Abstract: Drain water from a refrigerator flows to an evaporating plate located adjacent a compressor, so that heat from the compressor promotes the evaporation. A water spreader spreads the drain water as it reaches the evaporating plate to facilitate evaporation. Water which is not evaporated on the evaporating member gravitates to a container and is reabsorbed by the other evaporator member when the latter dries. The evaporator plate has ribs to efficiently use the heat received from the compressor.

Abstract: A mullion assembly includes a mullion rail and hot gas tube for preventing condensation on the mullion of a refrigerator/freezer. The mullion rail is rollformed of steel and includes complementary channels for retaining refrigerator and freezer liners. One of the channels includes an additional formed portion to accept and positively retain a hot gas tube in surface contact with a rear surface of a front wall of the mullion rail to provide acceptable heat transfer from the tube to the steel along the entire length of the mullion rail.

Abstract: A control circuit for a cool/heat pump in which two separate motors are utilized, each with a main winding and an auxiliary winding. A single dual rated capacitor is provided in series with the auxiliary windings and an alternating current line and a selectively operative switch, which may be in the form of a thermostat, is provided in series between one of the alternating current lines and a main winding of one of the motors to selectively terminate power to that main winding while maintaining power to both auxiliary windings and the main winding of the other motor. Such a control circuit allows a de-icing operation with the cool/heat pump working in a heating mode, without blowing cold air into the room which is to be heated.

Abstract: A compact, air cycle air conditioning system including compressor, turbine, heat exchanger and high speed electric motor is thermostatically controlled to supply either hot or cold conditioned air to a load air space. In a second arrangement, compact, exhaust gas driven air cycle air conditioning system including a compressor, turbine, two heat exchangers and an exhaust turbine is controlled by means of an exhaust gas bypass arrangement and supplies either hot or cold conditioned air to a load air space. In a third arrangement compact, exhasut gas driven air cycle air conditioning system includes an expansion turbine, two compressors, two heat exchangers and an exhaust turbine which is preferably controlled by means of an exhaust gas bypass arrangement and supplies either hot or cold conditioning air to a load air space.

Abstract: The combination of a refrigerator cabinet, a hot refrigerant loop conduit passing through an opening in a peripheral wall of the cabinet and a grommet shielding the conduit from the edge of metal around the opening. The grommet, formed by a pair of molded body elements joined by an integral hinge, includes a pair of passages receiving portions of the conduit. Resilient rings extend into the passages and engage the conduit to preclude escape of foam insulation through the passages. An outwardly diverging mandrel extends from the refrigerated compartment end of each passage. A sealing lip projects outwardly from the grommet body and inclines toward the housing wall. Resilient fingers extend from the grommet body and have distal ends which overlap the distal edge of the sealing lip. The distal ends of the fingers and distal edge of the sealing lip engage opposite sides of the peripheral wall so the lip seals against leakage of foam through the opening.

Abstract: A beverage merchandiser for refrigerating and displaying single-serving containers disposed on gravity feed shelves has a refrigerated compartment accessed by sliding, multi-pane glass panel doors mounted on rollers engaging side-by-side overhead tracks. An evaporator is disposed inside the refrigerated compartment near the top and rear walls of same and is configured with a shallow height relative to the depth of the evaporator to save space. A duct panel forms a duct along the top wall of the refrigerated compartment to direct cooled air from the evaporator toward the product nearest the doors of the merchandiser to keep this product cool, since it is the next-to-be-purchased product. The glass panes of the doors are kept defogged by a defogging mechanism. One of the defogging mechanisms uses air warmed in a housing for the condenser and compressor and provides same to a slot oriented in a grill, which is disposed beneath the bottom edge of the doors.

Abstract: A cabinet assembly for a refrigerator having two top front corners. The cabinet has an outer sheet metal shell having a top panel, side panels and a front face. The front face is formed to provide a first U-shaped portion and a second U-shaped portion with a groove area in the second U-shaped portion. There is a brace located at each of the two top front corners of the cabinet and each has two joined sections at right angles to each other and each section is formed as an inwardly open U-shaped channel having a base, a first leg and a second leg spaced apart and integrally joined to the base. The brace has at least one resilient hook shaped latch element on each of the two joined sections. The latch elements extend from the first leg beyond the base and engage the second U-shaped portion in the groove area to secure the brace to the outer metal shell.

