US1739017A - Refrigeration - Google Patents

Description

l. B. ROSS REFRIGERATION Filed April 29, 1927 9% A ORNEY Patented Dec. 10, 1929 PATENT OFFICE ISIDOR IBERTBAM ROSS or nnw YORK, N. Y.

REFRIGERATION Application filed April 29,

This invention-isan improvement in refrigerants, methods of refrigeration and refrigerating apparatus, the invention relating more particularly to refrigerants capable of use in substantially the same manner as ice blocks, and capable of regeneration.

Usual methods of refrigeration'are with ice, or by evaporating a volatile liquid or solid refrigerant, as for instance carbon dioxide (CO sul hur dioxide, (S0 or ammonia. In the 'ormer case refrigeration is due to the heat absorbed by the melting ice, which changes form, being converted into water. Refrigeration continues only so long as there is ice to melt, and the duration of refrigeration is relatively short, depending upon the quantity of ice, and the rate of melting, and of steadily diminishing intensity.

In ,the latter case, refrigeration is due to the abs rption of heat by the expanding gas,

and to' perate economically, the gas should be recovered and recompressed. The process is expensive, requires complicated apparatus,

a continued use of power, and is not well adapted for the home. 1

One of the primary objects of the present invention is the provision of a refrigerant in a form such that it may be dispensed in units of any convenient size, which may be handled in the same manner as blocks of ice. Another object is the provision of a unit of the character specified, capableof being regenerated, thereby to enable indefinite use of the same.

Another object is the provision of a refrigerant of relatively low cost, having a large heat absorbent capacity and so housed that the exchange of heat may be easily regulated to suit conditions.

Another object'is the provision of a simple inexpensive housing for the unit, of a character such thateasy transportation and easy regulation of the heat exchange is enabled.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the unit, the housing for the unit, and the composition of the refrigerant. it being understood that various changes in proportion of the formula,and

in the form, proportion, size and minor de- 50 tails of machine construction within the 1927. Serial No. 187,448.

scope of the appended claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings forming apart thereof Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one of the units with the regulating doors open.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section.

Fig. 3 is an edge view of the cover.

In the present invention, a composition is provided, of a character such that it may be readily chilled to a relatively low temperature, and retained in such condition for a relatively long time,,but which in favorable conditions will readily absorb the heat from an article or articles to be refrigerated, cooling said article or articles to a desired temperature.

This composition is composed of gelatin, 1m arabic, ammonium nitrate, glycerin, de-. natured alchol and water, in about the 'fol- 7 lowing proportions:

Water 1 gal.

Gelatin 1 lb. Gum arabic 1 lb. Ammonium nitrate 1 lb. Glycerin 1 qt. Denatured alcohol lpt.

The composition is prepared by mixing the gelatin and gum arabic with a suitable quantity of Water. The mixture may be heated if desired, and after cooling, the ammonium nitrate is added. Later the glycerin and denatured alcohol are stirred into the mixture.

The composition is marketed in suitable unit containers. These containers are preferably of a size to be received within the ice box of a refrigerator of known dimensions. The size of the unit is so proportioned with respect to. the size of the ice chamber that space is left between opposite unit walls and the adjacent walls of the chamber for a purpose to be presently set forth.

' Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the unit whatever the size consists primarily of a closed case or container of cubical form and of sheet metal, the said case being indicated at 1. The case is filled with the composition, and sealed in any suitable or desired manner.

The case of sheet metal is arranged in a jacket of heat insulating material, such as cork or balsa wood, the latter being preferred because of its cheapness and high heat insulating qualities. The jacket consists of a bottom 2, end walls 3, and sidewalls 4. The

end walls are rigid with the bottom, whilethe side walls are hinged thereto to swing up against thecontainer, or to occupy the position of Fig. 1.

