US2362698A - Refrigerating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

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ATTO RNEYS Patented Nov. 14, 1944 REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Harry B. Hull, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Cor oration, Dayton, Ohio, a corporatlon of Delaware Application October 24, 1934, Serial No. 749,773

9 Claims. (Cl. 62-129) This invention relates to refrigeration.

It is an object of this invention to provide a self-contained room cooler or conditioner which is adapted to be installed in rooms and other enclosures without the necessity of connecting water pipes to the cooler.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a vertical cross-sectional view, somewhat diagrammatic, of a room cooler embodying features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a transversevertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and taken along the lines 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the electrical control for the motors used in the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 1, but showing a slightly modified form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view-taken along the lines 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 1, but showing a further modification;

Fig. '7 is a vertical cross-sectional view, somewhat diagrammatic, of a further modification in which the complete high side is placed outside of the room;

Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the lines 8-8 of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a view in perspective of a portion of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is .a horizontal cross-sectional view, with portions of the window removed, of the apparatus shown in Fig.7; and

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a detail.

An apparatus embodying features of my invention includes in general an air cooling or conditioning device adapted to be placed in a room or the like, with a heat absorber in the room and with a heat dissipator having at least a portion thereof extending through a window of the room, the entire structure being preferably joined to form a unitary device when it is assembled to cool the room.

In the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the air cooling or heat absorbing portion of the appaform of a blower l3, driven by a motor l3, through the opening ll back into the room. This air cooling portion conveniently may be mounted at the top of a cabinet l5. Also, if desired, a fresh air pipe I! is-connected at I8 to the air inlet of the evaporator l0, and the pipe has its other end located outside the window at 19. Thus air from the room, and, if desired, fresh air is caused to circulate over the cold surfaces of the evaporator l0 and is discharged into the room thus lowering the temperature and/or humidity of the room.

In the lower half of the cabinet there is an insulated compartment IS in which a portion of the heat dissipating unit is located. The heat dissipating unit of the device includes a refrigerant translator or compressor 20 whichmay be located in the compartment l6 and which forwards refrigerant to a condenser 2| which forms a portion of the heat dissipating unit located outside of the room, where the heat is discharged into the atmosphere and refrigerant is condensed and accumulated in a liquid refrigerant receiver The heat absorber or evaporator I0 is supplied with refrigerant from the receiver 22 from whence it flows in liquid form through the line 23 to the expansion valve 24 of the evaporator Hi. The refrigerant, at reduced pressure, flows through the evaporator coils 25 of the evaporator and returns through the suction line- 26 to the compressor' 20. The expansion valve 24 may be of the type in which liquid refrigerant is automatically introduced into the coils 25 whenever the pressure in the coils 25 is reduced below a predetermined pressure. In addition, this valve may be provided with a thermostatic bulb 21 placed at the outlet of the evaporator which throttles the valve 24 whenever the refrigerating eifect in the coils 25 cools the outlet below a predetermined temperature. Thus liquid refrigerant is prevented from flooding the compressor 20, as is well understood in the art.

Preferably the calibration of the valve 24 is such that liquid refrigerant is introduced into the evaporator at vapor-pressures above that corresponding to 32 F. The evaporator 10 is thus prevented from accumulating frost and any moisture contained in the air is condensed in liquid form on the surfaces of the evaporator and trickles into the pan 28. Any'moisture thus conratus includes an evaporator l0 around which air from the room H passes after entering at the inlet l2, and from which the cooled air is discharged by electrically actuated means in the densed is thereafter discharged outside of the room by any suitable means. In this form, it is discharged by the capillary action of a wick 29 one portion of which is placed in the pan 28, an-

other portion of which is surrounded by an airtight casing 30 and another portion 3| of which is exposed to the atmosphere outside. of the room, preferably in the path of the current ofair flowing over the condenser. If desired, a plurality of such wicks may be provided. Thus moisture is absorbed by the wick or wicks at 29 and is evaporated at 3| outside the room.

The heat dissipating portion of the apparatus further includes an electric energizing means in the form of a motor 32 which drives the compressor 20 through the medium of a belt 33. A certain amount of heat is generated by the motor and compressor in the heat insulated compartment I6. This heat may be dissipated to the outside of the room by providing a heat absorber 34 in the compressed refrigerant line 35. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 20 flows through the heat absorber 34 and picks up any excess heat of the compartment IS in the form of superheat which is then carried by the refrigerant through the line 36 to the condenser 2|. Here the heat is dissipated from it surfaces, and fins 3'! on the coils of the condenser, to air circulated thereover by means of the fans 38 and 39 driven by the motor 40.

