& Refrigerating Machine
Year: 1887

page_text: FREDERICK BARKER HILL 26 London Road S.E. Engineer I do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My improvements consists in making an effective and cheap arrangement of Ice
Making & Refrigerating Machines for vacuum and pressures high and low so arranged
that by using suitable material I can use any agent for this purpose, at the same time
giving a great saving in power required for driving these machines, thereby reducing
the cost of production with an impossibility to lose the agent by leakage.
For this purpose a pump is used constructed of any suitable material containing an
amount of mercury which answers the purpose of a piston.
In machines which require a vacuum and little pressure I use a revolving or up
and down motion which produces a head of mercury giving the necessary power.
In low pressure pumps this enables a vacuum pump to be constructed without
a suction valve and the delivery valve kept tight by a small quantity of mercury
always remaining above the valve.
The power is reduced by one arm or head of mercury moving in a circular or up
and down motion and another arm or head of mercury balancing the same or by
weights for same purpose.
At the same time the amount of heat produced by compression can be readily
removed by circulating cold water against the cylinders or tubes which contain the
mercury and the necessary amount of surface to get rid of this heat can be
readily got.
This is most important in this class of machinery which cannot be got by any other
existing process.
This construction of pump gives a perfect vacuum and at the same time small
pressure on delivery.
This arrangement is perfect for a machine using Sulphuric Acid, Ether or agents
requiring a strong vacuum and little pressure; it enables the machines to be worked
by hand power, and for large sizes greatly reduced steam or other power.

page_text: In machines which require great pressure such as ammonia compression I use by
preference a hydraulic pump or pumps of small diameters and pumping water, oil or
glycerine and water acting on a column of mercury in an annular or U tube so
arranged that the hydraulic pumping Engine runs at high speed to get the best
result from the Engine, at the same time giving a long and steady motion on
the mercury.
By using two or more columns of mercury a continuous suction and delivery
action is produced and at the end of motion or stroke of mercury an absolute
discharge.
For small ammonia compression machines or any agent requiring heavy pressure I
use two single acting hydraulic pumps driven by preference by a slotted crank the
gland and cup leather working in cylinder and forming the piston or ram and occupies
small space.
This gives motion to the oil or water and to the columns of mercury.
The
pumps are arranged that the pressure of gas on the inlet or suction on column
of mercury assists the discharge of the other column of mercury to take as little
power as possible the arrangement of the Condensers and Refrigerators suitable for
the above.
Dated this 4th day of October 1887.

page_text: I, FREDERICK BARKER HILL, of 26 London Road, in the County of Surrey,
Engineer, 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 :-
My invention relates to ice-making and refrigerating machines and comprises various
improvements hereinafter described.
One feature of my said invention consists in the employment of mercury in such a
manner that it serves as a piston or plunger to draw gases or vapor into and discharge
the same from one or more chambers for the purpose of producing a vacuum therein
and evaporating the liquid to be cooled or to be used for cooling.
Another feature of my said invention is the construction of the apparatus in such
a manner that I am enabled to dispense with a suction-valve, and the mercury will
serve as a seal to prevent the return of the gases or vapor from the said chamber or
chambers into the refrigerator.
The apparatus is constructed in such a manner that a vacuum is formed in the
entire chamber before the mercury uncovers the suction pipe or pipes, thereby
ensuring the greatest amount of power for drawing gases or vapor from the refrigerator
so that this operation can be effected at very low tension. For cooling or ice-making
by a vacuum formed directly on a liquid with or without the aid of sulphuric acid this
feature is of great importance.
It will be readily understood that. if suction valves are used, they must be opened
by mechanical means which are liable to get out of order and being internal are not
under the control of the attendant.
