US1719807A

US1719807A - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: US1719807A
Application number: US643364A
Authority: US
Inventors: Andrew A Kucher
Original assignee: Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: CBS Corp
Priority date: 1923-06-04
Filing date: 1923-06-04
Publication date: 1929-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 1946-07-02
Also published as: FR580034A; GB217178A

Description

July 2, 1929- A, A. KUCHER 1,719,807

REFRIGERATOR Filed June 4, 1923 Il .00.' F Q la 1f e y WW 61` ATTORNEY Patented July 2, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW A. KUCHER, OF CHESTER, IPIEINITSYLVANI,v ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

nnrnrenna'ron.

Application filed .Tune 4,

My invention relates to refrigerating machines, particularly to small capacity machines of the compression type which are suitable for household use. It'has for an object to provide a novel method and means for lubricating the mechanism which shall be'cffeet-ive during long periods of service Wlthout attention.

It has foranother object to provide means for lubricating the mechanism which shall be adapted to employ a Working fluid having as constituents a refrigerant and a lubricant admixing therewith to form a homogeneous fluid and separable only by'vaporization.

It has for another object the utilization of the heat generated by the compression mechanism to separate by vaporization the refrigerant component of the Working fluid, and for conveying the remainder of the Working fluid to the Working parts of the machine.

It has for aV still further object to provide an original and novel means for conveying lubricant to the Working parts of the compressor and the motor, and for collecting the lubricant. discharged therefrom by entraining the same in the refrigerant vapor passing from the evaporator to the compressor.

These an d other obj ects, Which Will bemade apparent throughout the further description of the invention, may be attained by the employment of the apparatus hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a view in 'section illustrating the condensing chamber and compression mechanism of a refrigerator 1n which my invention may be practiced; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the compressor taken on the line II-II of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of the upper portion of the motor shaft with the compressor shaft removed.

lomprcssion refrigerators nominally comprise a" chamber in which a Working fluid is evaporated at a relatively loW pressure and temperature, a chamber in which the vapors are condensed at a higher pressure and temperature, a compression mechanism for translatin g the vapors from the evaporation cham? ber to the condensing chamber, and a valved conduit for returning the condensed fluid at a reduced pressure into the evaporation chamber.A

The cycle is continuous during any period ofoperation, heat being absorbed from the 1923. Serial No. 64.35.464`

medi-um surrounding the evaporation chamber' to secure the desired refrigerating effect, whlch heat is removed from the apparatus by bringing an outside medium into heat-exchanging relation with the conduits of the.

- of the automatic devices which control the starting and stopping of the compression mechanism. In general, the compression mechanism is tightly encased to prevent es cape of the Working Huid and, for this reason, some means for the lubrication thereof must be provided which will operate Without at-` tention 4continuously and reliably for long periods of time, as for example, for one or more years. It is to this problem of effec-l tively lubricating enclosed compression mechanisms associated with refrigerators. of the type above indicated, that the present invention relates. 4

It has heretofore been proposed to employ in compression refrigerators a lubricant which is immiscible With the refrigerant.

Many liquids possessing to a greater or less extent this property have been used, generally With incomplete success, since no combination of refrigerant and lubricant has been found in which the liquids do not mingle to some extent when brought together under the conditions of agitation obtaining in a compression refrigerator. Mechanical separators of various types have beenemployed in connection with machines of this character to facilitate the segregation of the lubricant and the refrigerant. This expedient has improved the operation but has not resulted in accomplishing sufficiently complete segregation of the fluids to enable compression refrigerators utilizing a compound Working fluid of this `character to operate for long periods Without the replacing of the lubricant.

In my machine, I employ a Working fluid consisting of a refrigerant and a lubricant which readily mix one with the other to form a. homogeneous or liquid solution, and which I have disclosed in my Patent No.4 1,645,198,

issued Oct. 11, 1927, and entitled Working fluid for refrigeration. This working fluid is of such character that its constituents are mechanically inseparable. Separation may, however, take place by the vaporization of one of the constituents due to sufficient temperature or pressure changes.

By applying the heatgenerated by the compression mechanism to the liquid working uid, a change of temperature is produced .sufficient to vaporize off the refrigerant but not the lubricant. The refrigerant having been vaporized pff, I convey the remainder of the liquid working fluid, which is substantially lubricant and which for reasons of brevity I may hereafter designate as lubricant, to the working parts of the machine. After being discharged therefrom. the lubricant 1s conveyed to the inlet port of the compressor, wherein it once more mingles with the refrigerant and at the same time serves to lubricate in passing through. the relatively moving parts of the compressor.

