IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING REDUCTION OF TEMPERATURE BY THE EXPANSION OF AIR OR OTHER PERMANENT GASES IN SPECIAL CONNECTION WITH THE PRESERVATION OF ARTICLES OF FOOD, THE MANUFACTURE OF ICE, COOLING OF ROOMS AND LIQUIDS
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Mort, of Fenchurch Street, in the City
of London, for the Invention of AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND
APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING REDUCTION OF TEMPERATURE BY THE EXPANSION
OF AIR OR OTHER PERMANENT GASES IN SPECIAL CONNECTION WITH THE
PRESERVATION OF ARTICLES OF FOOD, THE MANUFACTURE OF ICE, COOLING OF
ROOMS AND LIQUIDS."-A Communication from abroad by Thomas
Sutcliffe Mort and Eugene Dominique Nicolle, of Sydney, in the
Colony of New South Wales.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Mort, at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 26th October 1868, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
MORT, of Fenchurch Street, in the City of London, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS
FOR OBTAINING REDUCTION OF TEMPERATURE BY THE EXPANSION OF AIR OR OTHER
[Price 8d.1

page_text: PERMANENT GASES IN SPECIAL CONNECTION WITH THE PRESERVATION OF ARTICLES
OF FOOD, THE MANUFACTURE OF ICE, COOLING OF ROOMS, AND LIQUIDS," (a com-
munication to me from abroad by Thomas Sutcliffe Mort and Eugene
Dominique Nicolle, of Sydney, in the Colony of New South Wales,) and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, that is to
say-
The apparatus I am about to describe is an improved mechanical
combination for obtaining cold by an application of the well known
natural law that a reduction of the volume of any permanent gas and
simultaneous removal of the sensible heat caused thereby results upon
expansion in a capacity for or power of taking heat from the bodies with
which it comes in contact. This fact has been for years known and
published to the world, and for the purpose of utilizing it many Patents
have been obtained, involving delicate machinery working at great
speed, difficult to keep in working order, and losing a large per-centage
of the reduced temperature during its operation, which combined
reasons have caused the subsequent abandonment of most of them. The
new combination avoids these difficulties, and can be worked by an
ordinary engine driver. No air pump enters into the arrangement, the
compression of air or other gases being effected by means of the well
known hydraulic ram in large hydraulic cylinders. The regularity of
speed in the machine is obtained by the variable expansion of steam in
the steam cylinder meeting the actual demand of power required for the
progressive compression of the gas in the upper part of the cylinders
during each successive compression, the removal of the heat during the
compression of the gas being effected by the spirals in the hydraulic
cylinders themselves, thus simplifying the process and ensuring a per-
fect action. The machine uses the same gas and the same water con-
tinuously, and the gas is desiccated in its passage after compression.
The temperature exchanger saves a great amount of cold, as it retains
the surplus of cold left in the gas after having refrigerated to the lowest
degree required, and imparts this surplus cold to the compressed gas as
it passes through it on its way to the vessel where it expands, which will
hereafter be fully described. The pressure, and therefore the amount of
reduction of temperature necessary, is easily regulated by increasing or
decreasing the quantity of water in circulation, which is effected while
the machine is working and ascertained most accurately by the pressure
indicator. The quantity of gas necessary to ensure the perfect working

