CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/343,028, filed on May 17, 2022, and the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/384,595, filed on November 21, 2022, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0002] All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety, as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] This disclosure relates generally to the field of ice manufacturing, and more specifically to the field of clear ice manufacturing. Described herein are devices and methods for producing clear ice.

BACKGROUND

[0004] From the end of the prohibition era to modern day, craft cocktails are a mainstay in most restaurants and bars. To enhance the overall experience, some restaurants and bars add garnishes and/or specialty ice to the cocktails. Currently, these restaurants and bars buy large blocks of ice that are then cut down in-house to the appropriate size for each drink. Some companies in the space claim to produce clear ice using directional freezing, but the clarity of the ice and scalability of the technology are questionable with many techniques often requiring the use of dangerous saws to cut down larger blocks of ice. Further, issues with standard ice machines include cracking, trapped air bubbles, and water impurities resulting in ice that lacks the desired appeal and appearance.

[0005] Ice can crack under a variety of circumstances experienced during or after a freezing process. Sometimes, during the freezing process, when the exterior of the ice freezes first and then further cools during subsequent freezing, interior tension in the ice is created. This interior tension causes cracking of the ice when it exceeds a particular threshold (e.g., about IMPa). Unclear ice may result from super cooling. Water crystallizes around nucleation sites. The ice then grows from this point forming a near perfect lattice structure, given the proper environment. For example, some ice machines slightly super cool the water before freezing. This causes smaller, faster crystallization, which can lead to uneven pressure and greater cloudiness. Lastly, impurities in the water used for freezing can create unclear ice. While impurities play a role in the imperfections in ice, they often aren’t the main culprit. Filtered water has on average 30 ppm impurities.

[0006] In other cases, some ice machines create cloudy ice because the water contains dissolved air, whereas clear ice contains almost none. During the freezing process, as water turns to ice, and the remaining water reaches saturation level for dissolved gases, the dissolved gas comes out of solution. The gas bubbles stick to the ice-water interface due to surface adhesion. If these gas bubbles do not get released, they become frozen into the ice, resulting in optical imperfections which affect the straight passage of light (i.e., “cloudiness”).

[0007] Taken together, improper ice freezing techniques and equipment result in less-than- ideal ice for the booming craft cocktail industry. Thus, there is a need for new and useful devices and methods for creating clear ice.

SUMMARY

[0008] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device for making clear ice including: at least one housing containing: a cooling source and a plurality of elongate troughs concentrically arranged around the cooling source and in parallel to the cooling source; at least one fluid intake disposed to provide a flow of fluid into each of the plurality of elongate troughs; and at least one drain disposed to drain fluid from each of the plurality of elongate troughs; wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of elongate troughs is in thermal communication with the cooling source; wherein the at least one fluid intake and the at least one drain are configured to provide a substantially constant flow of fluid to the plurality of elongate troughs during a freezing operation of the device; wherein the cooling source is a pressurized cooling cavity configured to control temperature for forming ice within the plurality of elongate troughs, the cooling cavity being coupled to a coolant intake valve for receiving coolant and coupled to at least one coolant outtake valve disposed to remove the coolant from the cooling cavity.

[0009] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the cooling cavity includes an inner cavity and an outer cavity. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the cooling cavity is configured to: receive the coolant through the inner cavity of the cooling cavity at the coolant intake valve, the coolant intake valve being located adjacent a first end of the housing and coupled to the inner cavity; and remove the coolant through the outer cavity of the cooling cavity at the coolant outtake valve, the coolant outtake valve being located adjacent the coolant intake valve at the first end of the housing and coupled to the outer cavity.

[0010] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the inner cavity includes an elongate cylinder having an inner tube in thermal communication with the outer cavity, the outer cavity having an outer tube in thermal communication with at least one wall of each of the plurality of elongate troughs.

[0011] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein a flow of coolant during a freeze operation is provided in a first direction through the inner cavity of the cooling cavity and in a second direction through the outer cavity of the cooling cavity, the first direction being opposite the second direction.

[0012] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the at least one fluid intake includes a fluid intake manifold that defines an intake manifold cavity that is fluidly connected to the plurality of elongate troughs through a fluid entry portal corresponding to each elongate trough. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the fluid entry portal corresponding to each elongate trough includes a porous flow straightener configured to direct a flow of fluid into a respective elongate trough in the plurality of elongate troughs.

[0013] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, further including a detachably coupled end plate for removing a plurality of clear ice structures from the plurality of elongate troughs after a freezing operation. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the at least one housing further contains a plurality of elongate apertures between each of the plurality of elongate troughs, wherein each of the plurality of elongate apertures is blocked by a flow blocking cap to prevent fluid from entering the respective elongate apertures.

[0014] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein each of the plurality of elongate troughs include a base wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall defining a respective elongate trough such that a cross-section of the respective elongate trough has a tapered U-shape defined by the first side wall having an interior angle greater than or equal to about 0 degrees and less than or equal to about 15 degrees from upright. [0015] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the substantially constant flow of fluid is provided at a velocity of at least about 0.09 m/s through each of the plurality of elongate troughs. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device for making clear ice including: at least one housing containing: a cooling cavity defining an inner cavity and an outer cavity, wherein the inner cavity includes an elongate cylinder having an inner tube in thermal communication with the outer cavity, a plurality of elongate troughs concentrically arranged around the cooling cavity and in parallel to the cooling cavity; at least one fluid intake disposed to provide a flow of fluid into each of the plurality of elongate troughs; and at least one drain disposed to drain fluid from each of the plurality of elongate troughs, wherein the outer cavity includes an outer tube in thermal communication with at least one wall of each of the plurality of elongate troughs.

[0016] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the at least one fluid intake and the at least one drain are configured to provide a substantially constant flow of fluid to the plurality of elongate troughs during a freezing operation of the device.

[0017] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the cooling cavity is pressurized and configured to control temperature for forming ice within the plurality of elongate troughs, the cooling cavity being coupled to a coolant intake valve for receiving coolant and coupled to at least one coolant outtake valve disposed to remove the coolant from the cooling cavity.

[0018] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein a flow of coolant during a freeze operation is provided in a first direction through the inner cavity of the cooling cavity and in a second direction through the outer cavity of the cooling cavity, the first direction being opposite the second direction.

[0019] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, wherein the at least one fluid intake includes a fluid intake manifold that defines an intake manifold cavity that is fluidly connected to the plurality of elongate troughs through a fluid entry portal corresponding to each elongate trough.

[0020] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a device, further including a detachably coupled end plate for removing a plurality of clear ice structures from the plurality of elongate troughs after a freezing operation.

[0021] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method for making clear ice, the method including: providing at least one housing containing: a cooling cavity; and a plurality of elongate troughs concentrically arranged around the cooling cavity and substantially parallel to the cooling cavity along a longitudinal axis, wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of elongate troughs is in thermal communication with the cooling cavity; receiving a substantially constant flow of fluid to the plurality of elongate troughs during a freezing operation associated with the housing; receiving a substantially constant flow of coolant through a first portion of the cooling cavity at a coolant intake valve, the coolant intake valve being located adjacent a first end of the housing and coupled to the first portion; removing the coolant through a second portion of the cooling cavity at a coolant outtake valve, the coolant outtake valve being located adjacent the coolant intake valve at the first end of the housing and coupled to the second portion; and ejecting the clear ice from the housing upon completion of the freezing operation associated with the housing.

[0022] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the first portion includes an elongate cylinder having an inner tube in thermal communication with the second portion, the second portion having an outer tube in thermal communication with at least one wall of each of the plurality of elongate troughs.

[0023] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the substantially constant flow of coolant during the freezing operation is provided in a first direction through the first portion of the cooling cavity and in a second direction through the second portion of the cooling cavity, the first direction being opposite the second direction.

[0024] Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, a method or process, or computer software on a computer-accessible medium. The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The foregoing is a summary, and thus, necessarily limited in detail. The above- mentioned aspects, as well as other aspects, features, and advantages of the present technology are described below in connection with various embodiments, with reference made to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a device for making clear ice.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view depicting interior features of the device of FIG. 1.

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates cross-sectional and exploded views of portions of an example interior of a device for making clear ice. [0029] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plurality of ice mold troughs for an example device for making clear ice.

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plurality of ice mold troughs integrated with a cooling core.

[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example device with a plurality of ice mold troughs having side walls formed from flat plates.

[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example device with a plurality of ice mold troughs formed from shaped metal.

[0033] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of example flow straighteners coupled to at least one ice mold trough.

[0034] FIG. 9 illustrates an assembly of flumes configured to make a plurality of elongate ice structures.

[0035] FIG. 10 depicts a cross-section of a trough for making clear ice.

[0036] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a flow straightener in position within a trough.

[0037] FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate cross-sections of various embodiments of the elongate trough having different cross-sectional shapes.

[0038] FIGS. 13A-13C illustrate cross-sections of various embodiments of the elongate trough having different cross-sectional shapes.

[0039] FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate cross-sections of various embodiments of the elongate trough having different cross-sectional shapes.

[0040] FIG. 15 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process for making clear ice.

[0041] The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the disclosure. The schematics are drawn to illustrate features and concepts and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] It is an object of the present disclosure to describe devices, systems, and methods for producing clear ice. For example, the devices, systems and methods described herein may be configured to produce clear ice in a variety of shapes. Each of the devices and/or assemblies described herein may be used to produce clear ice in any circumstance in which transparent ice is desired, such as for consumption in cocktails and other beverages but can additionally or alternatively be used for any suitable applications where a liquid material is frozen. [0043] Disclosed herein are devices and methods for making clear ice. In particular, the disclosure herein provides for devices and methods allowing for the expedited production of clear ice having an improved quality over conventional apparatuses and methods. In some embodiments, the devices and methods disclosed herein are adapted for the freezing of water into clear ice; however, one of skill in the art will appreciate how these devices and methods can be adapted to allow for the freezing of other liquids (e.g., ethanol, etc.) in situations where the removal of air bubbles and dissolved impurities is desired.

