IMPROVEMENTS IN VACUUM-PAN APPARATUS
Year: 1884

page_text: COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
c
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the 'firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
VACUUM-PAN APPARATUS and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
―
"
This Invention consists principally in providing the vacuum pan with a special
form of agitator adapted to be heated, also in making the vacuum pan of upper
and lower parts or sections, which I shall term respectively the " dome and
"receiver" and in adapting the "receiver" to be lowered out of the "dome" and
moved away from the same for cooling and emptying the sugar.
The Invention also consists in supporting the "receiver" upon the upper end of
a heavy vertically placed screw which works through a screw threaded opening
made in a heavy plate held upon a suitable truck which runs upon a suitable track
whereby the "receiver" may be moved to and from the "dome "upon the truck
and raised up to and lowered from the "dome" by turning the screw.
The screw
instead of being thus attached to and made a part of the truck may be held in a
stationary screw socket so that one screw may be used for raising and lowering
two or more "receivers" a carriage being provided for moving the receivers to and
from the screw.
a
The Invention also consists in such construction of the dome and receiver at
their edges that a steam and air tight joint may be formed between them when
the receiver is elevated by turning the screw; also in adapting the receiver to be
readily tilted for emptying out its contents; also in providing the receiver with a
brake arranged to prevent the receiver from turning on its pivot of its own accord
or from being too readily tilted in the act of emptying its contents.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying Drawings forming a part of this
Specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in
all the Figures.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of this new and improved vacuum pan as it
appears when arranged for operation. Figure 2 is a detailed sectional elevation
showing the preferred construction of the dome and receiver whereby a steam and
Price 871
.

page_text: air tight joint may be formed between them and showing one construction of the
agitator and its connections also showing the steam inlet valve and coupling for
admitting steam to the steam jacket of the receiver. Figure 3 is a plan view
showing the ways or tracks and the trucks placed thereon and the frame work for
supporting the dome of the vacuum pan. Figure 4 is a transverse sectional 5
clevation of the track on which the trucks run and its foundation a truck and
screw being shown in elevation. Figure 5 is a detailed side elevation showing a
brake for holding the receiver upright and for preventing too rapid tilting of the
receiver. Figure 6 shows the form of standards or braces used for supporting the
dome of the vacuum pan from the frame work.
Figure 7 is a broken elevation showing the arrangement when the screw for
raising and lowering the receiver is held in a stationary socket, showing also
modified means for operating the screw and means for tilting the receiver for
emptying its contents.
Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of a modified form of agitator the section being 1
taken on the line x x-of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a detailed sido elevation showing
the receiver as it appears when resting upon its carriage to be moved to or from.
the elevating screw.
•
The frame work that I prefer to employ in connection with the new vacuum pan
is a super-structure supported upon the pillars &d that rise from the floor the
super-structure consisting of the iron side bars c arranged in the form of a square,
the central circular bar and the radial bars e e¹ that reach from the circular
bar d' to the side bars c as shown in Figure 3.
A represents the dome of the vacuum pan. This is made in two parts the upper
part or casting a and the lower ring casting a, and it is supported concentric with
but with its lower edge slightly above the circular bar d', by the arms or braces B B,
which are bolted or rivetted to the' ring casting a¹of the dome and rest at their
lower ends upon the radial bars e e¹ of the superstructure.
Referring to Figures 1 and 3 immediately below and in line with the diameter
of the dome A, and the circle formed by the circular bar d¹ are placed the parallel
rails or plates C, C, which rest upon the sills D D which sills are supported by the
walls E E of masonry which are built a short distance apart for forming a
clearance for the heavy screw F, as shown in Figure 4 and as will be hereinafter
'described.
'
Upon the track formed by the rails or plates C, C, are placed the trucks G
preferably two, connected together by the connecting rods H. These trucks are
each provided with a heavy plate I which has a screw threaded opening i made
through it in and through which a heavy screw F works, and (in the form of.
apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 3) upon the upper end of the screw F is swivelled
the head F¹ to which is pivoted by means of the bolt J and spider casting J¹ the
"receiver "A¹ of the vacuum pan so that by turning the screw F by means of a
lever or rod passed through one or other of the holes f made through the screw F,
or by other means such for example as hereinafter described, the receiver A¹ may
be lowered out of contact with the dome A, and also below the bars of the
superstructure to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, and then moved
by the truck G along the track C, C, away from under the dome A.
As just mentioned there are two of the trucks G in the apparatus shown in
Figures 1 and 3 which trucks are connected together by the rod H and it is
designed to have each provided with a heavy screw F and receiver A' so that as
one receiver is moved away upon one truck for cooling or emptying its contents,
the other charged with raw material will, at the same time, be brought to place
under the dome A ready to be lifted by turning the screw F for closing the receiver
with the dome A for immediately continuing the evaporating process,
The receiver A¹ is made in two principal parts the inner part b which is the
receiver proper, and the outer jacket part L which like the dome A, is made in
two parts the lower concaved casting b¹ and the upper ring casting b; and the
contents of the receiver are heated primarily by steam entering through pipe ġ to

