Improvements in the Production of Cold and Manufacture of Ice and in Machinery therefor.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Jan., 1888.
Specification Accepted. 19th Jan., 1889
Improvements in the Production of Cold and Manufacture of Ice
and in Machinery therefor.
We, ALEXANDER CONACHER of 51 Thames Street Windsor in the County of Berks
and OWEN LLOYD WILLIAMS of 61 Grosvenor Road Pimlico in the County of
Middlesex Engineers 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 :-
One part of our invention consists in a new mode of producing cold and
manufacturing ice by the vacuum process whereby we produce cold in a rapid and
efficient manner and obtain a dense and regular formation of ice in contradistinction
to the somewhat uneven or flaky and porous ice formation produced by the ordinary
vacuum process according to which the water is admitted either continuously during
one freezing operation or in bulk at the beginning of each freezing operation or at
irregular intervals by hand during each freezing operation. We on the contrary
admit the water at frequent and regular intervals during each freezing operation
and automatically.
In the continuous admission process the water enters in a very thin stream which
partly freezes on the valve forming downwardly projecting icicles and partly freezes
on its way to the bottom of the freezing vessel. By reason of this the block of ice
formed is porous inside. On the contrary by our mode of admission the water is at
once in a comparatively large and solid stream projected to the bottom, forming no
large icicles adhering to the valve, and the freezing taking place from the bottom a
solid block is formed. The means for such mode of water admission may obviously
be of various forms and constructions for instance by means of tappets or cams and by
means of valves of many different forms and as it would be needless to illustrate a
number of such forms we shall merely shew two efficient means for carrying out this
mode of manufacture.
:
Another part of our invention consists in a method of rapidly and thoroughly
absorbing the watery vapour by the acid in the acid vessel viz. by causing the vapour
to come in intimate contact with particles of acid, the commingling of the vapour and
the acid taking place in a body of pieces of pumice stone or the like.
Another part of our invention consists in so constructing combining and arranging
the pump, the absorber and other parts as to form a machine whereby the acid is kept
in a proper condition and so as to effectually absorb the aqueous vapour passing
through the machine and so that a very high vacuum may be produced and
maintained.
The next part of our invention relates to the absorber which is a closed vessel made
of iron of such a form that it can be efficiently and conveniently lined or coated inside
with enamel or glass and whereby it has become possible to work with the same charge

page_text: of acid for a great length of time and further to work with stronger acid than by the
the use as heretofore of lead or lead lined absorbers which could not be used with strong
acid because gases or fumes evolved by reason of contact between strong acid and the
interior lead surface of the absorber would interfere with the formation and
maintenance of the high vacuum required or very desirable. Gases or fumes acting
prejudiciously to a good vacuum are also evolved in unlined iron vessels. As compared
with glazed earthenware or glass absorbers used in other freezing machines the
enamelled iron absorber has the advantages that it can be quickly cooled and easily
be kept so by a bath of water during the process of freezing, and that it can be
quickly heated and to such a high temperature that the acid can be quickly
reconcentrated in the absorber itself either under atmospheric pressure or under a
vacuum and that without as heretofore usual being removed therefrom. In this
invention we make the absorber of a form suitable for offering a large absorbing area
and convenient for rapid reconcentration. In this enamelled iron vessel we provide
means for agitating the acid so as to bring the heavier parts of same continually from
the bottom and discharge it above the surface. Furthermore in connection with such
an absorber we provide means for insuring a thorough permeation or intermixture
of the watery vapour and the acid viz.: by the employment as already stated of a
body of pumice stone, or the like in the interstices of which the acid and the
vapour passing through it meet and are subdivided and brought into such close contact
that when the proper amount of water is admitted none of the vapour can escape
such contact but is all absorbed by the acid. This pumice stone arrangement enables
us to continue making ice even when the acid has attained a very high temperature
say 77° and without the use of such pumice stone vapour trap this could not
be done. Hence although, as the more ice is made, the hotter the acid becomes,
we are able to continue making ice for a much longer time the vacuum remaining
practically constant, before requiring to stop for cooling the acid. The quantity of
ice thus produced in a given time, say during a working day is thus very
considerably increased. Also the quantity of cooling water required is for the
above reasons many times smaller than that required in machines on the Windhausen
principle producing like quantity of ice.
