Improvements in Surface Condensers.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Mar., 1891-Accepted, 23rd May, 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by CHARLES CAMPBELL WORTHINGTON, of
Irvington, in the State of New York, United States of America,
Mechanical Engineer.]
Improvements in Surface Condensers.
1 HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 6 Bream's Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agert, 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 :-
The following is the Specification of the invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent:-
This invention relates to surface condensers, its object being to provide a condenser
of this kind in which the degree of the vacuum and the temperature of the water of
condensation may be adjustable independently of the amount or temperature of the
cooling water, or other cooling medium, passed through the condenser.
The usual method of condensation in that class of engines with which surface
condensers are employed, is well known, and need not be particularly described
herein, it being understood that the exhaust steam, being led by the exhaust pipe of
the engine to one end or side of the condenser, is condensed therein, and the water
of condensation, together with air and uncondensable vapor, is drawn off from the
other end or side of the condenser by an air pump, and is passed to the hot well
from which the boiler is fed.
The form of surface condenser in general use consists of a series of pipes con-
nected at their ends by steam-tight heads, the whole being enclosed in a casing.
The steam may be passed through the pipes, and cold water forced through the
casing, or vice versa, as desired. This form of condenser is modified in many ways,
the principle, however, remaining the same, by which a supply of cold water
passed through the condenser cools the surface with which the exhaust steam from
the engine is brought in contact and condensed.
While my improved condenser is of general application to condensing engines of.
the class described, it is of especial value as applied to pumping engines of this
same class, and will be described as applied thereto.
In condensing engines in which, as described, the water of condensation is pumped
to a hot well to supply the boiler, it is necessary that the condensation should be so
adjusted that the temperature of the water delivered to the hot well by the air
pump, should be as high as possible consistently with the production of the necessary
vacuum. By a more complete condensation, a better vacuum may be obtained, but
the temperature of the water of condensation will be correspondingly lowered, and
experience has shown that a vacuum of not more than 26 or 27 inches, varying to
slight extent in different engines, and under different conditions in the same engine,
results in the greatest economy.
It is necessary, therefore, that every condensing engine of this class shall be
provided with means by which the condensation, and the temperature of the water
drawn off from the condenser, may be adjusted, and this adjustment has heretofore
been secured by varying the amount of water passing through the condenser.
In pumping engines it is impracticable to vary the amount of water passing
through the main in accordance with the requirement of the condenser, and systems
in which the condenser forms a part of the main, and received all the water passing
through the latter, and in which the water of condensation passes to the boiler
without reheating, have failed to give the best results, especially as the relation of
the water pumped, to the steam expended, varies greatly in this class of engines

page_text: depending upon the pressure in the force main and the amount and temperature of
the water pumped. It has heretofore been customary, therefore, to provide pumping
engines with either an independent water-circulating system for the condenser, by
which the amount of water passing through the latter may be adjusted independently
of the amount of water passing through the main, or with means for reheating the
water of condensation. This necessitates either another and independent pump, or
a system of valves and pipes to deflect a portion of the main water through the
condenser.
I secure a perfect adjustment of the condensation, while permitting all the water of
the main to pass through the condenser, and avoiding the use of any independent
circulating system or reheater, by providing a condenser in which the condensing
surface with which the steam is brought in contact may be adjusted as desired. In
a modified construction to be hereinafter referred to, I secure this adjustment of the
condensation by varying the proportions of the cooling medium acting upon
different parts of the condensing surface.
For a full understanding of my invention, a description of various forms of
condenser embodying my invention will now be given, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings forming a part of this Specification, in which like letters
of reference indicate like parts, and in which
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a surface condenser applied to a duplex pumping engine
of the common class.
Fig. 2 is an end view of the same.
Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing the construction of the
condenser in detail.
Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal section of another form of my improved
condenser.
Fig. 5 is a cross section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a central section of one end of a condenser, showing another means for
adjusting the condensing surface.
Figs. 7, 8, and 9 show condensers arranged reversely to those of the preceding
figures, the water passing through the tubes, and the steam through the casing
about the tubes. Fig. 7 is a central longitudinal section of a vertical condenser.
