US1932877A - Refrigerating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Ota 31, 1933. E. E. ALLYNE 1,932,877

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS y j INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Oct. 31, 1933. E. E. ALLYNE I REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Dec.

24, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVNTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 31, 1933 REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Edmund E. Allyne, Shaker Heights, Ohio Application December 24, 1931 Serial No. 583,061

9 Claims.

The invention disclosed in this application relates to refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type.

One object of the invention is to provide an evaporator which is thoroughly heat insulated by a vacuum casing except for a small heat transfer portion which extends through the vacuum casing and is connected to any suitable freezing unitstructure, as for example a brine tank having a socket for the exposed evaporator portion and a cube tray support in heat transfer relation with the brine tank.

A further object of the invention is to improve absorption refrigerating apparatus by providing the refrigerating compartment with a dome for receiving the evaporator and a freezing unit in limited heat transfer relation with the evaporator, and a housing or casing enclosing the evaporator and freezing unit and provided with an adjustable thermostatic control means for regulating the circulation of air from the refrigerating compartment through the casing about the freezing unit and dome, thereby controlling the temperature of the refrigerating compartment.

Another feature of the invention is to provide an absorption refrigerating circuit of the stillevaporator-condenser type with a drain connected at its upper end, by a gooseneck arrangement, to the bottom of the evaporator and at its lower end connected in the circuit so as to be sealed by still liquor at the beginning of the heating cycle, together with a hot spot means effective upon the drain to stop its operation after an initial useful drain. The hot spot arrangement in this case preferably is produced by physically connecting a portion of the drain to a pipe of the circuit, such as the hairpin loop leading from the still, which becomes heated after the heatingl cycle has progressed toward condensing pressure.

Another feature of the invention lies in the specific form of condenser and impounded water tank.

Still another feature is the provision of suitable heat transfer means between the rectifier and the cooling medium in the upper part of the water tank whereby the rectifier is cooled during the beginning of the heating period when cooling is essential and is afterwards retarded in its cooling effect by the rise in temperature of the medium in the tank.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a suitable drain for the water tank so that running water may be supplied to it for cooling purposes, and the arrangement of the water drain in cooling ns of the loop whereby its cooling effect may be enhanced by running water when subjected to critical or extreme high surrounding temperatures.

A further feature is the provision of a heat transfer arrangement between the water pipe and the water at the top of the water tank.

Still another feature-of the invention is the control of running water to the impounded water tank by the provision of thermally controlled valve means in supply with the thermostat or other thermal device in the upper strata. of the cooling medium in the tank.

The foregoing and other features of the invention will be brought out in the following description, drawings and claims. A

Referring to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of the apparatus; Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the casing and showing parts in elevation; Fig. 3 is a mutilated view of the water 75 tank broken away showing the thermostatically controlled water supply valve; Fig. 4 is a vertical section showingthe heat dome, evaporator and freezing unit and its enclosing casing together with the control therefor; Fig. 5 is a top plan view 3o with parts in section and b roken away; Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section through the upper part of the water tank; Fig. '7 is a similar view taken near the other end; and Fig. 8 is a detail View showing the damper control.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the cabinet comprises a front 1 having an upper refrigerating compartment opening and door 2 and a lower apparatus compartment opening and door 3. This front is connected to suitable side walls 4 of greater depth than the insulated refrigerating compartment, as will appear. These side walls and front are mounted upon a suitable open base frame, generally indicated at 5. Mounted in the forward upper portion of the cabinet thus formed is the outer shell 6 of the refrigerating compartment .which extends to the top of the cabinet and its bottom 7 is spaced from the lower frame 5 to provide an apparatus chamber or compartment 3; Mounted within and spaced 100 from this outer shell 6 is an inner shell 9 with the space between filled with suitable insulation 10. This inner shell has a, ceiling 11, which is generally slightly higher than the top of the door and is provided with an upwardly extendmgneat coi- 10s lecting dome casing 12 normally in communication with the refrigerating chamber. This dome casing has a suitable top 13 provided with a central longitudinal passageway or channel 14 for the circuit pipes which enter at the back and lncline downwardly to the front from the rear. The top of the inner shell, the dome casing and the top 13 are all encased in suitable insulation, as at 15, a top layer 16 extending over the upper member or top 13. The refrigerating compartment being less in overall depth than the front to rear dimension of the cabinet leaves a rear vertical flue channel communicating with the apparatus compartment 8. This flue is utilized to carry away the heat from the still and to containsome of the pieces of apparatus and connections and also house the water tank and main condenser. It is separated into two flues, 17 a main flue for receiving the rectier, water tank, condenser and like parts, and the other an auxiliary flue 13 for leading away the products of combustion from the still and also for housing the hairpin loop and trap. It also houses the hot spot mechanism, as will appear.

