IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ICE, COOLING LIQUIDS, REFRIGERATING ROOMS, AND FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES."
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Barclay Martin, of San Francisco, State
of California, in the United States of America, Gentleman, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF
ICE, COOLING LIQUIDS, REFRIGERATING ROOMS, AND FOR OTHER LIKE
PURPOSES."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Samuel Barclay Martin
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 14th March 1874, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, SAMUEL
BARCLAY MARTIN, of San Francisco, State of California, in the United
States of America, Gentleman, send greeting.
.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ICE, COOLING LIQUIDS, REFRIGERATING
ROOMS, AND FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES," and have petitioned Her Majesty
to grant unto me, my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her

page_text: Royal Letters Patent for the same, and have made solemn Declaration
that I am the true and first Inventor thereof.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Samuel Barclay Martin, do hereby
declare that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and
seal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings
forming a part of this Specification.

page_text: Figure 3 is a plan of the congealer tank with a portion broken away
to shew the pipes in the lower tank 0¹.
•
11

page_text: between their floors and the bottom of the tank, as shown at B¹,
Figure 1, and they are connected with supply pipes F, F, by
pipes e, e.
Each chamber is provided with a pump P, Figure 1, whose office
is to raise the uncongealable liquid from the reservoir B¹ into which
it flows from the interior of the plates B, B, and delivers it in the
chamber C, C, again.
Each chamber is further provided with a series of partitions d, d,
having projecting vertical riffles d¹, d, on alternate sides; these partitions
Within the spaces
extend alternately from each side of the tank.
formed by these partitions pipes are coiled back and forth from the
entrance point of the induction pipe E to where the eduction pipe H
passes out, as shewn in Figures 1 and 2. Thus the entire space in
these chambers is divided into a series of channels and filled with the
pipes carrying the freezing gas, the remaining space being occupied. by
the uncongealable liquid. The body of this liquid is broken up in its
flow through the channels by coming in contact with the riffles d³, d',
on the side of the partitions d, d, and all its particles are brought
against the surfaces of the refrigerating pipes in its passage over them
to the congealer plates.
The congealer plates B, B, upon which the ice is formed, are of
peculiar construction, and form a very important part of my Invention;
they occupy. the intermediate space in the tank A formed by the wood
partitions a, a, and consist of thin metallic side plates attached to a
frame. These plates are made water-tight on all sides, except where
the freezing agent enters and passes out, and are divided into
longitudinal spaces n, n, n, and these spaces are again divided by
partitions rigidly attached to the inner end of the plates, which do not
extend to the opposite end, spaces being left so that the uncongealable
liquid will enter and flow into the upper channel and thence around
the end of the partition into the lower channel and out through a
cock or gate, as it is intended that each of the chambers of the plate
shall be separate and each subdivision be controlled by separate pipes
and gates. By this process and apparatus clear solid ice, free from
air cells and all impurities, may be made twelve inches or of a greater
thickness if required.
The congealer plates should be placed far enough apart, so that about
six inches of water will remain between the slabs of icc when the

page_text: freezing is completed to give room for its removal. This is effected
after the ice is detached by sawing and splitting the large slabs into
blocks of a size which will allow them to be moved into and floated
through the open waterway left between the ends of the two lines of
plates to a platform upon which it may be again subdivided into pieces
of a convenient size for handling. These plates may be constructed of
large size, say ten feet wide and twenty-five feet long; an eighth of
an inch in thickness for the side plates for the larger sizes will answer.
Lighter metal may be employed for plates of smaller dimension.
The spaces in the plates need not vary materially, channels of small
area being preferable. The width or thickness of channel for the largest
plates should not exceed two inches by about six inches vertically, the
freezing liquid when traversing the upper or inlet channel being of a
lower temperature than in its passage through the lower or outlet
channel, the narrower the space covered by the two channels the more
effectively will the conducting power of the metal equalize the tempera-
ture over the surface of both channels. By observing this rule in the
construction of these plates the formation of ice will be uniform over
their entire surface.
The mouth of each of the congealer plates is attached to the wood
partitions a, a, of the tank to permit the adjustment of the pipes, cocks,
and machinery which convey the uncongealable or freezing liquid.
Directly under the tank which holds these plates is placed another
tank 0¹ to receive the overflow water from the congealer tank con-
tinuously, passing out through an overflow pipe not shewn. Fresh water
is continuously returned to it; in this manner the water being converted
into ice is constantly renewed. The tank C¹ also receives the water used
in the process of melting the ice from the congealer plates. The water
so employed being reduced to a low temperature is utilized in cooling
down the water flowing in through the pipes in tank C¹ to be hereafter
described.
A pipe S leading from a supply reservoir connects with the serpentine
coils R in the bottom of the tank C', and is carried out through the side
of the tank into chamber V₁ of the upper tank, where it is laid flatwise,
passing back and forth, in which position it is showered by the uncon-
gealable liquid as it passes from the outlets of the plates.
The pipes R also connect with pipe Q. This pipe is on the bottom of
the congealer tank shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, and is provided with