In my apparatus, I employ a hollow motor shaft, utilizing the bore of the shaft to convv'ey the lubricant discharged by one of the bearings of the motor to the remaining bearing. In addition thereto, I employ a novel and improved arrangement of guards and baffles for confining the lubricant and for pre-V venting leakage upon the current bearing por- 'tions of the motor. I have found that by the .that this invention may be practiced in other types of compression machines, and that the apparatus illustrated and herein described is employed by way of example and as an aid in presenting a c ear exposition of my invention. As illustrated, 10 designates a condensing chamber. A compressor 11 driven by a suitable motor 12 is disposed within the chamber. The condensing chamber 10 comprises a bell or dome 13 secured to a base plate 14 as by tap bolts 15 and a flange ring 16. Sup'- ported upon the base plate 14 is an inverted cup-shaped casting 17 forming a housing for the motor, and superimposed thereon is a receptacle 18 which houses the compressor 11 and serves as a collection chamber for the liquid working fiuid discharged thereby. Suspended from the base plate 14 is a removable cup-shaped casting 19 for permitfreedom of axial movelnent between the shafts and greatly facilitating -assembly of the compressor and the motor. The shaft mechanism is supported by a lower bearing 24 provided in the casting 19, an intermediate bearing 25 provided in the upper portion of the casting 17, and an upper bearing 26 provided in the compressor. 'The compressor may be of any well-known type. As shown, it comprises a housing 27 and an end cover 28, which includes the upper bearing 26. The housing 27 is provided with a cylindrical bore into which opens an inlet port 29 and an outlet port 30. The inner bored surface of the housing has

arcuate grooves

31 and 32 which communicate with the

ports

29 and 30 respectlvely. A rotor 33 is mounted upon the shaft 22, the rotor and shaft being eccelltrieally disposed with respect to the bore of the housing 27. Radial slots 34 provided in the rotor 33 are adapted to receive slidablc vanes 35. The radial slots 34 are-so spaced from the shaft 22 as to provide sufficient continuous surface upon the rotor for the formation of a liquid seal by the lubricant passing radially outward between the coverl 28 and the upper end face ofthe rotor 33. The vanes 35 are provided with tip pieces 36 which slidably engage the inner bore of the housing 27 and are freeto assume any degree of angular-ity required by the contour of said bore. The vanes 35 are held radially outward andthe tip pieces 36 are in turn held against the bore of the housing 27 by rods 37 and springs 38. The rods 37 are arranged in holes provided in the rotor and shaft, and the springs 38 surround the respective rods and exert outward pressure against the vanes.

The discharge port 30 of the compressor connnunicates with a conduit 41 having an open end 42 and supporting a baffle 43 for separating the lnixed liquid working fluid and refrigerant vapor discharged from the compressor. The receptacle 18 communi- Cates with the condensing chamber through an outlet 44 provided in the upper portion thereof for the passage of refrigerant vapors, and through an opening 45, whereby an excessiverise in the level of the liquid working fluid within the receptacle is prevented. Condensing coils 46 are arranged in the upper part of the dome 13 and are provided with an inlet connection 47 and an outlet connection (not shown) which pass without the chamber. The condensed fluid is conveyed to the evaporator by a conduit 47 and the flow is controlled by a reducing valve 48. The reducin valve 48 is actuated by a float 49, where y a constant body of liquid is maintained in the condensing chamber. Refrigerant vapor is returned from the evaporator through a passage 51 arranged concentrically without the discharge conduit 47 andvcommunicating with the suction port 29 of the compressor. nisliing current to the motor passes through a gas-tight plug 53 located in the base plate 14.

Lubricant is supplied to the upper shaft bearing 26 by means of'an inverted bent tube 54 having an open inlet 55 and having its dis chargefend communicating through a reducer 56, with a cylindrical passage 57 arranged co-axially with the shaft. Lubricant then passes by means of a groove 58 into the wearing surfaces ofthe upper bearing 26 and is discharged at the lower end thereof uponxthe rotor of the compressor. After passing through the various clearances between the working parts of the compressor, the lubricant moves downwardly through a groove '59 to lubricate the bearing25. It then seeps downwardly between the shaft andthe casin g and is trapped by a circular groove 61 pro- 'vided in the compressor shaft 22. The eircular groove 61 communicates through a radially disposed opening 162 and a hollow portion 63 of the compressor shaft with a conduit 64 which extends downwardly into the hollow motor shaft 21.

