Improvements in Condensing Pumps and Refrigerating Chambers, Adapted to be Employed in Refrigerating and Making Ice.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Aug., 1895-Accepted, 28th Dec., 1895
Improvements in Condensing Pumps and Refrigerating Chambers,
Adapted to be Employed in Refrigerating and Making Ice.
I, STEPHEN WELLS WOOD, of the City and State of New York, United
States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :--
The object of this invention is to produce a gas pump or compressor that may
be operated either as single or double-acting, the cylinders therein being separate
and independent of each other in their operation, the employment of a single
piston-rod having two pistons thereon, the driving mechanism arranged centrally
between the two pistons and in axial alignment therewith and with the driving
shaft, the whole being incased in a gas-tight casing substantially as shown.
Also in providing a longitudinal support, either stationary or adjustable adapted
to receive and sustain the weight of the piston-rod and pistons thereon, and the
thrust of the connecting rods as will be described.
Also in providing the means whereby any gas collecting in the chamber of the
casing between the pistons may be drawn therefrom and returned to the circulating
system of piping.
And in adapting this compressor or pump, and a condenser connected therewith,
to a stationary or portable refrigerator box in which ice may he made and the box
refrigerated at the same time, or the box refrigerated without making ice arranged
and operating substantially as described and shown.
Figure 1, represents a plan or top view of this compressor or pump complete.
Figure 2, is a side elevation of Figure 1.
Figure 3, is a vertical, central, longitudinal section of the casing, the driving
shaft, cylinders, piston-rod and pistons therein and connecting-rod being in
elevation, a corresponding rod being removed.
Figure 4, represents a vertical, central cross-section showing the interior
construction and arrangement and the manner of operating the piston-rod, the
driving shaft being in axial alignment with the pist n-rod and pistons-also an end
view of the support and its means of adjustment.
Figure 5, is a vertical cross-section showing the piston-rod, central support
and easing in section the wrist pins for the connecting rods being in elevation.
Figure 6, represents a central, cross-section of the metal gas-check or packing
box employed to prevent the escape of gas from around the driving shaft, a
fragment of the side of the casing of the pump, and the casing in which the gas-
check is arranged and inclosed gas-tight-a fragment of the driving shaft being in
elevation.
Figure 7, represents a central, longitudinal section of the valve-chamber the
valves therein being in elevation, employed in this gas-pump.
Figure 8, represents a vertical, central section of a refrigerator box showing
the arrangement of the expansion and condensing coils therein for refrigerating
and making ice, the compartment in which the ice is to be made-and slides, or
dampers by means of which the cold from the refrigerating or ice compartment
may be admitted into or excluded from the compartment in the interior of the
refrigerator box as required.
Figure 9, represents an end elevation of a refrigerator box showing the driving
wheel of the compressor, the compressor being incased by a removable cover.

page_text: Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several
views.
The exterior or outer casing A, of this compressor is composed of a single
cylindrical casting, the opposite ends of which form two independent and separate
cylinders H, H, as represented.
The usual annular water-channels G, to cool these cylinders are provided as
represented in Figure 3, the water flowing through pipes G¹ and G'.
The interior of these cylinders H, H, are fitted with sleeves or linings I, I,
which, in practice is found to be an economical and certain means of obtaining
perfect cylinders necessary to a perfect pump or condenser.
A single piston rod E, with pistons C, C, on either end thereof extends from
cylinder to cylinder, and fitted so as to be driven back and forth by means of
cranks J, J, and connecting rods E, E,-the driving shaft D, passing centrally
through a slot in the piston-rod in axial alignment with the piston C, C, so that
when the greatest degree of pressure is to be exerted in pumping, the cranks J, J,
connecting rods E, E, and piston B, will approach, and at the extreme of a stroke
will be in axial alignment as shown.
In large compressors double cranks J, J, arranged, one on either side of the
piston-rod, as represented, are desirable, but in smaller ones, say of one ton, or
less; of ice per day, a single crank would be sufficient.
In order to relieve the pistons C, C, from the weight of the piston-rod B, and the
thrust of the connecting rods E. E, to prevent the cylinders and pistons from
wearing out of round, a support K, is provided and fitted centrally to the interior
of the casing A, which support may be either stationary or adjustable as desired,
and upon which support K, the piston-rod may rest and slide back and forth, and
the pistons C, C, relieved thereby of its weight will remain round.
In Figure 4, the manner of adjusting this support perpendicularly is represented,
consisting of screw-bolts L, L, and nuts M, the ends of the bolts resting in recesses
formed in the inner side of the casing A, by which means the support may be
properly adjusted in the construction, or to compensate for wear.
