US2278763A - Refrigerator car - Google Patents

Description

C. D. BONSALL*` REFRIGERATOR GAR Filed Nov. 2, y1952s 5 sheets-'sheet 1 April- 7-, 1942.

April 7', 1942. c. D. BoNsALl. 2,278,763

" REFRIGERATOR CAR Filed Nov. 2, '1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 fnl/e/v/f... Char/ejomw/ l l 'T rf" l i l l l April 7;-r 1942.

c. D. BoNsALL 2,278,763

REFRIGERATOR CAR Filed Nov. 2, 1938 5 sheets-.sheet 3 Patented "`Apr. 7, 1942 REFRIGERATOR CAR Chariesvn. Bonsall, Pittsburgh, Pa., assigner to Standard Railway Devices Company, a corporation of Delaware Original application November 16, 1936, Serial No.

111,058. Divided and this application Novem' ber 2, 1,938, Serial No. 238,441

27 Claims.

The device or system relates to insulated refrigerator cars used to transport perishable commodities, such as vegetables, fruits, berries, meats, eggs, frozen fish, etc., and to maintain such commodities while in transit within a pree determined range of temperatures, thus necessitating the use of a cooling means in the summer and a heating means in the winter. It has been found that perishable commodities which have not been allowed to get too cold (freeze) or too they have a longer storage life.

(Cl. (i2- 17) 'Ihe object of the invention is provide a cooling means in a refrigerator car'which will obtain a lower temperature or a more even temperature of the lading in thevcar than in the present conventional refrigerator car; retard car wall leakage by retarding infiltration of air through the vertical walls of the car; to vary the amount of refrigeration produced without increasing or decreasing theamount of refrigerant; to provide means to refrigerate one side of the car more or less than the other side of the car without increasing or decreasing the amountof refrigerant; to increase the lading capacity of the car; to rapidly reduce the temperature of a warm lading in the car; to provide a car adapt' able to use either wet ice, dry ice, eutectic ice or brine as a refrigerant, and to provide a single refrigerant container in which either a solid or a liquid refrigerant may be used.

Another object of the invention is to obtain a positive circulation of air between a refrigerant chamber and the lading compartment of a refrigerator car; to obtain a relatively short path of movement of the circulating air and a relatively fast movement of the circulating air; thereby obtaining a lower temperature and a more even temperature tothe circulating air, and also obtaining a lower temperature and a more even temperature of thecar lading than in the conventional end bunker refrigerator car. By obtaining .a' lower temperature to the circulating air between the refrigerant and the lading a warm load (such as fruit with the field lheat therein) can be cooled quicker than in the conventional car, thus reducing the amount of spoilage which frequently occurs when the cooling system is Vtoo slow, therefore, another object of the 'invention is to provide a cooling means which can be used to precool a car before it is loaded or precool a warm lading after it is loaded in the. car and before the car is moved.

.Another object of the invention is to provide a positive circulation of air between the refrigerant chamber and lading compartment of a refrigerator car by placing the refrigerant chamber in the upper'part of the lading compartment and providing an uninterrupted insulated `iiue from the refrigerant chamber to an air space below a foraminous secondary floor, and a further object is'to form the floor of the refrigerant chamber to cause the cooled air to mov'e by gravity into the above mentioned ,insulated flue and to form the ceiling ofthe lading compart- -ment to direct the airwarmed by the lading into the refrigerant chamber.

Another object of the invention is to provide a heating means below the lading compartment, or adjacent the lower part thereof (or perhaps in the air space below the foraminous floor) so that said ceiling will direct the air warmed by the heating means into the refrigerant chamber and said chamber floor will cause the relatively cool air to move by gravity into the above mentioned insulated flue. In other words, one of the objects s to so associate and arranged the elements comprising the device so that either air cooled by a refrigerant or air warmed by a heating means will cause positive circulation of air about or through the lading in the car.

