US3587242A

US3587242A - Absorption refrigerator

Info

Publication number: US3587242A
Application number: US853668A
Authority: US
Inventors: Amram Asher; Carl-Gosta Almen; Karl Gunnar Boren
Original assignee: Electrolux AB
Current assignee: Electrolux AB
Priority date: 1969-08-28
Filing date: 1969-08-28
Publication date: 1971-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-28
Also published as: ZA705513B; SE362494B; CH519690A; FI53626C; DE2042046A1; DE2042046B2; GB1280195A; FI53626B; DE2042046C3; HU168382B

Abstract

THIS INVENTION RELATES TO AN ABSORPTION REFRIGERATOR OF THE INERT GAS TYPE HAVING LOW AND HIGHER TEMPERATURE EVAPORATOR SECTIONS LOCATED OUTSIDE THE THERMALLY INSULATED INTERIOR OF THE REFRIGERATOR CABINET. A SHELL, WHICH IS ENVELOPED BY INSULATION AND DEFINES THE FREEZER COMPARTMENT, HAS ITS FLAT REAR VERTICAL WALL HEAT CONDUCTIVELY CONNECTED TO STRAIGHT PORTIONS AND CONNECTING BEND OF VERTICAL PIPING FORMING THE LOW TEMPERATURE EVAPORATOR SECTION. A RIBBED PLATE HAS A FLAT BASE WHICH IS POSITIONED AT THE INNER SURFACE OF THE REAR VERTICAL WALL OF THE INNER LINER AND COVERS AN OPENING THEREIN. THE STRAIGHT PORTIONS AND CONNECTING BEND OF VERTICAL PIPING FORMING THE HIGHER TEMPERATURE EVAPORATOR SECTION ARE LOCATED AT SUCH OPENING AND ARE HEAT CONDUCTIVELY CONNECTED TO THE REAR SURFACE OF THE FLAT BASE. THE RIBBED PLATE HAS A PLURALITY OF SPACED VERTICAL RIBS WHICH ARE TRANSVERSE TO THE FLAT BASE AND PROJECT THEREFROM INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE REFRIGERATOR CABINET.

Description

2,727,361 12/1955 Morton........................ 62/451X Primary Examiner-William F. O'Dea ggifg g tgr f zi fi g L32 Gunnar Assistant Examiner-P. D. Ferguson Attorney-Edmund A. Fenander Aug. 28, 1969 [45] Patented June 28, 1971 73 I Aktisbolaget Electrolux Stockholm. Sweden ABSTRACT: This invention relates to an absorption refrigerator of the inert gas type having low and higher temperature evaporator sections located outside the thermally insulated interior of the refrigerator cabinet. A shell Inventors Amram Asher Stockholm;

Appl.No. 853,668

Assignee United States Patent [22] Filed [54] ABSORPTION REFRIGERATOR which is enveloped by insulation and defines the freezer compartment, has its flat rear vertical wall heat conductively connected to straight portions and connecting bend of vertical piping forming the low temperature evaporator section. A ribbed plate has a flat base r surface of the rear vertical vers an opening therein. The g bend of vertical piping formaporator section are located at ductively connected to the rear ribbed plate has a plurality of I'I'IIIIIII ,',".,,"'1,,,, IIIIIIIIIIII 1111111141111":

which is positioned at the inne wall of the inner liner and co straight portions and connectin ing the higher temperature ev such opening and are heat con surface of the flat base. The spaced vertical ribs which are transverse to the flat base and project therefrom into the interior of the refrigerator cabinet.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1949 Crider.......................... 8/1950 Patterson.. 5/1952 Edel...

7 4/m fimAwz 145 6 6 5 061 9 5 4 MF 7 2 m m 6 14 ml 1 M m u "3 U n "5 m6 m m m WMZ n ""4 a m mm] mm mm g" n .m m m4 W n n M in 6 W a m 3M 4 mi" 71 o C d 3 S 4nd I nil U. ,I-F l. .i] 2 0 5 55 ..1 ill.

