USRE19950E - Method and apparatus fob - Google Patents

Description

E RICE. JR Re. 19,950 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATION Ori inal Filed July 14, 19:50 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 trlillldllvvlriliilllllllllvllil April 28, 1936.

April 28, 1936. E. RICE, JR

AND APPARATUS FOR REFRIG METHOD anxnou 11 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed July 14, 1930 ufewumw w a ma April 28, 1936.

E. RICE, JR

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATION Original Filed July 14, 1930 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 m 4 5 f, 9, m n m w (mm A a W R. W N/A w r M h u u u 1 \Ncuw. .64 m i m%mm m m a. 1 x

Original Filed July 14, 1930 E RICE. JR

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATION April 28, 1936.

.April 28, 1936. JR Re. 19,950

' METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATION 11 sheets-sheet 5 Original File'i July 14, 1930 Lwer 8y k-r% III) a 3 1 man April 28, 1936. 5 RICE, JR Re. 19,950

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATION Original Filed Julv 14, 1950 ll Sheets-She et 6 .j yaj April 28, 1936. 5, RICE, JR

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATION Original Filed July 14, 1930 ll Sheets-Sheet '7 gag] April 28, 1936. V 5 ca JR Re. 19,950 I METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATION Original Filed July 14, 1930 ll Sheets-Sheet B 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 E RICE. JR

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REFR IGERATION Original Filed July 14, 1930 A ril 2a, 1936.

ori inal Filed July 14, 19:50

11 Sheets-Sheet: 10

If ya Re. l9950 E. RICE. JR METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATION Original Filed July 14, 1930 11 Sheets-Sheet 11 'Reiseued Apr. 1936 UNITED STATES Re. j 19,950

PATENT OFFICE amnion AND arrims'ros For.

. REFRIGERATION Edward Rice, In, New yon-an. 1., assignor to ternational Carbonic, Inc., Wilmington, M,

a corporation of Delaware Original application July 14, 1930, Serial No."

487,999. Divided and this application August 25, 1934, Serial No. 741.465, Patent No. 1,992,889, dated February 26, 1935. Application for reissue March I, 1938, Serial No. 67,735

28 Claims. (Cl. BHLS) 00;, water brine ice or other solid refrigerant of a relatively low melting point as compared with the refrigerating temperatures desired, wherein the heat flow from the refrigerated space or material is absorbed on extended surfaces of a heat conductor and is transmitted by transfer resistance and is preferablylocated bethe conductor toadjacent surfaces of the solid refrigerant. This is accomplished by providing an obstruction in the path of heat flow formed by the conductor whereby the heat flow is reatricted, or varied as desired. The obstruction consists of any convenient medium of thermal determines the rate of heat exchange between the conductor and refrigerantand thereby the temperature of the extended heat absorbing surfaces of the conductor, and in turn the temperature of the refrigerated space or material. The nature and structure of the resistance and of the conductor is determined by the character and melting point of the solid refrigerant used and the refrigerating temperatures desired. The conductor and refrigerant containing space are preferably constructed as illustrated so that the solid refrigerant is maintained by gravity in heat exchange relation with the conductor, although any means may be used for maintainin the desired relation.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a method of refrigerating by means of solid refrigerants that shall be more emcient than the prior methods and shall permit of close regulation of the effective refrigerating temperatures. Another object of the invention is to provide a method of refrigerating by means of solidrefrigerants whereby the effective refrigerating temperatures are to be a substantial degree independent of the volume of the refrigerant, and to this latter end, the invention contemplates the provision of a. method for materially increasing 7 sun another object of the invention is the provision of a method of refrigerating by use of \solid refrigerants which will permit a rapid acceleration in the rate of ice meltag'e or sublimation irrespective of the volume of the refrigerant when the temperatures in the refrigerated area are increased. q

A still further object of the invention is to provide a method of refrigeration by means of a solid refrigerant which will permit the refrigeration of practically any "desired space whether occupied with a gas (including all), liquid, s olid or a combination thereof without actual contact of the refrigerant with the contents of the space whereby when required the refrigerant may be entirely divorced from the refrigerated area.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of refrigerating apparatus for use-with a solid refrigerant in which the principal heat transferto the refrigerant takes place from the refrigerated space or mass to a conductor of high thermal conductivity and extended surface, and thence conductively to a relatively small surface of the refrigerant through a section of the conductor suiliciently large to transmit the required amount of heat for maintaining a predetermined effective refrigerating temperature.

The invention further contemplates the provision of refrigerating apparatus for use interchangeably with solid CO2. solid H2O or other solid refrigerant, in which the principal heat transfer to the solid refrigerant takes place from the refrigerated area or mass to a conductor of high thermal conductivity and extended surface, thence conductlvely to a relatively small surface of the refrigerant through a section of the conductor of sumcient size to transmit an amount of heat required for maintaining a. predetermined effective refrigerating temperature and in which differences in the melting or suhliming temperatures of the diflerent refrigerants may be compensated by means of variable conductor resistances placed between the conductor and the refrigerant.

Again specifically, and as regards the use of solid refrigerants, such assolid CO2, having a relatively low melting point or point of sublimation, another object of the invention is to provide a method of refrigerating with such refrigerants which shall be both relatively eflicient and capable of close and accurate regulation of'the effective refrigerating temperatures, said temperatures being maintainable even when the volume of the refrigerant has been reduced to relatively smallamounts.

A still further object is the provision of refrigerating apparatus for. use with solid CO: or the like in which the effective refrigerating temperature is controllable at least in part by means of insulation set up in an established principal path of heat travel between the refrigerated area or mass and the refrigerant.

