US2268381A - Refrigeration - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 30, 1941.

G. A. BRACE REFRIGERATION Filed Jan. 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEY Geo/ye A.Bmce

Patent 2d Dec. 30, 1941 REFRIGERATION George A. Brace, Winnetka, Ill., assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton; Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application January 3, 1938, Serial No. 182,982

22 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerating systems and more particularly to a novel device for circulating fluids in absorption refrigeration systerns.

Heretoiore, it has been common practice to circulate the absorption solution and pressure equalizing medium in absorption refrigerating systems by means of separate pumping devices or by a pumping device and by gravity. Heat operated pumping devices are disadvantageous in that the rate of circulation of the liquid is proportional to the rate or heat supplied to the generator or other parts of the apparatus, and power-driven circulators have the disadvantage that they require moving parts to be exposed to the corrosive atmosphere generally prevailing within all parts of refrigerating systems. Furthermore, many problems are encountered relating to corrosion resistance, liquid seals for moving parts, and repair of moving parts sealed within a high pressure system.

According to this invention there is provided a refrigerating system in which a plurality of fluids are circulated positively by a power-driven means but without there being any moving parts within the refrigerating system, the circulation is entirely independent of the rate of heat supplied to the generator or of the density difierential existing between a plurality of gas columns at difierent temperatures and concentration. No mechanism is exposed to the corrosive atmosphere within the system, and all mechanical parts are readily accessible for repair and service without discharging or afiecting therefrigerating system per se in any manner.

According to the invention a single powerdriven device positively circulates liquid through its circuit and this liquid is utilized to propel a gas through its circuit as the liquid is falling from one elevation toanother. The liquid circulates through a pumping and cooling system into a gas pump wherein it is divided into a plurality of falling bodies which serve to circulate the inert gas. Variation in the rate of gas and liquid flow is achieved by varying the amplitude of movement of the pumping device and by varying the effective discharge area of certain portions of the liquid pump.

Emcient absorption is assured by reason of the fact that a portion of the liquid utilized to circulate the gas is recirculated repeatedly through a long tortuous pumping system which is exposed to the air while being rapidly vibrated therethrough whereby the absorption solution is cooled to a relatively low temperature.

More specifically, the invention proposes a system wherein absorption solution is caused to be elevated to a high elevation in a series of steps by imparting to confined bodies thereof a surging or wave-like motion whereby the crest of the wave or surge so created will overflow a small dam to a region of higher elevation. The liquid so elevated is caused to fall through a series of tubes in a series of spaced slugs of liquid and to propel bodies of gas trapped between the slugs through a gas circuit.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a refrigerating system embodying my invention;

Eigure 2 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a detail sectional plan view of my pumping element;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figures 5 and 6 are fragmentary detail views illustrating a modified form of drive mechanism for my pumping element.

Figure '7 illustrates a modified form of solution divider and gas pump taken on the line 'l-l of Figure 8.

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view of Figure '7.

Figure 9 illustrates a modified form of solution circuit.

For purposes of convenience I have illustrate my invention as being applied to a continuous three-fluid absorption refrigerating system, but it is to be understood that it is equally applicable to other types of apparatus and to other circulatory systems.

Referring now to the drawings and first to Figures 1 and 2 thereof, there is illustrated a refrigerating system comprising a boiler B, an analyzer D, a rectifier R, a condenser C, an evaporator E, an absorber A, and a pumping device P driven by an electric motor M, which are suitably connected by various conduits to form a plurality of gas and liquid circuits.

The system just described is charged with a refrigerant such as ammonia, an absorbent such as water, and a pressure equalizing medium such as nitrogen or hydrogen. The boiler B is heated in any suitable manner as by an electric cartridge heater or a gas burner. The source of heat for the boiler B and the current for the electrical motor M are controlled by any suitable mechanism and in any preferred manner. A preferred control mechanism is illustrated in the co-pending application of Curtis C. Coons, filed June 16, 1937, Serial No. 148,424.

The boiler B contains a solution of a refrigerant in an absorbent which liberates refrigerant vapor when heated. Refrigerant vapor generated in the boiler passes upwardly through the analyzer D in counterflow relationship with strong absorption solution flowing downwardly therethrough. Any vapor of absorption solution which may be carried into the analyzer D condenses therein, the heat of condensation serving to generate more refrigerant vapor from the liquid in the analyzer. The refrigerant vapor is conducted from the analyzer D into a condenser C, which is preferably air cooled, through a conduit II which includes an air cooled rectifier R. The rectifier R condenses any vapor of absorption solution which may pass through the analyzer.

