US2026206A - Process and apparatus for refrigeation - Google Patents

Process and apparatus for refrigeation Download PDF

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US2026206A
US2026206A US635147A US63514732A US2026206A US 2026206 A US2026206 A US 2026206A US 635147 A US635147 A US 635147A US 63514732 A US63514732 A US 63514732A US 2026206 A US2026206 A US 2026206A
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container
containers
refrigerant
absorbent
condenser
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James C Armor
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    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25BREFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B17/00Sorption machines, plants or systems, operating intermittently, e.g. absorption or adsorption type
    • F25B17/02Sorption machines, plants or systems, operating intermittently, e.g. absorption or adsorption type the absorbent or adsorbent being a liquid, e.g. brine
    • F25B17/06Sorption machines, plants or systems, operating intermittently, e.g. absorption or adsorption type the absorbent or adsorbent being a liquid, e.g. brine with the boiler and evaporator built-up as a unit in a tiltable or revolving arrangement

Definitions

  • My invention relates to refrigeration by the absorption or adsorption principle and hereinafter for the sake of brevity I use the word H r and its derivatives as including the word e rb" and its derivatives.
  • liquids such, for instance, as brine and oil are poor conductors of heat so that a portion of a body of liquid such as the upper portion may be heated without materially raising the temperature of the lower portion of said body of liquid.
  • This characteristic is especially marked where the body of liquid comprises a stratum of lighter liquid, such as oil, superimposed on a heavier liquid, such as brine.
  • my invention employ a container for the absorbent connected as by a tube with a second container into which the refrigerant is driven by distillation and wherein it condenses.
  • the absorbent-container and condensed in the condenser evaporator-container When the predetermined quantity of refrigerant has been distilled from the absorbent-container and condensed in the condenser evaporator-container, the latter is brought into heat transfer relation with the subject to be refrigerated, such, for instance, as a refrigerating medium such as brine, the refrigerating medium cooling the latter and evaporating the previously condensed refrigerant, which evaporation causes the refrigerant to pass into and to be reabsorbed in the absorbent container.
  • a refrigerating medium such as brine
  • the evaporator-container When the predetermined amount of refrigerant is evaporated and reabsorbed in the first container, the evaporator-container is now moved out of such heat transfer relation and concurrently the absorbent-container is brought into heating relation to a source of heat, such, for instance, as a gas flame.
  • a source of heat such, for instance, as a gas flame.
  • the heat now applied to the absorbent-container results in the distillation of the refrigerant out of the absorbent-container and its condensation in the condenser evaporatorcontainer and the cycle of operation is thus continued.
  • I preferably arrange the two containers for movement in unison and by taking advantage of the shifting of the weight from one container to the other as-the refrigerant is alternately absorbed into the one container and then distilled into and condensed in the other container, I am enabled to provide for the automatic movement of the containers and consequently the automatic operation of the process and apparatus.
  • I may mount the permanently connected containers on cpposite sides of the axis of movement either of oscillation or rotation, in such a manner that the heavier or refrigerant-containing container will descend, overbalancing the lighter container and causing the latter to ascend.
  • I prefer to position the axis of movement of the assemblage below center of gravity, so that a shift of movement will be rapidly eflected.
  • Fig. 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section showing a single unit apparatus.
  • Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, the refrigerator being omitted.
  • Fig. 3 is a sectional detail on enlarged scale showing the combined fuel valve and center of rotation.
  • Fig. 4 is a fragmental view partially in section showing a modified form of fuel-valve arrang ment.
  • Fig. 5 is a plan view partly in horizontal section showing a modification of the structure shown in Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the same.
  • Fig. 7 is a plan view of a two unit apparatus.
  • Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the same with parts in section.
  • Fig. 9 is a atic view in perspective showing another modified form'of apparatus.
  • Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the same taken along the line ll-il in Fig. 9.
  • i represents a closed container which is the absorbent container.
  • 2 represents a metal tube on one end of which the container i is mounted, the bore of the tube communicating with the interior of the container.
  • a second container 3 which is a condenser-evaporator and whose interior also communicates with the bore of the tube 2.
  • the tube 2 mechanically supports the containers I and I, and is bowed or curved upwardly.
  • the container l is a body of suitable absorbent material, such as calcium chloride, silver chloride, charcoal, lie" and the assemblage of containers l and 3 and tube 2 is provided with a suitable refrigerant, preferably ammonia.
  • suitable absorbent material such as calcium chloride, silver chloride, charcoal, lie
  • the 4 represents a supporting arm whose upper end is fixed to the tube 2 at approximately the loadcenter of the latter.
  • the lower end of the arm 4 is provided with a hub I which is rotatably mounted on an annular sm'face of the body C of a horizontally disposed fuel-valve.
  • the hub is is provided with a lug 1 having a squared opening which fits over the squared end of the valve pluglsothatasthearmlswingsonthevalve body as an axis the valve plug turns with the movement of the arm and opens and closes the valve.
  • 2 j aoaaaoo 9 represents a fuel-supply pipe leading to a burner III, the valve 6-1 being interposed in said pipe so that the supply of fuel is alternately turned on and off as the unit comprising the 5 two containers I and 3, the tube 2 and the arm 4 swings on its axis, the arrangement being such that as the unit moves counterclockwise into the position indicated by full lines in Fig. l and approaches the end of its movement, the valve 10 is opened and fuel is supplied to the burner,
  • the preferable fuel is naturalor artificial gas
  • oil or other suitable fuel may be employed. If desired an electric heater may be substituted for the heater Ill and the movement of the unit employed to open and close its circuit.