page_text: the space formed by the jacket L around receiver proper b, the steam passing
out the pipe gland secondly the contents are heated by steam passing through the
agitator K to be hereinafter described.
The lower concaved part b¹ of the jacket L is formed at its upper edge with the
flange (Figure 2). The upper casting 63 of the said jacket is formed at its lower
edge with the corresponding flange which has the upwardly projecting lip
formed around its outer edge which forms a seat when the receiver A' is closed
with the dome A, for the lower flanged edge of the surrounding ring casting a' of
the dome A as will be understood from Figure 2. The flange ; is provided upon
its upper surface with the packing for the lower edge of the dome to rest upon
and the flanges receive the bolts k which unite the parts b', 6', and make them
practically one. The ring casting a¹ of the dome A is bolted fast to the lower edge
of the upper casting a thereof by the bolts passing through the corresponding
flanges formed respectively upon the upper edge of the casting a¹, and lower
edge of the upper concaved part a and the casting a is of about the same width as
the upper casting 3 of the jacket L, but is of slightly larger diameter so that the
casting a will close over the casting b as shown in Figure 2 when the parts of the
vacuum pan are brought together for operation.
When so brought together for operation an air and steam tight joint is formed
between the edges of the receiver and dome of the vacuum pan by means of the
packing N and lip O the latter being formed around the lower edge of the dome A, .
the packing being held in the annular recess m made in the lower edge of the
dome A back of the lip O, so that the upper edge of the upper casting b² of the
jacket L will come fairly against the packing when the receiver A¹ is screwed up
to the dome A. The lip O fits in the seat or recess m¹ made around the upper
edge of the inwardly and downwardly projecting flange P made at the upper edgo
of the casting b of the jacket L as shown clearly in Figure 2. This inwardly and
downwardly projecting flange P forms the top of the steam heating space h formed
by the jacket L and receiver proper A' and said flange is formed at its inner edge
with the vertical plate Q to which plate the upper edge of the receiver proper A¹
is secured by the rivets o as shown in Figure 2.
The agitator K in the construction shown in Figures 1 and 2 is journalled at its
end in and near the lower edge of the dome A in journal boxes composed of the
flanged rings k¹k and to outward appearance the agitator is composed of the
arms R K and the shell S, to which the arms R are attached. The arms R by
preference are pointed and made diamond shaped in cross section, and are each
provided upon the inside with the inner partition or wall R¹ of the same shape as
the outer wall of the arm but smaller and this inner wall or partition R¹ together
with the outer wall forms a steam space R². In the form shown in Figure 2, in
the shell S is placed the tubo T and this tube is connected by short tubes T
Figure 2 with the steam spaces R in the arms R and the tube T receives steam
from a suitable generator through the pipe T and hollow journal U. The space p
formed between the outer surface of the tube T and the inner surface of the
shell S is connected with exhaust pipe U₁ Figure 1, and this pipe U' and space p
form the exhaust passage for the steam that enters the space R₁ of each of the
agitator arms R the steam passing from the said space R² through one or other or
hoth of the flap valves q.and pipes q' into space p. The valves q are normally
held closed by the springs q' with a considerable force for maintaining the necessary
pressure of steam in the arms R of the agitator. The agitator K is adapted to be
revolved for agitating and heating the material in the vacuum pan by means of
the large cog-wheel V and pinion V', Figure 1, which meshes with the large cog-
wheel and is revolved by the chain V coming from a suitable motive power, the
large cog-wheel V being placed upon the hollow journal U and made fast to the
shell S by means of the outer nut W, Figure 2, and intermediate coupling and
clutch nut W. W is a packing ring screwed upon the coupling nut W' against the
outer ring k for making the journal box steam tight.