[0044] As used herein, the terms “fluid” and “liquid” will be used interchangeably to refer to the material being flowed through the device and being frozen into comestibles. In some embodiments, the term “water” will be frequently used also; however, this use of the term “water” should not be considered limiting for the reasons stated herein. For similar reasons, the use of the term “ice” to refer to the chosen liquid when frozen should also not be considered limiting either.

[0045] In some embodiments, the ice produced (e.g., made, created, manufactured, generated etc.) by the systems and devices described herein may have one or more of the following characteristics: clear, relatively free of impurities, relatively free of gas bubbles, relatively free of dissolved gasses, and/or cracking, may or may not have inclusions (e.g., flowers, liquor, food, etc.), etc. Such characteristics shall not be viewed as limiting in any way.

[0046] In some embodiments, water or liquid used to make the clear ice may be de-aerated (e.g., gas sweeps, via vacuum, etc.), degassed, purified (e.g., sediment filtered, activated carbon block filtered, granular activated carbon filtered, reverse osmosis filtered, distilled, passed over an ion exchange column, treated with ultraviolet light, ultrafiltered, activated alumina filtered, ionized, etc.), or otherwise treated before being used to make clear ice. The water or liquid may be from a private well, a municipality, groundwater source, reservoir, etc.

SYSTEMS AND DEVICES

[0047] The devices and/or assemblies described herein are configured to produce clear ice using a closed, pressurized environment. For example, the devices and/or assemblies described herein include at least one closed and pressurized elongate structure (e.g., a housing, a tube, a pipe, or other elongated reservoir) adapted to receive water or other fluid therein and/or therethrough. The elongate structure may be configured to also receive coolant therethrough in a portion separate from the water or fluid receiving portion of the elongate structure. For example, the devices described herein allow for water (or other fluid) to flow along one or more elongate troughs (e.g., flumes, ice molds, etc.) within the elongate structure, where each of the troughs are cooled on two or more sides (via conduction of heat through the trough sides/side walls) to form clear ice. The elongate troughs may be arranged around a central core (e.g., a cooling cavity) to allow each trough to be inserted into an insulated housing. In some embodiments, the troughs may be inserted into the elongate structure as a single component having multiple troughs formed within the single component. In some embodiments, the troughs may be combined with the central core in a single combined component such that the cooling cavity (e.g., central core) and the troughs are formed as the single combined component having multiple troughs surrounding the cooling cavity. The entire combined component may be inserted into the elongate structure (e.g., a housing, a tube, a pipe, or other elongated reservoir). As used herein, the terms “elongate trough”, “trough” and “flume” are considered synonymous and can be used interchangeably throughout this disclosure.

[0048] The devices, and/or assemblies described herein may be configured to allow water or other fluid to flow along the pressurized elongate structure while portions of the structure are cooled or supercooled. The elongate structure may be adapted to have two or more elongate troughs within the structure. Each trough may be arranged around the cooling cavity (e.g., central core) through which cooling fluid may flow. Described broadly for many embodiments, the device generally provides one or more elongate troughs (e.g., flumes) configured in thermal communication with at least one reservoir (e.g., cooling line, cooling pipe, cooling tube, cooling cavity, etc.) of circulating coolant. The circulating coolant may be pressurized within a tube, pipe, or other reservoir of the elongate structure. In some embodiments, the coolant may flow through a portion of the device and/or assemblies described herein at a relatively constant flow and pressure to maintain a particular cooling rate and/or temperature, for example, and to consistently continue to cool structures adjacent to a cooling portion of the elongate structure. In some embodiments, additional cooling may be applied to the troughs described herein via one or more additional cooling apparatuses (e.g., cooling plates, cooling elements, etc.).

[0049] For each elongate trough within the devices described herein, a flow of fluid (e.g., water) is provided down at least a portion of the length of each trough during a freezing operation of the device and/or assembly. The freezing operation includes at least one cooling cavity receiving coolant therethrough when the cooling cavity is in thermal communication with at least a portion of each trough. During the freezing operation, clear ice forms on one or more surface walls of the trough(s), growing in thickness and filling up to a certain thickness in the elongate trough(s), according to various predetermined parameters described herein. In some embodiments, the speed of water (as either laminar or turbulent flow) through the elongate trough can be varied to configure the devices and/or assemblies described herein to form clear ice at a particular rate and/or clarity. In general, the flow of the fluid may be configured to drive out air bubbles from an ice forming surface within the elongate trough.

[0050] Once an ingot of ice has been generated within a particular elongate trough, the freezing operation can be stopped, allowing for collection of the ice ingot. In some embodiments, a heating process may occur before collection of the ice ingot. The heating process may function to melt a portion of one or more outer walls of the ice ingot to assist in removal of the ice ingot. The generated ice ingot can be subsequently modified to produce a variety of aesthetically pleasing comestibles.

[0051] In some embodiments, the devices, housings, and/or assemblies described herein may be seated substantially horizontally (e.g., from about -15 degrees to about 15 degrees from a parallel to a horizontal surface, such as a floor). Such substantially horizontal seating of the devices, housings, and/or assemblies may provide an advantage of an ease of removal of the ice ingots to a conveyer for future processing, for example.

[0052] In some embodiments, the devices and methods described herein can generate clear ice at a speed of at least about 7 mm/hr to about 26 mm/hr measured as linear height of accumulated clear ice on any given point of a surface wall of an elongate trough per unit time. Furthermore, in the devices and methods described herein, ice grows in multiple directions, thereby effectively halving the thickness of ice through which heat flows to generate new ice. This provides a dramatic advantage in speed over conventional ice generating technologies that can typically grow ice in a single direction.

[0053] In general, the devices and/or assemblies described herein may be mounted on a wall, attached to a support structure, or installed within an assembly with other similar devices. In some embodiments, the devices and/or assemblies described herein may be configured to be coupled to one or more water (or other fluid) supply lines. In some embodiments, the devices and/or assemblies described herein may be configured to be coupled to one or more coolant fluid lines. In some embodiments, the devices and/or assemblies described herein may be configured to function with one or more automated devices to remove (e.g., harvest) elongate ice ingots upon completion of formation.

[0054] The devices and/or assemblies described herein solve a technical problem of foreign body inclusions that may occur in conventional open trough ice generation systems. The technical solution to the technical problem includes enclosing the trough on all sides to ensure that foreign body inclusions cannot occur during ice formation.

[0055] The devices and/or assemblies described herein solve a further technical problem of receiving fluid flow from a recirculating water pump without causing undue pressure on the water pump. For example, conventional systems that use troughs for ice generation may find it challenging to return water to a recirculation water pump to attain a flow rate high enough to produce clear ice without inclusions and/or internal defects. Further, as the ice forms in the troughs, the suction pressure is even further restricted as the outlet manifold openings are restricted. In this way it becomes even more challenging to finish up ice generation cycles successfully. The devices and/or assemblies described herein solve the technical problem of undue pressure on the water pump by utilizing an ice making system that is fully pressurized to eliminate the pressures by maintaining the pressure through an outlet of the trough(s) back to the suction of the water pump. In this way, the systems and/or assemblies described herein may function to reduce the pump size and electrical energy utilized by the system. In addition, the devices and/or assemblies described herein may be used with methods of purging of the system to ensure that all voids are fully flooded and to maintain a constant water level above the ice, thereby improving consistency in ice formation.

[0056] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a device 100 for making clear ice. As shown, the device 100 includes a housing 102 (e.g., a pipe) that encloses at least one internal cooling cavity 202 (FIG. 2). The cooling cavity 202 may be aligned along a longitudinal axis (L) and may be defined within a center portion within the housing 102. The cooling cavity 202 is connected to a coolant inlet 104 (e.g., a coolant intake valve and /or associated fluid lines) and a coolant outlet 106 (e.g., a coolant outtake valve and /or associated fluid lines), both located adjacent to a distal end 100a of the device 100. The cooling cavity 202 may span the length of the housing 102. The coolant inlet 104 may receive coolant from a coolant source (e.g., a chiller, freezer, refrigerator, and the like) and may push pressurized coolant through the cooling cavity 202. The device 100 also includes a coolant outlet 106 that recirculates coolant back to the coolant source (e.g., a chiller, freezer, refrigerator, and the like). For example, coolant inlet 104 lines and coolant outlet 106 lines connect the internal cooling cavities (not shown) to a coolant supply (not shown) that chills and circulates coolant through the device 100 during a freezing operation. As discussed herein, various coolants can be employed, including, but not limited to, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and brine. In some embodiments, the coolant supply and/or mechanical components of the coolant inlet 104 lines and coolant outlet 106 lines can regulate at least one of coolant temperature and flow rate into the plurality of internal cooling cavities either individually or collectively. In some embodiments, the internal cooling cavities can be replaced by other cooling sources, such as cold plates, condensers, evaporators, etc.

[0057] The device 100 further includes a fluid inlet 108 (e.g., fluid inlet valve and/or associated fluid lines) located adjacent to a proximal end 100b of the device 100. However, in some embodiments, the fluid inlet 108 can be located adjacent to the distal end 100a. The fluid inlet 108 may receive water that originates from a water pump (not shown) connected to the fluid inlet 108. Upon entering the fluid inlet 108, the water may flow through one or more troughs (not shown) within the housing 102 and through to the fluid outlet 110 (e.g., fluid outlet valve, drain, and/or associated fluid lines) located on an offset pipe 112. The offset pipe 112 may be coupled to an exterior portion of the housing 102 and offset about one foot to about two feet from the distal end 100a of the device 100. The offset pipe 112 is shown installed at about a 90-degree angle to the coolant inlet 104. In some embodiments, the offset pipe 112 may be installed at other angles (e.g., about 30 degrees to about 100 degrees; about 45 degrees to about 90 degrees, etc.) to direct the flow of water away from the device 100. In some embodiments, the fluid outlet 110 may be on a distal end 100a.

[0058] The water may flow from the fluid outlet 110 to a recycle area or reservoir or alternatively, may flow back to the water pump (not shown). An end plate 114 is coupled to at least a portion of the fluid inlet 108. The end plate 114 may be removably coupled to the housing 102. For example, the end plate 114 may be coupled to the housing 102 when the device 100 is generating ice ingots. Upon completion of a freezing process, the end plate 114 may be removed to allow for removal of the ice ingots.

