IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ICE AND COLD FOR REFRIGERATING PURPOSES
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas James Smith, of the Firm of Robertson,
Brooman, and Company, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of London,
Patent Agents, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS
AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ICE AND COLD FOR REFRIGERATING
PURPOSES."-A communication from abroad by Paul Giffard,
Alexandre Sublet, and Jules Armengaud Jeune, all of 23, Boulevard
de Strasbourg, Paris, France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas James Smith
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 19th February 1873.
I, THOMAS JAMES SMITH, of the Firm of Robertson, Brooman, and
Company, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent Agents,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ICE AND COLD FOR REFRIGERATING
PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
-

page_text: defined as follows, taking firstly those which relate to the machine as a
whole :-
First. The Inventors having perceived that the theory required for a
given expansion, not only a mere inequality, but a precise and
determined difference between the two capacities for the compression
and expansion of the air, they place between the equally large com-
pression and expansion cylinders a third and compensating cylinder
which is the exact representation of the mechanical work required by
the apparatus, or they employ two cylinders of unequal volume, but in
relation corresponding to the degree of expansion.
Secondly. In order to comply with the physical law of refrigeration
according to which it is advantageous to keep the mass of air as long as
possible in contact with the water which serves as the cooling agent, the
Inventors cause this water to enter at the same time and through th
same passages as the air into the compressing cylinders, and pass across
their piston before the compression, these are two fluids remain together
in the cylinders during the compression, and they proceed therefrom
intimately intermingled through the same passages only to be separated
in a separating reservoir where the water stops and flows regularly
outwards through a properly graduated outlet, whilst the air alone.
whether dried or not, as preferred, is led to an accumulating receiver. It
follows from this that the water has completely absorbed the heat
developed during the compression of the air. In the case where it may
be thought desirable to dry the air on its exit from the separator, it is
made to pass into a receiver containing chloride of calcium or other
substances absorbent of humidity, this receiver being of course placed
between the separator and the accumulator.
To take next the points which relate to the practical realization of the
Invention:-
Thirdly. The Inventors employ a system of interior expansion which
acts automatically, and suppresses all kind of distributing apparatus,
slides, or exterior valves. This system consists in the special con-
struction of a piston with a central valve serving for the escape of the
expanded air, and commanding the valve for its introduction into the
cylinder.
4th. In order to ensure an absolute hermeticity preventing any
escape and rigorously preserving the mathematical values of the volumes.

page_text: of the air acting in the cylinders, the Inventors apply a particular con-
struction of pistons, which besides the advantage of fulfilling two
functions, the obturation and the passage of fluids, possess the immense
merit of reducing the friction, and therefore the loss of motive power
almost to a nullity.
Fifthly and lastly. The action of parts of this apparatus is such that
the putting it in action can be effected with the little cylinder alone
and as soon as the pressure has reached the desired degree in the accu-
mulator the compression and expansion cylinders can be set to work
either independently of the compensating cylinder, or in connection
with it. In the first case one is certain that the expansion is effected.
while producing a mechanical work, since this work is utilized in order
to compress the air in the compression cylinder. The cranks of the
pistons of these cylinders are jointed upon the same shaft, which
solidarizes their movements and regulates the actions of the whole
machine by means of powerful fly wheels united to their extremities.
The nature of the Invention having been thus explained and defined,
it will be well to proceed to the description of the machine which the
Inventors have designed, in order to practically realize the mechanical
production of cold according to the conditions above pointed out. The
proportions and dimensions of this machine are calculated for an
approximate expansion of from 1 to 2, and for a production of a
determined volume of cold air per hour.
The machine comprises three cylinders, a compression cylinder, an
expansion cylinder, and a smaller compression cylinder called the
"compensator." The two first through being coupled together form a sort
of separate machine which can act alone. The cranks jointed to the
rods of their pistons are united to the two shoulders of a horizontal
common shaft which turns in two pedestals supported by a frame. This
shaft is provided at its extremity with fly wheels in order to regulate the
reciprocity of the actions of the two cylinders. Upon the same socket
is placed the compensating cylinder by the side of the body of the pump
which provides the refrigerating water. The motive shaft of these two
cylinders is supported parallelly upon the first shaft, and the last shaft
5 carries a motive pulley, a plate winch to govern the crank of the com-
pensating cylinder, an eccentric for the crank of the pump, and lastly a
toothed wheel intended to gear with a wheel of the same diameter

