U.S. patent application number 10/499757 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-05 for refrigeration system with a plate-type condenser and method for compacting it.
Invention is credited to Pereira, Roberto Horn, Vollrath, Ingwald.
Application Number | 20050092011 10/499757 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 3948217 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050092011 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pereira, Roberto Horn ; et
al. |
May 5, 2005 |
Refrigeration system with a plate-type condenser and method for
compacting it
Abstract
A refrigeration system with a plate-type condenser and a method
for compacting it, to be applied to a refrigeration appliance
presenting a compressor mounted in a hermetic shell (10), an
evaporator coil (60), and a plate-type condenser (20). The
refrigerant fluid coming from the compressor is supplied to a
condenser tube (30), which is formed on a lower plate section (20a)
and on an upper plate section (20b) of the condenser (20) and
extends from the bottom to the top and back to the bottom. After
manufacture, the lower plate section (20a) and the upper plate
section (20b) are placed one over the other, the evaporator coil
(60) is positioned by a suction tube (70) connected to the
compressor.
Inventors: |
Pereira, Roberto Horn;
(Joinville, BR) ; Vollrath, Ingwald; (Joinville,
BR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY P.C.
P. O. BOX 5257
NEW YORK
NY
10150-5257
US
|
Family ID: |
3948217 |
Appl. No.: |
10/499757 |
Filed: |
July 26, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
December 17, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/BR02/00187 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/298 ;
62/498 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 19/00 20130101;
F25D 2400/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/298 ;
062/498 |
International
Class: |
F25D 019/00; F25B
001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 27, 2001 |
BR |
PI 0106589.0 |
Claims
1. A refrigeration system including a compressor provided in a
hermetic shell (10), having a discharge tube (12) for the
high-pressure refrigerant fluid, which is supplied to a condenser
tube (30) of a plate-type condenser 20 for transferring heat and
then conducted to an evaporator coil (60) presenting a suction tube
(70) that returns to a suction inlet (14) of the compressor,
characterized in that the plate-type condenser (20) comprises a
lower plate section (20a) and an upper plate section (20b) with a
spacing (21) therebetween, onto which sections the condenser tube
(30) is mounted in an entwined coil pattern, the lower plate
section 20a and the upper plate section 20b, in a condition of the
refrigeration system, being positioned one over the other in the
same vertical plane, with the evaporator coil (60) being held by
the suction tube (70) at or above the upper plate section (20b),
and, in a second condition for reducing the dimension of the
refrigeration system, the suction tube (70) is curved in order to
lower the evaporator coil (60) that will be placed above the
hermetic shell (10) and below the upper end of the lower plate
section (20a), with the upper plate section (20b) being downwardly
bent.
2. The system as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that, in
the second condition, the upper plate section (20b) is rearwardly
bent to be substantially parallel to the lower plate section
(20a).
3. The system as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that, in
the second condition, the upper plate section (20b) is bent to be
substantially perpendicular to the lower plate section (20a) and to
overlap the evaporator coil (60).
4. The system as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the
condenser tube (30) on the lower plate section (20a) and on the
upper plate section (20b) is formed with a first segment upwardly
extending from the compressor, towards the top of the upper plate
section (20b), and by a second segment downwardly extending toward
the lower end of the lower plate section (20a), the median regions
(31) of each of said first and second segments of the condenser
tube (30), which are positioned across the spacing (21) between the
lower plate section (20a) and an upper plate section (20b), being
generally parallel.
5. The system as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that it
comprises a capillary tube (50) extending from the lower end of the
lower plate section (20a) to the evaporator coil (60), and in said
first condition of the refrigeration system, the suction tube (70)
and the capillary tube are curved to allow the evaporator coil (60)
to be lowered.
6. The system as set forth in claim 5, characterized in that the
suction tube (70) and the capillary tube (50) are curved in the
form of a coil, which is provided above the hermetic shell (10) and
below the upper end of the lower plate section (20a).
