IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING INTERCHANGE OF TEMPERATURE BETWEEN LIQUIDS AND GASES, APPLICABLE ALSO FOR EFFECTING THE EVAPORATION OF LIQUIDS AND FOR VENTILATING AND DISINFECTING PURPOSES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincolns Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING INTERCHANGE OF TEMPERATURE BETWEEN LIQUIDS
AND GASES, APPLICABLE ALSO FOR EFFECTING THE EVAPORATION OF LIQUIDS
AND FOR VENTILATING AND DISINFECTING PURPOSES communicated to him
from Jules Alphonse Saladin, a person resident at Paris in the. Republic
of France.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th March 1883.
OF
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING INTERCHANGE
TEMPERATURE BETWEEN LIQUIDS AND GASES APPLICABLE ALSO FOR EFFECTING
THE EVAPORATION OF LIQUIDS AND FOR VENTILATING AND DISINFECTING
PURPOSES a communication to me from Jules Alphonse Saladin a person
resident at Paris in the Republic of France.
"
This Invention relates to an improved apparatus which serves to effect exchanges
of temperature. between liquids and gases in a most efficient manner being also
applicable either to effecting the evaporation of liquids or to ventilating or
disinfecting purposes.
The principle upon which the Invention is based is the forcing of air or gases
through a series of sieves or filters rotating in the liquid which is to be heated
cooled or evaporated or which is used for lowering or elevating. the temperature of
or condensing the said air or gases. During its passage through these sieves or
filters the temperature of the air or gas is rendered equal to that of the liquid the
air being cooled or the liquid heated or the reverse according to circumstances and
when the liquid contains anesthetics disinfectants or the like the air or gas issuing
from the apparatus is caused to possess corresponding anæsthetic or disinfecting.
properties.
In carrying out this Invention the air or gas is caused to pass through a chamber

page_text: containing a shaft carried by supports or bearings. One of these supports is in
the form of a ring and is secured to the end of the chamber and is connected to a
bearing in which the shaft rotates. An open annular space is left around this
bearing for the passage of air or gas delivered from a fan or blower. A worm wheel
is keyed upon the shaft and fits closely against the side of the ring circular grooves
and projections being provided on the wheel and ring for the purpose of preventing
any leakage of gas but at the same time allowing the wheel to revolve. The
grooves are continually supplied with the liquid to be treated in the apparatus or if
preferred with a different liquid or material such as oil grease and the like whereby
leakage may be prevented. The wheel and consequently the shaft are caused to
rotate by means of a worm connected to driving gear hereinafter described.
To one side of the worm wheel is fitted a conical case terminating in a cylinder.
Both cone and cylinder are gas tight. In the cylindrical part of the case and
supported by the shaft herein before referred to with which they revolve are
arranged a number of discs of sheet metal presenting numerous perforations except
at the centre which is solid. A central cone extending from the boss or hub of the
worm wheel and continued through all the discs serves to completely isolate or
obstruct the central part of the latter
The chamber is filled with liquid to about the level of the central cone by means
of a cock and a drawing off siphon and rotary motion being imparted to the shaft
carrying the conical case and the filtering plates or discs the air from the fan passes
through the revolving conical case and is compelled before reaching the outlet to
pass through the holes in the plates or discs and acquire the same temperature as
the said plates or discs consequently if the air is hot and the liquid in the chamber
of the apparatus is cold the discs being continually cooled by contact with the
liquid will cause the temperature of the air to gradually become equal to that of
the discs and the liquid being caused to leave the apparatus at the end where the
gas enters the exchange of temperature is effected under the most advantageous
conditions. The two fluids circulating in opposite directions through the apparatus
are thus compelled to pass, so to speak, one through the other each of them being
divided into a large number of very small parts or streams thus ensuring an
effectual interchange of temperature.
In order to maintain the discs constantly moistened during the half of a revolu-
tion that is performed out of the liquid, cups attached to the peripheries of the
discs take up the liquid and pour it over the discs when they arrive at the upper
part of the latter which are thus continually wetted. The same effect may also be
produced by other means such as the employment of sponges, pads of cloth or
Haunel or the like. The discs may also be covered with wire gauze which by
retaining a certain quantity of liquid between its meshes supplies additional
moisture to the surfaces of the discs.
When corrosive liquids. or gases are employed which would be liable to injure
the sheet metal of which the discs and cone are ordinarily constructed and which
liquids or gases would thereby be themselves affected;-the discs and cone may be
composed of any other suitable material such as gutta Percha Glass porcelain
porous earthenware and the like or the sheet metal may be covered with a
protective coating.
