US2639592A

US2639592A - Refrigerator having refrigerant cooled liner

Info

Publication number: US2639592A
Application number: US126371A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lawrence A Philipp
Original assignee: Nash Kelvinator Corp
Current assignee: American Motors Corp
Priority date: 1948-09-22
Filing date: 1949-11-09
Publication date: 1953-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 1970-05-26

Description

May 26, 1953 A. PHILIPP 2,639,592

REFRIGERATOR HAVING REFRIGERANT COOLED LINER Original Filed Sept. 22, 1948 12 Sheets-Sheec 3 INVENTOR. M/PMaA-Hm/H y 1953 L. A. PHILIPP 2,639,592

REFRIGERATOR HAVING REFRIGERANT COOLED LINER Original Filed Sept. 22, 1948 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 70 IN V EN TOR y 6, 1953 L. A. PHILIPP REFRIGERATOR HAVING REFRIGERANT COOLED LINER Original Filed Sept. 22, 1948 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 fies/5 IN VEN TOR.

L. A. PHILIPP REFRIGERATOR HAVING REFRIGERANT COOLED LINER May 26,1953

12 Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed Sept. 22, 1948 INVENTOR. ZAMPEWcEfl-BWUPP May 26, 1953 L. A. PHILIPP 2,639,592

REFRIGERATOR HAVING REFRIGERANT COOLED LINER I Original Filed Sept. 22, 1948 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 Z56 z 6Z0 5oz zao E IN V EN TOR. LqmPz/vaefl By/uPP Patented May 26, 1953 REFRIGERATOR. HAVING G QL D Lawr n e Al Bhilirr' oit. Mien a iee r o Nash-Ke mmr Co p at o Detroit, M cornoration of Marylaml iaioe p a n w mber 21 12%. Ser al No OAT- ii 'i t is amp cation Ne s mbe 3 iiieiiai s 1 531. 7

7 Claims.

This invention relates generally to mirigeratsepara es a na ti ula ly two temreratu raters, of the ri ar seco da y ne- Th p e nt inventi n. a d sion Qt Q 2 Big. 1;? is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing; a

e 'iqrmq he 'e t r z Fig, 18 is a rear View oi"; the modification, hawins Paris ro n a ay n in 598111011 send ng apnlicetien, Serial No. EQA'ZZ, filed Sega,- 19 is a horizontal, gross sectional View: of

11 961 9 .8 f r Rei iserzit ns Apparatus he, modified -h: m er taken alonghe hne new Baten Nol6; ..3 .50- of 1 Om 0i, 2h? bjccts of the present invention, is 20 is an enlarged, vertical sectional View to provide an improved arrangement of rin aryof an upper portion or the refrigerator taken secondary re frigerating sys ems in a, cabinet to along the line 28-7-23 of F t- 18;

mhrosrgenerally the efiiciencyof such appa- Fig. 21 is a fragmentary; horizontal sectional ratus. View of the re gerator, taken along the line Another object. oi the invention is to pyqvidg; 2i+2lof Fig; 18;-

fciirigel tor having an improved arrangement, fer Fig. 22; is a detailed sectional view, taken along supporting ecmeartrncnt'forinin members an the line 2%22 otF-ig. 231; and

01" also sue o t ne uni s 0 a two tamer sur fr era n syst m.

Furthe Objects, a d ad tages oi t pres n nvention will be ahaa ct from he follow n cles pant-me d aw ngs h r n a p eferred; form o th t. nv n ion is clearly In th d awin s:

he i sv a. front view of a ho seh ld type o ieiria rator e ody ng eatur s o my in ention;

list 2 s ver ta ec ona vie of th reinseratqiz;

3 an enlar ed from ew o he re i e at r hav ng pa s. broken and c ion to s icwcerta ni t nvent on;

Fi 4 s aver ic l sect ona Vie h vin a ts roken i port o of the rei se ator;

5 i n w of: i i t en ar e -1 fra nt ry sec ion 01ft e1 frigerator;

I i a a ent ry ctiona V ew f a de tan or; the refrigerator, taken along the line L4 of i 6' s a orizontal cross sectiona iew Of he r fr er tor, taken th l ne G of 3: 3" 2* f or .r or ion of thel'efris rat ir;

I? 6 l2,, 1?; am} 34 re i 'ig-mentary cross c ei un ts o th h'ieeratm: mowing the reh s raiina isters;

t o. fere ce ei g h l to the a c mn o h refr rato ake Fig. is an isometric viewsimilar to 16 showing the refrigerator units including the refrigerating system.