page_text: of the machine is also self-controlling and regulated after each succes-
sive expansion. The slide valves introduced here are of a peculiar con-
struction, which renders their equilibrium perfect, and although the
pressure against them is very considerable they work with great ease.
The application of refrigeration to the preservation of articles of food,
the manufacture of ice, the cooling of liquids, or the lowering of the
temperature of rooms, etc. by the expansion of permanent gases is simple
and effective. In the case of articles of food they are placed in a thin
metallic cylinder (metal being a good conductor) encircled by a cylinder
of wood (a bad conductor), the metallic and the wooden cylinders being
separated by a spiral or spirals made of wood of sufficient thickness to
form the ribs of the two cylinders, great strength in which is ensured
by bolting the two together through the wooden spirals. The gases are
expanded in the space between the spirals, whereby the reduction of
the temperature is accomplished, and after circulation are led back to
the apparatus for recompression. The plan for the manufacture of ice
is specially explained hereafter in its proper place, and to which reference
is made. For the cooling of rooms, liquids, etc. a similar arrangement
to that employed for preserving articles of food may be used, or they
may be cooled by the expansion of the air by direct application, or in
pipes or tubes passing around or through the vessels containing liquids
or the apartments requiring to be cooled. The circulation of gas
employed is perfect and the transmission of the reduced temperature
very rapid. The articles of food, etc. to be acted upon not geing exposed
to the action of the gas by contact are not desiccated, but only refrige-
rated by metallic transmission, which does not injure them in the
slightest degree.
Having thus briefly described the apparatus and of what the improve-
ments consist, on parts of which I shall hereafter base the special
claims, I shall now proceed to describe with the assistance of the accom-
panying Plans and Figures each of the several parts of the machine,
having for that purpose drawn separately the mode of obtaining the
power of compression and the modes of its application. The Drawings
and sections hereto attached are given to illustrate the action of the
apparatus although the forms or shapes of the several parts may be
varied without interfering with its working, relative capacity and
strength being provided for.
Drawing No. 1.-Figure 1, a side elevation of the engine and
hydraulic rams; Figure 2, a bird's-eye view of the same; Figure 3, an

page_text: Drawing No. 4 shews the direct action of a column of water as a sub-
stitute for other power for compressing air.
The mode of obtaining power here described is steam, but any other
power, such as horse, mill, waterfall, with direct pressure or transmitted
by turbine or water wheel, screw propelled by the motion of a sailing
vessel, windmill, or hand power can be applied with good result. The
form of engine and its construction, either vertical, horizontal, or
oscillating, are not matters connected with the improvement. I use by
preference a double cylinder engine working the hydraulic ram direct,
water being the fluid used in connection with the ram, although oil or
other fluids may be used. With the exception of the expansion gear
and the transmission of motion to the time shaft engines of any descrip-
tion can be applied. I will therefore only refer to those parts.
STEAM MOTIVE POWER.
Drawing No. 1.-No. 1, 1, the expansion valves to cut off steam at
any part of the stroke of the engines as the power of compressing the
gas requires. For reference see detailed Drawing No. 3, Figures 5 and 6.
2, 2, time wheel with cams of different sizes cutting off steam. For
reference see detailed Drawing No. 3, Figure 7 and time wheel
table; 3, 3, beam levers transmitting the motion of the cams to the
piston of expansion valve; 4, time shaft receiving its motion from the
main shaft of the engine by a worm and wheel there indicated, the
number of teeth in the wheel being 24, and each revolution of the
engine causing by the, worm in gear the wheel to advance one tooth;
5, 5, 5, three spur wheels transmitting the motion as received from the
worm without increase or decrease of speed; 6, 6, wheel and pinion
serving to retard the motion received from the worm and wheel in the
proportion of one to two, giving therefore 48 revolutions of the engine
to one of the time shaft No. 4. The expansion cam wheel performing
one complete revolution during 24 revolutions of the engine shaft;
6A, 6A, hydraulic rams connected with the piston end by cross heads;

