ICE MACHINE

Abstract

An ice machine includes an evaporator configured to freeze water into ice as it flows vertically down a freezing plate. A distributor spreads the water across the top of the freezing plate to form ice across its width as the water flows down. The distributor may be integrated into the evaporator. For example, the distributor and evaporator may share a common part. The distributor may be formed from two pieces that are assembled to form the freezing plate. The distributor may have various features that help provide a desirable distribution of water across the width of the freezing plate. The freezing plate may be mounted in an ice machine compartment in thermal communication with the evaporator and tilted forward.

Description

ICE MACHINE FIELD OF INVENTION The present description pertains to an ice machine of the type that includes a distributor that directs water to flow along a freezing plate, which freezes the water into ice. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Ice machines are well-known and in widespread commercial and residential use. One type of ice machine includes an evaporator assembly comprising a freezing plate that defines a plurality of ice molds on a two-dimensional vertical grid. Refrigerant piping extends along the back of the freezing plate and forms an evaporator configured to freeze the plate. A water distributor is positioned above the freezing plate to direct water onto the plate, which freezes into ice in the molds. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, an ice machine comprises a freezing plate that defines a plurality of molds in which the ice machine is configured to form ice. The freezing plate has a front that defines open front ends of the molds, and a rear that defines enclosed rear ends of the molds. MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o Ref. 314520 molds, an upper portion and a lower portion spaced along a height, and a first side portion and a second side portion spaced along a width. A distributor adjacent to the upper portion of the freezing plate is configured to direct water imparted through the distributor to flow downwards along the front of the freezing plate along the width of the freezing plate. The distributor comprises a first end portion and a second end portion spaced along a width of the distributor. A lower wall extends widthwise from the first end portion to the second end portion and generally extends forwards from either an ascending or descending end portion.The distributor is configured to direct the water imparted through it to flow in a generally forward direction from the upstream portion to the downstream portion. A weir extends upward from the bottom wall at a location spaced between the upstream and downstream portions. The weir is configured so that the water flows over the weir as it flows along the bottom wall from the upstream portion to the downstream portion. The bottom wall comprises a ramp surface. MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o immediately ascending from the weir, which slopes upwards in the generally forward direction. In another aspect, an ice machine comprises a freezing plate that defines a plurality of molds in which the ice machine is configured to form ice. The freezing plate has a front that defines open front ends of the molds, a back that defines enclosed rear ends of the molds, a top portion and a bottom portion spaced along a height, and a first side portion and a second side portion spaced along a width. A distributor adjacent to the top portion of the freezing plate is configured to direct water imparted through the distributor to flow downward along the front of the freezing plate along the width of the freezing plate. The distributor comprises a first end portion and a second end portion spaced along a width of the distributor.A lower wall extends across the width from the first end portion to the second end portion and generally extends forward from an ascending end portion to a descending end portion. The distributor is configured to direct the water imparted through it to flow in a generally forward direction. MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o the rising end portion to the falling end portion. The falling end portion of the lower wall defines a downward-curving surface tension curve. The downward-curving surface tension curve is configured so that the surface tension causes the water imparted through the distributor to adhere to the curve and be directed downward along the curve to the upper end portion of the freezing plate. In another aspect, an ice machine comprises a freezing plate that defines a plurality of molds in which each ice machine is configured to form ice. The freezing plate has a front that defines open front ends of the molds, a back that defines enclosed rear ends of the molds, a top portion and a bottom portion spaced along a height, and a first side portion and a second side portion spaced along a width. A distributor adjacent to the top portion of the freezing plate is configured to direct water imparted through the distributor to flow downward along the front of the freezing plate along the width of the freezing plate. The distributor comprises a first portion MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o has two end portions and a second end portion spaced across the width of the distributor. A bottom wall extends across the width from the first end portion to the second end portion and generally extends forward from an upstream end portion to a downstream end portion. The distributor is configured to direct the water imparted through it to flow in a generally forward direction from the upstream end portion to the downstream end portion. A cantilevered front wall has a bottom edge margin spaced over the inner wall adjacent to the downstream end portion, thus defining a flow restriction between the bottom wall and the cantilevered front wall.The flow restriction comprises a space that extends across the width between the first end portion and the second end portion of the distributor and is configured to restrict a velocity at which water flows through the flow restriction to the descending end portion of the lower wall. In another aspect, an ice machine comprises a freezing plate that defines a plurality of molds in which the ice machine is configured to form ice. The freezing plate has an upper portion and a lower portion spaced along a height and a first side portion and a second side portion spaced along a width. A distributor extends along the width of a freezing plate adjacent to the upper portion of the freezing plate. The distributor is configured to direct water imparted through the distributor to flow from the upper portion of the freezing plate to the lower portion along the width of the freezing plate. The distributor comprises a first distributor piece and a second distributor piece.The second distributor piece is configured to detachably attach to the first distributor piece without separate fasteners to form the distributor. In another aspect, an ice machine comprises a freezing plate that defines a plurality of molds in which the ice machine is configured to form ice. The freezing plate has an upper portion and a lower portion spaced along a height and a first side portion and a second side portion spaced along a width. A distributor adjacent to the upper portion of the freezing plate has a width that extends along the width of the freezing plate. The distributor has an inlet and an outlet and defines a distributor flow path that extends from the inlet to the outlet.The distributor is configured to direct water supplied through the distributor along the distributor's flow path and discharge the water from the outlet so that it flows from the upper portion of the freezing plate to the lower portion across the width of the freezing plate. The distributor comprises a first distributor piece and a second distributor piece. The second distributor piece is detachably coupled to the first distributor piece to form the distributor. The first distributor piece comprises a lower wall defining a slot extending across its width, and the second distributor piece comprises a generally vertical weir defining a plurality of openings spaced across the width of the distributor.The weir has a free lower edge margin received in the slot so that water flowing along the distributor flow path is inhibited from flowing through an interface between the lower edge margin of the weir and the lower wall and directed to flow through the weir through the plurality of openings. In another aspect, an ice machine comprises an evaporator assembly comprising a freezing plate that defines a plurality of molds in which the evaporator assembly is configured to form ice pieces. The freezing plate has a front that defines open front ends of the molds and a back that extends along closed rear ends of the molds. An evaporator housing has a back and defines an enclosed space between the back of the freezing plate and the back of the evaporator housing. Refrigerant piping is received in the enclosed space. Insulation substantially fills the enclosed space around the refrigerant piping. A water system is configured to supply water to the freezing plate so that the water forms ice in the molds.The evaporator housing includes a distributor piece formed from a single piece of monolithic material. The distributor piece is in direct contact with the insulation and has a lower wall. The water system is configured to direct the water flow along the lower wall as it is supplied to the freezing plate. In another aspect, an ice machine comprises an evaporator assembly comprising a freezing plate defining a plurality of molds in which the evaporator assembly is configured to form ice pieces. The freezing plate has a front defining open front ends of the molds, a rear extending along closed rear ends of the molds, a top wall formed from a single piece of monolithic material and defining an upper end of at least one of the molds, and at least one crossbar attached to and extending upward from the top wall. A distributor is configured to distribute water imparted through the distributor onto the freezing plate so that the water forms into ice in the molds. The distributor comprises a distributor piece formed from a single piece of monolithic material.The distributor piece comprises a lower wall that defines a portion of a flow path along which the distributor directs fluid water. A nut is fitted onto each crossbar against the distributor piece to mount the distributor directly onto the freezing plate. In another aspect, a distributor can receive water supplied through the distributor and direct the water fluid along a freezing plate of the ice machine so that the water forms ice on the freezing plate. It comprises a rear wall adjacent to an upward-facing end of the distributor, a lower wall extending forward from the rear wall to a front-end portion adjacent to a downward-facing end of the distributor, and a tube projecting rearward from the rear wall. The rear wall has an opening immediately above the lower wall. ML / a / ZUZ 1 / UUU3 / 0 through which the tube communicates smoothly with the distributor. The lower wall comprises a rear section that slopes downwards to the rear wall and a front section that slopes upwards to the front end portion. In another aspect, an ice machine comprises a compartment. A freezing plate is received in the compartment. The freezing plate comprises a back wall and a front opposite the back wall. The freezing plate further comprises a perimeter wall extending forward from the back wall. The perimeter wall comprises a top wall portion, a bottom wall portion, a first side wall portion, and a second side wall portion. The first side wall portion and the second side wall portion define a width of the freezing plate.The