US2865181A - Combination freezer and dehumidifier - Google Patents

Description

- Dec. 23, 1958 J. ANDERSON ETAL 2,865,181

COMBINATION FREEZER 'AND DEHUMIDIFEIER Filed May 16. 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 -:;iii lllllllll I.

T ...iiil"||l!!! ll h INVENTORS CHARLES WARD STONER LELAND J.ANDERSON ATTORNEYS Dec. 23, 1958' J. ANDERSON ET AL 2,855,181

COMBINATION FREEZER AND DEHUMIDIFIER Fileql May 16. 1955 4 Sheet-Sheet 2 INVENTORS CHARLES WARD STONER LELAND J.ANDERSON ATTORNEYS Dec. 23, 1958 L. J. ANDERSON ETAL 2,865,181

COMBINATION FREEZER AND DEHUMIDIFIER Filed May 16. 1955 v 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTORS 33 CHARLES WARD STONER LELAND J.ANDERSON ATTORNEYS LL J. ANDERSON ET AL COMBINATION FREEZER AND DEHUMIDIFIER Filed May 16. 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS CHARLES WARD STONER LELAND J. ANDERSON AT TORN EYS United States Patent COMBINATION FREEZER AND DEHUMIDIFIER Leland J. Anderson/and Charles Ward Stoner, Milwaukee, Wis., assignors to Ben-l-Iur Mfg. Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation Application May 16, 1955, Serial No. 508,502

3 Claims. (.Cl. 62-199) Our invention appertains to heat exchange, and more particularly, to a new and novel combination freezer and dehumidifier unit adapted to be built into a home or farm freezer.

Home and farm freezers are usually installed in basements or other damp surroundings, and it has been found that the dampness causes the freezer cabinet to sweat unduly and thisresults in corrosion of parts and surfaces, and often directly affects the efficiency of the freezer. In order to overcome this difficulty, it has been the practice in some instances to install a dehumidifier as a separate appliance so that the damp air will be relieved of its excess moisture, thus'preserving the life and efficiency of the freezer, aswell as protecting other objects stored in the basement ordamp area. While this separate appliance accomplishes the desired result, itinvariably'resulted in additional cost, involves additional power drain andrequired additional space in the area. It has been found through experimentation that the above difficulties could be greatly reduced, and in most cases entirely eliminated, if the dehumidifier would be incorporated in some way with the'freezer unit.

Therefore, it is a primary object of our present invention to build a dehumidifier unit in the same cabinet with thefreezer unit, utilizing practically the same space that was heretofore utilized by the refrigeration system for the freezer unit itself and operating from the same source of power.

Another important object of our present invention is to provide a dehumidifier cycle and a freezer cycle as one unit but utilizing a-single refrigerating compressor, condenser, fan and motor assembly to operate both the freezer cycle and the dehumidifier cycle.

A further object of our'invention is to provide a unit with a freezer cycle and abuilt-in dehumidifier cycle in which the freezer cycle is the controlling cycle and will operate normally as any other freezer cycle with the dehumidifier cycle being off or inoperative when the freezer cycle is operating.

A still further object is to provide 'the unit with a separate manual switch for the dehumidifier cycleso that the dehumidifier may be rendered completely inoperative when the switch is in the off position, but will operate when the switch is in the on position only after the load demand of the freezer storage compartment has been satisfied.

A more specific object of'the present. invention is to provide a capillary tube in the dehumidifier cycle having a larger diameter'and a shorter length than the capillary tube in the freezer cycle so that the dehumidifying coils will operate at a higher temperature than the temperature necessary for the freezer coils.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a combination slidable drawer and pan assembly which, when in position, is situated under the dehumidifying coils so that ice melting on the coils will drop in the form. of water and be collected in the pan proper, where it may be removed from the freezer cabinet.

A salient object of our invention is to provide means to prevent the relatively high pressure dehumidifierevaporator gas from backing up through the extremities of the freezer coils, which, of course, would result in rising temperatures in the freezer cycle and damage to the freezer storage contents.

Another important object of our invention is to provide the unit with a fan constructed and arranged so as to draw the airthrough the dehumidifying coils and to also force the air around the compressor and motor to cool the same.

