IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF REFRIGERATING OR ICE-MAKING MACHINES, CONDENSERS, AND ATTEMPERATORS."
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Gamgee, of 1, Great Winchester Street
Buildings, in the City of London, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF REFRIGERATING OR ICE-MAKING MACHINES,
CONDENSERS, AND ATTEMPERATORS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Gamgee at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
16th December 1870.
I, JOHN GAMGEE, of 1, Great Winchester Street Buildings, in the
City of London, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF REFRIGERATING OR ICE-MAKING
MACHINES, CONDENSERS, AND ATTEMPERATORS,” to be as follows:-
The improvements consist,-
Firstly. In obtaining a greater area of conducting surface in propor-
tion to the space occupied than has hitherto been attained.
The manner in which I propose to construct these refrigerators or
condensers is as follows:-Through a series of long tubes fixed at their

page_text: ends in tube plates in the ordinary manner I run a corresponding
series of tubes, but of a smaller diameter and slightly longer, the ends
of the latter are likewise fixed in tube plates. The spaces between the
tube plates of the inner and outer tubes are made to form closed
chambers. The interior of these chambers being then connected with
one another by the thin annular spaces left between the inner and outer
tubes. The refrigerating or heating medium is caused to flow from one
chamber to the other through these annular spaces, while the liquid to
be cooled or heated is allowed to pass over the outer surface of the
large tubes and inner surface of the small tubes, or the arrangement can
be exactly the reverse of this.
Secondly. I propose to use in connection with the above arrangement
Behren's rotary pump or other form of vacuum and condensing pump
' in order to evaporate the liquid used in the production of cold, and con-
dense it again for further use in accordance with the plan already.adopted
in making freezing machines.
Thirdly. My improvements consist in the use of special compounds as
substitutes for air, ether, or ammonia, which have been the principal
agents used heretoforo. The liquids I prefer arc, 1st, a compound of
ether and protoxide of nitrogen; 2nd, formiate of methyle; 3rd, acetate
of methyle.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Gamgee in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 16th June 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, Joun
GAMGEE, of 1, Great Winchester Strect Buildings, in the City of London,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of December, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the 3
thirty-fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Gamgee, Her special licence
that I, the said John Gamgee, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said John Gamgee, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, should at any time agrec with, and no others, from 3

page_text: time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
'expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF REFRIGERATING OR ICE-MAKING MACHINES, CONDENSERS, AND
ATTEMPERATORS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
John Gamgee, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Gamgee, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement in writing, reference being had to the accom-
panying three Sheets of Drawings, that is to say :-
These improvements consist,-
Firstly. In obtaining a greater area of conducting surface in propor-
tion to the space occupied than has hitherto been attained.
The manner in which I propose to construct these refrigerators or con-
densers and attemperators is as follows:-Through a series of long tubes
fixed at their ends in tube plates in the ordinary manner I run a
corresponding series of tubes, but of a smaller diameter and slightly
longer; and the ends of the latter are likewise fixed in tube plates,
and the spaces between these tube plates are made to form closed
chambers, as herein-after described. The interior of these chambers
at the different ends of the pipes are connected with one another by the
thin annular spaces which intervene between the inner and outer
tubes. The refrigerating or heating medium is caused to flow from one
chamber to the other through these annular spaces between the pipes,
while the liquid to be cooled or heated passes over the outer surface of
the large tubes, and also through the small tubes; or this arrangement
can if preferred be exactly the reverse of this when the liquid to be
cooled or heated would pass through the annular space between the
pipes, but this latter arrangement is not preferred.
Secondly. I propose to use in connection with the above arrangement
Behren's rotary pump or any other suitable form of vacuum and con-

