IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR THE ARTIFICIAL PRODUCTION OF COLD FOR ICE MAKING AND OTHER PURPOSES."
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Paul Giffard, of Boulevard Saint Denis, No. 1, at Paris,
Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
FOR THE ARTIFICIAL PRODUCTION OF COLD FOR ICE MAKING AND OTHER
PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Paul Giffard at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th August 1877.
PAUL GIFFARD, of Boulevard Saint Denis, No. 1, at Paris, Engineer. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR THE ARTIFICIAL PRODUCTION or Cold.
FOR ICE MAKING AND OTHER PURPOSES."
This Invention relates to improved machinery or apparatus for the economical
artificial production of cold for ice making and other purposes by the expression
and distention of the air without the old chemical production. It consists of a
cylinder of cast iron or "cylinder of compression" secured to and on the same
bevil with a foundation plate. In the bottom of this cylinder is. a valve opening
"outwards" from the cylinder into a pipe leading to the refrigerator hereafter
described. This valve is composed of an india-rubber disc working round a central
spindle or stud, carrying a guard for regulating the lift of the valve or disc,
which covers a series of holes formed through the valve seat let into the bottom of
the "cylinder of compression." In the interior of the latter works a piston, the
packing ring of which is formed of an india-rubber ring or band, partly elastic and
partly inelastic, and let into a groove round the foot of the piston.
Small holes are formed at the bottom of the piston for allowing the air to penetrate
into the groove behind the packing ring, so as to dilate the same, and thereby
ensure a perfectly air-tight rubbing surface with the smooth interior of the "cylinder
of compression." In the body of the piston are two or more valves similar to that

page_text: described in the bottom of the cylinder, and opening "inwards" from the atmosphere
above the cylinder (which is open without cover) to the interior of the cylinder
underneath the piston. In the centre of the piston, on its top side, is fixed a rod or cross
head working vertically through a steel guide or stuffing box mounted across the
top of the "cylinder of compression," the said rod being acted upon by a forked
connecting rod in connection with a crank keyed on the overhead shaft of the
machine,; this shaft is mounted in suitable bearings on the upper ends of two A or
other suitably shaped frames forming parts of the foundation plate, and is provided
with a By wheel, by which motion is communicated to the machine, or the machine
may be driven by any other suitable gearing.
"
The "cylinder of distention," or "refrigerating motor cylinder," is fixed to the
foundation plate on a level therewith in a similar manner to the "cylinder of
compression," and is provided at its bottom end with two valves, one of which, or
the "admission valve," opens "outwards" from the "cylinder of distention
into a pipe leading from a compressed air reservoir, whilst the other, or the " escape
valve," opens
"inwards" to the "cylinder of distention " from and in communication
with a pipe conveying the distended and freezing air from the " cylinder of
distention." Each of these valves is of steel, in the form of a disc, and rests on a
Jeather or india-rubber (or in the case of the escape valve on a wood) ring let into
a recess in the valve seat formning part of a double-valve box; each valve is formed
with a stem or spindle on its under side, working through a guide or stuffing box
in the wall of the double-valve box, and with a spiral or other spring for normally
retaining it on its seat. The ends of the valve spindles are connected with one arm
respectively of two double levers mounted at their fulcrums on the under side of
the double-valve box; the other arms of the levers are connected respectively by
rods with two double-crank levers carrying rollers working against cams fixed on
the overhead shaft in such a manner that on each revolution of the latter the
"admission valve" is opened by the action of its cam and levers, whilst the." escape
valve" is closed, and vice versa. The piston of the "cylinder of distention
solid and without valves, but in other respects its construction and mode of
connection with its crank on the overhead shaft are similar to those of the "piston
of compression "already described.
"
"
is
The pipe leading from the bottom of the 'cylinder of compression," as
before-mentioned, terminates in a refrigerator formed of a number of small flat
tubes mounted in and surrounded by a cylindrical cast-iron vessel, and through
these tubes the compressed air passes in its passage to the compressed air reservoir.
