IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER FROM AMMONIACAL GAS
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Archibald Brooman, of 166, Fleet Street, in
the City of London, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER FROM AMMONIACAL GAS."-A
communication from abroad by Joseph Flandrin, of Paris, France.
Sealed the 29th August 1865, and dated the 4th March 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Archibald Brooman
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
4th March 1865.
I, RICHARD ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER FROM AMMONIACAL
GAS," (communicated to me from abroad by Joseph Flandrin, of Paris,
France,) to be as follows:-
The machinery which forms the subject of the present Invention is com-
posed of seven principal parts:-1st, two generators; 2nd, a receiver;
3rd, four condensers; 4th, distributing boxes; 5th, a suction and force pump;
6th, the motive cylinder and fly wheel; 7th, apparatus necessary for the
expulsion of the air contained in the machine.

page_text: I proceed, with reference to the annexed Drawings, to describe the
arrangement of the machinery. Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section,
and Figure 2 a plan.
1st. Generators.-The generation of the motive gas is obtained by two
generators heated by a current of steam. A metal furnace a is placed on a
bed plate b, and is surrounded by a boiler c, for containing water. This
boiler supports and surrounds the base of a generator d for receiving am-
moniacal water. In the centre of the concave bottom of the generator d an
opening is formed, into which the open end of a serpentine coil e in the
generator is introduced. The upper end of the serpentine coil passes out from
the generator at about two-thirds of its height and enters a second generator d',
Figure 2. The generator d has five openings in its convex cover, viz., 1st,
an opening in the centre for the safety valves and manometer, and from
which a pipe g; Figure 2, conducts the gas to the motive cylinder; 2nd, a.
tube formed with a screw thread and provided with a cock; this tube is for
the introduction of the liquid, and is not shown in the Drawings; 3rd, an
opening for a pipe B³, one end of which reaches to the bottom of the
generator; this pipe communicates by a distributing box B and a pipe B
with the receiver I; 4th, an opening i for a pipe C, which puts the upper
part of the generator d in communication, through a box C and connections C',
with the lower part of four condensers K, K1, K2, K3; 5th, an opening ; for
a pipe l, which forms a communication between two generators d, d¹. The
flue m from the fire-place, on leaving the boiler c, traverses a second similar
boiler under the generator d', whereby part of the heat carried off by the
draught is utilized. The second boiler communicates with the first, both with
regard to liquid and to steam. The communicating pipes are fitted with a
gauge or water level and a safety valve. The. generator d' is likewise formed
at bottom with an opening to allow passage to the upper part of the serpentine
coil from the generator d, which is coiled in the generator d', and the end of
which dips in the liquid of the boiler. The steam thus only enters the coil by
the boiler c, and the water of condensation is returned to the boiler. The
cover of the generator d' has also five openings, viz., 1st, for a tube for the in-
troduction of the liquid; 2nd, for a pipe B, Figure 2, leading by the distributing
box B from the bottom of the generator to the top of the receiver I; 3rd, for
pipe C, leading by the distributing box C from the top of the generator to
the lower part of the condensers K, K1, K2, K3; 411, the opening j for the
pipe ; and 5th, an opening in the middle of the cover for a cylinder p, in
which a piston works, the diameter of which in relation to its stroke is in the
ratio of 8 to 5. To the upper part of the piston a rod m¹ is jointed, the other
a