The instrumentalities thus far described may be held together by any suitable means. Thus bracket means conveniently in the form of arms 4| are adjustably secured at 42 to the cabinet l so that the arms may be placed at any height necessary for the particular window with which they are to cooperate. The arms 4| may carry. by adjustable fastening means 43. a casing 44 within which may be placed the condenser 2|, fan 38 and 39 and the motor 40 together with the receiver 22 and any other desired portions of the apparatus. Air from outside the room may enter the casing 44 at the inlet 45 and may be discharged through the outlets 46 which may be provided with louvers.-

The apparatus may be automatically operated in accordance with conditions within the room. Thus a thermostat, either dry bulb or wet bulb, or a combination of both, as indicated at 41, may be placed in the room II or in any position to be representative of conditions therein. This thermostat may be provided with a switch 41' well-known in the art, which controls the operation of the motors 32 and 40.

Controls are provided to permit the circulation of air independently of refrigeration demands. Thus a manually operable master switch 54 is provided in the lead 55 which controls the operation of the entire apparatus. When this switch is closed, the motor l3 operates. If in addition refrigeration is desired, a manually operable switch 51 may be closed which then places the operation of the motors 32 and 40 under the control of thermostat 41.

The arm 4|, together with any pipe or other structures which may join portions of the apparatus, may pass through any portion of the window. Thus a false sill 5| may be placed over the regular sill 52 of the window and the arms 4| and pipes 23, 30 and 36 may be imbedded in the false sill 5| so that the window sash 53 may be lowered thereon and substantially seal the window opening. The lower portion of the sash 53 may be cut to compensate for the additional height of the sill 5| or suitable sealing means may be provided at the upper part of the sash 53 to cooperate with the other portion of the window to seal the same or a new sash of proper height may be substituted for the old one.

The operation of the app'aratus shown in Figs.

' 1, 2 and 3 is as follows: The blower I3 is driven by a motor l3. When it is desired merely to cause a circulation of air in the room, the hand switch 54 is closed which will then permit current to flow through the motor |3' from the lead 55 to the lead 56. When it is desired also to have refrigeration, the hand switch 51 is closed and thereafter the thermostat 41 controls the operation of the motors 32 and 40 as conditions may require. Thus when the temperature, dry bulb or wet bulb or combination of both. rises above a predetermined limit, the switch 41' closes and causes the motors 32 and 40 to operate and they continue to operate until the temperature falls below a predetermined lower limit at which the switch 41' opens. Thereafter the motors 32 and 40 remain idle until the temperature again rises and closes the switch 41. When the motors 32 and 40 are operating, the air being circulated by the blower I3 is cooled by contact with the outer surface of the evaporator 0. The air to be cooled may be air from the room and, if desired, a certain amount of fresh air from outside the room entering through the pipe H. The air is discharged into the room through opening I4. The

refrigerant flows from the compressor 20 through the pipe 35, heat absorber 34, pipe 36, condenser 2| where the heat is dissipated and the refrigerant is condensed, and from whence the liquid refrigerant flows through the pipe 23 to the expansion valve 24. Here the pressure is reduced and the refrigerantis introduced into the coils 25 of the evaporator II). There heat is absorbed while the refrigerant is there evaporated and returns in gaseous form through pipe 26 to the compressor 20. Any moisture condensed on the evaporator l0 trickles into the pan 28 and is then discharged by capillary action through the wicks 29--3| to the outside atmosphere. The operation of the motors 32 and 40 is coordinated by the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 as heretofore pointed out.

The arrangement shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is somewhat similar to that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The evaporator Ina is provided in the upper portion of a cabinet |5a. Air from the room Ila may enter at In and may flow over the outer surface of the evaporator |0a by the actionof the blower |3a and may be discharged back into the room in a cooled condition through the opening l4a, Air from outside the room may enter the pipe Ila at |9a and may be discharged over the surfaces of the evaporator Illa at l8a in a manner substantially the same as in Fig. -1. The moisture condensed on the evaporator |0a may be gathered in a drip pan 28a and may be dissipated outside of the room in the manner hereinafter more fully to be described.