An annular channel m, formed in a section R', firmly secured to the casing A,
as shown in sectional view Figure 4, is adapted to permit a current of water to flow
through it to cool the driving shaft D, the water entering and leaving this annular
channel m, through inlet and exit pipes x, x, passing through the outer casing A, so
that no water may find its way into the interior of the pump.
To prevent the escape of gas from around the driving shaft D, a metal gas-
check is provided which is encased in a gas-tight chamber as shown in Figure 6.
This metal gas-check consists of a flanged sleeve U, shrunk upon or firmly.
secured otherwise upon the driving shaft D, an outer plate V, secured firmly
against a shoulder formed on the outer end of this sleeve U, so as to revolve there-
with, and two spring disks d, d, secured by circular plates n, n, to a projection
extending inward from the outer casing W, which plates, together with the friction
disks d, d, form the gas-tight chambers P,
P.
The bearing surfaces o, o, of this metal gas-check are fitted and ground so as to
present gas-tight joints, and will so remain indefinitely.
These chambers P, P, may be filled, or nearly so, with oil which will keep the.
bearing surfaces lubricated and thus prevent any material wear thereof.
By this construction and adaptation of a metal gas-check the interior of a
compressor or gas-pump may be rendered gas-tight with the least possible friction,
and when properly adjusted requires no further attention for a length of time, and
any gas that may find its way into the chambers of this gas-check from around the
shaft D, will be confined therein.
The independent detachable valves R, in this compressor are supported and
maintained in position by means of detachable seats r, r, fitted to the cylinder
heads Y, and confined therein and rendered gas-tight by means of caps X, bolted to
the cylinder heads as shown; the ports extending so as to connect with the supply
and delivery pipes of the compressor. By this construction and arrangement any

page_text: one of the valves may be removed for repairs, or to be replaced by a new one with-
out disturbing the other valve in the same head or stopping the compressor by
cutting off the supply of gas from that cylinder.
The gas from either of the supply pipes may be cut off and the opposite cylinder
continue to be operated, thus changing from a double to a single acting pump which..
is important in order to maintain a certain degree of temperature for a time, or
when less refrigeration is required, or a less quantity of ice is to be produced in a
given time, or repairs to be made in one of the cylinders.
Any gas that may escape from the cylinders, and past the pistons into the
interior of the casing A, may be drawn therefrom and returned to the general
circulation by means of pipe N, connecting the interior of the casing with one of
the suction valves or pipes as shown in Figure 1.
To effect this purpose, the gas in the supply pipe is cut off and the connection
between the interior of the casing made by means of the pipe N, and stop-cock N',
and then by a few strokes of the piston the gas from the interior of the casing will
be exhausted and returned to the general circulation when the connection with the
interior of the casing is again cut off, and the supply pipe, of the general circulation
connected.
And so on the gas collecting in the interior of the casing may be drawn off when-
ever necessary.
A self-acting check valve may be employed in the pipe N, if preferred to the
stop-cock N'.
Figures 8, and 9, represent the combination of this gas pump, refrigerating or
freezing tank and condenser with an ordinary portable refrigerator box A', in
which ice may be made and refrigeration produced at the same time, or refrigeration
without making ice, consisting of an open tank B', located at the top of the
refrigerator which may be employed for brine in the usual manner to make ice, or
in which cans, of water may be placed and the water therein frozen by direct
expansion if preferred.
A condenser H', is provided in which the gas, forced therethrough by the
compressor is returned to a liquid to be again introduced into the circulating
coils K, to expand into gas, the condensing coils H¹, for convenience, are located
beneath the box, or in the lower side thereof, or may be placed in a separate
chamber at the back of the box if desired.
It will be observed that the compressor is mounted upon the top of the
refrigerator box with a removable cover to protect it, and the piping connected in
the usual manner to complete the circuit in order to maintain a continuous flow of
the gas to make ice or to refrigerate the box.
The interior of this refrigerator box may be divided into separate.
compartments L, M, N, for the reception of articles to be preserved.
The refrigerating tank B', has a space T', surrounding it on the top. and sides,
the bottom thereof forming the upper side of the space or compartment L'.
The shelves a, dividing the interior of this refrigerator into compartments are
constructed so as to form spaces W₁, at their end s, through which the cold from
the tank B', may descend and circulate; the several spaces serve also to ventilate
the compartments by opening the doors and admitting the outside air. when
required.
