USRE20166E - Refrigerating machine - Google Patents

Description

Nqv. 10, 1936. A. A.'KUCHER 20,166

- v 'REFRIGERATING MACfjINE Original Filed Oct. 13, 1925 2 She egs-Sheet 1 AAKu'c her' V INVENTOR WITNES-I I I I 1 0 I w 7 ATTORNEY Nov. 10, 1936.- KUCHER Re. 20,166

REFRIGERATING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 13, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 AHMU Chef I WITNESS" j INVENTOR r I v 3 a ATTOR EY Reissued Nov. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES Re. 20,166 PATENT OFFICE REFRIGERATING MACHINE Andrew A. Kucher. Dayton, Ohio,- assignor to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Original No. 1,798,684, dated March 31 ,'1931,

Serial No. 62.278, October 13, 1925. Application for reissue 683,409

March 29, 1933. Serial No.

19 mm. (01. sa-us) unitary structure to prevent escape of the work-- ing fluid.

These and other objects, which will be made apparent throughout the further description of my invention, may be attained by the employshown in Fig. 1.

Briefly speaking, my invention comprises a refrigerating machine in which the compression mechanism, consisting of a' compressor driven by an electric motor, is entirely enclosed within a hermetically sealed chamber. Such an arrangement avoids the necessity of providing a stumng box for the shaft connecting the motor and the compressor, prevents any escape of the working fluid and eflectively muilles any operating noises which may be created by the compressor or the motor. In addition, I locate the condensing element concentrically about the chamber which encloses both the motor and the compressor so that a very compact and symmetrical'arrangement of the entire high pressure "portion of the machine, that is, the portion generally located outside of the refrigerator box, is provided. Such a form of refrigerating machine occupies a minimum amount of space consistent with its capacity, a very desirable feature in household refrigerating machines. The cooling element or evaporator may be one of marry well known forms and may be preferably located in the refrigerator box beneath the compression chamber and directly connected thereto. The above features, together with numerous other features, which will be described hereinafter, cooperate to provide a refrigerating machine well adapted for domestic installation and for effective operation under the exacting requirements of household use.'

Referring to the drawings for a more detailed description of my invention, I show, in Fig. 1, a portion of a refrigerator box llupon which is mounted the compression and condensing mechanisms with the cooling element located within the box. The compression mechanism comprises a compressor II which is directly connected through a shaft I! to a motor l3 for driving the same. While I have shown a rotary form of compressor, it is to be understood that I may readily employ a compressor of the reciprocating type or any one of numerous other forms of compressors such as are generally employed in refrigerating machines. Furthermore, while I have directly connected the motor to the compressor, which arrangement is the most compact procurable, I may readily provide means for altering the speed of the compressor relative to the motor. Both the motor and the compressor are disposed within a fluid tight compression chamber M which is preferably of cylindrical conformation and is provided at its respective ends with removable cover plates l5 and i6.

The shaft I2 is supported at its lower end in a bearing l1 provided in the lower cover plate It and is supported at its upper end in a bearing l8 provided in the compressor. An intermediate bearing is is provided for the shaft which bearing is carried in a wall'r'nember 2| fixed in the compression chamber. This wall member divides the compression chamber into what may be termed -a lubricant receptacle 22 and a motor housing 23, the lubricant receptacle containing the compressor and the motor housing the motor.

The compressor discharges through a conduit 24 into the lubricant receptacle 22,- the exit end of the conduit being arranged in closely spaced relation with the upper' cover plate l5 so that fluid discharged from the compressor is impinged thereon. The exit end 25 of the discharge con- 19 which is preferably wound about the compression chamber H as shown in Fig. 2. The lower portion of the coil communicates with the overflow conduit 30. Cooling water for absorbing the heat of condensation is supplied through an inlet 32 to a water coil 33 whichis arranged concentrically within the condensing coil 29, the water being discharged from the coil through an outlet 34. While I have shown a condenser in the form of a coil .wound helically about the compression chamber, nevertheless, it is to be understood that I may employ any one of many well known forms of condensers or heat exchanging devices adapted to encircle the compression chamber. Furthermore, while I have shown a condenser which utilizes water as a cooling medium,- it is apparent that I may dispense with-the water connections and permit air to pass over the condensing coil and absorb the necessary heat of condensation in this way.