  • I2 represents a pilot light for the burner I0, said light constantly burning so as to ignite the burner when the fuel is admitted thereto.
  • I3 is a vertically disposed fiue provided with a 25 heat-insulated wall and into the lower end of which the burner I projects.
  • the container I also moves vertically in said flue, alternately descending into proximity to the burner and ascending away from the latter.
  • I4 represents a tank and I5 a well forming the lower portion of the tank.
  • the walls of the well are provided with heat-insulation, as indicated at I6 in Fig. 1.
  • Il represents a descending pipe connected to the bottom of the well I5 35 and connected at its other end with the cooling coil I8 contained in the refrigerator I9 or other compartment or space to be refrigerated.
  • condenser-evaporator may be introduced directly into the space or compartment to be refrigerated instead of immersed in the brine or other fluid refrigerating medium.
  • the well I5, the pipes I1 and 20 and the coil 50 I8 are filled with a suitable liquid refrigerating medium, such, for instance, as brine, while above the liquid the tank I4 is filled or partially filled with a liquid of less specific gravity, such as oil.
  • a suitable liquid refrigerating medium such as brine
  • the brine may also partially fill the 55 tank and the oil may be omitted, but I prefer to employ both liquids.
  • the arrangement is such that when the unit I2--3 is moved clockwise into the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the container 3 60 is lowered into the well I5 and is immersed in the brine, but when the unit occupies the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 1 the container is elevated into the tank and is immersed in the oil.
  • the apparatus will be at room temperature and substantially all of the refrig- 70 erant will be absorbed in the container I except a small amount of vapor contained in tube 2 and container 3.
  • the weight of the refrigerant is thus concentrated in the absorbent container I and thus the unit I2--3 will be in the position 75 shown in solid lines in Fig. 1 with the container the absorbent and driving it off through the tube 2 into the container 3 wherein it condenses.
  • the weight is shifted, thus causing the unit l-23 to swing clockwise in Fig. 1, thereby elevating the container I, closing the valve 68 and extinguishing the burner, and also causing the container 3 to descend into the well I5 and to be immersed in the brine.
  • represents a valve in the pipe 9 which is controlled by the thermostatic device 22 operated by the internal temperature of the refrigerator I9, so that the supply of gas in the pipe 9 for the burner III will be regulated by the desired temperature within the refrigerator.
  • a valve 23 indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 may be interposed in the brine circulating pipe I! and controlled by the thermostatic mechanism 24 from the refrigerator I9.
  • thermostatic control may be used, but both are not necessary.
  • a lid 25 as indicated in Fig. 1 having an opening 26 of proper size to provide clearance for the movement of the tube 2.
  • the apparatus is automatic, the refrigerant being alternately absorbed in container I and then distilled therefrom by the application of heat and condensed in container 3, whence it is evaporated by the heat of the brine in the circulating system and reabsorbed in container I.
  • Fig. 4 I have shown the arm 4 mounted for movement on a shaft 21 instead of on the valve body 6.
  • the fuel pipe 9 is provided with a springclosed valve 28 connected by a chain 29 with a lever 30 moving with the arm 4.
  • the slack of the chain is taken up and the valve opened to supply fuel to the burner.
  • the arm 4 starts a clockwise movement the chain slacks and the valve closes, to remain closed until the absorbent container is again lowered into its position for heat-
  • Figs. 5 and 6 I illustrate a modification in which the tank ll is entirely enclosed.
  • the tank is provided with a lateral extension SI and both tank and extension are provided with a tight top-closure 32.
  • the side wall of the extension II is provided with an opening in which is fixed the casing ll of the fuel valve.
  • the plug 34 of the valve has the arm 35 rigidly attached to its outer end and the arm ll attached to its inner end.
  • the container I is mounted on the outer end of the arm II and the container 3 is mounted on the outer end of the arm fl.
  • the tube 2 which connects the containers l and I is led through an axial bore in the plug 34.
  • the arm 36 and the container 3 are sealed in the tank.
  • any number of units each comprising an absorbent container, a condenser-evaporator-container and connecting tube, may be employed in one apparatus, and the said units may be arranged either forindependent movement or they may be coupled together to coaet in their operation, the refrigerant in one unit or group of units being absorbed in the container or containers I, while the refrigerant in the other unit or group of units is being condensed in the container or containers 3, thus maintaining a continuous cooling effect on the brine in the circulating system.
  • Figs. 7 and 8 I have illustrated two units, one comprised of the absorbent container la, the tube 2a, the condenser-evaporato'r-container 3a and the supporting arm la, while the other unit comprises the container lb, the tube 2b, the container 3b and the arm lb.
  • Each absorbent container is provided with its individual flue indicated at Ito and lib.
  • the gas burner l burns continuously and is positioned beneath a movable deflector-flue 31 whose upper end may be swung into registration with the lower end of either the flue lie or l3b.
  • the arms 4a and 4b are provided with hubs 38 rotatably mounted on a shaft 39 carried by stands 40 rising from a support ll upon which the flues and the tank may also be mounted.
  • Each of the hubs 38 are provided with bevelled gears 42 facing each other and meshing with a third bevelled gear 43 fixed on the upper end of a. vertically disposed shaft 44 journaled in the support ll.
  • the lower end of the shaft 44 is attached to the deflector-flue 31 so that the latter is swung on a vertical axis by the movement -of said shaft.
  • the tank I4 and well I! are of such size and shape to receive both of the condenser-evaporator-containers 3a and 3b.
  • the parts are assembled so that one of the absorbent containers is lowered in its flue and the corresponding condenser-evaporator-container is elevated in the well l5, while the other absorbent container is elevated and the corresponding condenser-evaporator-container is lowered into the well.
