An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Refrigerating.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Jan., 1895
021
Arsented
2nd Nov
1805
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Refrigerating.
I, WILHELM JOHANNES EDUARD KOCH, Engineer, of Admiralitätstrasse 20',
Hamburg, Germany, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The process consists in passing air through cooling liquid, which latter evaporates
under a vacuum, the air expanding in the vacuum, with the object of more rapidly
evaporating and of obtaining a more effective cooling action. This process differs
from hitherto known methods of cooling by means of vacuum, in which either
vapour absorbing agents are employed, or the liquid to be cooled is kept in
constant motion by stirring devices or other means, substantially in that the
evaporation of the liquid is effected in a condition of complete rest without any
vapour-absorbing substances and without any mechanical agitating apparatus.
The vacuum present over the liquid causing a slow evaporation from the surface
thereof, and atmospheric air passing in this new cooling process, through the liquid,
there is produced a regular evaporation from the interior outwards, which causes
a very rapid cooling of the liquid. The air entering in small quantity, also
produces by reason of its expansion a considerable abstraction of heat from
the liquid.
In order to cause the evaporation and the resulting cooling action to proceed at
a faster or slower rate as desired, the air is introduced through adjustable
inlet-openings such as valves or cocks which can be opened to a greater or less
extent.
The cooling apparatus designed for carrying out this process is chiefly intended
for use on board steam-ships in hot climates and for cooling food, and drinks, and
also for sanitary purposes, but it may also be employed for various other purposes,
either at sea or on land.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings is an elevation, and Fig. 2 a section of
apparatus according to this invention suitable for carrying into effect the process
above referred to.
Fig. 3 is a detail view.
The apparatus consists of a vessel b which is adapted to be closed by means of
a cover a, and is divided by a partition into two compartments e and d, which
communicate with each other by means of an opening f. This opening is closed
air-tight by a cover f¹.
In the compartment c, close underneath the partition there is provided a suction
pipe 9 which is connected to the vacuum cock h; it is provided with small holes
and is so bent as not to obstruct the access through the opening (see Fig. 3).
The vacuum cock is connected by a pipe not shown with the condenser of a
motive engine, or with the receiver of an air-pump.
There are provided on the outside of the apparatus, in addition to the vacuum
One of these latter is
cock, a watergauge k and a number of air cocks 1.
provided with a bend m or, it may be, with a simple screw-union for the reception
of a flexible or other pipe.
Finally, the apparatus is enveloped with materiai n that is a bad conductor of
heat so as to protect the same from external heat.
The mode of operation is as follows:-
. After the vacuum cock h and the air cocks have been closed, and the apparatus

page_text: has been filled up to a height of say about 10 to 12 centimetres with water poured into
it, there are introduced into the compartment c through the opening f, the drinks
or liquids in bottles or the preserved foods in closed receptacles, or the like, that
it is required to cool. The opening is closed by means of the cover f' which has
a rubber joint or the like, and the vacuum cock is opened.
The vacuum in the condenser then exhausts the air contained in the apparatus,
whereupon some or all of the air cocks are also opened. As these latter are
situated under water, the air entering from the outside must pass through the
water. With reasonable care it is quite impossible for water to be carried over
from the apparatus into the condenser whilst the small quantity of air that is
drawn into the condenser does not have any appreciable effect upon the vacuum in
the condenser.
The vacuum produced in the apparatus causes an evaporation (promoted by the
inflowing air) of the water which in combination with the expansion of the air,
abstracts the necessary amount of heat from the water and thus cools the latter
which in turn exerts a like effect upon the bottles and receptacles situated in the
compartment c. The temperature in the cooler can be easily lowered, even in
the hottest parts of the tropics, to 7° to 8° C., and kept for any desired period at
such temperature. The compartment d serves to receive open vessels containing
butter or other articles of food. The external warmth is prevented from
penetrating into this compartment by means of the cover a, which is made of
material that is a bad conductor of heat or is covered with such material. The
loss of water in the cooler or apparatus resulting from the aforesaid evaporation
or other cause, can be readily made good through one of the air cocks by means
of a flexible pipe or of the bend m, and the water level can be maintained at a
constant height, because the vacuum will readily suck up the additional water
which may be kept in a suitably situated vessel.
In slow cooling or whilst food and drinks are being kept cool, the air cocks are
kept open to a very small extent only; whereas, for instance in case of accidents,
when it is required to cool water quickly for bandages or the like, the air cocks are
opened widely.
When the cooling has been completed, the vacuum cock
after waiting for water to flow out from the air cocks, as
the air cocks are also closed. Then the covers can be
cooled articles be taken out of the cooler.
first closed, and then,
soon as this takes place
easily removed and the
The entire manipulation is extremely simple, and does not necessitate any special
attendants. If used on board a steam ship the apparatus can be set up in any
desired place, preferably the coolest, there being no parts requiring to be
mechanically actuated.
The simple construction and manipulation of the cooler herein described, and
its reliable operation, are advantages not possessed by any cooling apparatus
known heretofore.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
An improved method of and Apparatus for Refrigerating.
1, WILHELM JOHANNES EDUARD KOCH, Engineer, of Admiralitätstrasse 20¹,
Hamburg, Germany, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained 5
in and by the following statement :-
This invention has reference to an improved method of and apparatus for

