IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MAKING ICE
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of Kensington, Middlesex for
an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MAKING ICE."-A
communication from abroad by Thomas S. Rankin of Washington United
States.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Herbert John Haddan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th July 1882.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of Kensington, Middlesex. IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR MAKING ICE. A communication from abroad by Thomas. S.
Rankin of Washington United States.
Improvements relating to machinery for the manufacture of ice.
The first part of my invention relates to machinery for the manufacture of ice
by the evaporation of fluid ammonia wherein the ammonia is recondensed after it
has been converted into a gas and reclaimed to be used over again. The nature of
this part of my invention consists in novel modes of constructing the condensing
apparatus and the header of the still, and also means for preventing overflow into
the chamber of which the header forms an integral part.
The second part of my invention consists in improvements in ice making
machinery wherein the ammonia still employed for the rapid evaporization or
gasifying of the aqua ammonia is heated by steam.
Figure 1 sheet 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved apparatus for producing
the freezing element, the apparatus for receiving the water to be frozen, being
omitted.
Figure 2 sheet 1 is a vertical sectional view of the still L, the header D, and
part of the stand pipe N.
Figure 3, is a still and still chamber partly in vertical section, designed for the
rapid evaporation of aqua ammonia for the production of ice, and for refrigerating
purposes generally.
Figure 4 is a section taken through figure 3, in the vertical plane indicated by
dotted line xx, showing the cored passages leading from one pipe to another
throughout the series of pipes.

page_text: Figure 5, sheet 2, is a front elevation of the still wall and a vertical transverse
section through the still pipes and their jackets.
Figure 6 is a view in detail showing a side view of two condensing and
absorbing pipes, and a diametrical section of one of these pipes adapted to be used
vertically.
Figure 7 is a horizontal section of figure 6.
Figure 8, is an enlarged sectional view of portions of the condensing and
absorbing pipes showing one of the spring actuated segmental drip plates which is
applied thereto.
Figure 9 is a sectional view of upper part of the still chamber and one of
the inclined still tubes with its steam jacket, and a central diaphragm perforated
at its lower end.
Figure 10, is a view of a condenser and absorber.
Figure 11, is an enlarged view partly in section of one of the condenser and
absorber pipes showing spring-actuated segmental plates therein.
Figure 12, is an enlarged cross-section of figure 11.
Figure 13, is a view of part of a condenser.
Figure 14, is a cross section showing a multiple of pipes in a condensing jacket
of rectangular form.
Figure 15 is a portion of a cooling coil, to cool the weak water of ammonia, as it
flows from the still to the absorber.
Figure 16, shows in section the cooling coil and its water ways arranged on
a roof.
Figure 17, is a vertical sectional view of a modification of the pipes shown in
figure 6.
Figure 18, is a modification of the stand pipe.
Figure 19, shows details of figure 18,
I will now describe the first part of my invention. L designates the still, of
which D is the header or chamber of the still, the front wall of which is seven
inches, more or less, in thickness, for the purpose of allowing for coring,
This
thickened wall is well illustrated in figure 2, showing part of the coring, and it is
also shown in figure 4, showing the coring when taken at right angles to the plane
of the last named figure.
In order to effect the division and conduction of the aqua ammonia from one of
the still-pipes to another to effect the redistillation and transfer from pipe to pipe,
I proceed as follows:
The
The apparatus is charged by pumping aqua ammonia of proper strength into a
pipe at 6, which is provided with a suitable valve; the valve 2 being shut.
ammonia is pumped by means of the engine I through the equalizer E to the stand
pipe at O. It thence runs down the spiral flange Y in the stand pipe N, shown
clearly in figure 2, where considerable evaporation takes place, and leaving this
spiral evaporator, the remaining aqua ammonia falls on the horizontal drip plate a.
Here a second evaporation takes place. From the last drip plate in the series, the
aqua ammonia falls from the stand pipe N upon the highest one of a number
of inclined gates which are lettered i, and arranged inside of the chamber D of
the still.
During the process of evaporation, it will be observed that the gas passes through
a pipe leading out of the top of the stand pipe N, and communicates with the
highest end of the top inclined pipe of the condenser C.
The fluid ammonia which falls on the highest gate i, of the series of gates in the
chamber D, flows into the top still pipe g, and escapes through an opening at the
lower end thereof, and passes backward and upward through pipe g, beneath
the diaphragm, to the coring f in the cast metal header, figures 2 and 4; thence
down to the next pipe below, thence crosswise, and so on until all of the pipes g
have been passed. It will be seen by reference to figures 2 and 3, that the wall of
the still chamber D, into which the pipes g are inserted tightly, is cast with
vertical passages f, communicating with transverse passages e, and inclined or

page_text: oblique passages f¹; also that from this wall rises inclined gates which interspace
with other gates or plates descending from the opposite wall of the still
chamber D.