page_text: densing pump in order to quicken the evaporation of the liquid used in
the production of cold, and to aid in or commenco the condensation of
it again for further use in accordance with the plan already adopted in
making freezing machines.
And, thirdly. My improvements consist in the use of special com-
pounds or substitutes for air, ether, or ammonia which have been the
principal agents used heretofore. The liquids I prefer are, 1st, formiato
of methyle; 2nd, acetate of methyle; and, third, a mixture of ether
and protoxide of nitrogen.
Such being the nature and object of my said Invention for "Im-
provements in the Construction of Refrigerating or Icc-making Machines,
Condensers, and Attemperators," I will now proceed to describe more in
detail the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or
carried into practical effect; and in order that the same may be dis-
tinctly understood I have annexed hereunto three Sheets of Drawings 1
illustrative thereof, and have marked the same with figures and letters
of reference corresponding with those in the following explanation
thereof, that is to say :-
On the accompanying Sheet of Drawings Figure 1 (Sheet 1) represents
a sketch plan view of a suitable general arrangement of the improved
apparatus, showing the pipe connections; and Figure 2 a sectional
elevation of the same.
These Figures do not show the detail of the apparatus, but are only
intended to illustrato a suitable general arrangement of the apparatus
as a whole, and the mode or manner in which it operates, and also to
show the various pipe connections when the apparatus is so placed.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section through about the line A, B,
(Figure 1) of the condenser trough, showing the double arrangement of
condensing tubes; and Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section through
about the line C-D, of the same, showing the syphon bend for con-
necting the double arrangement of tubes.
Figure 5 (Sheet 2) represents a sectional plan view through about the
line E-F, Figure 6, of the refrigerating apparatus, the tray or framing
containing the bottles or other things requiring to be cooled or iced
being removed; and Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal section through ;
about the line G-H, Figure 5, of the same, showing the tray with
bottles placed therein in its position.

page_text: Figure 7 (Sheet 3) represents a transverse vertical section through
about the line I—J, Figure 6 of the same, and Figure 8 a plan view of
the tray containing bottles as an example of its use.
1
1, 1, represent the outer series of long tubes through which the
smaller (and corresponding series of longer) tubes 2, 2, pass. The ends
of the outer tubes 1, 1, are fixed (by soldering or otherwise) in inner
tubes plates 3, 3, and the ends of the inner and longer tubes 2, 2, are
fixed in other tube plates 4, 4, which run parallel to the tube plates 3, 3.
The spaces between each opposite pair of tube plates 3-4, 3-4, are
formed into closed chambers 5, 5, (see Figure 6, Sheet 2) by having.
semi-cylindrical (or other suitably shaped) covers, and bottoms 6, 6,
soldered (or otherwise suitably attached) to the upper and lower edges
of these plates. The outer tubes 1, 1, open at either end into the closed
chambers and by means of the thin annular spaces which intervene
between the inner and outer tubes, a communication is formed between
the interiors of the two opposite and parallel chambers 5, 5, in both
condenser and refrigerator. The tubes 2, 2, however being longer.are
caused to penetrate through and are soldered or otherwise suitably
secured to the opposite tube plates 4, 4, and so form a through com-.
munication from the outside of one chamber 5, to the outside of the
other, i.c., its opposite one. In the condenser trough the arrangement of
these chambers and tubes is double and superposed, as shewn in Figures 3
and 4, Sheet 1, and two of the chambers are connected at one end by a
suitable syphon bend 7, and at one end of each of the opposite chambers
vertical flanged pipes 8, 9, are attached thereto by flanges and screws
one of which (8) is for leading the vaporized cooling medium from the
vacuum and condensing pump into the condensing tubes to be again
condensed (after having been used) into its liquid state, and the other (9)
is for its exit from the condenser to the refrigerator when in its liquid
state. The remaining ends of these four chambers 5, 5, in the condenser
trough are closed by flange plates x, x. The condenser trough is pro-
vided at one end with an overflow partition 10, and at its other with
a partition 11, which forms one end into a separate chamber into which
fresh cold water is constantly kept running when the apparatus is in
3 action, and which passing under the partition 11 causes the warmer
water which has been used in condensing part of the vaporized cooling
medium to pass over the partition 10 at the opposite extremity of the
trough. The condenser trough may itself be of any suitable form, size,
and shape, and may be a simple box constructed of wood and lined