page_text: end of which is jointed to an oscillating beam n, pivoted at its middle; the
other end of this beam is connected to a piston on the top of the receiver I.
The diameter of this piston in relation to that of the piston in the cylinder p is
in the ratio of 12 to 8. The two pistons work together, and the position is
such that one is at the top of its stroke while the other is at the bottom.
The generators d, d', are made sufficiently strong to resist the pressure of 15
atmospheres.
9
2nd. Receiver. This is a cylindrical vessel I with flat bottom and rounded
top; a pipe A leads from its lower part and communicates by means of the
box A and pipes A', A2, A3, A', with the upper part of the condensers
K, K', K³, K³. The top of the receiver is provided with two tubes, with a
screw thread and a cock; a pipe B' leads from the cover of the receiver to
the box 13 and pipes B2, B3, which lead to the generators d, d'. In the centre
of the cover is an apparatus, partly fixed and partly movable. The fixed part
consists of a cylinder in which the piston before referred to works, and of a
frame fixed on the cylinder and serving as a support to the movable part.
The movable part is composed of a movable axle, attached to the frame q by
its upper part, and of the piston. When the axle o turns from right to left it
works a toothed wheel r, provided with an endless chain; but when it turns
from left to right the wheel remains at rest. The axle is terminated at
bottom by a screw thread of a length determined by the stroke of the piston.
A ring grooved internally acts as a nut to the screw thread. The friction of
the teeth of the ring against the thread of the screw turns the axle o when the
piston rises or descends. The screw turns from right to left when the piston
rises, and from left to right when it descends. The end of the beam n is
forked, as shown, and embraces the frame 9; the piston produces a complete
revolution of the wheel 7, both in its up stroke and in its down stroke.
3rd. Condensers.-These are four in number; they are placed in the same
plane, but lower than the receiver I and higher than the generators. They
are all of the same size and of the same form as the receiver. The condenser K
carries at its lower part a pipe C', which communicates by the box C and
pipes C5, C6, with the generators. Its cover has six openings, including a tube
with a screw thread and cock. The pipe A puts it in communication with
the receiver I. The pipe E' communicates by the box E and pipe E³ with
the suction pipe of a suction and force pump. The pipe F communicates
by the box F and pipe F with the same pump. The pipe D' communicates
by the box D, pipe D³, and the safety box 0 between the motive cylinder and
the liquid in the condenser; its extremity is extended for this purpose into the
interior of the condenser and carries a valve, the closing of which is produced

page_text: by means of a wooden sphere striking against a leaden ring. The object of
this valve is to prevent the liquid passing into the pipe and thence into the
cylinder. It is also prevented by the safety box O, which is a vessel provided
with a liquid gauge or level. In the centre of the cover of the condenser K
is an apparatus similar to that on the receiver except the connection with the
oscillating beam. The foregoing description of the condenser K applies to the
other three condensers K', K, K³, except that the condensers K' and K2
have two tubes with a screw thread and cock, instead of one, and the
condenser K³ has a cock at its lower part.
4th. Distributing Boxes.-In the middle of the space between the four
condensers are six boxes, A, B, C, D, E, F, with large cocks arranged in a
particular manner and worked together. Each box (see the section Figure 3)
is composed of a fixed casing, communicating by pipes with the vessels which
it has to put into communication, and of a central movable tube. The six
tubes are connected together by cylindrical blocks, not hollow, and forming an
axle. This axle carries at its upper part five driving wheels; four wheels M
communicate by endless chains N with small wheels 1, worked by the pistons
of the condensers; the fifth and highest wheel M¹ communicates with the
wheel r of the receiver I by a chain N¹. The following are the relations
established by each box:-The box A acts as a communication between the
receiver I and each condenser; the box B between the receiver and each
generator; the box C between the generators and the condensers; the box D
between the cylinder P and each condenser; the boxes E and F act respectively
as communications between each condenser and the suction pipe, and between
cach condenser and the force pipe of the suction and force pump Q. At the
bottom there is a single opening corresponding to an annular space formed in
the interior of the fixed casing; this communicates with the force pipe of
the pump. The movable hollow tube is formed with two openings communi-
cating with each other by a central passage; the upper opening is exactly on
a level with the openings communicating with the condensers, and the lower
opening with the annular space. The interior of the box F is thus always in
relation with the pump Q, but it is only in relation with the condensers as long
as the upper openings coincide. Supposing communication established first
with the condenser K, if the distributing axle makes a quarter turn it will
change and pass to the condenser K', because here the order of the pipes is
the same as that of the condensers. All the boxes have not the annular space;
those which should not always be in relation with one of the vessels between
which they serve as communications. As the boxes, especially B, C, and D,
have to resist considerable pressure, I employ small leaden valves or stoppers

