Ice machine evaporator with localized expansion of tubing

Abstract

An evaporator plate assembly for an ice maker, the evaporator plate assembly including a first plate and a second plate, each of the first plate and the second plate defining a plurality of protrusions defining a dome shape, each of the plurality of protrusions extending from an outer surface of each plate, and a plurality of ribs; and tubing positioned between the first plate and the second plate and configured to transport refrigerant.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 753,908, filed Feb. 4, 2025, which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELDField of Use

[0002] This disclosure relates to ice making machines. More specifically, this disclosure relates to flow-down-type ice machines or ice makers with evaporator plate assemblies across which ice is formed.Related Art

[0003] A typical ice maker—and in particular a commercial ice maker configured to produce a high volume of ice—must often produce ice for hours, days, and years on end. The water and electricity required for such operation can be significant, and with the efficiencies—or inefficiencies available with current equipment, keeping up with end user needs (e.g., ice production rate) while minimizing capital expense (e.g., ice maker cost) can present additional challenges. A heat exchanger of the ice maker and, more specifically, an evaporator can be and typically is used to produce the ice. Depending on the shape, surface area, and other characteristics of and between the various components of the evaporator, the energy and time required to produce that ice—and the inefficiencies or energy loss associated with the process—can be significant.SUMMARY

[0004] It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description.

[0005] In one aspect, disclosed is an evaporator plate assembly for an ice maker, the evaporator plate assembly comprising: a first plate defining: an outer surface facing in a first direction; an inner surface facing in a second direction, the second direction being opposite from the first direction; a plurality of protrusions extending in the first direction from a surrounding portion of the outer surface, each of the plurality of protrusions defining, at least in part, an ice forming site of the first plate, each of the plurality of protrusions defining a dome shape; and a plurality of ribs, an ice forming column of the first plate defined between adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs; and a second plate formed from metal and defining: an outer surface facing in a first direction of the second plate, the first direction of the second plate being opposite from the first direction of the first plate; an inner surface facing in a second direction of the second plate, the second direction of the second plate being opposite from the first direction of the second plate; a plurality of protrusions extending in the first direction of the second plate from a surrounding portion of the outer surface of the second plate, each of the plurality of protrusions of the second plate defining, at least in part, an ice forming site of the second plate, each of the plurality of protrusions of the second plate defining a dome shape; and a plurality of ribs, an ice forming column of the second plate defined between adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs of the second plate; and tubing positioned between the first plate and the second plate and configured to transport refrigerant, the tubing: received at least partly within and contacting a horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the first plate, a portion of the tubing received within the horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the first plate; and received at least partly within and contacting a horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the second plate, the portion of tubing received within the horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the second plate.

[0006] In a further aspect, disclosed is an ice maker comprising: a refrigeration circuit comprising an evaporator plate assembly comprising: a first plate defining: an outer surface facing in a first direction; an inner surface facing in a second direction, the second direction being opposite from the first direction; a plurality of protrusions extending in the first direction from a surrounding portion of the outer surface, each of the plurality of protrusions defining, at least in part, an ice forming site of the first plate, each of the plurality of protrusions defining a dome shape; and a plurality of ribs, an ice forming column of the first plate defined between adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs; and a second plate defining: an outer surface facing in a first direction of the second plate, the first direction of the second plate being opposite from the first direction of the first plate; an inner surface facing in a second direction of the second plate, the second direction of the second plate being opposite from the first direction of the second plate; a plurality of protrusions extending in the first direction of the second plate from a surrounding portion of the outer surface of the second plate, each of the plurality of protrusions of the second plate defining, at least in part, an ice forming site of the second plate, each of the plurality of protrusions of the second plate defining a dome shape; and a plurality of ribs, an ice forming column of the second plate defined between adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs of the second plate; and tubing positioned between the first plate and the second plate and configured to transport refrigerant, the tubing: received at least partly within a horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the first plate, a portion of tubing received within the horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the first plate; and received at least partly within a horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the second plate, the portion of tubing received within the horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the second plate; and a water circuit, the water circuit configured to supply water to a top end of the evaporator plate assembly for production of ice.

[0007] In a further aspect, disclosed is a method of making ice with an ice maker, the method comprising: causing water to flow across a surface of an evaporator plate assembly, the evaporator plate assembly comprising: a first plate defining: an outer surface facing in a first direction; an inner surface facing in a second direction, the second direction being opposite from the first direction; a plurality of protrusions extending in the first direction from a surrounding portion of the outer surface, each of the plurality of protrusions defining, at least in part, an ice forming site of the first plate, each of the plurality of protrusions defining a dome shape; and a plurality of ribs, an ice forming column of the first plate defined between adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs; and a second plate defining: an outer surface facing in a first direction of the second plate, the first direction of the second plate being opposite from the first direction of the first plate; an inner surface facing in a second direction of the second plate, the second direction of the second plate being opposite from the first direction of the second plate; a plurality of protrusions extending in the first direction of the second plate from a surrounding portion of the outer surface of the second plate, each of the plurality of protrusions of the second plate defining, at least in part, an ice forming site of the second plate, each of the plurality of protrusions of the second plate defining a dome shape; and a plurality of ribs, an ice forming column of the second plate defined between adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs of the second plate; and tubing positioned between the first plate and the second plate and configured to transport refrigerant, the tubing: received at least partly within a horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the first plate, a portion of tubing received within the horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the first plate; and received at least partly within a horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the second plate, the portion of tubing received within the horizontal row of protrusions; forming a plurality of ice cubes on each of the outer surface of the first plate and the outer surface of the second plate, each of the plurality of ice cubes defining an indentation in a rear surface of the ice cube.

[0008] Various implementations described in the present disclosure can comprise additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims. The features and advantages of such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of the systems, methods, features particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the disclosure and, together with the description, explain various principles of the disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an ice machine comprising an ice maker and a storage bin in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 2A a front perspective view of the ice maker of FIG. 1 with an outer casing of the ice maker removed.

[0012] FIG. 2B a front perspective view of the ice maker of FIG. 1 with a front insulation and a top insulation of an evaporator case of the ice maker as well as a base case cover of a compressor base of the ice maker further removed.

[0013] FIG. 2C a front perspective exploded view of a spray tube, a water pump, and other components of a water circuit 450 of the ice maker of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigeration circuit and the water circuit of the ice maker of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an exemplary ice cube produced by the ice maker of FIG. 1 in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 4B a sectional view of the ice cube of FIG. 4A taken along line 4B-4B of FIG. 4A.

[0017] FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of the evaporator case of FIG. 2B.

[0018] FIG. 5B is a sectional side view of the evaporator case of FIG. 2B taken along line 5B-5B shown in FIG. 2B and showing an evaporator in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a front top perspective view of the evaporator case of FIG. 5A with the front insulation and the top insulation removed.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the evaporator case of FIG. 5A with the spray tube removed and comprising an evaporator plate assembly, comprising a first plate, a second plate, and a tubing positioned between the first plate and the second plate.

[0021] FIG. 8A is a first side or front side perspective view of the evaporator plate assembly of the ice maker of FIG. 1 and, more specifically, the evaporator case of FIG. 7.

[0022] FIG. 8B is a second side or rear side perspective view of the evaporator plate assembly of FIG. 8A.

[0023] FIG. 8C is a detail sectional front perspective view of the evaporator plate assembly of FIG. 8A taken along line 8C-8C of FIG. 8A.

[0024] FIG. 9A is a top view of the evaporator plate assembly of FIG. 8A.

[0025] FIG. 9B is a detail top view of the evaporator plate assembly of FIG. 8A taken from detail 9B of FIG. 9A.

[0026] FIG. 10A is a first side view of the evaporator plate assembly of FIG. 8A.

[0027] FIG. 10B is a first side view of the evaporator plate assembly of FIG. 8A in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 11 is an end view of the evaporator plate assembly of FIG. 8A.

[0029] FIG. 12 is a second side sectional perspective view of the evaporator plate assembly of FIG. 8A with the second plate removed and taken along line 12D-12D shown in FIG. 11A.

[0030] FIG. 13 is a second side or rear side perspective view of an evaporator plate, which can be either the first plate or the second plate of FIG. 8A.

[0031] FIG. 14A is a detail front view of a first side or front side of the evaporator plate assembly of FIG. 10 taken from detail 14A of FIG. 10A.

[0032] FIG. 14B is a detail front view of a single ice making site and a protrusion of the first side or the front side of the evaporator plate assembly of FIG. 14A taken from detail 14B of FIG. 14B.

[0033] FIG. 14C is a horizontal sectional view of the evaporator plate assembly of FIG. 10 taken along line 14C-14C shown in FIG. 10A.

[0034] FIG. 14D is a vertical sectional view of the evaporator plate assembly of FIG. 10 taken along line 14D-14D shown in FIG. 10A.

[0035] FIG. 15 is a second side or rear side perspective view of the tubing of FIG. 8A.

[0036] FIG. 16 is a first side or front side view of the tubing of FIG. 8A.

[0037] FIG. 17A is an end view of the tubing of FIG. 15.

[0038] FIG. 17B is a sectional view of the tubing of FIG. 15 taken along line 17B-17B shown in FIG. 16.

[0039] FIG. 18A is a detail side or front perspective view of a portion of the tubing of FIG. 15 corresponding to a portion of the tubing, the detail view taken from detail 18B of FIG. 15.

[0040] FIG. 18B is a front view of the portion of the tubing of FIG. 18A.

[0041] FIG. 18C is a top view of the portion of the tubing of FIG. 18A.

[0042] FIG. 18D is a top perspective view of a spacer of the portion of the tubing of FIG. 15 and, more generally, the evaporator plate assembly of FIG. 8A.

[0043] FIG. 18E is a bottom perspective view of the spacer of FIG. 18D.

[0044] FIG. 18F is a side view of the spacer of FIG. 18D.

[0045] FIG. 19A is a first side view of the portion of the tubing of FIG. 18A.

[0046] FIG. 19B is a second side view of the portion of the tubing of FIG. 18A.

[0047] FIG. 19C is an exploded assembly second side view of the portion of the tubing of FIG. 18A.

[0048] FIG. 20A is an end view of the tubing of FIG. 8A in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure taken along line 20A-20A shown in FIG. 16.

[0049] FIG. 20B is a sectional view of the tubing of FIG. 20A taken along line 20B-20B shown in FIG. 16.

[0050] FIG. 21A is a detail side or front perspective view of a portion of tubing of FIG. 20A corresponding to a portion of tubing, the detail view as if taken from detail 18B of FIG. 15.

[0051] FIG. 21B is a front view of the portion of the tubing of FIG. 21A.

[0052] FIG. 21C is a top view of the portion of the tubing of FIG. 21A.

[0053] FIG. 22A is a detail end view of the tubing of FIG. 20A taken from detail 22A of FIG. 20A.

[0054] FIG. 22B is a detail sectional view of the tubing of FIG. 20A taken from detail 22B of FIG. 20B.

[0055] FIG. 23A is a top perspective view of a portion of a simplified evaporator showing a line of thermal contact between a) a plate and b) tubing defining a circular cross-section in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 23B is a sectional view of the geometry of FIG. 23A taken along line 23B-23B of FIG. 23A.

[0057] FIG. 24A is a top perspective view of a simplified evaporator showing a roughly cylindrical surface of thermal contact between a) a plate and b) tubing defining an elliptical cross-section in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 24B is a sectional view of the geometry of FIG. 24A taken along line 24B-24B of FIG. 24A.

[0059] FIG. 25A is a top perspective view of a simplified evaporator showing a convex surface of thermal contact between a) a plate and b) tubing defining an elliptical cross-section in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.

[0060] FIG. 25B is a sectional view of the geometry of FIG. 25A taken along line 25B-25B of FIG. 25A.

[0061] FIG. 26A is a top perspective view of open upper and lower or first and second dies of a tooling assembly for forming the tubing of FIG. 20A, some of which tooling assembly is omitted for clarity.

[0062] FIG. 26B is a top perspective view of open upper and lower or first and second dies of a tooling assembly for forming a single straight portion of the tubing of FIG. 20A, some of which tooling assembly is omitted for clarity.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and their previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and / or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and / or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0064] The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the present devices, systems, and / or methods in their best, currently known aspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects described herein while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof.

