IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE COMPRESSION, RETENTION, AND UTILIZATION OF GASEOUS OR AERIFORM FLUIDS FOR ARTIFICIAL COOLING, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Knight Kilbourn, of Brixton, in the County
of Surroy, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE
COMPRESSION, RETENTION, AND UTILIZATION OF GASEOUS OR AERIFORM FLUIDS
FOR ARTIFICIAL COOLING, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN."
Sealed the 9th December 1879, and dated the 14th June 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Knight Kilbourn at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th June 1879.
JOSEPH KNIGHT KILBOURN, of Brixton, in the County of Surrey. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE COMPRESSION, RETENTION, AND UTILIZATION OF
GASEOUS OR AERIFORM FLUIDS FOR ARTIFICIAL COOLING, AND IN THE APPARATUS
EMPLOYED THEREIN."
My Invention relates to the compression, retention, and utilization of gaseous or
aeriform fluids for artificial cooling, and consists of improvements in or relating
thereto, and in the apparatus employed therein, as hereinafter described.
In the apparatus heretofore employed for compressing gases or aeriform fluids,
difficulty has been found in so packing the glands that the escape of gas by the
working of the piston rod or plunger is prevented. It has also been found difficult
to pack the piston sufficiently tight to prevent the gas from passing froin one side to
the other without excessive friction. The loss of power occasioned by the retention
of a portion of the compressed gas in the necessary ports and clearance space is also
very objectionable, this gas moreover which cannot be ejected re-expands at the
return of the piston, and thereby prevents an equal volume of fresh gas from
entering the compressing cylinder. It has also been found difficult to construct
cocks or valves in such a manner as to prevent any leakage at the actuating end
of the spindle or plug without its being covered by a screw cap, and where frequent
adjustment is necessary the removing of the cap causes great inconvenience. A
further cause which has prevented the attainment of the best results in condensing
and refrigerating tanks is the want of proper circulation of the water or the cooling.
liquid used. Now my Invention has for its object obviating these difficulties and

page_text: otherwise increasing the efficiency of the apparatus, and this object is effected in the
following manner :-
According to one mode of carrying out my Invention the compressing pump is so
constructed and the parts thereof are so arranged that the gases neither enter the
compressing cylinder nor come in contact with the glands or piston. In this case
the compressing cylinder is placed at the lower part of the apparatus, and above it
is arranged a partitioned chest or chamber, the cubical capacity of which exceeds
that of the cylinder. At the top of this chest is a single horizontal plate which
carries the induction and ejection valves. The chest and cylinder are filled with a
liquid, preferably a non absorbing one, to such an extent that when the piston is at
the end of its stroke the liquid will a little more than fill every space and interstice
of that end of the chest. As the piston in the cylinder recedes the liquid flows into
the cylinder, and a vacuum is thus formed in the chest at one side at the top of the
liquid; the gas then enters through the induction valves, and the piston continuing
its motion forces the liquid from the opposite end of the cylinders into the opposite
side of the chest and expels the gas which is in the chest through the ejection valves
into a receiver, any excess of liquid being ejected after the gas.
The piston then returns and the same operations are performed at the opposite
ends of the cylinder and chest, and so on in succession, the pump receiving and
ejecting at each stroke a charge of air or gas equal to the capacity of the com-
pression cylinder without the intervention of a piston between the liquid and
gas.
At
In the arrangement herein before described the cylinders are arranged horizontally,
but they may be placed in a vertical position, having the piston rod at the bottom
with a depth of cylinder exceeding the length of stroke to such an extent as to
admit of the bottom cylinder head being constantly covered with liquid, this liquid
surrounding the piston rod and preventing any escape of gas downwards past the
rod. When single acting vertical compression pumps are desired the two cylinders
are connected by a passage at the bottom above the cylinder head, and the driving
cranks are placed exactly opposite each other. In this manner the aggregate space
underneath the two pistons is always the same, and any desired pressure may be
maintained under the piston and over the liquid without any loss of power.
the top of the pistons in the vertical pumps sufficient liquid (such, for example, as
quicksilver) can be maintained to fill every space and interstice when the piston is
at the extreme end of its stroke. The surplus liquid which is ejected as before
mentioned in the arrangement first herein before described is conducted into a
receptacle at the foot of the ejection pipe, and thence is returned to the induction
chamber either by automatic or mechanical devices. One mode of effecting the
return of this surplus liquid automatically is to adapt to the receptacle a small pipe
leading from near the bottom thereof to the induction pipe of the apparatus; the
lower end of this pipe is open whilst the other or upper end is provided with an
adjustable plug by which the passage through the pipe can be made of any desired
capacity. The excess of pressure in the ejection pipe over that in the induction
pipe will force the surplus liquid up the small pipe into the induction pipe whence
it will pass into the chest.
