IM- PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE AND COOLING OR REFRIGERATING LIQUIDS, AND FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Toranoske Masayas Nishigawa, of the City of Hiroshima,
in the Empire of Japan, but at present of Finborough Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Analytical Chemist, and Frederick Barker Hill, of Lambeth Road,
Southwark, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE AND
COOLING OR REFRIGERATING LIQUIDS, AND FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES."
Sealed the 23rd February 1877, and dated the 31st August 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Toranoske Masayas Nishigawa
and Frederick Barker Hill at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 31st August 1876.
TORANOSKE MASAYAS NISHIGAWA, of the City of Hiroshima, in the Empire of
Japan but at present of Finborough Road, in the County of Middlesex, Analytical
Chemist, and FREDERICK BARKER HILL, of Lambeth Road, Southwark, in the County
of Surrey, Engineer IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR MANU-
FACTURING ICE AND COOLING OR REFRIGERATING LIQUIDS, AND FOR OTHER LIKE
PURPOSES."
Our said Invention relates to further improvements in the machinery or apparatus
described in the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to the said Toranoske
Masayas Nishigawa, and bearing date the 26th February 1876, No. 813.
The said machinery or apparatus, as described in the said Specification, comprises
a boiler, a steam condenser, a liquefactor, a receiver, an engine, congealers, a force
pump, an absorber, an equalizer, a cooler, a mixture cooler, and other parts, com
bined, connected and operating in the proper manner for effecting the purpose of the
said Invention. The most important feature of the said former Invention is the
employment of an engine worked by liquid ammonia for operating the said force
pump and parts of the machinery, but according to our present Invention we
obviate the necessity for this engine and pump, and provide other means for effecting
the circulation of the fluids in the said machinery or apparatus, as herein-after
described.
Our improved apparatus has a boiler, an equalizer, a separator, a steam condenser,
a liquefactor, a cooler, an absorber, and a receiver, connected with each other and
with a congealer or congealers.

page_text: The said Invention consists partly in the peculiar construction of the said
equalizer, but chiefly in the construction of the absorber, and the combination there-
with of a float and valve and other devices, acting automatically in such a manner
as to produce the required circulation of the gas and liquid throughout the entire
apparatus. It also consists in the combination of the saine with the other parts of
the said apparatus, also in the novel arrangement of the parts of the congealers,
and in devices for preventing excessive pressure in the coils of the same, and in the
combination with said congealers of a well or tank for collecting the condensed
solution of ammonia, also in the combination with the said congealers of a pump
for maintaining the circulation of the liquid through the same, and a wheel actuated 1
by the waste liquid from the liquefactor for operating the said pumps; further, in
various other devices and modifications of the above specified improvements, as
herein-after described.
The boiler is constructed and connected with the equalizer as described in the
said former Specification, or in any other suitable manner. From the said boiler 1
a pipe extends through the equalizer to the separator. The said separator is con-
structed with an upper and lower chamber separated from each other, and which
are kept partly filled with liquid. The aforesaid pipe from the boiler enters this
lower chamber, and terminates in a siphon therein. The said siphon extends down
through the liquid nearly to the bottom of the vessel, so that the gas entering this 2
chamber from the boiler must pass up through the liquid into the space in the
chamber above the same This space communicates with the upper chamber of the
vessel by another siphon pipe similar to that above described, and which admits the
gas from the lower chamber of the separator into the liquid in the upper chamber
thereof, through which liquid the gas rises into a space above the liquid in the said 2
chamber. Each chamber of the separator has an overflow pipe, which prevents
the rising of the liquid therein above the proper level. The overflow pipe from the
lower chamber is connected with the coils of the equalizer, through which the said
liquid returns to the boiler.
A pipe from the top of the upper chamber of the aforesaid separator extends to 3
the steam condenser. The coils of the said condenser and of the liquefactor and
cooler are preferably arranged concentrically one within the other and around the
absorber, and are connected with each other so that the gas passes from one to the
other, as described in the said former Specification. From the liquefactor a pipe
extends to the receiver, which is connected by another pipe to the aforesaid device a
for regulating the pressure in the congealer coils. This device consists of an equi-
librium valve and a mercurial column and elastic diaphragm. The said equilibrium
valve is enclosed in a box or case, through which the ammonia passes when the said
valve is open to the congealers. This case is arranged above the said diaphragm,
and is connected and moves with the latter. The mecurial column is arranged to
act on the said diaphragm in such a manner that the said valve is kept open thereby
so long as the pressure of the gas in the coils is not excessive; but as soon as this
becomes too great it acts upon the top of the valve, and overcomes the upward
pressure on the same, due to the mercurial column, thereby closing the said valve,
and cutting off the communication between the receiver and congealers.