page_text: Y is the condenser. This is connected with the top of the dome A by the large
pipe Y' and is supplied with water through pipe X for condensing the steam and
vapors which rise from the heated contents of the vacuum pan, the surplus water
and condensed matter being conducted out of the condenser through the waste
pipe X¹.
The head F (see Figures 1 and 5) swivelled to the upper end of the heavy screw
F is formed at two of its sides with the projections or lugs ƒ¹ ƒ¹, shown clearly in
Figures 1 and 5. Under these lugs but not in contact therewith are placed the
bows B' B' which are secured at their ends by means of the clips c' to the outside
of the jacket L of the receiver. Near their upper ends these bows B¹ B' are formed
or provided with the yokes d' d' which receive and hold loosely the upper ends of
the curved chafe or brake irons B B which are made nearly concentric with the
bows B¹ B¹ and are held over the bows B¹ B' by the yokes d and are pressed
upward against shoulders formed inside of the lugs or projections f¹ by the coiled
springs e, e interposed between the bows B¹ and the brake irons B' so that the
irons B' acting against said shoulders constitute a brake to prevent the receiver A¹
of the vacuum pan from turning on its pivot J of its own accord and to prevent
the receiver from turning too rapidly upon its pivot when tilted for pouring out its
contents.
The pipe g through which steam enters the space for heating the vacuum pan
and the exhaust pipe g₁ are each connected with the said space h by a coupling
pipe shown clearly in Figure 2; which is screw threaded and enters screw
threaded openings made near the lower edge of the casting a¹ of the dome A and
the inner end of these coupling pipes are adapted to enter the holes ¹ made in the
upper casting b³ of the receiver A³ so as to lock the dome and receiver together
when they are closed together for operation as will be understood from Figure 2.
In order to unlock the receiver from the dome when the receiver is to be lowered
and moved away it is only necessary to apply a wrench to the square portion g³ of
the coupling pipes 92 and turn the coupling pipes outward, this movement being
accommodated by the space i made in the box * which space is elongated for that
purpose.
:
w is a cock for cutting off the flow of steam through the pipe g when necessary.
In operation, supposing the receiver A. to be lowered to the position shown in
dotted lines in Figure 1, and the material to be treated to be cane juice, the cane
juice will first be treated with lime and clarified and then pumped into the receiver.
The screw F will then be turned and receiver A¹ raised up into contact with tho
domo A. The coupling pipe g² will then be screwed inward to connect steam
pipe g with spaco hand to lock the dome and receiver together. The cock w will
then be opened to admit steam to the space and at the same time steam will be
admitted to the agitator K and the agitator put in motion. The steam entering
space will rapidly heat the contents of the receiver at its outer surface while the
agitator K will heat the mass of juice in the receiver at the upper surface and in
the centre, and will agitate the material so that the whole mass will circulate in the
receiver which will cause a rapid and even evaporation so that the juice may be
concentrated much lower than by the ordinary form of vacuum pan. When the
juice in the receiver has become sufficiently concentrated the coupling pipes g² will
be turned outward to unlock the receiver from the dome, and then the screw F
will again be operated and the receiver A' lowered to the position shown in dotted
lines in Figure 1, and then the truck G will be moved along the track C C for
carrying the receiver A¹ from under the dome for cooling and emptying the
contents of the receiver.
If two trucks and two receivers are used the second receiver will have been filled
with cane juice while that in the first was being concentrated so that, as the first
receiver is moved away from the dome A the second already full will at the same
time be brought to place under the dome A. ready to be raised and locked with the
dome and heated as before.

page_text: By this means it will be seen that the evaporating process may be made almost
continuous; and by the use of the agitator K the evaporating process is greatly
accelerated and owing to the concentration caused by the agitator and the dry
heat applied to the juice by the arms of the agitator the juice may be evaporated
down so that, in cooling, the whole mass will crystallize, leaving practically no
molasses as with ordinary vacuum pans.
Instead of using two elevating screws F and attaching them to the trucks, a
single screw may be used held in a stationary block or screw threaded socket F³ as
shown in Figure 7. With this arrangement a worm gear G¹ may be employed for
operating the screw and the receiver A¹ will be attached to the swivelled cap or
head F by the bolts h³; and with this single screw arrangement the carriage H¹
will run upon rails C supported at a higher level than the block F³, so that the
receiver A¹ may be lowered to rest upon the carriage as shown in Figure 9, so that
it can be moved off from the screw and another receiver brought in place upon
another carriage H' to be lifted up to the dome. For supporting the receiver upon
the carriage H, I construct it with the trunnions h*, *, which are adapted to rest
in the half-boxes h³, h³, formed upon the side bars of the carriage, and these
trunnions h serve in connection with the ways g* to guide the receiver in its up
and down movements. For facilitating the turning of the receiver upon its
trunnions for emptying out its contents, I form the receiver with the curved
flange which is attached to one end of the chain 13 the other end of which is
attached to the drum I' which is adapted to be revolved by the worm wheel K³,
which is adapted to be revolved by the worm crank shaft K, so that by simply
turning the crank L³, the receiver may be emptied and brought again to vertical
position, as will be clearly understood from Figure 9.
In the form of agitator shown in Figures 7 and 8, the valves q and pipes T, T¹
shown in Figure 2 are dispensed with, the shell S being divided by a central
partition & which is slightly inclined from end to end for causing the water of
condensation to flow out at the outlet pipe 8' the water entering the shell S through
opening & made in the shell in each of the arms R of the agitator.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
•
1 In a vacuum pan the combination with the stationary dome, of the receiver
movable to and from the dome, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2nd In a vacuum pan, the combination with the stationary dome, of the
receiver movable vertically to and from the dome and horizontally from its vertical
plane of movement, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3rd In a vacuum pan, the receiver pivotally connected to its support, whereby it
is adapted to be tilted to empty its contents, substantially as described, and for
the purpose set forth.
4th In a vacuum pan, the receiver pivotally connected to its support and held
from accidentally tilting, and, when tilted, from being suddenly precipitated by the
action of the springs, substantially as set forth.
5th The combination with the stationary dome A of the vacuum pan, of the
receiver A¹ placed upon the screw F, whereby the receiver may be raised and
lowered, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
6th The receiver A' of the vacuum pan pivoted upon its support whereby the
receiver may be tilted for emptying out its contents, substantially as described.
7th The receiver A¹ held upon the screw F which works through the truck G in
combination with the supporting track for the truck whereby the receiver may be
raised or lowered and moved to and from the dome A, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
8th The trucks G, G, placed upon tracks C, C, and connected by rods or plates H
in combination with screw F, receiver A¹ and stationary dome A, substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
'