freezing plate further comprises a plurality of height divider plates extending from lower ends connected to the lower wall portion to upper ends connected to the upper wall portion, and a plurality of width divider plates extending from first ends connected to the first side wall portion to second ends connected to the second side wall portion. The height divider plates and the width divider plates are interconnected to define a plurality of ice molds within the perimeter wall. Each width divider plate defines a plurality of molds immediately above the divider plate and a plurality of molds immediately below the divider plate.Each width divider plate slopes downward and forward away from the back wall of the freezing plate so that the included angle between a support surface of each width divider plate and the back wall is greater than 90° and less than 180°. A distributor is configured to direct water imparted through the distributor to flow downward along the width of the freezing plate. The freezing plate is supported in the compartment so that its back wall slopes forward. Other aspects will be partly self-evident and partly indicated hereafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an ice machine; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the ice machine supported in each ice bin; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an ice machine subassembly that includes a bracket, evaporator assembly, sump, mounting plate, and sensor attachment; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective of the subassembly of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a side elevation of the subassembly of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a perspective view of an ice machine freezing plate; Figure 7 is an exploded view of the freezing plate; Figure 8 is a vertical cross-section of the freezing plate; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the evaporator assembly; Figure 10 is a side elevation of the evaporator assembly; Figure 11 is a top plan view of the evaporator assembly; Figure 12 is an exploded view of the evaporator assembly; Figure 13 is a rear elevation of the evaporator assembly with the back wall removed to show the coil evaporator tubing; Figure 14 is a cross-section of the evaporator assembly taken in line plane 14-14 of Figure MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o 11; Figure 15 is a perspective view of the evaporator assembly with a removable upper distributor piece showing a lower distributor / upper evaporator housing piece and associated components blown apart from the rest of the evaporator assembly; Figure 16 is an enlarged vertical cross-section of the evaporator assembly components shown in Figure 15 taken in a plane passing through a crossmember of the freezing plate; Figure 17 is a vertical cross-section of the evaporator assembly mounted on the support; Figure 18 is a perspective view of a distributor evaporator assembly; Figure 19 is an exploded view of the distributor; Figure 20 is a vertical cross-section of the distributor; Figure 20A is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 20; Figure 21 is a top perspective of the lower distributor piece; Figure 22 is a bottom perspective of the lower distributor piece; MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o Figure 23 is a cross-section similar to Figure 15 except that the plane of the cross-section passes through the center of an inlet tube of the lower distributor piece; Figure 24 is an enlarged perspective of an end portion of the lower distributor piece; Figure 25 is a perspective view of the upper distributor piece; Figure 26 is a bottom plan view of the upper distributor piece; Figure 27 is a rear elevation of the upper distributor piece; Figure 28 is an enlarged perspective of an end portion of the upper distributor piece; Figure 29 is a perspective view of the evaporator assembly with the upper distributor piece spaced in front of the lower distributor piece; Figure 30 is a vertical cross-section of the subassembly of Figure 3 received in an ice machine compartment schematically illustrated, wherein the plane of the cross-section is immediately inside a right-hand side wall portion of a vertical side wall of the bracket as shown in Figure 3 and wherein the upper distributor piece is shown in a removed position outside the compartment; MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o Figure 31 is an enlarged horizontal cross-section of an end portion of the distributor looking in a plane passing through an elongated tab of the lower distributor piece received in an elongated groove of the lower distributor piece; and Figure 32 is a vertical cross-section of the distributor taken in a plane passing through a segmented weir. Corresponding reference characters indicate parts correspond across the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to Figure 1, one embodiment of an ice machine is generally indicated by part number 10. This description details illustrative features of ice machine 10 that can be used individually or in combination to improve ice-making uniformity, ice-collecting performance, energy efficiency, assembly accuracy, and / or accessibility for repair or maintenance. One aspect of this description pertains to an evaporator assembly that includes an evaporator, a freezing plate, and a water distributor. As will be explained in further detail below, in one or more embodiments, the parts of the evaporator assembly are integrated together into a single unit. In certain embodiments, the water distributor includes a water distribution feature configuration that provides uniform water flow across the width of the freezing plate.In one illustrative embodiment, the water distributor is configured to provide easy access to the distributor's interior for repair or maintenance. In one or more embodiments, the evaporator assembly is configured to mount the freezing plate within the ice machine in an orientation that reduces the time required to passively collect ice using heat gravity. Other aspects and features of Ice Machine 10 will also be described hereafter. Although this description outlines an ice machine that combines several different features, it is understood that other ice machines may use any one or more of the features described herein without departing from the scope of this description. The description begins with a general review of ice machine 10, before providing a detailed description of an illustrative modality of an evaporator assembly. I. Cooling System Referring to Figure 1, an ice machine refrigeration system 10 includes a compressor 12, a heat rejection heat exchanger 14, a refrigerant expansion device 18 to decrease the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant, an evaporator assembly 20 (broadly, an ice-forming device), and a hot gas valve 24. As shown, the heat rejection heat exchanger 14 may comprise a condenser for condensing compressed refrigerant vapor discharged from the compressor 12. In other embodiments, for example, in refrigeration systems using carbon dioxide refrigerants where the heat of injection is transcritical, the heat rejection heat exchanger is capable of rejecting heat from the refrigerant without condensing the refrigerant.The illustrated evaporator assembly 20 integrates an evaporator 21 (e.g., coiled refrigerant piping), a freezing plate 22, and a water distributor 25 into one unit, as will be described in further detail below. A hot gas valve 24 is used, in one or more embodiments, to direct hot refrigerant from the compressor 15 directly to the evaporator 21 to remove or collect ice cubes from the freezing plate 24 when the ice has reached the desired thickness. The refrigerant expansion device 18 can be any suitable type, including a capillary tube, a thermostatic expansion valve, or an electronic expansion valve. In certain embodiments, where the refrigerant expansion device 18 is a thermostatic or electronic expansion valve, the ice machine 10 may also include a temperature sensor 26 located at the outlet of the evaporator pipe 21 to control the refrigerant expansion device 18. In other embodiments, where the refrigerant expansion device 18 is an electronic expansion valve, the ice machine 10 may also include a pressure sensor (not shown) located at the outlet of the evaporator pipe 21 to control the refrigerant expansion device 19 as known in the art.In certain embodiments that use a gaseous cooling medium (e.g., air) to provide condenser cooling, a condenser fan 15 may be positioned to blow the gaseous cooling medium through the condenser 14. A form of refrigerant circulates through these components via refrigerant lines 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d. II. Water System Referring to Figure 1, an illustrated ice machine 10 water system includes a sump assembly 60 comprising a water reservoir or sump 70, a water pump 62, a water line 63, and a water level sensor 64. The ice machine 10 water system further includes a water supply line (not shown) and a water inlet valve (not shown) for filling the sump 70 with water from a water source (not shown). The illustrated water system further includes a discharge line 78 and a discharge valve 79 (e.g., purge valve, drain valve) disposed thereon to detect water from the sump 70. The sump 70 can be positioned under the freezing plate 22 to catch water exiting the freezing plate so that the water can be recirculated by the water pump 62. The water line 63 seamlessly connects the water pump 62 to the water distributor 25.During an ice-making cycle, pump 62 is configured to pump water through water line 63 and through distributor 25. As will be discussed in more detail below, distributor 25 includes water distribution features that distribute the water imparted through the distributor evenly across the front of the freezing plate 22. In an illustrative embodiment, water line 63 is arranged so that at least some of the water can drain from the distributor through the water line and into the sump when ice is not being made. In an illustrative embodiment, the water level sensor 64 comprises a remote air pressure sensor 66. However, it is understood that any type of water level sensor may be used in the ice machine 10, including, but not limited to, a float sensor, an acoustic sensor, or an electrical continuity sensor. The illustrated water level sensor 64 includes a fitting 68 configured to couple the sensor to the pump 70 (see also Figure 4). The fitting 68 is seamlessly connected to a pneumatic tube 69. The pneumatic tube 69 provides seamless communication between the fitting 68 and the air pressure sensor 66. Water in the sump 70 trapped in the fitting 68 compresses the air by an amount that varies with the water level in the sump. Thus, the water level in the sump 70 can be determined using the pressure detected by the air pressure sensor 66.Additional details of illustrative embodiments of a water level sensor comprising a remote air pressure sensor are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0054043, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In the illustrated embodiment, the sump assembly 60 further comprises a mounting plate 72 that is configured to operationally support both the water pump 62 and the water level sensor accessory 68 MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o over the sump 70. An illustrative embodiment of a mounting plate 72 is shown in Figure 4. As described in pending U.S. Patent Application ###, entitled, ICE MACHINE, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, the mounting plate 72 can define an integral sensor mount 74 for operatively mounting sensor accessory 68 over the sump 70 to a sensing position in which the water level sensor 64 is operative to detect the amount of water in the sump. The mounting plate 72 can also define a