A still further object is to provide a freezer and dehumidifier unit which is of a comparatively small size, and one which can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost and one which will be durable and efiicient in usev With these-and other objects in view, and to the end of attaining any other advantage hereinafter appearing, this vided for the freezer and dehumidifier system in the lower right-hand portion of the freezer cabinet;

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse vertical section taken through the freezer cabinet illustrating details in the construction and arrangement of the freezer and dehumidifierunit and clearly showing the novel location of the fan between the dehumidifying coils and the compressor, the

section being taken on line 22 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of one preferred arrangement of the freezer and dehumidifier unit-with the thermostat closed and calling for a lower temperature in the freezer-coilsand showing the flow of refrigerant through the freezer cycle;

Figure 4. is a diagrammatic view similar to Figure 3 showing the thermostat open, with the temperature in the freezing compartment being satisfactory and withthe manual switch being thrown to its off position, thereby stopping the compressor when the freezer cycle is not operating;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic viewsimilar to Figures 3 and 4. of the drawings with the thermostat open but showingthe manual switch in its on position, whereby the "compressor will. operate continuously and the flow of refrigerant with the open thermostat will be through the dehumidifier cycle;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view showing a. modified arrangement of the unit wherein only one solenoid operated valve is usedto control the flow of refrigerant in both cycles, the thermostat being shown in its off position and the manual switch in its on position, so that the flow of refrigerant will be through the dehumidifier cycle; and,

Figure7v is a diagrammatic view similar to Figure 5 of the drawing but illustrating a modified arrangement in the electrical control system and again showing the flow of refrigerant in the dehumidifiercycle with the switches in their. corresponding position.

Referring now ,to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter U- generally indivcates our improved freezer and dehumidifier unit, and the material 14 and a suitable base 15. Our novel freezer and dehumidifying unit U may be conveniently installed anywhere in the cabinet but we preferably position the unit in the lower portion of the freezer adjacent one end thereof. In this manner it does not greatly interf re with the storage space available in the freezer, and this means that the larger compartment 11 can also be made deeper than the smaller compartment 11'.

This novel unit U includes, broadly (Figure 2), a single compressor assembly 16 mounted on the base adjacent the rear of the cabinet, freezer coils 17 utilized for reducing the temperature in the compartments 11, 11, dehumidifying coils 18 and a single fan 19 which is firmly secured to a raised platform 19'. This platform 19 is bolted or otherwise secured to the base 15. It is important to note that the fan 19 is positioned intermediate the dehumidifying coils 18 and the compressor 16 so that it will draw air through the dehumidifying coils (both aiding in frosting and defrosting the coils) and will also force the air around the compressor to cool the same. The dehumidifying coils 18 are mounted in brackets 20 which extend downwardly and rearwardly at an angle from a point 21 adjacent the forward portion of the cabinet and terminate adjacent the fan 19. The brackets 20, of course, are firmly secured to the under surface of the wall 22 and to the raised platform 19'. This angular arrangement of the dehumidifying coils allows the use of a greater number and area of coils than would be available if the coils were mounted in a vertically extended bracket.

The various component parts of the unit U are extremely compact and fit entirely within the space 23 at the aforementioned lower portion of the freezer cabinet 10 (the freezer coils 17, of course, extend around the freezer compartments 11, 11'). The front opening of the space 23 is closed by the front wall 24 of a drawer or pan assembly 25 and the upper part of the front wall 24 is provided with a cutout portion in which is mounted a screen 26. The drawer or pan assembly 25 fits snugly in the front opening and slides on the base 15 and may be provided with a suitable handle or the like to facilitate its movement. Secured to the front wall 24 and slanting downwardly and rearwardly therefrom at a point below the screen 26 and terminating adjacent to and spaced from the rear wall 27 is a plate or bafile 28. This baflle 28 will conduct the water dripping from the dehumidifying coils into the pan proper 29 and will also prevent the spilling of the water when the pan is being moved. The rear opening of the space 23 is completely covered by a larger screen 30, and as previously brought out, the air is moved through the space 23 in the direction of the arrows, Figure 2 of the drawings, with the fan 19 serving not only as a means for collecting ice and defrosting the dehumidifying coils 18, but also as a means for cooling the compressor 16.