[0059] In some embodiments, the device 100 may further include any number of pressure regulating valves (e.g., pressure relief valves) to relieve water pressure, coolant pressure, air pressure, and the like during heating and/or cooling of the housing 102. The pressure regulating valves may function to maintain a pressure of the cooling system.

[0060] When device 100 is in use (or upon installation of device 100), the device 100 may be tilted to raise the distal end 100a above the proximal end 100b. For example, the device 100 (e.g., including housing 102) may be tilted at an angle of about one degree to about fifteen degrees from a horizontal surface (e.g., the floor). The tilt may assist in removal of the elongate ice structures upon completion of a freezing process and in purging air from the system. [0061] An example length of the elongate structures (e.g., housing 102) described herein may be about 0.3 meters (about 3 feet) to about 3.7 meters (about 12 feet) based on a length of each trough inserted within the housing 102, for example. In some embodiments, the length of the housing 102 may be about 3 meters (e.g., about 10 feet) to about 3.4 meters (about 11 feet). In some embodiments, the length of the housing 102 may be about 3.2 meters (about 10.5 feet) to about 3.5 meters (about 11.5 feet). Each trough installed within the housing 102 may be about

I percent to about 5 percent shorter than the respective housing 102 to ensure the troughs may fit within the housing 102.

[0062] An example diameter of the elongate structures (e.g., housing 102) described herein may be about 20.3 centimeters (about 8 inches) to about 50.8 centimeters (about 20 inches). In some embodiments, the diameter of housing 102 may be about 20.3 centimeters (about 8 inches) to about 25.4 centimeters (about 10 inches). In some embodiments, the diameter of housing 102 may be about 22.9 centimeters (about 9 inches) to about 27.9 centimeters (about

I I inches). In some embodiments, the diameter of housing 102 may be about 25.4 centimeters (about 10 inches) to about 30.5 centimeters (about 12 inches). In some embodiments, the diameter of housing 102 may be about 27.9 centimeters (about 11 inches) to about 33 centimeters (about 13 inches). In some embodiments, the diameter of housing 102 may be about 30.5 centimeters (about 12 inches) to about 35.6 centimeters (about 14 inches). In some embodiments, the diameter of housing 102 may be about 33 centimeters (about 13 inches) to about 38.1 centimeters (about 15 inches). In some embodiments, the diameter of housing 102 may be about 35.6 (about 14 inches) to about 40.6 centimeters (about 16 inches). In some embodiments, the diameter of housing 102 may be about 38.1 centimeters (about 15 inches) to about 43.2 centimeters (about 17 inches). In some embodiments, the diameter of housing 102 may be about 40.6 centimeters (about 16 inches) to about 45.7 centimeters (about 18 inches). In some embodiments, the diameter of housing 102 may be about 43.2 centimeters (about 17 inches) to about 48.3 centimeters (about 19 inches). In some embodiments, the diameter of housing 102 may be about 45.7 centimeters (about 18 inches) to about 50.8 centimeters (about 20 inches).

[0063] Each trough (e.g., ice mold cavity) within the elongate structures (e.g., housing 102) described herein may have a width of about 3.6 centimeters (about 1.4 inches) to about 8.6 centimeters (about 3.4 inches). In some embodiments, each trough may have a width of about 3.6 centimeters (about 1.4 inches) to about 6.1 centimeters (about 2.4 inches). In some embodiments, each trough may have a width of about 5.1 centimeters (about 2 inches) to about

7.6 centimeters (about 3 inches).

[0064] Each trough (e.g., ice mold cavity) within the elongate structures (e.g., housing 102) described herein may have a height of about 3.6 centimeters (about 1.4 inches) to about 12.7 centimeters (about 5 inches). In some embodiments, each trough may have a height of about

3.6 centimeters (about 1.4 inches) to about 7.6 centimeters (about 3 inches). In some embodiments, each trough may have a height of about 7.6 centimeters (about 3 inches) to about 12.7 centimeters (about 5 inches). Each ice structure formed in a trough may be formed to a depth that utilizes a portion of or all the available height of the respective trough.

[0065] The troughs may generate ice structures that span a portion of the length and width of the troughs. For example, the troughs (e.g., troughs 204, 206, 210, etc.) may span about 90 percent of the length of the device 100 and may produce elongate ice structures that are within a tolerance of about 0.16 centimeters (about 0.063 inches) of the length of the trough. This tolerance measurement may be defined based on a heating process applied to release the frozen elongate ice structures from the trough. Side walls of each trough may be vertical or may have a slope of about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees from a defined vertical that bisects the trough and extends from a center of the cooling cavity to the perimeter of the elongate structure. (See cross-sectional view and vertical (r) in FIG. 4)

[0066] Although the elongate structures described herein (e.g., housing 102) are shown as tubular structures with a cylinder shape, other shapes are of course possible. For example, the elongate structures described herein may alternatively have a cross-section that is shaped as a square, a triangle, a hexagon, an octagon (or other polygon), an ellipse, and the like.

[0067] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view depicting interior features of the device of FIG. 1. The interior features are enclosed within the housing 102. The interior features may include at least a cooling cavity 202 and troughs 204, 206, 208, and 210. In some embodiments, the interior features of troughs 204, 206, 208, and 210 are separate components that are welded together. In some embodiments, the interior features of troughs 204, 206, 208, and 210 may include portions that are extruded as one piece combined with other components that are assembled to the extruded portions to produce the interior features, as shown in the cross sections of the housings described herein. In some embodiments, the interior features are constructed separately, welded together, and inserted into housing 102 as to produce an assembly. [0068] The cooling cavity 202 includes an inner tube 212 (e.g., with an inner cooling cavity) and an outer tube 216 (with an outer cooling cavity). The inner tube 212 and cavity is configured to receive coolant from a coolant inlet (e.g., coolant inlet 104). The coolant may be pressurized and circulated through the inner tube 212 in a first direction shown by arrow 214 and overflow from the inner tube 212 into the area between the outer tube 216 and an outer surface of the inner tube 212, as shown by the direction of arrow 218. The cooling cavity 202 is configured to be pressurized to allow coolant to flow in from coolant inlet 104 through coolant inner tube 212. The flow of coolant performs a turn at the distal end 100a of the inner tube 212 and reverses direction (to begin moving in the second direction shown by arrow 218) in the space between the outer tube 216 and the exterior wall of the inner tube 212. The coolant may be configured to exit the cooling cavity 202 by the coolant outlet 106 (FIG. 1).

[0069] The coolant inner tube 212 may be sized to be proportional to the cross-sectional area of the coolant outer tube 216. For example, if the coolant inner tube 212 is made larger, the coolant outer tube 216 will be increased in size, proportionally. In some embodiments, the inner tube 212 may have a cross-sectional area of about 0.44 square inches to about 7.1 square inches. The outer tube 216 may have a cross-sectional area of about 1.1 square inches to about 7.8 square inches. The ratio of the inner tube 212 to the outer tube 216 may be within a threshold difference of one another. The ratio may be about 90 percent to about 95 percent. For example, the inner tube 212 may have a square area that is about 80 percent of the square area of the outer tube 216. In some embodiments, the inner tube 212 may have a square area that is about 91 percent to about 93 percent of the square area of the outer tube 216. In some embodiments, the inner tube 212 may have a square area that is about 92 percent to about 94 percent of the square area of the outer tube 216. In some embodiments, the inner tube 212 may have a square area that is about 93 percent to about 95 percent of the square area of the outer tube 216.

[0070] In this example, the coolant outer tube 216 is a square shaped elongate shaft. Other shapes are possible. For example, the outer tube 216 may be shaped according to a base wall of each of the troughs 204, 206, 208, and 210. Thus, the outer tube 216 may have a polygonshaped outer perimeter.

[0071] Referring again to FIG. 2, the troughs 204-210 are depicted with three surface walls. For example, the trough 206 includes a base wall 206a, a first side wall 206b, and a second side wall 206c. In some embodiments, the trough 206 is formed by three separate components that are welded or otherwise coupled to form an elongate trough. In some embodiments, the trough 206 is formed out of a single component to produce an elongate trough. For example, the trough 206 may have a continuous arcuate shape defined by a singular trough (e.g., ice mold, flume) surface wall.

[0072] In some embodiments, the three surface walls 206a-c of the housing 102 define one elongate trough such that a cross-section of the trough 206 has a tapered U-shape defined by at least one of the two side surface walls (e.g., wall 206b and/or wall 206c) having an interior angle greater than or equal to about 0 degrees and less than or equal to about 15 degrees from upright. In some embodiments, the base wall 206a has a semicircular base surface. In some embodiments, the three surface walls 206a-c of the housing 102 define one elongate trough such that a cross-section of the cavity of the trough 206 has a tapered bracket shape defined by at least one of the two side surface walls (e.g., wall 206b and/or wall 206c) having an interior angle greater than or equal to about 0 degrees and less than or equal to about 15 degrees from upright to a flat base wall 206a. In some embodiments, the trough 206 has a total depth divided into an ice-forming zone and a fluid overflow zone. A surface area of the trough (e.g., flume) surface wall at least coextensive with the fluid overflow zone comprises a thermally insulating material. In short, a layer of fluid (e.g., water) may be applied to flow above the forming ice ingot at a constant velocity until a freezing operation has ended. Such velocity may be selected based on the particular cross-sectional area of the troughs described herein. The troughs 204, 206, 208, and 210 may vary in shape or size similar to the variations described for trough 206. [0073] In general, the particular shape and contour of the one or more trough surface walls of each elongate trough define a cross-sectional shape or profile for that elongate trough. Various cross-sectional shapes are presented herein. In various embodiments wherein the housing 102 defines more than one elongate trough (e.g., trough 204, 206, 208, 210, etc.), each cavity can have the same cross-sectional profile or a different cross-sectional profile than another trough of the same device 100. In some embodiments, a single trough can be shaped such that its cross-sectional shape changes over the length of the cavity. In some of these embodiments, having such a variable shape could assist with the removal of the produced ingot of ice from the device 100. As described herein, the cross-sectional shape of a trough of the device 100 can provide an advantage of increasing the clarity and therefore the quality of the produced clear ice.

