AN IMPROVED METHOD OF MIXING GASES AND VAPOUR, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS CON- NECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Jackson, of Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF
MIXING GASES AND VAPOUR, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS CON-
NECTED THEREWITH."
Sealed the 31st October 1865, and dated the 9th May 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Jackson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th
May 1865.
I, WILLIAM JACKSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
do. hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "AN IMPROVED METHOD
OF MIXING GASES AND VAPOUR, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention relates. to an improved vaporizer, which consists of two
apparatus, the one for producing a current of the aeriform fluid which is
required to be charged with vapour, and the other for charging the aeriform
fluid with the vapour. The first apparatus it is preferred to designate the air
machine, and the second the charger. The air machine consists of an outer
case containing water or other liquid, in which revolves a drum having a
hollow axis. The drum is divided into chambers by divisions running from
the circumference of the hollow axis to the circumference of the drum. These
divisions may be arranged in line with the axis, or diagonally, and extend
from side to side, or situated in any other suitable manner. These chambers

page_text: have openings at one side for the entrance, and at the other side for exit of
the aeriform fluid. The openings are formed by the sides of the chambers
being placed diagonally, or in any other convenient position, and continued so
as to overlap the sides of the adjoining chamber, or in some other suitable
position, so that when the entrance of any given chamber is submerged to
a required depth the exit shall begin to rise out of the water, and also that
when the openings are in these positions the water shall begin to flow into the
chamber and expel the aeriform fluid. The chambers and slits do not occupy
all the width of the drum, but there is a portion left vacant at the side, in
which stands a tube passing through the sides of the drum at the axis, and
the top of which is above the level of the water, for the conveyance of the
aeriform fluid pressed out of the chambers. In cases where it is required to
charge atmospheric air, this vacant space is only necessary at one side, but in
cases where any other aeriform fluid is to be charged it is necessary to have a
like space and tube on the other side for the purpose of drawing in the gas to
be charged. The number of chambers is entirely a matter of discretion, taking
into account relatively the required pressure and the diameter of the drum,
but in cases where few chambers are used it will be well to have openings in
the side or sides of the drum at the axis to assist the water' in keeping a
uniform level. The charger is a case divided into two parts by a division
parallel to the top of the case, into which division are fixed tubes arranged in
a vertical position. These tubes may be open at the lower end, or may be
closed at the lower end, and have holes punctured through the circumference.
Each tube is enclosed in one or more tubular wicks fastened to the tube above
the holes, and closed at the bottom by tying, or in any other suitable manner,
and in order to prevent the wicks from collapsing, and to procure thorough
distribution of the aeriform fluid to be charged, spiral wires or other suitable
distending apparatus having a diameter slightly exceeding that of the outside
of the tubes are inserted between the tubes and the wicks surrounding the
former, and within the latter. If it is desired to more fully saturate the
aeriform fluid with the vapour of liquid, the wicks surrounding each tube may
be increased in number by again slipping over the first wick a spiral wire
slightly larger in diameter, and then another wiek fastened as before, and so
on, the spiral wires and tubular wicks gradually increasing in diameter.
When it is desirable that a continúed evaporation of any liquid should take
place without the necessity of refilling the charger, the charging apparatus
herein-before referred to may be used, and the liquid supplied in a suitable
manner; or it may be made either without a bottom, or having holes
in the bottom or in the sides near the bottom; and the charger is further

page_text: provided with a float or floats, by means of which it is maintained floating
upon the liquid to be vaporized, and the aeriform fluid is admitted by a tube
passing through the top of the vessel containing the liquid; and further to
prevent the aeriform fluid from entering the said vessel otherwise than through
the tube a flange is fastened to the top of the tube, from the outer circum-
ference of which flange descends vertically a tube of larger diameter, so as to
circumscribe another tube fastened at the bottom to the interior circumference
of a flange, to the outer circumference of which is fastened another tube
surrounding the whole, and rising in a vertical position to such a height as to
allow the tube connected with the charger to rise to the requisite height when
the vessel is full. Liquid being poured into these upright tubes a fluid joint
is formed. Any other suitable method, however, may be adopted to prevent
the entrance of air to the vessel except through the tube. Convenient
openings are made in the charger and vessel containing the liquid for the con-
duction of the mixture of gas and vapour. The air machine and charger are
connected by a conduit pipe from the former, as already described, and
entering the charger above the division referred to, and the charger is further
furnished with an exit pipe placed as far as convenient from the entrance;
but in cases where the mixture of gas and vapour is of heavier specific
gravity than the atmosphere, the charger may be used without the air
machine, as the air is supplied and the mixture falls of its own virtue through
pipes or ducts to any place under the level of the machine, where it may be
required to be utilized.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Jackson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th November 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
JACKSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thou-
sand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
William Jackson, Her special license that I, the. said William Jackson, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Jackson, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree

page_text: with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN IMPROVED METHOD
OF MIXING GASES AND VAPOUR, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS CONNECTED
THERE WITH," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William
Jackson, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Jackson, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
My said Invention relates to an improved apparatus, which consists of two
parts, the one for producing a current of the aeriform fluid which is required
to be charged with vapour, and the other for charging the aeriform fluid with
the vapour. The first part of the apparatus it is preferred to designate as the
air machine, and the second the charger. The air machine consists of an
outer case containing water or other liquid, in which revolves a drum having
a hollow axis. The drum is divided into chambers by divisions running from
the circumference of the hollow axis to the circumference of the drum.
These divisions may be arranged in line with the axis, or obliquely, and
extend from side to side, or situated in any other suitable manner. The
chambers formed by the division have openings at one side for the entrance,
and at the other side for exit of the aeriform fluid. The openings are formed
by the sides of the chambers being placed obliquely, or in any other con-
venient position, so as to overlap the sides of the adjoining chamber, or in
some other suitable position, so that when the inlet of any given chamber is
submerged to a required depth the exit shall begin to rise out of the water,
and also that when the openings are in these positions the water shall have
begun to flow into the chamber and expel the aeriform fluid. The chambers
and slits do not occupy all the width of the drum, but there is a portion left
vacant at the side, in which stands tube passing through the sides of the
drum at the axis, and the top of which is above the level of the water, for the
conveyance of the aeriform fluid pressed out of the chambers. In cases
where it is required to charge atmospheric air this vacant space is only

page_text: necessary at one side, but in cases where any other aeriform fluid is to be
charged a like space and tube may be used on the other side, for the purpose
of drawing in the gas to be charged. The number of chambers is entirely a
matter of discretion, taking into account relatively the required pressure and
the diameter of the drum; but in cases where few chambers are used, it will
be well to have openings in the side or sides of the drum at the axis to assist
the water in keeping a uniform level. The charger is a case divided into two
parts by a division parallel to the top of the case, into which division are fixed
tubes arranged in a vertical position. These tubes may be open at the lower
end, or may be closed at the lower end, and have holes punctured through
the circumference. Each tube is enclosed in one or more tubular wicks
fastened to the tube above the holes, and closed at the bottom by tying, or in
any other suitable manner; and in order to prevent the wicks from collapsing,
and to procure thorough distribution of the aeriform fluid to be charged,
spiral wires or other suitable distending apparatus having a diameter slightly
exceeding that of the outside of the tubes are inserted between the tubes and
the wicks surrounding the former, and within the latter. If it is desired to
more fully saturate the aeriform fluid with the vapour of liquid, the wicks
surrounding each tube may be increased in number by again slipping over the
first wick a spiral wire slightly larger in diameter, and then another wick
fastened as before, and so on, the spiral wires and tubular wicks gradually
increasing in diameter. When it is desirable that a continued evaporation of
any liquid should take place without the necessity of refilling the charger, the
charging apparatus herein-before referred to may be used, and the liquid
supplied in a suitable manner; or it may be made either without a bottom,
or having holes in the bottom or in the sides near the bottom; and the
charger is further provided with a float or floats, by means of which it is
maintained floating upon the liquid to be vaporized, and the aeriform fluid is
admitted by a tube passing through the top of the vessel containing the liquid;
and further to prevent the aeriform fluid from entering into the said vessel
otherwise than through the tube, a flange is fastened to the top of the tube,
from the outer circumference of which flange descends vertically a tube of
larger diameter, so as to circumscribe another tube fastened at the bottom to
the inner circumference of a flange, to the outer circumference of which is
fastened another tube surrounding the whole, and rising in a vertical position
to such a height as to allow the tube connected with the charger to rise to the
requisite height when the vessel is full. Liquid being poured into these
upright tubes a fluid joint is formed. Any other suitable method, however,
may be adopted to prevent the entrance of air to the vessel except through

