Improvements in or relating to Steam Condensers.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Apr., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 4th June, 1890-Accepted, 19th July, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Steam Condensers.
A communication from abroad by LOUIS SCHUTTE, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool and 6 Bank Street, Manchester both
in the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The aim of this invention is to effect the automatic regulation of a condenser
according to the duty which it has to perform, or, in other words, to automatically
increase or decrease the capacity of the condenser in due relation to variations in the
rate of steam delivery thereto.
The object of, the invention is to maintain an efficient and economical action of the
condenser by securing, on the one hand, a proper delivery of water to ensure the
condensation of all the steam received, and, on the other hand, to prevent the delivery
to the condenser of more water than is necessary.
The invention is based upon the fact that the condensing water is discharged at a
higher temperature than that at which it was received, and that the increase in
temperature depends upon the relation which the volume of steam bears to the volume
of condensing water.
If
Taking advantage of this fact, suitable devices are employed in connection with the
condenser, whatever its form, for regulating its capacity, and these regulating devices
are operated by thermostatic devices which are in turn acted upon by the water.
the temperature of the water falls below the proper limit, which is an indication that
an excessive volume of water is being employed, the thermostatic devices act to
diminish the water supply. If, on the other hand, the water rises above the pre-
determined temperature, which is an indication that the volume is insufficient to
secure an effectual and economic condensation, the thermostatic devices operate to
increase the water supply.
The invention may be embodied in a variety of forms, the mechanical equivalents of
those hereinafter described, and may be applied to condensers of many forms as will
be apparent after a reading of this specification.
The invention is intended mainly for application to what are known as induction or
jet condensers in which the exhaust steam to be condensed is directed through a tube
or nozzles in such manner as to induce an inflow of the condensing water, and when
used in this class of apparatus the regulating devices are employed to vary the size of
the exhaust inlets, or the area of the water passage or both.
If the invention be employed in connection with a condenser operated by a pump,
automatic devices may be employed to regulate the steam supply for operating the
pump so as to vary its speed, or applied to vary the throw of the pump.
Referring to the condenser proper, a pipe is provided through which the water for
condensing purposes is delivered into the chamber, whence it is delivered through a
central nozzle in a downward direction into the upper end of a tube or nozzle
commonly known as the "combining tube," and having through its walls a series of
slots or inlets extending inward in a downward direction for the purpose of admitting
exhaust steam to be condensed into the interior of the tube where it impinges upon
the condensing water so that, although condensed by contact therewith, it acts .to
maintain the flow of water.
The exhaust steam from the engine or other source of supply is admitted through
the neck and valve into a chamber which surrounds the combining tube. It is from
this chamber that it passes through the slots into said tube. The condensing water
and the water resulting from condensation are delivered from the lower end of the

page_text: combining tube or nozzle, and thence through the final delivery pipe at the base. A
central nozzle at the top of the apparatus is employed to deliver live steam through
the central nozzle in order to initiate the operation of the condenser. A central ram
or spindle, adjustable vertically, serves to vary the area of the water passage through
the combining tube, while a vertically adjustable sleeve, surrounding the combining
tube, serves to cover a greater or smaller number of the steam inlets, as may be
required, and thus regulate the steam admission. The spindle differs from those
heretofore used in having its lower end pointed, and the guides at the end omitted.
A lateral projection on the upper end of the spindle is adjustably connected to a
vertical rod, the lower end of which is provided with a projection, engaging the sleeve.
This connection causes the spindle ond and the sleeve to move in unison so that the
water passage and the steam inlets are adjustable.
Passing now to the improvement which forms the principal subject of the present
invention, a lever is provided, pivoted to the spindle aforesaid, and sustained at one
end by a link, jointed to the body of the condenser, so that as the lever is moved it
serves to adjust both the spindle and the sleeve, and thus vary the capacity of the
condenser. A lever is connected by a rod to a collar encircling a vertical guide rod.
This collar is attached to another rod, carrying a piston, within a vertical stationary
cylinder. Ports lead from the upper and lower ends of the cylinder to a chamber,
containing an ordinary slide-valve or D-valve, by which the ports may be connected
alternately with an exhaust port. The valve chamber is constantly supplied through
a pipe with any suitable fluid under pressure. As the valve is moved to and fro, the
fluid is delivered into and out of the two ends of the cylinder alternately, thus
operating the piston which in turn regulates the capacity of the condenser.
the valve is in its intermediate position so that both of the cylinder ports are closed,
the piston and its connections are held at rest.