  • the refrigerant in one of the units, la. 2a, 3a, 4a, the refrigerant is being distilled from the container la and condensed in the container So, while in the other unit lb, 2b, 3b, lb, the refrigerant is being evaporated from the container 3b and absorbed in the container lb.
  • the deflector is swung into position under the flue l3a of the unit in which the refrigerant is being distilled.
  • FIGs. 9 and 10 of the drawings I illustrate another embodiment of the principles of my invention in a multiple unit refrigerating apparatus.
  • a plurality of absorbent containers indicated at la, la, le, and I! are symmetrically arranged about a common axis of rotation and are each connected by an individual tube, indicated at 2c, 2d, 2e, and 2 ⁇ with their corresponding condenser-evaporator-containers 3c, 3d, 3e, and 3].
  • the tubes have intermediate straight portions which are inclosed and flxed in the tubular shaft 45 which is preferably disposed in an inclfned position, such as shown in Fig. 9, and which is supported to rotate freely as by the bearings 48.
  • One end of the shaft is mounted on a star-shaped shield 41 which is hollow and between whose radially disposed arms the absorbent containers are positioned, the containers being mounted on the short angularly bent ends of the corresponding tubes which protrude from the shield.
  • the tubes are provided with bent ends whichextend through the wall of the tubular casing and have mounted thereon the corresponding condenser-evenorator-containers, the opposite bent ends of a tube being disposed in planes at right angles to each other, so that when an absorbent-container is being heated to distill the refrigerant therefrom the corresponding condenser-evaporator-container is raised out of the brine well and into the oil in the tank to receive and condense the refrigerant therein.
  • the absorbent-container corresponding to the condenser-evaporator-container which is immersed in the brine in the well and thus having the refrigerant evaporated therefrom, is ro tafed away from the heating station so that it may cool and reabsorb the refrigerant.
  • the shaft 45 extends through the wall of the tank l4 at such an angle that the several condenser-evaporator-containers are in turn, as the shaft rotates, immersed and moved through the brine in well l5 to chill the brine and evaporate the refrigerant and then raised and moved through the oil in the tank It to permit the condensation of the refrigerant from the corresponding absorbent container.
  • the flue 48 is apertured on its side as at 49 and the shield 41 is so disposed that as the shield rotates the absorbent containers are in turn brought into the flue and exposed to the gas flame, while the radial arms of the shield act to close the aperture 49 in the side of the shield and thus prevent the lateral escape of the heat from the flue.
  • the absorbent containers are heated, to distill their contents into the corresponding condenser-evaporator-containers, and are cooled to permit the refrigerant evaporated from the corresponding condenserevaporator containers to reabsorb.
  • the refrigerant is being distilled from absorbent containers lo and Id into andcondensed in condenser-evaporator-containers 3c and 3d, while the refrigerant is being evaporated from condenser-evaporator-containers 3e and 3f into absorbent-containers le and If, respectively, thus by progressively shifting the load causing the desired rotative movement to make the operation automatic.
  • , 50 represents means for applying rotative power to the apparatus, such as a bevelled gear mounted on the shaft and driven by a convenient power means where the operation is not to be wholly or in part automatic.
  • the construction is very simple, inexpensive and durable with few moving parts.
  • the moving parts operate only intermittently with comparatively very long intervals of rest. For that reason the machine will operate for many years without attention.
  • valves, check valves, float valves, expansion valves, &c. are weak points in other refrigerating machines, and are responsible for a considerable proportion of troubles which develop. The entire absence of these in my invention is one of its greatest advantages.
  • a refrigerating apparatus operated on the absorption principle the combination of a plurality of absorbent containers, a like number of condenser-evaporator containers, tubes supporting and connecting said absorbent containers and condenser-evaporator containers in pairs, said tubes being mounted intermediate of their ends to rock on a horizontal axis and arranged to rock in unison in opposite directions, means for heating the absorbent containers when in the lowered positions, and heat-transfer means for evaporating the refrigerant from the condenser-evaporator containers when in their lower positions, the tubes and containers being moved by the travel of the refrigerant from one of the communicating containers to the other. 5
  • a refrigerating apparatus operated on the absorption principle the combination of a plurality of absorbent containers, a like number of condenser-evaporator containers, tubes supporting and connecting said absorbent containers and 10 condenser-evaporator containers in pairs, said tubes being'mounted intermediate of their ends to rock on a horizontal axis and arranged to rock in unison but in opposite directions, means for applying heat in turn to the absorbent contain- 15 ers as they move into their lower position, means whereby said heating means is actuated by the movement of the containers, and heat-transfer means for evaporating the refrigerant from the condenser-evaporator containers when in their 20 lower positions, the tubes and containers being moved by the travel of the refrigerant from one of the communicating containers to the other.
  • a refrigerating apparatus operated on the absorption principle the combination of a plu- 25 rality of absorbent containers, a like number of condenser-evaporator containers, tubes supporting and connecting said absorbent containers and condenser-evaporator containers in pairs, said tubes being mounted intermediate of their ends 80 to rock on a horizontal axis and arranged to rock in unison but in opposite directions, means for applying heat in turn to the absorbent containers as they move into their lower position, and heat-transfer means for evaporating the refrig- 85 erant from the condenser-evaporator containers when in their lower positions, the tubes and containers being moved by the travel of the refrigerant from one of the communicating containers to the other.