One of the salient features of our invention resides in the fact that our unit includes a complete freezer refrigerant cycle C and a complete dehumidifier refrigerant cycle D, both of which are operated by the single compressor 16, single condenser 31, and wherein only one fan 19 is needed for the dual purpose above mentioned. It is obvious that certain minor features of the unit U and details of the two cycles, as well as the controls, therefore, may be varied within the limit and scope of our invention. However, Figures 3 to 7, inclusive, illustrate diagrammatically the preferred arrangement and modification of the unit U and the two refrigerating cycles. Regardless of the minor changes in details and arrangement of the units illustrated, all of the unit arrangements include the following important features of our invention: The freezer cycle C, including the freezer coils 17, a dehumidifier cycle D including the dehumidifying coils 18, one compressor 16, one condenser 31, valve means 32 for alternately channelling the refrigerant from the compressor and condenser assembly into either the freezer cycle C or the dehumidifier cycle D, an electrical control system 33, a thermostatic switch 34 responsive to the demand of the freezer storage compartment for controlling the valve means 32 and some form of manually operated switch 35, which, While normally on, may be thrown to the off position to render the dehumidifier cycle D inoperative by interrupting the fiow of electrical current to the compressor and fan motors when the thermostatic switch is open.

Referring now to Figures 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, it will be readily apparent that I have shown diagrammatically one preferred arrangement of the freezer and dehumidifier unit U and the positioning of the common compressor 16, the condenser 31, valve means 32 and fan 19 in this system is clearly illustrated. In this par ticular unit arrangement, the valve means 32 includes two separate valves, the solenoid operated valve 56 for the freezer cycle C and the solenoid operated valve 57 for the dehumidifier cycle D. The movement of the refrigerant through the freezer cycle will now be described.

Referring more particularly to Figure 3, it is apparent that when the thermostatic switch 34 is closed (calling for more cold in the storage compartment) the freezer cycle C will be in operation and the movement of the refrigerant will be in the direction of the arrows. The refrigerant is first forced from one side of the compressor 16 into the condenser 31 through the feezer valve 56 (which is now open) into the capillary tube 36, and then into the freezer coils 17. After the heat exchange has taken place, the refrigerant leaves the freezer coils and is moved into the accumulator 37, through a one way check valve 38, and back into the other side of compressor. The reason for the one way check valve 38 will become readily apparent as the description proceeds. The above described movement of the refrigerant is normal when the freezer compartments 11, 11', are in need of a lower temperature, and, of course, when the thermostatic switch, in response to this demand, is in its closed position as shown.

The wiring or electrical control system 33 for the motors of the compressor and fan, as well as for the operation ofthe solenoid valves, obviously may also be varied as desired, but as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 the electrical system includes a pair of lead lines 39 and 40 connected to a source of power (not shown) and the line 40 leads directly into one end of the solenoid 41 and a line 42 connects the other end of the solenoid to one of the contact points 43 of the thermostatic control switch 34. Takeofl wires or lines 44 and 45 are attached to the line 40 and line 42, respectively. for the operation of the solenoid 46. A single takeoff line 47 is attached to the lead line 40 and leads directly to one end of the motor of the compressor 16. Interposed between the lead line 39 and a line 48 which leads to the other end of the compressor motor is the manually operated switch 35. In the particular arrangement illustrated, the manual switch 35 is of the double pole double throw type and one pole 49 makes and breaks contact between lead line 39 and line 48, and the pole 50 makes and breaks contact between line 42 and line 48. However, when the manual switch is in the off position illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, pole 49 is open and current will not flow through to the compressor motor unless the thermostatic switch 34 is closed as in Figure 3. Then, of course, the current will fiow through the thermostatic switch 34 by means of the contact points 51 and 43 through the one pole 50 to wire 48, and the compressor will operate to move the refrigerant in the freezer cycle C in the direction of the arrows as previously described. Obviously, it is clearly shown that contact point 51 is directly secured to the lead wirc 39 and lead wire 40 has direct closed circuit with one end of the compressor motor through line 47. The motor for the fan 19 receives its current by direct takeoff from the wires 47 and 48 through lead-in wires 52 and 53, respectively. When both the, thermostatic switch 34 and the manually operated switch 35 are opened, as-

in Figure '4 of the drawing, no power or current is supplied to the compressor 16 or the solenoids 41 and 46, and, therefore, the solenoids are de-energized and the valve plungers 54 and '55 are urged by spring pressure,

or otherwise (not shown), in the position illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings, the'freezer valve 56 being in the closed position and the dehumidifier valve 57 being in the open position.