The delivery valve or valves in my apparatus are so arranged that they can be seen
at work, and the mercury, each time the delivery action takes place, discharges the
entire quantity of gases, vapor or liquid through the delivery opening and, at the
same time cleanses, the valve and valve-seat. The delivery valve, when the mercury
entirely surrounds it, is made to float and this action is taken advantage of to allow
the quantity of mercury forced through the valve, to return after all impurities have
floated to the top of the mercury, always, however, leaving enough mercury above the
delivery valve to seal and keep the valve tight against leakage or the entrance of
atmospheric air.
Another feature of my said invention is the provision of means for pumping liquid
acting upon a column of mercury in such a manner as to alternately force the said
mercury into and withdraw it from one or more chambers for the purpose above
specified.

page_text: My said invention, morcover comprises other improvements hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a front elevation of one form of my improved ice-making and
refrigerating machine.
Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line a, a, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a vertical contral section showing another form or modification of the
said machine.
Figure 4 is a front elevation, partly in vertical central section, showing another
modification thereof.
Figure 5 is a vertical central section showing another modification of my
invention.
Figure 6 is a plan, and
Figure 7 a vertical longitudinal central section of a refrigerator and condenser
hereinafter described.
Figures 8 and 9 are vertical central sections showing further modifications of my
said invention.
Figure 10 is a plan.
s
Figure 11 a front elevation, partly in vertical section, and
Figure 12 a vertical longitudinal section on the line, y, Figure 10, drawn to an
enlarged scale, showing another ice-making and refrigerating machine constructed 2
according to my present invention.
Figure 13 is a vertical longitudinal central section of another ice-making and
refrigerating machine constructed in accordance with my said invention.
Figure 14 is a plan, and
Figure 15.a section on the line a,, Figure 13, drawn to an enlarged scale showing 2
details of construction.
Figure 16 is a plan partly in horizontal section on the line y', ', Figure 13.
Figure 17 is a vertical longitudinal central section illustrating another modification
of the machine shown in Figure 13.
Figure 18 is a front elevation showing my improved pump applied to a household 3
refrigerating chamber or safe.
Figure 19 is a vertical longitudinal central section of a stop-valve hereinafter
described. .
Figure 20 is a plan.
Figure 21 a front elevation, and
Figure 22 a vertical longitudinal central section, drawn to an enlarged scale
showing another form of pump for an ice-making and refrigerating machine constructed
according to my said invention.
Figure 23 is an elevation of one end of the said machine, and
Figure 24 is an elevation of the other end thereof, some of the parts being
removed. :
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
According to one part of my said invention I provide improved means for cooling
liquids by evaporation with or without the aid of sulphuric acid.
Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 show modifications of my said invention wherein mercury is
used in such a manner that it will form a perfect vacuum and discharge any gases or
liquids into and against the pressure of the atmosphere with the use of a delivery
valve or valves only, that is to say without a suction valve.
means
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, A, A' are chambers which are mounted upon suitable
standards B and are connected respectively with hollow rods or arms C, C¹ by
of pipes a, a extending through stuffing boxes into the said chambers. These pipes
serve as a shaft or axle about which the said arms may be rocked or turned by means
of a hand-wheel connected by gear-wheels at c, or by other suitable means, to the
said pipe for the purpose herein-after specified. The hollow rods or armis C, C
terminate in hollow bills C². D is a pipe extending into the chambers A, A¹ and
provided with a short branch D' to which is to be applied the vessel or receptacle E
for containing the liquid to be cooled.

page_text: The pipe D passes through the top of each of the pump-chambers A, A, and
terminates near the bottom of the said chambers as shown in Figure 2. To prevent
leakage around the said pipe where it passes through the top of the chamber, 1 provide
a cup A for containing mercury as hereinafter described.
Each of the said chambers is provided with a valve F for the outlet or discharge of
gases or liquid, which valve is also sealed by the mercury in the cup A². The lift of
this valve is regulated by means of a stop d which is adjustable upon the pipe D,
being so fitted thereon that it will remain in any position to which it may be
adjusted.