Referring to the drawings and first to Figs. 1 to s inclusive, there is shown a household type of refrigerator having a cabinet, designated generally by the numeral 20. The cabinet 2} comprises, in general, a casing 22', a casing reinforcingframe as, a liner or spacer 36', and a second liner or shell- 2%. The frame 24 is an upright structure which is supported byand Within the casing 22 at the front of the cabinet and in turn supports the liners 2-3, 28. These liners and. 2% are supported by the frame as in vertical spaced relation Within the casing 22; the liner 2% being disposed immediately above the liner 28. interposed; between the casing 22' and the liners 2E, 28 is heat insulation which may be. of any of the suitable welleknown types for decreasing heat leakage into the interior of the cabinet. Also, heat insulation 32- is provided between the adjacent bottom and 00p Walls respectively of the liners 2-6 and 28, and extends to the cabinet upright Walls as a partition to decrease heat exchange between the liners.

The liner 2% retains the insulation 30 in place and; defines a freezing or low temperature evaporator compartment (i i in the upper region of the cabinet. Adjacentthe bottom of the cabinet, a. horizontal partition 36 is. provided whioh cooperates. with an upper portion of the liner 28 to form a food storage compartment 38 and 00- operates with a. lower portion of the liner. 28 to icrm a man hum it compartm t 40. The i umidity compartment 4!; is provided prim rily gr the sic in and p servi or f s vaseta'clee n a m ist s at 'l -ie eevti l. 3 i sli htl s aces h n th liner to a ew o limited air ci culation between th face sic a comaertment is and e high humi ity om ar man as An unp rdoor 4 s pro id d, i r slo compartment 43 for cooling the same.

ing the compartment 34 and a lower door 44 is provided for closing the

food storage compartments

38 and 40. These

doors

42, 44 may be hung by suitable hinges 46 on the casing reinforcing frame 24 of the cabinet. As shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 9, the cabinet casing 22 is formed, adjacent the bottom thereof, to provide a machinery compartment 48, immediately behind the high humidity compartment 40.

In the food storage compartment 38, a number of shelves 50 may be supported on rails 52, secured to the sides of the liner 28. In the present cabinet construction, the uppermost shelf extends from the liner rear wall only partway toward the front of the cabinet to provide clearance, forwardly of the shelf for tall articles, bottles, etc. on the shelf below. The narrow shelf may be supported adjacent its forward edge by uprights 54, supported on the shelf, immediately below the uppermost shelf. These shelves 50 are preferably made of an impervious material, such as glass, for the purpose of limiting circulation of air throughout the food storage compartment. Below the lowermost of the shelves 50 is the shelf partition 36 which separates the food storage compartment 38 and the high humidity compartment 48 from each other. This shelf partition 36, like the shelves 50, is preferably made of impervious glass for the like purpose of limiting circulation of air between the two compartments. In the high humidity compartment 46, food containers, such as a pair of drawers G and a tiltable bin 58 may be provided; the

side walls 62, a rear wall 64 and. a bottom wall or cabinet base 66. A lower portion 68 of the casing rear wall 64 is inclined forwardly and downwardly to the casing bottom wall 66 providing a common dividing wall between the high humidity compartment and the machinery compartment 48; a corresponding lower portion of the adjacent liner rear wall being likewise inclined. The casing bottom wall 66 may be formed with upturned reinforcing flanges, including a front flange if], a rear flange I2 and opposite side flanges 'M. Inturned, horizontal flange portions l6, '18 are formed respectively on the front and rear bottom.

wall flanges

70, 2 for additional reinforcement and to provide seating surfaces. Intermediate the casing bottom wall flanges i0 and 72, the bottom wall 65 is preferably provided with an upwardly directed reinforcing rib 80 which may extend substantially entirely across the width of the casing.

Elongated openings

82, 34, adjacent and extending longitudinally of the rib 80 are provided in the casing bottom wall for entrance of air into the machinery Forward.. ly of these

opening

82, 84, the casing bottom wall 66 may be reinforced, as at 86. A rear portion of the casing bottom wall 66 also serves as a bot tom wall of the machinery compartment 48, as

' shown for example in Figs. 2 and 9.