We shall also describe suitable means as already stated for regularly and
intermittently admitting water to the freezing vessel in connection with the acid
vessel. We shall also describe means for facilitating the reconcentration of weakened
acid.
The pump is arranged on the top of the acid vessel and must be constructed so as to
produce an almost absolutely perfect vacuum.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a sectional elevation of a freezing
machine constructed according to this invention and Figure 2 a part sectional end
view. Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the parts relating to the
novel mode of admitting the water which is to be frozen and Figure 4 a plan section
of same.
The pump is here shewn made with two single acting barrels A A having valves
and other parts of approved construction described in the Specification of Conacher's
Patent No. 1181 of 1887 or with one such single acting pump barrel as indicated by
the dotted line X X whereby the left hand barrel is supposed to be omitted and the
chamber B and crank shaft C to be shortened accordingly.
O is the acid vessel made of cast iron and of such a form that it can conveniently be
enamelled inside, and fixed in the framing of the machine. X is an outer vessel
which when supplied with hot water serves to reconcentrate the acid. In order to
mix or agitate the acid thoroughly while it absorbs the watery vapour in the air
passed through it and in order to prevent the formation of a thick upper layer of weak
acid which would retard the freezing operation we provide a circulating pump Qmade
of a form convenient for being made of enamelled iron (or of earthenware) and
suspended from the top of the acid vessel O. The pump valves may be of ball shape
as shewn. The bucket R is by preference of enamelled cast iron and cast in one with
the bow which is enamelled and rod S which is also enamelled as far up as required

page_text: or where exposed to the acid or acid fumes. The rod S passes up through a stuffing
box in the cap Q3 which is formed with a cup 01 for holding water for effectually
liquid sealing. The pump rod S is screwed or pinned to a slotted cross-head o which
is worked up and down by a crank on a crank shaft p, this latter being driven by spur
wheels g and r from the crank shaft C of the machine. To throw the pump out of
gear the spur wheel q is pushed along a feather on its shaft p so as to throw the
wheel 9 out of gear with the wheel r.
Qis a box or compartment in the upper part of the acid vessel. It is made of
earthenware or enamelled iron and has perforations in the bottom q¹ and in an upper
diaphragm q2; the former perforations are larger than the latter. The cap Q³ and
box Q are affixed to the acid vessel O by means of lead run into a gutter formed on
the vessel O. The box Qis filled with pumice stone, pieces of crockery ware, or
glass marbles or other suitable acid resisting material having a great many interstices
for the vapour and acid to pass and react upon each other. Or instead of this we
might employ a number of superposed discs made for instance of enamelled iron,
glazed earthenware or glass and provided with holes or slots of any suitable size and
shape, and arranged so as to produce a circuitous path for the acid and the vapour.
This part of our invention is also applicable to Conacher's rocking absorber patent
application No. 2319 of 1887. The heavy acid being constantly pumped up by the
bucket R is discharged over the grating q² and porcolates down through the pumice
stone meeting the vapour. In Figure 1 we have shewn a modified arrangement
wherein the pump discharges the heavy acid through perforated pipes q' over the level
of the acid in the absorber and meeting and absorbing the ascending vapours. q² are
holes for relieving the pump delivery in case of any excess of acid pumped up.
Figure 9 is a part sectional elevation of the acid vessel and parts connected there-
with illustrative of a mode of reconcentrating the acid. In place of the freezing vessel 1
shown in Figure 2 which has been temporarily removed we attach by means of screw
clamps 6 or other suitable means a vessel V to which is connected or attached an outer
vessel x provided with a hand pump y for forming a partial vacuum. The outer
vessel is kept full of cold water by a constant flow, and the wafer covering the flange
for connecting it to the pipe 3 ensures a tight lute joint at this place. The suction
end of the pump is by a pump y' connected with upper part of inner vessel V. The
connection between the acid vessel O and the pumps A of the machine being shut off,
by the valve Y Figure 1 a partial vacuum is produced in the acid vessel' O and the
vessel V by working the pump y Figure 9. Under the partial vacuum and the heat
applied the outside of the acid vessel O the watery parts of the acid therein will be
evaporated and the vapours will be drawn by the pump y, into the vessel V and
effectually condensed therein, thus re-concentrating the acid.