[0074] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the surface walls (e.g., walls 206a-206c) of the cavity of the trough 206, for example, may be composed of a single, uniform material. In some embodiments, the material comprises one or more of aluminum, stainless steel, copper, or another thermally conductive material or thermally conductive metal or alloy. In some embodiments, the material is food-safe or otherwise known to be non-toxic when used in the production of comestibles. In some embodiments, various subsections of the walls 206a-206c can be composed of a material different from other subsections of the walls 206a-206c of the same cavity of the trough 206. For example, in some embodiments, portions of the walls 206a- 206c outside the intended area of ice formation (i.e., outside the ice-forming zone and within a fluid overflow zone) can comprise a thermally insulating material such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) while the portions of cavity walls 206a-206c comprise a thermally conductive material such as aluminum, stainless steel, or copper.

[0075] The interior features of device 100 may further include a number of cavities 220, 222, 224, and 226 adjacent each of the troughs 204, 206, 208, and 210. In some embodiments, the cavities 220-226 may be blocked with flow blocking caps (not shown) to prevent the flow of water through cavities adjacent to each of the troughs 204, 206, 208, and 210.

[0076] Although the elongate structures described herein (e.g., housing 102, inner tube 212, etc.) are shown as tubular structures with a smooth cylindrical, other shapes are of course possible. For example, the elongate structures described herein may alternatively have a crosssection that is shaped as a square, a triangle, a hexagon, an octagon (or other polygon), an ellipse, and the like.

[0077] The coolant (not shown) that may be used in the depicted embodiments of device 100 may include any number of fluids. For example, the various coolants can be employed, including, but not limited to, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, brine, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the coolant is mixed with water or other fluid.

[0078] Across various embodiments, the cooling cavities (e.g., cooling cavity 202) described herein can include various structures and architectural features within in order to facilitate an even flow and distribution of coolant within it. In some embodiments, these structures can include but are not limited to mesh grates.

[0079] In operation, the coolant may flow through the cooling cavity 202 at a relatively constant flow and pressure to maintain a particular cooling rate and/or temperature, for example, and to consistently continue to cool structures (e.g., trough walls) that are near or adjacent to the cavity 202. For example, the flow rate of the coolant may be about 5 gallons per minute to about 20 gallons per minute. The maintained pressure of the coolant may be about 30 psi to about 60 psi [0080] During a freezing operation of the device 100, clear ice is formed within the troughs (e.g., troughs 204-210). Across various embodiments, the housing 102 can define any number of elongate troughs greater than or equal to one, and each elongate trough can be shaped by any number of corresponding surface walls/bases 206a-c. In some embodiments, the device 100 includes six elongate troughs to about twelve elongate troughs. In some embodiments, a plurality of elongate troughs and/or internal cooling cavities (e.g., cavity 202) can be defined by one housing 102. In some embodiments, each elongate trough and/or internal cooling cavity can be defined by a separate housing 102. In such embodiments, the plurality of housings 102 (and therefore, plurality of elongate troughs and/or cooling cavities) can be arranged within the device 100 by various structural supports and/or walls.

[0081] Upon completion of a freezing process, heat or heated fluid may be added to the coolant in the cooling cavity 202 to heat the perimeter of the cavity 202 and melt a layer of ice between the ice and the troughs. Such heating may function to assist in release of the ice from the troughs when an end plate (not shown) is removed to retrieve the ice ingots. After the melting process or before retrieval of the frozen ice ingots, ice melt (e.g., fluid, water) may be drained from the device through a fluid outlet or drain pipe (e.g., fluid outlet 310) in a water loop with a pump (not shown).

[0082] In some embodiments, various subsections of the housing 102 can be composed of various materials. For example, some subsections (e.g., trough surface walls 206a, 206b, 206c) can comprise thermally conductive materials, while others (e.g., structural supports and external support walls) can comprise thermally insulating materials. In some embodiments featuring a plurality of elongate troughs, the elongate troughs can be arranged to concentrically surround a cooling cavity, such as cooling cavity 202. Such an arrangement may ensure that the plurality of elongate troughs (e.g., elongate troughs 204-210) are parallel to the length of the cooling cavity 202.

[0083] FIG. 3 illustrates cross-sectional and exploded views of portions of an example interior of a device 300 for making clear ice. Similar to device 100, device 300 includes a housing 302 (e.g., a pipe) that encloses at least one internal cooling cavity 303. The cooling cavity 303 is connected to a coolant inlet 304 and a coolant outlet 306, both located adjacent to a distal end 300a of the device 300. Because the coolant inlet 304 and coolant outlet 306 are located on the same end of the device 300, the coolant may be maintained at a consistent temperature along the length of the cooling cavity 303 to ensure consistent ice formation along the length of each trough adjacent the cooling cavity 303. In addition, from a manufacturing advantage, adjacent locations for coolant inlets and outlets provides a cost-effective solution to receiving, recycling (e.g., recirculating), and/or removing coolant from the device 300.

[0084] The cooling cavity 303 may span the length of the housing 302. The coolant inlet 304 may receive coolant from a coolant source (e.g., a chiller, freezer, refrigerator, and the like) and may push pressurized coolant through the cooling cavity 303. The device 300 also includes a coolant outlet 306 that recirculates coolant back to the coolant source (e.g., a chiller, freezer, refrigerator, and the like). For example, coolant inlet 304 lines and coolant outlet 306 lines connect the internal cooling cavities (not shown) to a coolant supply (not shown) that chills and circulates coolant through the device 300 during a freezing operation.

[0085] The device 300 includes a fluid inlet 308 located adjacent to a proximal end 300b of the device 300. The fluid inlet 308 may receive water that originates from a water pump (not shown) connected to the fluid inlet 308. Upon entering the fluid inlet 308, the water may flow through one or more troughs (partial trough 316 shown here) within the housing 302 and through to the fluid outlet 310 located on an offset pipe 312. The water may flow from the fluid outlet 310 to a recycle area or alternatively, may flow back to the water pump (not shown). A distance 318 depicts an example trough length with respect to the device 300.

[0086] A zoomed in view 320 depicts a portion of the cooling cavity 303. The view 320 depicts a coolant outer tube 322 and a coolant inner tube 324 from a side view and at the distal end 300a of the device 300. The coolant inner tube 324 extends beyond a length of the device 300 to assist in coupling the inner tube 324 to a coolant source. The coolant outlet 306 is depicted in FIG. 3, but is shown in a disconnected state. In operation, the coolant outlet 306 is connected to a chiller.

[0087] A zoomed in view 330 depicts a portion of the cooling cavity 303. The view 330 depicts a coolant path at the proximal end 300b of the device 300. The path shown here is a u- urn path 332 in which coolant travels from the distal end 300a toward the proximal end 300b and reverses direction to begin flowing on the exterior of the inner cooling tube 324 toward the distal end 300a and into coolant outlet 306.

[0088] The zoomed in view 330 also depicts two flow blocking caps 334 and 336. The flow blocking caps 334 and 336 may function to prevent the flow of water through cavities adjacent to each of the troughs. In this example, the flow blocking caps 334 and 336 function to block the flow of water from areas outside of trough 316.

[0089] In some embodiments, the devices and/or assemblies described herein provide a flow of water having a velocity of at least about 0.09 m/s (about 0.3 ft/s) throughout the length of the elongate trough(s) described herein. In some embodiments, the velocity of the water is at least about 0.15 m/s (about 0.5 ft/s). In some other embodiments, the velocity of the water is at least about 0.21 m/s (about 0.7 ft/s).

[0090] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plurality of ice mold troughs for an example device for making clear ice. A housing 402 is shown for a device for making clear ice. The housing 402 may represent housing 102 of device 100. The housing 402 is shown in partial view depicting a cross-section of an interior of the housing 402. In some embodiments, the interior features depicted may be installed within the housing. In some embodiments, the interior features depicted may be extruded as a single component with the housing 402. The interior features include a cooling cavity 404 that includes an inner cavity 406 with an inner tube 408, an outer cavity 410 with an outer tube 412. The cooling cavity 404 can be supplied by a coolant inlet (not shown) and a coolant outlet (not shown) for purposes of cooling the outer tube 412 and in turn, cooling any number of troughs surrounding the cooling cavity 404. The compartmentalized arrangement of the inner cavity 406 and outer cavity 410 in this embodiment allow for a uniform control of the temperatures experienced at each surface wall of the troughs during a freezing operation, as described herein.

[0091] As shown, a number of troughs are part of the interior features depicted in FIG. 4. In particular, the troughs include a first trough 414, a second trough 416, a third trough 418, a fourth trough 420, a fifth trough 422, and a sixth trough 424. Each trough 414-424 is configured to receive water flow from a water source during a freezing operation. In some embodiments, each trough includes at least three surface walls. For example, the trough 414 includes a base wall 414a, a first side wall 414b, and a second side wall 414c. In some embodiments, the trough 414 is formed by three separate components that are welded or otherwise coupled to form an elongate trough. In some embodiments, the trough 414 is formed out of a single component to produce an elongate trough. For example, the trough 414 may have a continuous arcuate shape defined by a singular trough (e.g., ice mold, flume) surface wall.

[0092] The device 300 may also include an end plate 313. The end plate 313 may include or be coupled to the fluid inlet 308. In some embodiments, the end plate 313 may be detachably coupled to the housing 302. For example, the end plate 313 may be detached to remove clear ice structures from the elongate troughs after a freezing operation. While the end plate 313 is shown positioned at the proximal end 300b (e.g., the inlet end of device 300), one skilled in the art would contemplate instead positioning the end plate 313 at distal end 300a (e.g., the outlet end of device 300).

