US1726344A - Refrigerating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 27', 1929. R. w. DAVENPORT A REFRIGERATING APPAR'ATUS Filed April 29. 1926v 2 sheets-sheet 1 Y girlz Y A TTORNE Y.

f IIA IFIIII.

Aug. 27, 1929. R. w. DAvlw-:NPORT t l REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1926 2 sheets-sheet 2 www 4//,

OOOOOOO /O OOO OO OOOO /Q//a/Q OO O O oooooooxoooooooooooooo O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O /1 TTORNE Y.

Patented thug. 27, 1929.

UNITI-:o STATES PATENT o-F'Flfcr.. l

BANBOM W. DAmBT, 0l' DI'OIT, MICHIGAN, `.ASSIGNDB' CHICAGO m11- HATIC T0012 00mm, Ol'mvYOBx, H., Y., A. CORPORATION 0l NEW mBIGmTIlG APPARATB.

' Application led April 89, 1888. Serial lo. 105,872.

This invention relates to apparatus for producing thermodynamic effects and in particular to apparatus Ifor use in connection with refrigcrating and freezingcabinets and compartments! While it possesses many features of general application ithas a special field in mechanical refrigeratin outfits for househ'o`ld use where features ofgcompactness, simplicity, elliciency and economy are particularly desired. In refrigerativ systems 'elements functioning to absorb eat 'from the medium in contact with one surface through the evav ration of a suitable medium in contact with the opposite surface are old and commonly used in forms adapted for various specific applications. When the contact medium from which hea-t .is absorbed is the atmosphere, it

is common practice to extend lthe contact area by various expedients such as fins,`corru tions, tubes, coils, etc. as it is well known t at' a given quantity of heat can be absorbed from air with less temperature differences between; the air and the element when the contact area is large than when it is .relatively small. Commonly used structures generally afford relatively great air contact surface packed in'- rto relatively small cubical volume. For instance, the elements used in domestic refrigeration are in the form of coils and headers, or cubical tanks occupyin and fillin the space which, before the a vent of suc improvements, was filled with ice.

The elements just described are always operated' at temperatures colder than melting ice and act to induce va rather rapid circulation of a relatively small proportion of the air content of the entire refrigerator, so that the current of air leaves the element at temperatures far below ythe average temperature 'of the refrigerator. Therefore, there is valways a great difference between the temperature of the element and that ofthe articles in the re.-4

frigerator. With the conventional arrange-v ment of the refrigerating element in a corner o'f the refrigerator, often isolated by partitions, radiation from warmer objects to such an element is o f course quite negligible, since few or none of them can see it.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerating element adapted to cause a rather slow circulation of a relatively large proportion of the air content of the compartment or refrigerator to be cooled and so formed and disposed as to be seen by all or most of the ob'ects in the refrigerator so as to take some of t eir heat by radlation in addition to the convective transfer by way of the i Y circulated air. Another object is to provide a refrigerator havin the maximum food storage capacity with t e least possible volume lost in the refrigerating elementused therewith. Another object is to establish and maintain a more even and more uniform temperature throughout the food storage space.,

.Another object is to provide a freezing element having improved heat absorbing effects upon objects placed within it. A still further object is to. attain the above objects with forms of apparatus which are cheapl manu-` factured and of simplified constructlon.

It is well known in other arts that the temperatures within a nearly total enclosure tend to reach perfect equality, and such nearly total enclosure is sometimes called a"black body because it radiates through a small opening inA its wall the 'maximum amount of heat, as does a surface covered with lamp black. My invention further aims to secure 'in heat absorbing devices, results similar to the effects noted 1n black body structures. y In carrying out my' invention I provide both a large surface contact area and a near- Vly total enclosure by the novel combination Fig` 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a different form of refrigeratingelement. v

Fig. 4r is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing still another form of refrigeratin element.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section view substantially 'on the line 5-5 of Eig. 4.

to 4 inclusive, substantially on the line 7 7' of Fig. 8.

Fig 8 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional vlew on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 1 illustrates the invention as embodied in a mechanical refrigerating outfit for household use comprising a refrigerator A having.

its lower part provided with a chamber in whlch are dlsposed the mechanical parts of the refrigerating apparatus which may include a pump or compressor B and a prime mover for drlving the compressor, such as an electric motor C. Above the apparatus chamber are disposed the compartments from which heat is to be extracted. In the p1 esent instance two compartments are shown, namely, a freezing compartment D in which liquids are intende to be frozen and a food storage compartment E. The freezing compartment D contains a freezing element al and the food stcrage compartment E arefrigerating'elemente. These elements serve as containers or evaporators for the refrigerant fluid and are connected in series by a suitable duct f. The vaporized refrigerant is drawn from the top of element e through connection g -which leads to the inlet of pump B and the discharge of the pump passes through pipe la into a condenser (not shown) and thence into element d, a suitable throttling or expansion device i being interposed to'control the rate of feed of the condensed refrigerant.