In order to prevent lubricant, which may seep past the circular groove 61, from falling upon the armature windings of the motor, I provide an oil catcher 65 which is soldered or welded to a jacket 66 which in turn is soldered or welded to the motor shaft 21.` Any lubricant which may seep past the trapping means .or circular groove 61 falls upon the upper end face of the motor shaft 21 and is thrown radially outward by Centrifugal force into the oil catcher 65. lie lubricant is drained from the oil catcher 65 by means of an opening 67 and a longitudinal groove 68 which communicates with the bore of the motor shaft 21. l

The lubricant is discharged at the lower end of the motor shaft into a circular recess 71 provided in the cup-shaped casting 19. The circular recess 71 communicates with an annular opening 72 formed by the ball retainer rings 7 3 and 74 of the bearing 24. It further communicates through an opening 75 with an annular passage 76, which in turn is drained by means of acondnit 77. 'The conduit 77 is connected through a union connection 78 to the suction pipe 79V through which the compressor draws refrigerant vapors from the evaporators. The lower sur# face of theannular passage 76 isv disposed a slight distance below the center line `of the balls 85, and a level of lubricant correspond- -ing theretois consequently maintained about An electric cable 52 for fur-l the bearing. This construction provided ample lubrication for the bearing and at the same time insures against an excess accumulation of lubricant in the lower portion of the motor housing. l In order to further guard against lubricant being carried upwardly by the shaft and coniing in contact with the current bearing portions of the motor, I intcrpose a series of baffles between the motor and the bearing 24. I. have found from experiment, that ioipon a stoppage of the appara-tus, there is an equalization of pressure between the condensing chamber and the motor chamber and that the gas ,flowing back through the conduit 77 sprays the lubricant, which inay be contained in the conduit 77, back into the motor chamber. I therefore provide a check valve 80 which is disposed in the conduit and a baffle 81 which is snugly fitted in the lbore of the casting 19. This baffle extends over the inlet end of the conduit 77, and any lubricant which may leak past the check valve and be sprayed'therefrom is impinged -upon it. I

also provide a baille 82, which 4is rotatable' with the motor shaft, and a sleeve 83. This sleeve transmits the weight carried by the shaft Imechanism to the ball retainer 74 and also holds the baille 82 rigidly against a Silitable shoulder provided on the motor shaft. Any lubricant which may creep upwardly on the sleeve 83 is carried on to the battle 82 and is throw-n tangentially therefrom by the action of centrifugal force. Communication between the motor and the bearing 24 is still further restricted by a third baffle 84 which is fixed in the casting 19, and through which the motor shaft extends, making a close clea-ry ance therewith. Y

The operation of the apparatus thus described is as follows: The condensing chainber 10 and the receptacle 1'8 disposed therein are filled to a level such as indicated on the drawing with a suitable working fluid. The working Huid generally employedjn my apparatus is a combination of a refrigerant and a' lubricant which readily mix one with the other to forma homogeneous liquid or physical solution. Upon starting the motor 12, the compressor 11 discharges through the port 3() and conduit 41 a cominingled liquid working fluid and vapor which impinge upon the baille 43. The liquid working fluid and the vapor are substantially separated thereby,

'the liquid falling to the lower portion of the receptacle 18 and 'the vapor passing out through the opening 44 into the condensing chamber. The liquid working fluid within ico Cil

with the coils 46 and are condensed by the cooling action thereof. The liquid refrigerant falls to the lower portion of the con dcnsing chamber, and, upon sufficient rise of liquid level therein, the fioat 49 will act to open the reducing valve 48 to permit a How of liquid refrigerant through the conduit 47 to the evaporators. Within the evaporators (not shown), the refrigerant liquid is evaporated by .the absorption of heat from the refrigerator box, and the refrigerant vapors return through the conduit 79 and passage 51 to the inlet port 29 of the compressor 11.