The condensing coil 29 is connected to a conduit 35 which passes inside of the refrigerator box and which connects with a cooling element or evaporator ll. Provided in the conduit 35 is a float valve 31. for controlling the flow of liquid therethrough. The evaporator 36 comprises an expansion chamber 31 and a freezing chamber 88 containing some non-congealable liquid such as alcohol and water. Disposed within the freezing chamber 38 is a container 39 for supporting a pluralityof molds 4| for forming ice. Superimposed upon the expansion chamber 31 is a surge tank 42 which communicates with the expansion chamber and which contains a level of liquid working fluid such as indicated at 4!.

For removing refrigerant fluid from the evaporator, an outlet conduit 44 is provided within the evaporator which conduit has its entrant portion 45 located above the liquid level and is so formed as to have a portion extending below the liquid level. Provided in the outlet conduit 44, at a point below the liquid level 43, is an aperture or small opening 46 for permitting a restricted flow of liquid from the'surge tank into the conduit. The outlet conduit 44 of the evaporator is connected through a suction conduit 41 to the compression chamber to which it connects in the vicinity of the ion or bearing [1. The fluid is then drawn upwardly through a hollow portion 48 of the'ishaft l2, the hollow portion 48 communicating through radially disposed holes 49 with a passage 5| connecting with the inlet of the compressor ll.

Lubricant is supplied to the upper bearing l8 and the compressor H by means of an inverted tube 52 which connects the upper portion of the bearing ID with the lower portion of the receptacle 22. The lubricant is supplied to the intermediate bearing I! by a conduit 5} and a passage I4. Lubricant discharged from the intermediate hearing I! is collected in a lubricant arrester i5 whichis drained through radially disposed holes I! to the hollow portion 48 of the shaft l2.

Electrical energy is supplied to the motor I! through fluid tight insulated plugs 51 provided in 'operation, the float valve tl-isgpartially fllled, the

' 'pletely filled and the receptacle 22 as well as the the lower cover plate It.

The operation of the above embodiment of my invention is as follows:

Assuming the refrigerating machine to be in expansion chamber 31 of, the evaporator is comsurge tank 42 are fllled to levels such as indicated at and 43 respectively with a body of liquid working fluid. The liquid working fluid which I prefer to employ consists of arefrigerant and a lubricant which together form a physical solution separable only by vaporization and is disclosed in my Patent No. 1,645,198 issued 0ctober 11, 1927, and entitled Working fluid for refrigeration.

The action of the compressor ll maintains a pressure suiflciently low in the expansion chamber 21 of the evaporator to induce vaporization of the liquid working fluid contained therein. In the vaporization process, heat is absorbed from the interior of the refrigerator box l0 and.

from the non-congealable liquid contained in the ,sponse to the temperature prevailing within the refrigerator box, an evaporator of the form iliustrated possesses numerous advantages. Heat is absorbed from the interior of the refrigerator box directly through the outer walls of the expansion chamber, thus insuring excellent heat conduction. On the other hand, the ice molds 4| are disposed within the freezing chamber 28 which contains a substantial body of non-congealable liquid having a cold storage capacity. sufficient to prevent melting of the ice during the idle periods of the machine. In other words, the refrigerator box is cooled by the direct method while ice is formed by the indirect method, thus providing ideal conditions for maintaining the box at a low temperature and for manufacturing and maintaining a maximum quantity of ice.

Because of the aperture 48, which is provided in the outlet conduit 44 within the surge tank, a small quantity of liquid working fluid is entrained in the vapor removed from the expansion chamber 31 by the compressor II. This refrigerant vapor and commingled liquid pass upwardly through the conduit 41 and enter the compression chamber l4. From the compression chamber II the fluid is drawn upwardly through the hollow portion 48 of the shaft l2 and passes out through the radial holes 49 to the passage BI and thence to the inlet of the compressor l I. In its passage it absorbs a portion of the heat generated bythe motor. The refrigerant vapor is discharged from the compressor through the conduit 24 and impinged against the upper cover plate Ii. The liquid working fluid, which consists of a refrigerant and a lubricant and which has been entrained in the refrigerant vapor leaving the surge tank 42, materially assists in lubricating and sealing the compressor in passing therethrough. This novel method of entraining a refrigerant and lubricating liquid in the refrigerant vapor passing to the compressor is disclosed in my Patent No. 1,656,917 issued January 24, 1928, for Refrigeration.

