US2224219A - Refrigerating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 10, 1940. D. E. DASHER BEFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed July 31, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Dec. 10, 1940.

ZINViJTOR. BY

ATTORNEYS D. E. DASHER REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed July 51, 1937 4'Sheets-Sheet 5 v ATTORNEYS Dec. 10, 1940. D. E. DASHER REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed July 31, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEYS PatentedDec. 10, 1 940 UNITED STATES REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Don E. Dasher, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application July 31, 1937, Serial No. 156,770

10 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerating-apparatus and more particularly to generator-absorbers particularly of the solid absorbent type.

Heretofore, generator-absorbers of the solid absorbent type have been largely made up of finned structures which depended upon carrying the heat of conduction longitudinally through metal from the heating fluid to the absorber. In such a structure, however, the heat transfer both I" in heating and cooling the absorber is relatively slower.

It is an object of my invention to provide a generator absorbing means wherein a more direct heat flow may be obtained between all the It is another object of my invention to provide a generator-absorber in which the path for heat transfer between all the solid. absorbent and the heating and cooling fluid is very short.

It is still another object of my invention to provide a generator-absorber means in which the absorbent is cased within .thin members, the

greater part of which may be surrounded by a heat transfer fluid.

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. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a refrigerating system including a generator-absorber unit embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the generator-absorber taken along the lines 2-2 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the generator-absorber taken along the lines 4--4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view partly in section taken along the lines 44 of Fig. 2;

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

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a portion of the generator-absorber taken along the lines 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a modified form of generator-absorber;

Fig. 8 is an end view of an intermediate section of the generator-absorber shown in Fig.v 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the lines I 3-9 of Fig. 8;

Flg.'l0 is a sectional view of another improved generator-absorber construction taken along the absorbent and the heating and cooling fluid..

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along the lines ll-ll of Fig. and

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of several plates taken along the lines I 11-40 of Fig. 11.

Briefly, I have shown a refrigerating system 5 of the solid absorption type in which the absorber is made up of a plurality of metal plates having central apertures, the plates being alternately joined together at the edges of their apertures and at their outer peripheries. These plates are 10 slightly spaced to provide a space for holding the absorbent and another space through which the heat transfer fluid may pass.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown a simple absorption refrigerating system of the solid adsorbent type including an absorber containing a solid absorbent which is'heated by a gas burner 22 to cause ammonia or other volatile liquid in the form of a gas to be driven from the solid absorbent and condensed within a condenser 24 shown diagrammatically where the compressed refrigerant is condensed and supplied through conduit means 26 and 28 under the control of a suitable valve 29 to an evaporating means 30 located within a compartment 32 to be cooled.-

The gas is supplied under the control of a pressure regulating valve 34 and a gas valve 36 to the burner 22. The gas valve 36 is operated by a thermostat bulb 38 located within the interior of the generator-absorber. When the generatorabsorber reaches a predetermined temperature, th gas valve is closed by reason of the high pressure created within the thermostat bulb 38. The generator-absorber 20 then cools and absorbs refrigerant in vapor form which returns from the evaporator 30 through the same conduits 28 and 26 as well as the condenser 24. The gas valve is prevented from closing by an interlock mechanism 4|] which is responsive to the refrigerant pressure within the conduit means 26. When a predetermined pressure is reached within the conduit means 26, the interlock mechanism releases the gas valve 36 and allows it to close in order to start a new generating cycle.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 to 6, inclusive, one form of the generator-absorber 20 is shown mainly made up of a plurality of stacked metal plates best shown in Figs. 3 and '6. In this-form, identical plates are tm'ned toward 5 each other inpairs such as the plates 42 and 44. These plates are each provided with an aperture 46 in their central portions, and surrounding this aperture 46 these plates are each deformed to provide a flanged portion 48, the two flanges 48 fitting together around the aperture. Around this flanged portion the plates are spaced to provide a space 58 through which the gases from the fuel burner 22 may pass. Surrounding this space 58, the plates are deformed to provide two long arc-shaped projections 52 and 54 I as well as two small round projections 56 and 58, all of which fit together as shown in Figs. 3 and 6.

The plates 42 and 44 are also spaced surrounding the projections 52 to 58 to provide agas space 68 at their edges. The plates 42 and 44 are deformed to provide flanges 66 and 68 which extend away from each other. At-the extreme edge of these plates, cuts are made about half way in the flanges to provide tongues of metal which are bent toward each other to provide the spacing projections 62 and 64 which fit together to preserve the spacing between the edge portions of the plates 42 and 44.

