IMPROVEMENTS IN AND PERTAINING TO APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING SOLAR HEAT.
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Lloyd Wise of 46 Lincolns Inn Fields in the
County of Middlesex for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN AND PERTAINING
TO APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING SOLAR HEAT. A communication from La
Société Centrale pour l'utilisation de la Chaleur Solaire (Brevets Mouchot
et Abel Pifre) of Paris, France
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Lloyd Wise at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th April 1883.
"
WILLIAM LLOYD WISE of 46 Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND PERTAINING TO APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING SOLAR HEAT
(a communication from La Société Centrale pour l'utilisation de la chaleur
solaire (Brevets Mouchot et Abel Pifre of Paris, France,)
.
This invention has for its object improvements in and pertaining to apparatus
for utilizing solar heat.
Apparatus as heretofore designed for utilizing solar heat on a large scale has
been open to serious objections in practice, owing to the large size and consequent
weight of the reflector or concentrator of the apparatus, which, therefore, has not
been readily portable.
To obviate this objection, according to this invention a number of separate
reflectors or concentrators with vessels or receptacles to be heated are grouped on
a common support or frame, each of these reflectors being of moderate size, and
capable of ready disconnection;-whilst the series can be readily adjusted
simultaneously; and steam generated in the boilers of the respective reflectors or
concentrators can be conducted therefrom by means of fixed tubes to a steam
engine or other apparatus wherein it is to be utilised.
According to one arrangement, on a suitable frame supported by legs is placed
a plate capable of turning in a horizontal plane, and to which is jointed a second
plate carrying the set of reflectors or concentrators; the first named plate is
furthermore provided with a support or bracket and with an endless screw and
gearing actuated by a wheel, and which gearing actuates racks connected to the
plate that carries the reflectors or concentrators.

page_text: One modification comprises four reflectors or concentrators mounted at the ends
of four metallic arms radiating from the upper plate, and the centre of this
apparatus is occupied by a small reflector or concentrator with a suitable vessel to
heat the steam coming from the boilers of the other four reflectors or concen-
trators.
In an arrangement with two reflectors or concentrators a central steam receiver
in provided, and in some cases it is preferable to adapt the gearing and endless
screw to the upper hinged plate; the fixed plate carrying the two racks which are
then raised upward and pass between the two reflectors; this leaves the lower
part of the support free for the reception of a motor or other apparatus.
In the above named central portion of the apparatus there may be placed
an electric accumulator to which are connected the wires of thermo-electric piles
arranged in each of the reflectors or concentrators of the apparatus.
The number of reflectors or concentrators arranged on a common support may
be increased to any required extent.
In an arrangement for this purpose in lieu of the cominon support before
described a polygonal frame is provided at the angles of which are arranged anti
friction rollers to roll on a rail, so as to allow of the apparatus being brought
opposite the sun at any hour of the day. The polygonal frame carries a second
frame on which the reflectors or concentrators are mounted, and which is
connected to the first mentioned frame by means of hinges or articulations that
allow of the series of reflectors or concentrators being inclined by screw or
hydraulic apparatus.
With all the boilers of the apparatus is connected a common pipe that supplies
a steam engine arranged in the central part of the polygonal frame. Here also may
be arranged any other apparatus in which the steam produced is to be útilised.
The reflectors or concentrators employed are by preference of an improved kind
constructed in the form of several superposed truncated cones connected together in
parallel planes perpendicular to the common axis,-thus surfaces are obtained which
may be developed by adding sections, and which in practice sufficiently approximate
to a paraboloidal form.
The reflecting surfaces of these reflectors or concentrators are generally made of
polished copper, silvered copper, silver, or other polished metal that is brilliant and
capable of reflecting luminous heat; but they may be manufactured of plate glass,
or of other substance possessing a notable reflecting power.
It is advantageous in some cases to completely close the large mouth of the
reflector or concentrator by means of glass to protect it from dust, to concentrate
the heat thereat, and to prevent cooling of the heated boiler or vessel by the action
of external currents of air.