PATE-NTEU JUN28 I97! SHEET 2 OF 3 PATENTED JUN? 8197i SHEET 3 BF 3 sssoamon aasarcaasroa BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention In absorption refrigerators of the inert gas type it is the practice to provide evaporator stiucture which includes a first evaporator secton operable at a low temperature for freezing purposes and a second evaporator section operable at a higher temperature and having a relatively extensive heat transfer surface to promote storing of food and the like at a refrigerating temperature above the freezing temperature.

2. Description of the Prior Art The evaporator structure of absorption refrigeration apparatus of the inert gas type comprises piping formed of steel, for example, to withstand the internal pressures developed in the apparatus during normal operation. To provide a compact evaporator structure the evaporator piping includes spaced straight portions and connecting bends. A plurality of fins or thin plates are fixed to the piping forming the higher temperature evaporator section to provide a relatively extensive heat transfer surface to preserve food at refrigerating temperatures above the freezing temperature.

It has been the practice to locate higher temperature evaporator sections of this kind in the thermally insulated interior of the refrigerator. This is objectionable because the steel piping employed to provide the higher temperature evaporator secton must be treated to resist corrosion which occurs when moisture-laden air to be cooled flows in thermal relation therewith. Further, the steel piping and fins fixed thereto tend to take up an unduly large amount of space in the interior of the refrigerator which reduces the space available for storing foods. Also, higher temperature evaporators of this kind require drip pans for collecting condensate fonned on and dripping from the steel piping. These drip pans are unduly large in size and objectionable because they reduce and block natural circulation of air which is induced when air flows in thermal relation with the steel piping and fins fixed thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The objects of our invention are to provide an absorption type refrigerator of improved appearance and utility; to provide a new cooling or evaporator structure for producing refrigeration at a plurality of temperatures; and to provide a new relation of such evaporator structure with other parts for effectively creating several compartments in a refrigerator cabinet with better distribution of the evaporator structure and other elements of the refrigerator.

The invention is concerned with distributing refrigerating effect of a plurality of evaporator or cooling sections operable at different temperatures. For effectively utilizing the storage space of a refrigerator cabinet, the piping of both the low and higher temperature evaporator sections is located exteriorly or outside of the thermally insulated interior of the refrigerator cabinet. A shell defining the freezer compartment has its flat rear vertical wall heat conductively connected to the piping forming the low temperature evaporator section.

A ribbed plate formed of metal having good heat conductivity and inherently resistant to corrosion has a flat base which is positioned at the inner surface of the rear vertical wall of the inner liner of the cabinet and covers an opening therein. The piping forming the higher temperature section is located at such opening and is heat conductively connected to the flat base of the ribbed plate which is in the vertical plane of the rear vertical wall of the inner liner and forms a part thereof.

The ribbed plate also includes a plurality of vertical ribs which project laterally from the flat base into the interior of the cabinet and are transverse to the base. The ribbed plate can be formed of a metal like aluminum which is resistant to corrosion. Such ribbed plate can be made wider than the piping forming the higher temperature evaporator section which is outside the storage space. With this advantage the required heat transfer surface to promote the desired cooling of the storage space can be effected by ribs that extend forward from the rear wall of the inner liner of the cabinet for a much shorter distance than with arrangements heretofore provided when the piping of the higher temperature evaporator section is located within the storage space. This provides a refrigerator of improved appearance in which a greater portion of the storage space will be available for storingfood.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a view more or less diagrammatically illustrating an absorption refrigeration system of the inert gas type to which the invention has been applied;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a refrigerator and cooling units therefor which embody the invention and are associated with a refrigeration system like that shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the refrigerator illustrated in FIG. 2 with parts thereof not shown;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 2 having outer and inner closure members partly broken away to illustrate details;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary rear perspective view of the refrigerator shown in FIGS. 2 and s to illustrate details more clearly; and

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken at line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 2, we have shown our invention in connection with a refrigerator 8 comprising a cabinet 9 having thermally insulated walls which include an inner liner 10 and an outer shell 11 and suitable insulation 12 therebetween, such as foamed plastic, for example. The inner liner l0 defines a thermally insulated storage compartment 14 into which access is afforded by a door 15 hinged to the front of the cabinet 9. The cabinet 9 also includes an inner liner 16 which is enveloped by the insulation I2 and defines a top freezer compartment 17 into which access is afforded by a hinged door 18 within the upper part of the storage compartment 14. The compartment 14 defines a food' space for storing foods at a higher temperature than in the freezer compartment 17 and preferably at a temperature above 32 F. The freezer compartment 17 is arranged to be cooled by an evaporator section 20:; and the food storage space 14 is arranged to be cooled by an evaporator section 20b.

