Method for manufacturing ice pieces

Abstract

A method for manufacturing ice pieces, the method including filling a mold with water; chilling the water with a refrigeration unit that is operated by a compressor having an initial compressor power; and reducing a compressor power at a predetermined time after the water starts to freeze.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method for manufacturing ice pieces, the method comprising:
 filling a mold with water;   chilling the water with a refrigeration unit that is operated by a compressor having an initial compressor power; and   reducing a compressor power at a predetermined time after the water starts to freeze.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the compressor power is reduced immediately after the water starts to freeze. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the compressor power is reduced to a minimum compressor power of the compressor of the refrigeration unit. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the compressor power is reduced to approximately 50% of the initial compressor power. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the predetermined time when the compressor power is reduced is set as a function of a design of an apparatus for manufacturing the ice pieces. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the predetermined time when the compressor power is reduced is based on an empirical determination. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the start of the reduction of the compressor power is one of determined and controlled based on a measurement of a temperature of the mold. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the compressor power is reduced when the measured temperature of the mold reaches a predetermined setpoint temperature. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the setpoint temperature is below minus 10 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the setpoint temperature is below minus 12 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 shutting off the compressor once the ice pieces have been produced from the water;   leaving the ice pieces in the mold for a rest period segment; and   after the end of the rest period segment, heating the mold to thaw the ice pieces so that the ice pieces are released more easily from the mold.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the rest period segment is between 1 and 3 minutes. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the rest period segment is 2 minutes.