EP1459021A1 - Refrigeration system with a plate-type condenser and method for compacting it - Google Patents
Refrigeration system with a plate-type condenser and method for compacting itInfo
- Publication number
- EP1459021A1 EP1459021A1 EP02784942A EP02784942A EP1459021A1 EP 1459021 A1 EP1459021 A1 EP 1459021A1 EP 02784942 A EP02784942 A EP 02784942A EP 02784942 A EP02784942 A EP 02784942A EP 1459021 A1 EP1459021 A1 EP 1459021A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- plate section
- upper plate
- tube
- lower plate
- condenser
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 60
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 11
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 abstract description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000005056 compaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910001335 Galvanized steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000008397 galvanized steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005549 size reduction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010998 test method Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D19/00—Arrangement or mounting of refrigeration units with respect to devices or objects to be refrigerated, e.g. infrared detectors
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
- F25D2400/32—Removal, transportation or shipping of refrigerating devices from one location to another
Definitions
- the present invention refers to a refrigeration system, which includes a plate-type condenser manufactured in different sections, in order to make the system more compact for handling and shipping.
- the present invention further refers to a method to make said system more compact .
- Refrigeration systems formed by a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser, and other necessary components are well known. Such systems are used in several types of appliances for commercial and residential use, such as refrigerators, freezers, air- conditioners, and other cooling devices. Most refrigeration systems usually work, compressing a refrigerant fluid in the vapor state in a compressor, said refrigerant fluid subsequently transferring the heat to an external environment through a condenser, returning to the liquid state. The refrigerant fluid in the liquid state passes through an expansion device and, immediately after, in an evaporator, returning to the compressor in the vapor form.
- the refrigerant fluid Upon passing through the evaporator, the refrigerant fluid removes the heat from the surrounding atmosphere, such as the interior of a refrigerator cabinet, in order to cool that atmosphere.
- the refrigerant fluid flow is generally defined by controlling the operation of the compressor, that is, turning on and off the compressor as a function of the temperature of the area to be cooled. This is usually controlled by a device, such as a thermostat.
- a condenser for such a type of refrigeration system is usually formed by a tube made of an adequate material, such as copper, which is bent in turns in order to define an elongated coil pattern.
- a refrigeration system such as that shown in U.S.
- patent 5,881,567 uses a plate-type condenser, in which the coil shaped condenser tube is incorporated in a single metallic plate, which is mounted to the bottom of a refrigerator cabinet, serving as a structural element for the cabinet.
- the refrigeration capacity of the appliance dictates the specifications of the refrigeration system.
- a device with a high refrigeration capacity will correspondingly require a refrigeration system with a high capacity, which, on its turn, will require a large condenser.
- manufacture and assembly of the parts of a refrigeration appliance are accomplished in different locations.
- the refrigeration system can be produced in a factory in one location and then transported to another factory in a distinct location, where it will be mounted in a cabinet to form the final version of the refrigeration appliance, which will be later delivered to a consumer.
- the refrigeration system is of the type that has a plate- type condenser, a practical problem appears, resulting from the fact that the dimension of the condenser is relatively large, making the transportation of the system more difficult and increasing the transportation costs of the refrigeration system from one place to the other. Accordingly, there is a need to provide a refrigeration system with a plate-type condenser, which can be more compact for handling and shipping, and which can be easily returned to its condition prepared for the final use in a refrigeration appliance.
- a refrigeration system comprising the usual components of a compressor mounted in a hermetic shell; an evaporator coil; and a condenser.
- the condenser is of the plate type, formed by a lower plate section and an upper plate section that are spaced from each other.
- the high-pressure refrigerant fluid discharged from the compressor is supplied to a condenser tube, which is formed on the lower and on the upper plate sections, in a coil type pattern from the bottom to the top and back to the bottom.
- the plate sections of the condenser lie on the same vertical plane one over the other, with the upper section being disposed over the compressor shell.