The flange 66 rests against the flange 18 of the adjacent plate I2 which is formed similarly to the plates 68 and 68 and occupies a position corresponding to the plate 44. The plate 12 fits against the inner flange and the projections of another similar plate I4 which is positioned similarly to the plate 42. These plates are further built up in this manner and stacked together until a sufiicient number is obtained to provide adequate capacity for the amount of solidabsorbent required for the apparatus. i

For a household refrigerator, enough of these plates are stacked together to make an assembly about 16 or 18 inches long. Upon the ends of these stacked members, there is provided end members I6 and I8 which are formed of heavy sheet metal and contain splitcollars88 and 82 surrounding which steel wool designated by the reference characters 84 and 86 is provided. This entire assembly is then copper hydrogen brazed to cause the inner and outer flanges as well as the projections to be thermally joined together by a metallic bond.

One of the headers is provided with an inlet 88, and the entire assembly is tested with a fluid under pressure to detect any leaks which might arise due to faulty brazing. At the same time the assembly is expanded by a'pressure within the assembly which tends to spread the plates; and when the assembly is at its proper length bars 98 having heads 92 at one end are slipped through apertures at the flanges of the end members I6 and 18, and the opposite end is welded as shown at 94 in order to prevent the plates from.

spreading under pressure.

After this, the assembly is placed in a vertical position and rotated while the solid absorbent is poured into the central apertures 46. This causes the absorbent to be thrown out by centrifugal force into the spaces between the plates such as between the plate 42 and the plate 12. Preferably, the absorbent used is strontium bromide, strontium chloride, or magnesium chloride with lithium nitrate.

After this, the absorbent is cleared out of the space along the apertures in the metal plates, and an inner tube 96 is welded at its ends to the headers. This tube is surrounded by eight flat staves 98 which are held within two asbestos socks or tubes I82 and I84. The ends of these socks are wrapped with. wire designated by the reference character I86. The purpose of the staves and asbestos socks is to provide a passage through which the refrigerant in vapor form may readily flow from all the absorbent to the space opening I 88 to the space containing the steel wool let 88. The asbestos sock and the steel wool both act as filters. The sock prevents the absorbent from leaving its place in the absorber, while the steel wool prevents any foreign matter from entering the absorbent space of the absorber.

Surrounding the absorber is a shroud which has metal members H8 and H2 slightly spaced away from the edges of the metal plates. An opening is left at the top between the two metal members of the shroud for the escape of the products of combustion. The bottoms of the shroud members H8 and H2 are curled outwardly to form the flanges H4 and H6. Another sheet metal member H8 is provided with flanges I28 and I22 which may bespot welded or otherwise I fastened by these flanges to the flanges H4 and H6. This member H8 provides a combustion space for the flame I24 which issues from the gas burner 22. The lower portion of the gas burner is supported by another metal member I26 which is fastened to the member H8. The

secondary air supply enters through this member I26 and passes into the combustion chamber I28 through an aperture I38 in the member H8 .I'he plate I42 is provided with a flange I44 which fits into-the aperture provided in the central portion of the plate 148. This flange I44 is turned or spun over to lock the inner flanges of the plates I48 and I42 together. The outer edges of the plates I48 and I42 are provided with flanges I46 and I 48 which are similar to the flanges in the first modification excepting that the flange I46 has an additional laterally turned flange I58 which is adapted to receive the flange I52 of the adjacent metal plate I54 which is similar to the plate I 42. Otherwise, the plates are similar to the plates in the first modification and have a central aperture I56 surrounded by flanges I58 which fit together, whichin turn are surrounded by a space I68 through which the products of combustion may pass.

There is also another space I62 upon the outside of the plates through which the-products of combustion may pass. Similar projections I64, I66, I68, and I18 are provided for the interior of the metal plates; but, in addition thereto, small projections H2 are distributed uniformly around the outer edges of the plates in order to serveas the spacing means and to provide an increased bonding surface to hold the plates together.