A still further object of the invention isto provide a refrigerating apparatus for use with solid CO: or the like in which provision is made for varying the effective refrigerating temperature by means of an obstruction in the principal path of heat travel between the refrigerated area or mass and the refrigerant and in which said obstruction may be inserted, removed or varied either manually or thermostatically during the refrigerating operation.

A further and more specific object of the invention is the provision of a method of refrigeration by the use of carbon-dioxide "ice" or the like which will permit the automatic maintenance of an approximately constant temperature in the refrigerating chamber under varying conditions of outside atmospheric temperature, of content of refrigerating chamber, and of ice supp y.

A further object of the invention is the pro vision of refrigerating apparatus for use with "CO: "ice" or the like in which the principal heat transfer from the refrigerating chamber and its contents to the ice" takes place convectively from the chamber to a conductor of high ther-. mal conductivity; thenceconductively to the ice, and in which means may be provided for regulating the convection currents in such a manner that an approximately constant temperature may be maintained in the refrigerating chamber.

A further object of the invention is the provision of refrigerating apparatus for use with C: ice? or the like in which the gas resulting from sublimation of the ice is retained in gas-tight channels away from the contents of the refrigerating chamber, and in which the gas escapes directly to the outside atmosphere or through piping of high thermal conductivity placed in the top of the refrigerating chamber, thus permitting a secondary heat transfer from the refrigerating chamber and its contentsto' the escaping CO: gas.

-A further object of the invention is to provide a-method of and apparatus for refrigerating by the use of'CO: "ice" or the like whereby an initial rapid chilling of the refrigeratingchamber or its contents may be had when desirable by 'a comparatively rapid melting or sublimation of the "ice, and. thereafter the required temperature maintained by a much slower sublimation of the "ice store.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a refrigerating apparatus for use with CO2 ioe'i or the like that a regulated temperature either above or below the freezing temperature of water "can be maintained in the principal refrigerating chamber, while in a second chamber the temperature-is not-exactly regulated, butwill always be considerably below the freezing temperatme of water as long as the ice store is maintained.

A further object of the invention is the pro duction of a refrigerating unit of suchcharacter that it maybe employed either in household,

and stationary refrigerators or in the refrigeration ofrailwaycsramotortnickbodieaorother transportation units. f

to that of Fig. 2 but illustrating the apparatus used with a refri a t composed of frozen brine;

Pig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating an embodiment of my invention modified for use with solid 00::

Figs. 6, 7, 8,1,9 and are fragmentary sectional views illustrating different types of fin construction suitable for use in the practice of m invention; i

Fig. 11 is a ditic sectional view illustrating a still further embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 12 is a section on the line l2-|2, Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a ditic sectional view illustrating another embodiment. of the invention;

Fig. 14 is a tic sectional view'illustrating application of the principles of my invention to the construction of a container for frozen product such as ice cream;

Fig. 15 is a section on the line |jll, Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a ditic sectional view illustrating a modification of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 14; L

Fig. 17 is a section on the line "-41, Fig. 16;

Fig. l8 shows another form of refrigerator storage cabinet embodying my invention;

Il'ig. 19 is a section on the'line ll-ll, Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a vertical sectional view showing a further form of single chamber container made 3 in accordance with my invention;

-Fig. 21 is a section on the line 2l-2l, Fig. 20:

Figs. 22 and 23 are vertical sectional views illustrating my invention as embodied in' relative- 1y small refrigerator containers;

Figs. 24 and 25-are, respectively, a vertical sectional view and a section taken on the line "-25, Fig. 24, illustrating a table or cabinet type of refrigerator made in accordance with my invention and in condition for use with solid car-- Fig. 28 is a plan view of another form of refrigerator employing my method and apparatus; Fig. 29 is a section on line 28-20 of Fig. 28; I'ig. 30 is a section on line 30-30 of Fig. 29: Fig. 31 is avertical sectional view through a modified refrigerator structure; w

32 is a section on line 32-82 of Fig. 31;

ther modified formof the invention taken on theline3II 8ofI"lg.34:

Fig. 34 1s a section on line 24-44 of Fig. 33; Fig. 351s a-frosmentary bottom plan view of a conductor plate constructed for use in my ap- Flg. 38 isa fragmentary modified view of a slightly modified form of a conductor plate Fig. 33 is a horizontal sectional view of a furfrigerator constructed in accordance with my invention and adapted for making water ice v cubes and storage of frozen products:

Fig. 39 is a horizontal sectional view on lin 88-49 of Fig. 40;

Fig. 40 is a vertical sectional view on line Fig. 41 is a'horizontal sectional view taken on line 4i-4i of Fig. 42 and illustrating a modification of a structure, such as shown in Figs. 38 to 40, to produce a circular refrigerator having rotating shelves;

Fig. 42 is a section on the line 42- of Fig. 41;

Fig. 43 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating a modification of the invention com-. bining a structure sir'nilar to that illustrated in Figs.28to34withastructuresuchasillustrated in Figs. 38 to 41;

Fig. 44 is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view illustrating apparatus for quick freezing of meat, fish and other foodstufi's also embodying my invention;

Fig. 45 is a horizontal sectional view, and

l 'lg. 46is a vertical sectional view on the line 45-43, Fig. 45, illustrating my invention as applied to refrigeration of relatively small truck Fig.4'l is a vertical sectional view of a refrigicrating unit made in accordance with my invention and of a type applicable to the refrigeration of any enclosed space:

Hg. 48 is a section on the line 4H8, Fig.4'l; and

Fig. 49 is a diagrammatic horizontal sectional. view illustrating the use of a unit of the type shown in the immediately preceding figures in refrigerating the'various compartments of a truck or car.