Another object is to position a refrigerant container near the roof of the car and adjacent each of the side walls of the car and provide means so that the movements ofthe air current between the respective refrigerants and the lading compartment will be in coextensive vertical planes extending crosswise or laterally of the car. In the present so-called end bunker car a refrigerant chamber is located at each end of the car and as such a, car is about thirty-four feet between end bunker bulkheads, the length of the path of circulating air in one horizontal direction is onehalf of this distance or seventeen feet; whereas in my arrangement, -the length of each path of circulating air in one horizontal direction is about four feet. This means that even though the speed of the movement of air is the same in my car asin the conventional end bunker car (which it is not), the circulating air would more frequently be cooled by the refrigerant which would result in a colder air and a more even temperature of the circulating air and also'a colder lading and amore even temperature of the lading. To obtain the best results with my arrangement the lading should be positioned in the car lwith vertical spaces or ues between the packages or other containers of lading to allow the air to rise and cool the lading. However, this is now customary.

Another object is to so place refrigerant containers near the roof and adjacent the side walls of the car so as to provide flues between the refrigerant and the walls, roof, drip pan and adjacent containers, whereby air may circulate on all six sides of the container, (that is, completely surround it) so as to obtain the maximum area of refrigerant exposure to the circulating air.

Another object of the invention is to provide somewhat yindependent movements of circulating air adjacent each side wall of the car which cooperate to balance eachother under normal conditions and maintain substantially the same temperatures on both sides of the car, and another object is to provide means to cause the refrigerating means or heating means on one'sidev of the c'ar to function more than the corresponding means on the other side of the car. When trains are making long runs from west to east (as from Wenatchee, Washington, to New York, N. Y.,) in the winter it may be desirable to heat the north side of the train more than the south side thereof.

Another object of the vinvention is tolprovide insulation to prevent the air lwhich has been cooled by the refrigerant from entering the lading compartment until it reaches the air space below the secondary foraminous floor, thereby preventing leakage or shorts in the circulating' air system which would decrease the volume of moving air and also reduce its speed. A more shocks of switching, cause considerable racking and weaving of the cars, causing leaky walls, and thus necessitating protection against air entering through the walls of the car.

The. refrigerant being positioned between the lading compartment and the roof of the car constitutes an additional insulation for the upper part of the car so that the amount of insulation in the actual roof of the car may be reduced.

crease the area of the floor space over the conventional car which has a refrigerant bunker in each end of the car extending from the floor to i the ceiling of the car, without increasing the rapid circulation of air causes the air to come in contact more frequently with the refrigerant thereby lowering the temperature of the air so as to increase its heat absorbing capacity. In other words, one of the objects is to provide a positive or forced circulation of air between the refrigerant and the lading in the car.

Another object is to provide a refrigerant container positioned relative to the air flues to cause circulation of air between the refrigerant chamber and the lading compartment of the car in which either a wet ice, dry ice, eutectic ice or brine may be used as a refrigerant, and a further object is to provide a wet ice container (with foraminous walls) in which a dry ice container (with solid walls) may be placed in such a positionl so that the dry ice will function as a refrig- `erant to cause the aforesaid circulation of air between the refrigerant chamber and lading compartment.

Another object of the invention is to arrange the elementscomprising the cooling device so that the cold air moving from the refrigerant forms a blanket around the lading and an additional wall insulation to prevent leakage `of air from the interior to the exterior of the car or -vice versa.

lading. When the car isin heater servicethe air in the side wall and side door nues is warmer than the air outside the car which also retards infiltration of air through the wall. Trains of refrigerator cars hauling perishable commodities The lading next to the Wall is relativelyA l colder and, therefore, protects the rest of the are moved as fast as sixty -miles per hourwhich increases the infiltration of air through the walls and roof of the car. Also the fast movement of long and heavy trains, togetherwith the severe length or Width of the car, and thereby increase the carrying capacity of the car. The conventional car can not be loaded to within less than two feet from the ceiling on account of the high temperature of the atmosphere near the ceiling spoiling the commodity, whereas owing to the colder temperature of the air adjacent the ceiling of the lading compartment of a car of the type herein described and claimed, the lading may bepiled very close to the ceiling without damage to the lading.

Another object of the invention is to attach the refrigerant containers to the car structure so that they can be removed and replaced independently of each other and without disturbing the roof of the car.

