Improvement in Portable or Domestic Refrigerators.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in Portable or Domestic Refrigerators.
1, ALEXANDER THOMPSON BALLANTINE, of 328 Sibley Street, City of
Cleveland, State of Ohio, U.S.A., Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention has reference more especially to portable or domestic refrigerators,
and my purpose is to provide an apparatus suitable for the family and other places
where ice is now used in refrigerators. To these ends the invention consists in
an apparatus operated by a hydraulic motor connected with 'the city main, and a
suitable refrigerant, as anhydrous ammonia, which, under the processes of the
machine, is successively volatilized, compressed, and liquified, all as hereinafter
described and particularly pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved apparatus, omitting the refrigerating
coil and box.
Fig. 2 is an elevation of the motor part of the apparatus, with the enclosing casc
at the front broken out and sectioned so as to disclose the interior of the motor and
the fluid channels, valve bearings, and other operating parts.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus looking from the right of Fig. 1, and
broken away to show the relation of the fluid ports to the condensing chamber.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the apparatus looking from the left of Fig. 1 and
showing the opposite side to that shown in Fig. 3, and having the casing partly
broken away so as to disclose the interior of the condensing chamber in the bottom
of the apparatus and the coil and receiver therein.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the whole apparatus, with the cooling coils broken
across at different points and moved forward simply to show their relation to the
other parts of the apparatus as they appear in plan.
Fig. 6 is a central vertical section of both pumps detached from the other parts
of the apparatus, and
Fig. 7 is a central vertical section of one of the pumps alone taken at right
angles to Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the valve operating mechanism, with the motor
connections removed, and
Fig. 9 is a similar view in which the actuating springs also are broken away to
disclose the relation of the parts behind the same.
Fig. 10 is a vertical central transverse sectional view of the valve actuating
mechanism including the motor and connections.
Fig. 11 shows a group of details relating to the valve operating mechanism as
elsewhere shown and described.
Fig. 12 shows the locking lugs or projections through which the position of the
valve is controlled, in the position they occupy when the motor piston and the valve
reach the bottom of their stroke, and
Fig. 13 shows the position of said lugs when the piston and valve are at the top
of their stroke.
Figs. 14 and 15 are front and rear views, respectively, of the spring carrying
box or carrier, through which the valve is actuated, as hereinafter more fully
described, both views being in perspective.
Fig. 16 is a vertical section of a refrigerator chest or case and showing the
refrigerating apparatus in connection therewith, and
Fig. 17 is a plan view of said parts with the top cover of the casing removed.
As here shown, the apparatus comprises a reciprocating motor having fluid

page_text: connection with the water pipe leading into or through the building; a pump
operated by the motor for compressing the refrigerating agent or gas; a cooler or
condenser for the gas into which the motor is made to exhaust; a liquid chemical
receiver and a feed pipe.connection for the liquid chemical from the receiver to the
refrigerating coil or pipe, whence the gas is conducted by gravity, first, to the
pump where it is compressed, and thence to the condeuser, and this operation is
automatic, constant, and uniform as long as the motor is kept in operation.
The motor has a suitable casing, 10, provided with a piston chamber, 11, and
combined inlet and exhaust ports 12 and 13 entering said chamber at the top and
bottom respectively from one side thereof. Between the outer portions of the said
ports, and extending above and below the same into the exit ports, is the valve
chamber containing a valve, 16, which controls the flow of pressure fluid to both
sides of the motor and the exhaust therefrom, the pressure and exhaust occurring
alternately from opposite sides of the motor piston.
The motor piston 17 is of the reciprocating variety, and is adapted to slide up
and down in its chamber, guided centrally. by the shaft 18 rigid therewith and
sliding in a suitably packed bearing above the chamber.
In devising the system of power herein employed I have anticipated the
objections arising from varying motive pressure in the supply by providing a
motor.that has no dead center point and which must inevitably and automatically
start when sufficient pressure recurs, and continue to run as long as such pressure
remains.
Though several faucets may happen to be open at the same time, they are not
all liable to continue open longer than a few moments together, and the machine if
stopped, will resume work just as soon as sufficient pressure is restored. Such
temporary suspensions of work do not perceptibly affect refrigeration, and may
occur without detriment to the service. The apparatus may even run slowly for a
considerable length of time without showing any falling away of frosting on the
refrigerating pipe.