page_text: the tube. Convenient openings are made in the charger and vessel con-
taining the liquid for the conduction of the mixture of gas and vapour. The
air machine and charger are connected by a conduit pipe from the former, as
already described, and entering the charger above the division referred to;
and the charger is further furnished with an exit pipe placed as far as con
venient from the entrance; but in cases where the mixture of gas and vapour
is of heavier specific gravity than the atmosphere, the charger may be used
without the air machine, as the air is supplied and the mixture falls of its
own virtue through pipes or ducts to any place under the level of the machine,
where it may be required to be utilized.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood, I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the system, mode, or manner in or
under which the same is or may be used or carried into practical effect,
reference, being had to the two Figures upon the explanatory Sheet of
Drawings which I have hereunto appended, that is to say:-
Figure 1 is a vertical central section of one form of the complete apparatus;
Figure 2 is a transverse section of the drum, shown in elevation in Figure 1.
In Figure 1, A, A, is a case containing water or other liquid, the height of
which is regulated by the kneed tube B, inserted into the opening B' in the
case A, A; and which tube can be placed either in a vertical, or horizontal,
or intermediate, position, according to the height to which it may be desired
to fill the case A; C is a drum, which is caused to revolve by clockwork or
other means on its axis E, the two ends of which axis are supported re-
spectively in the bearing F fixed to the case A, and in the bearing G fixed to
the kneed tube H. The tube H is open at both ends, the end contained in
the drum C being continued to such an extent that it shall be above the level
of the liquid in which the drum is placed, and the other end as at H³, is con-
tinued through and fastened to the outer case A. The drum C has a tube D
running in a line with and surrounding the axis, and another tube D' of
greater diameter surrounding the tube D, both of which tubes are fastened in
an air-tight manner to the sides of the drum C, so that the space between
them shall form a float. The drum C is attached to the axis at the ends of
the tube D in any convenient manner, so as not to close the ends of the
tube D. The drum is further divided into any expedient number of chambers
by divisions running from the circumference of the tube D to the cir-
cumference of the drum, as at Figure 2. These divisions extend diagonally
from side to side of the drum. The chambers have inlet openings b, b, at one
side of the drum, and exit openings c, c, at the other side of the drum.
These openings are formed by the ends of each chamber being placed

page_text: obliquely, and continued so as to overlap the ends of the adjoining chambers
at any expedient distance, the continuation on the inlet side overlapping the
end of the chamber immediately preceding it to such an extent that the
entrance is closed by being submerged in the liquid to a depth sufficient to
prevent the air escaping therefrom, and on the exit side overlapping the ends
of the chamber following to such a length that when communication is made
between any chamber and the interior of the floating chamber I, herein-after
described, the chamber shall be submerged in the liquid to such a depth that
the pressure in the chamber of the drum and in the floating chamber I shall
be equal. A vacant space is formed by a continuation of the circumference
of the drum on the inlet side, to which continuation is attached the side c,
covering the tube H. I is a floating chamber over the drum C, and having
floats K attached to the sides; the wheels L guide the floating chamber as it
rises and falls according to the pressure. These wheels may either be attached
to the sides of the floating chamber, or of the outer case A. M is a tube
fixed to an opening in the top of the chamber I, and M² is another tube
attached to the chamber I, and surrounding the tube M. The space between
these tubes is to contain water or other liquid, and the length of the tubes is
such that when the chamber I has fallen to its lowest point the contained
liquid shall still cover the lower part of the tube O to such an extent as will
prevent the escape of the aeriform fluid except through the perforated tube P,
now to be described. P is a perforated tube of slightly larger diameter than
the tube M, closed at the upper end, as shown at P¹, which part may also
be perforated. This tube is attached to another tube O, above referred to,
which is of larger diameter than the tube P, and of less diameter than the
tube M', which tube O forms the inlet to the apparatus for charging the
aeriform fluid with vapour, through the centre of which it rises to a height
exceeding that of the top of the outer case R. Q are supports for the
apparatus for charging the aeriform fluid with vapour, which apparatus I
designate the charger; R is the outer case of the charger, having an exit
tube $ rising from the centre of the top, and of greater length and diameter
than the tube Y, herein-after described, which exit tube may have an orifice
fitted air-tightly with glass in any convenient part, to indicate the level of
liquid in the charger by means of suitable marks on the tube Y. The outer
case R has any convenient opening, and is furnished with a tube V running
from the bottom, and rising to above the level of the top of the outer case R,
and baving a stop-cock and funnel at the upper end, through which the liquid
is introduced. This tube is connected, as at V', with another tube V", which
descends to below the level of the bottom of the charger, and is provided with

