METHOD AND DEVICE FOR REDUCING ICE COMPRESSION IN AN ICE MAKING SYSTEM

Abstract

An ice making system, including: a refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, an auger disposed within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, the auger extending between a first end and a second end, and a main housing disposed at a first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube. The first end of the auger includes a flange, and the auger includes a helical flight having a plurality of helical protrusions extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the auger, where the helical flight has a substantially uniform pitch. The main housing includes a deflector configured to cut ice disposed on the flange, where a distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is at least about half of the pitch of the helical flight.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/752,254, filed Jan. 31, 2025, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an ice maker including an evaporator for making ice (e.g., nugget-type ice).

BACKGROUND

A traditional nugget-type ice maker evaporator includes a cylindrical tube filled with water. The evaporator cylindrical tube has a refrigeration system disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical tube for heat transfer from the evaporator to the refrigerant, which chills the water sufficiently to form ice along the inner surface of the cylindrical tube. An internal motor-driven auger rotates to continuously scrape ice off the cold inner surface of the cylindrical tube and to advance it along a helical auger path, typically in an ice-and-water-mix (e.g., slush) form.

A traditional nugget-type ice maker with a single discharge port has a cyclical movement of the ice. For every revolution of the auger, there is a “gathering” period and an “extrusion” period as ice is gathered from the water/ice mix at or along a collecting surface in the cylinder until a sufficient mass is compressed and accumulates to form an ice nugget that is then extruded. Typically, the highest gearmotor loads occur during extrusion, when the ice is moving, specifically when ice is being pushed through a nozzle and out of the machine. During the period when extrusion is complete and external movement of the ice stops, only the ice harvesting loads are present within the device—the ice being carved off the cold inner surface of the cylindrical tube—and these tend to be very light loads.

During harvesting, a film of ice may tend to aggressively bond to the cold inner surface of the evaporator cylindrical tube and resist movement. The rotating auger helix will act on the ice section with a normal force that tends to displace it by scraping ice particles from the ice film, which particles will move relatively freely in the system. The auger helix gathers ice particles and moves them toward the discharge end with relatively light loads on the drive motor. Stated differently, when ice particles have been sheared from the ice film on the cold inner surface of the evaporator cylindrical tube, the loads imposed by moving the ice section towards the flange of the auger are much lighter than during extrusion. As ice particles gather on the auger helix, they are moved toward the discharge end of the cylinder with relatively light loads. Ice collected during the gathering portion of rotation meets with the auger flange and begins to compress. The gathered ice will be extruded tangentially out of the ice maker via the discharge port. During extrusion, harvested ice particles moving toward the flange along the helix will tend to interfere with and compress against ice in the extrusion position until the extrusion period completes.

Due to the interference, harvested ice may be detrimentally compressed within the evaporator. Compressed ice contacting all surfaces (the auger root, auger helix and cold evaporator inner wall) is harder to displace. At times, the compressed ice may aggressively stick to the inner surface of the evaporator cylindrical tube such that high load spikes may occur even after extrusion has stopped. That is, the gathered ice may become so compressed at the end of the extrusion period that it takes higher gearmotor power (greater load) to displace it before the next extrusion cycle.

SUMMARY

One general aspect of the present disclosure includes an ice making system, including: a refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube; an auger disposed within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, the auger extending between a first end and a second end, where the first end of the auger includes a flange, and the auger includes a helical flight having a plurality of helical protrusions extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the auger, and where the helical flight has a substantially uniform pitch; a main housing disposed at a first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, where the main housing includes a deflector configured to cut ice disposed on the flange, and where a distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is at least about half of the pitch of the helical flight.

Another general aspect of the present disclosure includes an ice making system, including: a refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube; an auger disposed within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, the auger extending between a first end and a second end, where the first end of the auger includes a flange, and the auger includes a helical flight having a plurality of helical protrusions extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the auger, and where the helical flight has a substantially uniform pitch; and a main housing disposed at a first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, where the main housing includes a deflector configured to cut ice disposed on the flange, and where the pitch of the helical flight is about 2.25 inches.

