Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Jan., 1887
Complete Left, 9th Sept., 1887
Complete Accepted, 2nd Dec., 1887
I John Jeffreys of 10 Gt. Queen Street Westminster Heating and Ventilating
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The Invention consists of a method of introducing pure fresh air to buildings of
all kinds, for which purpose the uncleansed air is made to pass through diaphragms
or screens of suitable material kept constantly wetted by capillary attraction, effected
by the lower end of each diaphragm or screen being immersed in water or other
suitable liquid.
The invention may be adapted to any form of fresh air inlet, but is usually
arranged in the form of a rectangular tube of the shape known as the "Tobin" and
fixed where possible in an external wall.
The diaphragms are not woven but consist of single strands fixed close together
in the direction of the length of the tube and held in position on the wires by a clip
at top & bottom.

page_text: JOHN JEFFREYS 10 Gt. Queen Street Westminster London Heating, Horticultural
and Ventilating 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 consists of a method of cleansing and cooling air for ventilating
purposes, effected by causing the air to pass through a tube or shaft, fitted with a
diaphragm or screen of cotton or other suitable material, kept wetted by capillary
attraction, the lower end of the screen being immersed in a trough containing
water or other suitable liquid.
The diaphragm or screen is not woven but consists of loose strands wound closely
over metal bands at top and bottom in the direction of the length of the Shaft, the
strands being prevented from shifting by a woven thread at frequent intervals.
This Invention may be adapted to any form of fresh air inlet, but is usually
arranged in the form of a rectangular tube of the kind known as the "Tobin" fixed
where possible in an external wall with an inlet for the uncleansed air at the back
and an adjustable outlet on the inside for the admission of the cleansed air to the
building.
The diaphragm is fixed diagonally across the tube with the lower end immersed in
the liquid contained in a moveable trough resting on the bottom of the tube with
provision for access to both for cleansing, and replacing the liquid lost by
evaporation.
A is a rectangular tube made of Cast Iron, B is an inlet for uncleansed air C an
opening into the chamber to be ventilated fitted with a hinged flap arranged to be
fixed in any position and either partially or wholly closed at will. D is a chamber in
the bottom of the tube containing a Zinc trough E accessible from the front for
filling or replacing the loss by evaporation. F is the Air Washer consisting of two
diaphragms of cotton yarn wound over wire frames at top & bottom, the whole made
removeable for cleansing when soiled by contact with the impure air.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1st. The novelty of the construction of the diaphragm or screen and its application
to Ventilators.
2nd. The arrangement of the water trough in connection with the diaphragm for
the purpose of keeping the latter constantly wet by capillary attraction by which
means the air is cleansed.
Dated this 9th day of September 1887