Year: 1885

page_text: I, FREDERICK MERIAM WHEELER, of Montclair, in the State of New Jersey,
United States of America, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
Surface condensers have heretofore been made with ranges of vertical tubes, each
larger tube having within it a smaller tube extending from a diaphragm to near
the upper end of the larger tube, so as to cause the proper circulation of the
condensing water.
My invention is designed for facilitating the insertion of the tubes and their
removal for cleaning and repairs, and also for economizing the condensing water,
and for preventing the chilling of the water of condensation, so that said water may
be returned to the boiler at as high a temperature as possible.
The shell or case of the condenser is to be of any desired size or shape. I prefer
to make the same as a horizontal cylinder, and to provide at one end a removeable
head: the head at the other end forms a tube sheet for the reception of the ends
of the tubes through which the condensing water passes.
The stream to be condensed is introduced by a pipe at the upper part of the
condenser case, and there is a deflector or spreader to equalize the steam before it
reaches the condensing tubes.
The water of condensation is taken away from the lower part of the condenser
case, and the lower range of horizontal condensing tubes is at a sufficient distance
from the bottom of the condenser to allow for any accumulation of the water of
condensation so that the same may not be chilled by the condensing water in the
lower range of condensing tubes.
In order to allow for access to the condensing tubes without necessarily dis-
connecting the water or steam pipes, I.provide a head that forms the tube sheet,
and a short cylinder, the open end of which is closed by a removeable or auxiliary
head. There is a diaphragm or partition between the tube sheet and the auxiliary
head, and the space between the tube sheet and the diaphragm, and between the
diaphragm and the auxiliary head is divided into two or more compartments, if
two or more ranges of condensing tubes are employed. If but one range of
condensing tubes is employed then there will be no necessity for the partitions.
The tubes are arranged in pairs, and supported as follows:--
The outer and larger tube is made with a screw thread so that it can be screwed
into and be supported by the tube sheet; the other end of said larger tube is closed

page_text: by a screw cap. The smaller tube is of a size to pass within the larger tube and
leave sufficient space for the passage of the condensing water between the two
tubes: this smaller tube is screwed into and supported by the diaphragm between
the tube sheet and the auxiliary head and both ends of said smaller tube are open.
The smaller tube may be screwed directly into the diaphragm as aforesaid, but
I prefer that each smaller tube be screwed, expanded or brazed into a short
cylinder that is screwed into said diaphragm, said cylinder being slightly larger in
diameter than the larger tube. By this construction a tube or tubes can easily be
removed by taking off the auxiliary head, and unscrewing the short cylinder, and
the smaller tube and removing them, after which a tool can be inserted through
the hole occupied by the short cylinder, and the larger tube unscrewed and with-
drawn through said hole. The tubes can be cleaned, repaired, or replaced.
The screw threaded ends of the tubes may be thickened and notched for the
reception of a tool so that the tubes can be easily screwed or unscrewed, and in
order to hold the smaller tube centrally within the larger tube, the interior of the
screw cap that closes the larger tube may be made with guide wings to pass into
the inner end of the smaller tube and support the same, or else the interior of the
cap is of a size to receive the inner end of the small tube, said inner end being
notched to allow the free passage of the condensing water from the inner tube
into the outer or the reverse.
The inner tube is preferably of a length to stop short of the cap at the end of the
outer tube, and wings upon the exterior surface of the inner tube support the same
centrally or nearly so, within the outer tube.
The condensing water passes through the condenser as follows-
The inlet pipe is preferably connected at the lower part of the short cylinder
upon the tube sheet and the water passes into the space between the diaphragm
and the auxiliary head and into the smaller tubes, and out from their inner end
into the larger tubes, and back around said smaller tubes into the space between
the tube sheet and the diaphragm. If but one range or group of tubes is employed
the water will pass from said space into an exit pipe; if three ranges or groups of
tubes are employed then the water will pass from the space between the tube sheet
and diaphragm into the larger tubes of the second group along the same, and back
through the smaller tubes into the upper space between the diaphragm and auxiliary
head; the water then passes through the smaller tubes of the third group of pipes
and returns through the larger tubes into the upper space between the tube sheet
and diaphragm and away by the exit pipe. If it is desired to have the water
always enter by the smaller tubes and return by the larger tubes of each group,
then it is necessary to have a partition for each group of tubes between the tube
sheet and the diaphragm, and between the diaphragm and the auxiliary head with
a passage way between the two spaces thus formed, so that the water, as it leaves
the larger tubes, passes into the space between the tube sheet and diaphragm, and
goes by said passage-way into the space between the diaphragm and auxiliary head
and thence into the smaller tubes.
The flow of water through the condenser might be reversed from that set
forth herein, the entry pipe being at the top of the condenser, and the exit at
the bottom.