[0093] In some embodiments, the three surface walls 414a-414c of the housing 402 define one elongate trough such that a cross-section of the trough 414 has a tapered U-shape defined by at least one of the two side surface walls (e.g., wall 414b and/or wall 414c) having an interior angle greater than or equal to about 0 degrees and less than or equal to about 15 degrees from upright. In some embodiments, the base wall 414a has a flat or slightly rounded base surface. In some embodiments, the three surface walls 414a-414c of the housing 102 define one elongate trough such that a cross-section of the cavity of the trough 414 has a tapered bracket shape defined by at least one of the two side surface walls (e.g., wall 414b and/or wall 414c) having an interior angle greater than or equal to about 0 degrees and less than or equal to about 15 degrees from upright to a flat base wall 414a. The troughs 414-424 may vary in shape or size similar to the variations described for trough 414.

[0094] The interior features of housing 102 may further include a number of cavities adjacent each of the troughs 414, 416, 428, 420, 422, and 424. As shown, the cavities are blocked with flow blocking caps 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, and 440 to prevent the flow of water through cavities adjacent to each of the troughs 414-424. The flow blocking caps 430-440 may be composed of material that is food-safe or otherwise known to be non-toxic when used in the production of comestibles.

[0095] An interface 442 is formed between an exterior of the outer tube 412 and the base walls (e.g., 414a, etc.) of each trough 414-424. The interface 442 may be a solid and thin film or structure to allow thermal transfer (e.g., cooling and/or heating) from the cooling cavity 404 to each of the base walls (e.g., base wall 414a and each base wall associated with troughs 414- 424). In this example, the interface 442 is formed by fitting together individually extruded (e.g., manufactured) troughs 414-424 into the housing 402 and inserting the cooling cavity 404 in the center of the troughs 414-424. The interface 442 may be shaped on an exterior side nearest the troughs 414-424 according to the base walls of the troughs 414-424. In this example, the exterior side of the interface 442 is shaped as a hexagonal cylinder. The interface 442 may be shaped on an interior side nearest the outer tube 412 according to the shape of the outer tube. In this example, the interior side of the interface 442 is shaped as a (circular) cylinder.

[0096] In some embodiments, a food safe thermal compound may be placed between the base of each trough 414-424 and the outer tube 412 to aid in thermal transfer across the interface 442. In some embodiments, an adhesive may be placed between the base of each trough 414-424 and the outer tube 412 to aid in thermal transfer across the interface 442. In some embodiments, the base of each trough 414-424 may be thermally coupled (e.g., welded) to the outer tube 412 to aid in thermal transfer across the interface 442.

[0097] In some embodiments, the devices described herein may include at least one housing 402 that contains the cooling cavity 404, for example. The cooling cavity 404 may be an elongated structure that is aligned along the longitudinal axis (L) (FIG. 1). The cooling cavity 404 may be defined within a center portion of the housing 402. The cooling cavity 404 may define the inner cavity (e.g., inner cavity 406) and an outer cavity (e.g. outer cavity 410). The inner cavity 406 may be an elongate cylinder with an inner tube (e.g., inner tube 408) in thermal communication with the outer cavity 410. The outer cavity 410 may include an outer tube 412 in thermal communication with at least one wall (e.g., wall 414a, wall 414b, wall 414c, etc.) of each of the respective elongate troughs 414-424.

[0098] In some embodiments, the cooling cavity 404 may be pressurized. In some embodiments, the cooling cavity 404 may be configured to control temperature for forming ice within the elongate troughs 414-424. For example, the housing 402 may be electrically coupled to one or more temperature sensors and/or one or more thermostats. The temperature sensor(s) may detect a temperature of the fluid (e.g., water) flowing to the cooling cavity 404. A detected temperature may be used as a basis in which to modify a thermostat setting to increase or decrease the temperature of the fluid source, for example.

[0099] The cooling cavity 404 may be coupled to the coolant intake valve (e.g., valve 350). In addition, the cooling cavity 404 may be coupled to the coolant inlet 304 (e.g., including a coolant intake valve and/or associated fluid lines) and a coolant outlet 310 (e.g., including a coolant outtake valve and/or associated fluid lines), both located adjacent to the distal end 300a of the device 300. The cooling cavity 404 may span all or a portion of a length of the housing 402. The coolant inlet 304 may receive coolant from a coolant source (e.g., a chiller, freezer, refrigerator, and the like) and may push pressurized coolant through the cooling cavity 404. The housing 402 may also include a coolant outlet 306 that recirculates coolant back to the coolant source (e.g., a chiller, freezer, refrigerator, and the like). For example, coolant inlet 304 lines and coolant outlet 306 lines may fluidly connect the internal cooling cavities (not shown) to a coolant supply (not shown) that chills and circulates coolant through the device 300 during a freezing operation. [00100] The cooling cavity 404 may be coupled to at least one coolant outtake valve (e.g., coolant outtake valve 352), which may be disposed to remove the coolant from the cooling cavity 404. During a freezing operation, the coolant may be provided to flow from the coolant inlet 304 in a first direction through the inner cavity 406 of the cooling cavity 404 and may turn near proximal end 300b to flow in a second direction through the outer cavity 410 of the cooling cavity 404. In this example embodiment, the first direction may be opposite the second direction.

[00101] The housing 402 may further include a number of elongate troughs (e.g., elongate troughs 414, 416, 418, 420, 422, and 424) that are concentrically arranged around the cooling cavity 404 and in parallel to the cooling cavity 404 (i.e., along axis (L) of FIG. 1). The housing 402 may further include at least one fluid intake (e.g., fluid inlet 308) that is disposed to provide a flow of fluid into each of the elongate troughs 414-424. The housing 402 may also include at least one drain (e.g., fluid outlet 310) disposed to drain fluid from each of the plurality of elongate troughs 414-424. The fluid intake (e.g., fluid inlet 308) and the at least one drain (e.g., fluid outlet 310) may be configured to provide a substantially constant flow of fluid to the elongate troughs 414-424 during a freezing operation. For example, during a freeze operation, fluid (e.g., water) may be provided in a substantially constant flow through the elongate troughs 414-424. In some embodiments, the fluid intake (e.g., fluid inlet 308) may include or be coupled to a fluid intake manifold (e.g., flow straightener/manifold 1100 of FIG. 11). The fluid intake manifold may define an intake manifold cavity that is fluidly connected to the plurality of elongate troughs through a fluid entry portal corresponding to each elongate trough.

[00102] In some embodiments, the housing 402 may further include a detachably coupled end plate (e.g., end plate 313). The end plate 313 may be detached to remove clear ice structures from the elongate troughs after a freezing operation. The end plate 313 may be reattached to begin another freezing operation.

[00103] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plurality of ice mold troughs integrated with a cooling core. In this example, a housing 502 is shown with a cooling core that represents a cooling cavity 504. A number of ice mold troughs (e.g., elongate troughs 506, 508, 510, 512, 514, and 516) surround the cooling cavity 504.

[00104] The cooling cavity 504 includes an inner cavity 518, an inner tube 520, and an outer cavity 522. In this example, the cooling cavity 504 is integrated with each of the troughs 506- 516. For example, an outer tube 524 is extruded as part of the base walls 526 for each trough 506-516. [00105] The outer tube 524 may function as a thermal interface (similar to interface 442) to transfer heat to or remove heat from (i.e., cool) from cooling cavity 504 through to base walls of each trough 506-516. The outer tube 524 may be extruded during a device manufacturing process to generate the troughs 506-516. For example, the troughs 506-516, outer tube 524, and outer cavity 522 may be formed as a single assembly. The inner cavity 518 may be assembled to the single assembly when generating a device assembly for making clear ice. Having a single component as the interface, or outer tube 524, between the coolant and the troughs 506-516 may provide an advantage of ensuring thermal transfer occurs evenly throughout the length of the troughs 506-516.

[00106] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example device with a plurality of ice mold troughs having side walls formed from flat plates. In this example, a housing 602 is adapted to receive a cooling cavity 604 and eight troughs 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, and 620. Each trough is formed from a base formed by an outer tube 606a (e.g., exterior cavity wall) and a first side wall (e.g., side wall 606b) and a second side wall (e.g., side wall 606c). The side walls 606b and 606c are formed from flat plates (or metal plates formed into V-shaped structures). The V-shaped structures form additional cavities 624, 626, 628, 630, 632, 634, 636, and 638 that may be capped by one or more flow blocking caps (not shown). In this example, the outer tube 606a is formed to receive each V-shaped structure via apertures, grooves, and the like. The cooling cavity 604 may include an inner cavity 640 adjacent to an inner tube 642. The inner tube 642 is adjacent to outer cavity 644.

[00107] In this example, the housing 602 is adapted to receive the cooling cavity 604 and troughs 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, and 620. Each trough is formed from a base formed by an outer tube 606a (e.g., exterior cavity wall) and a first side wall (e.g., side wall 606b) and a second side wall (e.g., side wall 606c). The side walls 606b and 606c are formed from flat plates (or metal plates formed into V-shaped structures). The V-shaped structures form additional cavities 624, 626, 628, 630, 632, 634, 636, and 638 that may be capped by one or more flow blocking caps (not shown). In this example, the outer tube 606a is formed to receive each V-shaped structure via apertures, grooves, and the like. The cooling cavity 604 may include an inner cavity 640 adjacent to an inner tube 642. The inner tube 642 is adjacent to outer cavity 644.

[00108] Although eight troughs are depicted in FIG. 6, any number of troughs may be placed to surround cooling cavity 604. [00109] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example device with a plurality of ice mold troughs formed from shaped metal. In this example, a housing 702 is adapted to receive a cooling cavity 704 and troughs 706, 708, 710, 712, 714, 716, 718, and 720. Each trough is formed from a single metal plate to form a base wall (e.g., base wall 706a), a first side wall (e.g., side wall 706b) and a second side wall (e.g., side wall 706c). Each base wall (e.g., base wall 706a) may be formed with a bend configured to be coupled to an exterior of an outer tube 744. The cooling cavity 704 may include an inner cavity 740 adjacent to an inner tube 742. The inner tube 742 is adjacent to an outer cavity having outer tube 744. Although eight troughs are depicted in FIG. 6, any number of troughs may be placed to surround cooling cavity 604.