With the manual switch 35 in the position illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the dehu'midifying cycle D of the unit U is rendered inoperative, 'and, while this is not the normal position of the switch, it is moved to this position so that the 'dehumidifying cycle D may be cut out during those months when the humidity is relatively low or when the freezer is to be used in climates where the humidity is normally very low. The freezer cycle C will then operate somewhat like a conventional freezer in response to the thermostatic switch 34 and refrigerant will be moved in the frez'ercycle only when the thermostat is calling for a'lower temperature in the freezer compartments-11 and 11'. This meansgthereforegthat when the thermostatic switch 34 is open and the manual switch 35 is in its open position, 'as'in Figure 4 of the drawings, no power will be'transmitted to the compressor and fan motors and the unit will be idle as is normal with most freezer cycles not having a dehumidifier cycle.

However, in climatesof relatively high humidity and where humidity may be a :problem, the manual switch 35 will be thrown to its on position as illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings, and then the compressor and fan motors will run continuously regardless of whether the thermostatic switch 34 is open or closed. This is due to the fact that, when the thermostatic switch is open and the manual switch closed, current is still supplied to the compressor and-fan motors through the lead lines 39 and 40. The circuit is completed through lead line 40, line 47 to one end of the compressor motor and through the motor to the line 48, pole 49 of the manual switch 35, 'and directly to the lead line 39.

Great stress is laid in the fact that the freezer cycle C is the controlling'cycle and that the dehumidifier cycle D will operate only when the freezer cycle is inoperative and the required temperature has been obtained in the freezer storage compartments 11 and 11. This control is had through the thermostatic switch 34 which opens and closes in response to the load demand of the freezer F. However, as illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawing, the thermostatic switch 34 is open and the solenoid operated valves 56 and 57 are in their de-energized position, as also' described and illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings. This means, of course,-that the freezer valve 56 is closed and the dehumidifier valve 57 is open, but, due tothe fact that the manual switch 35 is now the its on position, the compressor and fan are in continual operation, and, therefore, refrigerant will be moved from the compressor i6 through the condenser 31 and into the dehumidifier valve 57. From there, the refrigerant is forced through the capillary tube 58 and into the dehumidifying coils 18. The refrigerant then passes from the dehumidifying coils into the accumulator 59 and back into the compressor 16, through a pipe or line 60. Both pipe 60 (dehumidifier-cycle) and pipe 61 (freezer cycle) connect with a single pipe 62 which leads intoone side of the compressor 16.

Certain problems arise when the two cycles are operated as above noted. One is that it is not practical or desired that the dehumidifying coils 18 operate at the same low temperature as the freezer coils 17; in fact, it is highly desirable that, the dehumidif'ying coils operate at a relatively higher temperature than the temperature of the freezer coils. Normally, for "example, a A H. P.' or /3 H. P. compressor is used with freezer cabinets having a 12 'to 20 cu. ft, storage capacity. Now, a A1 H. P. or /3 H. P. compressor used for a freezer cabinet application operates at-evaporator gas temp eratures well below zero degrees Fahrenheit in order that the temperatures in the storage compartments may be held to zero degrees Fahrenheit or lower. A dehumidifier apparatus, however, should operate at a'much higher evaporator gas temperature because the dehumidifying evaporator coils should be held a few deg'rees Fahrenheit below the dew point of the air being V dehumidified (about to degrees Fahrenheit).

From the foregoing it might be concluded thatsufficient capacity to operate a dehumidifier cycle could not be-made available from a-compressor operatinga freezer cycle in a freezer cabinet. However, this is not true, because if means are provided -to operate the compressor at a low evaporator temperature while operating the freezer cycle, and if means are provided to operate the dehumidifier "cycle ata higher temperature while operating the dehumidifier, then a-satisfactorycombinationof required capacities is readily made available.

We accomplish this desired result-by making thecapillary tube 58 leading into the=dehumidifying coilslSof a shorter length and of alargerdiameter than the capillary tube 36 which leads into-the-freezer evaporator "coils -17, and also by providing for the continuous operation of the compressor and fan motors. Inasmuch as both cycles utilize the 'same refrigerant and the dehumidifier cycle requires a higher evaporator temperature, resulting in a higher pressurein-the refrigerant'gas emanating from the dehumidifying coils 18, the one 'way check valve 38 is incorporated in the line 61 and this prevents the refrigerant from the dehumidifying'coils 18 from backing up into the relatively lower pressure of the gas emanating from the-freezer coils 17. The continuous running of the refrigeration compressor is actually quite economical as, generally speaking, the refrigeration comfpresser requires moretorque and,consequently, there is more power drainincontinuously starting from an off cycle than whenthe unit is running continuously.