The invention relates especially to the form, extent, disposition and arrangement of Ythe refrigeratinfg elements utilized to extract heat from the reezing compartment D and the food storage compartment E.. In order to attain thedesired simplicity and compactness as wellas to secure the greatestconserva-` tion of space for useful refrigerating purposes the refrigerating elements are preferably constructed so as to enable them to form at least a portion of tlie lining of the compartments in which they are disposed. The element for the food storage compartment will first bc considered since it may conform to or differ from the preferred structure of the freezing element without departing from the 'objects of the invention. The element 4may be constructed in a variety of ways and utilized to line any desired part of its compartment. Typical forms and arrangements only are herein shown and described. The type of refrigerating element e disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2 is arran ed to form the lining for the back and top of the food storage compartment E and comprises a long metal pipe or-tube 9 coiled or disposed in substantially horlzontal parallel stretches and secured to a metal plate or sheet 9l with which the coil has good thermal contact so that plate 9a forming the lining of the back and top of the compartment acts as an elicient heat absorber.

Fig. 3, discloses a slightly different' form of refrigerating element e which, however, lines the same 'parts 'of the food storage chamber as does the element disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, namely, the back and top thereof. This evaporator comprises two metal plates 10 and 10a disposed in4 face engagement and united in a fluid-tight manner at their peripheries to form therebetween a chamberpof restricted volume for the vaporizing refrigerant. Element e is constructed of the proper size and with a right angle bend at 10b sofas to closely lit the rear and top walls of chamber E and form a part of the lining of the compartment. Element e has an inlet connection 10c at its base leading from freezing element d and at its top an outlet 10dl for connection with the compressor.

Figs. 4 and 5 disclose still another arrangement of a refrigerating element in the food storage space E. This element e2 is similar in structure to that disclosed in Fig. 3 being formed of two sheet metal plates 10 and 10 disposedA in face engagement and peripherally united. This element, however, has two right angular bends at 10 and 10, respectively, and

is formed of such proportions as to lit and to line three sides of compartment E, namely,

the back and the two sides. The chamber for refrigerant provided by refrigerating ele-` ment e2 is enlarged somewhat adjacent the top and bottom of the element in any suitable manner as by outwardly bulging either or both of the plates 10 and 10a in a substantially wood, metal, or other suitable material, and

a layer of the heat insulating material a forming a relative thick wall within casing a. Immediately adjacent the insulating `Wall a is disposed the refrigerating element, elther e, e or e2. Fig. 6 happens to illustrate the form of element shown `in Figs. 3-5. To

maintain the plates 10 and'l()a forming the refrigerating element e or e2, slightly apart, so as to form a chamber of small but fixed volume for the refrigerant fluidi, suitable means are provided. Such means preferably take the -form of interior projections upon one or both of the plates. Inthe present 1nstance, the rear plate l() has been dented' at intervals to form projections 10t to engage the inner face lof plate 10a. AWhile plate 10,

which forms a part of the lining of compartment E, may be wavy or corrugated to resent a great air contact area instead of p ain and smooth as shown it should be in such form as to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition.

From the above it will be apparent that even if the refrigerating element used to line the chamber from which heat is to be extracted is made of a thick heavy material so as to withstand successfully high pressures or the impact of heavy objects which might be stored in the chamber, the necessa contact area for heat removal to maintain or inary refrigerating temperatures can be secured with an extended refrigerating element occup 'ng not more than ten per cent of the cubica volume of the compartment. When conditions safely permit the use of thin walled sheet metal refrigerating elements of the type disclosed in Figs. 3 to 6 as in installations operating in accordance with the process disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 15,- 172, filed March 12, 1925, the space occupied by the element is reduced to approximately 312 of the volume of the compartment, a quite insignificant amount in view of the extension of the element. i

By using the refrigerating clement to line the storage compartment, after the manner disclosed in Figs. 1,-5, an important ad- ,vantage additional to that of the increased space available for useful purposes is secured. This advantage lies in the fact that almost every object placedin the compartment can see atleast a portion of the element so that heat is withdrawn from the objects by radiation as well as by convection.

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention particularly adapted for freezing compartments although equally available for compartments intended to onerate at a higher temperature, if desired. This element provides an almost total enclosure in which heat is extracted from at least four walls thereof, namely, top, bottom and sides. The structure of the walls conforms substantially to that ofthe type of element disclosed in Figs.l 3-5.' The element-.d consists of a double Walled enclosure having a lining formed by a metal plate 11 with an outer plate 12 enclosing the saine.` One of the plates,

preferably the inner one 11, is rovided with projections 11 which may be l ormed by i'ndenting the same as previousl described'in.

relation to Fig. 6, so as to slig tly space the plates and form therebetween a restricted chamber 13 for the refrigerant fluid. The rear end of the enclosure may be made also witha double wall but as a manufacturing expedient it is closed by a single plate14. The front end is o n for the insertion of receptacles or trays not shown) containing the titions 15 and access is had to the o n front end of the element by a suitable c osare or.

plate 11 by oppositely bent portions 17 so as to provide spacedopenings at the top of the trough to distribute the entering refrigerant fluid to both sides of the element d. The out let connection f leads from vthe trp of element d as indicated. By constructing the freezing element d as a substantially total enclosure with thin slightly spaced walls the maximum of useful storage space is secured and black body conditions are closely approximated.