In order tohold the side walls in closed position, suitable holding means is provided. In the present instance this means consists of slotted latch bars 5, each side wall being provided with two of the bars, The bars are pivotally connected with the side edges of the side walls as indicated at 6,"and the slots of the respective bars are engaged by pins 7 on the inner faces of the end walls.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the slot 8 of each bar has lateralextensions 9 at.its ends, which provides for locking the side wall in either Each of the bars the adjacent side wall as shown at 10, for convenience in manipulating the latch bar when moving the side walls. v

For convenience in transportingthe unit, a cover 16 is used. The cover rests upon the upper ends of the walls Band 4, and has means indicated at 15 to engage the extensions 10 of the latch bars, thereby to connect the'cover with the jacket.

That end wall 3 of the jacket which may be considered as the front of the unit has an opening 11 of-rectangular form, exposing a part of the front wall of thecase 1. If desired, the unit may have an open compartment 12 formed therein at this opening 11 to receive a drawer 13. As shown the drawer is provided with partitions 14 forming a plurality of compartments, 'and it has a suitable handle for manipulating the same. Water may be placed in the compartments and frozen into blocks of ice.

As previously mentioned, the size and shape of the units is governed by the size and shape of the ice box of a refrigerator of known dimensions. Units for the different types of refrigerators are of a size and shape to fit within the ice box of the refrigerator loosely, and with space between the side walls of the unit and the adjacent walls of the ice chamber, from two to four inches being sufficient. I

The units are transported by means of the cover, and are-placed in the ice box in the same manner as a block of ice is placed. The

hooks of the cover are then released, and the Wh cover is removed, the ice chamber bein closed in the usual manner. The top of the unit is open so far as concerns the heat insulating jacket, and an exchange of heat takes place between the unit and the interior of the refrigerator.

open or closed position. extends outwardly beyond This exchange is relatively rapid at first, but gradually lessens as the temperature of the refrigerator interior approaches that of the unit. After a definite period of time during which the exchange of heat is at aminimum, because of the fact that the temperature of the refrigerator is substantially the same as that of the exposed areas of the unit, the temperature may begin to rise. At

of use in substantially the same manner as ice is used. A unit of the size to fit the ice chamber ofthe refrigerator of a customer is supplied at suitable intervals, the exhausted unit being removed and returned for regeneration. In refrigerators having me cham bers of larger size, several units may be placed in the chamber if desired. Preferably the jacket of the unit is cooled also, this assisting in the cooling of the refrigerator when the unit is first inserted.

When a 'unitis placed in the ice chamber of a refrigerator with the side walls 4 closed, only the top and a part of the front of the casing is available for heat exchange, and it will be obvious that the opening 11 might be closed if desired. After a length of time the duration of which depends upon many factors, the relative temperature of theunit and the interior of the refrigerator is such that there is little or no exchange of'heat.

During another period of time, the duration of which also depends on several factors, the temperature of the refrigerator will rise to a point higher than is desirable. That is the exposed portions of the unit have absorbed enough heat so that such portions are at substantially the same temperature as the interior of the refrigerator. Further exchange must be byconductivity from the re mote parts of the unit through the parts which have already given up their cold, and which act as insulation for the remote parts.

en new surfaces of the casing wall are exposed by opening the doors or side walls 4 the exchange of heat becomesmore rapid, and the temperature of the refrigerator is lowered. en the unit is finally exhausted it may be removed and replaced by another.

What is claimed as new is:

1. As an article of manufacture, a gelat inous mixture of high heat conductivity,

solidifying at a relatively low temperature,

and composed of gelatin, gum arabic, am-

monia nitrate, glycerin, denatured alcohol and water in substantially the proportions set forth, and a closed container of heat conducting material for the mixture.

2. As an article of manufacture, a refrigers ating mixture of high heat conductivity, solidifying at a relatively low temperature, and composed of a gelatin, gum arahie, ammonia nitrate, glycerin, denatured alcohol and water, in substantially. the proportions set forth.

3.. As an article of manufacture, a refrigerating mixture of high heat conductivity, solidifying at a relatively low temperature, and composed of a gelatin, gum arabic, ammonia nitrate, glycerin,- denatured alcohol and water, in substantially the following proportions; water, 1 gal, gelatin, gum arabic, ammonia nitrate, 1 lb. each, glycerin, 1 qt., denatured alcohol, 1 pt.

Signed at New York city in the county of New York and State of New York this 27th day of April A. D. 1927.

ISIDOR BERTRAM Ross.

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