Ice-making machine

Abstract

An evaporator for use in an ice-making machine that has at least one water passage and at least one refrigerant passage. Water passing through the water passage is frozen by the conductive effects of a refrigerant passing through the refrigerant passages. The evaporator is wound in a flat, spiral, space-saving design. A flow-splitter for use in evaporators with two water passages is also provided.

1 . An evaporator for an ice-making machine, comprising:
 at least one water passage with an inner surface adapted for the formation of ice thereon, and   at least one refrigerant passage, said refrigerant passage being adapted for the passage of a refrigerant therethrough,   wherein the evaporator is made via an extrusion process.   
   
   
       2 . The evaporator of  claim 1 , wherein the evaporator is a flat, spiral evaporator. 
   
   
       3 . The evaporator of  claim 1 , further comprising an insulating material disposed about said evaporator. 
   
   
       4 . The evaporator of  claim 1 , wherein the evaporator is made of either a thermally conductive plastic or a metal alloy. 
   
   
       5 . The evaporator of  claim 4 , wherein said metal alloy is an aluminum alloy. 
   
   
       6 . The evaporator of  claim 1 , wherein the evaporator has one water passage, and two refrigerant passages. 
   
   
       7 . The evaporator of  claim 7 , wherein said water passage is peanut-shaped. 
   
   
       8 . The evaporator of  claim 1 , wherein said evaporator has two water passages, and one refrigerant passage disposed between said water passages. 
   
   
       9 . The ice-making machine of  claim 8 , wherein said water passages are substantially oval. 
   
   
       10 . The ice-making machine of  claim 8 , wherein said water passages are substantially round. 
   
   
       11 . The ice-making machine of  claim 1 , wherein said evaporator is coated with a corrosion-resistant material, anodized, or a combination of the two. 
   
   
       12 . An ice-making machine comprising:
 an evaporator comprising two water passages, each with an inner surface for the formation of ice thereon, and one refrigerant passage for the passage of a refrigerant therethrough;   a water source in fluid communication with said water passages; and   a flow-splitter disposed between said water source and said water passages, wherein said flow-splitter diverts at least a portion of said water to each water passage,   wherein said evaporator is wound.   
   
   
       13 . The machine of  claim 12 , wherein said evaporator is made via an extrusion process. 
   
   
       14 . The machine of  claim 12 , further comprising an insulating material disposed about said evaporator. 
   
   
       15 . The evaporator of  claim 12 , wherein said evaporator is made of either a thermally conductive plastic or a metal alloy. 
   
   
       16 . The evaporator of  claim 15 , wherein said metal alloy is an aluminum alloy. 
   
   
       17 . The ice-making machine of  claim 12 , wherein said water passages are substantially oval. 
   
   
       18 . The ice-making machine of  claim 12 , wherein said water passages are substantially round. 
   
   
       19 . The ice-making machine of  claim 12 , wherein said evaporator is wound in a spiral. 
   
   
       20 . The ice-making machine of  claim 12 , wherein said evaporator is coated with a corrosion-resistant material, anodized, or a combination of the two.