US2249772A - Combination air conditioner and refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

` July 22', 1941.` .P. MANuscALco 2,249,772

COMBINATION AIN coNnITIoNEN `NND NEFNIGENAIOR FIIdMay 18, 1940' sheen-sheet i July 22,1941. P. MANlscALeQ 2,249,772

COMBI-NATION AIR CONDITION-ER AND REFRIGERATOR #Harney P. MANlscALcov COMBINATION AIR CONDITIONER AND 4REFRIGE'RA'IOR Filed May 18, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.`

July 22,. 1941.

/1 f, /f f Patented July 22, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEl COMBINATION AIB CQNDITIONER AND REFBIGEEATOB Pietro Maniscalco, Toledo, Ohio.

Application May 18, 1940, Serial No. 335,983 19 claims. V(cl. 62-1'34) 'I'his invention relates to improvements in a combination air conditioner and refrigerator.-

One of the main objectsof this invention is to provide a domestic type of refrigerator combined with air conditioning means, to be especially suited for use in the kitchen, and likewise for use in other rooms in the home and in apartments, and the like; whereby the customary refrigeration for food and drink is provided, and the air may also be cooled and conditioned whenever Lesired.

Another object of this invention is to provide a domestic type of refrigerator equipped with an air conditioner which -is adapted to cool the air, and -which is furthermore adapted and is selec'- tively operable to either remove the moisture of condensation from the air and dehydrate the air, when it .is excessively moist; or else to restore such moisture to the air while circulating thru is warm; and can also -be readily shut-off to utilize the refrigerator alone, when the temperature is moderate; and which can furthermore be utilized for conditioning the air, while the refrigerator is retained idle. w

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination refrigerator and air conditioner whlch'is arranged to freeze a quantity of water around the air passage and utilize it in cooling the air, and thereby provide a hold-over or excess of stored cooling medium, adapted to beV utilized morefparticularlyduring the warmer 'period or theday.

These and various other objects and advantages are attained with this invention, 'as will part o1' the cabinet, taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing the improved heat exhausting means on themachinery chamber.

`Fig. 4 is a plan view of the air deecting means, which is removably and adjustably mounted on the cabinet.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the invention, taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig 6 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on line 6B of Fig. '5, the thermostat being omitted th refrom.

7 is an enlarged Partial sectional view. taken on line I-l of Fig. 1, illustrating the 'water freezing means and the air forcing means.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a refrigerating unit adapted for use with this Jinvention.

Fig. 9 is a partial sectional view, being taining means arranged for adding moisture to the air passing thru the conditioner.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of the A spraying means, taken on line I 0-I0 of Fig. 9.

l or refrigerator I2 including a storage chamber become apparent from the following description,

taken in connection with the accompanying drawings -wherein the invention is illustrated in its preferred form, it being apparent that various other arrangements and forms of construction may be adopted for carrying out the objects and purposes of this invention.

In the drawings:

F18. 1 is 'a front elevational view of a combination air conditioner and refrigerator having my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof, with.

parts broken away.

for food and drink. Said cabinet is provided with insulated walls, including a rear wall I3, 'side walls I4V and I5, a top I6, a lower partitioning wall I1, and a front wall vI8 containing an insulated door I9 therein providing access to the refrigerator chamber I2. The lower Dart I5' `of side wall I5, which extends along the intake part' of conditioner II, vneed not be irl-- sulated.

A bottom wall 20 is spaced below wall I'I, providing a machinery chamber 2l therebetween which houses the refrigerating unit 22', while supporting legs 23 'space said bottom wall 20 above the floor. Said chamber 2i includes a removable front plate 24, thus providing access to the machinery in said chamber, and includes inlet louvres 25 at one side, and an exhaust opening 26 at theopposite side which is provided with a when the air conditioner is not in use.

Heat exhausting means is furthermore pro vided on the machinery chamber ZI and includes similar to Fig. 7, but indicating the several water cona panel 29 slidable in said flange means 26 and having. an exhaust conduit 3| extendingtherefrom, which has a mounting shield or plate 32 at its outer end adapted to be mountable in a window frame.V Said shield has a part 32 extendible thereon, bythe use of means 33, as indicated in Fig. 1, to be suited for windows of various widths.