Instead of reconcentrating by the aid of a vacuum we are as already stated by reason
of employing an enamelled iron absorbed enabled to reconcentrate under atmospheric
pressure. In such case we shut off communication with the vacuum pump A Figure 1
and dispense with the vacuum pump y Figure 9 and apply direct heat by any suitable
means to the absorber and lead off the vapors in any convenient way into the
atmosphere. We find that the enamelled iron absorber effectually withstands such
high and direct heat as is required for this method of reconcentration.
We shall now describe the means which we have found suitable for introducing the
water to be frozen in the regular intermittent manner alluded to instead of the
admission by a constant flow as heretofore. The water to be frozen is admitted to
the vessel 1 Figures 2 and 3 the upper flange of which seats itself against the rubber
joint ring which fits in a recess formed on the underside of the pipe 3 that communicates
with the upper part of the acid vessel O. For the intermittent water admission to the
freezing vessel 1 Figure 2 we use a valve a Figure 3. The spindle b of same passes
up through a tube c being guided therein at d and by the disc e which latter is per-
forated for passage of the water. The end of the spindle b has a perforated disc f
between which and the disc e we provide a helical spring 9 which tends to close the
h is a rod for depressing the spindle b and thus opening the valve a.
rod. h passes out through a stuffing box at i and is pressed down by the lever k having
valve a.
This

page_text: .
its fulcrum at k¹ and formed with a head 7 with adjusting screw m the lower end of
which comes against the end of the rod h. The lever k is intermittently depressed by
the rod n Figure 2 which comes against a finger with stop nose jointed to the
lever k. The rod n is at the other end fixed to the slot crank head o of a rod S which
receives up and down motion from the crank on the shaft p (Fig. 1.)
The water to be frozen is admitted to the interior of the hollow stem c by a flexible
hose c¹ attached to an inlet shank ² on the hollow handle e opposite to which there
is a solid handle e. The handles c³, c4 serve to raise and lower the hollow stem c when
the valves 4 and 5 are to be closed or opened, as will be presently described. In the
down stroke of the crank head o the rod n acting on the finger 2 depresses the lever k
and thereby opens the valve a for an instant, while in the up stroke the rod n raises
the finger k² and goes past it. The screw m serves to regulate the amount of opening
of the valve a. The hollow stem c passes out through a stuffing box glands which
can be turned by the handle s¹. The latter passes out through a slot in the cap t
which is free to turn in its place. The cup shaped part u of the casting 3 is kept
_charged with water so as to lute the stuffing box gland s. When the freezing vessel 1
has become sufficiently filled with ice and another empty vessel is to take its place we
first lift the stem e by taking hold of the handles c³c and thus close the valve 4
against the loosely fitting valve 5 and the latter then against the joint washer 2 thus
cutting off communication with the acid vessel O and retaining the vacuum therein.
We then by the valve a or by a small valve not shewn in the drawing admit air to
the vessel I so as to destroy the vacuum therein. The vessel 1 can then be detached
and an empty one substituted. The small valve 4 is then first depressed and opened
against the vacuum above it, and then the large valve 5 drops off its seat by gravity,
the vessel being then in communication with the other portions of the machine in
which a vacuum had been retained is held securely in its place against the rubber
joint washer 2 by the pressure of the atmosphere. The machine being started again
the intermittent water admission to the vessel 1 is commenced as before.
Figure 5 is a side view of a machine with another form of acid vessel having
means for agitating the acid acting in the same manner as already described and
having also similar means as those already described for causing the vapour and acid
to come in ultimate contact. Figure 6 is a longitudinal section through the acid
vessel. Figure 7 a vertical cross section on line X X Figure G and Figure 8 a like section
on line YY. The acid vessel O is made of such a form that it can conveniently be made
of cast iron enamelled inside and is provided with an enamelled iron spindle S¹ having
arms with half round trough shaped agitators Q1 (all enamelled) which continually
bring the heavier parts of the acid up from the bottom and discharge it upon the
surface. The troughs Q are by preference made with serrated edges for the purpose
of dividing the descending acid into showers of drops so as to act better on the vapour.