page_text: 7, 7, hydraulic barrels fitted with double leather rings and packing
stuffing box, the pressure acting against the leather and the stuffing
box during the partial vacuum; 8, 8, hydraulic valves (see detailed
Drawing No. 3, Figures 1 and 3); 9, delivery pipe branching to each
delivery valve; 10, 10, suction pipes connected with the suction valves.
This completes the motive-power apparatus shewn in Drawing No. 1.
Drawing No. 2 shows working of apparatus by steam power.
11, 11, two strong hydraulic cylinders made of wrought iron and
capable of working safely at a pressure of 600 lbs. to the square inch;
12, 12, 12, are sixteen copper double spiral tubes through which a
current of cold water is constantly passing. Each hydraulic cylinder is
fitted with a set of sixteen of these double spirals; 13, 13, upper water
compartments through which the water having refrigerated the com-
pressed gas is allowed to escape; 14, 14, top water compartments
receiving the water for refrigerating the gas; 15, 15, connecting flanges
which unite the suction pipes, No. 10, 10, fixed on the suction valves
of the hydraulic rams, thereby connecting the two apparatus together;
16, 16, lower hydraulic slide valves, enabling the water alternately to be
pumped out of each hydraulic cylinder (this valve is constructed on the
equilibrium principle, sce Drawing No. 3, Figure 8, for details); 17, 17,
suction pipes connecting the slide valves with the hydraulic cylinders;
18, 18, upper hydraulic slide valves also on the equilibrium principle,
enabling the compressed water to escape into the hydraulic cylinders
No. 11, 11; 19, 19, branch pipes connecting the valve chambers with
the suction pipes; 20, 20, levers transmitting the motion of the cam to
the slide rod at the end of which the slide valves are fitted; 21 strong
wrought cylinder capable of working safely under a pressure of 600 lbs.
to the square inch; 22, pressure indicator fitted to the iron cylinder;
23, connecting flanges uniting the branch pipes of the motive power
apparatus; 24, 24, bent pipes connecting the chambers at the valve
No. 18, 18; 25, 25, eight iron cam discs fitted close to each other on the
time shaft No. 4, for the purpose of opening and shutting the valve at
the proper time; 26, 26, double gas slide valves enabling the gas to
escape into the temperature exchanger after having been compressed.
For construction see detailed Drawing No. 3, Figure 9; 27, 27, con-
necting pipes uniting the upper part of the hydraulic cylinders with the
gas valves. No. 26, 26; 28, 28, levers transmitting the motion of the
cams to the slide valves 26, 26, by a vertical rod at the end of which a

page_text: gudgeon is fitted sliding in the grooves of the disc cam; 29, two gas
valves for the purpose of returning the expanded gas to the hydraulic
cylinders to be recompressed; 30, 30, connecting pipes uniting the
hydraulic cylinders with the gas cocks 29, 29; 31, 31, sniffing valves
balanced by a spiral spring to a pressure equal to that of the atmosphere.
This valve opens internally; 32, 32, levers connecting the slide valve
rods and transmitting the motion by a vertical rod fitted with a gudgeon
sliding in the slots forming the cams; 33, slotted cam fixed on the time
shaft giving the motion to the levers 32, 32, to open and close the valve
at the moment required; 34, 34, connecting pipes uniting the
valves 29, 29, with the casing of the temperature exchanger; 35 tem-
perature exchanger constructed with small copper tubes 14 feet long
through which the compressed gas passes. The whole internal capacity
of these tubes being equal to that of the bulk of the compressed air
when at its maximum pressure. They are enclosed in a circular casing
through which the gas passes after having been expanded. This casing
is covered externally with a non-conducting substance such as felt,
charcoal, etc.; 36, 36, returning pipe connecting the outer spiral of the
refrigerated chamber with the casing of the temperature exchanger,
No. 35; 37, 37, gas desiccators connected between the gas cocks 26, 26,
and the temperature exchanger No. 35; 38, gas valve fitted between the
compressed gas chamber and the temperature exchanger No. 35;
39, connecting pipe uniting the gas valve 38 at one end, and the tempera-
ture exchanger at the other. The connection is arranged so that the com-
pressed gas inside the tubes only can pass while the returned expanded
gas circulates in the opposite direction outside the tubes; 40, compressed
gas receiver made of wrought iron perfectly tight, capable of working
safely at a pressure of 600 lbs. to the square inch; the internal capacity
of this receiver is equal to that of the compressed gas in the hydraulic
cylinders No. 11, 11. The outer surface of this apparatus, including the
valves placed at each end of it, is surrounded with a non-conducting
substance such as felt, charcoal, etc. and enclosed in a wooden box;
41, expansion gas valve fitted at the extreme end of the compressed gas
receiver No. 40, causing the sudden expansion of the gas contained in it
into the refrigerating chamber; 42, beam lever transmitting the motion
given by the cam fixed on the time shaft by a vertical rod fitted with
a gudgeon sliding in the slot of the cam. The arrangement is such that
one valve is closed before the other opens; 43, slotted cam fixed on
the time shaft No. 4, giving the motion to the valves 41 and 38 at the