The weak solution formed in the boiler by the generation of refrigerant vapor is conveyed,

therefrom through a conduit l2, the inner path of a liquid heat exchanger i3, a conduit I4, and a resilient cooling coil I 5, which opens into the lower portion of the pump chamber P, the operation of which will be described more fully hereinafter. The bottom of the pump P extends slightly below the normal liquid level in the boiler-analyzer BD whereby to insure that the pump will be supplied with liquid by gravity. The liquid elevated through the pump is discharged therefrom into a resilient cooling coil i6 which in turn discharges through a conduit ll into the upper portion of a gas pump chamber II.

The pump chamber 18 is supplied with lean gas leaving the absorber by means of a conduit IS. The solution is discharged intermittently through the-conduit H by reason of the intermittent action of the pump P which will be described more fully hereinafter.v As the liquid discharges into the chamber l8, it leaves the outlet of the conduit i1 and strikes a wedge-shaped member 29 which divides the same into a plurality of globules. The globules of liquid flow downwardly along the oppositely inclined side of the wedge 20 into the inlets of a pair of small diameter gas pumping conduits 22 which are positioned on opposite sides of the wedge-shaped member 20 and open into the bottom of the pump chamber i8. Due to the spaced or intermittent discharge of liquid into the chamber 20, the globules discharging down the wedge member 20 will fall in to the conduits 22 and push a quantity of gas ahead of them downwardly through these conduits. A smaller or greater number of gas pumping conduits may be used if desired. Gas within the chamber 18 will be pulled into the conduits behind the falling globules of liquid and will in turn be sealed by the next discharge of liquid through the conduit ll wherefor the conduits 22 function as pumping devices discharging a series of alternately arranged slugs of gas and liquid into a gas and liquid separation chamber 23. It is apparent that the discharge of liquid into the coil Hi from the pump is intermittent. Consequently, the liquid is supplied intermittently to the gas chamber and spacing of the globules supplied to the conduit 22 is assured.

A downwardly extending imperforate baffle plate extends from the top to a point spaced a slight distance above the bottom of the chamber 23. The absorber A opens into a chamber 2! on the side of the partition 24 opposite to that on which the conduit 22 discharges liquid and glass and substantially above the level of the bottom of the partition 24 whereby the liquid seals the space beneath the partition from passage of gas between the two chambers within the gas separation chamber 23.

A larger volume of absorption liquid is required to circulate the inert gas than is required to circulate between the boiler and absorber. Therefore, in order to insure proper circulation of inert gas and absorption liquid, I prefer to recirculate a portion of the absorption liquid through the pump P. This is accomplished by providing a finned air-cooled conduit 25 between the gas separation chamber 22 and the weak solution line ll. Preferably the conduit 25 terminates within the chamber thereof as viewed in Figure 1, and at such a level that the solution is properly divided between the conduit 25 and the inlet to the absorber A.

The gas forced through the conduit 22 is trapped in the right hand side of the separation chamber 22 as viewed in Figure l, and is conveyed therefrom by a conduit 25 to a gas heat exchanger 21. The inert gas leaves the gas heat exchanger and enters the lower portion of the evaporator E through which it flows upwardly in counterflow to refrigerant liquid which is supplied to the top of the evaporator E through a conduit 28 leading from the condenser C. The rich gas formed in the evaporator E by the evaporation of the liquid to produce refrigeration is conveyed therefrom through a conduit 29, the inner pass of the gas heat exchanger 21, and a conduit ill into the bottom portion of the absorber A. The rich gas flows upwardly through the absorber A in counterflow relationship to weak solution flowing downwardly therethrough from the separation chamber 22 whereby the refrigerant vapor is absorbed by the liquid and the resulting weak gas is conveyed from the upper end of the absorber into the pumping chamber II by the conduit II as previously described. Rich solution formed in the absorber A flows downwardly therethrough into a solution reservoir 8| from which it is conveyed through a conduit 22, the outer pass of the liquid heat exchanger II, and a conduit 23 into the upper portion of the analyzer D.

