IMPROVEMENTS IN ICE-MAKING MACHINERY
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Gedge, of No. 11, Wellington Street,
Strand, London, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ICE-MAKING MACHINERY." A communication from
abroad by Alexander Thompson Ballantine, of Portland, Cumberland County,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Gedge at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th July 1880.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, London, in
the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ICE-MAKING
MACHINERY." A communication from abroad by Alexander Thompson Ballantine,
of Portland, Cumberland County, State of Maine, United States of America,
Gentleman.
The first part of this Invention has reference to gas compressors in general, and
in particular to that class of the same used to liquify the gases used in the artificial
production of ice. For this purpose ammonia gas is most commonly used, and this
Invention is designed to supply a want long felt in the practical production of ice
by the so called "ammonia process," by furnishing a compressor in which the loss
of material by leakage is wholly obviated, while lessening the first cost of the
machine by simplifying its construction. In gas compressors generally and ammonia
compressors in particular, it has heretofore been found almost impossible to obviate
leakage between the pistons and the walls of the cylinders, without making the
pistons so tight in the cylinders as to cause a great waste of power by reason of
friction.
The first part of this Invention is mainly directed to obviating this evil by pro-
viding for the return of any gas which escapes past the piston into the receiver,
and to prevent this leakage as far as may be by maintaining a truly right line
motion of the piston rod in spite of wear.
A steam cylinder having but a single head is mounted on the base or frame of
the machine, and is provided with a steam chest having inlet and exhaust pipes,

page_text: and a valve operated by a crank and connecting rod actuated by an eccentric on
the main shaft.
A casing whose walls are cylindrical is mounted on the cylinder and is slotted
laterally to form guides for the blocks that are connected with the cranks
by rods.
The piston has a follower made integral with a cylindrical piece which slides in
a cylinder, and to which the aforesaid blocks are secured.
Another piston slides through an elongated stuffing box provided with a gland,
and is connected by means of a yoke to a third piston which reciprocates in a
cylinder.
This latter piston is centrally perforated and carries a hollow rod which recipro-
cates in a cylinder. In the top of the latter is a valve from which a pipe leads to
the receiver for the compressed gas. The inlet and outlet parts are provided with
respectively downwardly and upwardly opening valves, and lead respectively from
the source of the gas to be compressed and to the receiver.
In operation as the first and second pistons mentioned descends the cylinder in
which the third piston reciprocates is filled with gas, which enters through the
aforesaid inlet ports and valve. During the return stroke the gas is forced through
the exit ports and into the receiver.
Any gas which during this stroke leaks past the third mentioned piston is on the
downstroke forced to find exit through the aforesaid hollow rod or piston and
valve and pipe of its cylinder into the receiver.
The mechanism for effecting the return of any gas which leaks by the piston into
the receiver is of paramount importance, as such leakage has heretofore, in the case
of ether and ammonia machines, been the cause of great annoyance and loss, and
has completely driven the bisulphite of carbon machine out of use by reason of the
insufferable odor of that substance.
The incoming gas is delivered with sufficient pressure to effect the return stroke
of the pistons, and a fly-wheel is only needed to throttle any irregularities of speed.
In using the described device however as an air compressor a fly wheel of suitable
size and weight becomes a necessity.
The space between the piston rod and the internal walls of the long stuffing box
is filled with a suitable liquid lubricant,' which on the downstroke of the piston is
forced by the gas against the gland, making a perfectly gas tight joint.
The second part of this Invention relates to the condenser.
It is composed of a shell of metal, by preference cylindrical, resting upon a baso
and terminating above in a tapering neck and terminal pipe containing a tube
opening in the line of its axis, and adapted to produce a draft on the injector
principle through the cylinder, near the bottom of which are a number of holes.
Within the said cylinder is mounted a second shell provided with a number of
longitudinal tubes similar to those of a common tubular boiler. This shell is made
strong enough to sustain a pressure sufficiently greater than that to which it will
be subjected in liquifying the gas to render its use perfectly safe. Into the conical
neck of the shell is led a pipe which is coiled above the second shell around the
latter, and between it and the outer casing, and is finally led into the second shell
near the bottom.
