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Refrigerant Flow Controls – Household

An amazingly compact, light weight [8oz.], new generation of brass body, adjustable thermostatic expansion valves, for household and small commercial equipment applications, with 30″ capillary tube and bulb, designed for a methyl chloride, and beautifully engraved in script, “made for Kelvinator”, Patented 1934, Model LM, Mayson Mfg. Co. Detroit. Circa 1938. [one of a matched set of two, see ID # 178]

Beautifully proportioned body with engraved marking in script “made for Kelvinator”

Technical Significance:
The advances in the engineering, production and application of thermostatic expansion [TX] valve technology throughout the industry in the 1930’s were truly impressive, as the valve moved into the mainstream of refrigerant flow control applications, replacing much cruder metering devices including float valves and automatic pressure setting valves. TX valve technology enabled much more efficient use of evaporator [cooling unit] surface and thus the use of smaller evaporators

Now designed for a new generation of fluorinated hydrocarbon refrigerants, these valves were engineering masterpieces of their times, compact, precisely calibrated, and reliable refrigerant flow control devices. Valves were refrigerant specific.

An exquisitely engineered and crafted brass body valve, it is driven by a miniature brass bellows, with extended copper capillary line and 3/8″ sensing bulb – an impressive example of precision, mass production and quality control methods of the period.

Compact and reliable, with capacities up to 1/3 ton, Mayson’s Model L series TX valves would become a kind of “work horse” for the repair and replacement field, to be shown in wholesalers’ and jobbers’ catalogues through into the 1960’s. see bibliographic note

It was often used to up-date earlier equipment using an automatic expansion valve, in order to improve evaporator efficiency, and sometimes accompanying a conversion from methyl chloride to R12 refrigerant.

Industrial Significance:
This historic artifact of refrigeration technology in Canada marks the early movement by large, brand label manufacturers to out “sourceing”. As the technology developed in sophistication and complexity so did the engineering and manufacturing become more specialised and costly. Small speciality manufacturers, such as Mayson, soon moved into the field, anxious for the challenge.

The care taken in the “branding” of the valve, with engraved script, illustrates the careful attention given to the matter of maintaining the Kelvinator name in the public eye.

This valve carries the surprisingly early patent date of 1934, marking Mayson as one of a small number of pioneers in the early development of TX valve technology for a new generation of refrigerants and refrigeration applications.

The contrast between the sophistication of this valve and the offerings of Frigidaire, a brand label, is most marked, much smaller and more polished in appearance, see for example ID #179, and others that follow.

Accession # HHCC.2006.053

An amazingly compact, light weight [8oz.], new generation of brass body, adjustable thermostatic expansion valves, for household and small commercial equipment applications, with 30″ capillary tube and bulb, designed for a methyl chloride, and beautifully engraved in script, “made for Kelvinator”, Patented 1934, Model LM, Mayson Mfg. Co. Detroit. Circa 1938. [one of a matched set of two, see ID # 178]

ItemRefrigeration expansion valve ‘LM’ManufacturerMayson Mfg. Co. DetroitMakeMason for KelvinatorModelLM, B41Share
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Started as a private initiative by a group of enthusiastic volunteers, the HVACR Heritage Centre Canada is a national charitable organization dedicated to preserving and studying the history and evolution of the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technologies. We carry-out mandate by collecting artefacts and archival material and creating exhibits, publications, and other educational programs for the benefit of all Canadians.

 

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