IMPROVEMENTS IN CONDENSERS FOR STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1882

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN CONDENSERS FOR STEAM ENGINES A communication from abroad by
Richard Enelby Williams Matthew Williams, and Michael Williams all of
Grass Valley, State of California, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th April 1882.
"
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK of 53 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex
Patent Agent, "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONDENSERS FOR STEAM ENGINES." [A com-
munication from abroad by Richard Enelby Williams Matthew Williams, and
Michael Williams all of Grass Valley, State of California, United States of
America.]
This Invention consists in certain improvements in condensers for steam engines
having for object to facilitate access to the interior for cleaning as hereinafter
described.
The condenser comprises an injection cylinder and air cylinder both mounted in
an upright position upon a hollow base by which they communicate. The injection
cylinder is provided with a pipe controlled by a valve for supply of injection water
and has a flanged neck on top upon which is bolted a T coupling to one branch of
which the exhaust pipe is connected, whilst the other branch is closed by a cover
which may be removed and replaced by a pipe for discharge of exhaust steam to
avoid stopping the engine when the condenser is under repair-communication with
the condenser being then cut off.
The hollow base is provided with a discharge pipe for injection water and water
of condensation leading down to and having its lower end immersed in a tank
situated at such a distance below that the column of water in the pipe will balance
TDi 1

page_text: the atmospheric pressure. The air chamber has a grid at bottom covered by a
flexible disc valve. It also has a pipe for the discharge of air situated a little
above the valve so as to keep the valve covered with water to render it air tight.
The chamber also has a removable cover to allow access to the valve, and is also
provided with a pipe controlled by a valve for supplying a jet of water to keep
the valve covered and the chamber cooled. When the exhaust steam enters the
condenser the shock will raise this valve and the air in the injection cylinder will
pass into the air chamber and out by the discharge pipe thereby insuring an
instantaneous vacuum and at all times when the engine is at work, the air that
may be in the condenser, or that may come in with the exhaust steam, will be
forced out and the closure of the valve on its seat will prevent any return.
This condenser is especially useful when it is necessary to use muddy water

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
7th October 1882.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK of 53 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONDENSERS FOR STEAM ENGINES." A com-
munication from abroad by Richard Euelby Williams, Matthew Williams and
Michael Williams, all of Grass Valley, State of California, United States of
America.
This Invention consists in certain improvements in condensers for steam engines
having for object to maintain the vacuum and facilitate access to the interior for
cleaning as hereinafter described and claimed.
In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the condenser with the air
chamber broken open and Figure 2 is a horizontal section of the air chamber.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both the figures.
A is the water cylinder and B the air chamber which is also of cylindrical form,
and both cylinders are secured in an upright position on the hollow base C. The
cylinder A is provided with a pipe a for supply of cold water, the pipe having a
valve for regulating the supply, and on its upper end the cylinder A is formed with
a flanged neck b to which is bolted a Ț coupling D for connection of the exhaust
pipe c from the engine. The upper end of the T coupling is closed by a cover d
which may be removed, and a pipe for discharge of exhaust steam secured in its
place, a plate being placed between the T coupling and the neck b so that the
engine can then be run at high pressure to save stopping the engine for any length
of time when the condenser requires repairs or cleaning.
From the end of hollow base Ca discharge pipe e extends into a tank f that
contains water, situated at such a distance below that the column of water in the
pipe will balance the atmospheric pressure, to prevent air entering the base. On
the sides of the base are plates g covering man holes used for cleaning out the
base.
In the air chamber B is fixed a grid h on which is secured a disc valve i of
flexible material, and above the valve is a guard & that limits the movement of the
valve in opening. is a pipe for discharge of air from cylinder B, and m is a
removable cover on the cylinder to allow access to the valve.
When the exhaust steam enters the condenser the shock will raise the valve i,
and the air in the condenser will pass to chamber B and out by pipe l, thereby
ensuring an instantaneous vacuum, and at all times when the engine is at work the
air that may be in the condenser, or that may come in with the exhaust steam, will
be forced out, and the closure of valve i on its seat will prevent any return. Water
rising with the air will run out by pipe which is preferably set a little above the
valve so as to keep the valve covered with water to render it airtight. n is a pipe
and valve for supplying a jet of water to keep valve i covered and the chamber B
cooled.
This condenser is especially useful when it is necessary to use muddy water.
Having described the nature of the said Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the
hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is.
1st. In a condenser for steam engines, the combination with air chamber B pro-
vided with the valve i of the pipe entering the chamber a little above the said
valve, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 2nd. The air chamber B provided with valve i and pipe 4, in combination with
base C and condensing cylinder A, substantially as shown and described.
3rd. The condensing apparatus consisting of cylinder A, water supply pipe a
hollow base C, air chamber B provided with valve i and discharge pipe / substantially
as shown and described, combined for operation as set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Alexander Melville Clark have hereunto set
my hand and seal this seventh day of October, A.D. 1882.