  • a refrigerating apparatus operated on the absorption principle the combination of a plurality of absorbent containers, a like number of condenser-evaporator containers, tubes supporting and connecting said absorbent containers and 4.5 condenser-evaporator containers in pairs, said tubes being mounted intermediate of their ends to rock on a horizontal axis and arranged to rock in unison in opposite directions, means for heating the absorbent containers when in the lowered 50 positions, and heat-transfer means for evaporating the refrigerant from the condenser-evaporator containers when in their lowered positions, the tubes and containers being moved by the travel of the refrigerant from one of the communicating containers to the other, the axis of movement of said containers being disposed below the center of gravity whereby to accelerate the shift of said containers.
  • a refrigerating apparatus operated on the absorption principle the combination of a hollow shaft journaled for rotation on an axis angular to the horizontal, a plurality of absorbent containers mounted in annular series about one end of the shaft and rotating therewith, a similar number of condenser-evaporator containers mount-ed in annular series about the other end of the shaft and rotating therewith, tubes extending within the shaft and connecting each of said absorbent containers to one of the condenserevaporator containers and the members of a connected pair of containers being relatively arranged about the shaft so that the alternate distillation of the refrigerant from an absorbent container and its condensation in the corresponding condenser-evaporator container and the subsequent evaporation of the refrigerant from said condenser-evaporator container and its absorption in the corresponding absorbent container will cause said shaft to rotate, heating means arranged to be brought into heating relation with each of said absorbent containers in turn by the rotation of said shaft, and a bath comprised of two strata of liquids in
  • a refrigerating apparatus operated on the absorption principle the combination of a hollow shaft journaled for rotation on an axis angular to the vertical, a plurality of absorbent containers mounted in annular series about one end of the shaft and rotating therewith, a similar number of condenser-evaporator containers mounted in annular series about the other end of the shaft and rotating therewith, tubes extending within the shaft and connecting each of said absorbent containers to one of the condenser-evaporator containers and the members of a connected pair of containers being relatively arranged about the shaft so that the alternate distillation of the refrigerant from an absorbent container and its condensation in the corresponding condenserevaporator container and the subsequent evaporation of the refrigerant from said condenserevaporator container and its absorption in the corresponding absorbent container will cause said shaft to rotate, heating means arranged to be brought into heating relation with each of said absorbent containers in turn by the rotation of said shaft, and a bath comprised of two strata of liquids in which the condens
  • a condenser-evaporator container in which a refrigerant is alternately condensed and from which it is evaporated, atank in which the container is moved from one portion of the tank to another portion thereof, a bath of liquid in said tank comprising a lower stratum of higher specific gravity and an upper stratum of lower specific gravity, and means to immerse said container in the lower stratum for the evaporating operation and in the upper stratum for the condensing operation.
  • a condenser-evaporator container in which a refrigerant is alternately condensed and from which it is evaporated
  • a tank in which the container is moved from one portion of the tank to another portion thereof, a bath of liquid in said tank comprising a lower stratum of higher specific gravity and an upper stratum of lower specific gravity and means to immerse said container in the lower stratum for the evaporating operation and in the upper stratum for the condensing operation, 5 said container having insulated walls to prevent heat transference between the lower stratum of liquid and atmosphere.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
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  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Sorption Type Refrigeration Machines (AREA)

Description

Dec. 31, 1935. J. c ARMOR PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATION Filed Sept. 28, 1952 s Sheets-81169.1: 1
INVENTOR Dec. 31, 1935. J. c. ARMOR PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATION Fiied Sept. 28, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Dec. 31, 1935. J c ARMQR 2,026,206
PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATION Filed Sept. 28, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 31, 1935 UNITED STATES PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATION James 0. Armor, Bellevue, Pa.
- Application September 28, 1932, Serial No. 635,147
14 Claims.
My invention relates to refrigeration by the absorption or adsorption principle and hereinafter for the sake of brevity I use the word H r and its derivatives as including the word e rb" and its derivatives.
In the practice of my invention I alternately cool the absorbent to cause it to take up the refrigerant and heat the absorbent to distill the refrigerant therefrom.
II also preferably employ the principle that certain liquids, such, for instance, as brine and oil are poor conductors of heat so that a portion of a body of liquid such as the upper portion may be heated without materially raising the temperature of the lower portion of said body of liquid. This characteristic is especially marked where the body of liquid comprises a stratum of lighter liquid, such as oil, superimposed on a heavier liquid, such as brine.
In my invention I employ a container for the absorbent connected as by a tube with a second container into which the refrigerant is driven by distillation and wherein it condenses. When the predetermined quantity of refrigerant has been distilled from the absorbent-container and condensed in the condenser evaporator-container, the latter is brought into heat transfer relation with the subject to be refrigerated, such, for instance, as a refrigerating medium such as brine, the refrigerating medium cooling the latter and evaporating the previously condensed refrigerant, which evaporation causes the refrigerant to pass into and to be reabsorbed in the absorbent container. When the predetermined amount of refrigerant is evaporated and reabsorbed in the first container, the evaporator-container is now moved out of such heat transfer relation and concurrently the absorbent-container is brought into heating relation to a source of heat, such, for instance, as a gas flame. The heat now applied to the absorbent-container results in the distillation of the refrigerant out of the absorbent-container and its condensation in the condenser evaporatorcontainer and the cycle of operation is thus continued.
I preferably arrange the two containers for movement in unison and by taking advantage of the shifting of the weight from one container to the other as-the refrigerant is alternately absorbed into the one container and then distilled into and condensed in the other container, I am enabled to provide for the automatic movement of the containers and consequently the automatic operation of the process and apparatus. Thus I may mount the permanently connected containers on cpposite sides of the axis of movement either of oscillation or rotation, in such a manner that the heavier or refrigerant-containing container will descend, overbalancing the lighter container and causing the latter to ascend. To obtain the proper movement I prefer to position the axis of movement of the assemblage below center of gravity, so that a shift of movement will be rapidly eflected.
