This design is among many low-tech alternatives to modern appliances and processes mentioned in book The Knowledge: How to Rebuild Civilization in the Aftermath of a Cataclysm. It was not successful because of already established industry of refrigerators that were good enough. The book is excellent.
According to the article the patents were bought by Electrolux. It could be this was just to block this technology from being adopted.
The patent is long expired. It has not seen widespread use because the efficiency is far below modern units. It does see some specialized use in situations where you have heat but not electricity--the conversion of heat to electricity is not a very efficient process, this can make it competitive.