, Lubrication ofthe working parts of the compression mechanisme-is accomplished as follows: The liquid working fluid contained in t-he receptacle 18, which has been subjected to the heat of the compressor and therefore contains a. high percentage of lubricant, is conveyed by means of the conduit 54 and the difference in pressures prevailing between the motor chamber and the condensing chamber to the cylindrical opening 57, providedin the upper portion of the compressor. The lubricant feeds downwardly through the groove 58, is carried into the wearing 'surfaces of the bearing 26, and is deposited at the lower end thereof upon the end face of the rotor 33. Because of the action of centrifugal force, the lubricant is then carried radially outward between'the end cover 28 and the end face of the rotor 33 until a portion thereof drains downwardly through the clearances provided between the slots 34 and the vanes 35. The slots 34 are so spaced from the shaft, however, that prior to a portion of the lubricant being removed from the end face of the rotor, a completely circular liquid seal has been formed between the rotor and the end cover 28, whereby the efficiency of the compression mechanism is very materially improved. The lubricant which is not drained downwardly through the clearances between the slots 34 and vanes 35, is carried outwardly and down over the circular face of the rotor 33. A portion of this lubricant is entrained in the refrigerant vapors passing through the compressor, while the remaining portion, together with the lubricant from the slots 34, is' deposited upon the upper surface of the -motor housing 17 The lubricant deposited thereon forms a film of liquid between the' rotor 33 and theA upper surface of the motor housing 17, and a portion of this lubricant is in turn conveyed by means of the difference in pressures prevailing. within the receptacle `18 and the motor housing 17 into the groove 59 and thence tothe wearing surfaces of the intermediate bearing 25. This lubricant then seeps downwardly between the compressor shaft and the housing, and a considerable portion is trapped within the circular groove 61, and, by means of the relatively low pressure prevailing within the lmotor housing 17, the opening 62 and the hollow portion .portions thereof is very remote.

63 of the compressor shaft, is conveyed into the conduit 64 and thence to the bore of the motor shaft 21.

A small quantity of lubricant may seep past the circular groove 61 and be discharged from the lower end of the bearing. This lubricant will be deposited upon the upper end face of the motor shaft 21, whercupon'it will be thrown outward, by the action of centrifugal force, into the lubricant catcher 65. It is retained in the lubricant catcher, by the action of centrifugal force, until such time as there is a stoppage of the apparatus,

whereupon the lubricant drains by gravity,

through the opening 67 and groove 68 to the bore of the motor shaft 21. By the employnient of such apparatus for catching lubricant discharged from a bearing located directly above a motor, the possibility of leakage of the lubricant uponthe current bealring I lave found from experiment, that my apparatus may be operated for long and extended periods of time, without injury whatsoever to the windings of the motor because of lubrication troubles.

Lubricant discharged from the lower end of the motor shaft 21 passes to the circular recess 71 and to the bearing 24. The lubricant is withdrawn from the bearing through the the bearing, and at the same time reduces to a minimum the possibility of excess liquid bcing carried upwardly by the shaft towards the motor.-

l Upon the lubricant being drawn into the compressor, it may.again be discharged into the receptacle 18 and the cycle of operation repeated. Should the level 'of the liquid working fluid within the receptacle rise at any time above the opening 45, the excess liquid working fluid, containing a high percentage of lubricant. overflows into the condensing chamber and commingles with the liquid working fluid therein. Upon an opening ,of the reducing -valve 48, it is conveyed to the evaporators (not shown). The method of circulating the liquid working fluid, having contained `therein a quantity of lubricant, through the evaporators and back to the compressor, is disclosed in my Patent No. 1.656,918 issued January 24, 1928, and entitled Refrigerator.

lVhile I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that itis not so limited, b ut is susceptible ofvarious other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and l desire, therefore, that only such v limitationsshall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What l claim is:

1. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combinationof a body of liquid Working fluidcom posed of an intimate mixture of a refrigerant and a lubricant, `a closed condensing chamber, a compressor for discharging refrigerant vapor and entrained liquid Working' fluid, said compressor being disposed Within the condensing chamber, means provided Within the condensing chamber for subjecting the liquid vvorlring fluid discharged by the compressor to heat for vaporizing ed' its refrigerant component, and means for employing the liquid Working fluid thus ,treated for lubricating parts of the apparatus. A

2. ln aretrigeratin'g apparatus, the combination of a body of liquid working ,duid composed of a refrigerant and a lubricantvvhich together form a homogeneous mixture, a closed condensing chamber, a compressor for discharging refrigerant .vapor and entrained liquid Working duid,y said compressor being disposed Within the condensing chamber, means provided yWithin the condensing chamber for collecting the liquid Working fluid discharged by the compressor and for subjiecting it to the heat generated by said 1Com-, presser for vaporiain'g od its refrigerant component, and means for employing the remainingrl` liquid for lubricatingr portions of the apparatus.