Abstract: Heat transfer between metal surfaces warmed by a condenser yoder loop and the storage compartments of a refrigerator is prevented by forming a longitudinal rib around the outwardly extending flanges of the compartment liners, whereby engagement of the external surfaces of the ribs by the door gaskets form positive heat transfer barriers between the warm metal surfaces and the interiors of the compartments.

Abstract: A method of assembling an anti-sweat heater in a refrigerator cabinet having an outer sheet metal shell with side panels and a front face. The front face has a U-shaped portion formed with a groove and first, second and third walls in spaced parallel planes with the third wall bent at a right angle to form a flange having a free terminal edge. An anti-sweat header retainer member is formed from sheet metal and has a body portion, a first end portion having three spaced legs, and a second end portion also having three spaced legs with free termial ends. The center leg of the second end portion has a depending tang portion and each of the side legs of the second end portion have a reverse bend portion open in the direction of the tang portion of the center leg. The anti-sweat heater is placed near a corner in the outer metal shell and the anti-sweat heater retainer member is inserted into the outer wall and the legs of the first end portion of the retainer member are positioned to grip the flange.

Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus includes a compressor, a condenser, a capillary and an evaporator. A bypass conduit with a valve is arranged so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor will bypass at least the condenser and the capillary so as to return to the inlet side of the compressor. The pressure or the temperature of the refrigerant in the apparatus is sensed by a sensor. When the sensed value is less than a prescribed value, the valve is opened to return the hot gas to the compressor. The compressor is driven for elevating its temperature.

Abstract: An air conditioner having a defrosting mode of operation is disclosed, in which an outdoor heat exchanger is divided into two heat exchanger units juxtaposed in tandem with each other along the direction of air passage. In defrosting mode, a part of the refrigerant from the compressor is supplied to the upstream outdoor heat exchanger unit deposited with frost, and the rest of the high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger to maintain the room temperature.

Abstract: A cabinet assembly for a refrigerator having a freezer compartment on top, a fresh food compartment on the bottom and a hot liquid anti-sweat loop. The cabinet assembly outer sheet metal shell has a top panel, side panels and a front face with the front face formed to provide a first U-shaped portion which includes a first outer wall perpendicular to the side panel to form a corner and a second inner wall spaced from the first outer wall and both walls being connected by a first reverse bend portion. The second inner wall being reversely bent to form a third wall and provide a second U-shaped portion formed between the second inner wall and the third wall. The first, second and third walls being in spaced parallel planes and the third wall being bent at a right angle to form a flange having a free edge.

Abstract: A coin-operated vending machine for bottles or cans of a moderate capacity, including a plurality of side-by-side storage chutes for feeding bottles or cans to openings in the front wall of the vending machine and a cradle in each of the openings forming a row of adjacent cradles for receiving the bottles or cans from the chutes. A refrigeration system directs chilled air by convection toward the next-to-be-vended cans in each of the cradles. The chilled air is directed by an air foil toward the cradles and the cradles have stand-off ribs therein to permit the free flow of chilled air under and around the next-to-be-vended cans.

Abstract: A cabinet for cooling goods, e.g., flowers having a cooling system and an open space for freely exhibiting goods such as cut-flowers, a large amount of air is cooled, so that much moisture is set free. The invention provides a solution for a simple evacuation of the moisture by providing absorption means absorbing said moisture.

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet basically comprises the body of cabinet, an outer box, an inner box and a heat insulating layer filled in a space formed between the boxes, characterized in that the outer box comprises a top wall and both side walls formed by bending one steel sheet previously coated with paint and further flanges reinforced by a reinforcing member without calking and rivetting, the reinforcing member being engaged with and supported by the groove formed in the flange. Since the reinforcing member roughly L-shaped can be installed by inserting work thereof, it offers excellent workability. In addition, because the reinforcing member is arranged tightly along the inside surface of the groove, it will not interfere with the operation of inserting the high temperature cooling medium pipe of the refrigerating cycle into groove and offer excellent operability.