- An evaporator which is formed by a tube that is wound like a coil in a generally cylindrical form, is positioned above the upper plate section of the condenser, transversally to the lower and upper plate sections.
- the evaporator coil receives the refrigerant fluid from the condenser through a capillary tube, extending from the lower part of the lower plate section to the evaporator coil .
- An elongated suction tube extends from the evaporator coil along the height of the lower and upper plate sections of the condenser, back to the compressor for admission of the refrigerant fluid that will be compressed.
- the suction tube is obtained from an adequate material and presents the necessary strength to support the evaporator coil when said coil is not otherwise supported, as it occurs before its assembly in the cabinet of the refrigeration appliance.
- the capillary tube and the suction tube are made of a material that allows bending, said tubes being bent to a form that produces the lowering of the evaporator coil from a position above the upper plate section of the condenser to a position generally above the compressor shell, preferably in a position below the upper end of the lower plate section of the condenser.
- the upper plate section of the condenser is then bent downwardly to reduce the total height of the system.
- the upper plate section of the condenser is bent rearwardly, in order to lie parallel to the lower plate section.
- the upper plate section is bent so as to lie transversal to the lower plate section, overlapping the evaporator coil.
- Figure 1 is a front elevational perspective view of a refrigeration system, illustrated in the condition to be used in the refrigeration system, and which also represents the final condition of the manufacturing process;
- Figures 2 and 3 are front elevational perspective views, showing the refrigeration system in different dimension compaction steps, according to a first embodiment of the invention;
- Figures 4 and 5 are, respectively, front and bottom perspective views of the refrigeration system illustrated in a final compaction step, according to a second embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 1 shows a refrigeration system having the usual conventional components, but with a plate-type condenser constructed according to the invention.
- the refrigeration system is shown with a general arrangement of its components being positioned in the form they are designed to be mounted in the cabinet of a refrigeration appliance (not illustrated) , and which also represents the final form after the manufacturing steps and test procedures .
- the system presents, at the bottom thereof, a compressor with a conventional construction mounted in a hermetic shell 10, which presents a mounting support 11, through which the hermetic shell 10 is mounted in the cabinet of the refrigeration appliance.
- the compressor compresses a high-pressure refrigerant fluid, which is supplied to a discharge tube 12 mounted to the hermetic shell 10 and which leads to a plate-type condenser 20.
- the plate-type condenser 20 is formed by a lower plate section 20a and an upper plate section 20b with a spacing 21 therebetween.
- the lower plate section 20a and the upper plate section 20b generally lie on the same vertical plane and can have the same size, with the same width and height, or with the height of the upper section 20b being slightly smaller than that of the lower section 20a.
- the sections 20a and 20b are made of any adequate material, usually a galvanized steel plate, to avoid corrosion.
- the lower plate section 20a and the upper plate section 20b present holes 22 for the assembly thereof to the cabinet of the refrigeration appliance.
- a condenser tube 30, which is an extension of the discharge tube 12 of the refrigerant fluid, is mounted to the lower plate section 20a and to the upper plate section 20b of the plate-type condenser 20 by any conventional means, such as clamps or other types of fixation means.
- the condenser tube 30 is typically made of copper, and it is formed in a coil pattern, with several alternate small and large turns or loops, which have a first segment extending upwardly, from the discharge tube 12 in the lower plate section 20a through the spacing 21, and then to the upper end of the upper plate section 20b.
- the condenser tube 30 continues, with a second segment extending downwardly, in small and large alternate turns or loops, which are entwined with the small and large turns of the first segment , said second segment developing downwardly again, toward the lower end of the upper plate section 20b, passing through the spacing 21 and toward the lower end of the lower plate section 20a.
- the first and the second segments of the condenser tube 30, extending upwardly and downwardly, are close and substantially parallel to each other in a median region 31.
- the lower end of the condenser tube 30 is connected to the inlet end of a drying filter 40, whose outlet end is connected to the capillary tube 50 of a smaller diameter.