page_text: upon the first shaft. It is through this gearing that the solidarization of
the functions of the two parts of the machine is effected, a solidarization
which is optional from the movability of a sleeve attached to the wheel,
which may be moved longitudinally upon the first shaft by the aid of a
forked lever. The pump draws water from a well or from a tank placed
near the machine, and sends this water above the compresion cylinders
through two pipes, the sections of which are so calculated as to distribute
the volumes of water in the desired relation. The mingled air and water
proceed from the compression cylinders through two pipes which branchi
directly upon the separator; the water remains in the separator after
having absorbed all the heat developed by the compression. The air pro-
ceeds from this separator cooled by a pipe which leads into the upper
part of the accumulator. It is on the exit from the separator that the
air can if desired be dried by passing into a receiver containing chloride of
calcium or other substance absorbent of humidity. From the accumu-
lator the air having acquired the desired pressure proceeds into the
expansion cylinder, where it expands and cools while exercising a
mechanical work restored by the first shaft to the compression cylinder.
The cold air is received either into a freezing apparatus where it is
employed to make ice, or into any refrigerating receiver containing
substances to be cooled, or it may be conveyed to places where it is
desirable to lower the temperature; cellars, breweries, distilleries,
chemical laboratories, public halls, theatres, cafés, ships' cabins, or
reservoirs, and others.
If it is desired to manufacture ice or to merely cool substances enclosed
in a receiver, the air after having traversed the refrigerating apparatus
can if it is still cold be utilized to again feed the compression cylinders
which will still more augment the intensity of the cold produced. This
intensity can be carried to very great lengths by repeating the circulation
of the same mass of air in the machines several times. It is probable
that this means will be found sufficiently efficacious especially if com-
bined with pressure to bring about the liquefaction of certain gases.
which are now considered as permanent.
It is now time to enter upon the description of the system of expansion
and pistons which it is desired to explain in as succinct a manner as
possible, because the latter already form the subject of Letters Patent
granted to Mr. Giffard, dated the 31st July, 1871, No. 2011. The com-
pressing piston causes the action of the valve by means of a ring of

page_text: the said piston. The lower flange is pierced with holes in order to allow
to enter in the ascending course the air and water which introduce
themselves at the circumference of the upper flange, and pass between
the washer and the body of the piston. The exit valve for the com-
pressed air is a metal disc quite bare, or covered with a flexible material
pressed against its scat by a spiral spring which bears upon a diaphragm
perforated in order the better to divide the two fluids in their passage.
These last arrangements equally apply to the little compensating
cylinder.
The piston of the expansion cylinder is fitted also with a flexible ring,
but only intended to produce staunch obturation without appreciable
friction. The valve arranged in the centre of this piston is a little
metallic disc bare or covered and constantly solicited to open by means
of a little spiral spring.
The disc forming the introduction valve for the compressed air is
prolonged by a rod which is even with the foundation of the cylinder,
and which is surrounded by a spiral spring. The springs as well as the
little spring of the valve are calculated so that the disc resting upon
the head of the spring maintains the valve open during the first half of
the ascending course. As soon as the piston descends the valve opens,
and the expanded air is cooled, and making a passage for itself through
the said valve proceeds from the cylinder by a pipe which leads it to its
destination. When the piston arrives at the bottom of the course the
valve butting against the rod causes the introduction valve to open.
The rods of the pistons are as has been seen guided by stuffing boxes
which are more elevated than is usual, and in which the obturation is
effected by means of a flexible ring.
In the case where two unequal cylinders are employed for the com-
pression of the expansion, the compensator and the pump are dispensed
with. A series of gearings are then arranged for the command
permitting by the aid of an engagement of changing from 1 to 4 the
speed of the machine in order to pass from the putting in action to the
normal speed with restoration of the work of expansion. If there is no
water for the distribution pipes a pump independent of the apparatus is
to be made use of.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas James Smith in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 19th August 1873.
.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
JAMES SMITH, of the Firm of Robertson, Brooman, and Company, of 166,
Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent Agents, send grecting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of February, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Thomas James Smith, Her special licence
that I, the said Thomas James Smith, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas James Smith, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS
AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ICE AND COLD FOR REFRIGERATING PURPOSES,"
communicated to me from abroad by Paul Giffard, Alexandre Sublet, and
Jules Armengaud Jeune, all of 23, Boulevard de Strasbourg, Paris,
France, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Thomas
James Smith, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and scals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas James Smith, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, that is to say:
_
Among the numerous although little known attempts made to utilize
the source of cold which is to be found in the rarefaction of compressed
air, the most interesting have undoubtedly been those which consisted