In place of the perforated sheet metal employed in the construction of the
filtering discs hereinbefore described any other material capable of performing the
saine functions may be employed such as wood, cork, wood charcoal, straw, moss,
pumice stone, coke, sand, fragments of stone or bricks solid or hollow metal
spheres: or in short any material capable of acting as a vehicle for the liquid and of
impeding and breaking up the two fluids.
In this case these granular substances, are enclosed between the revolving
cylindrical case and two end discs which latter are both perforated to allow the
gas and liquid to pass through them. The size of the perforations in the plates
and the size of the fragments varies according to the result that is to be obtained
and the materials operated on.

page_text: The gas or air after passing through the revolving discs escapes through an
opening in the side of the chamber containing the liquid. When the air is found
to be excessively charged with moisture diaphragms of perforated sheet metal or
wire gauze are placed in this opening for the purpose of intercepting the excess of
moisture. A cock is provided for drawing off the liquid from the apparatus when
required.
The cone and the sieve like discs or filtering plates may be set in motion by
means of a worm wheel and an endless screw driven by a drum or. pulley. Other
arrangements may however be employed for the same purpose for example the
shaft carrying the discs may be driven from the exterior of the case by means of
an endless screw acting on a toothed wheel keyed upon the shaft which is prolonged
so as to project beyond the end of the chamber containing the liquid. According
to another arrangement the shaft is rotated by means of a ratchet wheel and a
reciprocating pawl which may be operated by an electro magnet and a counter
spring whereby an intermittent motion is imparted to the discs a suitable retaining
pawl being provided to prevent the wheel from turning backwards
The shaft carrying the worm or endless screw may also be driven by a small
turbine supplied with water under pressure or by an electric motor or by
clockwork.
An iron frame may be employed for discs of large dimensions the said frame
being constructed of T iron bars of suitable dimensions the spaces between the
bars being filled with plates of perforated sheet iron of convenient size. arranged
parallel with each other being kept at the required distance apart by small iron
filling pieces and secured to the frame by suitable buttons or catches. A series of
apparatus constructed as hereinbefore described may be employed for ventilating
on a large scale being provided with a common compressed air chamber-The gas
may be divided into two or more currents separated in the first instance coming
from a compression chamber or obtained from different sources the said currents
being mixed before or after their passage through the interchangers.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
29th September 1883.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING INTERCHANGE OF
TEMPERATURE BETWEEN LIQUIDS AND GASES APPLICABLE ALSO FOR EFFECTING THE
EVAPORATION OF LIQUIDS AND FOR VENTILATING AND DISINFECTING PURPOSES
"
a communication to me from Jules Alphonse Saladin a person resident at Paris in
the Republic of France
This Invention relates to an improved apparatus which serves to effect exchanges
of temperature between liquids and gases in a most efficient manner being also
applicable either to effecting the evaporation of liquids or to ventilating or
disinfecting purposes
In carrying out this Invention air or gases are caused to pass through sieves
filters or perforated or permeable partitions which are continually moistened or
wetted by the liquid that is to be heated cooled or evaporated or used for lowering
or elevating the temperature of or condensing or impregnating the said air or gases
During its passage through these sieves or filters the temperature of the air or gas
is gradually rendered equal to that of the liquid the air being cooled or the liquid
heated or the reverse according to circumstances and when the liquid contains
anæsthetics disinfectants or the like the air or gas issuing from the apparatus is
caused to possess corresponding anæsthetic or disinfecting properties.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to
the several figures on the annexed two sheets of drawings the same letters of
reference indicating corresponding parts in all the corresponding figures
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a transverse section and figure 2 is a
longitudinal section of an apparatus embodying the principle of this Invention-
This apparatus is composed of a sheet metal chamber A containing a shaft I carried
by two supports or bearings F F¹ The bearing F is placed upon a support F2 in
the form of a ring secured to the end of the casing or chamber A and connected
to the bearing F in which the shaft I rotates. An open annular space is left
around this bearing for the passage of air or gas supplied by a fan or blower M
or otherwise-A worm wheel G keyed upon the shaft I and fits closely against
the side of the ring shaped support F2 circular grooves and projections being
provided on the wheel G and ring F for the purpose of preventing any leakage of
gas without impeding the rotary motion of the wheel G-The grooves are con-
tinually supplied with the liquid to be treated in the apparatus or with a suitable
lubricant The wheel G and constantly the shaft I are caused to rotate by means
of an endless screw H on a shaft H' operated by suitable driving gear
To one side of the worm wheel G is fitted a conical case g¹ preferably of sheet