The upright frame 24 of the cabinet comprises,

-in general, a pair of laterally spaced upright members 88, a top cross member 90 and a lower cross member 92. The uprights 88 seat at their lower ends on the casing bottom wall or base 66,

respectively at the front corners thereof, formed by the flanges I0 and 12. Preferably, the frame uprights 88 are of channel section for strength and rigidity and are welded to the base flanges I0 and I4 and to the casing sides 62. In addition, angle members or gussets 94 may be welded to the bottom wall flange I0 and to the frame uprights 88 to brace the frame members. The top cross member 90 of the frame 24 may be of channel section having downturned ends which may be butt welded or be otherwise secured to the upper ends of the frame uprights 88. Also, the frame cross member 92 may be of channel section and may have extended T-shaped ends 96 secured, such as by welding, to the frame uprights 88. This cross member 92 is disposed just forwardly of the insulation partition 32 between the

compartments

34 and 36 to reinforce the frame and easing structure in this region. It will be seen that the upright frame 24 and the casing bottom wall or base 66 of the cabinet comprises an L-shape supporting structure which together with the casing walls form a rigid cabinet structure.

The refrigerating apparatus, in the present instance, is of the so-called primary-secondary type, although it will be understood that other two temperature systems may be used with the present refrigerator cabinet if desired. The primary system comprises, in general, a refrigerant evaporator 98, a refrigerant motor-compressor unit I00 and a refrigerant condenser I92. As shown in the drawings, the evaporator 38 is disposed within the cabinet compartment 34, supported by the top wall of the liner 30 and by the frame 24. This evaporator 98 may comprise a sheet metal container I04 and an evaporator coil or conduit I06. Preferably, the evaporator coil 30B is wrapped or wound about the container I04 in contact with the top, bottom and sides thereof for good, heat transfer efliciency. Flanged U clamps I01 may be used to clamp the evaporator coil I06 to the container top, bottom and side walls, the flanges of the clamps preferably being welded to the container. The container I04 is of box-like shape and is preferably of a size to occupy substantially the entire compartment 34 of the cabinet. An out-turned flange I08 is provided on and around the front edge of the evaporator container I04 to receive and overlap with heat breaker strips IIS which close the spaces between the evaporator and the casing at the front of the cabinet. Outer marginal portions of the breaker strips IIB engage in and are retained by channels H2 formed on and extending around the front edge of the cabinet casing 22. The casing channel I I2 is disposed just forwardly of the casing frame 24 and these parts are preferably welded or otherwise suitably secured together. Spaced tie members II4 are provided for attaching the evaporator 98 at the front thereof to the casing frame 24. These tie members II4, like the breaker strips I 40, are preferably made of a low heat conducting material, such as a phenolic plastic. Self threading or sheet metal screws I I6 may be used for securing the tie members H4 to the evaporator flange I08 and to the frame 240. Adjacent the rear of the evaporator 98, brackets IIB are secured to the underside thereof to support and secure the evaporator to the upper ends of a pair of laterally spaced supporting members I20 carried by the top wall of the liner 30; the supporting members preferably being made of a low heat conducting material such as phenolic plastic. Immediately beneath the evaporator 98, a pan 99 is provided which I arrange to serve, among other functions,

as a drip receive during the defrosting periods of the system.

Like the evaporator as, the pan to is supported at its rear edge bythe spacers I25. 'lhe evapor-ator supports 129 extend upwardly from the top wall of the liner 28 through the insulation 32 to engage the underside of the "drip pan 99 and the brackets is may be secured to the supports and to the drip pan by screws 624 or by other suitable means.

In the container of the evaporator '98, foods to be frozen or preserved at low temperature,

ice trays etc. (not shown) may be stored. Be-

cause of the low temperature maintained by this freezing evaporator 98, I provide the insulation spacer 2'3 of openwork material, such as wire screening, as to allow moisture laden air, which leaks from externally of the cabinet through casing joints into the insulation, to pass freely through the insulation into the freezing compartment and freeze out on the evaporator 98 instead of collecting as frost in the insulation and decreasing the effectiveness thereof. The screen spacer 25 has a top, sides and back; the sides and back extending down into the drip pan to which has the additional functions of supporting the screening and forming the bottom wall of the evaporator compartment 3d. While I prefer to use a wire mesh-like spacer, it will be understood that one or more retainer strips or a usual type liner provided with apertures therein may be employed with substantially the same degree of effectiveness.