Into each of the chambers A, A' is poured a quantity of mercury, so that, when the
hollow rod or arm connected with the said chamber extends downward therefrom, the
mercury will fill the said arm and its hollow ball and also the lower portion of
the said chamber up to a level below the end of the pipe D.
The operation of the machine shown in Figures 1 and 2 is as follows, niz :- -When
the arms C, C are partially rotated alternately in either direction or are rotated con-
tinuously in one direction, the mercury flows alternately from each of the pump-
chambers A, A' into the corresponding hollow arm and back to the said chamber,
thus acting as a piston or plunger to draw air or vapor from the vessel E through the
pipe D into the said chamber and discharge it through the valve F.
The mercury must descend a considerable distance in the chamber before uncovering
the end of the suction pipe D, therefore, when the said pipe is thus opened, a sudden
and powerful action will be produced tending to draw the gas or vapor from the
vessel E, which action is very favorable in promoting the evaporation of the liquid in
the said vessel.
The parts are so constructed and arranged that, while the mercury in one of the said
pump-chambers A, A' is flowing therefrom and drawing air or vapor from the
vessel E, the mercury in the hollow arm connected with the other of the said chambers
will be flowing into the latter and discharging therefrom the air or vapor previously
drawn into it. The apparatus, therefore, operates as a double-acting pump.
It will be seen that the mercury in the chambers A, A³, will cover and uncover the
ends of the pipe D at the proper times, thus preventing the return of the gas or vapor
through the said pipe. I am, therefore, enabled to dispense with an inlet valve, thus
obviating the resistance to be overcome in opening such valve and ensuring freedom
of entrance of the gas or vapor into the chamber.
The capacities of the pump-chambers A, A¹ and arms C, C³ are preferably so pro-
portioned that, when either of the said arins extends upward from the corresponding
chamber, the level of the mercury will be above the outlet or discharge valve F.
Therefore the said valve will be caused to float upon the mercury, which will cleanse
the valve and valve-seat, and the impurities will float on the top of the mercury, and,
when the mercury is allowed to flow from the chamber into the arm, a small quantity
thereof will remain in the cup A² and will form a seal above the said valve and
around the pipe D, thus effectually preventing leakage of air into the said chamber
and preventing the return of the impurities into the said chamber.
It will be seen, moreover, that the only valve which I employ in combination with
each chamber, viz. the delivery valve F, is readily accessible from the exterior of
the said chamber, the stop d being very easily raised upon the pipe D.
In the modification of may invention shown in Figure 3, the pump-chambers A, A¹
are suspended from a cord or chain e passed around a pulley G and over guide-
pulleys and the said chambers are connected by means of a flexible pipe or tube a².
The pipe D is, moreover, provided with flexible parts D, D³. By means of the
pulley G, the two chambers can be alternately raised and lowered, so that the mercury
will flow alternately from the chamber A into the chamber A¹ and vice versa, thus
forming a double-action pump with one quantity of mercury. The said chambers
and the pulleys and flexible pipes are enclosed in a box or casing H.
In the modification of my invention shown in Figure 4, I provide each of the
pump-chambers A. A¹ with an extension A*, and I combine with the said chambers,
easings or cylinders J, J'arranged to be moved up and down by means of a lever K

page_text: pivoted at K to the frame of the machine and connected with the casings or
cylinders J, J by means of pins or studs fixed in the said cylinders and extending
into slots in the said lever K. This lever may be operated by hand or by any suitable
mechanism.
When the cylinders occupy the position shown, mercury is poured into the
chamber A until the said mercury, filling the said chamber and the cylinder J, rises
to a level a short distance above the valve F. If the cylinder J be then moved
downward and the cylinder J simultaneously raised, the mercury will flow from the
chamber A¹ into the said cylinder J, and gas or vapor will be drawn through the
pipe D into the said chamber. On again raising the cylinder J, mercury will be
displaced therefrom by the extension A and will be forced into the chamber A', thus
expelling the gas or vapor therefrom through the valve F. The chamber A is charged
with mercury and the said chamber and its casing J operate in a similar manner to
that above described, gas or vapor being discharged from one chamber while it is
being drawn into the other chamber. The cylinders J, J¹ are arranged to descend
into cylinders or cylindrical guides L. L'.