On the spindle S¹ are also mounted arms R which are provided with cups R' all of
enamelled iron. These latter continually raise heavy acid from the lowest part of a
chamber with cap Q3 formed at one end of the acid vessel and empty it into a trapped
trough Q whence it overflows onto the upper grating 92 of the box Q which is filled
with pumice stone or other suitable material as described with reference to Figure 1.
The watery vapour rising up through this material by the larger bottom perforations
meets the acid descending through the material and is thoroughly acted upon and
absorbed by it. The spindle S¹ passes out through a stuffing box with water sealing
arrangements as shewn and is worked from the shaft C of the machine or pump in any
suitable manner.
The other parts of the machine and notably the means for admitting the water to
the freezing vessel are or may be the same as already described.
Figure 10 is a part side elevation illustrating another mode of actuating the valve
for intermittent water supply to the freezing vessel. In this case the crank which
operates the slotted cross head o on the upper end of the valve spindle S will in its
down stroke depress the arm n of a double armed lever thereby distending the spring n'
and raising the other arm k which has a hammer head or knob on its end. When
the crank before turning the lower centre in order to rise again lets go the arm n,

page_text: the spring n' will pull it up and the hammer at the end of the arm k will thereby
impart a smart blow to the head of the spindle b of the water admission valve a and
open the latter these parts being constructed the same as shewn in Figure 3.
Figure 11 is a detail view shewing the means for regulating the stroke imparted to
the valve spindle. To the arm n is attached a helical spring n the upper end of which
rests in the bottom of a slot in a rod 7 which passes up through the bracket 8 and is
provided with a pin 9. On bracket 8 is fixed a socket 10 with a slot and cross slots
like a bayonet joint for the pin 9 to work in. By taking hold of the crutch handle 11
the rod 7 can be raised or lowered, and the pin entered into any one of the cross slots
(three such being shewn here as an example) by which means the tension of the
spring n¹ is increased or diminished as desired for enabling the hammer arm k to give
a stronger or lighter blow to the valve stem, so that the valve a thus admits more or
less water to the interior of the freezing vessel 1 each time the valve a is opened.
When the rod 7 is pushed down so that the pin 9 can be entered into the lowest cross
slot the lever n is depressed so far as to be out of reach of the actuating crank and
hence at rest or inactive, no water being then admitted to the freezing vessel.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
First-The mode of manufacturing ice on the vacuum principle consisting in
admitting the water to the freezing vessel during each freezing operation
mechanically in regular intermittent quantities substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
Second-The means or appliances for admitting the water to the freezing
vessel regularly and intermittently substantially as described and shewn.
Third: The mode of ensuring the more complete absorption of the watery vapor
by the acid in the absorber and thus preventing any such vapour from entering the
vacuum pump and thus impairing the vacuum consisting in causing such vapour to
meet and come in intimate contact with acid in a sub-divided condition produced by
passing the acid through an aggregate body of pumice stone, pieces of crockery ware
or glass, marbles or other suitable acid resisting material or equivalent appliances
having a great many interstices, substantially as set forth.
Fourth-The means or appliances for causing the more complete absorption of
the vapour by the acid as described with reference to Figures 1, 6 and 7.
Fifth-The means or appliances for raising the acid which is to be intermingled
with the vapour for the more complete absorption thereof substantially as described
with reference to Figures 1, 6 and 7.
Sixth-The means or appliances for raising the acid and at the same time
causing it to commingle with and absorb the vapor substantially as described with
reference to Figure 15.
Seventh-The forms of enamelled iron absorbers as shewn and described.
Eighth The improved mode of and the means or appliances for reconcentrating
the weakened acid as described with reference to Figure 9.
Ninth The construction of refrigerating machine substantially as described
and shewn.