Method and system for producing clear ice

Abstract

A method for making clear ice comprising: filling a water sump to a predetermined level; contacting a refrigerant to an evaporator; circulating water from the sump over the evaporator to form ice on the evaporator; monitoring the water level in the sump; and monitoring the conductivity of the water in the sump to determine if the conductivity of the water is equal to or greater than a predetermined conductivity valve, (i) if the conductivity is not equal to or greater than the predetermined conductivity valve and if the water level reaches a predetermined lower water level, then complete the ice making cycle and initiate the harvest cycle; or (ii) if the conductivity is equal to or greater than the predetermined conductivity valve and if the water level has not reached a predetermined lower water level, then add additional water to the water sump.

1 . A method for making clear ice comprising:
 filling a water sump to a predetermined level;   contacting a refrigerant to an evaporator;   circulating water from said sump over said evaporator to form ice on said evaporator;   monitoring the water level in said sump; and   monitoring the conductivity of the water in said sump to determine if the conductivity of said water is equal to or greater than a predetermined conductivity valve,
 if the conductivity is not equal to or greater than said predetermined conductivity valve and if the water level reaches a predetermined lower water level, then complete the ice making cycle and initiate the harvest cycle; or 
 if the conductivity is equal to or greater than said predetermined conductivity valve and if the water level has not reached a predetermined lower water level, then add additional water to said water sump. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , if the ice making cycle has ended and the conductivity of said water in said sump is not equal to or greater than said predetermined valve, adding additional water to said sump before initiating another ice making cycle. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , if the ice making cycle has ended and the conductivity of the water in said sump is equal to or greater than said predetermined conductivity valve, dumping said water in said sump and adding freeze water to said sump before initiating another ice making cycle. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step of monitoring said water level is via a water level probe comprising a first probe for detecting a high water level and second and third probes for detecting a low water level. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said water level probe measures said conductivity of said water by determining the conductivity difference between said second and third probes, wherein said third probe is a reference probe. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined conductivity value is about 30 GPH. 
     
     
         7 . A system for producing clear ice, said system comprising:
 a water supply;   a water sump;   an evaporator   a water inlet valve disposed between said water supply and said water sump;   a pump for circulating water from said sump to said evaporate during an ice making cycle;   a controller that monitors the water level in said sump and the conductivity of the water in said sump to determine if the conductivity of said water is equal to or greater than a predetermined conductivity valve,
 if the conductivity is not equal to or greater than said predetermined conductivity valve and if the water level reaches a predetermined lower water level, then complete the ice making cycle and initiate the harvest cycle; or 
 if the conductivity is equal to or greater than said predetermined conductivity valve and if the water level has not reached a predetermined lower water level, then add additional water to said water sump. 
   
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , if the ice making cycle has ended and the conductivity of said water in said sump is not equal to or greater than said predetermined valve, said water inlet valve is energized by said controller such that additional water from said water supply is added to said sump. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 7 , further comprising a water dump valve such that if the ice making cycle has ended and the conductivity of the water in said sump is equal to or greater than said predetermined conductivity valve, said water dump valve is energized by said controller such that said water in said sump is dumped from the system before initiating another ice making cycle. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein said controller further includes a water level probe comprising a first probe for detecting a high water level and second and third probes for detecting a low water level. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein said water level probe measures said conductivity of said water by determining the conductivity difference between said second and third probes, wherein said third probe is a reference probe. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein said predetermined conductivity value is about 30 GPH.