3. lln a refrigerating apparatus `in which a rvorlring fluid composed of an intimate mirture of a refrigerant and lubricantl is employed, the combination of a condensing chamber, a motor and compressor Within said con densing chamber, means Within the condens liti till ing chamber for collecting the liquid portion of the rvorlring duid dischairgedby the compresser and for subjecting said liquid vvorlring liuid to the heat of the motor and the comressor for vaporiaing ed the refrigerant trom "the liquid portion of the discharged rvorlning lluid, anu means for employingthe liquid vrorlring duid thus treated for lubricating the motor and the compressor.

ll. lln combination, means for circulating a refrigerant medium in a closed cycle,

meansn permitting the circulation of lubricating medium with the refrigerant medium during` the entire compression portion of the refrigerant medium circulating cycle, means for substantially lseparating the lubricating medium and refrigerating medium by the application of heat at a predetermined point 1n the cycle, means for utilizing portions of the separated lubricant medium to lubricate vthe refrigerant mediumA circulating means, and means forentraining these lportions in the expanded'refricglerant medium passing tothe refrigerant me ium circulating means.

liquid Working Hui 5. In a refrigerating apparatus in which a Working fluid composed of an intimate mixture of a refrigerant and lubricant is employed, the combi-nation of a` condensing chamber, means provided in the condensing chamber for maintaining a substantially constant levcl of liquid Working duid therein, a receptacle for liquid Working fluid Within the condensing chamber', means for subjecting the liquid working Huid within the receptacle to heat for vaporizing oilf the refrigerant, and means for limiting the maximum level of the liquid Working fluid thus treated, the said maximum level in the receptacle being higher than the level of the liquid working duid in the condensing chamber. p

G. ln a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a body of working huid composed of an intimate mixture of a/refrigerant and a lubricant which together form a physical solution, a closed condensing chamber, a receptaclel for liquid Worlring duid, a com i presser disposed in the liquid Working duid contained in the receptacle and having its discharge port communicating with the re. ceptacle and Wit-h the condensing chamber, vvhereby the discharge pressure of the compresser prevails Within the receptacle and in the condensing chamber, and conduit means subject to the pressure prevailing Within the receptacle for conveying the liquid surround ing the compressor to the Worlring parts of the apparatus.

l. lln a refrigerating apparatus,` the ycombination of a body of liquid Worlring duid composed of an intimate minture of a refrigerant and a lubricant, a condensing chamber, a compressor for discharging refrigerant vapor and entrained liquid vvorlring duid, a

ieu y lllll 8. ln `a refrigerating apparatus in which a Working fluid composed of an intimate minture of a refrigerant and a lubricant is ern-- ployed, a condensin chamber, a receptacle or liquid Working uid within the condens ingchamber, a coni ressor disposed in the' whereby the heat of4 the compressor may be employed to vaporize ofi' refrigerant from theliqui Workin fluid, a motor chamber, a motor disposed t erein, a shaft structure having a hollow portion for transmitting torque from the motor to the compressor, a. bearing for said shaft provided in the compressor, a second bearing for the shaft interposed between the motor' andthe compressor, a third bearing for supporting 'the shaft provided in the motor chamber,

bearing, and forl conveying it to the hollow portion of the shaft structure, means for catching lubricant which may seep past the trapping means,`means for discharging the caught lubricant to the hollow portion of the shaft structure during non-operation of the apparatus, means for conveying the lubricant from the hollow portion ot' the shaft to the third bearing, and pumping means for removing the lubricant from the last-mentioned bearing.

9. In a refrigerating apparatus, 'in which a liquid is evaporated in one chamber, the vapor is pumped into another chamber and condensed therein at a higher` pressureand thence returned to the first chamber at a reduced pressure, the combination of a comv ressor -a motor for drivin the com ressor, means for utilizing-atleast a portion of the heat generated by the motor for vaporizing olf the refrigerant component of the liquid working'fluid, and means for utilizing the residuum as a lubricating fiuid.