It will be understood that the disclosure of the refrigerating system just described is entirely diagrammatic with the exception of the pumping device P, the coils I5, I 5, and. the gas pumping structure, which are to be described more fully hereinafter. The various elements of the system with the exception of the elements Just enumerated may be of any specific construction or form desired.

Referring now to Figures 1, 3. and 4,-it will be seen thatthe pump P comprises an elongated inclined sealed box-like chamber ll which is supported at its ends by the resilient cooling coils l5 and I5. The casing II is lnteriorly divided into a plurality of wedge-shaped compartments 42 by means of a plurality of partitions 43 which extend completely across the interior of the casing and from the top to the bottom thereof. The higher or upstream partition of each compartment 42 is provided with a small triangular cut-out 44 positioned in the top apex portion thereof. The apex of the triangular cut-out is at the bottom thereof and merges with the apex of the compartment.

23, on the left hand side The motor M is suitably rigidly mounted by means of a bracket attached in any suitable manner to a rigid supporting surface. The drive shaft of the motor is provided with a crank wheel 52. A connecting rod 53 is pivotally mounted in one of the openings 52' in the wheel 52. The openings 52' are staggered out from the center of the wheel 52 whereby the amplitude of movement of the pump may be varied. The free end of the connecting rod 53 is pivotally connected at 54 to an ear 55 formed integrally with the casing 4| whereby rotation of the motor will impart a transverse oscillation or vibration to the casing 41, as viewed in Figures 3 and 4. The solution coils l5 and 16 provide flexible or resilient mountings for the casing 4| whereby it may oscillate or vibrate without imposing an excessive strain on any portion of the fluid confining elements of the refrigerating system.

The motor M imparts an oscillatory or vibrating movement to the casing H which causes the liquid contained in the wedge-shaped compartments to surge from side to side therein. As the liquid surges toward the apices of the compartments 4!, the wedge shape thereof causes the liquid to rise to a relatively great height whereby a portion thereof spills over through the openings 44 into the next higher compartment. The liquid does not spill downhill through the openings 44 for the reason that the downstream opening H of any individual compartment 42 is at the wide end of the wedge whereby the liquid head or crest on the surging liquid is not sumciently great to reach the bottom portion of that opening, but, if the liquid does reach the downstream opening only a small portion of the liquid will spill through the small lower portion of the opening. The liquid is elevated with a step by step motion from compartment to compartment from the bottom to the top of the casing H. The amplitude of movement of the casing II is not large enough to impose any excessive strains upon the supporting coils l5 and 15. The amplitude of movement of the casing 4! may be varied by mounting the connecting rod 53 in different openings 52. In general, an increase in the amplitude of movement of the casing ll increases the surging action and the rate of circulation of the absorption liquid.

The fins on the pump P move rapidly through the air thereby effectively cooling the pump and its contents. The cooling action is enhanced by the extremely turbulent conditions prevailing within the pump chamber which causes the liquid continuously to be agitated and to strike and wipe the various walls of the pump casing.

A modified driving means for the pump chamber H is disclosed in Figures 5 and 6. The pump casing 4!, the motor M, the ear 55, the crank wheel 52, and the staggered openings 52 are the same as those disclosed in connection with Figures 3 and 4 and the' same reference characters are used. The connecting rod of Figures 3 and '4 is replaced by a spring H. The ends of the spring 81 are provided with eyes 62 which are received in grooves 64 formed in studs rigidly attached to the ear 55 and the crank wheel 52. The studs 64 may be mounted in any one or the openings 52' in order to vary amplitude of movement of the casing 4 i.

In this form of drive mechanism there is no rigid connection between the motor and the pump casing 4| whereby the movement of the pump casing is free and entirely under the pull 'ment i2.

of the resilient coils l5 and i6 and the resilient spring 8 I.