page_text: pansion gas valve No. 41 with the refrigerating chamber.
REFRIGERATING CHAMBER.
45, single or double spiral according to the length of the cylinder,
which will vary its requirements. This spiral (or spirals) is formed by
bending pieces of timber 2 inches x 2 inches angularly with the cross
sections of the wooden cylinder, thus forming a screw or spiral, the
pitch of which should be about 12 in. apart. If the chamber be
constructed very large in diameter and the length be short the spiral is
continued at the flat end of the cylinders, leaving only an aperture
conveniently large to store the articles of food in the chamber. In
that case the expansion of the gas employed would begin near the
centre of the cylinder, and having played over the whole of the end of
the cylinder in a spiral gradually increasing in diameter until it reaches
the outer spiral in which it enters, it continues its motion all round the
cylinder until it attains its extreme end, on which a similar concentric
spiral leads the gas to the centre of the cylinder where the return gas
pipe No. 36 is attached, and conveys the gas to the hydraulic cylinder
to be compressed again. Should the cylinder for convenience be
constructed small in diameter and of long length a double spiral is
employed by which the expansion of the gas alternately takes place, first
at one end and next at the other, each expansion of gas having its own
spiral. A perfect equalization of temperature is thus obtained. 46, a
thin metallic cylinder made air tight, bolted against the ribs forming
the spiral, the bolts passing through them and through the outer
wooden cylinder No. 47, the head of these bolts being broad and
flattened, pressing on the internal part of the metallic cylinder. 47,
outer wooden cylinder made of staves grooved and tongued gas tight
and strongly hooped outside.. These staves are also united together
by the wooden spiral ribs binding them strongly by the bolts fixed
at intervals not exceeding 12 inches.
Another advantage derived by this construction is that the ribs thus
bolted afford a great stiffness and protection to the internal metallic
cylinder. The nuts are countersunk and a dowel of wood let in flush
for the purpose of avoiding conduction by the iron bolts. 48, envelope
made of tarred felt or other suitable substance fastened to the outer
surface of the wooden cylinder as protection against damp, and also

page_text: answering as a non-conducting substance; 49, water pipe and stop cock
fitted at the back of the valve chamber No. 16; 50, water tank used
as tender when required.
Having described the various parts generally and in detail, it now
remains to explain the practical operation thereof which is commenced
by charging the vessels by a force pump (or by the hydraulic ram
attached to the engine). First, the middle cylinder with air or
whatever gas may be used, then pumping water into it until the
pressure indicator marks 300 lbs. per square inch more or less according
to the intensity of cold required. Air is introduced into the hydraulic
cylinders No. 11, 11, at the atmospheric pressure, and the expansion
valve No. 41 being closed (having been disconnected from the beam
lever, each valve can be worked independently), 38 is opened, and
both 26, 26, closed, and finally both 29, 29, closed. Water is then
pumped into the right hand cylinder No. 11 until the air above it is
compressed to 300 lbs. per square inch or is condensed to a volume th
"
of its original bulk as shewn in the plan by the blue line and marked
compressed air." The gas valve 26 (right hand) being acted upon
by hand opens slightly and lets the compressed air leak out into the
desiccator 37. The water being still forced into the hydraulic cylinder
maintaining the pressure of 300 lbs. until it has reached the top of the
cylinder. The air having been desiccated by passing through the
desiccator 37 containing chloride of calcium in powder, or semi-liquid or
potassa in the same state, or any other substance having affinity for
moisture, passes into the tube of the temperature exchanger, the gas
valve 26 (right hand) being closed, and 38 being opened, the air passes
into the air receiver 40, and 29 (right hand) being opened the stop
cock attached to the pipe 49 is opened, and the water escapes into the
water tank. The sniffing valve 31 is caused to open as water flows
out of the cylinder until the full quantity of air required to fill the
cylinder is supplied. Water is again pumped in as before, and, when
the pressure of 300 lbs. has been obtained, the valve 26 is opened in a
similar manner as before described. This operation is repeated until a
pressure of air equal to 300 lbs. is obtained, the last charge of water is
left in the right-hand cylinder, and a charge of air at the atmospheric
pressure is introduced into the left-hand cylinder. All the connections
being then made perfect, the steam expansion cams being set at the first
tooth (which gives the greatest amount of expansion to the steam) the
engine, and with it the hydraulic rams, are set in motion and the follow-