Water ice or solid R is more widely used than any other form of refrigerant. One of the principal drawbacks in the prior methods of using this refrigerant or, in fact, any solid refrigerant is that although any given'mass of the refrigerant, no matter how small, has a fixed refrigerating value; yet the smaller the mass becomes, the slower lts refrigerating action becomes also. This is due to the fact that the heat is usually either entirely or almost. entirely. brought to the ice convectively either by air or a liquid, and the amount of heat taken up by the refrigerant. other things being equal, depends directly on the amount of the, effective surface contact between the-refrigerant-and the circulating fiuid.. Obviously as the ice melts, the surface area becomes less and the refrigerating action slower. In the'constructionof refrigerating apparatus, this feature, heretofore, has been given no consideration, andno effort has been made to compensatefor the rapid decrease in efliciency as the refrigerant loses ,volume and surface area. As a result, agre'at deal of ice,is

constantly being used with very indifferent or inferior results. q One reason that the mechanical household refrigerator has progressed so rapidly is because the ordinary water ice refrigerator cannot maintain satisfactory refrigeration unless it is continually serviced and'kept practically full of ice at also I 3 all times. For the same reason, a large and growing field for refrigeration of foodstuffs in motor transportation. has avoided the use of water ice and other solid refrigerants. Practically the only method attempted to improve the eillclency of water ice as a refrigerant has been the use of salt, a method of limited application which apparently cannot be greatly extended. I I I have discovered that the principal obstacles totheeillcient use of water ice and other solid refrigerants be largely overcome if the heat from the space or material to be refrigerated is pic up bycomparatively extended surfaces of a metal heat conductor, such as copper, aluminum or iron, and transferred through a substantial cross section of the metal conductor directly to a surface of the body of ice with which the metal conductor is either in immediate contact or in suitable conductive relation. I have found that by this method, the ice. can be melted at practically aconstant rate, thus providing a'constant efiective refrigerating temperature practically independentv of the volume .of the refrigerant, and even with extremely small masses of the-latter. I have found also that the refrigerant can be melted at an almost inconceivable rate when large amoimts of heat are passed over the extended metal surfaces.- with a sufilcient cross section of the conductor metal,

as small as thirty square inches of contact surface with the refrigerant will sufllce-to melt enough water ice to keep a good household refrigerator below 50 F. even on the top shelf in.

the warmest weather; and after the doors have been opened as long as threeminutes, this re- 3 frigerator ,will return to its original low tem-' perature within twenty minutes or ne-half hour. It isessential in thepractlce of invention that the solid refrigerant be maintained in conductive relation with a substantial metal conductor having a suitably extended surface area in the refrigerated space.-

While the invention is of great importance in conjunction; with the use of water ice, it is also of great value in-the use of all other solid re-' frigerants, such' as solid carbon dioxide and frozen brine. The apparatus embodying my invention need vary only slightly to meet the requirements of the particular kind of refrigerantand the type of refrigeration required. If. for example, refrigerating temperatures around 35 to 45 F. are desired and water ice is to be used by reason of its cheapness and availability. then a relatively large amount of extended conductor or fin surface will be required because of the small temperature differential between the water ice and the temperature required; while the same temperatures can be secured by use a! solid carbon dioxide with considerably less surcarbon dioxide the conductor can be chilled to almost any temperature required down to say minus 50" F., and accordingly a relatively large temperature difl'erentialbe maintained between the conductor 'and the refrigerated space. Obviously if temperatures are wanted near or below the melting point of water ice, then some other solid refrigerant may be used with a sufficiently low melting or subliming point that the conductor can be put at a temperature affording the differential required to maintain the refrigeration wanted. .Frozen brine may be used es pecially when put upin small and easily handled units in liquid-tight metal containers. The heat transferred .from the conductorto the solid brine through the metal container, however, is not as constant and controllable as in the direct contact of water ice with the conductor or the contact of carbon dioxide ice with the conductor through a known amount of conducting resistance, as hereinafter more specifically set forth.

However, as the frozen brine can be provided with a melting point practically anywhere between 32 F. and considerably below zero and has now come into more common use and also is comparatively cheap, it is apparent that it will have a limited use as a .solid refrigerant terposed between the conductor and the refrigerant is an important part of my method. as it affords a large degree of control over the action of the refrigerant and'a quick convenient method of varying the temperature of the extended conductor surface, and thus the effective refrigerating temperature.

It will be understood that for maximum contnol of refrigeration, with this type of refrigerant it is desirable to limit so far as feasible transfer of heat from the refrigerated space or mass to that passing through the conductor.

'This can be accomplished by providing adequate insulation preventing transfer by radiation or by other than conduction through the selected conductor. By thus establishing a principal and practically sole path of transfer and utilizing in conjunction therewith suitable known resista for use with refrigerants such as water ice and ances, a substantially perfect control may be obtained. This'method of control also affords a simple method for providing apparatus suitable carbon dioxide ice having widely different melting points. Thus a single refrigerating apparatus can be built that can use as a refrigerant either carbon dioxide or water ice or frozen brine, or, in fact, any solid refrigerant, and that can maintain practically any required temperatureunder constant outside temperature conditions within the limits of the particular refrigerant used by asimple manipulation of conductor resistance interposed between the conductor and the refrigerant, and by providing in the same apparatus either manually or thermo statically-operated means to regulate the convection currents from the extended conductor surfaces or fins, the required temperature can be maintained irrespective of normal outside temperature variations. In Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, I have illustrated application of the invention to a refrigerator of the overhead icing" type. In this instance, the casing 25 has inits interior and upper portion a refrigerant-supporting shelf 26 which inclines from opposite sides towards the center whereby a solid refrigerant placed thereon has a tendency to gravitate toward the center. From the depressed mid-section a drain pipe 21 extends downwardly and runs to the exterior of the'casins. Projecting from the imder side of the shelf and towards its beneath these fins is a continuous bailie plate 2..

