IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROCESS OF FREEZING OR REFRIGERATING LIQUIDS, AND IN APPARATUS USED THEREIN.
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Grosvenor du Vallon and Jules Csete, both of Birmingham,
in the County of Warwick, Engineers, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE PROCESS OF FREEZING OR REFRIGERATING LIQUIDS, AND IN APPARATUS
USED THEREIN.'
"
Scaled the 28th August 1877, and dated the 1st March 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Grosvenor du Vallon and
Jules Csete at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st March
1877.
GROSVENOR DU VALLON and JULES CSETE, both of Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROCESS OF FREEZING OR RE-
FRIGERATING LIQUIDS, AND IN APPARATUS USED THEREIN."
Our Invention has reference to improvements in the mode hitherto employed in
the production of ice in apparatus, in which the freezing or refrigerating effect
required is produced by the evaporation of the liquid to be frozen.
Hitherto the mode of producing ice by means of the apparatus referred to has
been by acting on the whole body of the liquid in the vessel, in order to effect the
evaporation and freezing thereof required, thereby checking the evaporation which
takes place at the surface of the liquid. Now our Invention consists in the first
place in the gradual introduction of the liquid in thin streams above the frozen
surface, thereby forming the ice in separate layers by a continuous and rapid
evaporation of the streams of liquid successively introduced. For this purpose, a
small quantity of the liquid is introduced into a vessel connected with a pneumatic
pump, by the working of which the requisite vacuum is caused in the vessel, the
upper part of which is connected by means of a small pipe and cock with a
receiver containing a small supply of the liquid to be frozen. All joints are made
air-tight. The said cock is first closed in order to shut off all communication
between the said vessel and the receiver, the pump is then worked in order to
exhaust the air contained in the vessel, thereby producing evaporation at the
surface of the liquid, and causing it to freeze.
It is to be observed that sulphuric acid, or other chemical material having a great
affinity for water is usually contained in a vessel through which the mixture of air
and vapour passes on its way to the pump, so as to absorb the moisture. When
freezing has set in, the said cock is slightly opened, and a thin stream of liquid
admitted to the upper part of the said vessel from the said receiver, which liquid,
falling in vacuo, is caused to evaporate on reaching the surface of the ice already
Price Gal

page_text: In
formed at the bottom of the vessel, and to form a fresh layer of ice.
this manner layer after layer is added until the vessel is filled, or the receiver
emptied.
And our Invention consists in the second place in an arrangement of cock cast
with a dome, so that either a decanter or an open vessel can be applied to it. For
this purpose the vessel containing the liquid to be frozen is made with a moveable
cover to admit of the ice being removed as required, which cover is under our
Invention cast with the body of the cock in communication with the exhaust pump,
and a joint of india-rubber or similar material is 'made between the said cover and
the top of the vessel in such a manner as to utilise the external atmospheric
pressure for the purpose of making the required joint for the said cover, and the
top of the vessel, or the decanter, and the nozzle of the exhaust pipe, thereby
dispensing with the use of the ordinary waxed joints for the purpose.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Grosvenor du Vallon aud Jules Csete in the Great Scal Patent
Office on the 30th August 1877.
GROSVENOR DU VALLON and JULES CSETE, both of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Engineers. * IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROCESS of FREEZING OR REFRIGERA-
TING LIQUIDS, AND IN APPARATUS USED THEREIN."
Our Invention of "Improvements in the Process of Freezing or Refrigerating
Liquids, and in Apparatus used therein," has reference to improvements in the
mode hitherto employed in the production of ice in apparatus in which the freezing
or refrigerating effect required is produced by the evaporation of the liquid to be
frozen.