The

evaporator sections

20a and 20b fonn the evaporator or cooling unit of absorption refrigeration apparatus of the insert gas type and are connected by conduits to other parts of the system for circulation of inert gas as well as supply liquid refrigerant to the cooling unit. Absorption refrigeration apparatus of the inert gas type to which the invention is applied is more or less diagrammatically shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In order to simplify FIG. 1, the

evaporator sections

20a and 20b have been illustrated apart from the refrigerator 8. The absorption refrigeration apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is of a uniform pressure type in which the inert gas functions as an auxiliary pressure equalizing fluid.

In apparatus of this ty refrigerant expelled from solution in a generator 21 by heating passes upward through a conduit 22 into an air cooled condenser 23 in which the expelled refrigerant is condensed and liquified. Liquid refrigerant flows from condenser 23 through a conduit 24 into the

evaporator sections

20a and 20b.

In evaporator sections 2011 and 20b the refrigerant evaporates and diffuses into an inert gas, such as hydrogen, for example, to produce a refrigerating effect and abstract heat from the surroundings. The resulting gas mixture of refrigerant and inert gas flows from evaporator section 20b through a conduit 25 into an absorber comprising a vessel 26 and a looped coil 27. In the absorber vessel 26 and coil 27 refrigerant vapor is absorbed into a liquid absorbent, such as water, for example, which enters through a conduit 28. The hydrogen or inert gas, which is practically insoluble and weak in refrigerant, is returned to

evaporator sections

20a and 20b through a conduit 29. Absorption liquid enriched in the absorber flows from vessel 26 through a conduit 30 and liquid heat exchanger 31 to generator 2! where it is heated and refrigerant vapor again is expelled out of solution. The weakened absorption liquid from which refrigerant has been expelled flows from generator 21 through the liquid heat exchanger 3| and conduit 28 to coil 27 to absorb refrigerant vapor again.

In FIGS. 1 and 5 the evaporator sections a and 20b are shown as vertically disposed coils which are located at different levels. Inert gas passing from the upper end of conduit 29 flows through evaporator section 200 in the presence of and in parallel flow with liquid refrigerant which is introduced through conduit 24. Unevaporated liquid refrigerant is conducted from evaporator section 200 to evaporator section 20b for flow therethrough. Such liquid refrigerant flows in the presence of and in parallel flow with inert gas which passes into evaporator section 20!; from evaporator section 200.

Since inert gas weak in refrigerant first flows through evaporator section 200 and thereafter flows through evaporator section 20b, the gas in the upper evaporator section 20a contains a lesser amount of refrigerant vapor than the gas in the lower evaporator section 20b. The partial vapor pressure of the refrigerant is a gradient, so that the temperature in the evaporator sections also is a gradient, the evaporating temperature of liquid refrigerant being lower in the upper evaporator section 20a which constitutes the freezing portion of the evaporator or cooling unit.

In FIG. 1 it will be seen that conduit 29, through which weak inert gas flows from the absorber coil 27 to the evaporator section 200, is disposed within the upper part of the conduit and both of the looped coils forming the evaporator sections 200 and 20b. Hence, the conduit 29 extends lengthwise of and within the conduit 25 and the

evaporator sections

20a and 20b to form an elongated heat exchanger. Weak inert gas flows from the upper open end 32 of conduit 29, at a region near the closed end 33 of the upper evaporator section 20a, into the presence of liquid refrigerant which enters through the conduit 24. In order to precool liquid refrigerant prior to entering evaporator section 200, the conduit 24 is arranged in good heat conductive relation with the looped coil serving as the higher temperature evaporator section 20b.