Another object is to provide a plurality of refrlgerant containers, preferably arranged in rows near the roof of the car and adjacent each of the side walls, with each of said containers provided with means for loading it with a refrigerant independently of the other containers so that some of the containers may be filled with refrigerants, While the others remain empty or one end only of the car may be refrigerated. The refrigerant containers adjacent the doorways, where the most heat leakage occurs, may be made deeper, Wider or otherwise made to hold more refrigerant. In the above mentioned arrangements a more even distribution of the cold air may "be vprovided.

Another object of the invention is to provide a frame work within the car and to support the refrigerant containers to both such frame work and the roof of the car to take advantage of the great strength of the modern all-steel car roof so as to decrease the weight and cost of the frame Work and the space which it occupies Within the car. Meat racks may be supported by such V'frame work.

-side walls 2-2 of the car.

and an air space 6 between/said floors.

A refrigerant container 8 is positioned near nous floor or floor rack 5 abovethe insulated floorI the roof 3 of the car and adjacent each of the These containers 8 are made with foraminous walls when wet ice or eutectic ice is used as a refrigerant; with solid walls when brine, or dry ice is used as a refrigerant, or partially solid and partially foramincus if desired;`for instance, the foramincus part I may -be used to hold wet ice for precooling the car and lading and the solid part |I may be used to hold dry ice to provide refrigeration in transit.

Each refrigerant container 8 is preferably spaced apart from the roof 3 of the car to provide an air flue I3 therebetween and also preferably spaced apart from the adjacent side wall 2 of the car to provide an air flue I4 therebetween. A hatch opening I5 is provided preferably in the roof of the car above the refrigerant container 8 for filling it with a refrigerant, removing the refrigerant or cleaning the container. The hatch opening may be provided with the usual plug, lid,

locking and supporting mechanisms. I preferably provide a row of refrigerant containers adjacent each eave of the car (see Fig. 3), which are spaced apart (I1) to provide air flues between the ends of the respective containers. In this arrangement the air can completely sur'- round the refrigerant container so that all six sides form cooling areas for the circulating air. The refrigerant containers 8 preferably have horizontal bottoms, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, to retain the refrigerant evenly distributed over the bottom -to maintain alarge area of contact between the circulating air and the refrigerant.

An insulated partition is preferably provided en the inside of eachcar side- (and end) wall 2 and spaced apart therefrom to provide a Vertical wall flue 3| which communicates with the air space 6 below the foramincus floor 5 and also communicates with the air fiues |3|4 having contact with the refrigerant in the refrigerant containers. These air fiues 3| are preferably separated into a plurality of vertical ues so as to create a pull or draft from the refrigerant to the space below the foraminous floor. The verti cal flue 3| is preferably lined on both sides with thin sheets of metal which are preferably painted with brine resisting bituminous material. These metallic sheets of metal protect the side wall 2 and partition 30 from moisture and rotting and also prevent infiltration. v

An insulated partition is provided below each of `the refrigerant containers 8 which preferably also form the floor of the refrigerant chamber. This insulated partition 40 is spaced apart from the refrigerant container so as to provide an air nue 4I therebetween which communicates with the vertical air flue 3| near or in each side wall of the car and. the vertical air iiues in the side door. This partition 4I) is preferably inclined downwardly and outwardly (see Figs'.

.'.through this passageway 50.

1 and 4) so that the air cooled and densiiled by the refrigerant will move by gravity toward and into the vertical flues 3|. Each partition 40 Apreferably comprises a metallic (or otherwise forms a drain. The drain is preferably provided` withv means to discharge such materials outside of the carwhich means is preferably provided with a water seal. A drain 4 4 'independently of the flue may be provided.