page_text: ing effect takes place:-The expansion air valve 41 being at the time
open, and consequently 38 closed, the volume of air enclosed in the
receiver 40 under a pressure of 300 lbs. per square inch is suddenly
expanded passing during its expansion by the pipe 44, and circulating in
the spirals of the refrigerating chamber 45, returning by the pipe 36, 36.
The expanded air in travelling round the metallic cylinder abstracts from
it the heat it contains, and the air returns with the heat thus taken up.
The expansion of air being completed the cam fixed on the time shaft
4 closes the valve 41 and opens 38. The cam 25 now causes the water
valve 16 (left hand) to open, and the quantity of water left in the
hydraulic cylinder (left hand) as indicated by the blue line is immc-
diately pumped into the middle hydraulic cylinder. The valve 26.
(right hand) being acted upon by the cam fixed on the time shaft 4 lets.
the compressed air pass through the desiccator 37, and restores the
former pressure in the expanding air receiver, 26 (right hand) closes,
after which the returning gas valve 29 opens, and the expanded air
rushes into the empty hydraulic cylinder 11 (left hand), and should any
quantity of air be lost during its compression or expansion the sniffing
valve is opened by the atmospheric pressure from without, and supplies
the cylinder with the proper quantity of air before compression takes
place. The air in returning passes by the temperature exchanger outside
the tubes, and the surplus of cold it contains is transmitted through the
copper pipes to the compressed air therein enclosed. This constant
surplus being given to the apparatus soon reduces its temperature, and
the compressed air begins its expansion at a reduction in temperature
which goes on accumulating until it reaches its working maximum.
This arrangement saves a large amount of cold which otherwise would
be lost. The returning gas valve 29 (left hand) closes, after which the
water valve 16 (left hand) closes, and the top valve 18 opens, by the
same motion letting the compressed water out of the middle cylinder
rush into the hydraulic cylinder 11 (left hand). The air enclosed in
the hydraulic cylinder is immediately compressed and the heat generated
by compression is removed by the current of cold water passing through
the copper spiral tubes. The valve 15 (right hand) opens by the motion
of the cam fixed on the time shaft 4, and closes the upper valve IS
(right hand). The water under pressure in the hydraulic cylinder
No. 11 (right hand) is in the first instance forced against the hydraulic
rams, propelling them and filling the barrels at the same time, and by
the return motion of the ram the water is forced into the middle