7. Method to reduce the dimension of a refrigeration system
including a compressor provided in a hermetic shell (10), having a
discharge tube (12) for the high-pressure refrigerant, which is
supplied to a condenser tube (30) of a plate-type condenser (20)
for heat absorption, and thence to a capillary tube (50) and
subsequently to an evaporator coil (50), and then to an evaporator
coil (60) presenting a suction tube (70) which returns to a suction
inlet of the compressor, characterized in that comprises the steps
of: forming the plate-type condenser (20) with a lower plate
section (20a) and an upper plate section (20b) with a spacing (21)
therebetween; mounting the condenser tube (30) on the lower plate
section (20a) and on the upper plate section (20b) in an entwined
coil pattern; positioning, in a first condition of the
refrigeration system, the lower plate section (20a) and the upper
plate section (20b) one over the other in the same vertical plane
and affixing the evaporator coil (60) through the suction tube (70)
at or above the upper plate section (20b); and reducing, in a
second condition of the refrigeration system, the dimension of said
system, by curving the suction tube (70) in order to lower the
evaporator coil (60) to a position above the hermetic shell (10)
and below the upper end of the lower plate section (20a) downwardly
bending the upper plate section (20b).
8. The method as set forth in claim 7, characterized in that, in
the second condition, the upper plate section (20b) is rearwardly
bent in order to stay substantially parallel to the lower plate
section (20a).
9. The method as set forth in claim 7, characterized in that, in
the second condition, the upper plate section (20b) is bent to
remain substantially perpendicular to the lower plate section (20a)
and to overlap the evaporator coil (60).
10. The method as set forth in claim 7, characterized in that the
condenser tube (30) on the lower plate section (20a) and on the
upper plate section (20b) is formed with the first segment
extending over the compressor, toward the top of the upper plate
section (20b), and with the second segment downwardly extending
toward the lower end of the lower plate section (20a), the median
regions (31) of the first and the second segments of the condenser
tube (30), which are provided across the spacing (21) between the
lower plate section (20a) and the upper plate section (20b), being
generally parallel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention refers to a refrigeration system,
which includes a plate-type condenser manufactured in different
sections, in order to make the system more compact for handling and
shipping. The present invention further refers to a method to make
said system more compact.
PRIOR ART
[0002] Refrigeration systems formed by a compressor, an evaporator,
a condenser, and other necessary components are well known. Such
systems are used in several types of appliances for commercial and
residential use, such as refrigerators, freezers, air-conditioners,
and other cooling devices. Most refrigeration systems usually work,
compressing a refrigerant fluid in the vapor state in a compressor,
said refrigerant fluid subsequently transferring the heat to an
external environment through a condenser, returning to the liquid
state. The refrigerant fluid in the liquid state passes through an
expansion device and, immediately after, in an evaporator,
returning to the compressor in the vapor form.
[0003] Upon passing through the evaporator, the refrigerant fluid
removes the heat from the surrounding atmosphere, such as the
interior of a refrigerator cabinet, in order to cool that
atmosphere. The refrigerant fluid flow is generally defined by
controlling the operation of the compressor, that is, turning on
and off the compressor as a function of the temperature of the area
to be cooled. This is usually controlled by a device, such as a
thermostat.
[0004] A condenser for such a type of refrigeration system is
usually formed by a tube made of an adequate material, such as
copper, which is bent in turns in order to define an elongated coil
pattern. A refrigeration system, such as that shown in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,881,567 uses a plate-type condenser, in which the coil shaped
condenser tube is incorporated in a single metallic plate, which is
mounted to the bottom of a refrigerator cabinet, serving as a
structural element for the cabinet. The refrigeration capacity of
the appliance dictates the specifications of the refrigeration
system. Thus, a device with a high refrigeration capacity will
correspondingly require a refrigeration system with a high
capacity, which, on its turn, will require a large condenser.
[0005] In general, the manufacture and assembly of the parts of a
refrigeration appliance are accomplished in different locations.
