Year: 1887

page_text: This Specification was, upon the 21st day of March 1888, amended under
_Sections 18 to 21 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883.
I ALEXANDER CONACHER of Augusta in the County of Richmond and State of
Georgia in the United States of America, but at present of 51 Thames Street, Windsor
in the County of Berks, Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
These improvements refer to refrigerating machines in which cold is obtained by
exposing water to a high vacuum and making the vapour leaving the water to pass
over the surface of sulphuric acid or other greedy absorbent of water or aqueous
vapour, and especially to machines described in my Provisional Specification No. 1181
of 25th January 1887.
According to this present invention I make the acid vessel of iron and in order to
protect iron against the action of the acid I provide it with an interior protecting
lining or coating of enamel or glass and it may be in the manner that cooking vessels
are enamelled, or 1 may provide a lining of aluminium. In order to heat this vessel
when it is required to concentrate the acid after it has been weakened by the watery
vapour I provide a furnace underneath, or gas jets or an oil stove, or other suitable
means for heating, or it might be a bath as named in ny aforesaid previous applica-
tion; and I so combine and arrange the acid vessel and the heating or concentrating
appliance that the acid is not removed from its container for the purpose of recon-
centrating, so that the machine once charged with acid will operate for a great length
of time without being recharged with fresh acid.
To mix or agitate the acid thoroughly while it absorbs watery vapour and to prevent
the formation of a thick upper layer of weak acid which would retard or prevent the
freezing operation I provide in the acid vessel a central cross partition as in my
aforesaid previous application and I also in connection with the partition provide pipes
which are attached to the partition and forming communication between the two
compartments. These pipes have a generally upward or slanting direction away from
the partition to each side are closed at their outer ends and are provided with
perforations so that when one end of the vessel is raised the acid from the lower part of
the raised end or compartment may be carried up into the other compartment and

page_text: through the small perforations in the pipes drop on to the surface of or into the upper
layer of acid in such compartment. The vessel may in plan be round, square, oblong
or rectangular. At each end I provide the vessel with domes, columns or vertical
continuations which by flexible pipes are connected with the pump and with the
freezing vessel respectively.
The pump is fixed to the upper part of the framing of the machine and the acid
vessel underneath the pump. The valve plate or seat for the delivery valve is formed
with annular apertures through, and I form intermediate annular grooves so as to
reduce the bearing surface of the "Dermatine" or other valve disc thereon whereby
I improve the action. The framing may suitably be with four legs, and the whole
machine forms a compact and portable refrigerating machine.
Dated this 14th day of February 1887.

page_text: Improvements in Refrigerating Machines.
I, ALEXANDER CONACHER of Augusta in the County of Richmond and State of
Georgia in the United States of America but at present of 51 Thames Street Windsor
in the County of Berks Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of the said
invention and the manner in which the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
These improvements refer to refrigerating machines in which cold is obtained by
exposing water to a high vacuum and making the vapor leaving the water to pass
over the surface of sulphuric acid or other greedy absorbent of water or aqueous
vapor.
According to this present invention I make the acid vessel of iron and in order to
protect the iron against the action of the acid I provide it with an interior protecting
lining or coating of enamel or glass and it may be in the manner that cooking vessels
are enamelled or I may provide a lining of aluminium. By the use of such enamelled
iron absorber or acid vessel I am enabled to work with the same charge of acid for a
great length of time and also to work with stronger acid than by the use of lead or lead-
lined absorbers which could not be used with a strong acid because gases or fumes evolved
by reason of the contact of the acid with the lead would interfere with the formation and
maintenance of a high vacuum which is required or very desirable. Gases or fumes
prejudicial to a high vacuum are also evolved by contact between strong acid & the
interior surface of an unlined iron absorber. As compared with earthenware absorbers
used in other freezing machines the enamelled iron.absorbers have the advantage of being
capable of being quickly cooled & easily kept so by means of a bath of water during the
process of freezing, and of being quickly heated and that to such a high temperature as
that the acid can be quickly.re-concentrated therein either under atmospheric pressure or
under a vacuum and that without removal therefrom as heretofore usual or necessary.
In order to heat this vessel when it is required to concentrate the acid after it has
been weakened by the watery vapor I provide a furnace underneath, or gas jets or an
oil stove or other suitable means for heating, or it might be a bath as-named-in-my
aforesaid previous application and I so combine and arrange the acid vessel and the
heating or concentrating appliance that the acid is not removed from its container for
the purpose of reconcentrating, so that the machine once charged with acid will
operate for a great length of time without being recharged with fresh acid. As the
enamelled iron absorber will effectually withstand such high heat as may be produced by
the application of a gas or other furnace directly beneath it I am enabled to recon-
centrate under atmospheric pressure. In such case therefore I shut off communication
between the vacuum pump and the absorber and lead off the watery vapours evolved from
the latter into the atmosphere.
To mix or agitate the acid thoroughly while it absorbs watery vapor and to
prevent the formation of a thick upper layer of weak acid which would retard or
prevent the freezing operation I mount the acid vessel on pivots and impart to it
a rocking motion which in combination with perforated pipes or equivalent appliances