pump mount 76 for mounting the water pump 62 onto the sump 70 to pump water from the sump through the water line 63 and the distributor 25. Each of the sensor mount 74 and the pump mount 76 can include locking features that facilitate detachably connecting a respective water level sensor 64 and water pump 62 to the sump 70. III. Controller Referring again to Figure 1, the ice machine 10 may also include a controller 80. The controller 80 may be located remotely from the ice-making device 20, and the sump 70 may comprise one or more onboard processors, in one or more modes. The controller 80 may include a processor 82 for controlling the operation of the ice machine 10, including the various components of the refrigeration system and the water system. The processor 82 of the controller 80 may include a non-transient processor-readable medium that ML / a / ZUZ 1 / UUU3 / 0 stores code that represents instructions to cause the processor to perform a process. The processor 82 can be, for example, a commercially available microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a combination of ASICs, designed to accomplish one or more specific functions or enable one or more specific devices or applications. In certain configurations, the controller 80 can be an analog or digital circuit, or a combination of multiple circuits. The controller 80 can also include one or more memory components (not shown) for storing data in a form retrievable by the controller. The controller 80 can store data in or retrieve data from one or more memory components. In several configurations, the controller 80 may also comprise input / output (I / O) components (not shown) for communicating with and / or controlling the various components of the ice machine 10. In certain configurations, for example, the controller 80 may receive inputs such as, for example, one or more indications, signals, messages, commands, data, and / or any other information, from the water level sensor 64, a collection sensor for determining when ice has been collected (not shown), an electrical power source (not shown), an ice level sensor (not shown). MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o shown), and / or a variety of sensors and / or switches including, but not limited to, pressure transducers, temperature sensors, acoustic sensors, etc. In various modes, based on those inputs, for example, the controller 80 may be able to control the compressor 12, the condenser fan 15, the refrigerant expansion device 18, the hot gas valve 24, the water inlet valve (not shown), the discharge valve 79, and / or the water pump 62, for example, by sending one or more indications, signals, messages, commands, data, and / or any other information to such components. IV. Ice Compartment / Deposit Referring to Figure 2, one or more components of the ice machine 10 can be stored within a compartment 29 of the ice machine 10, which defines an interior space. For example, portions of or the entire refrigeration and water system of the ice machine 10 described above can be housed in the interior space of compartment 29. In the illustrated embodiment, compartment 29 is mounted on top of an ice storage tank assembly 30. The ice storage tank assembly 30 includes an ice storage tank 31 having a drop zone (not shown) through which ice produced by the ice machine 10 falls. The ice then MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o is stored in cavity 39 until retrieved. The ice storage bin 31 further includes an opening 38 that provides access to cavity 36 and the ice stored therein. Cavity 36, drop zone (not shown), and opening 38 are formed by a left wall 33a, a right wall 33b, a front wall 34, a back wall 35, and a bottom wall (not shown). The walls of the ice storage bin 31 can be thermally insulated with various insulating materials, including, but not limited to, fiberglass insulation or open- or closed-cell foam composed, for example, of polystyrene or polyurethane, etc., in order to delay the melting of the ice stored in the ice storage bin 31. A door 40 can be opened to provide access to cavity 36. The illustrated compartment 29 comprises a cabinet 50 (generally, a stationary compartment portion) and a door 52 (generally, a movable or removable compartment portion). In Figure 2, the door 40 of the storage tank assembly 30 is raised to partially obscure the ice machine door 52. The door 52 can be moved relative to the cabinet 50 (e.g., on a hinge) to selectively provide access to the interior of the ice machine 10. In this way, a technician can open the door 52 to access the interval components of the ice machine 10 through a door (not shown; generally, an access opening) as required for repair or maintenance. In one or more other embodiments, the door can be opened in other ways, such as by removing the port assembly from the cabinet. V. Internal Support Referring to Figures 3-5, the illustrated ice machine 10 comprises a one-piece support 110 configured to support various ice machine components within compartment 29. For example, the illustrated support 110 is configured to support the sump 70, mounting plate 72, and evaporator assembly 20 in very precise positions to limit the possibility of misplacement of these components. The inventors have recognized that ice machine control schemes using water level as a control input require precise placement of the water level sensor in the sump. If the position of the water level sensor deviates from the specified position by even a small amount (e.g., millimeters or less), the control scheme may be disrupted.The inventors have also acknowledged that the added dimensional tolerances of conventional mounting parts for internal ice machine components can lead to misalignment. Furthermore, the inventors have recognized that precisely positioning an evaporator assembly in an ice machine can improve ice-making performance and gravity-driven ice collection. In the illustrated embodiment, the support 110 includes a base 112 and a vertical support wall 114. The illustrated vertical support wall comprises a first side wall portion 116, a second side wall portion 118, and a rear wall portion 120 that extend widthwise between the first and second side wall portions. A large opening 122 extends widthwise between the front end margins of the side wall portions 116 and 118. When the ice machine 10 is fully assembled, this opening 122 is located adjacent to a front door 268 (Figure 30) of compartment 29 so that a technician can access the components supported on the vertical wall through the opening when the tip 52 is open. Each sidewall portion 116, 118 includes an integral evaporator mount 124 (broadly, a freezing plate mount). The evaporator mounts 124 are configured to support the evaporator assembly 20 in an operating position on the ice machine 10. Each sidewall portion 116, 118 further comprises an integral mounting plate mount 126 that is spaced below the evaporator mount 124. The mounting plate mount 126 is configured to support the mounting plate 72 so that the mounting plate can mount the water level sensor fitting 68 and the pump 62 in operating positions on the ice machine 10. An integral sump mount 128 for attaching the sump 70 to the ice machine is spaced below the mounting plate mount 126 of each sidewall portion 116, 118.In Figures 3-5, only mounts 124, 126, 128 defined by the right side wall portion 116 are shown, but it will be understood that the left side wall portion 118 has substantially identical mounts, reflecting the illustrated modality. At least one of the side wall portions 116, 118 defines the mounts 124, 126, 128 and is formed from a single piece of monolithic material. For example, in one or more embodiments, the complete vertical support wall 114 is formed from a single monolithic piece of material. In the illustrated embodiment, the complete support 110, including the base 102 and the vertical support wall 114, is formed from a single piece of monolithic material. In one or more embodiments, the support 110 is a single molded piece. In the illustrated embodiment, the monolithic support 110 is formed by compression molding. Forming the support 110 MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o Starting from a single piece eliminates the stacking of tolerances that occurs in a multi-part support assembly and thereby increases the accuracy of the placement of the parts that are mounted on the support. The evaporator mounts 124 are configured to mount the evaporator assembly 20 onto the vertical support wall 114 in compartment 29 such that the freezing plate 22 is tilted forward. To achieve this, an evaporator mount 124 in the illustrated embodiment comprises a lower connection point 130 and an upper connection point 132 spaced forward of the lower connection point. As shown in Figure 5, the connection points 130, 132 are spaced along an imaginary line IL1 that is oriented at a forward-leaning angle α with respect to a plane BP of the rear wall portion 120 of the vertical support wall 114. In use, the ice machine 10 is positioned such that the plane BP of the rear wall portion 120 is substantially parallel to a plumb vertical axis VA. As such, the imaginary line IL1 extends forward with respect to the vertical axis at back VA at angle a. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the upper and lower connection points 130, 132 comprises a screw hole. In use, the evaporator 20 is positioned between the side wall portions 116, 118, and a screw (not shown) is inserted through each screw hole. MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o a corresponding preformed screw hole associated with the evaporator mount 20. As explained below, the preformed evaporator screw holes are arranged so that, when aligned with the evaporator mount screw holes 130, 132, the freezing plate 22 tilts forward. It will be appreciated that an integral evaporator mount may include other types of connection points besides screw holes in one or more of these configurations. For example, it is expressly provided that one or both of the screw holes 130, 132 may be replaced by an integrally formed crossbar or other structure that can be used to register and secure a freezing plate to the mount in the appropriate position. Each mounting plate mount 126 comprises a pair of horizontally tapered screw holes 134 generally spaced (broadly, connection points). Similarly, each sump mount 128 comprises a pair of horizontally spaced mounting holes 136 generally spaced (broadly, connection points). Again, the holes 134, 136 of the mounting plate mount 126 and the sump mount 128 can be replaced with other types of integral connection points in one or more ways. As shown in Figure 4, in one or more MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o modalities, the sump 70 is generally sized and arranged to be received in the space between the side wall portions 116, 118 of the vertical support wall 114. Each of the first end portion and a second end portion of the sump 70 are spaced across to include a pair of projections 138 at spaced locations. The projections 138 on each end portion of the sump 70 are configured to be received in the pair of mounting holes 136 defined by a respective sump mount 128. The projections 138, when received in the mounting holes 136, place the sump 70 in a precisely specified position along the height of the bracket 110. In addition, a screw (not shown) is inserted through each mounting hole 136 and threaded into each projection 138 to fasten the sump 70 onto the bracket 110 in the specified position. Like the sump 70, the illustrated mounting plate 72 comprises a first end portion and a second end portion spaced widthwise. Each end portion of the mounting plate 114 defines a pair of preformed screw holes configured to align with the screw holes 134 of the mount 126 corresponding to the bracket 110. Screws (broadly, mechanical fasteners; not shown) pass through the screw holes 134 and are MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o screws into pre-formed holes in the mounting plate 72, which connects the mounting plate to the bracket 110 at a precisely specified position along the bracket's height. In one or more embodiments, countersunk screws (e.g., screws with tapered heads) are used to connect the mounting plate 72 to the bracket 110. The countersunk screws are self-centering in the tapered screw holes 134. It can be observed that the one-piece bracket 110 with integral mounts 124, 126, and 128 can be used to ensure that the evaporator assembly 20, mounting plate 72, and sump 70 are supported on the ice machine 10 in the specified position. The bracket 110 can also support the freezing plate 22 to optionally balance desired performance characteristics, such as water distribution during ice making and ease / speed of ice collection. Furthermore, the bracket 110 can position the mounting plate 72 relative to the sump 70 so that the pressure sensor fitting 68, mounted on the sensor mount 74, is precisely positioned relative to the sump to accurately detect the water level when using sensor 64.Similarly, bracket 110 positions mounting plate 72 relative to sump 70 so that pump 62 is precisely positioned to pump water from the sump through ice machine 10 when the pump is mounted on pump mount 76. VI. Freezing Plate With reference to Figures 6-8, an illustrative embodiment of the freezing plate 22 will now be described, before switching to other components of the evaporator assembly 20 that secures the freezing plate to the support 110. The freezing plate 22 defines a plurality of molds 150 in which the ice machine 10 is configured to form ice. The freezing plate 22 has a front that defines open front ends of the molds 150, a rear that defines enclosed rear ends of the molds, a top portion and a bottom portion spaced along a height HF, and a right side portion (broadly, a first side portion) and a left side portion (broadly, a second side portion) spaced along a width WF. Through this description, when the terms front, rear, back, forward, backward, and similar are used with reference to any part of the evaporator assembly 20, the relative positions of the open front ends and enclosed rear ends of the freezing plate molds 150 provide a spatial reference frame. For example, the front of the freezing plate 22, which defines the open front ends of the molds 150, is spaced from the back of the freezing plate in a forward direction FD (Figure 8), and the back of the freezing plate, which extends along the enclosed rear ends of the molds, is spaced from the front of the freezing plate in a backward direction RD. In the illustrated embodiment, the freezing plate 22 comprises a tray 152 having a back wall 154 that defines a rear portion of the freezing tray. Appropriately, the tray 152 is formed of a thermally conductive material such as copper, which optionally has one or more surfaces coated with a food-safe material. As shown in the art, the evaporator pipe 21 is thermally coupled to the back wall 154 of the freezing plate 22 to cool the freezing plate during ice-making cycles and to heat the freezing plate during collection cycles. The tray 152 further comprises a perimeter wall 156 extending forward from the rear wall 154. The perimeter wall 156 includes a top wall portion, a bottom wall portion, a right side wall portion (broadly, a first side wall portion), and a left side wall portion (broadly, a second side wall portion). The side wall portions of the perimeter wall 156 define opposite sides of the freezing plate 22, and the top and bottom wall portions of the perimeter wall define the top and bottom ends of the freezing plate. The perimeter wall 156 could be formed from one or more discrete pieces attached to the rear wall 154 or the tray 152, or the entire tray could be formed from a single monolithic piece of material in one or more ways.Appropriately, the perimeter wall 156 is sealed to the back wall 154 so that water flowing down from the freezing plate 22 does not seep through the back of the freezing plate. A plurality of divider plates, 160 and 162 in height and width, are secured to the tray to form a grid of ice cube molds 150. In an illustrative embodiment, each divider plate 160 in height and each divider plate 162 in width is formed from a single piece of monolithic material. Each divider plate 160 in height has a right-side surface (broadly, a first side surface) and a left-side surface (broadly, a second left-side surface) oriented parallel to the right-side surface. Each divider plate 162 in width has a bottom surface and a top surface oriented parallel to the bottom surface.The divider plate at height 162 extends from lower ends, which are sealed to the lower wall portion of the perimeter wall 156, to upper ends, which are sealed to the upper wall portion of the perimeter wall. The plurality of divider plates at width 160 similarly extend from first ends, which are sealed to the right-side wall portion of the first perimeter wall 156, to second ends, which are sealed to the left-side wall portion of the perimeter wall. Generally, the height-dividing plates 160 and the width-dividing plates 162 are interconnected in such a way as to define a plurality of ice molds 150 within the perimeter wall 156. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the height-dividing plates 160 has a plurality of forward-opening, vertically spaced slots 164; each of the width-dividing plates has a plurality of rearward-opening, east-spaced slots 166; and the height-dividing and width-dividing plates are interlocked in the slots 164, 166 to form the joint. Appropriately, each divider plate across width 166 defines a plurality of molds 150 (for example, at least three molds) immediately above the divider plate and a plurality of molds (for example, at least three molds) immediately below the divider plate. Each divider plate in height 160 similarly defines a plurality of molds 150 (for example, at least three molds) immediately to one side of the divider plate and a plurality of molds (for example, at least three molds) immediately to the opposite side of the divider plate. Each of the divider plates 160, 162 has a front edge and a rear edge. The rear edges can be suitably sealed to the rear wall 154 of the freezing plate tray 152. When the freezing plate 22 is assembled, the front edges of some or all of the divider plates 160, 162 (for example, at least the widthwise divider plates) lie substantially in a front plane FP (Figure 8) of the freezing plate 22. In one or more embodiments, the front plane FP is parallel to the rear wall 154. A plurality of the ice molds 150 formed in the freezing plate 22 are inner ice molds having perimeters substantially defined entirely by the divider plates in height and width 160, 162. Other molds 150 are perpendicular molds having portions of their perimeters formed by the perimeter wall 156 of the freezing plate tray 152. Each inner ice mold 150 has an upper end substantially defined entirely by the lower surface of one of the divider plates in width 162 and a lower end substantially defined entirely by the upper surface of an adjacent divider plate in width.In addition, each inner mold 160 has a left side side substantially defined completely by a right side side surface of a height divider plate 162 and a right side side substantially defined completely by the left side side surface of the adjacent height divider plate. As shown in Figure 8, each width divider plate 162 slopes downward and forward from the rear wall 154 of the freezing plate 22 such that an included angle β between a top surface of each width divider plate and the rear wall is greater than 90°. In one or more embodiments, the included angle β is at least 100° and less than 180°. It can be observed that the included angle between the top surface of each width divider plate 16 and the front plane FP is MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o substantially equal to the included angle β. Furthermore, it can be observed that the included angle between the lower surface of each horizontal divider plate 162 and the back wall 154 (and also the included angle between the upper surface of each horizontal divider plate 162 and the front plane FP) is substantially equal to 180° minus β. The upper and lower portions of the perimeter wall 156 of the tray are oriented substantially parallel to the widthwise divider plates 162 in one or more ways. A series of threaded crossbars 168 extend outwards from the perimeter wall 156 at spaced locations around the perimeter of the freezing plate 22. As will be explained in further detail below, the threaded crossbars 168 are used to secure the freezing plate 22 to an evaporator housing 170 that fixes the evaporator assembly 20 to the bracket 110. The crossbars 168 are formed and arranged appropriately to connect the freezing plate 22 to the evaporator housing 170, and further to the bracket 110, such that the rear wall 154 and front plane FP of the freezing plate are tilted forward when the freezing plate is installed in the ice machine 10. VII. Evaporator Housing Referring to Figures 9-14, the evaporator housing 170 will now be described in more detail. In general, the evaporator housing 170 is configured to support the evaporator piping 21 and the freezing plate 22. As will be explained in more detail below, the water distributor 25 is integrated directly into (i.e., forms a part of) the evaporator housing 170. The evaporator housing 170 comprises a frame including a bottom piece 172, a top piece 174, and first and second side pieces 176 that together extend around the perimeter of the freezing plate 22. Each of the bottom piece 172, the top piece 174, and the opposing side pieces 176 is formed from a single monolithic piece of material (e.g., molded plastic) in one or more ways.The inner surfaces of the lower part 172, the upper part 174, and the opposing side parts 176 may include a gasket (not shown) to aid in the airtight sealing of the evaporator housing. The upper part 176 of the evaporator housing 170 forms a lower part (broadly, a first part) of the two-piece distributor 25 in the illustrated embodiment. A rear wall 178 is supported on the assembled frame pieces 172, 174, 176, 178 in spaced relation to the rear wall 154 of the freezing plate 22. As shown in Figure 14, the evaporator housing 170 defines an enclosed space 180 between the rear wall 154 of the freezing plate 22 and the rear wall 178 of the housing. As explained in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o 2018 / 0142932, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, in one or more forms, two discrete layers 182, 184 of insulation fill the enclosed space 176 and completely insulate the evaporator pipe 21. The bottom piece 172, the top piece 174, the opposing side pieces 176, and / or the back wall 178 may have features that facilitate their assembly together to form the evaporator housing 170 in a variety of ways, including press-fit features, bolts and nuts, etc. For example, each of the frame pieces 172, 174, 176 comprises crossbar openings 186 that are arranged to receive crossbars 168 in the corresponding wall portion of the perimeter wall 156 of the freezing plate 22. Some of the crossbar holes 186 are visible in Figure 12. In one or more embodiments, the back wall 178 is attached to the assembled frame pieces 172, 174, 176 by ultrasonic welding. Referring to Figures 15 and 16, an example of how the housing pieces 172, 174, and 176 are attached to the freezing plate 72 is shown in greater detail. Specifically, the upper housing piece 174 is shown, but it is understood that the other housing pieces can be attached to the freezing plate in a similar manner. The upper piece 164 includes a