Ihe refrigerating unit 22 in compartment 2| may be of a standard type, being shown herein as comprisingv a compressor 35, a driving motor 36, a condensor 31, a tank 36, and the refrigerant conduits connecting the same, including a feed conduit 39 extending from tank 36 and equipped with an expansion valve 4I, and also a return conduit 42 for returning the refrigerant to the compressor. A fan 44 is driven by the motor 36, for moving the air thru the inlet openings 25 and over the condenser and other members, and from chamber 2| out thru the outlet opening 26, to cool the heated members oi'A the refrigerating unit.

'I'he refrigerating part or storage chamber I2 is provided with an insulated partitioning wall 46 placed intermediate the two side walls I4 and I5, and continuing with a curved upper portion 41,v thus providing an air channel in the space between wall parts I6 and I5', and 46 and 41. An insulated partitioning wall 46 extends from part 41 across the upper part of the cabinet and provides the top of the storage chamber,

while a cooling unit including coils 46 is posi-v tioned in the-storage chamber I2, these coils being connected with conduits and 42 of the refrigerating unit, as indicated in Fig. 8.

The air conditioning mechanism II comprises an air conducting channel extending thru the cabinet I and including a primary cooling chamber 6| atthelower part of the cabinet, and a secondary or main cooling chamber 52 at the4 small motor 64 for driving said fan is also sup- Y, interposed between said coils end said conduit, to be closedwhen the cooling coils 4jcftlae're4 frigerator alone are actuated, without utilizing lthe air cooling means.

y relation with thewater Jacket,'a`nd it preferably posed in its conductor wires |66 and |66'Y which ported on said curved'por-tion 41, said'fan forcing Ythe air from. chamber 5| upwardly thru chamber 52. A door 55 in rear wall I3 provides access to motor 54.

Anannular water receptacle or drip trough 56 is supported on wall 46; and a' water jacket 51 is supported by lugs 56 .on said trough to provide a space 58 between said trough and jacket, as

indicated in Fig. 5, for the air to .circulate there- 55 thru and around said jacket. Said jacket includes spaced and substantially annular walls 53 and 59 providing a chamber 5 1 adapted to contain water therein, while. a detachable cover 66 is placed on said jacket when the air is moist.. and is removable therefrom to expose the water in chamber 51' to the air, when it is desired to add moisture to the circulating air, as indicated in Fig. 9.

Primary cooling means' or coils 6`| are pro` vided in chamber 5|"and are connected by a conduit 62 with the return conduit 42 of the refrigerating/unit' 22, while a shut-of! valve 63 is fA main freezing unit 64 islpl'aced Lin thermal includes coils 6 5 pOSitioned in the Water .iii the while coils 66 are connected by a conduit 66 with conduitI 39 of the refrigerating unit.

A shutolf valve 66 is interposed in conduit 66, adapted to shut off the freezing unit when the air conditioner is not in use.

An inlet opening 1I is provided at the lower end of chamber 5|, and-has doors or slidable panels 12 mounted therein by guide means 13,

" so that said inlet opening can be opened to the size desired and can be closed entirely when the conditioner is not in use.

The outletopening 14 in the top I6 ofithe cabinet is provided with deflectingmeans 15 which is removable from opening 14 and can be turned and placed therein and its vanes 16 can be suitably tilted, so as to deiiect the air in the particular direction and at the particular slant desired, as well as to direct it vertically up from the outlet opening. -A cover 11 is provided, and

' forced closely along 'coils 66 and the inner wall 53 of the water Jacket, to properly utilize the c ooling eect'of thefreezing unit, while the cool air around the outside of theA jacket will be drawn thru space 56' by suction and carried along up A with the air forced upward around spreader 6I.

A drain pipe 63 is depended from trough 56 to at the lower end of chamber 5|, and therefrom thru a discharge pipe 65 to a receptacle 66, as indicated in the drawings, or to any suitable drain means. A shut-oil valve 61 with a handle 61' is provided on pipe 63, and a shut-off valve 66 with a handle 66 is provided on a pipe 65, for closing said pipes and. retaining the moisture respectively in trough 56 vand likewise in pan 64, when it is desired to add moisture to the air circulating thru the conditioner. A plug 66 closes an aperture in the bottom of trough 56, and a rod v91| arising therefrom can be manipulated to re,

lease said plug for draining trough 56.

. sprinkling means 6I is also provided and includes a tubular nozzle with openings,` being supported by a conduit 62 which depends from trough 56, into the upper part of chamber 5|, so as to sprinkle the lwater from said trough into the air ascending thru the air channel. A valve V63 with a handle 93' is also provided on conduit.

