Abstract: An apparatus and method for making and harvesting ice. Gaseous refrigerant is directed from a suction accumulator to a compressor, then to a condenser wherein the gaseous refrigerant is condensed into a liquid and through an expansion valve which reduces the pressure of the liquid refrigerant, which is then directed into the ice making plates to evaporate the refrigerant to cool the plates while water from a water supply circuit is flowed over a cold outer surface of the ice making plates allowing ice to form. During a harvest cycle, gaseous refrigerant from the compressor is directed into the ice making plates to be condensed into a liquid in the ice making plates, warming the plates to release the ice. Liquid refrigerant from the plates is directed to harvest gas generation plate and water is flowed over an outer surface of the gas generation plate, warming the refrigerant to a gaseous state, while cooling the water in preparation for the next ice making cycle.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing ice including a plurality of elongated vertical tubes of uniform internal cross-sectional dimensions, a cylindrical shell for each tube of length less than the tube and surrounding a substantial portion of the length of the tube, the internal nominal diameter of the shell being greater than the maximum external cross-section dimensions of the tube, the shell having a spiral groove formed in the cylindrical wall thereof, the depth of the groove being such that the interior surface of the shell at the groove contacts at least part of the exterior surface of the tube thereby forming a flow path in the annular area between the exterior of the tube and the interior of the shell which is, at least in part, spiraled. Refrigerant gas is expanded in the tube-shell annular areas to chill the tubes. Water is introduced into the upper end of the tubes to flow downwardly through them and form in each tube a rod of ice.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing ice including a plurality of elongated vertical tubes of uniform internal cross-sectional dimensions, a cylindrical shell for each tube of length less than the tube and surrounding a substantial portion of the length of the tube, the internal nominal diameter of the shell being greater than the maximum external cross-section dimensions of the tube, the shell having a spiral groove formed in the cylindrical wall thereof, the depth of the groove being such that the interior surface of the shell at the groove contacts at least part of the exterior surface of the tube thereby forming a flow path in the annular area between the exterior of the tube and the interior of the shell which is, at least in part, spiraled. Refrigerant gas is expanded in the tube-shell annular areas to chill the tubes. Water is introduced into the upper end of the tubes to flow downwardly through them and form in each tube a rod of ice.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing ice including a plurality of elongated vertical tubes of uniform internal cross-sectional dimensions, a cylindrical shell for each tube of length less than the tube and surrounding a substantial portion of the length of the tube, the internal nominal diameter of the shell being greater than the maximum external cross-section dimensions of the tube, the shell having a spiral groove formed in the cylindrical wall thereof, the depth of the groove being such that the interior surface of the shell at the groove contacts at least part of the exterior surface of the tube thereby forming a flow path in the annular area between the exterior of the tube and the interior of the shell which is, at least in part, spiraled. Refrigerant gas is expanded in the tube-shell annular areas to chill the tubes. Water is introduced into the upper end of the tubes to flow downwardly through them and form in each tube a rod of ice.

Abstract: An ice rake and hoist are disclosed. The ice rake is suspended over an ice storage bin by two pairs of cables, one pair on each side of the rake. The cables of each pair are joined together and connected to a chain which passes over a sprocket for connection to a counterweight and winch. Both sprockets are provided on a common shaft to insure that the ice rake remains level during movement of ice into and out of the storage bin.

Abstract: A machine for compacting particles of ice to form a composite block in which a volume of ice particles in measured amount is delivered from a feed hopper into a tubular member in advance of a compacting ram for displacement of the ice particles by the ram to a compacting section which is closed at the open dispensing end of the tubular member by a second ram which forms one wall of the compacting chamber when in blocking position and which enables the displacement of the formed block of ice for delivery when in unblocking position.

Abstract: A space heating and cooling system utilizing an ice making apparatus having a refrigerant compressor and condenser and a plurality of ice making plates defining passages for the movement of refrigerant therethrough. Valves are utilized for selectively directing the refrigerant to the plates. During a given period of operation, the valves direct unexpanded refrigerant to plates having ice formed thereon whereby the heat of the unexpanded refrigerant serves to release ice from the plates. At the same time, expansion valves are utilized for directing expanded refrigerant to plates having ice forming thereon. By successively operating the valves, the plates are all used in sequence for ice forming and are all sequentially subjected to the ice releasing operation. During the period of time when heat is required, heating fluids are moved adjacent the condenser, and the heat picked up by these fluids is then employed for heating the space.