[0065] As used throughout, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a quantity of one of a particular element can comprise two or more such elements unless the context indicates otherwise. In addition, any of the elements described herein can be a first such element, a second such element, and so forth (e.g., a first widget and a second widget, even if only a “widget” is referenced).

[0066] Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value and / or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect comprises from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about” or “substantially,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0067] For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimension measuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scale measures within a range between X plus an industry-standard upper tolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standard lower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances can vary between different materials, processes, and between different models, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particular component can fall within a range of tolerances.

[0068] As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description comprises instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

[0069] The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular list and also comprises any combination of members of that list. The phrase “at least one of A and B” as used herein means “only A, only B, or both A and B”; while the phrase “one of A and B” means “A or B.”

[0070] As used herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the term “monolithic” in the description of a component means that the component is formed as a singular component that constitutes a single material without joints or seams. Unless otherwise specified herein, any structure disclosed in the drawings or in the written description can be monolithic whether or not such an explicit description of the structure is included herein.

[0071] To simplify the description of various elements disclosed herein, the conventions of “left,”“right,”“front,”“rear,”“top,”“bottom,”“upper,”“lower,”“inside,”“outside,”“inboard,”“outboard,”“horizontal,” and / or “vertical” may be referenced. Unless stated otherwise, “front” describes that end of an ice machine nearest to and occupied by a user of the ice machine; “rear” is that end that is opposite or distal the front; “left” is that which is to the left of or facing left from a person standing in front of the ice machine and facing toward the front; and “right” is that which is to the right of or facing right from that same person. “Horizontal” or “horizontal orientation” describes that which is in a plane extending from left to right and aligned with the horizon. “Vertical” or “vertical orientation” describes that which is in a plane that is angled at 90 degrees to the horizontal.

[0072] Disclosed is an ice machine and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. The ice machine can comprise an ice maker and a storage bin. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed ice machine is described in but a few exemplary aspects among many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.

[0073] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an ice machine 100 in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The ice machine 100 can comprise an ice maker 110 and a storage bin 190. The ice maker 110 can be configured to produce ice, which can be fed by gravity downwards into the storage bin 190. The storage bin 190 can be insulated to maintain cold temperatures within the storage bin 190 to prevent the ice from melting. In some aspects, the storage bin 190 can be refrigerated, and in other aspects, the storage bin 190 can be unrefrigerated.

[0074] The ice maker 110 can comprise an outer casing 120, which can be configured to enclose the ice maker 110 and its internal components. As shown, the outer casing 120 can comprise a front panel assembly 122. The front panel assembly 122 can extend from a top maker end 112 to a bottom maker end 114 of the ice maker 110 and from a left maker side 116a to a right maker side 116b of the ice maker 110. The front panel assembly 122 can define an air inlet opening 180 and can comprise an air filter 124. The air inlet opening 180 and the air filter 124 can be configured to provide ventilation for the ice maker 110 in the form of clean air from outside the ice maker 110.

[0075] The storage bin 190 can define a top bin end 192, on which the bottom maker end 114 of the ice maker 110 can be mounted. The storage bin 190 can comprise a bin door 194 located proximate to the top bin end 192, and the bin door 194 can provide access to a bin storage compartment (not shown) defined within the storage bin 190.

[0076] FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the ice maker 110 of FIG. 1 with the outer casing 120 (shown in FIG. 1) removed. In the present aspect, the ice maker 110 can be an air-cooled model, which can be cooled by circulating air through the outer casing 120, such as through the air inlet opening 180 (shown in FIG. 1). In some aspects, the ice maker 110 can be a water-cooled model or can be coupled to a remote condensing unit for cooling. In the present aspect, the ice maker 110 can comprise a fan assembly 280, which can be configured to circulate air through the ice maker 110. Beneath or inside the outer casing 120, the ice maker 110 and a body 200 thereof can be compartmentalized into a wet compartment 202 and a dry compartment 204 and can further comprise a frame 201 and a base case 205. The wet compartment 202 can be primarily defined by an evaporator case 206, which can be insulated. The evaporator case 206 can enclose the majority of the components of a water circuit 450 (shown in FIG. 3) of the ice maker 110, which can be configured to form ice from liquid water delivered to and circulating through the ice maker 110. An evaporator compartment 306 (shown in FIG. 2B) of the evaporator casing 206 can be insulated. The evaporator case 206 can comprise a removable front insulation 208 and a removable top insulation 210, for example and without limitation, which can partially enclose and insulate the evaporator compartment 306. Either of the front insulation 208 or the top insulation 210 can be a panel or an insulation panel. Additionally, a tank 214—which can be a water tank—and evaporator walls 207a,b (207a shown in FIG. 2B) of the evaporator case 206 can be integrally insulated as further discussed below. By “integrally insulated,” walls of the ice maker 110 can be filled with liquid foam insulation while the ice maker 110 or an insulated portion thereof is supported inside a foaming jig or mold. Such insulation can be, for example and without limitation, a water-blown or refrigerant-blown high-pressure or low-pressure foam that flows through the walls of the ice maker 110 and hardens and cures, which can result in the walls developing insulating properties. The pressure of such foam can reach as much as 14 psi or more above atmospheric pressure. Each of the tank 214, the evaporator walls 207a,b, and any other panel forming a portion of an interior of the evaporator case 206 or the base case 205 can be an interior panel.

[0077] The water circuit 450 can comprise a water pump 212, which can be mounted on or adjacent to the tank 214 in a location external to the evaporator compartment 306. A portion of the tank 214 enclosing the water pump 212 can be uninsulated. The tank 214 can be positioned beneath the evaporator walls 207a,b. The water pump 212 can be configured to pump water from the tank 214 upwards into the evaporator compartment 306 where the water can be formed into ice.

[0078] Within the dry compartment 204, the majority of the components of a refrigeration circuit 400 (shown in FIG. 4A) of the ice maker 110 can be enclosed, including a compressor 220, a drier 222, and a condenser 224, for example and without limitation. The compressor 220 can be mounted to a compressor base 226, which can comprise a horizontal compressor base panel to which the compressor can be more directly mounted. The compressor base 226 can comprise a base case cover 228. Within the dry compartment 204, refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration circuit 400 can be compressed by the compressor 220 and then cooled into a liquid state in the condenser 224 before being fed through an expansion device 240 (shown in FIG. 3), such as a thermostatic expansion valve, before being fed into an evaporator 310 housed inside the evaporator compartment 306. Additionally, a control box 230 of the ice maker 110, which can comprise a controller 232, can be housed within the dry compartment 204. The controller 232 can be or can comprise a control board.

[0079] A bin sensor 290 can be installed within the dry compartment 204 and can extend through the compressor base 226. The bin sensor 290 can be configured to monitor a level of ice cubes 490 (shown in FIG. 4A) accumulated within the storage bin 190 (shown in FIG. 1). In some aspects, the bin sensor 290 can be an ultrasonic bin sensor and can act as a proximity sensor by transmitting ultrasonic waves downwards toward the ice and receiving the ultrasonic waves after they reflect off the ice cubes 490. The distance from a level position defined by an outlet of the bin sensor 290 to a level position defined by the level of the ice cubes 490 can be determined from the travel times of the returning ultrasonic waves. The bin sensor 290 can be in electronic communication with the control box 230. Once the level of the ice cubes 490 in the storage bin 190 reaches a shut-off height, which can be a predetermined value as desired and set by a technician or a user of the ice maker 110, a signal from the bin sensor 290 can be received by the control box 230, and the control box 230 can cease the ice making process, thereby stopping further production of the ice cubes 490. As the ice melts or ice is removed from the storage bin 190, the level can reach a refill height. Once the level of the ice cubes 490 within the storage bin 190 reaches the refill height, the bin sensor 290 can send a signal to the control box 230, and the control box 230 can resume the ice making process to refill the storage bin 190 with the ice cubes 490. The “full” height or level can be a predetermined value as desired and set by a technician or a user of the ice maker 110, or the “full” height can be programmed into the controller 232. In some aspects, the bin sensor 290 can be or can comprise any bin sensor type such as, for example and without limitation, an ultrasonic bin sensor (using sound), a mechanical bin switch (using mechanical actuation), or a “time-of-flight” sensor (using light).

[0080] FIG. 2B is a front perspective view of the ice maker 110 of FIG. 1 with the front insulation 208 and top insulation 210 of the evaporator case 206 and the base case cover 228 of the compressor base 226 further removed. With the front insulation 208 and the top insulation 210 removed, the evaporator compartment 306 can be exposed. The evaporator 310 and a spray tube 312 can be enclosed within the evaporator compartment 306 between the evaporator walls 207a,b. The spray tube 312 can be positioned proximate to a top end of the evaporator case 206 and above the evaporator 310 and coupled to the evaporator 310. The spray tube 312 can also comprise a pair of caps 1710. In various aspects, the caps 1710 can be removed. In various aspects, the caps can be configured to securely snap over the spray tube 312 without tools to facilitate assembly and maintenance. A pair of spray guides 1912 can be positioned below the spray tube 312. In various aspects, the spray guides 1912 can be removed, cleaned, rinsed, and reinstalled. For example and without limitation, the spray guides 1912 can be cleaned in a solution of warm water and Hoshizaki SCALE AWAY cleaning fluid added to the water at a rate of 5 oz. of cleaning solution to 1 gallon of warm water.

[0081] The refrigeration circuit 400 can comprise the evaporator 310, and the liquid refrigerant can evaporate to a gaseous phase within the evaporator 310, thereby cooling the evaporator compartment 306 below the freezing temperature of water. Liquid water can be pumped by the water pump 212 up to the spray tube 312, where the liquid water can be sprayed toward the evaporator 310 to form ice. A suction hose 560 can connect the water pump 212 to the tank 214 to provide a source of water from which to produce the ice. The body 200 and specifically at least the base case 205 can define a bottom opening 3814 at the bottom maker end 114 of the ice maker 110.

[0082] FIG. 2C shows a front perspective exploded view of the spray tube 312, the water pump 212, and other components of the water circuit 450. The water circuit 450 can comprise one or more valves 350, each of which can be a solenoid valve operated by the controller 232. More specifically, the water circuit 450 can comprise an inlet water valve 352, a cleaning valve 354, and a drain valve 356. The water circuit 450 can comprise a supply tube 1930, which can be coupled to the inlet water valve 352 and the cleaning valve 354 with a supply tube inlet pipe 362. Meanwhile, the inlet water valve 352 can be in fluid communication with water entering the ice maker 110 at a water inlet 372 and through an inlet water valve inlet pipe 364. The water circuit 450 can comprise a drain pipe or drain hose 366, which can be coupled to the drain valve 356 with a drain valve outlet pipe 368 and can allow water to drain from the ice maker 110 at a water outlet 374. The water circuit 450 can comprise a float switch 690.

[0083] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigeration circuit 400 and the water circuit 450 of the ice maker 110 of FIG. 1. More generally, a typical ice maker—and in particular a commercial ice maker configured to produce a high volume of ice for hours, days, and years on end—has at least four circuits not considering a structure of the ice machine itself: the refrigeration circuit 400 circulating refrigerant, an air circuit or a water circuit (shown but not labeled) circulating cooling air or water through the refrigeration circuit and in some aspects as part of the refrigeration circuit, the water circuit 450 circulating water for forming ice and sometimes for cleaning the ice maker, and an electrical circuit (shown but not labeled) circulating electrical current.

[0084] FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of the ice cube 490 produced by the ice maker 110 of FIG. 1 in one exemplary aspect. In some aspects, as shown, the ice cube 490 can define a crescent shape, at least in part, including when viewed from the side as in FIG. 4B. In some aspects, the ice cube 490 can define a non-crescent shape. In some aspects, as shown, the ice cube 490 can define a rectangular shape when viewed from the front. In some aspects, as shown, the ice cube 490 can define a non-rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The ice cube 490 can define a height H, a width W, and a depth D. In some aspects, the height H can measure approximately 1.5 inches (approximately 38.1 millimeters), the width W can measure approximately 1.125 inches (approximately 28.6 mm), and the depth D can measure approximately 0.375 inches (approximately 9.5 mm). In other aspects, the ice cube 490 can measure smaller or larger in any dimension and can have a variable shape such that the ice cubes 490 are not identical. In some aspects, the dimensions H, W, or D can measure at least or at most either of the endpoints of any of the aforementioned values or value ranges for the dimensions H, W, or D.