Like the evaporator container the, the food storage compartment liner 28 is preferably provided with an outturned flange M8 for connection by spaced tie members 150 to the frame is and to the base flange iii. Also, the liner may be attached at its corners to the frame lower gussets 94 and to similar gussets formed on the intermediate cross member 32 of the frame by screws or by other suitable means. The heat breaker strips H0 close the openings between. the front edges of the liner 28 and the casing 23; the breaker strips being held by screws 52 to the liner flange M8 and having outer portions retained in the channels iii! of the cabinet casing. With particular reference to Fig. 14, it will be seen that the breaker strips I ii) at the front edge of the partition 32, engage in retainer channels H d immediately forward of the frame crossmember 82. These channels on are formed in the top and bottom edges of a finish strip I56 which is secured to and covers the frame cross member In order to prevent condensation occurring on the outer surface of the finish strip lot, I provide a heating element its to keep the temperature of the finish strip, and other parts in the region, above the temperature at which condensation might take place. The heating element Iii-ii is preferably an electrical resistance wire which may be connected in the electric circuit of the compressor motor such that the unit will be energized at all times that the refrigerator is in use or is plugged in to a source of power. I locate the heater I58 within the frame cross member Q2 and extend it substantially entirely coextensive of the width of the frame so that the finish strip 56 will be affected over its entire length by the heating element 158. The heating element it may be held in place against the inner surface of the cross member web by a smaller channel retainer 16o secured therein. Preferably, insulating material m2 is provided in the cross member 92 behind the .IDE38,11S.

6 heater I58 so astodirectthe heat toward the finish strip I56 andmadjacent associated parts; away from the interior of the cabinet.

The secondary-refrigerating system comprises, a refrigerant evaporator IS! for cooling the food storage and high humidity compartments, and a heat exchanger I66 for operatively connecting; the secondary evaporator to the primary refrigcrating system. The evaporator 165, preferably in the form of a sinuous coil, is arranged to extend along the rear wall of the food storage compartment liner 28 and at the top of the liner is arranged to extend partly along the liner sides best illustrated in Fig. 16-. By this arrangement, the upper portion of the liner 2B is refrigerated to a lowertemperature than the lower portion, since the lower portion has the coil only on the rear wall of the liner. The heat exchanger Kid is located adjacent thetop of the liner 2& and rear-- wardly thereof; the heat exchanger being em beddedin the cabinet rear wall insulation best shown in Fig. 5. The heat exchanger H36 comprises, in general, an; elongated refrigerant condenser or container I67 and a refrigerant eyaporator or conduit I68. As shown in Figs. 6 and 16, the heat exchanger container it? extends across the cabinet rear wall substantially coextensive with the freezing evaporator 98 and is disposed on a slight angle to the horizontal to induce refrigerant circulation in one direction. Preferably the container it is a casting having a flange Elli which may be provided with elongated recesses to receive the conduit I63 so as to eifect elficient heat transfer relationship between the parts. A clamp Ill may be held by screws to the casting flange [Hi to hold the conduit N38 to the casting against the wall surfaces of the conduit receiving grooves.

Liquid refrigerant is supplied from the condenser H12 through a capillary tube I??? to the primary refrigerating system evaporator 93 and returns to the compressor liio through a return conduit I'M. A portion of the capillary tube 5'52 may be fastened to the return conduit fit so as to cool the refrigerant en route to the primary system evaporator from the condenser. The return conduit H4 is connected to the upper end of a refrigerant accumulator iii the lower of the accumulator Ilfi being connected to the outer end, as at H8, of the evaporator coil A length of conduit may be used as the accumulew tor and be secured to the rear wall of the evaporator $35 by clamps I79 or by other suitabie The accumulator or conduit Hi5 extends as a refrigerant passage 01 duct from an up" er inlet end thereof downwardly and across the rear wall of the evaporator and is bent to reti the outlet 178 of the evaporator. From the r of the cabinet, the accumulator has the form. of a U on, its sides with the sides diverging. Prior to passage of the refrigerant to the evaporator coil Hit, the refrigerant passes through the heat exchanger tube IE8, absorbing heat from the refrigerant in the larger heat exchanger container l6! or seconday portion of the in. This container it? is connected at its oppcs e ends respectively to opposite of the seeonw ary system evaporator [84. Thus, heat is rib-- sorbed from the liner 28 by the refrigerant in the evaporator its and is given up at the heat ex changer to the primary refrigerating system for ultimate dissipation by the condenser H32 thereof. The condenser ltz is secured to the inner our face of a flue or stack member I64 which is provided behind the machinery compartment is to ,aesabez induce upward fiow'of air therethrough. Pref erably, the flue member I84-is made of sheet metal having inturned side flanges, outwardly bent, as at I66, to receive screws or other suitable means for securing the flue member to the casing rear wall. The condenser I02 may be bent and arranged to extend sinuously over a large part of the flue member area to utilize the same for efficient dissipation of the heat of condensation to atmosphere. Any suitable cement or other securing means may be used to secure the condenser I02 in intimate heat relationship with the inner wall surface of the flue member.

