Improvements in or appertaining to Refrigerating Apparatus.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Jan., 1891-Accepted, 28th Feb., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or appertaining to Refrigerating Apparatus.
I, CHARLES GUSTAVUS MAYER, of 744, Broadway, in the City, County and
State of New York, United States of America, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :—
This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus designed for breweries, etc.,
where ammonia gas is employed. The refrigerating process is carried on through
the system of pumps, receivers, or traps, condensers and tanks, with their connecting
pipes designed to operate collectively or separately as desired, a full description of
which is had in the following Specification with reference to the accompanying
drawings which form a part of the same.
Figure I, illustrates a refrigerating system embodying an ammonia gas compressor,
high and low pressure gas receivers or traps, a gas circulating system for cooling
brine, a gas condenser and liquid ammonia receiver; also a brine pump, brine
tanks, cooling apparatus and beer vats with their necessary pipe systems as will be
hereinafter described.
Figures II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, and XII are details of
Figure I which will be hereinafter more specifically referred to.
In describing my invention, the brine which fills the tanks 2 and 3 is originally
obtained from any convenient source and is kept in constant circulation by means
of the brine pump 4, the suction being from the bottom of either or both of said
tanks through the suction pipe 5. When both of the tanks are in operation the
valves 7, 8, 9, on the suction pipe 5 are opened thus permitting the brine from each
tank to flow into the suction pipe 5 and the valves 11, 12, on the discharge pipe 13,
are opened, thus making a complete circulation. Over-flow pipes 15 and 16 are also
provided and empty into the main suction pipe 5.
For cooling this brine, liquid ammonia, forced by its own pressure from the liquid
receiver 17 through the pipe 18 provided with the main feed valve 19, passes downward
through the coils of pipe in either, or both of the tanks as may be desired, the flow
being further directed and regulated by the valves 20, 21 and 22 which open from
the manifold or receiving pipe 23 into which the pipe 18 empties, and, after passing
through the coils in the tanks, and abstracting the heat from the brine therein
contained, escaping the valves 25 and 26 into the manifold pipe 27 and 27" and
from thence passing off through the pipe 28, as ammonia gas, into the low pressure
receiver 29. From this suction pipe 30 leads it to the gas compressor 31, and the
latter forces the gas through the discharge pipe 32 into the high pressure trap or
receiver 33 and from thence through the pipe 34 to the condenser 35 where it is
cooled and condensed by passing through the coils 36, over which a constant supply
pan
of water drips. This water percolates through the perforated bottom of the
and is caught in the pan 38. After leaving the condenser 35 through the pipe 39,
the volatile fluid or ammonia circulates through the coil 40 in the cold water
tank 41, where it undergoes a second cooling, and from thence the liquid ammonia
flows through the pipe 42 back into the liquid receiver 17 ready to be used over
again, and so on indefinitely. For condensing purposes, fresh cold water is
supplied from a well or any other convenient source through the pipe 43 to the
tank 41, which overflows through the pipe 44 into the tank 45, where it is drawn
off through the pipe 46 by the pump 47 and is forced through the pipe 48 into the
dripping pan 37 and dropping down in the pan 38, over the coils 36, discharges
through the pipe 49 into the tank 45, from which it is pumped up again into the
dripping pan 37, and so on. If so desired the valve 50 on the pipe 49 is closed and
37

page_text: the valve 51 is opened, when the water will discharge into the waste pipe 52. It
will be seen that water thus used is not, and does not require to be, as cold as that
used in the tank 41, where the final cooling and condensation of the ammonia or
other volatile gas is effected.
This is my combination condenser and is used where it is desired to economize
water, but I have another and additional form shown at 35ª. This is what I term
my submerged condenser as the sections of coils 36" are entirely covered by the
water in the tank 56.