There is disclosed in Figures 7 and 8 a modified form of gas pumping chamber and liquid dividing means. Those elements disclosed in Figures 7 and 8 which are identical with or closely correspond to functionally equivalent parts in Figures 1 and 2 are given the same reference characters. The gas separation chamber I8 is supplied with liquid from the pump through a conduit l1 and with gas from the absorber through the conduit IS. A plurality of gas pumping conduits 22, five being shown, open into the bottom of the gas chamber l8. As the liquid is discharged into the chamber l8 from the conduit II it falls into a liquid receiving trough 45 which supports a dividing wick 48. One end of the wick extends downwardly into the bottom of the trough and the other end thereof hangs downwardly outside thereof to a point closely adjacent the point of connection between the conduit !8 and the gas conduits 22. The liquid supplied to the trough flows through the wick 48 by capillary action and divides between a plurality of separated downwardly depending drop wicks 4'! which terminate in sharp points. The pointed ends of each of the drop wicks is positioned directly above a fall tube gas pump conduit 22. Any desired number of drop wicks 41 and gas pump conduits 22 may be provided. Globules of liquid form on the wicks ll and drip from the pointed ends thereof into the ends of the gas pump conduits 22 thereby causing gas to be pumped through the conduits in the manner explained in connection with Figures 1 and 2. A wick provides a ready means whereby equal division of the liquid into any number of equal parts is simply and surely accomplished. Also the wicking provides a ready means for causing separated bodies or globules of the liquid to fall in series into each of the gas pumping conduits 22.

In Figure 9 there is disclosed a modification of the solution circuit of the refrigerating system of Figure l. The system is identical with disclosed in Figure 1 except in the particulars de fined below. Similar reference characters have been used to designate identical parts appearing in Figure l. The weak solution is conveyed from the boiler 33 to the pump chamber il through the conduit l2, liquid heat exchanger 53, con duit i i, and coil 55, as in Figure l. The strong solution is conveyed from the solution reservoir 35 into the analyzer 1) through the conduit 32, liquid heat exchanger i3, and the conduit 35 as in Figure l. The finned air-cooled conduit 25, however, communicates the conduit id with the solution reservoir 35 instead of the separation chamber 23. The reservoir 35 is provided with an upstanding partition iii terminating short of the top wall thereof which divides the reservoir into compartments ii and 12. The strong solution discharges from the absorber A through the conduit 3% into the reservoir "ii to which is connected the conduit 32. The recirculating conduit 25 opens into the chamber 12. A wick 33 passes over the partition it into the compartments H and 12. The length of the wick in the compartment ii is less than the length in the compart- The pump P normally maintains the liquid level in the compartment 72 below the end of the wick. The flow of solution from compartment ii to compartment I2 is determined by the relative lengths of the wick sections and the specific wick structure. The level oi the end of the wick in compartment 1! determines the approximate maximum liquid head causing flow to the analyzer; in practice this liquid head is substantially constant.

In operation all liquid circulated through the pump and its associated cooling system is circulated through the absorber whereby the large volume of very cool liquid in the absorber maintains the absorbing temperature at a relatively low value and promotes efiicient absorption.

It will be seen from the detailed description above that the refrigerating system disclosed herein provides a means whereby the absorption solution is positively circulated by a power-driven means which is hermetically sealed from the corrosive substance within the refrigerating system per se. Furthermore, the rate of solution circulation i entirely independent of the rate of heat supplied to the boiler. The power driving mechanism is readily accessible for servicing and repair without discharging the refrigerating system or opening any part thereof. This invention is particularly advantageous in that it provides a means whereby the inert gas may be circulated in direct proportion to the rate of circulation of the absorption solution.

The recirculation of the solution through the finned air cooled pump chamber P and its sup porting cooling coils l5 and i6 insures that relatively cool absorption solution shall be supplied to the absorber. Therefore, weak solution in contact with the weak gas in the gas pumping,

mechanism and the gas outlet portion of the absorber is at a relatively low temperature, and it will efficiently remove the refrigerant vapor from the inert gas stream. A. much larger quantity of absorption solution than that required by the absorber must be circulated through the pump in order to circulate the requiredquantity of inert gas through the inert gas circuit. Therefore, it may be necessary to recirculate absorption solution through the pumping mechanism, but, as pointed out above, this increases the eiliciency of the system by providing an extensive solution cooling circuit.

While I have illustrated and described but a single embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of expression in numerous constructional variations and in other environments without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Absorption refrigerating apparatus comprising a boiler, an absorber, an evaporator, pumping means for elevating weak solution from said boiler to a higher elevation, power-operated means for driving said pumping means, a gas chamber connected to receive gas from said absorber and liquid from said pumping means, a plurality of liquid operated gas pumps connected to said chamber, mean for dividing liquid supplied to said chamber between said gas pumps, means for conveying liquid discharged from said gas pumps into said absorber, means conveying gas discharged from said pumps to said evaporator, means forconveying gas from said evaporator to said absorber, means for conveying strong solution from said absorber to said boiler, and means for cooling a portion of the'liquid circulated through said gas chamber and for conveying such cooled liquid directly to the inlet of said pumping means.