Covers as described may be employed in connection with various kinds of
reflectors or concentrators whether with or without glass cases to enclose vessels
containing substances to be heated
Apparatus according to this invention may be constructed with only one
reflector or concentrator for generating steam, heating water, heating or heating
and compressing air, for producing electricity by the thermo-electric pile, or for the
drying or calcining solid bodies, cooking food, distilling or evaporating liquids,
preparing saltpetre, extracting nitrates &c, &c.
In such an arrangement of apparatus the reflector formed of superposed conical
zones and closed or not at its upper or wider part by glass is with its boiler
mounted on a turning plate on which is hinged or jointed a second plate that
receives a tilting motion from a double rack actuated by two pinions keyed on to
the axis of a toothed wheel actuated by means of a hand wheel; anti-friction
rollers, being provided for the two racks to bear against.
In an arrangement for the production of motive power a vertical steam engine
is placed with its cylinder in the centre of the lower plate, and actuates a driving
shaft below one of the feet of the stand being rounded off to afford room for the
fly wheel pulley and driving belt.

page_text: An apparatus designed for distilling is provided laterally with a serpentine
refrigerator in which are condensed the vapours arising from the products distilled
in the boiler.
In an apparatus designed for the elaboration of nitrates, the steam from the
boiler passes by pipes into the double bottom of a movable vessel containing the
crude materials, and which is carried on a small carriage travelling on rails.
In a small domestic or camp apparatus the reflector or concentrator is capable of
being dismounted in squares which are placed in a box, the cover of which serves
as support to the reflector, and may be inclined as desired by means of a quadrant
or curved bar. In the centre of the reflector is a glass cylinder fixed on the plate
by means of hooks, and which is intended to enclose pans, coffee pots, gridirous,
spits, or other culinary utensils.
In another modification the plate that supports the reflector and glass vessel is
simply hinged to a bar, base-plate, board or frame, and its inclination is adjusted by
a quadrant or equivalent means
In a very small type of apparatus the reflector and vessel are mounted in the
same way as in the first described arrangement, and the reflector is closed at its
mouth by glass which completely protects the interior from dust and aids in
concentrating heat; the adjustment is effected by a thumb screw and curved bar.
It will be evident that according to this invention there may be grouped on a
common support a number of reflectors with their vessels capable of individual
adjustment and constituting a multiple apparatus permitting of the preparation of
several dishes at a time.
To facilitate the simultaneous transport of a number of reflectors with their
accessories, pans, glass casings, &c, especially for military service a circular wooden
frame or backing is provided, in the middle of which are fixed by means of a belt,
the bases each provided with three hooks by which the glass cases of the apparatus
are secured when in usc.
Above these bases are also attached by means of a belt, the reflectors or concen-
trators one within another with the wider ends towards the frame or backing,
where they are kept in position by brackets.
According to another arrangement a box is provided with compartments to
receive pans, roasting dishes, and the glass cylinders or cases that enclose them
when the apparatus is in use. This box may be made of wood, or of osier; it
opens at one side to facilitate the introduction and withdrawal of the pans and is
closed by a hinged door furnished with fastenings arranged to insure closing of
the box.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Lloyd Wise in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
12th October 1883.
WILLIAM LLOYD WISE of 46 Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND PERTAINING TO APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING SOLAR HEAT
(a communication from La Société Centrale pour l'utilisation de la Chaleur
Solaire (Brevets Mouchot et Abel Pifre) of Paris, Franco
This invention has for its object improvements in and pertaining to apparatus
for utilising solar heat.
Apparatus as heretofore designed for utilising solar heat on a large scale has been
open to serious objections in practice owing to the large size and consequent weight
of the reflector or concentrator of the apparatus, which, therefore, has not been
readily portable.
