Improvements in or Appertaining to Apparatus for Manufacturing Blocks of Ice.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Nov., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 30th July, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 12th Oct., 1888
Improvements in or Appertaining to Apparatus for Manufacturing
Blocks of Ice.
I, GEORGE FOYLE FAWCETT of 2 Exchange Street East, Liverpool, in the County
of Lancaster, and MAUNSEL CASSWELL BANNISTER, of Liscard, in the County of
Chester, Stock Broker, and Engineer, respectively, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention has for its object, to facilitate the rapid production of clear ice, free
from air cells and discoloration, and of any required thickness economically, and readily
removable from the freezing cell, without fracture, and its separation into blocks of
convenient size.
Our invention consists, first :-In the method of arranging cans, moulds, or cells, in
a tank containing strong brine or other liquid, cooled to below 32° Fahrenheit, the
cans, cells, tubes or moulds, containing the water to be frozen, which congeals upon
the inner surfaces, forming merchantable blocks of pure transparent ice of any desired
thickness and readily removable from the said cells, cans, tubes, or moulds, without
fracture.
፡፡
22
The cells, cans, tubes, or moulds hereinafter referred to as cans are fastened
together at their ends, each can, being a size larger in width than the one next to it,
thus forming one long can, or series of long cans arranged side by side in the tank,
and being either separate or connected together at each or both ends.
Our invention consists, secondly:-In improved apparatus for agitating the water
during the freezing process, to free it of air, and impurities.
Our invention consists, thirdly-In improved apparatus for removing the ice when
made from the tank and cutting the same into blocks for sale; hitherto ice has chiefly
been made in cans or moulds, and frozen from the outside; or by means of placing
hollow cells into a bath or tank of water, and passing a stream of cold liquid through
them, thus forming ice on the surfaces in contact with the water-which increases in
thickness until the formation on the two opposite surfaces, meet and join together
into one block-when the cold liquid is displaced by a warmer liquid and the blocks
27

page_text: of ice freed from the cells, when the ice is inted ou
fresh water for again freezing.
LITC
It is readily understood that the growth or formations of ice on any surface, is
directly in proportion to the thickness of the ice and the temperature of the surface. But,
as it is not convenient to freeze at very low temperatures, the ice forming opaque, if
below 10° Fahrenheit. The most usual temperature being from 15° to 20° Fab., it follows
that the growth of ice after the first 1 inches has been formed is exceedingly slow,the
formation decreasing as the ice increases in thickness, so that, in order to make blocks
of ice, over 6 to 9 inches in thickness and upwards, a large expenditure has to be
incurred in tank power, as, well as, large spaces required in order to give the blocks
so many days to freeze, the blocks solid, 10 tons of ice per day would require,
30 to 40 tons of tank power, to make 12 inches ice.
Our inventions are for the purpose of avoiding these faulis, and of producing ice of
any desired thickness and size in the same time that it would take to form 1 to 2 inches
of ice on any surface and also in producing a more solid and compact block of ice.
We employ by preference a wooden tank (but it may be of any other material) of
requisite size in which are placed and fixed a series of rectangular vessels running
the length of the tank in a horizontal position or slightly inclined to one end; each
vessel being equally wider than the one next to it, and all the vessels connected
together at their ends, communicating the one into the other, making one long can of
telescopic appearance looking on plan.
One, or each end of the vessels, is fastened to the end of the tank and is made to
project through the tank end-so as to form a pocket unsurrounded by freezing
mixture outside the tank. On the larger end of the cans are fixed or hung
removable, water-tight covers, on the smaller ends are fixed, boxes or box, containing
one or more ends in which are fixed propellers or fans, driven by a pulley on the
outside, one or more or all of the larger and smaller ends of the cans being connected
together. These telescopic cans may be used singly in a tank by themselves or in
sets of two or more, or each vessel may be separated, or each or any connected
together by pipes, or any other suitable arrangement giving free communication with
either or both ends of the cans with the interior. These cans have by preference a
rectangular oblong vertical section with an opening on the top formed into a neck.
Looking on section it has the appearance of a bottle with a high neck and preferably
a slight central projection at bottom. Instead of these vessels having a rectangular
form, they may take a circular form on section or any other desired shape in section,
either with or without an opening at the top, also the shape may be in the form of
one long conical or wedge formed can, or series of conical tubes connected together,
and may be constructed with cells through which the cold liquid is passed; or, they
may be placed with the broad end of one tank alongside the narrow end of the next
and so economise space. Instead of these cans being placed in a horizontal position
they may be placed vertically with the larger opening either at the top or bottom of
the tank, alternately top and bottom.