When
For the purpose of operating the slide valve, its spindle is connected by a link or
otherwise to an elbow lever, which is drawn constantly downward at its middle by a
spring, but supported at opposite ends upon two vertical plungers. The plunger
enters the top of a closed chamber, which communicates through a pipe with a closed
pipe located in the pipe through which the condensing water enters. The chamber
and connecting pipes are filled with an expansible fluid, such as water, alcohol or
mercury, so that, as the inflowing water rises or falls in temperature, it will cause the
expansion or contraction of the fluid which will in turn raise or lower the plunger, and,
through its connections, move the slide-valve. The second plunger is in like manner
inserted into a chamber, which communicates through a pipe with a closed pipe in the
passage through which the water is delivered from the condenser. This second
chamber and its pipes are also filled with an expansible fluid, so that a rise or fall in
the temperature of the outflowing water causes the plunger to act through the
intermediate parts upon the slide-valve. Thus it will be seen that the temperature of
the inflowing and the temperature of the outflowing water are applied jointly to
control the slide-valve and thereby vary the capacity of the condenser as variations in
the rate of steam admission may demand.
It will be observed that the chambers, their pipes and pistons, and the expansion
fluid are in effect merely thermostats, and it will be understood that they may be
replaced by any other known form of thermostat, that is to say, by any device which
depends for its operation upon variations of temperature.
While it is preferable to utilise the temperatures of both the inflowing and the out-
flowing water, and while the most perfect results are attained in this manner, it is to
be distinctly understood that good results may be secured by making use of
thermostatic controlling devices in the water discharge pipe alone. In other words,
the piston and the chamber may be omitted, in which case the valve-controlling lever
will be mounted on a fixed fulcrum.
It will, of course, be understood that the details of the valve mechanism herein
described are not of the essence of the invention, and that any equivalent valve, con-
trolled thermostatically and controlling in its turn the delivery of fluid to and from
the piston, may be employed.

page_text: It will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the particular form of
induction condenser herein described, or to the particular arrangement of parts for
varying the capacity of such condenser, the substance of the invention including the
application of the thermostatic devices to vary the capacity of the condenser in any
form or combination the equivalent of those herein described.
The apparatus applied to an ordinary independent air-pump condenser comprises a
throttle valve through which steam is supplied to operate the reciprocating condenser
pump as usual. This valve, the equivalent of a valve already described, is controlled
by connections of the same character. The throttle valve is attached to the piston rod
carrying the piston in the cylinder which receives fluid through a pipe from any
source of supply to cause the rising and falling motion of the piston. The delivery
of fluid to and from this cylinder is controlled by a slide valve operated by plungers
in chambers which communicate respectively, with the closed pipe in the water inlet
and in the water outlet. The pipes and chambers are filled, as before, with an
expansible fluid and the temperature of the inflowing and outflowing water is applied
through the fluid and intermediate connections to control the throttle and thus cause
the pump to run faster or slower and deliver more or less water as the volume of
steam may demand. As the entire apparatus, with the exception of the regulator, is
of ordinary construction and familiar to every skilled mechanic, a detailed description
is unnecessary.
"
In an air-pump condenser worked from an engine, the main shaft of the engine and
its crank may be operated through a pitman on one end of a link, which is suspended
at the opposite end by a radius bar. The link is connected to, and operates the piston of
the condenser pump, the stroke of which may be increased or diminished by moving
the link endwise in the manner familiar to every mechanic having a knowledge of the
ordinary link motion." The position of the link is varied by a rod connecting the
same to the piston rod of a piston in the cylinder. This cylinder is provided with
ports and a controlling valve through which it receives an operating fluid from any
suitable source. The valve is controlled by thermostatic connections extending
respectively to the water inlet and water outlet. These parts are all constructed
and operate in precisely the same manner as in the preceding examples, the variations
in the temperature of the water causing the piston to be moved so that it in turn
adjusts the link and changes the throw of the pump so as to increase or diminish the
water supply as may be required.
Dated this 21st day of Al 1000
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Steam Condensers.
A communication from abroad by LOUIS SCHUTTE, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
United States of America.
1, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil
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 :-
The aim of this invention is to effect the automatic regulation of a condenser
according to the duty which it has to perform, or, in other words, to automatically.
increase or decrease the capacity of the condenser in due relation to variations in the
rate of steam delivery.thereto.
The object of the invention is to maintain an efficient and economical action of
the condenser by securing, on the one hand, a proper delivery of water to ensure the
condensation of all the steam received, and on the other hand, to prevent the delivery
to the condenser of more water than is necessary.

page_text: The invention is based upon the fact that the condensing water is discharged at a
higher temperature than that at which it was received, and that the increase in
temperature depends upon the relation which the volume of steam bears to the volume
of condensing water.
