IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CON- DENSERS OR COOLERS
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughts-
man, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CON-
DENSERS OR COOLERS."-A communication from abroad by Francis Bowes
Stevens, of New York, in the United States of America.
Sealed the 17th March 1868, and dated the 7th October 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on,
the 7th October 1862..
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CON-
DENSERS OR COOLERS," to be as follows:-
It has often been proposed to place a surface condenser for condensing the
steam, or a cooler for cooling the injection water, on the submerged surface of
a steamer, so that the surfaces to be cooled may be surrounded by the water
in which the steamer floats. The object of this Invention is to improve con-
densers or coolers so placed.
The improvement consists, firstly, in-forming a surface condenser or cooler,.
by placing on the outside of the submerged surface of the steamer one or
more thin and flat passages with parallel sides containing the steam to be
condensed or water to cooled, a lamina of the water in which the vessel floats

page_text: being interposed between the passages. By this means a form of condenser
or cooler is obtained that will offer but little obstruction to the passage of the
steamer through the water (the passages may, when necessary, take the curve
of the sides of the vessel to which they are applied.) These flat passages
placed in lamina, and having the water in which the vessel floats between
them, may be used either as a surface condenser for condensing the steam
that leaves the cylinder or as a cooler for cooling the injection water on its
passage between the air pump and condenser, and the passages may be so
arranged as to have each its own entry and exit.
Instead of flat passages arranged either vertically or horizontally, the
surface condensers or coolers may be made by placing on the outside of the sub-
merged surface of a steamer a system of tubes with headers, elbows, and return
bends, arranged one behind the other, so as to cause little obstruction to the
passage of the steamer through the water, and at the same time to allow
sufficient water to flow around the tubes to condense the steam or cool the
injection water.
To prevent injury to the surface condensers or coolers placed on the outside
submerged surface of a vessel, a guard is provided, which, while protecting
the condenser, will permit of the water circulating freely around or over the
cooling surfaces. To render the condenser or cooler available for distilling
fresh water from sea water, valves or cocks are provided for closing the ports
of exit and entrance of the condenser or cooler on the submerged surface of
the steamer, and pipes governed by cocks are provided leading therefrom to
the boiler and to the atmosphere. The surfaces of iron condensers or coolers,
when placed on the submerged surface of a steamer, as described, it is proposed
to coat with an alloy of tin and lead, whereby the salt water is prevented from
acting thereon.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alfred Vincent Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 7th April 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED
VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-sixth year of Her

page_text: reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Alfred Vincent Newton, Her special license that I, the said Alfred Vincent
Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Alfred Vincent Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree 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
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONDENSERS OR COOLERS," being a com-
munication from abroad, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Alfred Vincent Newton, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, should particularly 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 Alfred Vincent Newton, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
It has often been proposed to place a surface condenser for condensing the
steam, or a cooler for cooling the injection water, on the submerged surface of
a steamer, so that the surfaces to be cooled may be surrounded by the water
in which the steamer floats. Now, the object of this Invention, as commu-
nicated to me by my foreign correspondent, is to improve condensers or coolers
so placed:
The Invention consists, firstly, in forming a surface condenser or cooler by
placing on the outside of the submerged surface of the steamer one or more
thin and flat passages with parallel sides containing the steam to. be condensed
or water to be cooled, a lamina of the water in which the vessel floats being
interposed between the passages; by this means a form of condenser or cooler
is obtained that will offer but little obstruction to the passage of the steamer
through the water. These flat passages placed in lamina, and having the.
water in which the vessel floats between them may be used either as a surface
condenser.for condensing the steain that leaves the cylinder, or as a cooler
for cooling the injection water on its passage between the air pump and
condenser.
In Sheet I. Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal elevation of the improved
surface condenser or cooler attached to the side of a steamer; Fig. 2 is a