The manufacture of ice is as follows:-
A stream of cold brine below 32° Fah. is passed into the tank at one end, which
circulates between the cans, to the other end where it overflows. The cans being
filled with water, (of which there are, say 4 different sizes) ice will begin to form on
the inner 4 surfaces, simultaneously, and the growth will be uniform throughout the
entire length when the smallest can or end of the can is frozen solid, the cold bring
is run off and hot vapour or low press steam or air is introduced in its place thus
freeing the cans from the ice-and by freezing a rope into the ice at the small end o
the cans and fastening the other end to a winch or hoist, fixed in any convenien
position above the tanks, and as near the opposite end of the tanks as possible, the
winch or blocks being put in motion, a portion of the ice will slide out of the can a
the larger end having first removed the door. It is then cut off by a band or other
saw, working at right angles to the axis of the ice, into convenient lengths to mee
trade requirements, the larger block having been cut off and the door of the ca
being closed, there will remain in the larger portion of the can, the ice out of th

page_text: portion next to it, and so on until the last portion which is empty, having again
filled the can and cold brino in circulation, ice will form on the surfaces, until it
meets the core of ice formed before in the compartment next to it, when it forms a
solid block, when the ice is again pulled forward. In order to better explain the
process, we will suppose the first part of the can to be 4 inches wide, second portion
8 inches wide, third portion 12 inches wide, fourth 16 inches wide. When 4 inches
has been frozen solid, 4 inches is pulled forward in 8 inch space, 8 inch space into
12 inch space, and 12 inch space into 16 inch space, and the ico out of the 16 inch
space cut off by saw, and 2 inches of ice will be only required to be formed on each
surface, when another block of 16 inch ice would be ready. The opening at top
being equal all the way along, and in the contre, and the groove or projection at
bottom being so central, the ice will be guided centrally, dividing the space left
vacant, on drawing the ice forward into two equal portions, one on each side, with
the cans placed in a vertical position, the blocks would be hung by ropes frozen into
each block, and lowered down as required by an overhead hoist or hoists, the larger
blocks being cut off by a saw as in the other arrangement.
In order to make transparent ice, a fan or propeller is fixed and worked by a
pulley outside the can at one end of each can, and two or more cans being connected
together at each end the water is kept in constant circulation giving a friction on
the surface of the ice and washing the air and impurities, into the end packets of the
cans; with the vertical cans the fan or propeller is in a tube or box outside the cans,
which are connected alternately together top and bottom, and a current of wator
passed through the cans, one after the other.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
...Improvements in or Appertaining to Apparatus for Manufacturing
'Blocks of Ice.
We, GEORGE FOYLE FAWCETT, of 2, Exchange Street East, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, and MAUNSEL CASSWELL BANNISTER, of Liscard, in the County
of Chester, Stock Broker, and Engineer, respectively, 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:-
Our invention has for its object, to facilitate the rapid production of clear ice, free
from air cells and discoloration, and of any required thickness, economically, and
readily romovable from the freezing cell, without fracture, and its separation into
blocks of convenient size.
Our invention consists, firstly :-In the method of arranging cans, moulds or celis,
in a tank containing strong brine or other liquid, cooled to below 32 degrees
Fahrenheit, the cans, cells, tubes, or moulds, containing the water to be frozen, which
congeals upon the inner surfaces, forming merchantable blocks of pure transparent
ice of any desired thickness and readily removable from the said cells, cans, tubes, or
moulds without fracture.
"
The cells, cans, tubes, or moulds hereinafter referred to as "
cans are fastened
together at their ends, each can being a size larger in width than the one next to it,
thus forming one long can, or series of long cans arranged side by side in the tank,
and being either separate or connected together at each or both ends.
Our invention consists, secondly-In improved apparatus for agitating the water
during the freezing process, to free it of air, and impurities.
Our invention consists, thirdly-In improved apparatus for removing the ice
when made from the tank, and cutting the same into blocks for sale; hitherto ice has
chiefly been made in cans or moulds, and frozen from the outside; or by means of
placing hollow cells in a bath or tank of water, and passing a stream of cold liquid
through them, thus forming ice on the surfaces in contact with the water, which
increases in thickness until the formations on the two opposite surfaces, meet and join
together into one block. Then the cold liquid is displaced by a warmer liquid, and
the blocks of ice freed from the cells, the ice is lifted out, and the vessels filled up
with fresh water for again freezing.
It is readily understood that the growth or formations of ice on any surface, is
directly in proportion to the thickness of the ice and the temperature of the surface.
