IMPROVEMENTS IN SURFACE CONDENSERS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Norton of Newcastle on Tyne in the County of
Northumberland Engineer and James Brown Edmiston of Liverpool in the
County of Lancaster Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SURFACE CONDENSERS
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Norton and James
Brown Edmiston at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
27th February 1883.
ROBERT NORTON of Newcastle on Tyne in the County of Northumberland
Engineer, and JAMES BROWN EDMISTON of Liverpool in the County of Lancaster
Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN SURFACE CONDENSERS"
Condensers under our invention are applicable to steam engines generally and
are suitable for condensing steam into fresh water for the use of cattle and for
other purposes where fresh water is required; they are however specially serviceable
for condensing steam from the winches and other small engines on board ship.
Our invention consists broadly in placing within a casing having four openings
one each for water inlet and overflow one steam supply and one condensed water
outlet, a series of metal cells communicating in a direct line internally one with
the other. The steam to be condensed is passed in contact with the inner and
the water for condensation in contact with the outer surface of the said cells or
vice-versa.
.
A convenient condenser for use with ships winches and the like is constructed
more particularly as follows:
A series of flat or convex circular or disc like metal cells with central orifices are
placed one on the other within a cylindrical or equivalent container so as to have a
vertical central passage therethrough. A cover fits on the container and presses on
the series of cells so as to retain them in position. The cells are constructed, where
they are in contact, with recesses and projections so as to fit one into the other and
make when pressed together by the cover steam tight joints. In combination with
condensers constructed as above set forth we secure to the cover extending

page_text: down through the central passage a perforated pipe or equivalent conduit in
communication with the steam supply pipe.
In condensers constructed under our invention disc like cells are made near the
circumference with passages or ways therethrough to allow of the more effective
circulation of the condensing water.
When rapid condensation is required a steam jet or jets is or are employed to
increase the flow of the condensing water.
A further improvement in condensers constructed under our invention consists
in fitting between the steam supply and the condenser a steam filter, or purifier of
asbestos or other suitable material or substance so arranged that all impurities will
be deposited thereon and abstracted as occasion requires, so as to ensure a constant
supply of pure steam, thereby obviating the fouling of the condenser, and the
necessity for the application of the ordinary water filter as commonly used.
In condensers constructed as above the supply of circulating water can be so
arranged when feeding a boiler, that any range of temperature may be maintained
thus performing all the functions of an ordinary "Feed Heater."
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page_text: SPECIFICATION, in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Robert Norton and James Brown Edmiston in the Great, Seal
Patent Office, on the 27th, August 1883. :
ROBERT NORTON of Newcastle on Tyne in the County of Northumberland
Engineer, and JAMES BROWN EDMISTON of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN SURFACE CONDENSERS
.: T:
7:1
150
»
1 A
01302
Condensers under our invention are applicable to steam engines generally and
are suitable for condensing steam into fresh water for the use of cattle and for
other purposes where fresh water is required; they are however specially serviceable
for condensing steam from the winches and other small engines on board ship.
Our invention consists broadly in placing within a casing having four openings
one each for water inlet and overflow one steam supply and one condensed water
outlet, a series of metal cells communicating in a direct line internally one with
the other. The steam to be condensed is passed in contact with the inner and
the water for condensation in contact with the outer surface of the said cells or
vice versa.
A convenient condenser for use with ships winches and the like is constructed
more particularly as follows:-
A series of flat or convex circular or disc like metal cells with central orifices are
placed one on the other within a cylindrical or équivalent container so as to have a
vertical central passage therethrough. A cover fits on the container and presses on
the series of cells so as to retain them in position. The cells are constructed,
where they are in contact with recesses and projections so as to fit one into the
other and make when pressed together by the cover steam tight joints. In com-
bination with condensers constructed as above set forth we secure to the cover
extending down through the central passage a perforated pipe or equivalent
conduit in communication with the steam supply pipe.
In condensers constructed under our invention disc like cells are made near the
circumference with passages or ways therethrough to allow of the more effective
circulation of the condensing water.
When rapid condensation is required a steam jet or jets is or are employed to
increase the flow of the condensing water.
A further improvement in condensers constructed under our invention consists
in fitting between the steam supply and the condenser a steam filter or purifier of
asbestos or other suitable material or substance, so arranged that all impurities will
be deposited thereon-and abstracted as occasion requires-so as to ensure a
constant supply of pure steam-thereby obviating the fouling of the condenser, and
the necessity for the application of the ordinary water filter, as commonly used..
In condensers constructed as.above, the supply of circulating water can be so
arranged when feeding a boiler, that any range of temperature may be maintained
thus performing all the functions of an ordinary "Feed Heater.".
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig 1 is a plan, and fig 2 an elevation of a surface condenser constructed and
fitted in accordance with our invention. a are convex disc like metal cells fitted
one on the other within the cylindrical container b, c c¹ internal and external joints
constructed with recesses and projections. d passages or ways through the cells, to
allow of more effective circulation of the condensing water, e cover of container
resting on the cells a so as to keep them in position, f perforated pipe extending

page_text: down through the central opening g. h stay bolts, steam inlet or supply pipe
leading from a suitable generator. j condensed water outlet. k condensed water
tank, condensing water inlet. m outlet, n stop valves. o steam jet for increasing
the flow of the condensing water when required. A steam filter or purifier may be
inserted in the pipe leading from the steam supply to the condenser.
Having now described and particularized the nature of the said invention in
such manner that others will be enabled to "carry our improvements into effect.
We claim
First. Surface Condensers with a series of cells-communicating in a direct line
internally and with inlet and outlet ways and passages combined substantially as
setforth.
";
:
"
Second. Surface condensers with cells a...
- joints, c c¹ ways or passages d,
perforated pipe f and steam jet o combined substantially as setforth.
In Witness Whereof I the said James Brown Edmiston have hereunto set my
hand and seal this the twenty fifth day of August in the year of Our Lord, one
thousand, eight hundred and eighty three.