3.02-11: Detroit Lubricator 1935 Thermostatic Expansion Valve

Description:

An early version of the 20th century, classic 673, Detroit Lubricator thermostatic expansion, made in a wide range of capacities for sulphur dioxide, methyl chloride, Freon 12 and 22; the work horse of the Canadian refrigeration industry through much of the m, latter part of the 1900’s; with classic brass body and brown Bakalite shell, power element, 5 ft. capillary tube, and adjustable superheat, widely used by original refrigeration equipment manufacturer and for replacement work, Model 673 - Series 5A 34, Detroit Lubricator, circa 1935. [See also ID# 187, 188]

Group:

3.02 Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Make:

Detroit Lubricator

Manufacturer:

Detroit Lubricator Co., Detroit

Model:

Model 673 - Series 5A 34

Serial No.:

Size:

3x 3 x 7 in. h

Weight:

3 lbs

Circa:

1935

Rating:

Exhibit, education, and research quality, illustrating the engineering design, construction, and operating principles, of a popular thermostatic expansion valve, commonly found on commercial refrigeration equipment throughout much of the middle and later years of the 20th

Patent Date/Number:

1747958 [1930]; 1776401 [1931]; 1662289 [1928]

Provenance:

From York County (York Region) Ontario, once a rich agricultural hinterlands, attracting early settlement in the last years of the 18th century. Located on the north slopes of the Oak Ridges Moraine, within 20 miles of Toronto, the County would also attract early ex-urban development, to be come a wealthy market place for the emerging household and consumer technologies of the early and mid 20th century.

This artifact was discovered in the 1950’s in the used stock of T. H. Oliver, Refrigeration and Electric Sales and Service, Aurora, Ontario, an early worker in the field of agricultural, industrial and consumer technology.

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Technological Significance:

This artifact of history, a workhorse of its times in the thermostatic expansion valve field, tells the many stories of the explosion of commercial refrigeration applications and their wide adoption in Canada throughout the middle and latter years of the 20th century. Much of the success of this technology was due to the wide range of capacities and applications built into the design by Detroit Lubricator Aware of the exploding market in commercial refrigeration applications, as well as the increasing diversity in system and engineering design requirements, the manufacturer built the valve around a basic platform that could be readily adapted with changes in orifice size and inlet and outlet connections to suit a wide range of refrigerants [methyl chloride, Freon 12, and Freon 22], temperature applications [low and commercial range] and refrigerating tonnage capacity ratings [1.2 to 4 tons]. It was a success story that led the industry.

Industrial Significance:

The valve would be the darling of refrigeration wholesalers and original equipment manufacturers, because of the range of applications accommodated [see wholesalers catalogue]

Socio-economic Significance:

The socio-cultural significance of the impact of the unobtrusive, thermostatic expansion valve on life in Canada, throughout the latter part of the 20th century, would be hard to over-estimate. It would become the quintessential, automated refrigerant flow regulating device for most medium and larger commercial refrigeration applications, found in confectioneries, food stores and ware houses. It would help to make possible the wide array of foods and confectionery products Canadians would come to enjoy, as part of the late 20th century Canadian life experience.

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Donor:

G. Leslie Oliver, The T. H. Oliver HVACR Collection

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Bibliographic References:

Marshall Refrigeration Co, Refrigeration catalogue, Toronto, undated, p. 62 R and E Thermal Ltd., Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Supplies Catalogue No. 63, 1957

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