US1951448A

US1951448A - Multiple quick acting refrigerator plant and process

Info

Publication number: US1951448A
Application number: US602862A
Authority: US
Inventors: Schwarz August
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1932-04-02
Filing date: 1932-04-02
Publication date: 1934-03-20
Anticipated expiration: 1951-03-20

Description

March 20, 1934. SCHWARZ 1,951,448

MULTIPLE QUICK ACTING REFRIGERATOR PLANT AND PROCESS Filed April 2, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet l flu yusi fichwwrz,

March 20, 1934. 1,951,448

MULTIPLE QUICK ACTING REFRIGERATOR PLANT AND PROCESS A. SCHWARZ 6 Sheets-Shegt 2 Filed April 2, 1932 usi Schwarz} Juana/13 Margh 20, 1934. A, sc w z 1,951,448

MULTIPLE QUICK ACTING REFRIGERATOR PLANT AND PROCESS Filed April 2, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 HTTUENEYS.

March 20, 1934. SCHWARZ 1,951,448

MULTIPLE QUICK ACTING REFRIGERATOR PLANT AND PROCESS Filed April 2, 1932 R 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 BY W46, G M'M I- W .HTTUJENEKS.

March 20, 1934; A, SCHWARZ MULTIPLE QUICK ACTING REFRIGERATOR PLANT AND PROCESS Filed April 2, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 qw NW b R mm, wk gm Q %h@ I mm Qw mm t mm 0 uhm. mm k WQQ. A5 a m. f Q @Q m @w mm a Rn RV Wk 1v m mm Q h 9w Nw\ III v I 9Q m@ 5 ll m w mw m Iv .l kw QQ 9w R m 9%. RN

[106777- @1162) flclzwarz,

Patented Mar. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES MULTIPLE QUICK ACTING REFRIGERATOR PLANT AND PROCESS August Schwarz, Chicago, 111.

Application April 2, 1932, Serial No. 602,862

37 Claims.

The invention relates to multiple quick actingrefrigerator plants and processes, and the object of the invention is to provide a refrigerator plant consisting of a plurality*of condensers,

a combination refrigerator and condenser, a plurality of compressors, and a double refrigerator, all these parts being connected with each other in such a manner that they may selectively be combined to operate as a one or multiple stage other so that between said tubes a refrigerator pan or the like may be inserted, so that said pan is surrounded on all sides by refrigerator tubes, giving the device a high efiiciency and quick action.

Other objects of the invention not specifically mentioned may be easily ascertained and understoad from the following description in connection with the drawings forrning'a part thereof.

It is, however, to be understood that the invention is not to be limited or restricted to the exact formation and construction shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but that said invention is only to be limited by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical plan view of the refrigerator plant according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a combination condenser and refrigerator unit used in connection with the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 2, and

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing a double refrigerator used in connection with the present invention. v

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of the plant shown in Fig. 1, and illustrating one of the uses of the plant.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view illustrating another use of the plant.

Fig. '7 is still another fragmentary diagrammatic view illustrating the use of a portion of the plant for condensing and cooling the refrigerant, and also cooling a refrigerating medium, for outside use.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of a portion of the plant adapted'for the same general use as that in Fig. '7.

The present invention is a modification and 1'5 icing improvement over my copending applications Serial No. 429,176 filed Feb. 17, 1930, Serial No. 445,390 filed April 18, 1930, and Serial No. 601,262 filed March 25, 1932.

In the multiple quick acting refrigerator plant according to the present invention, a high pres sure condenser-or cooler 5 is provided which is cooled by fresh water entering the condenser through a pipe 6 by means of a pump 7, and leaving the condenser through a'pipe 8. Any re- 66 frigerant may be used in this high pressure condenser, and is compressed by a compressor 9 from which it enters the high pressure condenser 5 throughthe pipes 37 and 9 The liquid refrigerant leaves the high pressure condenser 5 through 10 pipe 10 including a valve 59 and a second pressure reducing valve 11, by which it is introduced into a low pressure and low temperature condenser and liquid cooler 12. The interior of the low pressure and low temperature condenser and cooler 12 constitutes a closed tank 12 through which extend a plurality of condenser or cooler tubes 21. The refrigerant is discharged by expansion valve 11 into a header 22 from which it enters condenser tubes 21, causing the pressure and temperature of the liquid refrigerant to be considerably reduced because of the low temperature present in condenser 12, as later explained.

If desired, both condensers, the high pressure condenser 5 and the low pressure condenser tubes 21, may be operated at an equal pressure, that means at a high pressure. In that case, more refrigerant gas must be taken in by the first condenser 5, and the expansion valve 11 between the two condensers must be wide open. It is possible under these conditions to obtain low temperatures in the condenser tubes 21 of the combination unit 12, as if low pressure were present.

When the two units 5 and 12 are operatively' connected in series, the unit 5 is a condenser and the unit 12 is a liquid cooler if a relatively high refrigerant pressure is maintained; the unit 5 is a gas cooler and the unit 12 is a condenser if a relatively low refrigerant pressure is maintained;

both units may be condensers at different pressures if the expansion valve 11 is partially closed to effect a pressure reduction. The two units 5 and 12 are therefore variously designated as condensers or coolers depending on their use in different operative arrangements.

By condenser in the claims is meant condenser or cooler as the case may be depending on operating conditions, for example the pressure of the refrigerant.

A second fresh water cooled condenser 13 mplied by a pump 16 through a pipe 17.

ceives a compressed refrigerant through 'a pipe 37, with valves 44 and 52, from a second compressor 14. This refrigerant is drawn through a pipe 35, with a valve 34, off refrigerator tubes 15 which are arranged in the combination tank 12 as illustrated, especially in Figures 2 and 3. The refrigerant is recompressed by the compressor 14, and is cooled'in condenser 13 by Water sup- This cooling water is drained oil by means of a pipe 18. The liquid refrigerant from the second fresh Water cooled condenser 13 flows through a pipe I 19 and an expansion valve 26 into the refrigerator tubes 15 of the combination tank 12 where the refrigerant cools the refrigerant which is present in the condenser tubes 21; thereby the pressure and temperature is lowered further. Interposed in the pipe 19 are three spaced

valves

45, 46 and 47. .7

The combination unit 12 is provided at its four sides respectively with

header manifolds

22, 23, 24 and 25, so arranged that the condenser tubes 21 connect the

manifolds

22 and 23 with each other and the refrigerator tubes 15 the

manifolds

24 and 25.

