Improvements in, or relating to, Temperature Equalising Coils.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 14th Sept., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in, or relating to, Temperature Equalising Coils.
I, FRANK ALLEN, of 35, Degraw Street, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
-
This invention relates to temperature equalising coils which can be used for
heating or cooling purposes of all kinds, and which is especially applicable for
the heating or cooling coils of ammonia and other refrigerating machines, as
coils of any desired size can be made up in a quick, convenient and inexpensive
manner. They are applicable for all purposes in the arts in which an economical
transference of the heat-units from hot vapours or liquids to cold vapours or
liquids, or vice-versa, is to be produced.
The invention in respect to said temperature equalising coil consists of an in-
terior coil, a wire wound helically around the interior coil, and an exterior coil
extending over the interior coil and helically wound wire.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1. represents a side elevation of my improved temperature equalising
coil, partly in section, and
Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section on line 2-2 Fig. 1 through one portion
of the coil drawn on a larger scale.
represents the interior and y the exterior pipe of my improved temperature
equalising coil. Around the interior pipe is wound a helical wire z of round,
square or other cross section, the thickness of which is equal or approximately
equal to the difference of radius between the outer surface of the interior and the
inner surface of the exterior pipe of the coil. The ends of the exterior pipe y
are provided with suitable headers y¹ y¹, to which the connecting pipes for the
outer pipe are applied.
In making the equalising coil, the interior pipe is cut off to the required
length. The wire z which is to be coiled around the same is cut of such a length,
that will be sufficient to permit the winding of the same around the interior pipe
in such a manner that about one convolution of the wire is made for every foot
in length of the interior pipe. As the thickness of the wire corresponds to the
difference between the inner radius of the exterior pipe and the outer radius
of the interior pipe, or approximately so, the interior pipe can be readily inserted
with the wire wound thereon into the exterior pipe, which latter is made of some-
what smaller length than the interior pipe, so that the same extends at both ends
beyond the exterior pipe. Both the interior and the exterior pipe are then bent
together with the intermediate wire by means of a suitable bending-machine, so
as to form bends ¹ of alternate direction at the ends of each straight portion
according to the size of the coil to be made. If, for example, a coil having five
straight portions is to be made, two bends are formed in one direction and two
bends in the opposite direction, as shown in Fig. 1. After the simultaneous
bending of the pipes x and y is accomplished, a coil of the proper size is obtained.
D

page_text: The headers are then attached to the ends of the exterior pipe and the coil is
ready for use.
In case of forming a coil of helical shape, the pipes are bent into the usual
helical shape, in which case however a different bending device is required, so as
to produce the helical shape.
The advantages of my improved temperature equalising coil are that the liquid
or gas which is conducted through the space between the interior and exterior
pipes is compelled to pass in a helical course around the interior pipe so as to
form a more extended surface-contact with the interior pipe through which a
hot or cold gas or liquid are conducted, that when the gas or liquid would pass
in a straight course through the intermediate space between the pipes. By the
interposition of the intermediate wire the bending of both interior and exterior
pipes at the same time can be produced and also the proper distance of the pipes
at their bends be secured, so that each equalising coil can be manufactured at
greatly reduced price as compared with former constructions.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is―
1. A temperature equalising coil, consisting of an interior pipe, an exterior
pipe, and an intermediate separating wire wound helically around the interior
pipe, substantially as set forth.
2. A temperature equalising coil, consisting of an interior pipe, a wire wound
helically around the interior pipe, and an exterior pipe, said intermediate wire
being of such thickness as to fill up entirely or approximately so that space
between the interior and exterior pipes, substantially as set forth.
•
ས་པ་
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 11th Aug., 1900.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Ammonia Absorption Refrigerating
Machines.
I, FRANK ALLEN, of 35, Degraw Street, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in or relating to ammonia
absorption refrigerating machines, said improvements being designed for run-
ning the entire machine by exhaust-steam delivered from the different pumps
used in connection with the machine, so that the use of live-steam is entirely
dispensed with, and thereby a very economical working of the machine produced.
This result of operating the refrigerating machine solely by means of exhaust-
steam can only be obtained by the absorption of the heat-units of the hot
ammonia-gases as they are conducted from the generator to the condenser by
the cold returning ammonia-water on the one hand, and by the utilization of
the cold obtained by the expansion of the liquid ammonia by the weak ammonia-
water on the other side, this equalization of the temperatures of the hot and
cold gases and liquids being carried on throughout the entire cycle, so that the
very effective and economical running of the refrigerating machine is obtained..
