US1759534A - Refrigerating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

'May zo, 1930. @.ANDRESEN 1,759,534

REFRIGERATING. APPARATUS Filed Dec. 18, 192e 3 sheets-sneek 1 May 2m 1930.

G. ANDRESEN REFRIGERTING APPARATUS A Filed DSO. 18, 1926 f @y QS,

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 18. 1926 Patented May 20, 1930 UNITED STATES vlestelar ori-ica GEQRGE ANDRESEN, OE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T W. B., PABKY'N REFRIGERTING APPARATUS Application led December 18, 1926. Serial No. 155,646.

My invention relates, more particularly, though not exclusively, to refrigerating apparatus involving a refrigerating element to which liquefied refrigerant, such for example as sulphurl dioxide,` is delivered and from which the refrigerant, ,which becomes gasifed in the refrigerating element, passes into a compressor i'n which it is compressed, and thence passed through a condenser for l0 liquefying it preparatory to its re-introduction, in liquid condition, into the refrigeratving element.

My primary object is to provide improvements in apparatuses of the general chai'- acter above stated, to the end that they will function to better advantage and require the minimum of attention for their continuous operation.

More specifically, one of my object-s is to provide improvements to the end that the apparatus will not become gas-bound and the extent of the refrigerating-liquid course which is subjected to a refrigerating action will be reduced to the minimum. Another specific object is to avoid the accumulation of congealed moisture on the exterior surface of. the Walls of the conduit in which the refrigerant is expanded and thereby avoid the necessity, as is common with refrigerating apparatus as hitherto provided, of periodically defrosting the apparatus. Another more specilic obj ect is to avoid the deposition and congealing of moisture from the atmosphere on those portions of the refrigerantconducting conduit which are located exterior of the space to be refrigerated. Still another object is to prevent wire-drawing in the passage of the refrigerant through the apparatus.

In connection with certain of the abovereferred-to objects, it may be stated that considerable diiiculty and annoyance is experienced in the use of apparatus' as hitherto provided, especially where the compressor and condenser are located ata point remote from the chamber to be refrigerated, as forexample where such chamber is `located on one floor and the compressor and condenser on a Hoor below. This objection is due to the 50 fact that in such apparatus a relatively long portion of the refrigerant-conducting conduit extending from the condenser to the refrigerating element, is subjected to the heat of the surrounding atmosphere causing the refrigerant to expand in this part of the conduit during the refrigerating operation, with resultant loss and inefficient refrigeration in the refrigerating space, When this portion of the conduit is not insulated and when insulated, within the limit of economy, presenting the objection of cost incident to 'the provision of the insulation and impairment of the insulation due to the condensing of moisture on the pipe covered by the insulation and consequent wetting of the latter.

Another specific object is to provide, in a flooded type of apparatus, for the condensing within the refrigerating element of such of the refrigerant as passes into it in gaseous condition, thereby permitting of the control of theV compressor-driving means through the medium of a device controlled by the pressure in the refrigerating element, accurately responsive to predetermined temperature changes in the radiating surface of said element and thereby making it possible to avoid permanent successive deposits of congealed moisture on such surface While effecting the desired refrigerating action, whereby the apparatus may operate substantially between each cycle of operation thereof to defrost said element.

Referring to the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a View, somewhat in the nature of a diagram, of a refrigerating apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention.v Figure 2 is 'a view in vertical sectional eleva- ,tion of a valve yconstruction forming a part of ythe apparatus and located adjacent the refrigerating element thereof. Figure 3 is a similar view Aof a float-valve' device operative to insure deliveryof liquid refrigerant to the pipe leading therefrom to the valve device of Fig. 2. Il'igure 4 is a broken-plan sectional View of a detail of the valve device of, Fig., 3. Figure 5 is a View in vertical sectional elevation of a pressure-.controlled desectional elevation of a portion of my improved refrigerating apparatus.