10. In a refrigerating apparatus in which a liquid is evaporated in one chamber,

, the vapor is pumped into another chamber and condensed therein at a higher pressure and thence returned to the first chamber at a reduced pressure, the combination ofa' compressor, a motor for driving the' com pressor, means for utilizing at least a portion of the heat generated by both the motor and the compressor for vaporizing ofl:l the refriverantcomponentof a portion of the liquid working fluid, and means for utilizing the residuum as a lubricating fluid.

11. In a refrigrating apparatus in which a liquid is evaporated in one chamber,the vapor is pumped into another chamber and condensed therein at a higher pressure and thence returned to the `first chamber at a reduced pressure, the combination of a body of liquid working fluid composed of an intimate mixture of 'a refrigerant and a lubricant which together form a physical solution, a. compressor for dischargin refrigerant vapor and entrained liquid working fluid, a driving motor therefor, means for separatiiuid from the refrigerant vapor discharged by the compressor, means for utilizing the heat generated by the compressor to vaporize off the refrigerant component of the separated liquid, and means for utilizing the residuum for lubricating the compressor and motor.

12. In a refrigerating apparatus in which a liquid is evaporated in one chamber, the vapor is pumped into another chamber and condensed therein at a higher pressure and thence returned to the first chambcrtat a reduced pressure, the combination of a body of liquid working fluid composed of an intimate mixture of a refrigerant and a lubricant which together forni a physical solution, a compressor for discharging refrigerant vapor and. entrained liquid Working fluid, meansv for separating the liquid working fluid from the refrigerant vapor discharged by the compressor, means for utilizing the heat generated by the compressor to vaporize oil the refrigerant. component of the separated liquid, means for utilizing the residuuln for lubricating portions of the apparatus, and means for entraining'the liquid used as a lubricant in the refrigerant vapor passing to the compressor.

13. In a refrigerating apparatus in which a liquid is evaporated in one chamber, the vapor is pumped into another chamber and condensed therein at a higher pressure and thence returned to the first chamber at a reduced pressure, the combination of a compressor for discharging refrigerant vapor and liquid Working fluid, a motor for driving the compressor, means .for separatingr the liquid working fiuid from the refrigerantvapor discharged by the compressor, means for subjecting the separated liquid to at least a portion of the heat generated by the compressor and thei'motor for vapori zing o the refrigerant component of the liquid, and means for utilizing the residuum to lubricate portions of the machine.

14. In a refrigerating apparatus in which a liquid is evaporated in one chamber, the vapor is pumped into another chamber and condensed therein at a higher pressure and thence returned to theiirst lchamber at a reduced pressure, the combination of a body of liquidfworking fluid composed of an intimate mixture of a refrigerant and a lubricant which together form a homogeneous mixture or physical solution, a compressor for discharging refrigerant vapor having en- .trained therei'n liquid working fiuid, a motor for driving the compressor, means associated ywith the discharge portion of the compressor for separating the entrained liquid working .fluid from the refrigerant vapor, means for bringing-the separated liquid into heat exchanging relation with the compressor for vaporizing off its refrigerant component, means for utilizing the residuuln of the liquid working fluid as a lubricant for the compresser and then for the motor, and means for returning said lubricating fluid to the linlet of the compressor.

15. The method of lubricating 'a refrigeratmg machine Which consists in employing a l1quid working fluid consisting of a refrigerant and a lubricant which together form a lous mixture or physical solution, of utilizing at least a portion of the heat generated by the .compression mechanism to vaporize off the refr1gerant component ofi-the l1qu1d Workmg fluid, and of utilizing the residue as a fluid for lubricating parts ofthe machine.

17. The method of lubricating a refrigerating machine having a compressor and a motor for driving the compressor which consists in employing a liquid'W-orking fluid consisting of a refrigerant and a lubricant-Which to gether form, a homogeneous mixture or Ll U physical solution, of utilizing at least a portion of the heat of the motor to vaporize off the refrigerant component of the liquid working fluid, and of utilizing the residue as a fluid for lubricating parts of the machine.

