IMPROVEMENTS IN CONDENSERS FOR STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by. William Edward Kochs at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd January 1879.
WILLIAM EDWARD KOCHS, Engineer, of 41, Woodville Terrace, Cathays, Cardiff,
in the County of Glamorgan. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONDENSERS FOR STEAM
ENGINES."
The object of this Invention is to construct a condenser which uses water very
economically, requires but little fall, which is self-acting, self-regulating, and safe,
that is to say, which starts and stops its own working without being attended to,
regulates its own supply of water, and lastly prevents, by sudden stoppage of the
steam to the engine, water from entering into the steam cylinder and the causing
of serious damage to the same, an apparatus more especially valuable for irregular
going engines, such as colliery winding, rolling mill, and many other engines.
The principle of this condenser is as follows:-The exhaust steam on passing
into the apparatus enters a curved annular space formed by the outer casing and a
circular and balanced disk or piston, and by means of its initial pressure causes the
disk to descend. The diameter of this disk is, by preference, made larger, say, from
two to four times that of the exhaust pipe, and for two reasons:-1ly. Because of
the greater distribution or defilement of the steam to a larger circumference and its
better exposure to the action of the water; and-2nly. Because of the great surface
being presented to the, sometimes slight, over-pressure of the steam to cause the
balanced piston to be forced down easier, and the water to be pressed out with
velocity to meet the steam. The piston is held in equilibrium, or its weight
balanced by a lever and weight, or spring below. By the downward movement of
the piston two valves are opened, a larger one, the disk valve, which permits the
steam to pass into the condensing section, and a smaller one for admitting water to
the condensation, whilst a third one for the first inlet or water supply is closed. It
will thus be seen that at whatever pressure the steam enters the apparatus, the
power exerted upon the supply of water will be increased or diminished, that is to
say, by more steam or greater pressure a greater quantity of water will be squeezed
through the piston to meet the steam, and visa versa. The water thus admitted
crosses the steam in its passage through the larger valve at right angles, and exactly
around the circumference of the said valve. A thiu ring, sheet, or spray of water is
thus being thrown upwards, which causes the immediate condensation of the steam
and a vacuum to take place in the condensing section. If found expedient after
sufficient trial a convenient number of small holes may be made in the disk to cause
a spray of water, also above the disk, for the condensation of any remaining vapours

page_text: By the closing of the balanced or disk valve and of the second water supply valve
the inlet water valve is being opened, and thus fresh water is being admitted under
the piston. Should at any time the engine go.empty or the steam be suddenly cut
off from the cylinder, then the disk valve and second water valve will remain
firmly closed and no water can pass either way. A fourth circular india-rubber, or
by preference brass valve or valves, placed at the foot of the annular condensing
space, is or are being closed. Some of the condensed water in the condensing
section remains now closed in until the vacuum is again broken by the next
following exhaust steam, when it is thrown out. The condenser may be placed
with safety as near as possible to the steam cylinder, as no risk will be incurred.
The saving of water during intervals is therefore very great.