Steam Condensers.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 11th Jan., 1896
Steam Condensers.
I, HERBERT ALLEN WHEELER, Mining Engineer, of the City of St. Louis;..
State of Missouri, one of the United States of North America, hereby declare the
nature of my invention for steam condensers, and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention has especial reference to that class of steam condensers in which.
the steam is passed through a chamber, the walls of which are so constructed as to
expose a maximum amount of surface to the circulating air, thus keeping the
temperature reduced to a minimum. The object of my invention is to facilitate-
the condensation of the steam by providing a device that will do its work effectively,
that can be economically constructed, and that can be easily keep in repair, and
the said device possesses features of novelty hereinafter pointed out and claimed.
Referring to the drawing, which forms a part of this Specification, I have shown
a side view of the device, said view being part in elevation and part in section.
The steam is introduced through the supply pipe 1. This pipe extends a short
distance into the shell of the condenser. There is at this bottom portion of the
shell a chamber 2 in the form of an inverted cone which is adapted to catch the
dripping water. In direct communication with this chamber 2 is the passage 3,
immediately within the outer portion of the shell, the exit from which is
numbered 4.
5 represents air inlets placed near the bottom of the shell. They may be two.
or more in number, as desired. They are preferably of circular form, and lead to
a central chamber 6, through which the air passes to its exit 7.
8 represents the outer wall or shell of the exhaust head. 9 represents the inner
wall or shell, separating the inner air chamber from the outer steam chamber.
10 is a discharge pipe, placed at the bottom of the chamber 2, adapted to carry
off the water. 11 is the joint by means of which the shell of the exhaust head is
attached to the supply pipe 1. It consists of a circular sleeve, adapted to snugly
fit over the projections of pipe 1 into the chamber 2; said sleeve having its upper
end bent inwardly and downwardly to fit over the end of the said pipe 1.
The operation of my device is as follows. The steam entering through the
pipe 1, passes first into the chamber 2 and thence into the chamber 3, situated
just within the exterior shell 8. It passes in the direction indicated by the double.
winged arrows. The exhaust head instead of being cylindrical in form is fluted or
corrugated, as shown in the drawing. These corrugations act as deflectors, and
give an increased amount of cooling surface for the condensation of the steam.
The air enters at the openings 5 in the bottom of the shell, and is introduced
directly to the central chamber 6. The wall or shell of this chamber is also fluted
or corrugated and the air passes in the direction indicated by the single winged.
arrows. The corrugations give an increased amount of surface with which the
cool air comes in contact, thus aiding in the condensation of the steam passing
through the chamber 3.
The heat of the steam in chamber 3 will cause the air in chamber 6 to be heated,.
thus creating an updraught through said chamber 6. The action of the wind will
also add to the draught, and as the cool air is drawn into entrances 5, the
temperature of the interior shell 9 is kept reduced thereby. The steam passing
through the chamber 3 consequently comes in contact with cool surfaces on.

page_text: both the outer and inner walls. The space in chamber 3 being so much greater
than the space within the supply pipe 1, friction is consequently kept at a minimum.
The corrugations of the shell are shown to be angular, which gives a down
slant for the condensed steam to run into the chamber 2, and thence out through
the drain pipe 10. It is obvious, however, that these corrugations may be curved
as well as angular, or of any other desired form.
I prefer to construct the device of sheet copper, but any other suitable material
may be used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In an improved steam condenser, the combination of a steam pipe, a shell
attached thereto, a second shell within said first shell, entrances for introducing air
into the chamber formed within said second shell, and means of communication for
introducing the steam from the said steam pipe to the space between the two shells,
substantially as described.
2. In an improved steam condenser, the combination of a steam pipe, a shell
attached thereto, a drain pipe leading therefrom, an air chamber in communication
with the outer air and situated within said shell, and a means of attaching said
shell to said steam pipe, consisting of a sleeve extending around, over and down
into the end of said steam pipe, substantially as described.
3. In an improved steam condenser, the combination of a steam pipe, a shell
attached thereto, said shell constructed with numerous corrugations, a second shell
within said first shell, likewise constructed with numerous and corresponding
corrugations, and a means of communication between the chamber formed by said
second shell and the exterior air, substantially as described.
Dated this 9th day of December 1895.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.