Another general aspect of the present disclosure includes an ice making system, including: a refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube; an auger disposed within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, the auger extending between a first end and a second end, where the first end of the auger includes a flange, and the auger includes a helical flight having a plurality of helical protrusions extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the auger, a main housing disposed at a first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, where the main housing includes a deflector configured to cut ice disposed on the flange, where the plurality of helical protrusions includes a first helical protrusion and a second helical protrusion, and the first helical protrusion is disposed closer to the flange than the second helical protrusion, where a pitch of the first helical protrusion is about 2.25 inches, and where a pitch of the second helical protrusion is about 2.75 inches.

Another general aspect of the present disclosure includes an ice making system, including: a refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube; an auger disposed within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, the auger extending between a first end and a second end, where the first end of the auger includes a flange, and the auger includes a helical flight having a plurality of helical protrusions extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the auger, where a pitch of a first helical protrusion of the plurality of helical protrusions is about 2.25 inches; and a main housing disposed at a first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, where the main housing includes a deflector configured to cut ice disposed on the flange, where a distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is at least about half of the pitch of the helical flight.

A device/method according to the present disclosure may include any combination of the features described above and/or the original as-filed claims.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a portion of an embodiment of an ice maker, showing an auger, a main housing having a deflector for cutting ice disposed on the auger.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a portion of an embodiment of an ice maker, showing a refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube and compressed ice in the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a portion of another embodiment of an ice maker, showing a refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube and compressed ice outside the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube.

FIG. 4A is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a portion of the ice maker of FIG. 2, showing the deflector and a standard main housing.

FIG. 4B is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a portion of the ice maker of FIG. 3, showing the deflector and the extended main housing.

FIG. 5 is a graph of gearmotor amperage showing comparative test results on average amperage peaks between two tests of an ice makers, where in a first test ice maker, the compressed ice is within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, and in a second test ice maker, the compressed ice is outside of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube.

FIG. 6 is another graph of gearmotor amperage showing comparative test results on average amperage peaks between two tests of an ice makers, where in a first test, the compressed ice is within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, and in a second test, the compressed ice is outside of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube.

FIG. 7 is another graph of gearmotor amperage showing comparative test results on average amperage peaks between two tests of an ice maker, where in a first test, the compressed ice is within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, and in a second test, the compressed ice is outside of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are graphs of gearmotor amperage showing comparative test results on average amperage peaks between two tests of an ice makers, where in a first test (FIG. 8A), the compressed ice is within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, and in a second test (FIG. 8B), the compressed ice is outside of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube.

FIG. 9 is another graph of gearmotor amperage showing comparative test results on average amperage peaks between two tests of an ice maker, where in a first test, the compressed ice is within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, and in a second test, the compressed ice is outside of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a portion of another embodiment of an ice maker, showing a refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube and compressed ice outside the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a portion of another embodiment of an ice maker, showing a refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube and compressed ice outside the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a portion of the auger of the ice maker of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings in which like elements generally are referred to by like numerals. The relationship and functioning of the various elements of the embodiments may better be understood by reference to the following detailed description. However, embodiments are not limited to those illustrated in the drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and in certain instances details may have been omitted that are not necessary for an understanding of embodiments disclosed herein, such as—for example—conventional fabrication and assembly.

The invention is defined by the claims, may be embodied in many different forms, and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey enabling disclosure to those skilled in the art. As used in this specification and the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Reference herein to any industry standards (e.g., ASTM, ANSI, IEEE standards) is defined as complying with the currently published standards as of the original filing date of this disclosure concerning the units, measurements, and testing criteria communicated by those standards unless expressly otherwise defined herein.

The terms “about,” “substantially,” “generally,” and other terms of degree, when used with reference to any volume, dimension, proportion, or other quantitative or qualitative value, are intended to communicate a definite and identifiable value within the standard parameters that would be understood by one of skill in the art (e.g., equivalent to a mechanical engineer with experience in this field), and should be interpreted to include at least any legal equivalents, minor but functionally-insignificant variants, standard manufacturing tolerances, and including at least mathematically significant figures (although not required to be as broad as the largest range thereof), including a variance of up to, for example 5%, 2%, 1%, or less or more as would be deemed appropriate by one of skill in the art. In addition, the term “configured to” is used to describe structural limitations in a particular manner that requires specific construction to accomplish a stated function and/or to interface or interact with another component(s), and is not used to describe mere intended or theoretical uses. By way of specific example for the present application, “at least about half” includes exactly half as well as +/−10% of that value within one significant figure, and also includes well over half.