A double refrigerator 26, with a tank which may be closed entirely or may be open on top, contains two sets of refrigerator tubes 2'7 and 28 5 respectively. From the header manifold 23, the liquid refrigerant present in the tubes 21 of the combination unit 12 flows through pipes 27. and 28 and

expansion valves

63 and 29 into the refrigerator'

tubes

27 and 28 of the double refrigerator 26, where said refrigerant evaporates. From these refrigerator tubes, the refrigerant vapor is drawn off through a pipe 36 and recompressed by the compressor 9 and then returned through pipes '37 and 9 into the high pressure condenser 5. The refrigerant vapor in the refrigerator tubes 27 in tank 26 is drawn off through a pipe 31 and recompressed by a compressor 30 and is returned to the high pressure condenser 5 through the pipes 32 and 9 from where the refrigerant is forced through the pipe 10 into the low pressure and low temperature condenser and cooler tubes 21 of combination unit 12, through pipe 27, and expansion valve 63 back into the refrigerator pipes 27 where it is vaporized again. The two refrigerator circuits described above and using the two sets of refrigerator tubes 27 an d 28 may be used simultaneously. In that case, the refrigerant drawn 01f by compressor 9 and th refrigerant from the compressor 30 will meet in the pipe 9 v before entering the high pressure condenser 5."

Instead of drawing off and recompressing the refrigerant vapor in the tubes 27 by compressor 30 and the vapor in the refrigerator tubes 28 by compressor 9 as described above, the contents of both sets of "tubes can be drawn on and recompressed by either one of said two compressors. The manner of doing this will be described later on.

If desired, the combination unit 12 may be eliminated by closing expansion valve 11 and a valve 33 arranged in pipe 27 adjacent said unit, the expansion valve 20 in pipe 19, and the valve 34 in pipe 35 through which the compressor 14 draws off the refrigerant vapor from the refrigerator tubes 15.

When these valves are closed and the unit 12 is eliminated, the refrigerant vapor in the refrigerator tubes 28* of the refrigerator 26 will be drawn off through the pipe 36 by the compressor 9, and will be recompressed by said com- 28 must be open. The valves 51 and 52 in pipes 3'7 and 37 and valve 53 in pipe 28 must be closed, and thereby the circuit between the compressor 9, the condenser 13, and refrigerator 26 is completed. I

When, as mentioned above, the combination unit 12 is eliminated, a refrigerant circuit may be established and used between the compressor 30, the high pressure condenser 5, and the refrigerator tubes 27 of the refrigerator 26. To accomplish this, the

valves

54 and 55 in the pipe line 31, the

valves

56 and 57 in the pipe line 32, valve.58 in pipe 9 valve 59 in pipe 10,

valves

60 and 61 in pipe 62, and the expansion valve 63 must be open, while the valve 64 in pipe 65 which connects the pipe 31 with the pipe 36, the valve 51 in pipe 37, the valve 66 in the bypath 67 connecting pipes 9 and 10, the valve 68 in pipe 27, and the valve 53 in pipe 28 must be closed.

When, as stated above, either one of the two compressors 9 or 30 is to be used in connection with the two sets of

refrigerator tubes

27 and 28 of the refrigerator 26, it is only necessary to open or close some of the above mentioned valves. If, for instance, the compressor 9 is to be used, the valve 55 in pipe line 31 is closed,

while the

valves

54, 64,38, 39, and 40 are open.

If, however, the compressor 30 is to be used, the valve 39 is to be closed, and the

valves

38, 54, 64 and 55 are to be open.

The bypath 67,-connecting the pipe 9 and the pipe 10 may be used, if desired, to eliminate the high pressure condenser 5. To accomplish this, the

valves

58, 59, and 60 must be closed, while the valve 66 must be open. By eliminating the high pressure condenser, power is saved, because the resistance in the high pressure condenser isremoved. The bypaths, however, should only be utilized after the temperature and the suction pressure in the double refrigerator 26 have been lowered.

If desired, the double refrigerator 26 may be eliminated, and then the combination condenser and refrigerator 12 may be used as a double refrigerator in connection with the two fresh water condensers 5 and 13 respectively. In order to do this, the tubes 21 in the combination tank 12 mustbe emptied, and this is done in the following manner: The expansion valve 11 and the

valves

54, 68, 49; and '42 are closed. The bypath 69 leading from pipe 27 to pipe 31 is then opened, and the liquid refrigerant in the condenser tubes 21 is drawn off and recompressed by means of the compressor 30 and goes to the following pipe line: pipe 27, bypath 69, pipe 31, compressor 30, pipe 32, pipe 9, high pressure condenser 5, pipe 10, pipe 62, p pes 2'7 and 28. A part of said refrigerant enters the refrigerator'tu'oes 27 through the expansion valve 63, the other portion enters the refrigerator tubes 28 through the expansion valve 29. The latter part is drawn off and recompressed by compressor 9 and returned to the condenser 5. The first part is cooled and liquefied by the last mentioned part, and collected in the refrigerator tubes 27from where it cannot escape, since the valve 54 is closed. In this manner, the condenser pipes 21 are emptied. 15

sure condenser 5 evaporates in these tubes. The

refrigerant vapor in the tubes 21 is drawn off and .recompressed and returned to the condenser 5 by compressor 30 through the bypath 69 and the pipes 32 and 9 In this manner, both sets of tubes in the tank 12 are being used as refrigerator tor 26 at a low temperature.

tubes, and said tank is actually acting as a double refrigerator as illustrated in Fig. 5.

