice maker can execute a pulsed fill routine in which a control system pulses water from a water supply into the sump until the sump reaches a predefined freeze routine starting level. Pulsing may begin after continuously filling the sump to a fill-approach level. A batch ice maker can execute a differential freeze routine in which the control system circulates water from a sump to an ice formation device until water level decreases by a predefined differential amount from a high control water level based on the water level in the sump at a point in time after the sump was filled to a freeze routine starting level. The high control water level can be set based on water level in the sump when sump water temperature reaches a predefined pre-chill temperature. The predefined pre-chill temperature can be associated with a switchover from sensible cooling to latent cooling.

A batch ice maker can execute a pulsed fill routine in which a control system pulses water from a water supply into the sump until the sump reaches a predefined freeze routine starting level. Pulsing may begin after continuously filling the sump to a fill-approach level. A batch ice maker can execute a differential freeze routine in which the control system circulates water from a sump to an ice formation device until water level decreases by a predefined differential amount from a high control water level based on the water level in the sump at a point in time after the sump was filled to a freeze routine starting level. The high control water level can be set based on water level in the sump when sump water temperature reaches a predefined pre-chill temperature. The predefined pre-chill temperature can be associated with a switchover from sensible cooling to latent cooling.

The present invention relates to a tri-axial mechanical test apparatus and method for simulating the process of freezing the high-pressure water into ice. The tri-axial mechanical test apparatus comprises a main body loading system, a freezing system, and a sample test system; in the main body loading system, a flange, an axial pressure piston and a pressure-bearing shell are constituted to a loading main body, and the axial pressure and confining pressure are controlled directly by a tri-axial servo tester and indirectly by an oil-water separator respectively; in the freezing system, a circumferential freezing liquid circulation channel and a base freezing liquid circulation channel are connected to an external cold source for cooling and freezing, and a dissoluble shell is provided on the periphery of the sample to ensure the shape of ice; in the sample test system, a serial of optical fiber sensors in the sample is connected to an optical fiber data collector, to measure temperature and strain. The present invention cooperates with a tri-axial servo tester, an oil-water separator, an external cold source and an optical fiber data collector, so that the water can be frozen into ice under pressure under the confinement of a dissoluble shell that is dissolved after an ice sample is formed, and then the tri-axial mechanical test can be carried out directly in the original stress state after water is frozen into ice under pressure.

The present disclosure discloses, an evaporator assembly for a vertical flow type ice-making machine. The assembly comprising a plurality of tubes for circulating a refrigerant, and a plurality of conductive protrusions thermally coupled to and extending the plurality of tubes. Each of the plurality of conductive protrusions defines an ice-making region. The assembly also includes a non-conductive plate arranged adjacent to the plurality of tubes. The non-conductive plate is defined with a provision to accommodate the plurality of conductive protrusions which exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the plurality of tubes and forms the ice layer by layer, and shape of at least one surface of the ice is defined by the non-conductive plate. The configuration of the assembly produces ice in the form of individual ice-cubes of a specific shape and size, and thereby improves the efficiency of the machine and ice-making process.

The present disclosure discloses, an evaporator assembly for a vertical flow type ice-making machine. The assembly comprising a plurality of tubes for circulating a refrigerant, and a plurality of conductive protrusions thermally coupled to and extending the plurality of tubes. Each of the plurality of conductive protrusions defines an ice-making region. The assembly also includes a non-conductive plate arranged adjacent to the plurality of tubes. The non-conductive plate is defined with a provision to accommodate the plurality of conductive protrusions which exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the plurality of tubes and forms the ice layer by layer, and shape of at least one surface of the ice is defined by the non-conductive plate. The configuration of the assembly produces ice in the form of individual ice-cubes of a specific shape and size, and thereby improves the efficiency of the machine and ice-making process.

A freezing and cutting assembly and method for producing ice cubes. The freezing and cutting assembly includes a freezing unit configured to freeze a slab of ice. The freezing unit includes a cold plate and a frame removably coupleable to the cold plate. The cutting unit includes at least one heated electrical wire tensioned on a cutting unit frame and configured to divide the slab of ice into ice cubes.