IMPROVE- MENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO CONDENSERS FOR OBTAINING FRESH WATER FROM SALT WATER
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Franklin Hocking, of No. 8, Quality Court, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO CONDENSERS FOR OBTAINING FRESH WATER
FROM SALT WATER."
Sealed the 5th November 1878, and dated the 24th July 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Fraukliu Hocking at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th July 1878.
FRANKLIN HOCKING, of No. 8, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO CONDENSERS
FOR OBTAINING FRESH WATER FROM SALT WATER."
This Invention relates to an improved arrangement or combination of parts of
condensers of the annular type used for obtaining fresh water from salt water by
the condensation of steam obtained from salt water, and has for its object the
obtaining of an increased cooling surface and a simple arrangement of parts that
can be easily taken to pieces for cleaning.
In constructing a condenser according to my Invention I use a series of annular
cylinders which I place concentrically one within the other, using in some instances
a central tube.
The annular cylinders are of suitable diminishing sizes, and arranged so as to
leave a space between cach annular cylinder throughout the series. The annular
cylinders are contained in a concentric annular casing provided with top and bottom
plates, to which the annular cylinders are connected by means of short pipes or
tubes, which open out through such plates, being attached thereto by suitable nuts
or otherwise.
The top of the concentric annular casing is provided with a cover, which forms a
chamber for the condensing or circulating water outlet.
The bottom of the casing is mounted on a chamber, which serves as the con-
densing or circulating water inlet.

page_text: The whole arrangement is mounted on a condensed water receiver, which may be
provided with a suitable filtering agent, as desired.
•
The condensed water receiver is connected with the casing and condenser proper
by means of pipes or tubes, which pass through the inlet or water-circulating
chamber, and by means of these pipes or tubes the condensed water is led from or
drains from the condenser to the receiver..
The divisions between the receiver and the circulating water chamber, and
between the water chamber and the condenser, and between the condenser and the
cover, are formed by division plates, which can be easily removed, as can also the
annular cylinders forming the condensing cluster, for cleaning.
The annular cylinders, and also the annular containing casing, are by preference
of copper, and their exposed surfaces are thoroughly tinned.
The simple means of access to and exposure of the tinned surfaces for survey or
for re-tinning forms the principle advantage of my improved construction of con-
denser.
Another main feature is the use of the concentric annular casing, by which an
increased cooling surface is obtained.
In operation the circulating or condensing water enters the inlet chamber, and
from thence passes through suitable tubes to the interior of the concentric annular
casing, and also through tubes to the interiors of the annular cylinders, and from
thence to the outlet chamber.
The steam to be condensed enters the casing at or near the top thereof, and passes
through the spaces between the annular cylinders and between the outer annular
cylinder and the casing, and is condensed by the surface contact with, the exposed
surfaces of the concentric annular cylinders and the casing.
After condensation the condensed steam passes (through the circulating water
chamber by the pipes) as water into the receiver, from whence it is drawn off
for use.
The condenser is provided with a suitable air outlet, and with suitable cocks,
and with an aërating injector as required. These may be of any known con-
struction.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Franklin Hocking in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd
January 1879.
FRANKLIN HOCKING, of No. 8, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO CONDENSERS
FOR OBTAINING FRESH WATER FROM SALT WATER."
This Invention relates to an improved arrangement or combination of parts of con-
densers of the annular type used for obtaining fresh water from salt water by the con-
densation of steam obtained from salt water, and has for its object the obtaining of
increased cooling surface and a simple arrangement of parts that can be easily taken
to pieces for cleaning.
In constructing a condenser according to my Invention I use a series of annular
cylinders which I place concentrically one within another, using in some instances
a central tube.
The annular cylinders are of suitable diminishing sizes, and arranged so as to
leave a space between each annular cylinder throughout the series. The annular
cylinders are contained in a concentric annular casing, provided with top and bottom
plates, to which the annular cylinders are connected by means of short pipes or
tubes, which open out through such plates, being attached thereto by suitable nuts
or otherwise.
The top of the concentric annular casing is provided with a cover, which forms a
chamber for the condensing or circulating water outlet.
The bottom of the casing is mounted on a chamber, which serves as the con-
densing or circulating water inlet.
The whole arrangement is mounted on a condensed water receiver, which may be
provided with a suitable filtering agent as desired.
The condensed water receiver is connected with the casing and condenser proper
by means of pipes or tubes, which pass through the inlet or water-circulating
chamber, and by means of these pipes or tubes the condensed water is led from or
drains from the condenser to the receiver.
The divisions between the receiver and the circulating water chamber, and
between the water chamber and the condenser, and between the condenser and the
cover, are formed by division plates, which can be easily removed, as can also the
annular cylinders forming the condensing cluster, for cleaning.
The annular cylinders, and also the annular containing casing, are by preference
of copper, and their exposed surfaces are thoroughly tinned.
The simple means of access to and exposure of the tinned surfaces for survey or
for re-tinning forms the principle advantage of my improved construction of con-
denser.
Another main feature is the use of the concentric annular casing, by which an
increased cooling surface is obtained.
In operation the circulating or condensing water enters the inlet chamber, and
from thence passes through suitable tubes to the interior of the concentric annular
casing, and also through tubes to the interiors of the annular cylinders, and from
thence to the outlet chamber.
The steam to be condensed enters the casing at or near the top thereof, and passes
through the spaces between the annular cylinders and between the outer annular
cylinder and the casing, and is condensed by the surface contact with the exposed
surfaces of the concentric annular cylinders and the casing.
After condensation the condensed steam passes through tubes through the circu-
lating water chamber as water into the receiver, from whence it is drawn off
for use.
The condenser is provided with a suitable air outlet and with suitable cocks,
and with an aërating injector as required. These may be of any known con-
struction.