A heat carrying medium may be conducted either from the double refrigerator 26 or from the combination unit 12 through a cooling room '70 by any suitably and conveniently laid out pipe line. For instance, if the unit is used as a combination refrigerator and condenser, a brine solution can be forced by means of a brine pump "71 through a pipe '72 into and through the cooling room '70 and from there through pipes 73 and '74, combination tank 12 pipe 75, the double refrigerator 26, and the pipef76 back to the pump '71.

.By conducting the brine through this pipe line,

the brine coming from the cooling room will be cooled in the combination unit 12 so that the brine solution will return to the double refrigera- While the brine solution flows throughunit 12, it will be cooled by the refrigerant in the refrigerator tubes 15. The refrigerator tubes 2'7 of the double refrigerator 26 which are shown in Figure 4 as extending vertically are preferably arranged at a distance from each other greater than the distance between the horizontally extending refrigerator tubes 28*, thereby a rectangular opening is obtained between adjacent and crosswise extending refrigerator tubes, and these openings are adapted to receive refrigerator pans which will be surrounded entirely by refrigerator tubes so that liquid in these refrigerator pans may be frozen solidly in a comparatively short time.

Recapitulating, it will be; evident that the plant is capable of numerous adjustments to satisfy widely varying operating conditions.

Thus, the units 5 and 12 may be utilized in series, or the unit 5 may be eliminated by means of the by-pass line 6'7. Similarly, the unit 12 may be eliminated by means of the by-pass line 62. If desired, part of the liquid refrigerant from the condenser 5 may pass through the by-pass line 62 and the remaining portion may be directed through the unit 12 to the line 27.

Regardless of how the units 5 and 12 are connected in the plant, either or both of the

elements

27 and 28 in the double refrigerator may be utilized. "For the spent gases from the refrigerator 26, either or both of the compressors 9 and 30 may be employed. 1

The two water cooled condensers 5 and 13 may be connected respectively in single stage systems with either of the

units

12 and 26 as the refrigerator. The manner in which the condensers 5 and 13 may be incorporated in two single stage systems jointly utilizing the double refrigerator 26 will be evident from Figs. 1 and 6. One circuit proceeds from the condenser5 through the

lines

10, 62 and 2'7, the expansion valve 63, the tubes 2'7 the line 31, the compressor 30 and the lines 32 and 9 back to the condenser. The other circuit proceeds from the condenser 13 through the

lines

19, and 28, the expansion valve 29,

the tubes 28-, the line 36, the compressor 9 and the lines 3'7, 3'7 and 3'7 back to the condenser. Utilization of two single stage systems with the condensers 5 and 13 for cooling the unit 12, which in this case constitutes a double refrigerator, is specifically illustrated in Fig. 5.

All of the foregoing. arrangements are possible in the plant as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6. Fig. I

1 shows the plant as adapted for the cooling of brine or other equivalent medium. Fig. 6 differs in that it illustrates the plant as adapted for the quick freezing of ice or other commodity in the refrigerator 26.

The plant may also be adapted for the cooling of'liquid refrigerantfor outside use. Such arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 7. wherein the refrigerant is compressed in either or both of the compressors 9 and 30, then condensed in 5 and further cooled in 12 or, if directed through the by-pass 67, condensed in the unit 12 which is cooled by expanding refrigerant; The cold liquid refrigerant may be taken on through the line 27 for outside use. .Additional refrigerant may be supplied to the plant through the line 69.

Fig. 8 illustrates the plant as adapted for the cooling of the working refrigerant to a very low temperature for outside use, for. example as a preliminary step in the production of solid CO2 (dry ice) Liquid refrigerant from the condenser 5 and the unit 12 enters the line 27 and then splits, one portion being vaporized in the tubes 28, and the other portion passing through the fully, opened valve 63 into the tubes 2'7 where it is further cooled by the vapor in the tubes 28 Where the plant is to be employed for the purpose just mentioned, a closed circuit is employed in which ammonia is used as a refrigerant, this circuit involving the'unit 12, compressor 14, condenser l3 and expansion valve 20 arranged in series; this cycle being employed for cooling the unit 12 which constitutes the carbon dioxide cooling element. temperature coming from cooler 12- passes through conduit 2'? which communicates with cooling unit 26. Conduit 2'? is provided with a branch line 28 which communicates withthe refrigerator tubes located in the cooling unit 26 and pipe 28 is provided with an expansion valve 29. A portion of the low temperature carbon dioxide flowing through conduit 27 enters the unit 26 through the open'valve 63 while another portion passes through the expansion valve 29. The cooled liquid refrigerant from unit 26 may be taken off for outside use through conduit 31, as disclosed in Figure 8, while the low, temperature exhaust in the refrigerator tubes may be taken off from unit 26 by compressor 9 and directed by connection 41 into by-pass 67 from whence it is'directed into cooler 12. Additional gases may be taken in on the suction side of compressor 30 and directed by means of conduit 32 into the fresh water condenser 5, thence into cooler The cooled carbon dioxide of low 12, or by means ofconduit 67 into cooler 12,

where the additional gas is made to mingle with the exhaust. Any suitable pressure, either high or low, may be employed. If desired, the refrigerant from thecondenser 13 may be split,

where the system is to be used for refrigerating purposes only, one part going to the unit 12 through line 19 and the other part passing The cold liquid refrigerant from the additional refrigerant may be supplied to the plant at the inlet of the compressor 30 and then to the condenser 5. The gaseous refrigerant from the tubes 28 is recompressed. The refrigerant in the tubes 28 is drawn off by the compressor 9 and may be directed either to the condenser 5' or to the by-pass line 6'7 through a connection 41' between the lines 37 and 6'7.

It will be understood that any suitable refrigerants may be employed in the plant. Thus, ammonia alone or carbon dioxide alone or both in different stages of the plant, depending on the results to be accomplished, may be used. If the entire plant is in operation and it is desired to produce lower temperature in the combination unit 12, a part of the refrigerant coming from the condenser tubes inunit 12 which passes through

pipes

27 and 28, to double refrigerator -26, may be led through pipe 50 (which is connected with pipe 28) to the junction with pipe 19 and allowed to mingle with the liquid refrigerant coming from condenser 13, before passing through expansion valve 20. The vaporized.refrigerant is drawn from the refrigerator tubes in unit 12 by compressor 14 and returned to the fresh water cooled condensers 13 and 5. The refrigerant vaporized in double refrigerator 26 is returned to the fresh water condenser 5 by either compressor 9 or 30 or both.