metal terminating in a cylinder K Both cone and cylinder are gas tight-In the
cylindrical part K and supported by a shaft I with which they revolve are arranged
a number of discs J J of sheet metal presenting numerous perforations except at
the centre which is solid A central cone I extending from the base or hub of the
wheel G and continued through all the discs J serves to completely enclose and
isolate the central part of the latter
The Chamber A is filled with liquid to about the level of the lower part of the

page_text: cone l' as shown in Figure 2 being admitted by a cock N and discharged through
a tube or siphon O Rotary motion is imparted to the shaft I carrying the conical
case g¹ and the filtering plates or disc J and the air supplied by the blower M
passes through the sieves or filters J and escapes through an outlet U having
acquired during its passage the same temperature as the said filters consequently
if the air is hot and the liquid in the chamber A is cold the discs J being continually
cooled by contact with the liquid will cause the temperature of the air to gradually
become equal to that of the discs and the liquid being caused to leave the apparatus
at the end where the gas enters the exchange of temperature is effected under the
most advantageous conditions The two fluids circulating in opposite directions
through the apparatus are thus compelled to pass so to speak one through the other
each of them being divided into a large number of very small streams thus ensuring
an effectual interchange of temperature The path of the air or gases is indicated
in Figure 1 by arrows in full lines the path of the liquid which flows in the opposite
direction being indicated by dotted arrows-Figure 3 is a detail shewing an arrange-
ment employed in order to maintain the discs J constantly moistened during the
half of a revolution that is performed out of the liquid. Cups j attached to the
periphery of the discs take up the liquid and pour it over the discs when the
revolution of the latter brings the cups to the upper part so that the said dises are
uniformly and continually wetted The same effect may also be produced by other
means such as the employment of sponges pads of cloth or flannel or the like
The liquid in the chamber A may be drawn off when required by means of a
cork S
Figure 4 represents a portion of a disc covered with wire gauze which by
retaining a certain quantity of liquid between its meshes supplies additional
moisture to the discs.
When corrosive liquids or gases are employed which would be liable to injure or
be themselves injuriously affected by the sheet metal of which the discs and cone g
are constructed the discs and cone may be composed of any other suitable
material such as gutta percha glass porcelain porous earthenware and the like or the
sheet metal may be covered with a protective coating.
In place of the perforated sheet metal employed in the construction of the
filtering discs J any other material capable of performing the same functions may
be employed such as wood cork, wood charcoal, straw, moss, pumice stone, coke,
sand, fragments of stone or bricks solid or hollow metal spheres or in short any
material capable of acting as a vehicle for the liquid and of impeding and breaking
up the two fluids
In this case these granular substances are enclosed between the cylinder K and
the two end or outer perforated discs J the intermediate discs being removed-The
size of the perforations in the plates and the size of the fragments varies according
to the result that is to be obtained and the materials operated on.
When the air or gas is found to be excessively saturated with moisture
diaphragms U of perforated sheet metal or wire gauze are placed, in the opening U
for the purpose of intercepting the excess of moisture In this case the water so
intercepted flows away at the lower part of the apparatus
Other arrangements than that described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 may
be employed for driving the shaft I such for example as that illustrated in Figure 5
in which the shaft I is driven from the exterior of the case by means of an endless
screw H acting on a toothed wheel G keyed upon a prolongation of the shaft I
According to another arrangement illustrated in Figure 6 the shaft I is rotated
by means of a ratchet wheel G¹ and a reciprocating pawl h¹ provided with a spring b
whereby an intermittent motion is imparted to the discs a suitable retaining pawl h²
being provided to prevent the wheel Ġ' from turning backwards.
Figure 7 shews an arrangement according to which the shaft H¹ carrying the
worm or endless screw H is driven by a small turbine H2 supplied with water
under pressure

page_text: It will be readily understood that an electric motor may be employed for the
same purpose
Figure 8 shows an arrangement in which the shaft I is driven directly by means
of clockwork H³ of suitable power
Figure 9 represents a modification of the arrangement illustrated in Figure 6-
According to this modification the ratchet wheel is worked by a pawl caused to
reciprocate by the action of an electro magnet H and a counter spring
Figures 10 and 11 are respectively an elevation and plan of a modification of
detail consisting in the employment in the construction of apparatus of large
dimensions of an iron frame to be substituted for the discs J hereinbefore
described This frame is constructed of barst of angle iron of suitable dimensions
the spaces between the bars being filled with plates t¹ of perforated sheet iron of
convenient size These plates are arranged parallel with each other shewn in the
plan being kept at the required distance apart by small iron filling pieces and
secured to the frame by suitable buttons or catches.
