US2483007A

US2483007A - Refrigerating apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2483007A
Application number: US652027A
Authority: US
Inventors: William W Higham
Original assignee: NEWPORT STEEL CORP
Current assignee: NEWPORT STEEL Corp
Priority date: 1946-03-05
Filing date: 1946-03-05
Publication date: 1949-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 1966-09-27

Description

P 1949- I w. w. HIGHAM 2,483,007

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed March 5, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORN EY W. W. HIGHAM REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed larch 5, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR WILL/AM W H/GHAM EM W AT+ORNEYS W. W. HIGHAM RBFRIGERATING APPARATUS Sept. 27, 1949.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 5, 1946 FIG. 5

FIG. 4

INVENTOR WILL/AM W IGHAM BY I 4 r @137 ATTO RNEYJ Patented Sept. 27, 1949 REFRIGERATING APPARATUS William W. Higham, Marion, Ohio, assignor to Newport Steel Corporation, a. corporation of Indiana Application March 5, 1946, Serial No. 652,027

This invention relates to refrigeration and has particularly to do with a refrigerant compressor of the type commonly known as a sealed type of compressor wherein the driving electrical motor and the compressor are mounted within a sealed chamber or casing.

Some'of the features incorporated herein are embodied in the refrigerating unit disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 652,026. filed March 5. 1946. The unit disclosed herein however is a larger unit in which there. are provided a plurality of compressor cylinders. In some respects the disclosure herein relates to an improved construction in which the design is simplified and a minimum number of parts are reouired.

One of the objects of my invention as disclosed herein is therefore the provision of a refrigerating unit of the "sealed type" incorporating a plurality of compressor cylinders and having a minimum number of parts and improved construction.

A further object of my invention as disclosed herein is the provision of a unitary casting including a plurality of compressor cylinders havin an integral muiiler-manifold chamber positioned between the cylinders.

A further object of my invention is the provision of improved heat exchange arrangement by hich a thermostat control for preventing overheating of the motor is provided.

A further object of my invention is the provision of improved arrangements for heat exchange between the refrigerant and the motor for cooling the motor.

fine of thefeatures of my invention is the provision of a "sealed type refrigeration unit which includes a casing which is substantially symmetrical about a vertical axis and which has a rotating shaft positioned-substantially on said vertical axis.

A further feature of my invention is the provision of a sin le casting which serves as a motor support. provides a bearing for the rotating shaft. and provides the compressor cylinders and muffler manifold.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of counter-balance weights for balancing the off-set portions of the vertical shaft so as to simplify and shorten the structure and enclose the whole unit within a minimum'space.

A further feature of my invention is the provision of passages around the motor and between the motor and the casing insuring a passage for 3 Claims. (Cl. 230--206) 2 V expanded refrigerant in heat exchange relationship with the motor.

A further feature of my invention is a provision of a shoulder on the casing for the insertion of the electrical plug connections and for the inlet and outlet openings or fittings for the expanded and compressed refrigerant.

Further objects. and features will appear from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the invention is shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the unit showing the exterior of the casing;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the refrigerating unit;

Fig. 3 is a view in section on an enlarged scale taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view on an enlarged scale having the bottom portion of the casing removed so as to show the mechanism within the shell;

Fig. 5 is a view in section on a still larger scale taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the casing in elevation and showing the unit from a different angle and the resilient mounting thereof;

Fig. 7 is a view in section taken substantially on the line 7-1 of Fig. 3 and showing the pump structure; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in section taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4,

Referring in detail to the drawings wherein there is illustrated one embodiment of my invention and in particular to Figures 1, 2 and 3 thereof.-it may be seen that my improved refrigerating unit comprises an outer casing II, a motor unit I2. compressor cylinders i 3 and i4 (shown in Figures 3 and=4) and a muffler-manifold element l5. Suitable inlet and outlet connections for the expanded and compressed refrigerant are provided as are a lubricating system for lubricating the entire unit, electrical connections therefor and a resilient mounting for the unit, each of which parts will be now described in detail.