Abstract: A vertical column type evaporator for ice manufacture formed of inner and outer tubular members defining an evporation chamber has separate refrigerant and hot gas lines extending into the bottom region of the evaporator and has a suction line at the top region. A conduit connecting a discharge of a compressor to an expansion valve leading to the refrigerant line is wrapped around an upper exterior end of an outer tubular member of the chamber. The upper end of the chamber is thereby preheated by compressed refrigerant in the conduit wrap so that ice formed along upper wall portions in the evaporator chamber is rapidly released during the ice harvesting cycle.

Abstract: A cooling method and a system therefor to remove sensible heat of a whole room to be cooled installed with a cooler of an absorption refrigerator utilizing a heating medium, and to dehumidify air of the room by utilizing thermal energy of the heating medium for regenerating the dehumidifying function of the dehumidifier. The cooling system includes an absorption refrigerator utilizing a heating medium heated by solar heat, a cooler having a relatively large panel area exposed to a room, a dehumidifier for dehumidifying indoor air by utilizing the thermal energy of the heating medium heated by solar heat, and an outlet element for blowing dehumidified air coming from the dehumidifier to the cooler.

Abstract: There is provided a method of assembling an anti-sweat heater in a refrigerator cabinet that includes forming the outer case of the cabinet with a sidewall and front face having a right angle corner therebetween and a flange spaced from the corner and inwardly turned from the front face with a depending lip extending towards and spaced from the cabinet sidewall. A heater retainer member is formed and has a portion thereof in cross section view with a front end shaped to receive the heater, a straight center section and two flexible wings, one on each side of the center section and diverging from the center section away from the front end, and also a rear end. The anti-sweat heater is placed in the front end of the retainer member and the heater and front end and center section including the wings of the retainer member are inserted through the space between the depending lip of the flange and the cabinet sidewall.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an improved supporting base for refrigeration condensing units which is non-corrosive and includes integral provisions for securing different size refrigeration compressors and associated condensers, as well as an optional receiver. The supporting base also includes a condensate receiving reservoir and means for holding the compressor discharge line beneath the level of condensate therein. The mounting provisions are designed to position the condenser and compressor above the maximum condensate level so as to reduce the likelihood of resulting corrosion thereof and to effectively prevent condensate leakage therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defrosting or removing ice from the outside of the evaporator of a refrigerator or heat pump. An additional inventory of refrigerant in thermal communication with a thermal mass is pressurized to substantially the same pressure as the condenser. After the compressor is deactivated at the end of a cooling cycle, a valve separating the inventory and evaporator is opened whereby the respective pressures rapidly equalize to an intermediate pressure. The inventory of refrigerant boils in the reduced pressure thereby drawing heat from the thermal mass to support the process. The vaporized refrigerant flows through the valve to the evaporator and condenses in the relatively cool environment. The heat given off by the condensation process melts ice on the outside of the evaporator.

Abstract: A vapor compression heating/cooling system and method of operation having improved Coefficient of Performance and Capacity. Post-condenser liquid is cooled in a subcooler coil by a stream of air. One embodiment provides a warming machine or heat pump in which the condenser coil is within a volume to be warmed and the evaporator coil is on the outside exposed to ambient air. A stream of ambient air is pumped in heat exchange relationship with the subcooler coil to recover and expel heat from the coil into the volume. Where the volume comprises the interior of a house or other building structure the stream of air from the subcooler creates an over pressure within the volume to minimize infiltration of ambient air. In another embodiment the system is employed for refrigerating a volume such as a reefer trailer or other mobile compartment. The evaporator coil is within the compartment and the condenser coil is outside the compartment exposed to ambient air.

Abstract: An open top refrigerated display case having an ambient air automatic defrost system and a method of operating such a case. A single air conduit extends in a U-shaped formation along opposing side walls and the bottom wall of the display case. The air conduit has openings at both ends in the location of the upper portions of the side walls. Arranged within the air conduit is at least one reversible fan and a set of refrigeration coils. During a refrigeration cycle the fan circulates air through the air conduit in a first direction towards the refrigeration coils. When frost buildup within the display case has reached a certain level, the system is switched to a defrost cycle. During the defrost cycle, the fan circulates the air in the opposite direction through the air conduit and draws in ambient air from outside of the display case. Since such ambient air is of a higher temperature than the normally refrigerated air, it serves to defrost the system.

