IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE ManufacTURE OF ICE, AND FOR THE COOLING OF LIQUIDS, ROOMS, OR SPACES
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Mort, of 155, Fenchurch Street, in the
Oity of London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR THE ManufacTURE OF ICE, AND FOR THE COOLING OF LIQUIDS, ROOMS, OR
SPACES."A communication from abroad by Eugene Dominique
Nicolle and Thomas Sutcliffe Mort, both of Sydney, in the Colony
of New South Wales.
Scaled the 23rd October 1874, and dated the 10th August 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Mort at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
10th August 1874.
I, WILLIAM MORT, of 155, Fenchurch Street, in the City of London,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ICE, AND FOR THE COOLING OF LIQUIDS,
ROOMS, OR SPACES," to be as follows:-
1
This machine has for its object the more complete utilization of
the cold produced by freezing agents or mediums than is at present
obtained.

page_text: It is well known that a large loss is sustained in making ice of any
thickness, that is to say, that the water solidified does not represent an
equivalent for the cold given off by the freezing agent. This is owing
to the slow rate at which. cold is transmitted through water during
solidification, ice being so bad a conductor. This renders its manu-
facture in blocks of the size and form most desirable for avoiding waste,
as cubes, for instance, a slow and costly process.
-The apparatus, for which I seck Letters of Protection, overcomes the
difficulties referred to by allowing the congelation of the fluid through
which the wheel circulates to be effected-in thin-flakes upon-larger-1
surfaces, and which flakes are removed as frozen, and being massed
together are combined by regelation under pressure, the small amount
of heat evolved by the pressure enabling this latter effect to take
place.
Among the chief advantages of the evolving freezer over the old 1
methods are the following:-
--1st. Its increased power through the rapidity with which the icc can
be made, multiplying most materially the capacity of any ice making
machine to which it may be added. This is not alone due to the thin
flakes in which the ice is made, whereby the great loss in conduction is. 20
avoided, but also to the better circulation of the agent and the more
rapid transmission of the cold over a largely increased surface.
2nd. The quality of the ice is much better owing to the expulsion of
the air under pressure, whilst the size and shapo in which the blocks
may be made reduces the waste during exposure to a minimum.
3rd. By attaching the apparatus to most existing machines a saving
of space will be effected as the wheel becomes the evaporator, and that
member being dispensed with coils and other arrangements follow.
21
4th. The use of icc moulds with the wear and tear attendant thercon,
together with the labour of filling and emptying the same, is entirely 3
donc away with.
5th. In the saving of labour and the small power which the apparatus
requires to move it. When once in motion it may be said to be self-
acting, itself measuring the quantity of icc required for each block and
turning it out as made, so that the only labor is in the stacking of the 35
blocks of icc.

page_text: Having thus briefly described the nature and advantages of tho
apparatus I now proceed to describe the parts thereof, reference being
made to the plans hereunto annexed.
Figure 1 represents a sectional elevation of the apparatus; Figure 2
shews a transverse section-of the-same:
.
A is a box, by preference made of wood, in which is fitted a semi-
circular water-tight trough, also by preference of wood, lined with metal
if necessary, the space between the trough and the box being filled with
charcoal or other good non-conducting substance. This box is fitted
with a non-conducting cap or cover. A, A, is a water-tight wheel, the
face of which is made of any thin good conducting metal which will not
bo acted upon by the cold-producing agent, by preference copper, and
which is supported by metallic ribs. The sides may be of metal or
wood, or metal covered with wood. The circumference of the wheel
must be accurately made to ensure an even face in order that the
removal of the ice as presented to the spiral cutter C may be evenly and
perfectly effected. Its diameter and width of face must be regulated
according to the power of the machine in connection with which it
may be employed. Where ammonia or similar liquified gases are
employed direct as the agent for producing cold the wheel must be mado
correspondingly strong to resist the pressure, and of such metals as. will
not be affected by the agent used. The journals of the axle of this
wheel are tubular, the cold-producing agent or medium being made to
enter through one of the journals, and is thence led to the bottom of
the wheel by a fixed pipe, whilst the opposite journal affords escape for
the freezing agent or medium after it has given off its proportion of
cold. The blocks which rest on the 'box A in which the journals
revolve are made in the usual way, and stuffing boxes provided to
prevent escape of liquor or gas from the interior of the wheel and the
escape of water from the trough. This wheel may be driven by cog
pulley, or other suitable gear, the speed being arranged in combination
with the temperaturo so as to produce the required thickness of icc, say,
about an eighth of an inch.
Although in order to effect theso purposes I use by preference a.con-
tinuous revolving wheel, yet. I do not confine-myself to this particular
form of vessel, or to tho continuous or rotary motion, as the samo object
Hained ...t