[0085] FIG. 4B shows a sectional view of the ice cube 490 taken along line 4B-4B of FIG. 4A. The ice cube 490 can define an indentation 408, which can define an inner surface 418. The inner surface 418 can define an inner radius R418. The inner surface 418 can be a concave surface formed in a rear surface of the ice cube 490. In some aspects, the inner radius R418 can measure about 21.9 mm (about 0.86 inches). In other aspects, the ice cube 490 can measure smaller or larger in any dimension or can have a variable shape such that the ice cubes 490 are not identical to each other. In some aspects, the inner radius R418 can measure in a range of about 13 mm to about 25 mm (about 0.5 inches to about 1 inch), about 25 mm to about 51 mm (about 1 inch to about 2 inches), or about 51 mm to about 76 mm (about 2 inches to about 3 inches). In some aspects, the inner radius R418 can measure at least or at most any of the endpoints of any of the aforementioned values or value ranges for the inner radius R418. The indentation 408 can define a depth or range of depths corresponding to the height or range of a height 1460 (shown in FIG. 14C) of a protrusion 842 (shown in FIG. 5B) defined in the evaporator 310 (shown in FIG. 5B), as discussed below. The indentation 408 can define a shape corresponding to one or more of the shapes of the protrusion 842, as also discussed below.

[0086] FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of the evaporator case 206 of FIG. 2B. As shown, the evaporator wall 207b can define a refrigeration port 506, which can be defined in and extend through the evaporator wall 207b to the evaporator compartment 306. The refrigerator port 506 can provide access for lines of the refrigeration circuit 400 (shown in FIG. 3) to reach the evaporator 310 (shown in FIG. 2B). The evaporator wall 207b can define a top wall end 507b and a bottom wall end 508b disposed opposite from the top wall end 507b. The tank 214 can define a top tank end 514 and a bottom tank end 515 disposed opposite from the top tank end 514. The top tank end 514 can be attached to the bottom wall end 508b by a snap or snap-fit connection. The top insulation 210 can rest upon the top wall end 507b, and the top insulation 210 can horizontally slide inwards and outwards from between the evaporator walls 207a,b (207a shown in FIG. 2B).

[0087] The tank 214 can define an outer tank side 530a and an inner tank side 530b disposed opposite from the outer tank side 530a. The inner tank side 530b can be substantially aligned with the evaporator wall 207b. The tank 214 can comprise or can be at least partly covered or enclosed by a removable cube guide 540 disposed proximate to the top tank end 514. The cube guide 540 can slope downwards from the outer tank side 530a to the inner tank side 530b. The cube guide 540 can lead to the cube opening 542 defined by the inner tank side 530b. The cube guide 540 can be slid into the tank 214 by slipping the cube guide 540 through the cube opening 542 until the cube guide 540 sets behind or below a lip 543 of the cube opening 542. To remove the cube guide 540, the cube guide 540 can be lifted over the lip 543 and slid outwards from the tank 214 through the cube opening 542. The cube guide 540 can define a hole 541, which can facilitate removal of the cube guide 540. A user, for example, can slip a finger through the hole 541 to aid in lifting the cube guide 540 over the lip 543.

[0088] The cube guide 540 can be configured to guide the ice cubes 490 (shown in FIG. 4A) coming out of the evaporator case 206 downwards under the force of gravity and out of the cube opening 542. The ice cubes 490 coming through the cube opening 542 can be ejected underneath the compressor base 226 (shown in FIG. 2A) and through the bottom opening 3814 (not shown in FIG. 2B). The ice maker 110 (shown in FIG. 1) can be positioned over the storage bin 190 (shown in FIG. 1) so that an opening (not shown) of the storage bin 190 can be aligned underneath the compressor base 226 and with the bottom opening 3814. The ice cubes 490 falling from the cube opening 542 can fall out underneath the compressor base 226, through the bottom opening 3814, and into the opening of the storage bin 190 to fill the storage bin 190.

[0089] A water reservoir 614 (shown in FIG. 5B) can be defined below the cube guide 540 and between the outer tank side 530a and the inner tank side 530b. A suction hose 560 can be in fluid communication with the water reservoir 614 through the inner tank side 530b and in fluid communication with the water pump 212 to provide water to the water pump 212. The water pump 212 can then discharge the water upwards through the top tank end 514 and into the evaporator compartment 306 via supply tubing 512.

[0090] The evaporator wall 207b can define a front wall end 509b and a rear wall end 510b disposed opposite from the front wall end 509b. The front insulation 208 can be disposed at the front wall end 509b between the evaporator walls 207a,b. The front insulation 208 can define a top insulation end 520 and a bottom insulation end 521 disposed opposite from the top insulation end 520. The top insulation end 520 can define a lip 620 (shown in FIG. 5B), which can engage the top insulation 210, and the bottom insulation end 521 can define a lip 621 (shown in FIG. 5B), which can engage the top tank end 514 to secure the front insulation 208 to the evaporator case 206. To remove the front insulation 208, the top insulation 210 can be removed, and then the top insulation end 520 can be rotated away from the front wall end 509b while the bottom insulation end 521 pivots about the top tank end 514 until the front insulation 208 is free. The front insulation 208 can define a pull tab 522 configured to provide a gripping surface to rotate the top insulation end 520 away from the front wall end 509b. By forward movement of the pull tab 522 with the top insulation 210 fully installed, the lip 620 can catch on, push, and thereby facilitate removal of the top insulation 210. Engagement between the front insulation 208, the top tank end 514, and the top insulation 210 is further shown with respect to FIG. 5B, including the lips 620,621.

[0091] FIG. 5B is a sectional side view of the evaporator case 206 of FIG. 2B taken along line 5B-5B shown in FIG. 2B or FIG. 5A. The cross-sectional plane can substantially bisect the supply tubing 512. The top insulation 210 can define a front insulation end 610 and a rear insulation end 612 disposed opposite from the front insulation end 610. The rear insulation end 612 can be vertically captured by a lip 613 defined by a top wall end 507a of the evaporator wall 207a and the top wall end 507b of the evaporator wall 207b (shown in FIG. 5A). The evaporator wall 207a can further define a front wall end 509a, a rear wall end 510a, and a bottom wall end 508a, which can correspond to the front wall end 509b, the rear wall end 510b, and the bottom wall end 508b of the evaporator wall 207b, each shown in FIG. 5A. The front insulation end 610 can be secured to the evaporator walls 207a, b.

[0092] The supply tubing 512 can carry water and or other liquids (e.g., cleaning fluids) from the water pump 212 to the spray tube 312. The spray tube 312 can extend from the front wall end 509a to the rear wall end 510a, and the spray tube 312 can be configured to spray water downwards from various points along its length into a series of columns or channels 558, which can be defined by the evaporator 310. More specifically, as shown, the evaporator 310 can define one or more evaporator plates or plates 550, each of which can define the channels 558. The evaporator 310 can further comprise conduit or tubing 570, which can store and transport a refrigerant therein. In some aspects, the tubing 570 can weave forward and rearward in a serpentine path between the plate 550 and an adjacent plate 550 to facilitate heat exchange between the tubing 570 and the adjacent and opposing plates 550. In some aspects, the tubing 570 can comprise a plurality of lengths running parallel to each other between one or more headers (not shown) from an inlet 574 to an outlet 576 of the evaporator 310 or, more specifically, the tubing 570.

[0093] The evaporator 310 can be configured to receive and facilitate passage of liquid refrigerant. The evaporator 310 and one or more surfaces thereof can be configured to receive—and be wetted by—water sprayed by the spray tube 312 against the outside of the plates 550. The evaporator 310 can be configured to form the ice cubes 490 (shown in FIG. 4A) in the channels 558. The cube guide 540 can be positioned below the evaporator 310. The cube guide 540 can be configured to redirect falling ice cubes 490 toward a cube opening 542 and into the storage bin 190 (shown in FIG. 1) or otherwise out of the ice maker 110 (shown in FIG. 1). The cube guide 540 can define openings that are configured to allow passage of unfrozen liquid water dripping down the plates 550 through the cube guide 540 and into the water reservoir 614. As shown, the evaporator 310 and, more specifically, the plate or plates 550 thereof can be oriented in a vertical direction.

[0094] The float switch 690 can be disposed within the water reservoir 614 of the tank 214. The float switch 690 can measure the water level of water within the water reservoir 614. Once the water level falls below a set minimum, the float switch 690 can send a signal to the controller 232 (shown in FIG. 2A) to supply more water to the tank 214.

[0095] As shown, the evaporator case 206 can further comprise a tank base 602. The tank base 602 can define a split collar 604 which can be configured to receive and frictionally engage a support column 606 defined by the tank 214. Frictional engagement between the support column 606 and the split collar 604 can facilitate assembly of the evaporator case 206 by providing a tool-less, push-together connection.

[0096] FIG. 6 is a front top perspective view of the evaporator case 206 of FIG. 2A with the front insulation 208 and the top insulation 210 removed. Each of the evaporator walls 207a,b can be substantially L-shaped, and the rear wall ends 510a,b can be connected together to form a back panel 607 of the evaporator case 206. The evaporator case 206 can comprise a pair of evaporator brackets 660a,b. The evaporator bracket 660a can be disposed proximate to the front wall ends 509a,b, and the evaporator bracket 660b can be disposed proximate to the rear wall ends 510a,b. The evaporator brackets 660a,b can slide vertically downward between the evaporator walls 207a,b to secure the evaporator brackets 660a,b within the evaporator compartment 306.

[0097] The evaporator brackets 660a,b can support the spray tube 312 and the evaporator 310. The spray tube 312 can define a manifold end 670 disposed between the evaporator bracket 660a and the front wall ends 509a,b. The spray tube 312 can also define two tube portions 662a,b which can split from the manifold end 670 and extend between the evaporator brackets 660a,b. The manifold end 670 can be connected to the supply tubing 512, and water pumped upwards from the water pump 212 can be redirected through the manifold end 670 to the tube portions 662a,b. The tube portions 662a,b can spray the water down through the evaporator 310 when the ice maker 110 is producing ice. The supply tube 1930 (shown in FIG. 2C) can, in contrast, spray the water through the evaporator 310 (including through portions of the evaporator 310 not accessed by the water from the spray tube 312) when the ice maker 110 is cleaning itself during a cleaning cycle or a sanitizing cycle described below.

[0098] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the evaporator case 206 with the spray tube 312 removed and comprising an evaporator plate assembly 700. As shown, the evaporator 310 can comprise a plurality of the plates 550, which can be paired into one or more of the evaporator plate assemblies 700. More specifically, the evaporator plate assembly 700 can comprise a first plate 550 and a second plate 550. In some aspects, as shown, the evaporator 310 can comprise two evaporator plate assemblies 700a,b, each of which can comprise two of the plates 550. In some aspects, the evaporator 310 can comprise a single instance or more than two instances of the evaporator plate assemblies 700. Each of the one or more evaporator plate assemblies 700 can comprise a single plate 550, which can be coupled to a single side of the tubing 570. The evaporator plate assemblies 700a,b (each of which can be used interchangeably throughout with the evaporator plate assembly 700, and vice versa) can extend between the evaporator brackets 660a,b to secure the evaporator 310 within the evaporator compartment 306. For clarity, the evaporator plate assembly 700 is shown without certain features (e.g., the protrusions 842 shown in FIG. 8A) formed in surface of the plates 550 shown in later figures.

[0099] The tubing 570 can extend or be positioned between the adjacent plates 550 of the corresponding evaporator plate assembly 700a,b. Each of the tubing 570 and the plates 550 can comprise a thermally conductive material such as, for example and without limitation, copper, stainless steel, aluminum, or brass. In some aspects, the tubing 570 can comprise or be formed from copper, and the plates 550 can comprise or be formed from stainless steel. In some aspects, the plates 550 can, more generally, be formed from steel, which can be chromed steel. Each evaporator plate assembly 700 can operate as a heat exchanger. More specifically, each evaporator plate assembly 700 can be configured to absorb heat from the water flowing past the evaporator plates 550 and thereby evaporate refrigerant circulated through the tubing 570, which can cool the evaporator 310 and the evaporator plate assembly 700 or the evaporator plate assemblies 700a,b thereof below the freezing point of water.