page_text: which may
a cock at lower end. This arrangement of the tubes V and V",
either be on the outside or inside of the outer case, is for the purpose of
forming an overflow, the cocks being in that event both open, as well as for
emptying the charger, in which event the stop-cock at the top is closed, and
the arrangement forms a syphon. I claim, however, to avail myself of any
other suitable method of supplying and partly or wholly emptying the charger,
the object of the above arrangement being to avoid cocks connected directly
with the interior of the charger under the level of the liquid. W is a tubular
wick, composed of a quantity of cotton, woollen, or other fabric or material
woven at the two edges merely, and the intermediate portion consisting of
strands of cotton, woollen, or other fabric or material capable of raising by
cappillary attraction the liquid to be vaporized, the ends of these strands forming
part of the woven selvedges, the other portion being composed either wholly or
partly of wire or other stiffening material. This arrangement of fabric or
material is wound upon any convenient roller or apparatus to any desired
thickness, thus forming a tubular wick, which is supported by means of any
suitable number of wires, as W₁, running horizontally from the outside cir-
cumference to the inner periphery immediately under the upper and above the
under selvedges, the upper wires being in a line with the under wires, and
distended from them, both at the circumference and inner periphery by means
of upright wires or pieces of metal or other material running from the under
to the upper wires, and fastened to both, as at W". X is a float under the
tubular wick W, and attached thereto, and having a vacant portion in the
centre, through which stands the inlet tube O. This vacant portion is in
diameter slightly larger than the tube O, so as to allow the liquid to rise to
the tubular wick, the float being made of such a size and buoyancy that it
will sink in the liquid to be vaporized to such a depth that the bottom of the
tubular wick will be immersed in the liquid to any expedient extent. Y is a
tube, the bottom of which is fastened air-tight to the upper portion of the
inner periphery of the tubular wick, and the top of which is closed by a
cover Y¹, having leather, cloth, or other material fastened to the under side.
This tube is of greater diameter than and surrounds the tube O, and is of
such length that when the float comes to or near the bottom of the charger,
the leather, cloth, or other material under the cover Y¹ shall bear upon the
tube O, and stop the current of aeriform fluid. In the drum shown at
Figure 1 and 2, a, a, a, a, are the oblique divisions between the chambers;
b, b, b, b, are the inlet openings; c, c, c, c, are the outlet openings.
It is to be understood that the three primary parts of the apparatus,
viz., the drum, the floating chamber, and the charger, may be at any dis-

page_text: tance from each other, and connected by tubes. If it is desired to omit
the floating chamber the same may be dispensed with, and the drum
enclosed air-tightly in a case, having an exit tube; or the drum may
have the vacant space and tube H at the outlet side, the aeriform fluid
passing outward through the tube H, which may be connected with the
other parts of the apparatus; and when the drum is so arranged, and
the aeriform fluid is atmospheric air, it is unnecessary to enclose the
drum. The direction of the currents of aeriform fluid through all or any
of the parts of the apparatus may be reversed. The fabric with woven
selvedges, of which the wick is composed, may be arranged in many forms,
as, for instance, it may be placed in layers across any case, frame, or box, the
aeriform fluid passing through from one end or side of the case to the other.
I, however, consider as my Invention the use of this fabric in any convenient
form of arrangement, either with or without the floats. If desired the float
D, D, D¹, D', in the drum may be dispensed with, and the divisions and ends
of the chambers continued towards the axis; this may be desirable where
small pressure is wanted. Although I have shewn only one tubular wick in
the charger, it may be made to contain any number, as follows:-The wicks
stretched on wires, as previously described, and either closed or open at the
bottom, may be fastened at the inner periphery to tubes, which are fixed to
and pass through the top of any case, the case having a hole in the bottom
for the tube O, and having the tube Y, Y, fastened to an orifice in the top,
and being also furnished with a float or floats, either across the bottom or at
the sides, or at both. In cases where the required pressure of aeriform fluid
is otherwise obtained, the portion of the apparatus for producing the current
of aeriform fluid may be dispensed with, and the charger used alone, or in
combination with the floating chamber and tubes connected therewith. This
modification is applicable, inter alia, to the carburization of ordinary illu-
minating gas; or where the mixture of gas and vapour is of such specific
gravity as will cause a current either by falling or rising through the conduit
pipes carrying the same to the point of utilization. Instead of using a
separate charger, the drum may revolve in the liquid to be vaporized, and
contain the wick arranged in any convenient or suitable manner.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner
in which the same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, I would
observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
First, the general arrangement and combination of all or any number

page_text: of the parts forming the apparatus herein-before described, or any mere
modification thereof.
Second, the peculiarly constructed wick and float, as herein-before described,
or any mere modification thereof.
.
:
In witness whereof, I, the said William Jackson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventh day of November, One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-five.
WILLIAM JACKSON. (L.S.)