The valve 16 may be either of the piston or other variety, and the valve
chamber has a central enlargement, 19, in which is the fluid inlet 20, shown in
dotted lines behind the valve in Fig. 2, and by pipe connection 21 in Fig. 3. The
valve 16 is operated automatically by the motor piston through. the following
mechanism; first, there is a head, 22, fixed rigidly to motor shaft 18 and sliding in
a suitable guide 23. A pitman, 24, connects the head 22 with a crank, 25, on the
rock shaft, 26, with which the pumps are connected. From this crank shaft,
outside of crank 25, Fig. 5, is a crank 27 of less radius than crank 25, and con-
nerted by a rod 28, with a spring containing and compressing box, 29, adapted to
slide back and forth within given limits on the supporting frame 30. The box 29
is oblong and has flanges, 31, above and below at its rear sliding in suitable
guideways on the fixed frame 30.
Supported in the ends of the box 29, and extending centrally through the same,
is the spring supporting rod 32, carrying two separate but equal springs. 33 and 33¹,
which at one end bear against the end of the box, and at the other against a
collar, 34, loosely splined on the said rod so as to slide thereon.
The grooves in the rod 32, in which the interior projections 35 of the collars
rest, terminate at 36 near the middle of the said rod, forming shoulders beyond
which the collars cannot slide, and this middle space on the rod is occupied by a
sliding sleeve 37 which fills the said space when the two collars are in their normal
position, as seen in Fig. 14.
Centrally on the back of the spring carrying box 29 is a rectangular block or
projection, 38, rigidly fastened or cast thereon, and this projection is adapted to
engage with a corresponding projection or block 39 on a vertically sliding plate, 40,
set at right angles to the spring box 29 and behind the same in frame 30. The
engaging edges of the two blocks are bevelled or rounded, and the upper and lower
surfaces especially should be flat and parallel so as to ride evenly one upon and
over the other alternately from side to side.

page_text: At one side or edge of the frame 30 and on a pivot pin or bolt 41, extending
outward therefrom, is pivoted a bell crank lever, 42, connected at its upper arm
by a link 43 to ears on the sleeve 37, and at its lower arm by a link 44 with
the vertically sliding plate 40, the said plate being provided with a projection, 45,
for bringing such link connection into proper alignment with the other parts.
At the bottom of the plate 40 is another forward projection, 46, to which is
adjustably secured the valve operating rod' 47. This completes the chain of con-
nections extending from the motor to the valve 16, whereby the valve is operated.
When the piston is, down at the end of its down stroke, as in Fig. 2, the valve 16
also is down and in position to. admit pressure fluid beneath the piston, and when
the piston is at the end of its up stroke the position of the valve and the other
connected parts are of course reversed.
The operation of this mechanism is as follows:
.
Assuming that the piston is down, as in Fig. 2, the two springs 33, 33' will be
under their normal tension and the collars 34 and sleeve 37 will be at the center,
as seen in Figs. 2 and 14. In this position of the parts the studs or blocks 38
and 39 are in the relation to one another shown in Fig. 12. Now the valve, the
crank lever 42, and the slide with stud 39 will remain down while the motor piston
rises to the limit of its up stroke. As the said piston rises it carries. the box 29 to
the right, and in so doing compresses spring 33, because the stud 38 at the very
outset of the movement begins to ride across upon the lug 39 and thus prevents the
bell crank and the parts to which its arms are connected from moving while
the lug 38 bears the lug 39 down. The spring 33 therefore compresses against
sleeve 37 until the lugs reach the relation shown in Fig. 8, where the lug 38
is shown as just in the act of releasing the lug 39. When this occurs the
slide 40 is unlocked and the parts instantly fly to the opposite position shown
in Fig. 9.. In this movement, under the pressure of spring 33, the valve 16 is
instantly reversed, and the reversal is arranged to come precisely at the time
the motor piston reaches the limit of its upward stroke. Meantime the box 29
is carried to the right and the springs 33, 33' are agáin under their normal
tension, and the collars and sleeve are at the center as before. The studs 38
and 39 have however changed position and the stud 39 is above and the stud 38
below, and their bevelled corners are in juxtaposition. Now as the motor piston
descends it carries the box 29 to the left and at the very outset engages the
said lugs so as to prevent the slide 40 from going down until the time conies
to reverse the valve 16." In doing this the lug 38 travels twice its width and
until it just clears lug 39 at the left, when said lug and its slide are free to
drop and carry all the parts into the lower position, as seen in Fig. 2, from
which they originally started. In this instance the spring 33' does the work
and the parts resume their normal positions. The box 29 stops first at the left
and then at the right of the working center, and the lug 39 is first below and then
above the lug 38. Both lugs alternate in positions, the lug 38 from right to left,
and the lug 39 up and down, according as the motor piston is below or above in its
chamber.
This construction of valve mechanism does not only produce the desired reversal
of the valve at exactly the right times, but it is instantaneous in its operation, so
that the moment the motor piston reaches the end of its stroke it is immediately
put under the reverse pressure and its dead water is exhausted.