For example, the refrigeration system can be produced in a factory
in one location and then transported to another factory in a
distinct location, where it will be mounted in a cabinet to form
the final version of the refrigeration appliance, which will be
later delivered to a consumer. When the refrigeration system is of
the type that has a plate-type condenser, a practical problem
appears, resulting from the fact that the dimension of the
condenser is relatively large, making the transportation of the
system more difficult and increasing the transportation costs of
the refrigeration system from one place to the other. Accordingly,
there is a need to provide a refrigeration system with a plate-type
condenser, which can be more compact for handling and shipping, and
which can be easily returned to its condition prepared for the
final use in a refrigeration appliance.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is a generic object of the present invention to provide a
refrigeration system having a plate-type condenser and an
evaporator coil supported by an elongated suction tube connected to
the compressor of the refrigeration system, in which the dimension
of the latter can be reduced, by displacing part of the plate-type
condenser and of the suction tube, in order to lower the position
of the evaporator coil, so as to make easier and more efficient
both the handling and the shipping of the refrigeration system.
[0007] It is a further object of the invention to provide a method
for compacting said refrigeration system for its storage and
transportation and prior to the assembly thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to the invention, a refrigeration system is
provided, comprising the usual components of a compressor mounted
in a hermetic shell; an evaporator coil; and a condenser. The
condenser is of the plate type, formed by a lower plate section and
an upper plate section that are spaced from each other. The
high-pressure refrigerant fluid discharged from the compressor is
supplied to a condenser tube, which is formed on the lower and on
the upper plate sections, in a coil type pattern from the bottom to
the top and back to the bottom. In a final manufacturing step and
when the present refrigeration system is in a condition of use, the
plate sections of the condenser lie on the same vertical plane one
over the other, with the upper section being disposed over the
compressor shell.
[0009] An evaporator, which is formed by a tube that is wound like
a coil in a generally cylindrical form, is positioned above the
upper plate section of the condenser, transversally to the lower
and upper plate sections. The evaporator coil receives the
refrigerant fluid from the condenser through a capillary tube,
extending from the lower part of the lower plate section to the
evaporator coil. An elongated suction tube extends from the
evaporator coil along the height of the lower and upper plate
sections of the condenser, back to the compressor for admission of
the refrigerant fluid that will be compressed. The suction tube is
obtained from an adequate material and presents the necessary
strength to support the evaporator coil when said coil is not
otherwise supported, as it occurs before its assembly in the
cabinet of the refrigeration appliance.
[0010] In order to reduce the general dimension of the
refrigeration system for handling and shipping, the capillary tube
and the suction tube are made of a material that allows bending,
said tubes being bent to a form that produces the lowering of the
evaporator coil from a position above the upper plate section of
the condenser to a position generally above the compressor shell,
preferably in a position below the upper end of the lower plate
section of the condenser. The upper plate section of the condenser
is then bent downwardly to reduce the total height of the
system.
[0011] In a first embodiment of the invention, the upper plate
section of the condenser is bent rearwardly, in order to lie
parallel to the lower plate section. In a second embodiment, the
upper plate section is bent so as to lie transversal to the lower
plate section, overlapping the evaporator coil. Both embodiments of
the invention reduce the total dimension of the refrigeration
system as a whole, making it easier to handle and its
transportation more efficient and less expensive.
[0012] When the system, received in the compact form, is conducted
to be mounted in the cabinet of the refrigeration appliance, the
upper plate section is bent back to its original position, and the
suction tube and the capillary tube are straightened, in order to
elevate the evaporator coil and arrange all components in an
adequate position to be mounted in the cabinet of the refrigeration
appliance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The invention will be described below, with reference to the
enclosed drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front elevational perspective view of a
refrigeration system, illustrated in the condition to be used in
the refrigeration system, and which also represents the final
condition of the manufacturing process;
[0015] FIGS. 2 and 3 are front elevational perspective views,
showing the refrigeration system in different dimension compaction
steps, according to a first embodiment of the invention; and
[0016] FIGS. 4 and 5 are, respectively, front and bottom
perspective views of the refrigeration system illustrated in a
final compaction step, according to a second embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a refrigeration system having the usual
conventional components, but with a plate-type condenser
constructed according to the invention. The refrigeration system is
shown with a general arrangement of its components being positioned
in the form they are designed to be mounted in the cabinet of a
refrigeration appliance (not illustrated), and which also
represents the final form after the manufacturing steps and test
procedures. When mounted in the cabinet of the refrigeration
appliance, the several components are supported by the adequate
structural mounting members.