My invention consists in the main therefore of a refrigerating machine in which
the absorption of the expanding ammonia gases by the weak absorption-water
is accomplished by means of a preliminary absorber and a final absorber, in
connection with a gas-pump for facilitating the work of the absorbers, while the
heating of the strong ammonia-water on its return to the generator is accom-
plished by means of a primary equalizing-coil, through the interior pipe of
which the hot-ammonia-vapors are conducted, a second equalizing-coil through
the interior pipe of which the hot weak ammonia water coming from the generator
is conducted, and finally by an exhaust-steam heater in which the exhaust-steam
from one or more of the operating pumps of the machine is collected.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 represents a diagram showing in elevation
the parts of my improved absorption refrigerating machine,
Fig. 2 is an elevation of that portion of the machine adjacent to the generator
in which the strong animonia-water, returned from the absorber, is gradually
heated up in its course to the generator.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the expansion-side of the machine, showing
the preliminary and final absorber and its connection with the brine-cooler and
liquid-ammonia receiver.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Referring to the drawings, A represents the generator or still, which is charged
with commercial aqua ammonia. The generator is heated by a coil a through
which exhaust-steam from the engine of the circulating and ammonia pumps P
is circulated, the heat of the exhaust-steam liberating the ammonia-vapors from
the liquid. The pump P serves for conducting the strong ammonia-water from.

page_text: the absorber to the primary equalizing-coil, the exhaust-steam of its engine being
supplied to the coil a of the generator, it being one of the pumps that is kept
continuously running as long as the refrigerating machine is in use and can
supply therefore a uniform quantity of exhaust-steam to the generator. The
generator is provided with an upright cylinder A¹ in which an equalizing-coil
is arranged, through which the strong ammonia-water is returned into the
generator. The upright cylinder A¹ is connected at its bottom as
well as by branch-pipes with the horizontal portion of the generator. From
the top of the upright cylinder A of the generator A the hot ammonia-vapors
liberated from the ammonia-water, are conducted by a pipe a¹ to the interior
pipe 2 of the primary equalizing-coil B, while the exterior pipe 6 serves for
the passage of the strong ammonia-water that is returned from the absorber by
the pump P. The strong ammonia-water having been cooled to a low tempera-
ture in the absorber, is supplied from the pump P by the pipe b to the upper
end of the exterior coil b and conducted in a counter-current to the hot ammonia-
vapors through the primary equalizing-coil B. The hot ammonia vapors are
then conducted from the interior pipe a³ by a pipe a³ to the upper end of a
condenser C which is cooled by means of cold water that is supplied by a spray-
pipe above the condenser, as shown in Fig. 1. In the condenser C, the ammonia-
vapors are liquified and conducted by a pipe at, connected with the lower end
of the condenser-coil, to the liquid-ammonia jar or receiver L, which is located
preferably on the same floor or level with the generator. The hot ammonia-vapors
are thus gradually cooled down to the point of liquefaction, first in their passage
through the primary equalizing coil and then in their passage through the condens-
ing coil. From the liquid ammonia receiver L, the liquid-ammonia is permitted
to expand by means of two expansion pipes a, a, which are each provided with
a stop-cock (not shown) into the headers E₁ of a brine-cooler E' and from the
headers E into two systems of expanding-pipes that are surrounded by exterior
pipes. The brine-cooler E is composed of two sets of brine-cooling coils, hav-
ing headers at the lower and upper ends, to the lower headers the expanded
ammonia-vapors are supplied, while the upper header E2 is connected by a
pipe as with the final absorber H. The upper ends of the interior coils of the
brine-cooler E are connected with a header E3 which is connected by a pipe
with the brine supply-pump P, the inlet-port of which is connected with a
brine-tank E by a pipe el. The brine-tank is located in any suitable position
relatively to the refrigerating machine proper. The lower ends of the interior
brine-coils are connected with a header 1, as shown clearly in Fig. 3, and from
this header the cold brine is conducted by a pipe e to the place of use.
The brine-cooler is preferably divided into two or more systems, each of which
is composed of a number of individual coils. This is done for the purpose of
producing a smaller or larger quantity of brine according to requirements. In
hot weather all the coil-systems of the brine-cooler are used, while in cooler
weather one half the coils or even a smaller number of the coils of the same may
be required for use.
