Abstract: A method of manufacturing an evaporator includes: forming a length of tubing into a serpentine path, the length of tubing forming a tubing coil; forming a first evaporator plate; forming a second evaporator plate; positioning the tubing coil between the first evaporator plate and the second evaporator plate; bringing the first evaporator plate, the second evaporator plate, and the tubing coil into contact with each other; and forming a plurality of dimples in each of the first evaporator plate and the second evaporator plate, thereby at least partially crushing the tubing coil at a position of each of the plurality of dimples, a surface of each of the dimples contacting the tubing coil.

Abstract: An evaporator plate made of a metal plate having a plurality of shaped dimples thereon, the dimples each being defined by a pair of opposing pyramid shaped end faces and a pair of trapezoidal shaped left and right side faces adjoining the pair of pyramid shaped end faces. An evaporator assembly comprising first and second evaporator plates and tubing arranged in a serpentine path sandwiched therebetween, each plate including a plurality of parallel fins extending from a first surface, a pair of end flanges parallel to the fins, and a plurality of the shaped dimples. A tool for making the plate and a method of making the assembly are disclosed.

Abstract: An ice maker for forming ice having a refrigeration system, a water system and a controller. The refrigeration system includes a freeze plate in which ice is formed and a hot gas valve for harvesting the ice therefrom. A harvest sensor is triggered when at least a portion of the ice is harvested from the freeze plate and at least one temperature sensor measures a temperature that indicates that all of the ice has been harvested from the freeze plate. The temperature sensors may include a temperature sensor for measuring the refrigerant temperature at the evaporator outlet, the refrigerant temperature at the evaporator inlet, and/or the temperature of the freeze plate. The controller closes the hot gas valve in response from the triggering of the harvest sensor and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor(s) indicating that all of the ice has been harvested from the freeze plate.

Abstract: An ice maker for forming ice having a refrigeration system, a water system and a controller. The refrigeration system includes a freeze plate in which ice is formed and a hot gas valve for harvesting the ice therefrom. A harvest sensor is triggered when at least a portion of the ice is harvested from the freeze plate and at least one temperature sensor measures a temperature that indicates that all of the ice has been harvested from the freeze plate. The temperature sensors may include a temperature sensor for measuring the refrigerant temperature at the evaporator outlet, the refrigerant temperature at the evaporator inlet, and/or the temperature of the freeze plate. The controller closes the hot gas valve in response from the triggering of the harvest sensor and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor(s) indicating that all of the ice has been harvested from the freeze plate.

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. A serpentine 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 serpentine 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 serpentine tubing. A second layer of insulation is formed on top of the first layer of insulation.

Abstract: A water distributor for an ice maker having a first reservoir comprising a bottom and an inlet passageway, a central wall comprising a first central wall portion and a second central wall portion, and a second reservoir separated from the first reservoir by the central wall, the second reservoir comprising a bottom. A population of teeth separated by a population of gaps are disposed along the central wall. Water flows from the first reservoir to the second reservoir through the population of gaps. A population of outlet passageways are disposed in the second central wall portion proximate the bottom of the second reservoir. Water exits the second reservoir substantially horizontally through the population of outlet passageways.

Abstract: An ice making machine having a refrigeration system and a water system, the water system having a water reservoir located below a freeze plate adapted to hold water, and a sprayer assembly located below the freeze plate for spraying water from the water reservoir toward the pockets. An inclined ice slide is positioned below the freeze plate and above the sprayer assembly directing fallen ice toward an opening. A divider assembly separating the water system from the ice storage bin includes a plurality of dividers, wherein the dividers may rotate outwardly away from the opening to allow formed ice to fall into the ice storage bin. Each divider is formed from a generally rectangular body having a front face with a triangular-shaped thickness and an extension flap extending away from the body opposite the front face.

Abstract: An ice maker comprising a refrigeration system, a water system, and a control system. The control system includes a controller comprising a processor and a water level sensor. The water level sensor is adapted to externally sense a capacitance corresponding to a sump water level. The controller is adapted to control the operation of the refrigeration system and the operation of the water system based upon the sump water level and to detect one or more failure modes of the water system based upon the sump water level.

Abstract: An ice maker for forming ice during a cooling cycle, the ice maker having a variable-speed compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator, wherein the variable-speed compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator are in fluid communication by one or more refrigerant lines. The ice maker further includes a freeze plate thermally coupled to the evaporator, a water pump, a sensing device for identifying a state of the cooling cycle, and a controller adapted to control the speed of the variable-speed compressor based on the identified state of the cooling cycle. The ice maker may also include a variable-speed condenser fan which may be controlled by the controller based on the identified state of the cooling cycle. Additionally, the water pump may be a variable-speed water pump which may be controlled by the controller based on the identified state of the cooling cycle.

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 for forming ice having a refrigeration system, a water system and a controller. The refrigeration system includes a freeze plate in which ice is formed and a hot gas valve for harvesting the ice therefrom. A harvest sensor is triggered when at least a portion of the ice is harvested from the freeze plate and at least one temperature sensor measures a temperature that indicates that all of the ice has been harvested from the freeze plate. The temperature sensors may include a temperature sensor for measuring the refrigerant temperature at the evaporator outlet, the refrigerant temperature at the evaporator inlet, and/or the temperature of the freeze plate. The controller closes the hot gas valve in response from the triggering of the harvest sensor and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor(s) indicating that all of the ice has been harvested from the freeze plate.

Abstract: An ice maker for forming ice during a cooling cycle, the ice maker having a variable-speed compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator, wherein the variable-speed compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator are in fluid communication by one or more refrigerant lines. The ice maker further includes a freeze plate thermally coupled to the evaporator, a water pump, a sensing device for identifying a state of the cooling cycle, and a controller adapted to control the speed of the variable-speed compressor based on the identified state of the cooling cycle. The ice maker may also include a variable-speed condenser fan which may be controlled by the controller based on the identified state of the cooling cycle. Additionally, the water pump may be a variable-speed water pump which may be controlled by the controller based on the identified state of the cooling cycle.

Abstract: An evaporator plate made of a metal plate having a plurality of shaped dimples thereon, the dimples each being defined by a pair of opposing pyramid shaped end faces and a pair of trapezoidal shaped left and right side faces adjoining the pair of pyramid shaped end faces. An evaporator assembly comprising first and second evaporator plates and tubing arranged in a serpentine path sandwiched therebetween, each plate including a plurality of parallel fins extending from a first surface, a pair of end flanges parallel to the fins, and a plurality of the shaped dimples. A tool for making the plate and a method of making the assembly are disclosed.