Convective circulation of the air within the casing is set up as indicated by the arrows, the air passing between the fins and in contact with the surface of the conductor shelf 25.

In Fig. 2, the same construction is shown as modified for use with solid carbon dioxide. In this instance, conductor resistance in the form of sheets ii of heat-insulating character is interposed between the iceand theconductcr shelf 28. Also the solid carbon dioxide is completely surrounded by insulation 32. The refrigerant is in conductive relation with the conductor 26 through the resistance 3 I, which is of predetermined value and selected to maintain a predetermined effective refrigerating temperature. Gases of subresistance 3i being inserted between the conductor 26 and the said containers, and the latter also being surrounded by suitable insulation 32. In this instance, the drain pipe from the shelf 28 is eliminated.

Fig. 5 shows a type of conductor of primary value in connection with carbon dioxide ice. This unit comprises an angular casting 38 of aluminum with copper fins 39. The ice-supporting wall is slightly inclined towards the juncture with the upright wall, and in the angle outlets ll The form of conductor illustrated in Fig 6 is one that can be conveniently used for household refrigeration purposes, this being made up from a number of bent copper sheets 45 soldered together at the points designated 48 so asto present a substantially fiat conductor plate surface for contact with the solid refrigerant and a considerably extended fin surface for contact with the convection currents.

Fig. 7 shows 'a similar construction in which the outer ends ll of the projecting fin portions are turned inwardly toward each other so as to afford the same amount of contact surface in'a more restricted space.

Fig. it shows a more efficient type of. conductor in which thin copper fins 48 are soldered or welded to a heavy copper conductor plate 49.

Pig. 9 shows a still more emcient but more ex-' I pensive" form of conductor consisting of a solid aluminum plate I -with thin copper fins 52 secured to the aluminum plate by casting the latter on the fins.

Fig. 10 shows an all-aluminum fin conductor formed of a single casting.

In .Fig. 11, I have illustrated my invention as applied to a water cooler employing solid carbon dioxide as the refrigerating medium. In this in stance the' conductor forming an essential part of the device consists of a solid aluminum or copper receptacle 56 which is embedded in solid insulation ll. sulation It for the water or other liquid to be cooled. This chamber, as shown in Fig. 12,extends completely around the sides of the receptacle II, but-is spaced a sufllcient distance froin the said conductor to maintain a desired temperature of the liquid for any predetermined tem- I have found it possible to maintain substantially any desired temperature of the liquidwithin the container 51 by simple variation in the thickness of the conductor resistance 58 which modifles the conductive relation between the conductor II and the refrigerant; It will be noted that in this instance the conductor while having the necessary extended surface is not provided with fins, and that further the surfaces of the conductor are not in direct contact with the liquid to be cooled, but are in conductive relation therewith through the insulation separating the walls of the liquid container from the said conductor.

Fig. 13 shows a similarly constructed water cooler with the addition of a storage space 80 located below the bottom of the conductor, it

being possible to maintain this space at practically any required temperature by variation in the thickness of the insulating member which constitutes conductor resistance between the space and the bottom of the conductor 55.

A more or less similar form of conductor is shownin Figs. 14 and 15, which show a cabinet suitable for use with solid-carbon dioxide for storing ice cream, frozen foods or the like. In this instance, the conductor consists of a solid aluminum casting 82, this casting comprising a base {I and four cylindrical vertical containers 84.

In this instance, the walls of the portions 64, constitute the necessary extended surface area, provision being made for supporting the refrigerant upon the base between the said portions 84, as

shown in Fig. 15. For this purpose, the refrigerant may be supported within a vertical metallic or other container open at the bottom to permit the ice to come into conductive relation with the base portion 63 of the conductor, from which it may be separated by a suitable con-' ductor resistance member 65 selected to afford a desired temperature within the receptacle 6 in which the refrigerated material is stored. The entire conductor casting is surrounded by a suitableinsulating casing 66, and provision ismade in the form of removable cover plates BIfor affording access to the interior of the container 64.

In Figs. 16 and 17, I have illustrated a similar type of refrigeratingapparatus which in addition includes storage chambers or receptacles i'l embedded in the insulating casing 66 in suitably spaced relation to the sides of the container 04, these compartments 6! being readily kept at a non-freezing temperature and being suitable for holding water or other substances or materials at a relatively low but non-freezing tern walls ofthe storage box and also from the conto this refrigerating chamber is through a ductor. and thence to therefrigerant shown as blocks of solid carbon dioxide, which is separated from the conductor by the conductor resistance 16 generally used with this refrigerant. It will be noted that the chamber which holds the refrigerant is separated from the storage chambers 81, 81, by insulation 88-. and by varying the thick ness or characterof this insulation. thistype of refrigerator can be used for a wide variety of temperatures extending downwardly considerably below zero.

Figs. 20 and 21 illustrate a one-compartment ice cream or frozen storage cabinet in which the metal conductor made of copper or aluminum takes the form of "a rectangular receptacle 9| surrounded by suitableinsulation 92. In this instance, the CO: ice or other refrigerant is placed on the base of the conductor with the usual in terposed conductor resistance 9;. A small removable shelf Ill is placed over the ice to support the ice cream can or other materials to be stored. A vent aflords escape of. the sublimed gases or meltage.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 22. a small storage box adapted for use primarily with CO: ice is shown. In this instance, the conductor takes the form of a rectangular container 98 Y which is open at one side, and provision is made for placing the refrigerant onthe top wall of the conductor as illustrated, the usual conductor resistance 91 being provided. Access to the ice chamber is afiorded through a removablecover as in the insulating casing as, and access to the refrigerating chamber is provided by a suitable removable cover member (not shown) located in the side of the saidcasing.