The insulated partition 40 may comprise one or more layers of tongue and groove boards with insulation therebetween if desired. l

The insulated partitions 40 on the opposite sides of the car are spaced apart to provide an air passageway 50. adjacent the longitudinal center of the car through which the warm air rises and moves into the refrigerant chambers on opposite sides of the car. The inclined partitions 40 direct the air warmed by the lading into and The margins of the inclined partitions 40 adjacent'the passageway may be provided with insulated members 52 extending upwardly therefrom so as to further raise the bottom of the air entrance ports into therefrigerant chamber above the lower portion of the inclined partition 40 so as to cooperate with the inclined partition to direct the movement of circulation of air. These upstanding members 52 will also serve as splash boards to prevent melted ice or brine from splashing into the lading compartment and will also serve to prevent ice from accidentally getting into the lading compartment when the refrigerant container is being filled. These members 52 are spaced away from the refrigerant container to provide ues 53.

The-.insulated partition 40 below the refrigerant container 8 and the insulated partition 30, below the side wall 2 and the lading compartment are associated to form a continuous uninterrupted insulation from the passageway 50 `to the Y foramincus floor 5 and the air'ue 4I below the refrigerant container 8 and the air flue 3| between the insulated partition y3|lzand the side wall 2 are associated and arranged to provide a continuous uninterrupted air flue for circulating air from the passageway 50 to the space 6 below the foramincus floor 5 so that heat from the lading compartment can not be absorbed by the cold air circulating until the air has reached the space below the foramincus floor; in other words, the cold. in the circulating air can notshort circuit (to use an electrical term) into the lading compartment.

As shown by the arrows in Fig. 4 I provide two circulations of air, each moving in a plane cross- Wise to the car which move theoretically independently of each other, but which in fact cooperate with each other to balance the temperature of the air on opposite sides of the lading compartment of the Icar. 'I'he arrows show that the air warmed by the lading rises upwardly and is guided by the inclined partition 40 into the pull on the cooled air in the side wall ues and also the gravity push of the cooled air in the side wall fiues causes the warmedair in the lading compartment to rise.

In the application of my invention to a refrigerator car, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the refrigerant container 8 for use with vwet ice or eutectlc-ice as a refrigerant, comprises a metallic frame 60 having foraminous walls provided by the use of a netting, expanded metal or perforated plate.- This refrigerant container 8 is positioned below the hatch opening I5 for filling and is preferably provided with an upstanding flange 5| which underlies a flange of the hatch frame 62 to. direct the ice into the container. The upstanding flange 6| is preferably provided with inwardly deected louvers 53 to allow air to circulate over the refrigerant but these louvers are bent inwardly to direct ice or brine into the refrigerant container 8. When dry ice or brine is used as a refrigerant the refrigerant container will be provided with solid or non-perforated walls. In Fig. 1, the refrigerant container 8 is shown having the part i adjacent the side wall 2 with solid walls for use with dry ice and the remaining portion l of the container with forarninous walls for use with wet ice. Wet ice is frequently used to precool the car (and sometimes also the lading) while dry ice is frequently used to maintain the desired temperature while the car is in transit.

The lower rafters 'l0 extend between and are supported by the opposite car side walls 2-2 and preferably each comprise an inverted channel section and outwardly projecting lateral flanges l'l. Longitudinal extending supports 'i2 extend between and are supported by lateral flange TH of adjacent lower rafters. The containers t rest upon and are supported by these rafters i0 in such a manner as to allow the containers to expand and contract as their temperature varies. In other words, the containers 8 are slidably supported by the supports l2 and a stop l@ (see Fig. 2) or other means is positioned adjacent the ends of the containers to limit such expansive movement.

The upper arched rafters l are positioned adjacent the roof structure 3 and extend between and are supported by the car side walls and the containers i3 are suspended from these upper rafters by the straps it. lin this arrangement the containers are supported by both the upper and lower rafters.

The length of each container is less than the distance between the iianges oi adjacent lower rafters (see Fig. 2), so that after part of the partition i0 has been removed a container d ably controlled by thermostats positioned in the lading compartment.

Ialso preferably provide a door 9E slidably mounted (91) upon each of the upwardly projecting insulated members 52 to form a restrictable extension thereof so as to provide means to vary the amount of air flow from the passageway 50 to the refrigerant container adjacent one car wail, relative to the air flow from the passageway 50 to the refrigerant container adjacent the other car wall.