page_text: horizontal view of the same; Fig. 3 is a cross section taken through the
dotted line x, x, of-Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a cross section taken through the dotted
line y, y, of Fig. 1.
a, b, c, d, each. represent a thin flat passage with parallel sides through
which the steam to be condensed or water to be cooled passes, entering at the
port e in the narrow passage a, and passing through this narrow passage a
and through the port f into the passage b, and through this passage b and
through the port 9 into the passage c, and through this passage c and port h
into the passage d, and through this passage d to the port i, the port of exit
from the surface condenser or cooler, the steam to be condensed or water to
be cooled, and the water in which the vessel floats thus lying in-alternate
laminæ. represents an interval between the flat passage a and the side of
the steamer; l, m, and n represent intervals between the other flat passages,
so that a lamina of the water in which the steamer floats. may flow between
each of them. Each end of these passages is sharpened so that the
obstruction to the passage of the steamer through the water caused by placing
them outside the steamer may be lessened. When used for a surface con-
denser, the cross section of each of the flat passages a, b, c, and d must be equal
or nearly equal in area to the opening of the eduction pipe, and when used
for a cooler, the section must be sufficiently great to pass the injection water
from the hot well back again to the condenser. The flat passages should of
course be arranged symetrically on both sides of the steamer; the flat passages
can be bent to conform to the shape of the steamer.
Fig. 5 shews a cross section of a portion of a steamer's side, with a section of a
flat passage bent to correspond to it; o, being the flat passage, and p the interval
between the flat passage and steamer. If many flat passages were placed side
by side, and connected as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, they might make
too great an obstruction to the motion of the steamer through the water.
Fig. 6, represents a longitudinal elevation of another application of the
Invention, with the passages so arranged that the steam to be condensed or
water to be cooled, passes in separate streams through the passages a, b, c,
and d respectively, and not from one to the other, as in Figures 1, 2, 3,
and 4. Fig. 7 is a horizontal view of the same; Fig. 8 is a cross section
taken through the dotted lines a, a, of Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a cross section taken
through the dotted line y, y, of Fig. 6. In these Figures 9 is a pipe forming
the port of entrance to the passage a, and r is a pipe forming the port of exit
from the same passage; s and t are the ports for the passage h; u and v
are the ports for the passage c; w and z are the ports for the passage d;
A is a pipe to which the ports of entrance of s, t, and w, are connected;

page_text: B is a pipe to which the ports of exit r, t, v, and 2, are connected. A bar
C divides the flat passages so that the steam to be condensed or water to be
cooled is returned to the same end that it entered, and thus both the ports
of entrance and of exit are attached to the vessel at the same end, the flat:
passage has therefore liberty to expand.
As in this arrangement only one-fourth of the steam passes through each of
the flat passages they need each be only one quarter of the thickness of those
used in the arrangement represented in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, and con-
sequently they will cause less obstruction to the motion of the steamer. The
flat passages instead of being placed vertically as shown in all the above
Figures may be placed horizontally.
Fig. 10 represents a longitudinal elevation of an application of the improve-
ment with the flat passages placed horizontally; Fig. 11 is a horizontal view
of the same, and Fig. 12 a cross section taken through the dotted lines x, x,
of Fig. 10; a, a, shew the flat passages; K, K, show the water spaces between
them; D is the port of entry, and Ę is the port of exit.
The second part of the improvement consists in forming a surface condenser
or cooler by placing on the outside of the submerged surface of a steamer a
system of tubes with headers, elbows, and return bends arranged one behind
the other so as to cause little obstruction to the passage of the steamer through
the water, and at the same time to allow sufficient water to flow around the
tubes to condense the steam or cool the injection water. It is proposed to
use this system of tubes placed on the submerged surface of a steamer, either.
as a surface condenser for.condensing the steam that leaves the cylinder, or. as
á cooler for cooling the injection water on its passage between the air pump
and condenser; Fig. 13 is an elevation of the system of tubes applied to the
side of a steamer; Fig. 14 is a horizontal view; and Fig. 15 is an end view.
of the same: F and G show two upper headers each receiving the steam to
be condensed or water to be cooled; and H and I show two lower headers, each
leading off the condensed steam or cooled water; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, show
each a short tube, and form the series of short tubes leading from the
header F 1a, 2 a, 3 a, &c. show' each a horizontal tube, 1 a, being connected
to the short tube 1, and 2 a being connected to the short tube 2, and so on';
1.b, 2b, 8b, &c. show return bends placed at the ends of the horizontal
tubes 1 a, 2a, 3a, &c.; 1c, 2 c, 3c, &c. show horizontal tubes leading back
from the return bends 1 b, 2 b, 3b, &c.; 1d, 2 d, 3 d, &c. show the short. tubes
connected to the horizontal tubes 1 c, 2 c, 3 c, &c. and leading to the lower
header. H. The tubes leading from the upper header G to the lower header I
being arranged in the same manner as those leading from the headers F

