US2060633A - Evaporator for refrigerating machines - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 10, 1936. D NEWMAN EVAPORATOR FOR REFRIGERATING MACHINES Filed Jan. 26, 1935 Inventor: Delbert FT Newman,

Attorney"- Patented Nov. 10, 1936 I 7 I 2,060,633

UNITED STATES PA E T F C =v Delbert F. Newman, Schenectady, N. Y., assignor to General Electric 'Company, a corporation of New York application January 26, 1935, Serial No; 3,651 21 Claims. (ores-126) My invention relates to evaporators for reof the motor and compreS W the vap frigerating machines, rator is sufliciently cooled the operation of the An object ofmy invention is to provide an imr, a d Co p is stopped, t pp y provedevaporator of simple and rugged construcof liquid refrigerant s Th liquid wit n i n and having a highly eflicient arrangement the evaporator continues to evaporate and absorb 5 for circulating liquid refrigerant therein, heat from the chamber ll until the'temperature Another object of my invention i to provide a, of the evaporator rises to a predetermined value flooded evaporator for refrigerating machines when the motor is a ain rt This cycle is having an arrangement for producing circulation fientimleus and maintains t evaporator Within of refrigerant to assist the natural thermally in- Dredetermihed'range of p tu e 10 duced circulation in the evaporator in either di- During e op t n of the refrigerating arection thereof. chine it is desirable to provide a continuous cir- Further objects and advantages of my i culation of liquid refrigerant in the evaporator in tion willvbecome apparent as th following order to obtain the highest possible rate of heat 1o scription proceeds, and the features of novelty absorptionliquid refrigerant supp i d to which characterize my-invention will be pointed the evaporator may be utilized to p l e Ciriout with particularity in the claims annexed to cu of refrigerant h evaporator while and forming a part of this specification. t e liquid is being supplied theretohen l quid For. a better understanding of my invention is not being supplied thereto a circulation of reference may be had to the accompanying drawfrigerantwill be Produced y Slight te p rature .20. m in which Fig 1 shows a househoid refrigerdifferences, and it is desirable that when the re-F ator provided with an evaporator embodying'my frigerant s pp to the v porator is utilized invention, and Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective to induce a circulation of refrigerant therein, this view partly in section of the evaporator ho n i circulation will be in the same direction as that A Fig. 1. v which is thermally induced. 2

Referring now to Fig. 1, I have shown 9, hou In accordance with my invention I construct hold refrigerating machine provided with a cabithe vap r w t a he d headers and net l0 having a food compartment II which is a plurality of depending refrigerant circulatin cooled by an evaporator l2 arranged therein and Passages tu s and provide a manifold for psupplied with refrigerant from a motor and complying ant t t evapo at r a d a a d so pressor unit contained in a casing l3 mounted on I o nject refrigerant inte the P a in a the top of the cabinet I0. A door I 4 is provided to e Whieh p odu a circulation assisting the close the compartment II whenthe refrigerator natural rmal cir t of the q d i is being used. During the operation f th r erant in theevaporator in either direction therefrigerating machine shown, gaseous refrigerant 01' a v is compressed within the casing in and flows into efe i to Fi u e 2, t e evap at r 1 coma conduit i5 formed in Shell is a d comprising prises inner and outer metal sheets 23-and 24 a condenser. The gaseous refrigerant isair respectively secured together about their edges, cooled by natural draft and liquefiedin the eonthe sheet 23 being bent over the edge of the sheet 40 denser and flows through a connection H to a, 24 as indicated at 25. The headers 20 and-2| are 40 receiver or float valve, chamber la, The liquid formed by indentations in the sheets near the flows in regulated quantities from the chamber opposite ends thereof, the sheets being bent in a it through a conduit H to the evaporator I 2. U-shap'ed form with the headers at the upper The absorption of heat from the chamber ll vaends of the U. Depending from the headers 20 porizesv the liquid refrigerant within the evapoand 2| respectivelyare a plurality of separate rator and the vapor collects in headers '20 and U-shaped refrigerant passages or conduits 26 and 2|, and is withdrawn through conduit 22 by op- \2\l1 respectively. These U-shaped passages are eration of the-compressor, and returned to the ormed by p v corrugations or indenta- 7 casing IS. The motor and compressor within the ons in the outer sheet 24 of the evaporator, parto casing B are operated intermittently'under the ly in the sides and partly in the bottom of the control of a thermostat in accordance with the evaporator. The lower portions of the passages temperature of the evaporator so as to maintain are available for cooling the bottom of the evapthe desired temperature in the cabinet. I Liquid, orator, and freezing trays or similar articles which refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator by opmay be supported thereon. The passages 26 are eration of the float valve at I 8 duringoperation connected as a group with both ends of each 55 passage opening into the header below the level of liquid refrigerant therein and connected in substantially longitudinal alinement along said header with the ends of the other passages 26. The passages 21 are connected to the header 2| in a similar manner. Liquid refrigerant will circulate from one end of each of the passages 26 and 21 to the other end thereof, the direction being determined by thermal conditions in each particular passage. In order to utilize'the liquid refrigerant supplied to the evaporator to induce a circulation of refrigerant in the direction of the natural thermal circulation in each of the passages in either direction, I provide a U-shapedmanifold 28 in the bottom of the evaporator between the ends of the tubes 26 and 2! and communicating with the lower ends of the U-shaped passages 28 and 21 through ducts 29 and 30, respectively.