The base is made hollow, and contains an annular chamber, into which a pipe
leads from the bottom of the second shell; this chamber is provided with a guage
to determine the level of the liquified ammonia, and has an outlet pipe provided
with a suitable cock.
Into the base of the device leads a pipe, and from the chamber into which it
opens project a number of pipes corresponding in number with tubes, beneath each
of which a pipe is located; these pipes project through chambers provided with
an air inlet pipe terminating flush with its bottom, and an outlet pipe projects
some distance within this chamber. Water being led in at the air inlet pipe
overflows through another pipe, and a constant level is thus maintained. Small

page_text: pipes lead from a point near the bottom of the aforesaid chamber constitute
atomizers. A conical shell secured in the aforesaid neck constitutes with it a drip
chamber, from which leads a drip pipe serving to conduct away any condensed
moisture.
In operation the gaseous ammonia is conducted into the pipe, led into the conical
neck under pressure from the gas compressor, and the exhaust steam from the
compressor engine induces a strong draught between the shells and over the pipe
winding around the inner shell.
A blast of air being forced through the pipe at the base by means of a suitable
blower a cold spray is injected from the atomizers cooling the gas in the shell.
Any of this spray which fails to find egress at the top and collects in the form of
moisture on the walls of the neck is conducted away. From the second shell the
cold compressed ammonia is led into the base chamber, whence it is drawn as
required through a tube to the congealors. From the above description of the
construction and operation of the device it will be seen that it is practically
automatic in its operation, requiring only to be supplied with sufficient water and
air to feed the atomizers.
It is obvious that the machine is adapted for use in cooling other gases than
ammonia, and for other purposes than in connection with an ice-machine.
The third part of this Invention has reference to congealors or moulds to be
used in connection with machines for the artificial production of ice, and designed
to receive the water to be frozen, and to turn it out when the congelation is
complete in the form of massive blocks of ice.
The object of this Invention is to furnish a congealor in which the water will be
more readily and expeditiously frozen than has been possible with the forms of
congealors heretofore used, advantage being taken of a physical law which seems
hitherto to have been ignored.
As conducive to a clear understanding of the exact nature and scope of my
Invention in contra distinction to others of the same general class it may be stated
that heretofore the congealors have been constructed to the form of sheet metal
cases, which being filled with water were submitted to the action of the frigorific
mediums either by direct immersion in a cold non-congealable liquid, such as
chloride of calcium solution, or by direct action of gas or vapor rendered cold by
expansion.
The difficulties in the way of the ready removal of the moulds when their
contents were completely frozen have been serious obstacles in the practical
manufacture of ice.
By this Invention they are completely overcome, and other advantages are
secured, as hereinafter set forth.
It is well known that water is an exception to the general rule that bodies
expand by heat and contract by cold. At about 38° F. water reaches its
maximum density, and upon being cooled below that point no longer contracts
but expands. As a result the convective currents caused by a further cooling stop
short of that level in the body of water to which it has been cooled to 38°. In
congealors, therefore, the body or mass of the refrigerant should be at the lower
portion of the mould instead of being distributed, as is usual, pretty evenly about
it. To this mechanical defect is due mainly the observed fact that the water in
the central and lower portion of the mould obstinately refuses to freeze, and a
solid block of ice is only to be obtained by pushing the working of the machine
far beyond the point indicated by theory. The mould about to be described is
designed with special reference to use in connection with a so-called "ammonia ico
machine," though it is applicable for use with others.
The congealor, the subject of this Invention, is composed of a casing having inner
and outer walls, and inlet and outlet pipes at respectively the lower end and upper
sides. It is suitably jacketed to prevent loss of cold by radiation. The inner

page_text: walls converge slightly, so that the area enclosed by them and the outer walls is
greatest at the bottom. The mould proper consists of a sheet metal casing adapted
to exactly fit within the inner shell of the casing, its walls resting 'when in place in
contact with the inner walls. The mould is provided with suitable handles, by which
it is removed when its contents are frozen.
In operation, the refrigerant being led into the casing, the mould is filled and
placed therein. Convertive currents are immediately set up in the water and
continue throughout its mass until the whole is frozen solid, when the casing is
removed and a new one is inserted.