In carrying out my Invention as applied to the cocks of the apparatus I fit at
the large end of the plug an independent adjusting screw which is covered with a
screw cap, and the smaller or actuating end of the plug is reduced to the form
of a square so as to receive a socket formed on a spindle by which the plug is
actuated.
This actuating spindle which is contained in a screw cap is also provided with a
flange between which and a corresponding flange in the cap is a washer of yielding
material pressed to its seating by a coiled spring or by a locknut, as may be
preferred, thus making a perfectly gas tight joint. Or the independent adjusting
screw may be arranged at the actuating end of the plug whereby a similar effect is
obtained.
When valves are employed I use a diaphragm, the centre of which is made fast to

page_text: the valve and the outer edge to the body of the valve; this diaphragm has sufficient
elasticity or curvature to admit of the required motion of the valves, and when
secured to its place the escape of gas past the actuating spindle is entirely prevented,
whilst the actuating spindle is at all times accessible.
In condensing gases by liquids or in cooling a liquid with gases the flow of the
liquid should be in a contrary direction to that of the gas. The natural flow of
the liquid moreover over the pipes containing the gas does not give sufficient change
of contact to obtain the best possible results. In the condensing tank it is also
especially desirable that the extreme temperature of the liquid should be maintained
rather than an average temperature. According to my Invention in order to
accomplish this with more rapid change of contact than could be obtained by the
natural flow, I provide in the centre of a vertical condenser, extending the entire
length, a vertical agitator having paddles so arranged that the rotation of the
agitator will direct the liquid outwards, but always either in its own plane or
slightly against the natural flow. In the case of horizontal tanks for ice moulds a
similar arrangement of agitator may be employed, the same being placed in a
horizontal position at one end of the tank and above it, but at such a height that
the paddles will dip in the liquid. Underneath the agitator is a partition extending
across the tank and downwards to within a few inches of the bottom; the rotation
of this wheel in the proper direction thus causes the cold liquid in the bottom of
the tank to flow upwards behind the partition, underneath the wheel, and over the
surface, past the ice moulds, and then downwards again over the pipes, and so on in
succession, maintaining a constant circulation throughout the tank.

page_text: *SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Knight Kilbourn in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
13th December 1879.
JOSEPH KNIGHT KILBOURN, of Brixton, in the County of Surrey. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE COMPRESSION, RETENTION, AND UTILIZATION OF
GASEOUS OR AERIFORM FLUIDS FOR ARTIFICIAL COOLING, AND IN THE APPARATUS
EMPLOYED THEREIN."
My said Invention relates to the compression, retention, and utilization of gaseous
or aeriform fluids for artificial cooling, and consists of improvements in or relating
thereto, and in the apparatus employed therein, as bereinafter described.
In the apparatus heretofore employed for compressing gases or aeriform fluids
difficulty has been found in so packing the glands that the escape of gas by the
working of the piston rod or plunger is prevented. It has also been found difficult
to pack the piston sufficiently tight to prevent the gas from passing from one side
to the other without excessive friction. The loss of power occasioned by the
retention of a portion of the compressed gas in the necessary ports and clearance
space is also very objectionable; this gas moreover which cannot be ejected re-
expands at the return of the piston, and thereby prevents an equal volume of fresh
gas from entering the compressing cylinder. It has also been found difficult to
construct cocks or valves in such a manner as to prevent any leakage at the
actuating end of the spindle or plug without its being covered by a screw cap; and
where frequent adjustment is necessary the removing of the cap causes great incon-
venience. A further cause which has prevented the attainment of the best results
in condensing and refrigerating tanks is the want of proper circulation of the water
or the cooling liquid used. Now my Invention has for its object obviating these
difficulties and otherwise increasing the efficiency of the apparatus, and this object
is effected in the manner hereinafter described, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed.