The end walls should be provided with insulated ues as heretofore described for the side walls.r l

In the modifications shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 the car is provided with a plurality of spaced apart rafters v| 00 preferably .of inverted U-shape formation with laterally extending flanges acljacent the lower margin thereof. These rafters |00 are spacedrbelow the roof 3 and extend between and are supported by the opposite side walls 2 of the car. Brackets i3-|04 are mounted upon these rafters |00 which are arranged to move lengthwise of the rafters and are provided with portions |05 which extend beyond the flanges |0| of the rafters.

Refrigerant containers |01 are positioned near the roof and adjacent to the side walls but are preferably provided with spaces or flues on al1 six sides of each container as heretofore described. I preferably provide a plurality of containers |01 on each side of the car for simplicity of manufacture; installation and removal from the car and I also preferably provide spaces or air conduits |08 between the ends of adjacent containers so that the;.length of each container |01 is less than the''dwistance between the adjacent rafters |00 or less than the distances between the flanges il of adjacent rafters.

An insulated partition ||0 is spaced below the containers |07 to form anv air flue therebetween as heretofore described.

.Angular frame members ||2 are provided having one arm ||3 supporting the floor or lower i wall |54 of the container and the other arm H5 upstanding arm H5 resists the inertia of the refrigerant whether such refrigerant is dry ice,

. wet ice or brine. The upper frame members ||1 are just the length of the container.

Carrying members |20 for supporting the fioor of the container between the opposite angular frame members H2 extend upwardly within the container and also resist the inertia of the refrigerant. By projecting the angular frame members H2 and carrying member |20 upwardly instead of downwardly they do not project into the fiue i l and restrict the area thereof. By this arrangement the inside vertical height of the car may be increased,l or putting it another way, the height of the car overall may be decreased.

The length of the frame members H2, preferably also the length of the carrying member |20, is less than the distances between the flanges i0! of adjacent rafters |00 and the ends of the angular frame members ||2 and carrying members |20 are preferably supported by the brackets E03 and |04 respectively so that when it is desired to remove the container |01 by lowering it the brackets m3 and |04 are moved lengthwise of the rafter whereupon the refrigerant container with the angular frame members ||2 and carrying member |20 attached thereto may be lowered without disturbing the rafters.

A A plurality of vertical. columns |23 are posi-vv partially supported by these columns preferably by attaching vthe parts of the angular frame member ||2 outside of the refrigerant container |01 to some of the columns. The ,ends of the rafters are also preferably attached to the columns |23.

'I'he meat rack comprises a tubular member extending between and secured to the side walls 2 of the car. I preferably support these meat racks upon some of the columns |23. The central part of the meat rack is supported by the link |26 which is attached to the longitudinally extending beam |21 which in turn is supported by the rafters |00. The longitudinally extending timber |29, which is engaged by the meat hooks, is supported by the brackets |30 upon the meat rack |25.

'I'he accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred form of the invention, though it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, as it is obvious that various modifications thereof, within the scope of the claims, will occur to persons skilled in the art.

This is a division of my application Serial No.

ber for said container extending transversely to said rafters and having the lower portion thereof substantially flush with or above the bottom of said container so as not to reduce the size of said flue. i

2. In" a refrigerator car, a pair of spaced apart rafters extending between and supported by the side walls of the car, a refrigerant container between said rafters, container supports extending beyond the ends of said container, and means to secure said supports to said rafters, said means comprising brackets extending laterally from said rafter and being secured thereto.

3. In a refrigerator car, a pair of spaced apart rafters extending between and supported by the side walls of the car, a refrigerant container between said rafters, container supports extending beyond the ends of said container, and means to secure said supports to said rafters, said means comprising brackets extending laterally from said rafter and being slidable thereon to disengage said supports thereby permitting said container to be lowered.

4. In av refrigerator car, a pair of spaced apart rafters extending between and supported by the side walls of the car, a refrigerant container between vertical planes passing through said rafters, spaced apart brackets extending laterally outwardly from each of said rafters, supporting members for said container extending beyond the ends thereof, and means to attach said supporting members to said brackets.

