US1297975A - Safety device for refrigerating-machines. - Google Patents

Description

F. A. wlLLcox.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR REFRIGERATING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 20 I9I7.

Patented Mayr. 18,1919.

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f UNITED STATES Parana? serien.

FRANK AINSWORTH -WILLCOX F DARTFORD, ENGrLANiII).v

' `SAFIEHJY DEVICE FOR REFRIGERATING-MACHINES.

To all 'whom z'z may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK AiNsWoRTH WrLLcox, a subject of the King of yGrreat Britain, residing at Dartford Ironworks, Dartford,.in the county of Kent, England, have invented new and useful Improvements yin Safety Devices for Refrigerating-Machines, of which the following is a specifi-r cation. t

This invention relates to the safety devices used in connection with refrigerating machines, which devices prevent the escape of gases, or vapors, under normal` conditions, but act to relieve abnormal pressure, yand the objectof this invention is to provide devices which satisfactorily answer those conditions and are not lia-ble to defects applying yto the safety devices hitherto employed or proposed, but combine the functions of efficient lsafety valves without leakage therefrom into the atmosphere y'of the place where the lrefrigerating machine is situated.

According to this invention, the ordinary spring-loaded, or other suitable, safety valve, or valvulararrangement, is inclosed in a casing constituting a vessel (which is normally closed against communication with the atmosphere) surrounding the safety valve, or valvulary arrangement or otherwise adapted to receive any gas, or vapor, which may pass the said safety valve, or valvular Y arrangement, which is in connectiony with the delivery, or compression side of the compressor of the refrigerating machine by a pipe,-or passage, distinct from that which passes the compressed gases, or vapors, to the place wheretheir expansion is to be utilized.- In the top, or other wall of this cas-Vy ing is an opening normally closed by means for relieving pressure when yit exceeds any predetermined amount in the casing, such as the known device consisting of a dia-v phragm of a material and thickness which will allow it to break at a predetermined pressure, say a pressure of from five, to yten pounds per square inch. They cas-ingofy the said safety valve yor valvular' arrangement is in communication with means (distinct from the aforesaid compressor of the refrigerating machine) for removing gasesorvapors from the said casing, suchfor example as the suction of ra small compressor, or

pump, Iwhose deliveryV may communicate with the suctionl ofthe main compressor, or withV any other suitable place, one of my Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedrMar. 18, 1919,

' Application led December 20, 1917. SerialiNo. 208,145.

chief objects ybeing toV prevent loss of N H'3-SO2,CO2, etc. Y

The accompanying drawing shows, diagrammatically in elevation, arrangements',Y

in accordance with my invention, applied to a vapor compression refrigerating machine only as much of which is shown as is necessary'to illustrate the application of my invention thereto, in which a'sniall compressor, or pump, is used.

Referring first to the drawing, the safety device is shown as a spring valve at A. The casing surrounding it is marked B. The aforesaid diaphragm, which ibreaks under ohjectionablepressure, is marked C. The valve A, is in communication, by the pipe b, with the delivery, or compression, pipe d2, of the main compressor D,.of the refrigerating machine, the remainder of whichl machine it is not necessary to show. l The interior ofthe casing B above the safetyvalve A, is in communication, by the. pipe b2, with the suction side of the small compressor, or pump, E.