[0018] The system presents, at the bottom thereof, a compressor
with a conventional construction mounted in a hermetic shell 10,
which presents a mounting support 11, through which the hermetic
shell 10 is mounted in the cabinet of the refrigeration appliance.
The compressor compresses a high-pressure refrigerant fluid, which
is supplied to a discharge tube 12 mounted to the hermetic shell 10
and which leads to a plate-type condenser 20. The plate-type
condenser 20 is formed by a lower plate section 20a and an upper
plate section 20b with a spacing 21 therebetween. The lower plate
section 20a and the upper plate section 20b generally lie on the
same vertical plane and can have the same size, with the same width
and height, or with the height of the upper section 20b being
slightly smaller than that of the lower section 20a. The sections
20a and 20b are made of any adequate material, usually a galvanized
steel plate, to avoid corrosion. The lower plate section 20a and
the upper plate section 20b present holes 22 for the assembly
thereof to the cabinet of the refrigeration appliance.
[0019] A condenser tube 30, which is an extension of the discharge
tube 12 of the refrigerant fluid, is mounted to the lower plate
section 20a and to the upper plate section 20b of the plate-type
condenser 20 by any conventional means, such as clamps or other
types of fixation means. The condenser tube 30 is typically made of
copper, and it is formed in a coil pattern, with several alternate
small and large turns or loops, which have a first segment
extending upwardly, from the discharge tube 12 in the lower plate
section 20a through the spacing 21, and then to the upper end of
the upper plate section 20b. The condenser tube 30 continues, with
a second segment extending downwardly, in small and large alternate
turns or loops, which are entwined with the small and large turns
of the first segment, said second segment developing downwardly
again, toward the lower end of the upper plate section 20b, passing
through the spacing 21 and toward the lower end of the lower plate
section 20a. It should be noted that, in the spacing 21, the first
and the second segments of the condenser tube 30, extending
upwardly and downwardly, are close and substantially parallel to
each other in a median region 31.
[0020] The lower end of the condenser tube 30 is connected to the
inlet end of a drying filter 40, whose outlet end is connected to
the capillary tube 50 of a smaller diameter. The capillary tube 50
comprises a capillary tube coil 51 in its median portion to provide
expansion of the refrigerant fluid, with the capillary tube 50
being upwardly elongated, toward a point located at or above the
upper end of the upper plate section 20b, where the upper end of
the elongated capillary tube 50 is connected to the lower end inlet
of an evaporator coil 60, with a cylindrical development, which is
formed by a certain number of turns of a copper tube. The outlet of
the evaporator coil 60 is connected, by its upper end, with an
elongated suction tube 70, downwardly extending through the height
of the lower plate section 20a and the upper plate section 20b. The
suction tube 70 has its lower end connected to the hermetic shell
10 of the compressor, in order to supply the low pressure
refrigerant fluid back to the compressor in a suction inlet 14.
During the manufacturing period of the system, the suction tube 70
presents sufficient strength and rigidity to maintain the
evaporator coil 60 in the position illustrated in FIG. 1. When the
system is mounted in the cabinet of the refrigeration appliance,
the evaporator coil 60 will be mounted to another member.
[0021] In a conventional manner and as illustrated, the capillary
tube 50 has a smaller diameter and is made of a metal that is
softer than that of the suction tube 70. The materials of the
condenser tube 30, of the suction tube 70 and of the capillary tube
50 are selected so that they can be bent or curved at least twice
from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1: the first time, when the
system has its dimension reduced, and later, when the system has
its form reestablished to that one required to allow its assembly
to the refrigeration system, without damaging the integrity of the
deformed parts.
