IMPROVEMENTS IN TUBULAR SURFACE CON- DENSERS.
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Speirs, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TUBULAR SURFACE CON-
DENSERS.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Speirs at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th November 1876.
ALEXANDER SPEIRS, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer. " IM-
PROVEMENTS IN TUBULAR SURFACE CONDENSERS."
My Invention relates to that class of tubular surface condensers in which the
tube plates have recesses around the tubes at one or both of their ends to receive
packing.
Heretofore ferrules of wood, packing rings of caoutchouc, and the like have been
used, but these have been unsatisfactory both in respect that it was difficult to get
them into position, and when in position the joints were frequently imperfect and
leaky.
Now my Invention consists in employing as packing in the recesses between the
tube plate or plates and the tubes of surface condensers a coil or coils of a flexible
and elastic agent, such as vulcanized india-rubber, rubber and cloth, spun asbestos,
or the like. The said flexible and elastic coil or coils can be speedily and properly
placed spirally in position by hand labour, a blunt tool resembling a gouge being
used.
My Invention as will be obvious is applicable to all such tubular surface con-
densers as have the tubes passing through tube plates, whether such tubes are
circular in cross section or of other form. The tubes as will be seen can be placed
nearer to each other.

page_text: '
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Speirs in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th May
1877.
ALEXANDER SPEIRS, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer.
PROVEMENTS IN TUBULAR SURFACE CONDENSERS."
"IM-
My Invention relates to that class of tubular surface condensers in which the
tube plates have recesses around the tubes at one or both of their ends to receive
packing.
Heretofore ferrules of wood, packing rings of caoutchouc, and the like have been
used, but these have been unsatisfactory both in respect that it was difficult to get
them into position, and when in position the joints were frequently imperfect and
leaky.
Now my Invention consists in employing as packing in the recesses between the
tube plate or plates and the tubes of surface condensers a coil or coils of a flexible
and elastic agent, such as vulcanized india-rubber, rubber and cloth, spun asbestos,
or the like. The said flexible and elastic coil or coils can be speedily and properly
placed spirally in position by hand labour, a blunt tool resembling a gouge being
used.
My Invention as will be obvious is applicable to all such tubular surface con-
densers as have the tubes passing through tube plates, whether such tubes are
circular in cross section or of other form. The tubes as will be seen can be placed.
nearer to each other.
Fig. 1 is a sectional view illustrative of my Invention. 1, tubes; 2, tube plate;
3, recesses; 4, flexible elastic packing, shown also at Fig. 2; the end 5 is bevelled
off so as to fit to the bottom surface of the recess 3; 6 shows the flexible elastic.
packing whilst being coiled round the tube 2a in the recess 3; the said flexible
elastic packing is held in position in the recess 3 by a ferrule, covering plate, or
like means.
It will be obvious that the longitudinal strain on the flexible elastic packing
whilst it is being coiled round the tubes will cause a diminution of the cross section
of such flexible elastic packing, and that when the recess is filled the said flexible
elastic packing will be free to expand and make the joint tight.
Having now described and ascertained the said Invention in such manner that
others will be enabled to carry my improvements into effect, I claim, the improve-
ments in tubular surface condensers substantially as herein set forth and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Speirs, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, the Eleventh day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven..
ATRV
ODRIDG
ALEX. SPEIRS.
(L.S.)