US1751209A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

March '18, 1930. A. A. KUcHr-:R 1,751,209

REFRIGERATOR Filed July 10. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' ,4A/fume lTNESS S: INVENTOR ATTORNEY `the conduit shown in operating Patented Mar. 18, 193()` UNITI-:Dl vs'rA'ri-:s

PA'IENT oFFIcE ANDREW A. KUCHER, OF CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA REFRIGEBATOB Application filed July 10,

-My invention relates to refrigerating machines, particularly to small capacity machines of the compression type which are suitable for household use, and it has for an object to provide apparatus of the character designated which shall include a novel method and means for condensing the refrigerant vapors and for dissipating the heat generated by the Working parts. In addition thereto, it has for an object tofprovide a structure .Which shall permit ready inspection of the 'enclosed motor and to associate with the. inspection facilities an improved means for connecting thecmotor to a 'source of electrical energy.

These and other objects, which will be made apparent throughoutthe further description of the invention, may be attained by the employment of the apparatus hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a vieW partly in section and partly in elevation'of a compression refrigerator in which my invention may be practiced.; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of a modified form of condensing chamber; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the condensing chamber showing a modified form of vapor discharge conduit; Fig. 4 is a plan in sec-- tion taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail View of a portion of y Figs. 3 and 4; Fig. 6 is a partial elevation of still another form of vapor discharge conduit; Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the device shown in' Fig. 1 for connect-ing the motor to a source of electrical energy and Fig. 8 isa'sectional levaion taken onthe line VIII-VIII of Compression`refrigerators of the household type very frequently have their compression mechanism, consisting principally of a. motor and a compressor, ltightly encased in the condensing chamber tov prevent escape of the Working uid. For this reason, some means for dissipating the heat generated by the motor and the compressor must be provided Which will effectively maintain a desired temperature, without care and attention, or longperiods of time. In additlon, adequate means for the condensation of i923. serial No. 650,668,

the refrigerant vapor discharged by the compressor must be provided.

In my apparatus, I provide very complete facilities for cooling the Working parts of the apparatusl and for condensing the refrigerant vapor by circulating water in series'through a jacket surrounding the condensing chamber, thence through a coil, and nally through a jacket surrounding both the motor and the compressor. In its passage through theapparatus, additional heat 1s successively absorbed, and incidentally very effective condensation and adequate cooling effect is produced. Furthermore, conduction of heat from the motor and compressor to the condensed refrigerant is substantially prevented. This is accomplished without any material inf crease in the rate of water consumption.

In my apparatus, I also provide a portable plate in the lower portion of the condensing chamber, by the removal of which access may be had into a chamber in which the motor is disposed, and which contains substantially nd liquid refrigerant. Associated. therewith is an improved means for connecting the otor to a source of electrical energy which lcomprises a contact and a receptacle which dis-engage when the portable plate is removed and which re-engage upon the plate being replaced.

Referring to the drawings for a detailed description 'of my invention, I show a compression refrigerator of the type similar to that disclosed in a copending application serially numbered 509,672, liled October 22, 1921, entitled Refrigeration machine, and in which my novel method of operation is carried out. It is to be understood that this invention may refrigeration machines, and that the apparatus illustrated andherein described is employed by Way of example and as an aid in presenting a clear exposition of my invention.y As illustrated, 10 designates a refrigerator box. Mountedl thereon is a condensing chamber 11 comprising a base 12 and a dome`13. Surrounding the dome 13 is a jacketla having an inlet'connection 15 and an outlet` connection -16 for the circulation of a cooling medium. l Disposed Within the dome 13 is a be practiced in other types of 19 are Xedly engagement therewith axially.

motor 17 having a shaft 18 which is connected keys 19 to a rotor 21. The keys secured to the rotor 21 and roshaft 18 but are in slidable A casting 22 forms a common casing for both the motor 17 and the rotor 21. Surrounding the casting 22 is a jacket 23 having an inlet connection 24 by means of tatably engage the and an outlet connection 25 for the circulation densing chamber f compression mechanism'and the motor. have found that it is possible, under by means of a plurality of supporting P studs 33.

Fixed in the portable plate 28 is a receptacle 34 which, as shown to a large scale 1n Figs. 7 and 8, includes provision for connectingthrough a cable 35 to a source of electrical energy. Upon the portable plate 28 being placed in position, the receptacle 34 en-l gages the contacts 36 which are in turn connected to the windings of the motor by means of the cables 37. The contacts 36 are fixed in a bracket 38 which is composed of a suit- Y Vableinsulating material and which is rigidly secui'ed to the casting 22 by means of the screws 39. The receptacle 34 is so disposed 1n the portable 'plate 28 that, upon the same being placed in position, the receptacle and the contacts register and a rigid and positive means for .the transmission of electrical energy to the motor is provided.

Connected to the compression mechanism is a conduit 41 which is open at its 'lower end for thevdischarge ofv refrigerant vapor.