Again, it should be stressed that with the thermostatic switch closed as in Figure 3, but with the manual switch 35 also closed as'in Figure 5, current not only will be continuously transmitted to the compressor and fan motor but cui'rentwill now be'transmitted to the solenoids 41 and 46 to energize the-solenoids and retract the valve plungers 54 and 55, respectively, again opening the valve '56 in the freezer cycleand closing the valve 57 in 'the dehumidifier cycle, and thus the refrigerant will be movedthrough the freezer cycle in the same manner as illustrated in Fig. 3.

From the foregoing, it should be readily apparent that regardless of whether the manual switch 35 is off or on the freezer cycle C will always operate when the thermostat isclosed, but that the dehumidifier cycle will only operate when the manual switch is on as shown in Figure 5.

Attention'is now directed-to-Figure Got the drawings, wherein the main component parts of the freezer cycle C and the dehumidifier cycle D are the same but wherein the valve control means 32 is in'the form of a single solenoid operated valve 63, and this valve is substituted for the double valves '56 and 57 shown in the preceding figures. For this purpose, the valve 63 includes a central compartment-'64 and two end compartments 65 and 66 in open communication with the said central compartment. The valve plug 67 and its plunger moves in response to the solenoid 41' to alternately open or close one of the pair of ports'respectively communicating with the central and'end compartments. The valve, however, is continuously urged by any means, such as spring pres sure or gravity, toward the position shown in Figure 6 of the drawings and will be retracted to close the opening leading to the dehumidifier cycle D only when the solenoid is energized. The remainder-of the dual system, control circuits, wiring and the like is the same as that illustrated in Figures y3, 4 and 5, except that one end 68 of the capillary tube 58 in the dehumidifier cycle D leads from the upper compartment 65 of the valve 63, while one end 69 of the capillary tube -36 leading to the freezer cycle C, extends from the lower compartment 66 of the valve. Also, the solenoid 46 (Figures 3, 4 and 5) and its wiring 44 and 45 are eliminated, but the lines 40 and 42 are connected to the solenoid 41' in much the same manner as they were connected to solenoid 41, which solenoid along with valve 57, has also been eliminated in order that the single valve 63 could be substituted therefor.

In this diagrammatic view of Figure 6, the thermostatic valve 34 is in its open position and the manual switch is thrown to its on position, similar to the position illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawing, and, therefore, the dehumidifier cycle D is in operation and the refrigerant will follow the path of the arrows in Figure 6 of the drawings starting from the compressor 16, through the condenser 31, into the central compartment 64 of the valve 63, through the port into the upper compartment 65, into the capillary tube 58, and thence, into the dehumidifier evaporator coils 18. From the dehumidifying coils 18, the refrigerant is again lead into the accumulator 59 and back into the compressor 16. When the thermostatic valve 34 closes, the solenoid 41 will be energized and the dehumidifier cycle D will be cut off so that the freezer cycle C will then be in open communication with the compressor and condenser and the refrigerant will flow through the freezer cycle C. In all other respects, this system operates and possesses all of the essential characteristics of the system described and illustrated in connection with Figures 3, 4 and 5.

Figure 7 illustrates another modified arrangement which possesses all of the essential characteristics of our novel freezer and dehumidifier unit, and the freezer cycle C, dehumidifier cycle D, and the two solenoid valves 56 and 57' are somewhat similar to valves 56 and 57 as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, except that both of the solenoid valves 56 and 57' are in the same position and are urged preferably by gravity pressure to their closed position and means is provided for alternately energizing one valve or the other. The main difference in this arrangement, therefore, lies in the wiring or electrical control system 33, and in this system the manual switch 35 is of the single throw type having one pole 70 and we provide a double throw double pole solenoid operated switch 71 which alternately energizes the solenoids 41" and 46 in response to the opening and closing of the thermostatic switch 34. The manual switch 35 is used only to make and break contact between the compressor motor and the source of power, and this switch is only effective when the thermostatic switch 34 is in its open position, the double throw switch 71 then being in the position shown. This is due to the fact that the pole 70 is interposed directly in the line 39 between the source of power andthe line 48 leading to the compressor. Now, with the manual switch 35 on (as shown) and the thermostatic switch 34 open, the double pole solenoid switch 71 is deenergized and pole 72 makes contact with wire 73 leading to one end of solenoid 41". The circuit is then completed through solenoid 41" in the following manner: Lead wire 40, wire 73, pole 72, by-pass wire 74, and thence to lead Wire 39.