The waste gas from the congealers is returned through a suitable pipe to the
absorber, and the condensed liquid from the congealers is collected in the aforesaid
tank or well, and is returned by a hand pump or other suitable means to the
absorber. The said absorber has a case or shell, constructed of cast iron or other
suitable metal. It is divided into two chambers, preferably of a cylindrical form
and arranged one above the other. The lower chamber contains a float which rises
and falls with the liquid in the said chamber. This float is arranged in connection
with a valve that controls the entrance of gas above the float from the upper
chamber of the aforesaid separator. Another valve controls the passage of liquid
down an overflow pipe from the upper chamber into the space below the said float.
In the said upper chamber we place a valve provided with a float. When the liquid
rises in the upper chamber to the height of this float it raises the same and opens

page_text: the said valve, thereby admitting the gas from the lower into the upper chamber.
At the top of the upper chamber of the absorber is a vertical passage, through which
the gas from the congealers enters the same. This passage is provided with a check
valve to prevent the return of the ammonia from the absorber into the pipe through
which the said gas rises. In the centre of the said vertical passage we fix an
injector, which is connected with the cooler coil, and in front of the nozzle of this
injector we arrange in the upper chamber of the absorber a concave or cup-shaped
piece, which forms a spray distributor. The liquid from the cooler is thrown by the
said injector with great force upon the said spray distributor, and rebounds there-
from in the form of spray, which is thrown all round the said chamber. The action
of the said injector produces a partial vacuum round the same, whereby the gas is
drawn down the said vertical passage and enters the absorber with the liquid, and
is mixed with the same The liquid which collects in this upper chamber escapes
down the overflow pipe, and through the valve in the same into the space below the
said float, which then rises. In rising it opens the aforesaid gas valve, which then
admits gas into the space above the said float.
We modify this part of our Invention by substituting for the aforesaid float valve
in the upper chamber, and for the overflow pipe and valve, two vertical pipes
extending from the lower to the upper chamber of the absorber. The said pipes
are connected at their lower end, and provided with a valve opening into the lower
or float chamber. One of these pipes forms the overflow pipe, and the other extends
to or nearly to the top of the upper chamber. This pipe is provided with a valve
at its lower end, and by the action of the said valves the pressure in the said appa-
ratus is equalized.
In some instances we use in combination with the congealer coils a tube or
cylinder, in which we place a spiral coil or worm, which is connected with the other
coils of the congealer. The said tube or cylinder is connected at one end with the
tube that brings the liquid from the receiver or from the aforesaid pressure regulator,
while the other end is connected with a pipe that extends back to the absorber. In
this form of our apparatus we use an uncongealable liquid, which is drawn or forced
through the congealer coils by the said pump. The liquid ammonia as it enters the
aforesaid tube or cylinder expands into gas, and the reduction of temperature of the
said uncongealable liquid resulting from this expansion ensures the freezing or
refrigerating of the water outside the said coils.
If the said apparatus is to be used for cooling or refrigerating brewers' worts or
for similar purposes we pass air through the said congealer coils; and the said
apparatus may be used for cooling the air in rooms or apartments in dwelling houses,
hospitals, ships, and railway carriages, and the like, by combining with it a fan or
other means for diffusing or distributing the air from the congealer.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Toranoske Masayas Nishigawa and Frederick Barker Hill in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 28th February 1877.
TORANOSKE MASAYAS NISHIGAWA, of the City of Hiroshima, in the Empire of
Japan, but at present of Finborough Road, in the County of Middlesex, Analytical
Chemist, and FREDERICK BARKER HILL, of Lambeth Road, Southwark, in the County
of Surrey, Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR MANU-
FACTURING ICE AND COOLING OR REFRIGERATING LIQUIDS, AND FOR OTHER LIKE
PURPOSES."
