US1904991A - Refrigerating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

April 25, 1933- R. R. cANDoR Y REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 28 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 25, 1933- R. R. cANDoR 1,904,991

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 28, 1929 2 Sheets-Shea?I 2 Patented pr. 25, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE i ROBERT R. CANDOB, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO FRIGIDAIRE CORPORATION, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A. CORPORATION OF DELAWARE REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Application filed February 28, 1929. Serial No. 343,398.

This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus combining the advantages of the coinpressor and o the absorbent type of refrigerating systems.

An object of this inventlon 1s to provide a refrigerating system in which the refrigerant li uefying action is produced by both an absor r and a compressor.

' Another object of this invention 1s to provide means for lengthening the operatmg cycles of an automatically controlled refrlgerant liquefying means.

Another object is to provide an apparatus capable of using absorbents and refrigerants which`might not be discharged orreleased by the absorbente at the propel' workmg pressures for economical condensation or evaporation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means for lengthening the cycles 1n mechanical refrigerating water cooling apparatus.

Another object of this invention 1s to provide a water cooling apparatus in which refrigeration occurs substantially only when there is a demand for cooled drinking water or other liquids.

Further objects and advantages of the resent invention will be apparent from the ollowing description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a dagrammatic view of a refrigerating apparatus embodying the features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a slightly modified form embodying features of the invention; l

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a further modified form embodying features of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a further moditcation embodying certain features of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of a water cooling evaporator which may be used;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of an ele- BEISSUED sep 1 am@ Y ment whlch may be used in certain forms of the refrigerating system; and

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of another element which may be used in certain forms of the system.

Refrigerating apparatus embodying features of this invention may include in general a liquid refrigerant supply and gaseous refrigerant liquefying means. Also an evaporator may be so connected with such means in such a manner that the liquid refrigerant is su plied to the evaporator and the gaseous re rigerant formed in the evaporator is returned to said means to be reliquefied. This means may further include a large capacity gas receiverk adapted to receive gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator and to store the same for a relatively long period of time so that, if the operation is cyclic, this large capacity gas receiver tends to lengthen the time of each cycle. More specifically, a refrigerating system may include an automatically starting and stopping compressor 20, an evaporator 21 and a large capacity gas receiver, which in Figs. 1 and 2 is designated as 22 and in Figs. 3 and 4 is designated as 23. The large capacity gas receiver 22 may, if desired, contain an absorbing material which is adapted to absorb the gaseous refrigerant in a manner which increases the capacity of the gas receiver beyond the ordinary volumetric capacity for the gas. In Figs. 3 and 4 the gas receiver` 23 need not, but may, contain an absorbing When it does not contain such ma-l material.

terial the casing forming the receiver is made sures forI obtaining proper con ensation, it

might be necessary to heat the absorber beyond the temperature for most economical total or partial release of the refrigerant from the absorbent. Under such conditions, or similar conditions, the use of the a paratus herein disclosed obviates man o these diculties since the compressor ta es the refrigerant, released from the absorbent under economical tem eratures and increases the pressures to suc a degree that economical condensation may be accomplished with the pglrticular condenser cooling medium availa e.

Again, there are refrigerating systems of the type which are automatically started and stopped in accordance with temperature conditions in some part of the system, such as the evaporator, and are subject to certain demands where the starting and stopping 0ccurs too frequently for satisfactory operation. This too frequent starting and stopping is liable to wear out the motor, if a motor is used, and the switch contacts, if a switch is used or may wear out any other type of control. Conditions which tend to so operate a refrigerating system sometimes occur, for instancez in water cooling devices. For instance, in F1 1 a water cooling conduit 24 may be in t ermal relation with the refrigerant in the evaporator 21 and may drain of through draft means 125 after the water has been suitably cooled. Where the amount of water which is cooled during a period of non-demand is relatively small, the refrigerating system is liable to cycle practically with each demand upon the water cooler. Water coolers lof this type have been termed instantaneous water coolers. The chief objection to these water coolers has been that their automatic refrigerating systems cycle entirely too frequently.