The fresh water cooled condenser 13 may 'be disconnected from the system and liquid refrigerant from the pipe 28 may be returned to unit 12 in the same manner as heretofore defined. In this event only the part of the refrigerant returned as just described is vaporized by expansion valve 20 in the refrigerator tubes in unit 12 and the exhaust is drawn off by compressor 14 and returned to the fresh water cooled condenser 5 by means of pipe lines 37*, 37 and 9 it being understood that valve 44 and valve 47 under these conditions are closed and

valves

34, 43, 42, 4'7 and 49 must be open.

If desired condenser 13, compressors 30 and 9 may be disconnected, and liquid refrigerant from unit 12 may be expanded by expansion valve 63 into one path of the double refrigerator 26, the exhaust then directed by means of

pipe line

31 and 65 into the other path of said refrigerator unit and valve 38 used to drop the suction pressure, the exhaust being made to flow in counterdirection to its usual flow and returned through open expansion valve 29 into pipe 28, by-pass 50, through expansion valve 20 through a second path in unit 12 to compressor 14 and by means of pipe line 3'7 to 9 and thence into condenser 5 and into cooler 12.

In order to have the refrigerant fiow through the circuit just described, it will be understood that

valves

53, 55, .39, 41, 57, 47 and 44 must be closed, as must also

valves

60 and 61.

Having described my invention and how the same is to be used, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a multiple quick acting refrigerator plant, a compressor, a high pressure condenser; a low pressure and low temperature condenser, a pipe connecting said two condensers, an expansion valve adjacent the entrance of the low pressure and low temperature condenser, a refrigerator, a pipe connecting the low pressure condenser with the refrigerator, an expansion valve adjacent the entrance of the refrigerator, a pipe connecting the refrigerator with the compressor, a pipe connecting the compressor with the high pressure condenser, and a closed refrigerator cycle, in-

eluding a compressor, a condrnser, an expansion valve and a refrigerator adapted to cool the low temperature and low pressure condenser.

, 2. In a multiple quick acting refrigerator plant a double refrigerator containing two sets of refrigerator tubes, each set of said tubes being the refrigerator tubes of a closed refrigerating cycle, each cycle including a compressor, a condenser and an expansion valve, said cycles permitting the use of different refrigerants, and means for leading a fluid medium through said double refrigerator.

3. In a multiple quick acting refrigerator plant a high pressure condenser, a combination refrigerator and condenser tank, a set of low condenser tubes in said combination tank, a pipe connecting the high pressure condenser with the low pressure condenser, an expansion valve adjacent the entrance of the low pressure condensing tubes, a double refrigerator, two sets of refrigerator tubes arranged in said refrigerator, a pipe connecting the outlet of the low condenser tubes of the combination tank with one of the sets of the refrigerator tubes in the double refrigerator, and 'another pipe line branching off said pipe and communicating with the entrance end of the other set of refrigerator tubes of the double refrigerator, a compressor for each set of refrigerator tubes to draw off and recompress the refrigerant in the corresponding set of refrigerator tubes and a pipe line connecting each of said compressors with the entrance end of the high pressure condenser.

4. In a multiple quick acting refrigerator plant a high pressure condenser, a combination refrigerator and low pressure condenser, a pipe conmeeting the outlet end of the high pressure condenser with the inlet of the low pressure condenser tubes, an expansion valve in said pipe adjacent the inlet of the low pressure condensing tubes, a double refrigerator, two sets of refrigerator tubes arranged in said double refrigerator, a pipe connecting the outlet -of the low condensingtubes in the combination tank with the inlet of one of the sets of the refrigerator tubes in the double refrigerator, an expansion valve in this pipe adjacent inlet of said set of refrigerator tubes, a branch. pipe leading from said pipe to the inlet of the second set of refrigerator tubes in the double refrigerator, an expansion valve in said branch pipe adjacent to inlet of the second set of refrigerator tubes, a compressor, a pipe connecting said compressor with the outlet end of the first set of refrigerator tubes, another pipe connecting the compressor with the inlet of the high pressure condenser, a second compressor adapted to draw off the refrigerant vapor of the second set of refrigerator tubes, a pipe connecting said second compressor with the pipe connecting the first compressor and the inlet of the high pressure condenser, abypath leading around the high pressure condenser and connecting the inlet pipe of the high pressure condenser with the pipe connecting the high pressure and the low pressure condenser, a shut-off valve in the inlet pipe of the high pressure condenser arranged between the inlet to said condenser and the junction of the bypath with the inlet pipe, and a second shut-off valve in the pipe connecting the two condensers and located between the junction of the bypath with the said connecting pipe and the outlet of the high pressure condenser.

5. In a multiple quick acting refrigerator plant a high pressure condenser, a combination tank back to the double refrigerator, and a pump containing a set of low pressure and low temperature condenser tubes, a pipe connecting the high pressure condenser with the low pressure condenser tubes, an expansion valve in said pipe adjacent the inlet of the low pressure condenser tubes, a double refrigerator, two sets of refrigerator elements in said refrigerator, a pipe connecting the outlet of the low pressure and low temperature condenser tubes with the inlet of one of the sets of the refrigerator elements, an expansion valve in said pipe line adjacent the inlet of the first set of refrigerator tubes, a pipe branching off from the pipe which connects the outlet of thelow pressure condenser with the inlet of the first set of efrigerator elements, said branch leading into th inlet of the second set of refrigerator elements, a compressor adapted to draw off and-recompress the refrigerator vapor from the first set of refrigerator elements, a pipe connecting said compressor with the outlet of the first setof refrigerator elements, another pipe connecting said compressor with the inlet of the high pressure condenser, a second compressor, a pipe connecting the outlet of the second set of refrigerator elements with said compressor, another pipe connecting the second compressor with the pipe leading into the inlet-of the high pressure condenser, a pipe connecting the two pipes leading from the outlets of the two sets of refrigerator elements and arranged before the-two compressors, and a shut-off valve in each of said-pipes behind the junction with the connecting pipe. i v