page_text: for raising the heavier acid from the bottom and letting it drop onto the surface of
the lighter or more aqueous acid on the top produces a thorough mixture and agitation
of the contents of the acid vessel.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown two forms of apparatus acting in this
manner.
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of the acid vessel and Figure 2 a cross
section of same on line a―a. G is an outer bath into which can be admitted a hydro-
carbon oil of a high boiling point say for instance a petroleum oil which boils at
about 400° to 600° F. when it is desired to reconcentrate the weak acid. I provide
in the acid vessel a central cross partition B and I also in connection with the
partition provide pipes C C which are attached to the partition and forming com-
munication between the two compartments A and A'. These pipes have a generally
upward or slanting direction away from the partition B to each side are closed at
their outer ends and are provided with perforations so that when one end of the
vessel is raised the acid from the lower part of the raised end or compartment may
be carried up into the other compartment and through the small perforations in the
pipes drop onto the surface of or into the upper layer of acid in such compartment.
When thus the compartment A is raised the heavy acid in the lower part of same
will flow into the pipe C and when the compartment is raised the thick acid in
the pipe C will drop onto the surface of the acid in the compartment A. The vessel
may be round, square, oblong, or rectangular. It rocks on pivots D in the centre
the rocking motion may be produced by any suitable connection to the working
parts of the machine. At each end I provide the vessel with domes columns or
vertical continuations E which by flexible pipes F are connected with the pump and
with the freezing vessel respectively.
Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section through an acid vessel of any convenient
length and which rocks on centres at each end. B is a partition the whole length of
the vessel and CC are pipes fixed to the partition so as to form communication in
the same way as already described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. These pipes
are open at top and when the vessel is in the medium position the pipes reach a little
above the acid level.
The acid vessel may conveniently be placed or suspended underneath the pump
which is fixed to the upper part of the framing of the machine and may be of the
construction described and shown in my patent specification No. 1181 A.D. 1887.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
First. In iron acid vessels for freezing or refrigerating machines the application of
an inner lining or coating of enamel or aluminium for the purpose set forth.
Second. The use and application to freezing or refrigerating machines of acid
vessels having a rocking motion imparted thereto formed with compartments and
provided with perforated pipes or equivalent means for establishing communication
between the lower part of one compartment and the upper part of another substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
Third. The constructions of rocking acid vessels shown and described.

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Feb., 1887
Complete Left, 14th Nov., 1887
Complete Accepted, 16th Dec., 1887
1 ALEXANDER CONACHER of Augusta in the County of Richmond and State of
Georgia in the United States of America, but at present of 51 Thames Street, Windsor
in the County of Berks, Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
These improvements refer to refrigerating machines in which cold is obtained by.
exposing water to a high vacuum and making the vapour leaving the water to pass
over the surface of sulphuric acid or other greedy absorbent of water or aqueous
vapour, and especially to machines described in my Provisional Specification No. 1181
of 25th January 1887.
According to this present invention I make the acid vessel of iron and in order to
protect iron against the action of the acid I provide it with an interior protecting
lining or coating of enamel or glass and it may be in the manner that cooking vessels
are enamelled, or 1 may provide a lining of aluminium. In order to heat this vessel
when it is required to concentrate the acid after it has been weakened by the watery
vapour I provide a furnace underneath, or gas jets or an oil stove, or other suitable
means for heating, or it might be a bath as named in my aforesaid previous applica-
tion; and I so combine and arrange the acid vessel and the heating or concentrating
appliance that the acid is not removed from its container for the purpose of recon-
centrating, so that the machine once charged with acid will operate for a great length
of time without being recharged with fresh acid.
To mix or agitate the acid thoroughly while it absorbs watery vapour and to prevent
the formation of a thick upper layer of weak acid which would retard or prevent the
freezing operation I provide in the acid vessel a central cross partition as in my
aforesaid previous application and I also in connection with the partition provide pipes
which are attached to the partition and forming communication between the two
compartments. These pipes have a generally upward or slanting direction away from
the partition to each side are closed at their outer ends and are provided with
perforations so that when one end of the vessel is raised the acid from the lower part of
the raised end or compartment may be carried up into the other compartment and