Fig. 8 is a central longitudinal section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 9, showing a hori-
zontal condenser. Fig. 9 is a cross section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.
Fig. 10 shows a condenser in which the condensing surface is reduced by closing
some of the condensing pipes mechanically, and Fig. 11 is a cross section on the
line 11 11 of Fig. 10.
Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section of a condenser wherein the adjustment of the
condensation is secured by varying the proportions of the cooling medium acting
upon different parts of the condensing surface.
Fig. 13 is a cross section on the line 13-13 of Fig. 12.
Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 12, illustrating a modification thereof.
Fig. 15 is a cross section on the line 15-15 of Fig. 14.
Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3, the condenser is formed of a series of pipes B,
which are connected at their ends by means of steam tight heads C, the pipes
and heads being surrounded by a casing A, forming the outside of the condenser,
all as is common in this class of construction. The casing of the condenser is
provided at each side with a port by which the main D communicates with the
condenser, the water of the main thus passing through the latter. In these
figures, the condenser is shown as constructed to be placed upon the suction
main of a duplex engine, the upper side of the condenser being provided with
two ports communicating respectively with the branch main for the two sides of
the engine. It will be understood, however, that the condenser may be applied
to a pumping engine of any other class, and to either the suction or force main,
as desired.
At one end, outside the head C. the condenser is provided with a steam
chamber E, communicating with the steam exhaust pipe F, and with the tubes B,

page_text: and at its other end with a discharge chamber G, which is divided into two
parts by means of the partition H, which extends from the base of the condenser
upward to any desired point opposite the tubes B. This partition H divides
the discharge chamber & into an inner and outer chamber, the former com-
municating with the pipes B, and the latter with the discharge pipe K, through
which the water of condensation and the air are drawn from the condenser by
the air pump and led to the hot well. The partition H is provided with a
series of ports a of different heights above the base of the condenser, these
ports being controlled by valves b.
It is evident that by opening the lowest port a, all the water of condensation
will pass from the inner discharge chamber G and the pipes B, and the entire
series of pipes will be used to conduct the steam from the exhaust. F to the
discharge chamber G, the surface of the entire series of pipes thus forming the
condensing surface for the steam. By closing the lowest port a, and opening
any one of the upper ports, for instance, the second port, as shown, the level of
the water of condensation within the inner discharge chamber, the pipes B, and
the steam chamber E, as shown by the line W, will be raised correspondingly,
and this level may be adjusted to any point desired, the adjustment being limited
only by the number of ports in the partition H.
As the level of the water of condensation about the condensing surface is
thus raised, the steam will pass through fewer of the pipes B, and the con-
densing surface will therefore be decreased, and the temperature of the water of
condensation correspondingly raised. By this means, an accurate adjustment
of the condensation may be secured, so that the vacuum produced and the
temperature of the water of condensation shall bear to each other that relation
that results in the greatest economy of the engine.
In Figs. 4 and 5 is shown another means for varying the extent of the con-
densing surface, the general construction of the condenser being the same as that
of the condensers previously described.
manner,
In the construction shown in these figures, however, the discharge chamber G,
at the end of the cylinder, is entered, near the base of the condenser, by a
pipe L, which communicates with the discharge pipe, and when in its vertical
position extends nearly to the top of the discharge chamber, the partition H of
Fig. 3 being omitted. This pipe is pivotally mounted so as to be adapted to
be swung from a vertical to a horizontal, or any intermediate position, as indicated
in Fig. 5, its central position being shown by full lines.
The swinging pipe L may be mounted in
and the
suitable
any
operating means may be of any form. I have shown a simple and convenient
construction, in which the pipe L connects with the pipe K by means of a
collar set into the casing of the discharge chamber, and flanged inward inside
the chamber, to hold an outward flange on a sleeve d, to which the swinging
pipe is attached. To the sleeve d is secured a rod e, which passes through the
wall of the discharge pipe outside the chamber, and is provided with a handle f
by which the sleeve and its attached pipe L may be rotated through a partial
circle. A packing g will preferably be inserted between the sleeve d and the
end of the pipe K.