To obviate this objection, according to this invention, a number of separate
reflectors or concentrators with vessels or receptacles to be heated, are grouped on
a common support or frame, each of these reflectors being of moderate size and
capable of ready disconnection; whilst the series can be readily adjusted simul-
taneously; and steam generated in the boilers of the respective reflectors or
concentrators can be conducted therefrom by means of fixed tubes that are provided
to a steam engine or other apparatus wherein it is to be utilised.
The reflectors or concentrators employed are by preference of an improved kind
constructed in the form of several superposed truncated cones or zones connected
together in parallel planes perpendicular to the common axis, thus surfaces are
obtained which may be developed by adding sections, and which in practice
sufficiently approximate to a paraboloidal form.
The reflecting surfaces of these reflectors or concentrators are generally made of
polished copper, silvered copper, silver, or other polished metal that is brilliant and
capable of reflecting luminous heat, but they may be manufactured of plate glass,
or of other substance possessing a notable reflecting power.
To protect the reflector or concentrator from dust, to concentrate the heat thereat,
and to prevent cooling of the heated boiler or vessel by the action of external
currents of air, the large mouth of the reflector may, in some cases, be completely
closed by means of glass covers. Such covers may be employed with various kinds
of reflectors or concentrators whether used singly or in series,-whether made in
sections, or otherwise, and with or without glass cases to enclose vessels containing
substances to be heated.
According to the arrangement represented in Figs 1 and 3 of the drawings, on
a suitable frame B made of cast or wrought iron, or it may be of wood, and
supported by legs A. is placed a plate D capable of turning in a horizontal plane,
and to which is jointed at C a second plate H carrying the set of reflectors or
concentrators R; the plate D is furthermore provided with a support or bracket F,
and with an endless screw and gearing actuated by a wheel E, and which gearing
actuates a rack or racks I connected to the under side of the plate H that carries
the reflectors or concentrators R. In the arrangement under notice there are four
reflectors or concentrators R mounted at the ends of four metallic arms K radiating
from the upper plate H, and the centre of this apparatus is occupied by a small
reflector or concentrator R¹ with a suitable vessel Z¹ to heat the steam coming from
the boilers Z of the other four reflectors or concentrators.
In the arrangement with two reflectors or concentrators represented in Figs 2
and 4 a central steam receiver S is provided, and in some cases it is preferable

page_text: o adapt the gearing and endless screw to the upper hinged plate; this would
necessitate the fixed plate carrying the two racks which would then pass upward
n their fixed position between the two reflectors; this leaves the lower part of the
support free for the reception of a motor or other apparatus.
In the above named central portion of the apparatus there may be placed an
electric accumulator to which are connected the wires of thermo-electric piles
arranged in each of the reflectors or concentrators of the apparatus.
In Figs 11, 12 and 13 is represented a type of apparatus wherein the number of
reflectors or concentrators arranged on a common support may be increased to any
required extent. In this case in lieu of the common support before described a
polygonal frame U U is provided, at the angles of which are arranged anti-friction
rollers to roll on a rail X, so as to allow of the whole of the reflecting apparatus
being brought opposite the sun at any hour of the day. The polygonal frame U U
carries a second frame W W on which the reflectors or concentrators are mounted
to the number of 14 in the drawing and which is connected to the first mentioned
frame by means of hinges or articulations that allow of the series of reflectors
or concentrators as a whole being inclined by screw or hydraulic apparatus as
indicated in Fig 13.
All the steam generators of the apparatus are connected to a common inain that
supplies a steam engine arranged in the central part of the polygonal frame U U.
Here also may be arranged any other apparatus in which the steam produced is to
be utilised.
In Fig 18 is represented an arrangement of apparatus suitable for the distillation
of liquids on a large scale by means of combined reflectors or concentrators. It
consists of a metallic tube or conduit C of rather large diameter which supports a
number of reflectors or concentrators G G (two being shewn in the drawing) the
boilers or vapour generators F of which communicate directly with the large
tube C so that the whole arrangement formed by the tube C and boilders F F thus
constitutes a single vessel in which the operation is effected.