' The refrigerant from the manifold 28 is injected directly into the passages 26 and 21 transversely of the flow therein and will flow in the same direction as the refrigerant circulating in the passages. The direction of flow is determined by the natural thermal circulation therein, for any bubbles of gaseous refrigerant entering the passages through the ducts 29 and 30 will be carried by the circulation in the direction thereof and when rising will assist the circulation. It is thus evident that regardless of the direction of the thermally induced circulation in the passages, the injection of refrigerant into these passages from the manifold 28 will assist the thermally induced circulation. In order to maintain the same level of liquid in the headers 20 and 2| and to provide a passage for liquid and gaseous refrigerant between the headers, I provide a horizontal conduit 3| connecting the headers and arranged so that the normal level of liquid refrigerant indicated at 32 lies within the conduit. Gaseous refrigerant is withdrawn from the evaporator through the conduit 22 connected to the header 2|.

During the idle periods when the compressor of the refrigerating machine is not operating refrigerant will circulate in the depending U- shaped passages in directions determined by the thermally induced currents in each passage. When the motor and compressor unit is started liquid refrigerant will be injected into the passages 26 and 21 through ducts 29 and 30 respectively. Some of the liquid will vaporize and the liquid and vapor will induce a circulation assisting the natural thermal circulation in each of the passages. The rapid circulation produced by this injection of refrigerant will make possible a higher rate of heat absorption, thus ice trays or articles of. food placed on the evaporator or within the refrigerator will be cooled rapidly.

The evaporator embodying my invention is of simple construction, is easily manufactured and provides a highly efficient arrangement for circulating refrigerant.

While I have shown and described my invention in connection with a household refrigerating machine, other applications will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art. I do not, therefore, desire my invention to be limited to the particular construction shown and described, and I intend in the appended claims to cover all modifications within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Letters Patent of the United States,.is: J

1. A flooded evaporator for refrigerating machines comprising a header and a depending U- shaped refrigerant circulating passage, means communicating with the lower portion of said U- shaped passage for injecting liquid refrigerant into said U-shaped passage and for assisting the thermally induced circulation of refrigerant in said passage in either direction of said thermally induced circulation, and means for withdrawing gaseou refrigerant from said header.

2. A flooded evaporator for refrigerating Inachines comprising a header and a depending U- shaped refrigerant circulating passage, means communicating with the mid-portion of said U- shaped passage for injecting liquid refrigerant into said U-shaped passage and for assisting the thermally induced circulation of refrigerant in said passage in either direction of said thermally induced circulation, and means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from said header.

3. A flooded evaporator for refrigerating machines comprising a. header and a plurality of depending U-shaped refrigerant circulating passages, means communicating with the lower portion of each of said U-shaped passages for injecting liquid refrigerant into said U-shaped passages and for assisting the thermally induced circulation of refrigerant in said U-shaped passages in either direction of said thermally induced circulation, and means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from said header.