6. In a multiple quick acting refrigerator plant a high pressure condenser, a set of low pressure condenser tubes, a combination refrigerator and condenser tank containing said condenser tubes, a pipe connecting the outlet of the high pressure condenser and the inlet of the low pressure condenser, an expansion valve in said pipe adjacent the low pressure condenser, a fresh water cooled condenser, a set of refrigerator pipes arranged in the combination condenser and refrigerator tank, a compressor adapted to draw offrefrigerant vapor from the refrigerator pipes, recompress the same and force it into the fresh water cooled condenser, a pipe line connecting the outlet of said condenser with the inlet of the refrigerator pipes, an expansion valve in said pipe line adjacent the said inlet, a double refrigerator, two sets of refrigerator tubes arranged in said refrigerator,

a pipe line connecting the low pressure and low temperature "condenser tubes with the inlet of the first set of refrigerator tubes in the double refrigerator, an expansion valve in said pipe line" ,pressor with the corresponding refrigerator tubes, another pipe line leading from the compressor to the high pressure condenser, a further pipe connecting the third compressor with the corresponding refrigerator pipes, a pipe connecting the third compressor with the pipe leading from the second compressor to the high pressure condenser, a cooling room, pipe lines leading from adapted to circulate a heat carrying medium through said pipe lines, said cooling room, said refrigerator and condenser tank and said' double refrigerator.

7. In a multiple quick acting refrigerator plant a high pressure water cooled condenser, a double refrigerator, two sets of refrigerator tubes in said refrigerator, a pipe connecting the inlet of the first set of said tubes with the outlet of the condenser, a compressor, a pipe connecting the outlet of said tubes with said compressor, another pipe connecting the compressor with the inlet of the condenser, a second fresh water cooled condenser, a pipe line connecting the outlet of this condenser with the inlet of the second set of refrigerator tubes, a second compressor, a pipe connecting said compressor with the outlet of the second set ofrefrigerator tubes, and another pipe line leading from the second compressor to the second fresh water cooled condenser.

8. In a multiple quick acting refrigerator plant a fresh water cooled condenser, a combination condenser and refrigerator tank, a set of refrigerator tubes in said tank, a pipe line connecting the outlet of the fresh water cooled condenser with the inlet of the refrigerator tubes, a compressor, a pipe connecting the outlet of the refrigerator tubes with the compressor, another .pipe leading from the compressor to the inlet of the fresh water cooled condenser, a high pressure fresh water cooled condenser, a set of low with the inlet of the second set of the refrigerator tubes in the double refrigerator, an expansion valve in said pipe adjacent the inlet of the said first set of refrigerator tubes, a second expansion valve in the branch pipe adjacent the inlet of the second set of refrigerator tubes, a second compressor, a pipe connecting the outlet of the first set of refrigerator tubes in the double refrigerator with the second compressor, another pipe leading from the second compressor to the inlet of the high pressure condenser, a third compressor, a pipe connecting said thirdcompressor with the outlet of the second set of refrigerator tubes in the double refrigerator, another pipe leading from the third compressor to the inlet of the high pressure condenser, a valve interrupting the communication between the high pressure condenser and the low pressure condenser, a valve interrupting the connection between the first compressor and the outlet of the refrigerator tubes in the combination tank, a valve preventing refrigerant from flowing out of the low pressure condenser tubes, the expansion valve adjacent the inlet of therefrigerator tubes in the combination tank being adapted to be closed, thereby making it possible to eliminate all the tubes in the combination tank, a pipe connecting the expansion valve adjacent the inlet of the first set of tubes in the double refrigerator with the outlet of the high pressure condenser, and another pipe line connecting the outlet of the first fresh water condenser withthe expansion valve adjacent the second set of refrigerator tubes in the double refrigerator.

9. In a multiple quick acting refrigerator plant 'a fresh water cooled condenser, a set of refrigerator tubes in a combination refrigerator and condenser tank, a compressor, a pipe connecting the outlet of said refrigerator tubes with the compressor and a pipe leading from said compressor at the inlet of the water cooled condenser, a double refrigerator, two sets of refrigerator tubes in said double refrigerator, a high pressure condenser, a set of low pressure condenser tubes in the combination tank, a pipe connecting the high pressure condenser with the low pressure condenser, an expansion valve in said pipe adjacent the inlet of the low pressure condenser, a pipe connecting the outlet of the low pressure condenser with the inlet of the first set of refrigerator tubes in the double refrigerator, a branch pipe connecting this pipe with the inlet of the second set of refrigerator tubes in the double refrigerator, a second compressor, a pipe connecting said compressor with the outlet of the first set of refrigerator tubes in the double refrigerator, another pipe leading from this compressor to the inlet of the high pressure condenser, a third compressor, a pipe connecting this compressor with the second set of refrigerator tubes in the double refrigerator, a further pipe connecting the last named compressor with the inlet of the high pressure condenser, a valve adapted to interrupt the communication between the second compressor and the outlet of the first set of refrigerator tubes in the double refrigerator, another valve adapted to prevent communication between the third compressor and the second set of refrigerator tubes in the double refrigerator, the two expansion valves adjacent the refrigerator tubes in the double refrigerator being adapted to be closed so that the tubes in said double refrigerator are adapted to be eliminated, a pipe adapted to be connected with the low pressure condenser pipes in the combination tank and with one of the compressors adapted to be connected with one of the sets of refrigerator tubes in the double refrigerator.

10. A refrigerator system comprising, in combination, a closed circuit including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and a refrigerator connected in series in the order named, a second closed circuit including a'compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and a refrigerator connected in series in the order named, and means defining a refrigerator chamber, each refrigerator comprising inlet and discharge manifolds and a plurality of tubes connecting said manifolds, the tubes of said respective refrigerators being located in said chamber and extending crosswise of each oth r in intermingled relation.

