US1753536A - Automatic pressure-control valve - Google Patents

Description

April 8, 1930. .1. c. SCOVEL, JR 1,753,536

I AUTOMATIC PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 6, 1926 lHlul l April 1930. J. c. SCOVEL, JR 1,753,536

AUTOMATIC FIRES SURE CONTROL VALVE Filed July 6, 1926 2 sheets -sheet' 2 Patented Apr. 8, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN C. SCOVEL, JR., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE CREAMERY PACKAGE MFG. COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS AUTOMATIC PRESSURE-CONTROL vALVE Application filed July 6,

The invention relates to valves for the automatic regulation of the evaporation of the refrigerant in the expansion line of mechanical refrigerating systems, more particularly to valves suitable for'such employmentin refrigerating systems wherein the relation between pressure and boiling temperature of the refrigerant is utilized to the endthat by controlling the pressure of the refrigerant-in the evaporating coils to approximate uniformity at a predetermined amount, the tem-- perature of the refrigerant therein is controlled Within the resultant pre-determined short range, thereby maintaining the desired range of temperature in, the room or body being cooled.

In refrigerating systems of this type, the liquid refrigerant 'is supplied to the expansion coils or chamber under independent valve control. The liquid is evaporated at a rate proportionate to the degree of heat being absorbed thereby, and by withdrawing the warmed vapor from the expansion coils proportionately to the rate of evaporation in excess of that normal to the predetermined pressure, substantially uniform pressure is maintained within the coils with the consequent related temperature uniformly maintained in the refrigerant.

The withdrawal of the variant excess vapor, and the maintenance of predetermined pressure in the coils, may be accomplished by interposing a valve between the expansion coils and the suction side of the com pressor, the valve being automatically responsive to variations in pressure inthe coils to release or restrict the escape of the warmed vapor therefrom to the compressor in proportion to the volume evaporated in excess of that normal to the predetermined pressure.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved valve device for the automatic control and regulation of the pressure of the refrigerant in the evaporating or expansion coils of a refrigeration system, of simple, self-contained structure, easy of adjustment, and economical in manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent in the following detailed description 59 of a preferred embodiment of the invention 1926. Serial No. 120,592.

which I have chosen for illustration in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood, however, that various changes in form, construction and arrangement may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. I

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a sec tional elevation of the device. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan taken on the plane of the line 2-2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan taken on the planes of theirregular line 33 in Fig. 1. y p v In the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates the body of a casing enclosing a central chamber 2. A cover. 3 preferably removably secured to the body 1 as by cap screws 4, forms a closure at one end of the chamber 2. An oppositely positioned cover 5, also preferably removably secured to the body 1 as by cap screws 6, forms a closure for the other end of the chamber 2. As disclosed herein, the cover 3 is provided with an opening 7 for connection with the evaporating coils on the expansion side of a refrigerating circuit, as indicated by the pipe 8 terminating in open communication with the chamber 2. For

convenience in connecting the device into the piping system, an opening 9 is also provided in the side of the body of the casing, which may bealternatelyemployed for the inlet connection from the evaporating coils. The opening 9 asherein illustrated is closed by a'screw plug 10.

An outlet opening 11' is provided in the body of the casing for connection as by a ipe 12 with the suction line leading to there rigerant compressor. The outlet 11 does not" open directly into the chamber 2 but communicates with a passage 13 formed'in a shelf 90 14, preferably integral with the body of the casing and extendin into the chamber 2. The shelf 14 is provi ed with a valve way 15 formed transversely therein and opening at both ends into the chamber 2. The valve'way 15 is in open communication intermediately of its ends with the passage 13.

Operatively positioned in the valve way 15 is a sleeve valve 16 preferably having one end closed and extending normally outward- 10 1y of the valve way. The open end of the valve 16 is provided with a series of notches 17. The notches 17 are of such depth that with the valve sleeve 16 moved to innermost position, the passage 13 will be wholly closed against communication with the chamber 2, and with the outward movement of the valve member 16 the notches 17 are moved into register with the passage opening, establishing communication'between the passage and the chamber 2.

The shelf 14 is further provided with a lug 18, having a transverse bore 19, within which is adjustably mounted a screw threaded support 20 having positioning nuts 21 and lock nuts 22 bearing upon either side of the lug 18. The support 20 has provided at one end a pivot pin 23 upon which is pivotally mounted one or preferably a pair of levers 24. The levers 24 are also pivotally connected with the sleeve valve 16 by means of a pin 25 fixed in a lug 26' formed on the base of the sleeve valve, the pin 25 extending through suitable slots 27, formed in the levers 24.

A diaphragm 28 is secured in the chamber 2, preferably by having its marginal edges clamped between the casing body 1 and the cover 5 in sealed relation to the chamber 2 and exposed to the pressure of the refrigerant gas within the chamber. The diaphragm 28 is provided at its center portion with a plate 29 securely attached to the diaphragm and having a pair of bosses 30 extending laterally of the levers 24 intermediately of the support 20 and the valve 16, the bosses 30 being provided with a cross pin 31 extending through suitable slots 32 provided in the levers 24.