Other novel and characteristic features both 5 of operation and apparatus will appear from the following description.
In the accompanying drawings, wherein I have illustrated a practical embodiment of the principles of my invention, Fig. 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section showing a single unit apparatus.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, the refrigerator being omitted.
Fig. 3 is a sectional detail on enlarged scale showing the combined fuel valve and center of rotation.
Fig. 4 is a fragmental view partially in section showing a modified form of fuel-valve arrang ment.
Fig. 5 is a plan view partly in horizontal section showing a modification of the structure shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the same.
Fig. 7 is a plan view of a two unit apparatus.
Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the same with parts in section.
Fig. 9 is a atic view in perspective showing another modified form'of apparatus.
Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the same taken along the line ll-il in Fig. 9.
Referring first to Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings, i represents a closed container which is the absorbent container. 2 represents a metal tube on one end of which the container i is mounted, the bore of the tube communicating with the interior of the container. On the other end of the tube 2 is mounted a second container 3 which is a condenser-evaporator and whose interior also communicates with the bore of the tube 2.
In this embodiment of my apparatus the tube 2 mechanically supports the containers I and I, and is bowed or curved upwardly.
In the container l is a body of suitable absorbent material, such as calcium chloride, silver chloride, charcoal, lie" and the assemblage of containers l and 3 and tube 2 is provided with a suitable refrigerant, preferably ammonia.
4 represents a supporting arm whose upper end is fixed to the tube 2 at approximately the loadcenter of the latter. The lower end of the arm 4 is provided with a hub I which is rotatably mounted on an annular sm'face of the body C of a horizontally disposed fuel-valve. The hub is is provided with a lug 1 having a squared opening which fits over the squared end of the valve pluglsothatasthearmlswingsonthevalve body as an axis the valve plug turns with the movement of the arm and opens and closes the valve.
2 j aoaaaoo 9 represents a fuel-supply pipe leading to a burner III, the valve 6-1 being interposed in said pipe so that the supply of fuel is alternately turned on and off as the unit comprising the 5 two containers I and 3, the tube 2 and the arm 4 swings on its axis, the arrangement being such that as the unit moves counterclockwise into the position indicated by full lines in Fig. l and approaches the end of its movement, the valve 10 is opened and fuel is supplied to the burner,
and as the unit starts a reverse or clockwise movement toward the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the valve is closed.
The preferable fuel is naturalor artificial gas,
15 but oil or other suitable fuel may be employed. If desired an electric heater may be substituted for the heater Ill and the movement of the unit employed to open and close its circuit.
II represents a valve which is used to shut off 20 the fuel from pipe 9 or to regulate the supply therein. I2 represents a pilot light for the burner I0, said light constantly burning so as to ignite the burner when the fuel is admitted thereto.
I3 is a vertically disposed fiue provided with a 25 heat-insulated wall and into the lower end of which the burner I projects. The container I also moves vertically in said flue, alternately descending into proximity to the burner and ascending away from the latter.
30 I4 represents a tank and I5 a well forming the lower portion of the tank. The walls of the well are provided with heat-insulation, as indicated at I6 in Fig. 1. Il represents a descending pipe connected to the bottom of the well I5 35 and connected at its other end with the cooling coil I8 contained in the refrigerator I9 or other compartment or space to be refrigerated. The
other end of the coil I8 is connected by the return pipe 20 with the upper portion of the well 40 I5. Thus a circulation of brine is provided for.
It is obvious that where the refrigeration is accomplished by the direct expansion system instead of by means of the indirect evaporating system, such as by the circulation of brine, the
45 condenser-evaporator may be introduced directly into the space or compartment to be refrigerated instead of immersed in the brine or other fluid refrigerating medium.
The well I5, the pipes I1 and 20 and the coil 50 I8 are filled with a suitable liquid refrigerating medium, such, for instance, as brine, while above the liquid the tank I4 is filled or partially filled with a liquid of less specific gravity, such as oil.
If desired the brine may also partially fill the 55 tank and the oil may be omitted, but I prefer to employ both liquids.
The arrangement is such that when the unit I2--3 is moved clockwise into the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the container 3 60 is lowered into the well I5 and is immersed in the brine, but when the unit occupies the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 1 the container is elevated into the tank and is immersed in the oil.
65 The operation of the apparatus described is as follows:
Assuming that the pilot light I2 is lighted but the valve I I closed, the apparatus will be at room temperature and substantially all of the refrig- 70 erant will be absorbed in the container I except a small amount of vapor contained in tube 2 and container 3. The weight of the refrigerant is thus concentrated in the absorbent container I and thus the unit I2--3 will be in the position 75 shown in solid lines in Fig. 1 with the container the absorbent and driving it off through the tube 2 into the container 3 wherein it condenses. As the refrigerant is driven off from the container 10 I into the container 3, the weight is shifted, thus causing the unit l-23 to swing clockwise in Fig. 1, thereby elevating the container I, closing the valve 68 and extinguishing the burner, and also causing the container 3 to descend into the well I5 and to be immersed in the brine.
The result is that the absorbent in container I cools while the previously condensed refrigerant in the container 3 by cooling the brine is evaporated, thus causing the refrigerant to travel through the tube 2 back into the container I where it is reabsorbed.
