Ice cube evaporator plate assembly
AssigneeHoshizaki America, Inc.
InventorsMilaim Hoti, Tim Perry, Jim Kuo, Kevin Knatt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims20
An evaporator plate assembly comprising:
- a plate defining opposing front and rear surfaces, the plate further defining a plurality of dimples, a surface of each of the plurality of dimples defining a radius;
- each of the plurality of dimples projecting outwardly from the rear surface and disposed on the front surface in an array comprising a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, each of the plurality of rows extending in a horizontal direction and each of the plurality of columns extending in a vertical direction, the plurality of rows of dimples comprising
- a first row of dimples,
- a second row of dimples disposed immediately adjacent to the first row of dimples in the vertical direction,
- a third row of dimples disposed immediately adjacent the second row of dimples in the vertical direction, and
- a fourth row of dimples disposed immediately adjacent to the third row of dimples in the vertical direction;
- and
- a serpentine tubing coil comprising
- straight portions extending horizontally and comprising:
- a first straight portion disposed between the first row of dimples and the second row of dimples,
- a second straight portion connected to the first straight portion and being immediately adjacent to the first straight portion in the vertical direction, the second straight portion disposed between the third row of dimples and the fourth row of dimples;
- and
- connecting portions, the straight portions connected serially at their ends by the connecting portions, the second straight portion connected to the first straight portion by a first connecting portion of the connecting portions, the tubing coil being in contact with the rear surface of the plate.
A tool for forming a dimple in an evaporator plate of an ice making machine, the tool comprising
- an upper surface;
- and
- a plurality of dies projecting from the upper surface, the plurality of dies comprising
- a first die defining
- a first inner sloped surface defining a first end and a second end distal from the first end;
- a first outer sloped surface defining a first end and a second end distal from the first end;
- and
- first sloped ends, a first instance of the first sloped ends joining the first end of the first inner sloped surface and the first end of the first outer sloped surface, and a second instance of the first sloped ends joining the second end of the first inner sloped surface and the second end of the first outer sloped surface;
- and
- a second die defining
- a second inner sloped surface defining a first end and a second end distal from the first end;
- a second outer sloped surface defining a first end and a second end distal from the first end, at least one of the second inner sloped surface and the second outer sloped surface defining a radius;
- and
- second sloped ends, a first instance of the second sloped ends joining the first end of the second inner sloped surface and the first end of the second outer sloped surface, and a second instance of the second sloped ends joining the second end of the second inner sloped surface and the second end of the second outer sloped surface.
A method of manufacturing an evaporator, the method comprising:
- 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.