. Fig. 23 shows still another form of small stor- I age box in which the conductor IIII is in the form casing I03, and this top portion Illlof the cas-' ing is also. hinged at I05 .to permit the entire top to be turned back to permit removal of the conductor IOI. The'refrigerant in this instance as: I

is supported upon a shelf I08 which is movable f within the casing and which has legs III! which project through openings in the bottom of the casing and rest upon the floor or other supporting surface. As the CO2 ice sublimes, the entire casing settles downwardly around the shelf I08,

whereby the refrigerant is maintained in contin- A uous conductive relation with the bottom of the conductor IIII. The usual conductor resistance I08 is interposed between the refrigerant and the bottom of the conductor.

In Figs. 24 and 25, I have illustrated a largetable or cabinet type 'of refrigerator adapted for use either with C0: ice or water ice and in which provision is made for obtaining in thethree separate compartments three difl'erent temperatures, when CO: ice is used, or of two temperatures when water ice is employed. This refrigerator consists of an outer insulated casing I II having in the top a chamber for a refrigerant, the

opposite sides and the bottom of which are .constituted by a channel-shaped conductor I I2. The side walls of this conductor are provided with outwardly projecting fins I13, and the bottom wall is slightly elevated towards the center to create a tendency of the solid refrigerant to move by gravity towards the vertical fln walls. Access ly below the refrigerant chamber. Baiiles H6 in the chambers H and Ill extend vertically and ,preferably in contact with the outer edges of the flns I I3 whereby a convectivecirculation is set up in which the air moves downwardly between the ilnsand against the side walls of the conductor. The chamber H6 is separated from the other chambers by insulating walls H6, and in one or both of the chambers Iii a valve I20, which may be operated manually orautomatically from a suitable thermostatic actuator, is provided for controlling the movement of the convection currents downwardly past the walls and has of the conductor. where carbon dioxide ice is used, the refrigerant is surrounded in the refrigerating chamber on four sides and the top by suitable insulation I 2i, while the ice is separated from the bottom of the conductor by means of suitable conductor resistance I22. The

temperature in the chamber H6 is controlled by the thickness and character of the conductor resistance, whereas the temperatures in the compartments II! and III are controlled not only by the conductor resistance, but also by the thicknessand character of the insulation I2I, and may be still further controlled by manipulation of the valve I20. i

Figs. 26 and 27 illustrate a small shippi refrigerator box in which the conductor I26, which may suitably be made of copper or aluminum, in effect lines the four walls and bottom of the easing I2'I. This form of refrigerator is particularly suited for use with CO: ice, and it will be noted that the usual protective insulation I2! andconductor resistance I29 are provided.

0 Referring to Figs. 28, 29and 30, numeral Il6 designates a refrigerating chamber having access doors ill in the upper wall Il2 thereof. The chamber walls are, of course, insulated in any usual or preferred manner and the upper wall 2 was formed therein an openingv Ill. Extending into the refrigerating chamber through this opening is an insulated cabinet Ill approximately gas tight having an open top closed by an access door Ill. The bottom wall Illa of this cabinet has imposed thereon a conductor plate 6 which may be conveniently constructed from copper.

aluminmum or some other metal having a suitably high factor of thermal conductivity. The edges of this plate project through the cabinet walls and are provided with vertically-extending vanes Il'I projectng upwardly along the side walls of the cabinet and preferably constructed integrally with the plate I. These vanes. as evidenced by'Figs. 85, 36 and. 37, may be either plane, as in Fig. 35, or transversely or longitudinally corrugated, as lndicated at Ill and IlIb, respectively, in Figs. 35 and 36, the latter constructions providing an increased surface for contact with convection currents.

Opposing the outer edges of the vanes are insulated walls 6 which combine with the cabinet to provide channels Il6 through which convection currents may pass. The lower ends of these channels are closed by valves I60 regulated through a thermostat I6I. In the present instance, the valves are illustrated as pivotaliy connected to the lower wall of the cabinet at I62 and connected to the movable element I60 of the ther mostat by a linkage generally designated at III.

rromtheinterior ofthecabinet a vent tube I66 isledthroughthewalloftherefrigerating chamployed. Insulation variable thickness and it will be obvious that if.

ber Ill. high thermal conductivity, preferably copper, and includes a coil I560 disposed in chamber 0 for contact with the convection currents of the chamber, preferably near the top of the cham This vent-tube is made of metal of aber' and where warm pockets" are liable to occur. The outlet of the vent tube is placed below the inlet in order to induce a ready flow of CO: gas by siphoning, and is preferably equipped with a regulating valve which may be conveniently housed in a recess formed in the wall of the cabinet.

the ice" and the plate, the thickness of this lns'ulation varying in accordance with the conditions under which the refrigerator is to beam- I60 is removable and of two, of the compartments have in the bottoms thereof insulation I60 of a considerable thickness while a third compartment has no insulation as suggested in Figs. 28, 29 and 30, or a relatively thin insulation as suggested in Fig. 34 the ice of this latter compartment will be sublimed more rapidly than that in the remaining compartments so that the "ice" of this compart- I ment acts as an initial chilling supply while that of the remaining compartments acts as a reserve supply. Thus the first mentioned ice" supply serves to rapidly reduce the temperature of the chamber when initially placed in operation or when a rapid reduction of temperature therein is necessary following an opening of the access doors I. I

If, for example, goods are placed in the, refrigerator at their normal temperature and must be rapidly chilled, the insulation I60 may be completely removed from one of the compartments so that the ice" in this compartment will act very rapidly to reduce the temperature of the chamber and to chill the goods to the desired point. The desired temperature having been attained, the ice in the remaining compartmentsis held in reserve to maintain this temperature, thus materially increasing the period over which refrigeration is possible and particularly adapting the apparatus for use in transportation of perishable goods where facilities for replenishing the ice. store are poor.