Referring to FIGS. 1-12, embodiments of an ice making system are provided. In some embodiments, the ice making system includes a refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2), an auger 12 disposed within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10, and a main housing 14 disposed at a first end 10a of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10. The auger 12 extends between a first end 12a and a second end (not shown). The first end 12a of the auger 12 includes a flange 16, and the auger 12 includes a helical flight having a plurality of helical protrusions 18 extending radially outwardly from an outer surface 20 of the auger 12. The main housing 14 includes a deflector 22 (e.g., best shown in FIG. 1) configured to cut ice 24 disposed on the flange 16.

In use, the rotation of the auger 12 cuts the ice off from the inner wall of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10, and by the rotation of the auger 12, the fluffy ice will move to the flange 16. At the flange 16, the ice is kept there, and as the rotation of the auger 12 continues, ice is gathered at a first helical protrusion 18a of the plurality of helical protrusions. As the ice accumulated at the flange 16 rotates to a position that is aligned with the deflector 22, the deflector 22 will cut a certain amount of ice off and push it up and out the outlet port 26, and this is the extrusion stage. Then the rotation of the auger 12 will continue to gather ice again, and when the next alignment (discussed above) occurs, anther extrusion happens. Without limitation, certain aspects of the ice making system described herein may include features discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/422,107, filed Jun. 5, 2006, and issued as patent U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,201, titled “Ice Making Apparatus,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4B, FIGS. 1, 2, and 4A show a prior art device, where the distance 28 between the deflector 22 and the first end 10a of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10 is about 0.63 inches, and the pitch of the helical flight is about 2.75 inches. As shown in FIG. 2, in the prior art device, the cyclic compression of ice occurs in the refrigerated section of the ice making system (e.g., inside of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10).

Analysis shows that the ideal distance 28 between the deflector 22 and the first end 10a of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10 is related to the helix pitch. For example, at a maximum capacity, half of the revolution extrudes ice and half of the revolution gathers ice. Therefore, the distance between the deflector 22 (e.g., the location of the ice being extruded) and the first end 10a of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10 needs to be at least about half of the pitch of the helical flight (e.g., half of the first helical protrusion 18a of the plurality of helical protrusions). Configured in this way, ice compression will occur in the un-refrigerated section of the ice making system, even under maximum ice capacity conditions, e.g., low ambient conditions. This may be achieved by increasing the length of the main housing between the deflector and the first end 10a of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10, and/or decrease the pitch of the helical flight (e.g., the first helical protrusion 18a of the plurality of helical protrusions).

In some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4B, by increasing the distance 28 between the deflector 22 and the first end 10a of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10 (e.g., extending the length of the main housing 14 between the outlet port 26 and the first end 10a of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10, comparing FIGS. 2 and 3, 4A and 4B), the cyclic compression of ice occurs in the un-refrigerated section of the ice making system (e.g., outside of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10, as shown in FIG. 3), which is advantageous for eliminating the ice compression in the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10, reducing the forces required to move compressed ice on the refrigerated evaporator surface, thereby eliminating the unwanted load spikes after extrusion.

In some embodiments, the helical flight of the auger 12 has a substantially uniform pitch. However, as discussed above, the distance 28 between the deflector 22 and the first end 10a of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube in existing/prior art devices typically is considerably less than half the helix pitch. In the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4B, the distance 28 is increased so as to match one-half of the helix pitch (e.g., exactly matching, or about matching-within 30% of exactly matching). FIGS. 2 and 4A show the existing/prior art system, where the distance 28 between the deflector 22 and the first end 10a of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is sufficiently short that compressed ice 24 resides within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube. For example, in one non-limiting embodiment shown in FIG. 4B, the distance 28 between the deflector 22/the ice 24 being extruded and the first end 10a of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10 is about 2.00 inches and the pitch 30 of the helical flight is about 4.00 inches.

