US2097815A - Refrigerating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

H. C. HARVEY REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 6, 1934 Z O ,/J wwmmws .7l/lao u RWQ Imi x E Nov. 2, 1937.

, y Il Patented Nov. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE '7 Claims.

The principal objects of the present invention are: first, to improve and make more certain and reliable the control of the introduction ofthe high pressure refrigerant to the cooling coils, especially when the latter are comparatively warm, as is the case in starting the refrigerating apparatus; to effect an economy in the utilization of the low pressure refrigerant for cooling the high pressure refrigerant, and generally to make refrigerating apparatus more reliable and certain than it is at present.

Other objects of the present invention will appear from the following description at the end of which the invention will be claimed;

Generally stated the invention consists in the provision of a pressure responsive device for regulating the control valve for the high pressure refrigerant and acted upon by the occasional relatively high pressure of the low pressure refrigerant which occurs, for example, when the apparatus is started or is warm, in combination with a oat for normally regulating the control valve for the high pressure refrigerant when the apparatus is in operation.

4'I'he invention also consists in the improvements to b'e presently described and4 finally claimed.

In the following'description, reference will be made to the accompanying drawing forming part hereof and in whic The single figure is a transverse sectional view of apparatus embodying features of the `invention.

In the drawing, I is the control valve that admits high pressure and comparatively warm refrigerants to the cooling coils or the like, which should be kept full of refrigerants. The high pressure refrigerant from the compressor enters by pipe 2, coil 3 and sieve or screen 3ay and, after passing the control valvev I, passes at reduced pressure by way of the connection 4 to the cooling coils. 5 is a chamber subdivided intov a oat 'chamber 6 and an accumulator chamber 1, and low pressure refrigerant from the coils enters it at 8. From the accumulator chamber 1 there is a connection 9 back to the inlet of the compressor. I is a pressure responsive device, shown as a ,bellows I I internally in communication with the atmosphere as by the vent I2, and externally in communication with the accumulator chamber 1 as by vents I3. I4 is a float in the float chamber 6.

I1 is a lever pivoted intermediate of its ends. At

one end it is connected with the shank of the control valve 'I by a pivotal nut I8 and a lock-nut I 9. The other end of the lever I1 is connected With the head of the bellows II by a stud 20 through the intervention of a cushioning spring connection which affords lost motion at 2l. The last-mentioned end of the pivotal lever I1 is also slidably connected to the oat spindle 22 by the spring extension 23. 24 is a light cushioning spring for the spring extension 23, and the screw 24a is a means for adjusting the bellows Il. It is evident that, in the normal expanded position of the bellows II, the float I4 can operate the` valve I, and that when the oat I4 is seated in the oat chamber 6, the bellows by compression can operate valve I.

In starting, the oat I4 is seated and the valve I is opened. oI-Iigh pressure refrigerant passes the valve I and with some reduction in pressure reaches the cooling coils which are warm,

`and rapid evaporation of the refrigerant develops abnormal pressure in the chamber 5 before the cooling coils are full and before liquid reaches the float chamber from the coils, and this pressure acting upon the bellows I l causes them to close the valve I, thus excluding high pressure refrigerant from the coils until the abnormally high rate of evaporation in the coils and the consequent high pressure in the chamber 5 are reduced. Thereafter liquid from the cooling coil enters the chamber 6 and the level of this liquid acting on the oat I4 causes it to control the valve in the usual manner.

The above-described operations are repeated, as required, to keep the temperature at the de- 'f sired point.

The described device and its connections replace a thermostatic device often employed in refrigerating apparatus and responsive to the temperature of the low pressure refrigerant, and the bellows `or pressure responsive device is less -liable to fail in operation, because its operation is not dependent upon a confined body of gas which, in practice, is subject to leakage.

25 is a baille plate arranged opposite the low pressure refrigerant inlet 8 and it is perforated for the escape of liquid to the float chamber 6. From the fioat chamber 6 liquid, especially oil or lubricant, flows over the dam 26 into the oil sump 21 from'which the lubricant enters the ciftake 9 to the compressor by way of the hole 29. Gas enters the offtake 9 at the open upper end thereof. 28 is a baiiie plate depending into the oil sump 21.

Between the cold uid in the chamber 5 and in the sump 21 and the hot refrigerant in the coil 3, heat exchange occurs, which effects economy in operation.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates that modifications may be made in details of construction and arrangement and in matters of mere form without departing from the spirit of the invention which is not limited to such matters or otherwise than the prior art and appended claims may require.

I claim:

1. In a refrigerating apparatus the combination of a control valve for high pressure refrigerant, a chamber subdivided into a float 'chamber and an accumulator chamber and into which low pressure refrigerant is admitted, a float in said oat chamber, a bellows externally' exposed to the pressure in said chamber and internally to the atmosphere, a pivotal lever to one end of which the control valve is attached, a spring connection between the other end of the lever and the float, and a lost motion spring connection between the last-mentioned end of the lever and the bellows.

2. In a refrigerating apparatus of the type described, the combination of, a chamber into which low pressure refrigerant is delivered and which includes an oil sump portion, a temperature exchange coil in contact with the outside face of the wall of the sump, and connections for leading the high pressure refrigerant through said coil.

3. In a refrigerating apparatus of the type de. scribed the combination of, a control valve for the high pressure refrigerant, a bellows for closing said control valve and responsive to the occasional relative high pressure of the low pressure refrigerant, a uid level responsive device responsive to the level of the low pressure refrig- 4 erant for normally regulating and opening and closing said control valve during normal operation of the apparatus, and mechanical connections between said control valve and said bellows and said fluid level responsive device whereby either said bellows or said device may operate said control valve.

4. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of, a casing having a chamber therein into which low pressure refrigerant is delivered, said chamber including an oil sump, a temperature exchange coil in heat transfer relation to said oil sump, and connections for leading high pressure refrigerant through said coil.

5. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of, a control valve for high pressure refrigerant, a chamber sub-divided into a oat chamber and an accumulator chamber and into which low pressure refrigerant is admitted, a float in said float chamber, a bellows exposed on the outside to the pressure in said chamber and on the inside to the atmosphere, and mechanism interposed between the valve and the float and the bellows whereby the valve is closed by the bellows when the pressure of the low pressure refrigerant is relatively high and opened and closed l and controlled by the float when the pressure of the low pressure refrigerant drops.

6. In a refrigerating apparatus of the type described the combination of, a control valve for the high pressure refrigerant, a float device respons'ive to the level of the low pressure refrigerant for opening and closing and regulating the control valve when the pressure of the low pressure refrigerant is comparatively low and the apparatus is in operation, a pressure-responsive device internally vented to atmospheric pressure an'd externally exposed to the pressure of the low pressure refrigerant and when the pressure of the low pressure refrigerant is relatively high adapted to close the control valve, and mechanical connections between said valve, the float device and pressure device.

7. In a refrigerating apparatus, tion of, a casing divided into a float chamber and an accumulator chamber, an oitake for low pressure refrigerant having its inlet adjacent the top of the accumulator chamber, a control valve for high pressure refrigerant, a pressure-responsive device internally vented to the atmosphere and externally exposed to the pressure in the float and accumulator chambers so as to operate in response to relatively high pressure of the low pressure refrigerant to close said valve, a float mounted in the float chamber and responsive to the liquid level of the low pressure refrigerant to open and close and regulate said valve when the pressure of the low pressure refrigerant is relatively low, and lost motion connections between said valve and said float and said pressureresponsive device whereby the float controls said valve and the device occasionally closes it.

HERBERT C. HARVEY.

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