Abstract: A hot gas defrost system for a refrigeration cycle, including at least a compressor, reversing valve, condenser and evaporator. During defrost, the reversing valve directs the superheated refrigerant from the compressor to the evaporator. The hot gas traverses the evaporator coil which, in turn, causes the ice or frost to melt. The hot gas defrost refrigeration system may also include a receiver to store the refrigerant during the refrigeration and defrost cycles.

Abstract: A hot gas defrost system for a refrigeration cycle, including at least a compressor, reversing valve, condenser and evaporator. During defrost, the reversing valve directs the superheated refrigerant from the compressor to the evaporator. The hot gas traverses the evaporator coil which, in turn, causes the ice or frost to melt. The hot gas defrost refrigeration system may also include a receiver to store the refrigerant during the refrigeration and defrost cycles.

Abstract: A refrigeration system is provided with a receiver and a plate attached to the mouth of the outlet tube of the receiver to prevent the formation of a liquid refrigerant vortex. The mouth of the receiver outlet tube has an enlarged cross-sectional area to decrease the velocity of the liquid entering the tube. A deflector for vertical receiver applications interrupts refrigerant downward flow from the receiver inlet to prevent bubble formation in the liquid.

Abstract: An improvement in a fin and tube heat exchanger of the type used in condensers, evaporators, and fluid coolers in refrigeration systems and the like. The fin and tube heat exchanger comprises at least one coil including fins, tubes and a support. The improved fin and tube heat exchanger has no end plates or center plates by which typically the coils are supported, but the coil of the improved fin and tube heat exchanger is supported solely by the fins thereof resting on the support. The fins of the coils are typically straight along the lower edges thereof from end to end, but alternatively may be notched and a flange formed adjacent each notch to rest upon the support with the support being received in the notch.

Abstract: A refrigerator display case having a plurality of insulated glass window panels mounted in side-by-side relation for pivotal movement about an upper horizontal pivot axis. Each of the window panels has a substantially all glass front appearance, unencumbered by external hardware, trim or moldings. To achieve such appearance, the upper spacer element of the window panel is in the form of a pivot bar completely concealed by an outer glass pane of the panel, but which has an exposed underside mounting surface to which a hinge plate is connected. Each window panel has side sealing members secured to respective side spacers and with a blade portion extending outwardly from the peripheral edges of the glass panes of the window panel for side-by-side sealing engagement with the side sealing members of adjacent window panels when the window panels are in a closed position.

Abstract: A commercial refrigerator cabinet is illuminated by fluorescent lamps which are located closely behind insulated glass doors for closing the cabinet. Each lamp is located behind a reflector and is at least partially enclosed by a clear plastic lens having multiple facets on its inner side. The reflector and the lens cause the light emitted from the lamp to reflect and refract in such a manner as to distribute the light substantially uniformly on products located at various distances from the lamp and to reduce glare in the immediate vicinity of the lamp.

Abstract: A multi-pane insulated glass door assembly in which the forward pane of the glass unit extends outwardly a greater distance than the panes rearwardly thereof and is supported by an outer metal frame having a relatively narrow forwardly extending perimeter portion adjacent the peripheral edge of the forward glass pane so as to provide the door with a modernistic, substantially all glass front appearance. In one embodiment, the outer metal frame has a rear portion extending inwardly behind the forward glass pane and a molding is interposed between the forwardly extending perimeter portion of the metal frame and the peripheral edge of the forward glass pane to provide a finished appearance. A dark ink is affixed to an inside peripheral face of the forward glass pane for masking the peripheral components of the door assembly from sight through the forward glass pane from the front side thereof.

Abstract: A device for automatically holding a refrigerator door releasably in a fully open position relative to a refrigerated display cabinet. The device includes an elongated spring arm connected pivotally to a frame member of the cabinet and formed with an elongated slot which receives a pin connected to a frame member of the door. The pin slides in the slot and causes the arm to pivot outwardly as the door is swung open. As the door approaches its fully open position, the pin cams past detent lugs in the slot and then engages the lugs to prevent the door from closing unless the door is swung closed with sufficient force to cause the pin to cam reversely past the detent lugs.

Abstract: A vent plate is attached to the bottom frame member of a door mounting frame of the insulated door assembly of a refrigerator unit. The vent plate includes passages which enable ambient air to be drawn into the cabinet of the refrigerator unit at a controlled location in order to avoid frost build up.

Abstract: A gas spring is connected between a cabinet and a lift-top lid and releasably holds the lid upwardly in a fully open position with respect to the cabinet. Gravity automatically pivots a safety latch into latching relation with the cylinder of the gas spring as the lid approaches its fully open position. If the gas spring loses pressure, the latch operably engages the cylinder to mechanically hold the lid in its fully open position and to prevent the lid from falling toward its closed position.

Abstract: A header machine for drilling specified hole patterns in pipe and for cutting the pipe to a specified length to form headers for use in heat transfer products. The header machine includes hold clamps for selectively holding the pipe during the processing of the pipe and feed clamps for selectively holding the pipe during the feeding thereof through the header machine. The feed clamps are mounted on a feed carriage which is movably mounted for movement forwardly and rearwardly. The feed carriage is driven by a stepper motor operably coupled to the feed carriage for moving the feed carriage and the pipe endwise to various drilling positions. The header machine also includes a spud drill for drilling spud holes in the pipe, a connection drill for drilling connection holes in the pipe, a circular saw for cutting the pipe to a specified length, and provisions for making double circuit patterns of the spud hole.