Referring to FIGS. 5-9, comparative tests results show significant load reduction in an ice making system by increasing the distance 28 between the deflector 22 (e.g., the location of the ice being extruded) and the first end 10a of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10 by a predetermined amount.

In one non-limiting example, as shown in FIG. 5, in the first test of the ice making system (left in FIG. 5), the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 0.63 inches, the pitch of the helical flight is about 2.75 inches. The 2.25 A average amperage peaks reflect about 900 in-lbs of gearmotor torque. In the second test of the ice making system (right in FIG. 5), the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1.37 inches, the pitch of the helical flight remains at about 2.75 inches. The 1.86 A average amperage peaks reflect about 750 in-lbs of gearmotor torque, which is a 17% load reduction comparing to the first one shown on the left in FIG. 5.

In another non-limiting example, as shown in FIG. 6, in the first test of the ice making system (left in FIG. 6), the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 0.63 inches, the pitch of the helical flight is about 2.75 inches. The 4.25 A average amperage peaks reflect about 900 in-lbs of gearmotor torque. In the second test of the ice making system (right in FIG. 6), the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1.37 inches, the pitch of the helical flight remains about 2.75 inches. However, this test used an auger that was deliberately not polished. Polishing is a standard practice in the industry to improve slipperiness and reduce ice sticking loads. The 3.75 A average amperage peaks reflect about 750 in-lbs of gearmotor torque, which is a 17% load reduction comparing to the first one shown on the left in FIG. 6. This demonstrates a reduction in operational sensitivity when adopting the improved system geometry.

In another non-limiting example, as shown in FIG. 7, in the first test of the ice making system (right in FIG. 7), the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 0.63 inches, the pitch of the helical flight is about 4.00 inches. The 3.0 A average amperage peaks reflect about 1200 in-lbs of gearmotor torque. In the second test of the ice making system (left in FIG. 7), the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 2.00 inches, the pitch of the helical flight remains at about 4.00 inches. The 2.70 A average amperage peaks reflect about 950 in-lbs of gearmotor torque, which is a 20% load reduction comparing to the first one shown on the right in FIG. 7.

In another non-limiting example, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, in the first test of the ice making system (FIG. 8A), the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 0.63 inches, the pitch of the helical flight is about 2.75 inches. The water chemistry was that of a favorable mixture with mineral levels that tend to ease the operation of the machine. The center of the graph shows a period of excessive amperage even with favorable water chemistry. In the second test of the ice making system (FIG. 8B), the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1.37 inches, the pitch of the helical flight remains at about 2.75 inches. Stable, uniform operation is demonstrated throughout the test.

In another non-limiting example, as shown in FIG. 9, The machine was made to run with excessive amperage with corrosion on the inner evaporator cylinder wall. in the first test of the ice making system (left in FIG. 9), the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 0.63 inches, the pitch of the helical flight is about 2.75 inches. The >5.99 A average amperage peaks reflect extreme gearmotor loading in excess of 1200 in-lbs of gearmotor torque. In the second test of the ice making system (right in FIG. 9), the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1.37 inches, the pitch of the helical flight remains at about 2.75 inches. The 3.80 A average amperage peaks reflect about 750 in-lbs of gearmotor torque, which is a 37% load reduction comparing to the first one shown on the left in FIG. 9.

It will be appreciated that the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, a length of the auger between the first end and the second end of the auger, the pitch(s) of the helical flight of the auger, the distance between the first end of the auger and a first helical protrusion (disposed closest to the first end of the auger) along a longitudinal axis of the auger, and the number of the helical protrusions of the helical flight of the auger may be varied, as desired and/or needed, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as long as the cyclic compression of ice occurs in the un-refrigerated section of the ice making system (e.g., outside of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube).