front section defining a crossbar opening 186. In the illustrated embodiment, each crossbar opening 186 comprises a countersunk screw recess including an annular shoulder 192. The upper piece 174 is positioned on the freezing plate 22 so that a crossbar 168 is received in each of the openings 186. In the illustrated embodiment, a gasket 194 is located between the top of the freezing plate 22 and the top of the upper piece 174 to seal the interface between the two parts. Nuts 196 are fitted over each of the crossbars 168 to secure the upper piece 174 to the freezing plate 122.Furthermore, because the upper housing piece 164 forms the lower distributor piece 25, fitting the nuts 196 onto the crossbars also secures the distributor directly to the freezing plate in the illustrated embodiment. Each nut 196 is tightened against the shoulder 192 of the respective countersunk recesses 186 (generally, the nuts are fitted directly against the upper housing piece 170 or lower distributor piece). In the illustrated embodiment, the caps 198 are placed over the tops of the countersunk recesses 186. Suitablely, the tops of the caps 198 are substantially flush with the surface of piece 164. MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o to present a surface report for water flowing through distributor 25. VIII. Positioning the Evaporator Mount in Such a Way That the Freezing Plate Tilts Forward Referring again to Figures 9 and 10, each of the evaporator housing side pieces 176 includes preformed upper and lower screw openings 200, 202 in vertically spaced locations. The upper and lower screw openings 200, 202 are configured to align with the screw openings 130, 132 of a respective side wall portion 116, 118 of the bracket 110. When each side piece 176 is secured to the freezing plate 22 via the crossbars 168, the screw openings 200, 202 are spaced along an imaginary line IL2 oriented substantially parallel to the rear wall 154 and the front plane FP of the freezing plate 22.Referring to Figure 17, when screws (not shown) secure the evaporator assembly 20 to the bracket 110 through the aligned lower screw openings 130, 200 and the aligned upper screw openings 132, 202, the imaginary line IL2 of the evaporator housing 170 aligns with the forward-sloping imaginary line IL1 of the bracket. In this way, screw openings 130, 132, 200, and 202 position the freezing plate 22 on the support 110 so that the rear wall 154 and front plane FP are oriented at the forward-inclined angle α with respect to both the plumb vertical axis VA and the rear plane BP of the support 110. In one or more embodiments, the included angle α between the rear wall 154 and the front plane FP of the plumb vertical axis VA / rear plane BP is at least approximately 1.5 degrees. For example, in one illustrative embodiment, the included angle α is approximately 2.0°. Accordingly, the illustrated ice machine 10 is configured to mount the freezing plate 22 in compartment 29 so that the rear wall 154 is inclined.It will be appreciated that, although the support piece 110 and the evaporator housing side pieces 176 are used to mount the freezing plate 22 in the inclined direction in the illustrated embodiment, other shapes can be used to mount a freezing plate in other embodiments. Conventional knowledge in the field of ice machines held that orienting a freezing plate with grid-type divider plates so that the back wall of the freezing plate slopes forward would adversely affect the water distribution performance of the ice machine. However, MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o Due to the high-quality flow distribution produced by the water distributor 25, achieved, for example, by using one or more of the water distribution features described below, water is effectively distributed to the mold 150 even when the freezing plate 22 is mounted with its back wall 154 tilted forward. Furthermore, the tilted freezing plate 22 allows the ice machine 10 to collect the ice quickly, using gravitational forces. In one or more configurations, the ice machine 10 is set to run a collection cycle whereby ice is released from the molds 150 of the freezing plate 22; here, substantially the only forces imparted on the ice during the collection cycle are gravitational forces.For example, the collection cycle is executed by actuating the hot gas valve 24 to redirect the hot refrigerant gas back into the evaporator pipe 21, thereby heating the freezing plate 22. The ice in the molds 150 begins to melt and slides out under the slope of the divider plates across 162, off the freezing plate, and into the ice tray 30. In a collection cycle in which substantially the only forces imparted on the ice are gravitational forces, no mechanical actuators, pressurized air jets, or the like are used to forcibly push the ice off the freezing plate 22. Rather, the slightly melted ice falls by gravity from the freezing plate 22. IX. Water Distributor With reference to Figures 9 and 18-19, an illustrative embodiment of the distributor 25 will now be described. As explained above, the distributor comprises a lower piece 174 forming an upper piece of the evaporator housing 170. The distributor 25 further comprises an upper piece 210 detachably attached to the lower piece 174 to form the distributor. Although the illustrated distributor 25 comprises a two-piece distributor that is directly integrated into the evaporator housing 170, it is understood that distributors can be formed from other numbers of pieces and attached to the ice machine in other ways and in other embodiments. As shown in Figure 9, the distributor 25 is mounted on the evaporator assembly 20 adjacent to the top of the freezing plate 22 and has a width WD that generally extends along the width WF of the freezing plate 22.The distributor 25 extends widthwise from a right end portion (broadly, first end portion) adjacent to the right side of the freezing plate 22 to a left end portion (broadly, a second end portion). MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o end portion) adjacent to the left side of the freezing plate. The distributor 25 has a rear, rising-end portion that defines an inlet 212, and a front, falling-end portion that defines an outlet 214. The falling-end portion extends widthwise adjacent to the upper front corner of the freezing plate 22, and the rising-end portion extends widthwise at locations spaced behind the falling-end portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet 212 is formed by an opening in the rising-end portion of the distributor, and the outlet 214 is defined by an exposed lower front edge of the distributor 25. In use, this edge is arranged so that water flows off the edge onto the upper portion of the freezing plate 22. It is contemplated that the inlet and / or outlet could have other configurations in other embodiments. As shown in Figure 20, the distributor 25 defines a distributor flow path FP that generally extends forward from inlet 212 to outlet 214. The distributor 25 is generally configured to direct water imparted through the distributor along the distributor flow path FP to discharge water from outlet 214 so that the water flows from the upper portion of the freezing plate 22 to the lower portion generally uniformly across the width WF of the freezing plate. As will be explained in further detail below, the distributor 25 includes a number of water distribution features that direct the water flowing along the flow path FP to be distributed generally uniformly across substantially the entire width of the distributor. Each of the lower and upper parts 174, 210 will now be described in detail before describing how distributor 25 is assembled and used to distribute water over the freezing plate 22. IX.A. Lower Distributor Part Referring to Figures 21-22, the lower distributor piece 174 has a right end wall 216 (broadly, a first end wall) on the right end portion of the distributor 24, a left end wall 118 (broadly, a second end wall) on the left end portion of the distributor, and a bottom wall 22 that extends widthwise from the right end wall to the left end wall. Referring to Figure 13, as explained above, the lower distributor piece 174 is attached directly to the freezing plate 22. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the lower distributor piece 174 is in direct contact with the insulation 184 that fills the enclosed space 180 between the rear wall 154 of the freezing plate and the rear wall 178 of the evaporator housing 170.A front section 222 of the inner wall 220 is generally located above the freezing plate 22 to mount the distributor piece 174 onto the freezing piece as described above, and a rear section 224 of the lower wall is generally located above the enclosed space 180 to make direct contact with the insulation 184. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear section 224 includes a rear leg 226 extending downward into a rear end portion of the lower wall and a front leg 228 extending downward into a spatial location forward of the rear leg. Each of the front and rear legs 226, 224 spans widthwise between the right and left end walls 216, 218 of the lower distributor piece 174. The rear leg 226 is sealed to the rear wall 178 of the evaporator housing 170 (e.g., the rear leg is ultrasonically welded to the rear wall). The evaporator wall 220 defines a lower recess 230 located between the front and rear legs 226, 228. The lower recess 230 spans widthwise between the right and left end walls 216, 217 and forms the top of the enclosed space 180.In this way, a portion of the insulation 184 is received in process 230 and makes direct contact with the lower distributor piece along three sides that define the recess. This is intended to minimize heat loss between the distributor and the evaporator. Referring to Figure 24, each end wall 216, 218 in the illustrated embodiment comprises an elongated tongue 232 formed along an inner surface. Only the left end wall 218 is shown in Figure 27, but the right end wall 216 is understood to have a substantially identical mirror tongue 232. The elongated tongues 232 extend longitudinally in parallel, generally in front-to-back directions. The elongated tongues 232 are generally configured to form fittings MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o female fittings that detachably attach to the lower distributor piece 174 and the upper distributor piece 210 without the use of separate fasteners. Each elongated tab 232 has a front end portion and a rear end portion spaced longitudinally to the front end portion. Between the front end portion and the rear end portion, each tab comprises a slight depression 234. Referring to Figures 19 and 20, the lower wall 220 generally extends forward from a rear rising end portion to a front falling end portion. A rear wall 236 extends upward from the rising end portion of the lower wall 220. The inlet opening 212 is formed in the rear wall 236. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet opening 236 is generally centered on the rear wall 236 at a location spaced between the end walls 216 and 218. Thus, broadly speaking, the inlet opening 212 through which water is directed into the interior of the distributor 25 is spaced widthwise between the first end portion and the second end portion of the distributor.During use, the distributor 25 is configured to direct water to flow from the inlet opening 212 along the lower wall 220 in a generally forward direction FD from the rising end portion of the lower wall to the falling end portion. An integral inlet pipe 238 projects rearward from the rear wall 236 and communicates seamlessly through the rear wall via the inlet opening 212. The pipe 238 slopes downward and rearward as it extends from the rear wall 236. The inlet pipe 238 is configured to connect to the ice machine water line 63 (Figure 1). Consequently, when ice is being made, the pump 62 pumps water from the sump 70 through the water line 63 and into the distributor 25 via the integral inlet pipe 238. When ice is not being made, residual water in the distributor 25 can drain through the inlet pipe 238, down the water line 63, and into the sump 70. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear section 224 of the lower wall 220 slopes downward and backward along substantially the entire width of the lower wall. Conversely, the front section 222 of the lower wall 220 slopes downward and forward along substantially the entire width. The front section 222 thus creates a runoff section along which water flows forward and downward toward the descending end portion of the lower wall 220. Between the sloped rear section 224 and the sloped front section 222, the lower wall comprises a midsection including a widthwise groove 240. The widthwise groove is configured to receive a sealed portion of the upper distributor piece 210 when the upper distributor piece is coupled to the lower distributor piece 174. In one or more embodiments, the groove 240 is convex in the direction a ML / a / ZUZ 1 / UUU3 / 0 width (see Figure 33). An apex of the lower wall 220 is located immediately downward from the groove width 240. The rear section 224 of the lower wall slopes downward from the apex to the rear wall 236. As shown in Figure 23, the rear section 224 of the lower wall 220 includes a ramp surface 242 that defines the apex and a rear (or more ascending) surface portion 244 (broadly as an ascending segment). The ramp 242 and the more ascending surface portion 244 extend widthwise from the right end wall 216 to the left end wall 218. The ramp surface 242 slopes upward in the generally forward direction and downward in the generally rearward direction. The rearmost surface portion 244 slopes upwards in the generally forward direction more gradually than the ramp surface 242.The rearmost surface portion 244 is oriented at an angle of less than 180° with respect to the ramp surface 242 so that the rearmost surface portion slopes downwards in the generally rearward direction at a more gradual angle than the ramp surface in the illustrated mode. The lower wall 220 is configured to passively drain water from the distributor 25 when the ice machine 10 stops making ice. Whenever the ice machine 10 stops making ice, wastewater in the front portion of the distributor 25 flows forward along the sloped front section 222 (drainage section) of the lower wall 220 and drains out outlet 214 onto the freezing plate 22. Similarly, wastewater in the rear portion of the distributor 25 flows backward along the sloped rear section 224 and drains through inlet opening 202 into inlet pipe 238. The forward-directed water flows backward along the freezing plate 22 and then out of the freezing plate into sump 70. The backward-directed water flows downward through waterline 63 into sump 70.In this way, the distributor 25 is configured to direct substantially all of the wastewater into the sump 70 when the ice machine 10 is not making ice. Furthermore, in one or more configurations, the sump 70 is configured to drain substantially all of the water received there through the discharge line 78 when the ice machine 10 is not in use. As can be seen, the shape of the lower wall 220 of the distributor 25 facilitates complete passive drainage of the ice machine 10 when it is not making ice. Referring to Figure 21, a lateral diverter wall 246 extends upward from the lower wall 220 along the rear surface portion 244. The lateral diverter wall 246 is spaced between the rear portion 236 and the ramp surface 242. The diverter wall 246 extends upward from the lower wall 220 to an upper edge that is spaced below the top of the assembled distributor 25 (see Figure 20). The diverter wall 246 extends widthwise from a right end portion (broadly, a first end portion) spaced from the right side wall 216 to a left end portion (broadly, a second end portion) spaced from the left end wall 216. The lateral diverter wall 246 is positioned in front of the inlet opening 214.As water flows into distributor 25 through the inlet opening, the side diverter wall 246 is configured to divert at least some water laterally outwards, forcing the water to flow around the left and right ends of the side diverter wall. Referring to Figures 20A and 23, the downward-curving portion of the bottom wall 220 defines a downward-curving surface tension curve 245 that extends widthwise from the right-hand end wall 216 to the left-hand end wall 218. The downward-curving surface tension surface 247 is configured so that surface tension causes water flowing along the bottom wall MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o 220 adheres to the surface and is directed downwards along the curve towards the upper end portion of the freezing plate 22. In one or more embodiments, the surface tension curve 270 is defined at least partially by a radius R and at least 1 mm. In certain embodiments, the surface tension curve 270 is defined by a radius of less than 10 mm. In one or more embodiments, the surface tension curve 270 is defined by a radius in the inclusive range of 1 mm to 3 mm. In one illustrative embodiment, the surface tension curve 270 is defined by a radius of 1.5 mm. The lower wall 220 further comprises a waterfall surface 249 that generally extends downward from the surface tension curve 270 to the lower edge defining the outlet 214 of the distributor 212. The waterfall surface 249 extends widthwise from the right end wall 216 to the left end wall 218. The waterfall surface 249 is generally configured so that surface tension causes water imparted through the distributor 25 to adhere to the waterfall surface and flow downward along the waterfall surface onto the upper end portion of the freezing plate 22. In one or more embodiments, the waterfall surface 249 is tilted forward in the ice machine 10 so that the waterfall surface is generally oriented parallel to the rear wall 254 (front plane FP) of the forward-tilting freezing plate 22. IX.B. Upper Distributor Part Referring to Figures 25-27, the upper distributor piece 210 has a right end wall 250 (broadly speaking, a first end wall) on the right end portion of the distributor 25 and a left end wall 152 (broadly speaking, a second end wall) on the left wall portion of the distributor. The width of the upper distributor piece 210 is slightly less than the width of the lower distributor piece 174 so that the upper distributor piece is configured to fit between the end walls 216, 218 of the lower distributor piece. Referring to Figure 28, each end wall 250, 252 in the illustrated embodiment comprises an elongated groove 254 along an outer surface. Only the left end wall 252 is shown in Figure 28, but it will be described that the right end wall 250 has a substantially identical mirror groove 254. Generally, the elongated grooves 254 are configured to form complementary female fittings that engage with the male fittings formed by the elongated tabs 232 for detachable coupling. ML / a / ZUZ 1 / UUU3 / 0 the upper distributor piece 210 to the lower distributor piece 174 without the use of separate fasteners. The elongated slots 254 are generally parallel, extending longitudinally in a front-to-back direction. The rear end portion of each elongated slot 254 defines a flared opening through which a respective elongated tab 174 can pass into the slot. Each end wall further defines a protrusion 256 that projects into the slot at a location spaced between the front and rear ends of the slot 254. Referring again to Figures 25-27, the upper distributor piece 210 comprises an upper wall 258 extending widthwise from the right end wall 250 to the left end wall 252. The upper wall 258 generally extends forward from a rear edge margin. A front wall 260 generally extends downward from a front end portion of the upper wall to a free lower edge margin. Two handle portions 262 extend forward from the front wall 260 in the illustrated embodiment. As shown in Figures 26-27, the upper distributor piece 210 further comprises a weir 264 extending downward from the upper wall 258 at a location spaced between the trailing edge margin and the front wall 260. The weir 264 extends widthwise from the right end wall 250 to the left end wall 252 and has a free lower edge margin configured to be received in the widthwise groove 240 of the lower distributor piece 170. As shown in Figure 27, the lower edge margin of the weir 264 is convex in the widthwise direction. The weir 264 defines a plurality of openings 266 at locations spaced along the width WD of the distributor 25. A lower portion of the weir 264 below the openings 266 is configured to retain water when the water level reaches the bottom of the openings.The openings 266 are configured so that water can pass through the openings as it is imparted through the distributor 25. Adjacent openings are separated by portions of the weir 264, so that the weir is configured to form a segmented weir that allows water to cross in segments spaced along the width WD of the distributor 25 (through the openings). IX.C. Two-Piece Distributor Assembly Referring to Figures 29-30, to assemble distributor 25, the upper distributor piece 210 is aligned in the width direction with the space between the end walls 216, 218 of the lower distributor piece 174. Then, the upper piece 210 is moved in the rearward direction RD in the space between the rear walls 216, 218, so that the elongated tabs 232 of the lower piece are slidably received into the elongated grooves 254 of the upper piece. As shown in Figure 30, the evaporator assembly 20 is conveniently positioned inside the ice machine compartment 29 so that the upper part 210 can be installed / removed through an access opening 268, such as the cabinet door 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the door 268 is spaced from the front of the evaporator assembly 20 in the forward direction FD. Furthermore, the front opening 122 in the bracket 110 is located between the front of the evaporator assembly 20 and the door 268. Thus, the upper distributor part 210 can be installed by moving it through the door 268 and the opening 122 in the rearward direction RD. The upper distributor part 210 is removed by moving it through the opening 122 and the door 268 in the forward direction FD. Each tab 232 is configured to slide into its respective groove 254 as the upper distributor piece 210 moves toward the lower distributor piece 174 in the rearward direction RD. That is, the parallel longitudinal orientations of the MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o tabs 232 and slots 254 facilitate coupling of the upper distributor piece 210 to the lower distributor piece 174 simply by moving the upper distributor piece in the rearward direction RD. In this way, the complementary fittings formed by the tabs 232 and slots 254 are configured to couple by moving the upper distributor piece 210 inwards into compartment 29 from door 268. Furthermore, the complementary fittings 232 and 254 are configured to uncouple simply by pushing the upper distributor piece 210 away from the lower distributor piece 174 in the forward direction FD, towards door 268.When maintenance or repair of distributor 25 is required, a technician simply opens door 52 (Figure 2), grasps the handles 262, and pulls the upper distributor piece 210 outward in the forward FD direction through door 268. To replace the upper distributor piece 210, the technician inserts the piece through door 268, aligns the open ends of the slots 254 with the tabs 232, and pushes the upper piece back. The tabs 232 then slide into the slots 254, and the complementary fittings thereby couple the upper distributor piece 210 to the lower distributor piece 174 without the use of any additional fasteners such as