When the machine is to be used with ether or other agents requiring a low pressure
for liquefaction, I sometimes modify the construction of the apparatus as shown in
Figure 5 or in Figure 8. In the modification of my apparatus illustrated in Figure 5,
the pump-chambers A, A¹ are each connected by a pipe D₁ with the refrigerator
and by a pipe M with the condenser, and the cup A is closed at the top by a
cover A¹.
In Figures 6 and 7, h is the refrigerator which is situated within the vessel E for
containing the liquid to be cooled. is the condenser which has three (or any other
suitable nuniber of) coils k, E, connected at their upper ends with the pipe M and
at their lower ends with a central chamber. A pipe extends from this chamber
to a coil in the refrigerator h. This coil is connected by a pipe h² with a chamber m
to which are also connected three coils n, n', n², the upper ends of which are con-
nected with the refrigerator h at or near the top thereof. The refrigerator has an
internal tube extending from the top nearly to the bottom thereof, and the pipe D
is connected to the upper end of the said refrigerator. Liquid is contained in, or, if
desired, caused to circulate through the vessel for cooling the coils k, k₁, k², the
chamber and pipe . The gas drawn from the refrigerator through the pipe D₁ by
one or other of the pumps herein described, is forced through the pipe M into the
coils of the condenser with sufficient pressure to ensure the condensation or lique-
faction of the gas. It passes from the said coils into the chamber and through the
pipe into the coil of the refrigerator, whence it passes into the chamber in and
through the coils n, n', n, into the space between the outer casing and the inner tube ³
of the refrigerator h. As the pressure is diminished the gas again expands and
extracts heat from the liquid in the vessel E. The said gas is then again drawn from
the refrigerator through the pipe D' by the pump.
1 sometimes enclose the cylinders J, J in a casing or jacket N, Figure 8, through
which the liquid is to be circulated for the purpose of cooling the mercury.
In the modification of my invention shown in Figure 9, I enclose each of the said
cylinders in a receptacle N in which I place a quantity of mercury, and I provide a 4
tube O which is secured to a flange A at the upper end of the cup A. This tube
extends downward into the mercury in the said receptacle N¹. A vacuum may, if
desired, be formed in the upper end of the tube O, which will tend to counterbalance
the apparatus.
Figures 10, 11 and 12 show another modification of my invention wherein I avoid 5
the great difficulty of construction and cost of compression pumps as heretofore made
for use with ammoniacal gas. For this purpose I employ mercury to which motion
is imparted by means of a hydraulic pump or pumps. I can use for this purpose
hydraulic pumps of small diameter running at a high speed, thus obtaining the best
result from the steam-engine or other motor employed, whilst permitting a long and 5
steady stroke of the mercury. These hydraulic pumps may be placed at any desired
distance from the refrigerator. By using mercury in this manner, moreover, 1 avoid

page_text: the expense of boring and turning the parts and the risk arising from the use of a
material of a porous nature, and at the same time I effect a great saving in power by
the reduction of friction, there being no pistons or glands, and I ensure an absolute
discharge at each stroke and obviate the liability to leakage of gas. I am also
enabled to effect the perfect cooling of the pump and the mercury by the use of a
jacket through which cold water is caused to circulate; by this arrangement, the
surface exposed to the cooling water can be made to suit any requirements, which is
a very important advantage in the case of pumps for refrigerating and ice-making.