page_text: free to slide in the openings of the fixed casing, and capable of being applied
against the movable axle to prevent escape of gas.
5th. Pump. This is a suction and force pump, and is situated behind the
cylinder P; it is worked by an excentric on the horizontal shaft. The suction
pipe communicates with the condensers by the pipe E, and the force pipe by
the pipe F.
6th. Cylinder and Fly Wheel.-The cylinder P is vertical and has a double
jacket; its shaft carries a fly wheel R. The machine is double acting, and
works expansively.
7th. Apparatus for the Expulsion of Air from the Machine.-It is necessary
to form as complete a vacuum as possible in the machine before introducing
the liquid. For this purpose I fit a cock between the generators, which allows
of a current of steam being sent directly into the generators. This steam
returns to the cylinder. The piston is put in motion and drives the air and
steam into the condenser K, which is then empty like the rest of the machine,
except, of course, the boiler:
The following is the utility of the tubes before mentioned as being
provided with a screw thread and cock; they are placed, one on the con-
denser K, two on the receiver I, two on the condenser K¹, two on the
condenser K, one on the condenser K³. An iron tube is applied to these
tubes so as to close them sufficiently hermetically and put those of the
condenser K in communication with those of the receiver I. Another tube
passes from the second of these tubes on the receiver to the first of these tubes
on the condenser K¹; a third tube from the second on the condenser K' to the
first on the condenser K³; and a fourth tube from the second on the con-
denser K to that on the condenser K³. These four tubes are provisional and
only placed at the commencement of the operation to put the machine in
work. A cock at the lower part of the condenser K³ is then opened to put all
the interior of the machine in communication with the exterior. The steam
drawing the air goes from the generators to the cylinder, then to the first
condenser, next through the other parts in succession, and finally issues by
the cock of the fourth condenser; the pump working during this time like-
wise becomes void of air. Then by imparting by hand or otherwise motion
to the distributing axle, all the air is driven from the pipes. As the ain-
moniacal gas cannot be poured out in contact with the atmosphere without
danger, the safety valves pass it into an apparatus where it is dissolved in water.
With this arrangement the water cannot rise again in the adducting tube,
and the external air cannot re-enter because the valves are closed before tho
atmospheric pressure overcomes that of the generator.

page_text: Working of the Machine.-Before putting the machine in action I drive
out the air therein by sending through the machine a current of steam from
the boilers c, c¹; I then close the communication of the steam with the
generators, and immediately afterwards close the escape cock, then the cock of
each of the tubes with a screw thread. The co ling of the apparatus evidently
produces a vacuum therein. I introduce the liquids by means of a vessel
closed by a cock on two sides. At bottom and below the cock the funnel
neck terminates in a screw thread to fit exactly on the tubes of the apparatus.
The lower cock being closed, I fill the vessel with pure water up to the level
of the funnel, that is to say, to the top of the cock which I next close; I
then screw the lower neck on the tube of the condenser K and open at the
same time the cock of the tube and the lower cock of the vessel. The liquid
flows in without introduction of air. I introduce in this manner in the
following order—
150
of ammonia at 21.
On starting the dist: i'u ing boxes are arranged that, 1st, the gas issuing
from the cylinder is re-dissolved in the condenser K; 2nd, the suction pipe of
the pump acts on the condenser K2; 3rd, the force pipe acts on the con-
denser K; 4th, the receiver is in communication with the condenser K.
The liquid of the condenser K becomes heated because the gas has already an
nequired temperature of from 120° to 212° Fahrenheit, and because in dis-
solving it produces an elevation in temperature. In time the gas coming
from the cylinder and the condenser K is no longer capable of dissolving.
The internal pressure will exceed the atmospheric pressure, and the piston on
the receiver will rise; in rising it turns the screw and draws the small wheel,
which, making a complete revolution, produces one-eighth of a revolution of
the wheel M' on the distributing axle.
This last movement produces five different actions:-1st, the gas is no
longer condensed in the condenser K; 2nd, it is dissolved in the condenser K';
3rd, a communication is opened by the pipe C', box C, and pipe C between the
condenser K and generator d', into which all the liquid already hot and super-
saturated flows from the condenser K; 4th, the receiver does not communicate
with any condenser; 5th, by the pipe B', box B, and pipe B2 communication
is opened between the generator d and receiver I, into which the pressure