page_text: perforated branch pipes j, j, situated between the congealer plates for
the purpose of receiving and distributing the fresh water of which the
icc is formed equally throughout the congealer tank.
The fresh water being admitted through the supply pipe S passes
through the pipes R immersed in the refrigerated water in the lower
tank, and up through the pipes in chamber B¹, which are showered by
the uncongealable liquid in its exit from the congealer plates, thence it
passes pipe Q and branch pipes j, j. By these means the incoming
water is reduced nearly to the freezing temperature before it enters tho
congealer tank. The water in tank C¹ is also made available for con-
densing purposes by admitting it through pipes T, T, into perforated
pipes U, U, whence it flows, showering the condensing coils K, K.
I construct my condensing coils of double pipe, one within the other,
as shown in Figure 5, the inner pipe with flanges on its outer side.
These flanges may be dispensed with, but I prefer this construction for
the reason that the flanges serve to give strength where it is required,
and the warm gas passing between the two pipes is caused to flow with
more regularity by equalizing the space between the pipes, the excess of
pressure being on the outer surface of the inner pipe to the extent of the
difference of pressure between that in the congealer and condenser.
This pipe may be made of lead with the flanges drawn upon it, after
which it may be put within the outside pipe.
. The cold gas coming from the refrigerating pipes C, C, through
eduction pipes H, H, is made to pass through the inner pipe of the coils
before reaching the compressing pump, while the warm gas from tho
compressing pump is passing through the outer pipe and around the
inner pipe of said coils. By this construction the warm gas on its
passage to receiver O is met by the cold gas moving in the opposite
direction, and rapidly condensed. These condensing coils should be
placed as the Drawings indicate immediately underneath the tanks, and
this space or apartment should be inclosed with walls made non-
conducting, so as to be isolated as far as possible from the influence of
the outside temperature.
When atmospheric air is employed in connection with water I cover
the coils with a thin covering made of some fibrous material; this
serves for an absorbent of the water, the evaporation of which transfers
the heat to the air.

page_text: Pipes leading from the bottom of this apartment to the outside of the
building will serve for the admission of the air. Pipes may be placed
connecting with the upper part of the room for its withdrawal. Any
known apparatus applicable for displacing air may be used. An obvious
favorable condition is thus obtained for condensing or liquifying the gas,
resulting in a large saving of power and consequent economy.
The high temperature prevailing in latitudes where manufactured ice
is most needed adding so much to its cost will exert little influence in
the expense of its production by this apparatus.
Intervening between the compressing pump and the condensing coils
is a cylinder D through which the heated gas coming from the com-
pressing pump D passes. This cylinder is provided with a spiral water
space f formed by putting an outer shell of wood around it. Coils of
pipe for conveying cold water pass longitudinally through it; the water
being admitted into pipe 7 passes through the spiral water space and into
the coil of pipe m and out through exit pipes ", the purpose being
to lower the temperature of the gas before it reaches the condensing
coils. The water thus employed being raised considerably in tem-
perature may be used for steam purposes.
The supply pipes F receive the liquid from the chamber C through
the medium of the connecting pipe e and distributes it to the plates
and through the branch pipes g, g, g, Figures 4, 6, and 7, connected
with the inlet openings.
The flow of the liquid into the pipes F, F, is controlled by the gates
h, h, Figures 1 and 6, which cover the mouths of the pipes e, e, and the
outflow of the liquid from the plates B, B, is governed by the cocks or
gates o, o, Figures 6 and 7, so that the size of the outlets of the plates
may be increased or diminished as may be required. When the cocks
or gates are shut down to close the apertures entirely the outflow is
through the tubes S¹, S¹, and the pipes S into the lower tank C¹.
The form of the pipes S and their tubes and the manner of controlling
their openings is shown in Figure 8. This manner of arranging and
connecting the pipes with the congealing plates and of controlling their
apertures permits the current of uncongealable liquid from the
5 chamber C to be shut off from the congealing plates B, B, by closing
the gates h, h, and allows a stream of water at a higher temperature to