[0022] In the prior art, the plate-type condenser is made with a
single piece plate, so that the total dimension of the
refrigeration system cannot be made smaller than that corresponding
to the dimension of the single plate of the condenser. Thus, the
system would be bulky and rather difficult to handle and costly to
transport. By making the condenser in plate sections, as shown in
FIG. 1, the total dimension of the system can be reduced for an
easier and more efficient handling and for obtaining a more
economic transportation.
[0023] A first embodiment of the invention, which allows attaining
the desired result, is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 shows a
first step in the process for compacting the dimension of the
refrigeration system illustrated in FIG. 1 to a smaller size
assembly. As shown, the elongated suction tube 70 and the capillary
tube 50 were bent to form a coil with a generally circular single
turn, which is positioned parallel to the plane of symmetry of the
hermetic shell 10 of the compressor, and disposed slightly above
said hermetic shell 10, but below the upper end of the lower plate
section 20a. This causes the lowering of the evaporator coil 60 to
a position in which its top remains below the upper end of the
lower plate section 20a of the condenser 30. FIG. 3 shows the
second process of compaction, in which the upper plate section 20b
is downwardly bent about 180.degree. away from the upper plate
section 20a, such that its rear surface (without a condenser tube
30) faces the rear surface of the lower plate section 20a. Upon
curving the upper plate section 20b, the parts of the condenser
tube 30 in the spacing 21 between the lower plate section 20a and
the upper plate section 20b are bent, in order to allow said
curving to occur and that both parts 31 of the condenser tube 30,
which were in the spacing 21, be disposed at the top of the
compacted system. As seen, the dimension (total height) of the
refrigeration system is reduced, from the condition shown in FIG.
1, to that in which the only height is that of the lower plate
section 20a. This produces a substantial size reduction, making the
refrigeration system easier to handle and its shipping much more
economic.
[0024] When the system has to be mounted in the cabinet of the
refrigeration appliance, the upper plate section 20b is bent back
to its original position and the suction tube 70 and the capillary
tube 50 are straightened to elevate the evaporator coil 60. Thus,
all the components of the system are placed in the adequate
position to be mounted in the cabinet of the refrigeration
appliance.
[0025] FIGS. 4 and 5 show another embodiment of the invention, in
which the same reference numbers are used for similar components.
As it occurs in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the suction tube
70 and the capillary tube 50 are bent to such a shape that the
evaporator coil 60 is lowered to a position slightly above the
hermetic shell 10 of the compressor and similar to that shown in
FIG. 2. In this condition, the upper plate section 20b is forwardly
bent at about 90.degree., curving the parts 31 of the condenser
tube 30 in the spacing 21, so that the upper plate section 20b
remains generally perpendicular to the lower plate section 20a and
generally parallel to the evaporator coil 60. As it occurs with the
embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the total dimension of the
refrigeration system, as a whole, is substantially reduced to the
height of the lower plate section 20a.
[0026] The embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 presents the advantage that
no part of the condenser tube 30 is exposed, while in FIG. 3, the
parts of the condenser tube 30 in the upper plate section 20b and
in the spacing 21 remain exposed. Also in the embodiment of FIGS. 4
and 5, the evaporator coil 60 is covered by the upper plate section
20b after the latter has been adequately bent. The return of the
refrigeration system to a configuration to be mounted to the
cabinet of the refrigeration system is processed as already
described above. As it can be seen, the invention provides a
refrigeration system that has a novel form for the plate-type
condenser that allows the total dimension of the system to be
reduced during certain steps of its manufacture and use.
[0027] Specific aspects of the invention are shown in the drawings
for convenience only, since each aspect can be combined with other
aspects according to the invention. Alternative embodiments will be
understood as possible by those skilled in the art and intended to
be included in the scope of the claims. Thus, the above description
should be understood as illustrative and not limitative of the
protection scope of the invention. All evident alterations and
modifications are within the protection scope defined by the
enclosed claims.
* * * * *