Mounted upon the open bottomed frame 5 is a loop 19 connected to a water leg 20 and a gas and water leg 21 leading to and supporting a still 22. This loop is provided with a multiplicity of ns 23 arranged as a group above the opening in the open frame 5. In this way the loop is cooled by the rush of air up through the opening in the frame 5. The still is arranged, as shown, to one side and at the back of the apparatus compartment 8 as nearly adjacent as possible the auxiliary flue 18. Extending from the still up this flue 18 is the up leg 24 of a hairpin loop including an upper return bend 25 and a down leg 26 extending down and entering the top of a spill pot 27. Extending from the bottom of this spill pot is a trap pipe 28 extending down to a point near the bottom of a liquid seal trap casing 29.

lExtending up into this trap casing 29 is a liquid and gas return pipe 30 leading downto and connected with the water and gas leg 21, as shown. This pipe 30 serves to convey liquor from the trap casing 29 back to the still and also serves to convey gas to theloop from whence it passes up into the still. This pipe 30 extends to a point near the top of and establishes a level of liquid in the liquid seal trap casing 29. Extending out of the top of this trap casing 29 is a rectifier pipe branching into two interconnected legs, generally indicated at 31, extending through the partition into the flue 17 and there rising to a point near the top main flue and passing horizontally to the opposite side where they are connected together in a single pipe 32 extending upwardly to a point near the top of the cabinet. Here the pipe extends forwardly and downwardly into a connection 33 leading to the dome 34 of an evaporator 35 arranged in the heat dome. This evaporator has a relatively small downwardly extending heat transfer boss 36 which constitutes substantially the only heat transfer means between the evaporator and the freezing unit.

In order to prevent the excessive absorption of heat from the box, the evaporator may be completely heat insulated except for the boss 36 as by providing it with an additional shell or casing 35 spaced from it and providing a space from which the air may be exhausted, or the space may be filled with a. heat insulating medium, the main point being to substantially insulate the evaporator from. and have it wholly within the refrigerating compartment.

The connection 33 is inclined downwardly toward the evaporator 35 and connected in its side is a condenser pipe 3'? leading down to a sump 38 connected to the bottom of a cylindrical condenser casing 39. This condenser casing is sealed except for its communication with the sump 38. It extends vertically and is provided with a plurality of ilues or openings 40 for the circulation of cooling medium therethrough.

The still is preferably encased in a suitable casing 41 having a stack portion 42 leading to the auxliary flue 18 and having an opening 43 in the b'ottom to receive the burner and also to permit the passage of air upward around the still. This casing also protects the compartment 8 against excessive heat from the heating means.

Mounted upon the main frame and in the main flue 17 is a tank 44 for water or other impounded cooling medium. It is long, thin and more or less narrow 'and extends from the lower frame to a point near the top of the main flue. It is pro- Videdwith a suitable bulged side, as indicated at 45, to accommodate the condenser, as shown in Fig. 5. It may be provided near its top, or at any suitable point, with ns 46 to the front on each side of the bulge 45 and extending toward the outer shell 6 of the refrigerating compartment so that the draft of air up the back of the refrigerating compartment between it and the tank will have a chance to exert its cooling effect upon the liquid in the tank. Additional fins 47 may be provided near the front lower end and arranged to nest and engage with the ns 23 of the loop. This heat transfer connection between the loop and lower portion of the Water tank permits heat transfer between .these parts and during the heating period when the loop is inactive and the water becomes heated it has no effect upon the loop except to tend to drive out some of the ammonia gas inthe solution contained therein. During the refrigerating cycle, however, the lop can draw on the water tank under excessive room temperatures to assist in the loop operation.