By means of a feed pump worked by an eccentric on the overhead shaft, a current
of cold water is continually caused to circulate from the bottom of and through the
cylindrical vessel of the refrigerator around or amongst the small tubes to the top
of the vessel, whence it is conveyed by a pipe leading to a casing or jacket
surrounding the "cylinder of compression," and round which it circulates.
On motion being given to the machine, the air passes from the atmosphere
through the piston of compression during its upward stroke, and being compressed
during the downward stroke, is forced through the valve in the bottom of the
"cylinder of compression" through the refrigerator into the compressed air
reservoir, whence it passes through the "cylinder of distention" in a freezing
state to be used as may be required in the numerous applications of which it is
susceptible.
A modification in the construction of the valve at the bottom of the "cylinder
of compression" consists in forming the valve or disc of metal in lieu of
india-rubber, the same being normally retained on its set by a spiral or other spring.
between it and a cover or cross head screwed or otherwise fixed into the lower
part of the metal seat, and acting as a guard for regulating the lift as well as a
guide for the stem or spindle of the valve. This valve seat is cylindrical, and
projects downwards into the box, holes being formed round the circumference of
its projecting surface for the passage of the compressed air. A similar arrangement,

page_text: with slight deviation of detail, may be used for the "admission valve " at the bottom
of the "cylinder of distention."
The following are a few of the numerous advantages claimed for the above
arrangement:-
Simplicity; the utilization of great speed in the working of the machine; the
cylinders being placed on the same level as the foundation plate; dispensing with
cylinder covers, thereby affording great facility for lubrication; an improved con-
struction and arrangement of valves; freezing by contact in the flat tubes either
with the water circulated round the tubes, or by a current of air produced by a
ventilator acted upon by the machine, and many others.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Paul Giffard in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th February
1878.
PAUL GIFFARD, of Boulevard Saint Denis, No. 1, at Paris, Engineer. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR THE ARTIFICIAL PRODUCTION OF COLD
FOR ICE MAKING AND OTHER PURPOSES."
This Invention relates to improved machinery or apparatus for the economical
artificial production of cold for ice making and other purposes, by the expression
and distention or expansion of the air without the old chemical production. It
consists of a "cylinder of compression" secured to a foundation plate on the same
level therewith. In the bottom of this cylinder is a valve opening "outwards"
from the cylinder into a pipe leading to the refrigerator, hereafter described. In
the interior of the cylinder works a piston, in which are two or more valves similar
to that in the bottom of the cylinder, and opening "inwards" from the atmosphere
above the cylinder (which is open without cover) to the interior of the cylinder
beneath the piston. In the centre of the piston on its top side is fixed a rod or
cross head, working vertically through a guide or stuffing box, mounted across the
open top of the "cylinder of compression," the said rod being acted upon by a
forked connecting rod coupled to a crank keyed on the overhead shaft of the
IDachine, this shaft is mounted in suitable bearings on the upper ends of two A or
other suitably shaped frames forming parts of the foundation plate, and is provided
with a fly wheel by which motion is communicated to the machine, or the machine
may be driven by any other suitable gearing.
"
The "cylinder of distention or "refrigerating motor cylinder" is fixed to the
foundation plate on a level therewith in a similar manner to the " cylinder of
compression," and is provided at its bottom end with two valves, one of which or
the "admission valve" opens "outwards" from the "cylinder of distention" into
a pipe leading from a compressed air reservoir, whilst the other or "escape valve "
opens "inwards" to the "cylinder of distention" from a pipe, which conveys the
distended and freezing air from the "cylinder of distention" to be used in the
O5199. Wt. 19202.

page_text: .
numerous applications for which it may be required. These valves are actuated by
a series of levers, connected by rods with two double crank levers, carrying rollers,
working against cams fixed on the over head shaft, in such a manner that at each
revolution of the shaft the "admission valve" is opened whilst the "escape valve "
is closed, and vice versa.
