Patent ID: 7638735
Filing Date: 2009-12-29
Classification: F25C,F25D,F28F,Y02P

Abstract:
1. Icemaker apparatus having pulse electrothermal ice detachment apparatus comprising: an icemaking tube comprising one or more ice growth regions; one or more cooling fins thermally connected via one or more cold rings to the icemaking tube at the one or more ice growth regions for transferring heat away from each ice growth region; apparatus for introducing water into the icemaking tube so that at least a portion of the water freezes into ice at the ice growth regions; and a power supply for periodically supplying a pulse of electrical power to the icemaking tube, to melt at least an interfacial layer of the ice to detach the ice from the tube, wherein duration of the pulse is limited such that a heat diffusion distance associated with the pulse is less than at least one of a thickness of the tube and a thickness of the ice; wherein the pulse of electrical power comprises at least five kilowatts of power per square meter of area of the icemaking tube.