Referring especially to Figure 3. it may be seen that the casing II is an exterior shell which may be preferably formed from sheet metal, the lower portion thereof being in the form of a cylinder closed at one end and having a peripheral wall l6 and a bottom wall IT. The upper portion is also cylindrical in the main and has an end or upper wall It and a cylindrical side wall-l9 of smaller diameter than the diameter of the cylindrical wall IS. The s dewall I9. however, is enlar ed to provide a flaring circumferentially extending shoulder 2| and provided with an enlarged circumferential flange 22 telescoping over the peri heral wall l6 of the lower portion. The flange 22 and the upper part of the peripheral wall I6 of the lower portion are weld united as at 23. 'The upper and lower portions of easing H thus are joined to provide a casing which is substantially symmetrical with respect to the central vertical axis thereof as seen in Figs. 1 and 2.

The end wall it of the upper portion is provided with a depression 24 within which there is disposed a mass of non-resonant material 25. This material is protected from extraneous oil or dirt by a coverin plate 26 secured to the end wall by a stud 21 which may if desired be welded to the end wall i8. The covering plate 26 holds the material under some compression and provides a smooth exterior contour. This construc tion ab orbs and deadens vibrations by the absorption thereof by the non-resonant material 25.

The refrigerating unit H may preferably be spring mounted and for this purpose a plurality of brackets 28 are provided as is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6. These brackets are mounted on the outside of the casing and are arranged to be supported by springs such as 29. Bolts 3| may pass through the brackets 28 and the springs 29 and secure the unit to anv suitable support such as the supports shown at 32.

In order to sim lify the construction, minimize the space required, and improve the construction in general by way of decreasing cost. improving rigidity, etc. I provide within the casing a single casting 33 which serves as a support for the motor, provides a bearing for the rotating shaft, forms the cylinders of the compressor, and provides a chamber which serves as a mutiler and manifold for the compressed gases. Thus, the casting 33 has an upper portion 34, an intermediate spider portion 35. a cylinder portion 36, as well as a bottom bearing portion 31. Each of these portions will be referred to later in describing the various functional units associated with them. The upper portion of the casting is firmly secured within the inside of the upper part of the shell. Thus it may be seen that the upper portion 34 fits snugly within the cylindrical portion i 9 of the upper part of the casing and is secured by a press fit. It maybe secured thereto in any other suitable manner.

The driving motor l2 includes a stator portion comprising a stationary mounting 39 and motor windings 4|. The mounting 39 is secured within the upper portion 34 f the main casting 33 which portion 34 thus forms a part of the motor. Rotatively mounted within the stator is the rotor or armature 42. The armature 42 is provided with a pair of

weights

43 and 44 arranged to counter-balance the oil-set weight of the crank shaft as will be later described.

The motor drives a shaft 46 which is disposed in the vertical axis of the unit which is arranged substantially concentric about said vertical axis. Thus the cylindrical portions l6 and I9 of the casing I l are concentric about said axis and the main casting 33 except for the cylinders l3 and i4 and the unit i is substantially concentric about such axis. The shaft 46 is mounted in

bearings

41 and 48. The bearing 41 is secured by cap screws 49 to the intermediate spider portion 35 of the main casting. The bearing 48 is formed 4 as an integral part of the lowermost portion 31 of the main casting. The shaft 46 is provided with a crank throw 5| to which are connected cranks (such as the crank 54) for the pistons of the cylinders l3 and I4.

The compressor cylinders I 3 and II are substantially similar and description of one will suffice for both. As shown in Figure 3 the cylinder I3 is formed integrally as a part of the casting 33 within the cylinder portion 36 thereof. It provides an operating chamber 52 in which there is positioned a piston 53 connected to the crank 54 by a hollow wrist pin 55 held against axial movement by a spring clip 56. An inlet valve 51 is provided for at times connecting the working chamber 52 with an inlet recess 58 and an outlet valve 59 is provided for at times connecting the working chamber 52 with an outlet recess 6|. The crank throw 5| is connected to both of the connecting rods for both of the cylinders i3 and Referring again to Figure 4, it may be seen that the cylinder portion 36 of the casting 33 has formed integrally therewith intermediate the cylinders l3 and H a mufiler or manifold I5. The interior of this muilier or manifold is connected by passages formed within the casting 33 itself with the outlet recesses 6| of the compressor cylinders l3 and 14. Thus the refrigerating gases are compressed bythe action of the compressors l3 and i4 and forced through the recesses 6| to the manifold-muffler i5 whereby the compressed gases flow together before being forced outside of the sealed unit and whereby the noise of the compressors is minimized.