Carried by and at the lower edge of the flue member I84 is a horizontal base I90 for supporting the motor-compressor unit I86 so that the motor-compressor and flue member I84 may be removed as a unit from the cabinet. Angle member supports I81 attached to the forward edge of the base I00, secure the base to the flue member I84. The motor-compressor unit I60 is also supported on the rear flange I8 of the cabinet bottom wall or base, the motor-compressor base being secured by brackets I9I to the cabinet base. To aid further in dissipating heat from the primary system, a number of channel-like fins I92 may be provided and be secured with their channel webs flat against the upper portion of the motor-compressor casing so that the channel sides or fins project substantially radially.

The freezing evaporator 98 is removable as a unit from the cabinet, through an opening I64 in the casing rear wall, adjacent the top thereof. Normally, the opening I94 is closed by a closure panel I66 which may be held in place by screws (not shown) or by other suitable means. A gasket I98 of rubber or other suitable displaceable material may be provided between the closure member I96 and the casing rear wall. After the closure panel I96 is removed, a section 200 of the cabinet insulation containing the heat exchanger I66 is removed and then a rear section 202 of the screen liner is removed after which the evaporator 98 may be removed from the cabinet.

A drain pipe 204 (see Fig. 6) leads from the bottom of the drip pan 89 downwardly through the insulation to empty into a recess 286 provi-ded in the rear wall of the liner 28. On defrost ing of the system, water flows down the liner inner surfaces into a channel section trough 2 I6 secured to the liner in the high humidity compartment 46. The trough ZIEJ is provided with a spout or lip 2 I2 directed to empty the water into a removable container 2M which may be hung on the rear wall of the vegetable bin 58 beneatli the spout 2 I2.

Referring now to the modification shown in Figs. 17 to 24 inclusive, the cabinet shown comprises, in general, a frame 2I6, a sheet metal casing 2I8, a liner member or spacer 220, and a liner member or shell 222. The liner 220 forms an upper freezing compartment 224 and the liner 222 forms an intermediate temperature, food storage compartment 226, and a high temperature, high humidity compartment 228. Between the bottom and top walls respectively of the

liners

220, 222, insulation 228 is provided and arranged to form a horizontal partition between the liners. Also, insulation 230 is provided between the liners and the casing 2I8 to decrease heat leakage into the interior of the cabinet. Any suitable wellknown type of heat insulation may be used. At the front of the cabinet, an upper door 232 is provided for closing the access opening to the freezing compartment 224 and a lower door 234 isprovided for closing. the access opening to compartments 226 and 228'. These

doors

232, 234 may be hung on one side of the cabinet by suitable hinges (not shown). The freezing compartment door 232 includes an inner panel 238 which is formed with a centrally located projection 240 which extends into the freezing compartment having a concavo-convex end wall 244.

In the food storage compartment 226, a number of shelves 242 may be supported on rails 244 secured to the sides of the liner 222. In the present cabinet, as in the previously described cabinet, the uppermost of the shelves 242 extends from the liner rear wall only partway toward the front of the cabinet to provide clearance, forwardly of this shelf for tall articles, bottles, etc. on the shelf below. The narrow shelf may be supported adjacent its forward edge by uprights 246, resting on the shelf immediately below the uppermost shelf. These shelves 242 are preferably made of an impervious material, such as glass, for the purpose of limiting circulation of air throughout the food storage compartment. Below the lowermost of the shelves 242 is a shelf-partition 248 which separates the food storage compart- .ment 226 and the high humidity compartment 228. This shelf-partition 248, like the shelves 242, is preferably made of glass for the like purpose of limiting circulation of air between the two compartments. In the high humidity compartment 228 food containers, such as a pair of drawers 250 and a bin 252 may be provided; the drawers preferably being laterally positioned and spaced above the bin, as shown.