When the apparatus is in operation, and the small compressor, or pump, E, isV at work, gases, or vapors, which may leak past the safety valve, or valvular arrangement, aty A, are withdrawn from the inclosing casing B by the small compressor7 or pump E, and discharged, through the pipe e into the suction CZ, lof. the main compressor D, (or other desired place), and, as long as the small compressor, or pump,'E, is at Work, the pressure in the casing B, will ybe approximately atmospheric pressure, or below atmospheric pressure, as may be arranged, and the valve at A, will open at the pressure, for which' it is adjusted. If, for any reason, the small compressor, orcpump,` E, should not be at work, any gases, or vapors, which mayleaky past the valve A will vaccumulate in the casing B and, when the pressure exceeds that which the diaphragm C is adjusted to stand, it will rupture (the escaping gases, or va.- pors, passing off 'by a Icontinu-ation of the pipe C2 to the external air) and the attention of the attendant will be drawn to the fact that the small compressor, or pump, E, has notbeen working. In largeplants, it is preferred' to drive the small compressor, or pump E, by a motor whose starting gear is put into action by an electric contact made for the purpose, for example, by means of a U tube F, containing mercury, one leg being in communication with the casing B, by the pipe 3 and the other leg being in communi cation with the atmosphere (if desired by the pipe 224 leading into the pipe C2) so that, when contact is made by the mercury between the terminals ,f and f2, under prede termined pressure in the casing B, the motor and small compressor, or pump, E, will be started and, when the pressure falls in the casing B, the said compresser, or pump, E. will stop. lf desired the mercury in the U tube F, can maire contact to ring a bell, or to give other signal, 'before the. diaphragm C is broken and, in cases where the small compressor, or pump, E, is not motor-driven, the attendant can then start the said compressor, or pump, E.

Owing to the pressure in the casin B (when the small compressor, or pump, i is at work), being practically constant, the valve at A will always open at, or about, the pressure for which it is set and, when this pressure rises abnormally and the safety valve consequently lifts, the rush of gases, or vapors, breaks theJ diaphragm C and the gases or vapors pass to a pipe C2, or other suitable passage, leading to the atmosphere or to some receptacle provided for absorbing the vapors.

Any required number of the aforesaid incased safety valves, or valvular arrangements, may be connected to the suction of one compressor, or pump, such as E, or to the suctions of a number of such compressors, or pumps, which may be driven as de scribed, or in any other suitable way, for example by gearing, from the main compressor D, or, in an absorption machine by gearing, from the main pump.

It will be understood however, that l do not limit myself to the use of the small compressor, or pump, for withdrawing the gases or vapors, from the casing B, as any suitable means may be used.

What l claim is l. In connection with the safety devices of refrigerating machines, a casing constituting a vessel normally closed to the surrounding atmosphere and adapted to receive gases, or vapors, which may pass the safety device, and means, distinct from the main compressor of the machine, for removing such gases, or vapors, from the said casing.

2. In comiection with the safety devices of refrigerating machines, a casing constituting a vessel normally closed to the surrounding atmosphere and adapted to receive gases, or vapors, which may pass the safety device,

and means, distinct from the main compressor of the machine, for removing said gases, or vapors, from the said casing, the said vessel being provided with an opening normally closed by a diaphragm adapted to break on the attainment of a predetermined pressure in the casing.

3. In connection with the safety devices of refrigerating machines, a casing constituting a vessel normally closed to the surrounding atmosphere and adapted to receive gases, or vapors, which may pass the safety device, and means, distinct from the main compressor of the machine, for removing such gases, or vapors, from the said casino', and comprising a small compressor, or pump connected at its suction side with the interior of the casing and at its delivery side with the suction side of the main compressor of the refrigerating machine.

d. ln connection with the safety devices of refrigerating machines, a casing consti tuting a vessel normally closed to the surrounding atmosphere and adapted to receive gases, or vapors, which may pass the safety device, and means distinct from the main compressor of the machine for removing such gases, or vapors, from the said casing, and comprising a small compressor or pump connected at its suction side with the interior of the casing, and at its delivery side with the suction side of the main compressor of the refrigerating machine, and a motor for the said small compressor or pump, and means for starting it, and means for making an electric contact by pressure from the interior of the casing of the valve, or valvular arrangement.

5. ln connection with the safety devices of refrigerating machines, a casing constituting a vessel normally closed to the surrounding atmosphere and adapted to receive gases, or vapors, which may pass the safety device, and means distinct from the main compressor of the machine for removing such gases, or vapors, from the said casing, and a mercurial device subject to pressure from the interior of the casing surrounding the valve, or valvular arrangement, and adapted to make electrical contact, for the purposes described.

in testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in. the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK AINSWORTH WILLCOX.

Witnesses:

Pliner R. GoLDRING, W. R. YEADELL.

Copies of this patent may De obtained five cents each, by addressing the Gommssoner of Patents,

Washington, D. E.

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