11. A refrigerator comprising, in combination, a closed circuit including a condenser, said circuit having a primary path and a secondary path and selectively available, said primary path inbluding an expansion valve, a primary refrigerator and a compressor in series, said secondary path including an expansion valve, a secondary refrigeratorand a compressor in series, and a second closed circuit including said first men second primary path including an expansionvalve, a second primary refrigerator element connected with said compressors, said second secondary path including an expansion valve, a second secondary refrigerator element and a compressor in series, said primary refrigerator elements being incorporated in a refrigerator unit, said secondary refrigerator elements being incorporated in another refrigerator unit, wherebyboth units may be combinedly operated or whereby either of said units with two cooling circuits is selectively available.

12. A refrigerator system comprising, in combination, a condenser, a conduit for liquid refrigerant operatively connected to the discharge of said condenser, a refrigerator unit having two independent refrigerator elements, said conduit having two discharge branches connected respectively to the inlets of said elements, two expansion valves one interposed in each of said branches, a conduit for refrigerant vapor connected to the inlet of said condenser, said last mentioned conduit having two inlet branches connected respectively to the discharge ends of said elements, two compressors interposed respectively in said inlet branches, two stop valves interposed respectively in said inlet branches at the inlet sides of said compressors, and a bypass conduit including a stop valve for connecting said inlet branches at the inlet sides of said first mentioned valves, whereby either or both of said compressors may be connected in the circuit.

13. A refrigerator system comprising, in combination, a water cooled condenser, a condenser and liquid cooler unit, a conduit connecting said condenser and said unit, a closed circuit including a refrigerator, a compressor, a water cooled condenser and an expansion valve connected in series in the order named, said refrigerator being arranged in heat exchange relation to said unit, a liquid discharge conduit opening from said unit, a refrigerator unit having two separate refrigerator elements, said discharge conduit having two branches connected respectively to the inlets of said elements, two expansion valves one interposed in each of said branches, a conduit for vapor refrigerant for connecting the discharge ends of said elements to the inletof said first mentioned. condenser, compressor means in said last mentioned conduit, and means whereby the compressed refrigerant may be directly conveyed to thecondenser and liquid cooler unit.

14. A refrigerator system comprising, incombination, a water cooled condenser, a condenser and liquid cooler unit, a conduit connecting said condenser and said unit, a closed circuit including 130 a refrigerator, a compressor, a water cooled condenser and an expansion valve connected in series in the order named, said refrigerator being arranged in heat exchange relation to said unit,

a liquid discharge conduit opening from said unit, 135 a refrigerator unit having two separate refrigerator elements, said discharge conduit having two branches connected respectively to the inlets of said elements, two expansion valves one interposed in each of said branches, a conduit for and liquid cooler unit, a conduit connecting said condenser and said unit, a closed circuit including a refrigerator, a compressor, a water cooled condenser and an expansion valve connected in series in the order named, said refrigerator being arranged in heat exchange relation to said unit, a liquid discharge conduit opening from said unit, a refrigerator unit having two separate refrigerator elements, said discharge conduit having two branches connected respectively to the inlets of said elements, two expansion valves one interposed in each of said branches, a conduit for vapor refrigerant connected to the inlet of said first mentioned condenser, said last mentioned conduit having inlet branches connected respectively to said elements, two compressors interposed respectively in said inlet branches, and a by-pass conduit including a stop valve for connecting said last mentioned conduit to said first mentioned conduit.

16. A refrigerator system comprising, in combination, a primary condenser, a condenser and liquid cooler unit, a conduit connecting said condenser and said unit, two valves in said conduit, a closed circuit including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and a refrigerator, said refrigerator being arranged in heat exchange relation to said unit, a refrigerator unit having a refrigerator element, a discharge conduit connecting said element to said first mentioned unit, an expansion valve in said discharge conduit, a conduit connecting the outlet of said element to said primary condenser, a compressor interposed in said last mentioned conduit,'a stop valve interposed in said last mentioned conduit between said primary condenser and said compressor, a bypass conduit including a stop valve connecting said first mentioned conduit at a point between said first mentioned valves to said discharge conquit, and a by-pass conduit including a stop valve connecting said last mentioned conduit at a point between said compressor and said second menseries in the order named, said refrigerator being arranged in heat exchange relation to said unit, a liquid discharge conduit opening from said unit, a refrigerator connected to said discharge conduit, an expansion valve in said discharge conduit, a conduit for refrigerant vapor connecting said refrigerator to said first mentioned condenser, a compressor in said last mentioned conduit, and means whereby a medium may be circulated through said unit for outside use.

18. A refrigerator system comprising, in combination, a water cooled condenser, a liquid cooler, a refrigerating circuit for cooling said cooler, a conduit connecting said condenser and said cooler, a refrigerator, a cooling room, means for circulating a cooling medium from said cooling room through said cooler and said refrigerator back to said room, a conduit for liquid refrigerant connecting the outlet of said cooler to said refrigerator, an expansion valve in said last mentioned conduit, a conduit for vapor refrigerant connecting said refrigerator to the inlet of said condenser, a compressor in said last mentioned conduit, a by-pass conduit for connecting said first mentioned conduit to said second mentioned conduit at the inlet side of said expansion valve, and a stop valve in said by-pass conduit.

19. A refrigerator system comprising, in combination, a water cooled condenser, a conduit for vapor refrigerant connected to the inlet of said condenser, a compressor in said conduit, 2 liquid cooler unit, a conduit connecting said condenser and said unit, said unit including a cooling element connected to said last mentioned conduit, a passage for a liquid medium to be'cooled and a refrigerating element in heat exchange relation to said cooling element and the liquid medium, and a closed circuit including said refrigerating element, a compressor, a water cooled condenser, and an expansion valve connected in series, whereby cold liquid medium from said passage and liquid refrigerant from said cooling element are available for outside use.