page_text: In order that my said Invention may be properly understood I now proceed to
more particularly set forth the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same
is or may be used or practically carried into effect, reference being had to the
accompanying two Sheets of Drawings, which are marked with letters and figures
of reference corresponding with those in the following explanation, like letters and
figures being used to denote the same or corresponding parts throughout the various
views.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a condenser for obtaining fresh_water from
salt water, or condensing steam generally, constructed according to my Invention.
Figure 2 is an outside view of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan of Figure 1 shown half through the line A, B, and half through
the line C, D, Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a plan of Figure 1 shown half through the line E, F, and half
through the line H, I, Figure 1.
Figure 5 illustrates a modification of my Invention.
Figure 6, a further carrying out of my Invention.
Figure 7 is a detail of tube connection.
Figure 8 is a plan of Figure 7.
Upon reference it will be seen that in constructing a condenser according to my
Invention I use a series of annular cylinders A, which I place concentrically onc
within the other, the interior cylinder A' being a tube, and not of annular con-
struction. It will be seen that the annular cylinders A are of diminishing sizes, and
arranged to leave a space B between each annular cylinder A throughout the series.
The annular cylinders A are contained in a concentric annular casing C, provided
with a top plate D and a bottom plate E, to which the annular cylinders A arc
connected by means of short pipes or tubes F, which open out through the
plates D, E, being attached thereto by suitable nuts or otherwise (see Figure 1), or
provided with stuffing boxes in manner such as shown at Figures 7 and 8.
The top of the concentric annular casing C is provided with a cover G, which
forms a chamber H for the condensing or circulating water outlet.
The bottom of the casing C is mounted on a chamber I, which serves as the con-
densing or circulating water inlet.
The whole arrangement is mounted on a condensed water receiver J, which may
be provided with a suitable filtering agent, such as charcoal, and a guard or
strainer K.
The condensed water receiver J is connected with the casing C and the condenser
spaces B by means of pipes or tubes L. The condensed water is led or drains from
the condensing spaces B through these tubes L to the receiver J.
The division plates M (between the receiver J and the circulating water
chamber I), E (between the water chamber I and the condenser A, B,) D (between
the condenser A, B, and the circulating water outlet chamber H), and the cover G
it will be seen are so constructed as to easily permit the various parts forming
the condenser being easily taken to pieces and separated for cleaning. The outside
or exposed surfaces and the inside or exposed surfaces of the cylinders A being the
condensing surfaces against which the steam impinges, are thoroughly tinned or
otherwise protected from injurious oxidization.
The annular cylinders A are stiffened in their construction by the stays N; the
outer casing C may also be provided with like stiffening stays N; O is the steam
inlet to the condensing spaces B; P is the condensed water outlet from the
receiver J; Qis the condensing or circulating water inlet to the chamber I; and
R is the condensing or circulating water outlet from the chamber H. S is an
aërating injecting pipe; T is a provision for a relief valve for the cylinders A; V is
a provision for a relief valve for the condenser spaces B.
Upon reference to the modification shown at Figure 5, it will be seen that the
cylinders A are of tapered construction, necessitating a like but inverse taper of the
spaces B when the cylinders A are concentrically clustered. The advantage gained
by this arrangement is that the entering steam spaces are widened at B₁ and con-

page_text: tracted at the condensed water or delivery portion B¹¹ in like manner, the
condensing water spaces being widened at A¹ and contracted at the top at A",
thus giving a most efficient construction.
In the modification shown at Figure 6 it will be seen that the condenser A, B, C,
is placed in a tank W, which may be filled with condensing water, which by the
natural law of circulation will circulate through the condenser A, B, C, by means
of the inlet Q and the outlet R, the steam to be condensed entering the con-
denser A, B, C, through the pipe O, and the condensed water being drawn off
through the pipe P.
This modification (Figure 6) represents an efficient arrangement for sailing ships,
as the tank W can be filled by hose or otherwise, through the pipe V, the
circulating water heated by the action of condensing, overflowing through the
pipe X.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or may
be used or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what
I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,--
First. The arrangement and construction of a condenser for obtaining fresh water
from salt water or condensing steam generally, as herein-before described and shown
in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Second. The construction and arrangement of annular cylinders, such as A, within
an annular casing, such as C, stiffened and supported with stays such as N, and the
mode or manner of connecting such cylinders A and the necessarily formed spaces B,
and the casing C with chambers such as H, I, J, (the combined structure forming
a condenser), as herein-before described, and as shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Franklin Hocking, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-second day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
FRANKLIN (L.S.) HOCKING,