Hitherto the mode of producing ice by means of the apparatus referred to has
been by acting on the whole body of the liquid in the vessel, in order to effect the
evaporation and freezing thereof required, thereby checking the evaporation which
takes place at the surface of the liquid. Now our Invention consists, in the first
place, in the gradual introduction of the liquid in thin streams above the frozen
surface, thereby forming the ice in separate layers by a continuous and rapid
evaporation of the streams of liquid successively introduced. For this purpose, a
small quantity of the liquid is introduced into a vessel connected with a pneumatic
pump, by the working of which the requisite vacuum is caused in the vessel, the
upper part of which is connected by means of a small pipe and cock with a receiver
containing a small supply of the liquid to be frozen. All joints are made air-tight.
The said cock is first closed in order to shut off all communication between the
said vessel and the receiver; the pump is then worked in order to exhaust the air
contained in the vessel, thereby producing evaporation at the surface of the liquid,
and causing it to freeze.
It is to be observed that sulphuric acid or other chemical material having a great
affinity for water is usually contained in a vessel through which the mixture of air
and vapour passes on its way to the pump, so as to absorb the moisture. When
freezing has set in, the said cock is slightly opened, and a thin stream of liquid
admitted to the upper part of the said vessel from the said receiver, which liquid
falling in vacuo, is caused to evaporate on reaching the surface of the ice already
formed at the bottom of the vessel, and to form a fresh layer of ice. In this manner
layer after layer is added, until the vessel is filled or the receiver emptied.
And our Invention consists in the second place in an arrangement of cock cast
with a dome, "bell," or cover, so that either a decanter or an open vessel can be
applied to it. For this purpose the vessel for containing the liquid to be frozen is
made with a movable cover to admit of the ice being removed as required, which
cover is under our Invention cast with the body of the cock in communication with

page_text: vocicly dispensing with the use of the orumary waxed Jones for the purpose.
Having thus stated the nature of the said Invention, we will proceed to describe
more particularly in what manner the same is to be performed by the aid of the
accompanying Drawings, in which is represented apparatus of the kind above.
referred to.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
In Sheet 1, Fig. 1 is a longitudinal elevation; Fig. 2, a plan or horizontal view;
and Fig. 3, an end elevation of the apparatus adapted for freezing or refrigerating
the liquid contained in two vessels connected therewith.
In Sheet II. Fig. 4 represents in elevation, and Fig. 5 in plan or horizontal view,
the two vessels applied to the domes, "bells," or covers, and the branch pipes
through which the air is withdrawn by the action of the pump. Fig. 6 shews the
same in section, but with one vessel, and one decanter applied to the "bells."
Fig. 7 is a section of the cock shewing both branches in communication with the
body of the apparatus.
Fig. 8 shews a stuffing box and agitator for the acid in the body, and Fig. 9.
shows the dome and pipe connecting it with the air pump.
In these several Figures the same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
A is the body of the machine or apparatus for containing the sulphuric acid or
other chemical material having a great affinity for water; B is the air pump fitted
so as to admit of its being worked as required by the handle or lever C.
This pump is connected by means of a small copper pipe D with the dome E,
which is in communication with the body A, at the other end of which is soldered.
or fixed a brass mounting F, fitted at its upper part with a peculiar kind of cock.
G, by means of which the communication with one or both of the branches H and L
can be opened or closed at will; J, J, are glass jars or vessels applied to the "bells "
K, K, to which vessels the liquid to be frozen or refrigerated is to be supplied in
the manner herein-after stated; L (Fig. 6) is a decanter for the same purpose;
M is a plug-hole or opening through which the acid is poured into the body A, and
fitted with a screw plug, as shewn; N is a small cock with a pipe O, and two
branches through which water or other liquid is admitted from the receiver P into
the vessels J, J, or the decanter L, in thin streams, as required; Q is a stuffing box.
through which works the spindle of an agitator (shewn at Fig. 8) to renew the
surface of the acid. In Fig. 9 the dome E is shewn in section with the end of the
small copper pipe D, by which arrangement any acid carried forward with the air
will be caused to strike the convex surface and fall back, the air passing through
small holes provided for the purpose.