Figures 12. 13 and 14 are respectively a longitudinal transverse and horizontal
section of an arrangement of apparatus for ventilating on a large scale-In this
case four apparatus marked 1. 2. 3. 4 constructed as hereinbefore described cominu-
nicate with a common compressed air chamber T being enclosed in walls of
masonry and provided with an air inlet passage, M and outlet passage T2 leading
either upwards or downwards
Figures 15. 16 and 17 sheet 2 are respectively a longitudinal transverse and
horizontal section of another modification of the apparatus herein before described
This apparatus is constructed with a casing A containing a shaft I mounted in
bearings as described with reference to figures 1 and 2-Upon this shaft are keyed
two cast iron plates or discs c c¹; the disc c has an opening at the centre and is
supported by radial arms c2 which allow air or gas to enter the space between the
discs from an opening a communicating with a fan or blower if such be required
to cause the air or gas to pass through the apparatus
Between the discs c c¹ are arranged metal blades or plates e radiating from the
axis of the apparatus being supported at a suitable distance apart by webs d-
These blades form a sieve or filter for the air or gases entering at a being secured
in position by moveable wedged shape blocks f in such a manner as to be capable
of being readily taken apart for cleaning Rotary motion may be imparted to the
cylinder thus constituted by means of bevel gear C₁ The cylinder formed by the
blades e is enclosed by the casing A which is partially filled as shown at d' with
the liquid that is to be heated cooled or evaporated or used for impregnating the
air gas or vapour circulating in the apparatus-This liquid makes a seal with the
edges of the discs c c and continually moistens the revolving sieves or filters
formed by the blades e and through which the gas or air is caused to pass before
escaping at the openings U or U2 at the upper part of the casing A
The stream of gas or air being thus brought in contact with a large surface of
the liquid the required interchange of temperature or impregnation is rapidly and
thoroughly effected as in the arrangement described with reference to Figures 1
and 2. The liquid is supplied to the apparatus through a cock N and flows
between the plates e being also carried up by cups or tubes q which discharge it
on to the upper part of the plates e-The liquid is drawn off when required by
means of a cock S
In order to form a tight joint between the end of the casing A and the disc c
the surfaces in contact are provided with annular grooves and projections which
engage one with the other as bereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1
and 2 By introducing oil or grease between the surface the movements of the
parts are facilitated and the joint rendered less liable to leak
Figure 18 shows a method of arranging the plates or blades e so as to form the
required spaces between these plates for the passage of the air or gas without

page_text: employing the filling pieces f and consisting in employing waved or corrugated
plates e' alternating with straight plates e as shown in the drawing.
Figures 19 and 20 illustrate another method of obtaining the same result
consisting in attaching distance pieces e² to the sides of the plates e.
Figure 21 represents another arrangement according to which a portion of the
edge of every alternate plate is cut out and bent at right angles with the side of
the plate as shown at e³ so as to perform the functions of a distance piece and
Figure 22 shews the plates maintained at the required distance apart by means of
blocks or distance pieces e¹ of iron attached by soldering or otherwise.
Figure 23 represents a portion of a permeable cylinder for effecting interchanges
of temperature according to this Invention and composed of two concentric cases
or drums g² g³ of perforated sheet metal attached to two end discs c cl In the
space between these two drums is placed granular coke c² or other natural or
artificial product capable of producing the required division of the gas and liquid.
The outer drum is removeable and made in sections in order to facilitate the
cleaning or renewal of the materials in the space between the drums.
Figures 24 and 25 are respectively a longitudinal and transverse section of
another modification of the apparatus in which the blades or plates e in place of
being arranged radially are perforated and arranged concentrically with the axis of
the cylinder. These perforated plates are in the form of segments of cylinders
and are secured in position between the discs c c on the shaft I by means of
parallel trough shaped bars i as shown in Figures 26 and 27 which are respectively
a transverse and a longitudinal section of one of the said bars drawn to a larger
scale. The end discs c c¹ are also connected together by means of longitudinal
bars attached to circular angle irons j¹. The perforated plates or other device
acting as a sieve or filter are supported by the angle irons ; and the bars i and are
maintained at the proper distance apart by angle irons & acting as distance pieces
as shown in Figure 26 the bars being secured to the bars i by means of bolts m
In order to facilitate the construction of the apparatus and the inanipulation of the
plates e the latter are divided circumferentially into four or other suitable number
of sections of equal length and breadth. These sections being arranged concen-
trically at a short distance apart and being of equal width the space between
their edges. increases in proportion to their distance from the axis of the
cylinder. For this reason the bars or supports are made of the section
illustrated in Figure 26 so as to fill the spaces between the edges of the
plates c.