The refrigerating effect produced by the upper evaporator section 200, which is adapted to be operated at temperatures below freezing, is utilized to effect cooling of the upper compartment 17. Hence, the upper compartment 17 serves as a freezing space which is adapted to receive ice trays, frozen food packages and other matter to be frozen. The refrigerating effect produced by the lower evaporator section 20b, which is adapted to be operated at a higher temperature than that of evaporator section 20a and desirably above freezing, is utilized to cool air in the storage space 14.

In accordance with our invention, in order to abstract heat effectively from the freezer compartment 17, the vertically disposed U-shaped looped coil serving as the low temperature evaporator section 20a is mounted on the outer surface of the rear wall 160 of the inner liner l6 defining the compartment 17. The straight portions and connecting bend of the upper looped coil are held against the rear wall 16a by straps 34 which bridge the gap between the elongated spaced sides of the looped coil and are maintained in position against the spaced sides by screws 35. The straps 34 are formed with threaded openings 36 to receive the outer ends of the screws 35 which pass rearward through openings in the rear wall 16a: of the inner liner 16. The screws 35 are formed with enlarged heads 350 which bear against the inner surface of the rear wall 160 of the inner liner 16, as seen in FIG. 4. With this arrangement the screws 35 function to draw the straps 34 toward the rear liner wall 160 to bring the looped coil 20a in good heat conductive relation with the outer surface of the rear liner wall.

In further accord with our invention, in order to abstract heat effectively from the storage space M, a metallic body 37 having a relatively extensive heat transfer surface is heat conductively connected to the U-shaped looped coil serving as the higher temperature evaporator section 20b. The body 37, which desirably is formed of metal having good heat conductivity, such as aluminum, for example, comprises a ribbed plate having an essentially flat base or first flat wall 370 and a plurality of vertical ribs or second flat walls 37b which project laterally from the base and are transverse thereto. The base 37a and ribs 37b form a unitary shape or profile with the ribs and base preferably integrally united to one another.

When the body 37 is heat conductively connected to the coil serving as the evaporator section 20b, the base 37a thereof bears against the rear wall of the inner liner l0 and overlies an opening 38 therein which is smaller than the base 37a. Hence, the base 37a of the ribbed body 37 covers the liner opening 38 and overlaps the portion of the liner defining such opening and essentially is in the vertical plane of the rear liner wall.

The absorption refrigeration apparatus is so constructed and arranged that, when it is mounted on the cabinet 9 in any suitable manner well known in the art, the vertically disposed U-shaped loop serving as the evaporator section 20b is at the vicinity ofthe outer surface of the base 37a at the region of the opening 38 in the rear wall of the inner liner 10. The straight portions and connecting bend of the lower looped coil 20b are held against the base 37a of the body 37 by

straps

39 and 40 of the shape shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The strap 39 is U-shaped with a shorter curved arm 39:: overlying the upper side of the looped coil 20b and a longer curved arm 39b having its outer extremity contacting the base 370. The strap 39 is formed with a threaded opening 41 to receive the outer end of the screw 42 which passes rearward through an opening in the base 37a. The screw 42 is fonned with an enlarged head 42a which bears against the inner surface of the base 37a, as seen in FIG. 4.

The strap 40 also is U-shaped with the spaced curved arms 40a and 40b thereof overlying the upper and lower sides, respectively, of the looped coil 20b. The strap 40 is formed with a threaded opening 43 to receive the outer end of a screw 44 which passes rearward through an opening in the base 37a. The screw 44 is formed with an enlarged head 44a which also bears against the inner surface of the base 37a, as seen in FIG. 4. With this arrangement the

screws

42 and 44 draw the looped coil 20b and base 37a toward one another to bring the straight portions and connecting bend of the coil in good heat conductive relation with the outer surface of the base 37a and also clamping to the inner liner portions of the coil and base 37a at opposing surfaces thereof about the opening 38.

As seen in FIG. 2, a frame 45 is provided at the rear insulated wall of the cabinet 9 which extends vertically from a region above the upper evaporator section 20a to a region below the lower evaporator section 20b. The frame 45 also extends across the rear insulated wall for the full width of the evaporator sections 200 and 20b. The part of the rear insulated wall of the cabinet 9 defined by the frame 45 is provided with suitable insulation 12'.