During the passage of the ammoniacal liquor through the several still pipes to
the bottom of the still chamber D, the gas evolved will pass off freely from each
pipe and escape through the stand pipe, and the pipe leading from its upper end,
and enter the condenser C as before stated. During the process of evaporization,
any water which may boil over with the outflowing gas from the pipes g, will be
headed back into each pipe or section of pipes by the inclined gates i, rising from
the mouths of the transverse passages into which the pipes g are secured.
These gates i last referred to, effectually prevent any tendency to boil up into
the condenser C, and effect the gas by the water which might by such ebulition
be carried over; Such water is of course carried back into the respective pipes and
nothing but gas of ammonia is allowed to escape. The ascending gas is dried by
the drip plates a and the helical flange Y in the stand pipe N, by passing the
aqua ammonia in its flow down the stand pipe. This gas, as before stated, passes
into the condenser C, and is condensed by the still pressure.
The liquified gas from the condenser accumulates in the receiver K and is
expanded through valves 4 and 5 for the purpose of refrigerating or making ice,
as may be desired.
The refrigerating chamber may be constructed in the usual well known manner
and the pipes leading from this chamber (or chambers) communicate with a pipe
leading to the absorber B. At this point the gas meets the weak aqua ammonia
which is continually passing from the still chamber through pipe m, cock 7*,
equalizer E, and cooling coil F which latter is cooled by water flowing through a
tank in which it is situated. The gas is absorbed by the weak water of ammonia
in its passage through B down to the receiver H, and from this receiver it is
pumped by means of the engine I, to keep up the supply of gas and water passing
from the still. It will be seen that the process is continuous, and that there is
little or no loss of ammonia.
To more effectually complete the drying of the ammoniacal gas in the upper part
of the stand pipe. N, before it escapes therefrom to the condensor C, I surround
the upper portion of this stand pipe with a jacket M (arranged above the inlet of
the pipe O) through which water is caused to pass from pipe U to pipe W, and I
arrange inside of that part of the stand pipe which is thus surrounded, and kept
cool, a series of segmental blades a, which in a measure retard the ascending gas
and steam. The gas is thus deprived of moisture, and the steam, which may
ascend to these blades a¹, is condensed and the water of condensation is carried
back to the still chamber D. If desired, water may be taken from the tank G,
figure for cooling the jacket M and the upper part of the stand pipe.
'
The second part of my invention will now be explained, reference being had to
the letters on the several figures which apply to this part of my invention.
B designates a still chamber from which rises a stand pipe A, only part of which
is shown in the drawings, through which pipe the gas from the ammonia rises to
be condensed. The chamber B is provided with a number of inclined plates C, C',
arranged so that the ascending gas and vapor are caused to take a tortuous course
in passing upward to the stand pipe A, as indicated by the arrows in figure 1.
The inclined plates, C. rise from a series of horizontal passages, which are
lettered D, and which extend transversely through a thick wall of the chamber B.
These passages communicate with vertical and horizontal passages e e, shown,
clearly in figure 4, and which are formed by coring the said thick wall. E E
designate a gang or series of still jackets which are inclined as shown, and which
surround pipes F, in the centers of which are arranged pipes G. The jackets E
are closed at their lower ends, and their upper ends are fitted into annular grooves
a formed in the wall of the chamber B. and so nicely packed that they are gas
tight at these packed points. The lower ends of the pipes F are closed and secured
by bolts and nuts to the corrosponding ends of the jackets E. The upper ends of

page_text: .
pipes are suitably fitted and secured into the passages D, and open therein.
The lower ends of the pipes G are open and their upper ends are secured to
couplings which are thickly fitted into the horizontal and vertical passages e e,
as clearly seen in figures 3 and 4.
There is a steam space formed between each one of the jackets E, and the pipe F
which it encloses, and these steam spaces communicate by means of vertical and
horizontal pipes ff', as shown in figures 5 and 6. The struts & serve as supports
for the outer, ends of the jackets, and the bolts and nuts H serve to press home
the upper ends of the jackets into their seats a.
When aqua ammonia is caused to flow down the stand pipe A it will pass into
pipe F, nearest the top of the chamber B, and when this pipe is one third full,
(more or less), the liquid will flow through the vertical passage e into the pipe G
and from the lower end of this pipe into the pipe F which surrounds it, thence
back again, and so on through the series of pipes G and F. The liquid, which
becomes very weak in consequence of being deprived of ammonia by steam heat,
finally flows into the bottom of the chamber B, to be passed out by the gas
pressure when desired.