[00110] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of example flow straighteners (e.g., flow straightener 802) coupled to at least one ice mold trough (e.g., trough 804) installed in a housing 800. Each flow straightener (e.g., flow straightener 802) may function to organize the turbulence of the flow of fluid into each the elongate trough. In this example, a number of troughs are depicted including a trough 804, trough 806, trough 808, trough 810, trough 812, and trough 814. The view depicted in FIG. 8 illustrates a view down the length of an embodiment of a housing 800 (e.g., housing 102 of device 100, for example). Fluid (e.g., water) enters each trough 804-814 through at least one fluid intake pipe (not shown). In this example, the fluid may be directed from the pipe to flow into at least one flow straightener (e.g., flow straightener 802) that may be fit onto each trough 804-814.

[00111] In operation, fluid may flow through one or more apertures 808a in a flow straightener (e.g., flow straightener 816) that directs the flow of fluid into one or more elongate troughs (e.g., trough 808). In some embodiments, there is only a fluid entry portal (not shown) for each flow straightener associated with each elongate trough 804-814, although any number fluid entry portals may be used for each flow straightener for each trough 804-814.

[00112] Each flow straightener (or portion thereof) is a rigid or semi-rigid and porous insert that mitigates the formation of a circular current of fluid within a fluid intake portion as fluid makes its way from fluid inlet pipes to the troughs 804-814. In some embodiments, the porosity of a particular flow straightener over a trough may be about 5 percent to 75 percent open area; about 10 percent to 50 percent open area; about 15 percent to 30 percent open area.

[00113] In some embodiments, multiple flow straighteners may be integrated into a combined assembly adapted to fit over all troughs 804-814. The combined assembly (not shown) may include a plurality of flow straighteners 816 with a plurality of apertures 808a, etc. Between each flow straightener 816, for example, may be a rigid or semi-rigid cap that blocks flow of fluid through cavities 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, and 830.

[00114] FIG. 9 illustrates an assembly 900 of flumes (e.g., elongate troughs) configured to make a plurality of elongate ice structures. The assembly 900 include a first flume 902, a second flume 904, a third flume 906, and a fourth flume 908. Although four flumes are depicted, any number of flumes may be installed as an assembly. The assembly 900 is positioned in a horizontal layout with each flume mounted in parallel to the other flumes.

[00115] The flume 902 includes a coolant inlet 910a and a coolant outlet 912a. The coolant inlet 910a is coupled to a coolant inlet pipe 914a that receives coolant from a coolant source (not shown). The coolant outlet 912a is connected to a coolant outlet pipe 916a that may carry used fluid to another container (not shown). The flume 902 also includes a fluid inlet 918a for receiving fluid. The fluid inlet 918a is connected to a fluid inlet pipe 920a to receive fluid from a fluid source (not shown). The flume 902 further includes a fluid outlet 922a for carrying used fluid to another container (not shown). Although a fluid outlet pipe is not shown, any number of pipe (e.g., fluid line) configurations may be used to attach to the fluid outlet 922a.

[00116] The flume 904 includes a coolant inlet 910b and a coolant outlet 912b. The coolant inlet 910b is coupled to a coolant inlet pipe 914b that receives coolant from a coolant source (not shown). The coolant outlet 912b is connected to a coolant outlet pipe 916b that may carry used fluid to another container (not shown). The flume 902 also includes a fluid inlet 918b for receiving fluid. The fluid inlet 918b is connected to a fluid inlet pipe 920b to receive fluid from a fluid source (not shown). The flume 902 further includes a fluid outlet 922b for carrying used fluid to another container (not shown). Although a fluid outlet pipe is not shown, any number of pipe configurations may be used to attach to the fluid outlet 922b.

[00117] The flume 906 includes a coolant inlet 910c and a coolant outlet 912c. The coolant inlet 910c is coupled to a coolant inlet pipe 914c that receives coolant from a coolant source (not shown). The coolant outlet 912c is connected to a coolant outlet pipe 916c that may carry used fluid to another container (not shown). The flume 902 also includes a fluid inlet 918c for receiving fluid. The fluid inlet 918c is connected to a fluid inlet pipe 920c to receive fluid from a fluid source (not shown). The flume 902 further includes a fluid outlet 922c for carrying used fluid to another container (not shown). Although a fluid outlet pipe is not shown, any number of pipe configurations may be used to attach to the fluid outlet 922c.

[00118] The flume 908 includes a coolant inlet 910d and a coolant outlet 912d. The coolant inlet 910d is coupled to a coolant inlet pipe 914d that receives coolant from a coolant source (not shown). The coolant outlet 912d is connected to a coolant outlet pipe 916d that may carry used fluid to another container (not shown). The flume 902 also includes a fluid inlet 918d for receiving fluid. The fluid inlet 918d is connected to a fluid inlet pipe 920d to receive fluid from a fluid source (not shown). The flume 902 further includes a fluid outlet 922d for carrying used fluid to another container (not shown). Although a fluid outlet pipe is not shown, any number of pipe configurations may be used to attach to the fluid outlet 922d.

[00119] When assembly 900 is in use (or upon installation of assembly 900), each flume in assembly 900 may be tilted to raise one end the flume above the other end of the flume. For example, the flumes 902, 904 906, and 908 may each be tilted at an angle of about one degree to about five degrees from a horizontal surface (e.g., the x axis). The tilt may assist in removal of the elongate ice structures upon completion of a freezing process. In some embodiments, the assembly 900 may be assembled vertically (where the flumes 902-908 are installed at a zero to five degree offset from the y-axis).

[00120] Each flume 902-908 may separately house any number of troughs (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 2, 4-8) for making clear ice within internal cavities of each respective flume. For example, two to twelve troughs (not shown) may be enclosed by each flume 902-908. Each trough in each flume 902-908 may be in thermal communication with a flume-specific cooling cavity (i.e., one cooling cavity per flume). A fluid intake may direct the fluid to be frozen (e.g., water) into the troughs via flow straightener or directly. After flowing through the length of each elongate trough of each flume 902-908, fluid can exit one or more fluid drain manifolds (not shown) that collects the fluid from all elongate troughs of each flume 902-908 and may exit via a respective fluid outlet (e.g., fluid outlets (e.g., 922a-922d, etc.) into a drain or receptacle.

[00121] FIG. 10 depicts a cross-section of a trough for making clear ice. As shown, the process of making the ice is underway during a freezing operation. In this embodiment, a housing 1002 of a single elongate trough 1004 has a semicircular base flume surface wall 1006 and a first and second side flume surface wall 1008 and 1010. These surface flume walls 1006, 1008, 1010 are in thermal communication with an internal cooling cavity 1012 or other cooling apparatus enclosed by the housing 1002. During a freezing operation, sufficient coolant is circulated through the internal cooling cavity 1012 such that fluid 1014 (e.g., water) flowing down the length of the elongate trough 1004 in its ice-forming zone 1005b as divided by Line A can freeze on the surface flume walls 1006, 1008, and/or 1010 to form an ingot of clear ice. FIG. 10 depicts a midway point during a freezing operation in which clear ice 1016 (shaded area) has begun to form on the flume surface walls 1006, 1008, 1010 but has not yet frozen sufficient water to form a solid ingot of clear ice. Arrows 1018 illustrate the general direction of ice formation during this process. When a solid ingot of clear ice has formed, any remaining flowing water can traverse the elongate trough 1004 and be removed via a fluid outlet (e.g., fluid outlet valve, drain, and/or associated fluid lines).

[00122] FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of a flow straightener 1100 (e.g., a flow straightener insert, a manifold, etc.) positioned within an elongate trough 1150 attached to a fluid entry portal of the elongate trough 1150. In some embodiments, the flow straightener 1100 is a fluid intake manifold that defines an intake manifold cavity that is fluidly connected (e.g., coupled) to the elongate troughs (e.g., trough 1150) in the particular device. The intake manifold cavity may be coupled to the troughs through one or more fluid entry portals, shown here in a u-shaped opening that receives the flow straightener/manifold 1100 with apertures /openings 1102 that correspond to each elongate trough.

[00123] In some embodiments, a flow straightener 1100 comprises a rigid or semi-rigid material insert or assembly defining one or more apertures/openings 1102. These openings 1102 can have a variety of shapes, number, and arrangement in the flow straightener 1100 across multiple embodiments, but in many embodiments, the openings are all circular (except for those abutting against the edge of the flow straightener 1100), have the same diameter, and are spaced in series of packed columns as shown in FIG. 11. In some embodiments, the height of one or more openings 1102a of the flow straightener 1100 is no taller than the maximum height of the corresponding fluid inlet portal. In some embodiments, the height of one or more openings 1102a is no taller than Line C, a predetermined height that is within the fluid overflow zone of the elongate trough 1150 but less than the maximum height of the elongate trough 1150. In some embodiments, each trough 1150 has a flow straightener 1100 positioned at both its corresponding fluid entry portal and fluid exit portal. In some embodiments, each elongate trough 1150 has a flow straightener 1100 positioned at only one of its fluid entry portal or fluid exit portal. In some embodiments, an elongate trough 1150 can lack a flow straightener 1100 at both its fluid entry portal and fluid exit portal. Across various embodiments, the flow straightener 1100 can be coupled to the flow entry portal, the fluid exit portal, or by one or more flow blocking caps by a variety of coupling means, including, but not limited to adhesives, mechanical fasteners, etc. In some embodiments, the flow straightener 1100 may be duplicated for each trough in a circular pattern. The flow straightener 1100 may be composed of a single disc that includes the flow straightener portions and the flow blocking caps therebetween (see FIG. 9).

[00124] In many embodiments, the flow straightener 1100 serves to organize the flow of fluid into or out of an elongate trough 1150. The flow straightener 1100 can prevent or mitigate the formation of swirling vortexes of fluid within the elongate trough 1150. Such vortexes can generate areas within the elongate trough 1150 where fluid is moving too slowly, thus leading to cloudy sections within the generated ingot of clear ice.