The tube C is mounted at one end in a pivotted bearing B situated on a
standard A and in which bearing the tube C is free to turn on its axis, and also
to revolve in a horizontal plane on the pivot, which thus serves as the axis of
The tube C is also mounted
rotation for the apparatus in its horizontal movement.
in bearings FF carried by supports D D provided with tram wheels H H able to
roll freely on trams or rails I, I, each disposed in the arc of a circle, the centre of
which coincides with the aforesaid pivot at A.
The tube C is capable of turning freely in its supporting collars B, F', F¹,
and it carries a worm wheel J actuated by an endless screw fixed in bearings
to the support D and actuated by a hand wheel E by the aid of which the
whole arrangement of reflectors may be simultaneously inclined to complete their
adjustment.
The liquid to be distilled enters the apparatus through a pipe L situated
within the tube C at its upper part and the outlet of the exhausted liquid takes
place through the pipe M connected to the lower part of the interior of the tube,
thus insuring the continuous circulation of this liquid within the apparatus. The
domes of the boilers F F are connected together by a pipe N which conducts the
vapours produced into a refrigerating worm P that dips into a cistern Q con-
taining cold liquid, this liquid being, by preference, that which is itself to be
distilled, which thus becomes considerably heated by the time it enters the
distilling apparatus through the tube L.
It is evident that this apparatus may also be advantageously employed for
the production of steam for motive power, its arrangement permitting the
employment of a single feed passage, and enabling a large quantity of water to
be contained in the apparatus, which constitutes an important advantage under
certain circumstances.
In Figs 5, 6 and 7 are represented apparatus according to this invention con-
structed each with only one reflector or concentrator for generating steam, heating

page_text: water, heating or heating and compressing air, for producing electricity by the
thermo-electric pile, or for drying or calcining solid bodies, cooking food, distilling
or evaporating liquids, preparing saltpetre, extracting nitrates, etc.
In those apparatus the reflector A. formed of superposed conical zones, and closed
or not at its upper or wider part by glass is with its boiler B mounted on a
turning plate Con which is hinged or jointed a second plate that receives a tilting
motion from a double rack D actuated by two pinions keyed on to the axis of a
worm wheel F actuated by means of a wheel with handle E, anti friction rollers G
being provided for the two racks D to bear against.
In the arrangement represented in Fig 5 which is designed for the production of
motive power, a vertical steam engine is placed with its cylinder J in the centre of
the lower plate H and is arranged to actuate a driving shaft situated at the lower
part of the stand; one of the feet I of the stand being rounded off to afford a way
for the flywheel pulley and driving belt.
The arrangement of apparatus represented in Fig 6, and which is designed for
distilling, is provided laterally with a serpentine refrigerator K in which are
condensed the vapours arising from the products distilled in the boiler.
In the apparatus represented in Fig 7 and which is designed for the elaboration
of nitrates, the steam from the boiler passes by pipes L into the double bottom of
a movable vessel M containing the crude materials, and which is carried on a small
carriage N travelling on rails,
Figs 8, 9 and 10 represent small domestic or camp apparatus the reflectors of
which are formed of superposed conical zones, and are closed at top by glass.
In Fig 8 the reflector or concentrator A is capable of being dismounted in
squares which are placed in a box or case R the cover of which serves as support to
the reflector, and may be inclined as desired by means of a quadrant or curved
bar S. In the centre of the reflector is a glass cylinder fixed on the plate Q by
means of three books and which is intended to receive and enclose, pans, coffee
pots, gridirons, spits, or other culinary utensils.
In the modification represented in Fig 9 the plate that supports the reflector and
glass vessel, is simply hinged to a base plate, board, or frame T and its inclination
is adjusted by a quadrant or equivalent means.