In connection with the coils 36ª I illustrate devices whereby they may be
removed in sections without disturbing the other sections of which there may be
any convenient number. In tank 56 the sections are mounted on rollers 53 journaled
in the lower ends of frames 54 which support the pipe by cross rods 55 on which
the pipe rests (see Figure II). When it is necessary to remove a section, the
valves 19 and 24 are closed and the pipes disconnected by means of the couplings 57
and 57. The section is then pushed back on the rollers 53, until the protruding
end 58 of the pipe is within the tank, and it is then raised. As the end 58 of the
pipe is withdrawn through the stuffing box 59 (see Figure III), it will of course
be necessary to close the opening to prevent the escape of liquid. This is done by
a conical pointed plug 60 made to fit the opening. As the end 58 is withdrawn
the plug 60 follows it up, closing the opening of the box. The stem 61 of the plug
is screw-threaded, and its outer end is formed to receive a wrench. 62 is a short
plug through which the stem 61 screws, and which is itself screwed into the stuffing
box 59. It will thus be seen that the plug can be forced in under screw-power to
insure a tight fit.
When the section has been repaired and is ready for work it is lowered into the
tank and the end 58 is directed to the opening 63 through the stuffing box 59 by
means of guide-planks 64 secured to the side of the tank 56 by brackets 65. The
lower ends of the planks 64 are connected together by a strap or casting 66 which
directs the end 58 vertically into the stuffing box opening. When the section has
been lowered it is moved forward on its rollers 53 until the end protrudes through
the stuffing box 59 to the coupling 57 the plug closing the hole 63 as hereinbefore
described, being withdrawn as the section is moved forward. The couplings 57
and 57ª are in short lengths of pipe extending from the main pipes toward the
tank. In these short lengths of pipe are valves or cocks 19" and 24 for regulating
the flow of ammonia through the pipes or for closing all communication between a
section to be removed, and the main pipes.
A pipe 42 leads from the condenser coil to the liquid receiver 17 and is provided
with the additional valves 42 and 43° for regulating the flow of the volatile fluid.
The water enters the bottom of the tank 56 through the pipe 48 and this pipe is
provided with the valves 48" and 48" for cutting off the water supply or directing it
into the proper system of coils. An over-flow for the tank 56 is shown at 1.
I also arrange in connection with the brine tanks removable systems of coils as
will be seen in the following description:
3 is one of the tanks, 67 a system of coils; 68 the coil-frame (see Figure V);
69 the slides at the lower extremity of the frame; 70 the rollers and 71 the stools
on which they rest; 72 the conical aperture in the tank ; 73 the stuffing box which
surrounds the same, and is secured to the side of the tank (see Figures VI, VII,
VIII); 74 the return pipe; 75 the feed-pipe; 21 and 26 valves which control
them (see Figure I); couplings 76; 77 a Hange held in position by the same bolts
which are used to draw the stuffing-box gland to its place; 78 a nut recessed into
same and provided with pin-holes to receive the pins 79 whereby the nut may be
held in position and not permitted to rotate. 80 is the shell of the plug, screw-
threaded into the nut 78. 81 is a barbed piece screw-threaded within the shell.
82 is a wedge screw-threaded within the barbed piece. The shell, barbed piece,
and the wedge are each made so as to receive a wrench whereby to be rotated.
The end of the barbed piece is split so as to permit it to spread. 83 is the barb
thereon.

page_text: The use and operation of these improvements are as follows :—
When the coil 67 is to be removed for repairs or any other purpose, the valves 21
and 26 are closed and the pipes uncoupled, and the coil 67 moved back until the
return-pipe 74 is withdrawn from its aperture. As this is done the plug 80 is
screwed into the aperture to close it. When the coil 67 is restored to its place, it
is lowered into the tank until the end of the return pipe 74 strikes the conical
aperture or recess 72, when it starts forward and centres itself on its aperture
against the end of the shell of the plug as shown in Figure VI. The barbed part 83
is then screwed forward into the pipe, and when far enough within the same, the
wedge 82 is screwed forward so as to spread the barbed point 83 and cause the same
to grip the inner walls of the pipe 74. The pins 79 are then withdrawn from the
nut 78 and the same is turned so as to cause the entire plug to retreat, whereby the
return pipe 74 and coil 67 are drawn forward into their proper places. The nut is
used in this manner to permit the barbed point 83 to be withdrawn without rotating.