When the refrigerator 8 is fabricated the inner liners l0 and 16 are positioned within the outer shell 11. The insulation 12 desirably is foamed plastic which is formed in situ. The cabinet 9 is provided with openings (not shown) through which foamable plastic material, such as polyurethane plastic, and a substance like dichlorodifluromethane, may be introduced in a manner well known in the art. The resulting foamed plastic completely fills the space between the outer shell II and inner liners l0 and I6, and, after setting and hardening, forms the thermally insulated walls of the cabinet 9. It should be un' derstood that when the foamed plastic insulation 12 is being formed in situ, as just described, the portion of the rear wall of the cabinet 9 defined by the frame 45 remains uninsulated.

The absorption refrigeration apparatus now is positioned on the cabinet 9 in any manner well known in the art with the upper and lower evaporator sections 204 and 20b in the positions shown in FIG. 3. The upper evaporator section 200 then is connected to the inner liner l6 and the lower evaporator section 20b and metallic body 37 are clamped together at the opening 38 of the rear wall of the inner liner 10 in the manner described above and shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Thereafter, the portion of the rear insulated wall defined by the frame 45 is provided with its insulation 12.. The insulation 12 also may be foamed plastic which is formed in situ in the same manner as the insulation 12. The frame 45 is provided with a closure member 110 which serves as a part of the outer shell H at the rear of the cabinet 9.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the insulation 12' provided about the cooling coils or

evaporator sections

20a and 20b overlies the rear surfaces of the wall I64 and flat base 371: of the body 37 at the openings or gaps at the rear wall of the inner liner l and envelops all parts of the cooling coils 20a and 20b except at the regions thereof which are heat conductively connected to the wall 160 and flat base 370.

In view of the foregoing, it now will be understood that the refrigerator embodying our invention eliminates the need to provide fins or heat transfer members directly on the higher temperature evaporator section 20b. The low and higher tem' perature evaporator sections 200 and 20b are both in the form of looped coils which are vertically disposed at difierent levels exteriorly of the freezer compartment 17 and storage space 14. Since the

evaporator sections

20a and 20b are embedded in foamed plastic insulation l2 they will be out of contact with air within the thermally insulated interior of the cabinet 9 and also out of contact with ambient air exteriorly of the cabinet 9. This means that the

evaporator sections

20a and 20b need not be subjected to special corrosion resisting treatment because the likelihood of corrosion occurring is practically eliminated.

in FIG. 4 it will be seen that the ribs 37b of the ribbed body 37 extend from one lateral side wall to the opposite side wall of the inner liner 10 while in FIG. 5 the lower evaporator section 20b extends lengthwise of the opening 38 in the rear wall of the inner liner for a shorter distance. With this arrangement the ribbed section 37a of the metallic body 37 can be made wider than the looped coil to provide a relatively extensive heat transfer surface to induce natural circulation 'of air in thermal relation therewith to promote cooling of the storage space 14. By providing a metallic body 37 having a ribbed portion 370 which extends across the entire width of the storage space, the required heat transfer surface to promote the desired transfer of heat whereby cooling of the storage space 14 can be effected by ribs 37a that extend forward from the rear wall of the inner liner 10 for a much shorter distance than with arrangements heretofore provided, so that a greater portion of the space 14 will be available for storing food. Water draining from the ribbed body 37 within the storage space 14 can collect in a trough 46 from which the collected water may be conducted to waste in any suitable manner.

We claim:

1. in the method of fabricating a refrigerator having a cabinet including an outer shell and an inner liner which is spaced therefrom and defines a storage space cooled by a ribbed metallic body having a flat portion and ribs which project laterally from the front inner surface of the flat portion into the storage space and an evaporator of absorption refrigeration apparatus closely adjacent to the rear outer surface of the flat portion at an opening in the rear wall of the inner liner which is opposite an opening in the rear wall of the outer shell, the improvement which comprises the steps of a. providing insulation between the inner liner and the outer shell except at the vicinity of the openings in the liner and shell at the rear of the cabinet,

b. locating the refrigeration apparatus on the cabinet with the evaporator at the opening in the rear wall of the inner liner,

c. positioning the ribbed metallic body in the storage space with the rear outer surface of the flat portion at the vicinity of the evaporator and with the ribs projecting laterally from the front inner surface of the flat portion into the storage space, and

d. connecting the flat portion of the metallic body and the evaporator to provide good thermal contact therebetween with the flat portion covering the opening in the rear wall of the inner liner and disposed in the plane of such wall,

c. said method further including the step of providing insulation about the evaporator which overlies the rear wall of the inner liner at the opening therein.