After the plates are stamped upon a punch press, they are assembled in pairs and the flange I44 is turned over to lock the pairs at their apertures] These pairs of plates are then stacked together with the flanges of one set of plates fitting into the turned flanges of the adjacent pair of plates. Enough of these pairs of plates are stacked together to form an absorberof suitable size; and, thereafter, the end plates "4 and I16 are assembled onto the ends of the stacked pairs of metal plates. These end plates are of a rounded annular shape in order to withstand high internal pressure- These end plates "4 and H6 are provided with split collars I18 and I88 as well as the steel wool I82. The end plate I14 is provided with an outlet I15. This assembly is then copper hydrogen brazed; and, thereafter, the assembly is tested by pressure. When expanded to the proper size,

5 the bars I84 are welded at their opposite ends to the end members I" and HG in order to prevent the plates from spreading. The assembly is then centrifugally charged with a suitable absorbent such as the absorbents mentioned in connection l0 with the first modification. After this the inner tube I88 is inserted in place and welded at its ends to the end plate. This inner tube I88 has a knurled or grooved outer surface I88 through which the refrigerant vapor may pass. This tube I88 is surrounded by an asbestos sock I90 or a sock of glass wool fabric which is wrapped at its ends with copper wire designated by reference character I92. Instead of employing a sock, the inner tube I86 may be wrapped spirally with glass wool or asbestos fabric and bound with wire.

In Figs. 10, 11, and 12 I have shown another form of generator-absorber 20. In this form the pairs of apertured plates such as the plates 2IIl and 2I2 are each deformed to provide abutting inner flanges which are locked together by turning the inner flange of the plate 2I2 over the inner flange of the plate 2I8 as shown at 2I4. Surrounding these inner flanges are a circle of 80 ten projections 2H5 which are formed in each member of every pair of plates and which are sufliciently long so that when the plates are assembled and locked as shown at 2 the projections 2I8 will flt together. Surrounding the circle a of projections 2"; is another circle of ten projections 2; which will also fit together to form spacing and bonding portions for the pairs of metal plates. These pairs of metal plates are provided with outwardly turned flanges 228 and 7 222. The flange 222 of the plate 2I2 has no lat- .erally turned portion but the flange 228 has a laterally turned portion 224 which receives the plain flange 228 of the adjacent metal plate 228, which is like the plate 2I2. and with the plate 238 forms a pair of metal plates which are locked together as shownat 232 in a manner similar to the locking shown at 2I4.

Pairs or setsof plates are first assembled by locking the one plate to its mate as shown at 2 and 2 82 and thenthe pairs or sets are stacked upon one another as shown in Figs. 18 and 12in suflicient number to provide an absorber of suitable size. w set fits into the laterally turned flange of the adjacent set. After these sets of plates are stacked together they are provided with end plates 234 and 236 formed of sheet metal in the shape of a split hollow ring. This assembly is copper hydrogen brazed and then tested for leaks under pressure.

At this time the assembly is brought te the correct length and the longitudinal bars 238 are welded to the end members 234 and 238 at their opposite ends to prevent the assembly from 05 spreading. After this, the end members 234 and 238 are filled with steel wool designated by the reference character 248, after which the spaces 7 between the locked sets of plates are filled with t1 e absorbent material by a centrifugal process.

After the spaces between the pairs or sets' of plates are filled with absorbent a hole is made in the center of the absorbent in the assembly and an-inner tube 242 including its assembly is inserted and welded in place at both ends of the wells 244 and 248.

In each case the plain flange of one This inner tube 242 differs from the other inv ner tubes in that it serves as the inlet and therefore is provided with a plug 248 at its smaller end which is provided with a longitudinal inlet passage 258 and a transverse inlet passage 252 5 which extends through the .walls of the inner tube. The inner tube 242 is wrapped spirally with flat wire or strip 254 which previously to the wrapping has been bent at intervals so that when it is wrapped upon the inner tube it will form itself into 'a hexagonal shape thereon. This provides the free longitudinal passage for the refrigerant gases so that they may distribute themselves evenly into the absorbent, Surrounding 15 this wrapping of flat wire or strip are two asbestos or glass wool socks 256 which serve as a filter to prevent the absorbent fromentering the longitudinal passage formed by the flat wire strip member 254. The ends of these socks are fastened by 20 wire wrapped around them. With this assembly, it will be noted that the absorber proper is completed. After that the shroud for the combustion system is applied.