Instead of using the pipes G for conveying the liquid ammonia to the lower
ends of the pipes E, a diaphragm may be used as shown in figure 9, having a
perforation through it at its lower end for the passage of the liquid from the
chamber above it to that below it.
The gas which escapes from the upper part of the stand pipe A is conducted
through a condenser. This condenser consists of an outer jacket or cylinder I,
which is arranged vertically and secured gas-tight to ends o o¹, an inner cylinder I',
of much less diameter than the jacket, which cylinder is also secured to said
ends o ol, and a central rod or shaft P.
The upper end of the end piece o, communicates with a horizontal pipe N, and
the end piece o¹ communicates with a pipe N¹. The chamber between the cylinder
and jacket is supplied by a constant current of cold water which enters through
pipes M. and cocks L, and escapes through pipes K; or the currents may be
reversed. The gas passes from N down through the interior of the cylinder I',
and escapes into N', from which it may be conducted to a receiver. "It will be
seen by reference to figures 6, 8, and 11 that I arrange segmental plates R inside
of the cylinder I', and keep them in close contact with the interior surface of this
cylinder by means of helical springs T which are coiled around pins that enter the
rod or tube P. These segment shaped plates are arranged spirally around the said
rod or tube P, and they afford a very large amount of surface for condensation or
absorption. The condenser shown by figure 10 consists of a coil of pipe B¹ partly
enclosed by jackets S, which communicates with each other by means of pipes R'.
An equivalent of this arrangement is represented by figures 13 and 14 in which
latter instance a number of small pipes are enclosed by a simple rectangular jacket
through which water may be caused to flow. The condenser of Figure 11 is
provided with spring actuated segments R constructed and arranged around a
central tube or rod as described for figures 6, 8, and 11.
Figures 15 and 16, represent a cooling coil F' arranged on a roof G', in a shallow
tank having divisions applied between the coils of pipe, forming channels for the
flow of water in a zig-zag course from above downward. This arrangement is
designed to cool the weak water of ammonia as it flows from the still to the
absorber for the purpose of taking up the gas used in refrigerating. This coil is
placed on the roof G' to gather the water after it has escaped from the condenser
and absorber. This water flows down the zig-zag channel, while the hot water
passes up through the coil.
Having described my invention, I claim:
1st. The combination in an ice making machine of the still chamber D having
one side cored or chambered, at ef, the still pipes g fitted into the said chamber,
the diaphragm arranged in the pipes g, and the inclined gates i, substantially as
described.

page_text: 2nd. In an ice making machine the combination of a stand pipe provided with a
winding evaporating flange, drip plates terminating at the lower end thereof, a
still chamber communicating with the pump I through an equalizer, inclined gates
or plates arranged in the still chamber, the chambered wall thereof, the still tubes
and diaphragm arranged therein substantially as described.
3rd. The still chamber having inclined plates, inclined tudes, diaphragms
arranged in the tubes, passages h, a perforated wall having passages leading from
one tube g to another, a communication leading to the pump I, a stand pipe also
communicating with said pump and with a condenser C, a pipe leading from the
condenser to a liquid ammoniacal gas receiver K, and a draw-off pipe provided
with cocks, substantially as described.
4th. The combination of the still chamber D, its inclined gates, chambered wall,
inclined still pipes, and perforated diaphragm therein, with pipes leading into and
out of this still chamber, the condenser C, the receiver K, the cooling coil F, the
absorber B, the receiver H, and the pump I, all operating together for the purpose
and in the manner specified.
5th. The combination of the still chamber D, the stand pipe, the winding flange Y,
the plates a' above this flange, and the water jacket M arranged above the inlet of
pipe O, substantially as described.
6th. The combination of the chamber B, of the still provided with inclined
plates C C, and a stand pipe, the steam jackets E, pipes F, the pipes G or their
equivalents, and the passages D, e, in the wall of the said chamber, substantially as
described.
7th. The combination of the still chamber B, the wall thereof having passages
D, e, in it, the steam jackets E fitted into said wall, the pipes F, and the bolts and
nuts H, connecting the lower ends of these pipes to the ends of the jackets,
substantially as described.
8th. The condenser formed of pipes I I, and end pieces o, o¹, pipes N N¹, a central
rod or tube P, and segment shaped plates acted on by springs, substantially as
described.
9th. In a condenser or absorber the combination of segment shaped plates R,
acted on by springs, substantially in the manner described.
10th. The combination of the cooling coil F', the tank having divisions F. in it,
and the inclined plane or roof G'., substantially in the manner and for the purpose
described.
In witness whereof I the said Herbert John Haddan have hereunto set my
Jandal this movantounth day of Tule AD 1985