The header E2 at the upper end of the brine-cooler is connected by the pipe as
with the lower end of the final absorber H, and with the interior-coil of the
same, said interior-coil being surrounded by an exterior-coil through which the
strong ammonia-water is conducted. Above the final absorber is arranged a
preliminary absorber H¹, the lower header of which is connected with the upper
header of the final absorber H, while its upper header is connected with the
weak ammonia-water cooler F. The weak ammonia-water cooler F is con-
structed in the same. manner as the condenser C and supplied with cooling water
by a spray-pipe above the same. The weak ammonia-water is forced by the
pressure in the generator from the same, through a pipe f having a stop-cock f¹;
and through the interior-pipe of a secondary equalizing-coil I, while the exterior-
pipe of the coil I is connected at its upper end by a pipe i with the exterior-
pipe of the primary equalizing-coil B, as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2. The
1

page_text: As the
upper end of the interior pipe of the secondary equalizing-coil I is connected
by a pipe with the lower end of the weak ammonia-water cooler. The hot
weak ammonia-water gradually gives out its heat to the strong ammonia-water
which is returned by the pump P from the absorber H and the receiver R for
the strong ammonia-water so as to heat the same preliminarily in its return
to the generator. The weak ammonia-water passes then to the cooler F. It
is then conducted from the upper end of the same by means of an injector h
into the upper end of the preliminary-absorber H', the upper end of which is
connected by a pipe h¹ with the interior pipe of the final absorber.
weak ammonia-water is forced under a certain pressure into the upper end of
the preliminary-absorber H it carries along the cold ammonia-vapors which
are cooled in the coil of the preliminary-absorber and absorbed by the weak
ammonia-water in its passage through the preliminary-absorber, and conducted
then into the final absorber, in the coils of which the final absorption of any
unabsorbed vapors takes place at still lower temperature, so that the chilled
strong ammonia-water is returned from the lower end of the final absorber H
by the pipe 2 into the strong ammonia-water receiver R, then lifted by the
pump to the primary equalizing-coil B, and conducted from the same to the
secondary equalizing-coil I as before described. From the lower end of the
inner pipe of the coil I the strong ammonia-water is conducted by a pipe con-
nected with the inner pipe to a coil m at the interior of an exhaust-steam
heater M, said exhaust-steam heater being connected with the exhaust-port of
the steam engine of the brine-pump P or with any other pump of the machine,-
the out-going pipe of the exhaust-steam coil being connected with the atmos-
phere. At the interior of the exhaust-steam heater M are arranged two coils m m³.
one running in one direction, the other in the opposite direction, the upper end
of the second coil being finally connected by a pipe n with a coil m2 in the
upright cylinder A¹ of the generator A and then delivered to the lower horizontal
part of the generator, as shown clearly in Fig. 1. The strong ammonia-water
is heated in the coils of the exhaust-steam heater by the exhaust-steam, which is
supplied thereto, and still more in the upright cylinder of the generator. by the
contact of the hot ammonia vapors with the equalizing-coils m² in the same, so
that it is returned at a high temperature into the generator and in such con-
dition that the ammonia vapors can be quickly evaporated again by the .heat of
the exhaust-steam coil in the same, so as to be sent again. through the machine
in the same continuous cycle as before described.
A gas-pump P2 is connected with the pipe h', by which the interior expanding-
pipe of the final absorber H is connected with the upper end of the preliminary
absorber H. The pipe is provided with a stop-cock h³ and connected by
branch-pipes + and 5, respectively at each side of the stop-cock h³, with the
inlet and outlet ports of the gas-pump P2, as shown in Fig. 3. The exhaust-
port of the steam engine which operates the gas pump is preferably connected
with the exhaust steam heater, or the exhaust-steam is permitted to pass off into
the atmosphere in case the brine-pump supplied a sufficient quantity of exhaust-
steam for the proper working of the generator. The gas-pump is started when-
ever in warmer weather, the refrigerating machine is to be run at its full capacity
in which case the intermediate stop-cock h³ is closed and connection made with
the ports of the gas-pump 12 by opening the stop-cocks of the pipes hh. When
during colder weather a smaller quantity of cold is to be supplied by the re-
frigerating machine, the gas-pump is cut out by closing the stop-cccks in the
pipes and 5, and opening the intermediate stop-cock h³. By means of the
gas-pump P, the refrigerating machine can be run at its full capacity when-
ever required by the outside temperature or at reduced capacity, the gas-pump
forming, in connection with the sectional brine-cooler, a very effective means
of regulating the capacity of the refrigerating machine and adapting it to
the work required to be performed at different temperatures. The gas-pump
also serves for drawing the expanded ammonia gases through the outer pipes of

page_text: the brine-cooler and the interior pipe of the final absorber so as to produce a
lower pressure in said pipe, and accelerate the motion to the ammonia-vapors
through the pipes and the production of a lower degree of temperature.
