Improved Condensing Apparatus.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Oct., 1889-Accepted, 7th Dec., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Condensing Apparatus.
I AUGUSTUS COLLINGRIDGE of Alderman House Charing Cross Road London in
the County of Middlesex Operative Chemist and Electrical Engineer, 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:-
This Invention has for its object an arrangement of improved apparatus for
condensing steam and is peculiarly adapted for use in the condensation of exhaust
steam in the steam engines of sea going vessels.
Wherever condensation of exhaust steam is requisite to be effected as is ordinarily
the case with condensing steam engines 1 employ the following method in substitution
for the ordinary surface or other condenser.
For the purposes of this invention I make use of the following apparatus, one or
more pairs of cylinders-or which I prefer-sets of cylinders arranged in threes
proportioned in the length of piston stroke and diameter to the magnitude and
maximum steam consumption of the main cylinders-such first mentioned cylinders,
which for facilitating of description I designate hereafter as "Condensing Cylinders'
being alternating in their action and worked preferably from the main engine by
ordinary mechanical connections and also being preferably driven by means of suit-
able gearing at a higher speed (say double) than the rate of travelling of the pistons
of the main cylinders.
The ends of the condensing cylinders are open with a broad flange to admit of their
being bolted internally or externally (as may be convenient according to circum-
stances) to the inner plates of a jacketed tank or well of commensurate internal
capacity proportioned to the cubical contents of the condensing cylinders, or separate
tanks may be furnished to each pair or set of three or more cylinders. The top cover
of each condensing cylinder is fitted with one or more pipes and ports for the inlet of
exhaust steam the number of such pipes and ports being proportionate to the size of
the Cylinders. For a Cylinder not exceeding 42 inches in diameter I find that one pipe
and port is sufficient but for Cylinders exceeding this size in diameter it is advisable
to have more pipes and ports. These pipes and ports are connected with the exhaust
pipe coming from the exhaust ports of the steain engines. To the interior face of
each condensing cylinder cover is affixed a valve so constructed and arranged that no
steam can escape back from the condensing cylinder into the exhaust pipe. "The piston
is also pierced with ports which properly should be of larger area than the ports in
the cover of the Cylinders. The lower face of each piston in the line of its ports is
also provided with valves acting in the same way as the other valves in the cover that
is to say that no steam can escape from the lower into the upper part of the cylinder
when the piston is descending. At the lower or descending stroke of the piston a
vacuum is formed in the upper portion of the cylinder and exhaust pipe and the
exhaust steam fills the condensing cylinder above the piston. As the upstroke takes
place the steam escapes through the ports in the piston into the portion of the cylinders
below the piston and thence into the tank. This latter which may be rectangular or
cylindrical in form is constructed with an outer casing or "Jacket" which is fitted
with inlet and outlet pipes so arranged as to permit of a continuous circulation of
flowing water by which the steam is condensed. Where separate tanks are provided
or each separate pair or set of condensing cylinders they should be so constructed
hat by means of pipes and cocks or valves they may be put into communication with
each other or isolated at will. The return of the water from the condensing tank into
he main boilers can be effected in the usual manner by means of an ordinary Force
ump. An air pump or air pumps of the usual construction may also if desired be
ffixed to each tank to assist in maintaining a vacuum in the tank.

page_text: And in order that my said invention may be more clearly described and ascertained
I have appende hereto drawings in each figure of which similar letters indicate
corresponding parts from an inspection of which my Invention will he clearly under-
stood.
Figure 1 (which is partly in section) represents my condensing apparatus as applied
to Marine engines such condensing apparatus having three condensing cylinders and
a three throw crank shaft in connection with the pistons thereof. The connecting
rods and the piston rods are represented as broken off for convenience of the
drawing but they are attached in the ordinary manner.
Figure II is a section (on the line A. B) and Figure 111 is a section (on the
line C. D) on Figure I. a. a¹ and a represent the three condensing cylinders with
valves ZZ' and Z in the cylinder covers and the pipes and ports communicating
with the exhaust pipe d. d X. X' and X2 on the pistons with the valves y y¹ and y
therein. b. b. is the condensing tank with the cold water jacket c. c around it e. e is
the three throw crank shaft which is driven by preference by multiplying, gearing
from the main shaft of the steam engine. f. is the orifice in the tank b. b. for the
pipe of the force pump for forcing the condensed water back from the condensing
tank into the boiler. g is the orifice in the condensing tank b. b for the pipe of an
air pump should it be desired to use an air pump for the maintaining of a vacuum in
the condensing tank. By the use however of my said improved condensing apparatus
I desire to get rid of both air pump and the present tubular condensing apparatus.
Having now described my said invention and the manner in which the same
is to be performed or carried into effect I declare that what I claim as my
invention is
The improved apparatus herein before described for the removal and condensation
of the exhaust steaui of steam engines.
Dated this 21st day of October 1889.