As the casings are of a sheet metal and quite light but little cold is carried
away by them, as it were, and wasted, and all the cost, annoyance, and trouble
incident upon the use of an uncongealable liquid are avoided.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Edward Gedge in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th
January 1881.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, London, in
the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ICE-MAKING
MACHINERY." A communication from abroad by Alexander Thompson Ballantine,
of Portland, Cumberland County, State of Maine, United States of America,
Gentleman.
Figure la is a side elevation of the compressor.
Figure 2a is a central vertical sectional view of the same.
Figure 16 is a similar view of the condenser.
Figure lc is a perspective view of the ice-mould, and
Figure 2c is a central vertical sectional view of the same.
"
The first part of this Invention has reference to gas compressors in general, and
in particular to that class of the same used to liquefy the gases used in the artificial
production of ice. For this purpose ammonia gas is most commonly used, and this
Invention is designed to supply a want long felt in the practical production of ice
by the so-called ammonia process" by furnishing a compressor in which the loss
of material by leakage is wholly obviated while lessening the first cost of the
machine by simplifying its construction. In gas compressors generally, and
ammonia compressors in particular, it has heretofore been found almost impossible
to obviate leakage between the pistons and the walls of the cylinders, without
making the pistons so tight in the cylinders as to cause a great waste of power by
reason of friction.
The first part of this Invention is mainly directed to obviating this evil by
providing for the return of any gas which escapes past the piston into the receiver,
and to prevent this leakage as far as may be by maintaining a truly right line
motion of the piston rod in spite of wear.
In the accompanying Drawing (Figures la and 2a), A. is the base or frame of the
machine through which passes the shaft C, cranked as usual at D, and mounted in
suitable bearings c, c. A steam cylinder a, having but a single head, is mounted on
the base A, and is provided with a steam chest H, having inlet and exhaust
pipes F, F, and a valve operated by a crank G and connecting rod G¹ actuated by
an eccentric on the main shaft C.
A casing a¹, whose walls are cylindrical, is mounted on the cylinder a, and is
slotted laterally to form guides ff, for the blocks E that are connected with the
cranks D by rods d.
o is the piston, whose follower n is made integral with the cylindrical piece N,
which slides in the cylinder a¹, and to which the blocks E are secured.
The piston g slides through an elongated stuffing box m¹ provided with a
gland m, and is connected by means of a yoke L to the piston j; this latter
reciprocates in a cylinder B mounted at upon the part a¹. The piston j is centrally
perforated and carries a hollow rod J, which reciprocates in a cylinder b. In the
top of the latter is a valve h, from which a pipe h' leads to the receiver for the
compressed gas. The inlet and outlet parts 61, 61, are provided with respectively
downwardly and upwardly opening valves I, I', and lead respectively from the
source of the gas to be compressed and to the receiver.
In operation as the pistons o and j descend the cylinder B is filled with gas
which enters through the ports 6' and valve I. During the return stroke the gas
is forced through the exit ports b" and into the receiver.
Any gas which during this stroke leaks past the piston j is on the down stroke
forced to find exit through the hollow rod or piston J, valve h, and pipe /², into the
receiver.
By reason of the extended bearing afforded by the cylinder N, the lateral pull
and push of the connecting rods & produce no lateral strain on the piston g, which

page_text: would speedily result from wear were the rods d connected, as usual, to a cross
head. Immunity from looseness due to wear is further insured by the extended
bearings on both sides of the piston J afforded by the long stuffing box m' and the
cylinder b.
The mechanism for effecting the return of any gas which leaks by the piston into
the receiver is of paramount importance, as such leakage has heretofore, in the case
of ether and ammonia machines, been the cause of great annoyance and loss, and
has completely driven the bisulphite of carbon machine out of use by reason of the
insufferable odor of that substance.
The incoming gas is delivered with sufficient pressure to effect the return stroke
of the pistons, and a fly wheel is only needed to throttle any irregularities of speed.
In using the described device however as an air compressor a fly wheel of suitable
size and weight becomes a necessity.
The space between the piston rod and the internal walls of the long stuffing
box m' is filled with a suitable liquid lubricant, which on the downstroke of the
piston is forced by the gas against the gland, making a perfectly gas tight joint.