Disposed inthe upper portion of the concates at its res ective ends with the outlet connectionA 16 om the jacket surrounding the condensing chamber and with the inlet connection 24 to the jacket surrounding th mild operatin conditions, to ehminate the coil .'42, and y lowering thelcvel of the liquid refrigerant within the condensing chamber, as shown in Fig. 2, to utilize only the cooling surface of the jacket surrounding the condensin chamber to eifect condensation of the re gerant vapor. The coil 42 is so dis-.

posed as to cause the relatively cool condensate dripping therefrom Ato fall upon the end plate 26 andabsorb a portion of the heat generated by the compression mech'amsm.

'means of conduits 43 and 44 to an evaporator:

The condensed refrigerant is conveyed by 45, which is disposed within a brine tank located within thefrefrigerator box 10.

43 is controlled by means of a reducing valve Ycompartment discharges liquid refrigerant, and a cold i's a coil 42 which communi- 'heated in its passage through the therein. The gas .rises u maintaining a constant body 'of liquid refrigerant within the condensing chamber. The evaporator 45 comprises a circulating 49, into which the conduit 44 storage compartment 51. Some congealable liquid, such as water, may be provided in the compartment 51 and by alternate freezing and melting during operation andnon-operation ofthe apparatus, Amay serve as a means ofv cold storage and thereby increase the capacity of the refrigeration cycle. A plurality of drawers or molds 52 are disposed in the brine tank 46 for the manufactureof ice for table or similar uses. Refrigerant vapor is conveyed from the circulating comartment'49 of the evaporator tothe inlet ofthe compression mechanism by a conduit 53.

vThe operation of the apparatus thus described is as follows: The condensing cham'- ber 1 1 and the circulating compartment 49 of the evaporator are filled to a level, such as indicated on the drawing, with a suitable re- .frigerant fluid. The brine1 tank 46 is filled 'with brine andthe cold storage compartment.. v51 is filled with water to tle levels indicated.

Water from some extraneous source is then conveyed through the inlet connection 15 t0 the jacket surrounding the condensing chamber. It passes through the outlet 16 to the condensing coil 42v and thence through the inlet 24 to the jacked surrounding the compressor and the motor. It circulates therethrough and is finally discharged through vable portion ofthe heat generated thereby is absorbed, and' overheating of the working parts is avoided. In addition thereto, as the operating temperature of the compressor and the motor is in excess of the temparature of condensation of the refrigerant vapor, no increase in the amount of cooling water isrequired, as the water issuccessively Upon starting the motor 17, the compres-v sion mechanism connected thereto by the shaft 18 will discharge a refrigerant' vapor or gas through the conduit 41 into the lower portion of the condensing chamber, `or below the level of the liquid refrigerant contained wardly through the relatively cool liquid an along the cold walls ofthe dome 13, and is partially condensed,

apparatus.

, stop the motor.

'ample pro ortions, heat absor j from. ex

' pass throu while final condensation is eiected by the coil 42., The relatively cool condensate,

-1 dripping from the coil 42, falls downwardly plate 26 and, in flowing overl upon the end the same, absorbs a portion of the heat generated by the compression mechanism.

v pon suiiicient accumulation of liquid refrigerant in the lower portion of the condensin chamber, the float 48 will act to move the va ve 47 to permit the liquid to iiow through the conduits 43 and 44 to the circulating compartment 49 of the evaporator. Cooling effect is then produced in normal manner by the vaporization of the liquid refrigerant caused by the vacuum maintalned by the compression mechanism.' Heat is absorbed from the cold storage compartment 51 and from the brine in the tank 46. The brine in turn absorbs heat from the interior of the relatively warm refrigerator box until the temperature therein is reduced an amount sufficient to cause an automatic device (not shown) to ing liquid is provided therein, and the length ofthe inactive period of the apparatus is considerably prolonged. Dur- `ing the active lperiod of the machine, the vwater in the cold storage compartment 51 forms into ice and thereafter, during the i'n- -active period, absorbs the heat of melting. 'Ice' may be formed in the drawers 52 and removed for table or similar uses. Refrigerant vapor generated in the evaporator 45 is removed to the compression mechanism through the conduit 53 and the cycle of operation may thenbe repeated. l

vShould continued operation of the apparatusnecessitate the renewal of the commu- -tator brushes 32, the bolts 29 may be removed and the plate 28 lowered. The construction is such that the brushes are removed with the plate and may be withdrawn through openingsprovided in the base 12. The means for conveying electrical current to' the motor h the plate 28 as it is desirable to avoid the uid contaiiing portions of the apparatus.l` Simultaneously, with the lowering of the plate 28, the electrical connection to th the motor is broken,

and upon replacement of the same,

the receptacle 34 registers with the contact 36 and the connection is remade. As the shaft 18 freely engages, in an axial direction, the rotor 21 of the compression mechanism, should it be desired-to provide means for removing the armature of the motor,this may be accomplished in my apparatus by increasing the height of the base 12.r However, I do not consider this/feature necessary, and I prefer to provide only such accessV means as may be required for the renewal of the commutator brushes. I have further found eriment that in order to insure a proper nctioning of the float 48, which controls theinovement of the reducing valve The brine tank 46, being of. a substantial amount of 47, it is advisable to maintain the liquid refrigerant within the condensing chamber in a tranquil condition. This may be accomplished to some extent, as shown in Fig. 6 b closing the outlet end 60 of the vapor discharge conduit 41 and by providing a plurality of very small openings 61 in the lower portion thereof. In this way, the stream of gas discharged by the compression mechanisin is b roken up into a plurality of relatively smaller streams, and the agitation of the liquid refrigerant considerably reduced. Increased condensation and cooling o'f the vapor in passing upwardly through the relatively colder liquid is also effected.