While preferred forms of the invention have been herein shown and described the invention is not limited to the specific details thereof but covers all changes, modifications and adaptations within the scope of the appended claims. L

I claim as myinvention:

1. In a mechanically o rated refrigerating outfit, a refrigerator aving a compartment for containing perishable articles, an extended evaporator `in'uiih'erllining at least a part of said compartment for containing a volatile liquid, and means for withdrawing the vapor of the liquid and cause said member to extract heat from said compart-l ment.

2. The combination with a compartment insulated a inst heat, of a container for volatile 'quid built into and formin apart ofthe lining of said compartment, an means for inducing evaporation of the liquid in said container to extract heat from said compartnient.

3. The combination with a compartment insulated against heat, of a metallic lining for said compartment, said linin forming one Wall of-an extended element or containing evaporating'liquid, and means for withdrawing the vapor of said liquid thereby to extract heat from said com artmen-t.

4. The combination wit acom artmentfor erishable articles having insulating material gorming the inner portion of. the wall of the compartment, of an evaporatng element im..- mediately adj aeent said insulation and forming a lining for said compartment, and means 'for inducin evaporation of a liquid contained in said element.

les

ilo

izo

y5. The combination with a compartment from which'heat is to be extracted, of an evaporator element presentinga lar'ge sur, face area wit-h'but small cubical content disposedjwithin said compartment seas to line a portion of the same and to extract heat therefrom both by radiation and convection, and means for inducing ,evaporation of a liquid contained in said element.

6. The combination with a compartment having its walls formed of heatinsulating from said liquid.

- partment from which heat is to be extracted materlal, of a thin evaporator elementdisposed within said compartment adjacent said `heatinsulating material to form a liriing for at least one wall of the compartment, and means for connecting said element to compressing and condensing members to form' a closed cycle refrigerating system of the refrigerating apparatus connected to said element to form a closed cycle system.

8. In a refrigerating system, the combination with a heat-insulating wall of a heatconducting plate adjacentsaid wall, means for maintaining a body of volatile liquid in a thin sheet or film between said wall and sald plate, and means'for' removing yvapor 9.A mechanical refrigerator comprising a motordr1ven compressor, a condenser, and

a hollow llining for said refrigerator, and

means for feeding liquid from said condenser into said linin compressor, sai lining being in direct contact with the interior of said refrigerator..l

10. In a closed cycle refrigerating system, a freezing compartment and a refriweratin'g compartment, and interconnected refrigerating elements arranged to contain vaporizing refrigerant and to extract heat from said comartments, one of said elements forming at east a part of the lining of its compartment.'

11. In a closed cycle system, a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment,` refrigerating elements in said compartments arranged to line the same, said. elements being interconnected and each arranged to contain vaporizing refrigerant.

12.. In a closed cycle system having a. plurality of compartments from which heat is to Vbe extracted, an evaporator element in each compartment forming at least a part of the lining of the compartment, and means con- -necting said elements in series, and pressure reducing means connected to the last element-S in the series.

13. A `heat absorbing member fr refrigerating systems comprising an extended evaporator element arranged to fit withiny a comand to line a portion of the interior thereof, said element being constructed and arranged to dispose the liquid refrigerant in a thinv to be evaporated by said film or sheet so. as to occupy a minimum amount of space within the compartment.

14. A heat absorbing member for refrigerating systems cmprising 'an extended evaporator element formed with a substantially plane face arranged to be disposed within a compartment from which heat is to be extracted so that said face forms the lining of atleast a part of the compartment, said element being so thin as to provide merely a film of evaporatingliquid in contact with said face. 1 5.'A refrigerating element comprising a pair of metallic sheets joined toeach other adjacent their peripheries, one of said plates being indented to provide contact `projections for the other plateso as to maintain said plates slightly spaced throughout their full Aarea and provide a chamber therebetween of small volume.

16. A freezing element comprising a metallic container of such.. proportions as to form a practically total enclosure of the black body type, means for maintaining a thin film ofliquid in contact with the eX- terior of said container, and means for inducing vapor-ization of the liquid.

17. freezing element comprising a container formed with hollow walls for containing a vaporizing refrigerant, saidcontainer having an outlet at the top, and inlet means at thethottom of said element arranged to cfa fect distribution of entering Huid.

18. A freezing element com'prisinga container formed with hollow walls for containing a vaporizing refrigerant, said container having an outlet at the top, and means disbottoin thereof for distributirfg entering fluid.

19. A freezing element comprising a container formed with hollow walls' for containing a vaporizing refrigerant, said container having an outlet at the top, and means form- -ing a trough in the bottom of said element for effecting longitudinal and lateral distribution of entering fluid.

20. A freezing element comprising a con- 21. A freezing element comprising a container formed with hollow walls for containing a vaporizing refrigerant', said container having an outlet at thetop, inlet means forming a troughdisposedlongitudinally and centrally beneath said-element, and a partila'lteral distribution of the entering fluid.

Signedy by'me at. Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, this 26th dayof April, 1926.

- RANSOM W. DAVENPORT.

.posed longitudinally of said element at-the tion within said trough for effecting equal

Images