As stated heretofore, the refrigerant vapor discharged by the compressor is impinged against v the upper cover plate l5 and the entrained liquid The falls downwardly into the receptacle 22. liquid collecting in-the receptaclev 22 is therefore subjected to the heat generated by the compressor as well as to some of the heat generated by the motor and this heat is utilized to vaporize off the refrigerant component leaving a body of liquid in the receptacle which is substantially a lubricant. Incidentally, the heat generated by the compressor as well as some of the heat generatedby the motor is absorbed. This novel -method of producing a lubricating fluid and of fected. The condensing coil and the cooling coil are so arranged that the refrigerant vapor dissipates heat both to the surrounding atmosphere as well as to the water in the coil. The cooling water is preferably circulated upwardly through the coil in order to obtain the well known advantages of the contraflow principle. Any excess lubricating fluid which may accumulate in the receptacle 22 overflows through the conduit Ill and commingies with the condensed refrigerant in the conduit is. This liquid drains down ly and upon suiiicient accumulation thereof in the chamber of the float valve II, the latter opens to permit the liquid to pass into the expansion chamber 81 of the evaporator ll. Heat is then absorbed from the interior of the refrigerator box and iceisformedinthemoldsll inthemanner heretofore described.

Segregation of the lubricating liquid within the expansion chamber 3! is prevented by the constant entrainment of liquid in the aperture 4| so that there is a constant circulation of liquid working fluid, consisting of condensed refrigerant and lubricating liquid, through the expansion chamber. This entrained liquid, in being drawn upwardly to the inlet of the compressor I l lubricates the lower bearing H in its passage besides assisting in lubricating and sealing the compressor in passing therethrough.

Lubrication oi the upper. bearing is is eifected by the passage of the lubricating fluid contained in the receptacle 2: through the inverted tube 5:.

The liquid entering the upper. bearing l8 lubricates the same and then drains downwardly into the compressor wherein it assists the entrained liquid passing through the compressor in sealing and lubricating the working parts. Circulation of lubricant through the upper bearing II and through the compressor is induced by the difference in pressure prevailing between the receptacle and the interior of the compressor.

Lubrication of the intermediate bearing is is cifected by the "lubricant which drains downwardly through the conduit 53 and passage 54 to the hearing. The lubricant discharged from this hearing is collected in the lubricant arrester 55 from whence it drains throuizhthe radially disposed holes 56 to the hollow portion 40 of the shaft l2. Within the hollow portion 48 of the shaft II this lubricating liquid, like the liquid which has passed through the aperture 46 in the surge tank, is entrained in the refrigerant vapor passing to the inlet of the compressor and assists insealing and lubricating the same.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have invented a refrigerating machine which is especially adapted for domestic use in that it contains a minimum number of working parts and is very compactlyarranged. This compact-.

ness is derived by directly connecting the compressor to the motor and by housing both the motor and compressor in a common chamber so that the condensing element may be, what might a be termed, w pped around this chamber. While I have described my form of refrigerator as being preferably water cooledrmy apparatus is so arranged that air may be readily utilized to condense the refrigerant vapor.

While I have shown my invention in one form,

it be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications, without depart- 1. In a refrigerator apparatus the combination of an evaporator, a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, said compressor and said motor being entirely housed within a single hermetically sealed and substantially cylindrical casing, and a condensing coil arranged outside of and concentric with the casing and in physical thermal conducting relation therewith, said coil encompassing the greater portion of the outer surface of the casing.

ii.v In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a fluid tight casing enclosing both the motor and the compressor, a division wall provided in the casing between the compressor and the motor and forming a single compartment for housing the compressor and for retaining abody of lubricant for the compressor and another compartment for housing the motor, and a condensing element separate from and disposed around the "casing,

3. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, and a fluid tight casing entirely enclosing both the compressor and the motor, said fluid tight casing being provided with two separate closures for permitting access to the motor and to the compressor respectively.

4. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, a compressor, a motor for v driving the compressor, a cylindrical casing entirely enclosing both the motor and the compressor, and a removable fluid tight closure provided in each end of the cylinder for permitting access to the motor and to the compressor, respectively.

5. In a refrigerating apparatus,-the combination of an evaporator, a fluid tight enclosing casing, and a compressor and a motor for driving the compressor disposed within the casing, said fluid tight casing being provided with a removable closure for permitting access to the motor and a second and oppositely disposed removable closure for permitting access to the compressor.

6. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a fluid tight casing enclosing both the compressor and the motor, separate closures provided in the casing for permitting access to the motor and the compressor respectively, and a condenser disposed exteriorly tion of an evaporator, a fluid tight casing; a

compressor and a motor for driving the compressor disposed within the casinB. said motor embodying rotating and stationary elements and having its stationary element supported directly in the walls of the enclosing casing, whereby the heat generated by the motor is radiated directly through the walls of the enclosing casing, and a condenser located exteriorly of and surrounding the enclosing casing.

8. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, a fluid tight casing, a compressor and a motor for driving the compressor disposed'within the casing, said enclosing casing embodying removable and closures for permitting access to the motor and to the compressor respectively and said motorembodying rotating and stationary elements'and having its stationary element supported directly in the walls of the enclosing casing, whereby the heat generated by the motor is radiated directly through ing an intermediate member and removable members secured at opposite sides thereof, one of said removable members being arranged to permit access to the motor and the other of said removable members being arranged to permit access to the compressor, and conduit means connected to the intermediate member for providing communication between the compressor and the condensing. element.

11. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporating element, a condensing element, a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a fluid-tight casing enclosing both the motor and the compressor, said casing having an intermediate member and removable members secured at. opposite sides thereof, one of said removable members being arranged to permit, access to the motor and the other of said removable members being arranged to permit access secured at opposite sides thereof, one of-said removable members being arranged to permit access to the motor and the other of said removable members being arranged to permit access to the compressor, and conduit means connected to the intermediate member for providing communication between the casing and the evaporating and condensing elements.

'- 13. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a fluid-tight casing entirely enclosing both the motor and the compressor, and a condensing element separate from,

- and disposed around, the casing in physical thermal-conducting relation thereto. 14. In a motor-compressor unit, the combination of a compressor including movable and stationary elements, a motor including a rotor and a stator for driving the compressor, a fluid tight casing enclosing the motor and compressor,said casing embodying a closed partition means inter- -mediate of the casing and extending the entire width thereof for dividing the easing into separate motor and compressor chambers, the motor and compressor being at least partially supported by the partition means in their respective cham-" bers, a drive shaft connecting the rotor of the,

motor and the movable element of the compressor and extending through the partition means, and removable closure means associated with the casing for permitting access to the rotor and the stator of the motor and to the compressor while disposed in their normal assembled relation.

15. In a motor-compressor unit, the combination of a compressor including movable and stabeingremovable to expose said compressor.

tionary elements, a motor including a rotor and a stator for driving the compressor, a fluid tight casing enclosing the motor and compressor, said casing embodying a closed partition means intermediate of the casing and extending the entire 5 width thereof for dividing the casing into separate motor and compressor chambers, the motor and compressor being at least partially supported by the partition means in their respective chambers, a drive shaftconnecting the rotor of the motor and the movable element of the compressor and extending through the partition means, and removable closure means associated with the casing for permitting access to the rotor and the stator of themotor while disposed in their normal assembled relation.

16; In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a compressor, a motor for driving the cornpressor, a fluid-tight casing enclosing both the motor and compressor and partition means pro- 20 vided interiorly of the casing, extending. completely across the casing and forming therewith a compartment for housing the motor and a second and single compartment for both housing the compressor and for storing lubricant, said motor and compressor being on opposite sides of the partition means with the compressor supported entirely by said means, and a drive shaft v connecting said motor directly with the compressor and passing through said means whereby the compressor is driven at substantially motor speed.

17. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, fluid tight means for enclosing the motor and compressor, a partition extending across and sealed to said means and forming therewith a cornpartljnent for housing the motor and asecond compartment for housing the compressor, said motorand compressor being on opposite sides of the partition, and a drive shaft connecting said motor to the compressor and passing through said partition, a portion of said means being removable to permit access to said motor and another portion being removable to expose'sald compressor.

' 18. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a structural assembly forming a fluid tight container for enclosing the motor and the compressor, said structural assembly embodying a partition sealed to and extending across the container between the motor and the compressor, said motor and compressor being disposed on opposite sides of the partition, and a drive shaft connecting the motor and compressor and passing through said partition, said structural assembly also embodying a removable'portion for aflording'access to said motor and another removable portion for affording access to' said compressor.

19. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a compressor, a motor for driving thecompressor, fluid-tight means for enclosing the motor and compressor, a partition sealed to the enclosing means and extending transversely (:5 thereof so as to form therewith a compartment for housing the motor and a second compartment for housing the compressor, said motor and compressor beingon opposite sides of the partition, and a drive shaft connecting said motor to m the compressor and passing through saidpartition, a portion of said means being removable to permit access to the motor, and another portion ANDREW A. KUCHER.

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