page_text: of the gas causes all the liquid, in a great measure spent, to rise from the
generator d. As the machine works the piston of the generator d', the surface
of which is only about half that of the piston of the receiver I, overcomes the
latter, owing to the great differences in tensions, and the piston of the receiver
is at the bottom of its course; it remains in this position as long as the liquid
is not entirely decanted; but when this is complete, the gas arrives after the
liquid, and equilibrium of tension is established between the interior of the
generators and that of the receiver. The piston of the receiver immediately
overcomes and rises. The openings of the box C are larger than those of the
box B, in order that the liquid of the condenser which is emptied may pass
entirely into the generator, which becomes filled before the second generator is
emptied. The piston of the cylinder in rising produces another eighth turn of
the distributing axle, which causes the following actions:-1st, closing of all
communication between d' and K; 2nd, closing of all communication between
d and I; 3rd, communication is opened between I and K³, into which the
liquid arising from the generator d finally flows; 4th, inversion of the relations
of the pump, which now forms. a vacuum in K³ and forces the gas therefrom
into K; 5th, the condenser K¹ is in relation with the cylinder. The machine
continues to work as before. It will be seen that a great portion of the
caloric absorbed during the first period is thus utilized. The condenser K³,
which contains a hot and still ammoniacal liquid, is cooled while the other
condensers are in work. It is cooled the more because the pump in forming
a vacuum therein draws the gas and a little steam which greatly accelerates
the lowering of the temperature. The receiver, which during the first period
communicated with K, now communicates with K³, and the pressure
diminishes sufficiently rapidly to allow the piston to descend again and become
ready to act. At the beginning of the next period it is the condenser K, now
empty, which receives the spent liquid from d'. Then, also, the pump pro-
duces a vacuum therein, and the atmospheric pressure will cause the piston to
descend and become again ready to act as before. I have supposed the
water of the condensers to be entirely deprived of ammonia, but if I employ an
excess of ammonia so that the water of the condensers may contain a certain
quantity before entering into service, the supersaturation is produced before
the service of the generators is finished. The gas, as before stated, is dissolved
in the condensers. When it is observed, either from diminution of tension in
the generator or from elevation of temperature of the liquid which it contains,
that this liquid is spent I stop the machine. I give by hand or otherwise an
eighth turn to the distributing axle when the condensers have cooled. The
condenser K is emptied into the generator d. I give another eighth turn to

page_text: the distributing axle, and return the machine into work. The condensers K¹, K³,
become saturated and the water added in the condenser K³ stops the excess
gas. When the liquid of the generators is spent I again stop the machine.
I preserve only the contents of the three last condensers; I collect these
ammoniacal liquids and test their density. They will be sufficiently charged.
to be used again in the machine.
I have supposed the absence of water to accelerate the cooling of the con-
densers, but by admitting a current of cold water I produce on the same
principle a rapid condensing machine of great simplicity. There is neither
receiver, condenser, nor pump; the machine is composed of an insulated steam
generator, three gas generators, and a system of distribution composed of three
boxes, one to distribute cold water, the second to distribute steam, and the
third to direct the condensation of the gas. Each generator contains two
pipes, one to receive the steam to beat the ammonia, and the other for the
passage of a stream of cold water.
Generator No. 1 contains ammonia at 21° Baumé, 120 parts.
دو
2
water
"
"
"
"
8
"
ammonia at 21°
water
ammonia at 21°
60
"
40
"
-
60
"
40
"
I make the apparatus by preference of wrought or cast iron; copper
should be avoided, owing to the action which ammonia exercises upon it.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, 2
filed by the said Richard Archibald Brooman in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 4th September 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD
ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent
Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Richard Archibald Brooman, Her special licence that I, the said Richard 8
Archibald Brooman, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others