Abstract: A mechanical expander for tubing for heat transfer products. The tubing expander includes one or more elongated rods, each having an enlargement on the forward end thereof for insertion into tubing to be expanded. The rods are supported on a carriage which in turn is slidably mount on a frame. The carriage is driven forwardly and rearwardly along the frame by a hydraulic motor operably coupled to the carriage by a continuous chain. Elongated tubes which are respectively fixedly attached to a cross member and which respectively partially surround the rods limit lateral or bowing movements of the rods. There are clamping jaws mounted on the frame for clampingly holding the ends of the tubing to be expanded.

Abstract: A refrigerator display cabinet having a front opening and a thermally insulated multiple-glass pane window panel mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis adjacent the upper marginal end of the window panel. The window panel has an internal solid spacer bar adjacent the upper marginal end thereof which permits secure clamping of the window panel by hinge supports without crushing or other damage to the window panel. The hinge supports have a relatively streamlined configuration, which, together with the substantially frameless window panel, provide an esthetic modernistic appearance.

Abstract: A multi-pane insulated glass door assembly in which the forward pane of the glass unit extends outwardly a greater distance than the panes rearwardly thereof and is supported by an outer metal frame having a relatively narrow forwardly extending perimeter portion adjacent the peripheral edge of the forward glass pane so as to provide the door with a modernistic, substantially all glass front appearance. In one embodiment, the outer metal frame has a rear portion extending inwardly behind the forward glass pane and a moulding is interposed between the forwardly extending perimeter portion of the metal frame and the peripheral edge of the forward glass pane to provide a finished appearance. A dark ink is affixed to an inside peripheral face of the forward glass pane for masking the peripheral components of the door assembly from sight through the forward glass pane from the front side thereof.

Abstract: A refrigerator door assembly having a door mounting cabinet frame which has a thermally efficient composite design comprising a non-metallic pultrusion-formed structural frame member and an outer metallic trim panel mountable on the structural frame member for providing the desired finished appearance, which may be made consistent with conventional commercial refrigerator and freezer door assemblies. The door mounting frame includes a mullion which also includes a pultrusion formed non-metallic structural element. A rigid plastic molding assembly encompasses the rear and sides of the structural frame members and define air insulating spaces about the frame members. The pultrusion formed frame members permit thermal insulated mounting of metallic accessories by ultrasonic welding methods.

Abstract: A multi-pane insulated glass door assembly in which the forward pane of the glass unit extends outwardly a greater distance than the panes rearwardly thereof and is supported by an outer metal frame having a relatively narrow forwardly extending perimeter portion adjacent the peripheral edge of the forward glass pane so as to provide the door with a modernistic, substantially all glass front appearance. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer metal frame has a rear portion extending inwardly behind the forward glass pane and a moulding is interposed between the forwardly extending perimeter portion of the metal frame and the peripheral edge of the forward glass pane to provide a finished appearance. A dark ink is affixed to an inside peripheral face of the forward glass pane for masking the peripheral components of the door assembly from sight through the forward glass pane from the front side thereof.

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet light fixture assembly comprising an elongated base with an electrical socket at each end thereof, an elongated bulb supported between the sockets, and a clear plastic tubular sleeve concentrically supported about the bulb for defining an air insulating space therebetween. A plurality of stabilizing members are mounted on the base member intermediate the ends of the tubular sleeve for engaging the tubular sleeve and preventing relative movement between the sleeve and bulb for enabling the sleeve to protect the bulb from damaging impact of forces striking the exterior of the sleeve. The stabilizing members each have a base fixed to the light fixture base member and an outwardly extending sleeve engaging arm mounted for pivotal movement between an operative tubular sleeve engaging and retaining position and a retracted position out of engagement with the tubular sleeve for permitting removal of the sleeve and bulb from the fixture.

Abstract: A multi-pane insulated glass door assembly in which the forward pane of the glass unit extends outwardly a greater than the panes rearwardly thereof and is supported by an outer metal frame having a relatively narrow forwardly extending perimeter portion adjacent the peripheral edge of the forward glass pane so as to provide the door with a modernistic, substantially all glass front appearance. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer metal frame has a rear portion extending inwardly behind the forward glass pane and a moulding is interposed between the forwardly extending perimeter portion of the metal frame and the peripheral edge of the forward glass pane to provide a finished appearance. A dark ink is affixed to an inside peripheral face of the forward glass pane for masking the peripheral components of the door assembly from sight through the forward glass pane from the front side thereof.

Abstract: A refrigerator door assembly mountable in an opening of a refrigerator cabinet including a door mounting cabinet frame having a front wall positionable against the cabinet adjacent the opening and a plurality of insulated glass doors mounted in the cabinet frame. The insulated glass doors each include an insulated glass unit and a door frame surrounding and supporting the periphery of the glass unit. Decorative trim panels, preferably made of plastic, are detachably mounted on the door and cabinet frames in overlapping relation to the front walls thereof for providing the desired finished appearance for the door assembly, which may be color coordinated with the decor of the room or commercial establishment in which the refrigerator is installed.

Abstract: A refrigerator door assembly having a door mounting frame with at least one mullion that includes a primary metallic structural frame member, a plastic insulating plate positioned adjacent a rear side of the primary structural frame member, a channel shaped frame member having forwardly directed legs engageable with the insulating plate, and fasteners interconnecting the first and channel shaped frame members with the insulating plate interposed therebetween. A magnetically attractable sealing plate is mounted forwardly on the mullion for defining a stop and sealing surface for the swinging ends of pivotably mounted doors. The mullion includes an insulating and sealing plate retaining assembly which supports the sealing plate in thermally isolated relation to the frame members and defines air insulating spaces adjacent the primary structural frame member.