- the capillary tube 50 comprises a capillary tube coil 51 in its median portion to provide expansion of the refrigerant fluid, with the capillary tube 50 being upwardly elongated, toward a point located at or above the upper end of the upper plate section 20b, where the upper end of the elongated capillary tube 50 is connected to the lower end inlet of an evaporator coil 60, with a cylindrical development, which is formed by a certain number of turns of a copper tube.
- the outlet of the evaporator coil 60 is connected, by its upper end, with an elongated suction tube 70, downwardly extending through the height of the lower plate section 20a and the upper plate section 20b.
- the suction tube 70 has its lower end connected to the hermetic shell 10 of the compressor, in order to supply the low pressure refrigerant fluid back to the compressor in a suction inlet 14. During the manufacturing period of the system, the suction tube 70 presents sufficient strength and rigidity to maintain the evaporator coil 60 in the position illustrated in figure 1. When the system is mounted in the cabinet of the refrigeration appliance, the evaporator coil 60 will be mounted to another member.
- the capillary tube 50 has a smaller diameter and is made of a metal that is softer than that of the suction tube 70.
- the materials of the condenser tube 30, of the suction tube 70 and of the capillary tube 50 are selected so that they can be bent or curved at least twice from the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1: the first time, when the system has its dimension reduced, and later, when the system has its form reestablished to that one required to allow its assembly to the refrigeration system, without damaging the integrity of the deformed parts.
- the plate-type condenser is made with a single piece plate, so that the total dimension of the refrigeration system cannot be made smaller than that corresponding to the dimension of the single plate of the condenser.
- FIG. 1 shows a first step in the process for compacting the dimension of the refrigeration system illustrated in fig. 1 to a smaller size assembly.
- the elongated suction tube 70 and the capillary tube 50 were bent to form a coil with a generally circular single turn, which is positioned parallel to the plane of symmetry of the hermetic shell 10 of the compressor, and disposed slightly above said hermetic shell 10, but below the upper end of the lower plate section 20a.
- This causes the lowering of the evaporator coil 60 to a position in which its top remains below the upper end of the lower plate section 20a of the condenser 30.
- Figure 3 shows the second process of compaction, in which the upper plate section 20b is downwardly bent about 180° away from the upper plate section 20a, such that its rear surface (without a condenser tube 30) faces the rear surface of the lower plate section 20a.
- the parts of the condenser tube 30 in the spacing 21 between the lower plate section 20a and the upper plate section 20b are bent, in order to allow said curving to occur and that both parts 31 of the condenser tube 30, which were in the spacing 21, be disposed at the top of the compacted system.
- the dimension (total height) of the refrigeration system is reduced, from the condition shown in fig. 1, to that in which the only height is that of the lower plate section 20a. This produces a substantial size reduction, making the refrigeration system easier to handle and its shipping much more economic .
- the upper plate section 20b is bent back to its original position and the suction tube 70 and the capillary tube 50 are straightened to elevate the evaporator coil 60.
- the suction tube 70 and the capillary tube 50 are straightened to elevate the evaporator coil 60.
- FIGS 4 and 5 show another embodiment of the invention, in which the same reference numbers are used for similar components.
- the suction tube 70 and the capillary tube 50 are bent to such a shape that the evaporator coil 60 is lowered to a position slightly above the hermetic shell 10 of the compressor and similar to that shown in fig. 2.
- the upper plate section 20b is forwardly bent at about 90°, curving the parts 31 of the condenser tube 30 in the spacing 21, so that the upper plate section 20b remains generally perpendicular to the lower plate section 20a and generally parallel to the evaporator coil 60.
- the total dimension of the refrigeration system is substantially reduced to the height of the lower plate section 20a.
- the embodiment of figs. 4 and 5 presents the advantage that no part of the condenser tube 30 is exposed, while in fig. 3, the parts of the condenser tube 30 in the upper plate section 20b and in the spacing 21 remain exposed. Also in the embodiment of figs. 4 and 5, the evaporator coil 60 is covered by the upper plate section 20b after the latter has been adequately bent.
