Improvements in Surface Condensers for Steam Engines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 20th June, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 19th Mar., 1895-Accepted, 20th Apr., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Surface Condensers for Steam Engines.
1, CHARLES JAMES BROWN of No. 15 Victoria Street, Westminster, London,
S.W. Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention refers to that class of surface condensers in which the heat is
extracted by the well-known process of superficial or film evaporation. The steam
to be condensed is passed through suitable tubes whose exterior surface is moist
and maintained constantly in a moist condition by the supply of additional moisture
to replace that which is evaporated by the air playing over the moistened surface.
The efficiency of such surface is increased by increasing the circulation of air,
i.e. by supplying as great a quantity of fresh dry air as possible to absorb the said
moisture on the tubes. For this purpose fans or air propellers are frequently
employed, and the purpose of my present invention is to secure the propulsion of
such fan or propeller without the application of external force. To effect this
I employ the power of the water itself as it issues from or travels along the pipe
leading to the distributor by which it is distributed over the tubes in order to
moisten them.
There are various forms in which my invention can be applied. In one form the
tubes are contained within a cylindrical case having air inlet holes around its lower
part above the water level and having the air extracting fan above the tubes. The
spindle of the fan is connected to a motor which may be a turbine or helical motor
or a cup or vane impulse wheel and the water entering the case is either passed
through the motor or is directed against the cups or vanes being by that means
may be
broken up and finely and evenly distributed over the tubes. The motor
formed within or as part of the air propeller or the propeller may be placed
centrally over the motor or wheel.
When necessary
I introduce gearing to
accelerate the speed of the fan. The action of the fan is to cause a strong current
of air over the surface of the tubes and so cause rapid evaporation. It also extracts
the heated air and vapour.
I maintain the desired level of water at the foot of the vessel by a suitable over-
flow for surplus water.
I do not bind myself to place the fan or extractor within the condenser case, as
it may if more convenient be placed in any suitable position in the outlet or pipe
leading to the outlet and its axis may be horizontal or at any angle.
In another form of my invention I use the fan as a blower, placing it in this case
at the inlet for air either in the condenser or in the inlet pipe or passage. The
power in this case may be transmitted by any known means from the motor or
wheel placed on the water outlet or the motor may be placed in direct connection
with the fan and the water passed through on its way to the outlet.
In another form I place the propeller at the top of the condenser case as before
described but cause the propeller to force the air iu, in which case the air and
water are travelling in the same direction.
Dated this 18th day of June 1894.
EDGAR CONISTON MILLS,
Agent to the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Surface Condensers for Steam Enginos.
1, CHARLES JAMES BROWN of No. 15 Victoria Street Westminster London,
S.W. 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:-
My invention refers to that class of surface condensers in which the heat
extracted by the well-known process of superficial or "film" evaporation. The
steam to be condensed is passed through suitable tubes whose exterior surface is
moist and maintained constantly in a moist condition by the supply of additional
moisture to replace that which is evaporated by the air playing over the moistened
surface. The efficiency of such surface is increased by increasing the circulation of
nir, ie. by supplying as great a quantity of fresh dry air as possible to absorb the said
moisture on the tubes. For this purpose fans or air propellors are frequently
employed, and the purpose of my present invention is to secure the propulsion of
such fan or propellor without the application of external force. To effect this
1 employ the power of the water itself as it issues from or travels along the pipes
lending to the distributor by which it is distributed over the tubes in order to
moisten them.
The accompanying drawing shews one method in which my invention can be
applied.
The tubes Tara contained within the casing A. Bis the steam inlet to the
belt by which it is distributed to the interior of the tabes T. The said belt bis
divided from the outlet belt &' by division plates indiented by dotted lines through
which however passage is allowed for the condensed water which collects in the
belt to pass to the belt and so by the outlet B to the air pump.
I may
however use any other suitable arrangement of tubes within a casing as this portion
of the arrangement forms no part of my present invention.
Openings Care formed at the lower part of the casing to admit air as shown by
the arrows and at the top of the casing on a suitable box or extension D 1 mount.
an air propellor or extractor or fan E which is shewn as being carried in
bearings e e. The water which is required to moisten the outsides of the tubes T
is led in by the pipe F which enters the water motor G. Its exit from the motor
by pipe by which it is led to the distributing rose H. The motor may be of any
suitable construction such as a common impulse cap or vane wheel. The motor is
connected with and drives the fan E.
:
The motor may be of the turbine form mounted direct upon the axis of the fan
or it may be placed at one side and drive the fan by cords or gearing.
It is obvious also that the fan may if more convenient. be placed in a pipe or
shaft leading from the outlet at the top of the condenser casing. The fan may also
operate as a blast fan driving the air into and through the ease instead of extracting
it therefrom and without departing from my invention I may place the fan at the
foot of the casing thus operating the air from the openings C'either by exhaustion
or blast.
I may in some cases form the motor as part of the fan or propellor directing the
water on to this portion in such a way that when its force is expended it is
distributed by the revolving action of the fan evenly and finely over the tubes.
It is obvious that my invention is not confined in its application to vertical
condensers of this type but is equally applicable to the horizontal form: the
distribution of the moistening fluid over the tubes after it has passed through the
motor operating the fan presenting no difficulty.
In all cases the main object I have in view is to utilise the pressure or impact of
the water or other fluid which is required and utilised to moisten the exterior of the

page_text: tubes for the purpose of operating the fan or air propellor which induces the
necessary current of air over and around the tubes.
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 :-
1. The evaporative surface condenser in which a fan is operated by the same
liquid which introduced to moisten the tubes substantially as and for the purposes
herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In evaporative surface condensers the fluid motor operated by the inflowing
moistening fluid and operating the fan promoting air circulation over the moistened
surfaces substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
3. In evaporative surface condensers the combined motor and fan by which the
fluid after operating the motor is distributed by means of the fan substantially as
hereinbefore described.
Dated this 18th day of March 1805
EDGAR CONISTON MILLS,
Agent to the Applicant.