As stated above, the refrigerating unit is a part of a compressor-condenser-expander refrigerating system. Expanded refrigerating gases coming from the expander which is outside of the system flow into the casing through the inlet plug 62 and fill the interior of the casing above the level of the oil which level is shown at 63 in Figure 8. From the interior of the casing (referring to Figure 3), the expanded gases are forced upward through the motor i2 and are then drawn down through passages 64 formed in the upper part 34 of the casting 33. Thus the gases are twice brought into heat exchange relationship with the motor l2 and cool both the rotor element and the stator element thereof. From the passages 64, the expanded gases pass by means of tubes 65 to the inlet recesses 58 of each of the compressor units l3 and I4. As stated above, the refrigerating gases, after being compressed by the compressors i3 and [4, are forced to the manifold l5. From the manifold i5 they pass by means of the outlet tube 66 to the outlet plug 61. The outlet tube 66 is formed with a coil 68 below the manifold and this coil 68 is immersed in the lubrieating oil which fills the bottom portion of the casing.

I provide a construction in which all openings into the casing are formed in the shoulder 21.

Referring again to Figure 8 which shows more in detail the structure of the parts comprising the inlet for expanded gases associated with the plug 62, it may be seen that the plug 62 is sealed within the shoulder 2| as by a gasket 69 and is thus connected to a tube H secured to and extending downward to a point within a concentric larger diameter sleeve 13 which is perforated so that the expanded gases may pass into the interior 2B of the casing H. The sleeve 13 is secured to the tube H and the upper end thereof 7 is sealed by suitable means such as that shown ,II and is provided with a cover I02.

acaaoo'r 5 at II. Thus I insure that any condensed portion of the expanded refrigerant is boiled to a gas by the warm lubricant. On the other hand, the loop of the tube 46 in passing through the lubricant has removed therefrom a portion of the heat of compression and the lubricant is warmed thereby. The incoming expanded gases in passing upward through the motor and downward through passages 04 (being cooler than the heated motor) aid in keeping the motor cool. Not only do the gas inlet and the gas outlet as explained above extend through the shoulder 2i, but also as substantially explained the electrical connections also all are positioned to extend through the shoulder.

I provide means by which the lubricant normally maintained in the lower portion of the casing opposite ends of the vane I1 through an outlet port I9, a radial passageway 8|, an axial passageway 82 and various

circumferential grooves

83 and 84 to the

bearings

41 and 48. It is forced out through radial passageways and 86 to lubricate the connecting rods 54 and through a passageway 81 to lubricate the wrist pins 55 and the interior of the cylinders I3 and I4. The tubes as have loose fits in the heads of the cylinders I3 and I4 and oil entering around the tubes lubricates the

valves

51 and 59. Additional details of the lubricating system and lubricating pump are disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 652,026, filed March 5, 1946, referred to above wherein the inventions involved in said lubricating pump and lubricating system are claimed.

The electrical control for my improved refrigerating unit may be seen from a consideration of Figures 3, 4 and 5. A unit control assembly MI is mounted at one side on the cylindrical portion I9 and extends down over a portion of the shoulder 2I of the upper portion of the casin Extending through the cover I02 is an electrical inlet conduit I03 from which three electrical leads I04. I05, and I00 extend. Within the cover I02 and extending through the shoulder 2I are three electric plugs I01, I09 and I09. These plugs pass through a gas tight sealed packing in the shoulder as is shown at III. The electrical lead i 04 is connected to a thermostat II2 which is in turn connected to the plug I0I by an electrical lead I I3. The thermostate I I2 is so arranged that the electrical circuit is broken either by excessive heat or by overload of electrical demand or a combination of a lower high heat and a lesser overload. The electrical leads I05 and I06 are connected to the plugs I08 and I09, respectively. Within the casing II (see Figure 4) the plugs I01, I08 and I09 are respectively connected by leads H4, II 5 and H6 to the motor windings. As may be understood, the lead H6 is the main lead, the lead H5 is the starting lead and the lead H4 is the common lead. Thus it may be seen that the refrigerant inlet 62, the refrigerant outlet 61. and the plugs I01, I08 and I09 all extend through the shoulder 2|. The only opening into the sealed casing are formed in the upper portion of the casing, and in fact the only openings are in the shoulder 2| thereof.

