Improvements in Condensing Apparatus for Steam Launches, Steamships, and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Oct., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 13th July, 1898-Accepted, 20th Aug., 1898
IRUVIDIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Condensing Apparatus for Steam Launches,
Steamships, and the like.
f
We, CHARLES EDWARD CROMPTON, of 26, Princes Road, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer, EDWARD CROMPTON, of 26, Princes Road, aforesaid,
Engineer, and JAMES TAYLOR COCHRAN, of Sandyholm, Hoylake, in the County of
Chester, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to an improved condensing apparatus for the engines of
steam launches, steam ships and the like, and has for its object to provide an
efficient means of condensing and obtaining a fresh water feed for the boiler in a
simple and economical manner.
To this end the invention consists essentially in forming the condenser of a
series of pipes or conduits arranged alongside of or within each other within the
vessel with one or more of the pipes open to the water at both ends of the vessel
in such a way that a continual stream of water passes through the said pipe or pipes
when the vessel is in motion, whilst the remaining pipe or pipes are adapted by
suitable connections to receive the exhaust steam from the engine cylinder and
to discharge the condensed water to the hot well.
In carrying the invention into effect, we prefer to arrange a straight pipe lead-
ing through the stem or forward part of the vessel to the stern thereof,
such pipe having its ends or connections thereon open to the water
at both ends of the vessel SO that when the boat is in motion at
continual stream of water will pass through the said pipe. Surrounding this
pipe, we arrange a second pipe to receive the exhaust steam from the cylinder
of the engine by any suitable connections, which steam is condensed by coming in
contact with the cold water pipe aforementioned as it is driven along in the space
between the two pipes to the forward end of the boat from whence the condensed
water is returned along a third and preferably smaller pipe to the hot well to be
drawn in to the boiler by suction or otherwise in the ordinary manner. Suitable
cocks may be provided in the cold water pipe or pipes to enable the flow of water
to be regulated, and condensed water obtained at a suitable degree of temperature.
It will be readily understood that the details of construction may be modified
without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, if desired, the
inner pipe may be used for the steam and the outer for the cooling water, and
the pipes may run for any distance through the vessel and be arranged straight
or obliquely as may be found convenient or desirable and could be formed with
bends where necessary to get round any obstacles.
Moreover when it is desirable or necessary to have a vacuum in the condenser
the same can be obtained by placing a non-return valve on the condensed water
pipe discharging into the hot well, said valve opening with the discharge of the
condensed water under the pressure of the steam entering the condenser, and

page_text: then closing and a vacuum forming ready. for the next admission of steam into
the condenser.
The circulation of the cooling water may, where necessary, be assisted or main-
tained by a steam ejector or other suitable device for the purpose.
Dated this 12th day of October 1897.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in Condensing Apparatus for Steam Launches,
Steamships, and the like.
We, CHARLES EDWARD CROMPTON, of 26, Princes Road, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer, EDWARD CROMPTON, of 26, Princes Road, aforesaid,
Engineer, and JAMES TAYLOR COCHRAN, of Sandyholm, Hoylake, in the County of
Chester, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:—
This invention relates to an improved condensing apparatus for the engines of
steam launches, steam ships and the like, and has for its object to provide an
efficient means of condensing and obtaining a fresh water feed for the boiler in a
simple and economical manner.
To this end the invention consists essentially in forming the condenser of a
series of pipes or conduits arranged alongside of or within each other within the
vessel with one or more of the pipes open to the water at both ends of the vessel
in such a way that a continual stream of water passes through the said pipe or
pipes when the vessel is in motion, whilst the remaining pipe or pipes are adapted by
suitable connections to receive the exhaust steam from the engine cylinder and
to discharge the condensed water to the hot well.
In carrying the invention into effect, we prefer to arrange a straight pipe lead-
ing through the stem or forward part of the vessel to the stern thereof,
such pipe having its ends or connections thereon open to the water
at both ends of the vessel SO that when the boat is in motion a
continual stream of water will pass through the said pipe. Surrounding this
pipe, we arrange a second pipe to receive the exhaust steam from the cylinder
of the engine by any suitable connections, which steam is condensed by coming in
contact with the cold water pipe aforementioned as it is driven along in the space
between the two pipes to the forward end of the boat from whence the condensed
water is returned along a third and preferably smaller pipe and through the non
return valve to the hot well to be drawn in to the boiler by suction or otherwise
in the ordinary manner. Suitable cocks may be provided in the cold water pipe
or pipes to enable the flow of water to be regulated, and condensed water obtained
at a suitable degree of temperature.
It will be readily understood that the details of construction may be modified
without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, if desired, the
inner pipe may be used for the steam and the outer for the cooling water, and
the pipes may run for any distance through the vessel and be arranged straight
or obliquely as may be found convenient or desirable and could be formed with
bends where necessary to get round any obstacles.
The circulation of the cooling water may, where necessary, be assisted or main-
tained by a steam ejector or other suitable device for the purpose.

page_text: For the better understanding of the invention however we herewith append the
accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is an elevation of our apparatus with the boat for the most part in
outline, but partly also in section,
Figure 2 is a horizontal view of the same apparatus also partly in section, and
Figure 3. a small detail on a larger scale.
In these A is a nozzle opening out at the bow of the boat under the water line,
B a cock, C the exhaust pipe from the engine, D the boiler, E the condenser tube.
Through this tube passes a continuation F of tube A. This tube F extends to
the stern post or to a portion of the hull below the water line near the stern post
and has upon it a cock G. H is the engine, I the pipe from the boiler bringing
when
steam to a jet nozzle not shown in pipe E which can be turned on by cock
required to keep up the circulation in pipe F when the boat stops or is going
slowly, as when towing, K is the hot well having a junction L with pipe E having
a non-return .valve M which prevents condensed water returning to hot well as
it is expelled by the steam from the engine. N pipe from the hot well to the
pump.
The mode of action is as follows:-
When the steamer is in motion, the water rushes through pipe A, cocks B
and G being open, and pipe F with sufficient force to keep it cool and to condense
the steam in the surrounding pipe E, which surrounding pipe can extend as far
along the pipe E as is necessary. The exhaust steam from the engine passing
along the pipe C enters the pipe E and is there condensed. As fresh steam enters,
the condensed water is forced up into the hot well K and is prevented from flowing
back by means of the non return valve M. When the engine is not in use the
cocks B and G can be closed and when the boat is backing, towing or even
stationary the cock J is turned on and the steam jet in pipe F keeps up the
circulation. There can be several of these condenser tube devices if desirable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. The improvement in condensing apparatus for steam launches and other
small steam boats, which consists in bringing one or more pipes from near the
bow to near the stern and condensing the steam in another tube or tubes surround-
ing this pipe or pipes, whereby a continual rush of water through the condenser
is caused through the motion of the vessel without pumping.
2. In conjunction with a condensing device substantially as described in Claim !,
a subsidary steam jet for use when towing or going astern or on other occasions
when the passage of water through the pipe F is found not sufficiently great to
condense the requisite amount of steam.
3. In an apparatus substantially as described in Claim 1 a branch pipe L and
non-return valve M connecting the condenser pipe or pipes with the hot well
substantially as described.
4. The general arrangement and construction of machinery substantially as
herein described and illustrated and for the purposes set forth.
1000
Datex
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Patent Agents,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and London.