US392204A - Refrigerator-car - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets 'Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

J.F.HANRAHAN.

REFRIGERATOR GAR.

Patented Nov.

n PETERS. Pholo-Lkhogmphlr. Wnlhinglofl. an

(No Moaei. -2' SheetsShe'et 2,

J11? "HANRAHAN. REFRIGERATOR GAR.- No. 392,204. Patented Nov. 6, 1888.

Ira/anion NIPETERS. Phmozuthogrzphar. Wuhinglm. D. C.

UNITED. STATES Fries.

PATENT REFRIGERATOR-CAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 392,204, dated November 6, 1888.

Original application filed November 2, 1886, Serial No. 217,832. Divided and this application filed February 5, 1887. Renewed September 27, 1888. Serial No. 286,604. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH F. HANRAHAN, of Ottawa, in the Province of Ontario and Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Refrigerator- Oars, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to refrigeration and purification of'air in cars, ships, buildings, and structures of various kinds; but has reference more particularly to cars and ships in which, from the nature of the case, the available floor space and height are limited.

This application is based upon and constitutes a division of onefiled by me November 2, 1886, and designated by Serial No. 217,832, wherein are set forth more in detail the principles and mode of operation of my apparatus, these present inventions constituting improvements upon those for which Letters Patent of the United States were issued to me bearing date November 4, 1884, No. 307,459; July 21, 1885, No. 822,446; and October 20, 1885, No. 328,483.

In the drawings hereto annexed, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a structure embodying my improvements; Fig.2, a similar View showing a railway-car constructed in accordance with my invention, but with a chamber filled with ice instead of refrigerating-coils of pipe, as in the first figure; Fig. 3, a horizontal section of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a vertical transverse section of the same.

In its general plan this improvement resembles closely that set forth in the patents and applications above mentioned-that is to say, there is a cooling and purifying chamber, A, a storage-chamber, B, at the side thereof, and a secondary ceiling,O, within the storagechamber, forming between it and the main ceiling a flue, f, having openings 1 and h at its ends for entrance of air,s'aid flue communieating with the top of the cooling and purifying chamber A. It will be noticed, however, that I employ one cooling-chamber for two storage-chambers,placing the former between. the latter, as in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

When ice is to be used in chamber A, a grated or slatted bottom is provided for said chamber to support the ice,and I also provide a due, a, or series of such flues extending beneath the chamber A and opening into both the chambers B, as plainly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A horizontal partition or diaphragm, I, forms the bottom of fine or flues a, and is itself raised from the floor of the structure to form a second flue or series of fiues, b, communicating by a central opening or passage, 0, with fiue or fiues a, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

J and K indicate valves applied to the mouths of flue or fiues a, by which said mouths may be opened and closed at will, so that the cool air from chamberA may be permitted to flow directly out at said months into the chambers B B, or caused to descend through central passage, 0, into the fines b, which open into or are continued to form flues d, extending from chamber A to the farther sides of storageehambers B B. These fiues cl are conveniently formed by placing joists on edge at suitable distances apart, the joists being held in position by transverse boards or slats e, which are close enough together to form afioor upon which to place the goods to be stored, but which are yet far enough apart to permit the cool air to rise between them and thus to pass up through the floor at all points. This feature, which is claimed in the other application before mentioned, is important because it enables me to distribute the cool air equally over all parts of both chambers 13 B.

. The outer ends of the fines d are curved, as shown in Figs.- 1 and 2, where they join the vertical walls of chambers B B, for the purpose of turning the air-current upward and causing a regular flow without stoppage and without the formation of eddies, which are inevitable where the air strikes squarely or abruptly against an obstructing surface or body. In Fig. l I have represented a series of pipes, L, within the chamber A, which pipes are intended to be supplied with brine or other liquid not readilycongealable,or with gasorairpreviously com pressed,which,expanding within the pipes, takes up the heat of chamber A, according to the well-known law of compressed fluids.

In said Fig. 1 I have represented a reservoir or holder, M, for containinga supply of compressed gas or air for the pipes L, this being a well-known apparatus, to which in itself, or broadly considered, no claim is made by me;

nor is it essential that this be adopted, as the pipes may connect with any of the mechanical or chemical plants now commonly employed for ice-making or refrigeration.

It will be observed that the pipes occupy practically the entire space of chamber A from top to bottom, and that the walls of said chamber are brought close to the pipes, these provisions being made to insure as long a travel of the air over and about the pipes as practicable, and to compel the air to travel in close contact therewith.

The outer walls of the structure, whatever it may be-building, car, ship, or otherwill preferably be made practically non-conducting, in order that the temperature within may not be materially affected by that without.

A ventilator, 7;, is provided at the top of chamber A, and a trapped pipe, 0, at the bottom thereof, the latter to permit the escape of water due to condensation of moisture, and, in case ice be used, to the melting of the ice also.

The location of the cooling-chamber A between the two storage-chambers B I; is a matter of much importance, for the reason thatit not only cheapens and simplifies construction but it precludes the meeting and interference of currents at the middle of the structure, which result from the use of two chambers at opposite ends or sides thereof, and because by this arrangement the cooling chamber is brought sufiicicutly close to the outer walls of both chambers to insure a thorough circula tion of the air and its travel to the farthest limits of the storage-chambers.

To prevent the outside atmosphere from unduly alfectingthe atmosphere within the storage-chambers,l provide an outside sheathing, 1, Figs. 2, 3, and l,which is set away from the face of the main walls sufficiently to leave an airspace throughout between said sheathing and walls, openings 1' andj being left for the entrance of air at the bottom and top of the sides, and an opening, In, at or near the middle of the top, for the escape of the air from beneath the outer sheathing of the roof.

Owing to the exposure of the top of the structture to the more direct rays of the sun, that portion is of con rse heated more than the sides, and the air immediately under the top sheath ing, as also that under the side sheathing, becomes heated more than the surrounding atmosphere, and consequently rises and passes out through the openings j and k. In this way a constant circulation of air is kept up, which effectually prevents the walls from becoming highly heated, and consequently greatly increases the efficiency of the apparatus.

In Figs. 2, 3, and4= I have illustrated the invention as embodied in a railway-canto which, in this form, it is peculiarly adapted,while in Fig. 1 I have represented merely a rectangular structure,which may be a stationary building, a ear-body, a vessel, or any other structure. The pipes may run horizontally from end to end of the chamber A, as indicated, or they may run vertically, obliquely, or in any other direction desired.

It will be seen that a greater number of storage-chambers than two may communicate with one and the same cooling-chamber, the invention including any and all arrangements in which the cooling-chamber is centrally located relatively to the storagechambers.

It is obvious that any equivalent expansion chamber, box, or body may be substituted for the pipes in chamber A, and I wish it understood that wherever pipes are spoken of such equivalents are to be understood as included.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In combination with central coolingchamber, A, and storage-chambers B B, flue a below the cooling-chamber A, provided with valves J K, and flue b beneath flue a and communicating therewith by passage 0.

2. In combination with central coolingchamber, A, and storage-chambers B B, flues a beneath chamber A, fine I) beneath flue a, valves J K, applied to flues a, passage c,eonnccting said flues, iiues d,eonnecting with lines 1:, and grated or open floor 6 over flues d, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH F. IIANRAH A N.

\Vitnesses:

\VILLIAMI W. Dom; u, \VAL'IER S. Donna.

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