page_text: .
with lead or other material to keep the same water-tight. In the
refrigerating chamber, however, the arrangement of chambers and tubes
is single (as illustrated most clearly in Figures 6 and 7, Sheets 2 and 3
respectively) and at the end of each chamber 5, 5, by preference at the
opposite diagonal corners of the refrigerating chamber, vertical flanged
pipes 12, 13, are suitably attached by other flanges and screws, one of
the pipes (12) is for conveying the cooling medium in its liquid state, and
after being condensed to one of the chambers 5 in the refrigerator, and
the other (13) is for the exit of the same cooling medium after it has
passed between the pipes 1, 1, and 2, 2, in the refrigerator and performed
its work in abstracting part of the heat from the brine in which the bottles
or other articles to be cooled or iced are placed, and which heat (being
absorbed by it) partially vaporizes it when it is conveyed through the
pipe 13 to the vacuum and condensing pump m, and thence to the
condenser as herein-after explained. The other ends of the chambers 5, 5,
are closed by flange plates x, x. At one end of the refrigerating chamber
is placed a thin metal diaphragm 14 which divides a small portion of
onc end of the refrigerator from the body of the same, and constitutes
.it into a separate chamber 3, y. At this end of the refrigerator the
tubes 2, 2, are prolonged and run through (and are soldered or otherwise
suitably attached to) the diaphragm, and into the separate chamber y, y,
thus forming a connection between the opposite end of the refrigerator and
the small chamber, as shewn in Figures 5 and 6, Sheet 2. The diaphragm
is let in at the bottom and sides of the refrigerator, and is secured or
held to one end by short stay rods or angle irons 15, and at its top it is
provided with a small trough 16. Above this trough revolves a suitable
water lift wheel 17 revolving in bearings 18, 18, (attached either to the
diaphragm 14 or to one end of the refrigerator as shewn) and actuated
by a gut wheel 19 from the shaft of the pump, as shewn in Figure 1,
Sheet 1, or by any other suitable means. The use of this water lift
wheel 17 is to create a constant and regular flow or circulation of the
brine through the refrigerating chamber (for the purpose of presenting
fresh brine to the action of the cooling medium) and its action is as
follows:-
Supposing the level of the water in the small chamber and in the
refrigerating chamber to be alike to create the required flow the water
lift wheel 17 is slowly revolved and each vane thereof lifts a portion of
the brine in the small chamber into the refrigerating chamber, and this
immediately trying to recover its former level (and the level of the brine

page_text: in the small chamber) and the only openings connecting the interiors of
these two chambers being through the small tubes 2, 2, a portion of
it passes through these tubes into the small chamber, different portion
of the brine being thereby constantly exposed to the action of the cooling
medium, or this may be accomplished by means of a small pump or
other suitablo means. The sides, top closing pieces 31, 31, bottom, and
cover 32 of the refrigerating apparatus are by preference all constructed.
of two thicknesses of wood, with a layer of felt or other suitable.
non-conducting material intervening.
20 represents a tray or light iron framing, into which are placed
the articles it is desired to cool or ice, for instance, bottles con-
taining wines, effervescing or other liquids. This tray is supported
in its proper position in the refrigerating chamber by means of the
suspended brackets 21, 21, and is constructed of light angle iron
bars 22, 22, securely bolted to each other, and forming thereby an open-
work framing; the bottles or other articles rest upon the bars forming
the bottom of the same. The tray is provided with handles 23, 23, and
has at its upper part a thick rim 24 which rests upon the brackets 21, 21.
The ironwork is coated with suitable paint or other composition which
) will effectually resist the action of the brine in the refrigerating
apparatus upon it.
:
The method of charging the apparatus with the cooling medium, and
the subsequent action of the apparatus as a whole is as follows (see
Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 1):-The stop-cock 25 placed above the pipo 12,
is first turned so as to stop all communication between the refrigerator
and condenser, and the stop-cock 26 is likewise turned so as to stop all
communication between the pump and the condenser, and the cap v, v,
being removed from the pipe connection to the vacuum pump is set in
motion, which quickly causes a vacuum in all the pipes and in the
) chambers 5, 5, and the spaces between the tubes 1 and 2 in the
refrigerating apparatus, which degree of vacuum is indicated by an
ordinary vacuum guage placed on the pipe 27 secured to the pipe 13;
the stop-cock 29 is then shut and the filling cock 28 is opened, the
pipe 28* being immersed in the medium, and all the pipes and the
› chambers 5, 5, and the annular spaces between the tubes 1 and 2 between
the two stop-cocks 25 and 29 are then immediately filled with the cooling
medium, after which the filling cock 28 is shut (and is not again opened
till it is necessary to add some more of the cooling medium to supply'