In some embodiments, the pitch of the auger may be reduced such that the distance 28 between the deflector 22 and the first end 10a of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10 is at least about half of a pitch (e.g., the pitch of the helical protrusion that is disposed closest to the flange) of the helical flight of the auger. For example, in some embodiments, the pitch of a first helical protrusion 18a (e.g., disposed closest to the flange 16) of the plurality of helical protrusions is about 2.25 inches, and a distance between the deflector 22 and the first end 10a of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10 is at least about half of the pitch of the helical flight (e.g., the pitch of the first helical protrusion 18a). In this configuration, the distance between the deflector 22 and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1.125 inches, and the pitch of a second helical protrusion 18b (e.g., the helical protrusion that is next to the first helical protrusion 18a) of the plurality of helical protrusions is ranging between about 2.25 inches and about 2.75 inches.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, by decreasing the helical pitch 30 of the helical flight of the auger 12, the cyclic compression of ice will occur in the un-refrigerated section of the ice making system (e.g., outside of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10, as shown in FIG. 10), which is advantageous for eliminating the ice compression in the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10, thereby eliminating the unwanted load spikes after extrusion. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the distance between the deflector 22 and the first end 10a of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10 is about 1.00 inches, the pitch of the helical flight is about 2.00 inches.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the plurality of helical protrusions includes a first helical protrusion 18a and a second helical protrusion 18b, and the first helical protrusion 18a is disposed closer to the flange 16 than the second helical protrusion 18b. In some embodiments, among the plurality of helical protrusions, the first helical protrusion 18a is disposed closest to the flange 16.

In some embodiments, by decreasing the helical pitch 30 of one helical protrusion (e.g., the first helical protrusion 18a) of the helical flight of the auger 12, the cyclic compression of ice 24 will occur in the un-refrigerated section of the ice making system (e.g., outside of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10, as shown in FIG. 11), which is advantageous for eliminating the ice compression in the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10, thereby eliminating the unwanted load spikes after extrusion. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, for example, the pitch of the first helical protrusion 18a is about 2.25 inches, and the pitch of the second helical protrusion 18b is about 2.75 inches. In this configuration, the pitch of all other helical protrusions may be about 2.75 inches, the distance between the deflector 22 and the first end 10a of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube 10 is about 1.125 inches.

The subject matter of the disclosure may also relate, among others, to the following aspects:

A first aspect relates to an ice making system, comprising: a refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube; an auger disposed within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, the auger extending between a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the auger includes a flange, and the auger includes a helical flight having a plurality of helical protrusions extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the auger, and wherein the helical flight has a substantially uniform pitch; a main housing disposed at a first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, wherein the main housing includes a deflector configured to cut ice disposed on the flange, and wherein a distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is at least about half of the pitch of the helical flight.

A second aspect relates to the ice making system of aspect 1, wherein the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1.37 inches and the pitch of the helical flight is about 2.75 inches.

A third aspect relates to the ice making system of any preceding aspect, wherein the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 2 inches, the pitch of the helical flight is about 4 inches.

A fourth aspect relates to the ice making system of any preceding aspect, wherein the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1.125 inches, the pitch of the helical flight is about 2.25 inches.

A fifth aspect relates to the ice making system of any preceding aspect, wherein the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1 inches, the pitch of the helical flight is about 2 inches.

A sixth aspect relates to an ice making system, comprising: a refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube; an auger disposed within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, the auger extending between a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the auger includes a flange, and the auger includes a helical flight having a plurality of helical protrusions extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the auger, and wherein the helical flight has a substantially uniform pitch; and a main housing disposed at a first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, wherein the main housing includes a deflector configured to cut ice disposed on the flange, and wherein the pitch of the helical flight is about 2.25 inches.

A seventh aspect relates to the ice making system of aspect 6, wherein the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1.125 inches.

An eighth aspect relates to an ice making system, comprising: a refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube; an auger disposed within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, the auger extending between a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the auger includes a flange, and the auger includes a helical flight having a plurality of helical protrusions extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the auger, a main housing disposed at a first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, wherein the main housing includes a deflector configured to cut ice disposed on the flange, wherein the plurality of helical protrusions includes a first helical protrusion and a second helical protrusion, and the first helical protrusion is disposed closer to the flange than the second helical protrusion, wherein a pitch of the first helical protrusion is about 2.25 inches, and wherein a pitch of the second helical protrusion is about 2.75 inches.

A ninth aspect relates to the ice making system of aspect 8, wherein the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1.125 inches.

A tenth aspect relates to the ice making system of any one of aspects 8 or 9, wherein, among the plurality of helical protrusions, the first helical protrusion is disposed closest to the flange.