When precooled products are placed in the refrigerating chamber, then the bottoms of all of the compartments may be provided with insulation, thus providing a maximum period of refrigeration for a given "ice supply. By vary-' ing the extent to which the bottoms of the compartments are insulated from' conductor plate ill a limited control of the rate of melting of the ice" may be obtained and thereby a limited control of the temperature of the storage chamber and contents ured.

- A drip pan- I6I is preferably disposed beneath the cabinet for the reception of watenresulting from defrosting of vanes Ill and the storage spaces of the refrigerating chamber arepreferably separated from the cabinet spaces by foraminous screens I62. 0

The principal amount of the heat used in meltlog. or subliming the "ice" is transferred by convection from the storage chamber and its contents to the vertically extending vanes I41, thence conductively to the plate I40, thence conductively directly. or through insulation I00 to the "ice".

A smaller amount of heat is transferred by con-' duction through the insulations of the "ice" cabinet and walls I40, and by internal convection currents within the "ice" cabinet and space I410. Control of the temperature of the storage chamber and contents is secured in part by predetermined fixed variations of the size and character of the conductionplate I40 and vanes I41, and of the insulations I44, I44a, I40, I00 and the insulated chamber walls and doors. However, actual changes in temperature in the contents of the storage chamber during reduction to a desired level, as well as climatic and artificial changes in temperature outside the storage chamber may require a further means for securidentical with that of Figs. 28, 29 and 30, with the exception of the fact that the chamber I40 has its accessdoor I4Ia mounted in the side wall thereof and that communication between the channels I40 and the storage space in the upper ends of these channels instead of being made only through openings I00, formed in the insulating walls, includes one or more ducts I04 opening at the inner end through the wall of channel I40 and having the outer end disposed adjacent to the wall of the chamber I40 or where warm pockets are likely to occur. A further slight modification of the control of the channel is employed in that the valves I00a. instead of being supported by the cabinet, as in Figs. 28, 29 and 30, are directly supported from and secured to the movable member I00 of-the thermostat. The thermostat has further associated therewith baflle shields I00 which prevent chilled air, descending from the convection channels, from directly contacting thermostat III and .thus causing too early a closing operation of the valves I00a.

The form shown in Figs. 33 and 34 is identical with the structure of Figs. 31 and 32, with the exception of the fact that 'conduction vanes are provided entirely about the cabinet walls and entrance to the convection channels is largely through ducts I040, the intake ends of which are disposed adjacent chamber I40.

In Figs. 38, 39 and 40, I have illustrated refrigeration apparatus particularly adapted for household uses and embodying means for pro ducing water ice cubes and for storing frozen products. From an inspection of Fig. 40, it will be noted that the conductor plate I40, which forms the false bottom of the cabinet, instead of being in direct contact with the insulating bottom I 44a thereof is in vertical spaced relation thereto, with the result that a compartment I00,

is produced therebeneath, which is conductively connected with the ice compartment by the plate I40. This compartment I00 is accessible through a door I01 mounted in the wall oi chamto the vertical walls of the ber I40 and is adapted for the reception of freezing pans I00 for the formation of ice cubes or used in freezing confections or for storing frozen productsl The wall of the cabinet is preferably offset inwardly,"'as at I00, above the door opening, so that the body of the cabinet may be spaced from the front wall I10 of the chamber a sumcientdistance to permit the provision of radiation vanes I41 between the cabinet and chamber walls thereabove. In this illustration, where the apparatus is maintained for household use and supplies of "ice arereadily available, necessity' for a construction permitting more than one column of "ice" is eliminated and the entire supply may rest at its lower end directly upon the I plate I40, or upon portable insulation I00 as described above. The ice cube and frozen storage compartment I00 may, however, be conveniently combined with structures embodying several vertical columns of "ice" as suggested in'Fig. 43.

In Figs. 4 1 and 42, the construction of Figs. 38 to 40 is modified to permit its adaptation to a circular refrigerator having rotating shelving units Hi, the rotation of which will bring storage into alignment with an access door I12 which aligns with the access door of the freezing chamber I00.

In Fig. is illustrated an apparatus made in accordance with my invention adapted for quick freezing of meat, fish and similar products. A casing 200 has established therein a conductor plate 204, this plate being adapted to slide vertically in the casing. Depending from the plate 204 is an insulating apron 200 which fits more or less closely around a post or ram 200 also preferably of insulating material. When a refrigerant is placed between the upper end of the ram 200 and the plate 204 and within the space surrounded by the apron 200. it will be apparent that the plate will be supported by the refrigerant, and

that as the latter melts or mllmes, the plate will move downwardly, so that the conductive relation between the plate and the refrigerant -will remain constant. Where a'refrigerant such as solid CO: is employed, temperatures may best be controlled by a'conductor resistance 201 inserted between the refrigerant and the plate as illustrated. An upper plate 200 is provided having at the top an enclosed insulated space 200 for reception of a refrigerant which is held in conductive relation to the plate 200. This plate 200 rests upon the material to be frozen, which latter in turn restsupon the plate 204, so that the material is confined between the two cold plates, insuring rapid freezing. Where a refrigerant of the type of solid CO: is used, it is preferred to employ a conductor resistance 2 which is interposed between the plate 200 and the refrigerant as illustrated.