Taking advantage of this fact, suitable devices are employed in connection with
the condenser, whatever its form, for regulating its capacity, and these regulating
devices are operated by thermostatic devices which are in turn acted upon by the
water. If the temperature of the water falls below the proper limit, which is an
indication that an excessive volume of water is being employed, the thermostatic
devices act to diminish the water supply. If, on the other hand, the water rises
above the predetermined temperature, which is an indication that the volume is
insufficient to secure an effectual and economic condensation, the thermostatic devices
operate to increase the water supply.
•
The invention may be embodied in a variety of forms, the mechanical equivalents
of those hereinafter described, and may be applied to condensers of many forms as
will be apparent after a reading of this specification.
The invention is intended mainly for application to what are known as induction
or jet condensers in which the exhaust steam to be condensed is directed through a
tube or nozzles in such manner as to induce an inflow of the condensing water, and
when used in this class of apparatus, the regulating devices are employed to vary the
size of the exhaust inlets, or the area of the water passage or both.
If the invention be employed in connection with a condenser operated by a pump,
automatic devices may be employed to regulate the steam supply for operating the
pump so as to vary its speed or applied to vary the throw of the pump.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of an induction condenser with the improvement
applied thereto.
Figure 2 represents a section through the same on the line 2-2, portions being
shown in side elevation.
Figure 3 is a view looking downward from the line 3-3 of Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4 is a vertical section on the line 4-4 of Figures 1 and 3.
Figure 5 is a side elevation showing in outline the invention applied to an inde-
pendent-air-pump condenser.
Figure 6 is a side elevation showing the same applied to an air pump condenser
operated by an engine.
Referring to the condenser proper-
A represents a pipe through which the water for condensing purposes is delivered
into the chamber B, whence it is delivered through a central nozzle C in a downward
direction into the upper end of a tube or nozzle D, commonly known as the
"combining-tube," and having through its walls a series of slots or inlets, d, extending
inward in a downward direction for the purpose of admitting exhaust steam to be
condensed into the interior of the tube, where it impinges upon the condensing water
so that, although condensed by contact therewith, it acts to maintain the flow of water.
The exhaust steam from the engine or other source of supply is admitted through
the neck E and valve F into the chamber G, which surrounds the combining tube.
It is from this chamber that it passes through the slots into said tube. The condensing
water and the water resulting from condensation are delivered from the lower end of
the combining tube or nozzle H, and thence through the final delivery pipe I at the
base. A central nozzle J at the top of the apparatus is employed to deliver live
steam through the nozzle C in order to initiate the operation of the condenser. A
central ram or spindle K, adjustable vertically, serves to vary the area of the water
passage through the combining tube D, while a vertically adjustable sleeve L,
surrounding the combining tube, serves to cover a greater or smaller number of the
steam inlets as may be required, and thus regulate the steam admission. The spindle
shown differs from those heretofore used in having its lower end pointed, and the
guides at the end omitted.
A lateral projection on the upper end of the spindle is adjustably connected to a

page_text: vertical rod l, the lower end of which is provided with a projection l', engaging the
sleeve L. This connection causes the spindle end and the sleeve to move in unison,
so that the water passage and the steam inlets are adjustable.
Passing now to the improvement which forms the principal subject of the present
invention-
M represents a lever, pivotted at m to the spindle K and sustained at one end by
a link m jointed to the body of the condenser, so that, as the lever is moved, it
serves to adjust both the spindle and the sleeve, and thus vary the capacity of the
condenser. The lever M is connected by a rod m² to a collar m³, encircling a vertical
guide rod m. This collar is attached to a rod n, carrying a piston n' within a vertical
stationary cylinder N. Ports n and n³ lead from the upper and lower ends of the
cylinder to a chamber 2 containing an ordinary slide-valve or D-valve n°, by which
the ports may be connected alternately with an exhaust port n'. The valve chamber n
is constantly supplied through pipe 20 with any suitable fluid under pressure. As
the valve is moved to and fro, the fluid is delivered into and out of the two.onds of
the cylinder N alternately, thus operating the piston which in turn regulates the
capacity of the condenser. When the valve is in its intermediate position; as shown
in Figure 4, so that both of the cylinder ports are closed, the piston and its connections
are held at rest.
For the purpose of operating the slide valve, its spindle n³ is connected by a link n
or otherwise to an elbow lever n, which is drawn constantly downward at its
middle by a spring n but supported at opposite ends upon two vertical plungers n12
and n The plunger n2 enters the top of a closed chamber n which communicates
through a pipe n¹s with a closed pipe n, located in the pipe A, through which the
condensing water enters. The chamber and connecting pipes are filled with an
expansible fluid, such as water, alcohol or mercury, so that, as the inflowing water
rises or falls in temperature, it will cause the expansion or contraction of the fluid,
which will in turn raise or lower the plunger 12, and through its connections move
the slide-valve. The second plunger n¹³ is in like manner inserted into a chamber n¹,
which communicates through a pipe n¹s with a closed pipe 19 in the passage through
which the water is delivered from the condenser. This second chamber and its pipes
are also filled with an expansible fluid, so that a rise or fall in the temperature of
the outflowing water causes the plunger 13 to act through the intermediate parts
upon the slide-valve. Thus it will be seen that the temperature of the inflowing and
the temperature of the outflowing water are applied jointly to control the slide-valve
and thereby vary the capacity of the condenser as variations in the rate of steam
admission may demand.
