Patent GB-261709-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to refrigerating machines
IPC: F25B1/04
Filed: 1926-08-13
Abstract: 261,709. Kucher, A. A. Nov. 19, 1925, [Convention date]. Refrigerating, compression machines for; cold accumulators. - The electric driving-motor 19, Fig. 3, and the compressor 40 of a small compact machine suitable for a domestic refrigerator are enclosed in a fluid-tight casing 20 forming the condensing-chamber, the casing having heat-radiating vanes 45 whereby the condenser may be cooled by air circulated upwards around the vanes by a fan 52 at the top. The vanes are preferably surrounded by a casing 46 within which the cooling-air flows. The working fluid comprises a mixture of lubricant and refrigerant as described in Specification 208,547, some of the liquid being entrained with the vapour withdrawn from the evaporator, as described in Specification 195,943, so as to lubricate the working parts. The compressor is arranged in a well 22 into which liquid particles are deflected by a baffle 33<1> from the mixture discharged through the compressor port 33. The heat of the compressor serves to vaporize refrigerant from the liquid in the well 22, leaving mainly lubricant, as described in Specification 217,178. The compressor withdraws the fluid from the evaporator through a passage 36 in the base-plate 31 of the machine, through the lower bearing 27, and then through the hollow motor shaft 23 and openings 37 communicating by a passage 38 with the inlet port 32. The liquid in the working fluid serves to lubricate the bottom bearing, and a radial passage 41 is provided from the interior of the motor to a helical groove 42 around the shaft, whereby liquid is fed to the intermediate bearing 28. The upper bearing 29 and the several stages of the compressor are fed with lubricant drawn from the wall 22 through depending pipes 39, 39<1>. During idle periods of the machine any liquid creeping from the well 22 in to the intermediate bearing 28 is caught in a cup 43, from which it may overflow through the hole 41 into the hollow motor shaft and collect below the motor at the bottom of the casing. A small passage 44 is provided from the motor casing to the suction passage 36 whereby the accumulated liquid will be returned gradually to normal circulation when the machine starts again. Condensed refrigerant collects in the bottom of the chamber 20 and is led to the evaporator through pipes 35, 34 connected with a float valve for controlling the flow. The cooling-air flowing around the vanes is forced by the fan 52 through an opening 50 in the top 48 of the casing 46, and is discharged tangentially from the scroll 62. The fan is driven by an independent motor 51 which is cooled by the air that has passed over the condenser. The motor is mounted in a casing 49 formed in a removable cover, the lower part of this casing containing lubricant, confined by a baffle 56. The hollow motor shaft 54 is mounted on a fixed shaft 53 and is fed with lubricant by a spiral groove 59, the lubricant fowing back through an axial passage 61 in the fixed shaft and through radial passages 62. The liquefied refrigerant from the condenser flows through the float control valve 66 and pine 64, Fig. 6, to a jacket 67 surrounding a tank 68 cortaining alcohol and water or other liquid and provided with a recess 69 for ice-pans 71. A " surge " chamber 72 is provided at the top of the jacket, and the jacket and chamber 72 are substantially filled with the refrigerant liquid. The return or suction pipe 74 communicates with the vapour and liquid spaces of the chamber 72 whereby a small quantity of the liquid is entrained with the vapour, as above described. During idle periods of the compression machine the uncongealable liquid serves as a reservoir of cold. Refrigerators, domestic and like. - The compressing and condensing unit 15 above described is mounted in a rear compartment 13. Fig. 2, of a divided lower part 12, 13 of a domestic refrigerator the cooling-air for the machine being drawn in through a base opening 16 and discharged at a rear opening 17. The front base compartment 12 may be used for storing goods at ordinary temperatures, while the upper cooling-compartment 11 is fitted with the evaporator 65.