page_text: COMPLETE DIECIFICATION.
Improvements in Surface Condensers.
I, FREDERICK MERIAM WHEELER, of Montclair, in the State of New Jersey,
United States of America, 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, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say :-
Surface condensers have heretofore been made with ranges of vertical tubes,
each larger tube having within it a smaller tube extending from a diaphragm to
near the upper end of the larger tube so as to cause the proper circulation of the
condensing water.
My invention is made for facilitating the insertion of the tubes and their removal
for cleaning and repairs, and also for economizing the condensing water, and for
preventing the chilling of the water of condensation so that said water may be
returned to the boiler at as high a temperature as possible.
In the drawing:
Figure 1 is a vertical section longitudinally of the condenser with the tubes in
elevation.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the condenser with the screw ends and caps
slightly different from those shown in Fig. 1.
Figure 3 is a cross section of the condenser.
Figures 4 and 5 are sections in larger size of the caps, and ends of the tubes.
Figure 6 is an end view of the cap and tube Fig. 4.
Figure 7 is a section in larger size of the ends of the tubes and cap shown in
Fig. 1, and
Figure 8 shows a modification of the device for keeping the inner tube central
of the larger tube.
The shell of the condenser is to be of any desired size or shape. I prefer to
make the same cylindrical as at L, and to provide at one end a removable head M,
the other head N forms a tube sheet, for the reception of the ends of the tubes a.
The steam to be condensed is introduced at f, and there is a deflector or per-
forated spreader p to equalize the steam as it descends to the tubes a The water
of condensation is taken away at Q, and the lower range of tubes a, is at a
sufficient distance from the bottom of the condenser L to allow for
any accumu-
lation of the water of condensation so that the same may not be chilled by the
condensing water in the lower range of the tubes a.
I prefer to make the condenser ends so as to give access to the tubes without
disconnecting the water or steam pipes. With this object in view I prefer to cast
the head N with the cylinder N-1, and the partition or diaphragm S may be cast
with this cylinder N-1 as in Fig. 1 or it may be a separate plate bolted to said
cylinder as in Fig. 2.
With the construction shown in Fig. 2 the auxiliary head R is bolted directly to
the diaphragm S and the inlet and exit pipes H, K for the cold condensing water are
connected to the cylinder N-1.
-

page_text: With the construction shown in Fig. 1 there is a small cylinder N-2 between
the auxiliary head R and the diaphragm S, and the pipes H and K are connected
to the cylinders N-2 and N-1 respectively. In either form of construction by
simply removing the head R access is given to the tubes of the condenser without
disturbing the pipe connections.
Sometimes the water will be admitted at the pipe K and pass out by the
pipe H, but usually the water will be made to circulate in the direction indicated
by the arrows.
In some instances the condensing pipes will form but one group, and the water
entering by the pipe H between the head R and diaphragm S will pass directly
through all the tubes c and return through the tubes a into the space between
the head N and diaphragm S and leave by the exit pipe or it will be made to
circulate in the opposite direction, but I prefer to arrange the condensing pipes in
two or more groups. In Fig. 1 I have shown three groups, and in Figs. 2 and 3 I
have shown two groups.
In Fig. 2 the condensing water passes in by the pipe H into the chamber d,
thence through the tubes c in the bottom group of tubes, and back through the
tubes a, into the chamber E thence by the passage e, between the partitions T,
T-1 into the chamber I, and from there through the upper group of tubes cand
back again through the upper tubes a into the chamber J and from thence out of
the condenser by the delivery pipe K or there may be a second passage e, and a
third group of pipes a, c, if desired.
In Fig. the water is shown as passing in by the pipe H into the chamber d, and
then going along in the tubes c, and returning through the tubes a, into the
chamber E and from there going into the tubes a, of the second group of tubes,
and returning in the tubes c into the chamber I, above the partition T-1, and
ascending in that chamber I and entering the third or upper group of tubes c and
returning by the tubes a, into the chamber J above the partition T and passing
thence to the discharge pipe K.
By this arrangement the water is economized and caused to act to the best
advantage in keeping the condensing pipes cool.
In two of these groups of pipes the water passes into the open ends of the
smaller tubes c, and returns through the outer tubes a. In the third group the
water passes into the tubes a, and leaves at the open ends of the tubes c.
This condenser can be inverted so that the pipe K will be at the bottom and the
pipe H at the top, in which case if the water enters at K and leaves at H the
directions in which the water moves will be the reverse of the arrows shown in
Fig. 1.
The tubes a, are closed at their back ends preferably by removable screw-caps i,
and these tubes and also the tubes c, are free to expand and contract under changes
of temperature without injury to themselves or to any of the screws or joints,
because such tubes are only fastened at one end. In order to support the tubes c
centrally within the tubes a, I construct each cap i in one of the forms represented
in larger size, in the sections, Figs. 4, 5, 6, & 7.
In tigs. 5 and 7 the end of the tube c passes into and is supported by the said
cap i, and the water is free to circulate through openings in the tube c near the
end, or through channels in the interior of the cap i
In fig. 4 the channels are shown as in a projection i-1, that passes inside the
tube c.
In Fig. 8 there are projections placed at intervals upon the tube c for
keeping said tube central within the tube a.
In all instances the condensing water passes along through the tubes c, and
returns within the tubes a, between the inner surfaces of the tube a, and the
exterior surfaces of the tube c, or vice versa, the tubes being preferably maintained
concentric within the tubes a.
In Figs. 1 and 7, the tubes a are thickened at the ends that are screwed into
the tube sheet N preferably sufficiently to allow of their removal by a suitable