5. In a refrigerator car having a roof and spaced apart walls, a pair of spaced apart rafters extending between said walls' andvhaving downwardly facing channels on the lower sides thereo f, a refrigerant container between said rafters,

.and a drip pan below said vcontainer having upstanding marginal iianges projecting into said channels.

an Vinsulating partition subjacent said drip pan,

said metallic drip pan having upstanding marginal anges projecting into said channels.

'1. In a refrigerator car having spacedA apartwalls and a roof, a pair of spaced apart rafters extending between and supported by said walls, a refrigerant container between said rafters, said rafters having laterally extending spaced apart portions, supporting members for said container projecting beyond the ends thereof, and means to attach saidmembers to said portions.

8. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, a pair of spaced apart rafters extending between and supported by said walls, a refrigerant container between said rafters, laterally extending spaced apart brackets secured to said rafters, supporting members for said container extending the length thereof and projecting beyond the ends thereof, and means to attach said members to said brackets.

9. In a refrigerator car, the combination of a pair of spaced apart rafters extending between and supported by the side walls of the car, a refrigerant container between said rafters, said ,rafters each having an inverted channel formed ""therein, means associated with said rafters to support said container, and a partition spaced below said container which partition extends between and is supported by said rafters, said partition having on the upper surface thereof a drip pan having upstanding marginal flanges projecting into the inverted channels of the rafters.

10. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, a pair of spaced apart rafters extending between and supported by said walls, a refrigerant container between said rafters, the bottom of said container being adapted for heat transference, l,a partition spaced below said container bottom to form an air flue therebetween,

means to direct a fiow of air through said flue, a lon'gitudinally extending container reinforcement forming a baille to resistthe surging movement of a refrigerant in the container, and means utilizing said rafters to support the ends of said reinforcement.

11. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, upper and lower rafters extending between and secured to said walls, said lower rafter being ata lower level than said upper rafter, means extending between said rafters arranged to induce cooperation therebetween to form a relatively strong load-supporting structure, said means comprising a container adapted to hold a refrigerant, and means to direct a ow of circulating air into contact with the surface of said container.

12. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, upper and lower rafters extending between and secured to said walls, said lower rafter being at a' lower level than and in a vertical plane spaced from said upper rafter, means extending between said rafters arranged to induce cooperation therebetween to form a relatively strong load-supporting structure, said means comprising arcontainer adapted to hold a refrigerant, and means to direct a flow of circulating air intdcontact with the surface of said container. Y

v13. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart containers, said last mentioned means arranged' to provide for downward movement of said containers upon adjustment of the last mentioned means.

i4. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, a plurality of spaced apart rafters extending between and supported-Joy said walls, a refrigerant container disposed between each pair of rafters and having a length less than the distance between said last mentioned rafters, means providing a chamber substantially enclosing said containers but having inlet and outlet openings for ow of air through said chamber, some of said air flowing between said rafters and said containers, and means extending between said rafters and said containers to support said containers, said last mentioned means arranged not to substantially restrict said air flow.

i5. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a rcJf, a plurality of spaced apart rafters extending between and supported by said walls, a refrigerant container disposed between each pair of rafters and having a length iess than the distance between said last mentioned rafters, means providing a chamber substantially enclosing said containers but having inlet and outlet openings `for now of air through said chamber, some of said air flowing between said rafters and said'containers, and means extending between said rafters and said containers to support said containers, said last mentioned means comprising brackets supported by said rafters and supporting members projecting beyond the ends ci said containers and engaging said brackets.

ic. n a refrigerator car structure having a roof and a wall, a pair of refrigerant containers below said roof and adjacent said wall, Said con- F tainers being spaced apart to `provide a duct `therebetween, an air flue associated with said well below said containers, a drip pan spaced below each of said containers to form a space therebetween, the adjacent edges of said drip pans being below said duct, a member above the adjacent edges of said drip pans to prevent liquid dripping therebetween, and means to support said tween theadjacent edges of said drip pans, said means comprising upstanding flanges on said adl jacent edges, and an inverted channel-shaped member, said structure being arranged so that air is directed from the interior of the car through said duct and said space to said flue.v

i7. in a refrigerator, a pair of spaced apart refrigerant containers with an air duct therebetween, a drip pan below each container for draining liquid therefrom, the adiacent edges of said drip pans being below said duct and provided with upstanding flanges. means to prevent liquid from said containers from dripping between said adjacent edges. said means comprising an inverted channel member overlying said adjacent edges, and means to support said member.