2. Fluid circulating apparatus comprising a pumping element, means resiliently mounting said element, said element comprising an elongated inclined vessel. a plurality of wedge-shaped compartments in said vessel, the upper portion of the apex of each of said compartments being constructed and arranged to allow liquid to overflow on the higher side thereof, power-driven means for vibrating said element and hermetically sealed therefrom, a gas chamber connected to receive liquid from the upper end of inclined vessel, a plurality of liquid operated gas pumps communicating with said chamber, mean for supplying gas to said chamber, and means for directing liquid discharged from said inclined vessel into said gas pumps.

3. Absorption refrigerating apparatus comprising a boiler, a condenser connected to said boiler, an evaporator connected to said condenser, an absorber connected to return strong solution to said boiler, means for conveying weak solution from said boiler to said absorber including a pump chamber, a pair of cooling coils supporting said pump chamber, power-driven means for said pump chamber hermetically sealed from the fluid in said chamber, a solution operated gas pump receiving solution from said chamber, means for returning one portion of the solution supplied to said gas pump to the supporting coil discharging into said pump chamber, mean for conveying the balance of the solution to said absorber, and an inert gas circuit including said evaporator, said absorber and said g s pump.

4. Hermetically sealed absorption refrigerating apparatus comprising a pressure equalizing medium circuit including an evaporator and an absorber, a solution circuit including said absorber and a boiler, means for supplying liquid refrigerant to said evaporator, a vibratory pump connected to circulate absorption solution through said boiler and said absorber, means for circulating pressure equalizing medium through its circuit by solution circulated by said pump, and power driven means outside said system having a resilient adjustable driving connection to said pump for operating the same.

-5. In combination with an absorption refrigerating system of the three-fluid type, a gas and liquid pumping mechanism comprising a vibratory pump chamber, means for movably mounting said pump chamber and for supplying liquid to be pumped to said chamber, liquid operated gas pumping means connected to receive liquid from said chamber, mean for conveying gas to be pumped to said gas pumping means, and a drive element operatively connected to said pump chamber and hermetically sealed therefrom.

6. In combination with an absorption refrigerating system of the three-fluid type, a gas and liquid pumping mechanism comprising a vibratory pump chamber, means for movably mounting said pump chamber and for supplying liquid to be pumped to said chamber, liquid operated gas pumping means connected to receive liquid from said chamber, means for conveying gas to be pumped to said gas pumping means, a drive element operatively connected to said pump chamber and hermetically sealed therefrom, and means for returning a portion of the liquid discharged by said gas pumping mean directly to the inlet portion of said chamber for recirculation therethrough.

7. In combination with an absorption refrigerating system of the three-fluid type, a gas and liquid pumping mechanism comprising a vibratory pump chamber, means movably mounting said pump chamber and for supplying liquid to be pumped to said chamber. a plurality of fall tube gas pumps, means for supplying gas to be pumped thereto, and means discharged from said chamber and for periodically supplying bodies thereof into each of said fall tube pumps. 1

8. Gas and liquid pumping mechanism comprising an elongated chamber inclined upwardly in the direction of liquid flow, means resiliently mounting said chamber, means dividing said chamber into a plurality of wedge-shaped compartments having overflow openings at the top up-stream apex portions thereof, a liquid operated gas pump connected to receive liquid discharged by said chamber, means for supplying gas to be pumped to said gas pump, and a driving element hermetically sealed from said gas and liquid and having a resilient driving connection with said pump.

9. Absorption refrigerating apparatus including a boiler and an absorber, power operated means for circulating absorption solution through said boiler and absorber comprising a vibratory pump having no relatively moving parts, a motor operatively connected to said pump to'operate the same, and means for returning a portion of the solution circulated through said pump to said pump for recirculation thereby and for cooling such returned solution.