the
It appears from the fore-going that the weak animonia-water is cooled by
two successive steps. Firstly by the cooling action of the secondary equalizing:
coil I; and secondly by the action of the weak ammonia-water cooler, so as to
be reduced in temperature preparatory to its re-absorption by the
cooled expanded ammonia-vapors. This re-absorption takes place in
preliminary and final absorbers, the strong ammonia-water being delivered from
the latter at the low temperature of the expanding ammonia-vapors. This
chilled strong ammonia-water is then during its return to the generator sub-
jected to three successive heating actions; firstly in the primary equalizing-
coil B to the heating action of the hot ammonia-vapors coming from the genera-
tor; secondly in the secondary equalizing-coil to the action of the hot weak
ammonia-water and lastly in the exhaust-steam heater to the heat of the
exhaust-steam in the same, so that in this manner the heat of the hot ammonia-
vapors of the weak ammonia-water, and of the exhaust-steam of the different
pumps, is utilised for raising the temperature of the chilled strong ammonia-
water, while the low temperature of the expanding ammonia-gas is utilised
for cooling the brine required and for producing the final absorption of the
weak ammonia-water with the expanded ammonia-vapors, all these steps together
tending to great economy of fuel, as compared with the absorption refrigerating
machine heretofore in use, of which the generators have been run by live steam.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
-
1. The combination, with a generator, of a heating coil within the same, a
pump for returning the strong ammonia-water to the generator, a pipe con-
necting the heating-coil in the generator with the exhaust-port of one or more
pump-engines, a primary equalizing-coil connected with the outlet port of said
pumps and composed of an interior coil for the hot ammonia-vapors and an
outer coil for the strong ammonia-water, a secondary equalizing-coil, the outer
coil of which is connected with the outer coil of the primary equalizing-coil and
the interior coil of which is connected with the generator for conducting off the
weak ammonia-water, an exhaust-steam heater supplied with exhaust-steam, a
coil in said exhaust-steam heater connected with the outer pipe of the secondary
equalizing-coil, and a pipe connecting the coil in the exhaust-steam heater with
the generator for conducting the heated strong ammonia-water back to the
generator, substantially as set forth.
2. The combination, with a preliminary-absorber, of a cooler for the weak
ammonia-water connected with said preliminary-absorber, a final absorber com-
posed of an outer and an interior coil, the outer coil being connected with the
preliminary-absorber while the interior coil is connected with the liquid-ammonia
receiver for conducting the expanded ammonia-gases to the preliminary-absorber
a pipe connecting the interior coil of the final absorber with the upper end of
the preliminary-absorber, a gas-pump, valved pipes connecting the suction and
force ports of said pump with the pipe leading to the preliminary-absorber con-
nected with said connecting pipe, and a stop-cock located in said connecting-
pipe intermediately between the suction and force-pipes for the gas pump,
substantially as set forth.
3. The combination, with a brine-cooler, consisting of a number of coils, each
composed of an interior and an exterior pipe, of a brine-supply-pump con-
nected with the interior pipes of said coils, a liquid-ammonia receiver, pipes
connecting said receiver with the exterior pipes of the brine-cooler, a receiver
for
a
the strong ammonia-water,
final absorber composed of
exterior and an interior pipe, a pipe connecting the exterior pipes of the brine-;
an

page_text: cooler with the interior pipes of the final absorber, a pipe connecting the lower
end of the exterior pipe of the final absorber with the strong ammonia water
receiver, a preliminary-absorber connected with the upper end of the exterior
pipe of the final absorber, and a pipe connecting the interior coil of the final
absorber with the upper end of the preliminary-absorber so that the available
cold of the expanded ammonia-vapors is utilized in the final absorber for
chilling the strong ammonia-water formed in the preliminary and final absorbers
substantially as set forth.
4. The combination with a generator, of a heating-coil, in the same, a circulat-
ing pump, the exhaust-port of which is connected with the heating-coil, an
outlet-pipe for the hot ammonia-vapors, a primary equalizing-coil comprising
an interior-coil for the hot ammonia-vapors and an exterior coil for the strong
ammonia-water, a condenser connected with the interior coil of said primary
equalizing-coil, a secondary equalizing-coil comprising an interior coil for the
weak ammonia-water, and an exterior coil for the strong ammonia-water, a
pipe connecting the generator with the interior coil of the secondary equalizing-
coil, a pipe connecting the exterior coil of the primary and secondary equalizing-
coils, a cooler for the weak ammonia-water, connected with the interior coil of the
secondary equalizer, a preliminary-absorber connected with the weak ammonia-
water cooler, a final absorber comprising an interior coil and an exterior coil,
the latter connected with the lower end of the preliminary absorber, a pipe
connecting the interior coil of the final absorber with the upper end of the
preliminary-absorber, a receiver for the liquid ammonia connected with the
condenser, a receiver for the strong ammonia-water connected with the lower
end of the final absorber and with the primary equalizing-coil, a brine-cooler
comprising an interior coil and an exterior coil, a brine supply-pump con-
nected with the interior coil, pipes connecting the liquid-ammonia receiver with
the exterior coils of the brine-cooler, and a pipe connecting the exterior coils of
the brine-cooler with the interior coil of the final absorber, substantially as set
forth.
ted this 14th day of September 1899.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
31, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.