62,- so as to close the valve whenever the sprinkler is not to be used.

Control means is also provided to enable operating the two motors 36 and 54 together, when the air conditioner as well as the refrigerator are are connected with said wires 61 and 61'. l

A thermostat may also be provided having a tube |02 extending therefrom to a thermal element |03 which is placed adjacent the freezing unit 64, being shown in Fig. 9 as mounted on coils 66. .A finger |04-"on the thermostat actuates a switch |05 which is interposed in wire 91', so as to break the circuitof `motor 36, whenever the temperature of the freezing coils and of the Water in the jacket chamber 51' hasdescended below the desired degree.

With this combination arrangement and construction the driving 'motor 36 can be retained idle, and motor 54 alone operated-to drive fan 53; thus adapting this device for merely humidifying the air when it is dry and the weather is sufficiently cool, while the refrigerator and the air cooling means with its motor 36 are retained idle. The jacket 51 is then fllled with water and left uncovered, and the air spreader 8| is also filled with water, as shown in Fig. 9, and the pan 84 is then likewisel filled with water with the valve 88 closed; thereby causing the air which is being forced by the fan thru the conditioning chambers 5| and 52 to absorb moisture from the Water contained in jacket 51, spreader 8|, and pan 84. l

For ldehydrating the air, when it contains an excessive amount of moisture, the cover 60 is retained on jacket 51 and valve 93 on sprinkling means 9| is closed, while valves 81 and 88 on the` drain pipes 83 and 85 are opened, thus enabling the moisture of condensation from jacket 51 and coils 66, which has dripped into trough 56, to beV drained from the trough thru said drain pipes into suitable drain means.

When the air is normal or not too moist, then the sprinkling means 9| is preferably utilized, by opening its valve 93, and closing the valve 81 on drain pipe 83, thus causing the moisture of condensation from the jacket and coils to be sprinkled into the air ascending thru chamber 5|; thereby returning the moisture of condensation to the circulating air and also aiding in settling dust particles and impurities that are present in the air.

When the air is too dry, then drain valve 81 in drain pipe 83 is closed, while valve 83 on sprinkler 9| is opened, and the cover 60 from the jacket 51 is removed, and at the same time valve 88 in drain pipe 85 is closed, to retain water in pan 84, and water may also be placed in the bowlshaped air spreader 8|. The moisture of condensation is thereby returned thru trough 56 and sprinkler 9| to the circulating air; and at the same time the water in the open jacket chamber 51', and in the pan 84, and optionally in the air spreader 8|, will thru evaporation add moisturel to the circulating air, thereby effectively moistening the dry air.

Both of the motors 36 and 54 will be operated in utilizing the device for cooling and conditioning the air.

It is apparent from the above disclosure that this invention presents` a true combination construction of air conditioner and refrigerator to be used in conjunction, and which can also be used for either purpose alone; and that it is adapted to be utilized for cooling the air, and also for removing moisture from the air when it is too Wet, or'for adding moisture to the air when it is too dry.

I claim:

1. In a domestic type of refrigerator including a cabinet provided with a storageA chamber and a refrigerating unit, air conditioning means comrestore moisture of condensation to the air cir-l f culating thru the channel, or to remove said moisture for dehydrating the air.

2. In a domestic type of refrigerator including j a cabinet provided with a refrigerating unit and with an insulated storage chamber adapted to be cooled by said unit, air conditioning and conducting means within the cabinet and including air inlet and outlet means, a jacket providing an annular water chamber interposed in said air conducting means and formingv part thereof, a freezing unit in thermal relation with said jacket and operable by rsaid refrigerating unit adapted to freeze water in the jacket, a water receptacle below the jacket adapted to receive moisture condensed on the latter, means to Aforce the air thru the conducting means, and sprinkling means connected with said receptacle to distribute the moisture of condensation into the air circulating thru the conducting means.

3. The subject matter set forth in claim 2,

wherein the sprinkling means is provided with a shut-off valve, and a valve controlled drain means is provided for the receptacle, whereby to either return the moisture of condensation to the circulating air or else to remove such moisture for dehydrating the air.