[00125] FIGS. 12A-12C, 13A-13C, and 14A-14C depict various embodiments of possible cross-sectional shapes for an elongate trough. Any combination of trough shapes may be combined within a single elongate structure (e.g., housing 102). In FIGS. 12A-12C, the elongate trough is defined by a semicircular base surface wall 1202a, 1202b, 1202c, and a first and second side surface walls 1204a, 1204b, 1204c and 1206a, 1206b, 1206c, respectively. In FIG. 12A, the side surface walls 1204a and 1206a are vertical in comparison to a plane tangent to the lowest point of the base surface wall 1202a. In FIG. 12B, the first side surface wall 1204b has an internal angle 0 away from a vertical position as defined in FIG. 12 A. Across many embodiments, the angle 0 can be any value greater than about 0 degrees but less than or equal to about 15 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle 0 can be about 0.25 degrees to about 10 degrees. In still other embodiments, the angle 0 can be about 0.25 degrees to about 8 degrees. In further embodiments, the angle 0 can be about 0.25 degrees to about 5 degrees. In still further embodiments, the angle 0 can be about 1 degree to about 10 degrees.

[00126] In FIG. 12B, despite the first side surface wall 1204b deviation from upright, the second side surface wall 1206b stands upright, creating an asymmetric cross-sectional shape for the elongate trough. In FIG. 12C, the first side surface wall 1204c has an internal angle 0 ¹ away from vertical and the second side surface wall 1206c has an internal angle 0 ² away from vertical. In some embodiments, both 0 ¹ and 0 ² can each be any value greater than about 0 degrees but less than or equal to about 15 degrees. In other embodiments, the angles 0 ¹ and 0 ² can each be about 0.25 degrees to about 10 degrees. In still other embodiments, the angles 0 ¹ and 0 ² can each be about 0.25 degrees to about 8 degrees. In further embodiments, the angles 0 ¹ and 0 ² can each be about 0.25 degrees to about 5 degrees. In still further embodiments, the angles 0 ¹ and 0 ² can each be about 1 degree to about 10 degrees. In some embodiments, 0 ¹ and 0 ² have the same value, creating a symmetric cross-sectional shape for the elongate trough. In some embodiments, 0 ¹ and 0 ² have the different values, creating an asymmetric cross-sectional shape for the elongate trough. Therefore, across many embodiments, at least one of the two side trough (e.g., flume) surface walls 1204a, 1204b, 1204c and 1206a, 1206b, 1206c can have an interior angle greater than or equal to about 0 degrees and less than or equal to about 15 degrees from upright.

[00127] FIGS. 13A-13C depict analogous cross-sectional shapes for an elongate trough wherein the base surface wall 1302a, 1302b, 1302c is semi-elliptical, and FIGS. 14A-14C further depict analogous cross-sectional shapes for an elongate trough wherein the base surface wall 1402a, 1402b, 1402c is flat, resulting in a square base when both the first and second side surface walls 1404a and 1406a are vertical or perpendicular to base surface wall 1402a (shown in FIG. 14A).

[00128] In some embodiments of FIGS. 13A-13C, the angles 0, 0 ¹ , and 0 ² can each be any value greater than about 0 degrees but less than or equal to about 15 degrees. In other embodiments, the angles 0, 0 ¹ , and 0 ² can each be about 0.25 degrees to about 10 degrees. In still other embodiments, the angles 0, 0 ¹ , and 0 ² can each be about 0.25 degrees to about 8 degrees. In further embodiments, the angles 0, 0 ¹ , and 0 ² can each be about 0.25 degrees to about 5 degrees. In still further embodiments, the angles 0, 0 ¹ , and 0 ² can each be about 1 degree to about 10 degrees. In some embodiments, 0 ¹ and 0 ² have the same value, creating a symmetric cross-sectional shape for the elongate trough. In some embodiments, 0 ¹ and 0 ² have the different values, creating an asymmetric cross-sectional shape for the elongate trough. Therefore, across many embodiments, at least one of the two side walls 1304a, 1304b, 1304c and 1306a, 1306b, 1306c can have an interior angle greater than or equal to about 0 degrees and less than or equal to about 15 degrees from upright.

[00129] In some embodiments of FIGS. 14A-14C, the angles 0, 0 ¹ , and 0 ² can each be any value greater than about 0 degrees but less than or equal to about 15 degrees. In other embodiments, the angles 0, 0 ¹ , and 0 ² can each be about 0.25 degrees to about 10 degrees. In still other embodiments, the angles 0, 0 ¹ , and 0 ² can each be about 0.25 degrees to about 8 degrees. In further embodiments, the angles 0, 0 ¹ , and 0 ² can each be about 0.25 degrees to about 5 degrees. In still further embodiments, the angles 0, 0 ¹ , and 0 ² can each be about 1 degree to about 10 degrees. In some embodiments, 0 ¹ and 0 ² have the same value, creating a symmetric cross-sectional shape for the elongate trough. In some embodiments, 0 ¹ and 0 ² have the different values, creating an asymmetric cross-sectional shape for the elongate trough. Therefore, across many embodiments, at least one of the two side walls 1404a, 1404b, 1404c and 1406a, 1406b, 1406c can have an interior angle greater than or equal to about 0 degrees and less than or equal to about 15 degrees from upright. In some embodiments, the joints connecting side surface walls 1404a, 1404b, 1404c, 1406a, 1406b, 1406c to the base surface wall 1402a, 1402b, 1402c, are sharp angles (i.e., as depicted in FIGS. 14A-14C). In some embodiments, the joints connecting side surface walls 1404a, 1404b, 1404c, 1406a, 1406b, 1406c to the base surface wall 1402a, 1402b, 1402c are bent angles having some form of arcuate geometry to smooth the transition between the flat base surface wall 1402a, 1402b, 1402c and the side surface walls 1404a, 1404b, 1404c, 1406a, 1406b, 1406c. In some embodiments, the arcuate joint transition accounts for about 30 percent or less of the total length of the base surface wall 1402a, 1402b, 1402c. In some embodiments, the arcuate joint transition accounts for about 20 percent or less of the total length of width the base surface wall 1402a, 1402b, 1402c. A sharp angle as used herein may comprise a plane of a first side wall intersecting with a plane of a second side wall at a point whereas a bent angle as used herein may comprise a first side wall transitioning to a second side wall along a curved (e.g., arcuate) path.

[00130] The embodiments of possible cross-sectional shapes for an elongate trough depicted in FIGS. 12A-12C, 13A-13C, and 14A-14C are intended to be illustrative and not limiting of the total possible cross-sectional shapes available.

[00131] For some embodiments, having a 0, 0 ¹ , and 0 ² greater than about 0 degrees can be valuable to the production of clear ice during a freezing operation of the device. In certain embodiments of the device, clear ice forms on at least a portion of the base trough (e.g., flume) wall and the two side surface walls (as shown in FIG. 2). As discussed above, this arrangement can be considered “multi-directional freezing” in certain embodiments. Multi-directional freezing can greatly expedite clear ice production since ice can accumulate on multiple surfaces simultaneously to form a single piece of clear ice. However, when the portions of clear ice that are forming on opposite side surface walls begin to approach each other, at least two situations can occur that can damage the clarity of the ice. First, the space between the ice of the two side walls can fill in too quickly with new ice, therefore trapping air and other impurities inside a narrow portion of the ingot of ice. This creates a plane of cloudy ice that can run through a portion of the volume of the ingot, thus ruining the desired clear ice properties. Second, ice bridges can develop between the two opposing ice sheets accumulating on the side surface walls. These ice bridges disrupt the desired simple crystal lattice for the clear ice and can yield internal cracks, visible to an observer, in the final product once the spaces around the bridges are similarly frozen. This, too, ruins the desired clarity of the final product.

[00132] Methods for producing clear ice using the devices described herein may include providing a device for making a clear ice, providing a flow of water down at least one elongate trough, circulating coolant through the at least one internal cooling cavity. The methods described herein may function to produce clear ice, particularly elongate ingots of clear ice. The methods described herein may be used for the production of clear ice for consumption in beverages but can additionally, or alternatively, be used for any suitable applications. The methods described herein can be configured and/or adapted to function for any suitable rapid freezing of liquids to produce frozen substances.

[00133] In some embodiments, the methods described herein may include providing a flow of water down a plurality of elongate troughs. In some embodiments, the flow of water is provided to each elongate trough by at least one fluid intake valve positioned in the housing of the device and may be drained by at least one drain valve as described above. In other embodiments, the flow of water can be provided by other means appreciated by those of skill in the art. A sufficient flow rate of water may be used in order to exclude air bubbles and impurities from a growing layer of clear ice on at least one trough surface base and/or walls during a freezing operation of the device.

[00134] In some embodiments, the methods described herein may further include cooling at least a portion of one or more surface base/walls of each trough to produce a growing layer of clear ice on the at least a portion of the one or more surface base/walls of each trough. In some embodiments, this cooling can be performed by the circulation of coolant through at least one internal cooling cavity as described above. Also as discussed above, coolant is provided to the device by a coolant supply system via at least one coolant intake valve and is cycled out by at least one coolant outtake valve.

[00135] In some embodiments, the at least a portion of the one or more surface base/walls of each trough is cooled to a temperature of about 0 degrees Celsius or less. In another embodiment, the base/walls are cooled to about -45 degrees Celsius. In still other embodiments, the base/walls are cooled to about 0 degrees Celsius to about -20 degrees Celsius. In further embodiments, the base/walls are cooled to about -2 degrees Celsius to about -20 degrees Celsius. In further embodiments, the base/walls are cooled to about -2 degrees Celsius to about -35 degrees Celsius. [00136] In some embodiments, the at least one portion of the one or more surface/base walls of each trough is adapted to hold a constant temperature during a freezing operation of the device. In other embodiments, the at least one portion of the one or more surface/base walls of each trough is adapted to provide a variable temperature during a freezing operation of the device that changes according to a predetermined temperature schedule.

[00137] In some embodiments, the cooling described throughout this disclosure may include gradually decreasing the temperature of the base/walls over time. In some embodiments, a gradual decrease in temperature allows the device to overcome the inherent insulating properties of the ice as it forms. In some embodiments, the temperature of the base/walls decreases from about 0 degrees Celsius to about -30 degrees Celsius over the duration of a freezing operation of the device. In other embodiments, the temperature of the base/walls decreases from about -2 degrees Celsius to about -20 degrees Celsius over the duration of a freezing operation of the device. I n some embodiments, a freezing operation of the device lasts about 12 hours or less. In other embodiments, a freezing operation of the device lasts about 30 minutes to about 10 hours. In still further embodiments, a freezing operation of the device lasts about 30 minutes to about 4 hours. In additional embodiments, a freezing operation of the device lasts about 2 hours.