Within the freezing compartment 224, I provide a storage compartment forming container 254. The container 254 is preferably box-shaped having a top wall 258, end walls 260 and a rear wall 262. These walls are spaced from the corresponding walls of the liner 226 to decrease heat exchange by conduction therebetween and to prevent, among other things, formation of frost and resulting wetting of the cabinet wall insulation. At the front of the container 254 outturned flanges 264 of the container top, bottom and sides receive and overlap with inner marginal portions of heat breaker strips 266. These breaker strips 266 have outer marginal portions thereof engaging in channels 268 formed out of the casing around the outer periphery or front thereof. In addition to functioning as heat insulators, between the casing 2I8 and the

liners

220, 222, the breaker strips 266 give a finished appearance to the access openings of the freezing and food storage compartments. To insure against leakage of air into the cabinet insulation at the joints of the breaker strips 266 with the container flange 264, I provide a gasket 210 therebetween. The gasket 2'") may be made of any suitable displaceable sealing material, such as rubber, and may be held displaced between the breaker strips and container flange 264 by self threading or sheet metal screws 212. As is shown more clearly in Fig. 20, the projection 240 of the freezing compartment door 232 extends into the access opening defined by the breaker or finish strips 266. This projection 24!] is formed withcurved top, bottom and side walls 274 which is cooperation with the curved breaker strips forms a throat to decrease cold air passing therethrough and consequently to decrease condensation on front surfaces of the cabinet inwardly of the door gasket. Also, the gasket 222 functions to decrease the flow area of said throat, thus aiding in decreasing passage of cold air therethrough.

r The freezing compartment storage container 254 is refrigerated by a refrigerant evaporator 216 of a primary refrigerating system which includes a refrigerant condensing element, designated generally by the numeral 218. In order to refrigerate the container 254 efficiently and at the same time provide for removabi'li'ty of the evaporator 216 from the cabinet, I make the evaporator of U-shape in cross section to fit over or receive the container 254.. To insure further for efficient heat transfer relationship between the evaporator 2'16 and the container 254', I make the U-shape evaporator of two L-shaped parts and clamp these parts together and to the top and rear walls of the container. part of the evaporator comprises. a relatively long leg 2511 which lies flat against the upper surface of the container top wall 256 and arela- 'tively short leg 282 which lies iiat against the outer upper surface of the container rear wall Similarly, the lower L-shaped part of the evaporator 27% been relatively long, sheet metal leg Elli engaging flat against the underside of the container 256 and. has a relatively short, sheet metal leg. 28.5 engaging. flat against the lower exterior surface. of the container rear wall 253. These L-shaped evaporator parts. or units are formed having sinuous. refrigerant passages 2'33,

2th extending respectively along the upper and lower walls or legs 28D. and 28A. of. the. evaporator ill}. Connecting passages 292 formed in. the. rear walls or le s 282. and. 2.86. of the: evaporator in.- clude a refrigerant header 29 i. and a refrigerant accumulator 2%. Welded or otherwise suitably secured to. the adiacent

evaporator legs

282 and 2%. are L-shaped clamp. members 2138. which. may be drawn together by nutsv and. bolts 3% to hold L.-shape.d parts of the. evaporator tightly against the opposite surfaces of the container 254. Additional clamps 3 92 are. provided to clamp the upper and. lower evaporator legs. 2.8.0,. 284 flat against the container 255 to insure. good surface contact therebetween. for efficient heat exchange relationship. The clamps 362 may be. elongated strips arranged to. overlap and engage. outer marginal portions of the side edges of the evaporator legs 230- as shown, for example, in Figs. 23. These clamping strips 302 may be made of spring. meta-lv and may be drawn down to the container top wall 2.56; by self threading or sheet metal screws 3M.