4. A flooded evaporator for refrigerating machines comprising a header and a plurality of separate depending U-shaped refrigerant circulating passages, means communicating with the lower portion of each of said U-shaped passages for injecting liquid refrigerant into said U-shaped passages and for assisting the thermally induced circulation of refrigerant in said U-shaped passages in either direction of said thermally induced circulation, and means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from said header.

5. A flooded evaporator for refrigerating machines comprising a header and a plurality of separate depending U-shaped refrigerant circulating passages, both of the ends of each of said passages communicating with said header and all of the ends of said passages being substantially in longitudinal alinement along saidheader, means communicating with the lower portion of each of said U-shaped passages for injecting liquid refrigerant into said U-shaped passages, and means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from said header.

6. A flooded evaporator for refrigerating machines comprising a header and a plurality of depending U-shaped refrigerant circulating passages, both of the ends of each of said passages communicating with said header and all of the ends of said passages being substantially in longitudinal alinement along said header, means communicating with the lower portion of each of said U-shaped passages for injecting liquid refrigerant into said U-shaped passages and for inducing a circulation of refrigerant through said passages, and means for withdrawing refrigerant from said header.

'7. A flooded evaporator for refrigerating machines comprising a header and a plurality of separate depending U-shaped refrigerant circulating passages, both of the ends of each of said passages communicating with said header and all of the ends of said passages being substantially What I claim as new and desire to secure by -.in'-l0n itudinal alinement a n id r,

means communicating with the lower portion of each of said U-shaped passages for injecting liquid refrigerant into said U-shaped passages and for inducing a circulation of refrigerant through said passages, and means for withdrawing refrigerant from said header.

' 8. A flooded evaporator for refrigerating machines comprising a header and a; plurality of depending U-shaped refrigerant circulating passages, both of the ends of each of said U-shaped passages communicating with said header and all of the ends of said U-shaped'passages being substantially in longitudinal alinement along said header, said evaporator having a portion arranged to support freezing trays or the'like in heat exchange relation with refrigerant in said passages, means communicating with the midportion of each of saidU-shaped passages for injecting liquid refrigerant into said U-shaped passages and for inducing a circulation of refrigerant through said passages, and means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from said header.

'9. A flooded evaporator for refrigerating machines comprising a header, and a plurality of separate depending U-shaped refrigerant circulat'ing passages, both of theends of each of said withdrawing gaseous U-shaped passages communicating with said header and all of the ends of said U-shaped pas sages being substantially in longitudinal alinement along said header, said evaporator having a portion arranged to support freezing trays or the like in heat exchange relation with refrigerant in said passages, means communicating with the mid-portion of each of said U-shaped passages for injecting liquid refrigerant into said U-shaped passages and for inducing a circulation of refrigerant through said passages, and means for refrigerant from said header.v

10. A flooded evaporator for refrigerating.machines comprising a header and a plurality of separate depending U-shaped refrigerant circulating passages, both of the ends of each of said U-shaped passages .communicating with said header and all of the ends of said U-shaped passages being substantially in longitudinal alinement along said header, said evaporator having a portion arranged to support freezing trays or the like in heat exchange relation with refrigerant in said passages, means including a plurality of ducts, one communicating with the mid-portion of each of said U-shaped passages for admitting liquid refrigerant to said evaporator and for inducing a circulationof refrigerant through said passages, and means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from said header.

11. A flooded evaporator for refrigerating machines comprising two headers,,a plurality of depending U-shaped refrigerant circulating passages arranged in two groups, all of the U-shaped uid refrigerant through said passages, and means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from said headers.

12. A flooded evaporator for refrigerating machines comprising two headers, a plurality of separate depending U-shaped refrigerant circulating passages arranged in two groups, all of the U shaped passages of one of said groups communieating with one of said headers'and being arranged substantially in longitudinal alinement along said header, all of the passages of the other of said groups communicating with the other of said. headers and being arranged substantially in longitudinal alinement along the other of said cating with one of said headers and being arranged substantially in longitudinal alinement along saidheader, all of the passages of the other of said groups communicating with the other of said headers and being arranged substantially in longitudinal alinement along the other of said headers, means including a U-shaped manifold communicating with the mid-portion of each of said passages for admitting liquid refrigerant to said evaporator and for inducing a circulation of liquid refrigerant through said passages, and means'for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from said headers. I v

14. A flooded evaporator for refrigerating machines comprising two headers, a plurality of depending U-shaped refrigerant circulating passages arranged in two groups, all of the U-shaped passages of one of said groups communicating with one of said headers and being arranged substantially in longitudinal alinement'along'said header, all of the'passages of the other of said groups communicating with the other of said headers and being arranged substantially in longitudinal alinement along the other of said headers, means including a plurality of ducts, one communicating with the mid-portion of each of shaped passages of one of said groups communisaid passages for admitting liquid refrigerant to.

said evaporator and for inducing a circulation of liquid refrigerant throligh said passages, and means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from said headers.