page_text: through the small perforations in the pipes drop on to the surface of or into the upper
layer of acid in such compartment. The vessel may in plan be round, square, oblong
or rectangular. At each end I provide the vessel with domes, columns or vertical
continuations which by flexible pipes are connected with the pump and with the
freezing vessel respectively.
The pump is fixed to the upper part of the framing of the machine and the acid
vessel underneath the pump. The valve plate or seat for the delivery valve is formed
with annular apertures through, and I form intermediate annular grooves so as to
reduce the bearing surface of the "Dermatine or other valve disc thereon whereby
I improve the action. The framing may suitably be with four legs, and the whole
machine forms a compact and portable refrigerating machine.
ה
1007
"

page_text: 1, ALEXANDER CONACHER of Augusta in the County of Richmond and State of
Georgia in the United States of America but at present of 51 Thames Street Windsor
in the County of Berks Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of the said
invention and the manner in which the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
These improvements refer to refrigerating machines in which cold is obtained by
exposing water to a high vacuum and making the vapor leaving the water to pass
over the surface of sulphuric acid or other greedy absorbent of water or aqueous
vapor.
According to this present invention I make the acid vessel of iron and in order to
protect the iron against the action of the acid I provide it with an interior protecting
lining or coating of enamel or glass and it may be in the manner that cooking vessels
are enamelled or I may provide a lining of aluminium. In order to heat this vessel
when it is required to concentrate the acid after it has been weakened by the watery
vapor I provide a furnace underneath, or gas jets or an oil stove or other suitable
means for heating, or it might be a bath as named in my aforesaid previous applica-
tion and I so combine and arrange the acid vessel and the heating or concentrating
appliance that the acid is not removed from its container for the purpose of recon-
centrating, so that the machine once charged with acid will operate for a great length
of time without being recharged with fresh acid.
To mix or agitate the acid thoroughly while it absorbs watery vapor and to
prevent the formation of a thick upper layer of weak acid which would retard or
prevent the freezing operation I mount the acid vessel on pivots and impart to it
a rocking motion which in combination with perforated pipes or equivalent appliances
for raising the heavier acid from the bottom and letting it drop onto the surface of
the lighter or more aqueous acid on the top produces a thorough mixture and agitation
of the contents of the acid vessel.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown two forms of apparatus acting in this
manner.
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of the acid vessel and Figure 2 a cross
section of same on line a-a. G is an outer bath into which can be admitted a hydro-
carbon oil of a high boiling point say for instance a petroleum oil which boils at
about 400° to 600° F. when it is desired to reconcentrate the weak acid. I provide
in the acid vessel a central cross partition B and I also in connection with the
partition provide pipes C C which are attached to the partition and forming com-
munication between the two compartments A and A'. These pipes have a generally
upward or slanting direction away from the partition B to each side are closed at
their outer ends and are provided with perforations so that when one end of the
vessel is raised the acid from the lower part of the raised end or compartment may
be carried up into the other compartment and through the small perforations in the

page_text: pipes drop onto the surface of or into the upper layer of acid in such compartment.
When thus the compartment A is raised the heavy acid in the lower part of same
will flow into the pipe C¹ and when the compartment C¹ is raised the thick acid in
the pipe will drop onto the surface of the acid in the compartment A.
The vessel
may be round, square, oblong, or rectangular. It rocks on pivots D in the centre
and the rocking motion may be produced by any suitable connection to the working
parts of the machine. At each end I provide the vessel with domes columns or
vertical continuations E which by flexible pipes F are connected with the pump and
with the freezing vessel respectively.
Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section through an acid vessel of any convenient
length and which rocks on centres at each end. B is a partition the whole length of
the vessel and C C₁ are pipes fixed to the partition so as to form communication in
the same way as already described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
These pipes
are open at top and when the vessel is in the medium position the pipes reach a little
above the acid level.
The acid vessel may conveniently be placed or suspended underneath the pump
which is fixed to the upper part of the framing of the machine and may be of the
construction described and shown in my patent specification.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. In acid vessels for freezing or refrigerating machines the application of an
inner lining or coating of enamel or aluminium for the purpose set forth.
Second. The use and application to freezing or refrigerating machines of acid
vessels having a rocking motion imparted thereto formed with compartments and
provided with perforated pipes or equivalent means for establishing communication
between the lower part of one compartment and the upper part of another substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
Third. The constructions of rocking acid vessels shown and described.
Dated this 14th day of November 1887