[0100] Each of the plates 550 can define a plurality of the channels 558. In operation, the tube portions 662a,b (shown in FIG. 6) of the spray tube 312 (shown in FIG. 6) can respectively align with the evaporator plate assemblies 700a,b. Each of the tube portions 662a,b can define a plurality of spray nozzles (not shown), which can respectively be aligned with the plurality of channels 558 defined by the plates 550 on each side of the respective evaporator plate assembly 700a,b. The spray nozzles can be configured to spray water down the channels 558, where the ice cubes 490 can be individually formed. The spray nozzles can be, for example and without limitation, the spray nozzles (1910) shown in U.S. Pat. No. 11,506,438, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0101] FIG. 8A is a first side or front side perspective view of an embodiment of the evaporator plate assembly 700, and FIG. 8B is a second side or rear side perspective view of the evaporator plate assembly 700 of FIG. 8A. The evaporator plate assembly 700 can define a first end 803 and a second end 804, which can be distal or opposite from the first end 803. The evaporator plate assembly 700 can define a top end 805 and a bottom end 806, which can be distal or opposite from the top end 805. The evaporator plate assembly 700 and, more generally, the evaporator 310 (shown in FIG. 5B) can define a substantially rectangular shape, including when facing the first side or front side of the evaporator plate assembly 700. The evaporator plate assembly 700 can be positioned within the ice maker 110 of FIG. 1 and, more specifically, the evaporator case 206 of FIG. 5B. The evaporator plate assembly 700 can comprise the one or more plates 550a,b. The tubing 570 can be coupled to the one of the plates 550a,b and, in the case of multiple plates, can be positioned between the plates 550a,b. More specifically, straight portions or runs 832 of the tubing 570 can be positioned between the plates 550a,b, while connecting portions 834 of the tubing 570 can extend beyond the plates 550a,b. Such connecting portions 834 can facilitate, for example and without limitation, a change in direction of local portions of the tubing 570 and / or connections with other components of the refrigeration circuit 400. The evaporator plate assembly 700 can define a center or center plane, which can be parallel to the X-Z plane shown and can be positioned between the plates 550a,b along the Y-axis direction shown.

[0102] Each of the plates 550a,b can define an outer surface 811 and an inner surface 812 (shown in FIG. 8B). The outer surface 811 can, including when assembled to the tubing 570, face away from the center or center plane of the evaporator plate assembly 700 and the inner surface 812 can similarly face toward the center or center plane of the evaporator plate assembly 700. The plates 550a,b can define respective first ends 813a,b and second ends 814a,b, which can be distal or opposite from the first ends 813a,b. The plates 550a,b can define respective top ends 815a,b and bottom ends 816a,b, which can be distal or opposite from the top ends 815a,b. Each of the plates 550a,b can define a substantially rectangular shape, including when facing the first side or front side of the evaporator plate assembly 700. As shown, each of the plates 550a,b can be continuous and without openings and, more specifically, can be continuous and without openings at the ice forming sites and / or, more generally, up and down the ice forming channels 558.

[0103] Each of the plates 550a,b can define a plurality of fins or ribs 820. Each of adjacent pairs of the fins 820 can define the channels 558. The plates 550a,b can define planar portions in the channels 558 and between the fins 820. Each of the fins 820 can extend outward from a surrounding portion of each of the plates 550a,b and, more specifically, the outer surface 811 of the respective plate 550a,b. In some aspects, each of the fins 820 can comprise a first wall 822a and a second wall 822b joined to the first wall 822a. In some aspects, each of the fins 820 can define an open faced protrusion, which can be defined by the first wall 822a and the second wall 822b. The open face (for example, an end of the fin 820 in which the first wall 822a and the second wall 822b diverge and define a gap therebetween) can face the tubing 570, and the closed tip of the protrusion (for example, an end of the fin 820 in which the first wall 822a and the second wall 822b converge and even join) can extend away from the tubing 570. The closed tip of the protrusion can have o9ne or more rounded edges. More specifically, each of the fins 820 can define a protrusion or occupy a space that is triangular in cross-section or substantially so. The portions of the fins 820 (e.g., ends of the first wall 822a and the second wall 822b) that connect to the planar portions of the plates 550a,b can be filleted. Though a substantially triangular shape is shown for the fins 820, multiple shapes are contemplated, such as arcs and rectangles.

[0104] The first ends 813a,b of the respective plates 550a,b can comprise or define edge or outermost fins or fins 820a,b, respectively. The second ends 814a,b of the plates 550a,b can similarly comprise or define a second edge or outermost fin 820b, respectively. In some aspects, the fins 820b at or nearest the first ends 813a,b and the fins 820b at or nearest the second ends 814a,b can have a different shape and / or size than the fins 820, which can be main fins 820a, positioned between the first ends 813a,b and the second ends 814a,b. The fins 820 can extend in a vertical direction from the top end 815a,b to the bottom end 816a,b of the evaporator plate 550. The first edge fins 820b can be symmetrical and can be substantially mirrored around an approximate center line of the tubing 570. The edge fins 820b can be coupled or secured to each other by fasteners (e.g., pop rivets, nails, screws, washers, etc.), or other methods of joining the plates 550a,b together (e.g., through adhesives, clinching, welding, brazing, soldering, tack welding, spot welding, etc.).

[0105] Each plate 550a,b can define a plurality of ice forming sites 840. Each plate 550a,b can define a plurality of the protrusions or projections 842, which can be defined in centers of the ice forming sites 840 or vice versa. More specifically, each of the protrusions 842 can extend from a surrounding portion of the inner surface 812 of the plate 550. Each of the protrusions 842 can be dome-shaped. Each of the protrusions 842 can be dimples, wells, or depressions in the plates 550a,b, at least when viewed from a rear or inner surface 812 or inner perspective of the plates 550a,b. As shown in FIG. 8A, the plates 550a,b can define a plurality of protrusions 842. The protrusions 842 can be separated from neighboring protrusions 842, on left and right sides, by the fins 820. Each of the protrusions 842 can be positioned vertically adjacent another protrusion 842. In some aspects, as shown, each of the plurality of ice forming sites 840 can define or correspond to a single protrusion 842. In some aspects, each of the plurality of ice forming sites 840 can define or correspond to a plurality of protrusions 842.

[0106] A center or heart of each of the ice forming sites 840 can be the protrusion 842 and, behind the protrusion, the tubing 570 or at least a portion thereof. As such, each of the ice forming sites can be configured to form the ice cube 490 from the protrusion 842 and grow laterally outward along and away from the outer surface 811 of the plate 550. The degree to which the ice cube 490 extends is determined, at least in part, by the length of time that water is applied to the front and rear plates 550a,b during the ice forming cycle. The evaporator plate assembly 700 can be configured to stop forming and release the ice cubes 490 as soon as the ice cubes 490 are of sufficient size (including, for example and without limitation, as described above). The protrusions 842 are described in further detail below.

[0107] The tubing 570 can be shaped in successive rows in a serpentine form. The tubing 570 can comprise a plurality of the straight portions or runs 832. Adjacent rows of the tubing 570 can be connected to each other by the connecting portion 834. More specifically, each row of the tubing 570 can comprise a straight portion 832 of tubing 570, which can be to at least one of the connecting portions 834.

[0108] FIG. 8C is a second side or rear side detail perspective view of the evaporator plate assembly 700 of FIG. 8A taken along line 8C-8C of FIG. 8B. In some aspects, as shown, one or more spacers 810 can be positioned between the tubing 570—and, more specifically, the straight portion 832—and the plates 550a,b. More specifically, as shown, a first spacer 810 can be positioned between—and can extend from and between and contact each of—the tubing 570 and the plate 550a; and a second spacer 810 can be positioned between—and can extend from and between and contact each of—the tubing 570 and the plate 550b. The spacers 810 can therefore place the tubing 570 and the plates 550a,b in thermal communication with each other. When each of the spacers 810 is formed from a material with relatively high thermal conductivity (e.g., copper), each of the spacers 810 can become an extension of a surrounding portion of the tubing 570 and facilitate efficient heat transfer from the plates 550a,b into the tubing 570.

[0109] In some aspects, as shown, the tubing 570 can be circular in cross-section. In some aspects, the tubing 570 can be non-circular in cross-section. The tubing 570 can define a diameter 870, which can be a cross-sectional diameter of the tubing 570. In some aspects, the diameter 870 can measure about 9.5 mm (about 0.375 inches). In other aspects, the diameter 870 can measure smaller or larger in any dimension or can have a variable shape such that the diameter 870 is not constant across a length of the tubing 570. In some aspects, the diameter 870 can measure in a range of about 6 mm to about 8 mm (about 0.25 inches to about 7 / 16 inch), or about 8 mm to about 13 mm (about 7 / 16 inch to about 0.5 inches), or about 51 mm to about 76 mm (about 2 inches to about 3 inches). In some aspects, the diameter 870 can measure at least or at most any of the endpoints of any of the aforementioned values or value ranges for the diameter 870. An outer surface of the tubing 570 can be smooth. In some aspects, an inner surface of the tubing 570 can be smooth. In some aspects, an inner surface of the tubing 570 can be grooved or can defined grooves or ribs in the inner surface, which can facilitate greater heat transfer through a wall of the tubing 570.

[0110] The tubing 570 can, at least in cross-section, define projections (not shown) and grooves (not shown) between adjacent projections in an inner surface of the tubing 570, as exemplarily shown in U.S. Pat. No. 10,113,785, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In some aspects, the projections and grooves can extend in a helical manner about the inner surface of the tubing 570. In some aspects, a wall thickness of any or all of the tubing570 can be at least 0.8 mm (approximately 0.031 in.), with or without the projections extending from a surrounding portion of the inner surface of the tubing 570. In some aspects, the wall thickness can be more or less than 0.8 mm. In some aspects, the wall thickness can measure at least or at most any of the endpoints of any of the aforementioned values or value ranges for the wall thickness.

[0111] FIG. 9A is a top view of the evaporator plate assembly 700 of FIG. 8A, and FIG. 9B is a detail top view of the evaporator plate assembly 700 of FIG. 8A taken from detail 9B of FIG. 9A. As shown, each protrusion 842 can be positioned or defined within one of a plurality of ice forming columns or channels 558 defined between a pair of the adjacent fins 820. The evaporator plate assembly 700 can define alternating fins 820 and channels 558, which as noted above can be defined between adjacent fins 820. As viewed from the top or the bottom, the geometry of the evaporator plate assembly 700 on one side (e.g., the plate 550b) can mirror or substantially mirror the geometry of the evaporator plate assembly 700 on another side (e.g., the plate 550a), including about a center line of the tubing 570 or a vertical centerline of the plates 550a,b. In some aspects, as shown, the plates 550a,b and, more specifically, the inner surfaces 812 thereof can be spaced apart by spacing 970. In some aspects, the spacing 970 can equal the diameter 870 of the tubing 570 before or after any deformation of the tubing 570. As shown, the spacing 970 can equal the diameter 870 of the tubing 570 before any deformation of the tubing 570. As such, the diameter 870 of the tubing 570 need not be modified where it passes between the plates 550a,b during fabrication of the tubing 570 or the assembly of the tubing 570 to the plates 550a,b. Again, in some aspects, the one or more spacers 810 can be positioned between the plates 550a,b and around each straight portion 832 of the tubing 570 at the location of the protrusions 842 and, more generally, the ice forming sites (shown in FIG. 8A),

[0112] FIG. 10A is a first side view of the evaporator plate assembly 700 of FIG. 8A, FIG. 10B is a first side view of the evaporator plate assembly 700 of FIG. 8A in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, and FIG. 11 is an end view of the evaporator plate assembly 700 of FIG. 8A. Again, as shown, the tubing 570 can have a serpentine shape. The tubing 570, an axis 1001 of which is represented in FIG. 10A by the dashed line, can pass by and be aligned with a first row of horizontally adjacent protrusions 842, a second row of horizontally adjacent protrusions 842, a third row of horizontally adjacent protrusions 842, and so on up to the maximum number or rows of horizontally adjacent protrusions 842. Though the plates 550a,b are illustrated in FIG. 10A as having eight rows of horizontally adjacent protrusions 842 and in FIG. 10B as having six rows of horizontally adjacent protrusions 842, any number of rows of horizontally adjacent protrusions 842 are contemplated by the present disclosure. While each row of horizontally adjacent protrusions 842 is illustrated in FIG. 10A as having eight protrusions 842 and in FIG. 10B as having eight protrusions 842, any desired number of protrusions 842 is contemplated for each row of protrusions 842. In some aspects, the evaporator plate assembly 700 and, more specifically, each of the plates 550 thereof can define M columns and N rows, where M can be, for example and without limitation, any number between 4 and 17, and N can be any number between 3 and 12. In some aspects, M can be at least 10. In some aspects, N can be at least 5.