In the very small type of apparatus represented in Fig 10, the reflector and
vessel are mounted in the same way as in the just described arrangement as the
letters of reference indicate, and the reflector is closed at its wide mouth by
glass which completely protects the interior from dust and aids in concentrating
heat; the adjustment is effected by a thumb screw and curved bar as shewn.
It will be evident that according to this invention there may be grouped on a
common support a number of reflectors with their vessels capable of individual
adjustment and constituting a multiple apparatus permitting of the preparation of
several dishes at a time.
In Figs 14 to 17 of the drawings are shewn arrangements to facilitate the
simultaneous transport of a number of reflecting apparatus with their accessories,
pans, glass cases, &c, especially for military service. The arrangement represented
in Figs 14 and 15 shews clearly the method of packing ten reflecting apparatus 4
and their respective bases. A circular wooden frame or backing a is provided in
the middle of which are fixed by means of a belt & the bases beach provided with
three hooks c by which the glass cases of the apparatus (for receiving and enclosing
a utensil such as a pan or coffee pot) are secured when in use.
Above these bases or plates b are also attached by means of a belt the reflectors 5
or concentrators e one within another, with the wider ends towards the frame or
backing where they are kept in position by brackets f.
In the arrangement Figs 16 and 17 a box is provided with compartments g to
receive pans h, roasting dishes i, and the glass cylinders or cases j intended to
enclose them when the apparatus is in use. This box g may be made of wood or 5
better of osier, it opens at one side to facilitate the introduction and withdrawal

page_text: of the pans and is closed by a hinged door furnished with fastenings & arranged to
insure closing of the box.
Having described the nature of the said invention and the manner of carrying it
into practical effect as communicated to me as aforesaid I would have it under-
stood that what is considered to be novel and original and is therefore claimed as
secured to me under the herein before in part recited Letters Patent is;-
1. In an apparatus for utilising solar heat, the use of a series of distinct
reflectors or concentrators such as hereinabove described, grouped on a single
support adjustable at one operation as specified whereby reflectors or concentrators
each of moderate dimensions are rendered practically available as and for the
purposes set forth.
2. In apparatus for utilising solar heat the arrangements hereinbefore described
and represented in the accompanying drawings of adjustable supports each carrying
a group of reflectors or concentrators such as described.
3. In apparatus for utilising solar heat the mechanism hereinabove described and
comprising toothed gear and an endless screw for adjusting the attitude of the
reflector or reflectors as above set forth.
4. In an apparatus for utilising solar heat a series of reflectors on a movable
frame travelling on a circular rail, the whole arranged to be capable of simultaneous
adjustment substantially as above described.
5. The arrangement of apparatus comprising a group of reflectors or con-
centrators adjustable simultaneous substantially as shewn in and described with
reference to Fig 18 of the accompanying drawings for the distillation on a large
scale of various liquids or for the production of steam for motive power.
6. The arrangements of solar heat utilising apparatus and their accessories
designed for certain special industrial or domestic applications as hereinabove
described with reference to Figs 5, 6 and 7, and Figs 8, 9, and 10 of the
drawings
7. In an apparatus for utilising solar heat the use as hereinabove explained of
a reflector or concentrator comprising two or more zones having the shape of
truncated cones of different inclinations, the said zones being connected together
in parallel planes perpendicular to the common axis and capable of being
dismounted as described.
8 In an apparatus for utilising solar heat a reflector or concentrator with a glass
cover or closure to protect the reflecting surface from dust and aid in concentrating
heat substantially as described
9. An apparatus for utilising solar heat comprising a series of reflectors with
containing vessels grouped on a common support with single adjustment and
constituting a multiple cooking apparatus wherein several dishes may be prepared
simultaneously substantially as described.
10 The above described arrangements for facilitating the handling and
simultaneous transport of a number of solar heat utilisers and their accessories for
military and other purposes as set forth with reference to Figs 14 and 15 and to
Figs 16 and 17
In Witness whereof I the said William Lloyd Wise have hereunto set my
hand and seal this twelfth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
W. LLOYD WISE (L.S.)