page_text: as I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER FROM AM-
MONIACAL GAS," (communicated to me from abroad by Joseph Flandrin, of
Paris, France) upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Richard
Archibald Brooman, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner.
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, that is to say:-
The machinery which forms the subject of the present Invention is com-
posed of seven principal parts:-1st, two generators; 2nd, a receiver; 3rd,
four condensers; 4th, distributing boxes; 5th, a suction and force pump;
6th, the motive power cylinder and fly wheel; 7th, apparatus necessary for
the expulsion of the air contained in the machine.
I proceed, with reference to the annexed Drawings, to describe the arrange-
ment of the machinery. Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, and
Figure 2 a plan..
First. Generators.-The generation of the motive gas is obtained by two
generators heated by a current of steam. A metal furnace a is placed on a
bed plate b, and is surrounded by a boiler c, for containing water. This boiler
supports and surrounds the base of a generator d, for receiving ammoniacal
water. In the centre of the concave bottom of the generator d an opening
is formed, into which the open end of a serpentine coil e in the generator is
introduced. The upper end of the serpentine coil passes out from the gene-
rator at about two-thirds of its height, and enters a second generator d',
Figure 2. The generator d has five openings in its convex cover, viz., first,
an opening in the centre for the safety valves and manometer, and from
which a pipe g, Figure 2, conducts the gas to the motive cylinder; 2nd, a
tube formed with a screw thread and provided with a cock; this tube is for

page_text: the introduction of the liquid, and is not shown in the Drawings; third, an
opening for a pipe B, one end of which reaches to the bottom of the gene-
rator; this pipe communicates by a distributing box B and a pipe B' with
the receiver I; fourth, an opening i for a pipe C, which puts the upper part of
the generator d in communication through a box C and connections C', C²,
with the lower part of four condensers K, K', K2, K³; fifth, an opening j for
a pipe 1, which forms a communication between the two generators d, d'.
The flue m from the fire-place, on leaving the boiler c, traverses a second
similar boiler under the generator d', whereby part of the heat carried off by
the draught is utilized. The second boiler communicates with the first, both
with regard to liquid and to steam. The communicating pipes are fitted
with a gauge or water level and a safety valve. The generator d' is likewise
formed at bottom with an opening to allow passage to the upper part of the
serpentine coil e from the generator d, which is coiled in the generator d',
and the end of which dips in the liquid of the boiler. The steam thus only
enters the coil by the boiler c, and the water of condensation is returned to
the boiler. The cover of the regenerator d' has also five openings, viz., first,
for a tube for the introduction of the liquid; second, for a pipe B³, Figure 2,
leading by the distributing box B from the bottom of the generator to the
top of the receiver I; third, for a pipe C, leading by the distributing box C
from the top of the generator to the lower part of the condensers K, K1, K2, K³;
fourth, the opening; for the pipe 1; and fifth, an opening in the middle of the
cover for a cylinder p, in which a piston works, the diameter of which in
relation to its stroke is in the ratio of 8 to 5. To the upper part of the
piston a rod m¹ is jointed, the other end of which is jointed to an oscillating
beam n, pivoted at its middle, the other end of this bean is connected to a
piston on the top of the receiver I. The diameter of this piston in relation
to that of the piston in the cylinder p is in the ratio of 12 to 8; the two
pistons work together, and the position is such that one is at the top of its
stroke while the other is at the bottom. The generators d, d', are made
sufficiently strong to resist the pressure of 15 atmospheres.
Second. Receiver.-This is a cylindrical vessel I, with flat bottom and
rounded top; a pipe As leads from its lower part and communicates by means
of the box A and pipes A1, A2, A3, A4, with the upper part of the condensers
K, K', K, K³. The top of the receiver is provided with two tubes with a
screw thread and a cock; a pipe B¹ leads from the cover of the receiver to the
box B and pipes B2, B3, which lead to the generators d, d'. In the centre
of the cover is an apparatus partly fixed and partly movable; the fixed part
consists of a cylinder in which the piston before referred to works, and of a

