US2019605A - Automatic check for refrigerating systems - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 5, 1935.

R. HQ GUYToN AUTOMATIC CHECK FOR REFRIGERATING SYSTEMS Filed April 18, 1933 llllllil I Patented ov. 5, 1935 AUTOMATIC @HECK FR REFRIGERAG SYSTEMS Robert lill. Guyton, Chicago, lill., lor to The Brunswick-Ballxe-Collender Company, Chicago, lill., a corporation oi Delaware Application April 318, 1933, Serial No. 666,693

3 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved automatic] check for refrigerating systems and has for one of its principal objects the provision of means to be incorporated into a refrigerating system whereby the flow of refrigerant to the cooling unit or evaporator is automatically shut off in theevent of extreme heat conditions or the like occurring at the evaporator, thereby preventing damage to the unit which would otherwise result.

One of the important objects of this invention is to provide, in connection with the usual refrigerating system, means connected to or associated with, the cooling unit and the liquid refrigerant line whereby any `application of undesirable excess heat to the cooling unit or expension part of the system, either accidental or otherwise, will automatically prevent the further iiow of liquid refrigerant through the system.

Another important object of the invention is to provide such an automatic shut-off for reirigerating lines which shall be simple in construction, positive in operation, and which will not be at all likely to get out of order, and which, furthermore, will be immediately available for use whenever necessary while at the same time will not interfere in any way with the usual operation of the apparatus.

Other and further important objects ci the so invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawing and following specification.

The invention, in a preferred form, is illustrated in the drawing and hereinaitermore fully described.

In the drawingv The ngure is a general view, partly diagrammatic, and with most "of the important parts shown in section, illustrating the construction and operation of the ordinary type of refrigerating apparatus and with the improved check valve of this invention applied thereto.

As shown in the drawing- The reference numeral ld indicates generally the usual compressor of a refrigerating system,

the same being operated by means of a motor sure line empties into a liquid refrigerant chamber 20 in which is a normal supply of liquid refrigerant 22, the same being forced outwardly through a refrigerant supply pipe or the like 2li into a cooling unit or evaporator 26, which in this particular adaptation of the invention includesacontrol iioat 2B for maintaining the supply r of liquid refrigerant 22 at a desired level. Located in this liquid refrigerant 22 is a set of coils t@ through which the material to be cooled is cir culated, which, in this particular embodiment of the invention, is beer, which is orginally contained in a keg, barrel, or the like, i2. The beer is forced upwardly into the cooling coils it through a pipe Ciel, being expelled therethrough by compressed air or the likesupplied to the barrel through the usual inlet pressure pipe it. lill The beer or other liquid enters the cooling unit through an inlet port 38. An outlet port t@ is provided from whence the beer is delivered direct to dispensing faucets or the like.

A return pipe i2 for vaporized refrigerant is 20 provided, which leads through a pressure regulating valve ifi back to the pump i@ by means of a pipe t6. The valve it is adapted to control the pressure in the system and acts as a throttling valve. 25

In installations of this sort it often happens that, in cleaning the same, through accident or otherwise, a quantity of hot, scalding water or steam isintroduced into the cooling coils it from the beer pipe 36 and this obviously will raise the 30 temperature ol the refrigerant 22 to a very undesirable degree and might result in considerable damage to the apparatus.

Accordingly, in order to prevent further inflow of liquid refrigerant, in the event of such unde- 35 sirable heating, a thermostatic element dit is placed in or on the beer line 3ft, which element is connected by means of a tube or the'like 5t to a check valve casing 52 in which is mounted a valve element 5t, which valve element in turn i0 is adapted to shut o thefiow of liquid refrigerant through the pipe 2t. The valve 5t is operated by means of the usual power element 5t, which comprises a bellows and spring, as illustrated. 45

This particular apparatus is shown in connection with the serving of beer or other liquid reireshments and includes an auxiliary cooling unit @t which can be used for cooling bottled beer or the like and which is fed by pipes 56 leading from 50 the main refrigerant pipes 2d and t6. A similar automatic check equipment may be installed-in connection with this auxiliary cooling unit it desired or found necessary or advisable.

' It will be evident that herein is provided an 55 automatic shut-oil' means for positively stopping the flow of liquid refrigerant to a system of this type in the event of undesirable or accidental heat conditions, whereby consequent possibility 1. of damage to the equipment is automatically eliminated and which accordingly will be of considerable advantage when installed in equipment of this type, particularly as any written instructions which might ordinarily be furnished to provide against such undesirable conditions are usually not read; or if oral, are quickly forgotten.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted thereon otherwise than as necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my inventionl. In a refrigerating system for liquids, having coils for the liquid, said coils immersed in the refrigerant, automatic means for stopping the flow of liquid refrigerant to the coils upon application of excess heat to the same, said automatic means including a power operated valve and a thermostatic element connected to the power valve, said thermostatic element mounted on the equipment at a point where any such excess heat would be initiated.

2. In a refrigerating system for liquids, having an evaporator, coils for the liquid to be cooled mounted in the evaporator, automatic means for stopping the ilow of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator upon application of excess heat to the same, said automatic means including a power operated valve and a connection between 10 the power valve and the liquid circulating system for operating the power valve in the event of undue heat in the system.

3. In a cooling system for liquids, a cooling unit comprising a casing for' refrigerant to be 15 evaporated and a coil therein for the liquid to be cooled, automatic means for stopping the ow of liquid refrigerant to the cooling unit upon application of excess heat to the unit, said automatic means including a power operated valve 20 and 'a connection between the power valve and the liquid supply line for operating the power valve in the event of excess heat in the line, said connection comprising a thermostatic element on the liquid line and a pipe leading from the 25 power valve to the element.

" ROBERT H. GUYTON.

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