page_text: be admitted and pass through the channels in the plates for the purpose
of detaching the ice when formed on the side of the plate. The water
used for this purpose is introduced at the top of the pipes F, F, which
are provided with stop-cocks p, p, Figures 1 and 4, and after flowing
through the plates is conducted by the tubes S¹, S¹, and pipes S into the
lower tank C¹ by raising the piston r in the pipe S, Figure 4.
-
The operation of my machine or apparatus may be described as
follows: After they have been inclosed and fully protected by non-
conducting materials I fill the compartments C, C, with some uncon-
gealable liquid, such as a saturated solution of salt water or chloride of
calcium, and fill the space in the tank A in which the congealer plates
are situated with pure water.
The refrigerating stacks of pipe c, c, being charged with a volatile
fluid or gas from a retort not shown, the machinery and pump are set
in motion, and the gas is drawn through the stacks of pipe and through
the eduction pipes H, H, to the bottom of the double condensing coils
K, K, and into and through the inner pipes of said coils to the com-
pressing pump D, and is thence forced through the cylinder D¹ into the
outer pipe of the double condensing coils, through which it passes to the
receiver O which it enters in a liquid state, when a sufficient charge of
the volatile liquid is accumulated in the receiver say, to the extent of
about two-thirds of the capacity. Cocks t, t, being opened the liquid:
flows through pipe E into coils of the pipe c; c, and as it expands
into vapor extracts heat from the uncongealable liquid surrounding
them and passes thence through the eduction pipe H and through the
condensing coil to the pump to be again compressed and liquefied and
returned for use continuously as before. The uncongealable liquid
having been reduced to a sufficiently low temperature the gates h are
opened by which it is admitted into pipe F through pipe e from whence
it flows through the short pipes g, g, g, into the channels or spaces n, n,
of the plates before described and in the direction of the arrows and out
through cocks or gates o, o, into the chamber B¹ from whence it is
returned by operation of the pump P to the compartments containing
the refrigerating coils of pipe c, c; it then flows in a current over these
coils and returns to the pla es in the same manner continuously, as before
described, until the process of freezing is completed and ice is formed
on the plate of the desired thickness.

page_text: .
In order to detach the ice from any one of the plates I close the gate,
shutting off the uncongealable liquid from the pipes which lead into.
that plate when the uncongealable liquid passes from the plate through
the opening or gate h, which is then closed. Water is then admitted
through stop-cocks p at the end of pipe F, until the plate is filled with:
the water, which quickly detaches the ice from both sides of it. In
order to let this water out of the plate after it has performed its office of
detaching I raise the piston r, which operates the valves s², s2, by which
movement the water is let out through the bottom of the tank into the
lower tank. It being now reduced in temperature it is utulized for con-
densing purposes, as before described.
In order to connect any one or more of the plates from which, the ice.
has been detached again with the system of plates, the stop-cock p is
closed, and the gate h is again opened, which admits the uncongealable
liquid to the plate through pipe e and the short pipe g, through which
medium the circulation of the uncongealable liquid is again restored.
It will be seen that in the construction of my apparatus and in
operating it complete control is had over every plate, and that by the
system of pipes, gates, valves, and cocks each plate is independent
in its operation of the other, or all of the others, and that the freezing is
hastened or retarded or entirely suspended from any one of the plates
at will. This in practical operation will be found to be of great.
advantage.
The device for compressing and conducting gases here shown is the
pump in common use for that purpose, but any device or apparatus used
in ice making machines for liquefying the different gases may be employed
in this apparatus.
It being desirable to keep the valves in the pumps of ice machines
properly lubricated without admitting too much of the lubricant into the
apparatus, I have devised an improvement in the plug valve v, as shown
in Figure 9. It will be seen that the device has an independent oil
passage or channel y, which is controlled by the plug X. This plug is.
ground to its seat, and is provided with an opening through which the
oil or other lubricant passes down into the channel upon the valve
stem y', when a sufficient quantity is admitted this cock or plug is closed,
making its passage air-tight, and preventing the escape.of. the gas from.
the compressing pump D..

page_text: In Figure 10 is shown a plan or top view of an apparatus in which
the uncongealable liquid is caused to flow around the stacks of pipes A
and through the hollow plates B, B, by means of paddles or screws C*, C*,
which causes the liquid to be drawn to the end of the tank in which the
paddles or screws operate, and forces it back through the channel D and
into the compartment E at the opposite end in which the stacks are
placed, and on through the hollow plates to the end of the tank in which
the paddles operate. Both ends of the plates are kept open, but no com-
munication is had with the fresh water contained in the spaces F, F, of
which the ice is formed upon the outside of the plates.
To assist in lowering the temperature of the uncongealable liquid the
stacks A, A, are employed, and the gas from the compressing pump
enters at A¹, and makes its exit at A2. The congealer plates in this
construction of apparatus are provided with longitudinal and vertical
spaces, G, G, so that the uncongealable liquid can be directed to all parts
of the hollow plate, the openings to which at both ends being controlled
by gates H, H, operated by a rack and pinion I, I, and rod or shaft J,
147

page_text: Sixth. In detaching the ice from hollow plates when formed thereon
y means of water passing through the said hollow plates or through
ipes contained therein.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Barclay Martin, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four.
SAMUEL BARCLAY MARTIN. (L.S.)
SAMUEL BARCLAY MARTIN. (L.S.)