Refrigerant Flow Controls – Commercial
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]
Technical 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]