In Fig. 6 is shown a construction similar to that of Figs. 4 and 5, except that
the pipe L is arranged to slide vertically through the base wall of the discharge
chamber, and opens below into a chamber M, which forms an enlargement of the
discharge pipe X. The pipe is adjusted by means of the screw h provided with a
handle i, this adjusting construction being the same as that shown in detail in Figs. 8
and 9.
It is evident that by this construction, of a swinging or sliding discharge pipe, a
greater range of adjustment is secured than by the means shown in Figs. 1 to 3,
and that the swinging pipe especially permits a very quick adjustment.
In Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are illustrated forms of condensers in which the main
connects directly with the pipes, the water passing through the latter, and the

page_text: steam through the casing surrounding the pipes, this being a common reversal of
the construction previously described.
In the condenser shown in Fig. 7, the level of the water of condensation inside
the casing A, and about the condensation surface, is adjusted by means of a series
of cocks b, at different levels, communicating with the inside of the casing, and with
the discharge pipe K.
In Figs. 8 and 9, the construction is similar to that of Fig. 6, except that the
sliding discharge pipe L enters the casing instead of a discharge chamber at the
end of the condenser. For the purpose of adjustment, the base of the pipe Lis
threaded upon the screw h, which is provided with the handle i, and mounted in
the lower wall of chamber M. The pipe L enters the chamber M, which forms an
enlargement of pipe K, and communicates therewith by ports l.
In all the constructions described, the circulation of the body of water of con-
densation retained in the condenser will be very slow, the heated water on top
being of lower specific gravity than that below, and thus the water that falls into
it from the exposed condensing tubes, remains on top, and the hot well is supplied
from this upper warmer stratum, without disturbing the lower strata.
1 thus secure
a high temperature of the feed water, although retaining a body of the water of
condensation within the condenser.
While I prefer to adjust the condensing surface by varying the level of the water
of condensation, it is evident that mechanical devices may be used by which the
condensing surface shall be varied directly.
A simple and convenient construction of this class is shown in Figs. 10 and 11, in
which the rod m passes through the steam chamber E, and is provided, outside the
chamber, with a handle n, the rod being suitably packed where it passes through
the wall of the chamber. This rod m is screw-threaded inside the chamber, and by
its rotation raises or lowers a gate o, which is constructed to fit closely over the
ends of the pipes B, and thus closes a greater or less number of them, according to
its position. In the construction shown, with a cylindrical condenser, the gate is of
a segmental form, and the steam chamber is provided with a pocket p,.receiving the
lower side of the gate, and in which the entire gate may be held when all the pipes B
are to be used.
This construction is equally applicable in cases in which the pipes B form part of
the main, and the steam exhaust connects with the body of the condenser, reversing
the operation described. In this case the same amount of water flows through the
condenser at all times, the condenser being so constructed that the total capacity of
the pipes will exceed that of the main. Where some of the pipes are closed by the
gate, the water passes through those left open, and the closed pipes are not cooled,
and form no part of the condensing surface until re-opened.
In either case, whether the steam or water passes through the pipes B, it is
therefore apparent that the movement of the gate o, by opening or closing the pipes,
increases or decreases the effective condensing surfaces.
In the modifications illustrated in Figures 12 to 15, the adjustment of the con-
densation, instead of being secured, as in the preceding figures, by the adjustment
of the condensing surface with which the steam is brought into contact, is secured
by varying the proportions of the cooling medium acting upon different parts of the
condensing surface. In Figures 12 and 13, the casing A is provided with steam-
tight heads C, between which extend a series of pipes or tubes B, and a larger pipe
or tube B', which pipes form the condensing surface. The exhaust steam enters
the casing through port F, and the waters of condensation and the air escape
therefrom through the port K, substantially as before. The chambers E and G
communicate with the pipes B and B', and connect with the water main D. The
larger pipe B is preferably placed, as shown, centrally of the condenser, and
virtually forms a continuation of the main D, through the latter, between the
chambers G, E. To control the flow of water through the pipe B', and conse-
quently through the pipes B, a valve a is provided, carried by a screw rod b',
provided with a handle c', by which it may be operated, to carry the valve to and

page_text: Irom the main port. This valve may be placed either at the induction or discharge
end of the condenser.