It will be observed that the chambers, their pipes and pistons and the expansion
fluid are in effect merely thermostats, and it will be understood that they. may be
replaced by any other known form of thermostat, that is to say, by any device which
depends for its operation upon variations of temperature.
Wbile it is preferable to utilize the temperature of both the inflowing and the outflowing
water, and while the most perfect results are attained in this manner, it is to be
distinctly understood that good results may be secured by making use of thermostatic
controlling devices in the water discharge pipe alone. In other words, the piston n
and the chamber n¹, may be omitted, in which case the valve-controlling lever n¹º,
will be mounted on a fixed fulcrum, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 4.
It will, of course, be understood that the details of the valve mechanism herein
shown are not of the essence of the invention, and that any equivalent valve,
controlled thermostatically and controlling in its turn the delivery of fluid to and
from the piston n', may be employed.
It will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the particular form of
induction condenser herein shown, or to the particular arrangement of parts for
varying the capacity of such condenser, the substance of the invention including the
application of the thermostatic devices to vary the capacity of the condenser in any
form or combination the equivalents of those herein shown.
Referring now to Figure 5, which represents the apparatus applied to an ordinary
'
5+

page_text: independent air-pump condenser, no represents the throttle valve through which steam
is supplied to operate the reciprocating condenser pump as usual. This valve, the
equivalent of the valve bearing the same letter in Figure 4, is controlled by con-
nections of the same character, the several parts being indicated by like letters.
The throttle valve is attached to the piston rod n, carrying the piston n, in the
cylinder N, which receives fluid through pipe no, from any source of supply to cause
the rising and falling motion of the piston. The delivery of fluid to and from this
cylinder is controlled by a slide valve operated by plungers in chambers which
communicate respectively with the closed pipe n¹, in the water inlet, and n¹ in the
water outlet. The pipes and chambers are filled as before with an expansible fluid,
and the temperature of the inflowing and outflowing water is applied through the
fluid and intermediate connections to control the throttle n', and thus cause the pump
to run faster or slower and deliver more or less water as the volume of steam may
demand. The arrows indicate the course of the water and steam through the
apparatus. As the entire apparatus, with the exception of the regulator, is of
ordinary construction and familar to every skilled mechanic, a detailed description is
unnecessary.
In Figure 6, which represents an air pump condenser worked from an engine,
P represents the main-shaft of the engine, and p its crank operating through pitman p,
on one end of the link p², which is suspended at the opposite end by a radius bar p³.
The link is connected to and operates the piston n' of the condenser pump, the
stroke of which may be increased or diminished by moving the link endwise in the
manner familiar to every mechanic having a knowledge of the ordinary "link motion."
The position of the link is varied by a rod, pt, connecting the same to the piston
rod n of piston n¹ in cylinder N. This cylinder is provided with ports and a con-
trolling-valve through which it receives an operating fluid from any suitable source.
The valve is controlled by thermostatic connections extending respectively to the
water inlet, and water outlet n°. These parts are all constructed and operate in
precisely the same manner as in the preceding examples, the variations in the
temperature of the water causing the piston to be moved so that it in turn adjusts
the link and changes the throw of the pump so as to increase or diminish the water
supply as may be required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I'claim is :-
1. In combination with a condenser, a thermostat subject to the influence of the
condensing water and acting to vary the capacity of the condenser, substantially as
described.
2. In combination with a condenser, a thermostat subject to the influence of the
inflowing condensing water, a second thermostat subject to the influence of the out-
flowing condensing water, and intermediate devices through which said thermostat
acts jointly or differentially to control the capacity of the condenser.
3. In combination with a condenser and means for supplying the same with water,
a thermostat subject to the influence of the outflowing water and intermediate devices
through.which the thermostat controls the action of the water-supplying mechanism,
substantially as described.
4. In combination with a jet condenser of the type substantially as herein described,
the movable sleeve and spindle to regulate its capacity, a cylinder and piston
mechanism to operate said parts, a thermostat and devices through which the
thermostat acts to control the fluid for operating. the piston and its attendant parts,
substantially as described.
Dated this 20th day of Nov 1900
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.