18.In a refrigerator car having refrigerant containers near the roof a pairof drip pans below said containers adapted to drain liquid therefrom, means to prevent said liquid splashing be.-

member overlying said nanges, and means to support said member.

19. In a refrigerator car having refrigerant containers near the roof and drip pans below said containers, means to prevent liquid splashing between the adjacent edges of said drip pans comprising upstanding flanges on said adjacent edges, and an inverted channel member suitably supported to overlie said adjacent edges.

20. In a refrigerator car having a pair of refrigerant containers near the roof in spaced apart relation to form a duct therebetweenV and drip pans belowsaid containers having their adjacent edges disposed below said duct, means to prevent liquid splashing between said adjacent edges comprising upstanding fianges on said adjacent edges, and an inverted channel member suitably supported to overlie said adjacent edges with the anges thereof overlapping said opstandingfianges.

21. In a refrigerator, a pair of spaced apart refrigerant container elements having an air duct therebetween, a drip pan element spaced below each container element for draining liquid therefrom, the adjacent edges of said drip pan elements being lbelow said duct, and means to prevent liquid splashing between said adjacent edges, said means comprising an element suitably supported above said adjacent edges. the arrangement of said elements being such as to provide air communication between said duct and the spaces below said containers. e

32. A structure as defined in claim l21 wherein said element comprises an inverted channel and said drippan elements have upstanding flanges on said adjacent edges underlying said inverted channel.

23. lin a refrigerator car, a refrigerant container below the roof thereof and having a bottom adapted' for `heat transference, a partition spaced below said bottom to form a nue therebetween forair circulation and air cooling and a reinforcing mernberassociated with said bottom for reinforcement thereof, the bottom of said reinforcing member being disposed substantially ush with the plane of the bottom of said container so as not to reduce the size of said ue and thereby retard air lcirculation therethrough. y

24.. 2in a refrigerator car, a refrigerant container below the roof thereof and having a 'bottom .adapted for heat transference, a partition spaced below said bottom to form a ue therebetween for air cimuiation and air cooling and a reinforcing member associatedwith said bottom for reinforcement thereof. said reinforcing member projecting upwardlyabove the plane of the major portion of the bottom of' said/container to resist surging movement'of a refrigerant within saidcontainer.

25?. In a refrigerator car havingl a lading com- 1 partment, a refrigerant container disposed below a hatch in the roof of the car having a bottom for heat transference, a reinforcing structure associatd with the bottomand opposite walls of the container which structure projects upwardly from the plane of the bottom of the container to resist surging movement of a refrigerant therein, and means for circulating air 1n contact with the bottom of the refrigerantl container and introducing the air thus cooled into the lading compartment of the car, said structure arranged to divide said container into sections wherein each amenaza section is accessible for loading through said hatch. Y

26. In a refrigerator car, a refrigerant container below the roof thereof and having a bot tom adapted for heat transference, a Partition spaced below said bottom to form a ue therebetween for airycircnlation and air cooling and a reinforcing member associated with said bottom for reinforcement thereof, the bottom of said reinforcing member being disposed substantially :Hush with the plane of the bottom of said container so as not to reduce the size of said iiue and thereby retard air circulation therethrough, said reinforcing member projecting upwardly above the plane of the major portion of the bot- 27. In a refrigerator car, a refrigerant container below the roof thereof and having a bottom adapted for heat transference, a partition spaced below said bottom to form a :due there-i between and an inverted hollow channel reinforcing member associated with said bottom for reinforcement thereof said reinforcing member projecting upwardly above the plane o the major portion of the bottom of said container to resist surging movement of a refrigerant within said container, the hollow of said member communicating with said ilue so that a refrigerant of a refrigerant within said container.

in said container around said member will absorb heat from the air in said hollow.

CHARLES D. BoNsALL.

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