In order to vary the temperature in the compartments. L', M, N, to adapt them
to the various articles placed therein, slides of dampers u, are provided by means of
which the extreme cold may be confined to the upper compartment, leaving the
lower compartment at a much higher degree of temperature, the circulation of
direct cold being excluded therefrom..
It is obvious that the interior of refrigerator boxes. may be divided to suit the
various constructors, and the compartments therein so arranged that one or more
may be reduced to freezing while the others may remain above the freezing point,
substantially as represented.
The top of this refrigerator box is provided with covers or lids V¹, by which

page_text: 100 SL
be made.
By this construction and arrangement of the freezing tank at the top and
condenser at the bottom, or back if preferred, of a refrigerator box, the cold
produced to make ice serves also to reduce the temperature in the compartments,
and the cans of ice serve to maintain the cold temperature for a length of time
when the compressor is not in operation.
The operation of refrigerating or making ice by this apparatus may be briefly
stated as follows:
The ammonia is forced, by the compressor D', down through the pipe F¹, which
pipe passes through the interior of the refrigerator box, thence through the
condensing coils G', to be reduced to a liquid, thence upward through the pipe I',
to expand into gas in the coils K', and thence through the compressor D', thus
completing the circuit, the ammonia becoming a gas and a liquid alternately to
make ice or to refrigerate, as the case may be, or to make ice and refrigerate at
the same time if required, and so on the process of expanding into gas and liquefying
the ammonia alternately may be maintained indefinitely.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
First. In a horizontal, double-acting condensing pump the combination of two
cylinders in axial alignment with each other, reciprocating pistons in said cylinders,
a piston-rod connecting said pistons and a vertically adjustable support to sustain
the weight of the piston-rod and pistons and to take up the wear of the parts.
Second. In a horizontal condensing pump the combination of a reciprocating
piston-rod and pistons, and a vertically adjustable bearing for the piston-rod to
sustain the weight of the same.
Third. In a gas compressor the combination with the cylinder and its piston and
with the valve supply and delivery pipes through which gas is drawn into the
cylinders and forced therefrom, of a valved pipe connection between the supply
pipe and the cylinder in rear of the piston, and a cock in the supply pipe beyond
said pipe connection whereby by cutting off the supply pipe any gas in rear of the
piston may be drawn off.
Fourth. In a gas compressor the combination with the driving shaft and with
the frame or casing, of a shaft bearing around the shaft an annular water chamber
passage with supply and delivery openings for the passage of a current of water
therethrough to cool the bearing.
Fifth. In a double acting condensing pump the combination of two cylinders in
axial alignment with each other, reciprocating pistons therein, a piston rod con-
necting said pistons, a continuously rotating driving shaft the line of whose axis
passes transversely through the line of movement of the piston rod, a crank on said
shaft and a connecting rod between said crank and the piston rod.
Sixth. In a double acting condensing pump the combination of two cylinders in
axial aligument with each other, reciprocating pistons, a continuously rotating
driving shaft, the line of whose axis passes transversely through the line of move-
ment of the piston rod, a crank on said shaft, a connecting rod between said crank
and piston rod and a rest or support for the piston rod.
Seventh. A metal gas check or packing to prevent the escape of gas from around
the driving shaft in gas pumps, consisting of a flanged sleeve shrunk upon or firmly
secured to the driving shaft, an annular disk secured to and revolving therewith
which disk presents an interior bearing surface corresponding with the bearing
surface on the flange of the sleeve secured to the driving shaft, and spring friction
disks located between and bearing against the flanged surface of said rotating
sleeve and rotating disk, the whole incased in a gas-tight chamber substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
Eighth. In a refrigerator box the combination of a tank in which ice may be

page_text: made and by which the temperature in the interior of the refrigerator box may be
reduced at the same time or the temperature therein reduced without making ice
by means of the passage ways through which the cold from the tank may descend
and circulate therethrough, the piping, compressor, and condenser forming a
complete circuit for the ammonia.
Ninth. In a refrigerator box the interior of which is composed of a series of
compartments the upper compartment to form a refrigerating or ice making tank,.
the central compartment or compartments to receive the articles to be preserved by
the cold descending from the refrigerating tank, and a compartment to contain the
condensing coils in combination with a gas pump.
Tenth. In a refrigerator box composed of a series of separate, interior com-
partments, said compartments being connected with each other, and with a
refrigerating tank by means of suitable passage ways in combination with a
compressor or gas pump.
Eleventh. In a refrigerator box composed of a series of compartments, said
compartments being connected with each other and with a refrigerating or ice-
making tank by means of suitable passage ways, said passage ways provided with.
slides or dampers, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 20th day of August 1895
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.