l Agitatlon of the liquid refrigerant contained in the condensing` chamber may be s still more reduced by the construction shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. As shown, the vapor discharge conduit 41 has an extended portion 65 which is arranged in the lower portion of the condensing chamber and which is formed into almost a complete circle, as shown in Fig. 4. This extended portion, as shown in Fig. 5, is provided with a very large number of extremely small holes 66, and has its discharge end 67 .blanked 0E. In this manner, a very line and even distribution of the refrigrant vapor throughout the entire condensing chamber is effected.

While I haveB shown my invention in but several forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the yart that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims..

What I claim is:

1. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, a compressor, cooling means for condensing the refrigerant vapor discharged by the compressor,'a motor for driving the compressor, a chamber enclosing thel compressor and the motor, a single jacket both surrounding the motor and e compressor and disposed in direct heatexchanging relation therewith, and means for conveymga cooling medium through said j a compressor, a motor for drivr motor casing', a condensing chamber surroundin the compressor and the motor and arrange to receive refrigerant Huid discharged by the compressor, a jacket sur- 5 rounding the condensing chamber, a heat exchanging device disposed Within the condensing chamber, and means for conveying al cooling medium through the jacket surrounding the compressor and the motor, the jacket surrounding the condensing chamber and the heat exchanging device.

4. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor having a rotor and a casing, a motor, and a shaft for transmitting torque from the motor to the rotor of the compressor, said shaft being so arranged Within the rotor as to permit relative longitudinal movement between the shaft and the rotor.

. 5. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, a base plate, a condensing chamber mounted on said plate, a

compressor and a motor disposed within the condensing chamber, a housing for'tlie motor,

housing and located in said base plate.

6. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, a base plate, a dome mounted on the base plate and defining therewitha condensing chamber, -a compressor and a motor for driving 'the compressor disposed. within the condensing chamber, a casing for the motor supported upon the base plate, and a removable plate provided in .the base plate for permitting access to the motor casing.

7 In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a refrigerator box, an evaporator disposed within the refrigerator box, a compressor,l a motor for driving the compressor, a fluid-tight casing enclosing both the motor and the compressor, said casing being supported from the refrigerator box and in spaced relation thereto, and a removable cover forpermittin Aaccess to the interior of the casing provide in that portion of the Acasing which is disposed adjacent to the refrigerator box".

8.A In a refrigerating apparatus,tlie com-- bination ofv an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a iiuid tight casing enclosing themotor and the compressor, a removable cover plate provided in the casing, cured `within the casing and connected through wirin to the motor, and a second contact secure to the removable cover and adapted to engage the first contact when the cover is in position,- said second contact bel electrical energy. 9: In a refrigerating apparatus; the combination of an evaporator,'a compressor, cooling means for condensing and access means associated with the motorY a contact fixedly se subscribed my name ing adapted to be connected to a source of for driving the compressor, a casing enclosing the compressor and the motor, a'housing for the motor carried by a wallof thecasing, a removable access plate located a wall of the casing for permitting access to the motor housing, a contact ixedly secured in the motor housing and connected by wiring to the motor, and a second contact located in the removable cover and adapted to engage the irst contact when the cover is in osition, said second contact being adapted to e connected to a source of electrical energy.-

10. In a refrigerating apparatus, bination of an evaporator, means the com for. condensing refrigerant vapor, a compressor, a.

motor for driving the compressor, a casing enclosing the motor and the compressor, and a removable cover provided in a wall of the casing and arranged to support a portion of the motor.

11. In a refrigerating apparatus, binaton of an evaporator, means the comfor condensing refrigerant vapor, a compressor, a

motor for the casing, and a removable cover plate provided in a wall of the casing adjacent the motor housing for permitting removal and replacement of the motor. j

driving the compressor, a casing enclosing the motor and the compressor, a' housing for the motor carried by a wall of 12. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, means for condensing refrigerant vapor, a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a uidf tight casing enclosing the motor and the compressor, partitionmeans dividing the casing into a compartment for the' compressor and a compartment for the motor, and a removable, fluid-tight cover plate provided in a wall of .the casing for permitting access to the motor compartment.

13. v-In a refrigerating apparatus, the com bin'ation of evaporating means, condensing means, a compressor having a movable element, va motor having a movable element, a fluid-tight casing enclosing both the compressor and the motor, and shaft means disposed within the asing for transmitting tor ue from the mototo the compressor, said sha vmeans being so arranged as to permit relative axial movement between the movable element of the motor and the movable element of the compressor.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto his 2nd day of July,

' ANDREW A. merma.'

, the refrigerant @5 vapor discharged by. the compressor, a motor

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