A refrigerant evaporator 32%; of a secondary system is provided. to cool the. food storage com. partments 22-6, 228 by' absorbing heat. from the liner 22-2 of the. compartments. shown, the evaporator 320 is preferably of. the. coil or conduit type and is arranged inengagement with the outer surface of the liner 222. Cement or other suitable means may be provided for securing the evaporator coil 328 to. the: liner 22.2. in good. heat exchange relationship. therewith Adjacent the bottom of the cabinet. liner. 222,. the rear wall thereof has a forwardly and downwardly inclined portion 322 beneath which the condensing element 278 of the primary system is disposed. Attached to the inclined portion. 322. of the liner 222, the evaporator coil 320 extends upwardly across the back of the liner and also extends along" portions of the liner opposite sides adjacent the top of the liner (see Fig: 2. 1). The secondary cooling system evaporatorcoil. 32s is in heat exchange relationship with the primary: system by means of a heat exchanger 324'; Any suitable type of heat exchanger may be used such as. the type hereinbefore described: in the preferred The upper. L-shaped the cabinet.

embodiment or the type shown in my Patent No. 2,361,792. As is well known, in primary-secondary systems, the heat exchanger functions to condense and absorb heat in the secondary systom, the heat absorbed ultimately being dissipated by the primary system condensing element. The heat exchanger or evaporator 324 may be located in the cabinet rear wall and may be embedded in the insulation, as shown.

the condensing element 2l'8 in the present refrigerator comprises, a motor-compressor unit 326, and a finned condenser coil 328. These units are mounted on a supporting base 320 which in turn may be bolted to the base of the cabinet behind the inclined wall 322. Refrigerant is delivered by the condenser 328 to the evaporator zit through a small diameter or capillary tube 332 which, as is Well known, functions to supply proper amounts of refrigerant to the evaporator to maintain desired temperatures. Between the condenser 32% and. the evaporator 2% a heat absorbing portion of the capillary tube 332 is arranged in heat exchange relationship with the secondary refrigerating system at the heat exchanger 328. As is shown more clearly in Fig. the portion of the capillary tube 3'32 between the condenser 323 and the heat exchanger 324 is arranged in good heat transfer relationship with a refrigerant return conduit 334 of the primary system for the purpose of cooling the liquid refrigerant en route to the freezing evaporator 21.6.. From. the heat. exchanger 32.4., a refrigerant supply conduit 32138 of larger flow capacity than the capillary tube 3.3.2 delivers refrigerant to the inlet of the evaporator passage 288 for passage therethrough; the. gaseous refrigerant being withdrawn from the refrigerant accumulator 296 for return to the condensing element through the return conduit 334.

The arrangement for draining and collecting Water from. the. freezing evaporator 216 on defrosting of the system is the same as that described in connection with the refrigerator of Figs. 1 to 16 and therefore like parts are designated by like numerals.

In. the rear wall of the. cabinet, the freezing compartment liner 228 is provided with a removable rear wallor closure member 338, immediately behind the evaporator 2%. Similarly, the cabinet casing 2N? is provided with a removable panel or closure member 3.66 which may be. attached to the cabinet screws. 362 or by other suitable means. Upon removing. these closure members 338 and 3% together with the insulation therebetween, access may be had to the rear of the evaporator 21 6. for the purpose of removing the evaporator from the cabinet through the back. thereof. To remove the evaporator 2ft, clamps 322 are loosened; access to the screws 3M holding the clamps beingv had through the access opening; closed by the door Also, the clamps 2%. at the back of the evaporator 2'16 are loosened or released after which the evaporator may be pulled: rearwardlyfrom the container 254. out of The. container 254' and the evaporator 2%, carried thereby, are supported by the top wall of the cabinet liner 222; the container 254- being directly mounted on brackets located at. the. reaaof the. freezing compartment, as: shown in 2b.. Thesel'orackets seat. on and are: secured to 321 which in turn are supported on and are secured to the top wall of the liner 222;. It will beseen that the container 2-5.4: extends beyond the side edges of the evaporator 2'l6. and that the. brackets 238 are located 11 just outwardly of the evaporator edges for clearance by the evaporator 278 when the evaporator is pulled rearwardly from the cabinet.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that I have provided in a refrigerator, an improved arrangement of the units of a primary-secondary refrigerating system with respect to each other and to the liners of a two temperature refrigerator to increase efficiency thereof. It will further be understood that I have provided in a two temperature refrigerator, an arrangement of primary and secondary refrigerant evaporators together with an elongated,

inclined heat exchanger to effect high efficiency of the refrigerator. In addition, it will be seen that I have provided in a refrigerator of the above mentioned character for the mounting of the upper or freezing evaporator on the top wall of the food storage compartment liner. and have arranged the secondary evaporator coil so that only upper side portions of the food storage compartment adjacent the top wall thereof is refrigerated directly by the secondary refrigerant evaporator.