Figures 1 and 2 represent vertical sections taken respectively at right angles the
one to the other of a compressing pump constructed according to my said Inven-
tion; and Figure 3 is a horizontal section of the same corresponding to Figure 1;
Figures 4, 5, and 6 illustrate a modification of the preceding arrangement, Figure 4
being a sectional elevation of the apparatus, Figure 5 a sectional view of the upper
part taken at right angles to Figure 4, and Figure a sectional plan corresponding
to Figure 5; Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 illustrate details of cocks and valves for
compressing apparatus according to my said Invention; Figure 12 (Sheet 2) repre-
sents a vertical section of a vertical condensing or cooling tank having improvements
applied thereto according to another part of my said Invention; and Figure 13 is
a horizontal section of the same; Figure 14 represents a longitudinal section of a
portion of a horizontal tank having my said Invention applied thereto.
According to one part of my said Invention the compressing pump is so con-
structed, and the parts thereof are so arranged that the gases neither enter the
compressing cylinder nor come in contact with the glands or piston. One mode of car-
rying out this part of my said Invention is illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3 (Sheet 1)
of my Drawings. A is the compressing cylinder arranged at the lower part of the
compressing apparatus, and containing the piston B, the rod a of which extends
through a stuffing box bat one end of the cylinder, and is connected with any
suitable prime mover or power transmitting devices not shewn in my Drawings.
Above the cylinder A is formed a chest or chamber C, the cubical capacity of which
exceeds that of the cylinder; this chest or chamber is divided by a central
partition c into two compartments C¹, C, and the cover c¹ of the chest or chamber
carries the induction valves D, D¹, and the ejection valves E, E¹, the induction
valve D and the ejection valve E respectively opening into and out of the compart-
ment C', whilst the induction valve D¹ and the ejection valve E¹ respectively open

page_text: into and out of the compartment C³. The chest C and cylinder A are filled with
an incongealable liquid (preferably a non absorbing one) to such an extent that
when the piston is at the end of its stroke the liquid will a little more than fill
every space of the compartment at that end of the chest.
In my Drawings the piston B is represented as near the end of its stroke at the
left hand side of the apparatus, and in the act of returning in the direction of the
arrow, the compartment C₁ of the chest C being filled with liquid, and the upper
portion of the compartment C of the chest being filled with gas, which latter has
been admitted from the pipe d through the induction valve D'. As the piston B
moves in the direction of the arrow the liquid contained in the compartment C¹
follows the piston and its level descending a vacuum is formed at the top of
the liquid in the said compartment, and gas enters through the induction
valve D, and the piston continuing its motion forces the liquid at its opposite side
before it, and expels the gas which was contained in the compartment C above tho
liquid through the ejection valve E¹ and pipes e, e¹, into a receiver not shewn in
my Drawings.
The piston then returns, and the gas previously admitted by the induction valve D
to the compartment C¹ is expelled through the ejection valve E, and gas is again
admitted to the compartment C by the induction valve D' to be in its turn expelled
through the ejection valve E¹, when the piston again moves back in the direction
indicated by the arrow, and so on in succession, the pump receiving and ejecting
at each stroke a charge of gas equal to the capacity of the compressing cylinder,
without the intervention of a piston between the liquid and the gas. At the ter-
mination of each stroke of the piston any excess of liquid contained in the chest C
is expelled after the gas, and conducted into a receptacle E at the foot of the ejection
pipe el, and thence is returned to the induction pipe d by automatic or mechanical
devices. One mode of effecting the return of the surplus liquid automatically is
represented in the Drawings. It consists in adapting to the receptacle F a small
pipe f, extending from near the bottom thereof to the induction pipe d. The lower
end of the pipefis open, whilst the other or upper end is provided with an adjustable
plug g, by which the outlet from the pipe can be made of any desired area.
excess of pressure in the ejection pipe e¹ over that in the induction pipe d forces the
surplus liquid up the pipe f into the induction pipe d, whence it returns to the
chest, thus maintaining the required surplus in the chest to ensure that the whole
of the space of one compartment shall be completely filled with the liquid when the
piston is at the end of its stroke.