10. Absorption refrigerating apparatus including a boiler, an absorber, an evaporator, means for liquefying refrigerant vapor produced insaid boiler and for supplying the liquid to said evaporator, means connecting said absorber and said evaporator to form an inert gas circuit including a liquid operated gas pump, means connecting said boiler and said absorber to form an absorption solution circuit including said gas pump and a liquid pump having no relatively moving parts, said liquid pump being arranged to discharge into said gas pump, a motor for operating said liquid pump, said absorption solution circuit including for receiving liquid vice to said gas chamber, means for supplying gas to said gas chamber, a plurality of gas pumping conduits opening into said gas chamber, and a plurality of capillary conveyors positioned to receive liquid supplied to said chamber and supply spaced bodies of the liquid into said gas pumping conduits.

13. Absorption refrigerating apparatus including a boiler, an evaporator, a condenser, and an absorber connected to form a refrigerating system, said system including a pumping means for circulating absorption solution between'said absorber and said boiler, said pumping means having no internally moving parts means for conveying a portion of the absorption solution which passes through said gas pump directly to said liquid pump for recirculation through said gas pump and said liquid pump.

11. Absorption refrigerating apparatus comprising an evaporator and absorber, a boiler, means for liquefying refrigerant vapor produced in said boiler and for supplying the liquid to said evaporator, means for conducting inert gas between said evaporator and said absorber and for conducting absorption solution between said boiler and said absorber, said conducting means including a fluid circulating means operable to circulate inert gas' and absorption solution, said fluid circulating means including a fluid pump operable to circulate fluid when moved bodily and having no relatively moving parts, said conducting means being constructed and arranged to allow operative movement of said pumping means, and power operated means positioned externally of the fluid confining walls of the apparatus and arranged to operate said fluid circu- Eating means.

12. Fluid circulating apparatus comprising a liquid elevating device having all parts thereof fixed immovably with respect to each other and operable to elevate liquid when moved bodily, power operated means for imparting bodily movement to said liquid elevating means, a gas chamber, means arranged to allow bodily movement of said elevating device for supplying liquid thereto and for conveying liquid from said elevating deand operable by bodily movement to pump liquid, means for conveying absorption sol'utionfrom said boiler to said pumping means and from said pumping means to said absorber, means for returning absorption solution from said absorber to said boiler, and air-cooled means for returning to said pumping means for recirculation a portion of the absorption solution discharged by said pumping means.

14. Hermetically sealed absorption refrigerating apparatus including a boiler, an absorber, a generator, means for liqueiying refrigerant vapor produced in said boiler and for supplying the liquid to said evaporator, an absorption solution pump having all parts thereof immovably con-.- nected and operable to circulate absorption solution when subjected to bodily movement, an upstanding gas pumping conduit connected to said evaporator and to said absorber to circulate a pressure equalizing medium therebetween, means including said absorption solution pump and said gas pumping conduit arranged to convey absorption solution from said boiler to said absorber and to return absorption solution from said absorber to said boiler, said last mentioned means including means arranged to supply spaced bodies of absorption solution to the upper portion of said gas pumping conduit, and means for imparting bodily movement to said absorption solution pump.

15.'Hermetically sealed absorption refrigerating apparatus including a boiler, an absorber, a generator, means for liquefying refrigerant vapor produced in said boiler and for supplying the liquid to said evaporator, an absorption solution pump having all parts thereof immovably connected and operable to circulate absorption solution when subjected to bodily movement, a plurality of upstanding gas pumping conduits connected to said evaporator and to said absorber to circulate a pressure equalizing medium therebetween, means including said absorption solution pump and said gas pumping conduits arranged to convey absorption solution from said boiler to said absorber and to return absorption solution from said absorber to said boiler, said last mentioned means including means arranged to supply spaced bodies of absorption solution to the upper portions of said gas pumping conduits, and means for imparting bodily movement to said absorption solution pump.

16. Hermetically sealed absorption refrigerating apparatus including a boiler, an absorber, a generator, means for liquefying refrigerant vapor produced in said boiler and for supplying the liquid to said evaporator, an absorption soluevaporator, a ll absorber, means including said absorption solution pump and said gas pumping conduits arranged to convey absorption solution from said boiler to said absorber and to return absorption solution from said absorber to said boiler, said last mentioned means including a plurality of capillary conveyors each of which is associated with one of said gas pumping conduits and is constructed and arranged to discharge spaced bodies of liquid into the upper portion of such associated conduit, and power driven means for imparting bodily movement to said absorption solution pump.