But, as it is not convenient to freeze at very low temperatures, the ice forming
opaque, if below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The most usual temperature being from
15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it follows that the growth of ice after the first 1 inches
have been formed is exceedingly slow, the formation decreasing as the ice increases
in thickness, so that in order to make blocks of ice, over 6 to 9 inches in thickness
and upwards, a large expenditure has to be incurred in tank power, as well as large
spaces required in order to give the blocks so many days to freeze solid, 10 tons of
ice per day would require 30 to 40 tons of tank power to make 12 inches ice.

page_text: and
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation.
Figure 1 is a vertical section through line a, e, fig. 1 of a portion of the apparatus,
Figure 2 a sectional plan of the form of apparatus we specially prefer.
Figure 3a vertical section of an apparatus with vertical axis, in which the ice is
drawn out at the bottom.
Figure 4 similar section of a modification of this in which the ice is drawn out at
the top, and
Figure 5 plan view of apparatus shown in Figure 4.
Referring first to Figures 1 to 2; in these A is a wooden tank, well permeated or
B1 B2 B3 B cans
coated on the interior with paraffin or other waterproof material.
formed in the drawing of four lengths of different breadth. To pack them closely
together, that is with only the needful amount of space between for circulation of
brine, they are placed with the narrow ends of each alternate can between the broad
ends of its two next neighbours. These cans are fastened to the tank at their small
ends B but their larger ends B' pass through the tank and are each provided with a
watertight door beyond. This door is secured by screws D D.
The can is preferably of the shape shown in the drawing, but it is obvious that the
tank can be a single long chamber with two sides gradually approaching each other,
wedgeshape. The disadvantage of this however is, that the blocks of ice cut off are
of an inconvenient shape. The cans are grooved along the centre of the bottom at E,
and suddenly narrowed at the top at G as shown in Figure 1. The groove and the
narrow part are parallel, and the ice forms in them. As the ice block is moved
forward these keep it in the centre line of the can.
al
HH is a pair of pulleys and belt worked in any convenient manner and having
rope or chain and a small piece of similar material which latter freezes into the
block to draw the block of ice along when required.
JJ are stand pipes, and K K running off valves. LL circulating pipes taking
the water from the bottom of the tank at the one end, and delivering it by means of
any convenient pump or fan M at the other end.
Figures 4 and 5 show another plan which we do not think as good for most
purposes as that described above, like Figures describe like parts with those in
Figures 1 and 2. In this the can has a vertical, instead of horizontal axis. N is a
top frame of wood which freezes to the ice and carries an oscillating or reciprocating
circulator P which we are now trying and have protected in a fresh provisional pro-
tection No. 9023 of 1888.
This consists of a series of two or more hollow globes of india rubber or the like,
A reciprocating
each having a tube therefrom pointing downward into the can.
pusher compresses each alternately and allows the other to expand and fill with water,
in this way a good circulation is kept up. QQ are dogs sometimes useful for
supporting the block of ice. If used, they are knocked out of each block succes-
sively, as it is raised in the manner hereinafter described, and reinserted in their
original position for a fresh use, save in exceptional cases they can be dispensed with.
The dotted lines depict the block just as it is being raised to be sawn off. R is a band
saw for sawing off the blocks. It can be a simple hoop or wire heated at S by
A saw is also used
passing through hot water or flame, or it can be an ordinary saw.
to cut off the blocks in Figures 1 and 2, but in some cases we insert greased plates,
sheets or bars, at the end of each division shown at T in Figure 3, so that when the
block is drawn out of the can it can be knocked off, instead of being sawn off.
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic suggestion of another possible plan, which however, we
do not recommend, in which the block is drawn out from below. Each successive
division of the can is preferably about 4 inches wider than the preceding one.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to he performed, we declare that what we
claim is
1. The herein described method of agitation, and the combination of a fan pump or
agitator outside the can with circulating pipes leading from the bottom of the can at
one end, to the top of the can at the other end, whereby an agitation is kept up
without any machinery in the tank itself, substantially as described.
2. The process herein described of making large blocks of ice by forming the centre
first, and freezing additional layers on each side or around it, whereby the frost has
no need to penetrate the ice beyond a very limited extent.
3. The cans formed with repeated increments of sectional area towards each end,
in combination with means for withdrawing the ice from that end, substantially as
described.
4. In combination with a can increasing in width, toward one end, substantially
as described, the grooves or equivalent guides E and Garranged parallel with the
axis of the can, whereby as the ice is drawn forward it is maintained in the
centre line of the can, and thus the vacant space for water is divided equally to each
side.
5. In combination with a can, increasing in width as it approaches one end,
substantially as described, an apparatus for cutting off blocks of any convenient size
from the broad end, substantially as described.
Dated this 28th day of July 1888.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents for the Applicants.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents for the Applicants.