A freezing and cutting assembly and method for producing ice cubes. The freezing and cutting assembly includes a freezing unit configured to freeze a slab of ice. The freezing unit includes a cold plate and a frame removably coupleable to the cold plate. The cutting unit includes at least one heated electrical wire tensioned on a cutting unit frame and configured to divide the slab of ice into ice cubes.

Methods of operating an ice maker with an exposed refrigerant tube. The method includes providing a water stream to an ice formation cell of an ice formation tray. A refrigerant tube freezes a portion of the water stream in order to make an ice piece layer. An ejector pries the ice piece layer away from the ice formation cell. The ejector is configured to rotate about an axis.

Methods of operating an ice maker with an exposed refrigerant tube. The method includes providing a water stream to an ice formation cell of an ice formation tray. A refrigerant tube freezes a portion of the water stream in order to make an ice piece layer. An ejector pries the ice piece layer away from the ice formation cell. The ejector is configured to rotate about an axis.

An ice making machine having a refrigeration system designed for hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants, and particularly propane (R-290), that includes dual independent refrigeration systems and a unique evaporator assembly comprising of a single freeze plate attached to two cooling circuits. The serpentines are designed in an advantageous pattern that promotes efficiency by ensuring the even bridging of ice during freezing and minimizing unwanted melting during harvest by providing an even distribution of the heat load. The charge limitations imposed with flammable refrigerants would otherwise prevent large capacity ice maker from being properly charged with a single circuit. The ice making machine includes a single water circuit and control system.

An ice making machine having a refrigeration system designed for hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants, and particularly propane (R-290), that includes dual independent refrigeration systems and a unique evaporator assembly comprising of a single freeze plate attached to two cooling circuits. The serpentines are designed in an advantageous pattern that promotes efficiency by ensuring the even bridging of ice during freezing and minimizing unwanted melting during harvest by providing an even distribution of the heat load. The charge limitations imposed with flammable refrigerants would otherwise prevent large capacity ice maker from being properly charged with a single circuit. The ice making machine includes a single water circuit and control system.

An ice maker for an appliance includes a freezing plate having an upwardly facing ice formation surface. A plurality of partitions is positioned on the freezing plate. The plurality of partitions divides the ice formation surface into a plurality of bays. A reservoir is positioned below the freezing plate. A manifold has a plurality of outlets directed towards the plurality of bays on the ice formation surface. A pump is operable to flow water from the reservoir to the manifold. An air conduit is positioned below the freezing plate. The air conduit is configured for guiding a flow of air through the air conduit to chill the freezing plate.

An ice maker for an appliance includes a freezing plate having an upwardly facing ice formation surface. A plurality of partitions is positioned on the freezing plate. The plurality of partitions divides the ice formation surface into a plurality of bays. A reservoir is positioned below the freezing plate. A manifold has a plurality of outlets directed towards the plurality of bays on the ice formation surface. A pump is operable to flow water from the reservoir to the manifold. An air conduit is positioned below the freezing plate. The air conduit is configured for guiding a flow of air through the air conduit to chill the freezing plate.

An ice maker includes an evaporator configured to freeze water into ice as it flows vertically down a freeze plate. A distributor distributes the water along the top of the freeze plate to form ice across the width of the freeze plate as the water flows downward along the freeze plate. The distributor can be integrated into the evaporator. For example, the distributor and evaporator can have a part in common. The distributor can be formed from two pieces that come together to form the freeze plate. The distributor can have various features that aid in providing a desirable distribution of water along the width of the freeze plate. The freeze plate can be mounted in an ice maker enclosure in thermal communication with the evaporator and to slant forward.

An ice maker includes an evaporator configured to freeze water into ice as it flows vertically down a freeze plate. A distributor distributes the water along the top of the freeze plate to form ice across the width of the freeze plate as the water flows downward along the freeze plate. The distributor can be integrated into the evaporator. For example, the distributor and evaporator can have a part in common. The distributor can be formed from two pieces that come together to form the freeze plate. The distributor can have various features that aid in providing a desirable distribution of water along the width of the freeze plate. The freeze plate can be mounted in an ice maker enclosure in thermal communication with the evaporator and to slant forward.

The present application relates to the field of ice making, and provides an ice making system and a refrigeration apparatus. The ice making system includes an ice making assembly, a water collecting tank located below the ice making assembly, and a water diversion ice rake structure. The water diversion ice rake structure includes: a pair of water receiving lateral wings, each of which is constructed with a rotary end and a free end; the pair of water receiving lateral wings are rotatably disposed on opposite sides of the ice making assembly through the respective rotary ends to rotate between an ice making position and an ice falling position. At the ice making position, the free ends of the pair of water receiving lateral wings are butted in a space between the ice making assembly and the water collecting tank to form a closure space with an opening facing the ice making assembly, and a water outlet communicating with the water collecting tank is constructed on one side of the closure space. The present application may solve the problems of condensed water dripping out and water splashing outward during ice making.