In this manner the pipe 74 is protected from injury.
The conical recess and aperture 72 are designed to obviate the necessity of guides
on the side of the tank which have been used. The rollers 70 supported on the
bottom of the tank by stools 71 with broad bearings will cause much less injury to
the tank in using very heavy sections than if the coils were supported by rollers on
their supporting frames. Another feature of my invention is the compound plug
whereby the end of the return pipe is drawn forward into position.
Tank 2 illustrates a brine circulating system, about the ammonia gas pipes, shown
more fully in Figures IX and X, the view in the general drawing I being a cross
section.
In describing the same with reference to the drawings, Figure IX is an elevation
partially in section and Figure X is a plan section. 2 represents a tank, which is
preferably divided into two parts by a vertical partition 84, each part having a
brine supply-pipe 13 and discharge pipe 5.
The tank 2 is divided into a number of small compartments by partitions 87. In
each compartment is a gas or ammonia pipe 88 coiled as shown. One end of each
coil connects with a main supply-pipe 23 and the other end with a main discharge
pipe 90. The partitions 87 do not extend entirely across the tank, thus leaving
spaces 91 which alternate as shown, so that the brine or cooling-liquid entering the
end compartment is made to traverse that compartment and then enters the next,
as indicated by the arrows, and so on until it leaves that division of the tank. Thus
every particle of brine is made to pass through or over the coils, and becomes much
more thoroughly and uniformly cooled than in the absence of partitions, when the
main body of circulation would take the shortest course from the inlet to the outlet
pipe, passing diagonally across and through the centre of the division of the tank.
Instead of not extending entirely across the tank horizontally, the partitions can
extend not quite to the top and bottom alternately of the tank, which would give
the same results, the brine circulating vertically from one compartment to another
as shown on the right side of Figure IX and left side of Figure X.
The object of dividing the tank 2 into two main compartments by the partition 84
is for effecting economy in surface and space as it conserves the energy which would
otherwise be dissipated if all the surfaces were equally exposed to the effect of the
surrounding atmosphere.
To avoid any danger of the partition being broken by all of the brine being
removed from one of the compartments and the brine in the other compartment
pressing with great force against it, I make openings 92 in the partition 84 and
provide them with valves 93 which are on opposite sides of the partition and
preferably on opposite ends as shown. If the volume of brine in one compartment
is lessened, the valve on that side of the partition will be opened automatically by
the pressure of the brine in the other compartment, and as soon as the pressure
becomes equalized the heavy upper end of the valve will close it. Thus it will be
seen that the brine in the two compartments will always be at or near the same

page_text: height, and yet, when at the same height, will be kept separated, thereby preserving
the individuality of temperature which may exist in each compartment.
Another feature of my invention relates to the coils 94 for cooling rooms,
consisting of pipes through which the cold brine is forced by the pump 4 on its
return to the brine tanks.
In the general view (Figure I) a vertical section is shown on the line X-X of
Figure XI which is an inverted plan of the pipe system. The coil 94 is shown as
situated on the discharge pipe 13 of the pump 4, the brine being pumped through
in the direction shown by the arrows. 95 represents sections of pipes connected by
their opposite ends to the supply and exhaust respectively. Each section 95
preferably crosses the room three times, as shown so that the brine, entering one
end of a section 95, crosses the room three times, when it enters the exhaust 13
and is taken back to the cooling tank. It will thus be seen that there will be very
little friction or back-pressure of the liquid compared to what there would be if the
cooling pipes were in one piece. Besides, if the pipes were in one piece, the brine
would become heated from friction and from taking up heat in the pipe, and the
greater portion of its work would be without effect. The sections are connected
to the main pipes by means of short lengths of pipe 96 and couplings 97. There is
a valve 98 located in each length for regulating the flow of brine and for cutting
off, when desired, all communication between any section and the main pipes.