A material and novel advantage is obtained by the simultaneous movements of
the motor piston and the valve, whereby the instantaneous reverse movement of the
piston. is produced the instant the valve opens either port to pressure. Thus
suppose the piston to have just descended as in Fig. 2; its speedy downward
movement takes the exhaust channel to carry away the dead water, and said
channel consequently is full. Now the instant the piston reaches the bottom the
[valve is reversed to the position shown in Fig. 2, and the reversal occurs with the
space about the valve and the port 13 full of water. Hence there is no void space
to be filled before.the pressure is communicated to the piston, and hence action on
"

page_text: ;
the piston is instantaneous. The effect on the piston and through it to the pumps.
is equivalent to the constant movement of a rotary motor; and there is no halt or
pause at the end of each stroke as usually occurs when the motor fluid has to fill
the ports before it can begin to act.
The inlet pipe 21 of course is provided with a suitable cock or valve (not shown)
to turn the water on or off, as well as to control the flow and pressure. The exhaust
from the motor is into the condensing chamber hereinafter described.
Referring now more especially to the refrigerating portion of the apparatus, we
have, first, the set of pumps for exhausting the refrigerating pipe or coil and for
compressing and condensing the gas drawn therefrom. To this end I provide a
chamber, 50, formed within the pump casing or shell 51, and beneath the pump
cylinders, into which the refrigerating or expansion coils 52 discharge by gravity
substantially as seen in Fig. 6. The two pump cylinders 53 and 54 open at the
bottom into the said chamber 50 and are provided each with a cylindrical or other
suitable piston 55 having a puppet valve, 56, through which the gas enters the
cylinder in front of the chamber when the piston descends.
It is of the first importance that the refrigerating pipe discharge by gravity, as
otherwise the gas condensed therein would stand in said pipe and obstruct the same
and impair the efficiency of the apparatus. This also prevents the accumulation of
the lubricating oil in the refrigerating coil. It will be understood that this class of
machines require a great deal of lubrication to keep them in good working
condition, and as this oil will enter and lodge in a passage not relieved by gravity,
care must be taken to give it a free passage or it will in time clog and stop the
machine. In this machine danger from this source is prevented by having gravity
passages on both sides of the pump except in the feed. pipe from the chemical
receiver to the refrigerating coil when pressure serves to force the oil forward as it
accumulates and whereby objectionable accumulation at this point is avoided.
The motor shaft passes centrally through the chamber 50 and has packed
bearings in the casing 51 to prevent the escape of gas. On the motor shaft 26 in
said chamber is a cross arm, 57, to the ends of which are connected the rods 58
which operate the pistons 55.
The pump cylinders are cach provided at their upper ends with outlet valves, 59,
through which the compressed gas is forced, whence it flows through elbow pipes 60
into the condensing pipe 61. The lower portion of this pipe,, within the cooling
and condensing chamber, is formed into a coil so as to expose a greater surface to
cooling than a straight pipe would afford. The condensing or cooling chamber 62
is a water tight box built into the apparatus, receiving the exhaust from the motor
through ports 14 and 15 and having an outlet in its bottom. The gravity discharge
through pipe 61 not only assists the pump but keeps the pipe 61 clear of oil or other
liquid, and as it runs into the top of the liquid receptacle no liquid will stand in it
at any point.
The coupling 65 is provided with two valves for controlling the flow of the liquid
refrigerant from the feed valve to the refrigerating coil, and a plugged opening
through which the liquid is received. The valve 66 serves to regulate the flow of
the liquid into the coupling and to cut the flow entirely off when the apparatus is
stopped or being replenished, and the valve 67 regulates the admission of the liquid
into the expanding coil. Both valves preferably are of the needle pattern, and the
liquid needs only a drop by drop. admission into the expansion coil to keep up
an abundant supply of gas therein. Gasification of the liquid occurs instantly upon
its entrance into said coil, and this conversion is accompanied by such a reduction
of temperature that the coil of pipe quickly becomes covered with a heavy coating
of frost its entire length, and this condition continues as long as the apparatus
continues to operate. The coupling joint with its valves is so located that it is on
a plane higher than the base of the pump and thus the refrigerating coil beginning
at this point can have the desired gravity feed to the pump. necessary to keep it
clean.
In the outer end of the coupling joint 65 is a screw plug 68, which is removed

page_text: when a fresh charge of chemical is, introduced into the apparatus. When this is
done the valve 66 is closed and the valve 67 suitably opened, and the pumps are set
to work to convey the chemical around to the receptacle 63. The reservoir
holding the chemical charge takes the place of the plug 68 when charging occurs.