page_text: other vessel containing the cold agent or medium in the liquid requiring
to be refrigerated, and upon withdrawal cutting or scraping off the ice
which may have formed upon it, or in lieu of the rotary motion a
backwards and forwards motion may be given to the wheel.
B is a ball-cock for regulating the water supply.
C is a spiral cutter made after the cutter in a chaffing machine, and
having several blades. This is for the removal of the ice as formed, and
any other form of cutter or scraper may be substituted, but I use the
one described by preference.
D is the trough for receiving the ice flakes as they fall under the 1
action of the knife C.
E is a delivery valve provided with lever and rod, which latter, aro
acted upon by the cams on the driving wheel.
F is a driving wheel fixed on the axle of the wheel A, A, on which
the movable cams are fitted. This wheel drives the spiral cutter C by 1
pinion attached thereto.
G is a fixed supply pipe, and is a continuation of the pipe supplying
the freezing agent or medium through the journal, and terminates by a
cross piece perforated with holes on the side next to the periphery of the
wheel. A guard made of wood, or other bad conducting substance, is
attached and stayed to the fixed pipe which compels the medium to
give off its cold to the best advantage, and causes the overflow of the
medium to circulate in an opposite direction to that of the water
supplied by the ball-cock B.
2
H is a fixed delivery pipe passing through the journal, and carrying 2
off the agent or medium after having done its work.
I is the pressing box, which receives the flakes of ice from the
trough D as moved by the delivery valve E, and is by preference acted
upon by hydraulic pressure, the press being so constructed as to elevate
the blocks of ice after compression by motion regulated by cams in order 3
that they may be successively removed by the lever acted upon by the
cams fitted on the driving wheel for that purpose. After the block of
icc is removed the piston falls, and the valve E being again opened the
flake ico falls in for the next pressure, and so on continuously. I use
false pieces in the press, so as to elevate or depress the dic or bottom on 3

page_text: which the ice is pressed, and for regulating the size of the blocks I wish
to make.
When required for speed in pressing, two prosses may be used, by
using a movable tray feeding each press-alternately, which--tray may
be
easily worked by cam or other contrivanco fixed on the_cam_wheel. The
press may be worked horizontally or vertically.
I would here mention that where I desire to effect the cooling of rooms
or spaces I close the box at the sides, and pass a current of air into the
box (no water being therein) at that part which is near to the cock B.
The air being forced against the surface of the wheel, the wheel moving
in the contrary direction to the air, it passes on to the point of escape at
or near to the spiral cutter C, whence it is discharged into the upper
portion of the room or space requiring to be cooled, being again returned.
from the lower part of the room after diffusion has been effected to the
entrance near to the ball-cock B. This is effected by fan, air pump,
or other contrivance for intermittent or continuous requirements. But
a more desirable method for cooling rooms or spaces where the agent is
used direct is to replace the water in the trough with brine or other
mixture which will not freeze except at a low temperature, and the
cooling power going on the brine is pumped from the trough through
pipes in, through, over, or around the rooms or spaces requiring to
be cooled, returning into the trough after performing its work to be
again cooled, and so kept in circulation as long as the cooling is
'