page_text: and H. The headers, their elbows, and return bends are placed the one
behind the other, thus H is placed behind F, G behind H, and I behind G,
so that the water may have access to the horizontal tubes. The return bends
are also placed one behind the other so. that the water after passing by one
return bend may have access to the horizontal tubes before coming to the
next return bend. The horizontal tubes instead of making one return may
make two or more where. desirable. The headers F and H, and their tubes
could be used separately from the headers G and I, and their tubes, if less
surface were required, or if more surface were required additional headers
could be used or more tubes could be connected to each header. The header F
is shown close to the side of the vessel, the header G could be placed directly
behind the header F, by bending the short tubes, or by adding elbows to them.
The short tubes 1, 2, 3, &c. are shewn in Fig. 15 parallel to the side of the
steamer, but they may if required be set at any angle to it. When used for
a surface condenser the cross sections of the upper headers, or of the tubes con-
necting with them should be equal or nearly equal in area to the opening of the
eduction pipe, and when used for a cooler their area must be sufficiently great
to pass the injection water from the hot well back again to the condenser, the
tubes should of course be arranged in systems symetrically on both sides of
the steamer.
In Sheet II. Fig. 28 shows in longitudinal elevation another application of
the Invention; Fig. 29 is a horizontal view, and Fig. 30, an end view of the
same. The short tubes are here dispensed with, the horizontal tubes 1, 2, 3,
&c. being connected directly to the headers F, H, G, I, which are here shewn
by flat tubes sharpened at the ends. These headers can be placed parallel
with the sides of the steamer, and connected to it as shown in Figures 6, 7,
and 8, or they can be placed at right angles to i nd connected by their
ends. The return bends are not shewn, they must be placed in the same
manner as in Figures 13, 14, and 15, that is one behind the other.
The third part of the improvement consists in placing a guard around the
condensers or coolers, so that they may not be injured by striking against any
object. The guard in which the condenser or cooler is enclosed is made as
strong or nearly as strong as the sides of the steamer to which it is attached,
with open spaces for the ingress and egress of the water in which the steamer
floats to the condenser or cooler.
In Sheet III., Fig. 16 represents the guard in longitudinal elevation;
Fig. 17 is a horizontal view, and Fig. 18 a cross section of the same taken
through the dotted lines x, x, of Fig. 16. The guard is here shown formed
by two strong side pieces K, K, attached to the sides of the steamer; these

