Object of the invention
[0001] The object of the present specification is an evaporator for an ice machine, the
main and distinctive characteristic of which is based on enabling a greater speed
to be achieved in the cooling on the surface thereof, by means of creating a turbulence
which improves the exchange and the efficiency.
Background of the invention
[0002] Currently, diverse evaporators are known in the state of the art, which are generally
configured from vertical cylinders (made of stainless steel or similar) connected
to an outer jacket through which a refrigerant liquid flows which cools the inner
surface of the cylinder, and wherein a water-feeding system using communicating tanks
will maintain the level of liquid inside said cylinder, the ice being produced on
the inner wall of the evaporator.
[0003] In said evaporator, a thermal exchange is carried out between the primary liquid
(refrigerant) and the secondary liquid (water), and wherein the improvement in the
global transmission coefficient thereof of the evaporator will directly affect the
energy efficiency of the equipment.
[0004] There are mainly two types of systems which define the chamber of the primary or
refrigerant fluid, a first one, by means of the flooded evaporator, wherein the chamber
is diaphanous and the refrigerant liquid is injected through the lower portion of
the evaporator, such that the jacket stays flooded, and wherein the refrigerant will
evaporate with the thermal exchange of the inner tube and is drawn through the upper
portion.
[0005] And a second type of system wherein the refrigerant liquid circulates through a helical
channel that runs through the chamber of the primary fluid and in the path thereof
it exchanges heat, evaporates and at the end of the circuit it has completely transformed
into gas.
[0006] The applicant is also the holder of Spanish patent
ES 2 451 539 which describes an evaporator for manufacturing ice, made up of a module having molds,
and a series of ducts therein, through which the refrigerant gas circulates; the modules
are joined together by means of a series of joining flanges; the ducts of the different
modules are joined by means of joining reels; joining elbows join the different ducts
of one same module, and closing the circuit through which the refrigerant gas circulates;
fastening flanges fasten the joining elbows, as well as the inlet terminal and the
outlet terminal to the module.
Description of the invention
[0007] The technical problem solved by the present invention is achieving an evaporator
which improves the heat exchange and the efficiency thereof compared to other solutions
known in the state of the art. To do so, the evaporator for an ice machine, object
of the present specification, is characterized in that it comprises a tube on which
a second outer tube with a larger diameter is placed, creating a cylindrical chamber,
and wherein supplementary rings are located on the upper and lower ends thereof which
seal the assembly; and that is characterized in that the tube incorporates a plurality
of mechanized grooves therein, favoring the outlet of the ice.
[0008] Due to the design thereof, the evaporator contemplated herein will favor the vertical
outlet of the ice due to the presence of a plurality of mechanized grooves which decrease
the effort necessary for said operation and therefore the noise generated during the
same.
[0009] The presence of a steel spring inside the evaporator enables a helical circuit to
be configured through which the refrigerant liquid flows in forced circulation, creating
turbulence on the surface thereof which improves the heat exchange and therefore,
the efficiency of the assembly.
Brief description of the figures
[0010] What follows is a very brief description of a series of drawings that aid in better
understanding the invention and which are expressly related to an embodiment of said
invention that is presented by way of a non-limiting example of the same.
- FIG. 1.
- Shows a view of the evaporator for an ice machine, object of the present specification.
- FIG. 2
- Shows a view of a cross section of the evaporator for an ice machine.
- FIG. 3.
- Shows an inner view of the evaporator for an ice machine, object of the present specification.
Description of a detailed embodiment of the invention
[0011] The attached figures show a preferred embodiment of the invention. More specifically,
the evaporator for an ice machine, object of the present specification, is characterized
in that it comprises a tube (1) which has, internally mechanized, a plurality of grooves
(1a) favoring the vertical outlet of the ice, decreasing the effort necessary for
said operation and therefore the noise generated.
[0012] The tube (1) will be manufactured from stainless steel or a material with equivalent
mechanical characteristics.
[0013] On said tube (1), a second outer tube (2) with a larger diameter is placed, creating
a cylindrical chamber, and wherein supplementary rings (3) are located on the upper
and lower ends thereof which seal the assembly, improving the performance thereof
with the pressure.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, in both the lower and upper portions of the assembly made
up of the tubes (1,2), a series of connections (4) are located for the inlet and/or
outlet of the refrigerant liquid.
[0015] Between both tubes (1, 2), located on the first tube (1), a steel spring (5) is located
which perfectly adjusts to the two diameters of the cylindrical chamber, in order
to prevent the by-pass of the refrigerant liquid between coils, making up a helical
circuit which forces the circulation of the refrigerant liquid.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the spring (5) will have a smaller passage (5a) at the
beginning thereof, and a larger passage (5b) at the end thereof.
1. An evaporator for an ice machine comprising a tube (1) on which a second outer tube
(2) with a larger diameter is placed, creating a cylindrical chamber, and wherein
supplementary rings (3) are located on the upper and lower ends thereof which seal
the assembly; and that is characterized in that the tube (1) incorporates a plurality of mechanized grooves (1a) therein, favoring
the outlet of the ice.
2. The evaporator for an ice machine according to claim 1, wherein it incorporates a
series of connections (4) in both the lower and upper portions of the assembly made
up by the tubes (1,2).
3. The evaporator for an ice machine according to any of claims 1 - 2 wherein the tube
(1) is made of stainless steel or a material with equivalent mechanical characteristics.
4. The evaporator for an ice machine according to any of claims 1 - 3 wherein it incorporates
a spring (5) located on the first tube (1).
5. The evaporator for an ice machine according to any of claims 1 - 4 wherein the spring
(5) has a smaller passage (5a) at the beginning thereof, and a larger passage (5b)
at the end thereof.