The second part of this Invention relates to the condenser. In the accompanying
Drawing (Figure 1b) A. is a shell of metal, by preference cylindrical in cross
section, resting upon a base E and terminating above in a tapering neck a and
terminal pipe containing a tube B opening in the line of its axis, and adapted to
produce a draft on the injector principle through the cylinder A; near the bottom
of the latter are a number of holes d, d.
Within the cylinder A is mounted a second shell c provided with a number of
longitudinal tubes c¹, c², similar to those of a common tubular boiler. This shell is
made strong enougth to sustain a pressure sufficiently greater than that to which it
will be subjected in liquefying the gas to render its use perfectly safe. Into the
conical neck a of the shell A. is led a pipe C, which is coiled above the shell c
around the latter, and between it and the outer casing A, and is finally led into the
shell c near the bottom, as shown.
The base E is made hollow and contains an annular chamber, into which a
pipe D leads from the bottom of the shell c; this chamber e is provided with a
guage n to determine the level of the liquefied ammonia, and has an outlet pipe o
provided with a suitable cock.
Into the base of the device leads a pipe f, and from the chamber N, into which
it opens, project a number of pipes h, h, h, corresponding in number with the
tubes c', c, c', a pipe being located immediately beneath each tube; I is a chamber
through which these pipes h project provided with an air inlet pipe m, terminating
flush with its bottom and an outlet pipe m¹ projecting some distance within this
chamber; water being let in at m overflows through m¹ and a constant level is
thus maintained. Small pipes i, i, i, lead from a point near the bottom of the
chamber I and open in the axes of the pipe h¹ constituting atomizers. A conical
shell a' is secured in the neck a, constituting with it a drip chamber, from which
leads a drip pipe u" serving to conduct away any condensed moisture.
In operation the gaseous ammonia is conducted into the pipe c under pressure
from the gas compressor, the exhaust steam from the compressor engine being led
into the pipe B, thereby inducing a strong upward draft of air through the hole d
and between the shells A and c and over the pipe C in its convolutions around the
inner shell.
A blast of air being forced through the pipe ƒ by means of a suitable blower a
cold spray is injected from the atomizers h, i, through the tubes c', c¹, cooling the
gas in the shell. Any of this spray which fails to find egress at the top and
collects in the form of moisture on the walls of the neck is conducted away to the
pipe a From the shell c the cold compressed ammonia is led through the pipe D
into the base chamber c, whence it is drawn as required through the tube o to the
congealors.
From the above description of the construction and operation of the device. it
will be seen that it is practically automatic in its operation, requiring only to be

page_text: supplied with sufficient water and air to feed the atomizers; the pipo m¹ serves to
limit the level of the water in the chamber I and prevent the chamber from
becoming filled and water being forced up the pipes i, i.
It is obvious that the machine is adapted for use in cooling other gases than
ammonia and for other purposes than in connection with an ice-machine.
The third part of this Invention has reference to congealors or moulds to be used
in connection with machines for the artificial production of ice, and designed to
receive the water to be frozen and to turn it out when the congelation is complete
in the form of massive blocks of ice.
The object of this Invention is to furnish a congealor in which the water will be
more readily and expeditiously frozen than has been possible with the forms of
congealors heretofore used, advantage being taken of a physical law which seems
hitherto to have been ignored.
As conducive to a clear understanding of the exact nature and scope of my
Invention in contradistinction to others of the same general class, it may be stated
that heretofore the congealors have been constructed to the form of sheet metal
cases which, being filled with water, were submitted to the action of the frigorific
mediums either by direct immersion in a cold non-congealable-liquid, such as
chloride of calcium solution, or by direct action of a gas or vapor rendered cold by
expansion.
The difficulties in the way of the ready removal of the moulds when their
contents were completely frozen have been serious obstacles in the practical
manufacture of ice.
By this Invention they are completely overcome and other advantages are
secured, as hereinafter set forth.
It is well known that water is an exception to the general rule that bodies
expand by heat and contract by cold. At about 38° Ft. water reaches its maximum
density, and upon being cooled below that point no longer contracts but expands.