page_text: side pieces being curved as shown in Fig. 17. L, L, L, represent strong bars.
bent to the same curve as the sides K, K, with the interstices M, M, M, for
the ingress and egress of the water to and. from the condenser or cooler;
N shows the space occupied by the condenser or cooler. The arrow shows
the direction of the water as it passes the condenser or cooler.
Fig. 19 represents the longitudinal elevation of another application of the
guard with the cover of the same removed; Fig. 20 is a horizontal section of
the same taken through the dotted line x, x, of Fig. 19; and Fig. 21 is a
cross section taken through the dotted line y, y, of Fig. 19. K, K, are the
side pieces here shewn curved vertically as well as horizontally to deflect the
waves or any object that may strike the guard; L, L, L, are strong bars with
the interstices M, M, M, for the ingress and egress of the water; N and O
show the space occupied by the condenser or cooler; and P, the cover of the
guard attached thereto by bolts, so that it can readily be removed. In case
the condenser or cooler is so large that the cover would be apt to be sprung
or broken by striking any object, it will be convenient to divide the condenser
or cooler into sections, as N and O, as by the longitudinal bar Q. Two
sections only are here shewn, but if necessary the condenser or cooler could be
divided into more sections. The guard should not be in immediate contact
with the condenser or cooler, but a small space should be left between them.
The fourth part of the improvement consists in so arranging a surface con-
denser that condenses the steam of a steamer or a cooler that cools the
injection water, that they may be disconnected from the engine and used for
the purpose of distilling fresh water from the sea water, and also that they
may be readily cleaned. To effect this a cock or valve is placed at the port
of entrance of the condenser or cooler, and another cock at the port of exit,
and by these two cocks all communication with the engine is shut off. Between
the cock closing the port of entrance and the condenser or cooler a pipe is
placed leading to the boiler, and on this pipe is placed a cock for opening or
closing the communication. Between the cock closing the port of exit and
the cooler or condenser is a pipe with a cock attached communicating with
the atmosphere, so that when the cocks closing the ports of exit and entrance
åre closed, steam may be led to the condenser or cooler and after being
condensed drawn off. The condenser or cooler is cleansed by first allowing-it
to fill with condensed water, and then by blowing out this condensed water
into the atmosphere by the steam leading from the boiler.
Fig. 22, Sheet II., represents a longitudinal elevation of a surface condenser
or cooler formed by.a.system of tubes placed on the submerged surface of a
steamer with the improvement attached; Fig. 23 is a horizontal view, and

page_text: Fig. 24 an end view of the same. R, R, are the tubes forming the surface
condenser or cooler; T is the cock closing the port of entrance; and U is the
cock closing the port of exit; V is the pipe leading from the boiler to the
condenser or cooler, and W is the cock attached to this pipe; X is the pipe
leading from the condenser or cooler to the atmosphere, and Y is a cock
attached to this pipe; Z is a section of the side of the vessel.
Fig. 25 is a longitudinal elevation shewing the application of the Invention
to a surface condenser or cooler formed by a narrow plate attached to the
submerged surface of a steamer; Fig 26, is a horizontal section of the same
taken through the dotted line x, x, of Fig. 25, and Fig. 27, is a cross section
taken through the dotted line y, y, of Fig. 25; R is the condenser or cooler
formed by a narrow tubular passage divided in its centre by the longitudinal
bar S, the passage above the bar S, communicating with the port of entrance,
and leading through an opening made in the bar to the passage below the bar and
to the port of exit the other letters of reference are the same as in Figures
22, 23, and 24.
The operation of both these applications of the Invention is as follows :-
The cocks T, U, and Y, being closed, and the cock W being opened, the
steam from the boiler is condensed and can be drawn off for use by opening
the cock Y.
.
If the cocks W and Y are both opened the steam and water will be blown
with great rapidity through the condenser or cooler and will cleanse it of
the
grease formed therein. The engine at the time of distilling or of cleansing
the condenser or cooler, if desirable, can be kept in motion by condensing the
steam used by a condenser or cooler placed on the other side of the vessel or if
the coolers or condensers on both sides of the vessel are used for distilling,
then the engine can be kept in motion by injection water drawn from outside of
the vessel.
Having now set forth the nature of the Invention of "Improvements in the
Construction of Condensers or Coolers," as communicated to me from abroad,
and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be
understood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent I claim,―
First, forming a surface condenser or cooler on the outside submerged
surface of a steamer by placing there one or more thin and flat tubular
passages for containing the steam to be condensed, or water to be-cooled, and
having between them spaces for a lamina of the water in which the steamer
floats.
Secondly, so arranging the tubular passages of condensers or coolers that
each passage has its own separate port of entry and of exit as described.

page_text: Thirdly, forming a surface condenser or cooler by a system of headers,
elbows, and horizontal tubes placed on the submerged surface of a steamer as
herein set forth and described.
Fourthly, the use of a guard enclosing the surface condenser or cooler
placed on the outside submerged surface of the vessel, substantially as
described.
Fifthly, closing the ports of exit and entrance of the condenser or cooler on
the submerged surface of a steamer and attaching pipes -leading to the boiler
and to the atmosphere, substantially as and for the purpose described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Seventh day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
A. V. NEWTON. (L.S.)