US2566301A

US2566301A - Portable refrigeration box

Info

Publication number: US2566301A
Application number: US676372A
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert Alan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-06-13
Filing date: 1946-06-13
Publication date: 1951-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 1968-09-04

Description

Sept. 4, 195] A. ALBERT PORTABLE REFRIGERATION BOX Filed June 13, 1946 Patented Sept. 4, 1951 UNITED: STATES PATENT OFFICE y "j assasoif j `PORTABLE REFRIGERAQTION BOX' d `Albert, Denver'ylColo. "I--ApplicationiJune 13` 1946,"Serial N0.'676,372

l This invention relates Vto refrigeration apparatusl and more ,particularly relates to pqrtable, or transportable refrigerating unitsl.

In the past, small-capacity refrigerating units, such as the household mechanical refrigerator, or the like, have provided a Sharp-freezing container and associated storage space Awhere relatively low temperature atmospheres are maintained. Heat exchange surfaces, such as walls, tubingland the like are included as part of such structures and a gas-refrigerant is circulated through the tubing and in contact with `heat-transfer surfaces and then is returned through a condenser-compressor circuit for repeated recirculation.

Such units are satisfactory where the-storage unit is to be operated continuously in one location, but such a system is not suited for operating portable storage containers, such as those used by hunters and fishermen, for example, Containers are available for such usage, which have storage facilities for a quantity of ice or solid carbon dioxide, but these materials melt so rapidly that the containers function as effective refrigerators for short time intervals only unless the refrigerant supply is replenished.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, economical and efficient refrigeration method which may be utilized in portable storage receptacles for protracted periods.

Another object of the invention is to provide simple, durable and eflicient refrigerator apparatus which is easily transported and provides a substantial amount of storage space.

Other objects reside in novel combinations and arrangements of parts, all of which will be fully described in the course of the following description.

To afford a better understanding of the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating typical embodiments. In the drawings, in the several views of which like parts have been designated similarly,

Fig. 1 is a vertical central section through a portable refrigerator unit embodying features of the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section through tank 9 showing conduit I3 extending from an elevated position in tank 9.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the features of the present invention may be incorporated in a portable refrigerator unit of the type used by fishermen and for outing purposes. The refrigerator R comprisesa double-walled body 3, preferably cylindrical and having a double-walled bottom 1 claim. (o1. (i2- 92) 4, and a double-walled lid 5 hinged at 6 to permit access to `the interior storage compartment 1.

The space between the inner and outer walls of body 3, bottom 4 and lid 5 is substantially filled with a suitable heat insulating material 8 to maintaincompartment 'I in heat-insulated relation to the atmosphere. A refrigerant storage tank 9 is supported from body 3 and preferably has a iling opening I0 which normally is closed by a cap I2. A conduit I3 may extend from an elevated position in tankl through a bottom 'outlet therein as shownin Fig. 2 or may extend directly from the bottom outlet as shown in Fig. 1, and is wound -as a coil assembly |30. in body 3 with an outlet extending through thebody to the atmosphere, as shown at I4. Preferably, a valve I5 controls the discharge of refrigerant from tank 9 into conduit I3 and a second valve I6 at outlet I4 controls the rate of escape of evolved gases to the atmosphere.

A variety of refrigerants may be used in the operation of the refrigerator, but I prefer to use Freon (CC12F2) or other fluorine-substituted hydrocarbons, such as CHFC12 because of their non-noxious qualities and liquid condition. I-Iowever, solid carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide or the like may be used if these other refrigerants are not available.

In use, the refrigerator R may be transported manually, or vby vehicle, pack animal or the like to any location where it is desired to use the unit in the preservation of perishables or the like. As an example, fishermen frequently will go into remote sections to stay for protracted periods because of the good fishing conditions prevailing at such places. Usually, such locations are so far away from any market source of ice or solid carbon dioxide that it is not possible to preserve the catch under refrigerated conditions, even though it would be desirable to do so if possible.

At such a location, the unit R may be kept in an inactive condition until the actual refrigerating need arises, although preferably the reservoir R will be filled with a refrigerant such as Freon during transportation and an additional supply will be carried in suitable containers for use as the original reservoir supply is exhausted. The unit shown in Fig. 1 is activated by partially opening valve I5, whereupon the liquid in tank 9 is released into coils I3a where it evolves into a vapor due to expansion in the coils I3a. In order to activate the unit with a tank 9 as shown in Fig. 2, the valve I5 is partially opened, causing a release of pressure within the reservoir 9 which vaporizes a portion of the liquid. This vapor rises above the liquid and enters conduit I3 to flow past valve l5 and thence into the coil circuit I3a, producing the heat transfer action in the coils which maintains a low temperature condition in compartment 'l and its contents.

' Y Preferably the discharge to atmosphere of the i0 to permit continuance ci'. the refrigeration Y action. It will be apparent that by repetitions of the above procedure, a unit of this type may be. kept in continuous operation for an indefinite period so long as a sufficient supply of the refrigerant is available. Y -v Byernploying an. insulated construction ofthe type disclosed, only a, relatively small amount of gas.. ilow is required in maintaining'desred tem.- .peratures alter the initial temperature reduction to prescribed limits has been effected. Also. if it, is necessary to place the unit in locations where it may be. exposed to sun, lightv or other heating factors, the double wall construction. is effective in .preventing anyv heating of the storage compartment` from such externalsources. 'Iffhe design-may be varied substantially to suit capacity and other requirements, andy as long as, the circuitarrangementl ofthe general type here- 4 inbeforedescribed is provided, satisfactory results will` be obtained.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is`:

In a refrigeration box for perishables, an outer shell, an inner shell spaced therein to provide an open space between said inner and outer shells, an insulation material in said open space, an insulated cover normally supported on the box and providing an access opening to. the interior, a refrigerant storage tank mounted on said box,

acircuitous conduit extending from said tank inV heat-transfer relationship to the inner shell, means fory controlling the release of refrigerant from the;V storage tank into said conduit, and means adjacent the end of said conduit for discharging, evolved Vvapors to atmosphere ALAN ALBERT.

, REEERENi-:Es CITED- The follmving references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,818,042 Wagner 1 Sept. 20,y 1932 1,923,899; Aus. 22, 1933 2,039,423 Ross et al. Aug. 10,y 1937 2,124,1L0 July 19, 1938 2,374,972 Biehl May 1, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Coun-try Date Germany Mar. 17, 1921