page_text: wheel A by the fixed pipe G. Now set the wheel in motion, regulating
the pace so as to keep a constant flake of one-eighth of an inch thiök to
oppose to the knife C, and which flake will appear under the knife after
a few revolutions of the wheel. Thero is a gradual fall in temperature
ọn one sido as the upper part of the wheel enters the water, and
approaches zero, and a gradual rise in the temperature on the other sido
as the wheel lifts towards the cutter C, which it reaches at about 30°.
In performing this circuit it effects two objects, first, the gradual cooling
of the water in the trough; and next, the gradual deposition of that
sensible cold which is in excess of what is required for regelation, and
which ice generally holds after leaving the mould, and under existing
plans is wasted. This gradual process will produce the best icc, as
passing through its stages so slowly no particle of air is confined in the.
crystal during congelation; indeed, it will be found to be the nearest.
ápproach to nature's mode of freezing water possible, whilst it possesses
that great desideratum, absence of waste of the sensible cold, as above
described. To return to this modus operandi. As the wheel moves it.
will present a continuous surface of icc for the spiral cutter to remove,
and which as removed falls into the trough D, where it is retained by
the closed valve E until acted upon at fixed intervals by the cam, when
it falls into the press I in quantities regulated by the cam. After
delivery of the charge the valvo E instantaneously closes, and the upper:
part of the hydraulic ram being set in downward motion by the cam
wheel, the required pressure (which is balanced by the safety valve of
the hydraulic) is given to the block. The cam wheel now sets in motion
the lower portion of the press, as also the ram. As the former lifts the
block of icc to the required height to be removed, the block is acted
upon by a lever, which removes it from the press on to an inclined shoot
leading into the ice house, whilst the upper part of the ram continuing
to travel reaches its limit of motion ready for the next operation.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Lettors Patent,
filed by the said William Mort in the Great Scal Patent Office on
the 9th February 1875.
: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
MONT; of-155; Fenchurch Strect,.in. tho City of London, send greeting. a

page_text: :
A is a box, by preference made of wood, in which is fitted a semi-
circular water-tight trough, also by preference of wood, lined with
metal if necessary, the space between the trough and the box being
filled with charcoal or other good non-conducting substance. This
box is fitted with a non-conducting cap or cover. A', A', is a water-
tight wheel, the face of which is made of any thin good conducting
metal which will not be acted upon by the cold producing agent, by
preference copper, and which is supported by metallic ribs; the sides
may be of metal or wood; or metal covered with wood. The circum.
ference of the wheel must be accurately made to ensure an even face in
order that the removal of the ice as presented to the spiral cutter O may
be evenly and perfectly effected. Its diameter and width of face must
be regulated according to the power of the machine in connection with
which it may be employed. Where ammonia or similar liquified gases
are employed direct as the agent for producing cold, the wheel. must be
made correspondingly strong to resist the pressure, and of such metals
as will not be effected by the agent used. The journals of the axle of
this wheel are tubular, the cold producing agent or medium being made
to enter through one of the journals, and is thence led to the bottom of the
wheel by a fixed pipe, whilst the opposite journal affords escape for tho
freezing agent or medium after it has given off its proportion of cold.
The blocks which rest on the box A in which the journals revolve are
made in the usual way, and stuffing boxes provided to prevent escape of
liquor or gas from the interior of the wheel, and the escape of water from
the trough. This wheel may be driven by cog, pulley, or other suitable
gear; the speed being arranged in combination with the temperaturo
so as to produce the required thickness of ice, say about an eighth of
an inch.
:
Although in order to effect these purposes I use by preference a
continuous revolving wheel, yet I do not confine myself to this par-
ticular form of vessel, or to the continuous or rotary motion, as the
same object may be attained, but not so advantageously, by dipping
a cylinder or other vessel containing the cold agent or medium in the
liquid requiring to be refrigerated, and upon withdrawal cutting or
scraping off the ice which may have formed upon it; or in lieu
of the rotary motion a backwards and forwards motion may be given
to the wheel.

page_text: O is a spiral cutter made after the cutter in a chaffing machine, and
having several blades. This is for the removal of the ice as formed, and
any other form of cutter or scraper may be substituted, but I use tho
one described by preference.
D is the trough for receiving the ico flakes as they fall under the
action of the knifo C.
E is a delivery valve provided with lover and rod, which latter aro
acted upon by the cams on the driving wheel.
F is a driving wheel fixed on the axlo of the wheel A', A', on which
the movable cams are fitted. This wheel drives the spiral cutter O by 1
pinion attached thereto.
G is a fixed supply pipe, and is a continuation of the pipe supplying
the freezing agent or medium. through the journal, and terminates by
a cross piece perforated with holes on the side next to the periphery
of the wheel. A guard made of wood or other bad conducting substanco 1
is attached and stayed to the fixed pipe, which compels the medium to
give off its cold to the best advantage, and causes the overflow of the
medium to circulate in an opposite direction to that of the water supplied
by the ball-cock B.
His a fixed delivery pipe passing through the journal and carrying a
off the agent or medium after having dono its work.
I is the pressing box which receives the flakes of ice from tho
trough D as moved by the delivery valve E, and is by preferenco
acted upon by hydraulic pressure, the press being so constructed as
to elevate the blocks of ice after compression by motion regulated :
by cams, in order that they may be successively removed by the lever
acted upon by the cams fitted on the driving wheel for that purpose.
After the block of ice is removed the piston falls, and the valve E
being again opened the flake ice falls in for the next pressure, and
so on continuously. I use false pieces in the press so as to clovate or a
depress the die or bottom on which the ice is pressed, and for regulating
the size of the blocks I wish to make.
-
When required for speed in pressing, two presses may be used, by
using a movable tray feeding each press alternately, which tray may be
casily worked by cam or other contrivance fixed on the cam wheel. The
press may be worked horizontally or vertically.