In Fig. 16 I show 'a compartment refrigerator cabinet or casing which contains
the entire apparatus. This casing may be in separate parts or jointly, as shall be
desired. The compartment 70 contains the motor, pump, and other operative
mechanism, and the compartment 71 is the refrigerator portion proper. The
expansion or refrigerating coil 52 is arranged in the top portion of the casing, and
beneath it is a drip pan, 72, somewhat inclined toward one side and bent down and
récurved at its edge, as shown at 73, to catch the drip from the pipe 52 and prevent
its falling on the articles beneath. Any suitable or preferred arrangement of the
coil may be made in the refrigerator box.
In order that the pistons 55 and 55 may receive each a complete stroke at all
times in order to expel all of the gas and thus prevent back pressure, it is necessary
that some means be provided to compensate for deficiencies in their throw, such as
lost motion occasioned by wear of parts, etc., and to this end I make the con-
nection 28 between the rock-shaft 26 and the valve capable of adjustment as to its
length. In the drawings I have shown this adjustment as effected by dividing
the rod 28 and connecting its parts by a turn-buckle or right and left threaded
nut.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is : 1
1. A refrigerating apparatus comprising a refrigerating coil, a condenser; a
refrigerant receptacle, and connecting pipes, combined with a compressing pump
having cylinders and reciprocating pistons therein by which the spent gas is taken
from the coil, compressed and forced through the condenser and refrigerant
receptacle back to the coil, an oscillating arm with which the pistons are connected
and by which they are operated, a rock-shaft on which the oscillating arm is
secured, a hydraulic motor connected with the rock-shaft, a reciprocating valve for
such motor, and adjustable connections between the said valve and the rock-shaft
by which the throw of the pump pistons may be regulated so as to ensure a
complete stroke of each in order to expel all of the compressed gas, substantially as
described.
2. In a refrigerator, a motor, and a pump, in combination with a condensing
chamber, a refrigerant receptacle and a condensing coil located in said chamber, a
refrigerating pipe arranged to discharge by gravity toward the pump, a feed pipe
extending from the refrigerant receptacle to said refrigerating pipe, and a valve to
admit the refrigerant, located on a plane above the bottom of the pump, sub-
stantially as described.
3. In a refrigerator, a reciprocating pump to exhaust the refrigerating coil and
condense the refrigerant, a condensing chamber, and a refrigerant receptacle
therein, and a condensing coil discharging by gravity into the top of said receptacle,
a refrigerating pipe arranged to discharge by gravity into the botton of the said
pump, a feed pipe from the refrigerant receptacle connected with the refrigerating
pipe, and a controlling valve at the point of union between said pipes, substantially
as described.
4. In a refrigerator, a condensing chamber, and a condensing pipe and a
refrigerant receiver exposed to the water in said chamber, in combination with a
hydraulic motor having a discharge passage into said chamber to utilize the waste
or exhaust motor fluid for condensing and cooling purposes, substantially as
described.
of
5. In a refrigerator, a pump having a chamber in its bottom for the accumulation
gas and oil, a refrigerating pipe discharging by gravity into said chamber and a
condensing pipe on the pressure side of the pump having a gravity discharge, in

page_text: combination with a receptacle into which said pipe empties, a condensing chamber
enclosing said receptacle and condensing pipe, and a feed pipe with a valve
connecting said receiver with the refrigerating pipe, substantially as described.
6. In a refrigerating apparatus, a feed pipe and a refrigerating pipe, and a
coupling uniting said pipes having two separate valves to control the flow of
refrigerating agent from one pipe to the other, and a plugged opening in said
coupling for supplying the refrigerating agent, substantially as described.
7. A refrigerating apparatus comprising a refrigerating device, such as a coil of
pipe, a refrigerant receptacle from which the refrigerant is forced by accumulated
pressure therein into the refrigerating device, a condensing pump having a chamber
below its pistons, into which chamber the spent gas from the refrigerating device is
discharged and whence it is taken by the pump and compressed, a condensing and
cooling chamber above which the refrigerating device and the pump are arranged
and in which is submerged the refrigerant receptacle, a coiled pipe conveying the
compressed gas from the pump through the condensing and cooling chamber into
the refrigerant receptacle, and a hydraulic motor whose waste water discharges
into the cooling and condensing chamber, substantially as described.
8. An automatic refrigerating apparatus, comprising a refrigerating device, such
as a coil of pipe, a refrigerant receptacle from which the refrigerant is forced into
the refrigerating device, a condensing pump connected with the refrigerating device
and the refrigerant receptacle, a condensing and cooling chamber, and a hydraulic
motor adapted to receive its supply of motor fluid from city mains or other source
of water, the pressure of which is subject to periodical variation, and having the
connections between its valve and piston and the condensing pump constructed
substantially as described, to overcome a dead center, and thereby cause the motor
to run upon the restoration of pressure after such pressure has been diminished or
cut off, thus automatically running the apparatus, substantially as described..
Dated this 12th day of May 1892.
ALEXANDER THOMPSON BALLANTINE.