Upon the outer side of the diaphragm 28 is provided a plate 33 hearing centrally upon the diaphragm and securedthereto and to the opposite plate 29 preferea-bly -by'means of a bolt 34 extending therethrough and into threaded engagement with the plate 29. The inner face of the outer cover 5 is recessed to accommodate the movement of the diaphragm' and its supported attachments. Stops 35 may be provided within the recess for the abutment of the outer plate 33 to limit the movement of the diaphragm under pressure.

A spring 36 hearing at one end upon the plate 33 and extending outwardly through a housing 37 formed on the cover 5, is secured in position by a closure plug 38 threaded into the outer end of the housing 37. The adjustable position of the plug 38 enables the antin the evaporating coils is imparted adjustment of tension in the spring 36 in opposition to the pressure sustained by the diaphragm from within the chamber 2. The adjusted position of the plug 38 may be secured by a set screw 39 mounted in the wall of the housing 37.

In operation, the pressure of the refrigerthrough the inlet connection 8 and the chamber 2 to the diaphragm 28, and as the pressure increases with increased evaporation the diaphragm 28 recedes, operating through the bosses 30 and levers 24 to withdraw the sleeve valve 16, uncover the port notches, and open communication from the chamber 2 to the passage 13. This operation relieves'the excess pressure in the evaporating coils until the reduced pressure in the chamber permits reactance of the spring 36 upon the diaphragm to reverse the movement of the sleeve valve 16 and restrict or close communication tothe passage 13. It will be obvious that by adjustment of the tension in the spring 36, by means of the plug 38, and by varying the position of the levers 24 through adjustment of the fixed pivot carried by the adjustably positioned support 20, the sleeve valve 16 may be arranged to close at any desired pressure within a practical range, and by this means limit the lowermost temperature to be secured by the evaporation of the refrigerant in the cooling coils.

It will be noted that the suction of the compressor, as eflected through the suction pi e 12 and passage 13, operates 'to withdraw t e warmed refrigerant gas, as permitted to escape from the chamber, without effect upon the operation of the valve sleeve 16, as the passage 13 entirely surrounds the sleeve valve 16 with balanced effect thereupon of whatever pressure there may be in the suction line. It will also be noted that the structure herein disclosed is wholly self-contained, the operating parts being housed within one chamber in a unitary casing, and embodying simplicity of structure, easy to adjust and maintain in operative condition, and economical in manufacture.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device for automatically controlling evaporation pressure in a refrigerant container, comprising a casing enclosing a chamber-having an open inlet adapted for open communication with said container, a shelf on the wall of said casing extending into said chamber, said shelf having a cylindrical transverse valve way opening at both ends into said chamber and having an enclosed passage communicating with said chamber through said valve way, said passage opening outwardly of said casing to form an outlet from said chamber, a cylindrical valve operatively positioned in said valve way, said valve having constant lateral bearing in said 1 way and having lateral ports adapted to control said passage, a stationary pivot support in said chamber, a lever pivotally supported on said pivot support and having a pivotal connection with the said valve, a diaphragm positioned in said chamber having one side exposed to the pressure therein, and an operative connection between said diaphragm and said lever whereby said valve is operated by the movement of said diaphragm to effect the progressive closing of said passage by a lowering pressure in said chamber and to effect the progressive opening of said passage by a rising pressure in said chamber.

2. A device for automatically controlling evaporation pressure in a refrigerant evaporating contalner, comprising a casing enclosing a chamber having an open inlet adapted for open communication with said contalner, a shelf on the wall of said casing within said chamber, said shelf having a transverse cylin drical valve way therethrough opening at both ends into said chamber, said shelf also having an enclosed passage with a port open ing in said valve way, said passage opening outwardly of said casing to form an outlet from said chamber, a cylindrical slide valve havingl constant bearing in said valve way and a apted to control the port opening, a pivot support adjustably mounted on said shelf, a lever pivotally mounted on said pivot support and having operative connection with said valve, a diaphragm mounted in said casing having one side subjected to the pressure in said chamber, adjustably tensioned resilient means opposingsaid pressure upon said diaphragm, and an operative connection between said diaphragm and said lever, whereby said valve is o erable to effeet the progressive closing 0 said passage by a lowering pressure in said chamber and to efiect the progressive opening of said passage by a rising pressure in said chamber.

3. A device for automatically controlling evaporation pressure in a refrigerant evaporating container, comprising a casing enclosing a chamber having an open inlet adapted for open communication with said container, a shelf mounted on. the wall of said casing within said chamber, said shelf having a transverse valve way. opening at both ends into said chamber and having an inner peripheral channel formed in said valve way, said channel opening outwardly of said casing to form an outlet from said chamber, a tu bular slide valve operatively positioned in said valve way and controllin said channel,

said tubular valve having en ward notches adapted to open and close communication between said chamber and said channel with the movement of said valve member, said valve having constant lateral bearing in said way to close communication to said channel otherwise than through said notches, and means for operating said valve member res onsive to the pressure in said chamber, where y said passage is progressively closed by a lowering pressure in said chamber and is progressively opened by a rising pressure in said chamber.

In witness whereof I have hereunto attached my signature. a

J OHN C. SCOVEL, JR.

Images