As a result the convertive currents caused by a further cooling stop short of that
level in the body of water to which it has been cooled to 38° Ft. In congealors
therefore the body or mass of the refrigerant should be at the lower portion of the
mould instead of being distributed, as is usual, pretty evenly about it. To this
latter mechanical defect is due mainly the observed fact that the water in the
central and lower portion of the mould obstinately refuses to freeze, and a solid
block of ice is only to be obtained by pushing the working of the machine far
beyond the point indicated by theory. The mould about to be described is designed
with special reference to use in connection with a so-called "ammonia ice-machine'
(though it is applicable for use with others).
"
In the accompanying Drawing, Figures 1c and 2c, A is a casing having inner
and outer walls a, a, and inlet and outlet pipes b, b', at respectively the lower and
upper sides. It is suitably jacketed to prevent loss of cold by radiation. The
inner walls converge slightly, as shown, so that the area enclosed by them and the
outer walls is greatest at the bottom; B is the mould proper, consisting of a sheet
metal casing adapted to exactly fit within the inner shell of the casing A, its walls
resting when in place in contact with the inner walls a; the mould is provided
with suitable handles c by which it is removed when its contents are frozen.
In operation the refrigerant being led into the casing A the mould is filled and
placed therein. Convertive currents are immediately set up in the water and
continue throughout the mass until the whole is frozen solid when the casing B is
removed and a new one is inserted.
As the casings B are of a sheet metal and quite light, but little cold is carried
away by them, as it were, and wasted, and all the cost, annoyance, and trouble
incident upon the use of an uncongealable liquid are avoided.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of the Invention communicated
to ine, as aforesaid, and in what manner the same is or may be performed,―
I claim as secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent,-
Firstly. The combination in a gas-compressor of a piston-rod common to the gas

page_text: and steam cylinders and a steam-piston whose follower is provided with bearings N
located within a continuation of the cylinder and connected at each side of the
cylinder with the crank-shaft, as and for the purpose set forth.
Secondly, The combination in a gas-compressor of a cylinder having inlet and
outlet ports with a perforated piston provided with a hollow rod located within a
continuation of the cylinder and communicating through the medium of a valve
opening with the receiver, as and for the purpose set forth.
Thirdly. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the cylinder B, having
valved ports b¹, 61, with the piston j, tube J, yoke L, and piston rod g, as
described.
Fourthly. The combination with the piston j, tubo J, and cylinder B, having
ports 6, 61, of the valved cylinder b, having a common delivery with the port 611,
as set forth.
Fifthly. The combination with the cylinder a, having piston o, follower n, and
cylindrical bearing N, of the cylinder B, having piston j, and elongated stuffing-
box m¹, as set forth.
Sixthly. In combination with the piston-rod g, the vertical elongated stuffing-
box m³, having a stratum of fluid lubricant resting upon the gland, as set forth.
Seventhly. The combination in a condenser of a shell for receiving the
compressed gas, having a number of longitudinal tubes, with a series of atomizers
for injecting a spray into the said tubes, as and for the purpose set forth.
Eighthly. The combination in a condenser of a shell for receiving the compressed
gas, having a series of longitudinal tubes, with atomizers, as set forth, and an outer
shell between which and the first-named shell the inlet gas-pipe is coiled, as
described.
Ninthly. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the chambered base, the
inlet-coil, the outer perforated cylinder, and the inner tubular shell, as and for the
purpose described.
Tenthly. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the outer shell, having
walls a, a', with the injector-pipe located in the neck, the inner tubular shell, and
inlet-pipe, as described.
Eleventhly. The combination, substantially as set forth, with the chambered
base, having chamber I provided with pipe openings at different levels, and the
atomizers h, i, of the tubular shell c, as described.
Twelfthly. The combination, substantially as set forth, with the chambered base
having blast-pipe f of the atomizers h, i, tubular shell c, coil C, and perforated
cylinder A, as described.
Thirteenthly. A congealor for ice-machines consisting of an outer double-walled
chamber, having inlet and outlet for the refrigerant, and a pyramidal or tapering
inner chamber or mould fitting closely within the former and removable therefrom,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Fourteenthly. A congealor for ice-machines, consisting of a casing having parallel
opposite outer walls and tapering or converging inner walls, and constituting a
chamber for the refrigerant, in combination with a mould of a size and shape to
fit closely within the said casing, and made removable therefrom, as and for the
purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Gedge, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty sixth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
W. E. GEDGE. (L.S.)