page_text: cylinder, thus restoring the maximum pressure therein, at the same time
completing the pressure of air in the hydraulic cylinder 11 (left hand)
until the whole of the water in the hydraulic cylinder 11 (right hand)
is pumped out. When the water forced by the increasing pressure in
the middle cylinder caused by the working of the ram emptying the
hydraulic cylinder 11 (right hand) has arrived at the height marked
'compressed air" the gas valve 26 opens gently, and lets the compressed
air leak out through the desiccator, and entering into the temperature
exchanger and the compressed gas receiver 40 the full pressure is again
restored there, and the hydraulic rams still working maintain the normal
pressure. The hydraulic cylinder 11 (right hand) being empty, and the
compressed air forced out of it by the water, the gas valve 26 (left hand)
closes, and the same action is repeated in the same order with the other
hydraulic cylinder, and so on alternately so long as the engine is in
motion. The air is successively expanded from the gas receiver into the
refrigerating spirals round the refrigerated cylinder, and gives four
expansions of air per minute, the engine giving ninety-six revolutions
in the same time. The chloride of calcium or whatever substance is
used for desiccating the air is changed every day if required, the moisture
is driven off by heat and the same substance may be used over and
over again. Should the machine be required to be worked at a greater
reduction of temperature the stop-cock attached to the pipe 49 is opened
during the suction of the hydraulic ram. More water is then introduced
into the apparatus, and immediately a greater pressure is obtained,
producing a greater reduction of temperature, but at the same time the
pressure of steam must be increased to meet the extra work. The
same appliance is used to replace the loss of water caused by evaporation
or leakage. As will be seen the foregoing description shows how the
apparatus is set in motion by power derived from a steam engine, water
wheel, screw propeller, etc.
Drawing No. 4 shews the apparatus working by a column of water of
any given height acting directly upon the air in the cylinders and exert-
ing a pressure of 15 lbs. per square inch for every 32 feet of that vertical
column of water. The valves for the distribution of air and water are
set in motion by a small hydraulic turbine of about half horse power.
acting upon the time shaft No. 4, by a worm and wheel and driving
the cams in a similar order as before described. The speed of the
apparatus is regulated by a conical pendulum and throttle valve some-

page_text: what similar to that of a steam engine. The time shaft may be acted
upon by a water engine, water wheel, either undershot or overshot,
or by a waterfall. The application of the reduction of temperature
here indicated is that for the conversion of water into ice by the direct
contact of the refrigerated air passing through a solution of common
salt, chloride of calcium, or any other liquid not congealing, excepting
at a considerably lower temperature than that at which pure water is
congealed. The reduction of the temperature of wort, must, or any
other fluids may be effected in the same manner, or, if the direct contact
with air be detrimental to the fluid to be refrigerated, a surface
condenser is used. The motive power obtained from the column of
water may of course be applied to the arrangement shewn in connection
with the steam power for the preservation of articles of food, cooling of
rooms, etc. The following details relating to the Drawing No. 4
complete the description of that plan; No. 50A, stand pipe or water
column of any given height; 51, 51, branch pipe leading the water
which is under the pressure of the column of water to the introduction
valves 18, 18; 52, small branch pipe attached to the stand pipe 50, and
connected with a small turbine water engine, water wheel, or waterfall;
53, stop-cock, serving to stop and start the turbine; 54, conical pen-
dulum regulator connected with the throttle valve fixed on the turbine;
55, small hydraulic turbine receiving the water (under pressure) through
the pipe 52; 56, horizontal shaft receiving a rotatory motion from the
vertical shaft of the turbine by a pair of conical tooth wheels; 57 and 57
worm and wheel transmitting the rotatory motion of the turbine to the
time shaft No. 4 in the proportion of 300 revolutions of the turbine
to 48 of the cam or any increase or decrease of speed according to the
amount of water at command; 58, branch pipe having a T piece in the
middle discharging the waste water leading from the pipe 15, 15, which
connects the two delivery valves 16, 16; 44, pipe leading the expanding
air into the freezing apparatus; 59, air rose, for the delivery of expand-
ing air into the freezing medium. This rose is perforated with minute
holes and placed angularly near to the bottom of the freezing apparatus
so as to cause a rotatory motion to the liquid therein, thereby obtaining
a perfect circulation outside the ice moulds and a continuous contact
of the liquid in circulation with the expanding air; 60, a wooden water-
tight tank, by preference square, containing the freezing medium, and
the tin moulds filled with water; 61, tin moulds containing the water
to be frozen, which are supported on a revolving stand; 62, revolving