page_text: frame q, fixed on the cylinder, and serving as a support to the movable part.
The movable part is composed of a movable axle o, attached to the frame q
by its upper part, and of the piston. When the axle o turns from right to
left it works a toothed wheel r, provided with an endless chain; but when
it turns from left to right the wheel remains at rest. The axle is terminated
at bottom by a screw thread of a length determined by the stroke of the
piston. A ring groove internally acts as a nut to the screw thread. The
friction of the teeth of the ring against the thread of the screw turns the axle o
when the piston rises or descends. The screw turns from right to left when
the piston rises, and from left to right when it descends. The end of the
beann is forked, as shewn, and embraces the frame 9; the piston produces
a complete revolution of the wheel, both in its up stroke and in its down
stroke.
The pipe F¹
The pipe D¹
3rd. Condensers. There are four in number; they are placed in the same
plane, but lower than the receiver I and higher than the generators. They
are all of the same size and of the same form as the receiver. The con-
denser K carries at its lower part a pipe C; which communicates by the
box C and pipes C5, C6, with the generators. Its cover has six openings,
including a tube with a screw thread and cock. The pipe A puts it in com-
munication with the receiver I. The pipe E' communicates by the box E
and pipe Es with the suction pipe of a suction and force pump.
communicates by the box F and pipe Fs with the same pump.
communicates by the box D, pipe D, and the safety box O between the
motive cylinder and the liquid in the condenser; its extremity is extended
for this purpose into the interior of the condenser, and carries a valve, the
closing of which is produced by means of a wooden sphere striking against a
laden ring. The object of this valve is to prevent the liquid passing into the
pipe and thence into the cylinder. It is also prevented by the safety box O,
which is a vessel provided with a liquid gauge or level. In the centre of the
cover of the condenser K is an apparatus similar to that on the receiver,
except the connection with the oscillating beam. The foregoing description
of the condenser K applies to the other three condensers K', K³, K³,
except that the condensers K¹ and K² have two tubes with a screw thread
and cock, instead of one, and the condenser K³ has a cock at its lower part.
Fourth. Distributing Boxes.-In the middle of the space between the four
condensers are six boxes, A, B, C, D, E, F, with large cocks arranged in a
particular manner and worked together. Each box (see the section Figure 3)
is composed of a fixed casing communicating by pipes with the vessels which

page_text: it has to put into communication, and of a central movable tube. The six
tubes are connected together by cylindrical blocks, not hollow, and forming
an axle; this axle carries at its upper part five driving wheels; four wheels M
communicate by endless chains N with small wheels r¹, worked by the pistons
of the condensers; the fifth and highest wheel M' communicates with the
wheel r of the receiver I by a chain N¹. The following are the relations
established by each box:-The box A acts as a communication between the
receiver I and each condenser; the box B between the receiver and each
generator; the box C between the generators and the condensers; the box D
between the cylinder P and each condenser; the boxes E and F act respec-
tively as communications between each condenser and the suction pipe, and
between each condenser and the force pipe of the suction and force pump Q.
At the bottom there is a single opening corresponding to an annular space
formed in the interior of the fixed casing; this communicates with the force
pipe of the pump. The movable hollow tube is formed with two openings
communicating with each other by a central passage; the upper opening is
exactly on a level with the openings communicating with the condensers, and
the lower opening with the annular space. The interior of the box F is thus
always in relation with the pump Q, but it is only in relation with the con-
densers as long as the upper openings coincide. Supposing communication
established first with the condenser K, if the distributing axle makes a quarter
turn, it will change and pass to the condenser K¹, because here the order of
the pipes is the same as that of the condensers. All the boxes have not the
annular space; those which should not always be in relation with one of the
vessels between which they serve as communications. As the boxes, especially
B, C, and D, have to resist considerable pressure, I employ small leaden
valves or stoppers free to slide in the openings of the fixed' casing, and
capable of being applied against the movable axle to prevent escape of
gas.
Fifth. Pump. This is a suction and force pump, and is situated behind the
cylinder P; it is worked by an excentric on the horizontal shaft. The suction
pipe communicates with the condensers by the box E, and the force pipe by
the box F.
Sixth. Cylinder and Fly Wheel.-The cylindar P is vertical and has a double
jacket; its shaft carries a fly wheel R. The machine is double acting, and
works expansively.
Seventh. Apparatus for the Expulsion of Air from the Machine.-It is neces-
sary to form as complete a vacuum as possible in the machine before introducing