The
Figures 4, 5, and 6 represent a compressing pump constructed according to my
said Invention upon the same principle as the pump illustrated in Figures 1, 2,
and 3, but with certain modifications in the arrangements of the parts. In this
case in lieu of using a double acting cylinder I employ two single acting cylinders
A, A', which are arranged vertically instead of horizontally, and are placed in com-
munication by means of a passage h, and the pistons B, B¹, of such cylinders are
connected by their rods a, a', passing through stuffing boxes b, b¹, and by connecting
rods i, i¹, to cranks G, G¹, on the driving shaft C, which are placed opposite each
other, as shewn, so that when one piston (say, for example, the piston B) is at the
top of the stroke the other piston (B¹) will be at the bottom of its stroke, and vice
versu.
The depth of the cylinders exceeds the length of stroke of the pistons to such an
extent as to admit of the bottom cylinder head being constantly covered with
liquid so as to prevent any escape of gas downwards past the piston rods, as will
be evident in reference to the position indicated in the Drawings of the piston B¹
relatively to the bottom of the cylinder A¹, the said piston being assumed to be at
the lower end of its stroke. By the relative arrangement moreover of the two
pistons B, B¹, with their cylinders A, A¹, in intercommunication the aggregate space
underneath the two pistons is always the same, and any desired pressure (from the
accumulations of leakage of gas past the pistons) may be maintained under the
pistons, and over the liquid without any loss of power. The top side of the pistons

page_text: B, B¹, is made of a recessed or dished shape, as shewn at k, k, for the reception of
a sufficient quantity of liquid (such, for example, as quicksilver) to fill every space
and interstice when the pistons are at the extreme end of their up stroke.
Another part of my said Invention relates to the cocks and valves of compressing
apparatus, and has for its object, in the case of valves, dispensing with stuffing
boxes, and in the case of cocks, providing means for the prevention of leakage at the
actuating end of the plug.
Figures 7 and 8 are longitudinal sections of cocks illustrating two modifications
of this part of my said Invention, and Figures 9, 10, and 11 are vertical sections
of valves, or of the actuating portion thereof, constructed and arranged according
to three respective modifications of this part of my said Invention.
Referring to Figure 7 H is the plug of the cock, which has its seat in the
casing I. At the large end of this plug I fit an independent adjusting screw 1, by
which the plug may be tightened in its scat, and I cover the said screw with a
screw cap m. The smaller or actuating end of the plug I reduce to a square or
equivalent shape, as shewn at n, for the reception of a socket o formed on a
spindle p, by which tho plug is actuated. The spindle p is contained in a screw
cap q, and is also provided with a flange r, between which and a corresponding
flange in the cap q is a washer 8 of yielding material, pressed to its seat by a
coiled spring t, as shewn, or by a lock nut, as may be preferred, thus making a
perfectly gas tight joint.
In Figure 8 the independent adjusting screw is shewn applied to the actuating
end of the plug (which in this case is the larger end), a similar result being
obtained.
When valves are employed I construct the same so as to dispense with stuffing
boxes usually required for maintaining a tight joint by the employment of a
diaphragm, the ceutre of which is secured to the valve or its spindle whilst the
outer edge is attached to the valve box or chest. This arrangement is illustrated
in Figures 9, 10, and 11 of my Drawings. K, Figure 9, is the valve proper; u, its
spindle, between which and the external actuating portion L is secured the central
portion of a diaphragm M of leather or other similar flexible material, the outer
edges of which diaphragm at vare secured to the valve box or chest N. In the
modifications illustrated in Figure 10 a metal diaphragm is used; in Figure 11 (in
which a flexible material is employed) the connection between the diaphragm M
and the valve spindle u is shewn as made by a wedge shaped block O and socket P.
In all cases the diaphragin has sufficient elasticity or curvature to admit of the
required motion of the valve, whilst the escape of gas past the actuating spindle
is entirely prevented, the actuating spindle being moreover at all times
accessible.
Another part of my said Invention (which is illustrated in Figures 12, 13, and 14,
Sheet 2 of my Drawings) relates to the tanks or apparatus for condensing gases by
liquids or cooling a liquid with gases. In performing these operations, in which it
is desirable that the flow of the liquid should be in a contrary direction to that of
the gas, the natural flow of the liquid over the pipes containing the gas does not
give sufficient change of contact to obtain the best possible results. It is also
especially desirable in the case of condensing tanks that the extreme temperatures
of the liquid at the inlet and outlet of the tank should be maintained rather than
an average temperature throughout the tank. In order to accomplish this result
with more rapid change of contact than could be obtained by the natural flow I
adopt the arrangement illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 as applied to vertical
tanks.
Q is the tank, into which the liquid (say, for example, for condensing) is intro-
duced under pressure at the bottom by a pipe w, and from which it escapes through
a pipe w¹ at the upper part of the tank, the said tank containing the coils R for
the circulation of the gas to be condensed (for example), and which in this case is
assumed to be admitted at the upper part of the tank at x, and to leave in a con-
densed condition at the lower part of the tank at x¹. In the interior of the tank,

page_text: within the inner circle of the coils R, I place an agitator S, consisting of a cylinder
extending throughout the entire height of the tank, and carrying vanes or paddles y,
by preference arranged at slight angle to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, as
shewn. This agitator is mounted upon a shaft or pivots T supported in bearings
at z in the cover and bottom of the tank, and provided at the exterior of the tank
with a pulley U or other means for receiving motion from a prime nover. In the
example illustrated the agitator is assumed to be driven in the direction indicated
by the arrow in Figure 13. The ascending current of liquid is therefore projected
outwards on to the coils R in its own plane, or slightly against the natural flow, in
lieu of its being agitated in such a manner as to mix the portions of the liquid
having different temperatures. By this means I produce a rapid change of contact
with the surface of the coils, and prevent or diminish the tendency to an equalization
of the temperature of the liquid throughout the tank. It is obvious that a shaft
having projecting arms and vanes may be employed in substitution for the cylinder
with vanes or paddles horeinbefore referred to.
In the case of horizontal tanks for ice moulds a similar arrangement of agitator
may be employed (the same being however placed horizontally) represented in
Figure 14.
Qis the tank containing refrigerating liquid, in which ice moulds are to be
placed; R¹ is one of a series of pipes for the circulation of the gas for cooling the
said liquid; S' is the agitator mounted on a horizontal shaft or axis T¹ at one end
of the tank, and carrying the vanes or paddles y', the agitator being placed in
such a position that the vanes or paddles will dip into the liquid. Underneath the
agitator is a partition V extending across the tank, and downwards to within a
short distance from the bottom, and so arranged that by the revolution of the
agitator in the direction indicated by the arrow above it the cold liquid in the
bottom of the tank will be caused to flow upwards behind the partition V underneath
the agitator, and over the surface past the ice moulds, as indicated by the arrows,
and then downwards again over the pipes, and so on in succession, maintaining a
constant oscillation throughout the tank.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I
would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
First. In apparatus for effecting the compression of gaseous or aeriform fluids for
artificial cooling the interposition of a body or layer of liquid between the com-
pressing piston or pistons, and the induction and ejection valves, substantially as
and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
Second. The combination in a compressing pump for artificial cooling of a double
acting cylinder, in which works the compressing piston, with a partitioned chest or
chamber containing a body of liquid interposed between the said piston and the
induction and ejection valves, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore
described.
Third. Effecting the automatic return of surplus liquid ejected after the gas, sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described.
Fourth. In a vertical compressing pump for artificial cooling preventing the
escape of gas past the piston rod by the employment of a body or layer of liquid
covering the head or end of the cylinder, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fifth. The peculiar arrangements of cocks, substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 of my Drawings.
Sixth. In apparatus for the compression of gaseous or aeriform fluids for artificial
cooling the employment of a diaphragm, which will enable the valves to be operated
from the exterior, and maintain a tight joint without the aid of stuffing boxes,
substantially as herein before described and illustrated in Figures 9, 10, and 11 of
my Drawings.

page_text: Seventh. The employment in condensing or refrigerating tanks of agitators, con-
structed and arranged so as to operate substantially as herein before described and
illustrated in Figures 12, 13, and 14 of my Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Knight Kilbourn, have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of December, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
J. K. KILBOURN. (L.S.)