In order to relieve the evaporator of any undue accumulation of absorbent or boiler liquor, a suitable drain is employed and it is connected by a gooseneck comprising the evaporator leg 48, Fig. 1, the upper member 49 leading out of the main flue 17 into the auxiliary flue 18 and there entering the bottom of a closed casing 50 mounted upon the straight portion of the return bend of the hairpin loop communicating with the still. The top of this casing is connected by a short small pipe 51 with a downwardly extending larger pipe portion 52 leading into the pipe 30 at substantially the point 53 slightly above but nevertheless at sucha point with respect to the normal level of thelioiler liquor at the end of the refrigerating cycle that it will be sealed at the beginning of the heating cycle and thereafter be exposed during the refrigerating cycle.

From the foregoing description of the drain, it will be seen that as the pressure builds up in the system the gaseous medium between the seals is compressed to the extent of the liquor in the evaporator being forced over and down the drain toward the still. This draining will probably continue until the down leg of the hairpin loop becomes hot enough to vaporize or explode, so to speak, some of the liquid refrigerant flowing through it to the point of creating a back pressure toward the evaporator, thereby preventing further draining.

Extending down into the box and co-extensivc with the open mouth of the dome formed in the top or ceiling of the refrigerating compartment is a freezing .unit casing, generally of rectangular form and comprising sides 54 and a suitable back 55. At the front there is an inwardly extending margin or framework, generally indicated at 56. This rectangular openingis for the reception of the ice trays, as will appear. The sides, back and front extend out and are provided with anges 57 engaging the under side of the top 11 of the refrigerating compartment. They are held in place by suitable thumb screws 58. Near the top, this casing is provided with suitable openings 59 for the passage of heated air from the top of the refrigerating compartment into the dome and at the bottom it is provided with an opening 60 adapted to be controlled by a damper 61 provided with a lever 62 operated by the arm 63 of a lever pivoted at 64 and having an cppositely extending arm 65 engaging a grooved collar 66 carried by a thermostatic bellows 67. This bellows is provided with a downwardly extending threaded shank 68 provided with nuts 69 arranged on either side of a supporting bracket 70 secured to the bottom of the casing. By adjustment of the nuts the motor means may be shifted to vary the opening and closing operation of the damper 61. In this way the circulation of air through the freezing unit casing may be regulated.

Mounted in the casing 54 is a freezing unit shell 'l1' provided with suitable cleats 71 for supporting cube trays 72. Ihe top of this shell carries a brine tank 73 having a top 74 provided withy a well or socket 75 adapted to nt the sump boss 36. This iit is somewhat loose and an emcient heat transfer medium between the cup on the one hand and the boss on the other is provided by water or mercury. In this way the direct heat transfer from the evaporator to the freezing unit is limited and is dependent upon the size of the boss and the cup., It has been found by experience that this is very effective for maintaining the box at the proper temperature and renders the temperature controllable by the simple regulation of the damper 6l.

The entire refrigerating unit is built up in one piece of apparatus withthe pipes extending up at the rear, the loop arranged to rest upon the base frame, and the evaporator projecting forward so as to be in proper position in the dome of the refrigerating compartment. h1 practice, the refrigerating unit is tilted forward and the evaporator is adjusted in place in 'the heat dome, and thereafter the lower part of the'apparatus is moved to a position where the loop rests upon the base frame.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the rectier pipes 3l may be providedwith ns 77 extending down into the cooling medium `in the tank 44. This cooling medium, at the beginning of the heating period, is at room temperature, but as the heating period progresses it gradually becomes warmer at the top and thereby slows up the rectifying operation, a feature which is of great importance.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, a water pipe 78 has a horizontal portion extending across the length of the water tank under the cover 44.', is provided with fins 79 extending into the water tank, and beyondsuch tank extends down upon the outside, as shown in Fig. l, and passes horizontally through notches 80 in the upper edgesloi the loop ns 23. The end of the pipe is extended upwardly and merges into a drain portion 8l which may lead to the sewer or any other convenient discharge. In this way the running water has a cooling eiect upon the fins of the loop 18 and servesL to assist it in cooling the still during the refrigerating cycle. It of course cools the water tank as well.