Abstract: A water condensate recovery device for use in a refrigeration system. The device comprises a condensate compartment for receiving condensate water therein. A heat transfer conduit is provided in the condensate compartment through which refrigerant fluid from a compressor flows for cooling therein by the condensate water. Aperture means is provided with the condensate compartment to permit escape of vapor caused by evaporation of condensate water therein during heat transfer between the refrigerant fluid in the heat transfer conduit and the condensate water. The condensate compartment permits disposal of the condensate water by evaporation and simultaneously reduces the discharge pressure of the compressor by cooling the refrigerant fluid from the compressor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for improving the efficiency of a heat pump for transferring heat and cold between two separate fluid streams, in which, during heating operation, the cooling medium is heated before decompression by the Joule's heat released upon compression. According to a preferred embodiment, prior to this heating by Joule's heat, the cooling medium is cooled by heat exchange with the fluid stream used for evaporation, which fluid stream is simultaneously heated.

Abstract: A refrigerated case having an access opening for access to the interior of the case by customers in a store where the case is used. Ducts are provided in the case for circulating refrigerated air across the access opening from a discharge opening at one end of the access opening to a return aperture at the other end of the access opening. The refrigeration system used in the case includes at least one conduit carrying refrigerant at a temperature higher than that of the air bands. At least a portion of this conduit is located adjacent the discharge opening to raise the temperature of the case in the vicinity of the discharge opening sufficiently to impede the accumulation of frost.

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet having a chamber divided by a mullion into a freezer and fresh food compartment, each having a front door open. Arranged in the mullion and front door opening of the freezer is auxiliary liquid line loop arrangement whichprevents condensation from forming on the freezer front door openings. A valve is provided in the auxiliary line arrangement for controlling flow through the auxiliary liquid line in response to the ambient relative humidity conditions.

Abstract: A heat transfer loop is continuously supplied with hot refrigerant at high pressure from the compressor of a refrigeration system and disposed in contact with evaporator piping to minimize the accumulation of frost thereon.

Abstract: An ice-making heat pump system is disclosed which includes a number of evaporator freezing plates, each of the plates having two fluid passageways therein. One of the passageways is arranged to conduct boiling refrigerant fluid for freezing water on the surfaces of the plate. The other passageway is arranged to conduct warm condensed refrigerant for harvesting ice formed on the plate surface. A fluid valve arrangement is also provided to connect the plates with the rest of the system so that ice can be selectively formed and released from the outer surfaces of the freezing plates.

Abstract: A vertical shell and tube icemaker wherein the refrigerant surrounds tubes within which ice is made, and the freezing refrigerant outlet is positioned below the defrost refrigerant outlet to expedite release of ice during defrosting, the system employing liquid refrigerant obtained by continuous flow from the receiver for defrosting. Water is supplied around the upper ends of the tubes for maintaining a vertical stream flow which is distributed around the inner circumference of each tube.

Abstract: An anti-sweat refrigerator cabinet warming device including a secondary refrigerant loop heat transfer arrangement extending through the refrigerator cabinet to warm those portions which have a tendency to form condensate on the exterior surfaces. The secondary loop is warmed by thermal contact with the condenser loop of the refrigeration system, which thermal contact is selectively controllable by positioning of a control member to position a section of the secondary loop and the condenser loop into and out of thermal contact. This is accomplished by a clamp acting on the loop sections, operated by a manual control lever to allow the selective operation of the heat transfer device. This allows power conservation when the warming of the cabinet is not required to prevent condensate formation. The clamping device is designed to maximize the transfer of heat from the condenser loop section into the secondary loop section when the cabinet is being warmed.

Abstract: An ice cube freezing arrangement in an absorption type refrigerator having conduit means conducting hot vapors from a vapor conduit leading from the boiler system to the ice dividing walls and tray for ice cubes. The vapor conduit is normally blocked but opened occasionally in order to release the ice cubes from the tray. Thus, ice cubes are manufactured with relatively small energy consumption. The control system for ice freezing is completely internal in the refrigerator, which controls the ice making, ice releasing, and the water supply to the ice making device.