15. A fiooded'evaporator for refrigerating machines comprising two headers, a plurality of separate depending U-shaped refrigerant circulating passages arranged in two groups, all of the U- shaped passages of one of said groups communieating with one of said headers and being arranged substantially in longitudinal alinement along said header, all of the passages of the other of said groups communicating with the other of said headers and being arranged substantially in longitudinal alinement along the other of said headers, means communicating with the mid-portion of each of said passages for admitting liquid refrigerant to said evaporator and for inducing a circulation of liquid refrigerant through said passages, means including a connection between said headers for maintaining a common liquid level therein, and means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from said,

arranged substantially in longitudinal alinementalong said header, all of the passages of the other connection between said headers for maintaining a common liquid level therein, and means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from said headers.

17. A flooded evaporator for refrigerating machines comprising inner and outer sheet metal walls provided with indentations forming two .headers and a plurality of separate refrigerant circulating passages depending from said headers, said passages comprising a plurality of U- shaped loops arranged in two groups, all of the loops of one of said groups communicating at both ends with one of said headers, all of the loops of'the other of said groups communicating at both ends .with the other of said headers, means formed between said inner and outer walls for admitting liquid refrigerant to said evaporator, means communicating with each of said U-shaped passages for inducing a circulation ofrefrigerant in said passages, and means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from said headers.

18. A flooded evaporator for refrigerating machines comprising inner and outer sheet metal walls provided with indentations forming two headers and a plurality of refrigerant circulating passages depending from said headers, said passages comprising a plurality of U-shaped loops arranged in two groups, all of the loops of one of said groups communicating at both ends with one of said headers, all of the loops of the other of said groups communicating at both ends with the other of said headers, means -including a manifold formed between said inner and outer walls for admitting liquid refrigerant to said evaporator, means including ducts connecting said manifold and each of said U-shaped passages for inducing a circulation of refrigerant in said passages, and means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from said headers.

19. A flooded evaporator for refrigerating machines comprising inner and outer sheet metal walls provided with indentations forming two headers and a plurality of separate refrigerant circulating passages depending from said headers, said passages comprising a plurality of U- shaped loops arranged in two groups, all of the loops of one of said groups communicating at both ends with one of said headers, all of the loops of the other of said groups communicating at both ends with the other of said headers, means formed between said inner and outer walls for admitting liquid refrigerant to said evaporator, means communicating with each of said U-shaped passages for inducing a circulation of refrigerant in said passages, means including a connection between said headers for maintaining a common-liquid level therein, and means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from said headers.

20. A flooded evaporator for refrigerating machines comprising inner and outer sheet metal walls provided with indentations forming two headers, and a plurality of depending refrigerant circulating passages, said passages comprising a plurality of U-shaped loops arranged in two groups, all the loops of one of said groups communicating at both ends with one of said headers, all theloops of the other of said groups communicatingat both ends with the other of said headers, means including a manifold formed between said inner and outer walls for admitting liquid refrigerant to said evaporator, means including ducts connecting said manifold and each of said U-shaped passages for inducing a circulation of refrigerant in said passages, means including a conduit'connecting said headers for maintaining a common level of liquid refrigerant therein, and means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from said headers.

21. A flooded evaporator for refrigerating machines comprising inner and outer sheet metal walls provided with indentations forming two headers and a plurality of depending refrigerant circulating passages, said passages comprising a plurality of U-shaped loops arranged in two groups, all the loops of one of said groups communicating at both ends with one of said headers, all the loops of the other of said groups communicating at both ends with the other of said headers, means including a manifold formed said headers.

' DELBERT F. NEWMAN.

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