yfied preferab In accordance with this invention, the operating cycles of the refrigerating system may be materially lengthene Thus in Fig. 1 t e gaseous refrigerant passes from the evaporator 21 through `the pipe 25 to the absorber or gasreceiver 22. On account of the large capacity of the receiver 22, the compressor 20 does not ordinaril start immediatel after a small amount o gas is discharged y the evaporator 21. On the contrary, the gaseous refrigerant remains in the receiver 22 until its large capacity has been taxed to its limit. When this limit has been reached the consequent rise in temperature in the refrigerant of evaporator 21 causes the compressor to start (perating. Preferably this is accomplishe by (providing an expansible bellows 26 connecte by the pipe 27 which controls the starting and stopping of the motor 28 which drives the compressor 20, for instance, through a belt 29.` The gaseous refri erant in the receiver 22 is then transferred t ough the i e 30 to the intake of the compressor 20. lge compressed refrigerant is discharged from the compressor through the pipe 31 after which-it is reliquey in the condenser 32 and may be stored in a liquid refrigerant receiver 33. The liquid refrigerant is ischarged throu h the pi 34 into the evaporator 21. In t e embo iment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the evaporator may embody some or all of the features disclosed in Fig. 5. Thus the evaporator may comprise a boiler 35 in which automatic means for maintaining a body of refrigerant may be provided. Preferably this includes a valve 37 ada ted to be controlled .by the iioat 38 in e well known manner. The `liquid refrigerant from the pipe 34 enters through a fitting 39 through the valve 37 into the oiler 35. The gaseous receiving fitting 40 may be fed through a funnel 41 and may be discharged through the pipe 25. A lubricant or oil return 42 may also be provided for returnin the oil or lubricant to the compressor. Vhen the lubricant is thus carried into the evaporator by the liquid refrigerant, a lubricant separator 43 may be provided for separating the lubricant from the gaseous refrigerant which lubricant may be bypassed by pipe 44 around the gas receiver to the pipe 30. The water conduit 24, if it is used, may be in thermal contact with the body of liquid refrigerant, and preferably this is accomplished b providing a suitable spiral groove 45 in the oiler 35 so thatthe water circulates between the boiler 35 and the outer shell 35a in thermal contact with the refrigerant 36 and is cooled thereby. When a demand for cooled water is made on the relatively small water storage means, the cooled water entering through the water inlet 46 from the pipe 24 causes boiling of the refrigerant, which in prior devices, would have caused almost immediate starting of the motor 28 due to the ragid rise of the temperature and pressure of t e refrigerant 36. This ra id rise'in temperature is caused, possibly ecause of the relatively lar amount o uncooled water which comes indirect thermal contact with the liquid refrigerant before the water can be irecooled by mixture with previously coole water. In accordance with this invention, such frequent cycling is obviated.

When the as receiver 22 contains absorbing material, it is preferred to provide' means for causing the absorbing material to release l the absorbed refri erant while the com ressor is operating. his ma be accomplished by any suitable means. hus, if desired, a ortion of thecondenser 32 may be embeded or brought thermally in cgntact with the absorbent in the receiver 22. When the compressor 20 begins to operate, the compressed refrigerant passing through the pipe 31 is in a heated condition, and if'this is passed through the section 50 of the condenser 32 which is embedded in the absorbent,.this heat tendsto liberate the absorbed refrigerant. If desired, however, additional means for releasin the refrigerati' t may be provided. Thus a eater, suc as an electric eater 51, may also heat the absorbent, and

if the heater is electric, it may beA embedded in the absorbent, and such-electric heater may'be placed in elparallel relation with. the

motor 28 so that ctrc current flows to the absorbent during thesoperatio'n of the mo- Fig. 6, is adapted toopen its valve member`` in accordance with the. refrigerant pressure in the pipe 30. Thus when the pressure in the pipe is reduced by the operation of the compressor 20, theV bellows tends to co1- lapse with the pressure of the adjustable spring 56, so that refrigerant is supplied by means of the bypass 57 direct to the compressor 20 from the evaporator 21 untilthe absorbent material begms to release refrigerant in suicient quantity. In order to prevent an undue accumulation of gaseous refrigerant on one side of the system, a bypass 58 may be provided which also includes a safety valve 59 of the pressure regulating type so that undue pressures in the pipe 30 may be bypassed to the pipe 31. i

In the modification shown in Fig. 3 the gas receiver 23 may be a arge tank adapted to receive the gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator 21 without quie ly "building up the pressure of the refrigerant so that the length of the ycycle of the compressor is very -materially increased. Otherwise this refrigerating system may be substantially like that of Fig. 2 with the further exception that the lubricant separator 43, the bypass 57 and the heater 51 need not be provided. A lubricant passage 60 may be provided at the bottom of the tank 23 1n order to pass the lubricant to the compressor 20 as it may be separated in the as receiver.

In the mo ification shown in Fig. 4 the evaporator 21 corresponding to the one shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is modified to the expansion type of evaporator. Thus there is provided an expansion coil which is rovidedwith an automatic pressure reguating valve 71. The expanded refrigerant, after it has passed through the coil 70, is discharged into the pipe 25 returning to the compressor as in the other modifications. A water cooling conduit 72 ma be placed in thermal contact with therefrigerant coil 70, for instance, by making them concentric.