In this form, as well as the other forms, the 25 absorbent is held between closely spaced metal plates such as the metal plates 2II'I and 228 which transfer conditions, since practically all the ab- 35,

sorbent is located less than the distance of onehalf the spacing of the metal plates from the nearest cooling air or cooling fluid. Likewise, during the heating period, the products of combustion may pass uponsubstantially all of the 40 outer surface of the metal plates so that efficient heating also results. In this way, the cooling of the absorber is much more rapid and etficient; and the heating is also more rapid and emcient. This overcomes the major obstacle in the manu- 45 facture of generator-absorbers for solid absorbents since it makes it possible to obtain relatively good heat transfer conditions when a solid absorbent is employed. I I

While the form of embodiment of the inven- 50 tion as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that otherforms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows: 68

1. An absorber comprising a plurality of metal plates having substantially centrally located apertures therein, the plates being alternately joined directly together at the edges of their apertures and adjacent their outer peripheries, '80 said platesbeing slightly spaced in between the joined portions, the interior of the plate construction beingfilled with a solid absorbent material located between the plates.

v 2. An absorber comprising a plurality of metal plates having substantially centrally located apertures therein, the plates being alternatelyjoined together at the edges of their apertures and adjacent their outer peripheries, said plates being slightly spaced in between the joined por- 70 tions, the interior of the plate construction being filled withan absorbent material located between the plates, said platesbeing-provided with projections, said projections being joined to-. gether for preventing the spreadingof the plates. I6

joined together at the edges of their apertures and adjacent their outer peripheries, said plates being slightly spaced in between the joined portions, a tubularmember extending through said centrally located apertures, and an absorbent located between said tubular member and the metal plates.

5. An absorber comprising a plurality of metal plates having substantially centrally located apertures therein, the plates being alternately joined together at the edges of their apertures and adjacent their outer peripheries, said plates being slightly spaced in between the joined portions, a tubular member extending through said centrally located apertures, an absorbent located between said tubular member and the metal plates, and means providing passages along the tubular member.

6. An absorber comprising a plurality of metal plates having substantially centrally located apertures therein, the plates being alternately joined together at the edges of their apertures and adjacent their outer peripheries, saidl plates being slightly spaced in between the joined portions, the interior of the plate construction being filled with an absorbent material located between the plates, end members at the opposite ends of said metal plates, bars joining said end members on the outside of said plates, and a tubular member extending through the centrally located apertures in said plates to join the end members.

'7. An absorber comprising a plurality of metal plates having apertures therein, the plates being alternately joined together at the edges of their apertures and adjacent their outer-peripheries,

said plates being slightly spacedin between the joined portions, the interior of the plate construction being filled with an absorbent material located between the plates, end members at the opposite ends of said metal plates, bars joining said end members on the outside of said plates,

a tubular member extending through the apertures in said plates to join the end members, and means providing passages along the tubular member including a fabric member of an inorganic material.

8. An absorber comprising a plurality of metal plates having apertures therein, the plates being alternately joined together at the edgesof their apertures and adjacent their outer peripheries, said plates being slightly spaced in between the joined portions, the interior of the plate construction being filled with an absorbent material located between the plates, a tubular member extending through said apertures, said tubular member being smaller than said apertures to provide for communication between the interior of the plate construction.

9. An absorber comprising a plurality of metal plates having substantiallycentrally located apertures therein, the plates being alternately joined together at the edges of their apertures and adjacent their outer peripheries, said plates being slightly spaced in between the joined portions, the interior of the plate construction being filled with an absorbent material located between the plates, said absorber having end plates at its opposite ends, said end plates being joined to said metal plates adjacent their outer peripheries, said end plates each being provided with a substantially centrally located aperture, a tubular member connecting the aperture located in the end plates and extending through the centrally located apertures in said metal plates, the apertures in said metal plates being larger than the outside of said tube to permit the passage of gases along the tube.

10. A heat transfer means comprising a plurality of metal plates having apertures therein,

the plates being alternately joined together at the edges of their apertures and adjacent their outer peripheries, said plates being spaced close together but. separated slightly, a member extending through said apertures, said member being smaller than said apertures to provide communication between the various spaces enclosed between the plates, said plates being also provided with distributed projections near their edge portions, means for joining the projections of those adjacent plates which are unconnected at their outer peripheries to prevent spreading of the plates, and means cooperating with the outside plates of the plurality of plates and with said member to seal the space between said member and said plurality of plates.

' DON E. DASHER.

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