vconnected by a'tube 85 with and under the control of a thermostatic element 86 in the top of the cooling medium in the tank. In this way the supply of running water may be varied in accordance with the temperature in the upper part of the tank.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In an absorption type refrigerator, a cabinet, a refrigerating compartment, a still-absorber, evaporator and condenser connected in operative cycle, a at tank for impounded cooling medium lying adjacent the rear wall of said cabinet, and a cylindrical condenser arranged vertically in substantially the center thereof and provided with draft tubes extending up through it.

2. In an absorption type refrigerator, a cabinet, a refrigerating compartment, a still-absorber, evaporator and condenser connected in operative cycle, a fiat tank for impounded cooling medium lying adjacent the rear wall of said cabinet having a vertical channel-shaped bulge on the one side l0() at substantially the center and extending to the top, and a cylindrical condenser in said tank nesting in said trough provided with vertical lilies for the circulation of the cooling medium.

3. In absorption refrigerating apparatus, a

cabinet, a refrigerating compartment, a still-absorber, evaporator and condenser connected in operative cycle in said cabinet with the evaporator in the refrigerating compartment, a fiat vertical tank for impounded cooling medium attached to the rear wall of said cabinet and having said condenser arranged in the lower part thereof, a pipe for connection in the house main circuit and having a portion in effective heat transfer relation with the cooling medium in said tank. t

Ll. In absorption refrigerating apparatus, a still-absorber, condenser and evaporator connected in operative cycle, a cooling loop for the still connected in the circuit, a tank for impounded 12o cooling medium for said condenser, and air cooled metallic heat transfer iins connecting the outside of the tank and said loop. v

5. In absorption refrigerating apparatus, a

still-absorber, condenser and evaporator connectit and said loop and comprising a heat transfe;- 1

fin arrangement between the lower part of the tank and said loop.

6. In absorption refrigerating apparatus, a cabinet having an upward forward refrigerating chamber arranged therein and forming a lower apparatus compartment and a rear iiue, a stillabsorber, condenser and evaporator connected in operative cycle and arranged in said cabinet with the still in the apparatus compartment, the

the condenser at the rear and in the flue, and a thin relatively narrow high water tank arranged in said apparatus compartment and within said flue for containing said condenser.

evaporator in the refrigerating compartment and L40 'i'. In absorption refrigerating apparatus, a 145 cabinet, a refrigerating compartment, a still-absorber, evaporator and condenser connected in opera tive cycle in said cabinet with the evaporator in the refrigerator compartment, an elongated vertical tank for impounded cooling 15P medium in said cabinet, an elongated cylindrical condenser arranged therein, a rectier in the refrigerating circuit positioned in the uppermost portion of said tank, the said rectifier including tubes passing over the impounded medium tank, and heat transfer ns connected to the rectifier tubes and extending into JLlie cooling medium in said tank.

8. In absorption refrigerating apparatus, a cabinet, a refrigerating compartment, `a still-absorber, evaporator and condenser connected in operative cycle in said cabinet with the evaporator in the refrigerator compartment, an elongated vertical tank for impounded cooling medium in said cabinet, an elongated cylindrical condenser arranged therein, a rectier in the refrigerating circuit positioned in the uppermost portion of said tank, the said rectifier including tubes passing over the impounded medium tank, heat transfer fins connected to the said rectier tubes and extending into the cooling medium in said tank, and a cover for said tank housing said rectier tubes and ns.

9. In absorption refrigerating apparatus, a cabinet, a refrigerating compartment, a still-absorber, evaporator and condenser connected in operative cycle in said cabinet with the evaporator in the refrigerator compartment, an elongated vertical tank for impounded cooling medium in said cabinet, an elongated cylindrical condenser arranged therein, a rectifier in the refrigerating circuit positioned in the uppermost portion of said tank, and a cold water pipe extending over said Water tank adjacent said rectifier tubes, and suitable n means extending from said Water pipe into the cooling medium in said tank.

EDMUND E. AILYNE.

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