18. The method of lubricating a refrigerat ing machine having. a compressor and a motor for driving the compressor which consists in employing a liquid Working luid consisting of a refrigerant and a lubricant'vvhich together form a homogeneous mixture or physical solution, of utilizing at least a prtion'of the heat generated by bot-h'thefcompressor and the motor to vaporize olf the refrigerant component of therliquid working fluid, and of utilizing the residue as a fluid for lubricating the Working parts of the machine.

19. The combination with a refrigerating apparatusembodying a high-pressure. portion including acondcnser and a low-pressure portion as Well as a compressor for translating refrigerant vapor from the W-pres-l sure portion to the high-pressure portion,-

of means for 'entraining liquid Working fluid having both refrigerant and lubricant constituents in the refrigerant vapor passing to the compression mechanism,

and means for subjecting said entrained liquid Working fluid, upon its discharge from the compression mechanism, to heat for vaporizing off the refrigerant constituent of the entrained liquid, whereby the vremaining portion of the entrained liquid may be utilized as a lubricant for the refrigerating apparatus.

20. The combination with a refrigeratmg apparatus embodying a high-pressure portion mcludmg a condenser and a low pressure portion as Well as a compressor for translating refrigerant vapor from the low-pressure portion to the high-pressure portion, of means for entraining liquid Working fluid having both refrigerant and lubricant constituents in/the refrigerant vapor passing to the compression mechanism, means for subjecting said entrained liquid Working fluid, upon its discharge from the' compression mechanism, to at least a portiontof the heat generated by the compression mechanism for vaporizing off the refrigerant constituent of the entrained liquid, and means for utilizing the residuum of the liquid thus treated as a lubricating fluid for the refrigrating apparatus.

21. The combination with a refrigerating apparatus embodying a high-pressure portion including a condenser and a loiv-pressure portion as Well as a compressor driven by a motor for translating refrigerant vapor from the low-pressure portion to the high-pressure portion, of means for entraining liquid Working fluid having both refrigerant and lubricant constituents in the refrigerant vapor passing to the compressor, means for separating the entrained liquid Working fluid from the refrigerant vapor upon its discharge from the compressor, means for subjecting the separated entrained liquid working fluid to at least a portion of the heat generated by the compressor andthe motor for vaporizing oft the refrigerant constituent of the entrained liquid, and means for utilizing the liquid thus treated as a fluid for lubricating the refrigerating apparatus.

22. The combinatioan with a refrigerating `apparatus includingv a compressor, a motor `for driving the compressor and a hermetically sealed casing enclosing the motor and the compressor, of means provided within the casing for retaining a body of liquid having both refrigerant and lubricant constituents, said retaining means being disposed in heat exchanging relation With the compressor, vhereby the refrigerant constituent of the body of liquid is vaporized od by the application of at least a portion of the heat generated by the compressor, means for condensing the refrigerant vapor thus formed, and means provided Within the casing for conveying the liquid thus treated to the Working parts of the compressor and the motor for lubricating the same.

23. The combination with a refrigerating apparatus including a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor and a hermetical casing for retaining a body of liquid having Aboth refrigerant and lubricant constituents,

. said retaining means bein disposed in heat exchanging relation with t e motor, whereby the refrigerant constituent of the b'ody of liquid isvaporized oli' by the application thereto of at least a portion of the/,heat generated by the motor, means fori/.condensing the rcfrigerant vapor thus/produced, and means provided within the'casing for conveying the heated liquid to/the Working parts of the compressor and tbe motor for lubricating the same. y.'

24. 'lilieconibination with a refrigerating apparatus including a compressor, a motor fordriving the compressor and a hermetically sealed casing enclosing the motor and the compressor, of nuans provided within the casing for retaining a body of liquid having both refrigerant and lubricant constituents,

said retaining means being disposed in heat exchanging relation with the compressor and the motor, whereby the refrigerant constituent of the body of liquid is vaporized off by the application of at least a portion of the heatqgenerated by the compressor and the motor, means for condensing the refrigerant vapor thus liberated, and means provided Within the casing for conveying the heated liquid to the Working parts of the compressor and the motor for lubricating the same.

25. The method of lubricating a refrigerating machine which consists in employing a liquid workin fluid consisting of a refrigerant and a lu ricant which together form a ohomogeneous mixture or physical solution,

maintaining a,y portion of said fluid predominautlylubricant by'tbe application of heat, and using said portion to lubricate parts of the machine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 22nd day of May, 1923.

ANDREW A. KUCHER.