Although preferred and modified forms have been illustrated, and described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In refrigerating apparatus, a compartment forming liner having top, bottom, side and rear walls, a secondary refrigerating system having a refrigerant evaporator coil extending sinuously along said rear wall substantially throughout its height having a group of widely spaced runs near the bottom of the rear wall and a group of closely spaced runs near the top of said liner extending along an upper portion only of said side Walls adjacent said top wall, a primary refrigerating system having a refrigerant evaporator carried by the top wall of said liner and a portion forming a condenser for said secondary refrigerating system evaporator coil, and a secondary condenser connected with said secondary system evaporator coil and being arranged in heat exchange relationship with said portion of the primary refrigerating system evaporator.

2. In refrigerating apparatus, a compartment forming liner having top, side, rear, and lower inclined walls, a refrigerating system including a condensing element disposed behind and adjacent the exterior of said inclined lower wall, a refrigerant evaporator mounted on the top wall of said liner and including a portion thereof extendin along the rear wall adjacent th top thereof, a secondary refrigerating system including a condenser in heat exchange relation with said portion of said evaporator, and said secondary system also including a refrigerant evaporator coil including a group of widely spaced runs extending along said rear and inclined walls and a group of closely spaced runs extending along said rear wall above said first runs and part of said side walls of said liner adjacent the top thereof only.

3. In refrigerating apparatus, a compartment forming liner having top, side, rear, and inclined walls, a refrigerating system including a condensing element disposed behind and substantially below said inclined wall, said system also including a refrigerant evaporator mounted on and carried by the top wall of said liner and connected to said condensing element, and a second 12 refrigerant evaporator coil extending along said inclined wall and rear wall substantially throughout the length thereof and along an upper portion only of said side walls adjacent the top wall of said liner.

4. Refrigerating apparatus comprising, a cabinet, an insulated partition separating th cablnet into upper and lower portions, a compartment-forming liner having side and rear walls positioned in one of said portions on one side of said partition, a second compartment-forming liner having side and rear walls positioned in the other of said portions on the opposite side of said partition, refrigeration producing apparatus positioned in said cabinet and having a portion extending around the top, side, rear, and bottom walls of said second-named liner, and another portion extending along substantially the entire rear wall of the first-named liner and upper portion only of said liner sides in heat exchange relationship therewith for absorbing heat through said liners to cool circulating air in the compartments formed by said liners.

5. Heat absorbing means comprising, a shell having an inclined rear wall and an open front, a second shell of rectangular formation mounted on and carried by said first-named shell, and having an open front, refrigerant evaporating means extending along the inclined and rear wallof the first-named shell and also extending only over the upper rear portions of the side walls of said shell and another portion substantially surrounding all five sides of the secondnamed shell.

6. In refrigerating apparatus, a compartment forming liner having rear and side walls, a sinuous refrigerant coil attached to said rear wall including a lower group of relatively widely spaced runs extending along a portion of said rear wall and an upper group of relatively closely spaced runs extending along another portion of said rear wall, one of said groups having portions thereof extending around to and along portions only of said side walls.

'7. In refrigerating apparatus, -a heat conducting cabinet liner, having top, bottom, rear and side walls, a refrigerant condensing element located at the back ofsaid rear wall adjacent the bottom wall, a horizontal partition within said liner cooperating therewith to provide upper and lower compartments, a refrigerant coil attached to the rear wall of said liner including a lower group of widely spaced horizontal runs on that portion of the rear wall forming the lower compartment between said portion and said condensing element, a second group of widely spaced horizontal runs on a lower portion of the rear wall forming the upper compartment, and an upper group of closely spaced horizontal runs on an upper portion of the rear wall forming said upper compartment, one of said groups of runs only having portions extending along portions only of the side walls of said liner. I

LAWRENCE A. PHILIPP.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,101,656 Steenstrup Dec. 7, 1937 2,280,554 Steenstrup Apr. 21, 1942 2,284,915 Miller June 2, 1942 2,509,591 Gifford May 30, 1950 2,509,613 Phillip May 30, 1950 2,511,851 Iwashita June 20, 1950