Manitowoc Foodservice Group, Inc.

Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc.

Gregory F Krcma

Charles E Schlosser

Richard T Miller

Curt R Cayemberg

Cary J Pierskalla

Daryl Gregory Erbs

Raymond Randy Haack

William Aalto

Bert Bodnar

An ice-making machine having an ice-forming surface upon which ice is formed, a refrigeration system including a microchannel evaporator that cools the ice-forming surface, and a water-supply system. The microchannel evaporator includes a microchannel tube that facilitates a distributed cooling effect in a contact area between the microchannel tube and the ice-forming surface. In some embodiments, the microchannel tube includes a series of recessed portions that define insulated regions and divide the tube into non-insulated regions. The insulated and non-insulated regions can be dimensioned to form individual ice cubes on the ice-forming surface. In other embodiments, spaces between microchannel tubes and/or spaces between the ice-forming surface and microchannel tubes can form insulated regions at least partially defining the size and shape of ice produced by the ice-making machine. The ice-forming surface can be attached to the microchannel tubes by adhesive and/or cohesive bonding material (such as glue, epoxy, or other adhesive).

Ice making machine, evaporator assembly for an ice making machine, and method of manufacturing same

The present invention uses a single molded piece of plastic as an evaporator frame. A low durometer gasket material is molded in place on the single molded piece of plastic. The gasket aids in sealing the evaporator frame and the evaporator pan.

Plastic evaporator mount with two step molding

An ice making machine comprises a refrigerant system having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, an evaporator and interconnecting refrigerant lines; a water system having a fresh water inlet, a water circulation mechanism, an ice-forming device in thermal contact with the evaporator and interconnecting water lines; and a control system comprising a temperature sensing device in thermal contact with the outlet of the condenser, and a microprocessor programmed to use input from the temperature sensing device either i) at a predetermined time after initiation of a freeze cycle to determine the desired duration of the freeze cycle or ii) at a predetermined time prior to the end of the freeze cycle to determine the desired duration of the harvest cycle, or iii) both i) and ii), to control the refrigeration and water systems to operate in a freeze cycle and/or the harvest cycle until the end of the desired duration(s).

Ice making machine and control method therefore

Growing community of inventors

Manitowoc, WI, United States of America

Gregory F Krcma