US1954310A - Circuitous conduit for refrigerators - Google Patents

Description

April 10, 1934. e. E. DENMAN CIRCUITOUS CONDUIT FOR REFRIGEHATORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May '17. 1930 IN VEN TOR. swma E- ps/w'rmv.

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Patented Apr. 10, 1934 entire STATES PATENT GFFICE CIRCUITOUS CONDUIT FOR REFRIGERATORS 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in circuitous conduits for refrigerators, and it consists of the combinations, constructions and arrangements hereinafter described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a cir cuitous conduit for use in connection with a refrigerator system in which a relatively high cooling surface is disposed between the medium to be cooled and the refrigerant passing through the conduit. It is proposed in the present invention to provide the maximum cooling surface per unit area of space.

More specifically, I propose to arrange a series of scaled shells through which a refrigerant is successively passed, these shells having circulating tubes extending therethrough which are exposed to the refrigerant, whereby mediums in the circulating tubes may be cooled.

A further object is to provide a device of the character described which is simple in construction, durable and emcient for the purpose intended.

A further object is to simplify the various structural features of my invention in such a manner that the same may be cheaply manufactured, easily assembled, and readily prepared for use.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended to claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which:

Figure l is a diagrammatic view of a direct expansion or dry system of refrigeration having my invention embodied therein,

Figure 2 is a plan view of one of the sealed shells which I employ,

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken along line 40. 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure l is a fragmentary view of a refrigerator showing the principle of my invention applied to freezing trays,

Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken along line as. 5-5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5, and

Figure '7 illustrates my principle as applied to a flooded system of refrigeration.

In carrying my invention into practice, I make use of a direct expansion or dry system of refrigeration, which in its structural features comprises a compressor 1 of conventional design for compressing a refrigerant and for delivering the same under pressure through a pipe 2 to a condenser 3, from which it is subsequently conveyed by a pipe 4 to a receiver 5 in liquid state.

The refrigerant employed in such a system depends largely upon the use to which the refrigeration is put, and may, for example, be sulphur G0 dioxide or methyl chloride. The refrigerant passes from the condenser to an expansion valve 6 over the liquid line 7. The expansion valve is preferably arranged exteriorly of a brine tank 8 having a circuitous conduit 9 disposed therein, the latter communicating at the liquid inlet end 10 with a short pipe 11 extending from the expansion valve.

As the refrigerant passes upwardly through the circuitous conduit, it expands and changes into a Zt vapor or gaseous state. it is, of course, understood that the expansion of a gas decreases the temperature of the surrounding mediums. A. solution of calcium chloride is ofen used in a brine tank, since the solution. will maintain its cold properties for several hours after the compressor ceases to operate.

The vaporized refrigerant is returned to the compressor 1 after it has served. its purpose by a pipe 12, whereupon the compressor will again force the refrigerant through the system on another cycle. The compressor may be driven by means of a motor 13 that is controlled by an electric thermostatic device indicated at 14.

The parts thus far described, apart from the g5 condenser 3 and the circuitous conduit 9, form no part of the present invention, except insofar as they cooperate with the parts now to be described.

The circuitous conduit 9 consists of a series of sealed shells 15 having body portions 16 and end walls 17. While Figures 2 and 3 show these shells as having a cylindrical cross-section, it is understood that any other desired shape may be employed.

The shells 15 are arranged one above the other in the manner shown in Figures 1 and 3, and are held in spaced relation by means of spacers 18 which are preferably welded to the shells. The chamber portions 19 of the shells are intercon- 100 nected by pipes 20 that have their ends welded or otherwise secured to the walls 1'? so as to communicate with the chambers 19.

Circulating tubes 21 extend between opposite end walls 1'7 of each of the shells for permitting 1 5 a medium to pass therethrough. When the circuitous conduit is submerged in a brine solution, the brine will be cooled as the refrigerant passes through the chambers 19. It should be particularly noted that the refrigerant enters the lower 1'10 right-hand pipe 20 in Figure 3 in a liquid state and is caused to pass entirely across the shell before finding an exit to the next shell thereabove. As the refrigerant so travels, it will contact with the outer surfaces of the circulating tubes 21. The arrangement of the tubes 21 in he manner shown in Figure 2 will provide a relatively large cooling surface between the refrigerant and the brine solution.

In adapting my circuitous conduit to certain types of refrigerators in which the brine solution is omitted, the tubes 21 will provide passageways through which air may be circulated.

The condenser 3 is constructed in the same manner as the circuitous conduit 9, and the free passage of air through its circulating tubes will produce an eflicient condenser.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood. The refrigerant leaves the receiver 5 under pressure and in a liquid state. As the refrigerant passes successively through the shells 15, the brine solution, or in many cases the air in the refrigerator proper is cooled. The liquid changes into a gaseous state as it passes along the system, and is finally compressed at 1, and is again started on the cycle.

Figure 7 shows the well known flood system of refrigeration in which the liquid refrigerant entering into the circuitous coil 21 is controlled. by a float valve mechanism 22 that is surrounded by a suitable housing 23 so as to retain a certain amount of the refrigerant therein.

A. pipe 24 extends vertically through several of the shells l5, and the chamber 19 of each of the shells is placed in communication with the pipe 24 by perforations 25. A second perforated pipe 26 is arranged on the opposite side of: the shells for providing a vapor outlet for the refrigerant. The construction of the shells and their attendant circulating tubes 21 is exactly the same as in the first form described. The refrigerant medium in this case must also pass from one side of the shell to the opposite side thereof. The brine or air passing through the circulating tubes is thus effectively cooled.

My principle may also be applied for freezing water into cubes of ice. Figure 4 shows a portion of a refrigerator 2? having a cavity 28 therein for receiving a plurality of U-shapecl cooling members 29. A suitable rack 30 for holding freezing trays 31 between the projecting portions 32 and 33 of the U is shown in Figure 4 in upright position.

The refrigerant enters the lowermost member 29 at one end of the U at pipe 35 and passes to the other end 36 in the manner shown in Figure 5. The refrigerant then enters the adjacent cooling member thereabove through an exit pipe 37. The pipes 35 and 3'7 respectively correspond with the pipes 7 and 12 in Figure 1.

Circulating tubes 38 are also provided in this modified form through which air in the refrigerator circulates. As the temperature in the cavity 28 drops below the freezing temperature, Water in the trays 31 is changed into ice. In this form, also, the refrigerant must pass around all of the circulating tubes 38 as it passes through the circuitous conduit.

The underlying principle upon which the various forms of the circuitous conduit is based is the same throughout the several forms, and also in the condenser 3.

Vt ile I have shown only the preferred forms of my vention, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of various changes, and I reserve the right to employ such changes as may come within the scope of the claims hereto annexed.

I claim:

1. A circuitous conduit for a refrigerator comprising a plurality of shells arranged in spaced relation, circulating tubes extending vertically through the shells, passageways interconnecting adjacent shells for introducing a refrigerant into one of each shell and for discharging the refrigerant from the opposite side of the shell, whereby the entire exterior surface of the shells and the interior of the circulat ng tubes are ex posed to the surrounding medium.

2. A circuitous conduit for a refrigerator corn- 1 i prising a plurality of shells, circulating tubes extending therethrough for providing the passageway for a medium, a pair of conduits extending through the shells in spaced relation and having perforated portions placing each of the conduits in communication with the interior of the shells, and means for introducing a refrigerant into one of the perforated conduits and withdrawing it from the other.

GEORGE E. DENMAN.

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