[0113] FIG. 12 is a second side sectional perspective view of the evaporator plate assembly 700 of FIG. 8A with the second plate removed and taken along line 12D-12D shown in FIG. 11A. Again, each row of the tubing 570 can comprise the straight portion 832 of tubing 570 connected to another instance of the straight portion 832 of tubing 570 by the connecting portion 834. The connecting portion 834 can have an arc shape, as illustrated in FIG. 12, though multiple shapes of the connecting portion 834 are contemplated with smoothed, chamfered, filleted, squared, or other edges. In some aspects, as shown, the refrigerant received within the tubing 570 can pass through each portion of the tubing 570 in succession. In some aspects, the refrigerant received within the tubing 570 can pass through each portion of the tubing 570 in parallel. More specifically, the evaporator 310 (FIG. 5B) and, more specifically, the tubing 570 thereof can comprise a header on each of the first end 803 and the second end 804 throughout which the refrigerant received within the tubing 570 can pass through each portion of the tubing 570 in parallel.

[0114] FIG. 13 is a second side or rear side perspective view of the evaporator plate 550, which can be either the first plate 550a or the second plate 550b of FIG. 8A. Again, each of the protrusions 842 can extend, protrude, or project from a surrounding portion of the outer surface 811 of the plate 550 and can extend, sink, or be relieved or indented from a surrounding portion of the inner surface 812 of the plate 550. Each of the protrusions 842 and the portions of the corresponding surfaces 811,812 surrounding the protrusions 842 as well as the fins 820 can together define each of the outer surface 811 and the inner surface 812. The plate 550 and, more specifically, the edge fins 820b can define one or more openings 1318, through which fasteners can be installed and thereby join the plates 550a,b (shown in FIG. 8A) of the evaporator plate assembly 700 (shown in FIG. 8A). As shown, the plate 550 can define a plurality of the openings 1318, which can be distributed along each of ends 813,814. As also shown, the plate 550 can define a plurality of notches or reliefs 1380, which can also be distributed along each of ends 813,814 and can provide clearance for portions of the tubing 570 that extend beyond the plate 550 and past the ends 813,814.

[0115] FIG. 14A is a detail front view of a first side or front side of the evaporator plate assembly 700 of FIG. 10 taken from detail 14A of FIG. 14A, and FIG. 14B is a detail front view of a single instance of the ice making site 840 and the protrusion 842 of the first side or the front side of the evaporator plate assembly of FIG. 14A taken from detail 14B of FIG. 10B, In some aspects, as shown, the protrusion 842 can define a rounded shape. More specifically, the protrusion 842 can be shaped like a partial capsule or partial spherocylinder or partial stadium of revolution, which can at least in part define the shape of a cylinder with hemispherical ends. When facing the outer surface 811 or the inner surface 812 (shown in FIG. 8B), the protrusion 842 or an outer edge thereof can define a stadium shape. In some aspects, the protrusion 842 can be shaped like a partial ellipsoid, with the ellipsoid's major axis situated horizontally and the ellipsoid's minor axis situated vertically. When facing the outer surface 811 or the inner surface 812, the protrusion 842 or an outer edge thereof can be shaped like an ellipse. Though an ellipsoid (and, in two dimensions, an ellipse) is illustrated, the protrusion 842 can define any one or more of another shape such as, for example and without limitation, a partial sphere, a cylinder, a cone, a pyramid, a triangular or rectangular or other prism, or a truncated form of any of the shapes disclosed herein. In some aspects, the protrusion 842 can define another shape, including an irregular shape. When facing the outer surface 811 or the inner surface 812, the protrusion 842 or an outer edge thereof can be shaped like one or more of a circle or a rectangle (e.g., a square). In some aspects, as shown, a width 1442 of the protrusion 842 can be less than a width 1440 of the ice making site 840. In some aspects, as shown, a height or length 1452 of the protrusion 842 can be less than a height or length 1450 of the ice making site 840. As shown, the planar portion of the plate 550 can be defined between the protrusion 842 and the fins 820 around a full perimeter of the protrusion 842. In some aspects, as shown, the planar portion of the plate 550 can be defined in the plate 550 at least past a topmost protrusion 842 in the ice forming channel 558 and / or past a bottommost protrusion 842 in the ice forming channel 558. More specifically, the planar portion of the plate 550 can extend to the top end 815 and / or the bottom end 816. In some aspects, as shown, the plate 550 can define a plurality of identically shaped protrusions 842. In some aspects, the respective shapes of the various protrusions 842 can vary due to manufacturing or design. In some aspects, the plate 550 can have or define differently shaped protrusions 842 to facilitate the production of ice cubes 490 that vary in size and / or shape.

[0116] FIG. 14C is a horizontal sectional view of the evaporator plate assembly 700 of FIG. 10 taken along line 14C-14C shown in FIG. 10A, and FIG. 14D is a vertical sectional view of the evaporator plate assembly 700 of FIG. 10 taken along line 14D-14D shown in FIG. 10A. Positioned between the plates 550a,b is a symbolic representation of the tubing 570, including both a wall of the tubing 570 and an interior cavity defined by the wall. The outer surface 811 can be or define a convex shape at the protrusion 842 as viewed facing the outer surface 811, and the inner surface 812 can be or define a concave shape at the protrusion 842 as viewed facing the inner surface 812. A portion or portions of the outer surface 811 from which the protrusions 842 extend can lie in a plane 1407, which can be a single plane for each of the plates 550 and can be the plane from which the fins 820 extend. The outer surface 811 of the protrusion 842 and, more specifically, the plates 550a,b can define a radius R842. In some aspects, the radius R842 can measure about 21.9 mm (about 0.86 inches). In other aspects, the protrusions 842 can measure smaller or larger in any dimension or can have a variable shape such that the protrusions 842 are not identical to each other. In some aspects, the radius R842 can measure in a range of about 13 mm to about 25 mm (about 0.5 inches to about 1 inch), about 25 mm to about 51 mm (about 1 inch to about 2 inches), or about 51 mm to about 76 mm (about 2 inches or about 3 inches). In some aspects, the radius R842 can measure at least or at most any of the endpoints of any of the aforementioned values or value ranges for the radius R842.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 14C, the tubing 570 can comprise a tubing portion, undeformed or unexpanded portion, base portion, straight portion, or first portion 1470 and one or more bulbous or protuberant portions 1410. As disclosed elsewhere herein (and shown, for example, in FIG. 15), the protuberant portions 1410 can be or can comprise one or more of the spacers 810. As shown in FIG. 14D, a space between the plates 550a,b occupied by the tubing 570 passes can be an active cavity 1420, and a space between the plates 550a,b between adjacent active cavities 1420 in which the tubing 570 does not pass can be a passive cavity 1430. More specifically, the active cavities 1420 and the passive cavities 1430 can alternate across the evaporator 310. As such, each pair of adjacent active cavities 1420 can be separated by one of the passive cavities 1430. Similarly, each pair of adjacent passive cavities 1430 can be separated by one of the active cavities 1420.

[0118] The protrusion 842 can define a height 1460. In some aspects, the height 1460 can measure about 3 mm (about 0.12 inches). In other aspects, the height 1460 can measure smaller or larger in any dimension or can be variable such that the height 1460 of the protrusions 842 is not constant. In some aspects, the height 1460 can measure in a range of about 1 mm to about 2 mm (about 0.04 inches to about 0.08 inches), about 2 mm to about 3 mm (about 0.08 inches to about 0.12 inches), or about 3 mm to about 4 mm (about 0.12 inches to about 0.16 inches). In some aspects, the height 1460 can measure at least or at most any of the endpoints of any of the aforementioned values or value ranges for the height 1460. In some aspects, including when the protrusion 842 defines a capsule shape, the protrusion 842 can include linear and curved elements in cross-section. The tubing 570 is shown without the walls of the tubing 570 or the spacers 810 (shown in FIG. 8C). As shown in FIGS. 14C and 14D, a curvature or other shape of the tubing 570 can be formed to substantially match a curvature or other matching shape of the plates 550a,b. As shown in FIGS. 14C and 14D, a curvature or other shape of the tubing 570 can be formed to match a curvature or other matching shape of the plates 550a,b.

[0119] In some aspects, the raw material (e.g., copper) forming the tubing 570 can directly contact the plates 550a,b. In some aspects, either the tubing 570 or the plates 550a,b and, more generally, the evaporator plate assembly 700 can comprise a coating, which can contact the plates 550a,b as part of either the plates 550a,b or the tubing 570. The coating, including in any of the implementations disclosed herein, can comprise or be formed from tin (Sn) or an alloy thereof. As such, the coating need not be considered separate from either the plates 550a,b or the tubing 570. The coating can comprise a thermally conductive material and / or brazing material such as, for example and without limitation, tin brazing material, a tin tape material, and / or a brazing flux material. In some aspects, the coating can flow into and fill spaces between the plates 550a,b and the tubing 570 to facilitate contact between the plates 550a,b and the tubing 570, which can facilitate heat transfer therebetween. The conductive material and / or brazing material can in some aspects increase the surface area and resulting heat transfer between the plate 550 and the tubing 570 and in some aspects can increase the strength of a mechanical connection between the plate 550 and the tubing 570. In some aspects, the evaporator plate assembly 700 can comprise a weldment for securing the latest to the tubing 570 and / or each other.

[0120] Again, in some aspects, each of the plurality of ice forming sites 840 can define or correspond to a single protrusion 842. In some aspects, each of the plurality of ice forming sites 840 can define or correspond to a plurality of protrusions 842, including in the sense that a heat sink can comprise or define fins to increase an amount of surface area available for heat transfer. More specifically, as shown, a curvature or other shape of each of the protrusions 842 and, more specifically, the inner surface 812 of the plate 550 can match a curvature or other shape of each of a protuberant portion 1410 of the tubing 570 and, more specifically, an outer surface 1811 of the protuberant portion 1410. In some aspects, a curvature or other shape of each of the protrusions 842, whether ice forming sites 840 correspond to or define a single instance or multiple instances of the protrusions 842, need not match a curvature or other shape of each of a protuberant portion 1410 of the tubing 570. More specifically, a connection between the protrusion 842 and the tubing 570 can be thermally conductive whether the protrusion 842 and the tubing 570, at least without any coating, are in contact. In some aspects, a thermally conductive material such as, for example and without limitation, tin can fill any space between the surfaces of the tubing 570 and the plate 550 as they are otherwise defined. Again, such material can be considered part of either the tubing 570 or the plate 550 and, by default, is considered part of the tubing 570.

[0121] FIG. 15 is a second side or rear side perspective view of the tubing 570 of FIG. 8A, FIG. 16 is a first side or front side view of the tubing 570 of FIG. 8A, FIG. 17A is an end view of the tubing 570 of FIG. 15, and FIG. 17B is a sectional view of the tubing 570 of FIG. 15 taken along line 17B-17B shown in FIG. 16. The tubing 570 can comprise or define a plurality of the straight portions 832 and a plurality of the connecting portions 834. The tubing 570 can also comprise or define a plurality of the spacers 810, which can be received about the tubing 570. The straight portions 832 of the tubing 570 can connect to other straight portions 832 by a series of the connecting portions 834. As shown, a top straight portion 832 and a bottom straight portion 832 need not be connected to another straight portion 832 and can instead define or be connected to the inlet 574 or the outlet 576 of the evaporator plate assembly 700 (shown in FIG. 8A). The inlet 574 and the outlet 576 can be connected to other, neighboring components of the refrigeration circuit 400 (shown in FIG. 3).

