IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU- FACTURE OF ICE, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN."
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Noel Mackay, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF ICE, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Noel Mackay at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th June 1879.
FREDERICK NOEL MACKAY, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ICE, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED
THEREIN."
My Invention relates to the production of ice free from air cells or discoloration,
and consists in agitating the water to be frozen into ice in a new manner, and of
apparatus for that purpose, the object being to effect the desired results beneficially.
To the water in the tank or tanks I impart, under the first part of my Invention,
motion from the bottom upwards, such water flowing or moving over the surface of
the cells containing the refrigerating agent or non-freezing liquid, or over the ico
formed thereon. By so doing, and thereby agitating the water throughout the
tank, air is removed, and is not occluded in the ice.
Under the second part of my Invention, upwards and downwards, alternate
motions are imparted to the water to be frozen.
Under the third part, any desired or convenient motion is imparted to the water
to be frozen, so long as such water is caused to flow or move over part of the cells,
or in a portion only of the tank in an upward direction.
The apparatus or appliance for effecting the agitation above described may
consist of a pump or series of pumps or their equivalents, placed alongside, under-
Death, or in the tank, or formed as part of the tank, provided with pistons, plungers,
or their equivalents, to which a reciprocating or other motion is imparted, so as to
take and deliver the water, or they may consist of one or more large agitators at
the ends of the tanks, or of nozzles or injectors properly directing the water, but
always as regards a portion in an upwards or an upwards and downwards
direction. The pumps or equivalents could be connected to passages and branches
alongside, underneath, outside, or in the tanks.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters ratent nied by
the said Frederick Noel Mackay in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th
December 1879.
FREDERICK NOEL MACKAY, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ICE, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED
THEREIN.
My Invention relates to the production of ice free from air cells or discoloration,
and consists in agitating the water to be frozen into ice in a new manner, and of
apparatus for that purpose, the object being to effect the desired results beneficially.
To the water in the tank or tanks I impart, under the first part of my Invention,
motion from the bottom upwards, such water flowing or moving over the surface of
the cells containing the refrigerating agent or non-freezing liquid, or over the ice
formed thereon. By so doing, and thereby agitating the water throughout the
tank, air is removed, and is not occluded in the ice.
Under the second part of my Invention, upwards and downwards, alternate
motions are imparted to the water to be frozen.
Under the third part, any desired or convenient motion is imparted to the water
to be frozen, so long as such water is caused to flow or move over part of the cells,
or in a portion only of the tank in an upward direction.
The apparatus or appliance for effecting the agitations above described may
consist of a pump or series of pumps, or their equivalents, placed alongside, under-
neath, or in the tank, or formed as part of the tank, provided with pistons, plungers,
or their equivalents, to which a reciprocating or other motion is imparted, so as to
take and deliver the water, or they may consist of one or more large agitators at
the ends of the tanks, or of nozzles or injectors properly directing the water, but
always as regards a portion in an upwards or an upwards and downwards direction.
The pumps or equivalents would be connected to passages and branches alongside,
underneath, outside, or in the tanks.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of an ice tank and agitators, and is illustrative of
the first part of my Invention. a, tank; b, cell; c, partition; d, piston the full
breadth of the tank, and fitting between the partition c and the side of the tank e;
f, rod for actuating the said piston; g, valve secured to the rod f; h, bell crank
lever attached to the rod f, and operated by any suitable motive power convenient.
When in action, upward and downward motion is given to the rod. The said rod f
is free to move to and fro a certain distance in a guide i on the piston. During the
up stroke the piston is raised, and passes freely through the water, the valve g
being open; during the down stroke the said rod moves until the valve g seats
upon the piston. The said piston is thereby caused to descend, forcing the water
before it into the tank through the opening j. The water in the tank flows upwards,
and passes over the top of the partition above the piston d. It will be seen that
during every down stroke, the water ascends over the surface of the ice, and that
during each up stroke the water remains at rest.
Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are sectional elevations illustrative of further inmodifications of
apparatus for giving motion to water in the manner described under the above first
part. In Fig. 2, a cylinder k bolted to the side of the tank is employed instead of
the partition caud piston d. In Fig. 3, water flows from the bottom upwards
through the piston instead of in the tank. In Fig. 4, a centrifugal pump & gives a
continuous upward motion to the water in the tank, instead of such water having
an intermittent upward motion as described in connection with Figs. 1, 2, & 3.
Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of apparatus illustrative of the second part of my
Invention. Here the piston or plunger m is solid, so that the water to be frozen is

page_text: caused alternately to have an upwards and a downwards flow over the surface of the
ice in the tank when the piston or plunger is depressed or raised.
Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation and Fig. 7 a plan view of a further modification of
apparatus under the above second part of my Invention. Here two pistons or
plungers are used, and the tank is divided by a partition n. The pistons or
plungers move in opposite directions at the same time, and the water in one division
of the tank rises, whilst that in the other falls, and vice versa. Instead of the
pistons moving in opposite directions at the same time, they may move together in
the same direction, or may be otherwise arranged.
Figs. 8, 9, & 10 are sectional views illustrative of further modifications of
apparatus illustrative of the above second part of my Invention. In Fig. 8, the
piston or plunger is placed beneath the tank, which is divided into two parts by
the partition n. In Fig. 9, a float o is used instead of a piston or plunger, and acts
by entering and being withdrawn from the water. In Fig. 10, a diaphragm p
receives motion from a rod q, and acts by forming a partial vacuum to give an
upward and downward motion to the water.
Fig. 11 is a sectional view illustrative of the third part of my Invention. Hero
the piston and cylinder are placed beneath the tank, the tank is divided by a
partition n, and there is an intermittent upward circulation on one side, and an
intermittent downward circulation on the other side of the said partition.
Fig. 12 illustrates a further modification under the above third part of my Inven-
tion. In this arrangement, the water receives a continuous motion from the
centrifugal pump l, and has an alternate upward and downward motion through the
spaces r, into which the tank is divided by the partitions n.
In Figs. 1 to 12 various constructions, arrangements, and combinations of
apparatus or appliances are shown and described, whereby the desired motions
under the first three heads are imparted to the water to be frozen.
In all the above views like letters denote the same parts, and the arrows show
the direction of motion of the water.
It will be noticed that where the water is caused to rise above the tops of tho
cells, that the said cells are covered with wood or non-conducting material t, to
prevent ice forming on the tops of such cells.
Several ice tanks may, if desired, be joined together in a series, so that the water
to be frozen can flow from one to another.
Having now described and illustrated my said Invention in such manner that
others will be enabled to carry my improvements into effect, I claim,-
First. Agitating water that is being frozen, by giving motion to such water from
the bottom of the ice tank upwards, for the purposes set forth.
Second. Agitating water that is being frozen, by giving to such water alternate
upward and downward motion, for the purposes set forth.
Third. Agitating water that is being frozen, by giving to such water motion,
substantially as set forth under the third part, for the purposes specified.
Fourth. Apparatus or appliances for agitating water, constructed, arranged, and
operating, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick Noel Mackay, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.