Patent ID: 6990827
Filing Date: 2006-01-31
Classification: F25C

Abstract:
1. Ice making apparatus for marine craft comprising: an evaporator unit defining a central axis and including a freezing chamber for making ice therein; an auger rotatable about said central axis within said freezing chamber for moving ice out of said freezing chamber in a direction generally parallel with said central axis; water inlet means for introducing water into said freezing chamber; a refrigeration assembly including a condenser for delivering a refrigerant fluid to said freezing chamber to effect freezing of the water introduced by said water inlet means; an ice distribution cap mounted on said evaporator unit defining an ice distribution chamber arranged to receive therein ice moved out of said freezing chamber by said rotating auger, a comminution ring arranged between said freezing chamber and said ice distribution chamber having slots formed therein to reduce the size of ice passing from said freezing chamber into said ice distribution chamber, a bearing housing located within said ice distribution chamber having operatively arranged therein an upper bearing for said rotatable auger; an annular deflection surface defined on said bearing housing for deflecting in a direction radially outwardly of said central axis ice passing through said slots in said comminution ring; a slotted circular collar located around said comminution ring for directing ice passing there through toward said annular deflection surface; an ice discharge opening formed with said ice distribution cap for directing ice out of said ice distribution chamber, said discharge opening being defined as part of said ice distribution cap to direct said ice transversely relative to said central axis; and an impeller member having impeller blades extending in a direction generally along said central axis for driving ice out of said ice distribution chamber and through said ice discharge opening.