In Figs. 45 and 46, a refrigerating system is illustrated suitable for small truck bodies and the like and adapted for refrigeration with practical 1y any type of solid refrigerant. The body III in this instance has a chamber 222 at one end and in the upper portion for reception of the .refrigerant, the bottom and front wall of this space being constituted by a suitable. angular conductor plate 220, and the said front wall being provided with fins 224 which project into the the circulation of the convection currents, as indicated by the arrows, the circulating air passing downwardly over the upright face of the. conductor 223 and between the has 224. I also may provide in this instance a valve 121 in the air 1 passage whereby the circulation of air may be controlled either manually or by a suitable thermostat, thereby affording a further control of the interior temperature of the truck. Where, as illustrated, a refrigerant such as solid carbon dioxide is employed, this refrigerant will be surrounded by an insulating sleeve 228 and separated from the bottom of the conductor member by a suitable conductor resistance element H9. The temperatures may be controlled by regulating the thicknessand character of the conductor resistance and of the insulating sleeve .218. Where water ice is employed, the sleeve 228 and conductor resistance 229 may be eliminated. It'

will be noted that in this case, also I employ on the top of the truck'bpdy a suitable radiation shield 23! Figs. 47 and 48 illustrates unit of portable character which may be; applied successfully to the refrigeration of any desired enclosed space. The unit consists of the usual thermal conductor 1" in the form of a container, three side walls of which are .provided with outwardly project ing fins 256 and being provided also with haiiles 251 secured to the outer edges of the fins and extending to a point short of the tops of the latter. The refrigerant may be introduced through the side or top of the conductor, and is maintained by gravity in conductive relation to the bottom wall of the latter. Where solid carbon dioxide is used, an insulating sleeve 258 is provided and also a suitable conductor resistance 2|! separating the refrigerant from the conductor upon which it rests. Means is provided in the form of a duct 260 for permitting escape of the sublimed gases. An application of this unit is illustrated in Fig. 49, which shows in horizontal section a four-compartment car or truck,

each compartment, being provided with one of the aforedescribed units preferably suspended adiaeent the top and at one side of the compartment.

iclaimz r i. The method of refrigerating-by means of a solid refrigerant; which consists in providing between the refrigerant and the region to be refrigerated a principal path of heat transfer in the form of a thermal conductor capable of effecting a transfer of heat from said region to the refrigerant at a rate higher than that required for a given effective refrigerating temperature, and interposing between said conductor and -'the refrigerant a medium of thermal-transfer resistance to thereby control and regulate the rate of heat exchange between the refrigerant and the I conductor. d I

2. The method of refrigerating by means of a -solid'i-efrigerant, which consists in providing be tween the refrigerant and the region 'to be refrigerated a principal path of heat transfer in the form of a thermal conductor capable of effecting a transfer of heat from said region to the refrigerant at a rate higher than that're- 'quired for a given efl'ective refrigerating temperature, and interposing between said conductor and the refrigerant a medium of thermal-transfer re-- sistance whereby the rate of heat exchange between the conductor and the refrigerant is 'remethod of refrigerating by means of a solid refrigerant, which consists in providing between'thc refrigerant and the region to herefrigerateda principal path of heat transfer in the form of a thermal conductor capable of effecting a transfer of heat from said region to the refrigerant ata rate higher than that required for a given effective refrigerating temperature, and interposing in said path a medium of thermal-transfer resistance to thereby control and regulate the rate of heat exchange between the refrigerant and the region to be refrigerated.

1. In a refrigerating process, the method which consists in taking up heat from the refrigerated area or mass by relatively extended surfaces of a highly conductive metal, conducting this heat by means of the conductor to a reiatively'small surface of a solid refrigerant, and restricting the exchange of heat between the conductor and the refrigerant by means of a medium of thermal transfer resistance located between the conductor and the refrigerant.

5.'A refrigerator chamber having therein a thick-walled, gas-tight, cast-metal container substantially without exterior insulation, and having exterior metal surfaces exposed for heat absorption and moisture deposit from the atmosphere of the refrigerated space, and means for supporting solid carbon dioxide within the container in heat exchange relation but out of contact with the metal ofsaid container.

6. Apparatus for refrigerating by the use of carbon-dioxide "ice" comprising achamber, an insulating cabinet therein and sealed therefrom and adapted for the reception of carbon-dioidde ice", a heat conductor having portions dis posed interiorly and exteriorly of the cabinet, and vertical partitions within the cabinet subdividingthe space therein into compartments, said conductor forming the bottoms of said compartments, and insulation removably superimposed upon said conductor without "eliminating heat transfer between said conductor and the "ice" in said compartments. v

7. Apparatus for refrigerating by the use of carbon dioxide "ice" comprising a chamber, an insulating cabinet therein and sealed therefrom and adapted for the reception of carbon dioxide "ice", a. heat conductor having portions disposed interiorly and exteriorly of the cabinet,

said conductor forming the bottom of the ice containing space in said cabinet, and insulation removably superimposed upon said conductor without eliminating heat transfer between said conductor and the "ice in said cabinet.

8; Apparatus for refrigerating by the use of carbon-dioxide "ice" a chamber.

an insulating cabinet therein and sealed therefrom and adapted for the reception of carbondioxide "ice", a heat conductor plate having portions disposed interiorly and exteriorly' of the cabinet. in'sdlation removably superimposed upon said plate and reducing without eiimin'at-' ing heat transfer between said plate and the "ice" in said cabinet, and an insulating wall coacting with the cabinet to produce a convection channel for the chamber in which the 'exteriorly-disposed portions of the plate extend.