The piston of the "cylinder of distention" is solid and without valves, but in
other respects its construction and mode of connection with its crank on the over-
head shaft are similar to those of the "piston of compression" above named.
The pipe leading from the bottom of the "cylinder of compression," as before
mentioned, terminates in a refrigerator formed of a bundle of thin flat tubes
mounted in and surrounded by a cylindrical iron vessel, and through these tubes
the compressed air passes in its passage to the compressed air reservoir. By means
of a feed pump, worked by an eccentric on the overhead shaft, a current of cold
water is continually caused to circulate from the bottom of and through the said
cylindrical vessel around or amongst the tubes to the top of the vessel, whence it
is conveyed by a pipe leading to a casing or jacket surrounding the "cylinder of
compression" round which the water circulates.
On motion being given to the machine the air passes from the atmosphere
through the "piston of compression" during its upward stroke, and being com-
pressed during the downward stroke is forced through the valve in the bottom to
the "cylinder of compression" through the refrigerator into the compressed air
reservoir, whence it passes through the "cylinder of distention" in a freezing state
to be used as before named.
And in order that my said Invention may be well understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, reference being made to the accom-
panying Sheet of Drawings; like letters of reference indicating corresponding parts
in all the Figures.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of my improved machine or apparatus;
Figure 2, a plan of the same; Figure 3, a transverse section on line x, y, in
Figure 2; and Figure 4, a part sectional view to an enlarged scale of the pistons
seen in Figure 1.
A represents the foundation plate of cast iron which supports the whole machine,
and rests stronly fastened down by bolts to the masonry or foundations B³, B³,
as shewn.
- "
Cylinder of Compression."-The "cylinder of compression" C, of cast iron, rests
directly on the foundation plate A, to which it is secured on a level therewith by
bolts. The upper end of the cylinder is open without a cover, and its bottom end
supports the valve for retaining the air. A sheet-iron casing a serves to maintain
a circulation of water round the "cylinder of compression" C. The valve for
retaining the air (seen in detail, Figure 6) is enclosed in the brass box B, screwed
into the bottom of the "cylinder of compression " C, and consists of a conically-
shaped disc S of very thin steel, which rests or takes its seat on the brass seating B
in a single line of contact, and is formed with a stem or shank hollowed in its
interior, and working through the brass cover C, which is strongly screwed on to
the box B, the rebounding of the spiral spring R₁ constantly solicits the disc S on
to its seat. Holes T are formed through the thickness of metal surrounding the
box B, for giving passage to the air forced through the valve S. The bottom. of
the "cylinder of compression" C may carry one, two, or more valves of this
description; or, if preferred, in lieu of the metal disc or valve S, as here described,
a disc of india-rubber may be used, working round a central spindle or stud,
carrying a guard for regulating the lift of the disc which covers a series of holes
formed through the valve seat. E is the pipe by which the air, after baving passed
through the valve S, passes into the refrigerator R and reservoir M.
66
Compression Piston."-In the interior of the "cylinder of compression " C works
my system of automatic pressing piston C³, which is of cast iron and formed with
a band or ring of india-rubber, partly soft and partly hard, set in a groove round
the periphery of the piston. A number of small holes T allow the compressed air

page_text: The
to penetrate into the groove or space behind the band or ring for expanding the
latter, and thereby producing absolute tightness of the rubbing surface.
junction of the band or ring is made, by a simple lap. The piston Cs has these
advantages:-Extreme softness in the rubbing; resistance to temperatures; reduced
rubbing surface, rendering cent. for cent. of the compressed volume, or nearly so, and
many others.