page_text: in causing the expansion of the air by forcing it to execute an exterior
mechanical work in order to thus augment the quantity of heat absorbed
and consequently the intensity of the cold produced. Yet, machines
founded upon the expansion of air in work while they have given
appreciable results have never answered the expectations which the
excellence of the principle upon which they were founded reasonably gave
rise to. This failure may be ascribed to two chief causes, on the one
hand to an imperfect application of the laws governing the mechanical
theory of heat, and on the other to the employment of insufficient means
for the realization of the good practical action of the apparatus. It is
with these two points before them that the present Inventors have
applied themselves to the construction of a new system of air re-
frigerating machine, which was the object of this application for
Letters Patent, and in which they claim to have satisfied those
theoretical and practical conditions, which are indispensable for the
solution of the important problem of the industrial production of cold
by means of air.
This Invention comprises several essential features which may be
defined as follows, taking firstly those which relate to the machine as
a whole.
1st. The Inventors having perceived that the theory required for a
given expansion not only a mere inequality but a precise and deter-
minate difference between the two capacities for the compression and
expansion of the air, they place between the equally large compression
and expansion cylinders a third and compensatory cylinder, which is the
exact representation of the mechanical work required by the apparatus,
or they employ two cylinders of unequal volume, but in a relation
corresponding to the degree of expansion.
2ndly. In order to comply with the physical law of refrigeration,
according to which it is advantageous to put the mass of air for as
long as possible in contact with the water, which serves as the cooling
agent, the Inventors cause this water to enter at the same time and
through the same passage as the air into the compressing cylinder, and
pass across its piston before the compression. These two fluids
remain together in the cylinder during the compression, and they
proceed therefrom intimately intermingled through the same passages
only to be separated in a separating reservoir where the water stops, and
flows regularly outwards through a properly graduated outlet, whilst the

page_text: air alone, whether dried or not, as preferred, is led to an accumulating
receiver. It follows from this that the water has completely absorbed
the heat developed during the compression of the air. In the case
where it may be thought desirable to dry the air on its exit from the
separator it is made to pass into a receiver containing chloride of calcium
or other substances absorbent of humidity, this receiver being of course
placed between the separator and the accumulator.
To take next the points which relate to the practical realization of the
Invention :-
3rdly. The Inventors employ a system of interior expansion which
acts automatically, and suppresses all kind of distributing apparatus,
slides, or exterior valves. This system consists in the special construction
of a piston with a central valve serving for the escape of the expanded
air, and commanding the valve for its introduction into the cylinder.
4thly. In order to ensure an absolute hermeticity preventing any
escape and rigorously preserving the mathematical values of the volumes
of the air acting in the cylinders, the Inventors apply a particulra con-
struction of piston, which besides the advantage of fulfilling two
functions, the obturation and the passage of fluids, possess the immense
merit of reducing the friction, and therefore the loss of motive power
almost to a nullity.
5thly and lastly. The action of parts of this apparatus is such that the
putting it in action can be effected with the little cylinder alone, and as
soon as the pressure has reached the desired degree in the accumulator,
the compression and expansion cylinders can be set to work either
independently of the compensating cylinder or in connection with it.
In the first case one is certain that the expansion is effected while
producing a mechanical work since this work is utilized in order to
compress the air in the compression cylinder. The cranks of the pistons.
of these cylinders are jointed upon the same shaft which solidarizes both
their movements, and regulates the action of the whole machine by
means of powerful fly wheels fixed to their extremities.
The nature of the Invention having been thus explained and defined
it will be well to proceed to the description of the machine which the
Inventors have designed in order to practically realize the mechanical
production of cold according to the conditions above pointed out. The

page_text: proportions and dimensions of this machine are calculated for an
approximate expansion of from 1 to 2, and for a production of a
determined volume of cold air per hour.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings is a sectional elevation, while
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the machine. It comprises three
cylinders, A, B, and S; a compression cylinder A, an expansion
cylinder B, and a smaller compression cylinder called the compensator S.
The two first through being coupled together form a sort of separate
machine which can act alone. The cranks c, d, jointed to the rods C³, D³,
of their pistons C¹, D¹, work in unison from a horizontal shaft C, which
turns in two pedestals X, X, supported by a frame. This shaft C is
provided at its extremity with a fly wheel W in order to regulate the
reciprocity of the actions of the two pistons in the cylinders. Upon the
same socket as the cylinder A is placed the compensating cylinder S by
the side of the body of the pump which provides the refrigerating water;
this pump is not shown in the Drawings. The motive shafts of the two
cylinders are supported parallelly to the shaft C, which shaft carries
motive pullies M, M¹. It is through toothed wheels F, F¹, and a pinion
on the shaft C that the solidarization of the functions of the two parts
of the machine is effected, a solidarization which is optional from the
movability of a sleeve and clutch attached to the wheel, which may be
moved longitudinally on the first shaft by the aid of a forked lever.
The pump draws water from a well or from a tank placed near the
machine, and sends this water above the compression cylinder through
two pipes, the sections of which are so calculated as to distribute the
volumes of water in the desired relation. The mingled air and water
proceed from the compression cylinder through two pipes q, p, which
branch directly upon the seperator S; the water remains in this seperator
after having absorbed all the heat developed by the compression. The
air proceeds from the seperator (cooled) by a pipe q which leads into the
upper part of the accumulator Q. It is on the exit from the seperator
that the air can, if desired, be dried by passing into a receiver containing
chloride of calcium or other substance absorbent of humidity. From
the accumulator the air having acquired the desired pressure proceeds
through the pipe q¹ into the expansion cylinder B, where it expands
while exercising a mechanical work restored by the shaft C to the com-
pression cylinder. The cold air from the expansion cylinder B is received
either into a freezing apparatus, where it is employed to make ice, or