Therefore the weight is shifted back to the container I causing the assemblage to swing counter-clockwise, causing the absorbent container I to descend into proximity to the burner, elevating the condenser-evaporator-container, 3 out of the brine in well I5 and into the oil in tank I4. As the movement of the unit approaches its limit the valve 69 is opened and the burner I 0 ignited, so that the refrigerant is again distilled out of the container I and the apparatus again reversed as above described.
2| represents a valve in the pipe 9 which is controlled by the thermostatic device 22 operated by the internal temperature of the refrigerator I9, so that the supply of gas in the pipe 9 for the burner III will be regulated by the desired temperature within the refrigerator. As a substitute for the thermostatic control 2I22, a valve 23 indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 may be interposed in the brine circulating pipe I! and controlled by the thermostatic mechanism 24 from the refrigerator I9.
vEither of these forms of thermostatic control may be used, but both are not necessary.
To prevent the escape or waste of oil or other liquid from the tank I4 I may provide the same with a lid 25 as indicated in Fig. 1 having an opening 26 of proper size to provide clearance for the movement of the tube 2.
It is obvious that the apparatus is automatic, the refrigerant being alternately absorbed in container I and then distilled therefrom by the application of heat and condensed in container 3, whence it is evaporated by the heat of the brine in the circulating system and reabsorbed in container I.
In Fig. 4 I have shown the arm 4 mounted for movement on a shaft 21 instead of on the valve body 6. The fuel pipe 9 is provided with a springclosed valve 28 connected by a chain 29 with a lever 30 moving with the arm 4. As the arm swings counterclockwise and approaches the end of its path of movement the slack of the chain is taken up and the valve opened to supply fuel to the burner. When the arm 4 starts a clockwise movement the chain slacks and the valve closes, to remain closed until the absorbent container is again lowered into its position for heat- In Figs. 5 and 6 I illustrate a modification in which the tank ll is entirely enclosed. Thus the tank is provided with a lateral extension SI and both tank and extension are provided with a tight top-closure 32. The side wall of the extension II is provided with an opening in which is fixed the casing ll of the fuel valve. The plug 34 of the valve has the arm 35 rigidly attached to its outer end and the arm ll attached to its inner end.- The container I is mounted on the outer end of the arm II and the container 3 is mounted on the outer end of the arm fl. The tube 2 which connects the containers l and I is led through an axial bore in the plug 34. Thus the arm 36 and the container 3 are sealed in the tank.
Thus far I have described a single unit apparatus, but it will be understood that any number of units, each comprising an absorbent container, a condenser-evaporator-container and connecting tube, may be employed in one apparatus, and the said units may be arranged either forindependent movement or they may be coupled together to coaet in their operation, the refrigerant in one unit or group of units being absorbed in the container or containers I, while the refrigerant in the other unit or group of units is being condensed in the container or containers 3, thus maintaining a continuous cooling effect on the brine in the circulating system.
Thus in Figs. 7 and 8 I have illustrated two units, one comprised of the absorbent container la, the tube 2a, the condenser-evaporato'r-container 3a and the supporting arm la, while the other unit comprises the container lb, the tube 2b, the container 3b and the arm lb.
Each absorbent container is provided with its individual flue indicated at Ito and lib. The gas burner l burns continuously and is positioned beneath a movable deflector-flue 31 whose upper end may be swung into registration with the lower end of either the flue lie or l3b.
The arms 4a and 4b are provided with hubs 38 rotatably mounted on a shaft 39 carried by stands 40 rising from a support ll upon which the flues and the tank may also be mounted. Each of the hubs 38 are provided with bevelled gears 42 facing each other and meshing with a third bevelled gear 43 fixed on the upper end of a. vertically disposed shaft 44 journaled in the support ll. The lower end of the shaft 44 is attached to the deflector-flue 31 so that the latter is swung on a vertical axis by the movement -of said shaft.
The tank I4 and well I! are of such size and shape to receive both of the condenser-evaporator-containers 3a and 3b.
The parts are assembled so that one of the absorbent containers is lowered in its flue and the corresponding condenser-evaporator-container is elevated in the well l5, while the other absorbent container is elevated and the corresponding condenser-evaporator-container is lowered into the well. Thus in one of the units, la. 2a, 3a, 4a, the refrigerant is being distilled from the container la and condensed in the container So, while in the other unit lb, 2b, 3b, lb, the refrigerant is being evaporated from the container 3b and absorbed in the container lb. The deflector is swung into position under the flue l3a of the unit in which the refrigerant is being distilled.
It is evident that as the weight in the one unit shifts from container Ia to the container 3a and in the other unit from the container 3 b to the container lb, the flrst unit will swing clockwise and the second unit will swing counterclockwise, reversing their relative position shown in Fig. 8, the deflector flue 31 being simultaneously shifted from the flue l3a to the flue 5 lib. Furthermore the units will reverse their it positions when the refrigerant is again absorbed in the container la and distilled from the container lb.
Thus the working of the apparatus is automatic and the brine is chilled by the alternate immersion of the condenser-evaporator containers therein.
In Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings I illustrate another embodiment of the principles of my invention in a multiple unit refrigerating apparatus.
Thus a plurality of absorbent containers indicated at la, la, le, and I! are symmetrically arranged about a common axis of rotation and are each connected by an individual tube, indicated at 2c, 2d, 2e, and 2} with their corresponding condenser-evaporator-containers 3c, 3d, 3e, and 3]. The tubes have intermediate straight portions which are inclosed and flxed in the tubular shaft 45 which is preferably disposed in an inclfned position, such as shown in Fig. 9, and which is supported to rotate freely as by the bearings 48.