The "compression piston" C³ is directly acted upon by the forked rod F jointed
on the pivot f, and carries a stem or shank o, of steel, working vertically through
the guide G, which is fixed strongly across the upper open end of the "cylinder of
compression" C, as shewn. The forked rod F receives its movement from the
crank H, acted upon by the motion shaft O, which carries the fly wheel V. I give
to the rod F a length eight times (more or less) the radius of the crank H. The.
frames U, U, cast on the foundation plate A support the whole system of rotation
of the machine.
"Valves for the Aspiration of Air" (Fig. 5).—The " compression piston" C³ carries
a special system of valves for the aspiration of air, each valve which is enclosed in
a brass box D, screwed into the face of the "piston of compression" C³, consists of a
very light steel disc S¹, of conical shape, which rests or takes its seat on the brass
seating D in a single line of contact, and carries a stem or shank S' of six sides
(Figs. 7 and 8), the spiral spring R' being pressed against the top nut B', screwed
on the shank S³, constantly solicits the valve disc S¹ on to its seat. The brass
box D is hollowed out and formed with a web or partition T', through which holes
are bored (or cast) to give passage to the air at the moment of its aspiration.
One, two, or more valves of this description may be fitted to the compression
piston C, according to the dimensions of the machines. Or, if preferred, in lieu of
the metal discs or valves as here described, valves of india-rubber may be used,
similar to that above named, as applicable to the valve at the bottom of the
"cylinder of compression" C.
"
expansion" C¹,
the foundation
Its interior is
Cylinder of Distention."-The "cylinder of distention;" or
which I call also "refrigerating motor cylinder," rests directly on
plate A at the same level therewith, and secured thereto by bolts.
perfectly smooth, and its upper end without cover. Its bottom end supports the
boxes for the admission and escape of air. In the interior of the cylinder C¹ works
a piston P, which is acted upon by the forked rod F', jointed on the pivot f.
and carries a shank o¹, which works vertically through the guide bracket G',
strongly fixed across the upper open end of the "cylinder of distention" C'.
"
New System of Distribution of Compressed Air in the "Cylinder of Distention"
C. This new system of distribution of compressed air in the "cylinder of distention
or "expansion "C', is formed of two special valves, controlled by cams fixed on the
motion shaft of the machine. The admission valve A³ (Fig. 1), which is of steel in
one piece turned on its edge, rests on a ring of leather or india-rubber, set in a
dovetail or other groove formed in the box. Its stem or shank works through the
stuffing box C, and is connected with a lever B2, acted upon by the rod D2 and the
cam G² fixed on the shaft of the machine. It thus becomes easy to understand that
at each revolution of the shaft the cam G2 raises the valve A² from its seat to a
height corresponding with that of the admission cam G2. The box for admission of
air inclosing the valve A' for its introduction into the "cylinder of distention" or
expansion" C is directly fixed to the lower part of the said cylinder. Tho
rebounding action of the spring R2 constantly solicits the valve A² on to its seat.
The compressed air arrives from the reservoir M by the pipe L into the interior of
the admission box. Its introduction into the
*cylinder of distention" or
"expansion" C¹, may be made to the th th 1, or other portion of the stroke of the.
piston P. The steel valve A³ resting on an elastic seat makes no noise, and
the india-rubber on which it rests being perfectly set or confined in a groove is
practically incompressible.
65
64
The "escape valve" E², placed in the escape box fixed on the "cylinder of
distention or "expansion "C' (Fig. 1).—At the side of the admission box is a
"

page_text: special valve designed for the passage of the freezing air produced by the distention
or expansion of the air in the cylinder C¹; it rests on a metallic (or wood, if preferred)
seat in one line of contact, and is called "cut snow" valve, by the advantages it
presents to cut or trench the snow accumulated on its seat. The line of contact
ensures the following advantages:-1. Perfect tightness. 2. Obsolute security in
the action of the machine, the frozen air produced in the cylinder C¹ being regularly
trenched at each rising of the valve, and being thereby unable to accumulate in the
cylinder. The valve E² is connected with the lever S, acted upon by the rod N³,
and the cam P* fixed on the shaft of the machine.