An eleventh aspect relates to an ice making system, comprising: a refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube; an auger disposed within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, the auger extending between a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the auger includes a flange, and the auger includes a helical flight having a plurality of helical protrusions extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the auger, wherein a pitch of a first helical protrusion of the plurality of helical protrusions is about 2.25 inches; and a main housing disposed at a first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, wherein the main housing includes a deflector configured to cut ice disposed on the flange, wherein a distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is at least about half of the pitch of the helical flight.

A twelfth aspect relates to the ice making system of aspect 11, wherein the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1.125 inches.

A thirteenth aspect relates to the ice making system of any one of aspects 11 or 12, wherein the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1.125 inches, and a pitch of a second helical protrusion of the plurality of helical protrusions is about 2.75 inches.

A fourteenth aspect relates to the ice making system of any one of aspects 11-13, wherein the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1.125 inches, and a pitch of a second helical protrusion of the plurality of helical protrusions is ranging between about 2.25 inches and about 2.75 inches.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments not expressly illustrated herein may be practiced within the scope of the claims, including that features described herein for different embodiments may be combined with each other and/or with currently-known or future-developed technologies while remaining within the scope of the claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation unless specifically defined by context, usage, or other explicit designation. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting. And, it should be understood that the following claims, including all equivalents, are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, the advantages described above are not necessarily the only advantages of the invention, and it is not necessarily expected that all of the described advantages will be achieved with every embodiment. In the event of any inconsistent disclosure or definition from the present application conflicting with any document incorporated by reference, the disclosure or definition herein shall be deemed to prevail.

Claims

1. An ice making system, comprising:

a refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube;

an auger disposed within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, the auger extending between a first end and a second end,

wherein the first end of the auger includes a flange, and the auger includes a helical flight having a plurality of helical protrusions extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the auger, and wherein the helical flight has a substantially uniform pitch;

a main housing disposed at a first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, wherein the main housing includes a deflector configured to cut ice disposed on the flange, and

wherein a distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is at least about half of the pitch of the helical flight.

2. The ice making system of claim 1, wherein the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1.37 inches and the pitch of the helical flight is about 2.75 inches.

3. The ice making system of claim 1, wherein the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 2 inches, the pitch of the helical flight is about 4 inches.

4. The ice making system of claim 1, wherein the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1.125 inches, the pitch of the helical flight is about 2.25 inches.

5. The ice making system of claim 1, wherein the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1 inches, the pitch of the helical flight is about 2 inches.

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. An ice making system, comprising:

a refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube;

an auger disposed within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, the auger extending between a first end and a second end,

wherein the first end of the auger includes a flange, and the auger includes a helical flight having a plurality of helical protrusions extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the auger,

a main housing disposed at a first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, wherein the main housing includes a deflector configured to cut ice disposed on the flange,

wherein the plurality of helical protrusions includes a first helical protrusion and a second helical protrusion, and the first helical protrusion is disposed closer to the flange than the second helical protrusion,

wherein a pitch of the first helical protrusion is about 2.25 inches, and

wherein a pitch of the second helical protrusion is about 2.75 inches.

9. The ice making system of claim 8, wherein the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1.125 inches.

10. The ice making system of claim 8, wherein, among the plurality of helical protrusions, the first helical protrusion is disposed closest to the flange.

11. An ice making system, comprising:

a refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube;

an auger disposed within the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, the auger extending between a first end and a second end,

wherein the first end of the auger includes a flange, and the auger includes a helical flight having a plurality of helical protrusions extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the auger, wherein a pitch of a first helical protrusion of the plurality of helical protrusions is about 2.25 inches; and

a main housing disposed at a first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube, wherein the main housing includes a deflector configured to cut ice disposed on the flange,

wherein a distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is at least about half of the pitch of the helical flight.

12. The ice making system of claim 11, wherein the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1.125 inches.

13. The ice making system of claim 11, wherein the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1.125 inches, and a pitch of a second helical protrusion of the plurality of helical protrusions is about 2.75 inches.

14. The ice making system of claim 11, wherein the distance between the deflector and the first end of the refrigerated evaporator cylindrical tube is about 1.125 inches, and a pitch of a second helical protrusion of the plurality of helical protrusions is ranging between about 2.25 inches and about 2.75 inches.