As may be clearly seen in Figures 3 and 5, the

thermostat II! is in close contact with the portion I9 of the casing which is in thermal contact with the cylindrical support portion 34 of the casting. The support portion 34 is in fact a part of the motor unit and thus an overheating of the motor is promptly transmitted to thermostat III and the electrical circuit is thereby broken and the motor is stopped.

It is believed that the operation of my improved refrigeratlng unit will be clear from the above. vIn general, expanded refrigerant flows from an expander not shown, into the interior 20 of the casing II through inlet 62, tube II, sleeve and screen I3. Thence it is sucked upward through the motor anddownward through the passages 64. the tubes 05. the recesses 58. and the chambers 52' by the compressor units I3 and I4. The compression strokes of the compressors- I3 and I4 compress the gases and force them out through recesses BI to muiller-manifold I5 from which they pass by tube 66 to outlet 61. From the outlet 61 the compressed gases pass to a condenser (not shown) and thence to the evaporator (also not shown).

In moving through the passages in and around the motor, the expanded gases aid in keeping the motor I2 cool. The compressed gases have part of their heat of compression removed by their passage through the loop 60 of the tube 60 inasmuch as that loop dips into the lubricant in the bottom of the casing.

The various bearing surfaces are lubricated by oil pumped thereto by the oil pump formed by the shaft 46, the vane I6 and the chamber 00. The electric current is supplied through the unit I M and the unit as a whole is guarded against overheating by the thermostat H2. The whole unit is resiliently mounted on springs 29.

It is to be understood that the above described embodiment of my invention is for the purpose of illustration only and various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a sealed compressor for refrigerating mechan m; an exterior sealed casing, the upper part of the casing having a cross dimension less than he lower part of the casing and the two parts being joined substantially at a flared shoulder; a main casting in the casing having a. supporting portion fitted in the upper part of the casing: a compressor cylinder formed integrally with the lower end of the main casting; a vertical shaf journalled in the casting; a motor for driving the shaft having a body fixedly located wit in the supporting portion of the casting; an outlet for compressed refrigerant extending through and sealed into the shoulder of said casing; an inlet for refrigerant opening into the lower part of the casing; an inlet passage for the cylinder defined by a clearance between the motor body and the supporting part of the casting; and an inlet tube extending from the clearance to the cylinder, the cylinder having an inlet port opening upwardly adjacent the top surface thereof and the inlet tube having a relatively loose fit in said port for the seepage of lubricant from the inside of the easing into the cylinder.

2. In a sealed compressor for refrigerating mechanism; an exterior sealed casing; a casting in the casing having a supporting portion fitted in a part of the casing; a plurality of compressor cylinders each having an inlet port and each being formed as a part of the casting; a motor for driving the compressor cylinders having a body fixedly located within the supporting portion of the casting; an outlet for the compressed refrigerant opening from said casing; an inlet for refrigerant opening into the casing; an inlet passage for each of the cylinders defined by a clearance between the motor body and the supporting part of the casting; and aninlet tube extending from each clearance to the port of one of the cylinders and having a relatively loose fit in said port for the seepage of lubricant from the inside of the casing into the cylinders.

3. In a sealed compressor for refrigerating mechanism; an exterior sealed casing having an interior space; a compressor cylinder positioned within the said casing having an inlet port; a motor for driving said compressor cylinder; an outlet means for the compressed refrigerant sealed into said casing; an inlet for refrigerant opening into the space within said casing; and

an inlet tube communicating with the space within said casing and extending to and having a relatively loose fit in said port for the seepage of lubricant from the inside of the casing into the cylinder.

@ WILLIAM W. HIGHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS