Abstract: An ice maker includes an evaporator configured to freeze water into ice as it flows vertically down a freeze plate. A distributor distributes the water along the top of the freeze plate to form ice across the width of the freeze plate as the water flows downward along the freeze plate. The distributor can be integrated into the evaporator. For example, the distributor and evaporator can have a part in common. The distributor can be formed from two pieces that come together to form the freeze plate. The distributor can have various features that aid in providing a desirable distribution of water along the width of the freeze plate. The freeze plate can be mounted in an ice maker enclosure in thermal communication with the evaporator and to slant forward.

Abstract: An ice maker includes an evaporator configured to freeze water into ice as it flows vertically down a freeze plate. A distributor distributes the water along the top of the freeze plate to form ice across the width of the freeze plate as the water flows downward along the freeze plate. The distributor can be integrated into the evaporator. For example, the distributor and evaporator can have a part in common. The distributor can be formed from two pieces that come together to form the freeze plate. The distributor can have various features that aid in providing a desirable distribution of water along the width of the freeze plate. The freeze plate can be mounted in an ice maker enclosure in thermal communication with the evaporator and to slant forward.

Abstract: A sanitizing cabinet system includes ozone distribution passaging in open fluid communication with a sanitizing compartment inside a cabinet. An ozone generator and a sanitizing air mover are located in the ozone distribution passaging. The sanitizing air mover moves air from the sanitizing compartment across the generator to form ozonated air and moves the ozonated air from the ozone distribution passaging into the sanitizing compartment. A control system controls the ozone generator and air mover based on feedback from an ozone sensor indicating ozone exposure over time. An ozone conversion device is mounted on a dividing wall of the cabinet outside the sanitizing compartment. The dividing wall has inlet and outlet holes, and the ozone conversion device has upstream and downstream chambers in communication with the inlet and outlet holes. Selectively openable dampers separate upstream and downstream chambers from an ozone conversion chamber in which ozone conversion catalyst is received.

Abstract: An ice maker evaporator assembly having an evaporator pan with a back wall and left, right, top and bottom sidewalls extending from the back wall, and a freeze plate located within the evaporator pan. Refrigerant tubing is thermally coupled to the back wall of the evaporator pan opposite the left, right, top and bottom sidewalls. A first layer of insulation is formed on the refrigerant tubing. An evaporator housing having a housing back wall and housing left, right, top and bottom sidewalls extending from the housing back wall is attached to the evaporator pan and covers refrigerant tubing. A second layer of insulation is formed on top of the first layer of insulation.

Abstract: An ice maker evaporator assembly having an evaporator pan with a back wall and left, right, top and bottom sidewalls extending from the back wall, and a freeze plate located within the evaporator pan. Refrigerant tubing is thermally coupled to the back wall of the evaporator pan opposite the left, right, top and bottom sidewalls. A first layer of insulation is formed on the refrigerant tubing. An evaporator housing having a housing back wall and housing left, right, top and bottom sidewalls extending from the housing back wall is attached to the evaporator pan and covers refrigerant tubing. A second layer of insulation is formed on top of the first layer of insulation.

Abstract: An ice maker has a bottom wall with a sensor opening. A time-of-flight sensor is supported in relation to the bottom wall such that the time-of-flight sensor can an optical pulse signal through the sensor opening toward the ice bin and subsequently detect a photon of the optical pulse signal that returns to the time-of-flight sensor through the sensor opening after reflecting off of one of a floor of the ice bin and ice in the ice bin. The time of flight sensor is configured to determine a duration between the emission of the optical pulse and the detection of the reflected photon(s). Based on the determined duration, the time-of-flight sensor or another processor can determine an amount of ice in the ice bin. The ice maker can be configured so that the time-of-flight sensor is removable, allowing a window pane of the time-of-flight sensor to be periodically cleaned.

Abstract: An ice maker includes an evaporator configured to freeze water into ice as it flows vertically down a freeze plate. A distributor distributes the water along the top of the freeze plate to form ice across the width of the freeze plate as the water flows downward along the freeze plate. The distributor can be integrated into the evaporator. For example, the distributor and evaporator can have a part in common. The distributor can be formed from two pieces that come together to form the freeze plate. The distributor can have various features that aid in providing a desirable distribution of water along the width of the freeze plate. The freeze plate can be mounted in an ice maker enclosure in thermal communication with the evaporator and to slant forward.

Abstract: Systems and methods of managing appliances distributed throughout a geographic area enable control of the appliances in response to regionally localized events. An asset management server determines the location of the appliances throughout the geographic area and issues commands to appliances in a specified region which cause the appliances to change local control parameters to address the event. An asset management server also receives operating data from the appliances and uses the operating data to determine when regional events are occurring based on localized anomalies in the operating data. Refrigeration appliances have GPS receivers so that the locations of the appliances in the geographic area can be verified. Further, refrigeration appliances have primary and secondary operating modes. Secondary operating modes may be address certain regional events that can occur from time to time.

Abstract: In an ice maker with a sump below an ice formation device and a pump for recirculating water from the sump to the ice formation device, water can drain through a stand pipe drain. A drain fitting is disposed in relation to a stand pipe such that the drain fitting's upper end is disposed above the top of the stand pipe, its lower end defines a water inlet adjacent the bottom of the sump, and its perimeter wall extends 360° about the stand pipe to define a drain passage extending from the water inlet to the top of the stand pipe. The upper end of the drain fitting defines a siphon release opening. The stand pipe drain can also include a valve for adjusting the drain between an overflow drain configuration and a siphon drain configuration.