The Mechanical Action of the Cams and Valves.-The action of the valves A2 and
E is regulated in such a manner that when the admission valve A2 opens, the
escape valve E immediately shuts. Say, for example, an introduction of air
during a third of the course of the. piston P; during the two other thirds the air
introduced is distended or expanded under the piston until reduced to atmospheric
pressure. At the return of the piston P, the escape valve E² opens during the
whole of its course, thus allowing the distended and frozen air to escape by the
pipe H.
"
For cooling the air heated by the compression, I make the novel application of a
'refrigerator by contact" R (Fig. 1), formed of a bundle of thin flat tubes
surrounded by a cylinder of cast iron or of sheet iron plates. A current of cold
water continually sent by the feed pump I circulates by the pipe J among the
bundle of tubes flowing from the bottom to the top, the return being made by the
pipe K, which conveys the water round the "cylinder of compression" C¹.
Mechanical and Physical Action of the Machine.-If we act by any force what-
ever upon the fly wheel V, the "compression piston" C³ immediately compresses
the air in the refrigerator R and the reservoir M, this air being directly put in
communication by the admission valve (or valves) A² penetrates into the "cylinder.
of distention or "expansion" C¹.
"
The air introduced into the cylinder restores in part the labor of compression in
producing the cold, corresponding to the mechanical labor restored. The relation of
the respective volume of the cylinders, according to the conditions represented by
Fig. 1, determines the maximum pressure which ought to be established in the
reservoir, and which, being acquired, a perfect equilibrium is established between
the expenditure and production, and the normal work of the cooling machine is
realised.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
1. The machine for producing cold air and ice of simple design, whereof the
whole combination is characterised both by the new features hereafter claimed, and
by the special arrangements, substantially as herein-before described, and illustrated
by the accompanying Drawing.
2. The special combination of the compressing apparatus, consisting in the arrange-
ment of the "compression piston" with its band or ring of mixed india-rubber,
partly soft, partly hard, and its valves for the aspiration of air formed of very light,
steel discs, taking to or resting on their seats in a single line of contact, and the
arrangement of the "cylinder of compression" with its valves for retaining the air,
formed also of very light steel discs resting on their seats in a single line of contact,
substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described, and illustrated by the
accompanying Drawing.
3. The entire special arrangement of the apparatus for cooling the air passing from
the "cylinder of compression," the said apparatus consisting in causing the com-
pressed air to circulate through thin flat tubes, whilst round about the said tubes the
cooling water sent by the pump of the machine circulates from the bottom to the
top of the vessel, and back again round about the "cylinder of compression," thereby

page_text: avoiding its heating, substantially as herein-before described, and illustrated by the
accompanying Drawing.
4. The special combination of the introduction of the air into the "cylinder of
distention or "expansion," and especially the valve for the admission of the air,
consisting of a disc, its circumferential edge resting at its flat side on a ring of
india-rubber or leather, forcibly set in a groove in the foot of the cylinder, and thus
rendered practically incompressible; also the valve for letting out the cold distended
or expanded air, or valve which, by reason of its special and important design, I
name "cut snow," consisting of a disc of steel with conical edge, which takes to or
rests on its seating in a single line of contact; its driven or cutting edge
having the effect of trenching the snow or ice which is formed at the foot of the
cylinder.
Lastly. The mechanism for controlling the said valves by means of the cams
described, keyed on the motion shaft, and the levers with the springs, substantially
as and for the purpose herein-before described, and illustrated by the accompanying
Drawing.
•
In witness whereof, I, the said Paul Giffard, have hereunto set my hand and
seal. this Third day of January, in the vear of our Lord 1878.
Witness,
ALBERT CAHEN,
Civil Engineer,
of Boulevard Saint Denis, 1,
at Paris.
PAUL GIFFARD. (L.S.)