page_text: refrigerating. According thereto the refrigeration is produced by causing air to
pass through a cooling liquid that is caused to evaporate by the action of a partial
vacuum, the air expanding into the space above the liquid in which the partial.
vacumn is formed, whereby a more rapid evaporating action and a more effective
cooling action are obtained than has heretofore been usual.
This method differs from hitherto known methods of cooling by means of
vacuum, in which either vapour-absorbing agents are employed, or the liquid to be
cooled is kept in constant motion by stirring devices or other means, substantially
in that the evaporation of the liquid is effected whilst the same is in a condition of
practically complete rest and without the aid of any vapour-absorbing substances
and mechanical agitating apparatus.
The partial vacuum present over the liquid causing a slow evaporation from the
surface of the liquid and atmospheric air passing, in this new cooling method,
through the liquid, there is provided a regular evaporation from the interior
outwards, which causes a very rapid cooling of the liquid. The air entering in
sniall quantity, also produces by reason of its expansion, a considerable abstraction
of heat from the liquid.
In order to cause the evaporation and the resulting cooling action to proceed
at a faster or slower rate as desired, the air is introduced through adjustable
inlet-openings, such as valves or cocks, which can be opened to a greater or less
extent.
The cooling apparatus designed for carrying out this process is chiefly intended
for use on board steam ships in hot climates and for cooling food, and drinks, and
also for sanitary purposes, but it may also be employed for various other purposes
either at sea or on land.
Referring to the drawings filed with my Provisional Specification,
Fig. 1 is an elevation, and Fig. 2 a vertical section of apparatus according to
this invention suitable for carrying into effect the process above referred to.
Fig. 3 is a detail view.
The apparatus consists of a vessel which is adapted to be closed by means of a.
cover a, and is divided by a partition into two compartments c and d, which com-
municate with each other by means of an opening f. This opening is adapted to
be closed air-tight by a cover f. In the compartment c, close underneath the
partition, there is provided a suction pipe 9 which is connected to the vacuum
cock, is provided with small holes, and is so bent (Fig. 3) as not to obstruct the
access to the compartment through the opening when the cover f' thereof is
removed. The vacuum cock is connected by a pipe not shewn with the condenser
of a motive engine, or with the receiver of an air pump. There are provided on
the outside of the apparatus, in addition to the vacuum cock, a watergauge k and a
number of air cocks 1. One of these latter is provided with a bend m or, it may
be, with a simple screw-union, for the reception of a flexible or other pipe.
Finally, the apparatus is enveloped with material n that is a bad conductor of.
heat so as to protect the same from external heat.
The mode of operation is as follows:-
After the vacuum cock h and the air cocks / have been closed, and the apparatus
has been filled up to a height of say about 10 to 12 centimetres with water poured
into it, there are introduced into the compartment c through the opening f, the
drinks or liquids in bottles, or the preserved foods in closed receptacles, or the
like, that it is required to cool. The opening is then closed by means of
the cover which has a rubber joint or the like, and the vacuum cock is opened.
The vacuum in the condenser then exhausts the air contained in the apparatus,
whereupon some or all of the air cocks are also opened. As these latter are
situated under water, the air entering from the outside must pass through the
With reasonable care it is quite impossible for water to be carried over
from the apparatus into the condenser whilst the small quantity of air that is
drawn into the condenser does not have any appreciable effect upon the vacuum
therein.
water.

page_text: The vacuum produced in the apparatus causes an evaporation, (promoted by the
inflowing air) of the water which in conjunction with the expansion of the air,
abstracts the necessary amount of heat from the water and thus cools the latter
which in turn exerts a like effect upon the bottles or receptacles or both situated
in the compartment c. The temperature in the cooler can be easily lowered, even
in the hottest parts of the tropics, to 7 to 8° C., and kept for any desired period at
such temperature. The compartment d serves to receive open vessels containing
butter or other articles of food. External heat is prevented from penetrating into
this compartment, by means of the cover a which is made of material that is a bad
conductor of heat or is covered with such material. The loss of water in the cooler
or apparatus resulting from the aforesaid evaporation or other cause, can be readily
made good through one of the air cocks by means of a flexible pipe or of the
bend m, and the water level can be maintained at a constant height, because the
vacuum will readily suck up the additional water which may be kept in a suitably
situated vessel.
In slow cooling or whilst food and drinks are being kept cool, the air cocks are
kept open to a very small extent only; whereas, for instance in case of accidents,
when it is required to cool water quickly for bandages or the like, the air cocks are
opened widely.
When the cooling has been completed, the vacuum cock is first closed, and then,
after waiting for water to flow out from the air cocks, the air cocks are also closed.
Then the covers a and ƒ can be easily removed and the cooled articles be taken out
of the cooler.
The entire manipulation is extremely simple, and does not necessitate any special
attendants. If used on board a steam ship, the apparatus can be set up in any
desired place, preferably the coolest, there being no parts requiring to be
mechanically actuated.
The simple construction and manipulation of the cooler berein-described, and its
reliable operation, are advantages not possessed so far as I am aware, by any
cooling apparatus heretofore known.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. The herein described method of refrigerating by passing air through a cooling
liquid that is caused to evaporate under the action of a partial vacuum, the said air
expanding into the space above the liquid in which the partial vacuum, is produced,
substantially as herein described for the purpose specified.
2. For carrying out the method referred to in the preceding claim, a cooling
receptacle c capable of being closed air-tight, and having its evaporating space
adapted to be placed in communication, by means of a suction pipe g, with the
condenser of a steam engine or with the receiver of an air pump, and its liquid-
containing space to be placed in communication by means of cocks or valves / with
the external atmosphere in such a manner that the air in entering the said
receptacle will be compelled to flow through the cooling liquid therein, substantially
as described.
3. The improved refrigerating apparatus constructed arranged and operating
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and shown in the drawings
annexed.
Dated this 07th day of Cantomban 1005
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.