Our said Invention relates to further improvements in the machinery or
apparatus described in the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to the
said Toranoske Masayas Nishigawa, and bearing date the 26th February, A.D. 1876,
No. 813.

page_text: The machinery or apparatus as described in the said specification comprises a
boiler, a steam condenser, a liquefactor, a receiver, an engine, congealers, a force
pump, an absorber, an equalizer, a cooler, a mixture cooler, and other parts combined
connected and operating in the proper manner for effecting the purpose of the said
Invention. The most important feature of the said former Invention is the employ-
inent of an engine worked by liquid ammonia for operating the said force pump
and parts of the machinery. But according to our present Invention we obviate
the necessity for this engine and pump, and provide other means for effecting
the circulation of the fluids in the said machinery or apparatus as hercin-after
described.
Our Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings in which Figure 1
is a vertical section of our improved apparatus.
Figure 2 shows a modified form of a portion of the same.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of the said apparatus, showing parts of the same
modified in their construction.
Figures 4 and 5 show portions of this modified form of our apparatus detached.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
Our improved apparatus has a boiler a, an equalizer b, a separator c, a steam
condenser d, a liquefactor e, a cooler f, an absorber 7, and a receiver h, these
parts being connected with each other, and with a congealer or congealers i.
The said Invention consists partly in the peculiar construction of the said
equalizer, but chiefly in the construction of the absorber, and the combination
therewith of a float and valves and other devices acting automatically in such a
manner as to produce the required circulation of the gas and liquid throughout the
entire apparatus, it also consists in the combination of the same with the other
parts of the said apparatus, also in the novel arrangement of the parts of the con-
gealers, and in devices for preventing excessive pressure in the coils of the same,
and in the combination with the said congealers of, a well or tank for collecting the
condensed solution of ammonia, also in the combination with the said congealers
and other parts of the apparatus, of a pump for maintaining the circulation of
the liquid through the same, and a wheel actuated by the waste water from the
liquefactor for operating the said pump; further, in various other devices and
modifications of the above specified improvements as herein-after described.
The boiler a is constructed and connected with the equalizer as described in the
said former Specification or in any other suitable manner. From the said boiler a pipe,
a², extends through the equalizer b, to the separator c; the pipe a passes through a
pipe bx, and the annular space between these two pipes serves for the passage of a
current of air which cools the contents of the equalizer; the separator c is constructed
with a lower and upper chamber c², c, and which are kept partly filled with liquid;
the pipe al from the boiler a enters the lower chamber c', and terminates in a siphon
therein at a²; the said siphon extends down through the liquid nearly to the bottom of
the vessels as shewn, so that the gas entering this chamber c¹ from the boiler must
ascend through the liquid into the space in the chamber above the same; this space
communicates with the upper chamber c of the vessel by another siphon pipe a³,
similar to that above described, and which conducts the gas from the lower chamber
of the separator into the liquid in the upper chamber c³ thereof, through which
liquid the gas rises into the space above the liquid in the said chamber c; each
chamber of the separator c has an overflow pipe as shown at c¹, c³, which prevents
the rising of the liquid above the proper level in either chamber; the overflow pipe
c from the lower chamber c¹ is connected with the coils b¹ of the equalizer b through
which the said liquid returns to the boiler a.
A pipe from the top of the upper chamber ca of the separator c extends to
the coiled tubular steam condensor d, the coils of the said condenser, and of the
liquefactor e and cooler f are preferably arranged concentrically one within the
other, and around the absorber g, and are connected with each other so that the
gas passes from ono to the other as described in the said former Specification.
From the liquefactor e a pipe e¹ extends to the receiver h, which is connected by

page_text: another pipe to the aforesaid device for regulating the pressure in the congealer
coils This device consists of an equilibrium valve j, a mercurial column h, and
elastic diaphragm 7; the said equilibrium valve is enclosed in a box or case through
which the ammonia passes when the said valve is open to the congealers i; this valve
is arranged above the said diaphragm and is connected and moves with the latter ;
the mercurial column is arranged to act on the said diaphragm in such a manner
that the said valve is kept open thereby so long as the pressure of the gas in the
coils is not excessive, and while this valve is open communication between the
receiver and congealers exists; but as soon as this pressure becomes too great it acts
upon the top of the valve and overcomes the upward pressure on the same due to
the mercurial column, thereby closing the said valve and cutting off the communi-
cation between the receiver and congealers.