[0122] Adjacent straight runs 832 of the tubing 570 can be spaced apart by a tubing pitch or first spacing 1610, which can be a center-to-center spacing as shown. More specifically, the first spacing 1610 can be consistent among all vertically adjacent straight runs 832 of the tubing 570. In some aspects, the first spacing 1610 can be 40 mm (approximately 1.6 inches). In some aspects, the first spacing 1610 can be more or less. Adjacent protrusions 842 of the plate 550—and, similarly, adjacent protuberant portions 1410 of the tubing 570—can be spaced apart by a second spacing 1620, which can be a center-to-center spacing as shown. As such, the tubing 570 can be expanded in localized portions. More specifically, the protuberant portions 1410 and the base portions 1470 of the tubing 570 can alternate along a length of the raw material forming the tubing 570. More specifically, the second spacing 1620 can be consistent among all horizontally adjacent pairs of the protrusions 842. In some aspects, the second spacing 1620 can be 40 mm (approximately 1.6 inches). In some aspects, the second spacing 1620 can be more or less.

[0123] FIG. 18A is a detail side or front perspective view of a portion of the tubing 570 of FIG. 15 corresponding to a portion of the tubing 570, the detail view taken from detail 18B of FIG. 15; FIG. 18B is a front view of the portion of the tubing 570 of FIG. 18A; and FIG. 18C is a top view of the portion of the tubing 570 of FIG. 18A. As shown, the tubing 570 can comprise a tubing portion, undeformed or unexpanded portion, base portion, straight portion, or first portion 1470 and one or more bulbous or protuberant portions 1410. The protuberant portions 1410 can be or can comprise one or more of the spacers 810. As shown, each of the protuberant portions 1410 can comprise a pair of the spacers 810. Again, in some aspects, the spacers 810 can be separate components from the base portion 1470 and can encircle or surround at least a portion of the base portion 1470. The spacers 810 can be coupled to the base portion 1470 and with the base portion 1470 can form the tubing 570.

[0124] FIG. 18D is a top perspective view of the spacer 810 of the portion of the tubing 570 of FIG. 15 and, more generally, the evaporator plate assembly 700 of FIG. 8A; FIG. 18E is a bottom perspective view of the spacer 810 of FIG. 18D; and FIG. 18F is a side view of the spacer 810 of FIG. 18D. The spacer 810 can define an outer surface 1811, which is configured to contact the plate 550 (shown in FIG. 8A) upon assembly as part of the evaporator plate assembly 700 (shown in FIG. 8A), and an inner surface 1812. The spacer 810 can define a longitudinal direction 1813 and a transverse direction 1814. The inner surface 1812 can define a bore 1818, which can be sized to be received about the base portion 1470 (shown in FIG. 18A). An axis 1801 of the bore 1818 can be aligned with the longitudinal direction 1813, and vice versa. The inner surface 1812 can define relief portions 1815 and shoulders 1816, each of which can be defined between the nearest relief portion 1815 and the bore 1818. The outer surface 1811 can define an outer radius R1811, and the inner surface 1812 can define an inner radius R1812, a center of which can be coplanar with the shoulders 1816 (shown in FIG. 18E).

[0125] FIG. 19A is a first side view of the portion of the tubing 570 of FIG. 18A, FIG. 19B is a second side view of the portion of the tubing 570 of FIG. 18A, FIG. 19C is an exploded assembly second side view of the portion of the tubing 570 of FIG. 18A. As shown in FIG. 19C, the protuberant portion 1410 and, more specifically, each of the spacers 810 can comprise or define a protrusion 1910 and a cavity 1980. The protrusion 1910 of the first spacer 810 can be configured to be complementarily received within the cavity 1980 of the second spacer 810. For example and without limitation, the protrusion 1910 can be a pin, and the cavity 1980 can be a hole sized to receive and maintain a position of the pin. The protrusion 1910 of the second spacer 810 can be configured to be complementarily received within the cavity 1980 of the first spacer 810. The spacers 810 can be coupled to one another and can surround the base portion 1470. Alternatively, the spacers 810 can be coupled to one another and can surround the base portion 1470 through other coupling methods, such as those described above. The inner radius R1812 can be equal to or substantially equal to an outer radius R1872 of the base portion 1470. The outer surface 1811 of each of the spacers 810 and the outer surface 811 of the plate 550 at the protrusion 842 can have matching radii, which can facilitate a smooth flow of water over the outer surface 1811 and thereby facilitate accumulation of ice to form the ice cubes 490 (shown in FIG. 4A).

[0126] FIG. 20A is an end view of the tubing 570 of FIG. 8A in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure taken along line 20A-20A shown in FIG. 16, and FIG. 20B is sectional view of the tubing 570 of FIG. 20A taken along line 20B-20B shown in FIG. 16. In some aspects, as shown, the protuberant portion 1410 can define a rounded shape. More specifically, the protuberant portion 1410 can be shaped like a partial or full capsule or a partial or full spherocylinder or partial stadium of revolution, which can comprise a cylinder with hemispherical ends. When facing the outer surface 1811, the protuberant portion 1410 or an outer edge thereof can define a stadium shape. In some aspects, the protuberant portion 1410 can be shaped like a partial or full ellipsoid, with the ellipsoid's major axis situated horizontally or along the axis 1001 of the base portion 1470 and the ellipsoid's minor axis situated vertically or angled at 90 degrees with respect to the axis 1001. When facing the outer surface 1811, the protuberant portion 1410 or an outer edge thereof can be substantially shaped like an ellipse. Though an ellipsoid (and, in two dimensions, an ellipse) is illustrated, the protuberant portion 1410 can define any one or more of another shape such as, for example and without limitation, a sphere, a cylinder, or a prism. When facing the outer surface 1811, the protuberant portion 1410 or an outer edge thereof can be substantially shaped like one or more of a circle or a rectangle (e.g., a square).

[0127] FIG. 21A is a detail side or front perspective view of a portion of tubing 570 of FIG. 20A corresponding to a portion of the tubing 570, the detail view as if taken from detail 18B of FIG. 15; FIG. 21B is a front view of the portion of the tubing 570 of FIG. 21A; and FIG. 21C is a top view of the portion of the tubing 570 of FIG. 21A. In some aspects, as shown, each of the protuberant portions 1410 can be integrally formed with the base portion 1470. More specifically, each of the protuberant portions 1410 can be formed from the same length of tubing 570 forming both the base portion 1470 and the protuberant portion.

[0128] FIG. 22A is a detail end view of the tubing 570 of FIG. 20A taken from detail 22A of FIG. 20A, and FIG. 22B is a detail sectional view of the tubing 570 of FIG. 20A taken from detail 22B of FIG. 20B. The refrigerant, shown with hatching for liquid, is shown inside a cavity formed by the tubing 570, including the protuberant portion 1410 thereof.

[0129] FIG. 23A is a top perspective view of a portion of a simplified evaporator 310 showing a line of thermal contact between a) a plate 550 and b) tubing 570 defining a circular cross-section in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, and FIG. 23B is a sectional view of the geometry of FIG. 23A taken along line 23B-23B of FIG. 23A. Where a contact surface area 2310 between the plate 550 and the tubing 570 is represented by roughly only line contact (in some aspects, the use of another material, e.g., tin to facilitate heat conduction between the tubing 570 and the plate 550 can increase the contact surface area 2310 over mere line contact), heat transfer can be similarly limited, as heat transfer through conduction will generally depend on the size of the contact surface area 2310.

[0130] FIG. 24A is a top perspective view of a simplified evaporator 310 showing a roughly cylindrical surface of thermal contact between a) the plate 550 and b) the tubing 570 defining an elliptical cross-section in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, and FIG. 24B is a sectional view of the geometry of FIG. 24A taken along line 24B-24B of FIG. 24A. As shown, the evaporator 310 can define dimples 2410, which can be as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 10,107,538, which issued on Oct. 23, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The increase in the contact surface 2310 can be significantly larger than the contact surface 2310 for the geometry shown in FIG. 23A and can result in greater ice production in the same amount of time and with similar consumption of water and electricity, or the same ice production in less time and with lower consumption of water and electricity.

[0131] FIG. 25A is a top perspective view of a simplified evaporator showing a convex surface of thermal contact between a) a plate and b) tubing defining an elliptical cross-section in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, and FIG. 25B is a sectional view of the geometry of FIG. 25A taken along line 25B-25B of FIG. 25A. An increase in a surface area of the protrusion 842—e.g., the portion of the outer surface 811 in contact with the ice cube 490 (shown in FIG. 4A) and / or a portion of the inner surface 812 in contact with tubing 570 can be significant in comparison to the geometry shown in FIG. 24A. An increase in the contact surface area 2310 of the protrusion 842 over even an evaporator 310 with such geometry can be 25% or more. Such improvement in surface area can, even in comparison to the configuration shown in FIG. 24A, result in greater ice production in the same amount of time and with similar consumption of water and electricity, or the same ice production in less time and with lower consumption of water and electricity. While certain proportions are disclosed, any dimension, including a thickness, of any of the simplified evaporators 310 or a portion thereof can be stretched or otherwise modified in any direction,

[0132] FIG. 26A is a top perspective view of open upper and lower or first and second dies of a tooling assembly 2600 for forming the tubing 570 of FIG. 20A, with some of the tooling assembly 2600 being omitted for clarity. FIG. 26B is a top perspective view of open lower and upper or first and second dies of a tooling assembly 2600 for forming a single straight portion of the tubing 570 of FIG. 20A, with some of the tooling assembly 2600 being omitted for clarity. The tooling assembly 2600 can comprise a first or lower die 2610 and a second or lower die 2620. Each of the first die 2610 and the second die 2620 can define respective cavities 2618 and 2628, which can be sized and otherwise configured to receive the tubing 570 in its original shape—before forming the protuberant portions 1410—and at the same time can be sized to allow expansion of the tubing to form the protuberant portions 1410. More specifically, while shown roughly, a geometry of each of the cavities 2618,2628 can match a final geometry of the tubing 570 after formation of the protuberant portions 1410. Such geometry can be further modified as appropriate, e.g., for “springback” of the material forming the tubing 570 and, more specifically, the protuberant portions 1410 (springback being the tendency of some materials to “spring back” to a condition of slightly lesser deformation due to the elasticity of the material).

[0133] The tooling assembly 2600 can comprise a system for opening and closing the dies 2610,2620. More specifically, the system can be powered by any convenient and available power source such as, for example and without limitation, hydraulic power or motors powered by electrical power. The tooling assembly 2600 and, more specifically, the aforementioned system can be configured to maintain a position of the second die 2620 with respect to a position of the first die 2610, even with and especially during pressurization of the tubing 570 to be processed. More specifically, the tooling assembly 2600 can comprise clamps for holding the dies 2610,2620 in position with respect to each other. The tooling assembly 2600 can be configured to form the protuberant portions 1410 by pressurizing an inner cavity of the tubing 570 with a fluid such as, for example and without limitation, hydraulic fluid or oil. More specifically, the tooling assembly 2600 can comprise a system for pressurizing the cavities 2618,2628 of the respective dies 2610,2620.

[0134] A method of manufacturing the evaporator plate assembly 700 (shown in FIG. 8A) can comprise forming each of the one or more plates 550. The method can comprise forming the fins 820 in the plates 550. The method can comprise positioning the tubing 570 between the first plate 550a and the second plate 550b. The method can comprise coupling or joining the first plate 550a and the second plate 550b to each other and / or to the tubing 570. More specifically, in some aspects, the method can comprise mechanically fastening the components. In some aspects, the method can comprise welding or brazing the components to each other, e.g., with a tin coating. More specifically, the method can comprise using heat and / or pressure to ensure proper mating of the tubing 570 to each of the plates 550a,b and maximum contact surface area between the components of the evaporator plate assembly 700.

[0135] More specifically, the method of manufacturing can comprise forming the fins 820. The method can comprise feeding raw material forming the plates 550 into a forming machine such as, for example and without limitation, a plate roller machine. The method can comprise transforming the raw material from a rolled shape, when it comes from a roll of the raw material, into a planar shape for further processing. The method can comprise forming a first fin 820 in one or more bending steps. The method can comprise moving the raw material a set distance corresponding to a desired distance between adjacent fins 820. The method can comprise forming a second fin 820. The method can comprise repeating the process until all of the desired fins 820 have been formed. The method can comprise separating the plate 550 from the raw material, e.g., by shearing.