20. A refrigerator system comprising, in combination, a water cooled condenser, a conduit for vapor refrigerant connected to the inlet of said condenser, a compressor in said conduit, a stop valve in said conduit between said condenser and said compressor, a condenser and liquid cooler unit, a conduit connecting said condenser and said unit, a stop valve in said last mentioned conduit, a by-pass conduit for connecting said first mentioned conduit at a point between said compressor and said first mentioned stop valve to said last mentioned conduit'at a point between said last mentioned stop valve and said unit, a stop valve in said by-pass conduit, said unit comprising a cooling element connected to said second mentioned conduit, and a refrigerator element in heat exchange relation with said cooling element, and a closed circuit including said refrigerator element, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion valve connected in series.

21. A refrigerator system comprising, in combination, a Water cooled condenser, a liquid cooler, a conduit connecting said condenser and said cooler, a cooling circuit including a refrigerator, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion valve connected in closed series, said refrigerator being arranged in heat exchange relation to said cooler, a second cooler having a cooling element and a refrigerator element in heat exchange relation, a conduit for liquid refrigerant connected to the outlet of said first mentioned cooler, said last mentioned conduit having two discharge branches connected respectively to the inlets of said elements, an expansion valve interposed at the inlet of said refrigerator element, a suction conduit connecting the outlet of said refrigerator element to the inlet of said water cooler condenser, and a compressor in said last mentioned conduit, said suction conduit having an inlet branch at the inlet side of said compressor for the supply of refrigerant, whereby a portion of the liquid refrigerant from said first mentioned cooler is utilized to further cool another portion of said liquid refrigerant available for outside use from said 'cooling element. a

22. The process of refrigeration which comprises compressing a refrigerant vapor of low boiling point, condensing the compressed refrigerant by the use of fresh water as the cooling medium, cooling the liquid refrigerant by the use of a cold vaporized refrigerant of higher boiling point as a second cooling medium, vaporizing a portion of the liquid refrigerant, and utilizing said vaporized portion as a third cooling mediumto further cool the remainingportion of the liquid refrigerant for outside use.

23. The process of refrigeration which compriseseirculati'ng a refrigerant through a closed path and in the course of circulation successively compressing, condensing and vaporizing byexpansion said refrigerant, compressinga second refrigerant, utilizing the vaporized refrigerant to condense said second refrigerant, vaporizing a portion of said first refrigerant by expansion, and utilizing the vaporized portion of said first refrigerant to further cool another portion of said first refrigerant.

24. In a refrigerator system, a housing defining a chamber, two refrigerator elements located in said housing, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion valve connectedwvith each of said ele-' ments to form two closed 'efrigerating circuits and each circuit working with a'different refrigerant, said two circuits being operable singly or jointly.

25. In a condensing and cooling system of the character described for low temperature work comprising, in combination, a water cooled condenser, a conduit for a fluid medium connected to said condenser, a combined refrigerator and condenser unit, a conduit connecting said first condenser and said unit, a second combined refrigerator and condenser unit, a conduit for connecting said units, a discharge conduit for the cooled medium connected to said second unit, a second waterccoled condenser, a discharge conduit connecting said second water cooled condenser with said first mentioned unit, an expansion valve in said last mentioned discharge conduit, a by-pass conduit connecting said last mentioned discharge conduit and said second mentioned unit, an expansion valve beyond said by-pass, a conduit for vapor refrigerant connecting said first mentioned unit with said second mentioned condenser, and a compressor inserted in said conduit, a second conduit for refrigerant vapor connecting said second mentioned unit and said second mentioned condenser, a compressor inserted in said conduit, and means for conducting a medium to be cooled through said first mentioned condenser, said first mentioned unit, and said second mentioned unit whereby said cooled medium may be discharged.

26. In a condensing and cooling system of the character described for low temperature work comprising, in combination, a water cooled condenser, a fluid medium conveying conduit connected to said condenser, a combined refrigerator and cooler unit involving a housing provided with independent controllable. passages for the refrigerant medium and mediums to be cooled, a conduit between the condenser and said unit, a second combined refrigerator and cooler unit involving a housing provided with independent controllable passages, a discharge conduit for the last mentioned unit, a conduit for connecting one 'of the fluid medium passages of the two units, means for introducing the separate mediums to be cooled into both of said units, a closed refrigerating circuit involving the refrigerator of the first mentioned unit, a compressor, a condenser and an expansion valve arranged in series, a bypass for conveying a portion of the discharged refrigerant from said last mentioned condenser to the refrigerator passage of the second unit, an ex-' pansion valve adjacent to said refrigerator passage, and a discharge conduit leading from said last mentioned refrigerator passage to said second mentioned condenser and a compressor inserted in said conduit, the cooling passages of both of said units being provided with separate controllable inlets and outlets.

2'7. In a multiple stage refrigerating system employing two different refrigerants, a double refrigerator unit with two closed separate refrigerating passages and a free passage for leading a medium to be cooled through said refrigerator unit, two compressors, two condensers, and two expansion valves connected with the double refrigerator unit in a prearranged manner to provide two closed refrigerating circuits which may be singly or jointly operated.

28. In a condensing and cooling system of the character described, for low temperature work, a primary condenser, a'primary cooler, and a secondary cooler, a closed refrigerating circuit, for cooling the primary cooler, consisting of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and a primary refrigerator, a second closed refrigerating circuit for cooling said secondary cooler, consisting of a compressor, said last mentioned condenser, an expansion valve, and a secondary refrigerator, a controllable discharge from the secondary cooler, said primary cooler and said pri-- mary refrigerator being juxtaposed and in heat exchange relation with each other, and incorporated in a closed housing, said secondary cooler and said secondary refrigerator being juxtaposed and in heat exchange relation with each other and incorporated 'in a housing, and means for conducting a medium to be condensed and cooled through said primary condenser, said primary cooler, and said secondary cooler.