9. Apparatus for refrigerating by the use of carbon-dioxide ce" comprising a chamber, an

insulating cabinettherein and sealed therefrom and adapted for the reception of carbon-dioxide "ice", a heat conductor plate having portions disposed interiorly and exteriorly of the cabinet,

said plate forming the bottom of the ice conin said cabinet,.insuiatlon removably upon said plate and rebon-dioxide ice", aheat conductor having porducing without eliminating heat transfer betions disposedinteriorly and etteriorly of the tween said plate and the ice in said cabinet, cabinet, and means partially insulating the ice said plate dividing the cabinet into two secfrom the conductor. tions. and parate access doors for said :sec- 16. Appar us for rigera ng by the use of tion. a carbon-dioxide "ice" comprising a storage chain- 10. Apparatus for refrigerating by the use of her. an insulated cabinet therein and sealed emu-dioxide "ice" n n I I 1 a chamber, an th refrom and for 01 calinsulating cabinet thereinand sealed therefrom hon-dioxide ice", a heat conductor having porand adapted for the reception of carbon-dioxide tions disposed interiorly and exterior-1y of the m a heat conductor plate. havingportions cabinet, means partially theice from disposed interiorly and exteriorly of the cabthe conductor, said conductor subdividing their inet, said plate forming the bottom of the ice telior of the cabinet into two com men sicontaining space in saidcabinet. insulation reseparate access doors for said compartments. movably sup rimposed upon said plate and re- Reirigerating appa atus comp ng a her ducing without eliminating heat transfer bemal conductor, in .the form of a container, an in-' tween said plate and the "ice" in said cabinet, w ns ing 1 1' i in 8811! uc r and thermostaticallyecontrolled .valve means having throughout a conductive capacity capable regulating contact of convection currents in the of maintaining in all parts of the contained space m chamber with th exteriorly-disposed portions of a substantially uniform refrigerating temperago said plate. ture by means of a solid refrigerant in conductive 11. Apparatus for refrigerating by the use association with that portion of the conductor of carbon-dioxide ice comprising a chamber, forming the bottom of the container, means in an insulating cabinet therein and sealed theresaid container for supporting a product above 35 from and adapted for the reception of carbonsaid refrigerant, and means located between the g5 dioxide "ice", a heat conductor plate having refrigerant and the conductor for regulating and portions disposed interior-1y and exterior-1y of controlling said conductive association. the cabinet, said plate-forming the bottom of 18. Apparatus for refrigerating by means of the ice containing space in said cabinet, insu1a- ,solid carbon dioxide ice, which comprises a thertion removably superimposed upon said plate conductor in the form of a containen'an in- 3 and reducing without eliminating heat transfer sulating casing surrounding said container, an between said plate and the "ice in said cabiinsulating jacket in the bottom of said container net, said exteriorly-disposed portions including enclosing the said refrigerantand'extending bevanes extending upwardly along the wallsof the tween the refrigerant-and the said conductor,

cabinet. said conductor having throughout a conductive; 35

12. Apparatus for refrigerating by the use of capacity capable of maintaining through coni carbon-dioxide "ice" comprising achamber, an ductive association with the refrigerant through insulating cabinet therein and sealed therefrom the said jacket all parts of the interior space of and adapmd for the-reception of carbon-dioxide said container at a substantially uniform tem- 40 "ice, a heat conductor plate having portions perature. 40 disposed lnteriorly and exteriorly of the cabinet, 19. Apparatus for refrigeration by means of said plate forming the bottom of the ice consolid carbon dioxide consisting of a thermal con-v space in said cabinet. insulation remov ductor in the form of a container, an insulating ably superimposed upon said plate and reducing casing surrounding said conductor, and a refriga I without eliminating heat transfer between said erant-receiving Jacket in the bottom'of said con-' 45 plate and the "ice" in said cabinet, and thermotainer extending between the refrigerant and the statically-controlled valve means regulating consaid conductor whereby the conductive relatact of convection currents in the chamber with tion between the refrigerant and the said conthe xterlo y p sed Po tio s e P e J -1d ductor is regulated. and said conductor having exterl 13. A paratus for refrigerating by the use of container at a substantially uniform predetercarbon-dioxide ice" com ising a s r e mined refrigerated temperature.- chamber, an insulated cabinet therein and sealed 20. In a refrigerator for use with solid carbon 58 th ef om, a heat conductor a ing porti ns dioxide, a receptacle 101 said refrigerant in the interiorly and exteriorly of the cabiform of a thermal conductor having a plurality net. said cabinet adapted to simultaneo sly reof walls, each of said'walls being associated with ceive a plurality of odi s f ce. nd m ns ra segregated portion of the interior of 'said retially insula ing 'mn 1 the bodies m h frigerator, and means for conductivelyasoeiatso conductor. ing the said refrigerant with at least one of said 60 14. Apparatus for refrigera ing by h e f waiis through a predetermined conductor resistcarbon-dioxide "icecomp i ing a storage i-ms ance whereby predetermined differing refrigern Insulated cabinet therein and sealed ated temperatures are obtained in the respective a heat conductor having portions discompartmentm i Posed manor]? and M0117 the g 21. In a refrigerator for use with solid carbon said cabinet adapted to simultaneously rece ve a dioxide a mummy of bompartments'ra thermal w conductor constituting a means for conductively 1 itt std mfiittfit tim ttii iitit some as comments with the w re m m, t comments, and s frigerant, the said conductor presenting to the m for 1d 881d compartments a surface area materially .15, Am for refrigerating by the use 0 greater .than the surface area presented to the carbon-dioxide ice comprisin a storage chain," said refrigerant, and variable insulation mean her, .an insulated cabinet therein and sealed for regulating the conductive relation between 1s rom and adapted for the reception or carthe said refrigerant and those portions of the 15

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