A refrigerant translator or compressor 20a discharges compressed refrigerant through pipe 35a and heat absorber 34a to the pipe 36 through which it flows to the condenser 2|a. The condensed refrigerant is gathered in a liquid refrigerant receiver 22a from whence it flows in liquid form through the pipe 23a to the expansion valve 24a having a thermostatic bulb 21a placed at the outlet of the evaporator Illa where the same is connected to the evaporator refrigerant pipe 26a. The combined action of the valve 24a and thermostatic bulb 21a is substantially the same as that of valve 24 and bulb 21 in Fig. 1. The compressor may .be driven by a motor 32a by the medium of a belt 33a as in Fig. 1. Air may be blown over the condenser 2|a by means of a fan 38a driven by a motor 40a. The operation of the motors 32a and 40a together with the motor which drives the blower I35 may be substantially the same as that described with respect to the motors in Figs. 1. 2 and 3, and the circuit shown v in Fig. 3 may be used for the motors of the devic shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The, instrumentalities for dissipating the condensed moisture have been modified in Figs. 4 and 5. Thus moisture accumulated in the pan 28a flows through the pipe 60 to a pump 6| driven by the motor 32a through the medium of a belt 62. The moisture is then pumped through the pipe 63 to sump 64 placed in the bottom or the casing Me. Here the condensed moisture, together with additional water poured in occasionally through the opening 65, is sprayed over the condenser portions by the rotating .cone 66 driven by the motor of the condenser and its fins 31a where evaporation of the water aids in cooling the condenser. Air from outside the room enters the casing 44a at the opening 45a and leaves through the outlets 46a.

The supporting arm structure together with the sill structure used in Figs. 4 and 5 may be substantially the same as that shown and described with respect to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and are therefore not further again described in detail.

A slightly modified form of the invention is shown in Fig. 6. Here a cabinet I houses an evaporator IOI in its upper part. Air from the room enters at I02 flows over the outer surfaces of the evaporator IOI through the action of the fan I03 driven by the motor I04. The cooled air is discharged through the opening I05. The refrigerant from the evaporator IN is compressed by a motor-compressor unit hermetically sealed within casing I06, where the refrigerant is compressed and discharged through the pipe I01 to the condenser I06. The condensed refrigerant is gathered in the receiver I09 and flows through the pipe I I0 to the expansion valve II I. The expansion valve III is provided with a thermostatic bulb H2 and the valve and bulb operate substantially the same as the valve 24 and bulb 21 of Fig. 1. Moisture condensed on the evaporator IOI is gathered in the drip pan I13 and flows therefrom through the pipe I I4 to a pump II driven by a motor H6. This motor may also conveniently drive the fan I I! which circulates air over the condenser I08. The condensed moisture pumped through pump II5 may then flow through the pipe I I8 to the spray-head I I9 placed over the condenser I08. moisture is evaporated on the outer surface of the condenser I08 and is absorbed by the air flowing over the condenser. The air which is circulated by the fan I01 may enter the casing I through opening HI and leave the casing through opening I22. The casing I20 may be adjustably secured at I23 to the cabinet I00 so that the same may rest on the sill I24. If the width of the casing I20 is not identical with that of the window, a suitable structure made of wood, rubber or the like may be placed along the sides of the casing I20 to seal the sides of the casing with the sides of the window, and the false sill I25 may be placed on top of the casing I20. The sash I25 may be made of a size to compensate for the new height of the sill I25. The casing of the motor I06 of the motor-compressor unit may be embedded in insulation I21. Thus all the heat generated by the motor and compressor in the casing I06 is dissipated through gaseous refrigerant Here the condensed 40a. Thus water is caused to flow over the coils flowing through pipe I01 to the condenser I08. The motor in casing I06 and motor II8 may be controlled by any automatic thermostatic switch similar to switch 41' while the motor I04 may be controlled in a. manner similar to I3. Thus the motor in casing I06 and motor II6 operate in response to conditions in the room I28 simultaneously through the action of the thermostat corresponding to thermostat 41 and motor I04 may be caused to operate through the medium of a hand switch corresponding to hand switch 54.

In the modification shown in Figs. '7 to 11 inclusive, the compressor, together with its motor, may also be placed outside of the window. In this modification a U-shaped bracket means or structure is formed by the arms I50 and I5I adjustably secured together at I52 to compensate for any wall width. This U-shaped structure is hung over the sill I53, and a false sill structure I54 is arranged therewith to engage with the sash. Thus the false sill is provided with lateral adjusting strips so that the false sill may be adjusted to any width of window desired. .This

I61 both located within the casing I59.

lateral adjustment is secured by means of the bolts I56.

The air cooling casing I51 is secured to the arms I50 and hangs in the room I58 while the heat dissipating casing I59 is secured to the arms I5I through the medium of the hinged brackets I60. An evaporator I6I is placed in the casing I51 together with a motor I62 which drives the fan I63. The fan I63 causes air to flow from the room I58 through the opening I64 over the evaporator I6I and be discharged back into room through the opening I65. The refrigerant is caused to circulate through the system by means of a compressor I66 which is driven by a motor Refrigerant in the evaporator I 6| flows through the pipe I68 to the compressor I66 from whence it is discharged in compressed condition through the pipe I69 to the condenser I10. The refrigerant there condensed is gathered in the receiver Ill and flows therefrom through the pipe I12 to the expansion valve I13. The motor I61 also drives a fan I15 which causes air to flow from the inlet I16 over the condenser I 10 and be discharged through the outlet I11. In addition, if desired, a small air inlet may also be provided at I18 along one side of the casing I59. All of the connections between the casings I51 and I59 may pass through the false sill I54 as will be readily understood.