The waste or exhaust gas from the congealers i is conducted through a suitable
pipe to the absorber g, and the condensed liquid from the congealers i is collected
in the aforesaid tank or well n, and is conducted by a hand pump n¹, or other
suitable means to the absorber g. The said absorber has a case or shell constructed
of cast iron or other suitable metal; it is divided into two chambers, g¹, g³, pre-
ferably of a cylindrical shape, and arranged one above the other. The lower
chamber contains a float g³ which rises and falls with the liquid in the said chamber;
this float is arranged in connection with a valve g* that controls the entrance of
gas into the space above the float from the upper chamber c³ of the separator c;
another valve g* controls the passage of liquid down an overflow pipe o from the
upper chamber g³ into the liquid below the said float; in the said upper chamber
we place a valve go, provided with a float ge; when the liquid rises in the upper
chamber to the height of this float g, it raises the same and opens the said valve
g, thereby admitting the gas from the lower chamber g¹ into the upper chamber g³.
At the top of the upper chamber g² of the absorber is a vertical passage g through
which the gas ascending through the pipe ¹ from the congealers enters the said
chamber; this passage is provided with a check valve q¹ to prevent the return of
the ammonia from the absorber g into the said pipe ; in the centre of the said
vertical passage we fix an injector, as shown at q³, which is connected with the
cooler coil, and in front of the nozzle of this injector we arrange in the upper
chamber of the absorber a concave or cup shaped piece g7, which forms a spray dis-
tributor. The liquid from the cooler f is thrown by the ejector q² with great force
upon the said spray distributor and rebounds therefrom in the form of spray
which is thrown all around the said chamber; the action of the said injector pro-
duces a partial vacuum around the same whereby the gas is drawn down the
vertical passage q and enters the absorber g with the liquid and mingles with the
same. The liquid which collects in this upper chamber g² escapes down the over-
flow pipe o, and through the valvo g' in the same into the space below the float g³
which then rises. In rising it opens the gas valve g*, which then admits gas into
the.space above the float g³; then the liquid under the float descends in the pipe o
to the valve c', which admits into the upper chamber c² of the separator, from
which chamber it descends by the overflow pipe c³ into the chamber c¹, and from
the latter by the pipe c' and through the coils bi to the boiler.
We sometimes modify the part of our Invention relating to the absorber as shewn
in Figure 2, that is to say, by substituting for the aforesaid float valve g³ in the
upper chamber, and for the overflow pipe o and valve gt, two vertical pipes 9³, 9º, ·
extending up from the division plate **, which separates the lower chamber g¹
from the upper chamber g² of the absorber g. The said pipes are connected at their
lower end with a valve box provided with a valve 90, opening into the lower or
float chamber; one of these pipes, g³, forms the overflow pipe, and the other pipe,
g, extends to or nearly to the top of the upper chamber g, this pipe is provided
with a valve g at its lower end, and by the action of the said valves the pressure
in the said apparatus is equalized.
In the modified form of our apparatus, illustrated in Figure 3, the operation is the
same as that above- described. In this form of apparatus we dispense with the

page_text: •
equalizer b above the boiler, and we substitute for the siphon pipes in the separator
the pipes shewn at r, r¹, r², p³. The piper extends from the boiler a into the
space above the liquid in the lower chamber c¹ of the separator c, and this pipe r is
enclosed within the pipe ¹ which is closed at its upper end, and extends down and
opens into the liquid as shown. The gas rises from the boiler through the inner
pipe r, and passes down the annular space between the pipes r, ¹, into the liquid;
then it ascends through the liquid into the space above the same, and thence passes
up into the upper chamber c² through the pipe, and down between the same and
the pipe, the arrangement of these two pipes being precisely similar to that of
the pipes,, in the lower chamber.