4. In a domestic type of refrigerator including a cabinet containing a machinery chamber having a refrigerating unit therein and a storage chamber insulated therefrom, air conditioning means comprising an air channel extending thru the cabinet and including inletv and outlet means thereon, means to conduct heated air from the machinery chamber out of the room which is being conditioned, an annular water container interposed in said channel and its central part forming a part thereof, a freezing unit in thermal relation with said container and operable by the refrigerating unit to freeze water in the-container, means toV force the air thru the channel,

- a receptacle below the container to receive moisture condensed on the walls of the latter, 'sprinkling means connected with said receptacle to distribute the moisture of condensation into the air in said channel,'and a receptacle with valveequipped drain means in the lower part of said adapted to receive and either to retain the sprinkled water therein or to drain it therefrom.

5. In a domestic type of refrigerator including a cabinet-containing a storage chamber and a machinery chamber having a refrigerating unit therein, an air conditioner comprising an air channel extending thru the cabinet adjacent the storage chamber and including lower inlet means and upper outlet means, a jacket with spaced walls providing an annular water chamber having an openable top and its central part forming part of said channel, a freezing unit in thermal relation 'with said jacket and operable by the refrigerating unit, means to force the air upward thru the channel and jacket, a trough below the jacket to receive moisture of condensation therefrom, a dished air spreader at the lower part of the jacket to spread the air against the inner wall thereof, and sprinkling means depending from the trough to distribute moisture in the air ascending in the channel, whereby said air spreader is adapted to contain water, and it with the open jacket and the sprinkler are adapted to humidify the circulating air.

6. The subject matter set forth in claim 5, wherein the trough is spaced below the jacket, adapting the cool air from around the outside of the jacket to be drawn thru said space and forced along upward with the air flowing thru the jacket.

7. In a domestic type of refrigerator including a cabinet having a lower chamber containing a refrigerating unit and an insulated storage chamber above the same, air conditioning means in the cabinet comprising an air inlet at the lower part of thev cabinet and an air channel arising therefrom along the storage chamber having air outlet means with deflecting means at its upper end, heat exhausting means to discharge heated air from said lower chamber to a point remote therefrom, trough means at the upper part of said air channel and provided with means to spray moisture into the ascending air, an annular water jacket above said trough means and spaced above the same to provide an air circulating space therebetween, the central part of the jacket providing the upper part of the air channel, and means below said trough and protected thereby from moisture of the jacket, adapted to force the air thru said channel and outlet means.

8. The subject matter set forth in claim 7, wherein the spraying means are depended from the lower-end of the trough into the air channel, the top of the water jacket is adapted to be held open, and moisture containing means with valve-controlled drain means is provided at the bottom of said channel adjacent the inlet means, whereby to humidify the air.

9. In a domestic type of refrigerator including a cabinet provided with a chamber having a refrigerating unit therein, exhaust means to discharge heated air from said chamber and unit, an air channel extending thru the cabinet and provided with a lower inlet and an upper outlet,

an annular water jacket at the upper end of said air channel and forming a part thereof, a water receptacle below the jacket to receive moisture of condensation from the same, a freezing unit in thermal relation with said jacket and actuatedby said refrigerating unit, fan means below said water container and protected thereby from moisture of the jacket, adapted to force the air un thru said channel and outlet means, means placed centrally in the lower part of the jacket to spread the air toward the inner wall thereof, and means depending from thereceptacle to convey moisture therefrom.

10. The subject matter set forth in claim 9, wherein the top of the water jacket is adapted to be held open, and the air spreading means is dish-shaped adapted to contain water therein, adapting the device for humidifying the circulating air.

11. 'I'he subject matter set forth in claim 9, wherein said depending means includes means to sprinkle moisture into the air channel, the top of the water jacket is adapted `to be held open, the air spreading means is adapted to contain water therein, and moisture receiving means with valve-controlled means-is provided at the .cluding an inlet part with air inlet means and an outlet part with air outlet means thereon, a jacket with spaced walls providing an annular water chamber mounted in said outlet part and forming part of said channel, a freezing unit-in thermal relation with said jacket and a primary cooling coil in said inlet part and connected with said unit, both being actuated by said refrigerating unit, means to receive moisture of condensation from said jacket and to distribute it in the air in said channel, and means to force the air thru said channel for conditioning the same.

13. In a domestic type of refrigerator including a cabinet containing'a machinery chamber with a refrigerating unit therein and a storage chamber insulated therefrom, an air conditioner in said cabinet comprising an air channel including an inlet chamber with air inlet means extending along said storage chamber and an outlet chamber Ahaving air outlet means with air deecting means thereon, means to conduct heated air from saidv machinery chamber-to a point remote therefrom, a jacket with spacedwalls providing an annular water chamber mounted in said outlet chamber and forming part of said air charmel, a blower fan mounted between said two chambers to force the air thru said channel, a trough spaced below said jacket to receive condensed'moisture from the latter and protect the fan from said moisture, a freezing unit in ther- Amal relation with said jacket and a primary cooling coil in said inlet chamber, both being actuated by said refrigerating unit. and means connected with said trough to sprinkle moisture into the air in said channel.