The compressor 16 obtains its power through a circuit completed through lead wires and 39 by means of the wire 47 and wire 48, and the compressor will force the refrigerant in the direction of the arrows in the dehumidifier cycle exactly as illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawing. The fan is also operated directly through takeoff lines 52 and 53 and will operate whenever the compressor operates and is idle whenever the compressor is idle. I also provide a takeoff 75 for the solenoid operated freezer valve 56 and the wire leads to a contact point 76 of the relay or solenoid operated switch 71. The lead line 39 has direct contact with the pole 70 of the manual control switch 35 and current may then travel to the other contact point 77 of the double throw solenoid operated switch 71 and pole 78 makes-or breaks contact between said points. As long as the manual switch 35 is closed, power will always be supplied to the compressor and fan motors, and when the thermostatic switch is closed, current will energize the solenoid or relay 79 and the pole 78 will close contact between the points 76 and 77, and current will be supplied to the freezer solenoid 46 through the lines and 44, due, of course, to the fact that these lines connect with lead lines 39 and 40. Valve 56 will now open and the freezer cycle will operate exactly as shown and described in Figure 3 of the drawings. When the thermostatic switch 34 is in its open position and the manual switch 35 is closed, solenoid 79 will be de-energized and energy will be supplied only to the dehumidifying solenoid 41" and solenoid 41" will open the dehumidifying valve. Then, of course, the refrigerant will flow in the direction of the arrows through the dehumidifying cycle D leading from the compressor 16 through the condenser 31, through valve 57 into the capillary tube 56, and thence, through the dehumidifying coils 18. From the dehumidifying coils 18, refrigerant moves into the accumulator 59 and is led back into the compressor 16 through the pipes or lines 68 or 62. Again, it is to be stressed that the refrigerant is prevented from backing up into the freezer coil 17 by means of the one way check valve 38. If it is desired for any reason to cause the dehumidifier cycle to become inoperative, the manual switch 35 may be thrown to its off position and then power or energy will be supplied to the compressor 16 only when the thermostat 34 is closed; otherwise, the compressor, motor and fan will beidle.

It is obvious from the above that the single solenoid operated valve illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 6 of the drawings could be incorporated in the cycle illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings.

in view of the above, it can be seen that we have added a novel dehumidifying means to the normal freezer system and that both cycles utilize a common compressor, condenser and fan. Further, the operation of the entire unit is controlled by the thermostatic switch 34 in the freezer cycle C, and when the manual switch 35 is on the dehumidifier cycle D will operate only when the freezer cycle is not calling for a lower or colder temperature. This novel arrangement enables the compressor and fan to run continuously to alternately operate the freezer.

cycle and the dehumidifier cycle, and it has been found that the cost of continually running the compressor and fan as compared to the continuous starting and stopping of the same is extremely low as usually a great surge of power and also wear and tear on the parts occurs when the compressor is first started and is being continually turned on and off in the usual freezer cycle. Therefore, this results in a very reasonable dehumidifying arrangement.

As previously mentioned, a very important feature lies in the dual function of the fan 19, in that the fan continually draws air through the dehumidifying coils 18 and is also continually utilized to force cooling air about the compressor 16 and its motor. Further, when the freezer cycle C is in operation the fan acts to defrost the dehumidifying coils 18 and the Water is then allowed to accumulate in the pan 29. Obviously, when the dehumidifier cycle D is in operation the air drawn through the dehumidifying coils will give up its moisture in the form of ice deposited on the coils, and this ice is quickly melted when the dehumidifier cycle is inoperative and the freezer cycle is operating, in that the fan as aforementioned draws air continually through the coils. Of course, should the manual switch 35 be off" for any reason the fan 19 will not operate when the freezer cycle C is not operating, but the dehumidifier cycle willnot operate either, and any ice previously accumulated will melt and be gathered in the form of water in the pan.