2. In the method of fabricating a refrigerator having a cabinet including an outer shell and an inner liner which is spaced therefrom and defines a space cooled by a metallic body which has a relatively extensive heat transfer surface and includes a first flat wall and a plurality of second flat walls which project laterally from the inner surface of the first flat wall into the space and a cooling coil of refrigeration apparatus closely adjacent to the rear outer surface of said first flat wall at a gap in the rear wall of said inner liner which is opposite an opening in the rear wall of the outer shell, the improvement which comprises the steps of a. providing insulation between the inner liner and the outer shell except at the vicinity of the gap in the liner and the opening in the shell at the rear of the cabinet,

b. locating the refrigeration apparatus on the cabinet with the cooling coil at the gap in the rear wall of the inner liner,

c. positioning the metallic body in the space with the rear outer surface of the first flat wall at the vicinity of the cooling coil and with the second flat walls projecting laterally from the first flat wall into the space, and

d. connecting the first flat wall of the metallic body and the cooling coil to provide good thermal contact therebetween with the first flat wall closing the gap in the rear wall of the inner liner,

e. said method further including the step of providing insulation about the cooling coil which overlies the rear surface of the first flat wall at the gap in the rear wall of the inner liner and envelops all parts of the cooling coil except at the region thereof which is heat conductively connected to said first flat wall of the metallic body.

3. A refrigerator comprising a. a cabinet having outer wall forming the exterior thereof, said outer walls including horizontal walls defining the top and bottom of said cabinet and vertical walls defining the lateral sides and rear of said cabinet,

b. means within said outer walls forming a thermally insulated interior of said cabinet,

c. said cabinet having a from access opening and closure means therefor,

d. said means forming the thennally insulated interior of said cabinet comprising insulated walls including an inner liner which is spaced from said outer walls and insulation between said inner liner and said outer walls,

e. said inner liner including a vertical wall at the rear of said cabinet, said rear vertical wall of said liner having a gap,

f. absorption refrigeration apparatus comprising a plurality of parts including a cooling element disposed exteriorly of the thermally insulated interior of said cabinet at the gap in said rear vertical wall of said inner liner,

g. a member which is formed of metal having good heat conductivity, said member having a first flat wall and a plurality of second flat walls which project laterally from said first flat wall and are transverse thereto, said first and second flat walls being united to form a single body having a relatively extensive heat transfer surface with said second flat walls functioning to promote transfer of heat, said first flat wall being disposed at the gap of said rear wall of said inner liner and closing the latter, said first flat wall functioning as a part of said rear wall of said inner liner and being closely adjacent to said cooling element with said second flat walls extending forward toward the front access opening from said rear vertical wall of said inner liner,

i. fastening means heat conductively connecting said first wall of said member to said cooling element at the gap in said rear vertical wall of said liner, and

j. said insulation between said rear outer wall of said cabinet and said inner liner at the vicinity of the gap therein substantially enveloping said cooling element except at the region thereof which is heat conductively connected to said first wall of said member.

4. A refrigerator comprising a. a cabinet having outer walls forming the exterior thereof, said outer walls including horizontal walls defining the top and bottom of said cabinet and vertical walls defining the lateral sides and rear of said cabinet,

c. said cabinet having a front access opening and closure means therefor,

d. said means forming the thermally insulated interior of said cabinet comprising insulated walls including an inner liner which is spaced from said outer walls and insulation between said inner liner and said outer walls,

c. said inner liner including a vertical wall at the rear of said cabinet, said rear vertical wall of said liner having an opening,

f. absorption refrigeration apparatus comprising a plurality of parts including a cooling element disposed exteriorly of the thermally insulated interior of said cabinet at the opening in said rear vertical wall of said inner liner,

a ribbed plate formed of metal, having good heat conductivity, said plate having a flat base and a plurality of spaced ribs which project laterally from said base and are transverse thereto, said ribs and base being united to form a single body,

. said flat base bearing against the inner surface of said rear wall of said inner liner and overlying the opening therein, said flat base functioning as a part of said rear wall of said inner liner and being closely adjacent to said cooling element with said ribs vertically disposed and extending forward toward the front access opening from said rear vertical wall of said inner liner, and

. fastening means heat conductively connecting said cooling element to said base of said ribbed plate and fixing the latter to said rear wall of said inner liner at the opening therein.