screws or rivets. Although the illustrated embodiment uses the elongated tabs 232 of the lower distributor piece as male fittings and the elongated grooves 254 of the upper distributor piece as complementary female fittings, other shapes, arrangements, or complementary integral fittings may be used to detachably couple one distributor piece to another in one or more embodiments. For example, it is expressly contemplated that in certain embodiments, one or more male fittings could be formed on the upper distributor piece and one or more complementary female fittings could be formed on the lower distributor piece. Furthermore, it is contemplated that fittings could be formed in alternative or additional locations other than the distributor end portions. Referring to Figure 31, each pair of complementary fittings comprises a brake configured to hold the respective tab 232 in a mating position along the respective groove 254. More specifically, the protrusions 256 formed in the grooves 254 are configured to engage in the depressions 234 of the tabs 232 to provide a brake when the complementary fittings are in the mating position. The brake resists accidental removal of the upper distributor piece 210 from the lower distributor track 174 and provides tactile feedback when the tab 232 slides along the groove 254 to the mating position. It will be appreciated that a brake can be formed in one or more other ways. Referring to Figures 20 and 32, as the upper distributor piece 210 slides in the rearward direction RD to couple the distributor pieces together, the upper edge margin of the weir 264 slides along the downward (front) section 222 of the lower wall 220. When the upper distributor piece 210 reaches the coupling position, the lower edge margin of the weir 264 is received in the groove 240. In one or more embodiments, placing the weir 264 in the groove 240 requires pushing the working pencil 210 rearward past a slight interference with the lower piece 174.When the lower edge margin of the weir 364 is received in the groove, the weir is sealed to the lower wall 220 so that water flowing along the flow path of distributor FP is inhibited from flowing through an interface between the lower edge margin of the weir and the lower wall and is directed to flow through the weir through the plurality of openings. 266. The spout 264 extends across a midsection of the assembled distributor 25, in a location spaced between the front wall 260 and the rear wall 236. The only couplings between the upper distributor piece 210 and the lower distributor piece 274 in the midsection of the distributor 25 are the MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o tongue and groove connections in the left and right end portions of the distributor. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the middle section of the distributor 25 includes couplings in the first and second end portions of the distributor that restrict upward movement of the upper distributor piece 210 with respect to the lower distributor piece 174, but the distributor is substantially free of restrictions against upward movement of the upper distributor piece with respect to the lower distributor piece along the middle section of the distributor at locations between these couplings.However, because the lower edge margin of the weir 246 is convex and the slot 240 is correspondingly concave in the width direction (Figure 32), even as the distributor pieces 174, 210 flex and deform during use, the seal between the weir and the lower wall 220 is maintained, nor is the water reliably directed to flow through the openings 266, instead of downward through the interface between the weir and the lower wall. IX.D. Water Flow Through Distributor Referring to Figure 20, the distributor is configured to direct water to flow from inlet 212 to outlet 214 so that the water flows along flow path EP between the lower and upper walls 220, 258 and is then directed downwards MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / oa along the surface tension curve 247 and the waterfall surface 249 over the upper portion of the freezing plate 22. Initially, the water generally flows in the forward direction from the inlet tube 238 through the inlet opening 212 in the back wall 236. The water then encounters the side diverter wall 246. The side diverter wall 246 diverts at least some of the water laterally outwards, so that the water continues forward through the spaces across the width between the end portions of the side diverter wall and the end portions of the distributor 25. After flowing past the lateral diverter wall 246, the water encounters the ramp surface 242 and the segmented weir 264. The ramp surface 242 is immediately upstream of the weir 264, so water flowing along the lower wall 220 of the distributor 25 must flow upward along the ramp surface before flowing over the weir. The weir 264 is configured so that the openings 266 are spaced above the lower wall 220 (i.e., the lower edges of the openings are spaced above the apex of the ramp surface 242). Thus, in the illustrated configuration, the water must flow upward along the ramp surface 242 and upward along a portion of the height of the weir 264 before it can flow through the openings 266 over the weir.In one or more embodiments, the weir 264 is configured so that the rising distributor portion 25 of the weir fills with water to a level that generally corresponds to the height of the weir edges of the openings 266 before the water begins to flow over the weir through the openings. In certain embodiments, the ramp surface 242 may direct at least some of the forward-flowing water F2 along the ramp surface to flow through the openings 266 before the rising distributor portion 25 fills with water to a level that corresponds to the height of the lower edges of the openings. After flowing over the weir 264, the water falls down onto the sloping front-flow section 222 of the bottom wall 220 and then flows downward and forward. As can be seen, the upper trailing edge of the frontal runoff section 222 is spaced below the openings 266 by a substantially greater distance than the apex of the ramp surface 242. In this way, the water falls a relatively large distance from the segmented weir 264 onto the frontal runoff section 222, which can create impact turbulence, improving the water distribution in the distributor 25. In one or more embodiments, the vertical distance between the lower edges of the openings 266 and the upper trailing edge of the frontal runoff section 222 is at least 5 mm; for example, at least 7 mm; for example, at least 10 mm; for example, approximately 12 to 13 mm. Referring to Figure 20A, in the assembled distributor 25, the front wall 260 of the upper distributor piece 210 forms a cantilevered front wall projecting from the lower wall 220. The lower edge margin of the front wall 260 is spaced over the forward-sloping front flow section 222 of the lower wall 220 so that a flow restriction 270 is defined between the flow section and the cantilevered front wall. The flow restriction 270 comprises a space (e.g., a continuous space) extending across the width between the first end portion and the second end portion of the distributor 25. In general, the flow restriction 270 is configured to restrict the velocity at which water flows through the flow restriction to the outlet 214.In one or more of the forms, the flow restriction 270 has a height extending vertically from the runoff section 222 to the bottom of the front wall 260 of less than 10 mm, for example, less than 7 mm; for example, less than 5 mm; for example, approximately 2 to 3 mm. The water flowing forward along the front section 266 reaches the flow restriction 270, and the flow restriction stops or slows the water flow. In one or more embodiments, the cantilevered front portion 260 acts as a type of inverted weir. The flow restriction 270 slows the water flow to a point where the water begins to fill the front portion of the distributor 25. This creates a small reservoir of water behind the flow restriction 270. A metered amount of water flows continuously from this filled reservoir through the flow restriction 270 along substantially the entire width W of the distributor 25. The surface tension curve 247, and more broadly the downward-curving portion of the lower wall 220, projects forward from the cantilevered front wall 260 and the flow restriction 270. After the water flows (e.g., is measured) through the flow restriction 270, it adheres to the downward-curving surface tension curve 247 as it generally flows forward. The surface tension curve 247 directs the water downward onto the waterfall surface 249. The water adheres to the waterfall surface 249 and flows downward along it. Finally, the water discharges from the trailing edge 214 of the waterfall surface 249 onto the upper-end portion of the freezing plate 22. Because of the water distribution features such as one or more of the lateral diverter wall 24, the ramp surface 242, the segmented weir 264, the flow restriction 270, the surface tension curve 247, and the cascade surface 249, water is discharged from outlet 214 at a substantially uniform flow rate along the width WD of the distributor 25. The distributor 25 thus directs water imparted through the distributor to flow downward along the front of the coupling plate 22, generally uniformly along the width WF of the freezing plate during an ice-making cycle. Furthermore, the distributor 25 controls the dynamics of the flowing water so that the water generally passes over the surfaces of the front of the freezing plate 22 as it flows downward.In this way, the distributor 25 allows ice to form at a generally uniform rate along the height HF and width WF of the freezing plate 22. X. Use Referring again to Figure 1, during operation the ice machine 10 alternates between ice-making cycles and collection cycles. During each ice-making cycle, the refrigeration system is operated to cool the freezing plate 22. At the same time, pump 62 supplies water from sump 70 through water line 63 and also through distributor 25. Distributor 25 distributes water along the upper portion of the freezing plate 22, which freezes into ice in molds 150 at a generally uniform rate along the height HF and width WF of the freezing plate 22. When the ice reaches a thickness suitable for collection, pump 62 is switched off, and the hot gas valve 29 redirects hot refrigerant gas to evaporator pipe 21. The hot gas heats the freezing plate 22, causing the ice to melt.The melted iron falls by gravity from the forward-sloping freezing plate 22 into the reservoir 30. When collection is complete, the pump 62 can be reactivated to begin a new ice-making cycle. If no additional ice is required, the drain valve 79 opens. Residual water in the distributor 25 drains into the sump 70 as described above, and the sump water drains through the drain line 78. The drain valve 79 can be closed when the water level sensor 64 detects that the sump 70 is empty. If repair or maintenance of the distributor 25 is ever required, a technician can simply open the door 52 to the compartment and remove the upper part 210 as described above. No fasteners are used when removing and replacing the upper distributor part 210. When elements of the present invention or preferred embodiment(s) thereof are introduced, the articles "a," "one," and "the" are intended to mean that one or more of the elements exist. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than those listed. In view of the above, it will be observed that the various objectives of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained. Since various changes can be made to the above products and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all the material contained in the above description be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