Referring to the apparatus as disclosed in Fig. 1, it comprises a compressor represented at 10 which may be of any desirable construction, as for example of the inter-A meshing gear type as shown, the rotor of the compressor being driven from an electric motor represented at 11 and supplied with current from the wires 12 and 13, leading from the line wires, (not shown). The inlet of the compressor 10 communicates with a pipe 14 which opens into a refrigerating element 15, shown, as to its general features, of a common and well-known form of so-called evaporator, the pipe 14 being provided for conducting to the compressor 10, under the suction action produced by the operation of the latter, the refrigerant which becomes gasilied in the refrigerating element in the Operation of the latter in producing the refrigerating temperature in the chamber, as for example the refrigerating chamber 10() of a household refrigerator 101 represented. in Fig. 6, in which the element 15 wouldbe located.

The compressor shown is provided with two compressed gas outlets 16 which open into a pipe 17 through which the compressed refrigerant, is conducted'into a condenser represented at 18 and which may be of4 any desirable construction, as for example 'of vthe coil-type illustrated, the outlet of the condenser opening into a liquid-refrigerant receptacle 19. The receptacle 19 communi- Cates, by a pipe 20, with a valve device represented at 21 which controls the flow of refrigerant into a pipe 22 forming a portion of the course for leading the liquefied refrigerant into the refrigerating element 15, this valve device, which is hereinafter explained in detail, operating to permit the flow of refrigerant,` in liquid condition only, into the pipe 22.

the latter, as for example where the refrigerating chamber 100 in which the element 15 is located, is positioned on one floor and the compressor and condenser on 'a floor below, as for example a basement, so that the upwardly extending portion of the pipe 22 is provided of considerable length even in those instances where all of the apparatus is vprovided on one floor, as in the case of self-contained refrigerating apparatus. l

The upper end of the pipe 22 opens into a valve devicerepresented generally at 23 and shown in Fig. 2, this devicejhaving an outlet in commu'nlcation-,with a'pipe 24 which opens into the interior 'of the refrigerating same compartmentl as the refrigerating element 15, as shown in Fig. 6, is shown as positioned in a plane above the element 15, and the pipe 24, by preference, extends through an end wall ofthe member 26, close to the bottom of the latter, paralleling the bottom to a lpoint closely adjacent the opposite end wall of the member 26, so that the discharge from the pipe 24 into the member 26 is closely adjacent the bottom of the latter and the end wall remote from the one through which this pipe extends.

The discharge of refrigerant f-rom the pipe 24 into the member 26, is thus into the body of liquefied refrigerant maintained in, and partially filling, the refrigerating element 15, the outlet from the member 25 into the pipe 14 for conducting the refrigerant out of the refrigerating eiement to the compressor being closely adjacent the top of the member 25 to insure the flow of gasified refrigerant only from the element 15 tothe compressor.

Referring now to the construction of valve device represented at 21 and shown in detail in Fig. 3, this device comprises a casing 29 containing' a plural-ported inlet 30 which communicates with the pipe `2O at al1 times, and an outlet 31 which communicates with the pipe 22 and contains a'port 32, shown as of tapered form and controlled by afneedle valve 33; The valve 33 is provided with a stem-portion 34 the upper end of which is slidable in a stationary los' sleeve 35 carried by the casing 29, the stem 34 beingprovided with disks 36 and 37 rigid thereon and vertically spaced apart. Cooperating with the valve 33l is a float member 38 located within the casing 29 and comprising a float proper 39 and a platevmember 4() having a socket portion 41 at one end into which one Yend of the float member 39 extends and to which it is rigidly secured in any desirable manner. The plate member 40 is bifurcated at its opposite end to present the legs 42 and 43 at winch this member straddles the valve lstem 34 between the disks 36 and 37," and at the extremities of which the member 40 is pivotally connected with the casing 29, as represented at 44, to permit the float member 38 to rise and, descend, the legs 42 and 43 having inwardly-extending lugs 45 positioned between the` disks 36 and 37, whereby as the float member 38 rises it opens the valve 33 vand in descending, from a predetermined position, closes this valve.