The pan 29 may be easily and quickly emptied by sliding the drawer and pan assembly 25 outwardly and entirely free from the unit. Bafile 28 will aid in keeping the water from spilling or splashing until the pan can be emptied. 7

Again it should be stressed that the essential control in the operation of this apparatus is the thermostatic control 34 and that only one thermostatic control is employed and it is placed in the operation of the freezer cycle. This control 34 closes a circuit to either the compressor motor or to a solenoid relay valve for the compressor motor and solenoid control valves, as the case may be. The temperature element of this control is sensitive only to freezer evaporator temperatures as sensed through element 80 and line 81.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the features and advantages of our invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and it will, of course, be understood that other changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim as new is:

1. A dual freezing and dehumidifying arrangement adapted to be installed in a freezer cabinet comprising, a freezer cycle and a dehumidifier cycle, a compressor, a condenser communicating with one side of said compressor; said dehumidifying cycle in open communication with said condenser and including a capillary tube communicating with the condenser at one end thereof, a dehumidifying coil having one end communicating with the other end of said capillary tube, an accumulator communicating with the other end of said dehumidifying coil, and a line connecting said accumulator with the other side of said compressor; said freezer cycle including a second capillary tube in open communication with the said one end of said condenser, freezer coils having one end connected to the other end of said capillary tube, a freezer accumulator secured to the other end of said freezer coil, and a line communicating with said freezer accumulator and the said other side of said compressor; valve means interposed between said one end of said condenser and the said ends of the capillary tubes of the respective freezer cycle and dehumidifier cycle, said valve means including three ports, one port in open communication with said one end of the condenser and one port respectively connecting with each respective cycle, and plunger means for alternately opening and closing communication between the respective port and its respective cycle, whereby refrigerant may be alternately channeled through one cycle and the other.

2. A dual freezer and dehumidifier unit adapted to be installed in a freezer cabinet including a compressor, a condenser communicating at one end with the outlet side of said compressor, a pair of valves, each communicating by a separate line to the other end of said condenser, a complete freezer cycle communicating with one of said valves and having a line terminating at the inlet side of said compressor, a complete dehumidifier cycle communicating with said other valve and having a line terminating at the said inlet side of said compressor,

10 I each valve having a solenoid operated plunger adapted in one position to close communication between said condenser and said cycle and in the other position to open communication between said respective cycle and condenser, said valves being so constructed and arranged that when the solenoids are de-energized the valve communicating with the freezer cycle is closed and the valve communicating with said dehumidifying cycle is open, power lines in circuit with each solenoid, one of said lines having a broken circuit, a thermostat responsive to the demand of the freezer and freezer cycle so constructed and arranged as to close said circuit in one position and to open said circuit in said other position, and a pair of lines leading to said compressor and said fan in continuous closed circuit with a source of power, whereby a refrigerant may be alternately circulated through said freezer cycle and said dehumidifier cycle in response to the demand of the freezer cycle.

3. A dual freezer and dehumidifier unit adapted to be installed in a freezer cabinet including a compressor, a condenser communicating at one end with the outlet side of said compressor, a pair of valves, each communicating by aseparate line to the other end of said condenser, 21 complete freezer cycle communicating with one of said valves and having a line terminating at the inlet side of said compressor, a complete dehumidifier cycle communicating with said other valve and having a line terminating at the said inlet side of said compressor, one way check valve in the freezer cycle line adjacent and behind the line of said dehumidifier cycle leading into said compressor, each valve having a solenoid operated plunger adapted in one position to close communication between said condenser and said cycle and in the other position to open communication between said respective cycle and condenser, said valves being so constructed and arranged that when the solenoids are de-energized the valve communicating with the freezer cycle is closed and the valve communicating with said dehumidifying cycle is open, power lines in circuit with each solenoid, one of said lines having a broken circuit, a thermostat responsive to the demand of the freezer and freezer cycle so constructed and arrange as to close said circuit in one position and to open said circuit in said other position, and a pair of lines leading to said compressor and said fan in continuous closed circuit with a source of power, whereby a frigerant may be alternately circulated through said freezer cycle and said dehumidifier cycle in response to the demand of the freezer cycle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,064,044 Wichmann Dec. 15, 1936 2,080,595 Anderson et al May 18, 1937 2,090,417 Hull Aug. 17, 1937 2,291,565 Staebler July 28, 1942 2,462,240 Van Vliet et a1 Feb. 22, 1949 2,562,811 Muflly July 31, 1951 2,628,484 Ayres et a1 Feb. 17, 1953 2,663,158 Sanders et al Dec. 22, 1953 2,667,763 Harris et al. Feb. 2, 1954 2,682,758 Harris July 6, 1954 2,710,509 Aylind June 14, 1955

Images