' notam si.. A".

The Ivirater cooling conduit is supplied with water from. any suitable source through the inlet 73 and is'discharged throu h the draft means 74. Preferably the dra t means 74,

Aif it should be a faucet, remains open 'consoA in Fig. 7, the liquid refrigerant from the pipe 34 entersdthrough Vthe inlet 77 and passes through the outletl 78 to the c oil 70. The valve may be provided with a throttling devvice 79 which is operated by a diaphragm,

not shown, which 1s responsive tothe pressure of the refrigerant in chamber 80 and in the coil 7 0, and which o crates the throttling device 79 by'f' means o the yoke'81. This valve may be substantially as shown in the Turkish patent to. Delco-Light Co., No. 607,

patented Feb. 13, 1928, or in the U. S. application of Harry B. Hull S. N. 222,900, filed September 29,1927, now matured into Patent No. 1,836,072. The throttling device 79 is adapted to be locked so that there is no passage of refrigerant when there is no' demand for cooled water. For instance, this may be accomplished by having the stem 82 placed against the head of the throttling device. 79 through the medium of the diaphragm 83 which prevents leakage of refrigerant into the atmosphere. The valve 75 and the throttlin device 79 are thus simultaneously release by the turn of the manual means 76 which, for instance, may move the stem 82 axially because of the threaded engagement at v84. Thus it is seen that there is no refrigeration wasted or substantial heat leakage during the periods of non-demand. Further, the flow of the liquid refrigerant in the coil 70 and the ilow of water in the conduit 72 are in relatively opposed directions so that the coldest part of the coil 70 is in thermal relation with the water nearest the draftv means'. Thus the water is cooled to the minimum temperature possible depending on the capacity of the evaporator.

The various evaporators may be insulated against heat infiltration in any suitable manner. Also the evaporators may be used for purposes other than for cooling Water, and may, according to some features, be used for cooling household refrigerators, ice cream cabinetsand the like. y

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

A What is claimed is as follows:

1. A refrigerating apparatus including liquid refrigerant supplying andN gaseous refrigerant liquefying means, an expansion coil receiving liquid refrigerant from saidmeans, an automatic pressure regulating valve for said coil` a water cooling conduit in thermal relation with said coil, the flow of refrigerant in said coil and of liquid in said conduit being in relatively opposite directions, a valve for said conduit, said last named valve and said regulating valve having common manual means for cbntrolling same.

2. A refrigerating apparatus comprising an absorber, compressor and evaporator connected in closed circuit relationship and a lubricant separator adapted to bypass lubricant around said absorber.

3. 'A refrigerating apparatus comprising an absorber, a compressor, condenser and evaporator connected in closed circuit relationship and a lubricant separator adapted to bypass lubricant around said absorber.` 4. A refrigerating systemv comprising in combination, an absorber, a compressor, and an evaporator connected in closed circuit relationship, a condenser having a portion thereof in thermal contact with the interior of said absorber for heating the same, means for driving said compressor, means responsive to conditions in a part of said circuit for starting and stopping said compressor driving means, means in addition to said condenser for augmenting heating of said absorber during operation of said compressor, said heating means being rendered effective by said second named means.

5. A refrigerating system comprising in combination, an absorber, a compressor, and an evaporator connected in closed circuit relationship, a condenser including inlet and outlet portions and having the inlet portion thereof disposed within said absorber for heating same, an electric motor for driving said compressor, a switch actuated in respouse to conditions in a part of said circuit to cause starting and stopping of said motor, a n electric heater for augmenting heating of said absorber during operation of said compressor, said electric heater being rendered effective by said switch.

6. A refrigerating system comprising in combination, an absorber, a compressor, an

` evaporator, and a condenser all connected to-4 ether in closed circuit relationship; means or driving said compressor, means responsive to conditions in a part of said circuit for controlling operations of said compressor driving means, and means independent of the closed refrigerant circuit, disposed in said absorber for heating the absorber, said last named means being rendered effective by only during operatogether in closed circuit relationship; means for driving said compressor, means responsive to conditions in a part of said circuit for controlling operations of said compressor driving means, and an electric heater for heating said absorber, derede'ective by said second named means only during operation of said compressor.

8. A refrigerating apparatus including a liquid refrigerant supplying and gaseous refrigerant liquefying means, an expansion coil receiving liquid refrigerant from said means, an automaticl pressure regulating valve for said coil, a water cooling conduit in thermal relation with saidv coil, a valve for said conduit, said last named valve and said regulating valve having common manual means for controlling same.

whereof I hereto ailix my In testimony signature. Y

ROBERT R. CANDOP said heater being ren.

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