Instead of constructing the absorber as above described, and using the floats and
valves and their connections as shewn in Figuro 1, we construct the absorber with
a single chamber or compartment g², and connect the same by a pipe or tube t with
a chamber containing a wheel u¹ which is turned by the falling of the liquid
solution from the absorber This wheel u¹ operates the rotary valve u² which is
enclosed in the chamber us, and works on a face in which ports or passages are
formed. These ports communicate by pipes v, vl, with the upper ends of the
differential chambers w, w¹. The said chambers are arranged in combination with
a valve chamber w at their lower end, and with a central pipe w³ which extends
from the wheel chamber u to the said valve chamber. The latter is provided with
valves w¹, w, which when relieved from pressure open into the chambers w, w¹, and
admit the liquid alternately into the same. The said valve and ports are so
arranged that the gas entering the valve chamber us by the pipe a from the
separator is distributed alternately into the pipes vand v¹, and conducted thereby
alternately into the chambers wand w¹ The chambers are provided with floats w³, w³,
so that the gas shall not be absorbed by the liquid therein, but shall act on each
float to depress the liquid in its chamber. By the action of these floats and valves
the liquid passes alternately from the said chambers w, w¹, down the pipe wo into
the outlet valve chamber w, while the gas after acting on the float in each of the
chambers w, w, ascends through the pipes v, v, into the wheel chamber, and is
absorbed by and descends with the liquid through the chambers w, w¹, into the
separator, and thenco through the overflow pipes of the separator in the boiler.
In some instances we use in combination with the congealer coils a tube or
cylinder y, wherein we place a spiral coil or worm y¹ which is connected with the
coils of the congealer. The said tube or cylinder is connected at one end with the
tube h¹ that brings the liquid from the receiver h, while the other end is connected
with a pipe y² that extends to the absorber. In this form of our apparatus we use
an uncongealable liquid which is drawn or forced through the congealer coils by
the aforesaid pump. The liquid ammonia as it enters the tube or cylinder y
expands into gas, and the reduction of temperature of the said uncongealable liquid
resulting from this expansion ensures the freezing or refrigerating of the water
outside the said coils. We prefer to provide this pipe h¹ with a rotating valve h³
shewn detached in Figure 5, which regulates the quantity of liquid admitted into
the said refrigerator. This valve may be driven by the aforesaid water wheel, or by
other suitable power.
If the said apparatus is to be used for cooling or refrigerating brewers' woits or
for similar purposes, we pass air through the said congealer coils And the said
apparatus may be used for cooling the air in rooms or apartments in dwelling
houses, hospitals, ships, and railway carriages, and the like, by combining with it a
fan or other means for diffusing or distributing the air from the congealer.
Having thus fully described the said Invention and the manner of performing
the same, we wish it understood that we claim in an apparatus for manufacturing
ice and for other like purposes.
First. The equalizer with a central pipe extending through the same for con-
ducting the gas from the boiler to the separator, and enclosed within an air pipe or
tube as above set forth, and for the purpose specified.
Second. An absorber, or chamber, or vessel, or two or more of the same, into

page_text: which the gas and liquid are returned from the congealing, cooling, or refrigerating
vessel or chamber, and in which the said gas and liquid are mixed with liquid
solution from the boiler, and in which the action of the liquid due to its weight or
gravity upon floats or other devices and under equalized or regulated pressure causes
the said gas and liquid to return to the boiler.
Third. The absorber provided with valves and floats and other parts, and con-
structed as shewn in Figure 1, or in Figure 2 of the Drawing, and operating as above
set forth, for the purposes specified.
Fourth. The employment of an injector in combination with the said absorber for
the purpose of forming a partial vacuum in the congealer or refrigerating or cooling
chamber.
Fifth. The device for regulating the pressure in the congealer, refrigerator, or
cooler, as above set forth.
Sixth. The apparatus or machine consisting of the aforesaid automatic absorber
combined and connected with the separator, and the congealers, and with the other
parts of the said apparatus or machine as shewn in Figure 1 of the Drawing, and
operating as above set forth, for the purposes specified.
Seventh. The modification of the said apparatus or machine consisting in the
combination of the absorber with the rotating wheel and valve, and the differential
chambers and their valves and floats as shewn in Figure 3 of the Drawing, and
operating as above set forth
Eighth. The valve in the pipe connecting the receiver with the congealer or
cooler as shewn in Figures 3 and 5, and whereby the liquid is admitted into tho
said cooler, wherein it expands into gas as above described.
Ninth The modification of the aforesaid machine or apparatus consisting of the
parts shewn in Figure 3 of the Drawing, and operating as above set forth for tho
purpose specified.
In witness whereof, we, the said Toranoske Masayas Nishigawa and Frederick
Barker Hill, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-eighth day
of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-seven