page_text: 9th The dome A having the lower ring casting a¹ in combination with the
receiver A¹ having the upper ring casting b², the casting a¹ being adapted to
enclose the casting be, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
10th The upper casting b3 of the jacket of the receiver formed with the flango j
and lip in combination with the dome formed with the lower casting a adapted
to surround the casting 62 and rest at its lower edge upon the flange j¹, substantially
us and for the purposes set forth.
11 The dome A formed with the recess m¹ in combination with the packing N
placed in said recess and the receiver A' adapted to be brought up to the packing,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
12th In a vacuum paù the casting 6 formed with the flango P and vertical
plate Q, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
13th In a vacuum pan, the casting be formed with the recess m¹ in combination
with the dome A formed with the lip O, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
14 The shell S and arms R formed with the heating space R' in combination
with the pipe T and short pipes T₁ through which steam is admitted to the
spaces R, the arms being provided with the valves q and short passages q¹ for
exhausting the steam from the space R³ into the shell, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
15th In a vacuum pan, the hollow agitator K, having hollow arms R in
combination with the hollow journal U and means, substantially as described, for
supplying steam to, and revolving the agitator, substantially as and for the.
purposes set forth.
16th In a vacuum pan, the coupling pipe g² arranged to connect the steam pipe g
with the space h and to lock the dome and receiver together substantially as
described.
17 The box h³ having the elongated space in combination with the
longitudinally movable screw coupling pipe g arranged to operate, substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
18th In a vacuum pan, the agitator composed of a series of hollow arms R
connected to a shell S journalled in the lower edge of the dome in combination
with the pipe T and short pipes T¹, the former being enclosed in the shell S, and
the latter enclosed in the arms R, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
19th In a vacuum pan, the combination with the agitator provided with hollow
arms R connected to the shell S having steain tight packed journals of the pipe U
and gear wheel V gearing with the pinion Vi driven by suitable means,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
20th In a vacuum pan, the combination with the agitator provided with the
hollow arms R having short pipes T¹ and connected to the shell S having the
pipe T of the hollow steam tight packed journals, the pipes U and T³, the gear
wheel V, and pinion V', driven by suitable means, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
the
21 In a vacuum pan, the combination of the shell S, enclosing the pipe T and
carrying the agitator arms R provided with steam spaces Rs and short pipes T',
pipe U, pipe T, nut W, coupling and clutch nut W¹, packing W³, ring k³, gear
wheel V, and pinion V' driven by suitable means, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
22 The shell S of the agitator K carrying hollow arms R and provided with
the central partitions and small openings s¹, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
23rd The receiver A¹ provided with the trunnions whereby it is adapted to
rest upon the carriage H¹ to be moved to and from the screw F, substantially as
described.
24th The screw F held in a stationary socket combined with the receiver A'
adapted to be raised and lowered by the screw, substantially as described.

page_text: 25th The carriage H provided with the drum 1 and suitable gearing for revolving
the drum in combination with the receiver A' formed with the flange J³, the flange
and drum being connected by the chain 15, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
26th The combination with the elevating screw for elevating and lowering the
receiver, of suitable worm gear G'arranged for operating the screw F substantially
as set forth.