29. A refrigerator comprising, in combination a closed circuit, including two condensers, said circuit having 'a primary path and a secondary path, said 'primary'path including an expansion valve, refrigerator elements and a compressor in series, said secondary path including an expansion valve, refrigerator elements and a compressor in series, and a second closed circuit including said condensers, said second circuit having a second primary path and a second secondary path and selectively available, said second primary path including an expansion valve, a second pri-' mary refrigerator element and one of said mentioned compressors in series, said second secondary path including an expansion valve, a second secondary refrigerator element and a compressor in series, the refrigerator elements of the first circuit being incorporated in a refrigerator unit, the refrigerator elements of the second circuit being incorporated in another refrigerator unit, whereby either one or both of said units with two cooling circuits is available.

30. In a multiple refrigerating plant having two condensers, a combined refrigerator and liquid cooler unit, a plurality of expansion valves, and a plurality of compressors and a refrigerator and a cooling room interconnected to form a plurality of refrigerating circuits, the method of refrigerating which consists of expanding and vaporizing'a liquid refrigerant from one of said condensers in the combined refrigerator and liquid I crease the efiiciency of said unit, recompress the expanded and vaporized refrigerants and returning the same back to the condensers to liquefy the same again, leading a medium to be cooled in the refrigerator and liquid cooler unit to inthrough said refrigerator to abstract heat therefrom, utilizing the cooled medium to cool said cooling room, passing the medium from said cool ing room first through said mentioned refrigerator and cooler unit to abstract heat from said medium and then returning the same to the refrigerator to further cool said medium.

31. In a multiple refrigerating system for low temperature and quick freezing work having a condenser, a triple passage cooler unit, a conduit connecting said condenser and said unit, a closed refrigerating circuit consisting of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and one of said passages of said cooler unit to expand a refrigerant therein to refrigerate said cooler unit, a double refrigerator, a liquid refrigerant discharge conduit connecting said cooler unit and said double refrigerator, a second discharge conduit connecting said first mentioned condenser and said first mentioned discharge conduit in order to mingle the liquid refrigerant from said discharge conduits before entering said double refrigerator, two discharge conduits connecting the refrigerator with the first mentioned condenser, and compressor means inserted in said last mentioned discharge conduits, a cooling room, pipe lines connecting said triple passage unit, said double refrigerator and said cooling room, and means for circulating the cooling medium in a closed cycle through said cooling room, said triple passage cooler unit and said double refrigerator.

32. In a multiple refrigerating system for low temperature and quick freezing work having a condenser, a triple passage cooler unit, a conduit connecting said condenser and said unit, a closed refrigerating circuit consisting of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and one of said passages of said triple passage cooler unit to expand a refrigerant therein, to refrigerate said cooler unit; a double refrigerator, a liquid refrigerant discharge conduit connecting said cooler unit and said double refrigerator, a second discharge conduit connecting said first mentioned condenser and said first mentioned discharge conduit in order to mingle the liquid refrigerant from sa' discharge conduits before entering said doub e refrigerator, two discharge conduits connecting the refrigerator with the first mentioned condenser, compressor means inserted in said last mentioned discharge conduits, pipe lines connecting said triple passage cooler unit and said double refrigerator, an means for leading a medium to be cooled thr ugh said cooler unit and said double refrigerator.

33. In a multiple refrigerator plant, the combination of a compressor, a'condenser, a liquid cooler, a double refrigerator unit, expansion means for said unit, pipe lines connecting said elements in the order named, connections between the double refrigerator, means whereby the refrigerant vapor from its first path through said double refrigerator is directed through the second path in said double refrigerator and said exhaust thence directed through said liquid cooler and drawn from said liquid cooler by said compressor and thence returned to said condenser.

34. A process of refrigeration which consists in expanding a liquid refrigerant in one path of a double refrigerator unit, leading the exhaust with a drop in pressure through the second path of condenser before expansion,

said double refrigerator unit, expanding the exhaust from the second path with an additional drop in pressure into a liquid cooler to precool the initially incoming refrigerant, recompressing the gaseous refrigerant and reliquefying the same.

35. A multiple quick acting refrigerator plant, comprising a water cooled condenser; a combined gas and liquid cooler having separate paths, a double refrigerator unit, a compressor, an expansion valve at the inlet of one of the refrigerator elements of said double unit, controllable pipe lines between the liquid discharge end of the combined gas and liquid cooler and the inlet of one of the refrigerator elements of said double refrigerator unit, connections between the discharge end of the first mentioned element of the double refrigerator unit and the second element of said unit, a by-pass between the discharge end of said second element and the inlet of the second path in said combined gas and liquid cooler, in combination with a closed circuit involving said first mentioned compressor, a second condenser, an expansion valve and the second mentioned path in the combined gas and liquid cooler whereby the exhaust from the refrigerator is mingled with the expanded liquid refrigerant from said last mentioned second condenser before expanding the gas in said combined gas and liquid cooler, and means whereby the exhaust from the combined gas and liquid cooler is returned to the first mentioned condenser and to said second mentioned condenser.

36, In a multiple quick acting refrigerating plant, the process of refrigerating which consists in expanding a condensed liquid refrigerant in a chamber having a multiple of paths, compressing and condensing a second refrigerant, cooling the second refrigerant in one of the paths in said chamber to a low temperature, expanding the low temperature liquid refrigerant in a refrigerator, commingling and expanding a part of the second low temperature liquid refrigerant with the first mentioned liquid refrigerant to increase the efficiency in the first path and recompressing the expanded refrigerants and recondensing the same, leading a medium in contact with the second refrigerant path, utilizing the cooled medium for outside use and then passing said medium through another path in said chamb-r to precool the medium and then returning the same into contact with the second mentioned low temperature refrigerant path to further cool said medium.

3'7. In a refrigerator system of the character described, a primary condenser, a secondary condenser and a refrigerator, arranged in a closed circuit, means intermediate of the primary condenser and the secondary condenser whereby a portion of the refrigerant issuing from the pri-- mary condenser may be conveyed to the inlet of the refrigerator and commingled with the portion of refrigerant issuing from the secondary forming a part of a closed refrigeration circuit, said last mentioned circuit being adapted to abstract heat from the first mentioned circuit, and means whereby the refrigerants are caused to circulate through said circuits.

AUGUST SCHWARZ.

a. third condenser