page_text: ..I would. hero mention that where desire to effect the cooling of
rooms or spaces I close the box at the sides, and pass a current of air
into the box (no water being therein) at that part which is near to the
cock B. The air being forced against the surface of the wheel, thọ
5 wheel moving in the contrary direction to the air, it passes on to the
point of escape at or near to the spiral cutter C, whence it is discharged
into the upper portion of the room or space requiring to, be cooled, being
again returned from the lower part of the room after diffusion has been
effected to the entrance near to the ball-cock B. This is effected by fan,
air pump, or other contrivance for intermittent or continuous require-
ments; but a more desirable method for cooling rooms or spaces where
the agent is used direct is to replace the water in the trough with brino
or other mixture which will not freeze except at a low temperature, and
the cooling power going on the brine is pumped from the trough
through pipes in, through, over, or around the rooms, or spaces requiring
to be cooled, returning into the trough after performing its work to bo
again cooled, and so kept in circulation as long as the cooling is
deşired.
)
For refrigerating liquids the liquid requiring to be acted upon is made
to enter by the ball cock B, and to leave at the spiral cutter O, the wheel
always revolving in an opposite direction to the liquid.
For icing creams or other confections the machino is used as for
making ice, the cream or other substance taking the place of the water,
but where the machine is required for this purpose it is desirable to have
it specially arranged to lift out so that there be no waste.
MODE OF WORKING THE APPARATUS.
"
First, charge the water trough with water by opening the water cock
on the delivery pipe, allowing the water to flow until stopped by tho
ball-cock B; next introduce the freezing agent or medium into the
wheel: A by the fixed pipe G. Now set the wheel in motion, regulating
the pace so as to keep a constant flake of one-cighth of an inch thick to
oppose to the knife. O, and which flake will-appear under the knife after
a few revolutions of the wheel. There is a gradual fall in temperature
on one side as the upper part of the wheel enters the water and-
approaches zero, and a gradual rise in the temperature on the other sidē
as tho wheel lifts towards the cutter-0,-which-it-reaches at about 30°.
In performing this circuit it effects two objects, first, the gradual

page_text: cooling of the water in the trough, and next the gradual deposition of
that sensible cold which is in excess of what is required for regelation
and which ice generally holds after leaving the mould, and under.
existing plans is wasted. This gradual process will produce the best.
ice, as passing through its stages so slowly no particle of air is confined
in the crystal during congelation; indeed, it will be found to be the
nearest approach to nature's mode of freezing water possible, whilst it
possesses that great desideratum absence of waste of the sensible cold, as
above described. To return to this modus operandi. As the wheel
moves it will present a continuous surface of ice for the spiral cutter. to
remove, and which as removed falls into the trough D, where it is
retained by the closed valve E until acted upon at fixed intervals by
the cam, when it falls into the press I in quantities regulated by the
cam. After delivery of the charge the valvo E instantaneously closes,
and the upper part of the hydraulic ram being set in downward motion:
by the cam wheel the required pressure (which is balanced by the safety
valve of the hydraulic) is given to the block. The cam wheel now sets
in motion the lower portion of the press as also the ram. As the former
lifts the block of ice to the required height to be removed the block is
acted upon by a lever, which removes it from the press on to an inclined
shoot leading into the ice house; whilst the upper part of the ram
continuing to travel icaches its limit of motion ready for the next
operation.
Having thus described the integral portions of the apparatus, together
with the mode of working it, I claim, the apparatus (which I designate
as " Nicolle and Mort's Revolving Freezer ") in its general combination
for the purpose of making ice, for icing creams or other confections, for
refrigerating liquids, and for cooling rooms or spaces, and for cooling
purposes generally in connection with all cold producing machines or
agents.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Mort, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.