page_text: the liquids. For this purpose I fit a cock between the generators, which
allows of a current of steam being sent directly into the generators; this
steam returns to the cylinder, the piston is put in motion and drives the air
and steam into the condenser K, which is then empty like the rest of the
machine, except, of course, the boiler. The following is the utility of the tubes
before mentioned as being provided with a screw thread and cock; they are
placed, one on the condenser K, two on the receiver I, two on the con-
denser K³, two on the condenser K², one on the condenser K³. An iron tube
is applied to these tubes so as to close them sufficiently hermetically and put
those of the condenser K in communication with those of the receiver I.
Another tube passes from the second of these tubes on the receiver to the
first of these tubes on the condenser K¹; a third tube from the second on the
condenser K' to the first on the condenser K2; and a fourth tube from the
second on the condenser K2 to that on the condenser K³. These four tubes
are provisional and only placed at the commencement of the operation to put
the machine in work. A cock at the lower part of the condenser K³ is then
opened to put all the interior of the machine in communication with the
exterior. The steam drawing the air goes from the generators to the cylinder,
then to the first condenser, next through the other parts in succession, and
finally issues by the cock of the fourth condenser. The pump working during
this time likewise becomes void of air; then by imparting by hand or other-
wise motion to the distributing axle all the air is driven from the pipes. As
the ammoniacal gas cannot be poured out in contact with the atmosphere
without danger, the safety valves pass it into an apparatus where it is dissolved
in water. With this arrangement the water cannot rise again in the
adducting tube, and the external air cannot re-enter because the valves
are closed before the atmospheric pressure overcomes that of the generator.
Working of the Machine.-Before putting the machine in action I drive
out the air therein by sending through the machine a current of steam from
the boilers; I then close the communication of the steam with the generators
and immediately afterwards close the escape cock, then the cock of each of
the tubes with a screw thread. The cooling of the apparatus evidently pro-
duces a vacuum therein. I introduce the liquids by means of a vessel closed
by a cock on two sides. At bottom and below the cock the funnel neck termi-
nates in a screw thread to fit exactly on the tubes of the apparatus. The lower
cock being closed I fill the vessel with pure water up to the level of the funnel,
that is to say, to the top of the cock which I next close; I then screw the
lower neck on the tube of the condenser K, and open at the same time the
cock of the tube and the lower cock of the vessel. The liquid flows in

page_text: On starting the distributing boxes are arranged that, first, the gas issuing
from the cylinder is re-dissolved in the condenser K; second, the suction pipe
of the pump acts on the condenser K2; third, the force pipe acts on the con-
denser K; fourth, the receiver is in communication with the condenser K.
The liquid of the condenser K becomes heated because the gas has already
an acquired temperature of from 120° to 212° Fahrenheit, and because in
dissolving it produces an elevation in temperature. In time the gas coming
from the cylinder and the condenser K is no longer capable of dissolving.
The internal pressure will exceed the atmospheric pressure, and the piston on
the receiver will rise; in rising it turns the screw and draws the small wheel,
which, making a complete revolution, produces one-eighth of a revolution of
the wheel M on the distributing axle; this last movement produces five
different actions:--First, the gas is no longer condensed in the condenser K;
second, it is dissolved in the condenser K¹; third, a communication is opened
by the pipe C¹, box C, and pipe C between the condenser K and generator d',
into which all the liquid already hot and supersaturated flows from the con-
denser K; fourth, the receiver does not communicate with any condenser ;
fifth, by the pipe B', box B, and pipe B2 communication is opened between the
generator d and receiver I, into which the pressure of the gas causes all the
liquid, in a great measure spent, to rise from the generator d. As the machine
works the piston of the generator d', the surface of which is only about half
that of the piston of the receiver I, overcomes the latter owing to the
great differences in tensions, and the piston of the receiver is at the bottom of
its course; it remains in this piston as long as the liquid is not entirely
decanted; but when this is complete the gas arrives after the liquid, and
equilibrium of tension is established between the interior of the generators
and that of the receiver; the piston of the receiver immediately overcomes
and rises. The openings of the box C are larger than those of the box B, in
order that the liquid of the condenser, which is emptied, may pass entirely
into the generator, which becomes filled before the second generator is emptied.
The piston of the cylinder in rising produces another eighth turn of the dis-