page_text: stand, moving on a pivot at the bottom, the shaft passing through an
air-tight stuffing box at the top, provided externally with a crosshead
enabling the stand to be moved without opening the door of the tank.
This stand is made of wrought iron strongly built so as to carry a
large quantity of water moulds of different size and shape as required;
63, level of the freezing medium composed of chloride of calcium,
common salt, or any fluid congealing at a lower temperature than pure
water; 64, door, made sufficiently large to introduce the moulds before
freezing, and to remove them after being frozen. This door requires
to be fitted air-tight; 65, air space above the freezing medium; 66, air
holes through which the expanded air escapes to the temperature
exchanger, No. 35; 67, upright tube fitted with stuffing box and flange
connected with the air pipe, No. 36. The mode of setting the machine
into action is much more simple than that used in steam power as it
only requires to open the stop-cock, No. 53, which sets the turbine in
motion, causing the worm and wheel 57, 57, to revolve, and to give
the time shaft its motion, which by the series of cams attached opens
and shuts the valves in the same order as by the motion of the steam
engine in the first instance. I would remark that in this apparatus
instead of the spiral condensers 12, 12, 12, being employed, the pipes
17, 17, may have a smaller pipe let in on their upper part which is
carried to the top of the cylinder, the end of the pipe being returned
downwards and fitted with a fine rose, from which the water descends
as in a shower bath. This shower or spray of water coming into direct
continuous contact with the air under compression by passing through
it accepts the heat as it is generated, which is of course carried away
with the water after each compression. The refrigérated air is blown
into the freezing medium causing a rotatory motion of that liquid, which
transmits an equal temperature throughout that fluid, causing the water
exposed in the moulds to congeal. The frozen water is then removed,
and the empty moulds are replenished with pure water. The same
saving of the surplus of cold is effected in the same manner as before
described.
ARRANGEMENT OF MOTIVE POWER FOR SAILING SHIPS.
Figure 10 in Drawing No. 3 represents a bird's-eye view of the
apparatus as applied to a ship. One or two small screw propellers are
fitted at the stern or any other suitable part of the vessel, they are fitted
with ordinary stuffing boxes. Upon each screw shaft is fitted onc

page_text: eccentric or crank giving the motion to two small hydraulic rams
connected by links to the eccentrics or cranks. The barrels of the
hydraulic rams are united together if necessary or used singly according
to the place where they are to be fixed. At the extreme ends of the
screw shafts a pinion to each is fitted working into a large cog wheel
retarding the motion of the time shaft 4 on which the cams necessary
for working the valves are fixed. The remaining parts of the apparatus
are constructed and worked in a similar manner to that before described
in connection with the other motive powers. This apparatus can be
constructed of any required power by increasing or decreasing the
diameter of the screws and regulating the size of the hydraulic rams
and apparatus accordingly. The water necessary for refrigerating the
air during its compression is pumped up to the receiver attached at the
top of the hydraulic cylinders from the side of the ship if required by
an ordinary pump fitted with an eccentric on to the time shaft. The
motion of the ship caused by the wind acting upon the sails transmits
to the screw propellers a rotatory motion which sets the whole of
the machine into operation, not requiring any labor and only an
occasional inspection. The resistance caused by the motion of the
screw propellers is not appreciable, as the machine being constantly
working its size is on that account required to be very small. The ship
can be cooled by distributing the compressed air when necessary either
by a blast or through pipes or tubes or an air tight metallic casing fitted
against the under part of the decks or rooms requiring to be cooled.
Provisions can be kept in a cylinder or refrigerating chamber and ice
made for the use of the passengers under the plans herein-before
described. A small steam engine may be added to the present
arrangement for working the apparatus while the ship is in port or
becalmed.
Specification of details for construction not specially described herein
shown on Drawing No. 3.
Figure 1. A, metallic ram; D, double ring, leather between which the
pressure of the fluid is allowed a free access, closing hermetically the
hydraulic ram and thereby preventing the fluid from escaping; E
vulcanized india-rubber and canvas elastic packing, ensuring a good
vacuum during the pumping action of the ram. Figure 5 represents the
steam expansion valve, K is a metallic piston fitted with an expanding
metallic ring. The junk ring is perforated with six apertures allowing