[0136] The method of manufacturing can comprise forming the protrusions 842 in the plate 550. The method can comprise forming the protrusions 842 with a forming tool (not shown). In some aspects, the forming tool can be formed from a rigid material (e.g., hardened steel) approximately matching the geometry desired for the protrusion 842 or a group of the protrusions 842 and can be further modified as appropriate, e.g., for “springback” of the material. In some aspects, the forming tool can be formed from a non-rigid material and / or the method can comprising hydroforming of the plates 550 to form the protrusions 842. The method can comprise securing the tubing 570 between the first plate 550a and the second plate 550b. As described above, the plates 550a,b can be secured to each other, such as by fasteners (e.g., pop rivets, nails, screws, washers, etc.), or other methods of joining metal plates together (e.g., through adhesives, clinching, welding, brazing, soldering, tack welding, spot welding, etc.). In some aspects, the forming of the fins 820 and the protrusions 842 can occur at the same time. In some aspects, the forming of the fins 820 and the protrusions 842 can occur in alternating operations. In some aspects, the forming of the fins 820 can be followed by the forming of the protrusions 842.

[0137] The method of manufacturing can comprise forming the tubing 570. In some aspects, the method can comprise forming the tubing 570 into a serpentine shape by a series of successive bending operations to form the constituent bends. In some aspects, the method can comprise forming separate portions of the tubing 570 (e.g., the straight portions 832 and the connecting portions 834, or the tubing portions 1470 and the protuberant portions 1410) and joining the portion together by brazing and / or another joining operation. The method can comprise dipping the tubing 570 in a molten coating material, e.g., tin.

[0138] In some aspects, the method of forming the tubing 570 can comprise expanding the tubing 570 to form multiple protuberant portions 1410 at the same time. Such a method can comprise the following steps:

[0139] a. Bending the tubing 570 into serpentine shape or assembling and joining separate lengths of raw material forming the tubing 570 into a single serpentine coil (can optionally produce a final shape of the tubing 570 only after expansion of the protuberant portions 1410 of the tubing 570).

[0140] b. Inserting the raw material forming the tubing 570 between two dies (e.g., the upper die 2610 and the lower die 2620).

[0141] i. Where the raw material forming the tubing 570 is to be expanded, positioning the raw material in an “expansion” cavity 2618,2628, which can leave space for expansion of that portion of the tubing 570). The raw material can be a small section of the raw material forming only a portion of the tubing 570.

[0142] ii. Where the raw material forming the tubing 570 is to NOT be expanded, positioning the tubing in a “non-expansion” cavity, which can maintain the shape of that portion of the raw material. A wall of the raw material forming the tubing 570 can be thickened throughout or where needed to allow for necessary deformation without the tubing 570 becoming too thin. More specifically, a total wall thickness of the raw material forming the tubing 570 can, before deformation, equal a final wall thickness in the protuberant portion 1410, after deformation, divided by a wall thickness shrinkage factor. The wall thickness shrinkage factor can be based on how much of a wall thickness of a deformed section of the raw material forming the tubing 570 is reduced to form the protuberant portion 1410.

[0143] For example and without limitation, a wall thickness shrinkage factor of 0.5 can mean that raw material forming the tubing 570 and having an original thickness of 1.6 mm can be required to form a wall thickness of the protuberant portion 1410 that is 0.8 mm in thickness after forming (Total wall thickness (before expansion)=0.8 mm / 0.5=1.6 mm).

[0144] c. Sealing both ends of the raw material forming the tubing 570. The method can comprise sealing the raw material forming the tubing 570 well enough to maintain a pressure inside the tubing when pressurized. More specifically, the method can comprise mechanically closing one end and sealably coupling the other end to a source of the fluid used for pressurization of the tubing 570.

[0145] d. Pressurizing the raw material forming the tubing 570. The method can comprise

[0146] pressuring the raw material forming the tubing 570 with sufficient pressure to plastically deform the raw material forming the tubing 570 inside the expansion cavity 2618,2628. The method can comprise pressurizing an interior cavity of the raw material forming the tubing 570 with hydraulic fluid.

[0147] e. Expanding the raw material forming the tubing 570 at each of the multiple cavities 2618,2628 in the dies 2610,2620. The method can comprise expanding the raw material forming the tubing 570 to plastically deform the raw material forming the tubing 570 inside the expansion cavities 2618,2628. The method can comprise pulling the material from a portion of the raw material forming the tubing 570 only in and around each expansion cavity 2618,2628.

[0148] f. Bending the raw material forming the tubing 570 into a serpentine shape or assembling and joining separate lengths of the raw material forming the tubing 570 into a single serpentine coil, if further bending remains from a previous step.

[0149] g. Performing quality control check(s) during and after above steps to ensure each protuberant portion 1410 is in the correct location and has the correct specifications.

[0150] In some aspects, the method of forming the tubing 570 can comprise expanding the tubing 570 to form a single protuberant portion 1410 at a time. Such a method can comprise the following steps:

[0151] a. Inserting the raw material forming the tubing 570 between two dies (e.g., the upper die 2610 and the lower die 2620).

[0152] i. Where the raw material forming the tubing 570 is to be expanded, positioning the raw material in an “expansion” cavity 2618,2628, which can leave space for expansion of that portion of the tubing 570). The raw material can be a small section of the raw material forming only a portion of the tubing 570. Can allow clamping of one end of the portion of the tubing while allowing movement of the other end so additional raw material can be drawn in to form the protuberant portion.

[0153] ii. Where the raw material forming the tubing 570 is to NOT be expanded, positioning the tubing in a “non-expansion” cavity, which can maintain the shape of that portion of the raw material. The raw material forming the tubing 570 can be several feet in length, More specifically, a total length of the raw material forming the tubing 570 can, when stretched out in a straight line, equal a final length of the raw material forming the tubing 570 divided by a material shrinkage factor. The material shrinkage factor can be based on how much of an undeformed section of the raw material forming the tubing 570 is required to form the protuberant portion 1410.

[0154] For example and without limitation, a material shrinkage factor of 0.5 means a 60-mm length of the raw material forming the tubing 570 is required to form just a single 30-mm-long protuberant portion 1410 (Total length=30 mm / 0.5=60mm).

[0155] b. Sealing both ends of the raw material forming the tubing 570. The method can comprise sealing the raw material forming the tubing 570 well enough to maintain a pressure inside the raw material when pressurized. More specifically, the method can comprise mechanically closing one end and sealably coupling the other end to a source of the fluid used for pressurization of the raw material forming the tubing 570.

[0156] c. Pressurizing the raw material forming the tubing 570. The method can comprise pressuring the raw material forming the tubing 570 with sufficient pressure to plastically deform the raw material forming the tubing 570 inside the expansion cavity 2618,2628. The method can comprise pressuring an interior cavity of the raw material forming the tubing 570 with hydraulic fluid.

[0157] d. Expanding the raw material forming the tubing 570 at a pair of corresponding or mating cavities 2618,2628 in the dies 2610,2620. The method can comprise expanding the tubing to plastically deform the raw material forming the tubing 570 inside the expansion cavities 2618,2628. The method can comprise pulling the material from a portion of the raw material forming the tubing 570 beyond the raw material in and around each expansion cavity 2618,2628.

[0158] e. Repositioning the raw material forming the tubing 570 to expand a next portion of the raw material forming the tubing 570 and repeating the process above as many times as needed for each protuberant portion 1410.

[0159] f. Bending the raw material forming the tubing 570 into a serpentine shape or assembling and joining separate lengths of the raw material forming the tubing 570 into a single serpentine coil, if further bending remains.

[0160] g. Performing quality control check(s) during and after above steps to ensure each protuberant portion 1410 is in the correct location and has the correct specifications.

[0161] A method of forming or making ice, e.g., the ice cubes 490 (shown in FIG. 4A), can comprise, at least in an ice making operation or ice production mode of the ice maker 110, spraying water from the spray tube 312 towards a top end 805 of the evaporator plate assembly 700. In some aspects, the method can comprise directing water from the top ends 815a,b of the plates 550a,b of the evaporator plate assembly 700 down the channels 558 and over the protrusions 842. In some aspects, the method can comprise spraying water onto the plates 550a,b, including spraying water onto the plates 550a,b other than from the top ends 815a,b of the plates 550a,b. The method can comprise removing heat from the water and thereby expanding and evaporating liquid refrigerant passing through the tubing 570 and thereby cooling the plates 550a,b. More specifically, as the refrigerant running through the evaporator 310 absorbs heat from the water sprayed by the spray tube 312 against the outside of the plates 550a,b, the method can comprise the refrigerant evaporating—or beginning to evaporate—to a gaseous state and lowering a surface temperature of the evaporator 310 to the freezing point of water or below. The method can comprise drawing heat from the plates 550a,b through the tubing 570. More specifically, the method can comprise drawing heat from the plates 550a,b through protuberant portions 1410 in the tubing 570. More specifically, the method can comprise transferring heat through the plates at a higher rate over previous methods by increasing a heat transfer area through use of the protrusions 842 and the protuberant portions 1410 and thereby freezing, at a higher rate, the water forming the ice cubes 490. With the evaporator 310 as a heat exchanger, the method can comprise circulating the refrigerant through the tubing 570 and thereby absorbing heat from the evaporator plates 550 and cooling the evaporator 310 below the freezing point of water.

[0162] The method of making ice can comprise freezing the water passing over the plates 550 and, more specifically, past the ice forming sites 840 and over the protrusions 842. More specifically, the drop in the surface temperature of the evaporator 310 can cause the ice cubes 490 (shown in FIG. 4A) to form in the channels 558 at the ice forming sites 840. More specifically, the method can comprise forming each ice cube 490 so that it is substantially or approximately or exactly centered, e.g., in a vertical direction, about or over (more specifically, in the Y-axis direction) the portion of the tubing 570 cooling the corresponding ice forming site 840. The method can comprise forming each ice cube 490 so that it is substantially or approximately or exactly centered, e.g., in a vertical direction, about or over (more specifically, in the Y-axis direction) the corresponding protrusion 842. The method can comprise forming ice cubes 490 such that a space is defined, e.g., in a vertical direction, between adjacent ice cubes 490. In some aspects, the method can comprise allowing slight “bridging” between adjacent ice cubes 490 in a vertical direction and / or adjacent ice cubes 490 in a horizontal direction.

[0163] Once the ice cubes 490 are sufficiently large, which can be determined by the passage of a predetermined ice production interval during an ice formation cycle, the method can comprise removing the ice cubes 490 from the evaporator 310 and, more specifically, the evaporator plate assemblies 700 by initiation of a harvest cycle. The method can comprise heating the evaporator 310 during the harvest cycle by passing hot refrigerant or hot gas directly from the compressor to the evaporator 310. The method can comprise, including during heating of the evaporator 310 during the harvest cycle, the ice cubes 490 falling downwards. The method can comprise, after the falling, redirecting the ice cubes 490 with the cube guide 540. The method can comprise redirecting the ice cubes 490 with the cube guide 540 toward the cube opening 542 and into the storage bin 190. The method can comprise passing unfrozen and / or melted liquid down the plates 550 and through smaller openings defined in the cube guide 540, with the smaller openings being smaller than each of the ice cubes 490 or at least configured to not allow passage of the ice cubes 490. The method can comprise returning the water to the water reservoir 614.

[0164] The method of making ice can comprise measuring a level of water within the water reservoir 614. More specifically, the method can comprise measuring a level of water within the water reservoir 614 with the float switch 690. The method can comprise sending, once the water level falls below a set minimum, a signal to the controller 232 (shown in FIG. 2A) to supply more water to the tank 214.

[0165] The method of making ice can comprise pumping water upwards from the water pump 212 through the manifold end 670 to the tube portions 662a,b. More specifically, the method can comprise pumping the water through the supply tubing 512. The method can comprise spraying water through the tube portions 662a,b down through or across a surface of the evaporator 310 when the ice maker 110 is producing ice. The method can comprise spraying water through the supply tube 1930 (shown in FIG. 2C) through or across the evaporator 310 (including through portions of the evaporator 310 not accessed by the water from the spray tube 312) when the ice maker 110 is cleaning itself during a cleaning cycle or a sanitizing cycle.

[0166] The method of making ice can comprise forming one of the ice cubes 490 wherever the tubing 570 passes behind the plates 550a,b. The method can comprise initially forming a back surface of the ice cube 490. The method can comprise, as the ice cube 490 grows, forming the ice cube 490 with a crescent-shaped front surface. The method can comprise forming the indentation 408 in the back or rear surface of the ice cube 490. The method can comprise forming the indentation 408 with the protrusion 842, in which case the indention 408 can have a shape defined by the protrusion 842.