Abstract: A vehicle eutectic plate refrigeration system provides simultaneous defrosting of part of the plate exterior surface, all of the secondary heat transfer surface and freezing of the eutectic solution within the plate. This system thus preserves sufficient space for air passage, which otherwise would be blocked by frost and ice. The system utilizes the normally rejected heat to perform a defrosting function and utilizes the ice and frost to perform the refrigerant condensing function. Hot gas from the compressor is diverted through the defrost coil where the refrigerant is for the most part condensed before it is passed through the condenser. The liquid refrigerant from the condenser is then used to freeze the eutectic solution within the plate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved defrosting system in a compression refrigerator. According to this invention there is provided a defrosting system in which the liquid-phase refrigerant is extracted from upstream of the expansion valve to a defrosting tank which is maintained at an elevated temperature high enough to cause the refrigerant to change from the liquid to vapor phase, and the now vapor-phase refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator where the refrigerant lose its heat in changing from the vapor to liquid phase, and the now liquid-phase refrigerant returns to the defrosting tank. The refrigerant circulates until the evaporator has been completely defrosted.

Abstract: A refrigerating fluid which has passed through the cooler of a refrigerating apparatus during the defrosting cycle and is thus partially liquid and partially gaseous, is fed under pressure into a heat exchanger containing a radiator and a plurality of expansion tanks. The refrigerating fluid in the combined gaseous and liquid state is fed into the evaporating tank about which hotter air is circulated by means of an air circulating fan which causes warm air coming from the radiator to be circulated about the tanks, thus causing an increase in temperature of the fluid causing it to evaporate and leaving no remaining liquid as the fluid leaves the evaporating tanks. The gaseous fluid is then directed to the compressor by which it is fed into a radiator where it tends to heat the radiator, thus providing the warm air for circulation over the evaporator tank.

Abstract: The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is directed to a new and improved method and apparatus for preventing condensation from forming about refrigerator and freezer doors. Warm air produced by the compressor of a refrigerator or freezer unit is channeled either directly or indirectly therefrom to flow vertically along the peripheral sealed edges of the freezer door to prevent condensation from developing therealong. The heated air from the compressor is directed through a vent or outlet port formed in a kick plate or through outlets formed in the housing at a location near the bottom vertical edges of the door. This will provide vertical columns of warm air to flow therealong and prevent condensation.

Abstract: A refrigerating device has a housing including at least one storage compartment. A cooling apparatus including an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser is accommodated in the base of the housing, the evaporator being surrounded by a casing of a thermally conductive material in good thermal contact with the evaporator. The casing separates a passage for circulating a stream of air to be cooled from an additional passage through which an additional stream of air is intermittently passed, after being conducted past or through the condenser or compressor of the cooling apparatus and being heated thereby, the heated additional stream of air defrosting the evaporator. The intermittent passage of the stream of hot air is controlled by deviating flap valves which may be insulated, the position of the flap valves being controlled in dependence on operating parameters of the cooling apparatus.

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet having a one-piece plastic liner wherein the liner is divided by a vertically extending partition into side-by-side compartments with the front face of the partition defining a center vertical mullion provided with a condensation preventing condenser hot gas tube reverse mullion loop, integral with the hot gas tube outer loop installed into the cabinet shell peripheral flange, with the mullion loop extending upwardly from integral torsional portions adjacent the refrigerator shell bottom wall. During manufacture of the refrigerator the one-piece liner is installed by rotating the mullion loop approximately 90.degree. out of the plane of the cabinet shell front access opening by twisting the condenser tube about the torsional portions thereby clearing the access opening for insertion of the one-piece liner. After placing the liner into the cabinet shell the loop is returned to the plane of the front access opening for retention in the mullion.

Abstract: An open top refrigerated display case having an ambient air automatic defrost system and a method of operating such a case. A single air conduit extends in a U-shaped formation along opposing side walls and the bottom wall of the display case. The air conduit has openings at both ends in the location of the upper portions of the side walls. Arranged within the air conduit is at least one reversible fan and a set of refrigeration coils. During a refrigeration cycle the fan circulates air through the air conduit in a first direction towards the refrigeration coils. When frost buildup within the display case has reached a certain level, the system is switched to a defrost cycle. During the defrost cycle, the fan circulates the air in the opposite direction through the air conduit and draws in ambient air from outside of the display case. Since such ambient air is of a higher temperature than the normally refrigerated air, it serves to defrost the system.