One end of the shaft, the upper one in Fig. 9, is mounted on a star-shaped shield 41 which is hollow and between whose radially disposed arms the absorbent containers are positioned, the containers being mounted on the short angularly bent ends of the corresponding tubes which protrude from the shield. At the other end of the shaft the tubes are provided with bent ends whichextend through the wall of the tubular casing and have mounted thereon the corresponding condenser-evenorator-containers, the opposite bent ends of a tube being disposed in planes at right angles to each other, so that when an absorbent-container is being heated to distill the refrigerant therefrom the corresponding condenser-evaporator-container is raised out of the brine well and into the oil in the tank to receive and condense the refrigerant therein. while the absorbent-container, corresponding to the condenser-evaporator-container which is immersed in the brine in the well and thus having the refrigerant evaporated therefrom, is ro tafed away from the heating station so that it may cool and reabsorb the refrigerant.
The shaft 45 extends through the wall of the tank l4 at such an angle that the several condenser-evaporator-containers are in turn, as the shaft rotates, immersed and moved through the brine in well l5 to chill the brine and evaporate the refrigerant and then raised and moved through the oil in the tank It to permit the condensation of the refrigerant from the corresponding absorbent container.
48 represents a flue at whose lower end is placed the gas burner l0 which preferably burns continuously while the apparatus is in operation.
The flue 48 is apertured on its side as at 49 and the shield 41 is so disposed that as the shield rotates the absorbent containers are in turn brought into the flue and exposed to the gas flame, while the radial arms of the shield act to close the aperture 49 in the side of the shield and thus prevent the lateral escape of the heat from the flue. Thus in turn the absorbent containers are heated, to distill their contents into the corresponding condenser-evaporator-containers, and are cooled to permit the refrigerant evaporated from the corresponding condenserevaporator containers to reabsorb.
Assuming the direction of rotation to be .as indicated by arrows in Fig. 9, the refrigerant is being distilled from absorbent containers lo and Id into andcondensed in condenser-evaporator-containers 3c and 3d, while the refrigerant is being evaporated from condenser-evaporator-containers 3e and 3f into absorbent-containers le and If, respectively, thus by progressively shifting the load causing the desired rotative movement to make the operation automatic.
, 50 represents means for applying rotative power to the apparatus, such as a bevelled gear mounted on the shaft and driven by a convenient power means where the operation is not to be wholly or in part automatic.
Among the advantages of my invention are the following. I
It provides a means of automatically obtaining a refrigerating effect from gas or other fuel without water-cooling.
The construction is very simple, inexpensive and durable with few moving parts.
The moving parts operate only intermittently with comparatively very long intervals of rest. For that reason the machine will operate for many years without attention.
Again, all moving parts may be easily inspected and if trouble should develop it is easily detected and remedied.
There are no valves or obstructions of any description between the absorbent container and the condenser-evaporator, and for that reason no trouble can occur due to leaky or stuck valves, and the efficiency of the device remains constant throughout its entire long life.
The valves, check valves, float valves, expansion valves, &c. are weak points in other refrigerating machines, and are responsible for a considerable proportion of troubles which develop. The entire absence of these in my invention is one of its greatest advantages.
I claim:-
1. In refrigerating apparatus operated on the absorption system, the combination of an absorbent container in which a refrigerant is absorbed when the container is unheated and from which the refrigerant is distilled when the container is heated, a condenser-evaporator container in which the distilled refrigerant is received and condensed and from which the refrigerant is evaporated by heat-transfer from the subject to be refrigerated, a bath comprising superimposed strata of liquids having different specific gravities in which the condenser-evaporator is to be immersed, and means for alternately simultaneously applying heat to the absorbent container and moving the condenser-evaporator container into the lighter liquid and simultaneously cutting off the heat from the absorbent container and moving the condenser-evaporator container into the heavier liquid.
2. In a refrigerating apparatus operated on the absorption principle, the combination of a plurality of absorbent containers, a like number of condenser-evaporator containers, tubes supporting and connecting said absorbent containers and condenser-evaporator containers in pairs, said tubes being mounted intermediate of their ends to rock on a horizontal axis and arranged to rock in unison in opposite directions, means for heating the absorbent containers when in the lowered positions, and heat-transfer means for evaporating the refrigerant from the condenser-evaporator containers when in their lower positions, the tubes and containers being moved by the travel of the refrigerant from one of the communicating containers to the other. 5
3. In a refrigerating apparatus operated on the absorption principle, the combination of a plurality of absorbent containers, a like number of condenser-evaporator containers, tubes supporting and connecting said absorbent containers and 10 condenser-evaporator containers in pairs, said tubes being'mounted intermediate of their ends to rock on a horizontal axis and arranged to rock in unison but in opposite directions, means for applying heat in turn to the absorbent contain- 15 ers as they move into their lower position, means whereby said heating means is actuated by the movement of the containers, and heat-transfer means for evaporating the refrigerant from the condenser-evaporator containers when in their 20 lower positions, the tubes and containers being moved by the travel of the refrigerant from one of the communicating containers to the other.
4. In a refrigerating apparatus operated on the absorption principle, the combination of a plu- 25 rality of absorbent containers, a like number of condenser-evaporator containers, tubes supporting and connecting said absorbent containers and condenser-evaporator containers in pairs, said tubes being mounted intermediate of their ends 80 to rock on a horizontal axis and arranged to rock in unison but in opposite directions, means for applying heat in turn to the absorbent containers as they move into their lower position, and heat-transfer means for evaporating the refrig- 85 erant from the condenser-evaporator containers when in their lower positions, the tubes and containers being moved by the travel of the refrigerant from one of the communicating containers to the other.