page_text: tool applied at this end of the tubes to unscrew the same, and withdraw them
through the tube sheet N, and diaphragm S. In this case the caps i, should be
screwed within the tubes a, as seen in Fig. 7 so as not to project outside of the
tubes a, but where the tube a, is sufficiently strong to withstand the torsion, the
head M may be removed and the unscrewing tool applied to grasp this end of
the pipe, either before or after the cap i, is removed. In Figs. 3, 4 and 5 this
latter mode of removing the tubes will be employed.
The thickening of the ends of the tubes a, where they enter the sheet N is
rendered necessary because said tubes are of comparatively thin metal, and not
sufficiently thick for a screw thread to be cut therein, this thickening may be made
by sweating or otherwise securing to the ends of the tubes, a screw backing or
thimble.
When the tubes a are removable through the diaphragm S after removing the
head R, Figs. 1, 7 & 8 the ends of the tubes c must be provided with bushings
with screws upon the outside to fit the holes in the diaphragm S, because such
holes must be larger than the screws of the tubes a, in order to give the necessary
room for inserting or withdrawing the tubes a.
If desired, the tubes a, and c, may be secured into the sheet N and diaphragm S
respectively by expanding the ends of said tubes within the openings provided
for them in N and S or said tubes may be secured in place in any desired manner.
The recesses in the caps i, Figs. 4 and 5 into which the ends of the tubes c pass,
are preferably longer than the screw threads upon the ends of the tubes a, in order
that the caps may be passed upon the ends of the tubes c before being screwed
upon the ends of the tubes a, and the recesses in the caps i, are sufficiently deep
to allow for expansion or contraction without binding upon the ends of the tubes c.
I have spoken of this condenser as adapted to steam. It is to be understood
that the same may be used for any condensing or cooking purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First. The horizontal case L having an inlet-pipe for the steam at the top and
an outlet pipe for the water of condensation at the bottom, in combination with
the perforated distributor P, the tube sheet N, the horizontal tubes a, screwed into
such sheet N, and opening through the same, the movable caps that close the other
ends of such tubes a, the tubes c, within the tubes a, and open at each end, and
the tube sheet S, into which such tubes c are screwed, and the heads and the pipes
for supplying water to circulate between the heads and tube sheets and through
the tubes a, c, substantially as set forth.
Second. The combination with the horizontal condenser case and the tube
sheets N, S, of the tubes a, with the ends thicker than the body and having screw
threads thereon screwed into the sheet N, the tubes c having attached to them,
screw ferrules at their ends that are larger in diameter than the tubes a, and
screwed into the tube sheet S, in line with the tubes a, so that such tubes a can
be removed through the openings in the sheet S, after the tubes c have been
removed, the removable caps i to the tubes a, and the supply and discharge
pipes H, K, substantially as specified.
Third. The combination with a horizontal condenser case of two or more groups
of tubes, the respective tube sheets N, S, into which the respective tubes a, c, are
screwed, the inlet and outlet pipes H, K and the partitions between the respective
groups of tubes to direct the circulating water, substantially as specified.
Fourth. The combination with the tubes a and c, in a condenser, of the case L,
head M, tube sheet N, diaphragın S partitions T, T-1 and auxiliary bead R and the
pipes for the introduction and discharge of the condensing water substantially as
set forth.
Fifth. The combination with the tubes a, in a surface condenser, of the tubes c,
within such tubes a, and removable caps i, constructed substantially as specified so

page_text: that the ends of the tubes c, are supported, but the condensing water is free to
circulate through the tubes c and a, as set forth.
Sixth. The combination in a condenser, of a case with an inlet at the top and
discharge for the condensed material at the bottom, and ranges of horizontal tubes
through which the condensing water is caused to circulate, such tubes passing at
one end through and secured to a tube sheet, the other ends being free substantially
as set forth.