page_text: any that may have been lost through leakage or otherwise); and the
cap v, v, being replaced the stop-cock 29 is then opened and the cooling
medium commences its work by abstracting the heat from the brine,
which heat causes partial evaporation of the medium, and the pump
being kept constantly at work draws the medium from the refrigerator
through the pipe 2, 5, and propels it to the condenser through the
pipe 30; and by keeping a partial vacuum in the refrigerating apparatus
by means of the pump m the cooling medium is rapidly evaporated, and
acts efficiently in abstracting the latent heat from the brine. Tho
cooling medium in its evaporated state is then propelled by the pump
through the pipe 30 to the condenser trough (the construction of which
has been already described), and it is there again condensed into its
liquid state, and passes through the pipe 31 to the refrigerating
apparatus, and can be used over and over again in a similar manner,
going always in the direction indicated by the arrows.
In Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet 1), the water cylinder only of Behren's
rotary pump is shewn, which is immersed in a tank of water to aid in
or commence the condensation of the vaporized cooling medium, and
is actuated either by a steam cylinder similar to the water cylinder, or
by a belt and pulley fixed on the shaft, and from which shaft the water
lift wheel 17 may also be actuated as shown. The stop-cock 26 may be
used to prevent any back leakage from the condenser to the pump, being
connected thereto by a simple pipe connection w, w, upon which the
moveable cap v, v,
is placed, and also to regulate the flow of the vapor
from the pump to the condenser by slightly turning it, in order that the
condenser may not be overcharged with the vapor which would not allow
of its being properly condensed. The stop-cock 29 may likewise be used
when leakage occurs in the pump to cut off the supply of the vaporized
cooling medium from the refrigerator, in order to repair the pump and
also to regulate the quantity of vapor drawn by the pump from the
refrigerating apparatus. The top of the pipe 9 is surmounted by a pipe
connexion 30*, which conveys the condensed medium to the refrigerating
apparatus through the pipe 31, and this connexion is itself surmounted
by an ordinary pressure guage and safety valve, which indicates whether
too much vapor is passing into the condenser, in which case it would
not be properly condensed, and the stop-cock 26 would be slightly
turned to regulate the flow. Or if the pressure were to accumulate it
would lift the safety valve which is weighted as required, and prevent
damage to the tubes 1, 1, and 2, 2.

page_text: 31, 31, represent top closing pieces which are fastened to. the upper
part of the sides of the refrigerating apparatus, and 32 is the cover
which is placed over the refrigerating chamber after the tray 20 has been
placed in position; 33, 33, being catches pivotted at 34, 34, to keep the
same in its position; and 35, a band of india-rubber or felt to prevent
air entering the chamber.
´ In some branches of manufacture where water or other liquid is
required to be rapidly heated by means of steam instead of the ordinary
steam coil, I employ the improved arrangement of tubes 1, 1, and 2, 2,
O and chambers 5, 5, as herein-before described. The steam or other
heating medium being (by a suitable arrangement of pipes) caused to
enter one of the chambers 5, 5, then to pass through the annular spaces
between the tubes, and pass out by the opposite chamber 5, 5.
The liquids which I employ as substitutes for ether, air, or ammonia
5 when used separately as the medium for the production of cold (or the
abstraction of the latent heat from whatever it is desired to cool or ice)
are first, formiate of methyle; second, acetate of methyle; and third,
a compound or rather a mixture of ether and protoxide of nitrogen, the
ether being caused to absorb as much as possible of the protoxide of
O nitrogen in its gaseous state, whereby a saturated solution of the latter
is formed.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention for.
"Improvements in the Construction of Refrigerating or Ice-making
Machines, Condensers, and Attemperators," together with the manner
5 in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, I would remark in conclusion that I claim as my Invention,―
Firstly. The general construction and arrangement of my improved
apparatus or machine for the purposes therein-before mentioned, sub-
stantially as herein-before described, and as illustrated on the accom-
panying Sheets of Drawings. .
Secondly. The improved means employed to obtain a greater area
of conducting surface in proportion to the space occupied than has
hitherto been obtained, whereby the apparatus as a whole performs its
work much more satisfactorily, and the arrangement of the tubes 1, 1,
3 and 2, 2, and their chambers 5, 5, for the purposes herein-before
mentioned, substantially as herein-before described and as illustrated on
the accompanying Sheets of Drawings or any mere modification thereof.

page_text: Thirdly. The double superposed arrangement of the tubes and
chambers in the condenser for the purpose of effectually and quickly
condensing the vaporized cooling medium in order to allow of its speedy
re-usc.
Fourthly. The application of the means employed for rapidly causing 5
the evaporation of the medium used in the production of cold, and for
propelling the same in a partially condensed state to the condenser to
bo reduced to its liquid state.
Fifthly. The application of the improved arrangement of tubes 1, 1,
and 2, 2, and chambers 5, 5, when employed for heating purposes, ]
substantially as hercin-before described.
And, sixthly. The application and use of the mediums herein-before
mentioned used in the production of cold as substitutes for air, ether,
or ammonia when used separately.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Gamgee, have hereunto set 1
my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.
Witness,
BRISTOW HUNT,
Solicitor and Patent Agent,
1, Serlo Street,
Lincoln's Inn.
JOHN GAMGEE. (L.S.)