page_text: into any refrigerating receiver containing substances to be cooled; or it
may be conveyed through the outlet U to places where it is desirable to
lower the temperature, such as cellars, breweries, distilleries, chemical.
laboratories, public halls, theatres, cafés, ships' cabins, or reservoirs, and
others.
If it is desired to manufacture ice or to merely cool substances enclosed
in a receiver the air after having traversed the refrigerating apparatus
can if it is still cold be utilized to again feed the compression cylinder
which will still more augment the intensity of the cold produced. This
intensity can be carried to very great lengths by repeating the circula-
tion of the same mass of air in the machine several times. It is
probable that this means will be found sufficiently efficacious, especially
if combined with pressure, to bring about the liquefaction of certain
gases which are now considered as permanent.
It is now time to enter upon the description of the system of expansion
and pistons, which it is desired to explain in as succinct a manner as
possible because the latter already form the subject of Letters Patent
granted to Mr. Giffard, dated the 31st July, 1871, No. 2011. The com-
pressing piston causes the action of the valve by means of a ring of.
elastic and flexible material which oscillates between the two flanges of
the said piston. The lower flange is pierced with holes i, i, in order to
allow to enter in the ascending course the air and water which introduce
themselves at the circumference of the upper flange, and pass between:
the washer and the body of the piston. The exit valve L for the com-
pressed air is a metal disc, quite bare or covered with a flexible material,
pressed against its seat by a spiral spring L³ which bears upon a
diaphragm 1, perforated in order the better to break up the two fluids in
their passage.
These last arrangements equally apply to the little compensating
cylinder.
The piston of the expansion cylinder is fitted also with a flexible ring,
but only intended to produce staunch obturation without appreciable
friction. The valve J arranged in the centre of this piston is a little
metallic disc, bare or covered, and constantly solicited to open by means
of a little spiral spring v¹.
The disc forming the introduction valve for the compressed air is
prolonged by a rod t which is even with the foundation of the cylinder

page_text: and which is surrounded by a spiral spring u. The springs as well as
the little spring u¹ of the valve T are calculated so that the disc resting
upon the head of the spring maintains the valve open during the first
half of the ascending course. As soon as the piston descends the valve T
opens and the expanded cold air rushing in makes a passage for itself
through the said valve and proceeds from the cylinder by a pipe U
which leads it to its destination. When the piston arrives at the bottom
of the course the valve T butting against the rod t causes the intro-
duction valve T to open. The rods of the pistons are as has been seen
guided by stuffing boxes which are more elevated than is usual, and in
which the obturation is effected by means of a flexible ring.
per-
In the case where two unequal cylinders are employed for the com-
pression and the expansion the compensator and the pump are dispensed
with. A series of gearings are then arranged for the command,
mitting by the aid of an engagement of changing from 1 to 4 the speed
of the machine in order to pass from the putting-in action to the normal
speed with restoration of the work of expansion. If there is no water
for the distribution pipe a pump independent of the apparatus is to be
made use of.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,―
First. The combination with the compression and expansion cylinders
of equal capacities of a third or compensating cylinder in machines for
the production of ice and cold for refrigerating purposes, substantially
as herein-before described, and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The employment of two cylinders of unequal capacities, but
of capacities in a fixed relation to the degree of expansion required in
machines for the production of ice and cold for refrigerating purposes,
substantially as described.
Thirdly. Causing the air and water to enter into the compression
cylinders of machines for the production of ice and cold together, and to
remain there during the compression, substantially as herein-before
described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Fourthly. The general construction and arrangement of the expansion
cylinder B and of its piston and valves, as described, and as shown in
the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: And fifthly. The combination and arrangement of the apparatus for
producing ice and cold for refrigerating purposes, substantially as
herein-before described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas James Smith, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of August, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.