By the closing movement of this valve, the flow through the pipe B' is retarded
by the decrease in the area of the passage, and increase in friction upon the valve,
and more of the water directed through the pipes B, and by the opening movement
the effect is reversed.
In Figures 14 and 15, a similar construction is shown, except that a gate valve.
is used in place of the disc valve a'.
1
This valve dis pivotted in lugs e¹ mounted on one of the heads C, and swings
inside the pipe B', the valve being operated by means of the spool f' engaging the
stem of the valve, and moving on a screw rod g' mounted in the casing of chamber E,
and provided with a handle.
It will be seen that in this construction, the pipe B' forms a part of the con-
densing surface, and by the movement of the valve a¹ or d!, the relative amounts of
water acting upon the different parts of the condensing surface may be adjusted as
desired.
By adjusting the valve to allow more water to pass through the pipe B¹, and
consequently diminishing the amount of water passing through the pipes B, the
temperature of the condensing surface of the latter will be raised. By shutting off
part of the water from the pipe B', the amount of water passing through the
pipes B is increased, and the temperature of the condensing surface of the latter
correspondingly lowered. While the amount of water passing through pipe B¹ is
increased or diminished exactly in inverse ratio to that passing through the pipes B,
the effect of the water upon the condensing surface of pipe B₁, and pipes B, is
not the same, on account of the larger bore of pipe B1, and the rise or fall of the
temperature of the surface of pipes B, only partially compensated for by the
consequent fall or rise in temperature in the surface of pipe B'.
The temperature of the water of condensation, and the degree of vacuum,
therefore, will be varied by the movement of the valve, and an accurate adjustment
of the condensation may thus be secured without varying the amount of water
passing through the condenser, so that the vacuum produced, and the temperature
of the water of condensation, shall bear to each other that relation which results in
the greatest economy in the operation of the engine.
The result stated will be obtained, although the condensing surface of pipe B' is
exactly equal to the total condensing surface of pipes B, since, as stated above, the
cooling effect of the water in the pipes B', and B, does not vary as the amount.
A wider variation for each movement of the valve, may be obtained, however,
by constructing the condensing surfaces of different areas, so that the effect of the
water is varied not only by the relative bores of the pipes B₁ and B, but by the
relative areas of the condensing surface acted upon by the water as it is directed
through the different parts of the condenser.
By employing only two pipes of different bores, or having condensing surfaces of
different areas, a similar adjustment may be obtained, but the series give a wide
variation, and this construction is preferable.
While I have shown a condenser formed of a series of pipes surrounded by a
casing, my invention is not to be limited to any special form of surface condenser,
that shown being but one of the ordinary forms, and selected as that found most
convenient for use, and as best illustrating my invention. It is evident also that
the means of adjustment may be varied widely without departing from my
invention.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me from
abroad, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. Cutting out from surface condensers, at the will of the attendant, a portion of
the acting or cooling surface, as and for the purpose above set forth.
2. Cutting out of use, at the will of the attendant, part or parts of the cooling

page_text: surfaces of condensers, by the accumulation therein of the water of condensation, as
explained with reference. to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the accompanying
drawings.
3. Modifying, at the will of the attendant, the cooling action of parts or parts of
the surface condensers, by the accumulation therein of the water of condensation,
as explained with reference to Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings.
4. Contracting, at the will of the attendant, the passage for the flow of the spent
steam through the condenser, by the means described with reference to Figs. 10
and 11 of the accompanying drawings.
5. Controlling, at the will of the attendant, the distribution, of the cooling liquid
over different portions of the condensing surface in surface condensers.
6. Controlling, at the will of the attendant, the distribution of the cooling liquid
in surface condensers by the means described with reference to Figs. 12, 13, 14,
and 15 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 2nd day of March 1891
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.