The mode of using the machine or apparatus is as follows:-After tightening the
joints on the copper pipe D gently, so as to prevent strain, the thumb screw over the
plug hole M is removed, and a leaden funnel inserted, the cock G is then turned
till the pointer is brought to B, O, (both open) in Fig. 5, and the required quantity
of sulphuric acid or other suitable chemical material is poured into the body A. of
the machine or apparatus, the funnel is then removed, the plug screwed tight into
its place, and some oil poured on the top of it, and also in the cup of the stuffing
box Q, and in the hollow cover of the pump B, which is always to be kept full.
The cock G is now to be turned till the pointer is brought to B, S, (both shut) in
Fig. 5, and the pump B to be worked until a slight resistance is felt, thereby
indicating that a good vacuum has been obtained. A glass jar or vessel J can now
be placed under one of the "bells " K, and the rim of it pressed tight against the
india-rubber washer k under the flange at the bottom part of the "bell," whilst the
cock G is turned towards the same bell" until the pointer is brought midway
between B, S, and B, O, in Fig. 5; the air will then pass from the jar or vessel J into
"

page_text: the body A of the machine or apparatus. Another jar or vessel J should now be
applied to the other "bell" K, and the cock G turned to the point B, O, in Fig. 5,
when the air will likewise pass from this jar or vessel into the body A, and both
jars or vessels will be held up by atmospheric pressure. The end of the syphon
pipe O is now inserted in the receiver P, containing clean water, and by turning the
handle of the cock towards either of the "bells" K, a small quantity of water,
about a quarter of an inch in depth, is admitted into the corresponding jar or vessel J,
and the same quantity of water is admitted in the same manner into the second jar
or vessel. The cock N must now be shut, and the pumping resumed, when in a
few seconds the water in the jars or vessels will begin to bubble, when it does so
violently, the pumping must be more gentle. The bottom of the jar or vessel
should be allowed to become frozen all over, and by short quick turns of the handle
of the cock N in the direction of either "bell" K, small quantities of water are to
be let into both jars or vessels alternately. The water so admitted will freeze
almost immediately, and gradually fill up both jars or vessels, the air pump B being
kept in motion during the process. In order to remove the jars or vessels when
required, the syphon pipe O is first taken out of the receiver P, the cock N is then
turned to the point B, S, and the jar or vessel to be removed being supported by
the hand, the cock N is turned in its direction, when air will instantly pass through
the syphon pipe O into the jar or vessel, which will be thereby realeased, the other
jar or vessel being released as required in a similar manner.
In order to freeze water in decanters, they should be about one-third filled, and
when the vacuum has been obtained, as described above, the decanters are to be
placed one after the other under the nozzles in each "bell," the cock G being turned
in the manner described above for the jars or vessels J, J; the pump B is then to be
worked quickly at first, and gently when the water bubbles, and when ice has
appeared a few strokes only are to be given in order to keep up the vacuum, the
ice by this means continuing to increase as required. The cock N is to be kept
closed all the time. In order to remove the decanters, the cock G is to be turned
to the point B, S, and the decanters twisted off the nozzles.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, we hereby declare that what we claim as of our Invention
is,-
First. The mode described of forming ice in separate layers by the gradual
introduction of liquid in thin streams into a vessel or vessels connected with an air
pump, as herein-before described.
Secondly. The combination and arrangement of apparatus for this purpose re-
presented and described.
And, lastly. The use for this purpose of a cock in communication with the air
pump, having cast with it a dome, "bell," or cover for the vessel in which the
freezing effect is to be produced, and a nozzle for a decanter, together with joints of
india-rubber or other suitable material (instead of the ordinary waxed joints)
between the dome, "bell," or cover, and the vessel or the nozzle and the decanter,
as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Grosvenor du Vallon and Jules Csete, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-fourth day of August, in the
vear of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
CHARLES J. KNIGHTON,
Blucher Street,
Birmingham,
Clerk.
G. DU VALLON. (L.S.)
J. CSETE.
(L.S.)