US1739723A - Refrigerating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 17, 1929. J. G. KING REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Original Filed April 50, 1923 m w --N *5 [27172725525 Patented Dec. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JESSE G. KING, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR', BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO GENERAL MOTORS RESEARCH CORPORATION, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Application filed April 30, 1923, Serial No. 635,433. Renewed June 29, 1929.

This invention relates to automatic valves and particularly the type of valve controlled by the temperature of the fluid passing throught it.

Among the objects of the invention are to adjust the thermostat element of the valve from the exterior without allowin the fluid to escape, to provide for maintaining the thermostat in operative condition from the exterior of the valve, and to protect the thermostat from the influence of temperature surrounding the exterior of the valve.

The inventionprovides a thermostat including a metal bellows partly filled with a volatile fluid such as ether or methyl chloride. The movement of the bellows is resisted in one direction by a spring. The spring can be adjusted from the exterior of the valve and liquid can be poured into'the bellows without unsealing the valve bodyand without any fluid in valve escaping. The thermostat is enclosed so that none of its walls are exposed to outside atmosphere, therefore the influence of outside temperature is minimized.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein a preferred embodiment of one form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a refrigerating apparatus to which the present type of valve is applied;

Fig. 2 is a sectional viewof the valve; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings a refrigerating cabinet 20 is provided with a machine compartment 21 having a base 22 upon which is mounted a compressor 23 driven by-motor 24. The refrigerating cabinet also comprises a food compartment 26 and a cooling compartment 27. A brine tank cradle 28 is suspended by bolts 29 from the top of the cabinet within the cooling compartment 27 and carries it bring tank 31 and an evaporatonghamber 32. Refrigerant gas is drawn out of theea apiorator chamber 32 by the compressor 23"through the pipe 34. The gas which is compressed nected with an extension 45 of the end member 41by coupling 46. The upper end of the body 40 is provided with a boss 48 into which is screwed a shank 50 which extends also through the boss 48. Shank 50 is provided with a flange 51 to which one end ofa metallic bellows 52 i attached. The other end of the bellows 52 is connected to a flange 53 which is provided with a shank 54 adapted to slide within a hollow guide 55 in the extension 45. End 51 merges into a sleeve 57 and is adapted to receive a boss 58' which extends a sub- I stantial distance into the sleeve 57. A spring 59 is located within the sleeve and interposed between the end 51 and a top of the boss 58 and normally tends to force the boss 58 and likewise the shank 54 downwardly. Shank 54 carries a valve 61 adapted to cooperate with a seat 62 formed within the extension 45. Shank 54 is provided with flat surfaces 64 (see Fig. 3) whereby the contents may pass between said shank and the guide 55'. Valve 61 controls the flow of contents from the valve body chamber 42 through a passage 63 which leads to the pipe 38. larged opening 65 at the upper end thereof for receiving packing 66 and a packing gland 67 screwed into opening in boss 48 and provided with screw driven or spanner wrench slots 67?. Shank 50 is provided with a cen-'. tral bore 50 for the purpose of introducing a liquid into the metal bellows 52. The end of the shank is sealed by a screw 69 and packing 7 O. A cap 7 2 is screwed into boss 48 and the joint is sealed with the aid of a'packing 73. A liquid is poured into the metal bellows 52 to substantially the level indicated at 75.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The boss 48 has an en- \Vhen the refrigerating apparatus is in operation, the compressor with the aid of a condenser causes the gas to be liquefied in the pipe 36. This liquid passes into the body &0 and after a certain amount of liquid has flowed into the chamber 42 it will cover enough of the bellows 52 to cool the liquid therein to such a degree astocause the bellows to contract and open valve (51 so that the fluid in chamber 42 can flow out through passage 63. The refrigerant fluid then flows to the evaporator chamber 32 through the pipe 38. After the cooling compartment 27 has been cooled to a suflicient degree the motor 24 is rendered inoperative in any suitable well known manner. While the motor is idle gas will not be pumped and the liquid within the chamber 42 will expand and heatthe liquid within the bellows causing the valve 61 to close.

The extending portion of the shank 50 is provided with flats 7 7 for receiving a wrench whereby the shank can be screwed up or down whereby to raise or lower the flange 51 to decrease or increase the compression of the spring 59. These flats 77 extend beyond the end of the boss 48 and are readily accessible after the cap 72 has been removed.

The valve thermostat includes bellows 52, flanges 51 and 53, the spring 59 and the volatile liquid contained within the bellows.

The thermostat can be maintained in operative condition from the exterior of the valve without unsealing the valve and allowing any fluid in the valvev bod to escape. Means are provided whereby the bellows may be charged with a liquid without removing same from the valve body 40. Also, since the bellows need not be removed the contents of the body 40 will not escape when the bellows are charged. It is only necessary when recharging the bellows 52 to remove the cap 72 and then remove the screw 69.

The tension of the thermostat spring 59 can readily be adjusted by merely removing the cap 72 therebyexposing the flats 77 on the end of shank 50 and providing for the application of a wrench; There is slight chance for the escape of the contents of the valve 40 duringthe adjustment of the spring 59. The entire thermostat unit including the .valve 61, bellows 52, and the shank 50 can be removed by unscrewing the end member 41 and then unscrewing the shank 50 from the valve body.

The valve as is herein shown and described provides a control for refrigerant which is subjected and controlled substantially only by the temperature of the refrigerant. The thermostat is enclosed within the body 40 and none of its walls 51, 52,"0r 53 are in contact with the surrounding atmosphere. Therefore the thermostat is not influenced by the direct temperature of the cooling compartment or brine tank, but is responsive more nearly only to the temperature of the liquid within said body 40.

While the form of mechanism herein described and illustrated constitutes a preferred embodiment of one form of the invention, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted and various changes and alterations made in the shape, size, and prospring within said container normally tend ing to maintain the valve stem element in a certain position, said thermostat being enclosed within said body for actuating said "valve elements relatively to one another and means operable from the exterior of the body for adjusting the tension of said sprin to control the temperature at which said t ermostat opens or closes said valve.

2. In a temperature responsive device, the combination with a body for receiving a fluid and provided with a valve seat element; of a movable valve stem element cooperating with said valve seat for controlling the flow of said fluid; a thermostat enclosed within said body for actuatin said valve elements relatively to one anot ier, and means exterior of the body for adjusting the temperature at which said thermostat opens or closes said valve, said thermostat comprising an expansible and contractile body containing a quantity of liquid having approximately the same boiling point as the fluid passing through the valve.

3. A valve for controlling the flow of a fluid, said valve including a body for the fluid to be controlled and provided with a valve seat element; a thermostat including a closed expansible and contractile fluid container enclosed within the body, a spring interposed between opposed walls of said container, a movable valve stem element cooperating with said valve seat carried by one of said opposed walls, the other of said walls having a boss threaded into a Wall of the body and extending to the exterior of the body and having means exterior of the body for rotating with same for adjusting the tension of the spring.

In testimony whereof I hereto aflix my signature.

JESSE G. KING.

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