[0167] The method of making ice can comprise entirely or at least substantially covered the exposed surface of the plates 550a,b with the ice cubes 490. Again, the method can comprise catching run-off water falling from the plates 550a,b with the water reservoir 614, which can be located beneath the evaporator plate assembly 700. The method can comprise recycling or reusing the run-off water. The method can comprise determining that there is an insufficient amount of water left in the water reservoir 614 due to the amount of the ice cubes 490 formed on the plates 550a,b and / or the passage of time.

[0168] A method of using the ice machine 100 can comprise switching the refrigeration system from production mode to harvesting mode. More specifically, the method can comprise detecting, e.g., with the controller 232, how much ice is in the storage bin 190 and switching the refrigeration circuit 400 between the production and harvesting modes as a function thereof. In the production mode, the method can comprise passing a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant through the condenser 224 and through the expansion device 240 to the evaporator 310. In the harvest mode, the method can comprise passing a high-temperature, high-pressure gas directly to the evaporator 310 without passing through the condenser 224 or the expansion device 240. The method can comprise directing a hot gas through the tubing 570 and / or water passes between the plates over the tubing 570. The method can comprise each ice cube 490 then falling or sliding from a corresponding ice forming site, which can define the protrusion 842. The method can comprise collecting the ice cube 490 in the storage bin 190, which can be positioned below or lower than the plates 550a,b and, more generally, the ice maker 110. In some aspects, as shown in FIG. 4A, the definition of a crescent shape in the front surface and / or an indentation in the back or rear surface can prevent neighboring ice cubes 490 from sticking to each other in the storage bin 190 (shown in FIG. 1). The method can comprise repeating the production and harvest modes until there is a sufficient level of ice in the storage bin 190. The method can comprise, when a sufficient amount of ice is in the storage bin 190, automatically shutting down the refrigerant circuit 400 until additional ice is required.

[0169] The various parts described herein can be made of several materials, for example stainless steel, copper, copper coated in tin, and / or other materials and combinations of materials. Each of the evaporator plates 550 can be formed from a sheetmetal such as, for example and without limitation, stainless steel. Each of the plates 550 can define a constant thickness. In some aspects, the thickness of the plates 550a,b can be 1.0 mm or less. In some aspects, the thickness of the plates 550a,b can be 0.5 mm or less. In some aspects, the thickness of the plates 550a,b can be 0.3 mm or less. In some aspects, the thickness of the plates 550a,b can be 0.2 mm or less.

[0170] One should note that any reference to the ice cube 490 should not be construed as limiting the formation of water into ice defining a particular shape, as ice such as the ice cubes 490 can be formed within the present disclosure in one or more of multiple shapes such as, for example and without limitation, the shapes disclosed elsewhere herein.

[0171] One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,”“might,” or “may,” unless expressly stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do not include, certain features, elements, and / or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and / or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspects or that one or more particular aspects necessarily comprise logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and / or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular aspect.

[0172] It should be emphasized that the above-described aspects are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications can be made to the above-described aspect(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An evaporator plate assembly for an ice maker, the evaporator plate assembly comprising:a first plate defining:an outer surface facing in a first direction;an inner surface facing in a second direction, the second direction being opposite from the first direction;a plurality of protrusions extending in the first direction from a surrounding portion of the outer surface, each of the plurality of protrusions defining, at least in part, an ice forming site of the first plate, each of the plurality of protrusions defining a dome shape; anda plurality of ribs, an ice forming column of the first plate defined between adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs; anda second plate defining:an outer surface facing in a first direction of the second plate, the first direction of the second plate being opposite from the first direction of the first plate;an inner surface facing in a second direction of the second plate, the second direction of the second plate being opposite from the first direction of the second plate;a plurality of protrusions extending in the first direction of the second plate from a surrounding portion of the outer surface of the second plate, each of the plurality of protrusions of the second plate defining, at least in part, an ice forming site of the second plate, each of the plurality of protrusions of the second plate defining a dome shape; anda plurality of ribs, an ice forming column of the second plate defined between adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs of the second plate; andtubing positioned between the first plate and the second plate and configured to transport refrigerant, the tubing:received at least partly within and contacting a horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the first plate, a portion of the tubing received within the horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the first plate; andreceived at least partly within and contacting a horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the second plate, the portion of tubing received within the horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the second plate.

2. The evaporator plate assembly of claim 1, wherein the tubing defines a plurality of protuberant portions, each of the plurality of protuberant portions received within and in thermal contact with each of a corresponding protrusion of the plurality of protrusions of the first plate and a corresponding protrusion of the plurality of protrusions of the second plate.

3. The evaporator plate assembly of claim 2, wherein the portion of tubing comprises a plurality of base portions and the plurality of protuberant portions, the plurality of protuberant portions being integrally formed with the base portions of the tubing and alternating with the base portions of the tubing along a length of the portion of the tubing.

4. The evaporator plate assembly of claim 1, wherein the tubing comprises:a first plurality of spacers, the first plurality of spacers positioned between the tubing and the first plate, the first plurality of spacers contacting a portion of the inner surface of the first plate defining the horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the first plate, each spacer of the first plurality of spacers defining an inner curvature and an outer curvature; anda second plurality of spacers, the second plurality of spacers positioned between the tubing and the second plate, the second plurality of spacers contacting a portion of the inner surface of the second plate defining the horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the second plate, each spacer of the second plurality of spacers defining an inner curvature and an outer curvature;wherein:a curvature of each of the plurality of protrusions of the first plate matches the outer curvature of each of the first plurality of spacers;a curvature of each of the plurality of protrusions of the second plate matches the outer curvature of each of the second plurality of spacers;the inner curvature of each of the first plurality of spacers matches a curvature of a portion of the tubing in contact with each of the first plurality of spacers; andthe inner curvature of each of the second plurality of spacers matches a curvature of a portion of the tubing in contact with each of the second plurality of spacers.

5. The evaporator plate assembly of claim 1, wherein portions of the tubing match a curvature of the plurality of protrusions of the first plate and a curvature of the plurality of protrusions of the second plate.

6. The evaporator plate assembly of claim 4, wherein each of the first plurality of spacers is coupled to one of the second plurality of spacers.

7. The evaporator plate assembly of claim 6, wherein:each of the first plurality of spacers defines a protrusion; andeach of the second plurality of spacers defines a cavity, the protrusion configured to be received within the cavity.

8. The evaporator plate assembly of claim 7, wherein:each of the second plurality of spacers defines a protrusion; andeach of the first plurality of spacers defines a cavity, each protrusion of the second plurality of spacers being configured to be received within the cavity of the first plurality of spacers.

9. The evaporator plate assembly of claim 1, wherein the portion of the tubing is a straight portion of the tubing, the tubing comprising a plurality of straight portions.

10. The evaporator plate assembly of claim 9, wherein vertically adjacent straight portions of the plurality of straight portions of the tubing are connected with connecting portions.

11. The evaporator plate assembly of claim 1, wherein the evaporator plate assembly is configured to form, during use, an ice cube defining a crescent shape in cross-section, an outer surface of the ice cube defining a curved shape in cross-section, and an inner surface of the ice cube defining an indentation in an otherwise planar surface.

12. The evaporator plate assembly of claim 11, wherein the indentation defines a curved surface.

13. An ice maker comprising:a refrigeration circuit comprising an evaporator plate assembly comprising:a first plate defining:an outer surface facing in a first direction;an inner surface facing in a second direction, the second direction being opposite from the first direction;a plurality of protrusions extending in the first direction from a surrounding portion of the outer surface, each of the plurality of protrusions defining, at least in part, an ice forming site of the first plate, each of the plurality of protrusions defining a dome shape; anda plurality of ribs, an ice forming column of the first plate defined between adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs;a second plate defining:an outer surface facing in a first direction of the second plate, the first direction of the second plate being opposite from the first direction of the first plate;an inner surface facing in a second direction of the second plate, the second direction of the second plate being opposite from the first direction of the second plate;a plurality of protrusions extending in the first direction of the second plate from a surrounding portion of the outer surface of the second plate, each of the plurality of protrusions of the second plate defining, at least in part, an ice forming site of the second plate, each of the plurality of protrusions of the second plate defining a dome shape; anda plurality of ribs, an ice forming column of the second plate defined between adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs of the second plate;tubing positioned between the first plate and the second plate and configured to transport refrigerant, the tubing:received at least partly within a horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the first plate, a portion of tubing received within the horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the first plate; andreceived at least partly within a horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the second plate, the portion of tubing received within the horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the second plate; anda water circuit, the water circuit configured to supply water to a top end of the evaporator plate assembly for production of ice.

14. The ice maker of claim 13, further comprising:a first plurality of spacers, the first plurality of spacers positioned between the tubing and the first plate, the first plurality of spacers contacting a portion of the inner surface of the first plate defining the horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the first plate, each spacer of the first plurality of spacers defining an inner curvature and an outer curvature; anda second plurality of spacers defining an inner radius and outer radius, positioned between the tubing and the second plate, the second plurality of spacers contacting a portion of the inner surface of the second plate defining the horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the second plate, each spacer of the second plurality of spacers defining an inner curvature and an outer curvature;wherein a curvature of each of the plurality of protrusions of the first plate matches the outer curvature of each of the first plurality of spacers;wherein a curvature of each of the plurality of protrusions of the second plate matches the outer curvature of each of the second plurality of spacers;wherein the inner curvature of each of the first plurality of spacers matches a curvature of a portion of the tubing in contact with each of the first plurality of spacers;wherein the inner curvature of each of the second plurality of spacers matches a curvature of a portion of the tubing in contact with each of the second plurality of spacers.

15. The ice maker of claim 14, further comprising a spray tube positioned above the evaporator plate assembly and configured to cause water to flow across a surface of the evaporator plate assembly.

16. A method of making ice with an ice maker, the method comprising:causing water to flow across a surface of an evaporator plate assembly, the evaporator plate assembly comprising:a first plate defining:an outer surface facing in a first direction;an inner surface facing in a second direction, the second direction being opposite from the first direction;a plurality of protrusions extending in the first direction from a surrounding portion of the outer surface, each of the plurality of protrusions defining, at least in part, an ice forming site of the first plate, each of the plurality of protrusions defining a dome shape; anda plurality of ribs, an ice forming column of the first plate defined between adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs; anda second plate defining:an outer surface facing in a first direction of the second plate, the first direction of the second plate being opposite from the first direction of the first plate;an inner surface facing in a second direction of the second plate, the second direction of the second plate being opposite from the first direction of the second plate;a plurality of protrusions extending in the first direction of the second plate from a surrounding portion of the outer surface of the second plate, each of the plurality of protrusions of the second plate defining, at least in part, an ice forming site of the second plate, each of the plurality of protrusions of the second plate defining a dome shape; anda plurality of ribs, an ice forming column of the second plate defined between adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs of the second plate; andtubing positioned between the first plate and the second plate and configured to transport refrigerant, the tubing:received at least partly within a horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the first plate, a portion of tubing received within the horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the first plate; andreceived at least partly within a horizontal row of protrusions of the plurality of protrusions defined in the second plate, the portion of tubing received within the horizontal row of protrusions; andforming a plurality of ice cubes on each of the outer surface of the first plate and the outer surface of the second plate, each of the plurality of ice cubes defining an indentation in a rear surface of the ice cube.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the tubing defines a plurality of protuberant portions, the method comprising drawing heat through a contact surface area between the tubing and each of the plurality of protuberant portions, each of the plurality of protuberant portions received within and in thermal contact with each of a corresponding protrusion of the plurality of protrusions of the first plate and a corresponding protrusion of the plurality of protrusions of the second plate.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein causing water to flow across the surface of the evaporator plate assembly comprises:causing water to flow through a spray tube positioned above the evaporator plate assembly; anddirecting the water past a portion of the inner surface of each of the first plate and the second plate directly behind the ice forming site, unobstructed by any feature extending between or inside of the inner surface of the first plate and the inner surface of the second plate.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising dropping each of the plurality of ice cubes into a storage bin individually, each of the plurality of ice cubes not joined to other ice cubes formed simultaneously by the method in an adjacent ice forming site.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein a contact surface area between the tubing and at least one of the first plate and the second plate defines a dome shape.

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