5. In a refrigerating apparatus operated on the absorption principle, the combination of a plurality of absorbent containers, a like number of condenser-evaporator containers, tubes supporting and connecting said absorbent containers and 4.5 condenser-evaporator containers in pairs, said tubes being mounted intermediate of their ends to rock on a horizontal axis and arranged to rock in unison in opposite directions, means for heating the absorbent containers when in the lowered 50 positions, and heat-transfer means for evaporating the refrigerant from the condenser-evaporator containers when in their lowered positions, the tubes and containers being moved by the travel of the refrigerant from one of the communicating containers to the other, the axis of movement of said containers being disposed below the center of gravity whereby to accelerate the shift of said containers.
6. In a refrigerating apparatus operated on the absorption principle, the combination of a hollow shaft journaled for rotation on an axis angular to the horizontal, a plurality of absorbent containers mounted in annular series about one end of the shaft and rotating therewith, a similar number of condenser-evaporator containers mount-ed in annular series about the other end of the shaft and rotating therewith, tubes extending within the shaft and connecting each of said absorbent containers to one of the condenserevaporator containers and the members of a connected pair of containers being relatively arranged about the shaft so that the alternate distillation of the refrigerant from an absorbent container and its condensation in the corresponding condenser-evaporator container and the subsequent evaporation of the refrigerant from said condenser-evaporator container and its absorption in the corresponding absorbent container will cause said shaft to rotate, heating means arranged to be brought into heating relation with each of said absorbent containers in turn by the rotation of said shaft, and a bath comprised of two strata of liquids in which the condenser-evaporator containers are immersed, the lower stratum being comprised of a liquid having greater specific gravity and in which said containers are in turn immersed after the refrigerant has been condensed therein and the higher stratum of less specific gravity in which said containers are in turn immersed for the condensing operation.
7 In a refrigerating apparatus operated on the absorption principle, the combination of a hollow shaft journaled for rotation on an axis angular to the vertical, a plurality of absorbent containers mounted in annular series about one end of the shaft and rotating therewith, a similar number of condenser-evaporator containers mounted in annular series about the other end of the shaft and rotating therewith, tubes extending within the shaft and connecting each of said absorbent containers to one of the condenser-evaporator containers and the members of a connected pair of containers being relatively arranged about the shaft so that the alternate distillation of the refrigerant from an absorbent container and its condensation in the corresponding condenserevaporator container and the subsequent evaporation of the refrigerant from said condenserevaporator container and its absorption in the corresponding absorbent container will cause said shaft to rotate, heating means arranged to be brought into heating relation with each of said absorbent containers in turn by the rotation of said shaft, and a bath comprised of two strata of liquids in which the condenser-evaporator containers are immersed, the lower stratum being comprised of a liquid forming part of the circulating system and having greater specific gravity and in which said containers are in turn immersed after the refrigerant has been condensed therein and the higher stratum of less specific gravity in which said containers are in turn immersed for the condensing operation.
8. In a refrigerating apparatus operated on the absorption system, the combination of a condenser-evaporator container in which a refrigerant is alternately condensed and from which it is evaporated, atank in which the container is moved from one portion of the tank to another portion thereof, a bath of liquid in said tank comprising a lower stratum of higher specific gravity and an upper stratum of lower specific gravity, and means to immerse said container in the lower stratum for the evaporating operation and in the upper stratum for the condensing operation.
9. In a refrigerating apparatus operated on the absorption system, the combination of a condenser-evaporator container in which a refrigerant is alternately condensed and from which it is evaporated, a tank in which the container is moved from one portion of the tank to another portion thereof, a bath of liquid in said tank comprising a lower stratum of higher specific gravity and an upper stratum of lower specific gravity and means to immerse said container in the lower stratum for the evaporating operation and in the upper stratum for the condensing operation, 5 said container having insulated walls to prevent heat transference between the lower stratum of liquid and atmosphere.
10. The process of refrigerating a body of circulating liquid refrigerating medium, such for instance as brine, which comprises the alternately repeated steps of condensing an inclosed' body of a suitable refrigerant while immersed in a bath of liquid of less specific gravity than said liquid medium and then evaporating said refrigerant by immersing the same in a portion of said circulating medium whereby the latter is chilled by heat-transference to said refrigerant.
11. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a condenser-evaporator container, a liquid bath composed of superimposed strata of liquids, the upper liquid of the upper stratum being of less specific gravity than that of the lower stratum and the latter being composed of a refrigerating medium such for instance as brine, and means for moving said container into i said upper stratum for the condensing operation and into the lower stratum for the evaporating operation.
12. In refrigerating apparatus operated on the absorption system, the combination of an absorbent container in which the refrigerant is absorbed when the container is unheated and from which the refrigerant is distilled when the con tainer is heated, a condenser-evaporator container in which the distilled refrigerant is received and condensed and from which the refrigerant is evaporated by heat-transfer from the subject to be refrigerated, a bath comprising superimposed strata of liquids having different specific gravities in which the condenser-evaporator container is immersed, and means for moving the condenser evaporator container into tion of a condenser-evaporator container, a tank having its lower portion formed to contain a bath of liquid refrigerating medium such for instance as brine, and the upper portion of the tank arranged to contain a bath of liquid of less specific gravity, and the containers being moved into the first mentioned liquid when it is desired to cool said liquid and into the second named liquid when it is desired to cool the containers.
14. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a condenser-evaporator container, a tank having its lower portion formed to contain a bath of liquid refrigerating medium such for instance as brine, and the upper portion of the tank arranged to contain a bath of liquid of less atmosphere.
1 JAMES C. ARMOR.
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