14. In a domestic type of refrigerator including a cabinet containing a machinery chamber with a refrigerating unit therein and a storage chamber insulated therefrom, an air conditioner in said cabinet comprising an air channelincluding an inlet chamber with inlet means at'the lower end and an outlet chamber with outlet means at the upper end, a jacket with spaced walls providing an annular water chamber positioned adjacent said outlet means and forming part of the channel, sets of coils actuated by the refrigerating unit and including a primary coil in the inlet chamber and a pair of freezing coils. one placed in the water between the walls of the jacket and the other placed in the air channel adjacent the inner jacket wall, means to receive moisture of condensation from, said jacket and to conduct the same away therefrom. and means to force air thru said channel.

15. 'I'he subject matter set forth inl claim 14, wherein the moisture conducting means includes valve-controlled drain means and also valvecontrolled sprinkling means, either one being selectively usable to serve either in dehydrating the air or in molstening the air.

16. The subject matter set forth in claim 14, wherein the moisture conducting means is provided with sprinkling means in the air channel. dished means is provided in the jacket to spread the air against its inner wall and the coils inward thereof, said dished means is adapted to contain water, and the top of the water jacket is adapted l to be retained open, whereby to humidify the circulating air.

17. A devicebf the character described comprising a cabinet containing a machinery chamber with a refrigerating unit therein, air conditioning means in lsaid cabinet containing an air channel extending therethru and including an inlet part with air inlet means at one end and air outlet means with adjustable deiiecting means at the other end, a jacket with spaced walls providing an annular water chamber with an openable top mounted near said outlet means and its central part forming part of said channel,l

cooling means including a main cooling unit associated with said jacket and primary cooling coils mounted in sa.d inlet part and connected with said cooling unit, both being actuated by said refrigerating unit, means to force the air thru said channel, means to spread the air against the inner wall of the jacket, means to receive moisture of condensation from said jacket and said cooling unit, means on the receptacle means to distribute said moisture into the air in said channel, drain means on said receptacle means, and control-valve means adapted to shut oi either said distributing means or said drain means while the other remains operative.

18. A combination air conditioner andrefrigerator comprising a cabinet containing a refrigerating unit with a driving motor, an insulated storage chamber containing a. cooling unit actuated by said refrigerating unit, an air channel extending thru the cabinet and including lower inlet means and upper outlet means, an annular water Jacket interposed in the channel near the outlet means, a chilling unit associated with the jacket and operable by the refrigerating unit, control means for shutting-off the chilling unit, a moisture receptacle beneath the jacket and being provided with valve-controlled drain means and also with valve-controlled sprinkling means extending into said channel, adapted to selectively utilize either the drain means or the sprinkling means to either dehydrate the circulating air or to rehumidify the same, air forcing means inthe channel and a' driving member therefor, and control means for retaining either said driving member or said driving motor inactive while the other is active, adapting the device to be utilized only as a refrigerator or likewise only as an air circulating mechanism, 'or both in combination.

19. A combination air conditioner and refrigerator comprising a cabinet containing a machinery chamber at its lower end having a refrigerating unit therein, means to conduct heated air from said chamber, an insulated storage chamber in said cabinet containing a cooling unit actuated by said refrlgerating unit, an air channel extending thru the cabinet and including lower inlet means and also upper outletv means provided with readily adjustable and removable deflecting means thereon, an annular water jacket interposed in said channel and its central part providing an air passage adjacent the outlet means, a freezing unit including coils positioned in the water in said jacket and also coils positioned in said air passage, said unit being operable by the refrigerating unit, means for forcing air thru -the channel, deilecting means interposed in the channel above said forcing means to direct air toward the inner wall of said jacket, a moisture receptacle. beneath the jacket and provided with sprinkling means adapted to moisten the circulating air, a drain pipe depending from said receptacle, control valve means for said sprinkling means and also for said pipe, to' selectively shut-off either one thereof and utilize the other, and control means for said freezing unit, whereby to render it either inoperative or operative along with said cooling unit of the storage chamber.

PIETRO MANISCALCO.

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