5. A refrigerator as set forth in claim 4 in which said cooling element comprises piping including at least one straight portion and said fastening means functioning to heat conductively connect said base of said ribbed plate and said piping to provide good thermal contact between said base and at least said one straight portion of said piping.

6. A refrigerator as set forth in claim 5 in which said ribs of said ribbed plate extend from one lateral side of said inner liner 3 distance which is greater than that taken up on said fiat base by a at least said one straight portion of said piping.

7. A refrigerator as set forth in claim 6 in which said ribs of said ribbed plate extend completely across the thermally insulated interior of said cabinet between the opposing lateral sides of said inner liner.

8. A refrigerator as set forth in claim 5 in which said fastening means comprises straps which overlie at least said one straight portion of said piping and tightening element each having one end anchored to said flat base and its opposite second end threadedly connected to one of said straps.

9. A refrigerator as set forth in claim 8 in which said straps and flat base are apertured and said tightening elements comprise elongated threaded members having enlarged heads at said one end, said members passing rearward through the apertures in said flat base with their enlarged heads bearing against the inner surface of said flat base, and said elongated threaded members at their second opposite ends passing through the apertures in said straps in threaded engagement therewith.

10. A refrigerator as set forth in claim 4 in which said cooling element functions as a higher temperature evaporator section and said absorption refrigeration apparatus also includes another cooling element which functions as a low temperature evaporator section, a second inner liner which is enveloped by said insulation, said second inner liner having a rear vertical wall and forming a freezer compartment, said freezer compartment having a front access opening and closure means therefor, said other cooling element being disposed closely ad jacent to said rear wall of said second inner liner, and second fastening means heat conductively connecting said other cooling element and said rear vertical wall of said second inner liner.

II. A refrigerator as set forth in claim 10 in which said other cooling element comprises other piping including spaced straight portions and at least one connecting bend, said piping being vertically disposed, and said second fastening means functioning to heat conductively connect said rear vertical wall of said second inner liner and said other piping to provide good thermal contact between said rear wall of said second inner liner and said straight portions and at least said one connecting bend of said other piping.

12. A refrigerator as set forth in claim 11 in which said second fastening means comprises other straps which bridge and overlie adjacent spaced straight portions of said other piping, and other tightening elements each having one end anchored to the rear vertical wall of said second inner liner and its opposite second end threadedly connected to one of said other straps.

13. A refrigerator as set forth in claim 12 in which said other straps and rear vertical wall of said second inner liner are apertured and said other tightening elements comprise second elongated threaded members having enlarged heads at said one end, said second members passing rearward through the apertures in the rear wall of said second inner liner with their enlarged heads bearing against the inner surface of the rear vertical wall of said second inner liner, and said second elongated threaded members at their second opposite ends passing through the apertures in said straps in threaded engagement therewith.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 587 Dated June 28 1971 Amram Asher et a1 Inventor-(s) It is certified that error appears in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Title page, line 8 [Assignee] "Aktisbolaget" before "Electrolux should be changed to Aktiebolaget Column 1, line 7, "socton" before "operable" should be changed to section Column 1, line 27, "secton" before "must" should be changed to section Column 6, line 44 (Claim 3, line 2) "wall" before "forming" should be changed to walls Column 7, line 56 (Claim 6, line 4) "a" before "at" should be canceled Column 8, line 6 (Claim 8, line 3) "element" before "each" should be changed to e] emcnts Signed and sealed this 25th day of July 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M. FLIETCIIERJR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM F' -1 1 USCOMM-DC 60376-F'6O n U 5 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 9C9 0-365-33.