17. Hermetically sealed absorption refrigerating apparatus including a boiler, an absorber, a generator, means for liquefying refrigerant vapor produced in said boiler and for supplying the liquid to said evaporator, an absorption solution pump having all parts thereof immovably con-' nected and operable to circulate absorption solution when subjected to bodily movement,'a plurality of upstanding gas pumping conduits connected in circuit to circulate a pressure equalizing medium between said evaporator and said absorber, means including said absorption solution pump and said gas pumping conduits arranged to convey absorption solution from said boiler to said absorber and to return absorption solution from said absorber to said boiler, said last mentioned means including a trough to which absorption solution is supplied by said absorption solution pump, a wick having a part thereof immersed in said trough and separate depending portions each disposed to discharge into the upper end of one of said conduits, and power driven means for imparting bodily movement to said absorption solution pump. I

18. Absorption refrigerating apparatus comprising an absorber, an evaporator, a boiler, means for liqueiying refrigerant vapor produced in said boiler and for supplying the liquid to said chamber and means fixedly mounted within said chamber arranged to circulate liquid therethrough when said chamber is vibrated, power driven means arranged to vibrate said chamber, a liquid operated gas circulating device arranged to circulate inert gas between said absorber and said evaporator, and means connecting said gas circulating device, said absorber, said boiler and said pumping chamber in an absorption solution circuit whereby operation of said pumping device serves to circulate inert gas and absorption solution.

19. Absorption refrigerating apparatus comprising an absorber, an evaporator, a boiler,

means for liquefying refrigerant vapor produced in said boiler and for supplying the liquid to said evaporator, a liquid pump comprising an elongated inclined pumping chamber, a plurality of wedge-shaped chambers in said pumping chamber having overflow openings on the upstream, top, means, means includin forming a circuit for t i apex'portlons thereof, fall tube gas pumping g said gas pumping means inert gas circulation 'beween said evaporator and said absorber, means ncluding said pumping chamber and said gas quid pump comprisinga pumping pumping means forming a circuit for absorption solution circulation between said absorber and said boiler, and power operated meanspositioned outside the fluid confining walls of said apparatus and arranged to impartlpumping movement to said pumping chamber.

, 20. Absorption refrigerating apparatus comprising an absorber, an evaporator, a boiler, means for liquefying refrigerant'vapor produced in said boiler and ior'supplying the liquid to said evaporator, a liquid pump comprising an elongated inclined pumping chamber, a plurality of wedge-shaped chambers in said pumping chamber having overflow openings on the upstream, top, apex portions thereof, fall tube 8 5 pumping means, means including said gas pumping means forming a circuit for inert gas circulation between said evaporator and said absorber, means 'including said pumping chamber pumping means forming a circuit solution circulation between said said boiler, means for conducting the solution flowing through said fa means directly to said pumping recirculation therethrough, and power operated means positioned outside the fluid confining walls of said apparatus and arranged to impart pumping movement to said pumping chamber.

21. Absorption refrigerating apparatus comprising an absorber, an evaporator, a boiler, means for liquefying refrigerant vapor produced in said boiler and for supplying the liquid to said evaporator, a liquid pump comprising an elon-. gated inclined pumping chamber, a plurality of wedge-shaped chambers in said pumping chamber having overflow openings on the upstream, top, apex portions thereof, gas pumping means comprising a plurality of upstanding gas pumping conduits, a liquid receiving vessel adjacent the upper portion of said gas pumping conduits and capillary conveying means arranged to receive liquid from said pumping chamber and to discharge spaced bodies thereof into said conduits, means including said gas pumping means forming a circuit for inert gas circulation between said evaporator and said absorber, means including said pumping chamber and said gas pumping means forming a circuit for absorption solution circulation between said absorber and said boiler, and power operated means positioned outside the fluid confining walls of said apparatus and arranged to impart pumping movement to said pumping chamber.

22. Gas and liquid circulating apparatus comprising a pair of spaced coils positioned at different elevations, a vibratory liquid elevatinga'levice comprising an in ed upon and con for absorption absorber and a portion of 11 tube Dump chamber for nected to said coils, an electrical motor for vibrating said pumping chamber and hermetically sealed therefro a gas chamber connected to one end of the highest of said coils, a gas inlet conduit connected to said gas chamber, and a plurality of fall tube gas pumps conrbizcted to the bottom portion of said gas cham- GEO. A. BRACE.

and said gas clined pumping chamber mount-.

Images