page_text: |tributing axle, which causes the following actions:-First, closing of all com
munication between d' and K; second, closing of all communication between
d and I; third, communication is opened between I and K, into. which the
liquid arising from the generator d finally flows; fourth, inversion of the rela-
tions of the pump, which now forms a vacuum in K³, and forces the gas
therefrom into K'; fifth, the condenser K' is in relation with the cylinder.
The machine continues to work as before. It will be seen that a great
portion of the caloric absorbed during the first period is thus utilized. The
condenser K³, which contains a hot and still ammoniacal liquid, is cooled while
the other condensers are in work; it is cooled the more because the
pump in
forming a vacuum therein draws the gas and a little steam, which greatly
accelerates the lowering of the temperature. The receiver, which during the
first period communicated with K, now communicates with K³, and the
pressure diminishes sufficiently rapidly to allow the piston to descend again
and become ready to act. At the beginning of the next period it is the con-
denser K, now empty, which receives the spent liquid from d; then also the
pump produces a vacuum therein, and the atmospheric pressure will cause the
piston to descend and become again ready to act as before. I have supposed
the water of the condensers to be entirely deprived of ammonia, but if I
employ an excess of ammonia, so that the water of the condensers may contain
a certain quantity before entering into service, the supersaturation is produced
before the service of the generators is finished. The gas, as before stated, is
dissolved in the condensers; when it is observed either from diminution of
tension in the generator or from elevation of temperature of the liquid which
it contains that this liquid is spent, I stop the machine. I give by hand or
otherwise an eighth turn to the distributing axle when the condensers have
cooled. The condenser K is emptied into the generator d. I give another
eighth turn to the distributing axle and return the machine into work. The
condensers K, K², become saturated, and the water added in the condenser K³
stops the excess gas. When the liquid of the generators is spent I again
stop the machine. I preserve only the contents of the three last condensers;
I collect these ammoniacal liquids and test their density. They will be suffi-
ciently charged to be used again in the machine. I have supposed the absence
of water to accelerate the cooling of the condensers, but by admitting a current
of cold water I produce on the same principle a rapid condensing machine of
great simplicity. There is neither receiver, condenser, nor pump; the machine
is composed of an insulated steam generator, three gas generators, and a
system of distribution composed of three boxes, one to distribute cold water,
the second to distribute steam, and the third to direct the condensation of the

page_text: gas. Each generator contains two pipes, one to receive the steam to heat the
ammonia, and the other for the passage of a stream of cold water.
Generator No. 1 contains ammonia at 21° Baumé, 120 parts.
water
2
,,
"
"
3
"
"
Lammonia at 21°
[water
Lammonia at 21°
وو
60
40
"
60
."
40
"
I make the apparatus by preference of wrought or cast iron; copper should
be avoided, owing to the action which ammonia exercises upon it. I employ
oleate of ammonia for the joints submitted to the influence of the gas.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare, that I claim constructing and
arranging machinery for obtaining motive power from ammoniacal gas,
substantially as herein-before described and represented in the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fourth day of September, One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
K. A. BROOMAN.
(L.S.)