It may be here stated that the valve 33 opens and permits refrigerant to through the pipe 22, only whenthe level of liquefied refrigerant in the casing 21 and supplied from the pipe 20, extends above the outlet 32, and thus this device is inoperative to supply to the pipe 22 refrigerant other than that in liquid condition.

The valve device 23 comprises a casing 46 the interior of which communicates with the upper end of the pipe 22, through an opening 47 in the bottom of the casing 46, the wall of this opening extending above the bottom of the casing to form a nipple-likeportion represented at 48 and located in the cen er of the bottom of the casing 46. vThe out et of the casing 46, which is represented at 49 and communicates with the pipe 24, islocated at the top of the casing 46 and contains a plug 50 having. an aperture 51 extending therethrough and of relatively small cross sectional area as compared with the diameters of the pipes 22 and 24, the lower end of the passage 51 forming a valve seat with which a tapered valve 52 cooperates. The valve 52 is mounted on an arm 53 pivotally supported, as indicated at 54, on the casing 46, the outer, free, end ofthe arm 53 carrying, rigid therewith, a hollow, inverted, openbottomed, member 55, of general bell-form, which is so positioned that when the arm 53 swings to the dotted position'shown in Fig. 2, in which position the valve 52 is open, it will extend at its lower open edge below the upper edge of the nipple 48 and in surrounding relation thereto, the top portion 56 of the member 55 containing a vent represented at 57.

In the operation of the apparatus the refrigerant in liquefied condition, flows from the valve device 21 into thepipe 22, valve device 23, and thence to the refrigerating element 15, the valve 33 being open by reason of the buoying action of the liquid in the casing 29 acting on the float 39 and the valve 52 being open by reason of the weight of the arm 53 and the parts carried thereby which occupy the dotted position represented in Fig. 2. As the pipe 22 is subjected to the heat of the atmosphere surrounding it, this pipe is thus relatively 4heated causing vaporiz'at'ion of the refrigerant therein in the open condition of the valve 52 whereupon the gasified refrigerant discharges into the bell 55 (in the dotted, lowered position of the latter). -As the bell is submerged in the liquefied refrigerant in the casin 46, the gasified refrigerant entering the bel causes the latter to rise and close the outlet 51, whereupon the refrigerant in the pipe 22 ceases to vaporize and thus ceases to produce any refrigerating action at-the exterior of the pipe 22. The valve 52 remains in closed position until the vapors ized refrigerant, exerting the buoying affect on the bell as above stated, ceases to exist therein, whereupon the bell again sinks in the liquid refrigerant and the valve 52 again opens to continue the supplying of liquid refrigerant to the refrigerating element 15, these alternating operations continuing during the operation of the apparatus.

In the closed condition of the valve 52 the pressure created in the line 22, leading to the valve device 23, causes the gasified refrigerant in the bell 55, holding the latter raised, to become condensed thereby destroying the bu-oying action 011 the bell and permitting it to lower and open the valve 52 as stated.

The vent 57 is preferably provided to ensure the escape from the interi-or of the bell 55 of such foreign gas, noncondensible at the operating pressures of the apparatus, as may be carried Awith the refrigerant into the valve device 23 and which, if not permitted to escape, would cause the valve device 23 to become gas bound, this vent being preferably of such small cross sectional size, preferably of fine needle size, that it will not permit of such rapid escapeof the gasified refrigerant in the bell as to interfere with the above describe/d functioning of the bell responsive to gaseous pressure Within it.