The moisture condensed on the evaporator I6I gathers at the lower portion of the casing I51 and enters the pump I through the pipe IBI. The pump I80 may be driven by the fan motor I62 and discharges the condensate through the pipe I82 to the spray-head I63. placed over the condenser I 10. As heretofore described with respect to Fig. 6, this condensate then evaporates as it flows over the condenser I60 and is discharged to the atmosphere outside of the room.

The false sill structure may be of any character desired. Conveniently the central section I54 may rest on a central rubber section I93. The extensions I55 may rest on extension rubber sections I94. The sections I54 and I55 are laterall adjustable as heretofore described for any size window and they are of such a width that a sash I may reston both the sections I54 and I55 and thus may make a substantially air-tight joint at the lower portion. The sash may be shortened by cutting off the lower portion, or, if necessary, a new sash of proper length may be substituted. The sill structure herein shown is merely exemplary and it is to be understood that any sill structure may be used, as for example, a sill of the exact dimensions to fit the window.

While-the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. 'In a room or the like, a window, a false window sill, an air conditioner, said air conditioner including a bracket extending through said window sill, said air conditioner comprising an evaporator within the room, and a condenser mounted On the bracket without the room.

2. In a room or the like, a window, an'air conditioner, said air conditioner including a bracket, said conditioner comprising an evaporator within -the room, and a condenser mounted on the said coil, a fan assembly for circulating air over bracket without the room, means for adjusting said bracket vertically, and means to adjust the spacing between the evaporator and the condenser.

3. In a room or the like, a window, a bracket passing through said window, a first casing adjustably secured to said bracket within said room, a second casing adjustably secured to said bracket outside said room, a first heat exchange element in said first casing, a second heat exchange element in said second casing, refrigerant flow connections between said elements, and a refrigerant translating device located in said first casing.

4. In a room or the like, a window, an air conditioner comprising an evaporator unit Within the room, a cabinet for said evaporator, a condenser unit without the room, and refrigerant flow connections between said units passing through said window, said condenser unit comprising a condenser coil, a water receptacle below said condenser coil and means operated by said fan assembly and projecting into said receptacle for spraying water onto said coil.

5. In combination with a wall of a building having a window in a room thereof, an air conditioning unit projecting through said windows comprising,.in combination, an evaporator disposed at the room side of said wall, means supporting the evaporator within said room, means for circulating room air over the evaporator, means providing an atmospheric air passageway disposed at the exterior side of said wall, a condenser disposed within said passageway wholly outside said room, means in said air passageway for circulating outside air over the condenser therein, means for collecting condensate from said evaporator and conducting it into and discharging the same in said air passageway, and means for conditioning said condensate for vaporization in said passageway.

6. Ina conditioner adapted to be placed in an enclosure, an evaporator containing refrigerant, means to cause thermal exchange between said refrigerant and air to be conditioned for said enclosure, heat dissipating means connected in refrigerant flow relationship with said evaporator and including a refrigerant translating device and a condenser, a water reservoir adapted to be located outside said enclosure, at least a portion of said heat dissipating means being mounted within said water reservoir, and means for circulating air in thermal exchange relationship to said water.

In a portable air conditioner having an evaporator located within an enclosure, means for circulating air from said enclosure thereover to cool and partially dehumidify the air, means for collecting moisture condensed from the air passing over the evaporator, means for conveying the moisture to a point outside said enclosure, a condensing unit connected to said evaporator, a portion of said unit being located outside the enclosure, and means for causing heat absorbed by said evaporator and dissipated by said condensing unit to be utilized for evaporating said moisture and disposing of the same into outside atmospheric air.

8. In a conditioner adapted to be placed in an enclosure, an evaporator containing refrigerant, means to supply air from said enclosure to said evaporator to cause a thermal exchange between said refrigerant and air to be conditioned for said enclosure, heat dissipating means connected in refrigerant fiow relationship with said evaporator and including a refrigerant translating device and a condenser, at least a portion of said heat dissipating means being adapted to be located outside said enclosure, a sump outside said enclosure, and means for introducing condensate water into said sump, said heat dissipating means including a portion disposed in said sump so as to heat said condensate water.

9. In a room or the like, a window, an air conditioner comprising an evaporator unit within the room, a cabinet for said evaporator, a condenser unit without the room, and refrigerant flow connections between said units passing through said window, said condenser unit comprising a condenser coil, a water receptacle, a fan assembly for circulating air over said condenser coil and means operated by said fan assembly and projecting into said receptacle for spraying water onto said coil.

HARRY B. HULL.

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