[00138] FIG. 15 illustrates a flow diagram of a process 1500 for making clear ice. At block 1502, the process 1500 includes providing at least one housing, such as housing 102 (FIG. 2). The housing 102 may contain a cooling cavity (e.g., cooling cavity 202). The cooling cavity 202 may be defined within the housing in substantially central location. The cooling cavity 202 may include a plurality of elongate troughs (e.g., troughs 204, 206, 208, and 210). The troughs 204-210 may be substantially concentrically arranged around the cooling cavity 202. In addition, the troughs 204-210 may be arranged substantially parallel to the cooling cavity 202 along the longitudinal axis (L) (FIG. 1). At least a portion of each of the elongate troughs 204-210 may be in thermal communication with the cooling cavity 202. For example, one or more edges, sides, or comers of the elongate troughs 204-210 may be in thermal communication with the cooling cavity 202.

[00139] At block 1504, the process 1500 includes receiving a substantially constant flow of fluid to the plurality of elongate troughs during a freezing operation associated with the housing. For example, during a freezing operation, a substantially constant flow of fluid (e.g., water) may flow to the plurality of elongate troughs (e.g., troughs 204-210) of housing 102, as described herein. When the fluid is cooled (e.g., via cooling cavity 202) ice may form within one or more of the elongate troughs 204-210. When a solid ingot of clear ice has formed, any remaining flowing water can traverse the elongate troughs 204-210 and be removed via a fluid outlet (e.g., fluid outlet valve, drain, and/or associated fluid lines).

[00140] At block 1506, the process 1500 includes receiving a substantially constant flow of coolant through a first portion of the cooling cavity at a coolant intake valve. The first portion of the cooling cavity 202 may be an inner cavity, such as inner cavity 406 (FIG. 4). During a freezing operation, a substantially constant flow of coolant may be provided through the coolant intake valve (e.g., coolant inlet 104) and may be circulated through the cooling cavity 202 (and inner cavity 406). The coolant intake valve (e.g., coolant inlet 104) may be located adjacent to a first end of the housing 102, for example, and may be coupled to the first portion of the cooling cavity 202. For example, the coolant intake valve (e.g., coolant inlet 104) may be coupled to an end 300b of the inner cavity 406, as shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the substantially constant flow of coolant during the freezing operation may be provided in a first direction through the first portion (e.g., inner cavity 406) of the cooling cavity 202 and in a second direction through the second portion (e.g., the outer cavity 410) of the cooling cavity 202. In this example embodiment, the first direction is opposite the second direction.

[00141] In some embodiments, the coolant may be pressurized and circulated through the inner tube 212 in a first direction shown by arrow 214 and overflow from the inner tube 212 into the area between the outer tube 216 and an outer surface of the inner tube 212, as shown by the direction of arrow 218. The cooling cavity 202 is configured to be pressurized to allow coolant to flow in from coolant inlet 104 through coolant inner tube 212. The flow of coolant performs a turn at the distal end 100a of the inner tube 212 and reverses direction (to begin moving in the second direction shown by arrow 218) in the space between the outer tube 216 and the exterior wall of the inner tube 212. The coolant may be configured to exit the cooling cavity 202 by the coolant outlet 106, for example.

[00142] At block 1508, the process 1500 includes removing the coolant through a second portion of the cooling cavity 202 at a coolant outtake valve (e.g., coolant outlet 106). The second portion may be an outer cavity (e.g., outer cavity 410). The coolant outtake valve (e.g., coolant outlet 106) may be located adjacent the coolant intake valve (e.g., coolant inlet 104) at the first end 300b of the housing and may be coupled to the second portion of the cooling cavity 202.

[00143] At block 1510, the process 1500 includes ejecting the clear ice from the housing upon completion of the freezing operation associated with the housing. For example, the housing 102 may be tilted to remove one or more ingots of clear ice formed in one or more of the troughs 204-210. In some embodiments, the ingots of ice can be removed vertically by lifting the ingots out of a respective elongate trough, but in other embodiments, the ingots of ice can be removed horizontally by sliding the ingots out of the respective elongate trough through an openable or removable end wall. In some embodiments, the device is adapted such that the ingots of ice adhere to a surface of the lid such that removing the lid additionally removes the ingots of ice with removal of the lid.

[00144] In some embodiments, removing the ingots of ice may include using compressed air to eject the ingots at the end of a cycle. In some embodiments, removing the ingots of ice may include using one or more mechanical pistons to eject the ingots at the end of a cycle.

[00145] In some embodiments, removing the ingots of ice may include a process to heat outer housing 102 elements or sidewalls during ice formation and/or prior to ingot removal to prevent the ingots from adhering to inner sidewalls of the housing 102, for example. In some embodiments, the housing 102 may include an outer jacket in which to receive warming fluid, for example. In some embodiments, an ambient temperature of the housing 102 may be selected to provide the outer sidewalls of housing 102 with a preselected temperature. The preselected temperature may provide enough warmth on the outer sidewalls of housing 102 during ice formation to ensure that the ingots do not adhere to the inner sidewalls.

[00146] In some implementations, the housing 102 may further include a thermal break between the elongate troughs 204-210 and the outer wall of housing 102.

[00147] In some embodiments, the first portion (e.g., inner cavity 406) of the cooling cavity 202 includes an elongate cylinder having an inner tube (e.g., inner tube 408) in thermal communication with the second portion (e.g., outer cavity 410) of the cooling cavity 202. The second portion (e.g., outer cavity 410) of the cooling cavity 202 may have an outer tube (e.g., outer tube 412 in thermal communication with at least one wall of each of the plurality of elongate troughs (e.g., elongate troughs 204-210).

[00148] While the process 1500 is described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, any of the devices described herein may be utilized in process 1500. For example, more or fewer elongate troughs (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 16, etc.) may be utilized around a cooling cavity. While the cooling cavity 202 is shown as a circular cross-section, the elongate structures described herein may alternatively have a cross-section that is shaped as a square, a triangle, a hexagon, an octagon (or other polygon shape), an ellipse, and the like. The methods described herein allow for the flow of water and the circulation of coolant until a desired quantity of clear has formed within one or more of the elongate troughs. The resulting ingot of clear ice will have a length and cross-sectional shape determined by or related to those of the corresponding elongate trough in which it formed. Once the ingot of ice has formed to a predetermined or desired height or volume, the flow of water and circulation of coolant can be ceased, and the ingot of ice can be removed by a variety of means appreciated by those of skill in the art, including but not limited to letting the ingot slightly melt and removing it by mechanical means. In some embodiment, the slight melting can be provided by a circulation of warmer coolant in the at least one internal cooling cavities. In other embodiments, one or more side surface walls may further include one or more heating elements or heating means, such that an external surface of the ice ingot may be melted to facilitate ice removal from the device. In some embodiments, the ingot of ice can be removed vertically by lifting it out of an elongate trough, but in other embodiments, the ingot of ice can be removed horizontally by sliding it out of the elongate trough through an openable or removable end wall. In some embodiments, the device is adapted such that the ingot of ice adheres to a surface of the lid such that removing the lid additionally removes the ingot of ice with it.

[00149] As shown above, in some embodiments, temperature of the trough surface walls (hereinafter, “surface temperature”) is varied (e.g., 0 degrees Celsius and about -25 degrees Celsius or any of the ice making methods described elsewhere herein); in other embodiments, the flow rate of water (hereinafter, “water flow rate”) is varied (e.g., percentage of max water flow between about 5 percent and about 100 percent or any of the ice making methods described elsewhere herein). In some embodiments, both surface temperature and water flow rate are varied. In some embodiments, neither temperature nor flow rate are varied. In various other embodiments, the temperature of the water flowing through the elongate troughs (hereinafter “water temperature”) can be varied solely or in addition to the other parameters named above.

[00150] The various freezing operations and/or related methods may be software controlled or implemented such that freezing cycles, flow rates, and the like may be programmed and controlled by software. In some embodiments, the various freezing operations and/or related methods and variations thereof can be embodied and/or implemented at least in part as a machine configured to receive a computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions. The instructions are executed by computer-executable components integrated with the system and one or more portions of the processor on a computing device in communication with various components of the device for producing clear ice, such as but not limited to its various valves, intakes, and/or outtakes. The computer-readable medium can be stored on any suitable computer-readable media such as RAMs, ROMs, flash memory, EEPROMs, optical devices (e.g., CD or DVD), hard drives, floppy drives, or any suitable device. The computer-executable component may be a general or application-specific processor, but any suitable dedicated hardware or hardware/firmware combination can alternatively or additionally execute the instructions.

[00151] As used in the description and claims, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include both singular and plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “trough” may include, and is contemplated to include, a plurality of troughs. At times, the claims and disclosure may include terms such as “a plurality,” “one or more,” or “at least one;” however, the absence of such terms is not intended to mean, and should not be interpreted to mean, that a plurality is not conceived.

[00152] The term “about” or “approximately,” when used before a numerical designation or range (e.g., to define a length or pressure), indicates approximations which may vary by ( + ) or ( - ) 5 percent, 1 percent or 0.1 percent. All numerical ranges provided herein are inclusive of the stated start and end numbers. The term “substantially” indicates mostly (i.e., greater than 50 percent) or essentially all of a device, substance, or composition.

[00153] As used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is intended to mean that the devices, systems, and methods include the recited elements, and may additionally include any other elements. “Consisting essentially of’ shall mean that the devices, systems, and methods include the recited elements and exclude other elements of essential significance to the combination for the stated purpose. Thus, a system or method consisting essentially of the elements as defined herein would not exclude other materials, features, or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed disclosure. “Consisting of’ shall mean that the devices, systems, and methods include the recited elements and exclude anything more than a trivial or inconsequential element or step. Embodiments defined by each of these transitional terms are within the scope of this disclosure.

[00154] The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.