In order to facilitate the flow of the liquid which moistens the plates and is
liable to choke the perforations therein when the latter are circular the said
perforations are preferably made of a narrow and elongated form as shown in
Figure 28, By employing this form of perforations the liquid is enabled to flow
off freely and by thus' clearing the openings in the sieve facilitates the passage of
the gas.
The entire apparatus may be capable of turning upon its axis or it may be
arranged so that one portion remains stationary the other being moveable or both
portions may be stationary the liquid alone partaking of motion so as to obtain an
analogous result.
In the arrangement next hereinafter described with reference to figures 29, 30
and 31 one portion of the apparatus is moveable and the other stationary.
Figure 29 is a vertical section taken along the line 1-2 Figure 31.
Figure 30 is a vertical section taken along the line 3-4 Figure 31.
Figure 31 is a horizontal section taken along the line 5-6 Figure 30.
According to this arrangement the plates or blades e move in a stationary case
or chamber A and are supported above the liquid. by bars or rods f in such a
position that the gas passing in the direction of the arrows is brought into
intimate contact with the liquid The plates are lifted in succession by any suitable
mechanical arrangement and allowed to descend after an interval of time which

page_text: may be regulated according to circumstances. Thus the perforated plates are
alternately immersed in the liquid and then interposed in the passage for the gas.
The liquid enters at N and is discharged at O partitions are arranged between
each perforated plate so as to compel the gas to pass in succession through all
the elevated plates.
Figures 32 to 36 represent an apparatus in which all the parts are fixed or
stationary the liquid and the gas being alone in motion.
Figure 32 is a section taken along the line 7-8 Figure 33 which is a section
taken along the line 9-10 Figure 32 and Figure 34 is a section taken along the
line 11-12 Figure 32. The gas flows in the direction of the arrows whilst the
liquid flows from the upper to the lower part of the apparatus along the plates
being carried up by any suitable mechanical arrangement so as to moisten each
plate in succession with regularity and precision.
Figures 35 and 36 illustrate another inodification acting on the same principle
but in which the plates e are arranged in a horizontal position.
Figure 37 is a longitudinal section of an apparatus constructed with a series of
revolving concentric cones into which air or gas is caused to pass as hereinbefore
described with reference to figures 1 and 2 These cones conduct the air or gas to
filters or sieves e composed of concentric plates which are immersed in the liquid
at every revolution and being arranged at a short distance apart bring the liquid
into intimate contact with the air or gas passing between the plates as in
the arrangements hereinbefore described. According to another modification
illustrated in Figure 38 the sieves or filters are composed of circular baffles
between which the air or gas is caused to follow a zig zag path as indicated by
the arrows.
Figure 39 illustrates an equivalent arrangement according to which the sides as
well as the end of the revolving cylinder K are made to act as sieves or filters and
Figure 39 represents an arrangement in which the outer cone g' is dispensed with
the cylinder K being extended to the periphery of a disc g² attached to the worm
wheel G.
Figures 40 to 45 are further modifications in the form and arrangement of the
surfaces employed to bring the air or gas and liquid into intimate contact and will
be readily understood from an inspection of the drawing.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein before in part
recited Letters Patent is :-
First In apparatus for effecting an interchange of temperature between aeriform
fluids and liquids or for evaporating or impregnating or ventilating and disinfecting
purposes the employment of perforated or permeable partitions or filters moistened
by a liquid and traversed by air or gas substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Second In apparatus for effecting interchanges of temperature or evaporating
ventilating and disinfecting as herein before set forth the employment of rotating
perforated or permeable partitions that are immersed in liquid during one part of
their revolution and are traversed by air or gas admitted at the centre of revolution
during the other part substantially as hereinbefore described under various
modifications with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Third In apparatus for effecting interchanges of temperature or evaporating
ventilating and disinfecting as hereinbefore set forth the combination of the
reciprocating sieves or partitions e and the stationary case or chamber A substan-
tially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 29, 30 and 31 of the
accompanying drawings.
Fourth In apparatus for effecting interchanges of temperature or evaporating
ventilating and disinfecting as hereinbefore set forth the employment of stationary

page_text: perforated or permeable partitions that are moistened by a liquid and traversed by
a stream of air or gas substantially as herein before described with reference to
Figures 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 of the accompanying drawings.
In witness whereof I the said John Henry Johnson have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal this first day of September One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
T TENDE TOHNSON
J.
HENDE
JOHNSON (L.S.)