1. An ice machine characterized in that it comprises: a freezing plate defining a plurality of molds in which the ice machine is configured to form ice, the freezing plate having an upper portion and a lower portion spaced along a height and a first side portion and a second side portion spaced along a width; and a distributor extending along the width of the adjacent freezing plate between the upper portion of the freezing plate, the distributor being configured to direct water imparted through the distributor to flow from the upper portion of the freezing plate to the lower portion along the width of the freezing plate;wherein the distributor comprises a first distributor piece and a second distributor piece, the second distributor piece configured to be releasably coupled to the first distributor piece without separate fasteners to form the distributor.

2. The ice machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first distributor piece and the second distributor piece have complementary integral accessories configured to couple together to couple the second distributor piece to the first distributor piece.

3. The ice machine according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises a compartment having an access opening, a distributor received in an interior position in the compartment, integral accessories configured to engage for removal of the second distributor piece when the second distributor piece is driven away from the interior position in a direction towards the access opening.

4. The ice machine according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the first distributor piece and the second distributor piece has a first end wall adjacent to the first side portion and a second end wall adjacent to the second side portion.

5. The ice machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the second distributor piece is configured to fit between the first and second end walls of the first distributor piece when the second distributor piece is coupled to the first distributor piece.

6. The ice machine according to claim 4, characterized in that first end walls of the first and second distributor pieces define a first pair of complementary accessories configured to couple the second distributor piece to the first distributor piece and the second end walls of the first and second distributor pieces define a second pair of complementary accessories configured to couple the second distributor piece to the first distributor piece.

7. The ice machine according to claim 6, characterized in that each pair of complementary accessories comprises a female accessory and a male accessory configured to be received in the female accessory.

8. The ice machine according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises a compartment having an access opening, wherein each accessory is configured to be received in the female accessory as the second dispenser piece moves relative to the first dispenser piece in a direction extending inwards from the access opening towards the first piece. MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o 9. The ice machine according to claim 7, characterized in that each female fitting comprises an elongated groove having an open end and each male fitting comprises an elongated tongue configured to slide into the respective elongated groove through the respective open end.

10. The ice machine according to claim 9, characterized in that each pair of complementary accessories includes a brake configured to hold the respective tongue in a coupling position along a respective elongated groove.

11. The ice machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first distributor piece comprises a lower wall defining a widthwise slot configured to receive a portion of the second distributor piece when the second distributor piece is coupled to the first distributor piece.

12. The ice machine according to claim 11, characterized in that the second distributor piece comprises a generally vertical spout having a free edge margin configured to be received in the groove across its width.

13. The ice machine according to claim 12, characterized in that the free edge margin MA / a / zuzi / uuuo / o of the spout is convex in a width direction and the groove is concave in a width direction.

14. An ice machine, characterized in that it comprises: a freezing plate defining a plurality of molds in which the ice machine is configured to form ice; a coupling plate having an upper portion and a lower portion spaced along a height and a first side portion and a second side portion spaced along a width; and a distributor adjacent to the upper portion of the freezing plate having a width extending along the width of the freezing plate, the distributor having an inlet and an outlet and defining a distributor flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet.The distributor is configured to direct water imparted through the distributor along the distributor flow path and discharge the water from the outlet so that the water flows from the upper portion of the freezing plate to the lower portion along the width of the freezing plate. The distributor comprises a first distributor piece and a second distributor piece. The second distributor piece is releasably coupled to the first distributor piece to form the distributor. The first distributor piece comprises a lower wall defining a slot extending across its width, and the second distributor piece comprises a generally vertical weir defining a plurality of openings spaced along the width of the distributor.The weir having a free lower edge margin received in the groove such that water flowing along the distributor flow path is inhibited through an interface between the lower edge margin of the weir and the lower wall and directed through the weir via a plurality of openings.

15. The ice machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the free edge margin of the spout is convex in a width direction.

16. The ice machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the groove is concave in one direction across the width.

17. The ice machine according to claim 14: characterized in that the dispenser comprises a front and a rear portion and the spout extends widthwise along a middle section located between the front and rear portions of the dispenser; wherein the dispenser further comprises a first end portion and a second end portion spaced along the width of the dispenser, a first coupling in the first end portion providing a restraint against upward movement of the second dispenser piece with respect to the first dispenser piece in the middle section of the dispenser, and a second coupling in the second end portion providing a restraint against upward movement of the second dispenser piece with respect to the first dispenser piece in the middle section of the dispenser;and wherein the distributor is substantially free from restriction against upward movement of the second distributor piece with respect to the first distributor piece along the midsection of the distributor at locations along the width of the distributor between the first and second couplings.

18. The ice machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the plurality of openings is spaced on the lower wall.

19. The ice machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the second distributor piece comprises a lower wall and the distributor flow path passes between the lower and upper walls.

20. The ice machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the distributor flow path comprises a first ascending weir segment and a second descending weir segment.

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