It will be understood that a relatively small volume only of gasified refrigerant,

generated in the pipe 22 and of insufficient 9 voliifne to effect an appreciable refrigerating action on the atmosphere surrounding the pipe 22, is sufficient to raise the bell 55 to valve closing position, and therefore noinsulatlion is required about the pipe 22 to prevent"refrigeration of parts `not desired and to maintain this pipe in unfrosted condition, y

such pressure to a predetermined degree and indicating a predetermined degree of temperature above which it is not desired be reached in the refrigerating chamber, to start the compressor into operation and to discontinue the operation of the compressor when the pressure on the low side drops to a redetermined degree. However, in the oat type of refrigerating apparatus, as hitherto provided, a control of this character cannot be used and the driving means for the compressor be controlled accurately responsive to predetermined temperature changes in the radiating surface of the refrigerating element, due to the fact that the discharge from the liquid refrigerant line to the refrigerating element is so disposed that gaseous refrigerant discharging into the refri erating element either alone or withliquefie refrigthe refrigerating element and exerts its pressure on such pressure-controlling device. This condition creates an increase of pressure in the refrigerating element over that produced by the gasification of the liquid effected in the operation of refrigerating the space to beA refrigerated, and results in the premature starting of the operation of the compressor. f l

By submerging the outlet of the pipe 22 in my apparatus, as above described, in the body of liquefied refrigerant in the refrigemting element 15 and close to the bottom thereof,

whereby a relatively long length of this pipel is subjected to the cooling action of the surrounding liquefied refrigerant, such gasiied `refrigerant as may pass into the refrigerating element 15 is caused to become liquefied and therefore does not alter the pressure of the gasiied refrigerant in the element 15 and which has become gasiied in the functioning of the refrigerant to refrigerate the space in which the element 1" is located. Thus by providing a pressur controlled means in communication with the upper end .of the refrigerating element 15 and controlling the compressor-motor, responsive to pressure changes, accurate control, within relatively narrow temperature change limits, may be effected. l

The 'apparatus illustrated is shown as equipped with such a pressure controlled device which being of common and well-known form need not be described in detail. It will be sufficient to state that this device, which is represented generally at 58, comprises a cas/ing 59 containing a switch device 60'shown as of the tiltablemercury tube type interposed in the wire 13 and when in the p0- sition shown in Fig. 5 discontinuing the flow of current to the motor 11.

lever 61 fulcrumed at one end, as indicated at 62, on the casing 59 and pivotally connect- 'ed at 63, between its ends, to the lowen` end of a link 64'tl'ie uper end of which is pivot- ,ally connected as indicated at 65, tothe switch device 60. The forward end of the lever 61 engages with the adjacent end of a coil spring-device 66 pivoted at 67 to the casing 59 which operates to hold the lever 61 in both of the positions to which it is moved in the rocking of the switch intoand f out of circuit-closing position. A coil spring 68 is vinterposed. between the casing 59 and the lever 61 and serves to exert downward pressure on the lever 61.

The actuating mechanism for the switch 60 also comprises a flexible gas-tight bellows member 69 located in a recessed portion 70 of the casing 59, this recess communicating with the pipe 14 through a branch pipe 14a.

not wish to be understood as intending to The switch de- 'vice 60 is rocked through the medium of a ed against the bottom o the member 69. 70

`The stem 71 connected at its lower end with 4the bottom of the member 69 extends upwardly through .the latter and bears against the lever 61 at a point in line with the spring 68. Y

It will be understood from the foregoing that when the-pressure in the pipes 14 and 14a rises to a predetermined degree the member 69 will become contracted thus rocking the switch device 60 to circuit-closing position whereupon the compressor will be caused to operate and the temperature lowered in the space in which the refrigerating element 15 is located; and when the pressure in these pipes lowers to a predetermined degree, the member4 69 in expanding, by virtue of its tendency to assume normal condition, permits the spring 68, in operating against thelever 61, to rock the switch device 60 to circuit-breaking position as illustrated-in Fig. 5 whereupon the compressor ceases to opcrate.