page_text: a free passage of steam through the piston, which being placed between
the two equal pressures renders its equilibrium perfect, requiring on that
account only a small amount of power to move the piston; L, L, short
cylinder in which the piston K works with a slight friction; P, P, a
slot extending all round the circumference of the barrel L, L, leading
into a belt which conveys the steam to the engine cylinder. The top
and bottom parts of the barrel in the slot are united at six equal
intervals by a small vertical piece of metal cast, in which guides the
packing ring during its motion in the barrel. The total area of the
slot is equal to that of the steam port. The slot is about inch wide
and about 7 diameter. By this arrangement a very small amount of
motion is required from the cams, and smooth and regular action is
obtained; Figure 7 is the time wheel on which small cams are cut
out and regulates the time as well as the quantity of steam required for
pressing the air. The time table and diagram here delineated fully
illustrate the mode of construction. Figure 8 is an equilibrium
hydraulic double valve. The slide valves are both connected and moved
by a thumb joint in the middle; each slide valve is connected by link
to an elastic diaphragm H, H, which is made of a flexible metallic
disc fixed between two discs of leather or other elastic substance and
screwed together air-tight. The surface of the disc is made one-eighth
part less area than the valve, so that ths of the direct pressure against
the valve are removed, enabling the valve to work with great ease.
This valve is so constructed
Figure 9, details of double air valve.
that when the pressure changes from right to left the valve still
intercepts any passage of compressed air. The ports are made by
preference circular, although any other form would answer.
wrought-iron studs on which the valves are fitted are lined with a
vulcanized india-rubber disc keeping a gentle pressure against the
face of the valves in order to allow the pressure to open the valve from
its face and when required to fill the small chamber, after which the
pressure exerts its full energy to keep the other valve close, and vice
A vertical rod G moves the two valves through a stuffing box
at the time required by the cams.
versa.
The double
Having now described the nature and object of the Invention, of
which I claim the general combination for its especial novelty, being an
improved method of and apparatus for obtaining reduction of tempera-
ture by the expansion of air or other permanent gases in special con-

page_text: nection with the preservation of articles of food, the manufacture of ice,
and cooling of rooms and liquids, I specially and separately claim,-
First. The combination of time wheel producing the variable expan-
sion of steam as the work of compressing air requires, which differs at
every stroke of the hydraulic ram during the compression of one.
hydraulic cylinder (as per time table).
Second. The construction of the expansion valve as shown in the
detail Drawing.
Third. The peculiar construction of the equilibrium hydraulic valves
and their general arrangement.
Fourth. The peculiar arrangement and construction of the hydraulic
rams.
Fifth. The peculiar construction of the double air slide valves and
their arrangement.
Sixth. The arrangement and combination of sniffing valve to supply
the deficiency of air when required.
Seventh. The arrangement and combination of the water tender
attached to the suction valve introduced to restore the proper amount of
water in the apparatus when working by intermediate motive power.
Eighth. The mode of refrigerating the compressed air by copper
spirals not passing through the cylinder.
Ninth. The combination and arrangement of the temperature
exchanger.
Tenth. The combination and arrangement of the expansion valve
connected with the intercepting valve 38.
Eleventh. The combination and peculiar construction of the
refrigerating chamber.
Twelfth. The arrangement and combination of the direct action by a
column of water.
Thirteenth. The mode of applying the refrigerated air to the apparatus
herein described for the congelation of water, cooling of liquids, rooms,&c.
Fourteenth. The arrangement and combination of the cams dis-
tributing the motion of the valves throughout the apparatus.
Fifteenth. The combination of the turbine or other water power to
regulate the working of the apparatus.

page_text: Sixteenth. I claim the combination of screw propellers fitted to
sailing ships in the manner herein described for obtaining a motive
power by the motion of the sailing ship, enabling me by its application
to the apparatus to preserve articles of food, to make ice, to cool liquids,
and to ventilate and cool ships and rooms.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Mort, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
WILLIAM MORT. (L.S.)