Abstract: An ice maker evaporator assembly having an evaporator pan with a back wall and left, right, top and bottom sidewalls extending from the back wall, and a freeze plate located within the evaporator pan. Refrigerant tubing is thermally coupled to the back wall of the evaporator pan opposite the left, right, top and bottom sidewalls. A first layer of insulation is formed on the refrigerant tubing. An evaporator housing having a housing back wall and housing left, right, top and bottom sidewalls extending from the housing back wall is attached to the evaporator pan and covers refrigerant tubing. A second layer of insulation is formed on top of the first layer of insulation.

Abstract: An ice maker has a bottom wall with a sensor opening. A time-of-flight sensor is supported in relation to the bottom wall such that the time-of-flight sensor can an optical pulse signal through the sensor opening toward the ice bin and subsequently detect a photon of the optical pulse signal that returns to the time-of-flight sensor through the sensor opening after reflecting off of one of a floor of the ice bin and ice in the ice bin. The time of flight sensor is configured to determine a duration between the emission of the optical pulse and the detection of the reflected photon(s). Based on the determined duration, the time-of-flight sensor or another processor can determine an amount of ice in the ice bin. The ice maker can be configured so that the time-of-flight sensor is removable, allowing a window pane of the time-of-flight sensor to be periodically cleaned.

Abstract: Systems and methods of managing appliances distributed throughout a geographic area enable control of the appliances in response to regionally localized events. An asset management server determines the location of the appliances throughout the geographic area and issues commands to appliances in a specified region which cause the appliances to change local control parameters to address the event. An asset management server also receives operating data from the appliances and uses the operating data to determine when regional events are occurring based on localized anomalies in the operating data. Refrigeration appliances have GPS receivers so that the locations of the appliances in the geographic area can be verified. Further, refrigeration appliances have primary and secondary operating modes. Secondary operating modes may be address certain regional events that can occur from time to time.

Abstract: An ice maker includes an evaporator configured to freeze water into ice as it flows vertically down a freeze plate. A distributor distributes the water along the top of the freeze plate to form ice across the width of the freeze plate as the water flows downward along the freeze plate. The distributor can be integrated into the evaporator. For example, the distributor and evaporator can have a part in common. The distributor can be formed from two pieces that come together to form the freeze plate. The distributor can have various features that aid in providing a desirable distribution of water along the width of the freeze plate. The freeze plate can be mounted in an ice maker enclosure in thermal communication with the evaporator and to slant forward.

Abstract: An ice maker includes a water system that delivers water from a water reservoir to an ice formation device. A mount can hold one or both of a fitting of a water level sensor and a water pump in relation to the water reservoir. For example, the mount can include integral features that lock with the fitting to mount the fitting on the ice maker at a sensing position. The mount can include integral features that form a bayonet connection with a portion of the pump. A vertical support wall can included integrated features for supporting the mount in relation to the water reservoir.

Abstract: An ice making machine having a refrigeration system designed for hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants, and particularly propane (R-290), that includes dual independent refrigeration systems and a unique evaporator assembly comprising of a single freeze plate attached to two cooling circuits. The serpentines are designed in an advantageous pattern that promotes efficiency by ensuring the even bridging of ice during freezing and minimizing unwanted melting during harvest by providing an even distribution of the heat load. The charge limitations imposed with flammable refrigerants would otherwise prevent large capacity ice maker from being properly charged with a single circuit. The ice making machine includes a single water circuit and control system to ensure the proper and efficient production of ice. Material cost is conserved as compared to a traditional dual system icemaker.

Abstract: An ice maker evaporator assembly having an evaporator pan with a back wall and left, right, top and bottom sidewalls extending from the back wall, and a freeze plate located within the evaporator pan. Refrigerant tubing is thermally coupled to the back wall of the evaporator pan opposite the left, right, top and bottom sidewalls. A first layer of insulation is formed on the refrigerant tubing. An evaporator housing having a housing back wall and housing left, right, top and bottom sidewalls extending from the housing back wall is attached to the evaporator pan and covers refrigerant tubing. A second layer of insulation is formed on top of the first layer of insulation.

Abstract: An ice maker includes a water system that delivers water from a water reservoir to an ice formation device. A mount can hold one or both of a fitting of a water level sensor and a water pump in relation to the water reservoir. For example, the mount can include integral features that lock with the fitting to mount the fitting on the ice maker at a sensing position. The mount can include integral features that form a bayonet connection with a portion of the pump. A vertical support wall can included integrated features for supporting the mount in relation to the water reservoir.

Abstract: In an ice maker, a controller is operatively connected to the ice maker's water system to determine a parameter indicative of a total amount of water filtered by a replaceable filter cartridge. Based on the determined parameter, the controller can provide a numerical indication of the total amount of water filtered by the replaceable filter cartridge. Based on the determined parameter, the controller can determine that the replaceable filter cartridge requires replacement. The parameter can be determined based on the amount of time a water inlet valve is opened and/or a water pressure signal. The controller can take action when it determines that the water filter needs replacement, for example, by making a local alarm indication, pushing a remote notification, or making an automated purchase transaction for a new filter cartridge.