- the return of the refrigeration system to a configuration to be mounted to the cabinet of the refrigeration system is processed as already described above.
- the invention provides a refrigeration system that has a novel form for the plate-type condenser that allows the total dimension of the system to be reduced during certain steps of its manufacture and use.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
- Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
BRPI0106589-0A BR0106589B1 (en) | 2001-12-27 | 2001-12-27 | plate-type condenser cooling system and method for compacting it. |
BR0106589 | 2001-12-27 | ||
PCT/BR2002/000187 WO2003056261A1 (en) | 2001-12-27 | 2002-12-17 | Refrigeration system with a plate-type condenser and method for compacting it |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1459021A1 true EP1459021A1 (en) | 2004-09-22 |
Family
ID=3948217
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP02784942A Withdrawn EP1459021A1 (en) | 2001-12-27 | 2002-12-17 | Refrigeration system with a plate-type condenser and method for compacting it |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20050092011A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1459021A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2002350298A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR0106589B1 (en) |
MX (1) | MXPA04006321A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2003056261A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4660176B2 (en) | 2004-12-07 | 2011-03-30 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Cooling system |
EP2153140A1 (en) * | 2007-06-08 | 2010-02-17 | Arçelik Anonim Sirketi | A cooling device |
KR20090121753A (en) * | 2008-05-23 | 2009-11-26 | 주식회사 한국번디 | Suction pipe assembly and manufactruing method for suction pipe assembly |
US20130255308A1 (en) * | 2012-03-29 | 2013-10-03 | Johnson Controls Technology Company | Chiller or heat pump with a falling film evaporator and horizontal oil separator |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB450299A (en) * | 1935-01-26 | 1936-07-14 | British Thomson Houston Co Ltd | Improvements in and relating to refrigerators |
US2175914A (en) * | 1938-08-25 | 1939-10-10 | Nash Kelvinator Corp | Refrigerating apparatus |
GB664971A (en) * | 1948-08-02 | 1952-01-16 | Calumet And Hecla Cons Copper | Refrigerating unit |
US2737780A (en) * | 1952-03-08 | 1956-03-13 | Keco Ind Inc | Refrigerating apparatus |
GB967756A (en) * | 1962-03-14 | 1964-08-26 | R & A Main Ltd | Improvements in or relating to refrigerators |
DE3204556C2 (en) * | 1982-02-10 | 1986-11-13 | Bosch-Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, 8000 München | Heat-insulated housing, especially for household refrigerated cabinets or the like |
US5577391A (en) * | 1993-08-26 | 1996-11-26 | Matsushita Refrigeration Company | Refrigeration system |
JPH0968379A (en) * | 1995-08-30 | 1997-03-11 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Manufacture of outer casing for refrigerator |
US5881567A (en) * | 1997-09-29 | 1999-03-16 | Whirlpool Corporation | Refrigerator condenser air flow |
BR9905267C1 (en) * | 1999-10-06 | 2002-03-26 | Brasil Compressores Sa | Sealed refrigerant unit for refrigeration appliance |
-
2001
- 2001-12-27 BR BRPI0106589-0A patent/BR0106589B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2002
- 2002-12-17 US US10/499,757 patent/US20050092011A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2002-12-17 EP EP02784942A patent/EP1459021A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2002-12-17 MX MXPA04006321A patent/MXPA04006321A/en unknown
- 2002-12-17 AU AU2002350298A patent/AU2002350298A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2002-12-17 WO PCT/BR2002/000187 patent/WO2003056261A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO03056261A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20050092011A1 (en) | 2005-05-05 |
BR0106589B1 (en) | 2009-05-05 |
BR0106589A (en) | 2003-09-09 |
AU2002350298A1 (en) | 2003-07-15 |
WO2003056261A1 (en) | 2003-07-10 |
MXPA04006321A (en) | 2004-10-04 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20040621 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL LT LV MK RO |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: 8566 |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: WHIRLPOOL S.A. |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN |
|
18W | Application withdrawn |
Effective date: 20070209 |