In this modification of my invention, the pump-chambers A, A' are firmly secured
in cylinders P, P₁ containing mercury, and each of the said chambers is provided
with a suction valve F and a delivery valve F which are enclosed in cups A², A³
provided with covers A'. Aº, so that they are readily accessible when the said covers
are removed. The cups A³ are connected by pipes D' with the refrigerator and the
cups A are connected by pipes M with the condenser. The cylinders P, P₁ are
connected by pipes Q, Q with a cock R whereby the said cylinders may be placed in
communication alternately with a pump or accumulator through the pipe R' and with
the exhaust or discharge pipe R. The mercury in the cylinders P, P is thus caused
to alternately rise and fall in the pump-chambers A, A. A valve or other suitable
device may be substituted for the cock R. Water-jackets P2 are, moreover, in some
instances provided on the cylinders P, P¹.
Figures 13 to 16 show another modification of my said invention wherein I employ
a cheap and powerful pump which may be worked by hand or other power.
This form of my apparatus is adapted for a household refrigerator or ice-making
machine, and also for cooling refrigerating chambers.
It is arranged to accumulate power by driving a fly-wheel at a high speed for the
greater portion of the stroke and thus accumulating power which is utilized at the
termination of each stroke to effect the heavier portion of the work. In smaller sizes
of the apparatus, this fly-wheel may be dispensed with.
In this modification of my said invention, I employ pistons or plungers S, S' working
in cylinders and adapted to act, through the medium of water, oil, glycerine or other
suitable liquid, upon the mercury in the cylinders P, P¹ to cause the same to rise and
fall in the pump-chambers A, A. The pistons or plungers S, S¹ are arranged to be
driven through the medium of a shaft T extending through stuffing-boxes or journal-
bearings in the sides of the casing S2 and connected by means of suitable gearing
with a crank-shaft T which is supported in bearings within the said casing and the
pin of which works in a slot S3 in the piston-rod S. Or the said pistons or plungers
may be driven in any other convenient manner. When the shaft T is passed through
stuffing-boxes, the casing S² may be filled with water or other liquid.
Figure 17 shows a direct acting water-motor attached to a pump similar to that
shown in Figures 13 to 16. This form of my apparatus is very convenient for
household refrigerators as it can be regulated to run at a very low speed, just fast
enough to overcome the loss through radiation from the refrigerator.
The water-motor shown in Figure 17 comprises cylinders U, U₁, the pistons in
which are fixed upon a common piston-rod U2 connected, by a lever V pivoted at VI,
with the piston-rod S'.
Figure 18 shows an apparatus constructed as shown in Figure 13 and applied to a
household refrigerator or safe having a cold storage tank which is designed to contain
a large quantity of non-congealable liquid sufficient to maintain the desired low
temperature for many hours after the apparatus has ceased working, and in which
cold-producing agents are vaporized as explained in the specification of former Letters
Patent granted to me and dated 6th December A.D. 1886, No. 15,914, or in any other
convenient manner. This arrangement permits of the refrigerator being left for
many hours without working or without attention.
Wis the storage tank, the refrigerating device, j the condenser, p, p¹ are stop-
cocks or valves for regulating or controlling the flow of the gas. The other forms or
modifications of my improved pump may also be applied, in combination with a
condenser and storage tank, to a household refrigerator or safe in a similar manner.

page_text: The improvements above described with reference to Figure 18 are obviously
applicable to large or small refrigerating chambers.
Figure 19 shows a stop-valve of the kind which I prefer to use at P and to avoid
the liability to leakage. The stem of the valve p² is in contact with the underside
of a corrugated diaphragm tightly held or cramped between flanges p³: p. A
screw-spindle p' is provided above the said diaphragm and is adjustable by means of
a hand-wheel to open or close the valve. By this arrangement I am enabled to
hermetically seal the entire machine.
Figures 20 to 24 show another modification of my said invention adapted for
machines in which sulphuric acid is to be used. It is designed to overcome the defects
of machines at present in use constructed on this principle, by dispensing with all
glands and avoiding the risk of admitting atmospheric air into the machine while at
work this is of great importance as a sinal leakage into the machine immediately
stops its action.
