Abstract: A thermal shield comprises an insulation layer having a space defined therein, wherein a low-conductivity material fills the space, and a valve configured to connect to a vacuum to remove air from the space, thereby increasing insulating properties of the insulation layer.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for an ice-making machine comprises a generally cylindrical, tubular body defining a generally cylindrical, internal heat exchange surface, and at least one refrigerant circuit comprising at least one refrigerant passage disposed about the outer surface of the tubular body, at least a portion of the refrigerant circuit being brazed to the outer surface of the tubular body.

Abstract: When products to be shipped are temperature-sensitive, it is necessary to maintain a substantially uniform and constant temperature to avoid spoilage. As a result, thermal shields are often placed on top of the products. Many designs for thermal shields have been considered in the past but improvements are still desired. Accordingly, there is provided a multilayer thermal shield (100) comprising a thermally conductive layer (108), and at least one heat exchange fluid circuit (120) coupled to a first surface of the thermally conductive layer, the at least one heat exchange fluid circuit comprising at least one inlet (124) configured to permit the ingress of heat exchange fluid. The thermal shield further comprises an outer insulation layer (104) connected to a first surface of the thermally conductive layer (108) and comprising grooves designed to receive the heat exchange fluid circuit.

Abstract: A method of cooling foodstuff comprises immersing at least one perforated container containing foodstuff into an ice slurry bath for a period of time sufficient to allow ice slurry to enter the at least one perforated container and then subsequently removing the at least one perforated container from the ice slurry bath. Various apparatuses for cooling foodstuff are also provided.

Abstract: A method of cooling foodstuff comprises immersing at least one perforated container containing foodstuff into an ice slurry bath for a period of time sufficient to allow ice slurry to enter the at least one perforated container and then subsequently removing the at least one perforated container from the ice slurry bath. Various apparatuses for cooling foodstuff are also provided.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for detecting ice crystal formation on a heat exchange surface in an ice-making machine comprises at least one microphone monitoring the sound made by a rotating blade assembly within the ice-making machine during ice slurry formation. A filter filters the output of the microphone to remove background noise. A comparator receives the output of the filter and compares the filtered microphone output with a threshold to determine if the filtered microphone output signifies ice crystal formation on the heat exchange surface. The operation of the ice-making machine can then be adjusted in a manner to allow the formed ice crystals to be removed from the heat exchange surface.

Abstract: A method of cooling foodstuff comprises immersing at least one perforated container containing foodstuff into an ice slurry bath for a period of time sufficient to allow ice slurry to enter the at least one perforated container and then subsequently removing the at least one perforated container from the ice slurry bath. Various apparatuses for cooling foodstuff are also provided.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for detecting ice crystal formation on a heat exchange surface in an ice-making machine comprises at least one microphone monitoring the sound made by a rotating blade assembly within the ice-making machine during ice slurry formation. A filter filters the output of the microphone to remove background noise. A comparator receives the output of the filter and compares the filtered microphone output with a threshold to determine if the filtered microphone output signifies ice crystal formation on the heat exchange surface. The operation of the ice-making machine can then be adjusted in a manner to allow the formed ice crystals to be removed from the heat exchange surface.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering aqueous ice slurry is disclosed. In one embodiment, the ice slurry delivery system includes a storage tank having an inlet to receive an aqueous ice slurry from an ice generating unit. A circulation loop is connected to the storage tank. Ice slurry held in the storage tank flows through the circulation loop generally continuously at a first rate. Valved discharge points are located along the circulation loop at spaced locations and are operable to re-direct some of the ice slurry flowing though the circulation loop to deliver ice slurry for end use upon demand. The rate of flow of ice slurry through the discharge points is less than the first rate even when all of the discharge points are re-directing ice slurry for end use.

Abstract: An ice-making machine comprises a heat exchanger including a generally cylindrical, tubular body defining a generally cylindrical internal surface. The body is formed of corrodible material and has at least one refrigerant passage extending therethrough. End plates are provided at opposite ends of the body. A refrigerant inlet delivers refrigerant to the at least one refrigerant passage and a refrigerant outlet collects refrigerant having passed through the at least one refrigerant passage. An inlet delivers fluid from which ice is to be made into the body to permit the refrigerant to extract heat from the fluid and an outlet permits the egress of ice from the body. A cylindrical sleeve lines the internal surface and is formed from generally non-corrodable material. At least one blade is in contact with the sleeve and is movable about an axis to move across the sleeve and remove cooled fluid therefrom.

Abstract: An ice-making machine includes a housing having a brine solution inlet to receive brine solution from which ice is to be made and having an ice-brine slurry outlet to permit the egress of an ice-brine slurry from the housing. A heat exchanger within the housing has a heat exchange surface. The heat exchanger further includes a refrigerant inlet, a refrigerant outlet and at least one refrigerant circuit interconnecting the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet to permit a flow of refrigerant through the heat exchanger to extract heat from the brine solution contacting the heat exchange surface. The at least one refrigerant circuit is constituted by refrigerant passages integrally formed in a body portion of the housing. A blade assembly within the housing carries a plurality of blades each of which is in contact with the heat exchange surface.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering aqueous ice slurry is disclosed. In one embodiment, the ice slurry delivery system includes a storage tank having an inlet to receive an aqueous ice slurry from an ice generating unit. A circulation loop is connected to the storage tank. Ice slurry held in the storage tank flows through the circulation loop generally continuously at a first rate. Valved discharge points are located along the circulation loop at spaced locations and are operable to re-direct some of the ice slurry flowing though the circulation loop to deliver ice slurry for end use upon demand. The rate of flow of ice slurry through the discharge points is less than the first rate even when all of the discharge points are re-directing ice slurry for end use.

Abstract: The invention provides in one of its aspects a thermal storage heat exchanger. The heat exchanger receives through a first input a slurry of fine ice particles in an aqueous solution having a concentration below its eutectic concentration, the ice particles and solution being stored in said heat exchanger as a porous ice bed and a substantially ice-free liquid bath. The heat exchanger also receives heated aqueous solution through a second input and discharges liquid phase refrigerant through the first output. Distribution means are locatable above said ice bed within the heat exchanger to distribute the heated solution evenly through the porous ice bed.

Abstract: An ice making machine comprises a housing having a cooled wall. A eutectic mixture is passed across the wall to be cooled below its freezing point and form ice. A blade continuously wipes the wall to move the fluid away from the wall and into the body of the fluid. The blades are moved by a drive means at a rate such that the surface is wiped prior to crystalization of the ice on the wall.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a heat rejection loop and a heat absorbtion loop interconnected by a phase separation device. Refrigerant is circulated in the heat rejection loop by a positive displacement pump thereby permitting the pressure of refrigerant in the condensor to fluctuate as the ambient temperature fluctuates. This increases the capacity of the system and reduces the work performed by the compressors. A bypass line is provided between the phase separation device and the condensor to allow the compressors to be switched off completely when the ambient temperature is below the evaporator temperature. The output of the compressors is also used as a heat source to defrost the evaporators as required.