IVhile I have illustrated and described a particular embodiment of my invention, I do limit it thereto as the same may be variously modified and altered without departing from the spirit of my invention, it being my intention to claim my invention as fully and completely as the prior state of the art will permit.

lVhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a refrigerating element, a liquidrefrigerant course communicating with said element, means for delivering liquid refrigerant tosaid course, and valve mechanism in said course comprising a casing,

a valve controlling the ow of refrigerant from said casing, and means control-110 ling said valve and movable by the pressure of gas entering said casing, to close said f valve. f

2. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a refrigerating element, a liquidrefrigerant cou-rse communicating with said element, means for'delivering liquid refrigerant to said course, andvalve mechanism in said course comprising a casing, a valve controlling the How of refrigerant from said easing, means controlling said valve and. operable by the entry of gas into said casing, to close said valve, and means operating automatically to relieve the pressure of the gas against said first-named means to permit said valve to open. i

3. In refrigeratingapparatus,- the combination of a refrigerating element, a liquidrefrigerant course communicating with said element, means for delivering liquid refrigerant to said course, and means operating automatically solely by the vapdrization of the refrigerant in said course to close said era-nt to said course, and -means operating automatically solely by the vaporization ofI the refrigerant in `saidcourse to close said course to said element andv thereafter auto matically open said course thereto.

5. In refrigerating apparatus, the co bination of a refrigerating element, a liq id refrigerantcourse communicating with said element, means .for delivering liquid re- -frigerant to said course, lvalve mechanism,

in said course comprising a casing, a valve controlling the flow of refrigerant from said casing, and means controlling said valve formed of a vented b ell member positioned t0 operate in the liquid refrigerant in said casing and to receive gas entering said cas- .ingand be raised thereby to a posi-tion in which said valve is closed. v

' 6. In refrigerating apparatus, the combi' nation of a refrigerating element, a liquidrefrigerant course communicating with said element, means operating. to permit refrigerant only when in liquefiedcondition to pass through said-course, means for delivering liquid to said first-'named means' and means operating automatically by expansion of the refrigerant in said course beyond said firstnamed means toclose said course to said ele' ment. l. 7. In refrigerating apparatus, the c omblnation of a refrigerating element, a hquidrefrigerant course communicating with sa1d element, means operating to permit re'frlgerant only when in liquefied condition to pass through said course, means for delivering liquid to said first-named means, and yalve mechanism in said course and comprismg a casing, a valve controlling the flow of refrigerant from said casing, and means controlling said valve and operable by the entry of gas into said casing, to close said Valve.

8. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a refrigerating element, a compresser and condenser for compresslng and condensing the refrigerant, a conduit through which thevcond'ensed refrigerant 1s conducted to said refrigerating element, a second conduit through which the refrigerant, in gasiied'condition, is conducted from said refrigerating element to said compressor, means located between |said condenser and said refrigerating element for insuring delivery, beyond said means, of refrigerant in liquefied condition only, and means located between said'first-named means and said refrigerating element and operating automatically; by 4expansion of the refrigerant 1n v dui the portion of the conduit between said two named means, to close this part of the course to Saidelement.

9. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a structure presenting a chamber to be refrigerated, a refrigerating element therein, a liquid-refrigerant course communicating 4with said element, means for delivering liquid-refrigerant to said course, and means located in said chamber and operating automatically solely by the vaporization of the refrigerant in said course .to close vto said element that portion of said course which is located exteriorily of said chamber.

l0. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of astructure presenting a chamber to be refrigerated, a refrigerating element therein, a liquid-refrigerant course communicating with said element, means for delivering liquid refrigerant to said course, and valve mechanism located in said course and within said chamber and comprising a casing, a valve controlling the flow of refrigerant from said casing to said element, and means controlling said valve and operable solely bythe entry of gas into said casing, to close said valve.

11. In refrige'rating apparatus, the combination of a refrigerating element, means located at a different elevation than said refrigerating element for compressing and conden'sing refrigerant flowing from said element and conducting it in liquefied condition to sai element and through which the condenseV refrigerant flows to the latter, means for insuring the flow of refrigerant into said conduit when in liquefied condition only, and means adjacent the discharge end of said conoperating automatically by expansion of the refrigerant in said conduit to close said conduit' to said element.

12. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of arefrigerating element, means located in a plane below that of said refrigerating element for compressing and condensin refrigerant iowing from said element an conducting it in liquefied condition to said element comprising an upwardly extendin conduit leading to said element and throu which the condensed refrigerant flows to t e latter, means for insuring the flow of refrigerant into said conduit when in liquefied condition only, and means adjacent the upper end of said conduit operating automatically by 'i for insuring the ow of the re/fri erant into said conduit when in liquefied con ition only,

and valve mechanism communicating with said pipe'adjacent its discharge end and comprising a casing, a valve controlling the flow of refrigerant from said casing to said element, and means controlling said valve and operable bythe entry of gas into said casing, to close said valve. y

14. In refrigerating apparatus, the combinationy of a refrigerating element, means located in a plane below that of said refrigeratin element for compressing and condensing rerigerant flowing from said element and conducting it in liquefied condition to said element comprising an upwardly extending conduit leading to said element and through which the condensed refrigerant flows to the latter, means for insuring the flow of the refrigerant into said conduit when in liquefied condition only, and valve mechanism communicating with said pipe adjacent its upper end and comprising a casing, a valve controlling the flow qf refrigerant from said vcasing to said element, and means controlling said valve and operable by the entry of gas into said casing, to close said valve.

15. In refrigerating apparatus, the coml bination of a refrigerating element, a liquid refrigerant course connectin with said element, a valve controlling the 0W of refrigerant to said course and operating automatically to permit the refrigerant, but only in l liquided condition to flow into said course,

and a valve interposed in said course and automatically operative to permit the flow therethrough of liquid refrigerant when refrigerant in liquid condition only enters said valve,

- to automatically close upon the entry of gasified refrigerant into said valve and thereafter automatically open and permit the es- ,cape of the gas therefrom.

16. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a refrigerating element, a liquid refrigerant course communicating with said element, means for delivering liquid ref'ri, i;er

ant to said course, a valve mechanism in said course comprising a casing, a valve controlling the ow of refrigerant from said casing, and means controlling said valve formed of a vented .bell member positioned to operate in the liquid refrigerant in said casing and automatically movable, by gas in said s bell member, to a position in which said valve is closed.

17. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a refrigerating element, a liquid refrigerant course communicatin with said element, means for delivering re rigerant to said course, and means operating automatically solely by the vaporization of the refrigerant in said course to close to said element, that portion of said course through which the refrigerant passes to said named means.

18. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a refrigerating element, a liquidrefrigerant course communicating with said element, means for delivering liquid refrigerant to said course, and valve mechanism in ,f said vcourse comprising a casing, a'valve controlling the flow of refrigerant from said `casing, and means controlling said valve and casing, and means controlling said valve and operable by the entry of gas into said casing regardless of the level to which the liquefied` refrigerant extends therein, to close said valve.

20. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a refrigerating element, a liquidrefrigerant course communicating with said element, means for delivering liquid refrigerant to said course, land valve mechanism in said course comprising a casing, a valve controlling the flow of refrigerant from said casin g, and means controlling said valve and operable by the entry of gas into said casing, to close ,said valve, and comprising an element adapted to normally sink in the liquefied refrigerant in said casing and open-said valve and beraised and close said valve by the entry of gas into said casing.

21. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a structure presenting a chamber to berefrigerated, a refrigerating element in said chamber, a liquid-refrigerant course communicating with said element, means below said chamber for delivering liquid refrigerant to said course, and valve mechanism located in said course and within said chamber andA substantially at the same height assaid element and comprising a casing, a valve controlling the flow of refrigerant from said.

casing to said element, and means controlling v course comprising a casing, a valve controllingthe flow of refrigerant from said casing, and means controlling said valve formed of a bell member positioned to operate in the liquid refrigerant in said casing and automatically movable, by gas in said bell mem' ber, t0 a position in which said valve is closed,

GEORGE ANDRESEN.

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