This machine is, moreover, of cheap construction and can very easily. be moved.
from place to place without risk of its getting out of working order. It may be
provided with wheels to render it more easily portable.
In this modification 1 employ pistons or plungers S, S', adapted to act, through the
medium of water or other liquid, upon the mercury in the cylinders P, P¹ to cause
the same to rise and fall in the pump-chambers A, A¹; the said pistons or plungers.
are arranged to be driven through the medium of the shaft T extending through a
vessel q which is annular in transverse section and which contains mercury for the
purpose of forming an absolute seal against the admittance of atmospheric air, and a
frictionless gland.
The shaft T has a tube T¹ with a solid end made air tight at T on the said shaft
and dipping into and free to revolve in the mercury. Any vacuum formed in the
centre of the vessel or casing will cause the mercury to fall in the outer division
formed by the tube T', and to rise in the inner division according to the vacuum
formed. I sometimes employ a similar arrangement to that above described for forming
a seal around the stem or spindle of a valve or cock.
The shaft T extends into the vessel for driving a worm T3 or other suitable
appliance for circulating the sulphuric acid by raising it from the bottom to the top
of the acid-chamber, thereby changing the surface of the acid which comes in contact
with the vapor of water which the acid quickly absorbs, the vapor of water is
drawn from the vessels E containing the water to be frozen or cooled through the
pipe s over the surface of the sulphuric acid in the vessel, all the vapor of water or
air not absorbed will be drawn up the suction-pipe D into the chambers A, A¹, and
expelled into the atmosphere through the delivery valves F these valves are scaled
with mercury as above described.
All of the pumps above described are applicable to refrigerators or ice-making
machines wherein the cooling is effected by the evaporation of the liquid to be cooled
or to be used for cooling with or without the aid of chemical agents such as ether,
ammonia or sulphuric acid.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood
that I claim :-
First. An ice-making or refrigerating machine or apparatus, wherein mercury is
employed for drawing air or other gas or vapor into and discharging it from one or
more chambers, as, and for the purpose, above specified.
Second. A mercurial pump constructed without a suction-valve, the mercury
serving as a seal to close the aperture of the suction-pipe, substantially as, and for the
purpose, set forth.
Third. The delivery valve arranged in a cup or vessel at the top of the pump-
chamber substantially as set forth, so that the said valve is readily accessible and the
mercury, by rising above the said valve, will expel the impurities contained in it and

page_text: will cleanse the valve and valve-seat and form a seal over the said valve, as above
specified.
Fourth. A mercurial pump provided with rotating or oscillating hollow rods or
arms for alternately receiving the mercury from and returning it to the pump-
chambers, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Fifth. A mercurial pump wherein the pump-chambers are connected by flexible
pipes with each other and with the suction-pipes and are provided with means for
alternately raising and lowering them, substantially as, and for the purpose, set
forth.
Sixth. A mercurial pump wherein the pump-chambers are arranged within suitable
vessels containing mercury and provided with means for alternately raising and
lowering them (with or without cooling jackets around the said vessels), all substan-
tially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Seventh. A mercurial pump wherein motion is imparted to the mercury through
the medium of water or other suitable liquid (with or without means for cooling
the mercury), as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Eighth. A mercurial pump, provided with means for putting the vessels containing
the mercury in communication alternately with a pump or accumulator and with the
exhaust, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Ninth. The provision, in my improved pump, of a tube fixed on the driving shaft
and arranged to rotate in a vessel containing mercury so as to form a seal around the
said shaft, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Tenth. The employment, in my improved pump, of a stop-valve wherein a
corrugated diaphragm is arranged between the valve proper and the operating spindle,
as, and for the purpose, above specified.
Eleventh. The improved apparatus consisting of the parts constructed and combined
substantially as described with reference to either of the forms or modifications
shown in the accompanying drawings and operating as, and for the purposes, above
specified.
Dated this 5th day of July 1888.
F. B. HILL.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.