Should any section become stopped up so that the brine cannot circulate through
it, the two valves or cocks 98 would be closed, when the section could be taken
down and cleaned out; but the circulation would be going on in the other pipes or
sections, and as one section is but a small proportion of the whole, the temperature
of the room would not be materially changed by its disconnection.
The pipes are supported on rods 99 carried in brackets 100 secured to the ceiling,
as shown in Figures I and XI, or by any convenient device.
As a matter of course the supply and exhaust pipes may run through any
number of rooms and sections of cooling pipes be connected with them in such
rooms.
In the same room is shown an improved beer cooling apparatus 101, in vertical
section for cooling beer while it is undergoing fermentation in the vats, and the
invention consists in circulating cold brine through the vats by means of pipes
branching off from the main pipe 5 of the refrigerating system.
In the accompanying drawings 5 represents the said return pipe from the brine
tanks connected to which are one or more branch pipes 102 which may be of any
desired length according to the number of vats they have to supply. These pipes 5
and 102 are connected by suitable means. I have shown short lengths of pipes 103,
and couplings 104. To each of these branch pipes are connected one or more
sections 105 which are bent substantially as shown, so as to enter their respective
vats 106, the point of connection between these branch pipes and sections, being
outside of the vats and at a point below the top edge thereof, so when any section
is uncoupled, brine will not enter the vats and destroy the beer. These sections 105
are shown connected to the pipes 102 by means of short lengths of pipes 107 and
couplings 108. The other ends of these sections 105 connect with a pipe or
pipes 109 at a point outside the vats and beneath the upper edge thereof, preferably
by means of short lengths 110, and couplings 111, which are closed at one end and
communicate at the other with the pipe 5, thus forming an intermediate connection
on the suction pipe 5, the supply being from the cooling tanks and exhausting to
the pump 4. The connection between the pipe, or pipes 109 and the pipe 5* is
preferably made by means of short lengths 112 and couplings 113. The short
lengths 103, 107, 110 and 112 are respectively provided with a suitable cock or
valve to control and regulate the flow of brine. If any one of the sections becomes
clogged so that the brine will not pass through it, its valves are closed, when it can
be removed and cleaned.
In these refrigerating apparatus the brine from the cooling tank, after passing

page_text: through the sections, thus cooling the beer while fermenting, is conveyed back into
the cooling or brine tanks by the pump 4 through suction pipe and discharge
pipe 13 so that there is no waste.
An
A direct connection is shown between the high pressure trap 33 and the low
pressure trap 29 consisting of pipe 33ª, 33, 33 having valves 29 and 29.
extension 33d is also provided having a valve 29°. By this means the lubricating
material can be directed from the high to the low pressure trap and the oil can be
removed and renewed through the pipe 33d when desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The refrigerating system and apparatus, constructed, arranged and adapted
to operate substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2. The refrigerating system and apparatus constructed and arranged substan-
tially as hereinbefore shown and described and provided with the improved means
of circulating the ammonia or other volatile gas, as set forth.
3. The refrigerating system and apparatus provided with a gas pump, high and
low pressure traps or receivers, a gas reservoir, the connecting pipes as shown, in
combination with the brine tanks 2 and 3 and the cooling coils located therein,
substantially as shown and described.
4. The refrigerating system and apparatus provided with a gas pump, high and
low pressure traps or receivers and connecting pipes for connecting them to the
cooling coils as shown, in combination with the brine tanks and the brine circulating
system, as set forth.
5. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of the brine pump, the brine
tanks and connecting pipes and valves, as shown, with a system of gas circulation
arranged in connection therewith and adapted to operate substantially as shown and
described.
6. The refrigerating system and apparatus constructed and arranged substan-
tially as hereinbefore shown and described, and provided with the improved means
of circulating the brine, as set forth.
7. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of the brine pump 4, the brine
tanks 2 and 3 and the connecting pipes leading thereto and therefrom, all arranged
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
8. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of the brine pump 4, the brine
tanks 2 and 3, connecting pipes arranged between the pump and the tanks,
said pipes being provided with valves, all arranged substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
9. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of the brine pump 4, the brine
tanks 2 and 3, the connecting pipes 5 and 13 and the over-flow pipes 15 and 16, all
arranged substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
10. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of the brine pump 4, the brine
tanks 2 and 3, connecting pipes 5 and 13 having valves as shown, the over-flow
pipes also provided with valves and the pipes 7 and 8 connecting to the suction or
return pipe 5, all arranged substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
11. In a refrigerating system and apparatus, the removable sections of cooling
coils, arranged substantially as shown and described.
12. In a refrigerating system and apparatus, the removable sections of cooling
coils supported on frames and provided with rollers, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
13. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of the removable cooling coils,
the brine tank 3, and the stuffing box 73, as and for the purposes set forth.
14. In a refrigerating system and apparatus, the combination of the brine tank 3,
a pipe 74, a stuffing box 73, conical aperture 72 and the shell, barbed piece and
wedge 80, 81, 82, all arranged substantially as shown and described, with particular
reference to Figures VI and VII of the drawings.

page_text: 15. In combination with the stuffing box 73, the coupling 77, nut 78 and the
pins 79, the shell, barbed piece and wedge 80, 81, and 82, with particular reference
to Figures VI and VII of the drawings.
16. In a refrigerating system and apparatus, the combination of the brine tanks,
the cooling coils and the partitions arranged within the tanks for the purposes set
forth.
17. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of the brine tanks, the cooling
coils arranged therein, the partition 84 having valves 92 and 93 and the partial
partitions 87, all arranged substantially and for the purposes set forth and with
particular reference to Figures IX and X of the drawings.
18. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of the brine pump 4, the coils 94
located in the cooling-room as shown, sections 95 connected at their opposite ends
to the supply and exhaust pipes, means for cutting off and removing any number
of sections and supporting devices for the coils, all arranged substantially as shown
and described, with particular reference to Figures I and XI of the drawings.
19. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of the brine pump 4, the return
pipes 5 and 5 and the arrangement of pipes, couplings, valves and vats shown in
Figure XII of the drawings and particularly described in relation thereto in the
Specification.
20. In a refrigerating system and apparatus, the condensing system shown in
Figure I of the drawing, and particularly described in relation thereto in the
Specification.
21. In a refrigerating system and apparatus, the combination of the fresh water
pump with pipes leading thereto and therefrom, a coil or coils, substantially as
shown and described, a dripping pan for receiving the water from the pipes and
distributing it over the coils, and a collecting pan arranged beneath the coils, and
means for returning the water again to the pump aforesaid, all constructed substan-
tially as and for the purposes set forth, with particular reference to Figure I of the
drawing.
22. In a refrigerating system and apparatus, the combination of the water
pump 47, the pipes 46 and 48, the perforated dripping pan 37, the collecting
pan 38, the tank 41, pipes 39 and 44 and the tank 45, all of said hereinbefore
mentioned parts arranged and combined to operate substantially in the manner set
forth in the Specification, with particular reference to Figure I of the drawings.
23. In a refrigerating system and apparatus, the combination of the submerged
condenser tank 56, the coils 36 the pipe 58, the stuffing box 59 and the plug 60
with especial reference to Figures I and II and III of the drawings.
24. In a refrigerating system and apparatus constructed and arranged substan-
tially as herein before shown and described, the combination of the submerged
condenser tank 56, the coil located therein having a pipe extension 58, guide
planks 64 and connecting strap 66 and means for attaching the guiding planks to
the walls of the tank 56, all arranged substantially as shown and described with
particular reference to Figures I and IV of the drawings.
Dated the 1st day of Januar 1801
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.